#rob tyrant

[goldenandhappy]

ONE PIECE 1072 SLAPS👏 HARD👏

This is the best chapter I’ve read in a while ! And that’s a feat because Egghead has been fantastic ! 

Spoilers under the cut. I might or might not have commented every panel.

> I am a sucker for narrative intros ! I am a sucker for narrative intros ESPECIALLY if they are extracted from a journal or diary.  And this narrative intro is so full of emotions ! Good for you Vegapunk ! Go rock that science !

> It is ironic that MADS is called “Laboratory of Peace” when the previous page was basically this:

> The page displays each of the mad scientist with his preferred field of study.

> I doubt Vegapunk knew about what was going down in his “Lab of Peace”; he did hate what Ceasar did in Punk Hazard. So they probably hid it well or made it sound “for the better good and the advancement of science” like for the DFs reproduction. And it’s not like their founds were lacking : Du Feld kept on pumping money in because weapons made him good money.

> And it’s crazy how much info Oda can drop in a single panel because this one has every mad scientist with his preferred field in hand: Ceaser with the smile fruit, Queen with the chemical weapons, and Judge with the spear that ultimately became his weapon of choice. It even has the little yellow tube and all. 

Picture from OP PIRATE WARRIORS 4.

> Then Bonney being a little shit and Vegapunk being a worried grandpa. Cute.

> This Bonney form reminds me of Luffy in his Nika form. It’s both funny and interesting because Bonney vibes well with Luffy and I like to think that they arrived to the same conclusions about what they should do with their fruits.

> Excuse me ??? This is too cute ???? I like that bonney is a strong powerful pirate but her power is still girly and cute ! Look at the cute stars ! And there’s a heart ! And look at Vegapunk he’s such a cute baby !!!

> I bet that Oda loves drawing Bonney, because every panel she’s in, she looks gorgeous.

> Ah yes, the classic juxtaposition of dramatic dialogue with a dramatic scene relating to that dialogue. :’)

> You can actually see how much Vegapunk cares for Kuma here. But still, very valid reaction from Bonney. You go girl !

> Vegapunk and Bonney are both growing on me more and more each chapter.

> I stared at those 2 panels for a good 30 seconds. I can’t even describe how they made me feel.  

> Because of course... Because obviously... Obviously Kuma pushed out his own memories... This was so obvious and no one ever considered it. God fucking dammit Oda.

> I am still not sure about the origin of DFs. Maybe they are magical, maybe they are man made. But this dialog is very important because we might not understand how things happen, but we can study how they affect the world around them. That’s a cornerstone of science and i’m so happy with how it’s depicted.

Also:

> The greek alphabet is canon.

And

> World reknown scientist DR VEGAPUNK needs to draw a small circuit with coil and capacitator to remember his electro-magnetism rules. Can’t blame him.

> Oh Brook is in a shirt, that’s cute ! Keep up the theme of the island peeps ! 

> Kaku awakened his giraffe fruit ?? How ?? (Theory time: I’m betting it’s related to the nature of the fruit. Once you reach a certain level in power and creativity, you can awaken your fruit. And the wilder the strength it represents, the harder it gets. But if you’re like... a giraffe, that should be easier than a leopard.)

> Look mate, as long as the crew and VP’s Brain are safe, this is meaningless. But yeah sure have your fun destroying things !

> I am delecting myself with the taste of Stussy’s betrayal. This is a face a love seeing on Lucci. Hit him where it hurts <3

> And what a way to end a chapter. Vampire Stussy ? Or is she a succubus ? Hell yeah ! Of course she was the one Vegapunk called ! And of course she’s a clone ! Vegapunk mentionned that the Seraphim were the pinacle of all his experiences ! And they are CLONES ! So of course he cloned people !!! And the cover story from chapter 1070 ? That wasn’t Stussy ! That was Miss Buckingham ! 

Miss Buckingham, from the Rocks Pirates, WORKED WITH MADS!!!!

I can’t with this chapter anymore ! Thank you Oda !!!

[unseelie-robynx]

What’s Iron Fan’s relationship with Macaque like in the Tyrant Prince au? Because we know Wukong just wants to make Iron Fan forget about Red Son but I’m curious on how her relationship is like with Macaque because they have also been living under Wukong’s roof for some time.

So this relationship is interesting actually. Because there are two very distinct versions of it.

There's the version where PIF has had her memories of Red Son scrubbed out, and then lost her husband and she's had already been in a feedback loop of heartbreak and pain from Red Son being lost and losing DBK almost actually made things *better* because she at least had a reason to feel like her heart had been carved out. She was taken to FFM to live with SWK, as a way to heal and get over what happened (and because SWK felt so guilty, but DBK was almost gone with grief and rage at that point and it needed to happen). But that version of her is... quiet. She doesn't speak at all except to some of the baby monkeys, and the grief all but permeates off of her at all times.

That means, for her and Macaque, it's a sort of quiet companionship. I kind of went with the headcanon (And @vegalocity didn't stop me) that Princess Iron Fan and Macaque were closer than him and DBK, more of the fandom interpretation that she was kind of an (older?) sister to Macaque, where as DBK was more SWK's sworn brother instead. Subtly, but that would be the basis for that relationship.

So Macaque tries his best to help, but unlike SWK who expects PIF to eventually start to get better, (and side note, SWK doesn't expect PIF to forget about Red Son, he's actually been trying to get them to 'reconnect' because he assumes she disowned her son and that that's what all the 'I don't have any children' stuff she's said is about. Not that she's had her memory scrubbed and honestly belives she doesn't have any children), Macaque knows better, and knows that PIF had her memories gutted and so she can't 'get better'.

He worries about her, and he sometimes fears she might try to 'rejoin' DBK more permanently (which, MACAQUE knows that DBK is alive and in the rebellion, but he can't say anything, so it becomes extra stressful, as if it wasn't already) and he tries his best to take care of her and help her be at least a little ok, but the whole thing is a bit of a mass of pain.

But THEN our Tyrant Prince gets it into his head that maybe his perfect Wife who now has a*perfect baby sister to dote on (in the form of Shuyin, the cultist girl that Xiaojiao picks up that Vegalocity talks about a bit in THIS POST), deserves a perfect mama as well.

So this 'Mama', is sweet and simpering, overly doting on her 'babies', always knew that Red was an airheaded idiot (who was 'cursed' with a temper that needed to be cut out) and that both of her children had been given to her by a 'god' and that someday they were both meant to be owned by gods and to be given back to them.

In short, her personality is *yanked in the opposite direction, and while some of the real Princess Iron Fan comes out, she's now fully on board with Xiaotain and his plans, because she's been brainwashed to see him as a god, and to obey him without question.

Which means Macaque has lost yet another person that he cares about to Xiaotian's machination, and his home on FFM is even less safe. Because while SWK is only somewhat brainwashed and Macaque has to be carful to 'follow the script' around him, PIF is now completely brainwashed, and Xiaotian actually makes use of her to get Macaque out of the way for several important things. (Such as forcing SWK to tell him where some old stolen fruits are hidden away)

So Macauqe's new relationship with her is essentially one of heartbreak and distrust. Because he's lost his bond-sister, and not only that he now has to be so careful around her. Because she can use the winds and potentially learn things he doesn't want anyone to know with them, and so he doesn't get even a moment's reprieve anymore.

