#so people are just deforming their feet and are not in pain from it

[spoonietimelordy]

Hey autistic pals, are your toes touching the front of your shoes? Because apparently I've been wearing a size "too big" my whole life. How can people walk with toes crunched against the box of their shoes??? And then they wonder why their toes end up not being straight. Like come on.

Edit: no I'm right, many people just wear shoes too small

[dissociacrip]

it might seem weird at first but it's true that having symptomatic joint hypermobility (meaning the "bad" kind of hypermobility that results in chronic pain, a proneness to dislocation/sublixation, etc. such as in EDS, hypermobility spectrum disorders, and other CTDs) doesn't necessarily mean being very flexible and sometimes this can potentially present a problem when it comes to accurate assessment and diagnosis. part of this is because flexibility doesn't just involve joints; it also involves muscles and other soft tissues.

i have generalized symptomatic hypermobility (either gHSD or hEDS, who knows because it's not like i'm getting properly diagnosed anytime soon) and i'm an 8/9 on the beighton scale. i've been incapable of touching my toes since elementary school because my hamstring muscles have shortened over time due to the strain from compensating for hyperextended joints and hypotonia. i can't meet the 9th beighton criteria where i place my palms flat on the floor without bending my knees, but that doesn't mean i don't have a hypermobile spine, because its my shortened hamstring muscles that are preventing the movement, not the joints. i was just doing stretches at the gym earlier today for cooldowns that looked absurdly easy for the able-bodied person in the video i was following but i couldn't bend my legs to the full extent that they did due to other shortened muscles in my legs, which is also a consequence of hyperextended joints and hypotonia.*** i think it's easy to guess why something like that might end up masking the full extent of joint hypermobility in some people.

(***for people who don't know what hypotonia is, it's when there's inadequate tension in the muscles in the resting state or in response to a passive stretch, such as posture. in other words, muscles are too loose, which can cause a myriad of really sucky problems! it's the result of CNS dysfunction and/or structural problems in the muscles - conditions like EDS and other CTDs sometimes involve hypotonia due how they can affect viscoelastic properties of muscles. while being characterised by "floppiness," hypotonia can still result in stiffness and shortening of the adductors, quadriceps, sub-occipital muscles, etc.)

in more extreme cases, this kind strain can lead to muscle contracture, which is when a muscle is permanently shortened and hardened. joints themselves can also become contractured, and as a matter of fact, contractures appear to be part of how some forms of EDS are identified, such as myopathic and musculocontractural EDS (it's even in the name of the last one.) this is a quote from someone with mcEDS from elhers-danlos.com ("Musculocontractural EDS: My puzzle pieces put together") though i know the EDS society doesn't have the best rep:

When I was born 8 weeks premature by emergency caesarean, the doctors and Mum and Dad were stunned. Apart from requiring life-saving treatment, I was floppy, and also had major obvious deformities of my limbs and dislocated hips. I had contractures in my hands, fingers, shoulders, hips, ankles and feet. I have very little muscle in my neck, arms and legs. I spent 10 weeks in NICU and was diagnosed with Arthrogryposis at birth.

(...)

The contractures affect me in different ways. My hands are always clenched, and they do not open out properly. I’m unable to tie my hair up myself unless I am lying on my back, which allows gravity to pull my arms back. I can’t put my hair behind my ears with my right hand unless I’m using my left hand to push it backwards. Although I am right handed, the fingers on my right hand don’t open more than 2 inches and I’m unable to pick anything up with that hand. My left hand is far more deformed, but I can grab things with that hand and use it to stabilise my right. I carry things on my right side in between my arm and torso in the crook of my elbow and I look like an axe murderer when holding a knife.

so yeah, ironically enough, sometimes being symptomatically hypermobile involves a limited range of motion rather than being especially flexible. that's your fun fact of the day!

[lucagray813]

Short Drabbles

Summary: Short reflective drabbles for a variety of LMK characters

Chapter: 1/?

Chapter Navigation: First | Prev | Next | Last

Chapter Information

Rating: T

Word Count: 1,067

Characters: Macaque, Wukong, MK, Mentioned LBD

Relationships: Hints of Macaque & Wukong (could be interpreted as Shadowpeach), hints of Wukong & MK

Additional Tags: Angst, Character Study

CWs: Heavy Angst, Musings as to the damage to the body and soul caused by resurrection, mention of impotency

Link to AO3 Version

----

Macaque - Soul

Binding one's soul to a body was no small task but it could be done. And even done relatively pain free if the one casting the spell had the skill and inclination. And while the Lady Bone Demon had doubtlessly had the skill, she'd had no such inclination.

She had torn his soul apart just so she could stitch it back together again.

He couldn't say for certain that she had even stitched all of it back together, for all he knew there was very little of his original soul left, and he wasn't sure if it was worse to imagine it with gaping holes or as an unholy amalgamation of many.

Either way it was infused with her magic, her very essence threaded with his to keep it all together. And he was sure it must be a grotesque thing to look at, deformed almost beyond recognition. The Ten Kings would likely just have it destroyed if they ever got their hands on it again.

But now that she was gone, the magic that had kept it together was fading.

His soul was coming undone at the seams and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

[A/N - Similar vibe to Better to Forget (AO3 | Tumblr)]

----

Wukong - Immortality

Wukong had once feared his own death more than anything else. And that fear had driven him on an obsessive quest for immortality. Taoism, peaches, wine, pills, the book of the dead - he was possibly more immortal than the gods themselves and yet his fear persisted.

Even now, as his immortality haunted him, he still felt twinges of fear at the thought of his life coming to an end. But it was a manageable fear - he no longer ran from it, he no longer obsessively tried to stop it.

Heaven could rest easy.

In its stead however a new fear arose - the fear of another's death. Something that he'd never even truly considered until Macaque's bloody corpse lay at his feet. But the seed had been planted and with every subsequent death its roots dug deeper into his heart.

Where once he ran from his death, he now hid from others'. He isolated himself, he refused to give any soul the opportunity to leave him again. The loneliness was terrible but the grief was unbearable.

And then MK happened.

Wonderful, incredible, mortal MK.

There wasn't a day that went by that Wukong didn't sit with an immortal peach in his hand and consider the possibilities.

----

MK - Pain

We both fight for what we think is right, and that pursuit only leads to one thing...

To pain.

The Lady Bone Demon's last words haunted him. They filled him with a terrible fear of himself - of his destructive powers and of the dire consequences his decisions could result in. He had the potential to cause untold suffering to so many people and the fear was almost crippling in its intensity.

But he was slowly realising that that wasn't all that the Lady Bone Demon had meant, if that's what she had meant at all. He had been so focused on the pain that he could inadvertently cause others, he hadn't stopped to consider the pain that they could cause him, nor the pain he could cause himself.

----

Macaque - Senses

Resurrection really wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Sure, he was alive but there was no denying his body wasn't what it had once been, his senses irrevocably damaged.

Food had to be over seasoned to near toxic levels for it to taste or smell of anything, his remaining eye was less reliable than his shadows for perceiving the world around him, and he could only be grateful that his hearing had been supernatural in nature before his death, for while diminished, it was still more impressive than that of any mortals.

