#quest pistols show

[unknownmortallity]

Ты так красива, невыносимо

Рядом с тобою, быть нелюбимым ...

[calenca]

there’s probably like one other person who will get this, but Joker Out gives “Quest Pistol Show, boyband edition” in the best way possible

[barrel-crow-n]

Obviously, we know that Inej knows Kaz best but really, even she doesn't know him - or at least, doesn't understand many parts to him.

"He just lets go" about a boy who has never let anything go. Who, since he was nine years old, has been unhealthily obsessed with Pekka and taking him down. Who was still obsessed with this revenge eight years later. Who hears his dead brother's voice in his head - cruelly egging him on on this maddened quest for vengeance. Who remembered every single last detail of the Hertzoon con; who killed eveyone involved.

People criticise this line, and rightfully because it's plain wrong, but it goes to show how isolated Kaz is and that even with the person he trusts most, he still holds many cards close to his chest. He still hasn't shed his armour completely - not even with Inej.

Inej also doesn't understand Kaz's language. She knows the signals he has established with her for moves and attacks but, funnily enough, it's only ever Matthias that truly reads Kaz (understanding his micro expressions and how he cares about Inej). She understands that she is trusted because he takes off his gloves - but even then doesn't seem to understand the extent; Kaz strips in front of her, as a show of trust - that he's willing to expose himself to her, but she doesn't understand that this is what he is trying to convey. I highly doubt this is a way of wooing Inej. At least, that that was the main reason. He was being vulnerable with her, showing his underbelly.

Kaz cannot say he cares, but he also can't seem to show it either - not in a conventional way, anyway. He carries Inej to the Ferolind despite it causing him pain, he yanks out the eye of the man who stabbed her. He says "I protect my investments." And that sounds completely dickish, but Kaz doesn't show appreciation. Ever. Inej doesn't understand that "I protect my investments" means "I want to look after you because you mean a lot to me" because that's what it means!!! In Kaz's language. "Protect" -> Look after, take care of, defend. "Investments" -> Very important to him, more valuable over time (liking her more and more as times goes on). "I protect my investments" isn't the stupid, asshole line Nina and a lot of people read it as. It's Kaz's kinda mean, not betraying how much it means to him, round about way of showing he cares. He won't say it outright because living in the Barrel has taught him that that is dangerous.

This is shown again when he says "I would come for you. And if I couldn't walk I'd crawl to you. And no matter how broken we were, we'd fight our way out, knives drawn, pistols blazing, because that's what we do, we never stop fighting." He can't say a simple "I care about you." but he can say all that. Why? Because he ties his care to violence. Protection. Causing harm to defend Inej. (Strooooong dog motifs for Kaz btw - the people of the Barrel were spot on with the rabid dog nickname)

And it links to how all the characters are always saying "ohh he's so mysterious, I don't know anything about him, where he came from, or what his motives are" when Kaz is literally openly saying everything.

He doesn't not speak of his trauma or his feelings! He talks about them all the time! He just isnt straightforward.

"Barrel boys don't have parents, they're born in the harbours and crawl out of the canals."

"My mother is Ketterdam, she birthed me in the harbour."

He's literally talking about being "dead" (thrown on the Reaper's Barge), how that affected him (traumatised him so bad he feels like he is no longer the same boy, that he was reborn as something else - a monster), about having to crawl out of the harbour, wet and weak from fever. He openly admits he's an orphan. He talks about it! Just in a cryptic way. A way no one understands.

It's like he's crying out, with people not far, but no one hears him. Like he's still on the Barge, making a futile attempt to cry out "I'm still alive." The Barge still has that hold on him. It's a manifestation of the trauma. It's the same way the flashbacks taking him back to that miserable night. A prison that he can't seem to ever be free from.

When he tells Inej "Tell Jesper he's missed around the Slat." he's doing it again, just more blatantly and more obvious, so that she picks up on it this time. He's showing her his language! Telling her to read into what he is saying! He's saying that he misses Jesper in his detached, cryptic way.

And this is so important with everything Kaz says. Reading between the lines - that's how you start to understand him. We get a cheat sheet by seeing his internal thoughts, but his dramatic talk is the olive branch for outsiders.

When Inej is asking him to open up, she isn't asking that he should share his problems and vulnerabilities like she believes she is saying. She's asking him to be more direct. And that's the difficult part for Kaz.

[kharonion]

Hi I'm suddenly Emotional thinking about this one tiny part of Kerry's quest...

Seems like a generic video game thing of "oh wow, look at his unique weapon for your collection", but to me, it's anything but.

Because this is the same firearm Kerry walks out of the shower with. And sure, you can write that off as something less if you want but... the implications are harrowing.

Especially when you think about the moments in Holdin' On—when Johnny tells V about Kerry's past attempts on his own life, when Kerry evades all the questions about the tabloids and then lets slip how everyone in his employ has that very day off. When you think about how he doesn't need to readily arm himself for defense because he has numerous bots patrolling the villa at all times.

When you think about the implication that if V did not show up that day, there would've been catastrophic consequences.

And now, we fast-forward to this moment in A Like Supreme, when Kerry hands V the very pistol that could've resulted in that awful result.

The trust he puts into V in this very moment is astronomical, brings me to tears every damn time. Kerry is basically saying without words to V "hey, you saved my damn life", and he takes the first step toward a new lease on life, feeling more invigorated—and even a smidgen more positive.

Essentially, this is just a small yet powerful moment that tugs at my soul every time, and I wanted to talk about it. :')

[tenebraevesper]

Knuckles - The Epilogue

''Ohh, oh, oh, oh, ohh! Who's the hunter, who's the game? I feel the beat, call your name! I hold you close in victory! I don't wanna tame your animal style! You won't be caged in the call of the wild! Shootin' at the walls of heartache! Bang, bang! I am the warrior! Well, I am the warrior, and heart to heart you'll win! If you survive the warrior! The warrior! Shootin' at the walls of heartache! Bang, bang! I am the warrior! Well, I am the warrior, and heart to heart you'll win! If you survive the warrior! The warrior!''

– The Warrior by Scandal (Knuckles)

xXxXxXx

Knuckles the Echidna held his head up high proudly as he was driving his newly acquired motorcycle on the road back to Green Hills. He briefly reached for the brown fedora with a black band and three gold stars in red with gold lining circles at the front of the band to flick it up, nodding his head along with the song that was playing on Wade Whipple's smartphone, The Warrior by Scandal. He had already decided that this song was his jam and was more than happy to let Wade play it on loop as they were driving back home.

Wade in turn, was keeping a tight grip on his new bowling trophy, cheering and singing to the song. Not only did he prove his worth by beating his father who had abandoned him at TJ Maxx, Pistol Pete Whipple, at the Bowling Tournament in Reno, Nevada, but also aiding Knuckles in defeating that old crazy man, The Buyer, or whoever he was, who had allied himself with the two rogue G.U.N. Agents to steal Knuckles' power. He truly became a warrior in his own right.

''Finally, we are back at home! I shall ask Maddie to prepare a feast in celebration of our victory and regale my tribe with the tales of our adventure,'' Knuckles said joyfully.

''I'm sure they'll be excited to hear what had happened!'' Wade shouted enthusiastically, having to admit that he was also quite excited to brag to Tom and Maddie about his accomplishment. Both of them were certain that they would be welcomed at Green Hills with open arms.

xXx

''I got it, I got it!'' Tails managed to catch the baseball Sonic had thrown, with the two playing catch in the backyard. He flew up, about to throw it back at Sonic, when both of them heard the sound of an engine and Tails saw who had just arrived. ''It's Knuckles! Knuckles is back!''

''What?'' Sonic was surprised, with Tails beckoning the blue hedgehog to follow him to the front driveway. Both of them were stunned to see the echidna riding on a motorcycle with Wade sitting behind him and holding a trophy. Sonic and Tails were happy to see the person who was basically their older brother at this point, with Sonic elbowing Tails, a wide smile on his expression. ''See? I told you he'd be fine! I guess Knuckles just needed… eh, a motorcycle and a hat?''

''I guess he was on some kind of road trip with Wade,'' Tails said, drawing conclusion from what he saw.

To be honest, neither of them had a clue where Knuckles had vanished to and they did search for him after realizing that he wasn't anymore at the attic, but Sonic was confident that Knuckles would be just fine. Tails was a bit worried about Knuckles, but he had to agree with Sonic that their older brother had been through worse and that he would be back eventually. They both concluded that he had probably gone on some kind of quest worthy of a warrior and they were curious what it was about.

''Knuckles, where were you?'' Sonic asked as Knuckles and Wade got off the motorcycle. ''Also, what's up with the hat and the motorcycle? Have you decided to join the Hells Angels?''

''I don't know any of these Angels that live in Hell, and no, I didn't join them. Instead, I had decided to take up the task of training Wade Whipple into becoming a proper warrior and defeat his greatest enemy on the battleground of Reno, Nevada,'' Knuckles replied, turning to Wade.

''Well, I don't want to brag too much…'' Wade started, only to show Sonic and Tails the trophy he had, ''…but I completely destroyed my old man in the bowling tournament! Ha! My dad never saw it coming! You should've seen me!''

