#so many of the prisoners are so young.....

[sunderwight]

Thinking some more about why Old Man Viktor would want hextech to be invented, or to specifically be invented by Jayce, such that his meddling involves giving Jayce the rune that he uses to kickstart his innovations, when a simpler way to prevent catastrophe in any given timeline would but to just... not invent hextech at all?

And I've got another theory!

I think Old Man Viktor is actually looking for a way to unfuck his own timeline.

If it was just about saving others, that doesn't seem like it would be all that complicated, and, unless he's failed every prior time (possible) it should probably have a set routine by now. Also, why would there need to be so many attempts? Is he doing this for every single timeline, or is he deliberately creating new timelines and experimenting with the results?

I think it's the latter, given that we see him provide young Jayce with different runes, and that he's presumably used different methods of persuasion and involved other different factors in the process. Again, it's possible -- given Ekko and the reversal rune -- that this is the first time it's worked at all, but I think that Viktor's comment that in all timelines, only Jayce can show him the futility of his actions would in fact imply otherwise. There have been other timelines where Jayce has successfully compelled Viktor out of his plan, or else I think Old Man Viktor would have phrased it more like "only you might show me this in some version of events" rather than "in all timelines, only you can show me this".

So, probably, there have been other timelines where the world is saved by Jayce's intervention.

Which is great, and Old Man Viktor takes it as a win, but I think why he keeps on doing it and what he's ultimately after is the right formula for a means to sort of unbake his cake, if you will. Old Man Viktor's own timeline has already been doomed. He's the only one left, trapped in his "perfect" outcome that has become a prison of (in his own words) dreamless solitude. He can't escape what he's done and he can't rest, and outside of his scant interactions with the Jayces of other timelines, he's alone. His Jayce is gone, everyone is gone. Like the ingredients baked into a cake, the people that he bound together into his ascension cannot be alchemized back into the individuals that they once were.

Or can they?

After all, this is magic we're dealing with. Magic, technology, and the same genius that created the problems in the first place. If there's a way to undo it, who else could figure it out? I think the main cast of the show comprises the people who might and the people who are most likely to influence and inspire them -- Jayce and Viktor, who started the problem. Mel, an incredibly powerful mage. Singed, who taught Viktor and helped engineer his transcendence. Jinx and Ekko, two of the only other people in either city to actually figure out hextech on their own. Heimderdinger, Jayce's teacher. Even Ambessa brings along the Black Rose, who might feasibly contribute something to the undoing of Viktor's calamity.

Viktor is very stubborn, and he doesn't abandon his causes easily. I think that once he realized the folly of what he'd done, and accepted the reality that he had destroyed the world instead of saving it, his next course of action would be to either finally die or else fix it. If he can't die (probable) then that just leaves fixing it. Fixing it for other timelines is great, but ultimately, knowing Viktor and what he's like, I don't think he would be satisfied with that. He'd accept it as a consolation prize and ultimately if that's his limit, he'll find out one day. But if he has infinite space time to play around in, why not aim big? Why not try for the ideal outcome?

So that's what I think he is really waiting for. A lead into the method to truly undo what he did, and restore everyone to themselves. Not just in other timelines but in his own too.

[baku-usagi]

I'm at a place in my life where I don't particularly ever hate characters if they're well written. An awful character who is complicated is great.

But I did find myself a little irritated by caitlyn in season 2 of arcane and tbh I don't even think it's her fault so much as the writers just..made some weird decisions.

Firstly, I could be wrong, and someone please correct me if I am, I heard that one of the writers said they just "didn't find vi very interesting" and I feel like that caused this really weird shift.

Last season, vi was really central to the story, but also she was a powerhouse. As a young girl she was taking on a pack of grown men. She trained to fight, in prison? She fought. Like she's good at it, she's got years of it under he belt.

But I feel like this season she was so back seated it's insane, and I feel like the writers were really choking on caitlyn dick.

Caitlyn got to have more successful fight scenes with hand to hand combat then vi! Letting caitlyn be the one to go hand to hand with ambessa and actually land some hits when she hadn't had much training, instead of letting vi have her role as the fucking hand to hand combat person was kind of insane to me? And I feel like it was done in an attempt to redeem caitlyn and it just...fell flat for me?

Every fight we saw vi in this season she scarcely got two hits in before getting the shit kicked out of her, or getting pinned down, or incapacitated somehow.

Are we really gonna pretend that someone who trained hand to hand for as many years as vi, who lived in the undercity and then prison for as long as vi is gonna get jumped by caitlyn, and put down on the ground?

And no one try and say "oh it's because it's caitlyn" she didn't know that until she was already laid out. and even if she did she shouldn't have assumed anything Good considering how her and caitlyn had ended at that point!

The first season had such gorgeous writing with so few flaws and this season just.. Idk man it fell a little flat for me because of shit like that. The complete misuse of their hand to hand character, the glazing of caitlyn without ever trying to hold her accountable or redeem her for the shit she did? Blah

[emmy-hunterson-schofield]

Amina (An Emperor Geta fanfiction) One-shot 🏛️⚡️⚔️🌸

"No! Don't take them! Take me instead, Imperator Geta…" Her voice faded in a fearfully soft note, echoing throughout the senatorial chamber of the palace. "Imperator Caracalla… you may take me as a captive."