Gentle touches barely registered and his tolerance for pain was now so high he had to regularly check himself over for injuries, not able to rely on himself to register it without physically seeing it. It was a bit of an annoyance to not realise you were bleeding or had broken something but honestly it was a worthwhile trade off to finally have a reprieve from physical pain.

He supposed he had to be grateful as well that he'd never had a great deal of interest in sex prior to his death and that he had little time for it now he'd returned or he was sure he might feel something about his apparent impotency.

Had he come back to life with anything other than a desire for revenge he was sure he'd be agonised over his body's shortcomings. As it was however they were just inconveniences that made his mission all the more difficult. If anything they only added more fuel to the fire.

It would have been nice to get his revenge and live out a life finally free of Wukong but his body had clearly not been resurrected with that in mind, the Lady Bone Demon had just needed him functional enough to complete his half of the bargain.

This body just had to suffice in order to fulfil his revenge. As long as Wukong was finally burning in hell Macaque didn't even care if he was right there with him.

[A/N - Idea explored further in Shadow (AO3)]

----

Macaque - Peace

Finally free, Macaque had taken to doing absolutely nothing. He'd find a spot on Flower Fruit Mountain for the day and just kick back and relish every breath he was alive to take.

Today he lay in the middle of a field, the sun shining upon him as the grass gently caressed him, and his appreciation for the gentle breeze that rustled through his fur could not be put into words.

He didn't yearn for adventure, he didn't want for more, neither had ever brought him the peace that simply lying here with a familiar heartbeat just on the peripherals of his hearing did.

He ignored the small whispers and stirrings in his mind and heart that wanted to reject the peace that stone heart brought him. Let him have this, he told them. In this moment, let him indulge in peace without questioning why it was Wukong that it was forever intrinsically linked to.

--Chapter End--

Next Chapter

LMK Fanfic Masterlist

[shreddeddescent]

What are Jennika, Venus, and Kirby like?

AHHHHHHHHH they're wonderful...... fucking wonderful tbh. hhhhhhhh

im debating on if i wanna let yall in on just how crazy ive gotten and show you like them explain it themselves. but its hhhhhh its a lot and theres other bits that arent so fun so i dont really want to rn cuz i wanna gush.

they were raised in some other dimension by draxum, who worked for big mama. draxum was essentially raphs doctor while you know. with eggs. but he took them away afterwards, raised to be warriors to protect the hidden city from vague demoney alternate dimensions hit, idk the details yet.

draxum wasnt the best but grew into a good parent for them so theyre okay. more okay than the brothers are for sure. but they grew curious about where they came from and did travel to that exact time when they were around 18, had some boundary issues, read big mama's therapy files on them and spiralled over how fucked up their origins were. debated going back in time to try and prevent their own existence. but draxum had to sit them down and tell them it wasnt their fault. so thats its own whole thing.

but theyre all 28 now. and theyve processed a lot more of it, but feel like 'hey, these kids arent okay at all, and they seem trapped in big mama's hotel. and we are adults with the ability to help. and also maybe some small part of us knows this is our family, we're clones, we're siblings. lets try to just be that.'

kirby is a hulking behemoth of a turtle man, like 7 and a half feet tall very wide very strong very good at being a warrior. never gave anything else much thought. he's kind of like.... what shredder fucking wanted out of that whole situation. perfect son, perfect general. but hes also a little shy with his feelings. he's kind of the leader, the one with the plan, the one who gets frustrated when his sisters get distracted and do other shit instead. he looks a lot like raph. but hes a male so raph cant see that at all. he's pretty quiet but hes very funny when he tries to be.

venus was taught magic when it became clear fighting wasnt a thing she was gonna physically be able to do. physically she's weak, her body looks a bit deformed. the magic came with a kind of accessibility for her, so she floats to ease the pain. she's very introspective and assumes people know just as much as her, tends to ramble on about things without realizing everyones lost. shes a lot like donnie like that, and realizing thats where she gets it makes her go 'ugh... of course this is your fault' but shes very sweet. little bit of boundary issues, cuz she may or may not be able do mind magic, but she knows to ask permission.

jennika is goofy and kind, a bit scatter brained, but very protective. shes the most easy going, but she's also the most emotional one. has the most confused feelings over raph specifically, probably just as excited to meet a trans turtle as he was. let alone cuz theyre family. but yeah, she's very fun loving and absolutely the problem child of the bunch, the one most likely to not follow orders and get into trouble. absolute coolest big sister alive vibes for sure.

again, theyre very much like 'oh, these kids are our family in whatever they need us to be, and we're gonna fucking be here for whatever they need'. like theyre so nice. and things are so weird. but theyre here to be like. the first grown ups to be kind to these kids without expecting anything out of them. cuz thats a new fucking concept!

but really. theyre big siblings, thats how we're gonna try and explain the vibes of what they are to them.

[writemywaytoyourheart]

Bedeviled | Chapter 5: Rotten Company

Pairing: demon!jungkook x female reader

Genre: E2L, drama, romance, angst, horror

WC: 4.5k sorry she's short :(

Warnings for this chapter: strong language, humiliation, depictions of Hell and people in it, anxiety, pain, fear, cruelty, some suggestive content, and some more tEnSioN ;) ((if there is anything I didn't note and you think should be included pls kindly let me know!))

Previous

You haven't even been in the third circle for long before your gut is twisting with horror and anxiety. 

A few minutes after your panic attack, you pull yourself together enough to move. 

A hundred feet away are trees filled with rotten fruit of all kinds; the stench is enough to make you sick to your stomach even when you cover your mouth and nose, but you still feel a strong urge to go and hide behind the trunks. 

You don't even need to ask him what this circle is, you're well aware.

It can't be anything but Gluttony.

The demon seems to sense your movement as he finally turns from the vile river to look at you as you stand on wobbly legs, the cuff of your cardigan covering your nose and mouth and your eyes watery as you look back at him.

He doesn't even bother to ask if you're ready before turning and heading towards the rotting forest. 

You follow him without a word, whispering to yourself in an attempt to distract your mind from the screams that have yet to cease. It's all you can do to keep yourself from falling into another panic attack. 

It doesn't take long to get there, a confusing wave of relief and dread washing over you as you step under the branches of what appears to be a pear tree. The fruit hanging low on it is so moldy and deformed that they hardly look like pears anymore. 

Chancing a glance back, you see the river still far too close for comfort, the blind souls still reaching out for a hand that will never reach back. 

You look away and put a hand to your head, mumbling to yourself quietly. 

JK is leaning against the scratchy trunk of the pear tree, watching while you seem to have a conversation with yourself as you dig the toe of your right shoe into the crumbling dirt. 

"-gonna be okay."

He smirks at the few shaky words that manage to drift over to him. 

Pathetic human. 

The third circle is one of the shorter ones, but it's also one that he's planning on using to his advantage. 

He almost had you with that apple. 

You were so close to eating it, he could tell. Although, you do seem to have better control over your temptations than other humans...must be why your soul is so untainted. 

He wonders why. Why are you stronger than most when it comes to your desires?

Unless...

He looks over at you again to see you wrapping the cardigan around yourself tighter and blinking harshly as you continue to stare at nothing. 

Ah...

He just hasn't found your strongest temptation yet. 

