#pretty recently though. only started reading the books this year i think

[cosmicatta]

One Piece Novel: Law — a short analysis

So, after a long time trying to get my hands on the Law light novel, I was finally able to read it recently! And, because I'm an obnoxiously intense person who can't just be normal about things, I found myself taking notes about everything I judged interesting.

And I thought I could share! So here's a mostly improvised essay about the Law novel, how it portrays Law and what it reveals about him as a character.

Some notes before I start:

The edition I've read of this novel is the official Spanish translation by Planeta. When quoting and mentioning numbered pages, I'm referencing that edition.

I originally posted this on Twitter as a thread! If it sounds familiar, that might be why.

For those who haven't read the novel and might want to: be mindful of some trigger warnings, including gruesome medical descriptions, suicidal thoughts, mentions of abuse, and violence in general (I won't be touching on these subjects here though).

These are just my personal impressions, I'm not trying to tell anyone how they should interpret the novel or Law's character. I'm just doing this for fun!

The story takes place right after Cora dies, following young Law's journey as he makes it to Swallow Island and desperately tries to survive. There, he will meet Bepo, Penguin and Shachi, as well as Wolf, a novel-exclusive character that welcomes Law and the boys into his home as a family.

Overall, it's a very short read, agile and straightforward. The style is very juvenile, but that was to be expected, and I'd say it does a pretty good job at capturing the feeling of watching a One Piece episode. The novel does kinda feel like a mini arc.

I'm unsure if light novels can be considered 100% canon in general, but since the contents don't contradict anything from what we've already seen in the manga/anime, I'm going to assume we can at least take the events described in this one as canon.

But I'll leave the plot aside a little bit to focus more on Law's psyche, analyzing everything in the novel as material that helps us further understand him.

The entire book (save from a few specific passages) is written from Law's point of view and in first person, so it offers a more in-depth look at his way of thinking, motivations and ideals.

What I find most interesting in this sense is that the whole story is very centered around Law's kindness. Though he does admit several times that he had wanted to see the world burn when he was under Doflamingo's care (as we already know from the source material), the novel makes it very obvious that Law's true nature is compassionate. His inner voice even explicitly states that he enjoys helping and making others happy. (Quotes roughly translated from Spanish):

P. 27: "And I felt very comfortable collaborating with the task of helping others."

P. 92: "Knowing that I was going to free a person from their pain [...] gave me a joy I had never experienced before."

P. 136: "Just imagining the surprised faces of the Old Man, Bepo and the others brought a smile to my face" [when planning on getting fresh fish for dinner as a surprise].

And, despite living under Wolf's motto of "give to take," Law never expects anything in return for any of his good actions. In fact, he gets furious at Wolf himself when, after saving his life, the old man insists on giving Law anything he demands as compensation.

P. 120: "I didn't save you because I wanted a reward!" [...] They [Bepo, Shachi and Penguin] burst into tears of happiness when they realized that you had survived. That's more than enough for me! [...]" I won't let you belittle their tears!"

But even then, Law keeps arguing that he only saved Wolf "on a whim," much like he would say years later when asked why he chose to save Luffy's life. This is a common theme throughout the whole book (which is also pretty obvious in the manga)—Law doesn't recognize his own kindness.

It's not modesty or shyness, his inner monologue makes it very clear that he doesn't see himself as good-natured, and is often confused at his own motivations.

In their first meeting, when Bepo asks him why he is so nice to him, Law doesn't know what to answer; and after that, when Law finds himself wondering why he's trying so hard to save Shachi and Penguin despite their past history, he blames it all on "doctor's pride."

P. 48: "I wasn't even a good person."

Still, regardless of what Law might think of himself, living in Swallow Island seems to be making him progressively gentler. He was wary and hostile towards Wolf at first, but eventually lets himself trust people again, trying to honor Cora's memory and what he taught Law.

In Swallow Island he builds his new found family little by little, though never letting go of Cora and what he meant to Law.

P. 39: "Cora and I were family, that's what I felt at heart, I had no doubts. We had loved each other without saying it out loud [...] Would I feel the same for the Old Man and Bepo eventually?"

Slowly, he starts finding comfort and joy in community. He lets himself be carefree around his new friends, treating them with open affection, laughing and being surprisingly enthusiastic (although he quickly starts taking his role as a leader very seriously, and sometimes avoids showing weakness around them so as not to worry them.)

Law even gets to become an active part of life in Pleasure Town, where he and the other boys are cherished after 3 years living and working there. He's comfortable with his role in the community and appreciates the people in town. His sense of duty towards them shines especially when the pirates arrive to attack the town.

Again, this contrasts with how Law sees himself even in the manga/anime, where he insists that he acts mostly out of selfishness and only seeking his own benefit (or, in the best of cases "on a whim.")

But the truth is that Law's decisions are almost always related to other people's desires.

In this sense, the concept of guilt is also key to understand Law's motivations and his relationship with the world as a whole. This is especially obvious when it comes to Cora—Law even briefly wishes that they had never met, so that Cora would still be alive (p. 128-129.)

In a way, guilt is what moves Law forward, and what slowly starts transforming into a thirst for revenge, into rage and hatred towards Doflamingo and possibly towards himself too. It's a kind of tragic guilt born out of love.

His love for Cora still haunts him, his last wish for Law is the big enigma that he tries to solve during his 3 years in Swallow Island: be free. What is freedom to Law? How can he fulfill Cora's request? This is the question that gives meaning to the novel.

We know that Law wouldn't feel free until finally taking down Doflamingo and avenging Cora's death many years later, but he hasn't reached that point of determination in the novel yet. Maybe that's what gives the narration that hopeful and optimistic tone, with a young Law that's still finding himself, experiencing wonder in loving again, and learning what it means for him to be true to his values. It's the start of an adventure, and its core theme is love.

The ending illustrates this very well; I especially like the moment where Law names the crew as they're setting sail:

P. 243: "Cora's love that he showed me, Wolf's affection, the trust I had in my companions. One word embodied it all: Heart."

It is love that gives Law a reason to keep going. And I'm so glad that the novel doesn't shy away from this fact and isn't afraid of sounding "sappy" or "corny," because I do believe emotion is a very important part of Law's character.

The epilogue closes with a very interesting quote in the last page:

"You hear that, Cora? This is my... This is our pirate crew."

It is unclear if by "our" he is referring to himself and Cora, as if dedicating this new beginning to him, or if he means him and his crew. I'd personally like to think he means it both ways. But in any case, it's interesting that he openly shares the honor of "owning" his crew with someone else. He is the captain, but not the owner. It's another little way in which his generosity is evidenced.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable read, and it left me wanting more. Obviously, it's not a literature masterpiece, but it gives a lot of interesting material for character analysis, which is super fun.

Finally, here’s a few fun facts for those who can’t/don’t want to read the novel but enjoy the little trivia:

The Polar Tang was built and designed by Wolf.

Law’s first tattoo was "DEATH," and he got it at a local tattoo shop in Pleasure Town at around 15 years old.

Shachi and Penguin are childhood friends and likely met through their parents.

Shachi had always wanted to be a hair stylist.

Law is bad at cooking.

Both Shachi and Penguin are good at cooking, especially Penguin, who worked as a waiter in Pleasure Town.

The Hearts’ jolly roger was collectively designed by Law, Bepo, Shachi and Penguin days before leaving Swallow Island.

Law decided the name of their crew upon setting sail for the first time.

And I think that's all! ♥ I hope my rambling was enjoyable at least!

Edit: I've now posted an analysis of the Ace novels too!

[wheucto]

wanted to draw a cat. pretty satisfied w how it came out

[harmonicakai]

Like Real People Do

Pairing: Gyuvin x Reader

Summary: You find yourself falling for the cute boy whose writing assignments you proofread, and discover that your lives have been intertwined for longer than you thought.

Tropes: tutor!reader, basketball player!gyuvin, writers, soulmates, college AU, fluff

Word Count: 1.4k

Warnings: literally none it’s so cute

A/N: This is a formal apology for my Beomgyu angst <3

“And isn't it just so pretty to think All along there was some Invisible string Tying you to me?” —Invisible String, Taylor Swift

Gyuvin certainly doesn’t need any help with English, but it gives him a good excuse to spend time in between classes and basketball practice staring at you.

If anything, your talents would be better suited to helping one of his classmates understand all the old poems or crazy novels that they get assigned, but he’s the one who lucked out when your former professor suggested you read her most promising student’s work.

From the first draft, you were hooked, and had somehow started a writer’s circle where just the two of you meet weekly to share your works in progress. 

In no time, you’ve helped Gyuvin become one of the top students in Writing 101, and he’s worried you’ll notice that he’d be just fine if you stopped helping him. Still, the A’s keep rolling in and you keep meeting up with him anyway.

When Gyuvin’s latest short story gets nominated for a departmental prize, you’re over the moon for him.

“You are so amazing,” you smile up at him. “We should celebrate! That’s a really big deal. I was nominated last year, but didn’t come close to winning.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” he points out, looking down at the ground and rubbing the back of his neck. “Really, Y/N. If I win, it would be just as much your prize as it would be mine.”

“Don’t be silly,” you say, packing up the rest of your lunch. You usually only see him in the library at your designated meeting time, but today, he sought you out in the courtyard to make sure you were the first person he told. “I’m just the editor. All of the ideas came from you. Plus, I’m only good at English because I grew up speaking it. It’s much more impressive for you to have learned it recently and write at the level that you do.”

“You don’t give yourself enough credit, Y/N,” he replies, helping you up off your picnic blanket. Before you can do it yourself, he’s already reaching down to fold it, his long arms handling the fabric with ease. “You’d write circles around me any day.”

“I don’t want to get into another compliment war,” you giggle, swinging your backpack over your shoulder. Recently, it’s been filled with way too many books, and your classes are so jam-packed that you never have time to run back to your room in between them.

“Here, Y/N, let me,” he says, taking your backpack from you. He’s already got his own on, but he wears yours over his front, barely even flinching at the extra weight. “Where are you headed next? I’m done with my classes for the day, so I can walk you.”

He’s always been desperate to ask you to hang out outside of your brainstorming sessions, but every time he thinks he’s worked up the courage, you’ll laugh or smile or even just glance at him and his brain short circuits.

“I have a music class across campus in thirty minutes,” you reply. “Don’t you live the other way, though? You really don’t have to walk me. It’s pretty far.”

“I want to,” Gyuvin reassures you. He offers his hand. “Here. I walk pretty fast, so let’s make sure I don’t leave you behind.”

You hesitate for a moment before taking it. You’ve had a crush on Gyuvin ever since the two of you first crossed paths—he’s the literal embodiment of sunshine trapped inside a cute boy—but things have only ever been friendly between the two of you.

His hand is big, wrapping itself around yours almost entirely. The walk is silent, although you swear you can hear your heart about to beat out of your chest as you pull him along your usual route. Gyuvin makes sure to always let you lead.

“You know,” you start, still not looking back at him. “We’re kind of like Orpheus and Eurydice right now.”

Gyuvin lights up at the reference, with mythology being one of the first things you two really bonded over. “If you looked back at me, the only thing I’d probably die of is how cute you are, Y/N.”

You’re glad you’re turned away so he can’t see the bright blush that’s spread across your cheeks. His words get you so flustered that you don’t even notice you’ve stopped walking.

“Did I say something wrong?” Gyuvin asks, his voice laced with concern. He moves to face you, your height difference causing him to crane his neck down. Meanwhile, your gaze is locked on your shoes.

“Gyuvin,” you say, still refusing to meet his eye. You pull him over to a nearby bench. “Remember when I said I liked the love story you wrote the other day?”

“Yeah, I remember,” he confirms. “You complimented me on how realistic it was and I told you it was only because I based it off of real life.”

“Was it…” your words catch in your throat, unable to face the embarrassment of if you’re wrong. “Was it about us?”

“Yes,” he admits almost immediately. You finally turn to face him, greeted by a nervous look. “Listen, Y/N. I only wrote it because I knew you’d read it, and I thought maybe if you saw how good characters that were a lot like us could be together, you’d give me a chance in real life. But you didn’t really notice, or maybe you just wanted to ignore it, so I kind of abandoned all hope of us ever being together.”

You blink back at him. How could you be so oblivious? Your entire major was based on analyzing words, and you couldn’t even see that he wanted to be with you so badly that he had to write it into existence.

Words always come easy to you, except at this very moment.

“You abandoned all hope?” is all you can manage to get out. You try to pull your hand away, but he only grips it tighter.

“I tried,” Gyuvin says, his voice soft. “But you’re all I ever think about. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever be capable of writing someone who even comes close to how wonderful I think you are, Y/N. There just aren’t words to describe all the ways in which you’re special to me.”

You laugh, his words making tears well up in your eyes. “You know, I used to go to basketball games a lot before we even met, just so I wouldn’t have to feel so lonely all the time. And I remember liking your smile and the way you always encouraged your teammates. I would go home and wish I had someone like you in my life.”

“You’re kidding,” he says, taking out his wallet. You knit your brows in confusion, watching as he pulls out a small piece of paper and unfolds it. “Here.”

He hands it to you and your eyes widen at the words printed out. It’s the poem that you had published in the school’s literary magazine last spring about wanting to romanticize your life. Talking about your feelings makes you anxious, but nobody reads those publications. Except for Gyuvin, apparently.

“I liked you before we even met, too,” Gyuvin confesses. “Your poem is actually the reason I got into writing in the first place. I used to read it before all of my games, but I know all the words by heart now, so I just keep it in my wallet for good luck.”

This all feels too good to be true, but his touch keeps you grounded in reality.

“Maybe I should start coming to basketball games again, then,” you think out loud. “I stopped going because I felt awkward not knowing anybody.”

“Well, now you’d know me, and I’ll make sure the whole team gets to know you, too, okay?” The way he smiles at you, his eyes so full of light, takes your breath away.

“Really?” you ask, looking at him in disbelief. The thought of meeting so many new people at the same time scares you, but if Gyuvin likes them, you’re sure you will too.

“On one condition,” he says, closing the gap between the two of you. He tucks a loose strand of hair behind your ear, his hand settling on your cheek. “I get to introduce you as my girlfriend.”

“Deal,” you grin, inching closer until your lips are pressed against his. You’re nervous that he’ll somehow figure out that you’ve only ever read about kissing in books, but the way he melts into you tells you that he doesn’t mind.

“You’re going to be late for class,” Gyuvin reminds you, pulling away. He desperately wants to keep going, but not at the expense of your grades.

“Class can wait,” you say, leaning in for another kiss. Your fingers lace themselves through his soft, messy hair. “I said we’d celebrate your nomination, so let’s celebrate.”