"She doesn't mean that, Your Highnesses…" Marcus Acacius begged for his daughter's life with the two deranged co-emperors, feeling the silent presence of his wife Lucilla at his side, her eyes watching the teenage girl offer herself so selflessly in the midst of their betrayal.

"Silence, all of you!" Emperor Caracalla shouted, his white sleeping tunic slipping off his pale shoulder in his manic movements as he grabbed a sword from one of the nearby guards and lunged toward Acacius and Lucilla. "Slaughter him! And crucify her!"

Geta had the quick reflex of dealing with Caracalla's mood swings, the younger twin's brain slowly being eaten away by the disease simultaneously spreading through his loins… he grabbed Caracalla and held him back as the young girl stood in between her father and stepmother.

He allowed two of the guards to restrain Caracalla, the ill man catching his breath and slowly beginning to calm down. "Brother… what could this girl have to offer us? These traitors need to be punished!"

Geta tightened the sash of his dressing gown around his waist, his dark eyes locked on the youthful girl standing straight as an arrow, her head held high as her own eyes bravely met his… the emperor searching for any sign of fear or hesitation in her pleading to sacrifice herself for her family.

She forced herself not to back away from the tall flame-haired man with the fathomless orbs as he came closer to her, his towering height looming over her petite stature causing his shadow to darken everything around her… the tips of his cold fingers came underneath her chin and she shivered from his touch, blinking away tears from her eyes.

Tears of defiance or horror, he could not decipher…

"Tell me, little blossom… what you shall forsake for your deceitful family?" Geta's voice was huskily low, a slithering nasal tone of impatience, his thumb brushing along her jawline as he held her still, tilting up her face to maintain their eye contact, the top of her head barely coming up to his shoulders in their differing heights.

She swallowed a thick, aching gulp of bile in her throat, recalling the rumors she had heard of the emperors' depravity and demented excess of using others' suffering for their amusement. "I offer you… my freedom… and my virtue… I won't try to leave and I shall stay as your prisoner… but only if you let my father and stepmother go free and unharmed."

Geta considered her words, his fingers loosening on her chin as he lowered her face back down so she looked at the marble floor. His thumb caught a tear upon her fair cheek, apple-red with the warmth of blood in her veins. "You give me your word that you will stay… for the consequences shall be dire if you try to escape… I'll shatter Rome into pieces column by column to bring you back."

She watched Geta lift his thumb to his own lips, his tongue tasting the lone diamond tear from her eye… her lips were dry as she swallowed none existent saliva down her esophagus as she imagined his threats coming to light if she dishonored their bargain…

Rome aflame with destruction and chaos…

How many people would be killed in her name if the Emperors went on a vengeful rampage to find her?

Surely her family would suffer the most…

Her father would be slaughtered in the Coliseum and her stepmother crucified, a woman truly more like a blood mother to her as her father's first wife had died birthing her eighteen years ago.

She opened her mouth to speak, her voice just steady enough to keep from shaking, forming her words in a simple cadence toward the tyrannical ruler, his eyes having not blinked since his fingers had come into contact with her skin, his black pupils dilated with emotions she was too terrified to comprehend.

"You… you have my word, Emperor Geta. I will stay and belong to you." She folded her hands together in front of her stomach in a docile manner to display that she wasn't going to challenge them.

"Then our bargain is sealed." Geta spoke loudly, his voice reverberating through the chamber in an echo. "Release the General and Lady Lucilla and escort them back to their dwellings. Post more guards at every door so they don't take away what's mine."

"What?! Brother… now you'll have the whole Roman army at our door! Taking the general's daughter!" Caracalla shouted, though he was ignored as Geta had grabbed the girl's arm as she tried to reach out for her parents.

"Father! Please let me say goodbye, my Imperator! Please, I beg you!" She called out in desperation as she watched the guards block Acacius and Lucilla from getting to her for one last embrace as a family.

"No! Don't take my daughter!" Acacius bellowed a paternal borne rage as he witnessed his only child being held back in the older emperor's grasp.

"Your Grace, please! Don't make her throw her life away for our sakes!" Lucilla cried out for her stepdaughter, losing yet again another child she had loved though they were not of biological relation.

"She volunteered of her own free will to give herself to me, Lady Lucilla." Geta grasped the teenage girl around the waist to keep her from her family, his hold firm and surprisingly strong given his lithe and lanky build compared to the obviously muscular build of gladiators she had seen fighting in the Coliseum. "She'll want for nothing and her personal possessions will be brought to her chambers from your home."

"If she's harmed in any way…" Acacius' voice lowered an octave in a threatening growl, his hand reflexively reaching for a sword that wasn't there at his hip.

"As long as our agreement remains unbroken, she'll be in no danger…" Geta felt his new prisoner struggle in his arms, her energy slowly deteriorating as she was becoming exhausted from the emotional and physical toll the entire ordeal placed on her. His nose nuzzled the top of her head, his lips brushing the crown of her wild curls, his eyes meeting the enraged glare of Acacius in the mocking affection toward his daughter. "Lead them away from the palace grounds, whatever it takes. For now, it's time to give our lovely guest the welcome she deserves."