Odd, since he can usually tempt a human with something even though it isn't their greatest desire. Humans are weak like that; so eager to fall prey to the alluring darkness that they don't even care what they're being fed with. 

You must be one of those humans that has no physically pleasurable desires. You should've at least been tempted by now. Even the ones that call on him for reasons far from sexual have a hard time holding themselves back from him.

Huh.

JK squints at you, trying to figure you out.

With the way you stare suspiciously at the fruit, it doesn't appear to be Gluttony either, much to his frustration. If it was, the fruit would appear beautiful and ready to be eaten. Ready to suck you into this circle and never let you out.

But only time will tell for sure, you're definitely beyond starving by now. Of course, you won't die from it. Perhaps you'll break when he least expects it, Gluttony doesn't have to be your weakness if you are hungry enough. Even the rotten fruit will start to look bearable. 

He really had his bets set on the second circle, but you didn't fall into his game like he had thought you would. Either you really want the Flame, or you're blind. 

The demon scoffs in irritation at the fact that you've not fallen for his looks, which makes you glance up at him. 

"Hm?"

"Nothing," he snaps. 

You look back at the pear hanging dangerously close to your face. 

If anything, the fruit makes you less hungry with how foul it looks and smells. If he thinks he's gonna fool you in here, he's got another thing coming. 

That wouldn't make sense though. 

He's not stupid, he can't possibly think for a second that you would eat anything here, no matter how hungry you get. 

You peek at him once more to see him glowering at you in disgust; as if you're one of the offending pieces of decayed produce dangling near him. 

Sighing, you look away again and keep running through all the thoughts spinning around in your poor exhausted head. 

You had a set plan, you thought you knew what you were getting yourself into. Everything is so muddled down here, it's almost like-...

A plan?

I had a plan?

You blink in confusion at the sudden emptiness inside your brain. 

What-

Smacking the side of your head gently, you mumble to yourself. 

JK watches curiously as you turn in a circle and then finally land your gaze on him. 

The look of complete and utter bewilderment does not go unnoticed by him as he continues to look at you silently. 

"Where-"

Your mouth snaps shut so quickly it almost startles him. 

Recognition floods your gaze, and you clear your throat and pull at the sleeves on your cardigan before yanking it more closed, wrapping it snug around you. 

"Can we just get out of here?" You say, a bit sharper than usual. 

"Sure you don't want one?" He gestures lazily at the sad excuse for a pear hanging between you two. 

You just stare at him blankly. 

A long moment passes as he stares back before you look down. 

It happened in a millisecond. 

He thought he imagined it for a moment, but he's sure he didn't. 

You almost laughed. 

He saw it, he'd swear by it. 

It was brief, but obvious. 

You had to stop yourself from breaking into a smile at his words. 

A smirk slowly spreads on his face as he pushes himself away from the tree trunk and walks closer to you. 

Maybe he assumed too quickly. 

Perhaps you aren't as guarded as he thought. 

"Well?" 

You look at him to see he's looking at you pointedly. Then you glance down and see one of his hands is gesturing you in a random direction. 

"Oh, are we going that way?" You ask, trying to keep your voice neutral. 

He doesn't give you any reply apart from a raised brow. 

"Why don't you go first?" You ask, confused. 

"I insist," he says, gesturing again.

You sigh. 

Great. 

After another moment of trying to read his facial expressions, you shrug your shoulders and start walking further into the forest. 

The direction he pointed leads you opposite of where the river with the sinners sits, which you will not complain about. Seeing so many people suffering and being unable to help them is physically sickening. You're not sure how much more of it you can take if you continue to actually see the prisoners of Hell. 

It's one thing to read about it and to be told what Hell is like, it's entirely different to actually walk through it and witness everything first-hand. 

"How-"

"-long until the fourth circle?" The demon cuts you off rudely, "Maybe if you shut your trap and walked faster, you'd find out."

Your nose twitches. 

"Why are you such a grump?" You grumble, arms hugging your own waist as you watch the ground to make sure you don't trip on anything.

"Maybe it's because I'm constantly surrounded by idiotic mortals like you."

"Ugh, just- whatever."

He scoffs at your childish attempt at winning an argument. 

"You're so- ack!"

Your remark is cut short when your foot catches on a rock and you're suddenly sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain. 

One look back over your shoulder and you see him just standing there and looking at you with zero emotion on his face. 

Your cheeks burn in embarrassment as you sigh. This is probably the hundredth time you've tripped. You're not usually this clumsy, what’s wrong with you?

Another moment of dead silence passes. 

"Are you gonna help me up or are you just gonna stand there?" You finally snap.

"I'll give you three guesses."

You bite your lip as you try not to scream. 

Then you hold your hand out, "Help me up, and maybe I'll walk faster."

You hear a loud sigh before his hand grabs your elbow and unceremoniously yanks you to your feet. 

He hadn't meant to pull you as hard as he did though. 

He certainly hadn't meant to yank you right into his chest. 

You lose your footing and collide into his hard body; your cheeks immediately flaring up with heat once again. After a moment, you gather your strength enough to look up at him. 

To your surprise, he's already looking down at you. 

His pitch-black eyes bore into yours, a few different emotions flitting through his; each as brief as the flap of a hummingbird's wings. 

At first, he looks confused, then pissed off, then a glint of mischief clouds over until his gaze becomes neutral again. 

That doesn't last long as he leans down toward you, the tight grip on your wrist that went unnoticed until now getting stronger when you flinch. 

"What's wrong, little mortal? Afraid I might try something?"

You gulp. 

"Or perhaps...you're afraid you might want me to?"

You refuse to back down and look away from him. 

"That's pretty naughty for a good girl like you, don't you think?" The smirk on his face makes your knees weak, "Then again, it's always the good girls that are the freakiest...am I wrong?"

Maybe you should look away. 

This isn't going to plan. 

But you can't. 

When you try to avert your eyes, you physically cannot. 

A sweep of panic goes through you at your momentary paralysis as the demon draws even closer. 

Move, ____. 

Move.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. 

Not y-

His lips are mere centimeters from your own when you finally find the strength to escape. You aren't able to pull away, your muscles are not doing anything you ask of them. Thankfully though, you just kind of go limp and crumple out of his grip, his lips missing your own by the briefest of seconds. 

-

"Ohh, this one is beautiful!" 

You hold up a blue flower and wave it around, laughing as you add it to the rest of the flowers in your fist. 

Gathering your skirts in your free hand, you walk over to the water and cautiously dip a toe into it, pulling back and shrieking when you feel how cold it is. 

"I'm not sure I wanna..." You call out.

Looking over to where your shoes and stockings are resting on a rock, you turn back and let your curiosity get the best of you as you dare to get onto the rock that's about a foot into the small river. You almost lose your balance, laughing as you struggle not to fall. 

Carefully, you move from rock to rock, until you're almost in the middle of the river. You look over to where the sun is setting, joy settling deep into your heart as you look across the water where you're trying to get to. 

Your foot slips suddenly and your arms pinwheel as you accidentally let go of all your skirts and go tumbling into the small waves, the sound of your own shrieks of laughter getting cut off as the cold-water rushes over your head.

 -

You come to, spluttering and coughing. 