[cheesecakethots]

Listen to me, it's simple and effective high school AU yan chrollo.

what i get from this is like

chrollo is a pretty popular dude in school, he’s got a lot of friends (the troupe), girls love him, and he gets the best grades in the school.

yet, you still can’t bring yourself to like him. you’re pretty much a loner and in your eyes he’s this pompous asshole that always loves correcting you whenever you answer a question, or even sometimes has the gall to look over your work as though he’s a teacher and not your classmate.

it’s even more infuriating that you’re always second to him, in everything.

recently he’s been bothering you a lot more. it’s as though he actively seeks you out, usually when you’re in the library. you’re certain he gets such perverted enjoyment in slotting up behind you and grabbing a book you were struggling to reach. might even be cheeky enough to ask you to say please and thank you to get it.

you try to avoid him, but it doesn’t help that his friends also try and reign you in. you swear that feitan and phinks follow you down hallways, acting as “guard dogs” that keep quite literally everyone away. It’s very irritating, and you’ve told them off about it numerous times.

and suddenly pakunoda and machi need the toilet the second you go, as though you’re going to get hurt while you go for a piss. somehow.

it gets worse the more you try and avoid chrollo. one day you might find yourself skipping class (because he’s there), sat by a tree and reading only for that big brute uvogin to come along, sling you over his shoulder and take you back.

chrollo seems to find it all very funny. you’re not sure as to why he seems so interested in annoying you to death, but he’s doing a pretty good job of it.

you’ll be thanking god by the time your final years come, with plans to go to a university that is as far as you can go.

and this is where i get stuck.

i can see chrollo being the type of guy to just apply to the same university as you, and follow you wherever you go after that until you hopefully somehow fall in love with him.

i can also see him being the type of guy who’s pretty rich, despite being an orphan it seems he started making business decisions at a very young age that landed him a lot of money in the long run.

your school plans a final dance for everyone to say goodbye to each other before leaving. you were considering skipping it, but ended up being forced to by your parents.

you don’t plan on drinking the very little alcohol bought by the school, but when chrollo strolls over, drinks in hand, you figure one won’t kill you. you still think he’s an asshole, but you have to admit you respect how smart he is. might as well drink to that, right?

the rest of the night is a blur. when you come to, you can hardly remember anything, but you’re certain you only had that one drink.

there’s definitely worse things to worry about though, with how you’ve woken up in an exquisite bedroom that is most definitely not yours.

[sixth-light]

ok ok slightly feral post as promised.

first, some context setting: I think it's really interesting to analyse texts in terms of both what the author was trying to do (and whether they succeeded) and what they ended up doing (intentionally or not) and I think their cultural/historical context is vital if you want to do this. I'm not interested in whether Robert Jordan or the Wheel of Time are, like, morally correct in their politics or whatever. I'm interested in what the art is trying to do.

and the thing about Jordan, see, is that he projected this image during his lifetime of a Genial Older Man (see: beard and pipe) but he...wasn't actually that old! He was 42 when EoTW was published. He died at 58. He was a Baby Boomer publishing books at a time when Baby Boomers were the hip young generation taking over from stodgy WWII veterans (Gen Z: It Will Happen To You Too).

What this means is that he was a child and adolescent during the Civil Rights movement, in a then-majority Black city in the Jim Crow South*. He would have gone to segregated schools. The tertiary institutions he attended had only started to desegregate a year or two before he attended each of them. I think his war trauma in Vietnam gets a lot of attention because he did talk about it and also because that's a narrative we understand for white men, but I think we...skim over the impact on white men of growing up at this time because? Civil Rights only happened to Black Americans I guess? but it's his context too. Similarly, he was an adolescent and young man at the time the (white) feminist movement was really kicking off in the US. he was in his mid-20s when banks were first legally *required* to allow women to open accounts and have credit cards in their own names. he went on to marry a woman a decade older than him, who had left her husband to raise her son as a single mother while continuing a professional career in the early 70s; these were issues that must have been incredibly relevant for her.

and what we see in his writing is attempts to grapple with gender and race that are self-evidently of mixed success, but I think have to be contextualised in light of this period of immense change he grew up in. Think about the predominance of women as merchants and bankers in WoT, in the context of how recent their rights to even control their own money were in the US. The...everything...he was trying to do with the Seanchan, making them extra-canonically Southern American-coded. The Whitecloaks as the KKK (among other things, of course).

As an example, I think there's also something probably unintentional but fascinating in the way he presents the pre-Breaking Aiel: bluntly, they are a distinct ethnic group in hereditary servitude (always thinking about how that ancestor of Rand's in the Rhuidean sequence had to get permission from Mierin Sedai to switch to someone else's service so he could marry his girlfriend, this is...uh...super cognate to issues enslaved Black people faced). They're associated with agriculture through the Song sequence. And they're pretty much the ideal of what slave-owning Southern American culture WANTED enslaved Black people to be: completely happy to serve. Then, as the post-breaking Aiel, they become feared as a source of violence, which resonates with the way that enslaved people were feared by their slavers.

I don't think for a second that the intention here was to depict the AoL as a Secret Slavery Dystopia, I think we're meant to take the Rhuidean flashback sections pretty much as they read on the page. But I also think putting Jordan in his historical and cultural context does pose the comparison. Similarly, I find it really interesting that he positions Seanchan as riven by constant revolts and uprisings (because it's a fascist slaver regime) but he never ever goes so far as to link enslaved people in Seanchan (damane and da'covale) to those revolts and uprisings, even though that is fundamentally the deep fear *for real and obvious reasons* of all slavery-based societies.

Or then there's the changes to the Two Rivers in the books - like, both then and now I think it's actually pretty radical to present an influx of Muslim-coded refugees of colour as a thing that enriches the Two Rivers both socially and economically. Various characters are wistful that it's changed, but they don't think it's bad. The text here is really clear that welcoming the Domani and Almoth Plain refugees is both morally right and beneficial. And this is in a book being written and published shortly after the first Gulf War.

There's so many more things like this where I just have no real idea what he was trying to do on purpose and what was accidental and what was fun for him in fiction but did not necessarily link at all to his real-world political beliefs. but gosh it's interesting to turn over and poke at.

[deep-fried-egg]

You want to start a family? (Old)

CW: kinda OOC Vada, I promise she cleaned her dick, unnasty girl, nsfw, g!p, pregnancy, miscarriage, longggg... 5k+ words

SMUT BELOW THE CUT

I have been thinking about this for a while...Well, I say a while like it's been years of thinking but it's only really been 3 months since the thought first popped into my mind.

I really want to start a family with my wife.

But alas, I'm way too nervous to ask.  I mean it's Vada...does she even like kids? 

Even if she doesn't It'll still be good to get it off my chest.  And if she does...well I can finally have a night of passion with my wife after so long.

Speaking of, Vada gets home in about 30 minutes, that's plenty of time to think about what I want to say to her...god I'm so nervous.

I end up not thinking about what to say though.  Instead I continue to read the book I recently got it's called Shiver it's pretty good so far.

But sadly I couldn't finish the book because as soon as I was about to finish the book...I was on the second to last page I had to put it down because I heard the door being opened and I knew my wife was finally home.

I rushed towards the door to greet her because I knew she probably had a long day and would be happy to see me.

As soon as I got to the door I heard vada gasp.  "Oh my god you scared me! Hey!" Vada pulled me close to her by my waist and gave me a kiss but she was smiling into it which made it kind of hard to kiss but I continue anyway.

Vada pulls away from me and drops the smile.

"Well, there is something I want to talk to you about.  And don't worry it's not anything bad...it's the opposite actually."  Vada ran her fingers through my hair and kept her other hand on my lower back.

"Oh yeah? What is it?" I asked her, running my hand up her stomach and eventually reached her chest.

"Well, I was wondering if...I don't know...I was thinking about starting a family with you and...you just seem like you'd be such a good mother and-" I eventually cut Vada off.

"I was gonna ask you the same thing actually..."  I removed my hand from her chest and instead wrapped my arms around her waist.

"Well then...shall we start making our family now?" Vada's voice got lower as she continued to talk to me about this.  I can tell she's been thinking about it.

"Vada, your dicks poking me" I said as I looked down at the large tent in my wife's pants.

"What can I say? You're hot." Vada tried to start grinding against my thigh but I pulled away from her grasp.

"You interrupted my reading time and I'm really close to the end of my book and id like to finish." I headed over to our living room where I left it.

"I'm sure you can wait can't you?" I looked back over to vada who was staring back at me with her fists clenched.

"Oh come on I'm almost done...I only have one page left! I need to see what happens."  I  would say I could see the cogs turning in her mind but I'm pretty sure there's no thoughts behind those eyes right now.

Vada sat next to me on the couch and tightly grabbed her thigh right next to her obvious bulge.

I can hear her breath hitch when she cups her cock through her pants.  Vada is obviously trying to get me to fuck her but it won't work.  Not yet.

I reached over and grabbed Vada's right wrist, stopping her from any further movement which made her quietly whine.

I slammed my book closed with the hand that wasn't occupied.  "Fuck the book." I quickly turned towards Vada and captured her lips in a kiss.

I crawled into Vada's lap and ground my hips down into her.  Vada's hands immediately went to my hips to assist my movements.

I can feel her occasionally hitting my clit which sends shocks of pleasure through my body.  This is the night I wanted to have with my wife, truly.

Vada hid her face in my neck and left a couple marks...well I say a couple but I really mean a fuck ton.

Vada's grip on me started to get tighter but not to the point of hurting.  She suddenly stopped me from moving anymore.

"What are you doing? Why'd you stop?" I looked down at her, irritated that she'd suddenly stop like that.

"I'm sorry it's just...I was about to cum and the only place I want to cum..." Vada leaned closer to my ear.  "Is inside of you."

I clenched my jaw shut and softly sighed.  Vada started to take my shirt off and once she finally got it off she threw it across the room.  She unhooked my bra and gave it the same treatment, throwing it somewhere in the room not really caring where it ends up.

Vada carefully pushed me back onto the couch so I'd lay down in front of her which made it harder to get both of our pants off but she magically did so without any problems.

I reached under vada's shirt to squeeze her Right boob which made her let out a shaky breath.

"You need to stop distracting me so we can actually get this done..." Vada said and soon after slowly slid her cock inside of me.

I loudly moaned which gave Vada a big confidence boost.  Once she bottomed out inside me Vada started to kiss and mark my chest then eventually pulled away to put both of her hands on my stomach and started to move carefully watching my reactions.

"You're gonna look so pretty with my baby inside you..." I can tell Vada is holding back her orgasm...she usually doesn't do dirty talk she usually just praises me...maybe she's just feeling different today.

"Please...let me cum...I need to fill you up... please" Vada usually doesn't beg... what's with her? Well, I don't mind.  I'm into it actually.

"Please..." Vada said right before giving me one final thrust and cumming deep inside of me.  The feeling of her warm seed painting my insides triggered my orgasm as well.

As soon as we both calmed down Vada pulled out, careful to not spill anything from inside of me and reached behind herself to grab a cushion and put it under my hips.

I accidentally pushed a little bit out when Vada put the cushion under me so she just scooped it up and pushed it back inside of me, giving a few additional pumps of her fingers.

Vada kissed my cheek and relaxed on top of me.

"Goodnight." I could hear vada say before I could fall asleep so I mumbled something that vaguely sounded like a goodnight back before I drifted off to sleep.  This is going to be a hell of a journey I can tell.

~

I have been trying to get pregnant for months but it seems like every time I think I might be pregnant I just get disappointed and I don't think this time will be any different.

You know, maybe I'm just not fit to be a mother... maybe it just wasn't meant for me.

Either way, I accepted vada's offer of trying one more time and if that doesn't work, just giving up.

Vada unbuttoned her pants to show me the bulge she got from her dick and she started to rub herself through her boxers.

"You ready to try for a baby again?"

"You say that like we're in the Sims Vada."

"Yeah yeah, just help me out..." As soon as vada said that she thrusted her hips up to meet her hand.

"Fine, I was enjoying watching you but I guess I can help." I take off vada's boxers and I don't have to take any of my clothes off because I'm already naked.

Vada brought me into her lap similar to the first time she tried to get me pregnant.

I reached under myself to position Vada's cock to the right spot so I can slip it inside of myself.

My face is pressed against vada's chest and I see my stomach move as Vada pushes in slowly. I close my eyes and moan as Vada starts to fuck me, in and out. I pull my head back and gasp when I feel the tip press into my cervix. Vada begins pushing into me hard. She feels bigger than before and the feeling makes me shiver.

I feel a huge wave of pleasure as I feel her fingers in my hair, her nails digging into my scalp and her hips moving faster than before, slowly bringing both of us closer to our climax.

Suddenly vada's hand in my hair pulls my head up so she can suck hickeys onto my neck.

I feel her hand slide down my stomach to touch my clit, making me moan louder and louder with each passing second. It almost feels as if my orgasm won't come and that my body is forcing itself not to give out.

Vada let's go of my hair and she places a soft kiss on my lips and slides her hand down between us, rubbing my stomach as she does that. I feel myself getting wetter by the second and I want her to cum inside of me. So, I wrap my legs around hers which made me feel even more full than before.

The last time we tried this, it didn't take long for me to orgasm and now I'm afraid I'll disappoint her. Maybe this isn't a good idea...

As soon as she felt me tense up she stopped moving and pushed back out so she could sit on my thighs. She looked at me in concern and said, "Y/n, are you okay?"

"I'm alright, I think." I grabbed her hand so she wouldn't go away. She took me up in a hug instead. "I just thought maybe this wouldn't be a good idea." I buried my head in her shoulder.

She rubbed my back softly and told me, "It's fine, I promise. Now cmon lets try again and make sure we actually get a baby in there." Vada pushed herself back inside of me and began thrusting her hips into mine.

I wrapped my legs tighter around her as she sped up. Soon all I could think about was vada and how good she's fucking me.

We were both moaning loudly and the whole apartment seemed to echo with our moans.

I closed my eyes so I couldn't watch how much progress she was making in putting our baby in me. Every stroke felt so perfect, I wanted it to never end.

The longer she thrusted into me, the more I could tell that she was still getting closer to her orgasm too. She moaned my name and gripped my waist so tight, I had trouble breathing. After a few more thrusts she finally came, leaving me to follow closely behind.

The both of us collapsed into each other's arms as we panted and smiled brightly. We kissed until neither one of us had any air left to breathe.

"So how was that?" She asked once our breathing returned to normal.

"Amazing~" I replied while kissing her jaw line. "I mean really good. You really did great, babe." She smiled happily then pulled me towards her lips for a kiss

Vada held me tightly so I couldn't get away from her. The feeling of Vada inside of me was amazing, nothing compared to what she was doing to me earlier. She kept kissing me while keeping her hands on my hips to keep me from pulling away.

Eventually, though, she pulled back. "Come on, let's get cleaned up and get ready for bed." she said as she walked into the bathroom.

I followed behind her and took a shower first, knowing I probably smelled like sex and sweat. Once I came out of the shower I wrapped myself in a towel and dried off while Vada brushed her teeth.

Once she joined me in bed, Vada turned over so she was lying directly underneath me. She snuggled in next to me and we fell asleep holding each other.

~

I'm already 4 months into my pregnancy and I have to say I am so happy that we didn't have to go through the disappointment of a test coming back negative. Also I'm happy that Vada seems excited about this... speaking of, she always has late night talks with me when I can't go to sleep due the odd feeling of another being moving inside of me...not like that! But the feeling another person kicking inside of me is so weird I can't explain It well...it's kinda like tiny pulses inside of my stomach. well, I don't know if that counts as my baby "kicking" but I think it does.

