#shogun's decent

[the-eternal-lightning-irl]

You know Nya?

My wife!

[the-eternal-lightning-irl]

It seems the familiar feeling is mutual then. I shall introduce myself, I am the god of eternity and archon of lightning: Raiden Jay. But you can just call me Jay.

You look familiar to me, like someone I once knew years ago...

- @the-eternal-lightning-irl

(//raiden jay in ur area >:3)

So do you... You look like a certain annoying ninja I have to deal with on the daily.

[phobiaexists]

[theothervonkarmagirl]

"You know...I learned in my history lessons that there was a Hoshidan king who made harming a dog punishable by death."

"If I weren't so far down in the succession line, a lot of people would be in trouble~"

Why was she saying this while sharpening a knife...

[iceunhie]

— out of this world (and into another) : genshin impact

premise: you could've sworn the transmigration curse didn't have an effect on you... so what exactly are you doing here?! (alternatively, you tumble straight into your favorite video game; and you're kinda fucked)

...or, a genshin manhwa otome game inspired au.

act i: scaramouche, alhaitham, wriothesley.

↳ act ii: lyney, neuvilette, kazuha, kaeya. (next)

warnings. fem!reader but can be imagined as genderless if u'd like hehe, a shit ton of manhwa tropes in one, this is a hot mess aka not proofread all that much, half clunky half decent writing

a/n: as promised via the poll heh,, while i do plan to make this an actual au, im not that sure ^^; just the tip of the iceberg here tho!!

MAIN MASTERLIST | AU MASTERLIST (coming soon)

YOU — unsuspecting civilian turnt transmigrator

you've always been too attached to fictional characters for your own good.

yes, even the ones that are remarkably irredeemable (the power of a backstory is very formidable) and complex (complexity is a virtue!)

villains have always been destined to die, be cursed, or destined to curse others. it was heartbreaking, really. you've wished for a chance to rewrite their fates for them to find even a sliver of happiness, even when the fate of their plot says otherwise.

which is why when you find yourself awake into the game of your dreams, “Teyvat's Seven Stars”, like any lover of cliche novel and manhwa tropes, this is the time you think that maybe life wasn't so shitty on you.

....there's only one tiny, teensy, itty bitty problem here, actually.

you're not the protagonist. you're not even one of the protagonist's faithful friends and underlings that light protagonist's road to conquering the world and its men (and as of the 4.0 update, it's women); no, you're none of those.

you're a no name extra, and not to mention, a character involved with the game's main villain characters who are coincidentally the love interests of the game's black route!

[ unlock transmigration package: ultimate transmigrator's route ( ????? MODE ) ]

[ no ] [ yes ]

( 国崩 ) SCARAMOUCHE — the tyrant

“as of today, you will be engaged to crown prince kunikuzushi, who is her grace the shogun's rightful heir to the throne.”

when given approval to stare at your so-called soon to be husband, you expect the worst, mostly. the multitudes of character dialogue you've played through detailing his rather discourteous personality (which basically meant he was a huge asshole) don't exactly paint a pretty picture.

however...

who was this tender hearted looking scaramouche that ‘obliterated armies in the blink of an eye?’ the t in tyrant stands for tyrannical, not timid!

eyes like lighting framed by the longest eyelashes you've ever seen and an unfairly pretty face, comparable to a fair lotus. after fawning over his otherworldly countenance, a sinking realization of dread pools in your stomach.

oh, you are so screwed.

essentially tied to the indigo-haired ticking time bomb of a future tyrant due to the strong standing of your family for a period of until the main story starts, you're destined to never get crown prince scaramouche's affection, being his fiancée who scaramouche is arranged to for political means only.

not to mention, you're in an even more deadly position; of all the characters you switched souls with, it's the one that essentially dies by their own fiancé's hand because they were horrible to him! what atrocious luck!

frantic, you wrack up about three ways to survive.

plan a) win over the shogun's favor by being an appropriate partner unlike the original flavor of this body, who resorted to bullying the innocent prince and unknowingly digging their own grave or b) be a guiding friend to scaramouche as he learns the ways of the world and c) make sure you don't end up giving the protagonist a bad ending via his twisted personality.

weighing all these options, you decide to do all three in hopes to cement a life instead of a deathflag. prevention is better than the cure (aka: the protagonist) after all!

(you may also just want to spend time with your favorite character. having a time limit and a sign that says ‘i'll die in the future!’ should at least warrant you extra time to show some affection to scaramouche, at least.)

so, you do what anyone in your position would do: give affection! lots of it.

admittedly, it wasn't all flowers and rainbows. scaramouche—ahem, kunikuzushi—was very shy and reserved indeed, with his mother ei even worse off! (besides, who trains and studies all day and has to stop crying every time they were injured?! that was just too much!)

it was rather hard at first, the frigid atmosphere of the usually silent Tenshukaku Palace almost impossible to permeate. but with your amazing charm (read: deathflag radar) and social skills, you manage to let the members of the Royal family open up to you.

speaking words of praise in ei's cooking (a very difficult feat to accomplish), spending afternoons with your fiancé and teaching him ‘how to be a shoujo worthy male lead, name-version’ (very confusing to explain), and the cherry on top, driving away that vile teacher of his—the Doctor—once word got out that he'd been taking advantage of scaramouche as a political puppet king in the future. trauma enabler destroyed! look at your immeasurable powers!

(“you're not a failure.” clasping kunikuzushi's hands in yours as he reels back from you. damn that doctor.

his tears shot a wave of heartache through you. you can't bear to see your favorite in such suffering. “whatever happens in the future, i won't abandon you.

no matter what, i'll always be on your side, okay?”

kunikuzushi looks at you with something in his eyes—something like adoration. “do you promise that?”

“yeah.” you say without hesitation, the glow of the sunlight hitting your face so dazzlingly that kunikuzushi's eyes widen that his mouth hangs agape in awe. “i promise, kuni.”)

to your greatest delight, your efforts worked in your favor.

ei now spends time with her son, and though it's almost always just a tad bit awkward, you and the guuji yae miko get the two to strike up conversation, and overtime, kunikuzushi becomes more open to you.

(“[name], what kind of man is your type?”

“huh? well...” you think for a while. this was a great opportunity to say it, right? that life changing protagonist quote!

“to me, the only person i'll ever like the most is you, kunikuzushi.”

“do you really, really mean that?” and oh, he looks so cute—flustered and red from your words. worth it.

“yup! now, i made some shimi chazuke, try some—”)

(admittedly, lots of favoritism is involved.)

—and while you reap the fruits of your hard work, you spend warm, sunlit afternoons with ei at tea, even learning about other nations from scaramouche's aunt nahida and even befriended a few of his future affiliates—childe (though for some reason, kunikuzushi always pulls you away from him whenever he spots the two of you together), signora (she tolerates you, you think) and etcetera.

(“then, if i do well, can you kiss me on the cheek, [name]?”

you agree, much to his delight. scaramouche avoids the gaze of a certain pink haired fox eyeing him questionably. unbeknownst to you, he glares at the woman's scrutiny.)

unprecedented things unrelated to the plot happen too; like how your family, which basically only saw you as a political bargaining chip and an unwanted child they could get rid of easily—no longer sent you any demeaning letters demanding money once scaramouche found out....

(“they've been leeching off of you for how long?” so scary... is this was kunikuzushi is like when he's worried?)

(“...kunikuzushi, how long will you keep up that weak-hearted facade of yours? if they find out how.... dishonest you are....”

“i don't need the reminders of a foxy old hag that doesn't know her place. this is fine as it is.”)

(you don't need to know.)

but, you're nothing compared to the inevitable flow of the plot. inazuma is wracked with war, and it just so happened that you'd been unceremoniously kidnapped by a certain resistance leader's trusted general, used as a hostage bargain for approximately the majority of your life. in the worst moments in your dreary cell, there's only one thought in your mind.

....kunikuzushi's face, devastated when he tries to reach for you, before slipping away from him like sand— face morphing into an unbridled state of rage that's too natural, too familiar. when did he learn to make a face like that?

(they say the kingdom was wracked with thunderstorms all night that day.)

afterwards, fate doesn't make it kind for you.

years go by in the blink of an eye, with your capture fervently forgotten in the midst of the growing animosity of the two conflicting forces.

although you did hear that yae sent out a search party for you while at the resistance's base, the shogun's forces never reached you.

eventually, you got released secretly by sympathy of kokomi, the leader of the resistance, who felt pity for you getting caught in the crossfire. letting you go under the condition that you'd likely never meet any of the precious characters you've gotten to know and change was a heavy price to pay, but you didn't have any choice.

indeed, no matter how much you tried to divert the plot, your duty as an extra has ended, and you were even lucky to even be alive. you could only hope that your fiancé—ex-fiancé—took note of your lessons well, bidding farewell to inazuma as you hop on the boat to mondsdat.

by now, you at least hoped that scaramouche and the protagonist met, his true chance at happiness starting now that you were basically dead.

(even if your heart felt like breaking into a million pieces.)

....is what you thought would happen, but why is it that after three years from your supposed capture, inazuma was still at war?

“that crazy prince... he's still working to find his former fiancée... and he's razing almost every village apart looking for them!”

“—didn't the shogunate say that whoever finds her would receive almost 3 million mora?”

“the entire lot of them are lunatics, i tell you. all because of a missing person, too!”

what's more, why was it still going because of you?!

( 艾尔海森 ) AL-HAITHAM: the information guild master

to be fair, normal people don't really run into one of their favorite characters often after transmigrating.

but to be fair, again, you certainly didn't think you'd actually be in your favorite video game franchise caged in bed with essentially one of its main love interests.

eyes wide and unceremoniously looking—definitely not ogling— at the toned body that's currently enveloping you in its arms, the soft tuft of ashy gray hair caressing the crook of your neck, murmuring incoherent mumbles of—is that another language?