"W-" You cough violently, your nose burning like fire as you try to wipe at your eyes, "Wh-"

To your complete and utter befuddlement, you're completely drenched in water; your hair stringy and dripping as it hangs in your face. 

With a few more gut-wrenching coughs, you're finally able to breathe. You move the hair from your eyes to see him crouching in front of you, a lazy grin on his face, his black hair framing the freakishly handsome features he's somehow able to display. 

"Sorry, I didn't leave any for you to drink," he pouts comically. 

You clear your throat and mumble hoarsely, "I wouldn't have taken it anyway, I'm not thirsty-"

He rolls his eyes and stands up swiftly, "You know, you're probably one of the weakest humans I've ever had the displeasure of meeting."

You ignore his words as you wring out your dress and cardigan; gathering the soft cloth in your hands and twisting it until water comes dribbling out. You don’t have time to figure out why you keep losing consciousness randomly.

"Why'd you dump water on me?"

"Would you rather it had been something else?"

You look at him for a moment to see how serious he looks, so you shake your head slowly. 

Not going to put it past him to get any ideas. 

The demon crouches again, closer this time, scrutinizing your face even as you flinch away a little.

"You look like a wet sewer rat," he states before harshly flicking your forehead. 

"Ouch!" You exclaim, holding your forehead and glaring at him.

His nose wrinkles, "Smell like one too."

You freeze at that, then you take a moment to lift your arm and cautiously sniff your sleeve. 

The moldy smell that you inhale makes you gag instantly. 

Oh no. 

Not this. 

Anything but this. 

You can't handle it; you can't handle the smell of mold. Now you're supposed to get through the rest of Hell inhaling it? You thought you could make it through this circle and be done with the smell. 

What a fool you've been. 

The horrors of each circle aren't going to leave when you exit them, they're going to stick with you the entire time. 

You want to take a deep breath to calm yourself down, but the smell is so bad you literally can't. 

When you catch his eye again, you see him watching you curiously, clearly wanting to see how you'll react. 

Closing your eyes, you conjure up some comforting images and remind yourself of why you can't break your promise. 

You need to see this through. 

You need to. 

_______________________________

Each step you take, a nasty squelch reaches your ears. 

Your shoes are ruined, there's really no saving them. But your wet shoes are the least of your problems. You've started to shake, which only makes your aching tummy ache all the more. If there was anything in your stomach, you'd probably be throwing it up right now. The smell surrounding you is so putrid you can't control the occasional gag that leaves you. 

Not to mention, you keep having moments of blank confusion and suddenly forget where you are and why you're here.

They only last a few seconds, but the anxiety that comes from them sticks with you as you trudge along through the wilted forest, shivering and trying to block out the screeches and attempting to keep your head on straight as he keeps telling you to change directions every once in a while, muttering about how useless you are. 

You're not sure why he won't just lead the way, but you don't have the strength to ask him and listen to more of his insults. 

Everything is going to be okay. 

This circle is going to end eventually, they all will. You’re not a prisoner here. 

Well...

No, you are not a prisoner here. 

Not like they are anyway...

You lift your sopping wet wrists and cover your ears as you keep walking. 

I can do this. 

I can do this.

I can-

"Ah!" You shout when the feeling of someone grabbing your arm roughly startles you out of the trance you put yourself in. 

"Why are you plugging your ears, you fucking moron?"

You stare at him, eyes wide as you try to ground yourself and bring your heartrate back down after that scare he just gave you. 

He scoffs in clear disgust, "I said you're going the wrong way like fifteen fucking times! Why don't you just pay attention?! Maybe we won't take a million years to get there!"

You flinch a little at the level of his voice. 

"Sorry," You mumble. 

He laughs in disbelief, "Are you that much of a damn doormat? Shit, you're more pathetic than I thought-"

"What do you want me to say?!" You shout back, startling him for a second as your patience snaps, "If I talk back, you'll waste time thinking of every insult in the book and if I don't then you grill me about how pathetic I am! Gosh, you're insufferable!"

"Me? I'm insufferable?!" He takes a step closer, "We're only in the third circle and-"

"I know we're in the third circle! I know that! I know that! I KNOW THAT!!" You stomp your foot so hard that it shoots a sharp pain up your shin. But you don't care, you're tired of biting your tongue, "You've said that about a thousand times you idiot!” You get closer and raise yourself up on your toes to get in his face. 

“You think I don't know where we are after you've so kindly reminded me with every breath?! Are you truly so thick-headed that you think I need to be told that again and again?? Talk about pathetic! Y-"

"You wanna fucking talk about pathetic?!" He grabs the collar of your dress and drags you an inch from his face, "If you don't cut that shit out, I'm really going to fucking hurt you. I don't have to kill you to hurt you, you disgusting little roach. You think I want to be babysitting your lazy ass when I have better things to do? If you want to see pathetic, take a good long look in the mirror, maybe that'll knock you down a peg," he growls. 

Before you can say anything more, a horrible, unexpected pain shoots through your wrist and you cry out. 

"Not so courageous with your words now, huh?" He whispers as you gulp and shake in disbelief. 

"Stop crying, it's not even broken," he snaps.

A pained gasp leaves you when he finally lets go, an ugly bruise already blooming all around your skin where he held you.

You carefully bring your wrist to your chest and breathe in deeply. 

It feels like a heartbeat is pulsing just below your hand, each flutter bringing a new wave of pain. 

He could've broken your wrist. 

You look at it and wince when you see the blue and purple now decorating it. 

All he did was squeeze and it nearly shattered all the bones in your wrist. You're surprised he stopped himself from ripping your hand off all the way. 

JK watches you, just as he always does. 

Could physical pain be something that might weaken your stoic attitude?

Seems like it. 

When he notices you're looking down and refusing to make eye contact with him, he chuckles. 

He wanted to see how shaken up you'd get when it sank in that he can physically hurt you all he wants as long as he doesn't kill you. He's been holding back, but maybe he doesn't need to.

Seems like that realization finally struck a nerve. 

Literally. 

He chuckles and shakes his head before turning and walking away, not bothering to wait for you. 

Then he calls over his shoulder, "If you value your pretty little limbs, you'll do what I tell you to. Keep walking.”

The sound of your footsteps behind him makes him chuckle again. 

______________________

You say nothing, for hours and hours. 

He doesn't hold back though, continuously throwing random insults at you.

Whether it be about your looks, voice, or general existence, he isn't lacking in nasty remarks in any area. All you can do is keep walking, cradling your aching wrist in your good hand and staring at the ground numbly. 

You misjudged him. 

You foolishly let yourself believe that he wouldn't hurt you. It seemed like he was desperate enough to make the deal that you underestimated him. 

He’s not what he looks like.

You forgot what he is, you made a mistake. 

But it won't happen again. 

The stinking forest starts to thin out; the trees become smaller with more space between each of them.

Still, you say nothing. 

It seems that he's finally run out of breath, or he just got tired of you not reacting, because he stopped talking nearly an hour ago.

In a way it's almost worse, you had grown used to his deep gravelly voice mumbling in the otherwise dead silence. Blocking out what he was saying wasn't too hard after the first few hours. 

After that, you clung to the sound of him speaking almost like a lifeline. It was something to focus on aside from the moldy air enveloping you and the distant screams that eventually faded into unsettling nothingness. 

