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civicsavvy · 23 days ago

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Part 4: The Forgotten Consensus: Shared Values Across Divides

In an era marked by intense polarization, it is easy to overlook the core values that unite individuals across political, social, and cultural divides. Despite the rhetoric that suggests an irreconcilable divide among Americans, many underlying principles remain widely held. These shared values—such as freedom, justice, community, and the pursuit of happiness—form the foundation of American identity and provide a pathway for reconnecting amidst discord.

Highlighting Underlying Values

At the heart of American society lies a commitment to fundamental principles that resonate across political ideologies. These include:

Freedom: The desire for individual liberties is a cornerstone of American life. Whether one leans left or right, the importance of personal freedom—be it freedom of speech, religion, or choice—is a shared value that transcends political affiliation. This commitment to freedom serves as a rallying point for diverse groups, allowing for conversations about rights and responsibilities that foster mutual respect.

Justice: The pursuit of justice is a common aspiration that motivates many social movements and civic actions. While interpretations of justice may vary, the fundamental belief in fairness and equity resonates with people across the political spectrum. Acknowledging this shared commitment can pave the way for constructive discussions about reform and accountability within systems of governance and society.

Community: The value of community and connection is another unifying factor. Regardless of political beliefs, most people yearn for belonging, support, and the ability to contribute to the greater good. Emphasizing community engagement and collective well-being can help bridge divides and encourage collaboration on local initiatives that benefit everyone.

The Pursuit of Happiness: The idea that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their version of happiness is a fundamental American ideal. This principle can encourage dialogue about social and economic policies, allowing for discussions that focus on creating environments where individuals can thrive.

Evidence of “Deep Agreement” on Key Issues

Research has shown that beneath the surface-level disagreements, there exists a “deep agreement” on many critical issues. Studies by organizations such as the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the Pew Research Center reveal that, on several key issues, majorities across political affiliations share similar concerns and aspirations.

Economic Opportunity: Across party lines, there is a consensus that economic opportunity should be accessible to all. Many Americans believe in the importance of providing pathways for upward mobility, supporting education, and creating job opportunities for those struggling to make ends meet.

Healthcare: While specific policy preferences may differ, the overarching belief that access to healthcare is a fundamental right is prevalent among many Americans. This shared concern can drive discussions about how to reform the healthcare system in a way that aligns with shared values.

Environmental Protection: Concerns about environmental degradation and the desire for sustainable practices are common sentiments among diverse groups. The acknowledgment of our shared responsibility to protect the planet can serve as a unifying cause that transcends partisan divides.

Safety and Security: The need for personal and community safety is a universal concern. While approaches to achieving safety may differ, the underlying desire for secure environments is a common ground that can facilitate cooperation on issues like crime reduction and public safety.

Emphasizing Shared Beliefs Amid Disagreements on Specific Policies

While policy disagreements are inevitable in a democratic society, emphasizing shared beliefs can help mitigate polarization and foster a culture of collaboration. Here are some strategies to highlight these common values:

Focus on Common Goals: In discussions around contentious issues, it is essential to frame conversations in terms of shared goals rather than partisan divides. By articulating a collective vision for the future—such as improved healthcare access, economic prosperity, or environmental stewardship—individuals can align their interests toward common objectives.

Encourage Dialogue Over Debate: Shift the focus from adversarial debate to open dialogue. Create spaces where individuals can share their experiences and perspectives without fear of judgment. Encourage active listening and the exploration of underlying motivations, which can reveal shared values even when specific policy preferences differ.

Celebrate Local Initiatives: Highlight local examples of cooperation and community-building that transcend political divides. By showcasing successful collaborative efforts on issues like education, public health, or infrastructure, individuals can see the potential for collective action, inspiring broader movements for unity.

Utilize Storytelling: Personal narratives can be powerful tools for connecting with others. By sharing stories that reflect common struggles, hopes, and aspirations, individuals can humanize issues and foster empathy. Storytelling allows people to relate to one another on a deeper level, moving beyond political labels and fostering understanding.

Engage in Community Activities: Encourage participation in community service projects, town hall meetings, or local events that bring diverse groups together. Engaging in shared activities fosters connections and reinforces a sense of community, reminding individuals of their shared humanity.

Conclusion: Reclaiming the Narrative of Unity

In a time characterized by polarization, reclaiming the narrative of unity requires an active commitment to recognizing and celebrating the shared values that bind us together. By focusing on underlying principles like freedom, justice, and community, and by embracing the evidence of deep agreement on key issues, individuals can transcend divisions and work toward common goals.

In the following part, attention will be given to how universities and educational institutions shape social attitudes and political beliefs, emphasizing the need for balanced discourse and intellectual diversity. This section will discuss the pivotal role of academia in cultivating critical thinking and promoting a broad-minded approach to differing perspectives.

Part 5: The Role of Universities and Education in Shaping Perspectives

In today's polarized landscape, educational institutions wield substantial power in shaping societal attitudes, beliefs, and political perspectives. Universities and colleges have historically been spaces for intellectual exploration, free expression, and rigorous debate. Yet, in recent years, some argue that academia has shifted, increasingly reflecting specific ideologies that may discourage genuine critical thinking and open dialogue. This chapter delves into the role of universities in shaping beliefs, examines the challenges posed by ideological conformity, and considers ways that educational institutions can foster a more balanced, open-minded approach.

Influence of Academia on Social Attitudes and Political Beliefs

Higher education plays a significant role in shaping the values, norms, and ideologies of students. For many, college years are formative, marking the first time they encounter diverse perspectives and engage in deep self-reflection. As such, universities serve as cultural incubators, influencing the trajectory of social and political beliefs in broader society. For instance, studies show that students are more likely to emerge from college with progressive attitudes, especially regarding social issues such as gender equality, racial justice, and environmental concerns.

However, there is ongoing debate over the extent to which this shift reflects a genuine exploration of diverse ideas versus an environment that encourages specific perspectives. Some researchers argue that the ideological leanings of faculty members and the overall culture on many campuses can unintentionally create an "echo chamber" effect, where certain views are amplified while others are marginalized. As a result, students may feel pressured to adopt mainstream opinions or risk social alienation.

Ideological Conformity and Its Consequences

The issue of ideological conformity within academic settings has been widely discussed in recent years, with concerns about "groupthink" emerging in some disciplines. In an environment where a particular ideological framework dominates, students and faculty members may be discouraged—whether directly or subtly—from expressing dissenting opinions. This creates a culture where individuals may avoid questioning widely accepted beliefs, inhibiting the kind of critical thinking that universities aim to foster.

This conformity can have several consequences. First, it undermines the principle of academic freedom, limiting the scope of inquiry and hindering intellectual diversity. When certain perspectives are sidelined or dismissed outright, the result is a partial, and sometimes distorted, view of complex social and political issues. Second, ideological conformity can create a polarized campus environment, where students perceive "acceptable" and "unacceptable" opinions, stifling productive discussion and discouraging genuine curiosity.

Moreover, the consequences of this culture extend beyond the walls of academia. Graduates who have primarily been exposed to a narrow range of views may be less prepared to navigate diverse perspectives in the workforce and society at large. As they enter professional and civic life, they may struggle to engage with others who hold different beliefs, perpetuating the broader polarization we see in society.

Fostering Critical Thinking and Open Dialogue

To counteract these tendencies, universities must prioritize critical thinking and open dialogue, treating them as foundational skills rather than secondary goals. Critical thinking allows students to analyze information, question assumptions, and evaluate arguments, which is essential for developing well-rounded perspectives on complex issues. When students learn to engage critically with diverse ideas, they become better equipped to form their own views, rather than simply adopting prevailing beliefs uncritically.

Open dialogue, meanwhile, ensures that students are exposed to a range of viewpoints, helping to foster empathy and understanding. By facilitating respectful conversations across ideological divides, universities can create an environment where students feel safe expressing different perspectives. This approach not only enriches students' academic experiences but also prepares them to be thoughtful, open-minded citizens.

To achieve this, universities can implement several strategies:

Encourage Ideological Diversity Among Faculty and Guest Speakers: By actively seeking faculty and speakers from diverse ideological backgrounds, universities can expose students to a broader range of perspectives. This helps prevent an echo chamber effect and ensures that students encounter ideas they might not otherwise encounter.

Establish Forums for Structured Debate: Organized debates, panel discussions, and dialogue sessions can provide structured opportunities for students to engage with contrasting viewpoints. When these events are moderated effectively, they can serve as valuable educational experiences, teaching students how to engage in respectful, constructive debate.

Incorporate Critical Thinking into the Curriculum: Critical thinking skills should be explicitly taught and emphasized throughout the curriculum, regardless of discipline. Assignments and assessments that require students to analyze different perspectives, question assumptions, and construct well-reasoned arguments can help cultivate this skill.

Create a Culture of Intellectual Humility: Encouraging intellectual humility—the recognition that one's own views are fallible—can reduce defensiveness and make students more receptive to alternative perspectives. By promoting a mindset of continuous learning, universities can foster a culture where students feel comfortable re-evaluating their beliefs.

Support Freedom of Expression Policies: Clear policies supporting freedom of expression on campus can help create an environment where students feel empowered to express diverse views without fear of retribution. Universities should make it clear that, while hate speech is unacceptable, respectful discussion of controversial ideas is both welcome and encouraged.

Case Studies: Universities That Champion Open Dialogue

Some universities have made strides toward promoting a culture of open dialogue and intellectual diversity. For instance, the University of Chicago is well known for its "Chicago Principles," which affirm the institution's commitment to free expression and open discourse. This policy has become a model for other universities, demonstrating the potential for creating an environment where students are encouraged to explore diverse viewpoints.

Another example is Princeton University's James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, which hosts lectures, seminars, and fellowships focused on open debate and the study of American principles. Programs like these create spaces where students can engage with a wide array of ideological perspectives, challenging their preconceptions and expanding their understanding.

In both cases, these universities have recognized that fostering open dialogue and critical thinking requires intentional policies and programs. Their commitment to these principles underscores the value of a balanced approach to education that respects intellectual freedom while encouraging thoughtful, inclusive discussions.

Preparing Students for a Polarized World

The role of universities in shaping perspectives extends beyond academic and career preparation; it also includes preparing students to engage constructively in a polarized world. By fostering critical thinking and open dialogue, universities can equip students with the tools they need to approach complex issues thoughtfully and empathetically. Rather than viewing ideological diversity as a threat, they can see it as an asset—a means of broadening their understanding and challenging their assumptions.

Ultimately, educational institutions have a responsibility to create an environment where students are encouraged to think independently and engage with a wide range of ideas. In doing so, they can help bridge the divides that have become so prominent in society, cultivating a generation of graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also open-minded and prepared to build a more unified future.

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alyakthedorklord · 1 year ago

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Batman the Playboy

Justice League, not quite early days but before proper identity reveals, though everyone knows Batman knows theirs, bc he has Opinions™ and Constructive Criticisms™ on their secret-keeping.

The issue is brought up on random occasions. The most notable incident- the Justice League, including Batman, being Drunk for Bonding, (or hit with some kind of drug while out saving the world) and Batman, in a fit of paranoid good intentions because he CARES about these idiots, damnit, why must they be so careless, starts insulting them.

Batman, leaning heavily on the table: “GL, you’re a mess, I don’t even know where to start with you. And Arrow! Your goatee is so distinctive, it’s a wonder no one has called you out on it-“

Green Arrow, also drunk: “Alright, there’s no need to insult my awesome facial hair-”

Batman, in despair: “It’s so ugly.”

Green Arrow: (offended noises)

Green Lantern: “Okay, the only reason you know our secret identities is because you’re a rude nosy bastard who needs to know everything about us like a creepy stalker who needs an ego boost! We’re not stupid, Spooky, we’re just polite. We could figure you out easily if we wanted to. Superman can see right through your mask!”

Usually, Batman would have a good response to that. Something smart and reasonable like “villains won’t care for your privacy, I’m testing you,” or something cutting like “I don’t care enough about you to go digging, I set your secret identity as a training exercise for Robin.”

However, Batman is Drunk, because for some reason imbibing drugs that dampen higher brain function is socially acceptable and often, for some reason, expected, because it’s “team bonding” and “come on just loosen up a bit.” (Also for him, drunk=Brucie)

So what Batman ends up saying is: “I could kiss you full on the lips in my secret identity and you wouldn’t know a thing.”

Superman, plucking the glass from Batman’s hand: “Aaaand that is enough alcohol for you!”

Batman nods. Thank God. He wants to go home and sleep. But first: “Superman, yours is so stupid it’s almost impressive-”

———

Of course, Green Lantern has smelled a challenge. And Green Lantern must annoy Batman. It’s his true superpower. So, the next time they meet (sober) he brings up the issue again.

GL: “So about what you said at the party… the part where you could kiss us full on the lips without us knowing. You still confident in that without liquid courage, Spooky? Bet you your real name you can’t do it.”

Batman, regretting the fact that alcohol has ever passed his lips: “I could do it, but I will not.”

Flash, curious: “Why’s that?”

Batman: “Informed Consent. I will not risk making any of you feel violated, or manipulated, for the sake of a stupid bet and my ego.”

GA, still offended by the goatee comment, trying to back Batman into a corner: “So if we give consent, we’re fair game? Try me, Batman. Even you can’t pull this off. Anyone else game?”

Some of the Justice League laughs, raising their hands.

Flash: “Come get me, hot stuff! I’ll call you out!”

Wonder Woman: “It could be amusing.”

Martian Manhunter: “I would be far too difficult a target.”

Green Arrow: “Not just you. C’mon, Spooky, flirting well enough to get a kiss from me? I’m a classy lady.”

Black Canary: “D-class, maybe.”

Superman, wants a kiss in on the fun: 🙋🏻‍♂️

“So that’s it then!” Green Lantern says smugly. “Batman, if you can kiss… how many people raised their hands? Ah yes- HALF THE JUSTICE LEAGUE, without anyone realizing it’s you, then you win.”

Batman scoffs and walks out, leaving the Justice League in stitches at their joke. Because- Batman? Being good enough at flirting to land a kiss on half the league, without it being forced or awkward, without them recognizing his body language, his voice, his build? How ridiculous!

The Batman is Autistic. The Batman does not understand jokes, especially not ones that are half truths. The Batman has consent, and something to prove.

And Bruce Wayne, billionaire, playboy, and sexy DILF, has targets.

(Please tell me how you think he gets each League member.)

Edit: there have been a bunch of awesome additions in the notes! My own take here.

#a few months later GL brings it up #like ‘ha ha remember funny joke’#batman: ‘…joke?’#justice league #😳#yes joke #autistic batman #batman #brucie wayne #justice leauge shennanigans #batman the playboy

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s-soulwriter · 1 year ago

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Creative misfortunes for characters

Identity Crisis: Have your character lose their memory, forcing them to rediscover their true self and past.

Betrayal by a Loved One: A close friend or family member betrays the character's trust, leading to emotional turmoil and inner conflict.

Physical Transformation: Give your character a physical ailment or transformation that they must come to terms with, such as sudden blindness, a debilitating illness, or turning into a different species.

Unrequited Love: Make your character fall deeply in love with someone who doesn't reciprocate their feelings, causing heartache and a quest for self-discovery.

Financial Ruin: Strip your character of their wealth and privilege, forcing them to adapt to a life of poverty and face the harsh realities of the world.

False Accusation: Have your character falsely accused of a crime they didn't commit, leading to a desperate quest to clear their name.

Natural Disaster: Place your character in the path of a devastating natural disaster, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or tsunami, and force them to survive and rebuild.

Loss of a Sense: Take away one of your character's senses (e.g., sight, hearing, taste) and explore how they adapt and cope with this profound change.

Forced Isolation: Trap your character in a remote location, like a deserted island, and make them confront their inner demons while struggling to survive.

Haunted Past: Reveal a dark secret from your character's past that comes back to haunt them, threatening their relationships and well-being.

Time Travel Consequences: Send your character back in time, but make them inadvertently change a crucial event in history, leading to unintended consequences in the present.

Psychological Breakdown: Push your character to the brink of a mental breakdown, exploring the complexities of their psyche and their journey towards recovery.

Unwanted Prophecy: Have your character be the subject of a prophecy they want no part of, as it places them in grave danger or disrupts their life.

Loss of a Loved One: Kill off a beloved character or make your protagonist witness the death of someone close to them, igniting a quest for revenge or justice.

Incurable Curse or Disease: Curse your character with an incurable ailment or supernatural curse, and follow their journey to find a cure or accept their fate.

Sudden Disappearance: Make a character disappear mysteriously, leaving the others to search for them and uncover the truth.

Betrayal of Morals: Force your character into a situation where they must compromise their ethical values for a greater cause, leading to moral dilemmas and internal conflict.

Loss of a Precious Object: Have your character lose a cherished possession or artifact that holds sentimental or magical significance, setting them on a quest to recover it.

Political Intrigue: Place your character in a position of power or influence, then subject them to political intrigue, manipulation, and power struggles.

Existential Crisis: Make your character question the meaning of life, their purpose, and their place in the universe, leading to a philosophical journey of self-discovery.

Remember that misfortunes should serve a purpose in your story, driving character growth, plot development, and thematic exploration.

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yandere-daydreams · 11 months ago

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Title: Nurture.

Paring: Yan!Geto Suguru x Reader x Yan!Gojo Satoru (JJK).

A Continuation Of Nursle.

Word Count: 11.0k.

TW: Dub/Con, Non/Con, Fem!Reader, Unhealthy Relationships, Emotional Manipulation, Implied Imprisonment, Mentions of Pregnancy/Childbirth, Oral Sex, Rough Sex, Unprotected Sex, Implied Semi-Public Sex, Forced Marriage, Panic Attacks/Disassociation, Mentions of Stalking, and Nonchronological Timelines. Dead Dove: Do Not Eat.

[Part One] [Part Three]

You were never supposed to meet Geto Suguru.

It’d been a misstep in the never-ending trudge that was the cosmic timeline; a mistake on behalf of the universe that left you on the doorstep of his temple, glancing between the rustic entryway and the scrap of paper one of your student’s mothers had slipped into your hand a few weeks prior. “They should be able to help with your little problem,” she’d explained with a wink, a knowing glance towards your stiff shoulders, the dark bags under your eyes. “One visit, and you’ll feel like a teenager again.”

You’d smiled politely and told her that you’d give it a try and shoved her note into a drawer below your desk to be swiftly forgotten. You went to a doctor, then a chiropractor, then a psychologist, then briefly considered making an appointment with a fortune teller before finally relenting and deciding that you were, in fact, desperate enough for a miracle healer. It took three trains, two taxis, and more than a handful of helpful strangers, but you’d arrived at the messily scrawled address in one piece. You could still turn around, try your luck with another specialist, another bottle of over-the-counter sleeping pills – sane solutions that sane people fell back on when they encountered problems that sane people had. You could go back to your flat, your ever-growing pile of ungraded tests, and pretend you’d never been here at all. You could do the thing that crazy, desperate people didn’t do, and you could leave.

You took a deep breath, braced yourself, and crossed into the entryway.

An attendant caught you as soon as you’d stepped inside. He was male, middle-aged, wearing the most strained, plastered-on smile you’d ever seen as he bowed his head to you. After a moment of nervous delay, you returned the gesture. “I—Uh, a friend of mine pointed me in your direction,” you stuttered out, doing your best to speak through your anxiety. “She said your head priest could…”

You trailed off, struggling to find the right words. Thankfully, the attendant cut in before you could make yourself look like a complete moron. “Geto-sama?” Impossibly, his smile widened even further. “You’ve come to the right place - he’s a truly miraculous healer. He’s seeing another poor, suffering soul at the moment, but you’re free to wait outside of his sanctuary.”

With a quick nod and a few words of thanks, you were swiftly taken to and abandoned in a small sitting room that, you could only guess, led into the innermost shrine. You sunk into a remarkably uncomfortable wooden chair and managed to sit still for all of three seconds before looking for your next distraction. Thankfully, it wasn’t hard to find.

Two girls sat on the other side of the room; sisters, you guessed, if not twins. One (Mimiko – it’d still be a few days before you learned her name) was perched on the edge of a chair identical to your own while the other (Nanako) sat cross-legged on the floor between her legs, fiddling with a hand-held console as her sister tried and failed to braid her hair. You couldn’t help yourself – a small smile tugging at the corner of your lips as you watched Mimiko clumsily fumble with the messily divided strands of hair, her frustration written clearly across her expression. You’d always been comfortable around kids, as much as you never wanted to have your own. You didn’t know much about healing priests or mystic illnesses, but you knew how to handle a struggling seven-year-old.

When she looked away from her work, seeming to notice you for the first time, you offered her a bright smile, a quick wave. “Having a hard time?” you asked, gesturing towards her messy handiwork. “I can show you a few tricks, if you’d like.”

There was a long moment of hesitation, a quick look shared with her sister. “I understand if you don’t trust my credentials, but…” You fished out a few spare hair-ties out of your pocket: bright pink and adorned with equally garish bows, the color and design enough to make Nanako’s eyes light up. One of your more absent-minded students tended to forget hers, and you’d gotten into the habit of carrying a healthy stockpile on her behalf. “I did bring my own supplies.”

A few minutes later, you found yourself dutifully combing out Mimiko’s hair while Nanako admired her new pigtails. They seemed reluctant to talk to you, but you did your best to make polite conversation – well, as much as you could with two stand-offish grade schoolers. “Are you two waiting for someone?”

Mimiko pursed her lips, but Nanako wasn’t so shy. “Our dad,” she filled in, the kind of pride only an idealistic child could have for a parent heavy in her voice. “He hates monkeys.”

“Oh.” You did your best to sound surprised, rather than confused. “Does he work for the temple?”

“Mhm – he’s really strong, and super important.” She waited for you to num in acknowledgement, then went on. “You’re here to see him, right? He can definitely help you, if you are.”

Your hands faltered, a lock of Mimiko’s hair slipping out of your loose hold. “Your father’s… the head priest?”

Nanako nodded enthusiastically, and for the first time, Mimiko chimed in, “He’ll probably get rid of your creepy friend.”

This time, you stopped moving entirely. “I’m sorry, my friend?”

Mimiko glanced over her shoulder, moved to speak, but the screen door leading into the shrine slid open before she could answer you. It wasn’t an attendant, this time, but a man in monk’s garb with hair that reached past his shoulders and a grin less strained but just as artificial as that of his attendants. Geto Suguru, although it’d still be some time before you knew to call him that.

His dark eyes found you first, before moving to his daughters. “Girls,” he started, tone more playful than chiding. “Are you bothering my guests?”

The twins exchanged a long, weighty look before Nanako pushed herself to her feet and hurried to her father’s side. With a sigh of mock exasperation, he leaned down, letting her whisper something into his ear as you rushed to finish Mimiko’s braid. You couldn’t make out what she was saying, but it was enough to earn a pair of pursed lips from Suguru, a languid shake of his head. Without responding to her, he straightened his back, already ushering you inside. You took a deep breath, then followed him into the shrine.