The girl had turned in his arms, her fists weakly beating on his chest as she cried and whimpered, angry with herself, her father and the whole situation she found no way out of. He ears were ringing as she barely heard her father and stepmother calling out again for her, the guards ordering them to move.

She was frozen on the spot, the blood rushing down from her head as her knees buckled…

She buried her face in her hands, truly realizing what she had given up in her haste to save her family.

Before she could fall to the ground in a feat of dizziness, her legs were swept up from underneath her, by a cold ringed hand hooking beneath her knees and two arms holding her close to a carved chest covered with a royal red dressing garb.

Emperor Geta carried her away through the dark moonlit halls of the palace and she refrained from touching him, her hands clutched together in her lap. Geta was ever the marble ivory statue come alive from stone in his build as he moved with the refined grace and effortless gait in which he walked.

Many statue busts of past Caesars mocked her with their stares as they passed through the many halls as she was laying in Geta's cradling hold.

What he lacked in physical musculature, he made up for in internal strength and cunning…

She sniffled, tiredly leaning her head on his shoulder as she inhaled the soothing scent of his bath soaps and incense.

However he yearned to give her the illusion of freedom in his home, she was still a hostage, a pawn to be used in a political game to keep leverage over the general and the queen regent. "The palace is now your home, so you may explore to your leisure. There is a garden to admire and pools for you to swim within. And anything you require, servants will attend you."

He spoke so causally as he carried her to a grand door leading to the largest bedchamber in the palace not accounting Geta and Caracella's.

"But… what will you want me for? Am I to be your concubine?" She dared ask for the specific reason for why he would want to keep her as he had been promised her virginity as well as her free will.

"We need not worry about such a matter tonight, little blossom." Geta continued to carry her as they conversed, stepping over the threshold of the door and she absorbed the grand décor of her bedchamber, a room for an empress than a general's daughter.

The emperor went toward the massive bed and slowly lowered his arms and allowed her to lay on the soft covers of the mattress, her head and shoulders sinking into the pillows as he heard her sigh out in exhaustion, a convulsing sob erupting from her throat as she looked up at her captor. "How could you not permit me to say goodbye to them… I may keep my promise to not leave, but I'll never give myself to you… not to a monster like you!"

"Oh, you will, my blossom. Not tonight or tomorrow… but you are mine. I'll have your body and your love, for that will be a greater punishment for your family than death. To see their beloved daughter as the grand jewel of the Emperor's treasure." Geta leaned above her, quickly pulling the sheets and covers over her small body in an imprisoning cocoon, the weight holding her down against the mattress and pillows should she try to slip out of bed…

The snake wrapping its coils around its prey, preparing to devour the fragile creature…

He held down her shoulders as she struggled beneath him against the pillows and she opened her mouth to cry out, however pointless the effort was as everyone would obey the Emperor's orders no matter what she said, her throat was dry as a desert, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.

"Shh… nobody's coming to your rescue, little blossom. Just accept your fate and all will be well." Geta spoke softly, leaning close as he inched toward her face and she caught her breath, seeing his regally handsome features overwhelming her full vision, creeping closer and closer as her drive to get away began to fade, her heartbeat calming in her chest.

She moaned in her fatigue, slowly becoming intoxicated with the hypnotic method in which he spoke, their noses brushing as she saw only the dark deep brown of his irises, her reflection looking back at her, vulnerable and trapped.

"What are you doing to me?" She mumbled, her tongue numb in her mouth like she was inebriated, though she hadn't consumed any alcohol.

"Quiet, sweet one. Speak no more. You must sleep as it's late in the night." His fingers stroked along her hair, brushing the strands from her face as he watched with inner glee as her eyelids began to droop, seeing her succumb to his command. "Look into my eyes and obey me…"

He pulled the silken sheets up to her chin, ensuring she was securely tucked into bed as though she were a child rather than a girl on the verge of adult womanhood.

"Forget all you knew before tonight… Acacius and Lucilla… they are no more in your memory. There's just you and me and Rome…" He stroked her cheek with the back on his fingers, careful not to scratch her fragile skin with his many rings. "Just surrender to my voice in your ears, lulling you into sleep, dreamless and calm as Somnus would see as best for your mind."

Geta watched with silent satisfaction as she still fought to remain awake, her lovely eyes glazed over in her entranced state, half-covered by her closing eyelids. His wine-coated breath brushed her lips and he yearned to wet them… his tongue licked over the rosebud shape of her mouth and he sealed her lips closed with a kiss. A small sigh emitted from her throat as her body relaxed further into the pillows, her breathing evening out as she sank deeper into slumber, the emperor still looming over her. His shadow darkened her peaceful visage and he spoke still to her, wanting to make certain she was under his influence.

The maiden Amina being offered as a martyr to the Gods and engaging Eros' affections…

"You will be bound to me forever in marriage… as my wife and my empress at my side. Every night, I'll adore and worship you in our bed and by day you'll be given everything you desire. Jewels, gowns, nourishment, flowers, books… Anything you want…" His fingertips caressed the softness of her long eyelashes as they remained still on her face, signaling that she was indeed floating in a mental abyss of darkness.

Geta then moved his fingers down the length of her small nose, then the rosy round curve of her cheeks… her moistened lips slightly open and she inhaled and exhaled, his twitching fingers moved to touch her mouth in silent intimacy and he wanted to kiss her again… leave a mark of wonder upon her feminine beauty… as a man would do upon the woman he would claim as a bride.