''You have earned your title as a warrior. Your journey is complete,'' Knuckles said. Wade gave him a sincere smile.

''I wouldn't have managed to get so far without you Knuckles. Thank you,'' he replied. Knuckles tipped his head and nodded in acknowledgement, then turned towards Sonic.

''I also owe a 'Thank you' to you, Hedgehog. Your speech may have been confusing and your methods have not suited my ways, but you were right. Green Hills… No, Earth is now my home,'' Knuckles told him, with Sonic chuckling, being quite happy to hear that. He placed a hand on Knuckles' shoulder, giving him a wide smile.

''I knew you'd come around eventually. Your place is here, with us, and all it took was a road trip to Nevada to realize that. As a matter of fact, I also had to go on a road trip to realize that I wanted to stay on Earth instead of going to Mushroom Planet,'' Sonic said. Knuckles hummed in thought.

''You never told me that. Perhaps, going on a road trip is necessary ritual to accept Earth as your home.'' Knuckles then turned to Tails. ''Then, you are the next one to experience a road trip, Fox.''

''N-No, thanks… I've already been on a road trip with Sonic in Siberia. I don't think I need another one,'' Tails replied.

The group was about to go inside the house, when they suddenly heard loud steps coming from inside and saw Maddie approaching them. Sonic and Tails' eyes widened, as they realized that they kind of forgot about the aftermath of Knuckles' sudden disappearance. To say that the matriarch of the Wachowski family was furious was an understatement. It all started when Maddie went upstairs to deliver Knuckles the plate with his dinner, only to find out that the echidna was completely gone. Then, all Hell broke loose.

''Sonic, Tails? Where is Knuckles? Have you seen him?'' Maddie asked, her expression the epitome of serenity, but her eyes blazing with motherly rage. Sonic and Tails looked at each other nervously, having been playing video games in the living room.

''Uh, no? We've been here the whole day,'' Sonic replied. Maddie narrowed her eyes, with Sonic offering an anxious smile.

''Are you sure? You haven't heard anything or seen anything…?'' she asked again, with Sonic knowing that look. He knew that, if Maddie ever caught them lying about Knuckles' whereabouts, they were doomed. She may have been their motherly figure, but Sonic felt that he'd rather go against a Dr. Eggman powered up with the Master Emerald again than deal with a furious Maddie.

''No, we didn't hear nor see anything. We would've seen Knuckles if he tried to get past us,'' Sonic replied.

''Maybe he escaped through the window?'' Tails suggested. Maddie sighed in frustration, grabbing her smartphone.

''I don't know, but he'll be in so much trouble when he gets home,'' she said, walking into the next room and calling Tom, followed by Wade, followed by every person she knew in Green Hills about Knuckles' whereabouts. Meanwhile, Tails turned back to Sonic with a worried look on his expression.

''Do you think that I should've used one of my holograms to pretend that Knuckles was still here?'' he asked.

''No, because if you did that, we'd be in huge trouble and trust me, you don't want to experience what happens when Maddie gets angry. We just have pretend that we didn't know that Knuckles went missing until now, and we'll be fine,'' Sonic assured him.

''Okay, but what about Knuckles? What if he's in danger? We should go search for him,'' Tails replied.

''You said it yourself, Knuckles is the greatest warrior in the galaxy, so I wouldn't worry about him getting into trouble. He probably had gone to do some soul-searching and will be back in no time,'' Sonic said in a confident tone. Tails went silent for a moment, then gave Sonic a look of concern, his eyes wide.

''Do you think that Knuckles may have decided that he doesn't want to stay here anymore, at Green Hills? With us?'' he asked. Sonic shook his head.

''Absolutely not! You know that Knuckles considers us his tribe and he wouldn't go back on his promise. We made a power bump and we're brothers at this point. He will return, I'm sure,'' Sonic said, with Tails nodding in acknowledgement. ''Besides, the Master Emerald is still hidden in our roon, and we both know he wouldn't go anywhere without it.''

Tails chuckled. ''Yeah, you're right about that.''

Back in the present moment, neither Tails nor Sonic felt like laughing when they saw a furious Maddie stomping over to Knuckles and Wade. Knuckles and Wade's proud grins immediately faded away when they realized that she wasn't as overjoyed to see them as they thought she would be. Maddie inhaled deeply, glaring daggers at both of them.

''Knuckles, where have you been? Do you know how worried I was?'' she asked.

''I was merely on a quest with Wade,'' Knuckles said, sensing the tension in the air. As for Wade, he realized that both he and Knuckles were in deep trouble, even though he technically didn't do anything to piss off Maddie. He was startled when she suddenly turned to him.

''Also, why haven't you called me and told me that Knuckles was with you the whole time?! I've been searching the whole town for him!'' she said furiously.

''Maddie, look… I think you should just calm down and let us explain…'' Wade said, slowly stepping back. Even if he was a warrior now, he knew how to pick his battles. Throwing bowling balls at a guy in a robot mecha while powered up with Knuckles' quills was nothing compared to an angry Maddie.

Maddie pinched the bridge of her nose and exhaled. ''Fine, but you-'' she pointed at Knuckles ''-are still grounded. How long you'll be grounded depends on your reasons for leaving.''

''I will accept my grounding with honor,'' Knuckles responded, also being well aware that there were some battles he simply couldn't fight, no matter how much he wanted to. He also figured that he wouldn't be punished for leaving once Maddie hears and understands his reasons. The group then walked into the house, with Sonic giving Knuckles an amused smile.

''I guess thinks can't get worse now, do they?'' he said.

''Don't worry, Hedgehog, I'm confident that I will be able to defend my case,'' Knuckles replied.

''Heh, we'll see about that,'' Tails said.

xXx

Unknown to Sonic, Tails and Knuckles, the situation actually got worse. Sort of. Of course, they believed that Dr. Eggman was gone and that G.U.N. wouldn't be bothering them again, and there were certainly no new adversaries attacking Green Hills, but the reason for that was because their new foe was miles away from Montana.

Nobody really payed any attention to the black and red hedgehog walking through a casino in Reno, figuring that he was just some kind of mascot or a guy in a costume. The hedgehog, in turn, was content with the lack of attention, solely focused on his own task. He paused for a moment, closing his eyes and focusing on the strange sensation that he felt, turning on his heel and walking towards the source of this sensation. He had already made the mistake to not follow his senses and instead focused on his memories, only to end up at a familiar bowling alley. Scoffing, he returned back to the other part of the building, being guided by this sensation.

He then stopped in front of a glass case, which displayed a bunch of trophies and photographs of previous winners of the bowling tournament, along with a green diamond-shaped gem inside it. He smirked, and his body became enveloped in orange sparking energy. The glass suddenly shattered as he punched through it, grabbing the green jewel.

''It all starts with this… A jewel containing the ultimate power…'' Shadow the Hedgehog stated, lifting the green Chaos Emerald up. His ears flicked when he heard people shouting, with the security guards arriving at the scene.

''What are you doing?! You can't just break the glass and steal-'' Before the security guard could even finish his sentence, Shadow furrowed a brow, shooting him a glare. He then held out the Chaos Emerald. ''There's no time for games… Farewell! Chaos Control!''

The security guard was left baffled when the hedgehog suddenly vanished into thin air. He then shook his head, deciding that he wasn't payed enough for this weirdness.

xXx

High above on a cliff overlooking Green Hills, there was a flash of light, revealing a small figure appearing seemingly out of nowhere. The figure narrowed his golden eyes, his body enveloped in cyan sparking energy.

''I hope that I'm in the right time. I can't let the future get destroyed!'' Silver the Hedgehog stated. ''I need to find that person, the wielder of the Flames of Destruction!''

He then flew up, his body covered in cyan energy, and flew towards where he believed his foe waited, determined to make sure that the future wouldn't turn into a desolate wasteland covered in flames and ashes.

Links:

#Current Chapter

#Sonic Cyber Revolution (Masterlist)

[batsarebetterthanpeople]

Punk music is, politically speaking, a vehicle that was built to express sentiments of working class rage and destructive tendencies. That doesn't mean it's perfectly left wing, poor people are not perfectly left wing. From the patches and safety pins and ripped denim that are staples of punk fashion to the subject matter of songs by the Dead Kennedys, The Clash, Black Flag, and even the Sex Pistols, its all class rage and resentment all the way down.

Goth and Punk both as subcultural movements have relatively clear intentions, even if the politics get jumbled. They're nihilistic, angry, angsty reactions to a world that beats down on poor people. It's the idea that there is something deeply wrong with a society that doesn't take care of its people and using music to express how you feel about that situation.

I came up in the 2010s, which meant that Emo was on the back end of its moment when I was discovering music outside of my parent's taste and whatever was on the radio. I've heard a lot of things about the emo movement as it relates to other subcultures but one thing I heard that I want to respond to here is that it's not about anything, which is not perfectly correct but it looks that way on the surface and is actually a very interesting observation. Punk's about how we can't pay the rent our government is taking advantage of us, rich people are taking advantage of us, and unlike those hippies who think they can solve all the worlds problems with peace and love and non violent protest, we're gonna break stuff. We're gonna make it everyone else's problem. Goth coming from the punk scene was less angry and more purely nihilistic and death obsessed but still had that sort of vibe of the aristocracy's time has come, look how easily I can look like a decaying version of them. Emo doesn't really have that clear of a message by comparison.