He made no attempt to put on a show of false hospitality. Wordlessly, he left you loitering in the center of the very empty, very large room while he stepped onto a raised platform and collapsed onto his side, propping his elbow on a cushioned, stand-alone armrest. This time, when he sighed, it seemed to be out of a more genuine exhaustion, his eyes falling shut briefly as he propped his chin on his fist and brought his free hand to his temples. “I have to apologize for my daughters. If I could watch them constantly, it still wouldn’t be enough.” He opened his eyes, and instantly, you felt the full weight of his stare. If it hadn’t been a feeling you were so used to, it might’ve been enough to send a chill down your spine. “Now, how can I be of service to you?”

You dug your teeth into the inside of your cheek, fighting the urge to fidget. “I’ve been having trouble sleeping, lately. There’s been this weight on my back, like—”

“Like you’re being watched?”

He spoke confidently, as if answering a question he’d written himself. With your hands clenched into fists at your sides, you nodded. Suguru’s head lulled to the side, his smile taking on a satisfied lilt. “I thought so. Tell me – have you had any scorned lovers in the past? Boyfriends, fiancés, that type of thing?”

“A stalker,” you admitted. “But, he passed a few months ago. There was an accident, and—”

This time, he cut you off with a snap of his fingers. It was brief, barely a flash of movement, but you caught something in the corner of your eye – an amorphous shape perched above your right shoulder, a thousand eyes spotted across its baggy skin and a hundred curling tentacles wrapped around your arms, your chest, your stomach. You shut your eyes, winced, and when you opened them again, the creature was gone and Suguru held a small, pitch-black marble between his thumb and forefinger. He took a second to evaluate it before letting out an approving hum and bringing the marble to his lips, swallowing it whole. In your shock, it didn’t even occur to you to look away.

“These things tend to linger.” It was a meager explanation, but you accepted it whole-heartedly. For the first time in months, you were able to straighten your back, to drop your shoulders, to stand up without a single part of you crying out in protest. You might’ve cried, if you hadn’t been so relieved.

“Thank you,” you nearly gasped, bowing at the waist. “Oh my god, I— I don’t have much money, but—”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly ask for compensation. Consider this—” A click of his tongue, a roll of his wrist. “—a favor between friends. The most I could ask for is a little of your time, in return.”

You would’ve given him your first-born child, if he’d asked for it. “Of course, anything. I really can’t thank you enough, sir.”

“It’s just— I’ve been trying to find a tutor for my daughters for the longest time, and they already seem fond of you.” For the first time since you’d stepped into his shrine, he sat up, facing you directly. “I understand that you’re a teacher?”

You left the temple a few minutes later, a new number programmed into your phone and a smile brighter than anything you’d worn in years painted across your lips.

You moved in with Satoru the same day he met Himari – as much being told to shove everything you couldn’t live without in a bag because you wouldn’t be coming back to your apartment could be called moving. You would’ve fought it more, but he’d been holding your daughter, and you couldn’t take that kind of risk with her. Not again.

Time seemed to pass in slow, thick clumps. Hours would pass in the blink of an eye and seconds would drag on and on and on until you couldn’t stand the idea of pretending you cared, anymore. A nursery was thrown together in one of Satoru’s guestrooms. When you mentioned that you’d never slept so far from her, Satoru cooed and kissed your cheek.

“It’ll be alright, baby. I’ve got enough monitors to last ‘till she’s eighteen. And, no offense, they’re a little more reliable than what you’ve been using.” Another kiss, this one to the corner of your jaw. “Besides, I don’t think you’ll want her sharing a room with us.”

Something pricked at the back of your throat. “I could sleep in here, with—”

“Nope.” He was kind enough to shut you down before you could so much as start to get your hopes up. “Honestly, she should count herself lucky I’m willing to share at all.”

You couldn’t bring yourself to respond. Instead, you closed your eyes, and when you found the strength to open them again, the world was dark and your body was cold.

Once the novelty wore off, you fell into a steady routine. Once or twice a week, you’d make the trip to Suguru’s temple and do your best to drill seven years’ worth of public education into Mimiko and Nanako while their father saw his unfortunate visitors. They were smart girls, even if they were more interested in your love life than multiplication tables, and when you thought about Suguru had done for you, you couldn’t say you minded spending a few hours of your weekend in a scenic, rural temple surrounded by Suguru’s (sometimes off-putting, but never unpleasant) congregation.

It took two months before you saw Suguru’s composure slip. It’d been a mistake – an accident on your part as much as it was on his – but you hadn’t thought of it in such fatalistic terms in the moment.

You kept your hands in your pockets as you wandered through the temple’s courtyard, stretching your legs while the girls finished a worksheet on long division (chosen by Nanako over English contractions, much to Mimiko’s protest). Idly, eager to give them as much time as you could, you made your way around the inner sanctum’s perimeter, rounding a sharp corner before abruptly coming to a stop.

Geto sat on the edge of the raised porch, eyes closed and his shoulder braced against the side of a support beam. You moved to flee, to apologize for interrupting his meditation, but you noticed his hunched posture, his slightly parted lips, and let out a breath of a laugh, your panic fading into pity.

Ah, the poor thing.

He was so tired, he’d fallen asleep sitting up.

As little as you’d expected to see a grown man sleeping in public, you weren’t surprised. Suguru was always running himself ragged; either hosting guests or holding sermons or running errands on the temple’s behalf, always coming back with a certain weight to his steps and an off-kilter quirk to his smile. With a sigh, you kneeled next to him and after a moment of hesitation, shrugged off your coat, taking care not to wake him as you draped it over his shoulders. Immediately, he relaxed – an ounce of the tension in his shoulders dissolving as he slumped into himself. You’d considered waking him up, but decided against it. Your own months of sleepless nights and never-ending days were still fresh in your memory. You didn’t want to be the reason he missed out on a few precious minutes of much-needed rest.

You heard a screen door slide open, a high-pitched voice call your name from the other side of the temple. You pushed yourself to your feet, but paused, spared another glance toward Suguru. It was a stupid, spontaneous thing to do, you didn’t give yourself time to think better of it before brushing his bangs away from his face and pressing a kiss into his forehead – the kind of kiss you’d give to one of your students in the wake of scraped knees and playground arguments. When he failed to stir, you pulled back and crossed your arms over your chest, doing your best to keep yourself warm as you started back to where his girls were waiting for you.

Satoru was at your door as soon as the bell rang.

Somewhere, in the back of your mind, you must’ve known he wouldn’t give up old patterns so easily. He loitered in the hallway while your hyper-active students filtered out, slipped inside as the last of the stranglers did their best not to gawk at the inhumanely tall stranger with unnaturally white hair. By the time he crossed the threshold, you and Megumi were the only ones left, the latter dutifully waiting for his daily busy work at the corner of your desk.

Satoru acknowledged him with a click of his tongue, a quick ruffle to Megumi’s hair before he moved onto you. “There’s my pretty girl,” he half-said, half-sung as he slung an arm around your neck, pulling you into his chest. “Had you on my mind all day. Couldn’t stop wishin’ I had your pretty ti—”

You cleared your throat into your hand, nodding pointedly towards Megumi. Satoru’s grin faltered, then collapsed into a pursed-lipped frown. He didn’t say anything, but his thumb dug into your shoulder, his cruel eyes flickering to you over the dark lenses of his glasses. You didn’t need any further instruction. If Suguru taught you anything, it’d been how to get rid of unwanted company.

“Megumi.” You waved him toward you, and despite the mix of distrust and exasperation written clearly across his expression, he stepped forward. Still, you braced yourself before going on. As little as you wanted to associate him with Satoru, to blame him for what Satoru did to you, you hadn’t been able to meet his eyes all day. Whenever you looked at him, you couldn’t help but think about Himari, and whenever you thought about Himari—

“You usually walk home with Tsumiki today, right?” He didn’t, but you couldn’t think of a better excuse. Lately, it was all you could do to put one word in front of another, let alone actually manage to clear away enough of the thick, buzzing static clouding your mind to form an intelligent thought. “You should really get going, before she starts to think you left without her.”

His gaze dropped to the ground. He mumbled something just a breath below audible, and you forced yourself to smile. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

“I don’t want to leave you alone with him.” His tone was clipped, his eyes narrowed. “He’s… He’s gross, and weird, and you shouldn’t talk to him.”

If he’d been any other kid, if Satoru had been any other adult, you might’ve laughed, chided him for speaking so rudely about his elders. Instead, you only sighed, your smile faltering as you brought a hand to his shoulder. “We’re just going to have a little chat, that’s all. I promise, I’ll be just fine when we see each other tomorrow.” You paused, lowered your voice into something playfully conspiratorial. “Between you and me, I think he’s pretty weird too. Thanks for looking out for me.”

His scowl deepened, but he didn’t protest. After tossing one more glare in Satoru’s direction, he trudged out of your classroom, letting the door slam behind him. You didn’t have time to feel relief or dread or much of anything before Satoru was on top of you – his knee planted between your thighs, one of his hands groping at your waist while the other caught your chin, holding you in place while his lips crashed into yours, the kiss mess and open-mouthed and desperate. “The brat’s annoying,” he muttered, as he pulled away. “But I can’t say I don’t see where he’s coming from. If you’d been my teacher, I don’t think I would’ve been able to stop myself from bending you over your desk ‘n earning a little extra credit.”

A wave of nausea washed over you. You couldn’t stop yourself from buckling forward, but Satoru had already moved on, found his way to the side of your neck. “Please, don’t talk about my students like—”

Your voice gave out as he bit down – burying his teeth in your throat in less of a love-bite and more of an effort to eat you alive. You barely managed to stop yourself from crying out, but panic quickly swallowed whatever pain you might’ve felt. It’d leave a mark, one you wouldn’t be able to hide, not completely. Against your will, your mind flashed to Megumi and, if you’d been just a little weaker, you might’ve collapsed, passed out while Satoru lapped the blood now trickling down your throat. If you’d been just a little luckier, you might’ve fallen apart entirely.

Your hands shot to his hair, and Satoru let out a throaty groan. His hands fell to your thighs, and before you could so much as think to struggle, you were laid across your desk, folders and worksheets pushed aside in favor of trapping your body underneath his. “Always wanted to do this,” he muttered into your shoulder, already pulling your skirt to your waist. “Might have to go into teaching, too – just so you can return the favor.”

He might’ve gone on, but you were done listening.

You would have to request a change of classroom, tomorrow morning.

Nanako returned your coat to you a week later, rolling on the balls of her feet and grinning from ear to ear.

You saw Suguru more often, after that.

Granted, not too often, and never for very long. He was still a busy man, and most of your interactions were limited to minute-long conversations as you found each other heading in the same direction, a few niceties exchanged as you dropped Nanako and Mimiko off at the door of his shrine. He never struck you as overly guarded, but you could count the number of times you’d heard him speak about himself on a single hand. If it hadn’t been for his girls, you probably would never have learned his given name.

Winter had begun its swift and relentless approach, and you found yourself standing outside of the temple’s gates, watching the sun slip below the horizon and debating if it would be worth it to cough up the cash for a taxi, rather than dragging yourself through the labyrinth that was public transportation in the dark. As you checked your phone for the dozenth time, you caught a flash of movement in your peripheral and glanced up only to find Suguru – changed out of his monk’s garb and into a plain shirt and a pair of sweatpants that made him look more like an exhausted college student than the head of his own temple. He nodded to you by way of greeting, and you flashed him a smile. “Waiting for someone?”

“Something like that.” You looked back to your phone and sighed. “I might have to make our next session a little earlier. I forgot how dark it could get and, well, you know what it’s like in the city.”

You withered, but Suguru only brightened. “Let me give you a ride.”

“Are you sure? I’d hate to—”

“Please, (Y/n).” You could see why he had such a dedicated congregation. When he spoke, it was impossible not to listen. “Just think of it as a favor between friends.”

You wanted to refuse, to tell him not to waste his time, but a streetlamp buzzed to life somewhere above you and the last trace of your resolve crumbled. A few minutes later, you were in the back of a sleek, black car – Suguru sitting next to you and his driver hidden behind a tinted partition. More time than you would’ve liked passed in tense silence before you, more motivated by discomfort than gratitude, broke the quiet. “I was surprised when I found out Nanako and Mimiko were homeschooled.” Before he could respond, you realized how it must’ve sounded and tried to backtrack. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that! It’s just—you’re always so busy, and they’re such bright girls. I’m sure that, if you ever did want to get them enrolled, they’d do very well. It’d free up a lot of your time, too.”

You thought you saw him wince, but it could’ve just been a trick of the light. By the time you turned to face him properly, his expression was unreadable – his lips pulled into a thin line and his dark eyes focused on some unseen point in the distance. “I probably shouldn’t be telling you this,” he admitted, before letting an airy sigh. “But… I made a lot of bad choices, when I first took them in. The were a bad situation, and I was young and stupid, and I— I think I might’ve fucked things up. For them, at least. I probably would’ve ended up in the same place eventually.” Another sigh, a lengthy pause. When he went on, his tone was heavier, his usual confidence greatly diminished, if not absent entirely. “…you don’t think I made a mistake, do you?”

You took a second to think, letting your eyes fall to your lap. “I don’t,” you said, finally. “The girls seem happy, and you’re providing for them. They won’t have normal lives, but—” You hummed, shrugged. “Who does?”

He seemed to relax, the harsh edges of his expression dulling. His eyes shifted to you. “You’re not going to tell anyone, right?”

This time, you didn’t hesitate at all, shaking your head with a slight smile. “Consider it,” You let your tone dip into something teasing and secretive, raising your chin the way he tended to when talking to guests and members of his congregation. “a favor between friends.”

Your showmanship earned a dry chuckle, a softened gaze. After a long beat, he asked, “Would you mind if I, uh…” He trailed off, tugged at the collar of his shirt. “Would you mind if I tried something?”

Now, it was your turn to laugh. You’d assumed he was in his mid-twenties, but he must’ve been younger – he was acting like a teenager. “Go ahead, Suguru.”

Despite your reassurance, he stalled for a few seconds before, more than a little stiltedly, bending at his waist and resting his head gingerly on your lap. It was an awkward position, the back of the car too cramped for him to lay down properly, but his eyes fell shut and after the initial shock faded, you could only smile, raising a hand and combing your fingers idly through his hair. When you pulled the elastic band holding his half-bun together out of place, letting his hair fall loose over your thighs, he didn’t protest, only going that much more limp on top of you.

You two stayed that way for the rest of the trip; his head in your lap, your finger carding through his hair, the only noise that of traffic and the occasional muted hum when your attention started to drift. It was only when his driver pulled onto the curb in front of your complex that Suguru raised his head, blinking himself back into consciousness. You turned to let yourself out, only to feel him take up one of your hands – his fingers soon intertwined with yours. You didn’t have time to ask him what he was doing before you felt him cup your cheek, before you felt his mouth against yours.

The kiss was gentle but warm, shallow but lingering. He held you there, his lips barely yours, for a second, then another, before you snapped out of it and pulled away – your disgust as immediate as it was it was self-concentrated. If Suguru felt the same way, he hid it well. You could only make out the slightest trace of hurt in the down-turned corners of his parted lips.

He started to say something, but you were already rushing to apologize. “I’m sorry, Suguru. You’re a sweet kid, but I’m—” You forced yourself to laugh, the noise jolting and strained. “I’m nearly twice your age.”

He pursed his lips. “I don’t care how old you are.”

“Exactly.” You shook your head, dragging a hand over your face. “I’m so, so sorry. I should’ve been more clear about, I don’t know,” You gestured vaguely. “—everything. And I should really—”

Again, you moved to leave, and again, he stopped you. This time, he caught you by the wrist. “I’m not a kid.” You tried to pull away from him, but his grip tightened. You felt something in your forearm begin to ache. “If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you how serious I am.”

“Absolutely not.” You pried the door open and jerked away from him just in time to stumble out of his car and onto the pavement. You saw his posture straighten, his body tense as if he was going to try to lunge at you, but mercifully, he must’ve thought better of it. His anger was, instead, focused entirely into his unblinking stare, and you did your best to speak in spite of the way his eyes burnt into your chest. “I… I think it would be for the best if we didn’t see each other, for a while. Tell the girls I’m out of town, and—” You swallowed, dryly. “—I think you should get some rest, Suguru. You need it.”

As awful as it made you feel, you slammed the door shut before he could respond. He didn’t try to chase you, but his car hadn’t moved by the time you made it to your flat. With your doors locked and your blinds pulled shut, you watched it until, hours after midnight, you nodded off.

He was gone when you woke up, and you could only hope he’d be mature enough to mind his distance.

Satoru’s face was buried between your thighs when you heard his phone ring, his hands curled around your thighs and your body perched on the edge of one of his rarely used marble counters. You would’ve missed it entirely if you’d been a little closer to the edge, if he’d been just a little nosier as he moaned and grunted into your cunt, but you weren’t, and he wasn’t, and the sound of that melodic dial-tone cut through the haze like a knife through fog (relatively ineffective, but still violent enough to draw attention). You straightened as much as you could, combing your fingers through his hair and tugging, gently. “Satoru, I think—”

“It’s not important,” he muttered against your thigh, drawing back just far enough to be audible. “’s probably just the kids. They said they were coming over, but—” He flashed you a smile, bright eyes catching the light. “They can wait ‘till we’re done. I can’t just leave my pretty girl unsatisfied.”

Immediately, the haze stiffened and shattered into a panic-inducing, heart-racing clarity. You straightened, cursed under your breath, but Satoru tongue was already lapping over your soaked slit, the bridge of his nose grinding against your clit as he all-but worshipped your pussy. This time, you didn’t tug, but pulled – doing what little you could to pry him off of you, but all you earned was a throaty whine, his fingertips dug that much deeper into the plush of your ass. His tongue bullied its way past your clenching entrance, curling and thrusting, and it took everything you had not to snap your thighs shut around his head, not to give him what he wanted. “Satoru,” you spat, using the same tone you’d put on for a misbehaving student. “S-stop.”

It was more of an instinct than a decision, more of a reflex than a choice, but either way, it didn’t seem to make a difference. With his eyes blearily focused on your expression, his mouth latched onto your pussy like it was the last thing he’d ever taste, he fucked you open with his tongue until your toes were curling, your legs twitching, your vision burning pure white in a way that made you wish you could give up on sight altogether. He nursed you through your climax until the last of your energy was spent before pushing himself to his feet and slamming his mouth into yours – his teeth cutting into your lips and your taste heavy on his tongue. By the time he pulled away, you were panting and he was wearing that awful, careless grin. You never thought you’d miss Suguru’s calculated smile, and yet.

And yet.

You didn’t have time to be angry. The kids came first – a thought that, if you’d given yourself a chance to linger on it, would’ve been more of a cause for concern. “Go clean yourself up, I’ll take care of the kitchen. Call them back as soon as you’re finished.”

“I love it when you get bossy,” he said, with a dreamy sigh. “It’s hot in a, like, ‘put me over your knee and spank me’ way, y’know?”

Your only response was a quick shake of your head, a repulsed curl of your lips. Satoru only laughed, pecking your cheek and burying his face in the crook of your neck. “They’ll love you. Megumi likes to act shy, but he can’t shut up about you. Tsumiki’ll just be ecstatic to have a baby sister,” he mumbled into your throat. “You wouldn’t break their hearts, would you?”

It might’ve hurt less, if there hadn’t already been two little girls somewhere in Japan who knew that you absolutely would.

You called Suguru from the curb in front of your flat, your head in your hands and tears streaming openly down your cheeks. He let it ring once, twice, before answering. You could practically hear the smile in his voice, practically feel the smugness in his tone. “I thought we weren’t talking, dear?”

You swallowed back another ragged sob. “It’s back.”

He was there within the hour – alone, this time, no girls and no driver. You stayed where you were as he let himself into your flat, returning only a few minutes later with a thoughtful hum and a thin frown playing on his lips. “It’s rare, but it does happen,” he started, as he sat down next to you. He was dressed in street clothes, rather than his monk’s garb. Somehow, that only made it more difficult to look at him. “Particularly restless spirits can lie dormant before reappearing stronger and more attached to their living host. A standard exorcism might no longer be enough to banish it.”

You felt something heavy and pointed drop into the pit of your stomach. Calling it 'stronger' was an understatement – you couldn’t believe something so massive, something so awful had ever been attached to you. When you let your mind wander, you could still see its dripping, pitch-black arms writhing over the walls and ceiling of your bedroom, still feel its countless eyes burning into you – a hundred, no, a thousand times worse than it’d been when Suguru had first sent it away. You buckled at the waist, burying your face in your knees, and Suguru rested a hand on your back, rubbing slow circles into your shoulder. You were thankful for the comfort, even if it would’ve taken you another few weeks to completely forget the feeling of his hand around your wrist. “Can you…” You cringed, shrunk into yourself. “Can you help?”

“Oh, absolutely.” If he’d been just a little more cocky, he would’ve been purring. “But I’m afraid it’ll cost you more than a favor, this time.”

“I’ll do anything.”

“I know.” His hand went still, settling on your shoulder. “But I need you to give me something, this time.”

You didn’t hesitate. “Anything,” you repeated, with all the desperation of a sinner laid bare before the altar. “Please, Suguru. Anything.”

“I need an heir.”

You could practically feel your heart split open and shatter inside of you. “…an heir?”

“For the sake of my congregation,” he said, like that explained anything. “We’ll have to get married first, of course. You’ll be taken care of until the child’s born, and then, you’ll be free to go.” His hand fell to your own, squeezing gently. “Or to stay with us, if that’s what you prefer.”

Any other time, the idea alone would’ve been enough to make you sick. Any other day, you would’ve told him that he could have anything, anything but that.

But, in the moment, all you could seem to think about was your flat and the monster inside of it. You felt yourself nod and, before you could take it back, heard Suguru laugh, felt his lips against your temple. “You’re making the right choice,” he muttered, the words nearly lost against your skin. “I love you.”

You couldn’t bring yourself to say it back.

Tsumiki and Megumi were asleep in the guest room turned makeshift nursery. Megumi had been slow to warm, quick to hear Satoru introduce you as his ‘one and only’ and assume the worst (which, to be fair, wasn’t exactly wrong), but Tsumiki hadn’t been so stand-offish, and ultimately, whatever concerns an eight year old could have for your safety crumbled under his sister’s desire to fawn over your newborn. You were glad. You didn’t want him to worry about you. That was a mistake you’d made with Nanako and Mimiko. You’d let Suguru give them a reason to care if you left, and then, you’d left.

Your gaze drifted to Himari. She’d always loved attention (a trait you could only assume she’d inherited from her father), and she’d spent most of the afternoon and the entire evening basking in Tsumiki and Megumi’s adoration. Currently, she was sitting in your lap, giggling and clapping her hands together as you idly bounced her on your knee. The sight alone was enough to make your heart soar – any thoughts of Satoru and his wards fading into the background as you leaned forward and peppered her tiny face with kisses. It was a miracle that you loved her at all, let alone as much as you did. Pregnancy hadn’t been kind to you, and it wasn’t until the moment she was born that you could stand to think of yourself as a mother of a child, rather than just the incubator to a cultist’s pipedream. You’d never wanted children, but now that you had one, you couldn’t imagine letting anything in the world take her away from you.