She was his prisoner for now… but in time he would make her learn to accept herself as a soon-to-be wife of Emperor Geta and if she said the word, he would burn it all the ground and allow her to bathe in the blood and ashes of the aftermath.

He would see her at his side, no matter what measures he had to take to possess her. Even if she would despise him for all eternity, Geta always got what he wanted in the end.

Now, she belonged to him and he would keep her with him forever, even after Rome fell at their feet and the Gods claimed them for damnation.

Geta moved to lie down beside her above the covers, whispering more hypnotic verses to keep her in the clutches of sleep, his fingers stroking her long hair pooling around her head on the large featherdown pillows. His aching fingers touching her face once again, tracing along her chin…

"It's all coming into place now, little blossom… seeing you sinking into an irresistible sleep after such torment tonight. I admire your bravery as foolishly in vain it was. But, now you've paid the price with your freedom and your unbreakable vow. I'll take your virtue on our wedding night, for you shall be my bride. In time, you will come to see it's all for the best and you will be loved and cherished in my blackened heart as I will do anything you say… except let you go. You will be pampered and nurtured as a goddess would be… but only if you stay."

She remained dutifully silent in unconsciousness, her breaths the only response in the shadows and moonlight dancing along her innocent splendor. A wide prideful smile spread across Geta's lips as he pulled her close to his chest, enfolding his arms around her in a selfish, domineering grip of sinful need, laying her head upon his pectoral where his heartbeat vibrated beneath her ear.

"For tonight, you just sleep, little one. You're mine, now and for eternity." He bestowed one more condemning kiss upon the sleeping maiden's lips, still cradling her close and determined to never release her… "For this city will burn if you leave and Rome's blood will be on your hands."

Even her dreams were no escape, his voice hissing and seething his threat in her ear despite the gentle cage of his arms around her.

Only death would be a mercy for her if she could not be free and protect her family… and the fate of Rome.

[dualnaturedscientist]

Patricia's face was drained of color. If she had blood, it would've run cold. "The Unspoken Ones? That's not good." Everyone looked at Patricia because of what had said. "Do you know of them?" Evangeline inquired. "I've read about them somewhat. I know that if they ever attempt to bring the unspoken ones into this realm, everything will cease to exist." Evangeline nodded at that. "She is correct. Once their feet touch the ground, all of life will be deceased. There won't be any survivors. Myra has been using these poor unfortunate souls for something horrible. Sacrifices to the Unspoken Ones. Myra and Drake became high-ranking acolytes. They made a deal to become immortal. Myra had done so many years ago. Drake had done so not that long ago. They were planning on using these unlucky as sacrifices to The Unspoken Ones. I had no idea about this until it was much too late. I was trying to get to you, and that was vigilant, but they had taken me. Knocked me unconscious. I woke up in the tube. Seeing their malevolence faces. Smirking at me with cold eyes. That was the last thing I saw before the young one saved me. Matthew, please. Will you help us defeat your mother and set these poor souls free from their prison?" Matthew thought for a moment. "I'm able to kill Myra?" That thought... bothered him a bit. He hated her. Matthew truly did. There was a bark. Zosimos nudged at Evangeline's leg. "Oh, what's wrong, sweetie?" The woman picked up the dog. Matthew frowned. The memories he had of her. They weren't nice like this. She wasn't gentle or kind with him. He took a deep breath before his hands began to spark. "Where is this place? We can go check together." Gene gave his father a strange look at that. "I'm not letting you get hurt, pops." Matthew shook his head. "I am going to do so. If Evangeline is telling the truth. I have to help save those people. I can handle myself. I promise. My demonic powers will protect me from these beings.” He looked back at the woman. His eyes are still cold to her. She understood why he felt this way to her. The way she trained him. It was a strict order by Drake. Of course she did so. Having been brainwashed into doing what he wanted. Evangeline wished she wasn't so blind. Someone she basically idolized because he was kind to her at her lowest moment in life. “I am going as well, I assume.” They shook their heads. “No. You're staying here

“ Evangeline looked shocked at that. “I know where the location is. With all of us. They'll be freed from this… evil business that Myra and Drake were running. Please let me assist you. It won't be like in the past. That I can promise you. Know that you suffered because of the training. I'm so sorry for that. But let us pet aside feelings. There's trapped innocent souls in there. We need to free them. We need you to face off with Myra. You're the only one who could.”