I would like to posit that this is because Emo is end of history punk. There's still that feeling that there's something deeply wrong, there's still angst and rage and nihilism and resentment, but by now the enemies of the United States' capitalistic global hegemony have fallen, there is no alternative, terrible things keep happening but the propaganda machine is pumping it into your brain every single day that this is the best of all possible worlds. The problem can't be society it has to be you.

So punk music evolves, we're not doing a revolution anymore the revolution is dead, we're not watching it decay anymore because this shambling corpse won't drop dead and has managed to convince us it's immortal. But the feelings are all still there. So they turn inward. The destruction becomes self-destruction. You can't be feeling this way because society is bad, it must be you, you must be depressed, that girl you didn't really like that much broke up with you, maybe it's that. It couldn't possibly be the fact that you're poor and you're sick but can't get help and the corporations are destroying the planet and you can't do anything about it. This is the best of all possible worlds, remember? You are an acceptable casualty of that, if you don't like it you can either suck it up, take pills, or slit your wrists, the choice is yours. And the emo scene says maybe I will slit my wrists because I can't live like this.

I think now both punk music and emo music along with the fashion are having a bit of an interesting revival, and I don't think the revival is good but I definitely think it is necessarily a sign of the times. The common person has been given access to a certain level of celebrity, the cracks in the political hegemony that the 90s and 00s propaganda told us would last until the heat death of the universe are showing, corporations in their quest for endless growth have made us into modern serfs and commodified every aspect of our lives. We see so much death every day from covid from state violence that used to be easier to cover up. The apocalypse we were warned about but unable to stop is here. There's an appetite for the nihilism, the rage, the self destruction from the failure to change anything, and in pursuit of profit, the companies see that appetite and respond to it with fast fashion and industry plants, and the common person who is under constant surveillance and has been convinced it's what they want has prettied up the grittier aspects of the scene in order to make it social media ready. The goth bars close and the regular bar has an emo night, social media influencers who used to bully you for your DIY fashion does a "Tradgoth" makeup trend that looks more like Gottmik than Siouxie Sioux just to wipe it off and post it for a Sephora sponsorship. You say anything about any of it and you get accused of being more hardcore than thou even though you're just making observation about the scene you've been in for a decade. And you look around you and the same thing is happening to hip-hop and the state of the music scene is even worse for normies so this is clearly a universal problem.

[lady06reaper]

Oh! Maybe Weaponmaker!reader who works for Mafia leader Kenny? Like while Kenny's all dangerous and proper. Reader is all mechanic and also dangerous lol.

Like imagine one of those weapon makers you see on side quests during a playthrough game. Always wearing gloves and a mysterious cape only to be hella lot when they take it off 👀 - marshmellow

this reminds me of the merchant from RE4, like all dangerous and mysterious but in a sexy way

Mafia Leader!Kenny x Weapon Smith!Reader

Yall met when Kenny was first starting out in the mafia, you were an experienced weapons Smith who saw potential in kenny

but of course to keep the mystery you didn't show your face to kenny until he became the leader

but oh my you two were a fierce couple when it came to taking down other mafias

your weapons combined with his tactics

lord help whoever was in your path

but when you did show your face he was amazed, like how did that face make all those powerful weapons?

You were in his office he called The Den, where all business took place. He had called you in discuss the newest weapons you were able to get ahold of and modify to your advantages.

"The new semi auto shotties and extended pistol mags are here, but they need work which I can't do until I get that new steel alloy," you sat on his desk while he looked over your blue prints for your latest ideas.

"I'll have my men locate and obtain a shipment for you," he waved his hand and all of his men within The Den left, leaving you and Kenny. He wasn't intimidating to you, you saw him grow from nothing to having everything.

"Now onto more pressing matters my precious weapons smith," he folded his hands and leaned his chin on them to support his head. "I've known you since I was a weakling, and yet, I don't know you at all, why is that?" You gulped down the saliva that gathered in your mouth due to nervousness.

"I like my privacy sir, it's what keeps me in my status."

He hummed in understanding. "I understand that, but you've known me for awhile, I think it's time you return the favor of letting me to get to know you."

You sighed, your head dropped and you realized he was right. You stood up off the desk, and looked him in the eyes through your mask. Your hands shakily came up to your mask, you clicked the buttons on your ears to release the seel. The veil was lifted, and Kenny's eyes squinted as if he was upset with how you looked.

"Are you mad sir?"

"Quite the opposite, why hide such a face behind a mask?" He leaned back in his chair to take you all in. You couldn't tell if it was out of curiosity, or hunger.

"Well, with my mask on I'm the feared weapon smith, without it I'm my own person. I like to keep the two separate."

Kenny nodded in agreement, understanding why you would want to keep the two separate. You wanted your own life away from the mafia, if only Kenny could have that luxury.

"Come here," he patted his lap, you hesitated at first, but after the reassurance of him not going to bite you, you walked over and sat on his lap. "I want to get a good look at my right hand."

Kenny took your face between his palms and moved your head around to look at every nook and cranny your features had to offer. He paused with you facing him, his eyes drifted down to your lips, then back up to your orbs. He opened his mouth to ask permission, but before words came out you nodded yes, too scared to dive in first. Your lips met in a soft kiss, Kenny treated you like you were fragile considering this was new territory to him and you. You separated and looked at each other, his eyes were hooded from the kiss, you both panted trying catch your breaths. A smirk graced his face, which only means bad things, or so you thought.

"Let me get to know you better, strip."

[aealrizen]

It was common for the nearby kids to push open the cathedral doors, sandals slapping the tile as they hurried upstairs to peek in the rooms. Little self designated heroes who had decided it was their job to make sure Midas wasn’t lonely, small hands hanging on the door handle as they asked their repeated question of the day. “Hi, can Midas come out and play today?”

The oldest of them was eight years younger than Midas, but he didn’t mind. On the days he could go with them he did enjoy being able to amuse them, and indulge in their mutual quest to keep him entertained. It was how he’d ended up learning to shoot pistols. The kids had found parts in the scrap dropped off from the other cities before, and after Midas had fixed them up they insisted on setting up a shooting range for him to show off in. He had learned that he was good at it too, when his hands didn’t shake from bone deep pain. The weapons were only toys now, deliberately rigged to only shoot enough plasma to knock the cans and bottles with a soft thump that would only bruise the most tender of skin. The kids loved it, especially since they liked to be the ones throwing the different targets into the air.

They didn’t always play with the pistols though. Another favorite pastime was to just push Midas around in a wheelchair and explore the overgrown city. The last place in their world that had plants that grew freely. It was unable to support much human life alongside the greenery though, so most of the ruins still remained. Endless playgrounds for unoccupied minds.

It was during one such excursion that the kids had decided to take a break in a more open clearing. Dusty stone with patches of moss and other plants crawling over the remains of life from before the cyborg war. Midas was just sitting where they had pushed him, watching as the four kids ranging from four years old to eight explored the area.

“Look! A slide!” Millie, the second oldest by only a few days, declared from the crumbling yet long settled second floor as she held up a battered old sign that was just slightly bigger than her. Midas could only chuckle as she dropped the sign on the top of one of the sloping stones and immediately flopped on top of it to slide down the rubble. It was clever, and Midas was pleased to see shy little Meri’s interest get piqued after seeing Millie reach the end safely. As she hefted the sign up again and rushed off to make the trek back up the stairs Meri joined her, plush bear forever held in her arms.

“See how far you can go at the end,” Midas called to them, giving them a goal to focus on as they played. He could hear the two boys, Conor and Seth, banging on various debris to see what sounds it would make. A crashing melody of obnoxious music and laughter. These kinds of days were usually exhausting, but Midas cherished them. Time outside his room with energy being spent that wasn’t his.

Even this day, which ended less than pleasant, was still important enough for him to remember above others.

The kids had no idea, and Midas could never blame them since none of them could know. He was just thankful that he could recognize the sound of pressurized air hissing moments before it popped the container it was in. Conor’s metal pipe had clanged against something hollow, the ringing causing him to laugh and smack the half buried canister again, unaware of Midas lurching from his chair and forcing his horrible limbs to run towards him.

“CONOR!”

Midas’s voice was accented by his thin frame bodily slamming into the child, only managing to knock him more than a meter away because of their height difference. Midas would have apologized for being so rough, but he didn’t think he would have been able to carry Conor away before the canister burst.

And burst it did. The tiny hiss of air that cut off with the second bang became a shrieking pop as the metal burst outward in ugly peeled shards. Midas barely felt something collide with the bottom of his jaw, his mind more focused on keeping himself from bashing his head on the concrete as he was knocked away by the impact. He caught himself on his arms, and immediately noted the splatter of blood coloring the grey stone below him.

“Midas!”

“Mi-!”

“Midaas!”