Vada motions for me to sit in front of her own our bed by just patting the spot in front of her but I understood the motion and sit with my legs crossed in between her legs with my shirt off because Vada offered to give me a "little massage" because I told her I feel tension in my lower back and my stomach.

"Yeah, press your stomach against mine." Vada reaches over to her nightstand and grabs our massage oil that we got like a year ago but never used.

"Hey this is finally being put to good use!" Vada squeezed a little onto her hand and rubbed it onto my stomach, lightly pushing down with the heels of her hands, careful not to hurt me or our baby.

"Your stomach has been getting so big recently." Vada stopped pressing down and just chose to put both hands on my stomach.

"It's still so crazy to me that out bodies worked together to make this." Vada gave me a couple light kisses on my cheek,lips and my jaw, really anything she can reach actually. She just feels like loving you!

I hum in happiness and get a big smile on my face because Vada kissed a spot on my neck that tickles.

"Aww I love your smile...you're so beautiful." Vada moved her hands to my lower back to help release the tension in my sore muscles.

"Yeah I know, you tell me that a lot." I rest my head on Vada's shoulder and feel myself start to get sleepy, but I'll stay awake for her.

"It's because you are...I'm so lucky to have you."

"You're lucky to have me? I'm lucky to know you! You're the funniest and prettiest person I know."

Vada giggled at my compliments and I just wanted to kiss those adorable dimples in her cheeks but instead I just continue to nuzzle against her. Vada always smells nice, she always smells minty it's great.

"Are you okay? Your eyes are droopy..." Vada said while rubbing my back.

"Oh yeah, just tired..." I yawn and rub my eye shut.

Vada smiled and pulled me close into a hug again, placing a soft kiss on top of my head while rubbing my back gently. After 5 minutes of us just relaxing, Vada spoke up. "Can we please talk about our baby? Or should we wait 'til tomorrow?

I can feel the smile on her voice.

"Nahh I'm awake now~" I yawned once more before continuing, "what was it you were saying about talking about our baby?"

"Well after all these months, we' re finally going to be parents." She sounds proud. And that makes me feel proud too. Vada wants the best for our baby - even though I've only been pregnant for 4 months - and that's why she keeps asking if I'm okay every time our little one kicks. Even though its not like I'm complaining or anything.

It's a cute way for her to express her love for us and I love her for caring about me. We haven't told any of our friends about what's happening - except Vada's parents, but they know how we feel and wont spread the word around anyway.

"Did you just realize that we're gonna be mom's?" I teased,  making Vada laugh softly and I smiled. God I'm so lucky to have this amazing girl by my side. The thought that we're going to have a kid of our own soon is still foreign though - but not to as much as having an adorable, loving wife like Vada by my side.  If anything, I would rather have my wife and our child together and safe than not have them at all.

After all, they're the most important people in my life.

Vada leans closer and plants a sweet, long kiss on my lips, pulling away with a shy smile when we broke apart.

"Yeah, I did~ and I'm so happy I get to raise this kid with you."  Vada's face is beaming, and I can see some tears threatening to fall down from her big brown eyes. God she's so damn cute!

I move my hands up to cup her beautiful face while I place a lingering kiss on her lips.

When I pull away, I whisper in her ear and she laughs again.

"You know I love you right?" I say quietly, resting my forehead against hers.

"And I love you," Vada responds, placing her hand over mine and giving it a squeeze.

I lean forward and plant another gentle kiss on her soft lips. I'll never tire of kissing Vada, she's everything to me and I don't ever want to stop touching her. Ever. I can just feel her heart beating faster because of the contact.

We stay like that, just holding each other tightly and enjoying every second of this moment. I could die happy right here, right now. Everything seems perfect. Nothing in the world matters compared to this blissful feeling in my chest and stomach whenever I'm with my beautiful wife who's always by my side and will always be there for me no matter what happens.

~

I was just going shopping with my wife on a nice little outting when I felt fluid come out of me...My fucking water broke in public. What the fuck is wrong with the world? And to top it off some poor old lady had to watch.  Fuck my life.

My beautiful wife, who I'm trying very hard not to think about, saw what happened and was freaking out over what just happened.  She called 911 while telling me to calm down. She's such an angel.

I hope the fucking paramedics come soon because I am already extremely embarrassed about my water breaking in FUCKING PUBLIC.

That woman is looking at me like I killed her grandchild and she doesn't even know why that's happening. The fucker has no right to judge me. It's my fucking bodies fault for Christ's sake.   I didn't force this shit out of me! I didn't make the damn thing happen in any way. And if anyone is going to look at me weird then they can shove it up their ass. Fuck that shit!

Vada just got sick of waiting for the paramedics so she just took my hand and we ran off to the car  and booked it to the hospital.I

I don't even remember how we managed to get to the fucking hospital. Vada just knew we needed to hurry or something.  God bless her.

Once we got to the hospital she hurriedly talked to the man at the front desk.  He just told us to go to the delivery room since my water already broke.  I nod and follow the directions the man gave me  without even asking any questions.  This was not a good day for me.

The doors to the delivery room were open and a woman wearing scrubs was standing there smiling at me.  I walked up to her as my wife stood next to me holding both our hands tightly.  The woman said, “Hi, My name is Dr. Lander.  Are you ready for your baby?”  I nodded, and she brought us into the room and had me lay on the bed.  The doctor started prepping me by asking some technical question I didn't quite catch.  I could feel the contractions starting inside of me but I tried to ignore them but it started getting so painful that  I couldn't take it anymore.  The doctor seemed to notice that I was struggling and pulled me closer to her side to help me through it.  After a few minutes of agony I began feeling better and less nauseous than before. A few seconds later it seemed to have stopped hurting  so I looked up.  The doctor said, “Everything is good, honey.  You've done great. Just relax now and let me help you.”

And the rest is history.  After a couple hours of pain, the doctor announced that we had twins, two little girls

.  My wife looked like she might cry but she did not.  Instead, I watched as she walked over to where the nurses were checking to see if our babies are healthy and smiled softly at them.   As they checked our babies I sat back on the bed and started thinking...

We're finally mommies.

It's amazing isn't it? How the fuck does the body work in such amazing ways. One second I'm being tortured in hell and the next I have twin daughters.  This must be some kind of twisted miracle.

Finally, the doctor came back with our twins and  handed one of the babies to my wife and one to me.  I held my daughter closely and Vada wrapped her free arm around my shoulder and kissed the top of my head lovingly. I love my family more than anything...even more than life itself.

~

"They're growing up so fast babe!" Vada said while crying into my shirt because we brought our daughters to elementary school this morning  "It's like they've just been born!" I'm not sure what to say, but I do agree with her and it makes me sad that our two little girls will be in another world from us when we leave them at the daycare."Hey babe," I started, trying to wipe away her tears. "They'll be back soon enough."  She gave a small smile and nodded before kissing me on the lips. I tried to kiss her back and she smiled again while looking into my eyes."We should go now," Vada broke the kiss and looked down at her watch. It was about time that we got going."Yea, let's get going love," I said as we made our way to the car. We drove in silence for awhile, both of us thinking about all the things that are going to change once those little girls come home.

"Hey babe?" I asked her, pulling into a parking spot in front of the preschool,  which is also where we were headed. Vada turned towards me and put her hand over mine.  I held it and looked at her and she stared into my eyes until my heart almost exploded inside of my chest. I can still feel her soft hand in mine whenever I think of how much she means to me even after 15 years together.  She smiles to every single person she sees, she cares for her kids, loves spending time with them and is one of the most generous human beings I know.  And when she looks at me and smiles like that... it makes me fall deeper.  I mean who wouldn't fall in love with a woman who puts everyone else first and is such an amazing mother?  I don't deserve her.  But I love her anyway.  I love her more than anything in the world.  I love her so much that sometimes I wonder if I could ever live without her.  I love her so much that I would give up everything for her. My whole life for hers. My entire being to make her happy.

It seems like everything she does has to mean something. Every moment she spends with me or with her children, no matter the situation, always ends up meaning something to me.

Whether it's her cooking dinner, watching a movie with them, cuddling up with her when she has bad days or simply  just smiling at me when she knows I'm around, every moment is perfect for me.  Every time I'm with her it feels like the most wonderful thing ever. The purest, brightest feeling ever.

"Well, you ready to pick them up?" Vada asked,  breaking me out of my trance. I blinked a couple of times and shook myself out of my daze. I was too wrapped up in my thoughts that I forgot that we were supposed to be picking our daughters up from school.

I nodded and kissed Vada on the lips before opening the door of my car. She did the same before walking towards the entrance of the building and holding the large glass doors open for me. I chuckled slightly and thanked her before walking through. 

"Hello ladies," I greeted the other mothers standing at reception, waiting for their kids to arrive, "how have you been today?" All three of the moms smiled politely at me and answered my question before heading to the elevator. I went into the lift and waited with Vada for the elevator to arrive. When it did, I pressed the button for the 2nd floor, where the classroom was located.  A few minutes later, the elevator opened and a group of four kids wearing matching blue dresses and red shoes ran out. They immediately headed straight to their parents and began chattering happily about their day. As we walked towards the classroom, we heard the loud voices of their teachers, all telling their class how excited they were to start learning about different topics and having fun learning. Our daughter's teacher had told us that they would begin teaching each subject in a few weeks and that their class would be learning about dinosaurs.

When we walked into the room we saw our daughters sitting on the floor surrounded by books and notebooks and papers that they spread everywhere. Their teacher, Ms. Tilly, waved at us with a smile on her face and then proceeded to ask a slightly uncomfortable question.

"Oh hello! Are your husbands waiting in the car?"

"Nope, we came here to pick up our daughters-"

"Yes ma'am," Vada cut me off before whispering to me that she didn't want any homophobic comments from the teacher. I rolled my eyes and continued, "but they aren't here right now, they went out with some friends."  Ms. Tilly nodded and smiled at us one last time before saying goodbye and letting us get our daughters and leave.

Once we got outside, I stopped my wife.

"Okay Vada," I grabbed her arm and pointed to the car. "We need to get going. We still have a lot to do at home." She raised an eyebrow at me and shook her head.

"No, we don't. If I remember correctly, there isn't anything that you had planned for today. So why do you need to rush?" I sighed deeply before opening the back doors and helping our daughters get into their booster seats.

I got into the car next to vada and answered her question.  "Well, I was hoping we could have a little fun when we put the girls to sleep?" I smirked at her and she groaned before hitting me lightly on the shoulder.  "Ow! Ok ok sorry!" I start to pull out of the lot to start the journey home.

"So how was your first day at school girls?"  I asked them as I turned onto the main road.

"It was very cool! I learned about a bunch of new species today and they were super nice!" The older twin, Laila replied with a huge grin on her face. I chuckled and nodded.

"That sounds great, darling. Your sister is just as excited as you to learn something new," I said to the younger twin, Emily. "And I am sure that when she learns about them, she will be more excited." Laila giggled at my comment and Emily laughed along. "What about you, sweetie?"

I turned my attention to the youngest daughter.

Emmy sat quietly for a minute before replying, "It was really fun. Miss Tilly showed me all the dinosaurs and she wanted me to tell her their names and she gave me stickers for all of the ones that I could name!" she explained, handing Laila one of the stickers she had received. Laila giggled before looking at her twin and giving her a sticker as well. I smiled fondly at the two. They were truly adorable.

"Yeah I bet those were exciting!" Vada commented and Emily nodded enthusiastically in response.  I laughed slightly and continued driving.    Soon enough, we reached home and walked inside. Once the girls went off to their room to do whatever, Vada grabbed my waist and started kissing me passionately. I returned the kiss and deepened the kiss. When she finally pulled away she whispered in my ear "Why don't you go take a shower while I prepare dinner. It'll only take 20 minutes."  I grinned and pecked her cheek before making my way upstairs.  When I got to our bedroom, I undressed and hopped into the shower.  I washed myself off thoroughly before drying off and changing into a black tank top, some shorts and a pair of dark blue socks.

When I came out of the bathroom, I found my wife in the kitchen preparing dinner.

"Is it ready yet?" I asked her, kissing her jawline as I wrapped my arms around her waist. She nodded against my mouth.

"Almost done.  And why don't you help me finish it?"

I kissed down her neck while wrapping my arms tighter around her waist. My hands roam across her chest gently and I can feel her heart beating fast. My fingers move lower until my hand reaches the top of her pants  and my hand slides under the hem and reaches her boxers underneath. I want to start stroking her cock through her boxers but I hear our daughters door open

Vada quickly removes my hand from where it was previously resting over her underwear. We both look down the hall to luckily see that neither of our daughters saw what we were doing .

When Laila walks out of her room, we pretend like we haven't been doing anything weird. I start to help set the table for dinner and  Vada gets all their plates.

I can barely contain my laughter as I walk past Emily to give Vada a kiss. The look of shock on Emily's face is priceless.

When we finished dinner me and Vada let the girls have 2 hours of play time before they went to bed so me and Vada could finally fuck.

"Goodnight girls!" I said as I closed the door of the twins room.  When I went back to me and Vada's room , I noticed Vada hadn't changed and was still standing in the walk in closet.

"Sweetheart?" I called softly. "You know the girls are asleep." Her reply was muffled as she tried to find an outfit to wear that night.  I knew better than to push her buttons this late at night.

After a few minutes she emerged from the walk in closet wearing nothing but a bra and boxers. She looked at me expectantly, but I kept my poker face.

  "Alright love," vada said, "let's get you out of those clothes..." 

With that she slowly took off my tank top and pulled it over my head. She leaned forward and whispered "Mmmm...you smell good. Like lavender or something." Before placing a soft kiss on my lips. I placed my hands on either side of her face and moved her lips to mine. After we separated, she grabbed my hands and led me to the bed, laying me down and crawling into my lap. She positioned herself comfortably between my legs as she straddled me.

She bagan to unhook her bra  and remove her boxers.  I started running my fingers through her hair and kissing her deeply. While my hands roamed down her stomach,  she grabbed my wrists  and pushed me back. Once I landed back on the bed with her above me and hovering over me. She pulled away from me again and rested her weight on one hand, the other holding my hips. She leaned down and started sucking bruises along my neck.

"Do you wanna play a game tonight?"

~END~

[tetheredfeathers]

My favourite post Mockingjay fics

@notafraidtodissapear since you asked 💕

One shots

making a blank page bloom: drabble collection by songbirdheart

A writer I have discovered recently, I cannot emphasize how much I love her writing. If an angel could write it would be her. This fic is sweet and short. Katniss sings her poem to Peeta.

eden by songbirdheart

Another one by the same author. Can you tell how obsessed I am?!!? Dw you'll understand her genius when you read it. A poem about everlark growing back together.

What's In A Name? by Joshs_left_earlobe

Everlark's first fight, lots of fluff and angst.

Fighting the Rain by starsmahogany (Jodalyn)

Cute fluffy fic of Peeta taking care of Katniss after she comes homes soaked from the rain.

The Unexpected Message by Diana_Flynn

Years after the war has ended Katniss has a fight with Peeta, but she finds an a gift that changes her perspective.

Multi chapter fics.

Baby Steps by Ronja

Growing back together/pregnancy fic, goes back and forth between her pregnancy and their initial growing back post war. Delves into some of the political aspects of Panem, and Katniss and Peeta's involvement. Enjoyed reading this alot.