@ninjastormhawkkat

"Hold on a minute, some weird guy is staring at me. Probably some bum trying to get change off of me." Comments like that had ensured he would absolutely be relieved of guilt for what was to happen next. A smile spreads across the figure's facial features, revealing inhumanly sharp teeth glinting in the street lights. A hand quickly shot out, taking a hold of the rather obnoxious man. "What the hell are you doing-" A scream soon pierced the quietness of the night. It quickly became a horrendous gurgling noise. The cellphone in the man's hand had fallen in the process. Leaving the person on the other end to become worried and confused about what was happening to the man. It didn't take very long for the man to become completely still. The figure allows him to finally fall to the cement below, licking at his blood stained lips in satisfaction. "The night, it is still so young. I don't think I shall waste another minute on you." Like a ghost in the night, he had vanished. As if he were never there. Leaving only the grotesque mess he had made for others to find. Unknown to him, there was a witness to this who had seen the whole thing. Watching in complete and utter fear. The figure grinned, it was as if he were seeing the world through different eyes. The opportunities that awaited him. It sent a shiver of excitement up his spine. His thirst might have satiated but he wasn't satisfied with only that. Oh no. There was so much more he had in mind for this city. Just wait till morning until they discover his little surprise for all to see. It wasn't until hours later did he finally return to the house. Feeling pleased with himself. Carl shot up in bed, heart racing so fast within his chest. Calming down once realizing he was in bed with Matthew. It took the retired scientist to recognize his surroundings. "That's right.. we're at Gene's place." The dream he had woken up from was already fading from his memory. It was rather absurd, recalling what he could. He could've sworn the dream was incredibly vivid and felt so real. But the little bits of the dream that he did remember became fuzzy and distant in his mind. Carl wasn't as quiet as he thought. Matthew had woken up. "Love, are you okay?" His voice had brought Carl from his thoughts. "Matthew, dearest. I hadn't meant to wake you up." He frowned, feeling guilty as he wanted his husband to get as much rest as needed. "It's alright, I needed to get up early anyway. Don't feel bad, my darling. I'm worried about you, though.” He gave Matthew a smile. “It was just a dream. I was just startled from a dream. I don't even remember what happened in it anymore. I'll be fine.” Matthew pulled the other into his arms, holding him in such a comforting manner. Placing a loving kiss to Carl's forehead. “Even so, I've still got you.” The former scientist blushed. Matthew still had such an effect on him even after all this time. “Thank you, my love.” They had stayed like that for a good while. It wasn't until Carl noticed the time that he forced Matthew to get out of bed and to get ready for his community service. Though there was something that had been bothering Carl since waking up. He had not remembered going back to bed after his conversation with Gene last night. No matter how much he tried to, it just kept coming up blank to him. Carl sighed, he must've been that tired that he didn't remember. He was getting up there in age. “I could stay back. Margaret won't be very happy about it but I don't want to leave you if you're not okay.” Carl smiled once more. “I'm not going to be responsible for what she'd do if you tried. You're also expecting a new face there, aren't you?” Matthew looked surprised at that. He had completely forgotten about that. And Carl did make a point. Wincing at the thought of what Margaret might do if he actually did skip out on it. Though for Carl, it would've been absolutely worth it. Whatever punishment she'd dole out, he'd endure for his dearest husband. “Go get dressed now.” Matthew chuckled at that before doing as he said. Leaving Carl to this thoughts.

Carl still felt unsettled by the dream, it was like he was walking through a mist. Yet at the same time it was like someone or something was controlling his body and actions. The dream was scary, but also ludicrous. At one point Carl thought he saw someone who looked like his old narcissus ex boyfriend who he never thought about again until now. Carl just let out a sigh and shook his head. 'It was just a nightmare.' Carl reassured himself. He remembered how reading how the mind and senses can trick the body into thinking something is real when it isn't. His strange dream was just one of those cases. Carl decided to get out of bed and go downstairs. He was going to try and help his son and other son-in-law deal with this strange and frightening case of kidnapping. Carl pushed away the issue of the nightmare and headed downstairs, ignoring the feeling of dread in the back of his mind. Carl also did not pay attention to that fact that his mouth was no longer dry and that there was no glass cup on the nightstand when he got up that morning. Atomic Steele surveyed the area with caution and an intense gaze. He was going over the area looking for something out of the ordinary. Something that had bothered his friend and teammate Electric Blur. Something in this seemingly abandoned area affected Blur's powers. "I wasn't sure what just happened. It felt like I was suddenly communicating emotionally with a strange energy wave that was being transmitted from there. I felt uneasy and scared...but also sad for some reason." That is what Blur told Atomic when she came back to their hideout looking shaken and worried. She told him she never felt anything like that before, not even from the fallen B.E.A.W labs. Atomic Steele offered to check it out for her as the young heroine wasn't keen on returning to the spot. While Electric Blur was being comforted by her other teammates, Atomic followed the directions the heroine had given him to the location where she felt the strange and unsettling energy. What Atomic Steele found when he got there was a large but abandoned warehouse surrounded by an empty field. The area was surrounded by a rusted, wired fence. The place looked like it hadn't been used for years. Still, the normally brave yet brash young hero couldn't help but feel a child go up his spine. His gut and instincts telling him there is something dangerous here, something evil. Atomic Steele walked up to the doors of the warehouse. He grabbed at a rusted handle and tried opening it. To the hero's surprise and growing caution, the door easily unlocked. Atomic Steele took a deep breath and steadied his nerves. He then proceeded inside the warehouse in a slow pace, ready to discover what laid inside. "Oh hello there Matthew. Cutting it a bit close are we." Miss Dewey lightly teased the former villain as he just came into the library to start his community service. "Sorry about that Miss Dewey. I had some problems this morning but I'm here now." Matthew replied, feeling a bit embarrassed about cutting things close. He really didn't want to leave Carl and Gene alone during the family crisis that was happening but at the same time he really didn't want to test the limits of his second chance at freedom from prison. Miss Dewey gave the man a look of sympathy and concern. "You know, if there is a serious problem going on at home, I wouldn't mind helping you fill out some forms to request a temporary leave from your community service." The librarian offered. Matthew smiled in appreciation at her kind gesture. "Thank you Miss Dewey but I'll be alright." Matthew responded. "So has the new service worker arrived yet?", the former villain asked. Miss Dewey smiled and nodded. "Yes he is here. Matthew, allow me to introduce you to Frank Leigh." Matthew glanced over to the man Miss Dewey introduced. He looked to be a few years older than Victor but still younger than Matthew and Carl. He had dark hair and light, blueish gray eyes. The man gave a friendly wave to Matthew. "Hi nice to meet you." Frank spoke in a kind tone. @dualnaturedscientist