???????

you blink, looking down at the bare body currently embracing you. oh. oh.

you're an extra.

you're just an extra, but why are you in bed, currently being served breakfast by the most gorgeous man you've ever laid your eyes on, with a pretty view of the rainforests' canopy?

“you should lie down. if i recall, sufficient sleep is required in order for the human body to perform its basic bodily functions. although our partnership is temporary, to let you fall to harm is a situation i'd like to avoid as much as possible.”

“....what?”

“...?”

the guild master, al-haitham, is a character in Teyvat's Seven Stars that is heavily debated on whether he's technically a villain or not. in the game, he's the right hand of sumeru's leader, nahida, working as the overseer of the AKASHA, a guild that gathers information to the nation's leader. he's a pretty shady character—always working behind the scenes and very unfalteringly blunt—and a ‘villain’ for crown prince scaramouche's route, helping the protagonist escape his clutches.

he's often the subject of comedic ire, his banters with a certain broke architect always the highlight of any bonafide al-haitham fan.

“we're expected to work together by lord kusanali's decree in the duration of investigating the hivemind project the lord suspects the baron siraj is partaking in.”

right, that one scene in the game where al-haitham needed to go undercover to infiltrate a coup de etat staged by one of the factions against nahida... right... what.

you were that extra! the one that fell in love with him and pined for his affection!

(“well, i get that part, but does sleeping together really have to play a part in this...?”

al-haitham gives you a mere quirk of the lip, tilting his head. “we do have to play the part of a married couple in dire straights, do we not? this cover is more efficient.

...besides, i don't have anything to complain about. you're certainly better company than kaveh.” )

in truth, al-haitham wasn't bad company. far from it. aside from the internal giggling and fangirling (you) and the incredible stack of books (alhaitham) that you have to see more than the grey haired man on a daily basis, the two of you work out a rapport that stems from memories of the body you transmigrated in.

he's nice to be around, surprisingly considerate when he wants to be—he tells you about the books he always reads....

(who even reads ‘20 Tongues Language Memorization Guidebook: A Basic Overview of Vocabulary and Terms’ for enjoyment?

the content makes your head run in circles because of how complicated it is; but who wouldn't like to listen to an extremely attractive man overexplain to you with a calm and pretty voice?)

...is generous enough to provide meals and cook dinners that have you crying tears of gratitude because you know how awful yours compares (it was either too bland or too seasoned; al-haitham is surprisingly picky when he wants to be)

(you assigned al-haitham the title of “absolute s-tier husband material”— his capabilities are out of this world!)

by chance, you once gave al-haitham a little tidbit of information that proved to be valuable later in the investigation—courtesy of your avid game knowledge—when you two had been lost to the psychological illusion magic cast by siraj when you two finally broke in his estate.

(“whatever happens, if siraj messes with your mind, just make sure to think of me instead of anything else.” al-haitham lets his hand find yours.

“you once asked me if i trusted you, [name].”

“....” you're treated to one of al-haitham's rare smiles, one that warms you up from within. “i do. so don't let yourself get hurt.”)

however, your temporary partner had faltered for once, flinching when siraj took the form of his old grandmother who'd passed to exploit al-haitham's mind, hesitating and frozen in place while siraj inched ever closer to finding out his weakness.

and you couldn't stand it, the character you cared for—the al-haitham that always had a plan, always knew how to stay calm, had looked so unsure and hopeless.

(“wake up, al-haitham!”

with you cradling his face, al-haitham stares back at the only constant in the memories of his grief, eyes meeting yours. “you don't have to do it all alone. i'm right here, aren't i? believe in me.”)

your (fake) husband snaps back to reality, finally allowing enough time to apprehend siraj and put a stop to his malicious project.

(“thank you.” al-haitham tells you solemnly. it hits you that this may be the last time you may ever see him. “i'm grateful that you brought me back to y— to my senses.”

there's a sincerity in your voice that rings from your heart. “anytime, al-haitham.”)

you thought that was the end of it.

defeating siraj meant you two no longer had to associate with each other, but somehow, to your great surprise, al-haitham doesn't stick to the plot at all. you were sure you didn't interfere with the game, though?

for some reason, al-haitham doesn't erase himself from your life, unlike the original route's flow.

in fact, he's become... easy to run into, a constant in your otherwise mundane life. he takes you out to lambad's tavern for an occasional drink, says he's lending you his headphones when you find yourself overwhelmed by the city (you were never good with noises) and even helps you out as you vent your problems to him.

(the day after, said problem conveniently disappears. how strange....)

and most of all, allowing you to enter his personal space... leaving kaveh's jaw dropping when he accuses al-haitham of having a lover.

“you're always going who knows where with them! what else is there to figure out?”

“...we are merely friends.”

“a friend that you let into your personal library? do they know that you still keep the ‘fake’ ring in a box inside the closet?” kaveh laughs. “nice try, al-haitham.”

(after all, kaveh could never unsee the way al-haitham's eyes softened at the feeling of the head on his shoulder lean onto him, with you no doubt asleep. he even took his headphones off! kaveh has never seen him actually take them off in order to keep the person who's sleeping on his shoulder as undisturbed as possible.

in fact, kaveh doesn't think he's ever seen al-haitham be this touchy or considerate with anyone this much before.

.....and most importantly, kaveh would never forget the way al-haitham, a man who found no merit in politeness and preferred bluntness, a man who preferred solitude rather than company—deliberately getting close to someone—pressing a fleeting kiss on the crown of your head.

kaveh blinks. it seems even the throes of love can reach even the most unconquerable of peaks....)

( 莱欧斯利 ) WRIOTHESLEY — the monster duke of the north

“—i need you to gather information on duke wriothesley. serve him undercover as one of the prisoners of the fortress.”

the duke of meropide—a man swamped with terrible rumors. they say he was exiled from the nation due to murdering his entire family. they say he possessed a face worthy of the title of a beast— grotesque, littered in scars. they say that any who end up in his estate, the iron prison of the north, meropide, never saw the light of day again.

(“only criminals of the worst kind are fated to be sentenced there. nobody returns, so we've stopped questioning it...” )

so to say you're not fearing for your life that bad right now is a massive understatement.

“now, mind telling me how you were able to sneak into the most impenetrable prison in all the land, miss prisoner?”

how did it end up like this?

so you wake up and find yourself in jail. lovely.

seriously, of all the places you can transmigrate into, why did it have to be fontaine?! Teyvat's Seven Stars chapter 4's main starting point, the nation of justice is littered with dark themes and high difficulty capture targets.

.... such is the case with the man in front of you. unlike what the rumors of him say, duke wriothesley paints a rugged yet dashing picture of a nobleman, even if he was —if you recall— one of the hardest capture targets to conquer in the game.

a villain character who you played once during one game route, acting as the driving force during one of the love events of one of the protagonist's other love interest, lyney. duke wriothesley almost assassinates lyney's younger brother, freminent, leading lyney to rally up a certain group to bring the nobleman down.... a typical side character villain, who's existence was added as late as 3 patches away from lyney's.

(even inazuma would be better than this! at least the tyrant route could be avoided, and let's not mention the easy sumeru route as well...)

“well, miss prisoner, cat got your tongue?”

in summary: fortunately for you, the body you transmigrated is in the position to spy on the current affairs of the fortress of meropide, with courtesy and with permission of one of Fontaine's leaders, neuvillette. unfortunately for you, it seems our dear monsieur wasn't able to inform wriothesley beforehand, leading to the current situation.

aka, you're pressed dangerously close to wriothesley's chest, with a knife at his throat and his hands pinning you against the wall, noses almost touching. you're not sure if this is even the kind of tension that two people who are trying to kill each other are supposed to have...

(“i'm an ally!” you sputter out. wriothesley raises an eyebrow at you. “monsieur neuvillette sent me.”

“how am i supposed to trust you after i saw you slinking around here, knife at my throat?” he replies, eyes narrowing. “i know that i'm labelled as a beast, but i don't really know what came over that pretty little head of yours when trying to sneak into my chambers.”

what does he take you for?! “...are you accusing me of something indecent?!”

“just saying — i've met lots of prisoners with your excuse, my lady.”

“i'm prepared to use this knife, you know.”

“hah.” wriothesley grins. “how aggressive. more aggressive than most. do you want me that bad?”

“stop twisting my words!”)

in any case, you hate wriothesley. you know he's one of the characters in Teyvat's Seven Stars and is a villain for one of the easy love interest routes in the game, but his personality is... a real piece of work.

you'd rather the protective and kind kazuha, or even the charming and elusive lyney! why did it have to be him?

not only did he not believe you, he even told you to prove your authenticity! you're just glad that his assistant sigewinne had been there to vouch for you — you're not sure if you'd even be on your two feet right now if she didn't.

so now you're stuck constantly on your feet, running to and fro — helping the dark-haired man record new prisoners, establishing trading routes to the main city of Fontaine, and treating other prisoners of the fortress with sigewinne.

your biggest surprise by far, though, is just how... different the duke is from the rumors. his scars were merely battle scars of honor (to which sigewinne rolls her eyes, “your grace, please stop trying to look cool”) he got from various succession fights, not scars to show how he was cursed to turn into a beast. he has a love for tea, but always seems to have a cup of your favorite blend with him when you feel tired after a long day of working (laboring) for him and the estate.

(“your daily report of new convicts, your grace.”

“-this is the tea you like, your grace. i've prepared it in advance.”