When the Red X is on the Door By: MADAM BETH

A growing back that fixates more on Peeta's episodes, very realistic and perfect characterization. Timeline goes back and forth from initial post war to their with children. Loved this, it's also 57 chapters so might as well think of it as the 4th missing book.

Growing New Wings By: SkyLark89

Very accurate to the book, I always come back to this fic after my rereads. They rewatch the games to help Peeta's memory and work on the book. Starts off after Peeta's arrival and ends with "real".

A Little Drop of Hope By: Chinchilla17

In Peeta's pov, most growing back fics are in Katniss' pov so it was quite interesting to be in Peeta's mind after the hijacking.

The List orphan_account by silvercistern

This one is a must read, I'm sure everyone has heard of this one. Like if Collins were to write another book it would be this one.

Back to Twelve igsygrace

Another popular one, by the same author who wrote Peeta's games. I don't even need to tell you how good this. I will admit though I had some mixed feelings about the ending, because the author makes them go through another war. I'm not really sure if it's war tbh, but someone is trying to overthrow the government typa shit..

I have a problem with canon divergence so I didn't read the final chapter. idk why canon divergence just feels so wrong to me. But if you do like canon divergence this one could be really good. Anyway it's only the last chapter that is like that, the rest are all regular growing back material.

Synchronicity by ashyblondwaves

A collection of one shots and stories examining Katniss and Peeta's relationship post-Mockingjay. Peeta's POV. Pretty long but I really liked it. There's something about the writing that drew me to it. The problem is I have read a lot of these along time ago so I can't remember the exacts reasons any of these fics stuck out to me, I just remember they did.

Worse Games to Play By: Belmione

How Katniss finally decides to have children. Read a long time ago, but it's really sweet.

[snek-panini]

Happy Halloween! Have a book:

This is Siren's Song by @kedreeva (Hi! I asked to bind your fic months ago, sorry it took so long XD). It's an incredible Good Omens siren AU, which needs no introduction from me but it gets one anyway. It's one of the most in-character fics I've ever read, tackles a lot of the most resonant themes of the original (love in the context of aromanticism and asexuality, human labels in the context of non-human perspective), and has incredible world-building. Later parts of the fic always make me cry but they're good tears. You'll see. When I first learned that fanbinding was a thing and started looking into how to do it, this was one of the first fics I thought of. It just took me a while to learn the skills I needed before I could do it.

More pics and process talk under the cut!

So the cover up there is black faux leather and momi paper that I bought...about two years ago? And just kept on hand till I was ready to do this project. This is the first time I've worked with it and it was fairly nice, though harder to get a nice crease into than lokta or chiyogami. It felt very fragile when I was handling it but I didn't have any issues with tearing or glue bleed-through like I thought I might. It did bleed some color when I got it damp with the glue, and it took way longer to dry than normal, but once that was done it's been fine. Which is nice because I have a lot left over, so it'll probably be making many future appearances in my binds.

Look! It's rounded! I got a backing setup recently and this is my first time using it. It was Very Hard and I am not very good at it yet. But I think it looks pretty good for a first attempt, and there was really no other way to mitigate the spine swell on this one. I used a thick paper so I've got a thick book. I also tried something new with the case, though it isn't visible. Usually I make the text block and the case separately and then attach them as the last step, but for this one I actually built the case around the text. Like, boards attached to mull/tapes (sandwiched between thinner boards, with grooves cut for them so there are no bulges), then covered with momi, then leather corners and spine, then paste down the endpaper. It's got an oxford hollow, too! The tapes and mull actually wrap around the outside of the boards instead of the inside like I've done before. Endpapers are my favorite feather chiyogami. Combined with the marbled momi they make for a very opulent look, and I had just barely enough to do this. Like, down to the millimeter. I had to trim the edges and then glue the endpapers after to be sure they were right. I'm glad they were, because I didn't have a backup plan. Handmade endbands, colors picked to match the cover. Also, last note, I got the corner bits right for the first time. Measured properly, with no weird pointy bits that come out at funny angles. Very proud.

Title page and bookmark/interior shot. Did you know that some basic fonts in MS Word look different when you use a huge font size? Because I didn't until I made this title page. That's Parchment for the title, and it only gets those swirly bits around the capital letters if you take it to 26pt or higher (I used 72 here). Now I wonder if any of the other fonts have easter eggs in them like that. The ribbon is very fancy, to go along with the rich endpaper/cover combo. I think it's pretty appropriate for a mythological golden age of piracy story, as are the text ornaments:

Chapter header image, chapter end image, and section break image. It was a very image-heavy typeset. I was originally planning to only have a header and a section break, but I couldn't decide whether I liked the ships or the book/shell/feather better, and they both suited the story so well that I just went with both. Again, opulent, but I think it fits. All the images came from rawpixel, all I did was resize them.

There was a small error in the trimming process. Comes of having to calculate so closely the exact amount you can trim off, that you have to trim off so your slightly-too-small endpapers fit. I think something got misaligned when I poked the sewing holes because only the first signature is like this. The rest of the book has a more appropriately-sized margin between the page number and the edge. I got very lucky here, and I know it, and I'm never cutting it this close (lol) again. Next time we just order another sheet of chiyogami.

And that's it! I have one author's copy and one new bind in progress right now (that's taking a while because I'm learning more new stuff for it), and then I have two Christmas gift books to do, so it might be a bit before I have another book to share.

[steadymongerbatscissors]

Leo Valdez And His Mistreatment

Recently I have taken some time to go back to some books and reread them for the hell of it. One of these books being the Heroes of Olympus series. Now the Heroes of Olympus series has been my favorites series overall yeah I know people think its worse than the others but I just honestly prefer the multiple point of views. Of course some characters could do with some fleshing out like Jason,Piper,Frank,and Hazel. My personal favorite of all the characters was Leo Valdez mostly because I though his fire powers were cool and he was a surprisingly deep character compared to fellow new characters.

But while reading I noticed multiple facets of his character that I felt did not need to be added or needed to be expanded on and this post I will tell you them all.

His Powers

I’m starting with his powers because that was the main thing that drew me in and in my believe sort of made Leo the person he was in the books. I mean without his fire powers he wouldn’t have accidentally killed his mother therefore never being an orphan and meeting Jason and Piper. This all say nothing about his frayed mental state.

So there pretty important but while also being important they are pretty inconsistent.

What I mean is that when Leo first uses his powers he had been purposefully not using them since he was 8 years old. This gives off the impression that has major control over his fire powers to supremes them for so long. Yet when they are on the bridge to the Wind God’s palace in the sky he suddenly loses control even though he realistically should have not done that since he had already shown he has major control over his power and wouldn’t suddenly lose control just cause he got excited.

Another problem his powers have is that they are supposedly super dangerous yet the only thing he does is throw a couple fireballs towards monsters and that’s it. Well except for when he somehow learns to nuke Gaea with his fire powers.

Wait what?

He learns to nuke somebody!

You see how his powers are super inconsistent. Like how do we go from fireballs to fire nuking a primordial goddess.

This problem seems to only exist for Leo since we get see Hazel get over her tragedy and control her powers to a far more powerful degree,Piper gets to hone her charm-speak so when she makes Gaea go to sleep it makes sense,and finally Frank multiple times throughout the series get to show off his shape shifting and how strong it is. So why does Leo never get this treatment cause we never see him actually hone his power and develop new ability’s from it.

Like your telling me the guy whose dad is the god of fire never once threw Greek fire out of his hands even though he is supposed to be the special fire guy.

His Appearance

Allow me to read you this passage describing how Leo looks.

“Leo looked like a Latino Santa’s elf, with curly black hair, pointy ears, a cheerful, babyish face, and a mischievous smile that told you right away this guy should not be trusted around matches or sharp objects. His long, nimble fingers wouldn’t stop moving—drumming on the seat, sweeping his hair behind his ears, fiddling with the buttons of his army fatigue jacket. Either the kid was naturally hyper or he was hopped up on enough sugar and caffeine to give a heart attack to a water buffalo”

To put the description simply he is described as ugly and extremely hyperactive.

I don’t understand why Rick wrote him that way because why does the outsider of the seven have to be the ugly and can’t sit still.

It’s not like any of the other characters are described as ugly unless their Frank before Mars blessing. Rick has Hazel literally think that Percy is a Greek God. Piper is the daughter of the goddess of love. Annabeth is described as a princess implying prettiness. Hell it’s not even kept to just the seven, Will Solace (the character with no personality trait aside from being a doctor and loving Nico) is described as being hot by Nico.

So like why does it seem that Leo Valdez is the only character described as ugly and hyperactive. Hell it doesn’t even make sense that Leo doesn’t have a little muscle considering he’s a mechanic and mechanics have to lift heavy shit all the time like realistically Leo would have a decent amount of muscle.

Note:Expanding on his hyper-activeness, we know that demigods ADHD helps them react to monster attack better and Annabeth describes Leo as extremely ADHD so wouldn’t that just mean that Leo would have like spider-sense and dodge extremely well.

His Character Connections

Why does everybody seem to hate Leo or at the very least try to avoid speaking with him. Like for real half way through the series Jason,and Piper completely stop hanging out with him. The only interaction they have after the Lost Hero is them going to Asclepius to make the Physician’s Cure.

Rick tried to have Hazel and Leo be friends because she knew his Grandfather or something but that is so flimsy. Frank hates Leo from the jump even though he started the beef by asking Leo if he was Sammy and getting mad every time Leo looked at Hazel. Yet there the ones he confides his whole plan to beat Gaea.

Percy is yet another person who doesn’t like Leo even though they are the basically the same person in different fonts. Annabeth seems to dislike having Leo aboard the Argo with the rest of the seven because she has no problem making fun of Leo in her mind by mocking him cause of his ADHD but then again that’s a bigger problem with Annabeth’s character than their relationship.

The only thing that seems to like having Leo around is Festus the dragon who Leo rebuilt after accidentally destroying him in their first quest.

I don’t care what you say just because Calypso insults Leo a little. It doesn’t mean that she hates him because she actually care like she really fucking cares.

So to recap Leo only has two people that genuinely like being around him and seven friends who put up with him and don’t really want him around.

Compares this to the main character of the last prophecy I.E Percy. Everybody likes Percy even people who realistically shouldn’t like him like him. Like your Reyna the girl who lost a home and was put on a pirate ship thanks to Percy had a crush on him just because he was a decent fighter. Yes right I call bullcrap.

Small Problem

Leo Valdez is a character who throughout the series has a lot of problems in his character. One problem is his treatment towards or more accurately why does Rick write Leo to be incredibly disrespectful even though he himself acknowledges how it was for his mom to get a good job just cause she is a women. One scene that I think emphasizes this problem is when the trio of the Lost Hero book meets the Hunters of Artemis. Now your expecting that since Leo himself saw how hard it was for mother just cause she was women would be extremely respectful towards the Hunters especially Jason’s sister Thalia. But nope he goes right up to Thalia and just says she’s hot to her face like come on Rick your contradicting yourself. Then in Trials of Apollo Rick has Reyna teach Leo about respecting women no like come on Leo since childhood should have know to respect women. I know you might be saying that’s just the persona he uses around people but like that doesn’t change the fact he should have already knew not to do that thanks to his mother.

Conclusion

In conclusion Leo Valdez is a character who could have been treated far better by the story,author,and the people inside the story. He is a wonderful character who in universe only has two people that genuinely want him around and deserved to have his powers explored more than just fireball. But sadly he is riddled with holes that shouldn’t be there if you actually look at his character.

[gamesception]

Sception Reads Cass Cain #32

Batgirl (2000) #14 writer: Puckett pencils: Scott

Different inker this time, John Lowe instead of Campanella. I'm not enough of a connoisseur of comic art to really notice the difference. Honestly, I've been favoring pencil art in this series in general and not really mentioning inker & colorist. Should I be crediting/calling those out specifically? Let me know.

Anyway, we're back to the main series. Last time Cass was riding high after saving a repentant assassin from government agents. It fit more or less right in with the sort of one shot story we've seen a few times in her series, so there really wasn't a reason to expect any follow up from it, though the tone was a notable break from the usual Batgirl benchmark somewhere between sombre and miserable. This time is a return to form.

Before we get into the issue, that note about the tone does tie into that DCWomenKickingAss post that's been making the rounds again recently (link), the one with the interview with Scott Peterson where he describes the original instructions he gave to Kelley Puckett for designing the new batgirl as:

“Hey, new Batgirl. Young–late teens, I think–and Asian. And cheerful and chipper and always up and good natured and she has a complete and total death wish.”

As much as the Cass we got ended up being my favorite comic character ever, it's unfortunate that the 'cheerful, chipper' aspect - which is definitely there in the character, I've talked in previous posts about how much she loves being Batgirl and how critical that is to her character and to the overall themes of the book - is rarely the dominant tone of her ongoing. The quote from Puckett above implies book that on the surface is bright and cheerful, with a subversive undercurrent that fades into the background only to rear up and slap you in the face unexpectedly, where as what we got is an unrelenting 'long darkness of the soul' situation, punctuated by brief flashes of light that more often than not turn out to be the headlights of an oncoming train.

Which brings us back to the current issue.

We start with some government suits watching video of Cass and debating whether she's a metahuman or not, before being surprised by the fact that they have no matching info for her. Still pretty fun and lighthearted, but it does establish the idea that these guys are going to be a problem.

we also re-do the goodbye scene from the end of last issue...

Only this this time Puckett adds this bit where the assassin realizes he'll never get to see his family again, dampening the mood, setting up for what happens to him later, but also putting this divide between himself and Cass. Last time this guy could be read as a sort of self-surrogate for her, someone parallel to her situation as a former assassin, and by saving him Cass was sort of getting the chance to save herself.

Here, though, the guy establishes himself, however briefly, as his own person, with a life and a family. All the things that Cass's unique history and circumstances have denied her.

Things that Barbara is extremely concerned that Cass may have permanently cut herself off from ever having in the future by letting herself be recorded by the government outside of costume.

Cass, of course, can't imagine a future for herself. Because she's going to die within the year when Shiva returns. And because she doesn't want to be anything other than Batgirl. But mostly because deep down she doesn't believe she deserves a life or a future, and doesn't want to think about why that is.

As it is, Cass doesn't think she has any connections, so isn't afraid of losing them.

Bab's dialog implies that she's going to go to Bruce about this thinking maybe he could get through to her, but Bruce, consciously or otherwise, has been actively isolating Cass, so can he really be counted on to prevent her from isolating herself even further?

There's this transition page where Cass wakes up to find Bruce instead of Oracle in the Tower. I don't talk about color much, but Jason Wright does a good job here, the colors not just conveying a transition to night but also the switch to a darker emotional and narrative tone, despite still being all smiles, not knowing what happened.

Just like John way back in issue two, we have another guy who Cass thought she had saved, and let herself feel happy about, only to find out that the villains had come back for them later. And once again it's a pretty gut wrenching twist.

Cass asks Bruce's permission to hurt these people, not just take them down and capture them, but to personally punish them, and he grants it, which is a pretty gross dynamic all round.