[sun-marie]

The amount of detail given to random, easily missable NPCs in this game on the off-chance that the player we'll Scrutinize them is so impressive

[livingtv3]

The manic-pixie-teenage brain cannot comprehend

[bleue-flora]

As of last Friday, I turned 23 and I can’t help thinking about how that makes me older than approximately 75% of the dsmp members when they first joined the server. But most importantly, it makes me older than when Dream escaped prison and that is wild to think about.

Oh and weirdly, 23 is also the number of Quackity and Dream torture scenes I’ve posted. That’s like roughly 28% of Quackity’s visits. Wtf…

[mariocki]

A Bullet Is Waiting (1954)

"I hope you don't think that I'm taking your side against Mr. Munson. All those nice things that you did, like taking care of the lamb and getting supper ready, I saw through them easily. You're probably everything that Mr. Munson says you are."

"Oh, I'm a very bad character."

[ask-ozai]

dude, stop being so weird with my mom, i mean Michi. ugh

You would also feel an ounce of respect for one of the few people who knew from the beginning that I was the future of the nation and not Iroh, even when Iroh was the crown prince and heir to the throne. In addition to having impeccable efficiency and years of unquestionable loyalty that I very wisely took care of nurturing when I got her an advantageous marriage to lift her family out of poverty. Why do you think I put her in charge of New Ozai? It wasn't precisely because of Ukano's smart conversations. Agni gives bread to some and soup to others. And for some, their soups are more interested in peasants named Ikea than their rightful husbands

If Zuko had any braincells (at all) he would have made sure to keep Michi close to him to listen to her advice and learn from her experience, but this is Zuko we're talking about. And the fact that Michi's daughter dumped him a few weeks after they got back together is not a good sign. Like any young maid with half a brain would do. Michi most likely saw the mess Zuko is making of the country and decided it was time for an early retirement. She's probably with her sister now that she left Ukano. Whatever the situation, Michi never loses.

[disco-cola]

wait i cannot believe this i've just seen a video from the israeli side of the border to gaza where israeli "civilians" - every day people from every age - HAVE SET UP A FUCKING DJ BOOTH AND ARE DANCING WHILE WAVING AROUND THEIR FLAGS. JUST MERE METERS AWAY FROM THE HELL ON EARTH THEY CO-CREATED. THEY ARE STILL BLOCKING AID TRUCKS. i read a quote from someone in gaza who said the healthy are getting sick and the sick are dying due to lack of food for everyone. who said people now would rather choose to die from a bomb in hope to die immediately than the slow death from starvation. i just cannot believe i am witnessing this in this day and age. i knew theres evil in this world but this i could never have made up or deemed possible before actually seeing it myself. usually i support the "people are not their governments" sentiment but not in this case. the entire israeli society is dancing on palestinian graves.

[itchose]

 ❝  oh, finally, there you are! ❞ she's ecstatic, rushing towards @manslaught like they're the best of friends, because to allie, they are. she might have visited her in prison for all the wrong reasons, crafting her own narrative in her head that certainly didn't match mikayla's, but she did genuinely care for her, too. now, being invited to her wedding, it's like a golden ticket for allie. there's no reason for her to ever question what their friendship really is; clearly, she matters to mikayla just as much as mikayla matters to her, and she's ready to make that obvious to everyone she knows.

❝  oh, my god, you're just the most beautiful bride i've ever seen! oh, i mean, your wife, too . . . of course! calliope is a real stunner, huh? ❞ it's totally lost on her that she's mistaken the name of her wife, too focused on shuffling to get her phone out, sticking it up with no warning to pose for a selfie with mikayla. ❝  buzz, buzz! ❞ she cheers as she snaps the photo with mikayla, anxious to spread it on her socials immediately, but for now, she focuses back on mikayla. ❝  really, it was so good to hear from you again. oh, we've just had so many good times, i'm so glad you thought of me. ❞

[avatar-of-the-web]

People's "get off the internet" advisory would be funny if it weren't sad.

[thehealingsystem]

damn we are never getting prison abolition

[jadenvargen]

free online james baldwin stories, essays, videos, and other resources

**edit

James baldwin online archive with his articles and photo archives.

---NOVELS---

Giovanni's room"When David meets the sensual Giovanni in a bohemian bar, he is swept into a passionate love affair. But his girlfriend's return to Paris destroys everything. Unable to admit to the truth, David pretends the liaison never happened - while Giovanni's life descends into tragedy. This book introduces love's fascinating possibilities and extremities."