“you're very adamant on proving yourself. aren't you sick of such tasks by now, miss prisoner?”

“no.” wriothesley's expression screams 'why not?' on it. “ it's because of my own misjudgement of you.”

“...elaborate.”

“i may have had unnecessary prejudices on your conduct thus far. but you're... not like what the rumors paint you out to be.” you say sincerely. “you're more amazing and incredible than anyone else. i truly do admire you.”

wriothesley's expression; you couldn't decipher it. “i see.”)

he's battered, but caring. sigewinne makes you watch (in horror) as she doodles cartoonish looking characters on his face when he's asleep — wriothesley never fusses, only an exasperated sigh to his assistant. he's harsh with his tasks and duties, but is the first to rush you into sigewinne's infirmary to tend to you after you pass out from overwork.

(“don't worry, [name]. the duke may not look it, but he's very gentle!” sigewinne giggles. humoring the little girl who was the first to show you actual decency in this place, you try to nod. sigewinne doesn't seem convinced.

“i'm serious! after all, compared to other people who've snuck into the fortress, you're the first he's treated this way.” she says cheerily.

“what does that mean?” you can't help but scoff at that. “so he just works someone to the bone from the get go?” you shudder. damn production zone...

sigewinne blinks. “ oh no, not like that. it's just that he's never been so lenient before. in fact, when you fainted, he even gave me the order to prioritize treating you over anything else.”)

well, this wasn't exactly what you thought you would be doing when you transmigrated into your favorite game, but you suppose you can take it.

besides, you'd miss a certain duke otherwise. life truly is full of strange twists....

a/n: thank you for making it this far! if anyone asks why wriothesley's was short, listen, this was completely impulsive and i was out of inspiration LOL, but i do hope you enjoy! look forward to new parts though hehe :3

@ ICEUNHIE: do not repost translate or plagiarize my works.

[the-eternal-lightning-irl]

Indeed. He hasn't matured either, I'm afraid.

Hello, Morax. I regretfully must inform you that the bard is here too.

- @the-eternal-lightning-irl

Hello

Oh. ...that's gonna be a nuisance at some point I'm sure.

[gfmima]

category : 米哈游 原神 work title : “love bites”? more like, love does bite, eh?

humiliating. mortifying. there’s no other way to describe the sight of the nation’s number one detective, self-proclaimed, moseying down the city’s main thoroughfares in the middle of his work break. it was tough to figure out if he was simply aloof or ignorant of his surroundings.

bystanders gasp in shock as heads turn to look at the awful sight of him.

the icing on the cake was how he wore them in pride, as if it was a medal of honor he had won by merit. his little idiosyncrasies were expected by the residents of narukami island and his agreeable personality made it easier to bear, though this was going too far.

heizō’s flagrant show of what transpired on your late-night rendezvous prompted a wide range of responses. some were indifferent, others were downright scandalized by how shameless he was to carry himself in broad daylight… there are children here!

the elder citizens clutch their sango pearls in horror. what a time to be alive! a member of the tenryou commission had chosen to roam the streets while flaunting such blue marks littered all over his neck with great delight.

“oh, may the almighty raiden shogun have mercy on us all,” a graying woman prays to herself, wise eyes turn shut after the quick show of his bruised skin when he strides past her in the direction of the komore teahouse.

“celestia knows we need it.”

the highly esteemed tengu kujou sara thought of chastising him for his less than savory appearance once she caught wind of the snickering in the background. it was considered dishonorable to the kujou clan after all, a giant offense even. however, she was at a loss for words; too embarrassed over the suggestive nature of these blemishes.

hence, she placed the burden onto you instead.

wonderful.

“darling…”

“lovely…”

“light of my life? fine. i can speak for the two of us anyway,” heizō puffs his cheeks then sighs out loud, “in all honesty, i don’t understand why i’m the bad guy here. i didn’t do anything wrong?!” he shakes his head. “i’m willing to argue this goes against protocol since it involves my personal life and—HUH?”

your hands planted on either side of his face, squishing it to stop him from rambling on and on and on.

“heizou?”

“hmph?”

“shut up.”

you lean back to study your work.

he was very lucky you decided to bring your hand kinchaku today. without it, he would’ve been out of commission for a day or two. and although the beauty product failed to properly conceal the love bites, it did a pretty decent job. it was now impossible to see unless you squinted.

“please stop making this more difficult than it should be.”��

“b-but! why would you wish to conceal the evidence of your love for me?” you roll your eyes. how dramatic. heizou stares at you with a pitiful yet endearing look of desperation on his face. “it ISN’T noticeable, in fact, much of it is hidden by my collar.”

“don’t care, you’re the tenryou commission detective,”  you mumble, refusing to succumb to his request no matter how cutely he refutes the comments about his public indecency. “it’s inappropriate for you to come to work looking like this.”

“well, you weren’t thinking that last n—OUCH!” he pulls out the theatrics, massaging the spot you pinched with the sulk of sulkiest pout known to mankind. “it was the truth!”

a nosy architect observes and gives him a quick once-over, “i see you’ve woken up on the right side of the bed today.”

wanderer scoffs at him then returns his focus to the grand sage’s discussion with you on the akademiya’s renovation plans to accommodate more students by supplying better facilities. his gaze lingers on you instead, and kaveh wasn’t blind to his actions.

from the moment you stepped inside the room together, he sensed a change in the air. it was… eye-opening? to say the least.

he overheard the personal aid of lesser lord kusanali wasn’t the most pleasant of companions, yet you enter with a coy expression, which is rare for the recently elected sage of the rtawahist darshan.

“oh?”

kaveh draws his bottom lip between his teeth. it was fun to see the infamous man grow increasingly irritated by his inquisitive stare. “there is no need to get defensive. i’m not interested in what you and the new sage do in your outside of work… especially when you two are consenting adults.”

wanderer glares.

“right side of your face, below your ear.”

in an attempt to be as invisible to the naked eye as possible, he cranes his head downward in hopes that his hat obscures his face as he checks his reflection on the smooth marble flooring to figure out what the nosy blond was going on about.

upon seeing what he did, heat rushed into his system and dusted his cheeks.

the moron was telling the truth, he inwardly scoffs; a faint bruise paints his neck directly below his ear, leaving little to no room for interpretation.

it was loud and clear.

wanderer was thrown off his balance by its presence that he was hardly able to react to the architect’s snickering next to him. no number of years in this world could’ve prepared him for this tricky situation.

(he secretly adored it!)

he appreciated the lengths you went to let him understand how much you wanted him, desired him, but my goodness, couldn’t you have chosen a less noticeable part of his body?

perhaps his lower stomach?

maybe even his chest area?

there was no saving him now… he spent his morning hiking through the streets tending to nahida’s errands like checking on the welfare of its citizens, so he was hilariously late on conjuring up a fool-proof plan to hide it.

everyone and their mother saw it by now. he could only pray the opposite happened for the young archon.

he was abruptly removed from his thoughts by the sound of you bidding alhaitham farewell; doe-like eyes make contact with his wordless agreement to meet one another in private after the this.

he didn’t want to be too obvious, so he waited for everyone to finish their business and leave before he moved, thinking he could walk away scot-free.

alas, he spoke too soon.

“have a wonderful evening, my friend!” kaveh greets loud enough for many heads to turn and stare at him curiously.

he was definitely going to have a word with nahida about the grand sage’s associate.

[jamieedlund]

Thesis wip Legends and fairytales

and June's sketchdump! 🤗

lots of young Aaravos stuffs on my mind amongst other things and one of the brainrot I find fun is instead of being afraid or embracing his ""darkness"" the first time he used dark magic, baby Aaravos just...intimidated it into submission. Because I guess dark magic has a different affect on gods I mean startouched elves??? I also think what makes a person insanely strong is not the fact that they give in to their darkness (like all dark mages) or completely reject their own selfishness and view the world as only black and white (the philosophy the show trying to pedal, which I extremelyyy despise) but someone who acknowledged that they have their inner demons; is willing to face them and accept that it is part of them without giving into its every whims. Which they won't do for Aaravos ever I'm sure but isn't that a neat fun thing to think about. Like man rolled a nat 20 on intimidation and proceeded to devoured his own darkness like hah you're part of me now lol I'm a god.

Aaravos reading his TOS, which I stole from that one bit from brennan's genie rules (make some noise episode 4) I wish I had time to draw this as an animation-

Devastation is when the both of them hit you with the 'we're finishing each other sentences because the answer was so painfully obvious' bit. I just thought it would give everyone chills if animated.

things I constantly think about part 103927 and wish was being said in ss4 if they had just let Callum actually squared up and went after Soren so he can have an epic mage duel with Claudia and Terri in which he actually managed to outwitted all of them and got Soren back.