Now you have no choice but to hyperfocus on the smell and the sound of decaying fruit crushing underfoot when one of you steps in an unfortunate spot. 

Part of you wonders if perhaps he did that on purpose to torture you as much as he can. He might have realized you were zoning out. 

You wouldn't put that past him. He’s literally wired to notice changes in behavior and what might affect certain people. He can’t read your mind, but he doesn’t have to when he can read your body like a book.

It comes as a surprise when you realize he's stopped, and you look up to see a large gate. There's an inscription on it, but you can't even see all the words since they're covered with a bunch of ivy that wraps around and around the whole gate. 

It's nearly twice the demon's height, nothing compared to the entrance to Hell, but still magnificent in its own haunting way. It almost looks like the gate in front of a haunted mansion that high school kids go to in the middle of the night to go ghost hunting. 

Its once elegant structure is clearly worn down, rusted and nearly entirely covered by the ivy that seems hellbent on strangling the previously golden gate. 

"We're already at the fourth circle?" You ask quietly, voice cracking after not using it for who knows how long. 

He nods. 

JK stares at the entrance to the fourth circle, thoughts swarming in his mind. 

He had hoped to use the third circle to his advantage, but the timing was off. There's no way you'd listen to anything he said willingly after that fight. 

He needs you to do it willingly, there's no other way. If you don't open that mental door, he can't go through it. There was no choice but to hurry to the next circle.

"Fucking stupid," He mumbles to himself as he steps forward and reaches out to touch one of the vines. 

You gasp a little and step back subconsciously when the plant comes to life and slithers away from the demon's touch. You can't tell if it's a vine that's suddenly got a mind of its own, or if the gate is actually being choked by snakes.

It goes too quickly for you to see well enough. 

The vines (you're really starting to think they might be snakes) all shrink away, retreating into the darkness, a low hissing sound echoing in their departure. 

Ok, maybe you're not crazy and it really is snakes. 

His tall frame takes a step back from the gate before he turns to look at you, impatiently expectant. 

"What is it this time?" You ask hesitantly, still clutching your injured wrist, afraid of what you might need to do to pass through.

"Something important to you. Something you believe you can't possibly go on without." He looks almost bored.

"What? But I already gave something to the ferryman, I don't have anything else-"

"Then you can't pass through."

You take a deep breath, "That's not an option."

He shrugs. 

You grind your teeth and walk up to the gate, looking at it closely. 

There's got to be another way. It's not going to end like this.

"This is Greed?" You ask, still not facing him. 

He doesn't answer, but you can feel the confirmation hanging in the air. 

What're you supposed to do? You have nothing left, all you had was that ring, you didn't bring anything else with you...

You must have stared at the gate longer than you thought, because suddenly he's speaking up impatiently, "By the time we get in you won't need that Flame, you'll be dead already."

Biting your lip, you send an annoyed look back at him over your shoulder. 

"Come on," he says as he comes up next to you, settling closer on your right than you'd like right now, "Are you really that selfish that you need everything you've got? You need more than is necessary?"

That's when you realize what he's referring to. 

The unnaturally cold hand brushing against your shoulder just under your cardigan makes you snap back to reality and push him away. 

Your glare does nothing but amuse him as he looks at you with undeniable mischief in his gaze. 

"Come on, little human," he taunts as he keeps getting closer, his voice low and sultry, "You sure you need this measly dress? It hardly does you any good."

There's no way you're going to walk buck naked through Hell. 

No. 

But...

Maybe you won't have to. 

"Stop being so stubborn. Don't you want what you've come so far for?" He whispers, too close for comfort. 

You look back at him steadily, "Yes I do."

I don’t care what I have to give up, I’m going through that gate.

His smirk melts away when he sees you bend down and instead of lifting your dress off, you carefully pull off both of your black slip-ons, being hyperaware of being gentle with your wrist. 

"These will work, right?"

His jaw clenches, but before he can speak, the hissing sound grows louder, and you turn your head to see one of the slithery little guards slinking from the darkness. 

Swallowing your fear, you hold out the offering and watch as the long green snake vine wraps around your right wrist and up the shoes, squeezing them tight before uncoiling from your shaky limb and disappearing into the darkness once more, dragging the shoes with it. 

A long low creaking sound follows, and you see the gate start to open slowly. 

Anger is physically seeping from the demon standing behind you, but you pay it no mind. 

You did it. 

Who needs shoes anyway? No biggie. You try to comfort yourself, knowing the pain that’s about to come.

One step forward makes you clench your jaw. The ground is even more painful to walk on than you thought it would be. 

It feels uncomfortably warm, not scorching though, which you're grateful for. 

There are a bunch of little prickly things scattered about, poking you harshly. 

JK laughs quietly when he realizes you're still paying a heavy price even though it isn't the one he'd hoped he would get to witness. 

Patience. 

It'll get there eventually.

You ignore his laughter and start walking. 

It's painful, but not something you can't handle. 

It could be worse, you remind yourself as your body quivers involuntarily.

The demon shakes his head and follows you into the fourth circle. 

The golden gate creaks lowly once more as it shuts, then the vines creep forth and strangle it once again.

___________________________________

a/n: im so sorry it took 2 months T-T i will do better i promise, pls let me know what you think as always! ily

Tag list; @kookxin @butterymin @telepathytae @kooliv @highoffbaddecisions @meanum @smitssharon02 @kmpac @ggukkieland @jjanjankook @sugaslittlekookies @hobispriteu1306 @kimchibrat @slowlydeliciousjiminie @screamertannie  @i-dont-give-a-fok @hopefulrascalstatesmantoad @ohyeahjk @babycandy111 @ttipa @ggukcanim @era-genius @katlumiiine @xmochiloverx @sopikooo @berryonasummerevening @jamlessstars @bangtannie7 @idkjustlovingbts @iftheworldiswritten @nuttykittypainter @geniejunn @mal99 @ane102 @mrswang17 @jeonssme @ashbxnny

[tarnishedinquirer]

Margit, Rematch

Having wrapped up the last location on my list, it was time to face Margit. But first, I made a visit to Patches. I wanted to take every advantage I could into this fight. No hard feelings over him sending me to the Mistwood, of course. He told me he was packing up shop soon, so I made sure to get what I came here for:

A fetish bathed in golden magic. Shackles were used to bind the accursed people called the Omen, and these ones were made to keep a particular Omen under strictest confinement.Though faint, the shackles still retain vestiges of power — enough to trap the once-bound Margit on earth, if only for a short time.

So Margit the Fell Omen was of a race called... Omen. And they were once imprisoned using these shackles. I have a hunch that Patches was once imprisoned with or at least near them. I know that look from the mirror. He might call himself untethered, but his eyes are still in chains.

Now that I got a good look at the symbol, it had the triple rings of the Golden Order, representing unity and strength, combined by a wild branching pattern vaguely resembling a tree, but just as much resembling lightning. It was difficult to tell which way to orient the symbol, as the branches and roots of this chaotic tree looked the same. Could this be the Crucible?

It was now time. Right outside the gate to Margit, I found the summoning sign of a handsome spellblade calling himself Sorcerer Rogier. Another point in my favor.