Remember this bit from issue 4, when Bruce is talking about how 'perfect' Batgirl was?

Better even than himself, not just as a matter of skill, but more importantly for how she was untainted by any excess cruelty. It's why he was so shocked to find out she might have killed someone, despite knowing Cain had trained her from birth to do just that. It wasn't something that the Cassandra the he knew was capable of. But a few short months working for Batman and...

This isn't 'gentle'. This isn't someone you'd be shocked to find out had killed someone.

Remember this bit from issue 4? Bruce all high and mighty about what David Cain did to Cass. But for all the painful and potentially lethal extremes of his training regimen, and for all the evil he intended her to do, David raised a girl who, once she understood what killing was, chose to abandon her life and her father - despite loving both - rather than kill again.

A few months exposure to Bruce is eroding away the humanity and compassion that compelled her to seek atonement in the first place.

Bruce, his methods, the way he treats his friends and family, he's actively making Cassandra worse.

On the way home Bruce says he's sorry, but it's about what happened to the assassin, he's not sorry for what he's doing to Cassandra himself, what he's taking from her. He's not even done taking things from her this issue, as he doesn't take her back to the clocktower.

Of course. Of course he's fine with throwing away even the possibility of a future independent of him and his mission. You can just imagine how the conversation with Babs went too, at first trying to appeal on Cass's behalf, Bruce just not getting it, switching to practical threats to the mission, how Cass's exposure potentially exposes Oracle, in the hope that he'll respond to that - only for Bruce to respond by taking Cass away entirely, severing the one lonely link to someone who at least tries to care about her as a person in her own right.

When Babs was trying to appeal to Cass earlier, she brushed her off, convinced that she didn't have anything to lose anyway. You can feel the realization dawning on her that yeah, she really did have something to lose.

And the issue ends with this panel that makes her tiny to emphasize how completely isolated she is now.

This issue is a major emotional low point in Cass's early series, maybe *the* major low point. Bruce at his worst, Cass at her most alone.

Things will slowly improve from here, though sadly never in quite the way they needed to, with a direct confrontation of Bruce himself.

[olderthannetfic]

I've been pretty deep into fandom for years, but recently started to back away a bit just due to life and being busy. I'm still in it (reading, writing, fan art, and online communities) but a little less. I'm also finding time to read more books, and experimenting with genres I may like. After only really reading fic for so long, it's very much a change! Not saying one is better or worse, by the way, just that they're different mediums.

One of the things I'm finding interesting is that a lot of the books that are incredibly popular on social media, goodreads, bestsellers, (so on so forth) have themes, characters, and things antis would absolutely hate in fic. Yet these books get very little push back, overall. Some do of course, but it seems far less intense, and less likely to result in the bullying it does in fandom. And hell, the worst bullying about this type of thing that I've seen (I've been looking out of curiosity, though do know I'm very likely missing a lot) is in the fandom, and not directed at the author or casual readers.

After spending so much time in fandom, I'd almost expected recent books to seem sanitized or something, but they're very much not.

Basically, if anti's read a lot of the popular books, they might just realize that the world isn't nearly as black and white as they think, and proshippers are the normal ones pretty much everywhere

--

It's not about what's common: it's about who's vulnerable and nearby.

[joesalw]

Ok, that's gonna be long one.

One jet is around $50 million. She has two. And now she had the ig tracking account taken down claiming that's an invasion of privacy. Very interesting considering the account existed for a few years and she didn't have any problems with it and now suddenly she gets called out for abusing the environment it's become invasive. The lady is shady. And the fact that her answer about not going to therapy is 'i feel very sane'. Oof. She's republican raised for sure. Those people think that any mental health issue equals clinical insanity and if you're seeing a therapist there must be something wrong with you.

She's jumping from one relationship to another and doesn't even know who she is. She just molds into whatever her man wants or what looks best for the image. She doesn't know how to exist on her own. For someone who presents herself as a 'girlboss' she sure doesn't have a sense of self-worth and always has to have a man next to her. No matter how bigoted he may be. She's not getting any younger so she's getting desperate and that's probably why she's unleashing on Joe. If she wants a kid, she doesn't have much time left so she latches on to every man throwing themselves at her in hopes of a happily ever after. It doesn't work like that. Fix yourself first then move on to look for someone to build a life and future with. There's no way any sane grown man would want a self-sabotaging, fight-picking, obsessive overgrown teenager with no sense of boundaries to even marry let alone have a child with. She doesn't know where her public life ends and private one begins.

I'm sure Joe saw all of that and dipped. It's not good to bring a child in that environment. And if they'd ever had one, she'd go on with her life and he'd be a house husband. I've never seen TS as maternal, nurturing or even mature enough to have a child because she seems not to have the capacity to take care of herself. In 2016 Joe was the one who took care of her and 'saved her'. It wasn't her own doing. And when he left, she started spiraling again. She portrayed herself as a mature grown woman in her 2020 albums and that turned out to be a farce. She's still that same insecure 16 year-old but richer, more influential and famous. Her recent interviews are a solid proof of that.

Her music is also nothing special. Some generic pop with repetitive and recycled melodies. She's not a vocalist, not a dancer, doesn't have a superb instrument skill, there's barely any emotion in every song she sings. Her lyrical topics are the same and don't hold any though provoking themes. She uses nonsensical metaphors and uncommonly used words to make her lyrics look better and herself seem smarter. It doesn't change the point of the song though. Argumentative antithetical dream girl is just a glamorous way of saying manic. Machiavellian is a way of saying manipulative, being morally indifferent and self-serving, lacking empathy. Sure does sound nice, huh? "I'm only cryptic and Machiavellian (manipulative, selfish, deceptive, cunning. call it whatever you want) 'cause I care". Machiavellianism in psychology is described as one of the traits in the Dark triad model. Right along narcissism and psychopathy. Mastermind is masterminding out in the open and no one bats an eye. The psychologists that named the trait after Niccolo Machiavelli said that one of the core features is lack of concern for conventional morality (they aren't concerned about the morality of lying and cheating). If you're into psychology Richard Christie and Florence L. Geis (the ones that named the trait) have a book "Studies in Machiavellianism" which is a pretty good and insightful read.

(just my assumption) I'm sure Joe dropped that word on her and she was like 'ooh, sounds nice and Machiavelli was like very political, a bit controversial and cool and people refer to him a lot, I'll definitely be using that in a song'. lmao. little did she know. I think she thought he meant it in a political sense and not a psychological one. Which are totally different things. And I'm sure he was like 'lol, she thought'.

There're a ton of celebrities bringing her up on talk-shows as well. At least once a week there's a bit on some show about a certain celeb's interaction with her. As someone who enjoys learning english trough media that's quite disturbing. I see her everywhere, TV shows, news articles, social media outlets. She's becoming inescapable. And that makes me wonder about the proportion of celebrities and journalists who genuinely like her and the ones who bring her up to get more attention. God forbid you say anything negative about her. Her Karen army will immediately send death threats your way, make fun of every aspect of your life or even dox you. And with her silence she's enabling this behaviour because she's a self-proclaimed Machiavellian (whether she chose a psychological meaning for the song or not) and doesn't care what her minions do as long as she doesn't get called out for it.

She only allows non-critical journalists to interview her. I mean, what kind of self-suck is that? An interview should be a form of discussion and not an ass kissing session. Any negative article about her will have your whole outlet blacklisted from interacting with her and her team. She needs to be in full control of the narrative all the damn time because she knows that once she lets go of the rein all of the skeletons in her closet will fall out on their own.

She's digging her own grave and I'm here for it. Last time she could make Kim and Kanye the villains and this time she'll have no one to blame but herself. Her narcissistic flat ass would make Tree the scapegoat if there's no one else she could point her finger to. It's always someone else's fault but hers. A chronic victim of this cruel patriarchal world.

I have studied psychology briefly and have learned about the dark triad and machiavellianism. What's surprising to me is that high mach people can gain advantage in the short run but ultimately lose their power in the long run because people start seeing through their surface level acting, which is what we're seeing through her behaviour right now. She acts to be an activist only when it benefits her. But swifties have so much obsession with her that even if they find it disturbing, they will try to justify it. Also idk how Taylor flexes about her machiavellianism, like to me that's not something to be proud of, the ends do not justify the means when you hurt so many people in the process. The fact that she's accepting she's cunning, manipulative, deceptive and lies to get things according to her own interest tells a lot about who she is as a person! no wonder why Joe didn’t want to marry her. Her machiavellianism trait only benefitted her in the short run

[zahri-melitor]

hi hello if it's not too much trouble, what comics would you recommend for someone trying to study the batfamily characters and dynamics for a project? I don't know which writers to avoid or which runs are considered bad characterization. I know this varies with opinion but you seem super familiar with the differences between fanon and canon stuff. don't worry about keeping the list short or anything, I don't have a problem with reading a lot

Honestly, this is a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question, but I can give you some pointers.

Which 'family' characters are you looking at, and which dynamics do you want? Because the thing is, this varies significantly over time. What I can do for you is roughly discuss a bunch of different eras, and what's good content to look at in each of them.

A shortcut - you're often well served by looking at a Gotham-wide Event during the period you're interested in. Sure, people often have some objections to some of the characterisation, but if you're looking at how characters interact, they're the best place to see lots of variations.

In addition 'bad characterisation' is largely in the eye of the beholder. There's actually less agreement on what is and isn't 'bad characterisation' than you might think - it depends on who you're talking to and what stories they like. Characterisation with comics characters is best thought of as a sliding spectrum - there's a range that most people will accept, and when characters go outside it people start getting unhappy. I'll try to note major shifts or universe resets or retcons along the way though.

Pre-Crisis:

Look there is very little in pre-crisis you need to look at for this. Sometimes people will pull stuff forward for Dick and Jason as Robin or Barbara as Batgirl, but largely things stand without this.

Post-Crisis:

I'm happy to walk you through post-crisis up to 2011. I'm still getting a handle on 2011 to present myself.

The Early Days: Bruce as Batman, Dick as Robin, Barbara as Batgirl

In the beginning, there was Batman. One day he went to Haly's Circus where he saw two acrobats falling and their devastated son...you know how this one goes.

Pretty much everything set in this period is flashback stories, so they frequently retread the same ground over and over. Want to see the Graysons fall? You're in luck! Choose one of the more than a dozen versions! (I'm not going to list them all even though I like many)

Quality stories looking at this period include:-

Batman Year One (1986) - Batman #404-407. I am recommending this, yes, even though it's Frank Miller, because it gets referenced a lot. It's a decent retelling and the best work Miller's ever done for the Bat books by a long shot. Bruce's origin story.

Robin: Year One (2000) - Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty. This is probably my preferred version of early Bruce and Dick stories, and it's conveniently got a sequel in...

Batgirl: Year One (2003) - Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty. Barbara's origin as Batgirl and the only one worth reading. These two update the Dick and Barbara as Robin and Batgirl dynamics into post-Crisis.

Batman Chronicles: The Gauntlet (1997) - Bruce Canwell. This is a single issue about the 'final exam' test Dick took to become Robin. I really enjoy it.

Robin & Batman (2021) - Jeff Lemire. A very recent update of early Dick as Robin. If you want something recent and quick, this is the pick. The characterisation is good but I have a bunch of quibbles with the details.

World's Finest: Batman/Superman (2022) - Mark Waid & Dan Mora. Here's a current ongoing for you! A rarity in that is set reasonably late Dick's time as Robin, and it also doesn't repeat identical beats to those above. Lots of Bruce and Dick, strong Silver Age vibes in relationships, and a lot of fun. A great intro to the wider DC simultaneously too.

Robin II: Bruce as Batman, Dick as Nightwing, Jason as Robin, Barbara as...around

Honestly this is a period I'm weaker on. Jason's post-crisis run as Robin is pretty compact: Batman #401-428 and 'Tec #568-582. Jim Starlin's the writer who wanted to kill Jason off.

Batman #408-411 (1987) - Max Collins. The original post-Crisis 'Dick Becomes Nightwing' and 'Jason becomes Robin' story.

The Diplomat's Son - Batman #424 (1988) - Jim Starlin. This is the issue everyone talks about, where Felipe Garzonas dies. You should read it just to understand the debate, if nothing else.

A Death in the Family - Batman #426-428 (1988) - Jim Starlin. Jason's death.You should read this if you want to understand the dynamics surrounding these events and what actually happened.

The New Teen Titans - look I can't get my head around the numbering of NTT, but if you want to go into this there are eleventy million guides. NTT is very popular. This is Dick as Nightwing during this period, Marv Wolfman and George Perez working together, and considered by people who like Nightwing during this period as the definitive version. Jason appears in a few issues.

Nightwing Year One (2005) - Nightwing #101-106, Chuck Dixon. Now this is going to be extremely controversial, but I do actually recommend people read Nightwing Year One. It's a retcon, but it's an important retcon because it lays out the dynamics of Jason's time as Robin as comics writers have changed them to be following his death. If you want to see how comics writes Jason as the 'angry' and 'risky' Robin following his death, this is the most compact way to see how the narrative changed.

Batgirl Special #1 (1988) - Barbara Randall. Barbara's last appearance as Batgirl. Randall is Barbara's best contemporary Batgirl writer, and this is a loving sendoff for a character who was about to get shredded.

The Killing Joke (1988) - Alan Moore. You should probably read it. Barbara is shot in the spine. However if you want to skip it that's completely fine as the relevant beats have been retold almost as many times as the Graysons have fallen.

Gotham Knights #43-45 (2003) - Scott Beatty. This is probably the best telling of the fallout of Jason's death on the family, particularly Barbara's reaction. If you want Batfam dynamics this is what you should look at.

New Beginnings: Bruce as Batman, Dick as Nightwing, Tim as Robin, Barbara as Oracle, Helena as Huntress, Steph as Spoiler

This is an interesting period in that it's the first threads of what we now call the Batfamily, but they're only just starting to come together as Tim picks each one up. (No, seriously. This era is 'Tim meets people and works with them')

Also as will be the case for a while from here on, at least 50% of all content is written by Chuck Dixon. Now Dixon has his downsides - he's notoriously a conservative homophobe and his views can be seen in the text quite frequently, but he is really good at writing relationships between characters, and he loves a crossover. If you love the modern Batfam, you do have to acknowledge Dixon for his work.

A Lonely Place of Dying (1989) Batman #440-442, New Titans #60-61 - Marv Wolfman & George Perez. Tim's origin story. Very clear on the outset dynamics between Bruce and Dick.

Identity Crisis (1990) Batman #455-457 - Alan Grant. Tim's first night out as Robin in his own costume, plus early dynamics between Bruce & Tim. A tear jerker.

To the Father I Never Knew (1992) Batman #480 - Alan Grant. If you want to actually understand the foundation of Jack and Tim's relationship and how he contrasts it with his relationship with Bruce - look no further.

Robin III (1992) - Chuck Dixon. A very early Tim team-up with Huntress. This is a good place to start for how her relationship with the other Bats evolves in Gotham.

'Tec #647-649 (1992) - Chuck Dixon. Steph's original time out as Spoiler. Again foundational dynamics.

Oracle Year One (1996) Batman Chronicles #5, John Ostrander and Kim Yale. The story of how Barbara became Oracle. Stunning. Essential.