Only Meri was too shocked to shout, and Midas mentally assessed his own situation as well as theirs without moving. None of them were crying out of pain, so they shouldn’t be hurt. And when he blinked both eyes they seemed blurred from tears, but otherwise undamaged.

He was lucky.

If one could consider having half their face sliced open from jaw to forehead, lucky. It stung horribly, and Midas was afraid to raise his head and have the blood spilling from the bridge of his nose end up in his mouth or down his throat instead. He was also afraid of traumatizing the kids if they saw it, so he had double motivation to keep his face hidden and low.

“I’m alright,” Midas assured as calmly as he could, hand hovering near his face. “Millie, please take Seth and Meri back to the center square with the rest of the adults. Conor, go fetch my dad,” he directed without looking up at them.

“B’but-,” Conor began to protest, and Midas could hear feet getting closer to him.

“Now please,” Midas cut off, putting a little firmness into his tone to hopefully leave no room for discussion.

There was only a moment more before he heard Millie shuffling to grab Meri and Seth’s hands, quickly dragging them away. “... Okay,” Conor relented, having the others’ movements be enough motivation for him to comply. “I’ll be right back!” he promised quickly, turning to run after the other three.

It took less than ten minutes for others to return. The exploding metal had been loud enough to cause people to investigate, but Midas had still managed to pull the loose hospital shirt over his head and use it to put pressure on his bleeding face as best he could.

“Midas?!” Hesopher was borderline panicked when he got there, collapsing to his knees next to his son as Midas sat up a little more straight and gave him a half hidden grin.

“Hey dad,” he greeted, trying to ignore the taste of blood in his mouth and hoping he didn’t look too creepy with it dripping down his chin. It couldn’t be that bad. Head wounds always bled more than necessary.

It turned out to be worse than Midas had thought. Hesopher had taken only one peek under the makeshift bandage before he’d scooped Midas up and started running back home. He didn’t bother asking what had happened, knowing neither of them would have the breath to speak until they were home.

____________________________

First

____________________________

And finally get to learn how he got that giant scar on his face X'DD a complete accident, wooo

also a bit on where Midas knows Meri from XD

[calder]

"I'd use a bullet on myself, but with all these critters an' mobsters about it feels a waste, don't it?" -Clutch, about why he hasn't killed himself

Clutch Connors is a human male that can be found in the area south of Connors Farm. When approached he will bark a series of quips in a random order, sometimes based on player statistics.

"Razorgrain, rays-or-grain. Heh, yeah. I'll take the grain any day of the week.

Whatever happened to bullfrogs?

You jack off with that arm Mister Meaty? (If the Sacrificial Lamb has a Strength score of 7 or higher.)

'S okay pardner, I'm not much for books either. (If the Sacrificial Lamb's Intelligence is 3 or lower.)

Met a guy named Fallout once, ugly motherfucker.

What the fuck is a cow anyways?

I'm a centrist, 'cept when 'm not.

Don't ask me about roads.

War... What was it about war...?

Please, kill me. Just fucking kill me. Do it before the shmuck with the buttons makes you walk away. Please. (Has a rare chance of occurring if the Sacrificial Lamb has the Wild Wasteland trait.)

Clutch is involved in the quest Saint James Infirmary Blues and is one of the escaped patients the Sacrificial Lamb is tasked with rescuing, while the quest is active, you can speak to him and at first he will be apprehensive about returning, the player can either use a Speech check of 40 to convince him to return, or state that they'll take him there by force, after which he will become immediately hostile. If the Sacrificial Lamb has a Medicine skill of 70 or has Frankie in their party, they can determine that Clutch is not a danger to himself or anyone around him, but unless they can also get Weezel to confess to struggling with gender dysphoria and convince Rhonda Simmons to stop taking Day Tripper to hide her autism, the quest will not be marked as complete until they either kill him or convince him to go back to Dr. Rollins.

After the conclusion of St. James Infirmary Blues where he stays at the farm, Clutch will be hostile to any entities hostile to the Sacrificial Lamb in the area, and the player can initiate dialogue with him where he opens up about his struggles with suicidal thoughts and schizophrenia. After exhausting all dialogue options, every time the Sacrificial Lamb talks to Clutch, he has a chance to give a Fancy Lad Snack Cakes, Instamash, Pork n' Beans, Tin Can Grenade or Radweed Joint to them along with a random statement of gratitude.

Thank you for being my friend.

Thanks for not takin' me t' that funny farm.

Hey, I love you... don't make it weird.

Nobody's ever been that nice to me before, here, have this.

Hey, I like men too. (If the Sacrificial Lamb has the Black Widow perk)

Hey, I like men too... you're not my type, though. (If the Sacrificial Lamb has the Confirmed Bachelor perk)

From one motherfucker to another motherfucker, eh?

Hey don't tell Ma about this one. Heheh. (When giving a Radweed Joint)

If the Sacrificial Lamb instead takes him back to Dr. Rollins, he will be wearing a Patient's Gown and standing inside the New Unity Clinic, where if spoken to, he will normally be silent with the subtitles simply show "..." He has a small chance to whisper "Fuck you." and if the Sacrificial Lamb has the Wild Wasteland trait he can also say, "You know you'll lose Karma for this, right?" At the conclusion of the quest Bad Medicine, if Dr. Rollins is killed, he will sometimes stand over his corpse and talk to it with his arms crossed, regardless of if the Sacrificial Lamb kills Dr. Rollins or gets Ranger Sykes to arrest him, Clutch will eventually return to Connors Farm with his inventory reset, but will keep the barks from convincing him to return to the clinic.

Clutch's inventory contains a random amount of regular 10mm ammunition and one random special 10mm round (but he will have more if the Sacrificial Lamb has the Scrounger perk and kills him.) He is equipped with leather armor and a 10mm pistol. While staying at the New Unity Clinic, he is equipped with a patient gown and his inventory is empty.

Exhausting all of Clutch Connor's dialogue after completing Saint James Infirmary Blues without killing him or returning him to the clinic is essential to completing the Basket Case challenge and receiving its related perk.

Trivia

Clutch almost recites the classic phrase "War never changes." found throughout the Fallout series, but forgets the rest of the sentence.

His apprehension regarding the subject of roads may be a reference to players in Fallout: New Vegas being able to ask characters about the NCR-Legion conflict, where many of them will bring up the safety of roads. (citation needed)

His Wild Wasteland dialogue in the New Unity Clinic is a reference to Karma, a statistic that tracked the morality of players' actions in previous Fallout games.

Mister Meaty was the name of a puppet show that briefly aired on Nickelodeon from 2007-2008.

Glitches

Prior to Patch 1.03, Clutch would become immediately hostile to the Sacrificial Lamb upon starting Saint James Infirmary Blues.

Prior to Patch 1.17, Clutch would sometimes be dead of a gunshot wound if the Sacrificial Lamb approached him and then left Connors Farm without starting or completing Saint James Infirmary Blues. Using console commands to warp directly to the farm from the clinic will show that he was meant to be shooting at tin cans on a fence, but because the cans have no collision until picked up, if a caravan is walking by, he can hit one of the caravan guards, traveling merchants or pack brahmin, causing them to turn hostile and kill him before returning to their route.

Clutch will sometimes use the same combat barks as the Stargazer cultists or Infected Commandos

Clutch will sometimes say one of his perk or item dependent lines when giving the Sacrificial Lamb Pork n' Beans, regardless of if they have the prerequisite perk and not receiving a Radweed Joint.

If Dr. Rollins is spawned in front of Clutch after killing him during the quest Bad Medicine using console commands, he will still talk to him as if he was dead.

this seems to be an entertainment-oriented article for a bunch of fallout that doesnt exist. i have no idea of the context or joke but this was a fun read, thank you !

[f1-junkie]

Got tagged by dearest @underatedwords to share 10 songs im enjoying atm! Thank you Emi!!<з

Here are some of my current go-tos as well as all time favourites that I come back to every so often! Features good ol 2000s-2010s nostalgia and Russian songs!<з

1. Written in the stars - Tinie Tempah ft Eric Turner

2. Motto - David Guetta ft Steve Aoki, Lil Uzi Vert, G-Easy & Mally Mal

3. Поцелуи - Виа Гра

4. American Boy - Комбинация (a fuckin all time banger🤙🏻)

5. Pure Water - Mustard ft Migos

6. Ты так красива - Quest Pistols Show

7. Mirror - Lil Wayne ft Bruno Mars

8. Miles Away - Madonna

9. Башня - Даня Милохин ft Мумий Тролль

10. Я твой наркотик - Quest Pistols Show

yep, Russian music industry is definitely not limited to Katya Lel’ only vfhfbbj

Tagging @autumn816 @bejwled @chaoticzoomies @dumbf1sketches @formulaborb @interlvgos @russilton <зззззз

[lucigoo]

Weekly Roundup: 15th April - 22nd April

Whoop, Sunday, tht means weekly roundup and recs (were going to pretend it is NOT Monday lol) So, I have writtn 13,184 words this week, and have uploaded 2 fics this week (technically it's three, but the Thorin Spring Forge fic is revelaed o the 25th) So, on to the recs: Not All That Glitters (Is Good For Your Health) - comatosecombat - The Hobbit (Bilbo/Thorin, post quest for Erebor)

Summary: In his attempt to distract Smaug from attacking Lake-town, Bilbo accidentally destroys the One Ring of Power, saves the day and brings peace on Middle-Earth.