Go Tell It On The Mountain"(...)Baldwin's first major work, a semi-autobiographical novel that has established itself as an American classic. With lyrical precision, psychological directness, resonating symbolic power, and a rage that is at once unrelenting and compassionate, Baldwin chronicles a fourteen-year-old boy's discovery of the terms of his identity as the stepson of the minister of a storefront Pentecostal church in Harlem one Saturday in March of 1935. Baldwin's rendering of his protagonist's spiritual, sexual, and moral struggle of self-invention opened new possibilities in the American language and in the way Americans understand themselves."

+bonus: film adaptation on youtube. (if you’re a giancarlo esposito fan, you’ll be delighted to see him in an early preacher role)

Another Country and Going to Meet the Man Another country: "James Baldwin's masterly story of desire, hatred and violence opens with the unforgettable character of Rufus Scott, a scavenging Harlem jazz musician adrift in New York. Self-destructive, bad and brilliant, he draws us into a Bohemian underworld pulsing with heat, music and sex, where desperate and dangerous characters betray, love and test each other to the limit." Going to meet the Man: " collection of eight short stories by American writer James Baldwin. The book, dedicated "for Beauford Delaney", covers many topics related to anti-Black racism in American society, as well as African-American–Jewish relations, childhood, the creative process, criminal justice, drug addiction, family relationships, jazz, lynching, sexuality, and white supremacy."

Just Above My Head"Here, in a monumental saga of love and rage, Baldwin goes back to Harlem, to the church of his groundbreaking novel Go Tell It on the Mountain, to the homosexual passion of Giovanni's Room, and to the political fire that enflames his nonfiction work. Here, too, the story of gospel singer Arthur Hall and his family becomes both a journey into another country of the soul and senses--and a living contemporary history of black struggle in this land."

If Beale Street Could Talk"Told through the eyes of Tish, a nineteen-year-old girl, in love with Fonny, a young sculptor who is the father of her child, Baldwin's story mixes the sweet and the sad. Tish and Fonny have pledged to get married, but Fonny is falsely accused of a terrible crime and imprisoned. Their families set out to clear his name, and as they face an uncertain future, the young lovers experience a kaleidoscope of emotions-affection, despair, and hope. In a love story that evokes the blues, where passion and sadness are inevitably intertwined, Baldwin has created two characters so alive and profoundly realized that they are unforgettably ingrained in the American psyche."

also has a film adaptation by moonlight's barry jenkins

Tell Me How Long the Train's been gone At the height of his theatrical career, the actor Leo Proudhammer is nearly felled by a heart attack. As he hovers between life and death, Baldwin shows the choices that have made him enviably famous and terrifyingly vulnerable. For between Leo's childhood on the streets of Harlem and his arrival into the intoxicating world of the theater lies a wilderness of desire and loss, shame and rage. An adored older brother vanishes into prison. There are love affairs with a white woman and a younger black man, each of whom will make irresistible claims on Leo's loyalty. 

---ESSAYS---

Baldwin essay collection. Including most famously: notes of a native son, nobody knows my name, the fire next time, no name in the street, the devil finds work- baldwin on film

--DOCUMENTARIES--

Take this hammer, a tour of san Francisco.

Meeting the man

--DEBATES:--

Debate with Malcolm x, 1963 ( on integration, the nation of islam, and other topics. )

Debate with William Buckley, 1965. ( historic debate in america. )

Heavily moderated debate with Malcolm x, Charles Eric Lincoln, and Samuel Schyle 1961. (Primarily Malcolm X's debate on behalf of the nation of islam, with Baldwin giving occassional inputs.)

----

apart from themes obvious in the book's descriptions, a general heads up for themes of incest and sexual assault throughout his works.

[cursed-peanut]

Before Sukuna was defeated, he hid your identity from history as well as he could. He wanted to make sure his beloved lover was never found by the sorcerers. However, after his death, no one was there to stop you from being found and sealed.

They would have killed you, but the love poetry and letters Sukuna had written to you was proof that you were his only weak point, so you were sealed in the fear that Sukuna could possibly return centuries later and you could be used to calm him as a back up.

Centuries later and the ancient sorcerers were right. The fearful King of Curses was revived and the higher ups of the Jujutsu world wanted Itadori Yuji executed for being his vessel.

However, Gojo Satoru had other plans.

Your prison realm was stored away deep within Jujutsu High, and he knew exactly where you were and how to unseal you.

“Where…am I? Who- who are you?”

“You are currently at Jujutsu High, a school that trains young sorcerers for the world ahead of them. And I am Gojo Satoru, a teacher here at Jujutsu High and the strongest sorcerer of the modern age. But don’t worry, I didn’t unseal you to hurt you.”

“What did you unseal me for then?” You have no clue what he’s talking about. You’ve been stuck in a cube for what felt like — and was — many many centuries. And this strange man with white hair and a blindfold is telling you about things you barely understand. Your head is spinning.

“I wanted to reunite you with someone.” The man turns around, waiting for you to follow. “Are you coming?”

“How do I know you won’t kill me?” You say shakily, tears pricking the corner of your eyes. You’re so unbelievably scared.

“I won’t. I just want to bring you to someone you know. Someone you love. Sound good?” He finally turns to face you again. Even though he’s blindfolded, it’s like he can see you shaking on the floor.

You wearily bring yourself to your feet and purse your lips. “…okay.”