Which leads to bitterness.

Obviously, Macaque knows it's not PIF's fault, and that she's not willingly serving the Tyrant Prince, but the fact is she is and that's hard.

In the new dynamic, Macaque is bitter and on edge and heartbroken and guilty that he couldn't do more, but there really wasn't anything he could have done, because he hadn't realized what was happening or that Xiaotian had plans for PIF before it was too late.

Which, of course, is another thing he blames himself for

[chronomally]

Xu Kou really doesn't deserve any of this

[kinsey3furry300]

Disney's Robbin Hood marries Maid Marian at the end of the film. Since marriage between commoners and aristocracy were illegal in the time period, we can infer then that Disney's Robbin Hood uses the cannon from Richard Grafton's 16th century Chronicle at Large or latter, when Robbin Hood goes from a yeoman to a member of the aristocracy, either the Earl of Huntingdon, or the later lord Locksley.

This fox is, and always has been, a member of the aristocratic 1% defending his inherited wealth, power and privilege. His vendetta against Prince John and his denouncement of him as a tyrant is personal as Prince John infinged on the rights and privileges of the Nobles, which was illegal, and lead to him taking up arms abd leading a guerilla campaign, and as soon as a Absoulute monarch he personality agrees with returns, he bends the knee in exchangefor a pardon, the restorationon his estates, and a policaly benifical marrage.

Behold the friendly face of Absoulute hereditary power!

In DnD terms, this verson of Robbin Hood is Lawfull Evil, fighting to uphold his own legal power and staiuts against an usurper.

Sad to say it given, he gave me my sexual awakening, but this fox is, and always has been, a fascist.

I mean I'd still fuck both of them but the sex with Rob would be far angrier.

This fox, this guy right here:

He's just a depressed millennial with childhood trauma running a gig economy job. He's not even doing anything particularly illegal, as shown by the only thing Judy (a frighteningly effective cop) can find to charge him with is tax evasion. He's a high functioning borderline genius level guy running street scams due to racial profiling barring access to higher education and better jobs, and once someone gives him an in he proves very very good at solving crimes. He had no ideological stake in this, he's in DnD terms true neutral tending towards chaotic neutral, but he does risk his life to stop and actual fascist coup that was happening hidden behind a facade of public safety (looks at canera), which is something. He's an everyman antihero who sells out for a job with helthcare and/or bunny boobies at the first chance he gets, very relatable.

This Fox, is and always has been, Moray grey.

and he fucking knows it, the sexy beast.

In conclusion, Disney has always been a Conservative company filled with left leaning creators, and Sometimes thier furry kink critique of the current system leaks out and they are at their best when it does.

[radiance1]

Danny, has been turned into a cat.

Why? He may or may not have pissed off more than wizard after they failed to summon the ghost king successfully and gave them massive shit for it.

They wanted a powerful ghost tyrant, got a ghost prince with a shit eating grin instead.

Was it worth it? Yes, yes it was.

However, now he is stuck in this dimension, and wanders around experiencing the life of a street cat. Somehow, someway, he became the leader of a clan of cats, some of them surprisingly having powers, other not, but he never knew the life of a street cat was so...

Intense? Is probably the word.

Gang wars, negotiations, managing resources, taking care of the injured from said gang wars or the occasional shitty human, etc, etc. The resources like food weren't really a problem, his powers made it very easy to just, take whatever he wanted, how much he could take was a problem though, nothing a bag can't fix.

Some kind of villain (If what he heard was correct) stepped on his turf, and he couldn't have cared less what they were going to do, until some of the casualties involved his family of cats and, safe to say.

That villain did not expect to be beaten up by a superpowered cat. Much less robbed by other superpowered cats.

Of course, such an event wouldn't go unnoticed.

[twistedworld101]

List of Unique Magic of the Original Characters

HEARTSLABYUL

Riddle -- OFF WITH YOUR HEAD  (Lit. Behead Them)

ABILITY:

Summons a collar around the target’s neck and seals their magic.

INCANTATION: 

I’ll hand down my sentence. The verdict comes afterwards. Are you ready? Off With Your Head!

FIRST APPEARANCE: 

Unique Magic: Prologue 3

Incantation: Twisted-Wonderland Manga Episode of Heartslabyul: Volume 1 (p.50)

Ace

NOT REVEALED

Deuce -- BET THE LIMIT (Lit. Tit for Tat)

ABILITY: 

Builds up damage taken by attacks and returns it all at once twofold.

INCANTATION:

I’ll make you pay for that! Brace yourself! Bet the Limit!

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 5-64

Cater -- SPLIT CARD (Lit. Scattered Hand of Cards)

ABILITY:

Creates clones of himself.

INCANTATION:

I am him, and he is another. Split Card!

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 1-15 / P.E. Cater Vignette

Incantation: P.E. Cater Vignette

Trey -- DOODLE SUIT (Lit. Paint the Roses)

ABILITY:

Temporarily overwrites a specific component of the target item.

INCANTATION:

White to red, and red to white. Doodle Suit!

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 1-14

Incantation: Twisted-Wonderland The Novel Episode 1: The Red-Rose Tyrant (p.249)

SAVANACLAW

Leona -- KING’S ROAR (Lit. Roar of the King)

ABILITY:

Destroys anything into dust 

INCANTATION:

I am hunger. I am thirst. I am what robs you of tomorrow. King’s Roar!

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 2-25 / Dorm Leona Vignette

Incantation: Dorm Leona Vignette

Jack -- UNLEASH BEAST (Lit. Shattering Howl on a Moonlit Night)

ABILITY:

Transforms into a wolf.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 2-26

Ruggie -- LAUGH WITH ME (Lit. Fool’s Parade)

ABILITY:

Controls others to mimic his movements.

INCANTATION:

Both kings and hyenas are my friends! Laugh With Me!

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 2-2 (first seen), 2-23 (name spoken)

Incantation: Twisted-Wonderland Episode of Savanaclaw Volume 2

OCTAVINELLE

Azul -- IT’S A DEAL (Lit. Golden Contract)

ABILITY:

Takes any power from the target once they sign a contract.

INCANTATION:

The song ends, the sun sets. Extend mercy upon these poor souls. Now, the deal is struck! It’s a Deal!

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 3

Incantation: Glorious Masquerade (Event) Episode 5-5

Jade -- SHOCK THE HEART (Lit. Gnawing Teeth)

ABILITY:

Compels the target to speak the truth. Can only be used once per person.

INCANTATION:

No need to fear, I only wish to help you. Shock the Heart.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 3

Incantation: Episode 4

Floyd -- BIND THE HEART (Lit. Coiling Tail)

ABILITY:

Blocks and diverts an opponent’s magic.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 3

SCARABIA

Kalim -- OASIS MAKER (Lit. Everlasting Grace)

ABILITY:

Springs forth large quantities of water.

INCANTATION:

A haven within the hot sands, a never-ending feast. Dance! Sing! Oasis Maker!