I don't know what I expected when I used the shackle, but I did not expect it to hit him so hard or cause him so much pain. I also didn't expect it to have such an unhealthy, rotten color of yellow. It was almost halfway between the gold of the Erdtree and the maddening yellow of the Frenzied Flame.

He fell to the floor, flattening as if pressed down by some immense gravity. While he was down, myself, Rogier, and Aurelia whaled on him with swords, spells, and poison spray. He did not stay down long though.

When he stood, he started summoning hammers and blades of golden light. He complimented me on my skill, saying warrior blood must flow through my veins. In response I lunged, knocked him off his feet, and drove my blade into his chest.

As soon as I did, he began to dissipate into golden motes of light. A construct?! All this time, we were fighting a mere sending!

The voice of the true Margit echoed from nowhere and everywhere.

I shall remember thee, Tarnished. Smouldering with thy meager flame. Cower in Fear. Of the Night. The hands of the Fell Omen shall brook thee no quarter.

Rogier and Aurelia vanished and I was left alone to contemplate his words.

He left behind an extra talisman pouch, which the voice had surprisingly much to say about.

Small, withered bag, knitted by hand. Bestowed upon the ruling lord, or those attempting to become lord, by the elderly Finger Reader. As the voices of the Two Fingers, Finger Readers are said to live lives eternal, and one is even supposed to have served as a wetnurse to royalty.

That is... a lot to say about a pouch. The part about the Finger Reader serving as wetnurse seems almost like a non-sequitur. Unless...

Another life flashes before my eyes.

Twin princes, both deformed by a curse. They stand between me and a world's salvation (or is it destruction?). But before I can get to them, I must first pass their wetnurse. A frail old woman now, who loves the princes dearly. She hides the truth, but is murdered by a fearsome dancer.

I return to my own reality. Echoes, reflections, and parallels. Is Margit a prince? Does he have a twin? I butt my head against the limits of pure reason.

I may need to ponder alternatives. But for now, the way is clear into Stormveil Castle.

[all-hallows-street]

Guess whose financial mistake arrived early...

I will give more in depth looks later (I have to work to afford such questionable purchases), but a quick individual review of what I got:

Neil Demon Plushy

Not a plush toys collector at all; my closest reference is the IKEA shark. He is heavier than he looks, very sturdy (?) if that makes sense. Doesn't seem like he will deform any time soon. The details are adorable and I don't see any glaring defects.

All Saints Street Hoodie

Surprisingly large for me. I was worried they only had one size made for the Chinese market. I'm 1.7m (5 foot 7) tall for reference and this is still a bit too big for me. Will likely get too small for anyone over 6 feet tall. The quality is good! Very soft. Velvet interior. I don't know much about shirt stamping, but since it's not in the fabric I'm guessing the stamp might start to crack after multiple washes.

All Saints Street Vol. 1-3 Collection

Now this is something I can talk about more. The sleeve was unfortunately damaged in shipping and the books have very minor damage in the spine and vol 2 has a minor case of dog ears. The quality of the paper is great! It is color paper, not glossy one you see in comic book issues, but it's thicker than the black and white you see in manga. Would still make sure to have a dehumidifier if your storing place is not dry. I've already experienced book wrapping and it's painful.

Each volume contains around 80 chapters with one extra chapter not on bilibili. They also contain a message from Lingzi and WSJ's editor, plus all character bios even for ones we never got one (Enrique, Eduardo ans Anthony). And if a Weibo post is correct some might have been updated from the ones online (Axel grew 1 cm in the book bio).

Of course later I'll look over everything to see if there are any significan changes to make a note of. Also it came with this lol.

I have the Alice in Wonderland art somewhere, I'll post it later as well.

All Saints Street Anniversary Playing Cards

The playing card decks from the 6th and the 7th anniversary. As you can see I haven't opened the 7th, but I got the 6th a while ago on AliExpress so I expect them to be similar.

This is something else I can review more in depth, coming from a family that loves playing poker. The quality of the prints is beautiful, however I keep them in the box all the time because the quality of the cards itself is not good!

The cards feel like store bought cardboard; good playing cards are made out of cardboard, but this deck doesn't have the same treatment. They are so fragile, even by just handling them to get the face cards I've already made slight damage to the edges. I wouldn't play any game with them, much less shuffle them. I don't even want to imagine how much they will bend. Also the Crystal card came with damage (the small white spot on the edge) from the store. Pain.

Anyways. I'll frame the face cards because they are so pretty and I want to keep them in the best condition... I don't know what I will do with the rest of the 36 cards. Maybe practice magic tricks? Lol. Before all this I've been working on how to scan all the face cards and post them, but it's been more difficult than expected. If you have ever tried to digitize prints you will know. Once I have them, I'll post them alongside high quality scans.

When it comes to my review of PandaBuy... On one hand it was an excellent service and experience. On the other... I don't even want to reveal how much the shipping was. I wouldn't recommend anyone else do it unless you are stupid with your money (like me), even then

I would advice to do your own research. PandaBuy and all agents to buy from China are definitely better when you buy in bulk. My package was 'only' 2kg. Many people buy over 10kg to make it worth it. I'm already committed so if new volumes come out I will buy them, and maybe also get counterfeit Gucci shoes or something since that's what most people use this agents for...

That's all for now. Feel free to reply or send any questions you have.

[jazztag]

A Cure for Solitude XVII

W feels sore from where he has been grabbed. His shoulders hurt, his head aches, the pain numbing his other senses, even his smell, his best one out of the five. He tries to grab onto anything, but finds his hands held together behind his back. He is seated on the floor in a dark place, and he is not alone.

Other 'creatures' like him stumble around, some seated on the floor as well, others walking around. W looks around, seeing half-rotten bodies just like him, wandering around in what appears to be a big metal box. Maybe some sort of container? W can’t remember exactly how he ended up here. He was probably ambushed, but it’s been too long since then to recall. There’s just one thought in his mind that crosses between his eyes. He thinks about M, and wonders if he’ll ever trust him again. If he’ll ever forgive him for biting him. His heart aches at the memory. And it’s so difficult to move past that, when that’s one of the only memories he has to himself.

He looks around again. There are some of them that are tied to their ankles as well, and there are creatures with restraints on their mouths. One of them walks towards the fearful W, still crouching on the floor. The other creature sniffs the air around him and keeps walking past him. W trembles a bit and tries to think of happy memories, at least the ones he can recall from these last few days. He really tries, feeling scared and disoriented in the dark space full of creatures. But every good memory he tries to think about, there’s M in there, a reminder of how hurt and mad he looked after W bit him. And any sense of warmth gets lost again in the vast shadows of regret.

He looks around again. Maybe he is finally getting punished for his sins. For being like that. All those creatures, like him, look like figments of the past, deformed and malfunctioning. There’s pain behind each one of those eyes. They are all alone together and as a whole.

Suddenly, very bright lights turn on over their heads, and like everyone else, W buries his head in his shoulders, trying to protect his fragile eyes from the dazzling light. No luck, they start hurting like hell from overexposure. There are some voices speaking loudly from over the walls. When W is finally able to open his eyes, still sore, he distinguishes a lot of people right on the upper level of the big white room. Real people, humans, like M calls himself. They all look down at the creatures below their feet. A lot of them have their phones out, recording them with a mix of curiosity and fear. There are also scary big men armed with huge guns pointing down at them, and W panics a little, recoiling until hitting the wall with his back.