Maybe, if he’d been a little kinder to her, if he hadn’t already had two daughters to spoil and adore, you might’ve been able to justify loving Himari less than you did, might’ve been able to leave her in his care when you pried a window open and fled in the middle of the night. He’d never been cruel to her, but no part of you believed that he wouldn’t have been if she’d failed to do what she’d been made for – if your love for her hadn’t been enough to keep you by his side. Even if you hadn’t loved her at all, you still would’ve taken her with you. No child deserved to be left in the care of a monster like Suguru.

You choose, deliberately, to only think about Himari, to tell yourself that you only ever had to think about Himari. You couldn’t afford to break your own heart a second time.

Choosing not to think about Megumi and Tsumiki proved more difficult.

It was a courthouse wedding, the ceremony little more than a few signatures and a hesitant ‘congratulations’ from the officiant. Suguru’s assistant – a blonde woman who looked at you with equal parts sympathy and disgust – acted as the witness. Suguru explained that, after your first child was born, there would be a more elaborate ceremony, something with rings and dresses and flowers that the girls could participate in. You were too dissociated to point out that there wasn’t supposed to be anything after the child was born, let alone something that would leave you that much more bound to him.

You expected him to take you back to your flat, or the villa on the outskirts of the city you’d visited a handful of times when he couldn’t meet you at his temple, but instead, you found yourself standing in front of one of the tallest, brightest hotels you’d ever seen. “It is a special occasion,” he said, as you stared blankly at the entrance. “I wouldn’t be a good husband if I didn’t spoil my wife now and then, right?”

“Please,” you muttered, nearly under your breath. “Don’t call me that.”

“Whatever you say, my love.” His smile was giddier than you’d ever seen it, amusement heavy in his voice. “Let me give you a hand.”

The interior was no less agonizing than the exterior. You could feel a hundred pairs of eyes burning into you as you hung off Surugu’s arm, your own legs too weak to be trusted to support you. Rather than relief, dread coiled in the pit of your stomach as he led you to your room – a suite on the highest floor. You considered, briefly, trying to tell him that you were afraid of heights, but decided against it. Even in your own head, it sounded too childish to be believable, and you couldn’t imagine dragging this out for a second longer than it absolutely had to be.

You stepped into the room and were immediately reminded that Suguru had been the one to make the arrangements. A bottle of wine sat in a bucket of ice on a velvet-cushioned ottoman. Bouquets of roses and their disembodied petals had been carefully spread across every possible surface – painting the room with misshapen splotches of bright red. A colorless atrocity of white silk and lace had been laid across the king-sized bed. You got close enough to recognize it for what it was (bridal lingerie, veil and all) before turning away and collapsing onto the foot of the bed, your vision blurry and your heart racing.

You felt your mouth go dry, your throat tighten, but you forced yourself to speak. You wouldn’t have been able to stand the silence. “Am I—” A pause, a distraught glance towards the monstrosity. “Am I supposed to wear that?”

“I might’ve been a little overzealous,” he admitted, stepping in front of you. Slowly, he lowered himself onto one knee, taking your hands in his. “I’ll be gentle, if that’s what you’re worried about. The only thing I want you to feel is pleasure.” He brought the underside of your wrist to his lips. “I love you.”

You couldn’t be sure what it was. How sincere he sounded, maybe, or how young he looked kneeling in front of you, away from his temple and out of his costume. He kissed the back of your hand, and a ragged sob tore past your lips, all the tears you hadn’t been able to shed during the ceremony suddenly beading in the corners of your eyes. As you tried to keep them at bay with your free hand, Suguru’s smile wavered, and for the first time that you’d seen, fell away completely.

He posed the question softly, carefully. You wished he would’ve been just a little more eager to break you. At least, then, you could’ve hated him for it. “…you really don’t want to do this, do you?”

There was no point trying to lie. You shook your head and watched as Suguru deflated. His eyes had always been dark, but in that moment, you could’ve sworn they’d never seen any light at all.

Before you could brace yourself, his mouth crashed into yours with enough force to bruise. You tasted blood, felt his tongue rake over yours; whatever gentleness he’d promised to show you little more than a distant fantasy. As his mouth moved against yours, his hand slipped under your dress – two fingers dragging over your slit through your panties before his thumb found your clit through the thin material and he pushed a rough, impulsive pattern into the sensitive bud. You shrunk into yourself, your hands finding their way to his chest before you could stop yourself from trying to push him away, but Suguru didn’t seem to care, to notice. Your panties were torn away entirely, and like a man possessed, he fell back to his knees between your open legs and started to devour you whole.

Your thighs were pulled onto his shoulders, his hands curled around your hips as the flat of his tongue laved over your slit, teasing the entrance of your pussy and flicking over your clit. He alternated between tracing vague figure-eights into your cunt and lapping up the slick starting to drip from your poor, confused pussy – your exhausted body eager to accept any affection Suguru had to show you, if you could even call what he was forcing onto your affection. You tried to reach for him, to pull him away from, but you failed to so much as make contact before he let out a near-violent snarl, calloused fingertips burrowing into vulnerable flesh as he pulled you that much closer, hauling your ass off the bed and leaving you on your back, your arms crossed over your face and your ankles crossed over his back. You sobbed openly, now, but your disparate cries were interrupted by cracked whimpers and half-swallowed mewls – little, pathetic sounds you didn’t have the strength to suppress. Suguru didn’t stop. Honestly, you would’ve been surprised if he could hear you at all over the sound of his own heady panting, of his tongue fucking into your now-soaked cunt.

You almost regretted not taking him back to your flat that first night – when he kissed you like you were the most delicate thing in the world. If you’d given in right away, he might’ve had the self-restraint to hold back. Or, to try to, at least.

One of his hands left your waist, falling low enough for the pad of his thumb to press into your clit. Messily, roughly, he toyed with the hyper-sensitive bundle of nerves as his tongue thrust shallowly into your cunt, curling and splitting apart the hot, clenching walls of your pussy. You felt a deep, full-chested moan reverberate up the length of your spine, and that was enough to leave you tumbling over the edge, to leave your thighs clenching around his head as you came undone on his tongue. He ate you out through the aftershocks, but didn’t stop - fucking you open with his tongue until you’d stumbled through another climax, then another, a mix of slick and saliva soon coating his chin and staining the sheets below you. By the time he pulled away, you were crying not from despair, but overstimulation; pangs of pure heat searing your nerves and leaving your cunt aching for reprieve. You were only vaguely aware of the mattress dipping beside you, of his chest pressing into yours as he kissed you for what felt like the hundredth time. As his lips pressed into yours, you decided that, if tonight was the last time you ever had to kiss someone, it wouldn’t be so bad. Not when compared to the alternative.

“I love you,” he mumbled, and then again as he pulled away, “I love you.”

You didn’t respond. You couldn’t. Your voice felt like something you were no longer entitled to use; a vague concept that’d been placed at an inconceivable distance by some cruel deity. Through half-lidded eyes, you saw Suguru bare his teeth in frustration. Your dress wasn’t so much removed as it was torn away from you, and you couldn’t help but wither without it. Modesty could only count so much when you could still see your arousal coating his lips, but still, it hurt.

With an arm wrapped around your waist, he pulled you into the center of the bed and haphazardly dragged his shirt over his head. You shouldn’t have been surprised. You’d seen his bare arms plenty of times, watched him lift Nanako and Mimiko clean off the ground without so much as a trace of strain, and yet, something inside of you still curled up and died as your eyes raked over his sculpted chest, the corded muscle that seemed to cover every inch of him. More out of shock than anything, you moved to sit up, to put some distance between yourself and a man who looked like he could’ve torn your head off your shoulders on a whim, but he was quick to stop you, to press a palm into your chest and force you back onto the bed. With his other hand, he dragged his pants down just far enough to free his cock and, instantly, whatever desolation you might’ve felt at the sight of his bare chest was multiplied ten-fold.

You didn’t realize you were shaking your head until you moved to speak, your voice shaking and small. “That’s not going to—”

“It will.” That authority – that tone of absolute control – was back in full force. Still, you couldn’t seem to make yourself believe him. “I won’t stop until it does.”

Your heart fell into your stomach as he dragged his swollen, leaking tip over your pussy – the flushed head catching on your abused clit and drawing an airy whimper past your lips. He was, by far, the biggest man you’d ever seen, let alone slept with. As if that wasn’t enough, he was already harder than you knew someone could be – thick, pearly beads dripping from his tip and down his shaft, his more prominent veins almost pulsing as he aligned with your entrance. Even his balls were fucking huge.

Fit for a breeder, something vicious and awful whispered into the back of your mind. You tried to ignore it, but you couldn’t disagree.

Your eyes darted to his expression and met his, already blearily focused on you. You opened your mouth, but anything you might’ve said was stolen away from you as his hips bucked forward and he thrust into you, bottoming out in the same motion.

You’d been right, when you’d tried to stop him.

He was going to kill you.

Already, he was too much. A fresh wave of tears pricked at the corners of your eyes as his cock threatened to tear you apart. Suguru let out a raspy groan, his head falling forward and he drew back, pulling out of you until only his head remained in your pussy only to snap his hip and bury himself that much deeper, only to stretch you that much further. “See?” One his hands fell to your lower stomach, the heel of his palm pressing into the soft flesh like he could feel the outline of his cock. He might’ve been able to. You were too scared to check. “You’re a perfect fit.”

There was another grunt, another breathy groan as he fell into an unsteady pace – every thrust brutal and back-breaking. His hands found their way to the headboard, curling around its upper edge as he fucked into you. He didn’t so much find the right spot as find a way to hit every spot constantly, his cock filling your pussy to the brim, leaving you desperately trying to clench down around him to no avail. A high-pitched whine – fractured and pathetic – tore past your lips, and Suguru let out an airy chuckle. “Not gonna be able to get enough of this.” His pubic bone scraped against your clit and you threw your head back, your back arching off of the mattress. Your sensitivity was rewarded with another laugh, a hand brought down just to grope idly at your chest. “I can’t let you out of my sight, from now own. I think I’ll lose my mind if I have to go a day without feeling this perfect pussy wrapped around my cock.”

It was hard to think, let alone piece two words together. Still, you managed to spit something out, fighting to speak above the sound of skin against skin, hips against hips. “B-but, you said— the baby—”

“Fuck the baby. This—” He slapped your clit, his touch harsh enough to make you cry out. “—is all mine.”

A hand around your throat, a new brutality to his thrusts. His grip wasn’t tight, he wasn’t choking you, and yet, you couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, couldn’t think about anything other than his cock and the feeling of your cunt being split open around it. “You’re mine.” If you hadn’t known better, you would’ve thought he sounded relieved. “And you always will be.”

Meeting Suguru had been a mistake. Asking for his help had been a mistake. Agreeing to this terrible deal had been a mistake.

But, cumming around his cock as that final possessive sentiment trickled past his lips was the biggest mistake you’d ever made or ever would make, again.

Your cunt clamped down around him – a vice around his cock. With your fists balled around satin sheets and your legs wrapped around his waist, your body convulsed underneath his, your pussy doing everything in its limited power to milk him dry. You heard Suguru curse under his breath, his hips pushing flush against yours as something thick and searing flooded into your cunt. What little managed to leak out around the base of his cock was caught with two fingers and forced back in; no drop wasted.

With a heavy exhale, Suguru dipped lower, his lips grazing over your cheek, then the curve of your neck. You shut your eyes, letting yourself deflate. It was over. No matter how you might’ve felt, no matter how much you might’ve wanted to crawl out of your skin, it was ov—

Slowly, agonizingly slowly, he pulled out of you, only to push back in; his rough, punishing pace only made slightly more bearably by the weight of his orgasm.

The next morning, you’d wake up to Suguru’s arm around your waist and a pregnancy test on the bedside table. It’d be too early to tell, but you wouldn’t bother to so much as open the box. Nothing could’ve kept Suguru from trying again, and again, and again in the days to follow.

Come to think of it, you couldn’t be sure if he ever stopped.

“How long is this supposed to last?”

Megumi and Tsumiki were walking a few yards ahead of you, stopping to stare into every other shop window before running ahead, and Himari was currently tucked against Satoru’s chest, occupying herself with a thorough (albeit, mostly oral) investigation of the collar of his shirt. You couldn’t cook and Satoru refused to do much of anything before noon, so the only choice left was to chase after promises of crepe trucks and cafes. Your question earned a hum, a glance toward you, but not much more. As little as you liked about Satoru, you were thankful he had such an even temper. Suguru was never so slow to react.

“Forever, preferably,” he answered, with a slight shrug. “Or until I die, at least – sorcerers have a pretty high mortality rate. I’m the best at what I do, but even the strongest ant gets crushed eventually.” He paused, pressed a quick kiss into the top of Himari’s head. “I’ll make sure to leave a big trust fund, though. You’re gonna be living off your daddy for a long, long time.”

You let your eyes fall to the sidewalk. “You don’t have to pretend you care about her. I know you’re only doing this because of him.”

If he’d denied it immediately, you wouldn’t have believed him. If he’d sworn that Suguru had nothing to do with it, if he’d dropped to his knees in front of you, if he’d told you that he loved you, you wouldn’t have believed him. But, in the end, he only pursed his lips, his head lulling to the side as he considered it. “At first, yeah,” he admitted, tracing patterns into Himari’s back. “I heard that he’d gotten with someone and… I got curious. I guess I was a little jealous.” He paused, his tone abrupt going light and sheepish. “I might’ve gone a little overboard, in retrospect – making the brats go to your school and following you around and all. I just wanted to see what kind of person could make Suguru go soft, but then I saw how you were with the little princess—” He lifted Himari above his head, grinning up at her while she spouted happy gibberish. “—and fell for you, head over heels. All I could think about was gathering you both up in my arms and takin’ you home.”

“You make us sound like stray animals.”

“I mean, you kind of are, right?” You jutted your elbow into his side, and he rolled his eyes dramatically. “Okay, okay, you’re runaways. I didn’t know you were so pedantic, (Y/n).”

He slotted Himari against his hip, his attention momentarily falling away from her as he shot a quick, teasing smile in your direction. “I like you.” His voice was soft, dull – like he was saying something you didn’t already know. Like he was giving something away. “And I want you to stick around.”

“I’m sure Suguru would’ve said the same thing.”

“I’m not like Suguru.” He found your hand, his fingers soon intertwined with yours. “I wouldn’t let you go so easily.”

You opened your mouth, but closed it again just as quickly. Ahead of you, Tsumiki turned on her heel and waved excitedly. She’d picked a café (presumably with minimal input from Megumi); a picturesque little spot with a sun-speckled patio and overgrown garden boxes. Satoru’s hand tightened around yours, tugging you forward, and just this time, you didn’t bother trying to pull away.

The man on his knees in front of you was older – his hair receding and dotted with grey. A salaryman, you guessed, judging by his wrinkled suit, the ink stains on his sleeves. You couldn’t see his expression, not with his forehead pressed against the floor of Suguru’s sanctuary, but you could hear the pain in his voice as he pled for Suguru’s help, see the slight tremble in his shoulders. You didn’t have to assume the cause of his distress.

You couldn’t be sure when you started to see the spirits – or, the curses, you mean. It must’ve been around the end of the first trimester; your little glimpses at crooked monsters and mangled beasts solidifying into full, unrelenting exposure. Suguru suggested (after he’d finished celebrating what he would, later on, refer to as the best day of his life) that it might be a symptom of the pregnancy, that carrying a sorcerer’s child may’ve triggered some pocket of laden cursed energy buried inside of you, but you couldn’t help but think of it as some kind of cosmic punishment, even if you couldn’t begin to guess what you were being punished for.

It had to be a punishment, though. If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t be watching a small swarm of winged, imp-like creatures bite and scratch at the cowering salaryman, each swipe of their claws and nip of their pointed teeth enough to leave ragged, bloody stripes in his arms, his back. You felt bile rise into the back of your throat, but forced yourself not to shut your eyes, to keep your expression one of unbothered neutrality. Suguru would help him, just like he helped you.

As if by way of encouragement, you let your nails scrape over his scalp. After you started showing, the only job Suguru deemed you capable of was that of his new headrest. He took care of everything else – petitioning for maternity leave, moving you out of your flat and into the villa he shared with his girls, rewriting every little aspect of your life to better the role you’d inhabit for the next nine months: his pregnant wife. Currently, he was on his side, on leg bent at the knee and his head propped on your thighs, your fingers threaded through his hair. You’d cringed at the idea, at first, but Suguru insisted that it wouldn’t be an issue. The perks of leading your own cult, you guessed. No one could challenge his authority when he was the only authority they could possibly look to.

After a moment longer than you would’ve liked, Suguru cut off the salaryman’s incoherent rambling with a slight hum. Immediately, the salaryman fell silent, and Suguru let his head lull to the side, leaning into your palm. “Manami,” he started, addressing his assistant. She’d been called in shortly after the salaryman made his entrance. “How long has it been since our honored sponsor’s last donation?”

She glanced toward her tablet. “It’ll be five months this week.”

The salaryman scrambled to apologize. “I—I’m sorry, my store went out of business, and I—”

The corner of Suguru’s lips quirked downward. The entirety of the swarm descended onto the salaryman before you could so much as flinch away.

To say they tore him apart would be an understatement. One second, he was there, bowing in front of you, and the next, little more scraps of fabric and disembodied viscera decorated the floor of the sanctuary. Suguru snapped his fingers and, in an instant, the creatures vanished – leaving behind only gore and the thick stench of copper hanging in the stagnant air. Your hand stilled in Suguru’s hair. You might’ve passed out, if you’d been able to process what you’d just watched.

Suguru took notice of your distress quickly. That, or he just wanted to bask in his kill more privately. “If I could be alone with my wife for a moment, Manami.”

Her eyes flickered to you, lingering for a moment before she bowed her head. “Of course, Geto-sama. I’ll fetch someone to clean up this mess.”

Once she was gone, Suguru rolled onto his back, letting his eyes fall shut. “These fucking monkeys,” he sighed, with a shake of his head. “I swear, they’ll be the death of me. They can’t even seem to die without causing more trouble than they’re worth.”

“You can control them?”

“You’re going to have to be more specific, dear.”

“The spirits.” And then again, with more urgency, “You can control them?”

His exasperation was swiftly replaced with self-satisfaction so potent, you could nearly taste it. “Would you expect anything less from me? Only a handful are strong enough to be helpful, but even pests can be put to good use.”

You felt like an idiot for asking. You felt like an idiot for having to ask, but you just couldn’t seem to stop yourself. “My spirit. The one I came to you for.” It felt like your tongue was coated in salt and ask. “Was he one of the stronger spirits?”

A beat lapsed in silence, then another.

Finally, Suguru let out a long, raspy exhale and brought a hand to your stomach. “I hope it’s a girl,” he muttered, almost absent-mindedly. “I hope she looks just like you.”

You took a single, stilted breath.

When you met your daughter a few months later, impossibly tiny and infinitely lovable and so agonizingly helpless, it would almost be a relief to see Suguru’s face staring back at you.

“She has your eyes.”

You heard his voice before you saw his face, but you would’ve known Suguru from aura alone. You froze in the doorway of the unlit nursery, searching for him in the darkness, but Suguru didn’t make himself hard to find.

“Not the color, but the shape.” He was standing next to the cradle, a soft smile painted across his lips and your daughter in his arms. She was sleeping, and you were thankful for it. You’d kept Himari away from him as much as you’d been able to in the weeks leading up to your escape, but even their minimal exposure had seemed crushing, at the time. Above all else, you never wanted your daughter to be able to recognize her father’s face. “Oh, but she must have my temperament. I’ve heard she rarely cries, even with nuisances like Satoru around.”

You’d left your phone in the living room. Satoru wasn’t home and he wouldn’t be back until tomorrow morning, but maybe, if you screamed, someone would hear you. Maybe, you’d be able to run while Suguru tore them apart, limb by limb.

In the end, it was all you could do to make yourself speak – your voice thin and prone to catching in your throat. “Get out of my apartment.”

“But this isn’t your apartment, is it?” With a quiet, hushing sound, he lowered Himari back into her cradle and turned to face you. “Honestly, if I’d known you were just going to run into another man’s arms, I would’ve been more careful with you. I wonder if you’ll feel more loyal to your husband with a chain around your neck.”

“You manipulated me. You made me have a ba—”

“I loved you.” He cut you off with all the delicacy of a rusty knife sawing through flesh. “I do love you, even if I’m starting to question how much of it you deserve.”

He stepped forward. You wanted to turn away from him, to run, but your body was uncooperative, too rigid to do anything more than shake as he came to stand in front of you. “Can you say it back to me? Just this once.” He brought a hand to your cheek. “I’ll forgive you for everything, if you do.”

You tried to. Not for him, but for your daughter – made expendable by her failure to keep you bound to Suguru. You tried to, but all that slipped past your parted lips was a wordless cry, torn and anguished and far from what he’d asked for.

“No?” He feigned disappointment, letting out an airy sigh. “I guess that’s to be expected.”

He took a deep breath, then rested his head against the dip of your shoulder. His hand fell to your stomach as he spoke into your skin.

“Maybe, after we have our second, you’ll change your mind.”

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tyxaar · 10 months ago

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A compiled list of various severe crimes committed by one Mr Scar of the Good Times, exact counts pending. Cannibalism (Multiple counts) War profiteering Trading of Souls Grave robbing Fraud of multiple varieties Racketeering Arson (Like a lot of it) Unethical experimentation Acts of Terror Spiritual possession Contract killing Sale of human remains Ritual sacrifice Perpetuating Police Brutality Domestic Terrorism Oathbreaking Violation of the real life Geneva Convention Deceptive marketing Kidnapping Desecration of a sacred place Whatever tf Area 77 had going on Insider trading Extortion Patricide Matricide Unsafe building practices Holy war Desecration of corpses Market manipulation Treason Tax evasion Murder (Lots and lots) Large-scale extreme vandalism Mass enviromental destruction Political corruption Identity fraud

#goodcrimeswithscar #note: ALL OF THESE ARE CANON #if you want to ask about any of them send it to my inbox pls!#like it's all stuff I recall him doing at some point lol #I'm only counting crimes that are considered like reaaaallly bad. stealing and other misc stuff is not on this list for a reason #also going by the law of narrative significance (unless it's funny)#and including stuff that isn't technically a crime but also basically is #tyx is being silly #tyx’s ramblings #traffic smp #life smp #trafficblr #mcyt #hermitblr #hermitcraft #goodtimeswithscar #gtwscar #gtws #your honour it is impossible for him not to be a criminal

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forkingandcountry-if · 4 months ago

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For King and Country is an 18+ period low fantasy fic which seeks to combine the extensive background work and history associated with high fantasy titles such as LOTR with more ‘realistic’ storytelling and settings. It may contain distressing content like depiction of regressive attitudes (sexism, misogyny and prejudice), major injury to the characters, character deaths, blood, gore, abuse and optional sexual content. More specific warnings will be given at the beginning of each chapter.