Knightfall: Bruce as Batman, JPV as Azrael and Batman, Dick as Nightwing and Batman, Tim as Robin, everyone else keeping out the way

Knightfall is huge and messy and all over the place but there is magic in here. You just have to dig. Parts I particularly like for family dynamics:-

Batman: Sword of Azrael (1992) - Dennis O'Neil. This is an excellent intro to John-Paul Valley, and get comfortable, because this is what Denny's going to write for the next 10 years.

Batman #488 (1993) - Doug Moench. JPV starts working at Wayne Corp. Tim is assigned to teach him the ropes as a crimefighter in Gotham.

Batman #500 (1993) - Doug Moench. JPV becomes Batman. Dick turns up to complain to Tim about Bruce being insufferable. It's all here.

Bloodbath #1 (1993) - Dan Raspler. This is a terrible comic BUT it also contains some gold dynamics between JPV, Dick and Tim.

Knightsend (1994) - team written. Bruce, Dick and Tim work together to help Bruce rehab from his injury and take down JPV. Legends of the Dark Knight #63 in particular is stunning.

Prodigal (1994) - team written. Dick as Batman and Tim as his Robin. The final issue, Robin #13, has Bruce and Dick's reconciliation over both the fight when Dick became Nightwing AND their fight after Jason died. Essential.

Welcome to the Family: Bruce as Batman, Dick as Nightwing, Tim as Robin, JPV as Azrael, Barbara as Oracle, Helena as Huntress, Steph as Spoiler

I will fight to convince you that this is the first true 'Batfam'. Everything prior to this is Bruce and his Robin, with occasional associates. This is where it goes from the Dynamic Duo to a network who intersect constantly.

Writers: It's a lot of Doug Moench and Chuck Dixon still.

Nightwing: Alfred's Return and Batman #521 (1995) - Alan Grant & Doug Moench. Alfred quit during Knightfall due to what Bruce was doing to himself. This is how Dick got him to come home, and the reunion.

Contagion (1996) - team written. The Event where Gotham gets the Clench (aka Ebola). Massive teamup storyline featuring Bruce, Dick, Tim, JPV, Helena, Selina, and Barbara.

Legacy (1997) - team written. Oh no, it's the Clench Round Two. Here we go again. Basically the same team, but JPV doesn't get invited after he proved he'd forgotten was a fax machine was last event, and Helena gets a more significant role.

Robin important family issues during this period: #17 (with Helena), #29-30 (with Barbara), #34 (with Helena), #35 (with Steph), #45 (with Jack Drake), #47 (with Dick)

Nightwing important family issues during this period: #6 (with Tim), #7 (with Babs), #13-14 (with Bruce), #16 (with Babs)

Birds of Prey important family issues during this period: Birds of Prey Manhunt, as it sets the tone for Barbara and Helena's relationship for a WHILE.

No Man's Land: Bruce as Batman, Dick as Nightwing, Tim as Robin, JPV as Azrael, Helena as Huntress and the Bat, Barbara as Oracle, Steph as Spoiler, Cass as Batgirl

The earthquake where everything goes wrong. The most notable addition to the writing pool is Greg Rucka. Honestly this is a 'so many parts of this are worthwhile, read it all' sort of period, but to help navigate there's a handful of really important points:-

Nightwing #20 (1998) - Chuck Dixon. The Dick, Babs and Tim reunion issue during Cataclysm. The world's fallen apart but they're back together.

Nightwing #25 (1998) - Chuck Dixon. Dick takes Tim trainsurfing

Brotherhood of the Fist (1998) - Chuck Dixon. This is a teamup with Connor Hawke involving Bruce, Dick and Tim. I love the dynamics here.

Huntress/Spoiler Special - Blunt Trauma (1998) - Chuck Dixon. The one Helena and Steph team up during Cataclysm. Get a dynamic you won't see anywhere else.

'Tec #725 (1998) - Chuck Dixon. Dick tells Bruce that he's going to become a cop.

'Tec #727 (1998) - Chuck Dixon. Another Dick, Babs and Tim teamup to take on Firefly.

Mark of Cain (1999) - Kelley Puckett. Cass's intro story.

Birds of Prey #8 (1999) - Chuck Dixon. Dick and Babs visit Haly's Circus

Robin #67 (1999) - Chuck Dixon. Tim and Dick break into No Man's Land.

Legends of the Dark Knight #120 (1999) - Greg Rucka. Team reunion in NML at the Clocktower.

Nightwing #38-39 (1999) - Chuck Dixon - Babs looks after an injured Dick in the Clocktower.

Legends of the Dark Knight #125 (1999) - Greg Rucka. Bruce and Jim finally discuss their issues. Barbara and Tim wait upstairs.

Endgame (1999) - various. Whole team works to track down Joker and some kidnapped babies on Christmas Eve.

A New City, A New Team: Bruce as Batman, Dick as Nightwing, Tim as Robin, JPV as Azrael, Barbara as Oracle, Helena as Huntress, Cass as Batgirl, Steph as Spoiler

This is the final Chuck Dixon era, the Rucka & Brubaker run on Batman and 'Tec, Devin Grayson on Gotham Knights, and probably my favourite era of comics ever. It's hit after hit after hit. Pick up any comic here. You won't be disappointed.

Major highlights not to miss:

Gotham Knights #1-12 (2000) - Devin Grayson. GK is my favourite Bat anthology book ever, but this run includes Transference. The overarching plot is Bruce analysing his team in a series of case notes. Unmissable.

Hunt for Oracle (2000) - Chuck Dixon. The US government tries to track Oracle down. Babs, Dick and Dinah make sure they fail.

Officer Down (2001) - various. Jim Gordon is shot. This is the consequences as people search for his attacker.

Joker Last Laugh (2001) - various. Joker thinks he is about to die and breaks out of the Slab. Chaos ensues. This is the one where everyone thinks Croc kills Tim, and reacts accordingly.

Bruce Wayne: Murderer/Fugitive (2002) - various. Bruce has been pushing everyone away for a while, so when he's accused of murder, they must ask the question, did he do it? Everyone tries to solve the mystery of who killed Vesper Fairchild, and Bruce goes through one of his 'am I Bruce or am I Batman' periods.

Batgirl #18 & #20 (2001) - Kelley Puckett. Cass' first team ups with Tim and Steph respectively.

Batman/Huntress: Cry for Blood (2000) - Greg Rucka. THE definitive Batfam Huntress book.

Hush It Looks Like War: Bruce as Batman, Dick as Nightwing, Tim as Robin, Barbara as Oracle, Helena as Huntress, Cass as Batgirl, Steph as Spoiler and Robin

Among the drama of Murderer/Fugitive, almost every single book gets a new writer. Jon Lewis takes Robin followed by Bill Willingham, Devin Grayson takes Nightwing, Birds of Prey gets fills until Gail Simone picks it up, Dylan Horrocks takes over Batgirl, Jeph Loeb writes Hush on Batman, Scott Beatty takes Gotham Knights. Personally I endorse basically all these runs but Grayson on Nightwing is controversial.

Hush (2003) Batman #608-619 - Jeph Loeb. Famous for a reason, this is a Bruce story that touches on his relationships with almost EVERY major character in his life (Cass and Steph miss out).

Gotham Knights - Scott Beatty. I don't know what to pick here but #47-49 is a team story of Bruce, Dick, Tim and Cass following Bane to a Kobra stronghold which shows off the developed family-like relationship between the 4 at this point.

Robin - Jon Lewis. Your highlights here are Tim and Steph on a date together (#111), and the 16th Birthday Story (#116-120) because it's essential to understanding where Tim and Bruce are at.

Robin - Bill Willingham. Jack finds out Tim is Robin. Tim quits. Steph becomes Robin. It's an essential arc.

Nightwing - Grayson. This is widely disliked but #81 is a great Dick, Bruce and Cass issue.

Birds of Prey - Simone. Helena joins Barbara on the Birds of Prey. They very, very slowly work through their issues with each other.

Batgirl - Horrocks. #38, Steph and Cass play tag. #45, Cass tries on Barbara's old costume. #50, Bruce drugs himself and Cass with Soul and they fight. #54, Barbara and Cass argue over her reading ability.

And then lurking in the background...War Games hits and tears the Batfam apart, with a doubletap from Identity Crisis.

Leaving Gotham: Bruce as Batman, Dick out of costume, Tim as Robin, Cass as Batgirl, Barbara as Oracle, Helena as Huntress annnnd Jason as Red Hood

Steph is dead. Barbara and Helena leave Gotham for Metropolis. Tim and Cass move to Bludhaven. Dick runs off to join the mob. And in Gotham, Red Hood appears.

Writers: Well we've added Judd Winick on Batman, and now have Andersen Gabrynch on Batgirl. Gotham Knights is now mostly A.J. Lieberman and no longer a good Batfam book (it's now a Hush book). 'Tec honestly isn't worth it during this period. Willingham on Robin has a handful of decent issues to start out then increasingly gets weirdly conservative with some very odd plotlines.

Fresh Blood (2005) Robin #132-133, Batgirl #58-59 - Willingham & Gabrynch. This is a Tim and Cass team up as they move to Bludhaven and mourn together.

Under the Red Hood (2005) - Batman #635-650. You know what this is. It's the Jason returns story.

Nightwing - Grayson. #100 - a strong reflection on Dick's past plus the most heartbreaking part of the Dick/Babs breakup as Dick just runs from all his problems. #110. Tim and Dick meet in Bludhaven and fail to tell each other all the bad things happening in their lives. #112. Dick and Helena run into each other both undercover in the mob. #117. Dick finally talks to Bruce about Blockbuster, and proposes to Babs.

Robin - Willingham. #134 is the pick of the bunch - Bruce offers to adopt Tim and Tim reflects on his time as Robin, though it's a solid little story out to #138 as the truth about Uncle Eddie comes out.

Birds of Prey - Simone. #76, the Babs side of the breakup. #83-84, Helena with the mob and encountering Dick. #90, Helena gives Bruce the new compiled mob data handbook and Bruce compliments her.

Batgirl - Gabrynch. This is a strong well loved run for the build up to Cass' final fight with Shiva, but for Batfam you can't go past #67, when Cass reunites with Babs. Also Cass hallucinates Steph twice in this run (#61 & #72).

Then Infinite Crisis arrives and we all move a year into the future.

One Year Later: Bruce is Batman, Dick is Nightwing, Tim is Robin, Jason is Red Hood, Damian arrives, Cass eventually returns to Batgirl

At this point Barbara and Helena are largely doing their own thing with the Birds of Prey and won't return to the Batfam until Reborn.

New writers all around! Adam Beechen and Fabian Nicieza on Robin, Marv Wolfman and Peter Tomasi on Nightwing, Adam Beechen on Batgirl, Grant Morrison on Batman and Paul Dini on Detective Comics.

Face the Face (2006) Batman #651-654, 'Tec #817-820 - James Robinson. The Bruce and Tim story that set up Tim's adoption.

Batman and Son (2006) Batman #655-658 - Grant Morrison. Damian's introduction to the family.

Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul (2008) - various. Ra's tries to kidnap Damian to steal his body. Bruce, Dick and Tim go to rescue him. Dick and Tim's subplot involves the highest point of their brotherhood as Dick talks Tim out of trying resurrect his lost dead.

Robin - Beechen. #156, the suicide prevention issue, for Tim and Dick. #163, Tim and Bruce on their first Father's Day. #165, Tim and Bruce working on a car together.

Robin - Nicieza. Steph's return as Spoiler. #177, where Jason thinks he can recruit Tim (and fails miserably).

Nightwing - Wolfman. You know what? #117-122, the 'Jason dresses as Nightwing and harasses Dick and turns into a tentacle monster' saga. Does everyone like to say it's out of character? Yes. Is it Jason being just as annoying as he will proceed to be all the way to 2011? Also yes. That's Jason's post-Crisis character.

Nightwing - Tomasi. Freefall, #140-146. This is just a beautiful encapsulation of Dick's many connections, of his teamwork with Bruce and Tim, and of what makes him tick.

Heart of Hush (2008) 'Tec #846-850 - Paul Dini. The premise is ridiculous, but it's about Bruce and Selina, and about Dick and Tim helping track down Hush.

Batgirl (2008) - Adam Beechen. Beechen after squiffing it with the Evil Cass saga, gets to undo the damage to Cass's character and return her to the family. I think it's a pretty successful job, despite Dick spending the entire book holding the idiot ball so someone can be unsupportive. Cass gets adopted. Tim and Barbara never lose their faith in her.

Battle for the Cowl: EVERYONE IS FREEFORM

Everyone will tell you this is all horribly out of character. They're wrong. Come for Fabian Nicieza doing hard work to actually set up characters in the places they need to be for Reborn.

Battle for the Cowl: the Network (2009) - Fabian Nicieza. Oracle and the Birds of Prey have returned to Gotham but for reasons they're not calling themselves the Birds of Prey, so it's the Network.

Oracle The Cure (2009) - Kevin VanHook. Early set up for Wendy Harris' future plot. Babs gets the mentoring itch again.

Azrael: Death's Dark Knight (2009) - Fabian Nicieza. A new Azrael for a splinter faction of the Order of St Dumas appears. Dick and Babs are immediately suspicious (and Dick has to be talked out of immediately kicking the Azrael's butt just on the SUSPICION it might be JPV).

Also the main event books happen and everyone yells at each other a lot about who should be Batman.

Batman Reborn: Bruce is missing, Dick is Batman, Tim is Red Robin, Damian is Robin, Jason is Red Hood, Barbara is Oracle, Steph is Batgirl, Cass is Black Bat

New titles! New writers! Things all over the place! People who like Jason are going to claim all of Jason's appearances are once again out of character, but Jason fans claim that about every time Jason breathes outside of UTRH, Lost Days and a small handful of very select stories after Flashpoint. I'm just saying, villain Jason is pretty consistently irritating between 2007 and 2011.

Red Robin #1-12 (2009) - Chris Yost. Not only Tim's new costume arc, but a great look at Tim's centrality as a character to the Batfam in the number of contacts he calls in at the end of the run.

Red Robin #17 & #25 (2010) - Fabian Nicieza. Tim and Cass working together as siblings and backing each other up.

Batman & Robin #20-22 (2011) - Peter Tomasi. I would strongly argue this is the best arc in B&R with the best characterisation.

Batman & Robin (2009) - Grant Morrison. Look, a lot of people like the foundation of Dick and Damian's relationship found here. Also Jason shows up to be a pain.

Streets of Gotham (2009) - Paul Dini. There's a bunch of good storylines in this anthology book, but #5-6 with Dick, Helena and Kirk Langstrom is one I particularly like.

Batman #703 (2010) - Fabian Nicieza. The best Dick, Damian and Tim team-up issue of Reborn.

Gates of Gotham (2011) - Scott Snyder. The masterpiece of Batfamily content. Dick, Tick, Damian and Cass all feature in this and all 6 possible relationships are shown in different parts.

Batgirl #3-5, #17 (2009) - Bryan Q. Miller. Damian and Steph team ups, plus a look into the tension in the Dick and Barbara relationship at the time.