More brainrot about the adventures they could have had together, this one in particular in which they're going into a king's harem to investigate the death of the women there. It's inspire by the plot for the latest mononoke anime about the "Ooku" - aka it's just a - place where women are gathered to breed with the shogun...the real history of it is- very fascinating and cruel. In the blank dialogue pages I couldn't find the right word to express Callum's worries. Basically he already knew humanity can be ugly, he grew up with that ugliness for most of his life and he's worried that he won't like what he finds here. I think it's a perfect plotline to explore both of their characters on so many personal levels.

aand that's all I got! I've been participating in a fundraising event called Artists for Gaza this month so I barely have a lot of brainrot sketches that looks decent enough to post. I'll leave a link to their carrd below if you're interested in checking them out. I wanted to do my part to help Palestine despite dying on my thesis and trust me I am dying-

As always, thank you so much for sharing and supporting my work. I will get to all of my asks when my thesis is over. Check out Artists for Gaza >>here<<

[i-got-the-feels]

Art I Made in 2024

January

Most Popular

Kinn, Porsche and parental angst is popular and even my favorite? No one is surprised

Favourite

Other favorites - Pat and Ming | Pran and Dissaya

Again, parental angst, please pretend to be surprised. I remember struggling to find the right coloring to capture the emotions but I'm glad with the final result

February

Most Popular

Was very big brained of me to make killer paradox x Crime and Punishment quote edits and honestly did an amazing job at it - proud of it

Favourite

The show made me cry. I wanted to honor every life yi jae lived and I think I did that

March

Most Popular

Sapphic pining and yearning with galaxy metaphors? You got it, boss

Favourite

This is a 3 parter

My name x The Glory - my favourite badass woman consumed by hurt, anger, guilt and revenge. Know that I was always love you. This edit will always be special to me because it was my first multiple characters across show edit. Glad I participated in the @userdramas event

Queen of tears - using the stripes and gaps in her memory was very big brained of me

Doctor slump - honestly in love with the coloring

April

Most Popular

I love women. I worship well-written woman. I am in awe of woman who can act out these well-written layered characters. Shogun gave me all of this and more

Favourite

The scene in QoT that hurt a lot. When she refused to marry him - though it's clear they both still love each other. She sees herself as a burden because she is sick and doesn't want to be with him but he finally sees the woman he loves now that the loss is imminent - the hurt and resentment didn't matter as long as he had a chance to build and live a life with her. I think the quote perfectly captures it and the coloring captures the melancholy and clarity they both have and it's my second favorite QoT set of mine.

May

Most Popular

Did QoT have it's problems? Yes. But we're those 2-3 months of watching the joy filled with joy and purpose? Also yes. So of course I made a good bye edit when the show ended

Favourite

23.5 was heartwarming and adorable. This edit was my first time doing social media template and honestly did quite a decent job for first time

June

Even when I don't make edit of shows, I make edit of ✨women✨

July

Most Popular

Shin Ha Kyun playing cunty morally grey diva who began to be morally ambiguous after meeting gorgeous young diva who is unhinged is always magical. Thanks to this show for introducing me to Kim Young kwang.

Honestly love the quotes, it's a combination of few quotes and my writing and dare I say I did a badass job

Favourite

Thank you, a bloody lucky day for giving me yoo yeon seok as bloody murderous psychopath, looking forward to more such roles. This edit's idea began because I saw him all bloody, then I saw Jung eun's character die and was like oh this is happening. The quote for her character was hardest to find but I found a good done Finally

August

Most Popular

I've said it earlier, I'll say it again. I watched the show thanks to @guzhufuren and am glad because hua ein and xiao bao have become my favorite grumpy x sunshine couple

Favourite

It is a two parter

The king of pigs

I was NOT prepared for the ending. They only said the bullying was graphic. No one told me I'd cry even after the episode. Jung min shouldn't have been pushed to do what he did. Kyung min shouldn't have had to live with the guilt of witnessing what he did. The anger, the hurt and the sadness at the injustice of what they experience made this edit

Shadow Detective

The first part of the show was GREAT. The second part was mid. You know what was consistent though? Lee sung min's acting and that's what made this edit - the awe and respect I felt for him and how he acted in this scene at the beach.

September

Most Popular

Knowing that she developed feelings for him drove me insane and bought this edit

Favourite

I am a very huge nerd for Episode titles so really love this set and especially gyeongseong creatures being congruent with theme of boundaries - between morality, power and empowerment was chefs kiss.

October

Most Popular

If a show talks about revolution as beautiful as gyeongseong creature does and I don't make an edit, know I'm depressed (like legit, netting the clinical ICD-10 criteria) or dead.

Favourite

This show was beautiful and I'm happy I could pay it a proper tribute. Murder in a small village, where everyone is guilty to some extent, you will always be my favorite

November

Most Popular - Straight

Yoo yeon seok as rich powerful chaebol tsundere is what my dreams are made of. Honestly this edit was born after THE EPISODE 2 SCENE.

Most Popular - Gay

You know the shows trailer was good. When you are sad by it days after watching and it and it reminds you of the music you listened to in your adolescent years, which then you of course continue listening for weeks to come. P'Aof, gemini and fourth, looking forward to my ruining.

Favourite

The Heart Killers Episode 1 and Episode 2 captured really well the desire - be it lust, to belong, yearning and pining

Kant x Bison - the same kant who doesn't bother exchanging names with his hook ups being disappointed bison left!!! the red and oranges-ish hue to show desire and passion and I'm afraid I ate and left no crumbs with quotes

Fadel x Style - fadel's anger and guilt for having a desire and yearning to be loved and to belong but the anger and guilt not being enough to stop making him feel? Delicious. Also once again the coloring and quotes? Perfect. I devoured. The quote took me HOURS to find.

December

Most Popular

Glad I wasn't alone in loosing my mind over style kissing fadel's scar with absolute gentleness and devotion

Favourite

It's a 3 parter

Kant and Style and Guilt - honestly no one likes what Kant is doing, including kant but hating him for it just shows you don't understand him. Honestly, can't remember doing such a word heavy edit but @ropebunnykant liz's trust in me is something I am forever grateful so for thanks a lot love, this - including my writing, happened because of your tags

Fadel x Style x 10 Things I Hate About You - I have never denied being a basic bitch

Kant x Bison x Stories scene - honestly slapped with the coloring and the quote

Thank you @fujunfuren @ryoun @natahjikio @shenzhiheng @spicyvampire for the tag - I love doing at the end of every year. Nice to see the shows I watched, recollect how they made feel and how they played into the editing

I tag @riggerbison @thisautistic @puppy-phum @sparklyeyedhimbo @fadelsburger @bisonsclothespin @pharawee and anyone who wants to do this

[solunos]

Sketchbook: Kazuha

I did this drawing twice, and I honestly am glad that the second try turned out decently, since usually for me, the first one is always better than the second.

It is Kazuha parrying the Raiden Shogun’s Musou no Hitotachi, with his friend supporting him from behind! Love how the pose and expression came out. I’m still trying to figure out what medium is best to go together with my pen linework.

Even though this is pretty nice, it still isn’t quite what I want, but that’s what experimenting is about, as you can probably see from my other pen stuff.

Secret peek of how the first drawing went.

I think it could have worked…but there is a time when you just need to stop and start anew, and maybe come back to this much later in life.

[fairykazu]

[ 3 ] 𓇼 SUMMER FLOWS content warnings: mild cursing, a little bit lyney x reader, continuing from previous chapter & it is on the longer side word count: 2.0k previous ⋆ masterlist ⋆ next

Kunikuzushi.  

Even though it was his birth name, hearing it always stung, reminding him of his mother and the abandonment he had experienced. Technically, Nahida is family to him, so he didn't mind if she called him by his birth name. However, he knew she would understand his feelings and the pain it brought up to hear that name

 His breath hitched, awkwardly shifted his weight. He muttered, “Scaramouche.”

If Nahida was caught off guard, she didn’t show it. She swiftly corrected herself as she led him down the stairs, “Scaramouche, you were last here in Fontaine when you were five. it’s been more than ten years, it has changed.” 

Scaramouche tried to daydream into the distance until he let the words sink down. He frowned. 

Shit, she’s right but would he admit that? 

Of course not. Despite following his aunt down the stairs, he stayed put with his firm behavior. Crossing his arms and closed himself off from his aunt. Funnily enough, this reminds him of the corporation’s slogan of “eternity” or whatever edgy words Mother said.

“I think I could handle seeing this city by myself, Auntie. I’m not a little kid.” 

He rolled his tongue uncomfortable with the amount of attitude he gave to his aunt. He couldn't help but feel the bitter taste in his gums, each word coming out sharper than he intended. He grimaced, I could have worded it better. Well, not that really matters, what is said is done. 

She chuckled lightly, “I never insinuate that you are. I know you have grown up now, that’s why you’re rebelling against your mother, are you not?” They ascended at the landing on top of the stairs. As the tanned woman motioned to him down the steps, as if it was the walk of shame. Truthfully, he knew she didn’t mean to sound harsh. “I know your mother and I’m aware that she could be a bit… much. But I know that whatever she has told you isn’t true. She’s just never been the same since…” 

Scaramouche stiffened, he knew why and seeing once gentle and loving mother he knew was replaced by an icy, distant figure, turning Scaramouche's world upside down. Even though his mother is the CEO of Shogun Corporations, she wasn’t the face. When she died, so did his mother. He finished her sentence, “...When Aunt Makoto passed away.” 

“Yes, exactly. I’m not sure why your mother wanted to send you off here. But it’s summer, Scaramouche. Have some fun, make new friends and ignore your previous responsibilities that your mother gave you.” Nahida assured Scaramouche, attempting to coax him. 

But there was something off with Nahida’s tone and the indigo haired boy knew she was lying about the reason why he’s here. He squinted a little, trying to analyze Nahida’s face for any hidden features she could be hiding. 

Alas, he found none. However, there’s definitely a reason but he wouldn’t pry it out of his aunt. Well, at least not on the first day he’s been here. He remembered that his mother insisted it was about helping Aunt with her duties. But by the looks of his aunt, it seemed like she had it sorted out especially with that girl that was hanging out earlier. Speaking of that “nameless” girl, he looked around, the front yard was empty. 

Well, no one but him and Nahida was there.

Weird. 

“So what’s with that girl?” Scaramouche blurted his thoughts out loud, his eyes focused on where she was standing. At least, she looked… decent. 