Remember those long summer days when the countryside was green and life was still young, when you were but a little culver and all the world was promised for you.

But summer has ended. Amidst the furore and tumult, autumn crept in unnoticed, finding you unprepared, still a greenhorn.

Now, the old order is dead, yet the Empire endures. In this new and uncertain world, what are you willing to do for your King and Country, O little culver?

Ah little tragedies, that you could not remain in the safety of your family's country manor, that they could not shield you once again from this world.

You must take to the capital at once, like all men and women of good birth, for king and country and the glory of the commonwealth! The spirit of progress and change has swept through the nation. The heady days of revolution are long over, and the streets have been washed clean of blood and filth. Invited to serve in the King's Army and attend university as a ward of the king, you must answer the King’s call. Navigate and become increasingly entangled in the web of intrigue, gossip, violence, and ideas that swirl around the nation. Enter a society radically different from the one you were raised to expect. These are the years that will decide your fate and that of your fellow countrymen. Act wisely, for it is not often that the world is within your grasp.

Features

Fully customize your MC. Choose your pronouns, sexuality, appearance and more. Assume the identity of a citizen of noble birth and experience the story through their eyes.

Romance one of seven ROs or engage in a polyamorous relationship with a pre-selected two of them. The only possible poly route is the Young King and the Queen Ruler.

Practice and specialise in the skills of the King's Army with the option for swordplay, marksmanship, offensive galderquid and diplomacy.

Define your political leanings on the leading issues of your time.

Debate, engage and make allies and enemies with the various competing factions and interests that flock to the city.

Study at Pyrenne University, earning your lecturers admiration for your diligence, intellect, ambition or adventurousness or cruise through relying on your wealth and ability to hide.

Help to stabilize or sabotage the Empire.

Don't lose your head.

Critical Lore*

Talent

Galder denotes the practice of magic within our nation, a discipline requiring extensive study and mastery. The ability to manipulate Galderquid, the fundamental essence of magic, is a rare and intricate skill, demanding years of rigorous training to achieve even moderate proficiency.

Every individual possesses a basic affinity for Galderquid, but those with exceptional potential are identified through comprehensive evaluations conducted by village or city physicians around the ages of 12 or 13. These assessments determine the individual's capacity for advanced magical education.

Upon evaluation, candidates are assigned a national rank based on their proficiency. Those demonstrating exceptional aptitude are offered state-sponsored education at the Pyrenne Univetsity at the age of 18. Others are placed in various other institutions or may pursue private tutelage.

Galder is often referred to as the "fifth philosophy," characterized by its non-intuitive nature. Mastery requires adherence to rigorous methodologies grounded in reason, first principles, and established precedents. The study of Galder encompasses several specialized fields, each with distinct applications and techniques:

Sympathetic Galder: This field focuses on influencing the minds of individuals or animals. It includes practices such as illusion creation, language translation, emotional manipulation, and sleep inducement.

Transmutative Galder: Involves altering the intrinsic nature or form of objects. This process generally relies on the principle that the original and transformed items must possess equivalent 'worth.' The approximate worth of common subjects of transmutation can be found in any good transmutation book.

Invocation Galder: Pertains to the summoning and manipulation of natural elements, including water, earth, fire, and wind.

Clerical Galder: Associated with the Church, this field is predominantly closed practice. However, educational institutions provide instruction in healing and charming, which are also fundamental aspects of clerical magic.

Archery: Involves the use of Galder to manifest a bow and arrows composed of energy. These projectiles deliver significant blunt damage upon impact but they have more varied usage and techniques as taught by bow-masters.

Blade-Use: Similar to Archery, this field focuses on creating blades, swords, or daggers from Galder. These weapons inflict substantial blunt damage but they have more varied usage and techniques as taught by blade-masters.

The Second Civil War

The Second Civil War, sometimes known as the Revolution is recognized as having commenced approximately ten years ago and concluded two years later with the ascension of King Edmund I of House Wynd. The conflict was precipitated by a series of critical events and widespread discontent among the populace throughout the entire reign of the King Wulfric I Wynd regarding the laws of his government and his conduct as monarch.

The Second Civil was notably ignited by the previous monarch's decision to disinherit his eldest daughter and legitimise his illegitimate children thus making them heir presumptive. This controversial move generated significant unrest among the yeomanry and laborers, who perceived the monarch's actions as unjust and contrary to ecclesiastical teachings. Particularly in redeemist cities across the Empire, widespread protests ensued, leading to the deposition and, in some instances, the defenestration of local officials such as Lord Mayors, Sheriffs, and Governors who supported the king and a state of national emergency being declared with martial law being invoked.

A general, Walthe Courtney, who had previously fought in the unpopular Eleven Years' War on behalf of the crown, emerged as a pivotal leader of the revolution. Utilizing strategic peasant uprisings and sieges, Reval's forces delivered decisive blows to the royalist regime. The revolution culminated in the fall of the capital during the Siege of the King's Seat.

Following the war, a great council of all the great houses instituted several significant reforms. While the monarchy was retained, it was now bound with the monarch being bound by the Grand East Code. In accordance with the written will of the disinherited princess, who died on the battlefield during the conflict an exception was made to place her youngest brother, Edmund, then only 17 years old, on the throne.

The bicameral parliament was replaced by a unicameral national assembly with expanded suffrage of yeomanry and labourers with certain amounts of land. The sole eligibility criteria for parliamentarians are citizenship, attainment of the age of majority, no debt owed to the crown with elections held every eight years.

General Walthe Courtney was appointed as Lord-Protector of the Realm with extensive powers throughout Edmund’s reign and continued as Commander of the Armies for the duration of their tenure. Furthermore, the Pyrenne University was opened to all individuals of suitable skill, not limited to the children of nobility.

Under the new provisions, all children from great houses or those vassal houses with an annual income exceeding 1,300 libre must receive training and serve in the King's Army and live as wards of the king upon reaching the age of eighteen. The official language of the proclamation declares it to be in the national interest that the next leaders of the regions and nations of the Empire know personally their king and capital but the aim is considered to be preventing another war.

The King's Council is required to be include the Premier elected by the eligible electorate. The Premier recommends people to be members of the King's Council although the King is not bound to accept. The King retains the authority to appoint cabinet members from outside parliament, early precedent set by King Edmund I Wynd suggests that he will appoint those recommended by the Lord-Protector.

The King's Army and Pyrenne University

The King's Army, colloquially known among the common folk as the Small Army or King's Life Guard, serves as a voluntary armed force in peacetime within the Empire. Its primary role is to function as a national guard, maintaining peace and order across the extensive and diverse territories of the Empire and swear loyalty solely to the King.

During periods of peace, the King's Guard is comprised of volunteers who contribute to the stability of the nation. However, in times of war, the monarch is vested with the authority to implement conscription, thereby obligating the great houses to raise men to fight for their king.

Following the Great Council of 421, significant reforms were introduced regarding service in the King's Guard. Those heirs of great houses are now required to complete four years service and training within the King's Army as wards of the king although this time can be commuted upon ascension as Lord/Lady Paramount of their house. This training is relatively light compared to full military training, designed to balance the economic and educational responsibilities of these citizens with their military duties.

Pyrenne University is a theological university founded in the year 262AR by Tristan of Pyrenne, a master of theology and galder and was recognized by the King as a royal college in 289AR. It's Faculty of Theology is unrivaled across the entirety of the world and is considered one of the foremost institutions for education in galder, theology and philosophy.

Pyrenne admits its students on the basis of the national ranking system and the census taken each year, those students with a sufficiently high natural affinity for the study of galder are offered a place in which to study it beyond the common extent offered by tutors and hedge-witches.

Pyrenne has in recent years, following the second civil war and the increase in punishment by religious courts for physicians who attribute false rankings, with an increased student cohort particularly from the yeomanry and international scholars though the large majority of the general cohort remains largely consisted of the children of nobility.

Beyond its Faculty of Theology, Pyrenne University is one of the foremost institutions driving forward the development of innovations regarding farming and building, mechanics and the engine'ering class that has developed in major cities across the Empire.

Situated in the capital city, Pyrenne University benefits from its central location in what is often regarded as a hub of youthful energy and societal activity. Its reputation as a center for young nobles and genteel individuals enhances the college's role as a key venue for social introduction. It is frequently heralded as a place where the most advantageous social and matrimonial matches are made, positioning it as a pivotal institution in shaping the elite's social landscape.

The Empire

The Empire, as it is commonly known, is a vast realm governed by the Nine Paramountcies and the Imperial Household, all of whom rule from the King's Seat. This grand structure of power was forged between the years 23 ANU (Anno Non Unitus, or Year of the Ununified) and 1 AR (Anno Rex, or Year of the King) through the conquests of King Adan I, who earned the title "the Unifier."

From its inception, the Empire adopted an expansionist stance, which has characterized much of its history. This policy of territorial growth has been met with widespread approval among its citizens, largely due to the substantial wealth and resources it has brought to the nation. As the largest empire in the world and the unifier of the continent, it has established itself as the dominant lingua franca of common, further solidifying its influence and stature.

Throughout the Empire's history, the Imperial Household and the title of King have primarily been held by House Galagar, reigning from 1 AR to 399 AR, and later by House Wynd, from 399 AR to 438 AR. There have been instances where other houses acted as regents, temporarily holding the title on behalf of House Galagar, such as House Cruller (348 AR-352 AR) and House Abbey (9 AR-13 AR & 154AR-155AR).

Despite its vast wealth and dominance, the Empire has faced relatively frequent rebellions in its paramountcies where calls for independence have persisted. Historically, these uprisings have been met with swift and overwhelming military responses. However, recently in 399AR during the Wyndham Rebellion, King Hendrick the Conqueror succeeded in overthrowing House Galagar and replacing it with his own house who have led the empire since.

*The lore detailed here is accurate but also only extends as far as the protagonist's knowledge of these subjects at the present time of the fic, some detail will be lost or may have been withheld from the MC and they may have misconceptions.

Romances

When the advisors are not praising his good sense, nor the bards his mirth, the church his piety or the poor his generosity, the question emerges just who is King Edmund I Wynd?

The young king thrust into a position of power who uses it as well as he knows how, having learnt from the mistakes of his grandfather and father and the long shadow of war that is still cast over the continent?

Or is he merely the figurehead, installed after a turbulent civil war, a king whose true authority has been surrendered to the councilors around him, contenting himself with the trappings of kingship rather than its substance?

Alas who is to know?

Name: King Edmund I Wynd

Age: 21

Height: 6'5

Appearance: Edmund stands at a 6'5, noticeably lanky although his seemingly permanent jaunty posture appears to cut an inch or two of him. He possesses short bronde hair styled in such a fashion that it appears wind-swept and fashionably ruffled with various products used to achieve the effect. He possesses a lean athletic physique although it is evidently achieved through some sort of diet or exercise for aesthetic rather than being muscles created by years of work. He nearly always has a relaxed expression with a smile and his pale face is framed by his grey eyes.

(he/him) poly-route, solo-route

Tropes: Life of the Party, Commitment Issues

Could it be that she, the queen consort, wields the true power behind the throne, acting as a surrogate for her kind lord, who never could bring himself to grasp the reins of authority?

She possesses the strength and allure of a king in her own right. Under her vigilant oversight, the king’s armies have routed the empire's foes, and now her gaze turns inward, determined to root out the treacherous elements within the realm.

Yet, amid her march towards peace at the end of a sword, there are those who seek to see her order destroyed. How long can it last? A queen consort without an heir, without children, lacking a direct claim to the throne, aging, and some even question her bond with the king himself.

Name: Veronica Abbey-Wynd

Age: 36

Height: 5'9

Appearance: Veronica stands straight at a tall 5'9 although her heels often push her to 5'11 or even 6'0. She has long wavy chestnut brown hair although more often than not it is in an updo of some sort for practicality. She has a healthy physique with faint lines and wrinkles, with an olive skin as well as doe-shaped deep brown eyes. Somehow a picture of beauty and severity, all the soft lines of her body somehow harsh.

(she/her) poly-route, solo-route

Tropes: scary hot, masc women

Walthe Courtney, Commander of the King’s Armies and Protector of the Realm, emerged as a formidable figure in the Second Civil War. Leading the rebels with unmatched martial prowess, he earned the acclaim of being the finest swordsman in the land. His valor and leadership were instrumental in overthrowing the usurper-king and restoring order to the fractured realm.

In the aftermath of the bloody conflict, he was celebrated as a folk hero—a commoner who rose to lead his people to victory and bring about a semblance of peace. His contributions were rewarded with knighthood and elevation to nobility, an ode to his honour.

Now, as Protector of the Realm, Walthe ensures the continuation of stability with a steady hand. Yet, despite his efforts, a persistent thorn remains, a challenge beyond even his considerable grasp, casting a shadow over his otherwise successful stewardship.

Name: Walthe Courtney

Age: 43

Height: 5'11

Appearance: Walthe has short, practical wavy black hair streaked with grey throughout, reflecting years of experience and hardship. their muscled, well-built stature is a testament to their years of service. He has warm tanned skin, indicative of his heritage being from the centre of the continent. His light green eyes stand out against his rugged features, with a determined, piercing gaze.

(he/him/they) solo-route

Tropes: The Stoic, No Sense of Humour, Heroic BSoD

From the day his family and house declared for the usurper-king, it was clear that Lorn Greenspan, the youngest of seven brothers, would be sent away as a ward.

Only eight years old, he had to play his part, leaving behind the familiar chill of his home—its cold peaks and harsh landscape fading from sight. He was a pawn in a conflict he could scarcely comprehend

His father had told him plainly that he must be strong—because until the day their house bent the knee, Lorn would remain a ward, and his father had no intention of surrendering.

Forced to adapt, Lorn became useful, talented, indispensable—not out of love for those his family would call captors, but out of necessity. Now, he stands as your closest advisor and a member of your house in all but name—cool, calculating, indifferent. Yet beneath that icy exterior burns a quiet resolve. Though he never expects his father to yield, he is determined to see his homeland again, even if it means waging war to bring it to heel.

Name: Lorn of Greenspan

Age: 18

Height: 6'0

Appearance: Lorn has a thick head of dark chestnut hair, gently wavy, it is always styled fashionably with pomade and volume. He has a tawny complexion and almost amber, brown eyes that if you didn't know him you'd think were perpetually concerned and caring rather than probing and scanning. Though under his stylish clothes you couldn't tell it, his body is lean and athletic from harsh training.

(he/him) solo-route

Tropes: advisor-turned-lover, secretly-in-love, black cat

The unbroken line of Galagar Kings may have fractured at Kirston Wall, but the proud Highland rulers never truly relinquished their claim. To them, Hendrick the Conqueror and his descendants are nothing more than traitors. Yet, they understand that a king's throne is grounded in the right of conquest, and so they bide their time, quietly assembling their forces, tempering their men, and honing their blades.

Preparing for the inevitable clash, they drill relentlessly through lashing rain and violent gales, each generation more convinced of their righteousness and the frailty of their enemies. The realm may slumber in uneasy peace, but in the Highlands, war is always on the horizon.

Kent Galagar, the young Lord of Kirston, was shaped by this belief from childhood. His father, his grandfather, and his great-grandfather—all were kings in their own eyes, their thrones stolen by usurpers. To Kent, acknowledging this truth makes you an ally, a friend. To deny it brands you an enemy, destined to be crushed when the time comes.

For Kent, proud, arrogant, and stubborn as he may seem, the world is divided by a simple truth: those who support the Galagar claim, and those who will fall before it.

Name: Kent Galagar

Age: 18

Height: 5'9

Appearance: Kent possesses a mane of thick, raven-black hair, often left loose or tied back with a leather strap. His skin is scattered with freckling, with a pale complexion. He has piercing blue eyes and a gaze that can shift from arrogant levity to fiery determination in an instant. His powerful frame is unmistakable, with broad shoulders and a chest that strains against the fabric of his tunics. His physique is defined—broad-shouldered and muscular, but not overly so, with a build that suggests both agility and power. His movements carry the confidence of someone who knows his strength and is unafraid to use it.

(he/him) solo-route

Tropes: Intense, enemies to lovers, jerk with a heart of gold

The nobility are arrogant, cruel, greedy, scheming, and foolish—qualities Arfryn has learned all too well through her peripheral access to them. Her current place among them is no accident but the product of the sweat, blood and tears of her entire family.

Born to a guildman father and a common mother from the east continent, Arfryn witnessed firsthand how the shifting tides of national conflict mirrored the fortunes of her own family. Every struggle either bolstered their wealth or teetered them on the brink of ruin, a fate shared by the yeomanry at large.

Her father, Jasper Caldwell, is the first Premier elected from the Small Parliament, a yeoman elevated by the newly enfranchised class. He has—in no uncertain terms—made it clear that his own position hinges on the peace of the realm.

Arfryn, understanding these dynamics, sees through the superficial grandeur of the nobility. Though she finds them to be the very embodiment of arrogance and folly, she is determined to bend them to her will. For now, she plays the game—offering smiles, be gracious, and dance while they are watching.

Name: Arfryn Caldwell

Age: 20

Height: 5'11

Appearance: Arfryn has a striking presence with her rich, deep brown skin and loose, jet-black braids that cascade down her back. Her eyes are a penetrating dark brown, revealing a sharp intelligence behind a charming, amiable demeanor. She dresses in elegantly simple fabrics that highlight her natural grace—always muted and refined to suit her surroundings but always at the very forefront of courtly fashions. At 5'11 her movements are deliberate, blending seamlessly into the nobility’s world, designed to make her easy to like and hard to hold grudges against.

(she/her) solo-route

Tropes: Steel Magnolia, Dark Feminine

In public Dean Champion is everything a Lady-Knight should be, prodigiously skilled with both galder and weapons, valiant, chivalrous and extremely popular amongst all who meet her or have the chance to witness her in action.

She like many knights is also spoiled to a fault, her suits of armour gleaming and her squire-boys tasked with keeping them so, as they are expensive and extravagant. Indeed she wears them because all people like a performance.

In private, Dean has dedicated herself entirely to her studies at Pyrenne University, determined to learn all there is about the study and practice of galder and perhaps indeed the deeper secrets that only the great masters know—all the better to become both loved and indispensable to the state.

As the younger sibling of a line with many children, she does not expect to ever inherit and nor does she ever want to, she is entirely content with her career as a tourney knight and the life she's lead in the King's Seat thus far. Indeed Dean has long been utterly convinced that she'd make an awful Lady Paramount, she is convinced utterly that all those like her that revel in the spectacle, the fervor of battle and tourney alike are utterly unsuitable for such position.

Name: Dean Champion

Age: 19

Height: 5'9

Appearance: Dean has long deep auburn hair, typically braided for both practicalities sake and fashion, with strands often escaping to frame her face. Her skin is fair as if she'd somehow escaped the sun of both her home and the tourney. Her pale green eyes are bright and framed by dark eyelashes. Dean's build is athletic and commanding, showing off the results of rigorous training and combat practice, yet she carries herself with a grace that befits her status as a renowned Lady-Knight. Her entire demeanor projects a sort of graceful confidence, like that you'd expect of a Prince of ages past.

(she/her) solo-route

Tropes: The Lady and Knight, Knight in Sour Armour

Fran has long understood that she commands little respect at court—indeed, as a bastard, she finds herself dismissed even within her own family. Yet there is one, a young Lord who is but a child, who gave her legitimacy, who looks up to her, and has earned her unwavering loyalty. Her beloved little brother.

It is for him that she accepted the king's invitation to the King's Seat, to train in the King's Army. She wants to be his eyes, his ears, and his sword.

True loyalty is a rare commodity among the highborn, for what do they owe anyone but themselves and their own appetites?

She is content to endure their scorn and wear the title "Loyal Hound" with pride. After all, what insult lies therein? A good hound is strong, lethal, obedient, loved, loyal, and free to roam so long as it always returns. And return to him she will.

Name: Fran Radwell-Cadderly

Age: 18

Height: 5'7

Appearance: Fran's dirty-blonde hair is cut short, falling just above her shoulders—a length chosen for practicality rather than fashion. Her complexion is fair, lightly sun-kissed from time spent outdoors, with a few sun-spots across her nose and cheeks. Her eyes are a dull blue-green, carrying an intensity that contrasts with her otherwise unassuming features. Her build is lean and wiry, reflecting a life of rigorous training, with a strength that belies her slender frame. Though she dresses simply, her presence is commanding, a blend of quiet confidence and restrained power and it makes her feel much bigger than the 5'7 she stands at.

(she/her) solo-route

Tropes: Guard Dog, Loyal Companion, Golden Retriever

Additional

Demo: out now!

Pinterest: not yet available

Art: not yet available

Feedback Survey: not yet available

All Asks and Reposts are appreciated, work will be slow but steady and a demo should be ready shortly!

ask me lore questions please, I have far too many notes on this.

#current wip #interactive fiction #status: wip #choicescript #for king and country #forkingandcountry-if #if demo

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langernameohnebedeutung · 20 days ago

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there's a lot of valid takes on why Gen Z is becoming radicalised at the rate they are - all that misinformation, tiktok, red pill, the pandemic - all have good points. But I think another factor is that even politically, their sense of normalcy is entirely different to the one of prior generations. The spiral of the last 15 years, the way the Overton window has moved, the change of style and tone in political discourse, the normalisation of anti-democratic ideas, the obsession with people's private lives, the topics that are front and centre during elections these days, the changing concept of the respect and dignity expected in a public office (god I sound like a boomer) - all of that was shocking to us.

the three generations of my family, all born and raised in VERY different time periods from one another, we've all just been equally shocked and horrified again and again these last 15 years - not just by what is happening but how it is happening and by what is possible and how easy it is to make a total mockery of the democracy and the rule of law. For all of us, that was a feeling of realising that something we implicitly trusted in to the point that it didn't need talking about ... just falling away. Or proving to always have been an illusion to begin with. To someone who grows up right now, this safety and security has NEVER existed.

But for these kids - the window of their life where they start becoming politically and culturally aware basically coincides with this downward spiral and I think that makes many of them blind or numb to it. I think for many of them, that's just their understanding of how things naturally progress and politics works. That the way previous generations evaluate the current situation - this framework of intentional manipulation and misinformation and radicalisation - is just fair and acceptable behaviour and that of course politicians manipulate the discourse to get what they want and of course it is normal to tell brazen lies and spread panic if that gets you what you want and if you're loyal to the party, you parrot those lines whether you really believe in them or not. (And let's be honest with ourselves - the seed to that has always been there)

And others, who I imagine intellectually know that things are going downhill, are really stuck in this extremely mind-numbing fatalist mindset (climate change is gonna kill us all anyway, haha) which makes you hopeless and desperate. And being hopeless and desperate also makes you vulnerable to all kinds of manipulation and radicalisation - because the offer you a perspective. Or meaning.

If you think about the trad-wife and redpill stuff or generally christian nationalism but also any movement that instrumentalises history with ideological narratives, you notice that their narratives place periods of stability way back in time in periods that match aspects of their idelogy e.g. their fetishisation of the 1950s. Then they come up with some horrible bad evil enemy that destroyed that paradise and created the 'degenerate' misery we live in now. Authoritarians and ideologues and cults have always done this. It's part of constructing the mutual enemy.