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 4

Jamil -- SNAKE WHISPER (Lit. Snake Charmer)

ABILITY:

Hypnotizes a target. They must look into his eyes for it to take effect.

INCANTATION:

The one you see reflected in your eyes is your master. Answer when I ask. Bow when I command. Snake Whisper.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 4

POMEFIORE

Vil -- FAIREST ONE OF ALL (Lit. Poison From a Beautiful Flower)

ABILITY:

Places a curse with a touch by specifying the conditions.

INCANTATION:

Nothing to lose, nothing to fear. The shining crown is meant for me. Fairest One Of All.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic: Episode 5

Incantation: Episode 6

Epel -- SLEEP KISS (Lit. Crimson Fruit)

ABILITY:

Places target in glass coffin and puts them to sleep.

INCANTATION:

Close your eyes, still your breath. Sleep Kiss.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 6

Rook -- I SEE YOU (Lit. Arrow that Flies to the Furthest Reaches)

ABILITY:

Once cast on a target, he can pinpoint its exact location.

INCANTATION:

Come, let’s see you try to outrun me. I See You.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 6

IGNIHYDE

Idia -- GATE TO UNDERWORLD (Lit. Opened Gateway to the Underworld)

ABILITY:

Opens and closes the door to the “Underworld” in STYX HQ.

INCANTATION:

Game, Set, Match. Gate to Underworld.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 6

DIASOMNIA

Malleus -- FAE OF MALEFICENCE (Lit. Blessing)

ABILITY:

Casts a web of thorns and places everyone within to sleep.

INCANTATION:

Spinning wheel of fate, keep pulling the thread of disaster. As King of the Abyss, I shall bestow this upon you. Fae of Maleficence.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 7

Silver -- MEET IN A DREAM (Lit. Let’s Share the Same Dream)

ABILITY:

Allows the caster to jump into other people’s dreams. Only can be used while asleep. Cannot choose the dream that is jumped to. The dreamer is indicated by a white bird-like wisp.

INCANTATION:

To the one I’ve met before, to the one I’ve yet to meet. Meet in a Dream.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 7

Sebek -- LIVING BOLT (Lit. Flash of Lightning)

ABILITY:

His body becomes lightning, which allows him to move and strike like one.

INCANTATION:

Strike through the stormy heavens, O lightning! 

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 7

Lilia -- FAR CRY CRADLE (Lit. To the Furthest Cradle)

ABILITY:

Allows the caster to play back the memory of an “object” for a short time.

INCANTATION:

All is as if it were days long past. No matter where it takes us, it will all be over in the blink of an eye. Far Cry Cradle.

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Episode 7

OTHERS

Rollo Flamme -- DARK FIRE (Lit. Burning Desire)

ABILITY:

His body is wrapped in flames that he can manipulate at will. The more his foes are afraid, confused, or frustrated, the stronger his flames.

INCANTATION:

O crimson flower, scorch my soul and guide me. Dark Fire!

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Glorious Masquerade (Event) Episode 5-5

Fellow Honest -- LIFE IS FUN (Lit. Rose-Tinted Dream)

ABILITY:

Those afflicted feel more easy-going and optimistic and are more inclined to do things they wouldn’t normally do.

INCANTATION:

Come on to the theater! Life is Fun!

FIRST APPEARANCE:

Unique Magic/Incantation: Stage in Playful Land (Event) Episode 5-6

[animentality]

If Gortash was always meant to be in the House of Hope, and potentially recruitable after you kill him, then I'm sad that got cut, because that would've been so interesting for him as a character.

To see the tyrant, laid low, no longer the Archduke of Baldur's Gate and ruler of the Sword Coast, but the sniveling little boy who used to cry himself to sleep at night, back in the hell that was his childhood.

Also, I have this theory now, ever since I found out about this, that maybe Gortash didn't just do all this because he had to feel powerful after a childhood of being powerless and helpless.

Maybe Gortash knew that it was only a matter of time before he was forced back to the House of Hope. He knew he would die eventually, and be forced to return to Raphael.

So maybe he turned to Bane and sought as much power as he could attain, so that he could raid the House of Hope and either kill Raphael or at least steal back his contract?

Maybe serving Bane was always secondary to that goal.

But imagine.

Oh fucking imagine...

That he allied himself with Ketheric and the Dark Urge, on behest of his god, and at first, it was just a job for him.

Just something he had to do, because Bane asked him to. But he and the Dark Urge grew close. And maybe he wanted to ask the Dark Urge, after they successfully raided Mephistopheles, if they would help him kill Raphael.

Maybe he was scared to ask before they were close, because it would've revealed a weakness.

A vulnerability, in the Chosen of tyranny.

But then the Dark Urge vanished, so he never got this chance.

And then.

The Dark Urge comes back, a changed person, and he's saddened, but resigned to the fact that he can never ask again.

And then they kill him. Betraying him and the alliance.

And then...he goes back to the House of Hope...and that is his eternity. Being punished by Raphael, taunted for his ability to steal the Crown of Karsus, but unable to reject his fate in the end...

Only for the Dark Urge to knock down the fucking doors, and cut off Raphael's head?

Oh.

Oh, we were robbed, my friends.

The idea of the Dark Urge killing Gortash for the greater good, but inadvertently giving him what he always wanted...

And saving him, whether intentionally or not...

Gortash would smile at his luck. At the kismet. And the dark irony.

But he would be...so glad...that he met the Dark Urge.

They say don't thank me, but he'd say, I have to. I must.

[bitethedevil]

Rambling about Raphael again: I’m getting more and more convinced that stealing from Raphael is an asshole move no matter what.

I just killed Raphael for the first time yesterday. I had gotten the scene where he comes home before but that was way back in my first playthrough and I chickened out back then. The battle itself was awesome, don’t get me wrong but it felt…unsatisfying? Sad even.

I’m obviously not excusing anything he’s done to Hope, but we don’t really know anything about Hope before we have already taken the decision to go to his house.

I found something in the House of Hope that I hadn’t seen before (it’s on the ground in the main area where the fireplace is iirc):

Like yeah, we know that we don’t really need the Orphic Hammer if we’ve played the game before and all that. But does Raphael? It seems like he genuinely thinks it’s a fair trade. Dude lives in the Hells. I’m sure he really does expect the worst from people (especially someone like the Emperor). So he offers us a deal that he really believes is fair, and what do we do? We go robbing his house, fucks/kills his incubus, meddles in his business and essentially spits him in the face. Bonus asshole points if the last thing you ever say to him is that he’s a shit at sex.

Raphael is evil, no doubt, but he hasn’t really done anything to us. If you don’t take the deal, he simply leaves you alone (unless you refuse the Emperor in the end…in which he essentially calls you a dumbass but still helps if I remember correctly) even though that deal is the closest he’s been to the crown in millennia.

Which brings me to his reaction. Obviously, he seems angry right before the fight, but mostly I got the feeling of a man who has been utterly humiliated. His quote that went along the lines of: “Take away their free will and they’ll call you a tyrant. Let them indulge in it and they become tyrants” is kind of stuck with me. I think that Raphael could have potentially treated us a lot worse if he wanted to, but he chose not to (obviously that’s also to get us to trust him, but still). Which is why it stings even more when we fuck him over.