Nahida leaned on the marbled railing, letting out a laugh. “The lecture drained you of your memory, I presume? Well, [Name] is a local who would be helping you out during the summer break. Be good to her because she’s a sweet girl.” 

Scaramouche quipped back, defending his honor. “Well, that sweet girl almost made me trip.” 

“Scaramouche, we both know that it was your fault that led up to that. But don’t pay mind to that now,” Nahida dug into her purse, retrieving a paper and a pen.

Well then, his honor is wilting a little but not dying. This is a win.

As quickly as she could, Nahida hastily wrote it down and handed it to him. “Call her and apologize. She’d accept it and have fun. Don’t be a grouch and if you need anything, ask for me.” his auntie said, walking back upstairs into her front doors.

It’s not that Scaramouche could protest anything. If he did, he preferred not to face nahida’s wrath. Besides, his mother’s lectures are easier to tune out compared to his aunt’s. Scowling, he rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone, glancing with irritation between the number pad and the piece of paper clenched in his hand. 

You are now calling [     ]... 

The call went to voicemail, and Scaramouche let out a frustrated grunt, his grip on the scrap of paper tightening as he tried to figure out what to do next.

This is just my luck. This is fucking stupid. 

So stupid! There is no way a girl could be this ridiculous. Does she not know who’s calling her? Scaramouche Raiden, soon-to-be CEO of the Raiden Shogun Corporation. She’s ridiculous and rude. There’s no way he’s going to…  

 He dialed the number again. 

𓊝

“You’re kidding.” Lyney said, sprawled out on her bed, kicking his legs in the air. Well, he made sure to lay on the towel before he laid down– something about [Name]’s issue with dirty “outside” or “day-time” clothes. His chin was on top of her head, disheveling it in the process. While she sat on the floor, she wrecked her brain about… this situation, rubbing her temples. 

She grimaced, “I wish I could say that but I’m not.” The comforter ruffled as Lyney crawled closer, now resting his head on the footboard. Leaning down, his finger poked [Name]’s face gently. She let it slide over and over. Until [Name]’s head turned around, pretending to lunge her mouth at him. He flinched back, just barely dodging the teasing bite from [Name]'s feigned annoyance.

“Eek!” Lyney squealed. He was quick to change his behavior after meeting eye contact with [Name]. His face dusted with pink, clearing his throat. “Ahem, I mean, that was rude.” 

“Oh!”  She replied, playing along with Lyney’s pretend act. She draped her hand dramatically on her forehead, building the coy act. “I apologize to the manliest man ever.” 

Lyney hummed in response, preening in the attention he was given. If he was an animal and if she couldn’t pick a cat, maybe a bird with the way he’s looking prideful.“Soo, are you still going to show him around? This guy sounds like a total ass.” If [Name] glanced behind her, she’d see Lyney making crossed fingers, shaking them a little.

Poor guy! He looked as if he was praying it wouldn’t happen, to bring what’s-his-face around Fontaine. After all, a magician needs his assistant. 

(ring !) 

“That’s because he is!” She quipped back, pinching her nose bridge. She took a deep inhale before continuing. To emphasize her point, she raised her finger and pointed upwards. However, before she could finish her point, Lyney interrupted her with a mocking gesture, mimicking a nerd's expression. Rolling her eyes, [Name] pressed on, explaining her reasons for helping Scaramouche despite her reluctance. “I made a promise to Nahida that I would take her nephew around...Besides, I'm not doing this for Scaramouche, I'm doing this for Nahida,” she asserted, trying to make her position clear.

“Yeah, I get it. But it’s more like you’re babysitting her manchild-nephew.” Lyney pointed out with a frown, “You could easily make that same amount, double, if you babysat Freminet.” 

With a twist of her hips, [Name] pivoted in her seat, fixing Lyney with a sharp gaze. The platinum blonde fidgeted, avoiding her steely gaze. “Whatever you say, Lyney.” 

The lavender eyed boy sighed as he moved closer to her, just barely hanging off the edge of the bed. Glancing up, Lyney is being goofy, hanging his head upside down in front of her face. Is he trying to reference a movie again? Must be hard balancing on the bed then.

(ring !) 

With a chuckle, she poked Lyney's face, he responded by scrunching up his face like a cat, amused by her actions. “Do you think you’re spiderman all of a sudden?” 

Lyney couldn't contain his amusement, his lips twitching into a sly grin as he winked. “Only if you’re my MJ!” It's obvious that being upside down wasn't a smart move. That blood rush to the head must have him feeling dizzy.

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips, she playfully shoved him aside. Momentarily he stumbled before regaining his balance, narrowly avoiding a tumble to the ground. He’d call it “The (almost) fall of his demise.” 

From an outsider’s point of view, that was just two or four inches. But to Lyney, it was the rise and fall of a king! Humming a tune, [Name] rubbed his head as he curled up on the circle pillow beside her. “Chat, are you okay?” 

Lyney smiled, “Of course, my lady. So about what-his-face?” 

“Scaramouche.” 

“Yeah, Scara-poof. What are you going to do?” Lyney asked, a hint of concern in his voice. He thought back on what [Name] told him. “He seems like bad news.” He continued, then added eagerly, “Let me come along, then!”

(ring !!) 

[Name] began, "Alright, you can come with us," only to be interrupted by Lyney's hushed, excited exclamation of, 'Yes!'

She paused, raising a hand to halt him in his tracks. A puzzled expression crossed his face as he fell silent, straining to listen closely. After a moment, he heard it, too – a faint, distant sound that seemed to echo through the air. Both of them looked at each other, an unspoken question hanging between them.

(ring !!) 

“Whose phone is ringing?” 

“Let me check.” Lyney moved from her side, walking to the wooden bedside table. “Uhhh…” He looked for the ringing phone. Huh, did [Name] get so many calls? Is she suddenly the idol, Barbara? 

He looked at the case for a while. He even ignored her repeated calls for him, lost in thoughts of their memories together. She still has the well-worn polaroid of his siblings, Lynette and Freminet, him and her. “Lyney, You okay?” 

“Yeah! Don’t worry about me. Here, it was your phone.” Lyney was pulled back to reality, offering a small, almost melancholy smile. He handed it to her as she thanked him with a nod. 

“Huh, it’s an unknown number?” She arched her brow.

Lyney nodded in agreement, “Yeah, I saw the notifications pop up. I didn’t know m’lady had become so popular. What happens if you forget me!” 

“Oh, c’mon, Lyney! Why would I forget my best friend?” As she unlocked her phone, wiping on a notification to call back. [Name] scrolled through the call log. Archons, ten times really? 

She scrolled a bit more. fifteen? 

“Hey, put the call on speaker.” Lyney said as [Name] clicked on the speaker button. She waited for the recipient to answer. Frankly, by the amount they’d had called, she hoped they would never answer.

Twenty??? 

The phone rang shrilly, echoed throughout the silent room. [Name] reached out and took up the receiver, holding it to her ear. She waited for a time before the line.

For gods’ sake, the unknown person called her twenty five times? Did she commit a crime or something? What kind of grudge does this guy have against her? 

“Hello?” she said, barely above a whisper. Puzzled by the numerous calls; No one really called her to get her attention more than twice, no less twenty-five times, jeez! Lyney sat next to her, chin resting on her shoulder as if he was a guardian angel.

“About time you called back,” The voice huffed, a “tsk” following after. Oh, great… It’s Scaramouche. Why is he calling? Wait! 

she thought Auntie would call her back, not Scaramouche. That’s a little funny.

“What do you mean?” [Name] playing an oblivious role, hoping he'd take the bait. Scaramouche didn’t answer, well, just not yet. Only noise filled the other end of the call, she could hear him breathing quite heavily. She was worried for him though that doesn’t defend his previous behavior. “Hello?”

Scaramouche paused, hesitating a little, “Sorry for whatever. Just tour me around.”

taglist [ open / bold means i cannot tag you]: @practicoi @saccharine-sucks @veekoko @aruastu @jllyfsh-lvr

@scaranthropy @r0ttenhearts @luvilyz @featuredtofu

[the-eternal-lightning-irl]

Hi Jei !!!

Hi!!!

- @the-songs-of-the-wind-irl

(He’s lonely)

Hello Barbatos.

[rayonago]

#need that

I'm salivating

I had no clue he was gonna be a skin too i thought he was just the boss

As you can see I have enough for him and catwoman

Do i cop them both? R.i.p my spiderverse funds tho. Tho my batman fixation is more intense than spiderverse. I mainly just like miles morales, so I'll just get him.

[hastyprovocateur]

Akemi's Powerplay in Season 2

I have a feeling that season 2 Akemi is gonna really have to put on her proverbial armour and gird her proverbial loin 😭.

Though she's gonna be under so much pressure, how she tackles those challenges is going to prove her mettle and how ambitious she can really be. Lady Itoh isn't gonna give up her decades long powers over her family, with Taka being her most easily manipulated exponent. I don't see Lady Itoh letting Akemi exercise power politically or inside the family much, without a fight or unless she's dead (killed.) Akemi will have to fight to cut her mother-in-laws fingers clutching onto many aspects of her life.

Moreover, her husband is the younger son which means he's not gonna be as powerful as the older one, the natural heir to the Shogun, and would likely have to be subject under it, worse, controlled by it, unless Akemi seduces the Shogun himself, or has her husband contest the Shogun's seat or somehow get rid of the older brother, especially seeing that the brothers have a fairly decent relationship. Akemi is going to have to wedge that somehow, I don't see how else she'll be in total control of the state power if not through the Shogun himself.