Beause this way, they can create their illusion of this kind of mythical, unreachable utopia (the past) that fascists love and attach all kinds of conditions to reaching that - with no pressure for them to ever actually deliver: women staying at home, racial segregation, christian hegemony, eugenics, absolute exclusion of gay and trans identities etc. This doesn't just have the benefit of pushing their politics on a confused youth (though that's a big benefit) - it also helps them hide from young people that these last 15 years, they literally created the chaos that these kids are living in. They sowed this situation and right now, with the radicalisation of the youth, they are reaping the rewards.

And the thing is, we can blame the Tiktok or whatever but I also think it is important that we let younger people know and feel that what's happening right now - is just not normal and not sustainable.

And yes, we need to let go of the naive illusion that "the kid are going to save the world". We should never have had that. But I also don't think a radical heel-turn vilifying all of Gen Z is going to help anyone or do justice to the situation.

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kyuremking · 2 years ago

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Konohagakure Military Forces Organization

It took a while but it's finally done.

HOKAGE

The highest authority of Konohagakure, the face of the Fire Country's military forces and has the duty to lead, administer and protect Konoha and to ensure the maximum prosperity of the village.

KONOHA COUNCIL

The Konoha Council, made up of the village's top officials and people the Hokage trusts. Their duty is to assist the Hokage in governing Konoha and to offer their opinion on decisions that must be made with the greatest benefit to Konoha in mind.

In addition, in case the Hokage is unable to choose his successor, the council is responsible for finding eligible candidates for the position.

Members

Current Hokage - Supreme leader of Konohagakure, the council exists to provide him with different points of view so he can make the best decisions.

Previous Hokage: Although not always possible, if the previous Hokage were alive, he would be part of the council to offer his advice and experience to his successor.

Anbu Commander - Leader of the Ambu Forces of Konoha, as the leader of the forces that work in the shadow of the great tree that is Konoha, Commander Anbu possesses great knowledge of the dark side of the village.

Jonin Commander - Leader of the Regular Shinobi Forces, his job is to manage the basic and specialised forces of Konoha's various departments. It is therefore his duty to report to the Hokage about these forces and what he considers to be the most appropriate use of these forces.

Advisors - These are usually experienced shinobi who have served Konoha and are considered to be shinobi of great renown due to the passage of time, but the Hokage also has the option of including people he trusts among his advisors.

The Hokage's personal assistant may also be included in the council.

ANBU Black Ops

The Anbu Special Forces are a squad of Konoha's shinobi forces who work in secret, led by the Anbu Commander and only obey the orders of the Hokage.

Everything they do is for the good of Konoha, assassinations, torture and tracking down defected or treacherous ninja, all their operations are done without the public or the regular Konoha forces knowing about them.

They usually work in teams and hide their identities under animal masks and are known only to Konoha's top brass. Age, gender, origin or previous rank do not matter in order to be chosen for the Anbu.

The Anbu is divided into different departments to ensure that the members chosen for a mission have the necessary skills to complete it smoothly.

Hunter Dept. - The duty of this department is to track and keep an eye on targets of interest to Konoha by carrying out various actions such as manipulation or assassination if necessary.

Assasination Dept. - The duty of this department is to assassinate targets that threaten Konoha, often working with political enemies of the village or assassinating the right people for the benefit of the village.

Internal Affairs Dept. - The duty of this department is to deal with Konoha's internal affairs through covert operations under the order of the Hokage. Traitors, spies, or people who would be better off disappearing from Konoha are often targeted.

Infiltration Dept. - The duty of this department is to train its members to be able to infiltrate into enemy forces or countries to gain information or cause chaos within them.

Medical Team - Anbu trained in medical skills to ensure the health and survival of the members of the organisation.

Watchers Team - They are considered the most public part of the Anbu as they work closely with the Konoha Security Department. Their duty is to maintain internal surveillance of Konoha by watching for traitors and spies or possible plots.

Instructor Team - They are in charge of training new Anbu recruits to meet the organisation's skill requirements.

ROOT: - An unrecognized division of the Anbu that works with the sole purpose of benefiting Konoha no matter what decisions need to be made. Being unrecognized they receive no support from the Hokage of any kind and in case they are discovered by the enemy Konoha will not lift a finger for them.

By joining this organisation you must renounce all your previous life and emotions as Konoha should be the only thing that matters. It is led by Danzo Shimura.

Konoha Regular Forces

Led by Commander Jonin, Konoha's public forces are divided into Basic and Specialized forces that work closely with each other to ensure the smooth running of Konoha's military operations.

Basic Forces

They are made up of shinobi who do not belong to any Konoha department and therefore their work consists solely of carrying out missions assigned by the mission delivery desk.

Because of this, their entire salary is decided by the missions they perform, making their salary irregular as the payment for the missions is divided between Konoha and the mission members.

Academy Student - The lowest rank of Konoha's military forces, their job consists solely of studying to possess the skills expected of a genin, however in emergencies they may be employed to evacuate civilians.

If an academy student demonstrates great skill in any subject they can become a junior member of a Konoha department.

Genin - Low-ranking shinobi divided into two groups, Fresh Genin and Senior Genin.

Fresh Genin are those who have recently graduated from the academy and are part of a team of three genin and one jonin sensei. They perform D-ranked and occasionally C-ranked missions. They are expected to obey and learn from their sensei in order to improve their skills and move up the ranks.

However, there are also genin who are privately tutored by a jounin sensei once they graduate or go directly into a Konoha department and become a junior member if they were not already a junior member during their time at the academy.

Senior Genin are those who have taken a chunin examination and have survived but not passed or have completed a large number of missions and are allowed greater freedom and autonomy.

They have the ability to perform D-rank missions alone and C-rank missions in teams with other senior genin or chunin, in which case their jounin sensei acts as an occasional teacher and advisor as well as being one of those who decide if the genin is suitable for field promotion.

Chunin - Mid-ranking shinobi who have mastered the general skills expected of a shinobi and who have demonstrated sufficient maturity to be entrusted with leadership and security over other ninja. They are expected to possess mastery over an elemental nature. And they are considered the bulk of Konoha's forces.

Once you become a Chunin you have the option of becoming an official member of a Konoha department. And they are usually the ones who carry out the C and B rank missions.

Despite what most people think, there are different ways to become a Chunin:

Chunin exams - These is considered the quickest way to rise through the ranks but also the most dangerous as you risk your life by facing shinobi from other villages.

Field Promotion - Awarded to senior genin who have demonstrated all the skills expected of a chunin during the completion of their missions, to be considered for field promotion it is necessary to have completed 50 D-rank missions, 25 C-ranked missions and at least one B-ranked mission.

Department Promotion - Only awarded to genin who are junior members of a Konoha department and have demonstrated chunin skills. They must still pass an examination conducted by their department head to ensure that they possess all the necessary skills.

Tokubetsu Jonin - Shinobi whose overall skills are superior to Chunin but still below Jonin except in a certain ability in which they surpass most Jonin. They must master at least one elemental nature.

This rank is usually given to members of the various departments of Konoha who due to their specialised work in the departments surpass the jonin in that specific skill. However, it is also given to those who are not members of the departments if they demonstrate great skill.

Jonin - High level shinobi who must be highly proficient in all shinobi skills. Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Bukijutsu, etc and possess control over two chakra natures as well as demonstrating analytical and strategic abilities. To be chosen as a jounin, one must pass a test conducted by two senior jonin.

The jonin are the ones who usually perform A and S rank missions. In addition, once they have completed and passed the teaching course, the jonin have the possibility to become leaders and masters of a team of 3 genin.

Specialized Forces

The Konohagakure Specialized Forces encompass all the shinobi who work within one of the various departments of the village. All departments of the village work together keeping each other informed and forming a network that allows Konoha to function smoothly.

Unlike the basic forces, the members of the departments receive a fixed salary for their continuous services to the town.

Administration Department

The department in charge of organising, directing individual and collective work effectively in terms of objectives is considered the cornerstone. Its leader is usually the Hokage's personal assistant. The entire department is located in the Hokage Tower.

Finance Division - Is responsible for organising budgets and managing the money of the various departments and shinobi forces. Its members administer on both a large and small scale.

Legal Services Division - Usually handles trade agreements and Konoha missions as well as occasional diplomatic matters.

Library/Archives Division - Responsible for organising and storing Konoha's archives as well as locating them when needed for research purposes.

Mission Delivery Desk - Responsible for organising and allocating missions to the appropriate shinobi to complete.

Logistics Division - Responsible for planning, managing, controlling the storage and shipment of Konoha supplies. Divided into Resupply, Storage and Dealer Staff.

Medical Department

The main support department of Konoha with the duty of providing medical care to all the inhabitants of Konoha as well as teaching doctors from the rest of Hi no Kuni. Formerly headed by Tsunade Senju.

Medical Office - They are the administrative part of the department and are in charge of communicating with the rest of the departments as well as organising supplies.

Konoha Hospital - The stronghold of the medical department, where most of Konoha's medical-related operations are carried out.

Nursing Staff - Comprises all members of the medical staff who treat humans, from doctors to surgeons to nurses, all fall under this heading.

Veterinary Staff - Comprises the staff in charge of treating non-human beings from simple pets to large summoners, this branch makes sure to assist them in any medical emergency.

Medical Training - This branch is responsible for teaching medical skills to all interested shinobi regardless of whether they plan to be field shinobi, hospital staff or Anbu members.

Medical Teams - When emergencies occur that require large numbers of medics, teams of medics are organised and are also found in Chunin examinations.

Medical Field Shinobi - Consists of active shinobi who participate in missions accompanying other shinobi to provide medical care if needed.

Academic Department

This department is responsible for the education of Konoha's shinobi forces at various levels.

Academy Staff - They are in charge of educating students to prepare them for genin rank. It is made up of Chunin who have passed an examination and Tokubetsu Jonin from various departments. The director of the academy is the leader.

Chunin Exam Org. Staff - The staff in charge of organising chunin exams in Konoha and maintaining communication with other villages in case they happen outside.

Chunin Instructors - These are the chunin who are in charge of teaching various subjects as well as organising exams for those who wish to take up teaching.

Jonin Instructors - These are the Jonin who have passed the tests to take charge of a team of genin as well as those who wish to tutor other shinobi.

R+D+I Department

This is the department in charge of Research, Development and Innovation to ensure the technological and scientific advancement of Konoha. Formerly headed by Orochimaru.

Scientific Division

It is in charge of Konoha's research, development and innovations, formed by the Research, Innovation, Jutsu Development and New Technology Teams.

Experimental Subject Search Team - The team in charge of tracking and capturing subjects that can be used as guinea pigs and testing scientific breakthroughs on them. Bandits, spies and traitors are the most common subjects. Once they are no longer needed they are killed and their bodies disposed of.

Communication Department

The department in charge of maintaining communication in the departments and sending messages throughout Konoha and beyond. It is headed by Inoichi Yamanaka.

Courier Team - The team in charge of carrying messages in person to their intended recipient. The internal team handles messages within Konoha and the external team handles messages outside of Konoha.

Messenger Creatures Team - Consists of the message-carrying animals and their handlers. Hawks are the most common animals, but there are also others such as dogs and cats.

Radio Team - Responsible for sending and receiving messages by radio as well as transmitting them to the intended recipients.

Telepathy Team - A small team made up of members of the Yamanaka clan who transmit messages via telepathy in emergencies.

Battle Department

This department is in charge of operations mostly outside Konoha that may lead to confrontation with enemy shinobi. It is usually one of the most active departments during times of war.

Reconnaissance Division

This division is responsible for capturing targets or gathering information in the field. As well as causing chaos within the enemy forces. It is led by Tsume Inuzuka.

It consists of the Capture and Interrogation, Infiltration, Reconnaissance and Search and Recall teams.

Strike Division

This division is responsible for direct engagement with enemy forces with the objective of eliminating them as quickly as possible as well as opening gaps in the enemy front. It is led by Choza Akimichi.

It consists of the Combat & Tactical, Assault and Free Response teams.

Intelligence Department

It is the department in charge of obtaining any information Konoha may need through any means necessary. Jiraiya is believed to be the shadow leader of the department.

C+F+S Division

Cryptology Team - Responsible for deciphering enemy and allied messages or codes as well as encrypting messages from the village itself.

Forgery Team - Responsible for the forgery of documents or identities in order to manipulate Konoha's enemies to benefit the village.

Spying Team - In charge of obtaining information by infiltrating enemy forces. Hiding members as shinobi or civilians as well as other identities within other countries. It has a sub-team known as the Seduction team.

Torture and Interrogation Division

In charge of obtaining information from prisoners captured by the various departments of Konoha no matter what means are used, no matter how gruesome.

Security Department

This is the department in charge of Konoha's internal security, consisting of two divisions that work together with the Anbu's team of Watchmen.

This department is co-led by the leaders of each division.

Barrier Division

Responsible for the management, maintenance and surveillance of Konoha's barrier. They mark all those who enter the barrier and work 24 hours a day with 6 hour shifts changing personnel as needed. As well as intercepting intruders.

Detection Team - They are in charge of guarding the barrier by sensing all who enter Konoha and marking them as enemies if necessary.

Interception Team - They are in charge of intercepting, reducing and capturing or killing those who have been marked as enemies by the members of the detection team.

Field Barrier Team - They are a team of shinobi with great skills in creating barriers and are called upon when it is necessary to contain someone or something that cannot be stopped by conventional means.

Military Police Force

They are in charge of Konoha's internal security, keeping crimes and disturbances by Konoha citizens to a minimum. It is one of the most heavily staffed departments in Konoha. It is led by Fugaku Uchiha.

Patrol Team - In charge of patrolling Konoha for disturbances or incidents in order to stop them before they can escalate into something bigger.

Administrative Team - In charge of managing supplies, organising files, and preparing arrests and legal cases for detained criminals.

Scientific Team - Responsible for investigating crime scenes or performing autopsies on dead bodies.

Detective Team - Responsible for investigating and solving criminal cases by searching for clues to solve them and catch the culprits.

#naruto #konohagakure #hokage #uzumaki naruto #ambu #hiruzen sarutobi #tsunade senju #kakashi #Hashirama Senju #tobirama senju #minato namikaze #konoha #Shikaku Nara #Danzo Shimura

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luna-cove · 2 months ago

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Double Trouble | Luke and Kieran ft. Sylus

✧ summary: you take a quick liking to luke and kieran, they do the same.

✧ pairing: luke x female reader, kieran x female reader, sylus x female reader

✧ word count: 9.5K

✧ genre: smut, slight angst and fluff

✧ warnings: explicit sexual content, porn with little/no plot, dubious consent, manipulation, exhibitionism, voyeurism, threesome, vaginal sex, dirty talk, blindfolds, rough sex, oral sex(m! and f! receiving), masturbation, mask kink, fingering, finger sucking, face fucking, teasing, creampie, choking, degradation, praise kink, name-calling, pet names, switch!reader kinda,

✧ a/n: i posted this two months ago?? on ao3?? yeah so this was my first ever smut so it’s not great but i’m learning lmao. enjoy and be kind. this was inspired by milkandstarlight on here and one of their posts abt the twins <3

You woke up with your wrists and ankles bound and in a random man's car. You must of finally made it to the N109 Zone.

Your mind was still hazy from the drugs wearing off. Everything was happening so fast and the next thing you knew you were thrown on the ground, the dried grass straching against your palms that caught yourself. Dead trees adorned the dark gray, cloudy sky. You say a mausoleum not far from you, assuming it must a been a cemetry before the incident that happend years ago. A man appeared in front of you, only pulled out a knife and start searching over your body for the Aether Core as he held it near your throat. Like an angel from above, you heard a voice call out.

"Kidnapping Onychinus' prey without letting us know... That's not exactly polite."

The sky turned a light red at the voice. The man got behind you at the sound, the knife now closer to your throat than before. That feeling of a savior went as quickly it came. Another called out once more.

"She's ours, by the way. We called dibs a long time ago."

A black smoke cloud with red light streaks appeared out of nowhere and sliced the assailant's arm. The knife falling out of his hand and onto the ground. You followed shortly after as the man tried to get away. The cloud of red and black appeared again, this time revealing a masked individual in its mist. He stood tall, dressed in black with red accents to his outfit and mask. A hood with two red devil horns covered him.

"I'm really curious... She's brave enough to drink from a black glass."

He turned toward you, as he walked over another individual basically identical appeared behind him from the mist. Your kidnapper had failed to escape, dropping to his knees right in front of the second masked man who stepped on his back and pushed him further into the ground. A small cloud came from his hand, before it registered in your mind, it quickly darted across your kidnapper's throat. The sound of the blade could be heard and then you saw a pool of blood on the cobblestone. The man collapsed forward before he dissipated into ash.

"What will she do when backed into a corner..." One of them pondered as he sauntered up to you alongside the other.

Truthfully, it had you feeling something unexplainable.

"You're pretty bold for releasing information about the Aether Core into the Nest like that." The second said.

"Explains why boss is so interested."

"Where is he?"

"He said to wait."

"Well, how long?"

The two bickered between each other. Brothers, no doubt. They turned back to you, the attention making you freeze, not that the restraints gave you much to work with. However, you didn't expect them to pick you up and sit you down a woren down concerte slab. One on each side and for far too long was it quiet with no head of Onychinus showing.

"I'm bored." One sighed. "I am truly getting curious... About that backed into a corner thing."

The masked man was now sitting next to you in closer than ever. It was just a mask looking at you but you felt like he could see the deepest parts of your soul.

"Luke, you know Sylus will be here any moment." The other reminded him. "Not the time. Leave her alone."

"She's so pretty..." Luke said sweetly as his nimble fingers reached up to push a strand of your hair behind your ear. "Don't you think, Kieran?"

He didn't answer. All you could see was his back turned to the both of you with his arms crossed. You looked back at the one named Luke who's thigh still touched your own.

"What's your name, pretty?" He asked. "Boss never told us."

"Y/n..." You spoke up.

"Well, Y/n..." He leaned before he whispered mischievously, "Would you like to play with me?"

You backed away to look at the man in front you, partly surprised at his bluntness as you knew exactly what he meant by 'play' and the other part of you was intrigued by him.

"The boss would be very mad if you were to mess with his new toy." Kieran interrupted.

"Toy?" You scoffed at him. "Yes... I want to play with you. Both of you, actually."

"So ambitious." Luke chuckled. "Did you hear that, Kieran? She wants to take both of us."

"But Sylus-"

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him. We just have to be quick, that's all."

It clicked that they meant right there and then, in the open. It was secluded but the thought of the possibility of being caught was somewhat thrilling. In an attempt to find any sort of relief you clenched around nothing.

"You're okay with that right, Princess?" Luke questioned, his hand smoothing over your jean cladded thigh.

He wanted nothing more than to rip them off of you. The way your cheeks flushed, the way your eyes were hazed over and the sudden instense body heat that radiated off of you already told him the answer. The nodding of your head just confirmed it and within moments you lost your sight as he asked his brother for help. A dark piece of cloth came to blindfold you and all you could rely on was your other senses as you were surrounded by two men you just met. You could hear Kieran behind you take off his mask and put it on the concrete as you felt one of his brother's hand caress down the curve of your waist to rest on the band of your pants. It lingered just above where you needed for far too long to your liking. Your heavy breathing became pants before you bucked your hips.

"Do something, please." You begged.

"Eager now, are we?" Kieran murmured into your ear as he pushed your hair over to your other shoulder.

Suddenly, you felt his lips leave gentle but long kisses on the skin of your exposed neck, he pulled back the fabric of your shirt down to leave a longer trail on your shoulder. The sound of the blade rang in the air and your ankles relax as the rope fell to the ground. You felt Luke move to your side before his hand trailed down your abdomen and into your underwear as you spread your legs. The way his fingertips immediately brushed so softly over your clit has you sigh as you jolt before and relaxing into his brother's chest. You whimpered as he rubbed gently circles into the bud.

"You're so wet and we've barely done anything." You could hear the smile and pride in his voice when he said that. "What got you that way? Tell me."

You didn't respond to him. He rubbed your clit with more pressure which had you gasping and squirming in Kieran's embrace as he left little bites on your tender skin.

"Tell me." Luke repeated.

"Just the way you came in... I don't know, the way you say things, the way you fought the kidnapper and everything... I found it hot. You looked hot, fuck."

You were humiliated, falling apart for these two and for what? They both laughed.

"You don't even know what we look like." Luke taunted. "Is it the masks? Do they turn you on? Is it the mystery?"

"It's cute." Kieran chimed in.

From behind, a hand came up and gripped your jaw to pull you closer before crashing his lips against yours. Your tongues brush against each other. It was so dirty and messy in contrast to how light and sweet his touch remained on your cheek. It was so intoxicating... Suddenly, the rough rope wasn't digging into your wrists anymore and you couldn't help but reach behind and find your hand in Kieran's soft hair in an effort to keep in close as he took your breath away. Luke's slender fingers found their way further down, teasing your entrance with light touches that had you whining against the other's lips as you desperately searched for a way to satisfy the growing heat inbetween your legs.

"She's being so good... Taking us both and not running away." Kieran pulled away from your lips to tell his brother. "We don't have much time, hurry up for her sake at least."

The sensation of two digits plunging into you while his thumb rubbed against your clit had you moaning as you threw your head back against the other's shoulder. You were so pathetically desperate for them. You let out little whimpers and moans which each thrust in and out of her fingers. It started so agonizing slow before speeding up and you couldn't but try to chase the feelings with your hips. You could feel Kieran's hard-on from behind and every move from you was torturous. Despite his discomfort, he continued to nibble and lick on the sweet spots of your neck as he ran his hands up and down your body. All of your pleasure was interrupted by a phone ringing, coming from the boy behind you.

"It's Sylus."

"Shit."

Luke took his hand out of your pants so quickly. You sighed in disappointment, it felt like you had a pool in your underwear. It was so cold the way the fabric sat against you. You found yourself clenching around nothing once more. You felt fingers from Kieran against your lips.

"Suck." He whispered the demand in your ear.

Without a thought, you followed the ordered as he picked up the phone. Not even paying attention to the phone call happening behind you.

"We'll be there as soon as possible, Boss."

The sound of the phone disconnecting was heard. It was brief but the silence in the air was so thick. You released his fingers with a 'pop'

"What did he say?" Luke questioned.

"He's not coming, something came up." The other answered.

"So we have more time with her."

"We can't be suspicious but a little. So, move."

Kieran got up, leaving you dazed as you heard him shuffling around next to you. He ordered his brother to move you over. You felt hands run over your clothed thighs.

"Do you want to cum, princess?” He asked.

”Please…” You cried, begging for a release of any kind.