Think about his diary entries. The man has nightmares about us besting him. Imagine how stupid he must feel when that fear turns out to be true and that he shouldn’t have trusted us to keep our word.

[all-things-are-nothing-to-me]

The illegalist current is an offshoot of individualist anarchism. Refusing to be exploited, forced to work for some rich tyrant, instead the illegalist chooses to rob them. It’s an anti-work ethic for individual autonomy to be realised in real life right away through Individual expropriation also known as individual reclamation.

Individual reclamation gained notoriety in France in the last decades of the 19th and early 20th century gave birth to what was to become known as illegalism.

[unseelie-robynx]

Hello! Um…I know I’m not giving you much to work with but could we maybe get some more of the aftermath of the Red’s Awakening ending of the Tyrant Prince AU? Specifically in Sandy’s household? Cause I kinda want to see more of that…

So right off the bat I want to put some warnings on this

WARNING: Brainwashing, Mind Control, Mind Controlled Character POV, SERIOUS ABLEIST BULLSHIT!!

and by that I mean that Me and @vegalocity have Syntax as Autistic, and there are a lot of ableist issues with the villains in these AU's and in this piece said villains have both co-opted Syntax's positive stims to reinforce his brainwashing, but also bring out some messed up practices, in this case tying down Syntax's hand so he can't stim. So the warning is there for those who need it and don't want to/ can't deal with that.

That said, please enjoy a scene from daily life inside the... whatever the Sandy X Huntsman X Syntax ship is called, household in this AU.

Syntax’s hands fluttered and he fought to keep them still. Fluttering Hands Flutter your thoughts away He knew he needed to focus. Needed to be a Good Boy and get his work for the Prince done, but it was so hard! His Husband had said he had a surprise for them, for him and Huntsman, that he would be bringing back with him from the Palace today, and Syntax could hardly focus for how excited he was. Eventually it became too much, and he scooted away from the little computer that he was allowed to use to do his work and let his hands dance and flutter in the air, taking all of his thoughts away with them until he was nothing but a giggling mess of excitement and joy. That was how Huntsman found him sometime later, in a puddle of fabric on the floor as his hands fluttered about, unable to stop for how blissful fluttering his mind into nothingness was. Syntax was so very very lucky he had Huntsman. Had someone who was much more experienced in being a good wife than he was to take care of him and help him be good for their husband. Huntsman just laughed at him, gently catching his happy hands in his own and holding them still till some of Syntax’s thoughts could trickle back into his silly empty head. “What’s got you so happy today?” Came the laughing question in that wonderfully low and rumbly voice and it was almost enough to start Syntax’s hands back up again if Huntsman hadn’t kept his gentle but firm hold of them. “Sandy said he had a surprise for us!” Syntax tried to explain, words gushing out of him. “And he’s at the Palace, so the surprise might be from the Prince, or maybe from Shifu! And I just can’t wait till Sandy comes back because I love him so so so much, because he takes such good care of us, and he loves us and he lets me be with you and I love YOU so much and I’m so happy and-“ His hands almost broke free again in his excitement, and Syntax would have just kept going and going and going with how happy he was if Huntsman hadn’t leaned over and kissed him until the words stopped. “I’m glad you’re happy data chip, but have you finished your work?” When Syntax looked to the side instead of at Huntsman in response, the other sighed. “Come on Syntax, you know the rules. It’s very very important that you do your work, remember? Which means no silly brain or happy hands until it’s done. I know it’s hard, but you have to be a good boy and do your work, ok?” “I know it’s just…” It was just so hard.

Thinking was hard and he hated thinking, and Syntax knew that his work was important, and that he needed to think to do his work, but he didn’t want to think about numbers and code and all those things he could barely remember when he wasn’t sat at his computer. He wanted to think about their Husband, and about Huntsman, and about how much he loved them both. “Do you need some help?” Huntsman offered, because Huntsman was wonderful and the best and Syntax didn’t deserve how much his fellow Wife took care of him. Syntax didn’t want to say yes, because he didn’t like needing help. But he knew he did need help because he wasn’t going to get his work done otherwise. So even though he really didn’t want to, he nodded. “Ok. Let’s get you back to your chair.” Huntsman said kindly, helping Syntax to his feet and then helping him back into his computer chair.

(Since Syntax had a hard time moving very far on his own. He couldn’t breathe well ever since that horrible Spider Queen had hurt him, his clothes were always too tight now, digging into the implant in his back, he’s spent so much time drugged while they ‘fixed’ him that his motor control had been damaged and degraded somewhat and it was just nicer to let everyone else move him about instead)

Carefully Huntsman got him settled, then opened one of the drawers of the desk to reveal several lengths of ribbon. Pulling out a few nice silver ones (the color of Huntsman’s hair, and one of Syntax’s favorite colors) he gently tied Syntax’s left hand to the side of the chair.

And Syntax didn't panic, and he didn't flinch, and he didn't beg and promise to be good and not move and sit still, because Syntax knew he couldn't keep that promise and that he needed this, and that he'd been the one to ask Huntsman to do it. “There we go. Now there won't be any more fluttering hands until you're all done. You let me know as soon as you are, and then you can come into the kitchen with me and have happy hands until Sandy comes home, ok?” “Ok.” Syntax nodded, mind starting to kick back into gear now that he was at his computer again. “I’ll be fast, and I won’t get distracted. I promise. Thank you.”

“Of course. I love you Syntax, I want to help you however you need, you know that.” Huntsman reminded, leaning in to give Syntax another kiss. “Now be good, and get your work done.” He reminded again, before returning to the kitchen where he was working on dinner.

Syntax sighed, savoring the taste of Huntsman’s lips before he turned his attention to back to the lines of firewall code in front of him. Typing with one hand was hard, but he’d gotten used to it.

He’d had to, he was so bad about getting his work done, it had been so distressing until he’d managed to remember one of the ways he’d learned to control his happy hands when he was little, and they’d found a way to use it to help him focus on what he needed to do.

He just needed to finish restructuring the firewalls around the Prince’s servers, and then he could call for Huntsman to untie him, and he could spend the rest of the evening until Sandy came home watching Huntsman work, which always made him happy and being happy made his hands flutter, and when his hands fluttered so did his thoughts, and when his thoughts fluttered he was even more happy, which made his hand do even more happy fluttering, and Syntax loved nothing more than being caught up in a loop of mindless bliss like that.

He was meant to be a mindless obedient doll after all, so it only made sense that he was happiest when his head was absolutely and completely empty.

[prncessjaeger]

eren headcannons: random edition ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

an: also ty for 100+ i genuinely appreciate it!!! here’s another set of my personal hc’s for eren, also towards the end, the show dialogue is from ‘dance moms.’

song inspo: tyrant

♡ if you’re not with him after his intense workout, he purposely drives to your house just to hug you, all drenched in sweat

♡ has a huge obsession with playing monopoly go! but hates when you tear down his buildings:

“why would you tear this building i JUST bought- then you robbed me?”

“i mean, that’s how you play the game eren-.”