When it comes to him and Thorin, that resolves absolutely nothing. An Unexpected Addition - karategal - The Hobbit (Bilbo/Thorin, this whole series is pure gold imo) Summary: All of the dwarves survive the Battle of the Five Armies, but Bilbo must return to the Shire to sort out his old life and make way for a new one in Erebor. Over one year later, Bilbo comes back to the Lonely Mountain with a recently orphaned Frodo. King Thorin isn't quite sure what to make of this new, tiny addition to his Company. far across the distance - LinguisticJubilee - The Hobbit - (Bilbo/Thorin, schmoopy Thorin has my whole heart)

Summary: Balin blinks, shifting backwards. “Laddie, it’s—it’s been a year. Bilbo has returned home, to the Shire.” He looks at Thorin, then says more gently, “I did not realize you counted the hobbit among your treasures.” i've loved you in a million different ways - dotty456 - Harry Potter (Sirius/Remus, James/Regulus, this is one of my fav Hogwarts-No voldy fics ever)

Summary: An everybody lives fanfic that follows the Marauders from before their first year to the end of Hogwarts - may include mentions of their children/marriages and future stuff because I can. Dumbledore is a douchebag, Voldemort doesn't exist and the Black cousins join together before the elder Blacks start burning that damn family tree. One Flash Of Light, But No Smoking Pistol - Ludo_ten - Harry Potter (Sirius/Remus, Zombie Au)

Summary: Nov 1981: Sirius wakes up hungover in a stranger's bed when an emergency radio broadcast warns of a viral outbreak and instructs everyone to stay inside.

Isolated and homeless, Sirius has no choice but to reconcile with his estranged brother. Their uneasy alliance plants the seeds for buried family secrets to surface. Together, they venture to Wales in search of the man he never told he loved before it's too late. What to do when one has died? Dig of course. - DBlack13 (Bilbo/Thorin, Afterlife fic, I repeate Afterlife fic (not that i have a fav trope or anything .....)

Summary: After death, Bilbo is bored. He misses his adventures, and although Yavanna’s Garden is everything a hobbit would wish for, Bilbo can’t help missing his friends in the Company, and above all, a certain blue-eyed leader… Hopefully theres at least one for you there.

Now, on to my fics <3 I'm real, I'm here. Open your eyes and see. (For @flashfictionfridayofficial prompt 249, Siirus/Remus)

Summary: Remus often dreams about Sirius and it makes him reluctant ot open his eye to the nothing he knows he will find when he does. But will he? Has he really lost everything? Thank you for giving me the stars (Sirius/Remus, an Animal Au based of this amazing art by @depsidase)

Summary: Remus and Teddy are outcasts, on the edge of Axolotl society, but Teddy makes a new friend and it looks like Remus may make a something more who is willing to show him the stars. Have a good week all <3

[sillygirl-sketches]

I immediately interested in the Hot Topic AU (?) Feel free to talk about it like a lot I will listen. I have a lot better things to do but i'd rather listen to this

AW YAY glad you’re interested!!

it’s 2005. michael is sitting on the couch watching reruns of “friends.” money is tight. working as a security guard has its perks (hey, after they got past trying to kill him, talking to the ghosts of the poor kiddos dad murdered & reconnecting with evan past the mortal plane isn’t too bad), but the economy is taking a downturn. it’s looking like he’ll need an extra job to pay the bills as he searches for william.

tired of “living in shadows,” michael misses interacting with people! but uh oh, yeah…almost forgot the issue here: he’s a purple corpse semi-preserved by remnant. ever the rebel, he remembers how he loved alternative fashion as a teenager and always pushed boundaries with what he could get away with wearing before dad would raise an eyebrow. he misses expressing himself, and despite his small wig collection (what, can’t an undead thirtysomething have some semblance of dignity?), he yearns to feel like himself again. agh, there’s no way he’d be able to get his old life back…

he pulled out his laptop (his prized possession: a clamshell iBook that he scrimped and saved for) and opened Yahoo, skimming through HotJobs for available job listings in retail. occasional rotting flesh was a liability in food services anyhow, so he’d have to survive the endless reruns of “since u been gone,” while restocking the uggs in aisle 4. ugh…

wait a minute. “hot topic” at the red cliffs mall? hmm… maybe that could work. he’d vaguely heard of the current emo wave. he’d watched all of invader zim when it first aired (even signed a petition to nickelodeon to not cancel the show), participated in a my chemical romance fangroup on facebook, and even though he’d been out of his element with the current alternative scene, perhaps he could re-enter society after all? when was the last time he gave someone a band recommendation? when was the last time he debated with a real live person on whether sex pistols or the clash were the superior punk group?

with a skeletal grin of excitement, michael hit “submit” on the application. obviously, he was loyal to his quest to untangle the mysteries of the fazbear franchise—but a bit of extra cash on the side couldn’t hurt, right?

[tyanis]

For those of you who have recently started playing Fallout 3 after watching the tv show and want to use Butch as a companion...

I know his signature weapon is his switchblade but his tagged skill is actually unnarmed. Not melee. Get that boy a deathclaw gauntlet. Or a powerfist. There's one called Fisto! that is really good.

And put him in power armor. Tesla or Hellfire if you can get it.

His other tagged skill is small guns. So, Butch is unique amongst companions in that his default pistol technically requires ammo for him to use it (he won't use the ammo and only actually needs one bullet in his inventory). You can easily manipulate him into using whatever gun you want by taking away all of his 10mm rounds... Provided you supply him with plenty of ammo for those guns. I used to give him the Blackhawk (complete Agatha's quest) and sometimes a sniper rifle. Completing The Pitt should get you access to an ammo press if you need rarer bullets.

His final tagged skill is Science.

This does nothing.

But you can headcanon that he's really good with computers or something.

Anyway, hope that helps!

[local-starry-catboi]

𝐀𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧

Title : "As The World Caves In"

Fandom : Honkai Star Rail

Characters : Aventurine, Seth (OC); mentioned: Sunday, Express crew, Acheron

Genre : Hurt/comfort

Content Warnings : character deaths (not overly graphic), spoilers for 2.1 TB quest ending! (and a little bit of hurt/comfort and fluff here), might be hecka rushed

Word count : 4,248

Character count : 24,724

Synopsis : Aventurine is smithing a plan of a grand final gamble and encounters various obstacles he may have to overcome, including himself.

A/n : I NEED SOME MORE COMFORT FOR THIS GUY AAAAAAA QAQ There's one specific scene I wanted in this, but I feel like this should be in a separate one, just solely comfort/fluff between Caged Hound (Seth×Aventurine) °^°

A/n 2 : Will be crossposted on Ao3 when I get around to it •3•

A/n 3 : Chapter 1 on > Page 1 for more context between Seth's and Aven's relationship (and more fluff :3)

Fic under the cut for length ✨️

Kakavasha and Seth were out on a meeting with some important figures on Penacony. Or rather, they had just come out from said meeting. The Stoneheart's bodyguard felt the watchful gaze of the Family members on them. Despite carrying his twin pistols in his chest holsters hidden under his suit jacket, he wouldn't hesitate to use them if he had to. Seth noticed that something about his boyfriend was off, though.

“What's wrong?”, he asked, lifting an eyebrow.

He was walking right next to Aventurine, if just half a step behind him, at most.

“What? Me? Wrong?”, the blond’s body was still hot with the adrenaline rush from winning the last hand in the discussion.

It was like when he’d play poker, his heart raced until the last second. Did anyone notice? Did the other players at the table notice that he was sweating? That his heartbeat was going rapidly?

“I’m fine, silly. I’m just thinking. I’m thinking of things.”.

Things like how to spoil Seth. He was going to take Seth out later and buy anything that he’s been eyeing on.

Rolling his eyes, he let out a low huff.

//Of course…//, he thought.

Shaking his head, he pulled the blond around the next corner. His brown, jagged bangs fell over his eyes. Glaring at his lover, crimson eyes piercing the other's purple-teal ones, he pinned him against the wall.

“Are you sure that you can deceive me? I've known you for long enough to notice. You may fool them, but you can't say the same for me.”.

His voice rather a low growl, warning his employer to spit it out.

Sometimes, Seth wasn't sure whether his Lycan blood or his identity as a Masked Fool were shining through. Especially in moments like these.

The suddenness of his lover's action caught him off guard. Aventurine stiffened, trying to get away from the wall. His eyes widened, a lump in his throat almost clogging up entirely. Aventurine was a bit surprised that Seth could see through him like that, but he wasn’t going to show it. Not yet.

“You know me so well…”, he said in a low tone.

“Of course I do!”, the other man huffed, with his ears pinned back, shaggy dark grey tail whipped from one side to another.

A few moments later, though, he took a deep breath. Seth leaned his forehead against his boyfriend's.

“I told you that I'd share every burden I can with you, for I am your sword and your shield. So tell me. Please.”.