Still blind, in the matter of seconds you were exposed from the waist down. Cloth could be felt against your skin rather than concrete. Cool air hit your core. Your legs fell apart instantly, pleading for some type of stimuli in between. Hands gripped your thighs as more shuffling could be heard. You fully expected to feel a hand once more but the presence of warm breath hit you. A long, slow strip was licked up your heat that caused you to let an embarrassing high pitched moan. A few kitten licks followed. You felt fingers tease your folds, picking up slick before falling deep into you. A tongue lapped at your bud in such a delicious way as the digits instead you slowly build up pace. You squirmed in other’s lap, mouth agape with small whines and sinister moans escaping every now and again. You grabbed at Luke who was now behind you in an attempt to ground yourself as you humped his brother’s tongue in desperation.

“With the way you act at just at some fingers and tongue…” He started as he held your hands tighter. “I can’t wait to see how wild you’ll go on my cock… You’d look so pretty taking all of me.”

You whimper in response. The lust was insatiable at this point and like a possession.

“Wanna cum—So bad—I want more.” You whined out. “I want both of you inside of me… Please.”

Kieran came to a halt which cause you to collapse weakly as you breathed heavy.

“Oh, sweetheart. You’re getting ahead of yourself, aren’t you?” Kieran asked, the sound of a belt buckle becoming undone and dropping to the ground. “Can you really take both of us, let alone me?”

”Fuck me, please!” You cried out. “I wanna be filled up so bad.”

It felt painful, them constantly building you up with no release. You were ready to lose it if you hadn’t already. You laid there, helplessly in silence waiting for something to happen. The lack of touch was unbearable but you still feel them around you. A hand came to touch your thigh and move it upward, exposing you to the hair once more.

Something hard and warm rubbed against your folds finally. You let out a sigh of relief, knowing soon enough you’ll have what you’ve been craving.

”It’s not fair that you get her first.” One whined, obviously Luke.

”Maybe you shouldn’t have been such a tease then.” Kieran retorted. “I’m just giving her what she asked for.”

The head of his cock throbbed against your clit. The feeling disappeared within moments, a thumb came to make gentle motions on your bud as you finally felt the tip enter you. He tenses until he reaches the hilt and feel him relax against you as he falls forward to rest his forehead on your shoulder just for a moment. He lets out a breathy grunt in your ear.

”So fucking tight.” He whispered.

Heat radiated off of him. His words unintentionally make you clench around his member causing him to let out a high pitch moan in your ear. He ruts into you so deeply, your head rolls back into his brother’s lap. The steady pace of him hitting all the right areas within your walls had you screaming and shaking with pleasure as you encourage him to keep going in between out of breath moans.

”More—Harder—Faster…” You begged, you hand resting against his abdomen, the touch sending shocks of pleasure straight down into his cock.

”Whatever you want, princess.”

Kieran’s hands come up to grab your waist to lift you up against him, snapping his hips against yours as the sounds of skins slapping against each other echoed around you. Your mouth fell agape once more as you whined out almost pornographically. Your eyes rolled back behind the blindfold as he reached deep within you, hitting everything so perfectly.

So lost in your own world with Kieran, you had forgotten about the other masked man before you felt his lips against your ear.

”Will you help me out, sweetheart?” He asks, softly. “You‘re doing so well…”

You could only imagine how painful it must’ve felt as you reach out toward him. Your hand traveling over his body until it rested on the restricted bulge that you rubbed over causing him to hiss. The familiar sound of a belt becoming unbuckled could be such. You were shocked to feel something soft touch your lips.

”Suck me off, please.” He pleaded with a moan.

He’d be lying if he said seeing you suck his brother’s fingers off while he was on the phone didn’t do something to him. The way your tongue swirled around his fingers and the drool around your lips made him feel so primal almost.

His voice… The way he begged and asked so politely, it went straight to your core and instinctively your tongue came out to lick over the slit before your lips wrapped around his tip, giving him a light suck as little sighs of relief spilled from him. You release it, a string of salvia still connecting between the two of you. You lick the underside of his shaft from the base up that caused a jolt in him before you eagerly take all of him in your mouth.

Taken back, he lets out a long moan and pulls your hair back as he watches the way you bob your head up and down on him. He throws his head as he can’t help but buck his hips into your mouth at the sight of you getting fucked out.

His pace quickened. You choked a bit as his cock hit the back of your throat. Jaw aching, tears pricked your eyes. You moaned against him as Kieran is ramming into relentlessly, one hand rubbing circles into your clit that slowly accelerated while the other found its way under your shirt and bra to squeeze your nipple.

“Oh fuck, Y/n.” You heard Luke curse, his hips began to falter against your nose.

He speeds up for a few seconds, hitting the back of your throat without a care beside his own pleasure before he slows down. A warm, thick liquid hits your tongue. As hot cum fills your mouth as a reflex you swallow it all. The only evidence left being the little bits of cum that spilled over lips.

“Such a good girl…” Luke moaned before he wiped the cum away from your mouth.

He grabbed your face to leave a kiss on your lips, tasting the saltiness left over from him. It was oddly sweet considering what just happened prior. You sighed against his lips, swiping your tongue along his bottom lip before his lips parted to let your tongues meet one another.

Pants and heavy breathing filled the air as Kieran still fucked into you. You moaned into the other’s mouth as he got dangerously close to your sweet spot, the stimulation on your clit intensifying it all. His thrusts began to become more erratic, the friction on your bud increasing. You cried out as he abused that spot inside you.

”Fuck yes, yes, yes!” You screamed, going crazy as Luke held you.

You felt yourself getting closer and closer, reaching out for Kieran in front of you holding onto his waist as plowed into you. You felt a wave of pleasure wash over you, letting out a pathetically long, high-pitch moan. You withered in Luke’s arms as he kissed up and down your neck as you made an attempt to drag out your orgasm as long as possible on the other’s length.

The way you grind yourself and squeeze against him sent him over the edge. His hips slowed as you felt the sensation of warm cum coat your walls that had you letting out gasp. Kieran leaned down, leaving a long bit deep kiss on your lips as he finished his final thrusts before he pulled out. You winced at the sudden feeling of emptiness within you and the lose of the other behind you. Cum started to leak out of you and drip down your thighs and onto the cloth beneath. You lay there against hard surface, catching your breath.

“So pretty.” You heard one of them mumble.

You didn’t expect your vision to come back so quickly. Looking around, you found them both dressed with their masks back on. You felt something swipe over your thigh, realizing it was the thing just around your eyes now wiping up the mess made. You reached out to grab the man’s wrist in an effort to stop him.

”You didn’t get a turn.” You said, weakly.

”Another time, princess.” He laughed. “You’re too considerate.”

He got done cleaning you up as best as possible, discarding the soiled items while the other help you stand up and get dressed.

“How can you tell us apart?” Kieran asked as you stepped back into your shoes.

”Your voices are different…” You told.

”Whose do you like better?”

It’d had been difficult some time since you entered the N109 Zone. You met Sylus, leader of Onychinus. The man was intimidating and looking into his eyes had you feeling like he knew everything about you. A voice would appear in your head whenever you met his gaze. It was quite odd and against your own wishes, you ended up shooting the guy and being knocked out for a day.

You wondered, could he tell what his servants just did to you? Could he tell how much you enjoyed it and wanted something to happen again? No way… If it was that much an issue like the twins made it seem to be messing around with you. You wouldn’t have woken up with both of them looking at you.

You found yourself spending most of your time with Sylus when he was awake. However, when he was asleep you always found yourself with Luke and Kieran for hours on end… Their boss would be sleeping in the room next to theirs while they had you taking one of them from behind as the other sat in front of you, holding your face and telling you how good you were being before they switched.

You began to realize they were very different in the realm of sex. Luke would always praise you but Kieran, he liked to degrade you. Luke liked to edge you, the way you fell apart on him after all the built up gave him a sense of pride. He was usually more gentle with you and his pacing to get to your orgasms while his brother would rail you and overstimulate you, loving the way you’d become a drooling mess. Their stamina was insane

You found yourself under Kieran who held your wrists as he fucked up into you one night. Luke massaged your clit with one hand as he stroked his own length with the other from the side. You were litter with little love bites from the both of them. The bed frame creaked against the wall adding to the excitement of Sylus finding out and walking in the scene.

Your eyes rolled back at the idea as you bit your lip to suppress a moan from slipping pass. The brutal, quick thrusts stopped and turned into long, drawn out ones that hit you hard once Kieran did snap his hips into you. You let out a small moan at the uncharacteristic thing of him.

”We want to hear you.” He said.

”But Sylus…” You sighed out at the feeling of his hips meeting yours before slowly being dragged out.

He chuckles, “I’m inside of you right now. I can feel you clench around me every time the bed frame creaks. I feel you every time you can hear him stir in his sleep and how you relax when he goes back to snoring. You like the idea of him knowing and seeing you like this, don’t you?”

You shook your head against the pillow. A sharp motion of his hips had his tip reach that spot inside you that had you yelp with no way to cover your mouth.

”You’re lying.” He said. “You want him to see you all filled up with our cum, all fucked out and dumb from us. You want him to see what a slut you are and you want him to treat you the same way.”

A clench around his shaft at the words was just a confirmation before he started back up with his relentless pounding into you that had you whining as you approached your orgasmed and found yourself under the other for the nth time that day.

They seemed to pick up on much more than their boss. Whenever the two of you got home from somewhere, they could tell when Sylus did something that unintentionally got you hot and bothered. He wasn’t going to take care of it so they were always so kind to do so. Sometimes so kind to try and recreate what happened with a twist.

“Relax. You can handle it.” Luke whispered into your ear as he aligned himself with your entrance.

He opened your palm with his hand before intertwining your fingers with his. It was much more gentle than the encounter with Sylus and also Kieran’s recreation but maybe gentle was the you need to end this session with them as soon this time would need to come to an end for the sake of normality.

A few hours of sleep was never enough time for recovery from the twins. You were barely able to walk normal out into the dining room were Sylus and them all sat eating a meal. The boys snickered to one another and even teased you about it in front him which was odd considering they were the ones wanting to hide it. The man with white hair and piercing eyes never said anything or even batted an eye at their teasing. You’d blush about it still and further in the day you’d be annoyed with the little pranks they’d pull on you whenever their boss was around.

You always got distance during the day but at night they’d always start luring you back with kisses and promises of pleasure. However the next time, in their room, they told you they only reason they did it was so nothing seemed suspicious. Whenever they had guest they’d tease and mess with them in the way they did in front of Sylus. You were the only guest they teased and messed with in other ways. They didn’t want to bite the hand that feeds them.

Once you were aware of this, you started to give as good as you get. You'd pull Kieran around the corner asking to show him something and once hidden behind a wall you'd grab his hand just to wrap your lips around his fingers and such while looking up at him with doe eyes. Sylus quite literally always in the next room eating or doing something else at a leisurely pace. with the potential of him catching you both. The first time stunned him but it almost became a game of how many times you could do it. It didn't stop there, sometimes you'd pull Luke away to make out with him. The other started to get jealous that you weren't taking him behind a wall to kiss and they'd start to fight over who got to sneak away with you which you'd smile at.

Other times it was one of them sneaking their hands down your panties as you tried to stay as quiet as possible while bucking in their hand or them getting on their knees and pull your shorts and underwear aside to get a taste and lick you up and down as you covered your mouth with your head thrown back. The rest of the time, it was their turn where you'd take one of them away and end up on your knees for them, a hand in your hair always guiding you at a pace they selected as they bucked their own hips accordingly or your hand would be wrapped around their length as their masks came to rest just above your lips allowing you hid their moans from the mere feets away.

It wasn’t always sex, they knew you needed a break with the way they pushed you. Sometimes, it was just talking on their bed or playing a game. They refused to take off their masks no matter what you did or said. You became familiar with only the sight of their pink lips as they would only lift their masks so far off. It was the one thing you hated while also loving it. Seeing them in their masks as they were deep into you, their own grunts and moans leaking out did something to you and you had no idea why. But if you wanted to be kissed anywhere by either of them at all while they gave countless orgasms, you’d have to be blindfolded or one would have to cover your eyes. They always refused and they never told you the reason.

”Why do I never get to see your faces?” You whined as Luke’s fingers traced shapes up and down your arms as you laid between him in Kieran.

”You like the masks.” He said, softly. “We don’t want to ruin what you like.”

“I would like you both either way.” You admitted.

With the amount of times the both of them had flipped you into different positions, fucked you in multiple parts of the estate and had finished in you, you think the would’ve realized that by now.

“Who would you like more?”

Maybe it was the mystery of it. It killed you because it felt like the final barrier between you all. You wanted to see their faces contort in pleasure as you sink down on them. You wanted to see them try to hold back their own noises of bliss. You wanted to see them desperate for you in their entirety.

The best you get to that was pinning Luke to the bed one night. While riding him, your hand snaked up to his throat to squeeze lightly. A choked moaned came threw which had you smirking. Your other hand rested on his shoulder as you bounced yourself up and down on his shaft, giving him a show as you let out whines and little phrases of encouragement to him while out of breath that him twitching inside of you as you tried to speed up.

You weren’t on your high horse for long before Kieran came and lifted you off only to have you sink down on him. You’re back to his rest while on his lap, he held your legs wide open. Planting his feet into the mattress, he used his momentum to fuck into you as your mouth hung open, letting out pitiful gasps. The other now in front of you, knowing exactly what you want in that moment as one of his hand reached to rub your bud while the other situated his mask just above his lips so he could comfortably kiss you and swallow your noises.

”Such a good cum slut.” He snickered as he filled you up to brim.

You hated how much you loved it. The feeling of being so full but also empty. You hated how much you loved them being the reasons behind all your orgasm.

He knew what you liked. They both did by the way your walls would wrap even tighter around them whenever they did something or said something new.

As much as they liked those incredibly intimate moments with you, they liked just being with you, knowing more about you as a person. They were attached you and began to wonder what they’d do when you had to leave because that time was coming sooner or later with that auction approaching. They didn’t let you know but they were already planning rendezvouses to Linkon for you.

Sylus set you up on a little mission to find a broach he hid somewhere. However, they saw you be thrown out of his room multiple times within the last few hours and saw you disappear behind the doors again recently. You hadn’t been seen again so maybe it was a good thing for you but when you opened the door they could hear the shower running.

They looked at each other as the door clicked closed, silently hoping to one another that it wasn’t time to cross that road just yet… However, it wasn’t longer after that they heard the door swing open.

”Leave. I’m going to bed.” A deep voice sighed as a thud could be heard before the door slammed shut.

You were cursing under your breath as you entered the study. You threw yourself on the couch. A notepad rest in your lap, scribbling a way in it angrily as your grumbled to yourself, unaware of the twins’ presence in the room with you.

“You're pulling your hair out over this, huh?” Kieran asked, gently, catching your attention. “If you want to do something, maybe we can help you.”

You looked up to see him sitting on the desk, looking at you over his shoulder while his brother sat in a chair next to him, his chin resting in his hand.

“What do you mean?” You poured.

”If you want to conquer our boss's heart, you'll have to use a different approach.” Luke informed you while leaning back in his chair before pulling out a book and opening it to cite something."For some people, they get bored once they have everything. So only those who dare to challenge their authority can catch their interest."

He closed the book, resting it on the table as you walked up to take it in your hands.

"When you're dealing with such a person, you bow down and submit or take them out in one go.” Kieran picked up where his brother left off. “In other words—“

A pair of handcuffs and gun where thrown on the surface before you, leaving you puzzled.

“Strike when they’re off guard.” They said in unison.

”Boss is the least guarded when he's sleeping.” Kieran told you.

”You only have one shot. Don't waste this chance. Just do it!” Luke encouraged you. “You’re blushing… What happened in there?”

Part of you hoped, he wouldn’t noticed. It didn’t help when the other reached out to you.

”You’re so warm too…” Kieran pointed out. “You’re in the mood, aren’t you?”

“Yes…” You felt guilty at the confession. “I went in when he was taking a shower and then he walked out in just a short towel. He just had to catch me eavesdropping too and then he basically tied me up with his evol and I’m tired of it.”

They chuckled at you as your cheeks appeared brighter. Usually now, you’d be taken care of for hours but as they walked up to you all they did was pull up their masks a bit to leave kisses on both your cheeks.

”You don’t have much time.” Luke reminded you. “As I said, you have to take your chance now. I promise to take care of you later once you get what you need.”

He left a gentle kiss on your forehead.

”One more for good luck.” Kieran said before leaving a kiss on your lips.

They put their masks back down as they saw you walk away. The door closed behind you and energy in the air shifted immediately once you no longer stood there with them.

“You know what we just did, right?” Kieran asked his brother.

”I know, unfortunately.” Luke sighed.

Sylus did not like being handcuff to his bed by you in attempt to get the broach. The gun was only full of confetti, a mortifying betrayal.

”You’re so gullible, kitten.” The man snickered.

At least you got the broach though.

Your clothes laid discarded on the floor. The bed creaked, the sounds of screams and pants filled the air alongside skin slapping. Sweat covered your body and cum started to cake your thighs. You don’t know how long you had been there or how many times Sylus made you cum around his fingers, tongue and cock.

Overstimulated, the brushing of his robe tickles you with every thrust that had you letting out quiet whines. You laid there with your face against the mattress and ass up in the air. Sylus’ hands gripped your hips so hard to bring you back on him, hard. Your walls snug around him as you cried out for more. His hand grabbed your jaw to lift your head up as his thrust got harder against you.

“So eager, sweetie.” He teased you. “You were never disgusted by me, were you? You were just mad I didn’t fuck you. You could’ve just said something. I would’ve gladly taken care of you sooner. How many rounds have we’ve gone and you’re still not tired? So pathetic and desperate.”

You let out a helpless moan in response, finally opening your eyes long enough to look back at the white haired man. However, something out of the corner of your eyes caught your attention. You’d know those masks anywhere and they were peaking out from the doorway, watching you. You froze up a little bit as you noticed them but you knew deep down you liked the fact that they were there watching, with no way to do anything. You liked it even more when you could see the both of them with bulges in their pants.

Nothing would ever be true payback but you had to try at least…

You got up weakly, the arms shaking underneath you as Sylus continued.

“Wait.” You panted. “I want to try something.”

His thrusts slowed only for him to be able to put more force in them. You cried as you collapsed forward the mattress.

”Don’t tell me what to do, sweetie.” He grunted, bitterly.

His pace picked up again. Sore and weak, you mustered up all your strength to pull yourself flush against him. You’re back now against his bare, muscular torso. You threw your head back on his chest as you used his sides as a way to pick up momentum to match his thrusts whatsoever.

You looked at him with doe eyes as you gasped for air, absolutely letting yourself get lost in the pleasure while repeatedly sinking on him. Your eyes rolled back as he used the opportunity to leave bites on your exposed neck already sprouting red marks. You looked back at the door way, the twins still there and looking in as they watch you act like you’re getting the best sex of your life.

You let them see the way you throw yourself back on him as you call out of his name breathlessly and begged to cum. Something about knowing they were watching as you stretched around the man that held power over them did something unexplainable to you. He grabbed onto your hips tightly, his tongue now brushing against yours as you whined into his mouth at his thrusts becoming more erratic and rough.

You forgot they were there… Your eyes not so much as glancing at them enraged them as well as the uncomfortable feeling in between their thighs that would have no resolve. They both stormed down the hall, away from Sylus’ room but it didn’t matter. They could still hear you scream his name and moans which made their blood boil in a way it shouldn’t of.

You don’t remember falling asleep under the black silk sheets that belonged to Sylus. The white haired man was fast asleep next to you. Everything felt oddly clean… You do vaguely remember cleaning you up afterward, letting you shower and borrow a sweater off his. He brought you to bed after, the sheets fresh. It was unexpected of him, uncharacteristically sweet of him. You fully anticipated him telling you to get out as soon as he used you but he didn’t.

Maybe you were wrong about him.

You slipped out of his bed. The lost of warmth next to him made him stir a bit in his sleep. You look at him to make sure he doesn’t wake up as you quietly start on a mission to sneak out of his room. When you go to turn your attention to the door, Luke and Kieran stand in front of you all of a sudden. It takes you aback for a moment and then you remember how pissed off you are at them. You immediately push pass them and they follow shortly behind you into the hallway.

”Hey, where are you going?” Luke asked.

”To my room.” You respond, rather bitterly. “Leave me alone.”

”We’re sorry.” Kieran sighed.

His words stopped you as you slowly turned around to glare at the twins who looked rather guilty.

”So you did know?” You scoffed. “God, I was really hoping you didn’t because then it’d be so much easier. I’m so fucking mad at you both!”

”He only told us so much so not really…”

“We didn’t know it was going to happen.”

”Only a feeling, huh? And you didn’t even care to share that me? You’re both suppose to be the ones I’m closest to. How am I suppose to trust you two if you don’t tell me things?”

“We want to! But he could tell we want to say something to you and we just couldn’t… You know how he is. We’re sorry again, Y/n. We can’t say that enough...”

The way they stood there with their heads down. Truthfully, you couldn’t be mad at them. You loved them too much. They knew you want Sylus at some point anyway.

“Make it up to me.” You demanded.

”Huh?” They asked in unison.

”You heard me.” You said.

”How?”

“Like you haven’t done it before. I know seeing another man in me ticked you both off. At least, I hope it did so you both learn your lesson.”

They nodded which had you smiling before they ran over to you to lift up their masks and exchange kisses before take you to their room. You were thrown on their mattress in the matter of seconds after the door opened. A familiar blindfold came to cover your eyes as you heard both their masks come to rest on their nightstand. Your body became hot with kisses sernaded by the both them, long licks over the right spots. Their hands roamed over your body, carress certain parts, gripping and massaging the others which had you gasping between long kisses you shared with the both of them.

You felt one’s hand come to rest against your heat over your panties that whined at at as the other’s hand lifted up the knitted sweater over your chest. You felt a pair of lips wrap itself around your nipple, teeth lightly brushing against it that you had you arching up. A brief slurping sound of the bud being sucked could be heard before you felt the unknown twin start to lap at it with his tongue. The hand continued to rub against you at such an agonizing slow pace. Your essence starting to leave a dark spot on the cloth and coat his fingers slighly. You whined at the sudden lost of friction but was presently surpised to feel a kiss on top of your underwear causing you to jolt and buck your hips at the stimulation.

Most definitely Luke...

Right as you felt a finger hook around the soaked cloth of your panties, it stopped.

"Stop, I have an idea." He told his brother before you heard shared, indistinct whispers exchanged between the both of them.

High of lust, you didn't fully process them lifting you up and moving elsewhere. That was until you found yourself on a much harder surface. Your underwear came off in a swift motion. Your thighs found a familiar place on what was presumably Luke's shoulder as he dragged you closer to him. The blindfold came off, your eyes squinting as they adjusted to the increase in light around, Looking around, you saw the sheets on the bed in front of you bunched up. Your eyes widened as you saw the tuffs of white hair peak out from the sheets. You were in Sylus' room, on his couch. The tongue leaving a sudden stripe over you had all the worry disspate for a moment as you clenched around nothing, biting your lip yearning for more. Luke teases you on his tongue, never quite hitting the spot you need but getting so close which has you throwing your head back on the couch. You find Kieran behind the couch, his hands running over you shoulders passed the bunched up sweater to gently pinch your nipples between his fingers. You thrashed against the couch, grinding against the other's tongue, the beak of his mask that concede his identity, digging into you as you watched the bed occupied by a sleeping Sylus in front of you with hooded eyes.