“blah blah blah, nerd”

♡ HATES carrots. he thinks they’re repulsing but would tear UP a carrot cake (or 2)

♡ a personal ‘bobthebuilder’ for you. if anything’s broken? he’d fix it…(even if it takes a youtube video and a small prayer)

♡ enjoys wearing face masks with you!

♡ loves spoiling you, he calls it his “personal hobby”

♡ has an obsession with peaches…?

♡ loves kissing you 24/7

♡ one day he went to cat adoption center and brought home two cats, one black and white:

“we can name them ore and o”

“eren…no”

♡ drinks chocolate milk willingly

♡ steady complains about your obsession with reality tv, but the MINUTE it gets real good and messy, he’s all focused on the tv, giving side commentary and everything

“wait- so she went to the judges to count chloe’s score cause she didn’t want her to win??”

“yep, what a bitch-.”

“SHHHHH, it’s back on.”

[2stepadmiral]

Maybe sort of a hot take? Satine Kryze was a terrible leader and kind of a petty tyrant. Like, look at what she actually did and how she did it and what the consequences were:

She committed effective cultural genocide against her own people by eviscerating a millennia-old culture/creed/tradition/religion, removing the at least 80% of it that she didn’t like and demanded that everyone else adapt it

Those who refused to relinquish their ancestral ways were exiled from their homeworld and even robbed of their cultural identity when she claimed that anyone who still practiced the warrior ways were not true Mandalorians

By enforcing this ‘my way or the highway’ policy, she created the environment where Pre Vizsla could form Death Watch and recruit all the followers he had out of the disillusioned she had branded as outcasts

By enforcing her strict pacifism, she disarmed her people and even her security forces, leaving the planet defenseless against both Death Watch and the Shadow Collective (imagine if the Yuuzhan Vong had invaded during this period)

Publicly belittled and insulted a high profile General in the Grand Army of the Republic/ Master and Council member of the Jedi Order in front of a number of Senators and her courtiers because he dared to point out that the Separatists might not let her remain neutral

Publicly stated that she didn’t want Jedi security present when traveling with a retinue of Republic Senators in the midst of a terrorism crisis that she was the main target of, in front of a number of people who would have been put at risk had she gotten her way

When Obi Wan pointed out that the Senators and likely her courtiers had requested Jedi security due to concerns for their own safety that she had disregarded, rather than acknowledging her thoughtlessness, she again insulted Obi-Wan and provoked an argument that she aggravated into a bickering session while Obi Wan tried and gradually failed at keeping civil

She seceded her world from the Republic rather than allow the slightest impression that she endorsed the Clone War (never mind that Alderaan and Naboo were prominent members of the Senate that opposed war and actively worked to end it peacefully and quickly without seceding), which forfeited the government aid Mandalore needed to survive in its damaged state and led directly to Prime Minister Almec having to use the black market just to keep the people fed

And in the end, all she accomplished was a maybe fifteen-twenty year period of relative peace before civil war broke out again, Maul took charge, the Empire forced fifteen years of relative obedience, and ultimately the planet was bombed and the Mandalorian people were decimated. The role of a good ruler or leader is to do what is best for your people, even if it’s contrary to your own preferences or interests, and Satine consistently made her own beliefs the order of the day, enforced from the top down. Had she moderated her approach, maybe tried to redirect the warrior tendencies into galactic peacekeeping, or advocated for a warrior second, hardworking builder/farmer/pilot/tradesmen helping to rebuild Mandalore first (sort of what Boba Fett did as Mand’a’lor in the EU), despite her personal disdain for violence and warfare, she could have been one of the greatest Mandalorian leaders who affected real change. Instead, she allowed her personal priorities to be the priorities of her regime and the guiding principle of her tyranny.

[tanglepelt]

Dp x dc idea 89

Danny getting launched in dc with no context of what’s going. Just some thoughts on some of his first views on people.

Batman: just going Nope, not today. I’m not dealing with a demon bat.

Bruce Wayne: that is a fruitloop with an adoption problem avoid at all cost.

Robin: takes one look and yeets himself of a roof to get away. That child is murderous and has a sword. He’d rather not die again.

Super boy (Jon): saw him with stabby child before he jumped off the roof. Won’t approach in fear of two stabby children. Although he didn’t feel murderous intent from him.

Nightwing. Danny is just confused on him. Guy has to be part ghost right??? Has to be with the way he is flying in the air. Danny had a pun off with him before leaving. Nightwing is his favorite.

Deadman: this one is dead. But he doesn’t feel like a ghost. How is this possible (Danny my dude. You only know of ectoplasm ghost, much to learn about the occult in dc)

Green lanterns: thought they looked cool. Then learned they were essential cops. Sam and his government have formed his ACAB belief. It won’t change here.

Constantine: Danny won’t go near him. Bad vibes.

Superman: too American pie for him.

Red Robin: heard his name laughed and went yummm

Superboy (Conner): too busy laughing at Red Robin, but thought he felt like Danielle.

Catwoman: that is a cat demon. Get him away.

Black Bat: snuck up on him. He panicked with a high pitched scream turned invisible and fled. He won’t go near her of his own choosing. She’s scary.

Flash: Danny instantly decides to prank him. He had been told by clockwork months ago flash likes pranks. (Clockwork is sick of the man messing with time)

Aqua man: just questioning him making sure he isn’t a tyrant. He’s had enough of those.

Signal: pointed right at Danny while invisible. Danny panicked and froze him. He unfroze him a few seconds later.

Conner/Tim: assumes they are a couple. Why else would one be grabbing coffee away from the other.

Damian/Jon: assumes they hate one another. Damian was threatening Jon.

Red hood: stopped a mugger from robbing his human form. Scary looking hero obviously.

[pianokantzart]

Do you think Bowser deserves to be redeemed in the sequel? I personally don’t think he deserves it at all. The guy attempted mass genocide. There ain’t no going back from that yet I’ve seen fans who genuinely believe that Mario and friends would just instantly forgive Bowser despite everything he’s done. Not to mention how extremely out of character it would be for Bowser to have a change of heart especially the movie version of him who is literally pure evil.

Mario and his friends are pretty forgiving, but you're right. In the movie verse, to instantly forgive Bowser after everything he did would be nothing short of ridiculous.

I don't see Movie Bowser changing anytime soon. He's dedicated too much time and resources to threatening and destroying the lives of everyone around him, and I for one don't mind if he stays just as he is. I love me a straightforward, unambiguous villain who is evil through and through and isn't shy about it.

However, I do know one character that, if introduced, would complicate Bowser and his relationship with the main cast, and that's this guy right here:

Though it's unconfirmed whether Bowser Junior is part of the movie universe, we know Bowser in the games... while not a perfect dad... is definitely a kind and loving father.

I can see Movie Bowser having a soft spot for his kid while still being steadfast in his plans to conquer the world and crush anyone who gets in his way. He's a terrible influence who keeps his distance due to the dangers of the battlefield, but he would gladly fight anyone to the death if it would guarantee Junior a bright future. If Junior got involved in the feud– probably due to his father's imprisonment in The Mushroom Kingdom –it would definitely make things a bit more emotionally conflicting for the protagonists. Ridding the world of a threatening tyrant is one thing, robbing a young kid of a dad who loves him is another, but you can't lose sight of the fact that the entire world is at stake.