There he goes again. Acting all charming after threatening him with those crimson eyes. How is this man so good at manipulating his heart, he didn’t know.

Aventurine softened, leaning back into his embrace. He was safe here. He could let his fears and insecurities flow free without being judged. He could show his true self because Cerberus was always there to see it.

The blond swallowed hard before finally answering: “I’m scared, Seth.”.

His jaw clenched visibly, even though he gently returned his partner's hug. Gently pulling the smaller man closer, he supported himself by resting his forearm against the wall. This way, the Lycan also shielded him from prying eyes. Nobody ought to see Kakavasha this vulnerable but him. Seeing him show his insecurities so openly made him feel appreciated, loved, and most of all, trusted.

Cerberus sensed how hard this was for the blond to admit.

“No need to be, for I am here to watch over you and protect you.”.

Pressing a gentle kiss to the crown of his head, he hugged the other man tightly to reassure him.

The wolf’s words pierced through him, so calm yet powerful. Aventurine held onto the Lycan as if he was a shield. Because he is.

The Sigonian hated to admit how scared he was since he was the type of guy that everyone saw as the confident and brave kind of guy. But it was the truth. He was scared. And he hated himself. Deeply.

“Promise you’ll never leave me”, he muttered beneath his breath, eyes squeezed shut while wrapped firmly in the wolf’s embrace.

Seth could feel hatred bubble up inside of him. Not directed towards Aventurine, no.

Far from it.

This white-hot mix of anger and hate searing inside of him was for the IPC. They were the ones responsible for making his one and only feel like this, even though they had given him this opportunity to be 'free' albeit in a golden cage with a glimmering guillotine hanging above his head, waiting to fall.

“I vow to never leave you. I'll follow you to the end of the cosmos, till the death of the stars, and even beyond. For I have pledged to be by your side forever.”.

With that, he cupped his boyfriend's cheek, gently lifting his chin in the process. He sealed his promise with a kiss on his forehead before his lips found a way down to Kakavasha's.

Seth’s kisses always made him shiver, even though they were gentle and full of tender love. The wolf’s kisses always gave him the kind of butterflies that would make him feel like his heart was about to burst out of his chest.

The kiss on the forehead made him feel safe, as if there was never such a thing as problems in the world. And finally, the last kiss sealed a promise neither of them would ever break.

Only the two of them were relishing in this moment.

Seth knew about the blond's insecurities way too well. And yet, instead of looking down on him for them, he'd repeat as often as necessary that Aventurine was much better than what the angry, evil, little voice inside his head said. Much better than what he thought about himself.

Since they were standing in a rather dimly lit alleyway clearly not used by any people around them, he could freely kiss him outside the bounds of a closed room. Bonus points could be given since it was a one-way street, and his large figure would cover the blond's smaller frame.

After what felt like an eternity, the Lycan broke the kiss.

“How about we head back to our room and order some room service?”.

He wasn't in the mood for an overly fancy dinner. This way, they could also talk about what was weighing on Aventurine's mind.

The Sigonian leaned against the muscular man, his head resting comfortably against the broad shoulders. He had no idea how his partner had already figured out that he needed time away from the fancy dinners to talk about it.

Because he really did.

“Sounds good to me. But first, can I ask you something?”.

The blond looked up and met his partner’s gaze, a hint of nervousness in his stare despite being close to the wolf.

“Promise you won’t laugh? No matter how weird my question might seem to you…?”.

Gently caressing his head, Seth's hand ran through the other's silky golden locks. With a nod, he confirmed his words to both of his remarks and questions.

“What is it?”, he quizzed, lifting an eyebrow and gazing down much more softly than before at Aventurine.

For a few seconds, he remained quiet before eventually speaking up: “…Can I have a piggyback ride..?”.

The blonde knew how corny his question was and how goofy it made him look to ask for such a thing at his age. But he didn’t care, not with his partner standing right in front of him.

Aventurine knew how tall the man was and how it didn’t matter at all, because he’d still feel safe and comfortable in his arms.

Sure, that question was not what he had expected to hear, but he didn't laugh, at least. Seth just blinked at him for a moment before nodding and turning around. The Lycan crouched down, so Aventurine would have an easier time getting on.

“S'ppose you're tired, hmm?”.

With a nod of his head, he signaled his partner to hop onto his back.

And once the Stoneheart had climbed on, he headed back to the hotel.

As soon as they had returned to their room, Seth ordered something for dinner for both of them.

He looked over to the blond and sat him down, breaking the ice: “Okay, so, what's your plan?”.

He knew that his partner was coming up with something as he set down the tablet with food and drinks the staff had brought in front of them on the little table. He knew that specific glimmer in his eyes, the way his brows furrowed slightly whenever he was coming up with a bigger plan.

Aventurine had a smile on his face that could only mean that he was thinking. The blond glanced over at the big man in front of him, who seemed so calm, with barely any signs that he was thinking hard. It was something the Sigonian wished he could be right now.

He took a sip from his expensive wine, his eyes darting at the Lycan in front of him. Seth had a calm exterior, but the man was anything but that, judging by the way his tail was wagging slightly and his ears perked up at attention.

“So…”, he began, putting down his drink, “I have an idea.”.

“Something to do with the Family, right? The way they avoid mentioning 'death' is suspicious…”, he scoffed quietly, but awaiting his love's response.

He also began eating his steak, curious about what the other's plan might entail.

The blond was surprised that his partner knew him that well. Albeit, they'd been together for a long time now, so it shouldn't actually be a wonder.

“You really do know me too well….”.

“Certainly I do.”.

A lazy smirk graced his lips, his crimson eyes glimmering as he looked at Aventurine.

Before he could answer the wolf’s suspicions, he leaned closer, his hands grabbing Seth’s.

“I have an idea. But I’d like to ask you something first.”.

“Ask away.”.

He was awaiting the other's idea and question.

The blond played with one of his partner’s fingers as he continued to speak.

“Do you trust me enough to go through with the plan I have?”.

He waited for the wolf’s answer before he could say anything else. The blond wanted the big man to trust him and believe in him.

“Well, I do trust you with everything, so... Yes. Even more so, if you don't keep me in the dark, but I don't think I need to remind you about that.”.

A husky chuckle left his throat. If he didn't trust him, why should he have chosen Aventurine as his lover? It would make little sense otherwise.

“I have an idea, but please hear me out first. I know how crazy this must sound. I know it does, but…”, he swallowed hard, his breathing becoming shaky as he continued, “I want to try and test out my theory of permanent death in the Dreamscape. I want to know if it’s possible to actually die here or not.”.

Upon hearing and processing his lover's request and plan, he almost choked on the piece of steak he was about to swallow.

“...What-? Kakavasha, you can't be serious-”, Seth eventually brought out, albeit still out of breath from his coughing fit.

“Don't you think this is a little risky?”.

He trusted Aventurine, he truly did. He just didn't know what to do with a proposal like this.

The other male laughed at his partner’s reaction, but it wasn’t a mean or arrogant laugh. It was the laugh of someone who had just proved a point they were trying to make.

The blond shrugged, as if his plan is just a normal one and not a risky one at all.

“What’s the worst thing that could happen?”, he tilted his head to the side, a genuine innocent smile plastered on his lips.

Realizing that his employer was serious about it, he let out a heavy sigh after thinking over it for a while. Sipping from his beer, he eventually ran a hand over his face.

“Well. I for sure know I can't stop you from anything once you've put your mind on something. Especially if it involves a high-stakes gamble.. I'll just pray for our survival.”.

When he decided that he wished to stir the peace under the Elation's name, he didn't reckon it would amount to a crazy plan like this one day.

“Well, you don’t really have a choice”, he teased, still maintaining that innocent smile on his face.

He was aware of how risky and dangerous this plan was even though he didn’t sound like he did.

“You’re coming with me whether you want it or not.”.

He smirked at the man’s comment regarding survival.

“And don’t worry. We’ll survive. I don’t mind putting my life on the line for the sake of proving this theory.”.

Seth let out a small grunt, practically meaning something along the lines of 'Figured as much'.

“Can't leave you alone in this one then. I'll join you for this experiment then. Two makes for a higher chance in probability. Did I.. get that right?”.

Aventurine smiled and his eyes lit up. Seth’s words were exactly what the blond wanted to hear. Two was indeed better than one. The chances would increase and they wouldn’t be alone in this experience.

“You’re right. There’d be a higher chance for us to survive together”, the blonde agreed, still holding onto the big man’s hand, “So, are we ready to start the experiment?”.

“Of course. Ready whenever you are”, he replied.

It meant that he wouldn't let Kakavasha do this unsupervised, and if it failed, he'd simply join him. After all, it was a shame if he failed his duty, letting his partner and employer die. Truly a shame for a bodyguard.

Even if they were meant to find a tragic end.

Aventurine stood up from the dining table, his body feeling more antsy with every minute that passed.

Was he really going to do this right now? Put his life at risk for the sake of a theory?

His eyes wandered to his partner, and he could tell that Seth looked just as anxious.

He reached over to him and took his hand, squeezing it gently.

“Ready?”.