Aside from the Shogun's seat, even without Lady Itoh forcing the issue, Akemi is gonna be (presumably) sleeping with her husband more than once which will cause a genuine risk for pregnancy and would distract her plans for acquiring power if she conceives unless she separates residence from Takayoshi to reduce their sexual encounters and to live in her own home, taking "care" of her father and ensuring he doesn't get well enough to exert control over her life once again. To make sure he doesn't try to ride on the coattails of Akemi's newfound powers.

Akemi is going have to be pretty formidable in breaking everyone's spine to bow to her. She can, of course, also do this by being a great advisor or being a publicly well liked representative to the Shogun's house. An emblem for the masses of sorts. Maybe even to the point that if anything happens to her, there would be a mass uprising.

But still, no matter how she rises, this'll give the power drunk people more reason to become unscrupulous in dealing with her/trying to get her out of their way. With Edo being rebuilt, a lot of shady businessmen, brokers, dealers, suppliers would be coming to bow before the Shogun for special favour for their personal gain. Amid bribes, bootlicking, war crimes and dealings, Akemi could easily run into crosshairs if she protests against an unsavory proposition.

I do trust that Kaji and the girls will aid in advising Akemi. They might offer to seduce the Shogun out of information or put him in a position to compromise his power and such. Taigen, as well, I believe he's going to stick by Akemi's side after his honour is restored for alerting and protecting the Shogun's family and he'll stick to the ranks of samurai instead of pursuing his former goal of living on a farm with Akemi.

He's the "if you go, I go. If you stay, I stay" person so I don't doubt he'll stick with Akemi to help execute her plans. She might even play Taigen, letting him wallow in false hope of a reunion when she only has her interest at heart. It's cruel but not crueler than killing people which she might resort to doing as well and for that I'd respect her even more.

It would be cool to see in a woman who's only duty in life has been to serve and be loyal to the men around her, to grow bloodthirsty for the power and control men have exercised for centuries. If they don't yield to your goodness, make them bow to your evil. Her sincere loyalty was wasted in season 1 and she was left worse off. But she is now on a path of greatness, and I hope it makes her as cruel as she can possibly be. (Before she inevitably changes)

[veronicaphoenix]

the unmaking of a warrior | part two

“Let’s make it clear,” his voice came out hoarse but firm, an echo in the night. “You didn’t force me to do anything. I’m a Samurai. I’m very capable of making my own decisions. And it’s been long since I chose you.”

Pairing: samurai!noah x fem. reader | Cross-posted on AO3 | Words: 4.6k | Tags & warnings: forbidden love, sexual content, unprotected sex, fluff/angst/comfort.

THE UNMAKING OF A WARRIOR

PART II

I was in a bad mood.

As I moved through the palace, the walls seemed to close in, each step echoing the conflict within me. I trudged through the corridors, the weight of my family’s expectations hanging heavily on my shoulders as I made way to my meditation room.

The morning sunlight filtered through the paper screens, casting a pale glow on the tatami mat beneath my feet. The encounter with Ren during breakfast had set the tone for the day, and I was pissed.  

Ren was the son —and heir— of the Shogun Osamu from the neighbor capital, and he was the embodiment of responsibility and tradition. His presence in our household signaled the convergence of two influential families. My father and his were constantly doing business, fighting together, and my mother, for some reason, adored him. The fact that he was merely two years older than me made him the perfect target to be considered a suitable husband for me.

According to them.

Ren was, by all accounts, a decent man. He was good looking, intelligent, and educated, and I could tell he had a genuine fondness for me. He was probably already dreaming of the perfect life and all the power he could wield following our union. Thing was, there was only one man I intended to marry, and it wasn’t Ren. In fact, I was not even allowed to marry that other man so, all things considered, marriage was the last thing in my head, and having to endure an excruciating morning hearing my mother’s attempts to mold me into the perfect bride for Ren felt like a betrayal to her own daughter.  

After Ren's departure, my father scolded me, and his reprimand cut through the air like a cold wind. His words, laced with disappointment, emphasized my failure to uphold the decorum expected of a lady. He also mentioned that my manners needed a hand. Great. The weight of his disapproval settled on my shoulders, intensifying the storm of emotions swirling within me, and his scold made me consider the repercussions of my family (and everybody else), finding out about Noah and I…

What we had was… We couldn’t even call it a relationship. It felt presumptuous, too bold a word for what existed between us. We were shadows passing in the night, our stolen moments hidden from the watchful eyes of society. There were no public displays of affection, no holding hands, no tender glances exchanged when we crossed each other in my father’s grounds.

My heart quickened at the memory of the last time me and Noah were together, a week ago, in my Grandma’s little house. Our connection was a delicate dance, a forbidden rhythm that resonated with both passion and peril. Yet, the fire that burned between us illuminated a truth I couldn't deny and added to the boiling fire I had inside of me that day.

I knew the consequences of such a clandestine liaison, especially in a society bound by traditions and expectations. The code of bushido dictated Noah's path, and my privileged position demanded adherence to the decorum expected of the Shogun's daughter. My concerns reached beyond my own fate. It wasn't just the repercussions for me that unsettled my thoughts, but the potential consequences for Noah. He lived by the code of bushido, a set of principles that governed his every action. Our clandestine love affair was a violation of those very principles, and the gravity of that transgression weighed heavily on both our hearts, more in mine than in his. I was the one that had dragged him into this.

And both of us were being as reckless as someone could be, deemed to end up at the gates of Hell.

When I started my training that morning, I was fuming.

When I left the training grounds, I was even more erratic.

I wasn’t trained in the disciplined art of the samurai, but given the family in which I’d been born, it was not unexpected that even daughters were imparted with a modicum of combat knowledge, how to use certain weapons and how to defend ourselves in hand-to-hand combat. What Father didn’t know that was my training extended beyond the formal lessons of the training grounds. In the hidden alcoves and secluded corners where the walls held the secrets of our forbidden connection, Noah had become my clandestine sensei. During stolen moments, when time unfolded more generously than usual, he imparted lessons that went beyond the rigid confines of tradition.

My body was fighting to find relief now that I was showered, dressed in clean clothes as I settled onto my meditation mat. I hoped that dedicating thirty minutes to quiet contemplation would serve as a remedy.

As I closed my eyes, the hum of the world faded into the background, and for a moment, I felt enveloped in a cloud of serenity.

However, just as I began to lose myself in the labyrinth of my mind, a soft sound disrupted the stillness. It camefrom the doors behind me, a gentle disturbance that drew my attention. And a comforting wave of warmth enveloped me, catching me by surprise.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

I heard Noah’s low chuckle behind me, his presence filling the room with a magnetic energy even if I hadn’t seen him yet.

“I will never not be amazed at your efficient sense of hearing,” he said, his words carrying an undertone of amusement and familiarty.

“I was trained to hear the silence, if you don’t remember.”

I turned around. A wave of relief spread through me as I saw his face, his lighted up features. He was dressed in his usual training gear, katana at his side, his hair lose, his cheeks tinged with a hint of pink. He looked delicious.

But as I said, he shouldn’t be there.

“Why are you here?” I asked as I stood up, my voice steady, though my heart had started racing beneath the surface.

“You know why,” he answered, approaching with purposeful strides.

“They could see us,” I pointed out with caution and desire tangling in my eyes.

“I can’t seem to stay away from you.”

It’s been seven days. I know how he feels because I feel the same. 

“You seem upset,” he noticed after my silence. “Should I retreat if you don’t want me here or…?”

“No, it’s not that” I hurried to correct him, realizing the urgency in my own voice.  I looked up at him with pleading eyes, softening my gaze. “I so desperately wanted to see you. Ren was here this morning.”

Concern flickered across his features.

Ren, who had been in the battlefield with him, who had given him orders, who had expectations of having me as his wife in his castle, in hisbedroom.

“What happened?” Noah took a step forward to me, his voice a low murmur that held a protective edge.

The burning incense in the corner of the room enveloped us.  

“My mother is adamant,” I whispered, slumping my shoulders.

Noah raised an eyebrow, his gaze lowering to meet mine through the veil of his eyelashes.

“But… You’re not going to marry him, right?”

“Of course not,” I answered looking up at him in alarm. I closed the distance and grabbed his hand. The touch of his calloused fingers made me feel grounded. “But I don’t know how much longer I can fight it,” I admitted with raw honesty.

At some point I would have to be honest and confront my parents, be straightforward, tell them that I wasn’t going to marry Ren. At least I’d have to tell them that part.

Noah remained silent, and I continued.

“I’m actually more worried about you, at whatever happens.”

A soft smile tugged at one corner of his mouth, and I tilted my head at the confusion. He had this ability to confuse me at times, a knack for eluding easy understanding, leaving me grasping at the thought of him being worried or serious or maybe just amused at something that it wasn’t amusing to me.

“You are?”

I glared at him, and I punched him lightly in the shoulder.

“You know I am,” I said softly.

He closed the distance, and his two fingers grabbed my chin. He loved doing that. He was much taller than me and I basically needed to stand on my tiptoes to kiss him, so he always seemed to be one step ahead and getting me ready for him.

“Seven days without this…” He muttered before laying a soft kiss on my lips.

Desire stirred within me. I wanted more. I was about to reach for his shoulders when I heard another noise coming from the hallway, followed by my name. It was the maid.

Noah and I both looked up, his neck twisting to peer toward the door behind us. A suppressed curse hovered on my lips.

“A second, please!” I called out, my voice breaking the calm atmosphere, standing on my tiptoes with the aim to make my voice carry above Noah’s shoulders.

As I bent down, he followed the movement, capturing my lips with a fleeting peck.

“Meet me in the pond at midnight,” he whispered with urgency before swiftly retreating to the balcony.