On the flip side, I can see Bowser Jr. being the one avenue by which Bowser finds himself willing to extend some form of mercy. If Mario and Luigi put themselves on the line to ensure Junior doesn't get hurt, or Junior gets emotionally attached to one of the Mario Bros, I can see Bowser having a very very very slight change of heart.

Not a complete character turnaround, but a willingness to step back and say "forget it. I'll kill you another day."

[ruthlessrps]

𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐍𝐄𝐘'𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐃 (𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟑) 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒. - feel free to make any adjustments as necessary!

"my job is to tell it like it is."

"golly, what a day."

"you're taking too many chances."

"that was just a bit of a laugh!"

"they're getting better you know. you've got to admit it, they are getting better."

"it'll be hard to laugh while we're hanging."

"are we good guys or bad guys?"

"that's a naughty word, we never rob! we just... borrow from those who can afford it."

"boy, are we in debt."

"don't overdo it."

"forgive me a cruel chuckle."

"how well the crown sits on your noble brow."

"i told you never to mention my brother's name."

"mother always did like (name) best."

"fortune tellers. how droll."

"close your eyes and concentrate. tight shut, no peeking."

"you're never around when i need you."

"of course you've been robbed!"

"i tried to warn you but you just wouldn't listen."

"here comes old bad news himself."

"save your sermon. it isn't sunday yet."

"come in and rest yourself."

"oh, he's so handsome, just like his reward posters."

"hello! where did you come from?"

"don't be afraid. you've done nothing wrong."

"they say you and (name) are sweethearts."

"does he kiss you?"

"will you have any kids?"

"death to tyrants!"

"slice him to pieces!"

"you're so brave and impetuous."

"he must know how much i still love him."

"you can't just walk up to a girl with a bouquet of flowers and say 'hey, remember me? we grew up together. want to marry me?'"

"what do i have to offer her?"

"a life on the run? what kind of a life is that?"

"faint hearts never won fair ladies."

"stop snivelling and hold still."

"cool it, loverboy."

"who might you be?"

"i wish you luck with all my heart."

"at least he amuses me."

"my darling, i love you more than life itself."

"i owe my life to you, my darling."

"don't stand there, kill him!"

"we must do what we can to keep their hopes alive."

"go! don't worry about me."

"he's gonna make it, isn't he?"

"your traps never work."

"sounds like somebody's getting hitched."

"i've never been so happy."

"that's the way it really happened."

[jazzthatonewriterchick]

Hit ‘Em Up! (18+ Fic)

Pairing: Cowboy!Gojo Satoru x Cowboy!Geto Suguru x Black!Cowgirl!Reader (Slow Burn/Enemies to Lovers)

Synopsis: You get to meet Geto & Gojo the Gunslingers, the notorious outlaws that have every town and law enforcement in a twist, when your bum-ass BF offers you as payment to avoid going to prison. Little do they know that this is only a part of your plan to get what you desire. But when you realize that the infamous gun-slinging, smooth-talking cowboys could be everything you want and more when they offer you a deal to team up with them, will you successfully be able to go through with it? 

Warnings: Smutty Smut; 18+ (MINOS GTFO); poly!SatouSugu; Reader is Black & Fem; Mention of other JJK characters; Porn with Plot; Tragic Backstories; T/W for Childhood Trauma, Parental Death, Violence, Panic Attacks & Torture; Angst/Hurt/Comfort; Hand Kink; Masturbation; Voyeurism; Gay Sex; Polyamorous; Double Deepthroat; Mutual Oral; Fingering; CMNF; Spitroast; Riding; Unprotected PiV Sex; Creampies; Outside/Public Sex; Shotgunning; Multiple Positions; Spit Kink; Facials; MDom/fsub Undertones; Aftercare

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters mentioned in this fic. However, as this is my writing, I do not give permission for my work to be reposted on any other sites that are not from my own accounts. Thank you!

Writer's Note: LISTEN TO BEYONCE'S NEW ALBUM. -Jazz

Chapters: One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen. Eighteen PT I & II. Nineteen. Twenty. Twenty-One. Twenty-Two. Twenty-Three. Twenty-Four. Epilogue + Soundtrack.

********

FOUR: SHE A TYRANT.

You pause, wondering if you heard Gojo correctly or if Valentine smoked you after all. “Come again?” you ask. 

Your eyes switch like ping pong balls between the handsome strangers, wondering who will make the first move. Geto bites back a laugh while Gojo cackles to himself. “We said,” he repeats, humor in his tone which pisses you off, “we are here for you.” 

You pause, processing their confusing words. “For what?” you bark. “To kill me? Have your way with me? ‘Cause I don’t roll like that, especially with outlaws.”

Gojo shoots Geto a look, winking at him. “We know,” he chuckles. “You kill ‘em dead instead…which I’m kinda curious about. Why is that you–” 

“That’s none of your business!” you snap. He puts his hands up higher. 

“How do y’all even know where I was?” you demand, more upset than anything about your secret identity being exposed. You thought you were more careful! You’ve kept your face hidden behind a bandana for years as the Femme Fatale, never coming out of it unless you’re alone or no one knows who you are. You thought you were safe in Blackwater. 

“It ain’t hard to ask around,” Geto explains. “We blew into Blackwater after a couple of folks in the next town over said they saw you headin’ South. Since this is close by, we figured if you weren’t here, you’d at least be seen here.”

He gives you a smile, sweet despite the situation at hand. “How lucky were we to have found you?” he chortles. 

You keep the gun trained on them, cocking it. “Seriously?!” Gojo scoffs, glaring at you. “After we already put down our guns, you still wanna kill us?!” 

“I don’t trust outlaws,” you growl. “I’ve been waitin’ for y’all to come here to get Valentine, so I can finally cross y’all off my hit list…but I need some questions answered first.”

You watch the duo give you a questionable look. “I wanna know where Benji The Bandit is,” you say, your voice steely and cool. “Ya’ll work for him, correct?” 

The duo share a troubling look with each other at the mention of their boss and the eviliest man in the wild, wild West. He robs the rich and the poor; decimates towns and villages; has killed dozens. Legend says that he can show up in a town only once and scare its civilians into silence which is why the law has been chasing him for nearly two decades now. Nobody will ever give up Benji the Bandit’s whereabouts unless they have a death wish. 

“We did to work for him,” Geto answers, correcting you much to your dismay. “We did his dirty work for two years until he gave us a mission that we had to refuse.”

You cock your head to the side, curious. “And what was that?” But the duo stays silent on that and you sigh, exasperated. “Fine, don’t tell me that, but at least me where he is.” 

“We’re just as clueless as you, doll,” he says with a shrug. “We’ve been lookin’ for him for three years since we left him, but you know Benji: if he don’t wanna be found, he won’t be. Now may we ask you some questions?” 

“No,” you hiss, pissed that you didn’t get what you wanted. “I don’t wanna find out why y’all are here for me. Frankly, I don’t care and now you two definitely have to go if you know who I am.”

Even through his blindfold, you can see Gojo roll his eyes. “Drama queen,” he mutters. “We won’t tell anyone.” 