The wolf nodded, before he reached for his gun, pointing it to the blond's chest and pulling the trigger.

Click. Bang. Splash. Clank. Thud. Then sparkling bubbles. Then silence.

Seth just had watched a peculiar scene: Once he had shot Aventurine, instead of blood that was gushing, it was some kind of blueish pearlescent liquid.

The bubbles and sparkling lights were from his partner's form dissolving into them as he disappeared.

His jaw clenched.

Immediately, Cerberus returned to reality through the same means as he had just done to the Stoneheart. There, he found the Sigonian sitting next to him in the Dreampool; gasping and panting from the shock, but unharmed. A heavy breath of relief fled from his lungs.

Pulling his boyfriend into a tight hug, he let out another shaky breath: “You're okay-”.

Aventurine wrapped his arms around the man, and he was the first one to break the silence after a few long heartbeats: “I’m okay…”.

The blond gulped down hard. His entire body was shaking and he could barely remember how to breath. The only thing that made him feel better was the wolf’s embrace, and even then, the blonde couldn’t shake off the fear that was taking over him.

“I…didn’t die”, he gasped as he buried his face in the big man’s chest.

Nodding quickly, he pulled Aventurine closer. He buried his face in his hair, his tail wagging and splashing the water everywhere. The emotional distress from shooting the blond and himself was lingering on his mind, but their embrace slowly seemed to soothe both of them out of it.

“Looks like one truly can't die in the Dreamscape..”.

Seeing the way Seth buried his face in his hair and his tail wagging made his heart calm down and beat slowly.

“Yeah…”, the blond finally said, after several tense moments of them holding each other, “We definitely can’t die in the Dreamscape. I wonder why that is…”.

“Good question. You want to investigate more?”. Seth asked in a low hum.

It actually piqued his interest, as well.

“Yes. I do”, he said, sounding way more relaxed now. His whole demeanor changed from tense and afraid to intrigued. He had several questions that he wanted answers to as soon as possible.

“So, why is it that we can’t die in the Dreamscape? Is there a reason? And if there is a reason… what is it?”.

His thoughts were slowly turning into theories.

Over the course of the next 48 hours, the two continued to investigate the questions at hand, as well as people who could possibly be linked to the issue.

But also, upon learning a thing or two in the process, Aventurine suggested teaming up with the Astral Express crew, which Seth figured could be a good move since they also might be able to figure something out.

Meanwhile, Welt and the others arrived at the decision to join forces with Aventurine.

The Stoneheart and Dr. Ratio played their 4D mind chess, being in on each other's plans for supposed betrayal, especially after uncovering the two murders.

And considering that Aventurine was present at the scene of Robin's murder, it would be the smartest to directly meet up with Sunday.

Although, their meeting certainly did take an unprecedented turn towards the end of their conversation.

The Harmony's powers were restricting the Sigonian, setting the moment of execution 17 system hours from that point.

Sometime in between, Veritas handed Kakavasha a vial of sorts with a ‘doctor's prescription’, as he called it.

And together, the couple made their way to the final stage of the plan.

The announcement invited everyone to witness the spectacle at Clock Studio Theme Park.

And exactly there, albeit a while later, a group of five finally stepped through the curtains and into the stadium-like structure.

Acheron, Welt, Himeko, March, and the Trailblazer readied their weapons.

“The dice are cast - Ladies and gentlemen, ready to unveil your cards?”, Aventurine greeted through a projection onto the massive screen suddenly lighting up.

Glancing out from under the rim of his fedora, he smiled slightly: “The Architects’ flawed stone…”.

Straightening his posture, he started laughing.

Now that the camera had zoomed out a little, Seth also got visible behind him, reloading Crime and Punishment whilst mockingly grinning into the camera: “You better run while you can, little rabbits..~”.

Aventurine threw a set of dice, they ended up actually rolling over the ground in front of the Express Crew and the supposed Galaxy Ranger.

“Of no value at all.”.

The green and golden dice all ended up with the spades symbol facing up; even the one that bumped into the Trailblazer's shoe.

“I'm putting down the bet. I'm taking the gamble. I'm claiming the win.”.

Bathed in a blinding, golden light, the Sigonian descended from the top middle frame border of the screen, having activated the Aventurine stone's powers.

His form had changed a little consequently; with his fedora being a top hat now, a golden, blue and turquoise mask covering his face, claws on his hands, and an upside-down, heart-shaped cutout on his chest, among others.

“I'll let fate spin the wheel, a daring gamble. Walking the brink of death… for rebirth. All for the Amber Lord!”.

Whilst he was speaking, he seemingly crushed his Cornerstone in his hand, and the cutout on his chest began to glow in a blue light.

The next moment, Trailblazer charged forward, dashing at Aventurine to attack him. Alas, he pushed them aside with ease.

Instead, Seth shoved himself in front of his partner, firing at the Express crewmember inhabiting the Stellaron to keep them back.

A red light flashed high above their heads, cutting through the dark clouds of the night sky. A massive laser beam was fired focused on the duo’s current position. The huge explosion kicked up dust and dirt, sending debris flying. Himeko hoped that her satellite had hit its mark.

Cerberus had reacted just in time, giving his partner a little shove into the direction he ought to evade before he’d leap out of the way himself. He returned the fire and just barely missed her from a full-blown hit instead just a little scrape on her side.

“Ah, so close… Pretty tricky with this handicap.”.

“Always hide your ace with a straight face…”, Aventurine sighed and with a swipe of his arm, the smokescreen seemed to clear up.

He grinned behind his mask for a moment when he noticed that his watchdog positioned himself in front of him, kneeling and yet pointing his guns at the Astral Express crew. His left hand found itself on top of the wolf’s head, akin to how proud fighting or hunting dogs would pose with their pet.

With the other hand’s extended index finger, he was pointing at the group in front of them, he clicked his tongue in irritation: “I’m starting to get a bit impatient with you all.”.

Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed to illuminate the darkness once the dust and smoke had settled. It showed the worry and fear in the Express crew’s eyes. What a beautiful painting.

As he rose further into the air, he chuckled arrogantly. Aventurine held onto his mask for a moment, his head tilted back. He spread his arms shortly before he was as high up as he had planned. The coat tails fluttered in the strong winds at this altitude.

“Friends, to fully relish this- I’m betting every last chip!”.

Playing with a golden and green coin, he eventually lifted the arm he was holding it with until he threw it higher up into the air.

“Only by casting aside reason does one truly gamble..”

Even though Seth’s expression had been rather cold and aloof, yet somewhat tense before, it relaxed a little bit now. He trusted his partner. Cerberus was prepared to die here tonight if fate had planned it this way and they’d lose the gamble.

Coincidentally, he had never seen Aventurine use these powers before either, so it was a first for him too. He had to admit that the glittering gilded sphere extending around and above them with golden-white chips was quite the breathtaking sight, even if the wind blowing could be compared to a storm rather than a breeze.

He simply relished in the apparent fear displayed on Trailblazer’s and March’s faces at this point.

“Haha! ‘Emanator’ - I know you’ll match my wager. Right~?”.

Laughing, the blond launched the various stacks of chips at the scene before him. He didn't care what the collateral damage would be.

When Himeko lifted her satellite for another attack, accompanied by Welt summoning a quasi-black hole, with each of them having one of the young ones behind them, Seth took the chance to shoot at them in an attempt to distract them.

“Don't focus on just one target.”.

After all, they were both equally lethal.

Crime and Punishment both spat out shell after shell that landed on the ground with a quiet clink, practically drowned out by the loud bangs and rumbling around them.

Cerberus used the descending chips and other objects as jumping pads to elevate his position all whilst he continued to shoot his projectiles as their opponents. He intentionally missed his mark by just a millimeter, just as planned.

That is until Acheron stepped forward.

Time felt like it was slowing down. Something sinister yet melancholic sent a shiver down everyone’s spine.

“I wish to mourn the departed, weeping like rain, to swell the crossing stream…”.

Her voice sounded calm, her steps alike. Her hair turned white, her arm red, skin paling. She raised the arm she held her sheathed sword with. A bloody tear rolled down her right cheek as she drew the blade.

“...as the tide arrives, leading you back home.”.

Red static crackled in the electrified air, a black domain swiftly extending with her in its center. The crimson blade dragged across the ground with a metallic clink, until she aimed a vibrant red slash mainly directed at Aventurine. The impact created a shock wave, and a bright white light blinded anyone present.

The slash cutting through the massive gilded dome also sliced through the ground and any buildings in its path, wreaking havoc and leaving destruction in its wake, blasting a thick smokescreen through the area.

Only once Acheron pushed the blade back into its scabbard, time seemed to flow normally again, heavy rain falling and drenching everything.

Alas, for the two men, everything went black. Pitch black.

Seth didn't feel nor see nor hear anything. He could barely form a coherent thought. He didn't know where he was, nor whether they were alive or dead. It simply felt like a void.

As for Aventurine, he found himself in some kind of pocket dimension, standing in front of a black sun, as he bidded farewell to a projection of his own self as a young boy before striding towards the sun where he’d expected to be reunited with his beloved wolf or find his salvation.