The curtains danced in the breeze as he crossed them, leaving only a trace of his silhouette. And then, just like that, he was gone.

When I let the maid in, I feigned a serene demeanor, a fake smile plastered on my face, and my hands laced together at my front.

I could still feel Noah presence around me, even if it was a ghost and it would soon dissolve into nothing.

The pond was located in the forest, barely a twenty-minute walk from the castle. It was beautiful now that it was summer, all the flowers blossomed and the trees green and everything scented, but nothing compared to spring. I love spring. It was the beginning of everything being born again.

I walked the path alone, covered in a hooded cape all the way until the entrance of the forest. Only when I crossed the entrance, the red structure typical from Japan, I dared to come out from my hiding place. It was nearly midnight, not like anybody would be out at this time and see me, but it didn’t hurt to be cautious. We here hanging by a thread.

I was leaning over the railing of the wooden bridge admiring the joy fishes swimming around the pond when Noah arrived, his voice traveling through air and making its way inside my skin, my very veins, and making me smile as I turned around to greet him. 

“I’m not sure if it’s the moonlight or just you but… you’re glowing,” he said.

Pink tinted my cheeks as I smiled shyly. 

“Flirt.”

He raised his hands as he kept on closing the distance to me. 

“Just stating facts.” 

As soon as he reached me, his hands were on my face, moving the hair away from it and then just cradling me. I let myself lean into his touch, feeling weightless when I was in his embrace. 

“You cannot appear inside the castle like that again.” It’s not that I didn’t want him to, but it was very dangerous. 

“I thought I made it clear that I can’t stay away from you.” 

“You don’t need to take unnecessary risks.”

“At some point we have to take risks, don’t you think?” He replied, letting his hands fall, leaving me immediately yearning for his touch.

Those were not the kind of risks a Samurai should have to take.

I found myself incapable of revealing more of my joy and relief upon seeing him standing before me, in the secluded serenity of the forest surrounding us, with the surface of the pond, where the moonlight was reflected, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to our clandestine meeting place. These stolen moments were a precious few. We had endured seven days without each other, and each time it was getting harder to sustain the distance. While every fiber of my being yearned to rush into his embrace, to savor the warmth of his kisses, and to feel the tender caress of his touch, an insidious voice in my head persisted, incessantly reminding me of the gaping divide between our social standings.

The fear of the repercussions that would inevitably follow if our forbidden love was exposed loomed over my entire being day and night. The thought of the severe punishment Noah could endure, kept me rooted in place. The daughter of the Shogun entwined with a man from a different world – it was an unconceivable union.

Why did I let him fall in love with me?

Noah, the ever-perceptive Samurai, detected the distress etched across my face and the turmoil I grappled with, asking why I was so upset.

I wasn’t.

I was scared.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” he whispered as he leveled his gaze with mine, demanding my full attention. His words lingered in the air, as if he had just made a promise to the forest, and the moon had been there to witness it.

“You’ve got it all wrong,” I retorted, frustration simmering beneath the surface. “It’s not about me.”

His gaze intensified as he examined my face, his ability to mask emotions a testament to the disciplined warrior within him. The lines on his forehead barely betrayed the turmoil that might be brewing beneath the stoic exterior.

"You forget I'm a warrior," he countered, a hint of defiance in his voice.

"You're human, too," I reminded him, the words carrying the weight of a truth that went beyond his warrior identity. The struggle between the steel of his training and the vulnerability of his humanity played out in the subtle nuances of his expression, a silent battle that mirrored the conflicts we faced beyond the visible surface.

“There’s something else, isn’t it?” He guessed, then. “You’re holding something back.”

He was so good at reading me, for Gods’ sake. He possessed an uncanny ability to read the subtle shifts in my demeanor, a skill that, in this moment, made me feel remarkably vulnerable. I was never this much worried. That must have been the first thing that gave me away.

“What is it?”

I looked away, nerves eating me. I shook my body in a physical attempt to dispel the anxiety that threatened to consume me.

“Let it out,” he ordered. His tone was still gentle, yet his words were a firm directive.

That was enough for me to muster the courage and get it done with my inner turbulence.

“I’m going to tell my parents I’m not marrying Ren.” 

And we both knew the implications of that. It wouldn’t just be “I don’t want to marry this man”. It would be a seismic shift, one that said “I don’t want to marry anyone who you chose, anyone that I don’t love. When I marry, and if I do, will be under my command and freedom to choose”. It would ensue a storm. It would be an affront to the very foundations of my parents’ beliefs and societal norms. They would be shocked, ashamed of their own daughter. I was going to fuck up the whole family status and its reputation.

My mother, already harboring fears that I might rebel against the constraints of our society, would witness her apprehensions manifesting into reality. My father, acutely aware of my inability to conform to the mold of a properlady, whatever proper was, would find his concerns realized in the most drastic manner.

My words spilled forth.

“I don’t care what happens next,” I continued, a newfound determination now that I had shared with Noah my decision. “I don’t care what happens to the family status or what they do to me. If they think I’m delusional, that’s okay. If they want to exile me to live with my grandmother, that’d be ok, too. I don’t want anyone unless it’s you. Period.” 

In that moment, my heart and words were aligned, and I felt a little sort of relief. It wouldn’t last long, though.

Noah scrutinized my face, his brown boba eyes a dance between curiosity and contemplation. The lines around his eyes hinted at the possibility of a smile, but the subtle furrow between his brows suggested concern.

His hand returned to my face, a gentle touch on my cheek, while his thoughts seemed to unfold on his pursed lips.

“I’m sorry I forced you into this, but I’m not letting you go,” I resolved.

I was probably an egoistic spoiled girl. I was the daughter of a Shogun, after all, but there was nothing in this world that would stop me from keeping Noah. He had been the light in my darkness since the first time he smiled at me from the training grounds, a mere teenager at the time. Despite the punishment he endured for that distraction and the subsequent admonitions I received from my mother regarding men and, specifically, the Samurai, nothing could quell the growing connection between us, stronger than any external constraints and, definitely stronger than our parents’ and masters’ orders.

His other hand found its way to my other cheek, drawing me so close that my chest pressed against his body, enveloped in the folds of his dark kimono. Our legs brushed against each other, and the subtle touch of his beautiful katana's tsuka against the skin on the back of my left hand added an undercurrent of intensity to the moment. In that closeness, our connection felt not just emotional but tangible, a shared defiance against the world.

“Let’s make it clear,” his voice came out hoarse but firm, an echo in the night. “You didn’t force me to do anything. I’m a Samurai. I’m very capable of making my own decisions. And it’s been long since I chose you.”

My heart quivered in response. I was left momentarily breathless as I looked deeper into his eyes.

“I will keep choosing you always, am I clear?”

His voice carried such solemnity that my heartbeat quickened. The temperature of my body rose, and to anchor myself, I gripped his belt, the tangible connection providing me with a sense of grounding. I wanted to drown in his love.

“I will follow you to the confines of this world.”

His declaration might have made my legs tremble, but that didn’t stop me from getting on my toes and kissing him hard.

I found it fascinating how his thin lips molded to mind, and how perfectly we fit against each other. In the quiet of the night, I dreamed of these moments, and I would fall into a fairytale where I knew that his lips had been made for mine, his heartbeat to beat in synch with mine, his body built to cover mine.

His breath on my mouth was warm and comforting. He felt like home. He was home.

As I gripped him tighter and my chest pressed harder into him, I was more confident in my decision. One way or another, Noah and I would get our future.

As his warm breath caressed my mouth, a comforting sensation washed over me, and I marveled at the feeling of being home. In the embrace of his arms, Noah wasn't just a person; he was my sanctuary. Every tight grip and every press of my chest against his strengthened my resolve, reinforcing the confidence in my decision. I clung to him with a certainty that, regardless of the challenges ahead, Noah and I would carve out our future together.

“You’re heating up,” he said, a warmth evident in his voice that matched the flush in his own cheeks. “Let’s get in the water. It’ll do you good.”

He started unbuttoning my clothes, but with a huff at our separation I took charge and continued on my own until I was clad in only my white cotton underwear. Meanwhile, Noah, standing a mere feet away from me, mirrored my actions, methodically removing his own garments. Each piece found its place neatly folded at his feet, topped off by the placement of his katana — a corroboration of his disciplined nature.

Without a hint of hesitation, he glided into the water, the change in temperature failing to register on his composed demeanor. His ability to maintain such calm was astonishing. I stood by the water's edge in my cotton-thin underwear, my face reflecting a mix of tension mixed with adoration as I observed him.

The water reached his waist as he turned towards me. He extended his arm, inviting me to join me. Before I accepted his offer, I used a kanzashi stick to keep my hair tied on top of my head. Then, I cautiously stepped into the water, feeling the rocks under my feet, the koi fish swimming around us, the cool sensation of the water’s temperature enveloping me as Noah’s hand met mine.

When I reached him, my arms went to his neck immediately, and I clung to him, sinking my face in the crook of his neck. He placed a kiss on the line that connected my shoulder and neck, and his hands found their place in my bare back.

“So, not a good day, huh?”

“More like a week,” I made a face as I shifted my face to see him. I scrunched my nose, and to my delight, it seemed to amuse him, as if he was suddenly consumed by a spark of adoration.

“What are we going to do it about it?” He ventured, his tone changing, testing the waters.  

My teeth grazed my lower lip as I let go of my worries for what would be the next hour. This was the only possible time we’d have with each other in the coming week, and I couldn’t bear the thought of returning to my father’s castle without the lingering memory of Noah etched into my very being.  