You squint at them, sizing them up. “How can I be so sure?” you ask suspiciously. “How do I know that if I let my guard down now, y’all won’t put a bullet in me where I stand?”

Geto frowns at you, possibly wondering why you’re so difficult. “We wouldn’t do that,” he says, actually sounding offended. “But since you mentioned us takin’ you off guard…” 

His foot only moves an inch across the carpet, but it slides across the hardwood floors anyway and takes you with it. With a shriek, you trip backwards and lose the grip on your gun, causing it to fly out of your hand. You manage to catch yourself with one hand balancing you and turn so your on one knee, staring up at Geto who bends down to pick up your gun. “Hey!” you bark. 

He smirks down at you, his eyes gleaming underneath his cowboy hat. “Now that’s takin’ off guard, little lady,” he chuckles. “Just wanted to get the gun from you. It was startin’ to scare my ‘Tarou.” He looks back at Gojo with a smiling that way too intimate and personal to be platonic. 

Flushing at the realization, you gape at them. “Wait,” you pause. “Are you two–” 

“Together?” Gojo finishes with a smirk. “I’m afraid the rumors are true, doll: the famous gunslingers ride more than just horses. But you won’t tell anyone, will ya?” He gives you a wink.

You stand up with a grunt, angered at the subject being changed and being embarrassed by Geto’s move. “Listen, I don’t care about y’all’s love life,” you scoff. “Just gimme back my gun!” 

Geto twirls your gun around his gloved fingers, his gaze teasing. “And if I do, are you gonna blow our heads off?” he asks. He and Gojo keep their eyes on you, sizing you up the way you do them, watching you to see what your next move will be. You have to be careful, so you shake your head. 

But the long-haired outlaw isn’t buying it. “How can we be so sure?” he retorts. Gritting your teeth, you go to snatch it from him, but he holds it up out of your reach. “Ah-ah…I asked you a question.” 

“I said give me back my goddamn gun!” you snap before kicking Geto straight in the balls. His pretty face screws up in pain and he grunts, dropping your gun as he cups himself and hunches in agony. You race to pick up the pistol, but Gojo’s foot sends it shooting across the floor to the other side of the room. 

You glare at him, seeing red like a bull. “Oooh, she’s feisty,” he cackles, taking off his hat and letting it fall to the floor. “I like that. Just be careful, little miss. I happen to like what ya just kicked.” Geto groans as he rolls onto his side, still cupping his balls. You’d laugh if you weren’t so pissed off. 

You stand before Gojo with your fists tightly palled up and your feet in a fighter’s stance like a boxer. “Goin’ against me?” you bitterly laugh. “I’d like to see you two try.”

You take the first punch at Gojo, but he blocks it with his hand as if he saw it coming a mile away. You take another; he blocks it again. Frustrated, you decide to switch it up and go for a kick at his head, but he ducks. 

His next move is something you count on him doing: he yanks on your ankle, sending you careening backwards onto the floor. This time, you can’t catch yourself and fall onto your ass. You have no time to focus on the sharp pain shooting up into your behind because the outlaw quickly gets on top to straddle you.

“Usually, I don’t do this with girls I just met,” he chuckles, “but I think you’re an exception, little miss.” 

“Bite me,” you growl before wrapping your legs tightly around his neck and squeezing your thighs around it. Using all the strength in your core, you bring yourself up to headbutt him with the top of your skull. You release him and with a gasp, Gojo falls backwards into the couch, clutching his head. 

Quickly, you get up and head to the door to escape, but two strong arms wrapping around your midsection stop you. With a yelp, you’re shoved into the wall by Geto, pinned between him and the wall. “Get offa me!” you cry out, wriggling around to try and break free. But that becomes futile when you suddenly feel Geto begin to pin your arms behind your back, sending sparks of pain shooting into your body.

“No!” you cry out, near tears. “Stop!” 

“Then calm the fuck down,” he demands, his voice firm in your ear. Though you do stop, you turn your head slightly to look back at him, seeing the warning in his eyes. “Or what?” you spit defiantly. 

A terrifying (yet thrilling) fire alights behind Geto’s dark eyes just at the same time as Gojo comes to assess your restricted state. “Oooh, she’s a brat,” he chuckles despite just receving a nasty headbutt. “Now I really wanna keep her, Sugu.” He tugs his pink bottom lip between his white teeth.

“Chill, Satoru,” Geto firmly says, his eyes still trained on you. “We won’t hurt you, but if you’re okay with bein’ pinned against the wall, then by all means, sugar, we’ll get the whip.” 

Gojo gives you a sly grin, his long, thick, black leather whip in his hand now. At the thought of being tied up and completely at their mercy, you let yourself go slack in Geto’s hold.

“Okay, okay, I’m calm! I promise!” You take a deep breath and relax yourself, much to your dismay and irritation. You don’t like listening to anyone, especially grown ass men, when you’re a grown ass woman. 

But in this situation, you’ll have to. Satisfied, Geto releases you and you begin to rub the kinks out of your arms from his iron grip, turning to face them as you do. The duo gives you your space now, stepping to the other side of the room. A sudden knock at the door makes you jump. “Y/N!” Todo yells. “Everythin’ okay in there?” 

“We’ll come in if you aren’t!” Mai calls through the door. “We’ll call the sheriff!” 

“Mai, you idiot, don’t let them know that!” Maki criticizes. You look at the duo standing before, wondering if you should say yes. Finally, you call to the others, “It’s alright, y’all. We just dropped some drinks up here.”

The two still stand there, never getting their guns or taking a step near you. They leave the ball completely in your court. “Explain,” you demand, crossing your arms. 

“We didn’t come to fight you,” Geto explains and the corner of his lips lift slightly, “though that was quite entertainin’. We came to offer you a proposition: you team up with us. Help us take out these other baddies.”

You raise your brows at them, stunned. After putting up that fuss, they still want you on their team? ‘They must want this pussy bad,’ you think.

“Plus, you’ll need us for protection,” Geto adds. “It’s only a matter of time till people find out who you are, especially when Valentine gets arrested. You think he’s gon’ keep quiet about your identity just ‘cause you shot him in the ear?” Your world once again crumbles when you realize that he could be right. 

“Shit!” you hiss, pinching the bridge of your nose as a headache begins to thump-thump-thumb against your head. “Shit, shit, this ruins everything! I had a plan!” 

“Well, whatever that plan is, we can still help you achieve it,” Gojo replies, “but you’d have to come with us. We’re not gonna go into detail now since I’m sure people are listenin’,” ––he nods at the door––”but with our skills and brains combined, we could be unstoppable!” 

You look between the two, assessing their faces for something––a glint in their eye; a twitch of their mouths––to give them away. But you see nothing. “What’s in this for me?” you ask suspiciously. Geto looks like he was waiting for you to ask that question. “We can go into all of that if you agree,” he tells you. 

They actually look like they want you to say yes to this and to your shock, you want to. You’re curious as to why they want you in the first place out of so many other people dying to even get their attention. But you can’t. You have a plan that you’ve been putting together for years now. 