————————————

Gojo: Hey, Yuji. I’m with someone

I’d like you to meet. Meet me at

the training field in 20 mins.

Yuji: Okay! See you soon Sensei.

————————————

The walk to the training field felt long but also fascinating. Everything around you was so new! How long had you been in that cube? You’re pulled from your wonder when you see someone sitting on a step by the field. His fluffy pink hair reminds you so much of Sukuna it makes your heart break. You miss him so much. Perhaps Gojo has taken you to meet his descendant?

“Ah, Sensei! Who did you want me to meet?”

“Hello Yuji! I wanted to introduce you to someone very important. Say hello to L/N Y/N!”

“Oh, hello Mx. L/N! I’m Itadori Yuji.” He gives you a bright smile and a firm handshake.

“Hello…” There’s a beat of silence before Itadori turns to his teacher.

“So, why’d you want me to meet this person?-“

“How is Sukuna right now?” You perk up at this. Did he just say Sukuna? Was this kid Sukuna? No, definitely not. Then what…

“Huh? Well, he’s completely slient for once. It’s actually quite refreshing to not have his constant nagging- why’d you ask?” Suddenly an eye and a mouth apear under Itadori’s left eye.

“Y/N…”

“Huh- hey!” Itadori slaps his cheek to stop Sukuna from freaking you out.

“It’s okay, Yuji. Let it happen.”

“But-“

“Sukuna?” Itadori’s confusion intensifies when he sees you tearing up. Not out of sadness, but rather happiness and confusion. Just who are you?

————————————

Please don’t copy or take as your own. Likes and reblogs are appreciated!

Like what you read? Here are all my other works and consider following me! If you’re interested in this AU, here is the masterlist for all works in this AU so far. If you would like to request something, please check my rules first before doing so.

[temporarytemporal]

cling to me

I know I said I was going to distance myself from this piece of media because of all of its terrible connections, but these two characters seem to have taken root in a permanent place in my heart, and I can't let them go.

Anyway, here's some character design notes below the cut for the one person out there who's obsessed with these characters as much as me.

Early DSMP: the era of childhood innocence

Bandanas: They sport each other’s bandana’s (they’re hidden in the design for every era). I love character designs with complementary colors (and I love how red and green are also cranboo’s colors)

Disks: Early on, cat and mellohi represent the peaceful moments ctommy shared with his favorite people, but they went on to be a symbol of victory and independence from the people who have hurt him.

Flowers: Ctubbo collects flowers and tries to memorize the meanings and symbolism tied to each type of flower. He also collects them for his bees.

L’manberg: the era where children became soldiers

Horns: Ctubbo’s horns start to grow in here.

Pogtopia: the era of an exile and a secretary of state / spy

You can tell I joined the fandom at the end of this era because I don’t have many notes here or for the l’manberg era.

Exile: the era of an exile once again and and a president too young

Hair: Ctommy’s hair starts to grow longer as he neglects taking care of himself.

Clothes: Ctommy’s clothes are tattered; one shoe is destroyed and he took to wearing cw-lbur’s (f-ck ccw-lbur btw!!) trench coat.

Bandages: Ctubbo’s wrapped in bandages from his recently earned firework burns. He’s gone blind in his right eye, and he’s missing the ring and pinkie finger on his right hand.

Compasses: They share their matching ‘your tommy’ and ‘your tubbo’ compasses

Hog Hunt: the era where one sought to kill the blood god while the other sought refuge there

Stolen goods: Ctommy’s has his antarctic empire outfit plus all the goods he stole from ctechno like the turtle helmet, golden apples, and the axe of peace.

Bedrock: Ctommy wears his counterpart piece matching techno’s from his ear.

Prosthetic: Ctommy’s right foot had to be amputated after he loses it to frostbite in the trek to cemeraldduo’s cabin. Ctechno gives him a simple prosthetic.

Disc Finale: the era of mended relationships and a final stand

Headband: Ctommy begins to wear a devil headband to fit in more, as he’s one of the few humans on the server. The devil horns were chosen to resemble ceryn’s real ones.

Patchwork: Ctommy learns to sew, and he fixes his tattered clothes from exile.

Post Revival:

Devil horns: Ctommy’s devil horns (plus a tail) become real after revival, and he gets a white streak in his hair.

Prime cross: The bad things that have happened to them both that they survived strengthen ctommy’s faith in prime, whereas they weaken ctubbo’s faith.

Sweater: Ctommy makes himself a sweater from friend’s wool.

Mechanical inventions: Ctubbo pursues his passion for engineering more as he makes mechanical bee drones and studies nuclear physics. He also makes himself prosthetic fingers, and he upgrades ctommy’s prosthetic foot.

Marriage ring: Ctubbo marries cranboo platonically and wears the ring on his horn. He also founds snowchester so he can have a place to protect his loved ones and raise his son. He grows out his hair to avoid eye contact for cranboo and to cover his scars.

Body type: Ctubbo gets chubbier and gains some muscle as he gets a bit happier in life.

Post DSMP:

The prison break and everything after it never happened. These are my OCs, and I make the rules because every actor/writer who played a part in their creation either abandoned them or turned out to be a terrible person. Cbenchtrio live happily ever after and begin their journey of healing while cdream rots in prison forever.