"What a slut." Kieran degraded you, the beak of his mask running up the side of your neck as he whispered in your ear. "Your still wearing his sweater while two different people pleasure you... In his room where he could wake up any moment and see how desprate you are to let annyone ruin you."

You felt the flutter in your core at his words, Luke focuing more at the way his long flicks your bud in-between your legs. You grab the top of his head, tongue now flat against you to let you grind on his tongue until he can taste your sweet release on him as you shake, mouth agape as you let out heavy breaths. He comes up from between your thighs, his chin covered in liquid as he leans in allowing you to taste yourself on him.

"What's next, princess?" He asked, smile on his lips that peeked out from under the mask, chin still covered in your essence.

"I need you inside of me..." You shamelessly confessed.

They were trying to make it up to you so you knew they’d just give in today to make you happy.

”Which one?”

You saw an opportunity to mess when with them.

”I want Luke.” You said as you grabbed onto Kieran behind you.

They looked at each other, probably puzzled because it never mattered how dumb they fucked you, you’d always know the difference between them. However, they didn’t say anything as the other came to sit down on the couch.

You wasted no time in straddling his lap once he took a seat. You took his hard cock into your hand and lined up with your entrance before sinking down abruptly causing him to let out a small grunt as you did, a hand coming to rest on your waist. Unexpectedly for him, your hand wrapped around his throat. You bit your lip as you tightly squeeze it. You didn’t anticipate a loud moan to leave him as you looked back to make sure Sylus was still asleep. You didn’t expect to feel him twitch inside of you and grab at your waist as an attempt to bring you closer.

Kieran never let you take control. You didn’t expect him to like it, you didn’t think you’d get away with it either. You thought he was going to flip you over onto the couch and without regard to the others in the room, just fuck you into the sofa. Yet, he was still under you, letting you rock back and forth for your own pleasure.

The lack of powerfulness with Kieran turned you on even more. Your other hand came to rest on his shoulder to aid you and bouncing up and down on his shaft that his head lolled back on the back of the couch. His fingers digged into your skin as you could hear him try to control his volume. His thighs tensed under you ever so often, his tip twitching inside of you every time your walls hugged him tighter.

”And you call me a slut.” You chuckled bitterly into his ear, his hands freezing. “Yet, you’re loving the fact that I’m in control, fucking you in front of your sleeping boss and we could be caught at anymore. You’re the whore.”

”You knew it was me?” Kieran choked at as your grip on his throat became tighter causing him to moan helplessly.

He always called you a slut while Luke always told you were a good girl.

”Payback.” You smirked. “Now, be a good boy and cum for me, hmm?”

He took this as a sign to grip onto your waist, thrusts into you by his own accord. Moans and grunts escaped his lips as you occasionally squeezed the sides of his throat even tighter, ones that went straight to your core that caused your walls to hug him even tighter. You could feel his pace shorten and become inconsistent, knowing he was close.

”I’m going to cum…” He whimpered out, stroking your ego to see him like this.

”Hmm,” You hummed, your other hand sneaking behind the mask to grip at his hair as you felt him approach the edge. “Not in me you’re not.”

You got up too quickly for him to process. He whined as thick, white ribbons spurted out and dripped down his shaft and onto his thighs. He desperately bucked up into nothing. He heaved out as his cock twitched, releasing the last of his seed.

You crawled over to Luke who sat on the other side of the sofa. He was so lost in the pleasure he was given himself as he thrusted upward into his fist as he moaned quietly. The way he squeezed himself ever so often with his hand cover in precum was reminiscent of teasing, like he was trying to the milk the longevity of it. He didn’t realize you were there until he felt you between his legs. The way you looked up at him so sweetly but also so lustful, he swore he could’ve bust right then and there.

”I want you to cum in me.” You whispered to him, in a low sensual tone.

”You don’t have to tell me twice.” He sighed, blissfully.

You two swapped places. Your head now laid against the armrest of the sofa as he situated himself between your thighs. He separated your folds before positioning himself at your entrance. He slowly bottom out in you causing you both let out sighs of relief. Your eyes rolled back at the feeling of being full. You grabbed at the armrest behind you as Luke started with a firm thrust into you. He pulled up the knitted sweater that still adorned your body, just over your chest to see the way your breasts bounced up at every meeting of his hips against yours. You could feel the way he somehow got harder at the sight of it like you hadn’t been in this position countless times. The scene of you taking him so well as your mouth hung agape, your eyes looking at him so desperate for more motivated him to keep up with sharp and hard thrusts into you.

You looked over at Sylus’ bed where he somehow remained asleep despite the wet sounds mixed with skin against skin right across from him. The only difference being you could now see his sleeping face as he flipped over. The idea of him seeing you like this… You just couldn’t get over it for some reason. Luke felt you squeeze around him and saw you looking at Sylus. His hand came to your chin to turn your attention to him.

”Hey, look at me, princess.” He breathed, the masking moving to the side to leave a sweet kiss on your lips. “So dirty… Loving the idea of him waking up to you getting fucked out by his henchmen in his room. Such a good slut, taking me while he’s just a few feet away.”

You let out a whiny moan as melted underneath his touch at his words. He never called you that before but the small praise mixed in made you go crazy. You clench around him as he picked up the pace in you. Your hands flew to his waist to bring him closer to you with your head thrown back on the arm rest. Moans of ours filled the empty space along with the noises of your bodies syncing with each other.

He collapsed forward, caging you in his arms as he ruts into you. Kisses littering your neck along with his familiar praises in your ear and his grunts that fueled you. You look over his shoulder at the other across the couch.

His cock in his palm. Pathetic strokes from the base up. The white liquid acting a lubricant as he tries to speed up but whines out at the sensitivity of it all. You enjoyed the idea of him touching himself at the thought of you so desperately a little too much. You always liked to see each one alone, lost in their own world as they moaned out your name when they thought you weren’t there. They never got mad when you walked in on them or happened to see. Truth to be told, they loved letting you see how much they needed you. It often turned into times alone with each respective twin that were never uttered to the other because jealousy ran deep when it came to you.

Luke could tell you weren’t paying attention to him like he asked. He felt hurt as you clenched around him knowing fell well you were looking at Kieran. The kisses ceased immediately and you lost the feeling of him inside of you that made you cry. He sat up on the couch, pulling you into his lap and had you sink down on him. With no time to really process, you felt a harsh thrust meet your hips sending you toward. Your hands gripped the coffee table in front of you. You looked up to see you now had the view of Sylus in bed once more. Your walls hugged Luke’s length as the sight hit you.

His hands grabbed your hips to allow himself to pound into you as your heart raced in your chest. You wanted to scream out so badly at him hitting the right spot inside of you over and over again. It felt too good, you were going crazy as you trembled and clawed at the coffee table for any way to ground yourself. His arms wrapped around your waist from behind. He hugged you into his chest and felt familiar lips along your neck. You could feel his cheek nuzzle against your hair and don’t quite remember a point in which he could’ve removed his mask.

”If only he could see how good you’re being for me.” Luke groaned softly into your ear. “You’d love that though. You’d put on a little show for him just like you did for us earlier. You’re so filthy… You’re our litle slut, aren’t you, hmm?”

All you do was moan quietly at his words and nod as the way he pulled you back on him made you lose control. It’s like they switched today but something about it was so attractive to you.

“What was that, sweetheart? I couldn’t quite hear you.” He taunted as he slowed which made you whine.

”Yes, Luke!” You breath. “M’need to cum—need you to cum inside of me. Fuck me…”

”You said it, not me.” He chuckled.

He left a light kiss on your cheek before he picked up his pace again. You gasped as one of his arms stayed wrapped around you waist, tightly and his other arm traveled down your body. His fingers found their way to a familiar bud between your legs. As soon as his fingertips started to make circular motions against it, you were seeing stars as he fucked up into you. You panted and whined, your eyes fixed on Sylus sleeping as you tried to keep your noises to a minimum.

Every time you squeezed around him, he’d let out a satisfied sigh. He whispered praises in your ear, nibbling on your neck and you could feel that familiar knot building up in you. You felt electricity in your body.

”Gonna cum—Gonna cum!” You whined out to which Luke speed up the stroke against your bed and the pace.

You shook as a wave of pleasure washed over you. Instinctively, rocking your hips against him as you whined and your rolled back. Shortly after, you heard him groan and felt hot, thick liquid paint your insides. The feeling had you biting your lip as you rested yourself against his chest. He used your hips to push every taste drop into you. His cum started to drip out of you and onto the couch. His cock slipping out of you do to the loss of friction.

Heavy breathing filled the room and you looked over at Kieran who was even messier than before which had you smiling. Your eyes were covered up unexpectedly as you felt Luke leave a longing kiss on your lips.

“Such a good girl…” He sighed.

“Don’t say things like that unless you want to go another round.” You huffed.

“You’d like it as much as we do.” You could hear the smile in Kieran’s voice. “We should clean and go before the boss wakes up…”

With their masks back on, Luke carried you out of the room while his brother stayed behind. Showered and cleaned up, he let you wear one of his shirts to bed and you slept soundly under the sheets. He watched you from the doorway of the bathroom after his shower, arms crossed as he sighed. He was already missing you.

His brother quietly entered their room.

”He did wake up?” Luke questioned.

”Dead to the world like usual.” Kieran answered. “Kind of impressive all that didn’t wake him up…”

His twin pushed pass him to get to the bathroom, ready to climb into the shower. He stood there looking at you, plagued by the thought that sooner or later you’d have to choose one or none. That idea killed him because no one really won in that situation.

“Hey, Mephisto wasn’t in the room, right?”

Oh shit…

#love and deepspace smut #sylus smut #love & deepspace smut #luke love and deepspace #kieran love and deepspace #luke and kieran #love and deepspace sylus #lnds sylus #love & deepsace x reader #lnds smut #lds smut

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couldeatthatgirlforlunch · 3 months ago

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In the yandere justice league x assistant reader series, would the heroes ever snap and try to kidnap reader? I'm imagining if they did, it'd all be at the same time (maybe reader sent in her 2 week notice or got a new SO), and they all try to kidnap her on the same day, leading to their plans backfiring on each other. Reader comes in the next day having enjoyed their day off (the league was too busy with each other to bother them) and sees them bruised and panting and is like "what happened to you guys?" 🤨

I divided this answer in three bc I went too far and described each individual scenario lol:

1-Lmao, yes, I see them kidnapping Reader at some point, especially in a scenario were they think Reader's safety is at risk, or in a similar scenario to Love Pollen.

Hal's the only one who would accept fake love, but if Reader actually fell for one of them and the others went insane and tried to act on it, the one who got chosen would keep them locked on a secret location — in this scenario of Reader falling in love, maybe not all of them would go crazy (crazier) immediately, maybe it would be gradually, by everyday watching their beloved darling being happy and romantic with someone else — in front of them, bc of course, the chosen yandere would rub it in their face's —, and rejecting their advances (yes, they would keep trying, some more explicitly than others) —.

Also, if you're a woman, Diana would take you to Themyscira!

If, let's say, there is a world ending event, they would team up to take Reader to a safe place.

2-And if Reader tried to quit the job, they would keep offering them to raise their salary, to the point of Reader having a comically large paycheck for an assistant. If nothing worked, Reader's life would get worse bc they would simply reveal their secret identities and bother Reader even more in their personal life. Showing up at their home, at places Reader frequents, offering jobs, they can't take the possibility that without seeing each other almost everyday Reader will forget about them!

It would be even funnier if Reader got a job at LexCorp lol.

Especially if Lex hired them for the specific purpose of using Reader on some evil plan, for gathering info, or just to annoy the Justice League that he's got something they don't (in this case, he found out they're in love with them), and even worse, if he finds out that Reader's been stalked and obsessed over by the JL, he's gonna use that to fuck with their public image.

3-If Reader got a new S/O they would do the same thing they did to Bucky, search for every dirty secret and red flag, and if they were totally clean, they would just try to manipulate Reader's opinion by shit talking their S/O.

"Don't you think your S/O could be more polite? When they helped that old woman walk down the street on your last date, they seemed really cold towards her, poor woman must've felt bad..."

"... And you know that because you were following us and listening in on our conversation?!😐🤨🧐"

"... Of course not, I was just coincidentally close by when that happened"

"... The street was empty..."

"I just wanna make sure you're safe, okay?!"

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nekropsii · 18 days ago

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Wild how when I call Shipping Culture oppressively pervasive and awful for any Aro/Ace with the gall to enjoy anything on the Internet, I get called a Fun-Hating Killjoy and told to just shut the fuck up or off myself, no matter how mild or polite my comment is. Wild how when I say a character either is textually Aro/Ace or is easier to read as Aro/Ace than Alloromantic/sexual, people start talking down to me like I'm a child who doesn't know anything, saying "Friendly reminder that Aro(s)/Aces can Date/Have Sex too, just like us Normal People!". As if I don't know anything about my own identity. Wild how when I do either of these things or even just say I'm not into a pairing or uninvested in shipping in general people call me fucking homophobic, even if the (at least popularly perceived - let's be honest, people are wrong half the time) genders of the characters is never once made relevant. Even though their reasoning for me being homophobic is lack of investment in a gay pairing they like, and nothing more. Wild how people throw little baby tantrums at even the gentlest criticism of Shipping Culture, or someone choosing not to engage heavily in it. Wild how they have the audacity to ask, with hostility, what the fuck Aro(s)/Aces are talking about when they say Shipping Culture is hostile to Aro/Ace fans, or ask what's wrong with them when they say that they aren't into Shipping.

It's almost like Bigots don't realize they're being Bigots when they do Bigotry, so just saying you're not a Bigot isn't enough. It's almost like Aro/Ace people know what the hell they're talking about. It's almost like we have a fucking point. It's almost like we're valid in expressing contempt and frustration with the constant expectation to engage with Romance and Sexuality at every waking moment, even if we're Romance and/or Sex Favorable. It's almost like we're tired of getting our identities erased, and we're tired of expecting to "act normal", and we're tired of just taking it when Allos use the Favorable members of our communities as a scapegoat for why they should be allowed to totally erase any of our representation just for their "Harmless Queer Fun" - deliberately, and I mean DELIBERATELY, failing to recognize or acknowledge the character's orientation, and how an A-Spec's personal relationship with and expressions of Love are going to look drastically different from an Allo person's - and call us the Bigots when we even glance in the direction of objection.

It's almost like Allo/Amatonormativity are oppressive forces.

Alloromantics/sexuals are constantly looking for any reason they can to call Aro(s)/Aces unloving, unfeeling, frigid, soulless, cruel. Inhuman. They're looking for any reason they can to call us whiny children, stupid, people who "just haven't found the right one", addressing us only as "Works in Progress", or someone who can have their sexuality corrected with the right stimulus - Conversion Therapy and Corrective Rape are okay when it happens to us, after all. Any reason at all to call us heartless monsters. AlloAces are confused children. They can be fixed. AroAllos are manipulative, unfeeling sexual predators. They can't be fixed - just kill them. AroAces are frigid, mean bitches. They can be fixed. God forbid you're Aplatonic. God forbid you're part of the Repulsed spectrum. God forbid you're one of the Loveless. God forbid you hold any pride in your identity, God forbid you don't keep your mouth shut, God forbid you critique the overinflated importance Allos place onto Love as a concept. God forbid you critique something as asinine and juvenile as fucking Shipping Culture. Do any one of these and you've put a bright red, blazing neon target on your back.

Wild how the only real humans amongst us are the Romance, Sex, and Friendship Favorable who put their head down and mask as Allo, and side with the Allos when their fellow A-Specs get too loud for the comfort of their Allo friend's delicate little fee-fees. After all, Vitriol and Harassment are warranted when an Allo's feelings get slightly hurt that an Aro person says, on their own account, to no one in particular, that they're sick of every tag being 80% Shipping Content. Which is a vehemently evil personal attack, clearly.

Wild.

#this whole post is absolutely teeming with venom btw.#if you take personal offense to this then yes this *is* about you actually. now fix it and dont make it any of our problem ever again.#shipping culture #aromantic #asexual #aroace #aphobia #nekro.txt

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civicsavvy · 23 days ago

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Unity in Division: Exploring the Roots of Political Polarization and Pathways to Common Ground

youtube

The podcast featuring Gregg Hurwitz and the host (likely Jordan Peterson) dives into the roots of political polarization in the United States and explores pathways toward unity amid divisive forces. The discussion focuses on the complex dynamics that fuel societal fragmentation, including foreign influence, social media algorithms, and cultural narratives that frame Americans against each other. Hurwitz, as both a novelist and someone actively involved in unity-driven initiatives like "US the Story," provides insights into how these influences shape public perception and why it's essential to refocus on shared values to bridge divides.

A significant theme in the conversation is the way America's core values—like free speech and diversity—are sometimes exploited by foreign actors. Countries such as Iran, China, and Russia have learned to weaponize these values against Americans by flooding social media with disinformation and emotionally charged content. This external manipulation especially targets young people, whose political views and understanding of their own culture can be disrupted or shaped by these online campaigns. The underlying strategy is to exploit America’s open information landscape, using freedom of expression to inject divisive messages that create confusion, sow distrust, and make it harder for Americans to unite around a common understanding of their values.

Hurwitz’s project, "US the Story," directly addresses these divisive narratives by examining both the internal cultural trends and the external influences that contribute to the current polarized climate. A critical part of this effort is understanding the widespread "victimhood narrative" that has taken hold in parts of American culture. Hurwitz argues that this narrative can oversimplify issues and promote a mentality that leads to resentment and further divides. While it is crucial to recognize and address genuine grievances, an unbalanced focus on victimization can discourage constructive dialogue, compromise, and shared accountability. Through "US the Story," Hurwitz works to shift focus from these divisive narratives and toward a more inclusive story that emphasizes common humanity and shared goals.

The podcast also sheds light on an often-overlooked reality: there is substantial consensus among Americans on essential values and issues, but these points of agreement are rarely emphasized in the media. Hurwitz points out that many Americans share fundamental beliefs around issues like freedom, fairness, and justice. However, due to the nature of sensationalist news cycles and the algorithms that prioritize divisive content, the public sees more stories that highlight conflicts than those that reveal unity. Hurwitz and the host discuss the importance of reclaiming this hidden consensus and of promoting media coverage that better reflects the genuine diversity of opinion, as well as the common ground that exists across the political spectrum.

Another key issue discussed is the role of social media algorithms, which Hurwitz describes as "psychopathic trolls" and "demonic algorithms," in amplifying divisiveness and outrage. These algorithms are designed to prioritize content that triggers emotional responses, particularly anger and outrage, over content that encourages calm or constructive discourse. By feeding into this cycle of outrage, social media not only skews public perception but also creates echo chambers where people become more entrenched in their own views and less willing to consider alternative perspectives. Hurwitz advocates for more awareness of this manipulation and suggests that one step toward unity is learning to recognize and resist these emotionally charged traps.

Hurwitz’s background as a novelist is essential to his approach in "US the Story" and his larger mission to foster understanding. As a writer, he is skilled at exploring complex characters and motivations, which gives him a unique ability to see through the surface of divisive issues and understand the human experiences underneath. This skill allows him to create a more balanced narrative that resonates across divides, emphasizing empathy and a deeper understanding of people’s motivations and beliefs. Hurwitz believes that by telling stories that speak to shared human experiences, he can help Americans reconnect with one another in ways that go beyond political and ideological labels.

Ultimately, the conversation highlights both the challenge of polarization and a hopeful path forward. By spotlighting shared values, addressing real grievances without fixating on victimhood, and developing a media environment that reflects reality rather than amplifies outrage, Hurwitz believes that Americans can work toward a more unified society. Through his efforts in "US the Story" and similar initiatives, he is working to create a "Central American story" that celebrates unity while respecting diversity, encouraging Americans to find strength in their common identity rather than in divisive ideologies. This message of optimism and unity provides a powerful counterpoint to the divisive forces at work and serves as a call to action for individuals and communities to build bridges, resist manipulation, and work together toward a more cohesive society.

In essence, this podcast explores how division is sustained through psychological manipulation and cultural narratives but offers a vision of how, with intention and empathy, society can rebuild on the foundation of shared values and collective strength.

Bridging Divides: A Guide to Unity in a Polarized World

Based on the insights from this thought-provoking conversation with Gregg Hurwitz and Jordan Peterson, I’ve crafted a suggested an essay that dives deeper into the forces behind today’s intense polarization and explores practical steps toward unity. This essay, titled "Unraveling Polarization: Rediscovering Unity in Divided Times," would be designed to provide readers with a well-rounded understanding of the root causes of division and a hopeful roadmap toward bridging divides. Here’s an outline of what this essay would include:

Title:

Unraveling Polarization: Rediscovering Unity in Divided Times

Suggested Outline:

Introduction

Overview of polarization in society, its challenges, and the optimistic goal of finding common ground.

Insights into the roles of media, foreign influence, and algorithms in deepening divisions.

Part rt 1: Understanding Polarization and Its Amplifiers

Define polarization and explore why it’s become more pronounced in recent years.

Examine how social media and algorithms act as “outrage machines,” encouraging emotional responses over dialogue.

Insights into psychological manipulation that perpetuates division.

Part 2: The Impact of Foreign Influence on Social and Political Divisions

Analysis of how foreign actors (like Iran, China, and Russia) exploit social media to influence political divisions.

Real-world examples and the effects on vulnerable groups, such as young people.

Suggestions for policy changes and individual awareness to counteract foreign influence.

Part 3: The Victimization Narrative and Its Cultural Consequences

Examination of the “victim-victimizer” narrative: its appeal, origins, and how it oversimplifies complex issues.

Strategies to address real grievances constructively, while moving beyond a “victimhood mindset.”

Part 4: The Forgotten Consensus: Shared Values Across Divides

Discussion on shared American values like freedom, justice, and community.

Evidence of agreement across the political spectrum, despite media portrayal.

Tips for finding and emphasizing shared beliefs to strengthen unity.

Part 5: The Role of Universities and Education in Shaping Perspectives

Analysis of how academia influences social attitudes and political beliefs.

Importance of fostering critical thinking and diversity of thought in education.

Suggestions for institutions to promote open dialogue over ideological conformity.

Part 6: Media and the Business of Outrage

Overview of the “business model of outrage” and how news and social media profit from division.

Discussion of sensationalism and its impact on public perception.

A guide to responsible media consumption to avoid manipulation.

Part 7: The Psychology of Outrage: How We’re Wired and What We Can Change

Exploration of why humans are drawn to outrage and its effects on mental health and societal cohesion.

Tools for managing emotional responses and fostering empathy in personal and public interactions.

Part 8: Crafting a New Narrative: A Vision for Unity

Outline of principles for a unifying narrative that respects differences while promoting shared values.

Practical steps for individuals and organizations to resist divisiveness and build inclusive narratives.

Part 9: Building Bridges: Initiatives and Solutions for Change

Highlights of successful grassroots initiatives that encourage dialogue and collaboration.

Ideas for starting local community efforts or online movements to bridge divides.