“No,” you laugh. “Sorry, fellas, but I work alone. I always have and always will. Plus, I’ve been runnin’ from the law for years now and they haven’t caught up to me yet.” 

They look like they were expecting that answer. Gojo sulks while Geto gives you an understanding nod. “Can’t bash the confidence,” he says, “but if you ever think differently…”

He takes a moment to take something out of his pocket––a piece of paper––and takes a pen from the nightstand next to the bed. He scribbles something down before passing it to you. “Pay us a visit,” he finishes. “We leave tomorrow.” 

You read the message in your hands, seeing a number and an address to a motel: 1211 at the Corner of Maplewood, Rm 201 - G &G. 

Geto then moves to pick up his weapons, straighten himself up, and walk back over to you. His eyes on you longer than necessary as he watches you read the note, looking gobsmacked. “Think about it,” he whispers. “We hope to see you again, little lady.” He takes your hand and gives it a light kiss before walking off to the door. 

Gojo gives you a wink and a tip of his hat as he follows his partner to the door. “Bye for now, doll,” he says. When Geto opens it, Todo, Shoko, Yuki, and the Zenin sisters stand in the threshold, wide-eyed and definitely eavesdropping. 

“Ladies,” Gojo greets as he follows Geto out the door. “Y’all might wanna dial for y’all’s sheriff. I don’t think this establishment needs a wanted criminal as a boss.” He nods down at Valentine’s unconscious body before heading off, disappearing down the stairs. 

You are immediately bombarded with questions as your coworkers rush you, but you can’t say anything. You’re too busy staring at the note, so much that you begin to memorize the hotel room number. 

*******

That night, the Blackwater saloon closes early and Valentine is arrested. 

As soon as Gojo and Geto leave as quickly and as quietly as they’d come, Choso calls the Blackwater sheriff who riles up his posse and quickly come on their horses, one of them dragging a steel box behind it to transport Valentine to prison.

The entire saloon erupts in whispers and shocked stares as they watch two officers drag Valentine’s body down the steps, his wrists cuffed. 

For the next hour, the entire saloon is questioned––you, the bartenders, the dancers, the guards, and even the customers––about what happened tonight.

You tell the sheriff about Geto and Gojo’s arrival to find Valentine and Valentine forcing you onto the Gunslingers, but you don’t tell them anything about anything other than that. The sheriff doesn’t seem suspicious of you, only thanks you for your time and apologizes for this “huge mess”. 

Later, you retreat to one of the empty bedrooms to watch Valentine be tossed into the back of the steel cart. As you watch from the window, Geto’s warning continues to haunt you. You can’t help but wonder if he’s right.

Will Valentine expose you to the law? Will you be arrested? That makes your want to flee even more tempting. Just leave without telling anyone where you are headed. 

But what about Shoko and the others? What would you tell them? You look down at the note clutched in your palm, reading the hotel number over and over again. Can you really trust these guys? 

The door to the bedroom opens and you quickly hide the note in your bosom just as Shoko comes. “Jeez, what a mess,” she sighs, hands on her hips. “This is gonna be the talk of the town for a week. I just spoke to Maki and she’s gonna be takin’ over the saloon till we get a new manager.” 

“Why doesn’t she just manage it herself?” you ask. Shoko just gives you a look and you laugh, knowing damn well that Maki would cuss so many people out that she’d never be able to handle a managerial job.

“Came up to tell ya that the saloon is closing for tonight,” Shoko says, giving you a tender look. “We can head home.” 

You nod, giving her a smile. “Thanks. I’ll change my clothes and say bye to the others then.”

Silently, you walk past Shoko and she lets you, watching you go. You can tell she is worried about you and wants to ask what happened tonight, but she doesn’t want you to feel attacked or cornered. But you also know that she’ll ask you later when you’re both home. 

After saying goodnight to the saloon employees and pretending to vomit when Yuki giggles about going home with Choso tonight, you change into a simple, pink dress, pack your things, and walk home with Shoko to your shared home only four blocks from work.

When you moved to Blackwater five months ago, you bunked with Shoko in a 500 square foot room that you renovated into an apartment with a kitchen, a small lounging area, a bathroom, and two twin beds. 

You couldn’t be happier to have such a great roomie and friend, but you know it can’t last forever. This is the thought you’ve had in your head for months now any time you acted as if you were “normal”, going with your coworkers to happy hour at another bar or gossiping with Shoko by the candlelight at home. And you can sense that Shoko feels the same way as you take the short route home together. 

The dirt roads are quiet, the many stores, boutiques, and establishments closed for the night, and the street lamps surrounded with buzzing insects attracted to the brightness and alight with flames that light your way as you walk side by side. The night is warm, but not sticky and you can tell that rain is in the forecast judging by the smell. You’re originally from the South, so you know these things. 

Shoko is concerningly quiet, something that is unlike her. You wait for her to ask the golden question, but she instead stays silent, looking ahead. “Alright,” you sigh. “Go on and ask.” she looks at you questionably. “Hm?” she asks. 

You give her a long look, raising an eyebrow. “You wanna ask me about the Gunslingers, so go ahead! Ask me!”

But she doesn’t, probably because she figures that you need your privacy and that you have your reasons for keeping things from her…which you do. “We didn’t have sex,” you say. “And they didn’t force themselves on me if that’s what you’re worried about. They didn’t even really want Valentine.” 

Shoko finally looks at you as she takes out a cigarette and lights it with a match stick. The end of the cigarette butt glows bright red, reminding you of a firefly in the darkness. “So what did they want?” she asks, confused. 

You bite your lip, battling internally with yourself. You know that Shoko wouldn’t go running to the law if you tell her who you really are, but the life you live has taught you to never trust ANYONE. But even so, you can tell her some of the truth.

“Me,” you softly whisper. 

Shoko stops walking and stares at you in awe, the cigarette dangling from her lips. “They asked me to come with them, Shoko,” you explain. “To join them and help them catch other wanted outlaws.”

She continues to stare at you as if trying to pull back the layers of your skin and bones and peer inside of you. You away to a nearby street lamp, watching the flame flicker in the gaslamp. 

“Well, why don’t you?” she asks. You look back to her, shocked. She shrugs, puffing on her cigarette. “They may be able to help you get to Willow Springs like you always wanted.” She gives you a reassuring smile, probably to make you feel better about not telling her the entire truth. 

At the mention of your dream, you feel an overwhelming sense of need come over you. You want that so badly: a life in Willow Springs, known for its quietness, away from the wild West and danger. Just a quiet life with a cabin by a waterfall and your own farm, ditching the Fatale Femme identity for good.

“I don’t know,” you sigh. “I don’t even know if I can trust ‘em.” 

Shoko once again shrugs and takes a final puff on her cigarette before tossing it down and crushing it under her heel. “Well, you’ve got plenty of time to think about it, but I personally think you should do it. Throw caution to the wind and let ‘em take you away from here.” 

She stares you down with her eyes, intense yet caring. “There ain’t nothin’ here for you, honey, and that’s the truth.” Then she walks off towards your apartment, leaving you standing there stunned but knowing that you’ll eventually catch up. 

Something in you tells you that her words mean more than she lets on and they follow you all the way home and into your dreams that night.