Birds of Prey #10 (2011) - Gail Simone. Barbara discusses her new realignment of how she's working as Oracle and focusing on the Bats.

The Black Mirror (2010) 'Tec #871-881 - Scott Snyder. Some of the best writing of Dick as Batman during this period, and a look into his relationships with Jim Gordon, Barbara, and Tim particularly.

The Return Home (2010) - various. Bruce comes back to Gotham after his 'death' and checks in on everyone.

[throwaway-yandere]

Not Through The Grapevine (Yandere Idol!Diluc Ragnvindr/Reader)

Alice's, mother of Klee, note: Wouldn't it be funny if you ended up producing 5wirl or Kreideprinz? Haha! I don't think your little friend would like that. He might just take my wine cellar away– stick with Diluc, dove. 

P.S: Producer Lumine, can I just write "a/n" next time? This poor mother's getting tired of typing :'(

1k event masterlist

------

"At this time I decide to,

Get over you and 

Want to tell you not through

The grapevine but directly"

- Sakyo-taifu Michimasa

This was the most recent poem you found tucked within your favorite book, printed on a red square paper. The paper looked pretty– and it was faintly scented with grapes too. At first, you assumed it must have been picked up off the floor and put somewhere, and that "somewhere" just so happened to be one of your favorite books.

"Damn it. Help me…" You chuckled nervously. "Can't believe those stalkers thought my book was one of ADDICKTZ again…"

Which "tea" will they spill this time, you wonder? Will they leak that Dainsleif likes "The Scarlet King's Court Jester"? Or maybe they'll say that Zhongli is trying to reconnect with the modern age by reading contemporary fantasy novels? You rolled your eyes, shaking the love letter like you would with a polaroid. 

Oh wow, the contents of this letter are so enthralling. 10/10. You're so impressed. Great job, stalkers.

It's lovely poetry, but once you encounter numerous stalker fans, it sours and loses its charm. After being friends with Diluc, Kaeya, and Ajax for most of your life, you've grown incredibly desensitized by unhinged fans. You have so many bizarre expectations of them that you can't remember the last time you were actually astonished by something they did. Perhaps you'd be surprised if this love letter was for Itto– he doesn't like novels or receiving these types of riddle-y love letters. He'd probably prefer getting a used towel instead.

But there's always theory number #2:

It's possible that Kaedehara Kazuha from the other unit wrote this.

The thought of him made a goofy smile creep up your face unsuspectingly. Damn it. You're starting to feel like one of those fangirls– but can you blame yourself? Kaedehara Kazuha is just so utterly captivating. Maybe he's the one who intentionally put this in your book– can't a person dream? There's nothing wrong with imagining yourself as the protagonist of some romantic escapade with an idol, right? 

Someone cleared their throat.

"Oh, freaki–" You jolted and nearly dropped the card. When you caught a clear view of his face, you immediately felt relieved.

"Ah, good evening Master Diluc." You bowed slightly, sneakily slipping the red paper back inside your book. "You have nothing in your schedule for this week."

"Is that so?" He hummed with a small smile on his face. "Well, do you have anything on yours?"

"It's positively empty, sir." You grinned.

"P-Please, (Y/n)." He covered his face with one hand, avoiding your feigned business-as-usual eyes. "I know that you're my producer now but can we drop the act?"

"We can, but this is so much fun though!" You beamed. "It's like our friendship got ten extra steps– don't take that fun away from me!"

Diluc grunted laconically. You do have a point. The only real change from being a childhood friend to a producer was a fancier title and a damn good paycheck. Fans would kill to be Diluc Ragnvindr's childhood friend AND producer. There's no one else he trusts as much as you. He was a reckless child and you were always there to stop him from getting into trouble. You never failed to clean up after him whenever he decided he'd build a massive medieval lego set. 

That's why it's such a miracle that he grew up to be such a quiet and reserved person. To think this was your friend who got banned from Disneyland of all places– Nowadays, he's more focused on inheriting his father's company and this "unexpected side hustle" of his.

"Dove, since we're both free– do you want to try a bottle of this year's wine?"

"Diluc, we're good friends, so you know that we both loathe wine, right?"

"Ngh, you're right. I can't say I know what possessed me to ask that question." He flinched. "Wait, no, I do– listen (Y/n), Adeline wanted me to come to a Snezhnayan Dawn Winery event this Friday and I don't have a plus one."

"Oh?"

Not that it happens often but Diluc's hilariously affectionate when he's completely inebriated. He does not do well with foreign alcohol. When you were both rebellious teens, he went out and drank a bottle of fire-water with Ajax behind Uncle Crepus' back. This was around the time these two "frenemies" started getting along. A few hours later, Diluc sent you a couple of slurred-voiced messages of how much he loves and cares about you– which was abruptly wrapped up by two quick texts:

"as a comrade of course"

"***friend i mean friend."

Given how awkward it was, you promised Diluc that you won't tell a single soul about this when morning came and he seemed both mortified and relieved about your proposal… You'd rather not have a "part two" of that.

In addition, Ajax acted weird around you ever since. He always gives you a look of pity. Last week, you asked him how he knew the password to your phone when he lost his phone and needed to call his producer. He answered that he "got it from Diluc when he was drunk" with a traumatized look on his face. That was four years ago; you're all in your twenties now. You've changed all your passwords since then. 

You want to help him, but you're still a bit hesitant. He's bound to drink fire-water this Friday. Given how you and Ajax would be unwilling to accompany him, you decided to throw Kaeya under the bus.

"Why not invite your brother?"

Diluc's eyes squinted.

"Oh, right."

Kaeya's been absent for a week now, you're not sure why and his producer wasn't answering your calls.��You wonder how they're doing…

"How about the others?"

"Everyone in ADDICKTZ is busy except for Producer Snail."

… Okay let's try to avoid that as much as possible. You don't want Itto's producer crying over some rich people's escargot.

"How about 5wirl-"

"Not happening."

You smiled sheepishly. He probably didn't want Venti to come. "Alright, you got me. It's hard to say no to you. I was only planning to laze around the house anyways."

"Thank you. I'll make it worth your mora."

"It better be because I'm not cheap, sir."

"(Y/n), please–"

—--

It was a Friday night and the two of you decided to meet up at the venue's parking lot first. You were leaning against a tree while waiting for him. When he did arrive, you saw him in a black tuxedo accentuated with red accents. There's no doubt about it. He's idol-worthy and more.

Compared to you, this is just... Gah, how can you even compare to him?

"Hey, um, you look great! Like usual, and I kinda feel bad that I showed up wearing this." You frowned. "So, um, is this... acceptable?"

He closed his eyes and chuckled. "Do you really have to ask that?"

"I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit self-con–"

"Don't be. You're breathtaking." Diluc crossed his arms and spoke earnestly. "Even if you wore the most atrocious outfit known to man, you'll forever be gorgeous to me."

You were still flustered. "That's sweet and all but it REALLY doesn't help me–"

"You're aesthetically pleasing. You have exquisite tastes– you picked just the right colors that match your eyes and I adore the way you styled your hair for tonight." He muttered with a scowl. "Seeing you put in this much effort… makes me want to delude myself that I am someone special to you, just this once."

You paused.

"But you are special to me."

Diluc smiled bitterly. "Not in the same way as him, no."

"What do you mean?"

"So, how much should I pay you for this?" He digressed jokingly, but his grin looked painful. "Surely, I have to pay a high price for commissioning a lovely fae."

You laughed. "Yeah. You owe me a pay raise, sir!"

Diluc shook his head. "... Another pay raise– Maybe I should stop calling you Dove and start calling you Mora from now on."

"Bold of you to assume I'd hate that."

"... Why are you my best friend, again? Anyways, do you have your purse?"

"Yes, I d–..." You ferreted your handbag. "–on't. No, no I don't– shit."

 "Of course, you forgot. Never mind, just stay close to me. Don't be obliged to drink anything even if they're pressuring you to. If you ever need to go home, I'll pay for the taxi." 

Diluc grabbed your hand and walked towards the venue. You looked down. His hands were warm– or maybe it was your own temperature you were sensing. One of Kaeya life's missions was to make you painfully aware that both your hands could melt an ice cube in under twenty seconds, so you're not too sure who's warm.

"...Is something wrong?"

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing." You laughed. "I was just thinking that you're such a green flag, that's all."

His grip tensed up and he looked the other way. Is it just you or is he getting warmer? Diluc ran his free hand through his hair. He looked frustrated.

"How can I get over you when you're like this?"

"Diluc...?"

"Forget the event," Diluc said, stopping you both from entering. "Let's just head to my place."

What?!

"Hah?!" Canceling plans is usually the best feeling on earth but in this instance, it left you absolutely baffled.

"Wait here, I'll just make a call."

"Hey, Diluc, wait–"

—-------

[Ten missed calls from "Ajax."]

[Received 1 voicemail.]

"Diluc, I had a chat with Venti's producer earlier. Is it true that you're the one who sent death threats to stop the 5wirl and ADDICKTZ collab? Kinda hard to believe you'd go through such lengths– and REAALLL low for you to drop a week's work on everyone, comrade!"

"I don't get what your motives are either... Is it because of (Y/n)? C'mon, we both know they wouldn't like you as much as the Dove likes Kazuha. I'm sorry but you HAVE to accept that. Even if you wiretap their house and obsess so much about them that opportunity is just not gonna hap–"

[Delete.]

[Calling Ajax…]

"Tartaglia."

"Well, well. That's not a good opener. Are you gonna get your ass over and help us out? The fuck is up with this paperwork– why are we even helping the CEO's assistant write reports?!"

"No, actually, I need your help with something…"

*sigh* "Motherfucker. Alright, spill. What do you want?"

"I don't want to hurt them– God, I can't imagine myself doing something like that when they look this pretty tonight. Ajax, I beg you, you're the only one that can help me with this. How can I knock someone unconscious without using blunt force?"

"..."

"..."

"... Diluc, holy shit, what on earth are you planning?" 

Ansytea: huhu i hope your husband won't kill me– THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE 1K EVENT DOVE ANON!!! (This is still so surreal i cant believe i got permission to write abt you. most of us probably already know who this is anyways so dhjskwksoa happy 12k followers to you too!!!!)

[zack-hazbin-blog]

Main Cast Post

putting this under the cut cuz its gonna be long, will be updated with art as art becomes available

Charlotte “Charlie” Morningstar:

In this au charlie is a doll/marionette puppet thing that Lucifer created shortly after the death of Christ as sort of like, his own personal Adam. Charlie was created in a fit of sheer bitterness and not originially made with the intent of being Lucifer and Lilith’s child (which is why she doesn’t look much of anything like Lili) but Luci accidentally spawned a six year old into existence and was (ironically) too much of a sweetheart to do anything but adopt her.

She is very similar personality wise to canon Charlie except a little more disconnected? Maybe? There’s a certain vague airiness about her and no one is quite sure if it’s because of the whole artificial being thing or just because she’s far more divine than anything else in hell (save for her dad) but she’s very sweet! And very energetic! And loves music and singing and dancing and bright colors! And her friends! She is very book smart and knows a lot about a lot, afterall, she spent most of her adolescence in Lucifer’s palace, what else is there to do but read? She is not, however, very street smart, she’s not dumb but she’s like. naive. 

Charlie was not very involved with sinners until very recently, only maybe two years before the show, though she has been campaigning for a stop to the cleanse since long before that. Originally, her reasonings to want to stop the Cleanse was to keep hellborn citizens (effective innocents who were born into this) from being unfairly killed without them havning to leave to the more remote rings where the Cleanse doesn’t occur.

Charlie only really fell into the idea of redemption after she met Vallie, a fallen angel (I’ll get into that trust me on this one) and started to think that, well, Vallie is a good person, she was good enough to get into Heaven the first time, and the only reason she’s here is because they decided she got worse, so if people can get worse, and fall, and like, people can always change for the better, right? so then maybe if they get better they can rise.

This epiphany led to the whole redemption thing, which led to the hotel. In this AU, Charlie’s relationship with her mother is very good, this isn’t to say her relationship with her father is bad, they’ve just drifted apart since Charlie really hit her teen years (she’s still really about 22, despite the fact she’s close to 2000 years old, she ages monumentally slowly) Luci loves Charlie he just has a incredibly hard time taking her especially seriously, and Charlie can feel this, and so there is tension. Lili is the one to procure the hotel for Charlie, it’s an old building that used to be owned by a sinner before they were Cleansed and, as things do in Pentagram City, ownership of the vacant building fell to the Morningstars. (The royals get technical ownership of all vacant land until it is claimed in some way by an overlord, they’re like the bank) Charlie gladly accepts, her and Vaggie move in, and the Halo Hotel is officially in business! …though of course, there’s the matter of attracting residents, and dealing with the finicky building familiar (commonly known as a Cat Key) KeeKee, who, after the building has been empty for so long, doesn’t appreciate new tenants.

Valeria:

Listen, I was a Vaggie fallen angel theorist WAY before the show made it canon and I am not about to change the canon that lives in my head just because the show agreed with me, okay? So Vallie is a fallen angel and a former exorcist, the main difference to canon is that Charlie is well aware of this fact and has been since the beginning, also fallen angels are pretty common/ They usually get employed by Lucifer once they fall, partially because they’re stronger than a lot of your average demons and make for good security guards, and partially because he is desperate to feel some sort of kinship with something down here, even if, technically, they are very different beasts. This is how she meets Charlie, as she kind of gets assigned as her unofficial bodyguard.

But anyway, Vallie died in 2014, went to Heaven, and enlisted for the Exterminator program, and was like, really good at it, all things considered. However, after a few years, she started to take issue with the fact that Hellborns tend to get caught in the crossfire, and by “started to take issue” I mean she got in a physical altercation with Lute, not only her superior, but Adam’s favorite little special dude. Immediate banishment. 

After that, she falls, gets hired by Luci, gets stationed as Charlie’s bodyguard, and eventually the two become pretty good friends, and then they start to catch the Feelings, and the rest is history.  Vallie is very supportive of Charlie, though she isn’t totally sure about this whole “redemption’ thing. If you were to ask her, she should have never been in Heaven in the first place, it’s for the best that she fell, she deserves this, and so does everyone else down here. A lot of her character arc in this AU is learning to trust other people, and also not being so defensive about everything, basically just chilling out a little. Her arc is also meant to be a direct parallel to KeeKee, who I know the show doesn’t care about but I do so she gets a little character arc. KeeKee is like an abandoned cat, her previous owner died years ago and shes been mostly on her own since then, and now, just as she was getting used to it, theres a bunch of people in her building???? Absolutely not. Her and Vallie both have an arc about chilling out a little and opening up!! There would be maybe two eps dedicated to this specifically in the perfect world where this is a multi season 20 ep per season show, but the two would like, be paired up throughout the show.  She’s “Vallie’s cat” despite the fact that since Charlie owns the building, she’s technically Charlie’s cat (charlie has razzle and dazzle tho so its okay)

Alastor: I think Alastor is very similar to his canon counterpart, except I’m scaling him down a little. In canon he’s kind of like,,, an anomaly of sorts? Like it’s implied that he’s way stronger than a lot of people and there’s a certain air of mystery about him. In this he’s just an above average demon on the power scale, certainly strong enough to be an overlord but choses not too because he doesn’t want to deal with the bureaucracy that it entails. He’s stronger than most but he’s not unusual in any specific capacity. Other than that the biggest difference is that Charlie is not scared of him in the slightest, like, she knows he cant do anything to her, she knows where they stand, she is not intimidated. The intimidation scary routine isn’t working so he’s really just trying to smooth talk her into a corner, which he may have more success in. Also he talks in 1920isms often, he called something a sockdollager once and nobodys gotten over it since. Also I’m taking out the Voodoo stuff because I think that Vivzie only included it as like a funny spooky bonus thing and like. It isnt. He has a theme he doesn’t need to have an already insanely demonized religion tacked onto him.