Or rather, the barrier’s end, appearing a subspace that requires to be either shattered or breached, at least, as according to Acheron’s information.

[takeshitakyuuto]

Trigun Book Club reading update volume one

This is my first full experience with Trigun, and I am participating due to my civic duty as a tihylttw fan. よろしく～

What I know about the series already:

Space western! (+)

Vash is a twin? with someone named Knives?

Something about gods that I don’t understand and don’t want to

Kitty :3

I am infamous far and wide for my loquacious book club participations, so from here on out will be under read more. Spoilers for volume one of Trigun only

My usual file reader was glitching out so I had to find a new one to read this volume and oh my god the text is so tiny. why. thank god for zoom (and furigana)

Ch 1. Okay Vash’s fit is fire. Fashion icon

I really like the world building we get right off the bat. The little sign showing the day’s crimes was funny, clever, and really establishes what we’re dealing with.

Vash’s “death” chapter one? oooooo I really like where we’re heading with him...

He gave a child a pistol?!?!?!? childcare king tbh

So far my favorite character is the blonde lady with the huge gun (Milly?)

Ch 2. The appearance of The Cat!

Are these... human cars?

Freckles asking the questions I’ve had all along! I’m excited to see what Vash’s “quest” is and why it would put such a big bounty on his head, especially since he seems like a guy with strong morals.

*Gets “KISS MY ASS” tattooed on my hand* no you don’t understand, its a Trigun reference. So you know the genre space western? Hey, why are you walking away, I’m not done yet!

Ch 3. Does this place have a government???

Jack pot!!

Yaoi proportioned Vash

Oh the lesbians are from the government

I love Vash realizing the power of lesbians

Ch. 4 Vash the Stampede: impervious to bullets, but not to grate corners

Is this chapter 5 now? Bad Lads Group is an absolute top tier name for a terrorist organization

Oh boy the introduction of Rem. What a great introduction, I can’t wait to see what relationship she had/(has?) to Vash. Based on that little dream of his, I don’t think she’s alive anymore or at the very least has no contact with Vash

Ch 6. チビスケｗｗｗｗ

I might just be because they’re both space westerns but this is also giving me more and more Cowboy Bebop vibes in the way of I never know who’s going to be a recurring character or just in it for the chapter. I’m sure as the series goes on though we’ll start seeing more overarching plot and less “Vash Gets Himself Into Sticky Situations”

Also, this dude loves jumping out of windows

Ch 7. A Chapter called Rem? Excitingggggg

Ya’ll weren’t kidding when you said that the art could be a little hard to understand... I thought Vash got shot but it was someone else’s blood 🥵

Vash calling the group understaffed and then immediately opening a door to see a horde of grunts... the comedic timing in this series is impeccable

Oh look, おわり！

Final thoughts: I thought this was a solid first volume! It’s very out of my element- I don’t read much shounen and I read even less action series. It took me a while to get used to the shounen style of Japanese (unexpected yet happens every blue moon that I decide to pick one up) and the action vocabulary was also difficult, as I never see any of it. Okay enough about language learning, we’re all here for the plot. I still feel like I’m not completely sure about what the plot is, but I also know that that’s fairly typical with manga. I liked the recurring characters that we were introduced to and it opened up plenty of questions to be answered later. As for Rem, she seems like some sort of God character (as opposed to a god character). As for my favorite characters from the volume, it stays Milly and ohmygodijustforgothername Meryl. Let’s see if I stay on track with the reading or if I decide to read ahead :3c

[hooter-n-company]

Dropped a little teaser in this post, so I guess there’s no time like the present for another OC lore drop!

This two-headed pirate captain used to be two separate humans, Captain Levi and Captain Nathaniel. The two developed an intense rivalry over the years, trying to outclass and outmaneuver one another in their quest for riches and infamy.

This quest eventually led them to the long lost Temple of Dagon, where both pirate factions battled over possession of the treasure within. But in the midst of battling over a mysterious chest, they set off an explosion of eldritch energy, which transformed every last crew member into a monstrous human-fish hybrid. As they were both right next to one another and holding the chest at the time, Levi and Nathaniel were fused together right down the middle.

Since that day, the duo began a new quest across the sea: to find some way to turn themselves back to normal, and most importantly, split them up so they can get as far away from one another as physically possible... 

Full bio(s) under the cut. Prepare yourself, you get two characters in one, so there’s a LOT of info:

Name: Captain Nathaniel Pronouns: He/him Age: (Before transformation) 40 Species: Nautilus mutant Role: Pred Height: 8.7 feet tall Abilities: Tough exoskeleton, 4 tentacles in place of normal arm, sharp beak and radula, trained swordsman, cutlass, flintlock pistols Personality: Reserved, cold, calculating, and despite his capacity for cruelty, he can be reasonable and prefers to negotiate to get what he wants (even if he only views people as means to an end. Almost views himself as a Robin Hood type figure, stealing from the rich to give to those less fortunate (although the only ones that qualify are his most loyal crew members and himself). Still greedy and gluttonous, but he prefers to savor everything that comes into his possession. Likes: Fine dining (especially crabs and shellfish), sampling exotic cuisine, drinking (loves wine), reading, cartography, art, card/dice games, treasure, privacy, peace and quiet, his prized weapons, his loyal crew members, strategizing, being pampered, belly rubs (would never admit it) Dislikes: Being stuck with Levi, Levi’s crass behavior, Levi eating important hostages and crew members, Levi’s snoring, uncivilized individuals (like Levi), Levi’s crew, indigestion, mutiny, government authority, messes on his ship, magic

Name: Captain Levi Pronouns: He/him Age: (Before transformation) 36 Species: Eel mutant Role: Pred Height: 8.7 feet tall Abilities: Fast healer, powerful tail, extendable neck, vicious brawler, boarding axe, blunderbuss Personality: A foul tempered, hotheaded bruiser and shameless hedonist all about instant gratification. Loves using brute force and intimidation tactics to get what he wants. Has a one-track mind set on eating everything and everyone who gets too close when he's hungry. Vicious, but has has plenty of moments where he comes off as immature and a bit of a dope. Likes: Binge eating (especially eels and slippery cephalopods), squirmy prey, binge drinking (loves rum and beer), gambling, the trill of battle, striking fear in the hearts of others, blowing shit up, beautiful women, competition, partying, treasure, music, playing the concertina, treasure, his prized weapons, showing off his battle scars, belly rubs Dislikes: Being stuck with Nate, Nate’s prissy behavior, Nate interrupting his meals, Nate being a killjoy, Nate’s crew, indigestion, mutiny, government authority, classism, talking about his past, his intelligence being insulted, being forced to clean up his messes

Other Info: -A pirate captain is nothing without a ship, and Leviathan is no exception. Originally, when Levi and Nathaniel were humans in separate bodies, they both had separate ships. Nathaniel's was christened "Poseidon's Pride", and Levi's was "The Ravager". In the pursuit of Dagon's Temple, both captain's ships sustained some serious battle damage, but they both reached their destination at around the same time; a lone island out in the middle of the ocean.

As soon as they set foot on the shore, the weather quickly takes a turn for the worse, but Levi and Nathaniel are both gunning for the treasure and ignore it. However, the entire course of events leading up to the pirates being cursed takes much, much longer than expected; The Temple of Dagon is a huge labyrinth full of traps and puzzles, and the two captains are evenly matched the entire time. And so, when the monstrous, mutated crew finally crawls their way back out of the temple, they find a massive typhoon swept over the island in the day they were gone. Both of their ships have been tossed ashore, reduced to useless wrecks of wood.

After a LOT of arguing and hurling vicious threats, the newly fused Captain Leviathan orders their combined crew to complete their first major task: building a new ship from the remains of the old. Said ship wasn't exactly pretty; a very large, jagged Frankenstein's monster of a vessel that matched the mutated fish-man crew to a tee. But on the water, it is both durable and shockingly fast, as well as incredibly effective at striking fear into the hearts of enemies. Which is why, after much disagreement, Levi and Nathaniel settled on a new name: "The Fangtooth".

-Nate and Levi have two separate brains that think independently, so one head can fall asleep while the other remains awake. It's actually pretty useful when they need to keep watch at night, or keep an eye out for any sneak attacks, but it's annoying when one head is too loud and disrupts their "twin's" beauty sleep.

-When it comes to walking from Point A to Point B, their legs sync up automatically if they are in agreement on their destination. But if they can't agree on where to go, it can screw things up to the point they're unable to move at all or are left stumbling all over the place (which they were doing a LOT of when they were first fused together). It often comes down to a battle of wills, where one of them can wrestle control of their legs from the other, with some difficulty.

-Some of their internal organs are fused together, while others are divided between them. They each have one lung and pair of gills, so they can talk and breathe out of sync. They also have two esophagi, but they share a single enlarged stomach and digestive tract. This means that they are very prone to eating too much too fast, since it all goes to the same place, and when one of them gets a bellyache, the other one feels it too.

In vore scenarios, if they are not in agreement over turning someone into food, their digestion will slow to a crawl (possibly leading to their prey fighting their way out if Nate doesn't let them out first). If they are in agreement, their gut works much faster at churning up whatever they ate.