There’s a lot of chaos. Two creatures get violent and start trying to reach the upper level where the ‘real people’ are. Shots are heard, and the bodies fall limp to the floor. W, from the corner of the container, starts trembling frantically. He can’t stop looking at one of the fallen creatures in the eyes. The gaze is still there, still alive. The body is dead, letting out some dark purple droplets scattered around the white tile floor. But W can see those eyes still alive, looking back at him and pleading to die. But they can’t. Prisoners of a lifeless body forever.

W trembles uncontrollably. He looks around for an exit. Other creatures are trying to search for one as well, moving slowly but surely around the metallic walls of the container. But the small creature is paralyzed by fear. He tries to hide his face in his big clothes, and suddenly it dawns on him. He is completely nude. They all are.

W falls on his back, seated against the wall with his knees up and glued together. He buries his head in his shoulders, and he feels all his bones trembling in unison. The walls are cold. The floor is cold. Everything is cold, and when he looks up, he only sees a bunch of people who call themselves ‘human’. Mocking them creatures, recording them, fixing their gaze onto their rotten bodies with morbid curiosity, no respect nor pity, only disgust.

W tries to make himself as small as possible. Maybe if he tries very hard, he will end up fusing to the wall, becoming one with it. Suddenly, one gate opens, and a bunch of armed men enter the perimeter, right on the opposite wall. Since every creature here is restrained in some way, everyone recoils, not wanting to get near the scary humans. The armed men look around, as if trying to decide which piece of rotten meat to take. Some creature tries desperately to flee running past them, but the group of approximately five people shoot at it without hesitation, and all the other creatures growl and moan in fear, walking backwards towards the farthest wall, where W sits against.

“Now, thanks to the Protocol, every piece of rot is no longer considered a person,” hears W from above his head. There’s someone shouting some explanations to the crowd through a megaphone. “Fend for yourselves, we are selling each one of them at the starting price of 50.”

W asks himself what a ‘human’ could get out of a creature like him. His innocent and numb mind can’t even imagine the horrors the human species can do to themselves.

There’s a lot of chaos following the shouting, and some creatures get dragged out of the container and into plastic bags. They manage to put tape around their faces, so they don’t see nor bite at anything. A scary huge man seems to discover W still seated in a corner, and trembling like a leaf. The man starts approaching him, every other creature fleeing from his presence and inadvertently opening him the path towards the small zombie.

W shuts his eyes, and because his hands are still tied down behind his back, the only thing he can do is bury his head between his knees like a scared animal and wish for the best.

Taglist: @whump-blog @cupcakes-and-pain @crunchypuppy06 @silly-scroimblo-skrunkl @kona-luu @hurtthemgently (comment to get added/removed from the list!)

[the-hunter-himself]

Mr. Robbertson; An Introduction of The Hunter

Carefully sculpting the foam on his grasp, he ensured every little detail counted. The round eyes of the deer, symbolize the innocence of a herbivore as a prey animal. He let his skin trace the surface, feeling the early step on his soon-to-be mastercraft. He didn’t often show his scarred hand, always covering it with gloves. Only a few people he trusted had seen the history of blood and scars tattooing his skin. His chest huffed and puffed, in pride and joy. Taxidermy was always therapeutic for him, even if it took days to weeks, even a full month to finish. A beauty in the macabre of death, like giving the dead life once again in eternal perfection. It will never rot in the depth of the earth, no filthy underground creature will eat its skin, always on pose. He wished that one day, he would not be buried, but preserved in his beauty forever, being a part of history and making people amazed on his perfectness. Elegant, exquisite, gorgeous, all men and women will swoon even on his dead body.

After making sure he missed no details, he took one last look before putting the skin on the mount. Perfect, is all he could think. He carefully placed the synthetic eyes and skin on the mount, as its new “Skeleton”. An Albino White-tailed deer, with red glass eyes shining. Some who saw it would consider it either as devil incarnate, or a fallen angel. A beauty for Hunter. His fingers linger longer before he moves to the finishing part. Sewn the skin to cover the mount, putting it inside its eyelids, brushing it to remove excess fur. And here, at last, his new master craft.

Right before he put it in the museum, a loud bang from the opened door was heard, He looked behind, relieved it was no other than his most loyal friend, and guard. People would be horrified by her look, like looking at the legendary chimera creature. Half of her face was human, the other half was…lizard looking with the skin and flesh merged as one. Scars all over the other half face, some lines still bleeding thoroughly. Her teeth were human no more. She walked like a giant lizard monster in that Japanese movie. Hunched, robotic tail moving side to side, her legs being a bit disproportionally big from her body size while her feet were heavily deformed. On her back, you could see how they replaced her spine with a strange machine, glowing red like blood flow, and some bone spikes emerging acting like dorsal fins. The constant pain was all she felt. to the point she become numb.

“Ah, isn’t it my little Lizard monster ? Do you need anything? New clothes? Meat ?” He greeted her in warm arms, offering her necessity.

“Easterman needs you.” Tilting his head, he looked at her curious.

“Oh? The gentleman need me now?”

“You know it ain’t good if the guards told me to send the invitation message rather than telling you outright.”

Hunter frowned with his nose crinkled. What does he need now? Did I not satisfy him enough ? Hunter nodded. “I’ll be right back.”

There in his elegant room, sleep two of his dogs. There was no duty assigned, so they used their leisure time to rest. Sat in front of his dressing table, he combed his hair and reapplied his makeup. An eyeliner to define his gaze, soft pink lipstick and blush on his cheeks, thick eye shadow to give him a smoky eye look, and some faint eyebrows pencil coloring. He gave a little kiss on his reflection, making sure his lipstick was correctly applied. Satisfied, he tidied up his suit and went to the Murkoff security that guarded his home.

“I’d like to meet the man himself, please.”

—

In the cold, almost dark room, there He stood. There was no restraint, just him standing tight nicely like a gentleman. Hands-on back, with a smile on his face. “I see I have not satisfied you enough, Easterboy. Do we need some…private time again?” Hunter looked through the camera lens, with a seducing look.

The shadowy man on the TV took out his cigarettes, exhaled the smoke, and sighed heavily. “I'm not here for some flirty time, Hunter. I need to talk about your performance.”

“Which…performance hmm?”

“Don’t act stupid unless you want the lower treatment, like the others.”

Hunter clicked his tongue. “Fine, I'm here to listen. Whatever for you, spoiled boy.”

“Your dog and your guard, teach them to be more resilient, fast, and agile. The Reagents assigned to your trials? They got it all too easy. In fact, I'm not even impressed with their A grade.”

“I believe they did a good job, Hendrick. It was just you that hard to satisfy. Sometimes I’m tired of doing everything you asked. Including..” Hunter hunched to focus on the camera lens once again. “..in Bed. Does your deary wife know about it? Or it’s because she wasn’t able to do it, hence asking me?” He whispered. “You need to know what is enough.” He stood straight once again.

Easterman exhaled sharply. “Are you trying to fight back now? Against me ?”