He wants to sabotage the hotel not because any outside force is compelling him too, he isn’t controlled by anything except his own issues. It’s just that the very idea of redemption is antithetical to a lot of what he stands for. Like, ever since the 20s he has made it his Mission to purge the world of Evil (kill everyone he doesn’t like) because bad people don’t change and that’s why they need to Die and if people can change for the better than maybe he ruined his chances of ever seeing his mother again for nothing and maybe he was wrong and this is not an idea that can exist in his world. He instead rationalizes this in his brain as “The princess is a naive moron and someone needs to knock her down a peg, luckily I have nothing to do right now.” and drags Husk and Niffty to go ruin the hotel. But like. Steathily. Charlie is well aware that he thinks she’s a joke but she’s convinced she can found family him, he of course thinks this is a ridiculous idea until it starts working and then he panics. He is a very central antagonist, the only ones who are as important as him are the angels, who I am also handling much differently than the show.

Let’s say this is a show that gets three seasons, the first season conflict would be getting the hotel off the ground, the residents would expand from just Angel to Mimzy and Crymini and Baxter and Sir Pent, and like, some antagonistic activity from the Vees, it’s everyone settling in. Season 2 would be Alastor spooky crazy arc, Rosie would become a much more prominent character, becoming more of an ally as Al becomes more of an enemy. Also the radiostatic shipping fuel season, Al is aroace but the two have a History. At the end Al reluctantly takes his place in the Hotel Found Family, not by any means fully redemption arced but. Better. And season 3 would be the angels (which have been a very looming force in the background) as the next extermination day rolls in. This would probably be the season with the most Lucifer, I think, and would probably end with an agreement being reached between The Archangels and Charlie after someone gets redeemed. Honestly not sure who yet, maybe Vallie?? I think that would be interesting.

(ill get them seperate images soon i swear)

Niffty: Niffty is a lot more of a character here than she is in the show because I absolutely adore her. She is Alastor’s seamstress who also dabbles in cleaning, she’s more than happy to be the maid for the hotel!! She’s always happy to help Mr. Alastor, honestly. She’s like. She’s envy to me, that’s her sin. I think she’s 1950s Californian suburban romance dream gone terribly wrong, her husband (highschool sweethearts, married straight out after graduation, she’s about 21, also his name is Danny, just though you should know) cheated on her and she went to hell not because she killed him but because she killed the other lady who was just as tricked as she was. She is very fond of romace for everyone but herself, watches romcoms religiously and is always trying to set Angel up with someone but panics immensely when she catches feelings for Baxter (when he sees me from waitress heeheeee). She does not have a crush on Al!!! I see this take often and it is wrong. Shes like. Not exactly a daughter but like a niece or a little sister. They’re besties okay. Also uses 1950s slang a lot!!!!! This is all i want. I want her to say something like “Oh, don’t you worry, Miss Vallie, Al will have this place looking like antsville in no time!!” okay. Please.

Husk: (no image yet... soon)

Alastor’s less willing employee. He does not own his soul!! Husk just lost a bet back in the 70s where he has to work for Al for the next 50 years, which, the start of the show would be 2019, is coming to a close. This is mostly why he’s pretty chill abt the hotel thing, he’s considering it a kind of last push before he can be done with this Looney Tunes Loser and get back to. Whatever he was doing before. Unfortunately he gets attached to the hotel gang. Also Huskerdust. 

Husk died in the mid 70s as a divorced mid-40s alchohlic with a gambling issue, he’s got an adult kid somewhere he isn’t allowed to see. He is Sloth and to me, the requirement for being bad enough that you get sent to hell is that you embodied one of the seven deadly sins enough that you caused lasting harm to someone who did not warrant it. Husk is in Hell because his unwillingness to fix anything in his life left his kid to grow up without a dad, if that makes sense?? Like if you are just a jerk your whole life you’ll probably get sent to the wrath section of Purgatory but if your temper causes you to like, be abusive then you will probably go to hell. Husk left his child with long lasting trauma and this is why he is in hell alright.

Angel:

Main difference here is that Angel is not a porn star in this, Valentino is just the king of horrid exes in a long line of horrid exes that Angel has accumulated in his ongoing quest to avoid running into his dad or brother. He’s only at the hotel to essentially be in witness protection because he feels bad rooming with Cherri and potentially getting her hurt because Val keeps trying to like. Kill him. Angel feels considerably less bad mooching off of the delusional princess, that is until the therapy hotel starts therapying. How dare you help him work through his personal issues and disolve his unhealthy coping mechanisms and treat him with gentle care. Gross

But Angel’s real name is Anthony and he’s from a mob family, he has two siblings, his twin Molly and his older brother Nicky, or Arackniss, as he goes by now. They were a suprisingly functional family until Angel got outed as less than straight and. Well it was the 40s and the mob. He got kicked out and eventually died. He was actually the first of his siblings to kick the bucket! Also he is a middle child. ALSO HE IS NOT IN HELL BECAUSE HES AN ADDICT hes in hell because he killed people while in the mob. Though if I had to assign a sin to him I would say glottony, but like, gluttony for attention. ALSO MOLLY AND HIS MOM ARE THE ONLY ONES OUT OF THE FAMILY TO GET TO HEAVEN his dad and his brother are both down here with him. He has not spoken to them since like the 50s and he’d rather keep it that way.

Rosie Damascena: (also no image...... not for long tho)

Im including her because who’s gonna stop me. I do what I want. Anyway first main change is that she’s British because she is Mary Poppins and she says “spit-spot” and “mustn't dawdle” and calls people “love” okay. Let me have this. Also she is a hellborn and she is a couple centuries old. She is in charge of Cannibal Colony which I am renaming to The Garden because. Shes flower. Also her last name is a species of really old and really fragrant rose (the Damask Rose) which I think is very fitting for her. She is a rare hybrid of a hellborn and a human sinner, with her father being a mortal soul and her mother being a flower nymph thingy from the lust ring (it rains a lot there, flower people are in abundance) She is very powerful but doesn’t really get involved with the other overlords, in fact she tries to keep her nose out of sinners’ business as much as she can, with The Garden being an unofficial refuge for hellborns all over the Pride Ring. Alastor is an exception to this rule as he is a mortal soul yet by all accounts one of her best friends, she thinks he’s goofy okay.

 She is very fond of Charlie, and while she isn’t sure about redemption, shes willing to support the princess. Also she figured out Al’s scheme very very quickly and really doesn’t like it, the two get into like the most polite argument of all time over it. Rosie made the mistake of thinking that Al would put anything over his pride and Al made the mistake of trying to threaten her into not getting involved, this didn’t go over well with Rosie. And so (this would be early season 2) Al used his incredible social skills to get basically banished from the one place he was really welcome. He will not admit that he has made any kind of error however, this is for the better, Rosie shouldn’t have stuck her nose in his business, he does not need her, he does not need anyone, shut up.

Anyway thats the main cast!!!!

I’ll do posts abt the others (the vees, cherri baxter crymini and mimzy, and the angels) soon but if anyone has any questions please ask i am more than happy to answer them!!

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Can you someday do a post about a very important question that always deeply fascinated me: How technologically advanced is Oz?

Wicked as a stage show puzzles me because it implies Oz has electricity, a broadcast radio system, and trains.

How much tech is present in Oz in the books?

Oh boy that's one COMPLICATED question... Now, before I start saying anything, I will point out that I am not an Oz expert by any means. I have not read all of the Oz books. However I do know an Oz expert that tackled the subject! He is here on Tumblr somewhere, but I know his Oz analysis and lore-exploration by his blogs. He started doing them more than a dozen year ago on vovat.livejournal.com ; and then he continued his Oz posts to vovatia.wordpress.com ; I know they have very, VERY helpful when it comes to my own knowledge of Oz, and he tackled several times the topic of technology in Oz and Baum's work, with quite fascinating analyses! So go check out these blogs, you might find some interesting info!

That being said, what can I tell you?

Since I haven't read all the Oz books I will stick to Baum's novels only - but before doing that I want to point out something... It is something I said in my previous Oz post (So you want to know about Oz 5), but the Wicked stage musical is part of a pretty big wave of 2000s-onward Oz adaptations that decided Oz was a steampunk world. I know you entertained yourself a pretty similar project of a Gilded Age Oz, if I recall correctly? And when you look at Oz adaptations, you have this wave of SyFy's Tin Man, and the Amazon series "Lost in Oz", and the graphic novel/animated movie "The Steam Engines of Oz", and more recently the show "Emerald City". Even "Dorothy and the Witches of Oz" had a steampunk-vibe to their Oz. It is kind of the modern direction to go.

Now back to traditional Baum's Oz... Does it have electricity? I don't think so. The Oz created by Baum is... it is something between a fantasy version of the late 19th century American countryside, and your archetypal fantasy land. The Land of Oz is mostly a huge countryside to be honest. Its lots of forests with woodsmen and wild animals ; it is lot of fields and orchards because most of Oz's economy relies apparently on farming ; the only other big industry seems to be metal-working (Winkies, the guy who made the Tin Man) and stone/gem-working (due to the huge presence of precious stones, though no mine or miner is ever descrbed in the Oz books) ; it is a lot of small villages scattered around the one big city that is Emerald City (or around big castles like the Tin Man/Wicked Witch castle) ; this all gives it a very medieval/feudal feel in structure... Though Baum really tried to give Oz originally a "fairytale feel" and thus you have the same historical madness typical fairytales have. For example, just like your typical Renaissance fairytales (a la Charles Perrault), you have mirrors and candies and porcelaine in Oz ; and yet, just like your also typical 19th century fairytales (a la brothers Grimm) you also have guns in Oz! Mind you the guns are rare and rarely used, they seem mostly to belong to the military cast (they are always wielded by soldiers or royalty bodyguards), and they are usually useless against the monsters and magical threats... But they do exist! But Oz seems to lack things like electricity of petrol or even steam machinery. At least in the beginning!

(In fact I had a chat with @artmakerproductions recently about fireworks in Oz. He wondered if the Oz The Great and Powerful idea of using fireworks as something non-existent in Oz could work with Baum's canon, and indeed, while the presence of guns implies gunpowder is a thing in Oz, there are to my memory no mention of fireworks anywhere in Oz... Maybe they appear at one of Ozma's birthday parties, but I couldn't find which one. Fireworks are evoked in his non-Oz/Oz-crossovered work "The Magical Monarch of Mo" but only as a comparison to how lightning appears in this country...)

Is there radio in Oz? Actually there is! In the opening of book 7, to get out of how he had written his way out of Oz in book 6, Baum explained his return to the series by "Oh yeah, Ozians got hold of the radio and now they send me radio messages about what is going on in Oz". So Oz DOES have some sort of radio equivalent. How, since there's no electricity or batteries in Oz? That's beyond me, but here's why it is difficult to say for certain what Oz's technology level is: Baum, as I said, started not giving a fuck anymore about continuity. As I explained the first two-three books are kind of solid in terms of continuity because they were designed as their own closed novels, but book 4 onward Baum just gave up any concrete effort at "solid" worldbuilding and went the "Fuck it, I'll add whatever I want" road. As such, don't expect any serious effort at making a cohesive technological system - Baum isn't Tolkien. He's the anti-Tolkien. That being said, another very interesting point when it comes to Baum's work is that, as you go through his fourteen Oz books, you realize how modern technology slowly creeps onto Oz. Baum was writing Oz book between 1900 and 1920 - and the technological evolution of these two decades quite influenced Baum. The addition of the radio element was one case of Oz "evolving"; in later Oz books there are also magical equivalents of television popping up. But if you want to see a concrete comparison, you can compare the first Oz book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", with the last Oz book Baum wrote, "Glinda of Oz". The first shows an Oz so technology-lacking people are easily fooled by stage tricks ; while the last book is heavy on technology, with for example evocations of submarines, but it is a technology presented as a form of magic. Which leads me to my last point...

Does Oz have trains? Not by the time Baum wrote them ; though modern day adaptations and authors did add a handful of them to the Oz world (and you can also find things such as ray guns or time-travelling machines in modern Oz books so you know, it evolves with its time). But Baum did wrote about a carriage that did the entire tour of Oz for touristic purpose: that's one of the subplots of "The Emerald City of Oz", and how Dorothy shows her aunt and uncle all about the fantasy land. It is not a train, but you have already here the idea/potential for a train-like system here (even though it is rather a carriage/wagon drawn by a wooden horse that can never tire and doesn't eat). And here's my point: the reason technology is so weird in Oz, and why it is also lacking in many way, is due to Oz being filled with magic.

Most Ozian equivalent to our world's technology is, in Baum, powered by magic. There is no camera or surveillance system, but there are the Magic Picture or Glinda's big magical "spy on everyone" book. There are no lie detectors, but there is Glinda's pearl. The magic eye of the Wicked Witch of the West was explicitely compared to a telescope. Etc etc. Magic replaces most advanced technology around the Land. Advanced technology and mechanism do exist, and Baum was very fond of the idea of the... "magical mechanic" if I can say so. What he does is basically take an actual real-world technology, but take it to fantasy extremes - which notably is why the Oz books are considered early sci-fi. There's how the Tin Man came to be: Baum took the workings of actual real-life prosthetics for missing limbs, but pushed it to the extremes by making a "vintage android". There is how the Woggle-Bug came to be: a great scholar used a machine to project an enlarged image of a small bug on the wall. Quite ordinary right? But turns out the machine literaly enlarged the bug to a greater size - which is a very common sci-fi tropes (all those rays that shrink or enlarge things or objects). And while it is not an Oz example per say, Baum gave us the most blatant example of "magical technology" with the realm of Ev, where lived Smith and Tinker, the inventors of many fantastical automatons, first of which being Tik-Tok, a sentient automat that is considered one of the first robots of modern literature!

So... On one side, Baum tried to show a land that would not advance technologically because magic was there and much more powerful. It is the line by the Good Witch of the North, about how Oz still has magic because it is not "civilized", and one of the traits of "civilization" is advanced technology. Take how guns are treated in Oz: they exist but they are not made a big deal out of, and in fact prove quite useless among the many magical items and beings. And yet, on the other side, Baum's Oz is the literal proof of the law "Any advanced technology is magic" ; or rather a whacky incarnation of this principle, because indeed, the most advanced form of technology in Ozian lands work by fantasy and extravagant sci-fi rules (Tin Man, Tik-Tok), while most of the great spells and magic items of Oz are fantasy equivalents to our real-world technology (the Magic Picture, or even the Gump which works as a fantasy equivalent of flying machines).