Part 10: A Path Forward: Practical Actions for Individuals and Communities

Recap of the challenges of polarization and a “toolbox” of strategies for individuals to minimize division.

Tips for building resilience against manipulation by foreign actors, media, and algorithms.

Conclusion

Reinforcement of the optimism that unity is attainable and a call to action for readers to apply these insights daily.

Encouragement to contribute to a healthier, more united society by embracing shared values and constructive dialogue.

This essay aims to equip readers with the knowledge, awareness, and practical tools to recognize and resist divisive forces and to foster unity through empathy, shared values, and proactive bridge-building. The journey it proposes is one of rediscovering common humanity amid challenges, and it offers both insight and actionable guidance for anyone seeking to build a more united future.

Unraveling Polarization: Rediscovering Unity in Divided Times

Introduction

In recent years, polarization has become an undeniable force in our society, shaping our interactions, our communities, and even our perception of reality. Once held together by a shared set of values and a commitment to unity, society now faces the growing divide that polarization creates. This division is not just political; it seeps into cultural, social, and even personal spheres, creating echo chambers and fragmenting communities. For many, it feels as though common ground has become a distant memory.

Yet, understanding this phenomenon is the first step in addressing it. Why is polarization intensifying? How did we reach a point where every conversation, no matter how small or seemingly trivial, can feel like a battleground? It’s a question with complex answers, and in this book, we aim to unravel these forces and examine how polarization has come to affect us so deeply. But just as importantly, we will explore how to rediscover a sense of unity, focusing on the threads that connect us rather than those that divide.

In examining polarization, we must consider the powerful role that modern media plays. News outlets today operate in a 24-hour cycle, each vying for attention, each seeking to hold an audience that is constantly bombarded by new information. Often, the stories that attract the most attention are those that spark outrage, fuel anger, or play into our fears. Media companies, social media platforms, and even influencers benefit from a model that keeps viewers engaged through heightened emotions, rather than through balanced perspectives. In turn, these narratives shape our understanding of events, reinforcing biases and deepening divides.

But the role of polarization goes beyond local or even national issues. Increasingly, we’re seeing the influence of foreign actors, nations that have a vested interest in destabilizing democratic societies by turning citizens against each other. Countries such as Russia, China, and Iran have demonstrated the effectiveness of using social media to plant seeds of discord, feeding divisive narratives that reinforce feelings of distrust and suspicion. With minimal cost and maximum reach, these actors have managed to exploit vulnerabilities within our societies, pushing narratives that serve their geopolitical interests. The result is a fragmented society, one in which people are divided, not united, and where each faction sees the other as an adversary rather than a fellow citizen.

Further complicating this picture are the algorithms that power the social media platforms we rely on. These algorithms are designed to maximize engagement by showing users content that is most likely to keep them on the platform. Over time, this leads people into “echo chambers,” where they are exposed to views that align with their own and shielded from those that don’t. This design encourages polarization, as it reinforces pre-existing beliefs while minimizing exposure to diverse perspectives. The cycle perpetuates itself: the more polarized the content, the more engaged the users; the more engaged the users, the more profit for the platforms.

The polarization we experience today is not accidental. It’s the result of systemic forces at work, shaping perceptions, influencing beliefs, and ultimately redefining the way we see each other. Yet, acknowledging these forces opens the door to understanding how we can counteract them. Recognizing the mechanisms that pull us apart can empower us to take conscious steps toward bridging divides.

This essay is not a quick fix, nor does it promise to resolve all the tensions in society. But it does offer an optimistic vision: that unity is within our reach if we’re willing to work toward it. Through understanding, empathy, and a commitment to finding common ground, we can begin to repair the fabric of our communities. We may not agree on every issue, but we can strive to respect each other, listen to each other, and recognize that we share far more in common than we often realize.

As we move forward, we’ll explore the multifaceted nature of polarization — its origins, its manifestations, and the toll it takes on individuals and society alike. We’ll examine ways to counteract these forces by focusing on shared values and rebuilding the trust that has eroded over time. This essay is an invitation to engage, to reflect, and ultimately to rediscover unity in divided times. Because while polarization may feel like an unbreakable cycle, every effort we make toward understanding is a step closer to bridging the divide.

Part 1: Understanding Polarization and Its Amplifiers

Defining Polarization

Polarization refers to the division of society into opposing, often uncompromising, factions. At its core, it describes a state where differences between groups intensify to the point that collaboration, compromise, and even basic civility can become scarce. In the past, societies have always experienced differences in opinion, belief, and values, but those differences existed within a shared framework of respect and collective purpose. Today, however, polarization seems more rigid and resistant to the bridge-building necessary for functional societies. People are less likely to view those with differing opinions as simply “opponents” with a different perspective, and more likely to view them as “enemies” whose beliefs are a threat to society itself.

One reason for this intensification lies in the way information is shared and consumed in the modern world. Traditional media outlets, once limited to a few networks and publications, have given way to an endless stream of sources that target specific audiences and cater to their views. This segmentation of information has allowed many to choose only the news that aligns with their beliefs, reinforcing their views without providing a balanced perspective. However, the rise of social media and the algorithms that drive it has taken this dynamic to new extremes, creating what can be described as “outrage machines” that thrive on and amplify division.

Outrage Machines: Social Media and Digital Algorithms

In today’s digital world, social media platforms play a central role in how people access information and form opinions. These platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, are designed not just to connect users but to maximize their engagement. Engagement, in this context, translates into time spent on the platform and, ultimately, advertising revenue for the company. To achieve this, platforms rely on algorithms that tailor content to each user’s preferences. These algorithms prioritize content that evokes a strong reaction, such as anger, fear, or moral outrage, because posts that provoke these emotions are far more likely to be shared, commented on, and spread widely.

As a result, social media has become a breeding ground for content that emphasizes divisive or sensational perspectives. Studies have shown that posts containing emotional language — especially anger or outrage — have higher engagement rates than neutral or positive content. Instead of exposing people to a variety of viewpoints, these algorithms create “echo chambers,” where users see only content that reinforces their existing beliefs and biases. Over time, individuals are exposed repeatedly to the same ideas, intensifying their views and hardening their stance against opposing perspectives.

Furthermore, because content creators and influencers are also driven by engagement metrics, they too have incentives to produce provocative, polarizing content that will “go viral.” Traditional journalism’s emphasis on balanced reporting and fact-checking has less influence in this environment, where anyone with a strong opinion can amass a following by posting content that feeds into polarized narratives.

The result is an online ecosystem that does not reward constructive dialogue but rather amplifies the loudest, most extreme voices. Instead of fostering understanding, social media often fosters outrage, resentment, and suspicion. This dynamic has not only accelerated polarization but also changed the very nature of public discourse, as users increasingly rely on emotionally charged posts over nuanced discussions or fact-based reporting.

Psychological Manipulation and Foreign Influence

To understand how deep-seated polarization has become, we must also consider the role of psychological manipulation — a tactic used both by marketers and by state actors to influence public opinion. Advertisers have long used psychology to target audiences based on their preferences and behaviors, aiming to nudge consumers toward certain actions. However, psychological manipulation has taken on new forms in the realm of social media, where data about users’ habits, preferences, and even emotions can be analyzed and weaponized.

Foreign actors, particularly from countries like Russia and China, have exploited social media to promote division within other nations, particularly Western democracies. Using techniques developed in the field of psychological operations (psy-ops), these actors create and spread content designed to deepen existing social, political, or racial divides. By strategically targeting specific groups with divisive content, they aim to foster distrust in institutions, decrease social cohesion, and create an environment where consensus becomes nearly impossible.

This kind of manipulation often involves creating fake social media profiles or “bot” accounts that share inflammatory posts, news stories, or comments designed to provoke an emotional response. These posts are crafted to appear as though they are part of grassroots movements, making them harder for the average person to identify as foreign interference. By inserting themselves into existing debates — be they around race, immigration, or public health — these actors exacerbate tensions, encouraging people to retreat further into ideological camps and view those on the other side with suspicion or outright hostility.

Psychological manipulation also takes place within national borders, often through highly targeted advertising and news feeds. Political campaigns and advocacy groups now have access to more data on voters than ever before, enabling them to tailor messages that appeal to specific emotions and demographics. For instance, fear-based ads or emotionally charged language is commonly used to mobilize supporters and demonize opponents, reinforcing the belief that the “other side” is a threat to be feared rather than a group with differing ideas.

The Self-Perpetuating Cycle of Polarization

The combination of social media algorithms and psychological manipulation creates a feedback loop, where polarized narratives feed into outrage, which in turn drives further division. Each time we react strongly to a post or article, the algorithms take note, and similar content becomes more likely to appear in our feed. As a result, people are increasingly separated not just by ideology but by the information they receive, creating vastly different “realities” for different segments of society.

The consequences are profound: as people move further into ideological silos, they become less willing to consider alternative perspectives or empathize with those they perceive as opponents. Civil discourse, already under pressure, erodes further as people feel more comfortable engaging in hostile exchanges online, emboldened by the anonymity and distance the internet provides. This behavior ultimately spills over into offline interactions, impacting everything from workplace relationships to family dynamics.

Understanding polarization in this context — as both an outcome and a tool of psychological manipulation and digital engineering — is essential to finding ways to counteract its effects. Only by recognizing how these mechanisms operate can we begin to reclaim a space for respectful dialogue and build bridges across our differences.

In the next part, we will delve into the historical roots of polarization, examining how past societies have navigated similar challenges and what lessons we might draw from their experiences. By studying these precedents, we can explore avenues for restoring unity in a society fractured by technology, foreign influence, and the very human vulnerability to emotional triggers.

Part 2: The Impact of Foreign Influence on Social and Political Divisions

In recent years, the role of foreign actors in amplifying social and political divisions within countries has become a significant concern. Nations like Russia, China, and Iran have employed sophisticated psychological operations (psy-ops) and digital manipulation tactics to exacerbate societal rifts, disrupt democratic processes, and weaken social cohesion in targeted countries. By exploiting existing tensions and using targeted social media campaigns, these foreign actors aim to shift public opinion, reduce trust in institutions, and even influence election outcomes. Understanding the tactics and objectives of these interventions is essential for recognizing the broader implications of polarization and for developing strategies to counteract foreign influence.

Foreign Influence Through Targeted Social Media Campaigns

Foreign actors primarily operate through social media platforms, where they can reach large audiences quickly and cheaply. These campaigns often use fake accounts, automated bots, and propaganda to promote divisive narratives, emphasizing issues that are particularly sensitive within the target country. Social media is ideal for these operations because its algorithms prioritize content that evokes strong emotions, such as anger or fear, making it easier for manipulative actors to amplify their message.

In the case of Russia, the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a Kremlin-linked organization, has employed thousands of operatives who pose as ordinary users to promote divisive content in target countries, particularly the United States. During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the IRA used social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to spread inflammatory messages on topics like race, immigration, and gun rights. The aim was to stoke divisions and mobilize citizens against each other, making it harder for Americans to find common ground and fostering an environment where trust in institutions deteriorated.

China, too, has adopted similar tactics, especially regarding issues related to its geopolitical interests, such as the status of Taiwan, the Hong Kong protests, and the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Through platforms like TikTok and Twitter, China has promoted messages that reinforce its narratives while dismissing or undermining criticism. China’s approach often involves using pro-China influencers or disseminating misleading news that casts the country in a positive light while questioning the credibility of critics.

Iran has taken a different but equally effective approach, focusing on amplifying narratives that undermine U.S. foreign policy or support its allies in the Middle East. Iran-backed accounts often push anti-American or anti-Israeli messages, which are targeted at particular demographics more likely to be sympathetic to these viewpoints. By tailoring their messaging to resonate with groups already inclined to distrust the U.S. government, Iran can subtly shift public perception and reinforce existing biases.

Psychological Operations and Vulnerable Demographics

Foreign influence campaigns are especially effective at reaching vulnerable demographics, particularly young people. Younger users are often more susceptible to persuasive online content because they tend to rely heavily on social media for news and information, may lack media literacy skills to identify manipulative tactics, and are naturally more open to questioning established institutions and narratives.

For example, foreign actors target young people with content that appeals to their values and aspirations, such as social justice, environmentalism, or equality. In doing so, they can subtly introduce narratives that align with these values while promoting division. A Russia-backed account, for instance, might amplify discussions on issues like police brutality or economic inequality, but in a way that emphasizes distrust, anger, and hopelessness rather than constructive solutions. The intention is not to support these causes genuinely but to create an environment of disillusionment and social upheaval, sowing seeds of resentment among young people toward government institutions.

The 2020 U.S. protests following the death of George Floyd present a clear example of how foreign influence can exploit these dynamics. During these protests, reports surfaced showing that Russian and Chinese bots were actively spreading misinformation about the scope and nature of the protests. Some posts exaggerated incidents of violence, while others promoted conspiracy theories about government responses. This kind of influence aims to deepen divisions, making people feel they must choose sides and view the “other” as a threat.

Furthermore, these campaigns can target different political groups with tailored content that plays to their specific fears or grievances. For example, while young liberals might be exposed to messages that emphasize social injustice and distrust of law enforcement, conservative audiences might encounter messages that highlight threats to “traditional values” or fears of government overreach. By promoting conflicting narratives to different groups, foreign actors create an environment where compromise seems impossible, and polarization becomes the norm.

Case Studies of Psychological Operations

To understand the real-world impact of foreign influence on social and political divisions, consider the following examples:

2016 U.S. Presidential Election (Russia): The IRA’s interference in the 2016 U.S. election remains one of the most documented cases of foreign influence. Russian operatives used fake social media profiles to impersonate Americans and posted divisive content to inflame tensions on issues like race, immigration, and gun rights. Their goal was to increase polarization and discourage voters from participating in the electoral process, thereby undermining the integrity of the democratic system.

Hong Kong Protests (China): During the 2019-2020 Hong Kong protests, China launched a coordinated social media campaign to discredit the protestors and portray them as “rioters” disrupting public order. China’s strategy involved spreading content that painted the protests as violent and unnecessary, while emphasizing narratives that favored a “unified” China. By controlling the narrative, China sought to sway international opinion and weaken support for the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.

Anti-U.S. Campaigns in the Middle East (Iran): Iran has used social media to spread anti-U.S. sentiment in the Middle East, particularly during periods of heightened tension, such as after the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Iran-backed accounts have promoted narratives that frame the U.S. as an imperialist power interfering in regional affairs. This messaging is aimed at audiences sympathetic to Iran’s resistance against Western influence, thereby reinforcing support for Iran’s allies in the region and weakening U.S. alliances.

Considerations for Future Policy and Individual Awareness

To counteract foreign influence on social and political divisions, governments and individuals alike must take proactive steps. Policymakers can enhance transparency requirements for social media platforms, making it harder for foreign actors to operate anonymously. Additionally, social media companies could develop algorithms that prioritize credible information from verified sources over sensationalist content, especially during election periods or moments of heightened social tension.

On an individual level, awareness and media literacy are critical. Users need to be equipped with the tools to recognize manipulative content and to distinguish between legitimate news sources and propaganda. Understanding the tactics used by foreign actors to provoke division can help people recognize when they are being manipulated. Educational programs that focus on media literacy, critical thinking, and identifying “fake news” are crucial in building resilience against psychological manipulation.

In addition, fostering open and respectful conversations across ideological lines can mitigate the effects of polarization. If people are willing to engage with those who hold different viewpoints, they can develop a broader perspective and avoid falling into the “us vs. them” mentality that foreign actors seek to exploit. By emphasizing unity and common goals, communities can become less susceptible to external efforts to divide them.

Foreign influence campaigns are likely to continue as long as they remain effective. By understanding these operations and cultivating resilience, societies can protect themselves from psychological manipulation and ensure that their divisions are managed internally rather than being exacerbated by external actors. This approach can restore trust in democratic processes and institutions and lay the foundation for a more unified and resilient society.

In the following part, we will explore the psychology behind polarization, delving into the cognitive biases and social dynamics that make individuals and groups more susceptible to divisive messaging. By understanding the mental processes at play, we can gain further insight into why polarization occurs and how we might counteract it at a personal and societal level.

Part 3: The Victimization Narrative and Its Cultural Consequences

One of the most influential narratives shaping contemporary culture is the victim-victimizer paradigm. This framework positions individuals or groups primarily in terms of victimhood, with a moral dichotomy that casts others as oppressors or aggressors. While it can provide a powerful lens for addressing real injustices and systemic challenges, the victim-victimizer narrative also has limitations. It can simplify complex social issues, obscure paths to personal agency, and contribute to polarization by reinforcing “us vs. them” dynamics.

To better understand the role of the victimization narrative in modern culture, it is essential to explore its origins, the psychological appeal it holds, and the limitations it imposes. This chapter will examine the consequences of adopting a victim-centered worldview and propose strategies for individuals and communities to move beyond it—while still addressing legitimate grievances in constructive ways.

The Origins and Appeal of the Victimization Narrative

The victimization narrative has deep roots in history, often emerging in response to social injustices, oppression, and the need for recognition. Over time, marginalized groups have used it as a means to claim rights and address grievances. Historically, many social movements—from civil rights to labor rights—have gained momentum by drawing attention to the suffering of oppressed groups, using a victimhood narrative to rally empathy, action, and change.

In the modern era, this narrative has expanded beyond its original context, infiltrating various facets of cultural discourse. Social media platforms have accelerated this trend, as stories of victimization can quickly gain widespread attention and provoke strong emotional responses. For many individuals, identifying with a victim narrative can provide a sense of belonging and solidarity, as shared grievances form bonds among people who feel marginalized or wronged.

Furthermore, the victim narrative is appealing because it simplifies moral positions. In this framework, individuals can cast themselves as morally “right” simply by virtue of their suffering or perceived mistreatment. This moral simplification is psychologically satisfying because it offers clarity and certainty in an increasingly complex world. By defining one’s identity through the lens of victimhood, individuals can sidestep the nuances and ambiguities that often accompany self-reflection and personal responsibility.

How the Victimization Narrative Shapes Perceptions and Moral Positions

While the victimization narrative can raise awareness and foster empathy, it can also distort perspectives and create oversimplified moral positions. This binary view—where people are either victims or victimizers—leaves little room for the complexities of human experience. It ignores that individuals or groups may occupy multiple roles simultaneously or move between roles depending on the context.

One significant consequence of this framework is the reduction of individuals to singular aspects of their identity or experience. By emphasizing victimhood as a core identity, people may come to see themselves as primarily defined by their suffering, which can limit personal growth and exploration of other facets of identity. Additionally, the victim-victimizer paradigm can encourage individuals to focus exclusively on the faults or actions of others rather than examining their own behaviors and choices.

This approach also shapes public discourse, as complex issues are often boiled down into emotionally charged narratives. For instance, debates on issues such as economic inequality, racial justice, and gender equality can be dominated by the victim-victimizer model, which may detract from finding constructive solutions. Rather than seeking mutual understanding and shared goals, the focus shifts to attributing blame and claiming moral superiority. Consequently, this creates an environment where dialogue and compromise become difficult, if not impossible.

The Limitations of a Victimhood Mindset

While acknowledging one’s experiences of suffering or injustice is valid and necessary for healing, adopting a perpetual “victimhood mindset” can have negative consequences for both individuals and society. Constantly viewing oneself as a victim can limit personal growth and inhibit a sense of agency. When people see themselves solely as victims, they may feel powerless to improve their circumstances, leading to a sense of learned helplessness—a state where individuals believe they have little control over their lives, which can worsen mental health and reduce motivation.

Moreover, the victimhood mindset can stifle resilience, a critical component of personal development and well-being. When individuals view adversity solely through the lens of victimization, they may overlook opportunities for growth, learning, and empowerment. This outlook can prevent people from developing the skills and mindset needed to navigate challenges, which can ultimately leave them feeling more vulnerable.

At a societal level, the normalization of a victimhood mindset can lead to a culture of grievance, where individuals and groups are encouraged to focus on their perceived victimization as a primary aspect of their identity. In such a culture, success and happiness may come to be viewed as possible only for those who have been “freed” from oppression or rescued by external intervention. This worldview can stifle innovation, reduce empathy across different social groups, and perpetuate cycles of resentment and blame.

Moving Beyond a Victimhood Mindset

To foster a healthier cultural environment, it is essential to find ways to move beyond a victimhood mindset. This shift doesn’t mean ignoring or minimizing real issues but rather recognizing and addressing grievances constructively, with a focus on empowerment and resilience. Below are some strategies for moving past a victim-centered worldview:

Cultivating Personal Agency and Responsibility: Emphasizing personal agency can empower individuals to take ownership of their actions and choices, even in difficult situations. While acknowledging the impact of external factors, individuals can focus on what they can control, which promotes resilience and self-efficacy. Encouraging people to ask, “What can I do in this situation?” rather than solely focusing on external forces can foster a mindset of empowerment rather than helplessness.

Reframing Adversity as Opportunity for Growth: Encouraging individuals to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning can help them move beyond a victim mentality. Adopting a growth mindset allows people to see difficult experiences as part of a larger journey, enabling them to develop resilience, self-confidence, and adaptability. This doesn’t mean dismissing hardships, but rather embracing the idea that adversity can be a catalyst for personal transformation.

Promoting Empathy and Mutual Understanding: Moving away from a victim-centered framework requires cultivating empathy for others, including those perceived as “oppressors” or “adversaries.” By fostering empathy, individuals can begin to understand different perspectives and find common ground, which can help break down divisive barriers. Empathy also encourages people to see others in their full complexity, rather than as mere symbols of opposition.

Encouraging Constructive Dialogue and Problem-Solving: Shifting away from a victim mindset involves embracing dialogue and collaboration. Rather than framing issues as binary conflicts, society can encourage individuals to seek common ground and solutions that benefit all parties involved. Constructive dialogue can open the door to compromise, innovation, and sustainable change.

Recognizing and Validating Grievances Without Perpetuating Helplessness: It’s important to address real grievances without reinforcing a mindset of helplessness. This involves acknowledging individuals’ experiences while also encouraging them to take an active role in improving their circumstances. By validating grievances in a way that fosters resilience and empowerment, individuals can feel heard and understood without becoming trapped in a cycle of victimization.

Embracing a Balanced Perspective

While the victimization narrative can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and addressing injustices, it must be approached with balance and a focus on empowerment. By shifting from a mindset of helplessness to one of resilience and agency, individuals and communities can address grievances without falling into perpetual cycles of blame and resentment. Embracing a balanced perspective allows people to recognize their own strength, develop empathy, and approach challenges constructively, fostering a culture of unity rather than division.

In the next part, the focus will shift to the importance of civic engagement and grassroots movements as essential tools for bridging divides. We’ll explore how individuals and local communities can come together, regardless of political affiliations, to address common concerns and pursue shared goals. Emphasizing the power of community action, the part will show how grassroots initiatives—through volunteering, public service, and civic participation—can foster connections, build mutual understanding, and promote collaboration. By celebrating real-world examples of effective grassroots efforts, the part will demonstrate how local engagement can create ripple effects, helping to unify a fragmented society and cultivate a renewed sense of collective purpose.

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