It wasn’t the first time we had sex in the pond. In the last year, shrouded in the serene embrace of the night, it had become one of our secret havens. We would rendezvous when the clock struck midnight. Sometimes we would wander through the dark paths holding hands, we'd share the details of our days, breaking the monotony with whispered anecdotes. Yet, at times, the allure of each other would prove too strong to resist, and we would succumb to the passion, to the need for each other, and we would dive in the moonlight-soaked water until my moans were silenced by his hand or a bite on his shoulder, the trees standing as silent witnesses as we lost ourselves to each other.

In the hush of the night, with the scent of pine and the occasional sound of rustling leaves, I let Noah warm me up with his fingers through my soaked underwear despite his previous attempt at cooling me down. His lips roamed my skin, spending more time in the curve of my neck where he knew I was most sensitive. He whispered things in my ear that gave me goosebumps. I slid my hands up and down his chest, allowing myself to feel every inch of his muscles, the delicacies of each scar that had damaged his body, until I was down enough that I could palm him and sense him grow against my hand.

Our hands pried us free from our clothing restrains. He lifted me up so that the position would be better and I wrapped my legs around his waist. His fingers moved my underwear aside, freeing myself. I welcomed the tip of his cock and I held my breath as he made his way in.

It was slow, delicate. Noah’s moans were in my ears as he held me by my buttocks and kept moving me to his and my convenience. Only when he increased the speed, I scratched his back and let out a loud moan that echoed through the trees, allowing nature to acknowledge our union.

Instead of a complaint, I heard Noah’s chuckle in my ear. I knew I had to be quiet, though, and when I came, I did it with my eyes closed hard, my hands grasping at his shoulders, and my teeth biting on his skin. Noah’s release came right after mine, and a guttural noise came out from his throat as he tried keeping it hidden between our bodies, his head laid on my shoulder, his hair locks grazing my skin as I tried to steady my breath.

The serenity that followed was only broken by the rhythmic cadence of our synchronized breaths and the little sounds coming from Noah’s trail of kisses down my shoulder. I kept my arms and legs around him, my face buried in his neck as I inhaled his scent. He was home and I didn’t want to leave this place.

Reluctantly, the reality of the outside world crept back in. As our bodies gradually cooled, a subtle shiver passed through me. Noah was quick to notice and he carried me out of the water and help me dry off. The care he took in drying me off mirrored the intimacy we had just shared in the water, creating a seamless transition from one moment to the next.

The night air settled around us, and the sounds of the forest resumed their nocturnal symphony.

When we were both decent again, I walked to him and I reached out to sweep a few strands of hair out of his face. I stood on my tiptoes and lifted my face, in return, he bent down and closed his eyes. I placed a kiss on his forehead, and we held hands for a few more minutes as we stared at each other, making silent promises.

He let me go first, stating that he would keep an eye through the distance to ensure my journey back home was safe. He knew ways of moving around the city, the forests, without being seen.

As I strolled through the night and out of the forest, a comforting sense of security enveloped me, knowing I had a guardian angel watching over my every step. Shadows played on the edges of the moonlit streets, and the night seemed to hold its breath, as if recognizing the presence of an unseen protector.

Approaching the castle, its grandeur seemed to loom larger in the hushed stillness. I stood in front of it for a while, reluctancy creeping over my bones. I really didn’t need a big house or an army at my feet. I just wanted… to be free.

Once inside, only a few dim lights provided a glow that penetrated the darkness. The air was heavy with an almost mystical stillness, as if the walls of the castle held ancient secrets and whispered tales of bygone eras.

Navigating the castle's corridors with practiced quietude, I moved with deliberate steps, barefoot to muffle any sounds. I could smell the river in me and feel the ghost of Noah’s body all over my skin.

The longing for the warmth of Noah's embrace lingered within me as I approached my bedroom door. The castle's quietude seemed to amplify the desire, making me feel enveloped in melancholy. What I would have given to go to bed in his arms that night, yet, as I was about to reach my door, at the end of the dimly lit hallway, a figure materialized, and my mother stood there, her eyes boring into mine with an almost accusatory fire.

[cherry-valentine]

Winter 2024 Anime Season

I didn’t do write ups for the Fall 2023 season because I was only watching two shows and they were just new seasons of shows I’ve written about multiple times before (Dr. Stone and Spy x Family) so I didn’t feel the need. Both were great. I’ll just leave it at that.

Mr. Villain’s Day Off is one of my favorites this season. Following a stereotypical Tokusatsu villain on his not so typical days off from villain work, the show is a tender hearted comedy without a single mean bone in its body. The humor here is more subtle and situational than the usual fast paced slapstick we often see in anime. As a result, the story actually has a heart. The main character, usually just called Shogun (reflecting his status in the villainous organization), spends his days at “work” fighting a team of Power Ranger-like heroes (each of whom actually get some decent characterization and cute moments, especially the perpetually lost Red) and plotting the destruction of humanity so that his race of aliens can take over the planet. But he spends his days off visiting the zoo to see the animals he’s come to adore: pandas. The charm of this extremely charming show is primarily in the contrast between the violent villain who wants to wipe out humanity and the quiet, good natured man who loves pandas and is genuinely enjoying learning about earth and human customs. The art is very nice, nothing too fancy but it serves the story well. The music is soothing. Overall it’s a very sweet and comforting series that wisely avoids going over the top with the comedy and never really drains its primary joke (villain who loves pandas) too much. Recommended (though you’ll definitely get more enjoyment out of this show if you’re at least vaguely familiar with Tokusatsu tropes).

A Sign of Affection is an incredibly sweet and gentle shoujo romance about a young deaf woman named Yuki and the relationship she forms with Itsuomi, a handsome guy from her college who knows several languages and decides to learn sign language after meeting her. There’s been a bit of a trend lately that I’m totally here for: shoujo romances that are wholesome and healthy. Though I definitely enjoy the drama of more spicy shows, it’s also very nice to relax and watch something that’s not going to piss me off. A Sign of Affection is very careful with its romance. Characters behave in more natural, mature ways. There are fewer misunderstandings and the ones we get are completely understandable. It’s just nice to see healthy, equal, consensual relationships. Because those are the ones I want to root for. Yuki’s disability is handled with delicacy and tact. We see her limitations and struggles but we also see her living a full and happy life. The art style is very typical for high quality shoujo. Lots of pastels and gentle, natural designs. The animation is fluid enough for a show like this, and the music fits it well. Recommended if you like romance.

Cherry Magic is a BL (Boys Love) series that continues the fairly recent trend of non toxic BL anime (that started with shows like Given and Sasaki and Miyano). Cherry Magic centers on Adachi, a shy man who discovers he has magical powers after hitting age 30 while still being a virgin. The power? To read the mind of anyone he touches. Out of curiosity he touches his handsome, popular coworker Kurosawa and finds out Kurosawa is in love with him. Once upon a time, nearly every BL anime that came out was full of toxic relationships and, I’ll call it a “strained relationship with consent”. There’s been a lot of discussion over the years about why that was and how people felt about it, but I for one (a straight cis woman, so take my opinion with a grain of salt) always found those aspects to be uncomfortable. Thankfully, like with shoujo romance, modern series have been moving away from abusive relationships with (very) dubious consent. Cherry Magic is refreshing, mainly in that the two leads are 30 and they actually form a very sweet and equal relationship. It’s a very slow burn romance, but it works well here. The art isn’t anything amazing. The character designs are rather generic and the animation quality dips noticeably after the first episode. But the music is nice and the writing is strong enough to carry the show. Recommended.

High Card season two is, so far, a bit of a letdown. Following a group of people using magic playing cards to give them special powers as they try to gather all the cards, the first season was a blast. The characters were fun and the plot, while occasionally getting a little dark, was overall upbeat and energetic. Season two is fine. I’m enjoying it and it’s had a few great episodes, but the pacing just feels off. Some episodes feel disjointed, and just when it seems like the plot is getting tense and urgent, things come to a screeching halt to have backstory or even side story episodes. To be clear, it’s still a very good anime, but so far the second season is failing to live up to the first. The art and animation are still great and the music is too (though the opening and ending themes just don’t compare to the absolute bangers of season one). Definitely still worth watching for the colorful, lively characters alone.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House is a very pretty supernatural shoujo series about an orphaned girl named Himari inheriting a house from a family she never knew, only to find it already occupied by a trio of handsome young men, two of whom are not actually human. It turns out Himari’s new house sits on the border between worlds, and one of the young men, Aoi, is tasked with guarding that border. The plot is fairly episodic, and the show’s main weakness is that it feels very familiar and predictable. The basic setup of “bright cheerful girl with no family moves in with supernatural hot guys” is not new. But it’s a common setup for a reason: it’s charming and fun. The art and design are very pretty. The music is a high point, with my favorite opening theme of the season. It’s a cute show. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s still a fun ride.

Sengoku Youko is a fantasy action series focusing a pair of traveling “siblings” (not related by blood) consisting of Tama (a fox spirit) and Jinka (a human who hates other humans and wants to become a spirit creature). Traveling with them is a young human man named Shinsuke who wants to be a swordsman. The plot is fairly episodic, with the siblings mostly wandering into dangerous situations involving spirit creatures. There’s an overarching plot about a human religious sect that’s been doing experiments to combine humans with spirit creatures, but that’s usually in the background of the other adventures and serves to provide villains. The characters are overall interesting and fun, and a few of them even avoid falling into the usual fantasy anime tropes, or flip those tropes around enough to be interesting. The fights are exciting, even if the powers and abilities aren’t always made clear. It’s nice that there are plenty of powerful lady characters as well. The art and animation are nice, and the music is great. The ending theme is hauntingly beautiful, and my favorite of the season by far.