“No, I'm just standing on my side. Yesterday you praised me, and now, you criticized me despite the performance all the same. What was that for?”

“I don’t expect the perfect man I know to be stagnant, not showing any improvement. They have been the same for a whole month. I noticed many Reagents picked your Trial for easy grind. I don’t want them to find an easy way to quit just to escape. I want them…to learn.”

“Well, they are getting smarter. Isn’t that what you want? What should I do? whip my dog? I’m no cruel master. They are strong because they are trained with love !”

“You have become imperfect !”

Hunter was alarmed with Easterman scolded him. Imperfect.

“You hear me? You are the spoiled one. I gave you so much privilege, treating you differently, yet you become spoiled rotten. I expected your trials to teach them a valuable lesson, not some kind of easy way to escape. I am ashamed, I have picked many reagents that didn’t deserve their A grade and put them in lessons. And you, Hunter. If your trials failed to teach and produce high-quality Reagent that knows about our ideology in Art, History, and Trade…” Easterman inhaled his cigar, then exhaled it.

“I will take every privilege you have and put you in the same position as the others. Mark my word, you flawed hunter.”

“You take back that right now! You take it back you fucking fuck impotent piece of shit, worthless fuck that even failed to keep one fucking wife !”

The security guards rushed into the room and restrained him. Hunter struggled tremendously, almost overwhelming the securities with his stubbornness. One of them shot a tranquilizer on his neck as he was pressed on his back and finally tied up.

“Fucking god damn fuck !” He growled, trying to get up and fight the drugs inside. His soft manner turned into a wild beast, breathing heavily with growls as his eyes slowly become heavy.

“ I’ll come to your office and fuck you right there, Easterman.” He whispered as he looked at the camera.

—

“How’s the meeting ?”

Hunter slowly opened his eyes, lying on the floor of his living room. He groaned, trying to put his mind together.

“Doesn’t end well I see.”

“Shut up, Apin.”

She just chuckled and continued chewing her dinner.

He slowly got up, feeling his whole body and eyes heavy. He exhaled, sat as he gained his full cocnsious. There he sat, heads down thinking of his revenge. Imperfect, Flawed, what else he would call me?

“You got a job tomorrow ?”

“Hmmm? let’s see.” Apin looked up for a moment, “Nah. Tomorrow is the ladies’s turn to hunt those poor rats heh. I go chill with Danny.”

“Spare some time for me, we got important things to do.”

--

[blade-of-the-crow]

Sandalwood and Elfroot

The Fade is unforgiving to those who get too close.

Lavellan saves the day by closing the Breach but she doesn't count on the act of doing so to effect her so deeply.

A one-shot with the potential for more

“Focus past the Herald! Let her will draw from you.” 

“Now!” 

I can feel the mark burning with the power from the mages, hotter than it’s ever been before. I see Cassandra and Solas share a confirmatory nod before I step deeper into the space below the breach. I have to use all my strength not to pass out from the unimaginable pain thruming through the mark. This is it. We fail this and Thedas falls…

“Let her rest. She’s been working tirelessly these past few days preparing for the assault on the breach.” A voice calls through the murkiness of my subconscious.

“She can rest later, it's time to celebrate!” A second voice responds. 

“Lavellan just closed the breach; she needs time to recover.” A voice I recognized as Solas’s admonishes. 

I try to gather the strength to open my eyes but it’s a lost cause. My body feels like it's ran a marathon or two. I try once more before the darkness of my dreams take over once again. 

Chaos ensues as Haven burns. People screaming, turning to ash right before my very eyes, everywhere I look I see the bodies of those who helped turn a scattered group of scared, grieving survivors into an army that took on the Breach, that settled the mage/templar war in less days than it took to start. Scouts, warriors, healers, they are all gone. I look up just as the creature torches another building causing it to crumble into ashes as more workers attempt to keep the fires at bay. 

“Everyone into the Chantry now! It’s the only building that can withstand that monster!” Cullen calls out as he helps a couple wounded pilgrims onto their feet. 

“We need to round up all the survivors!” Varric yells as he struggles against a red lyrium deformed templar that got into melee range. 

I reach for my staff but find it gone, I call out to Solas to help him from where he is a few feet away dealing with a templar monstrosity but nothing comes out. Suddenly the sky lights up in front of me and I see a fireball that can only be a gift from the hells touch down… right where the Chantry used to stand. 

Everything within a hundred yards from the building turns to ash in seconds. I can feel the heat from where I’m standing. The inferno feels like a second skin, one that is burning away all senses. There is no more screaming. No more crying, no more prayers. I slowly look to my left where Varric once was and what I find dulls the pain for a second before more agony greets me. Varric, once a witty, archer extraordinaire, stands there looking at me but what I see is a demonic looking red lyrium monster that wore my dear friend's face. 

I try screaming but nothing comes out. My throat feels like it's closing in on itself, the pain is immeasurable but still I try until I feel a presence I cannot see approaching me. I look around searching for something/someone that wasn’t obliterated by the raging fires but there is nothing. Any semblance of a person or a building is gone, just an inferno and the scent of death, death with a hint of sandalwood and elfroot, a scent that's achingly familiar. 

I try closing my eyes, attempting to block out the chaos. “This is a dream it must be, there's no way it ends like this.” I tell myself over and over again as the presence I felt a moment ago draws closer. I can feel it as if it's right behind me. I collapse under the weight of the presence and the overwhelming grief. 

“D-n.” A voice calls out, trying to break through the crackling of the fires. 

“V’n.” Again. I try focusing on it but I lose it. 

“Vhenan!” 

I open my eyes just as a hand touches my shoulder. I was expecting the same scene as before, an inferno hellscape but I don't. I see Haven as it always was. A small village yet still devoid of life. I eventually find my bearings and stand up, now without the pungent smell of death the underlying scent of sandalwood and elfroot is stronger. 

“G’hilanna…” A voice I recognize calls out from behind me. I turn around and see a face I am now beginning to associate with that scent. 

A sound escapes me, one that's oddly reminiscent of the his name.

“Solas…” I can still feel the lingering sensations of the heat that was burning my eyes not even a moment ago just as the tears start to fall. 

“You are safe, it was a dream.” Solas tells me as his arms wrap around my shaking body. 

As soon as his warmth registers I collapse in what feels like a thousand different emotions. Grief for the people I thought I lost moments ago, relief to know that it was all a product of the fade and an overwhelming fear that this was just a glimpse into the not so distant future. 

“S-Solas…” I try to speak but I am gently hushed.

“You are more sensitive to the effects of the fade due to your previous proximity to the breach.” He tells me calmly. “When you wake all will be as it was. Haven is still standing, our friends are still whole.” 

I try to ease the hold the fade and the world of dreams has on my subconscious but the dream took its toll on me and I cannot find the strength on my own. 

Sensing this Solas pours a bit of his own magic into the space around us “Close your eyes, when you awaken you will be back in Haven, safe and sound.”

As I return to the waking world I hold on tightly to the scent that I will cherish forever. The scent of sandalwood and elfroot. 

[bad-advice-its-very-bad]

tw foot pain and general vent

so we have posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (pttd) which is basically flat feet but it gets worse over time and idk if we’ll be able to walk by the time i’m 30 if not earlier. but rn we can walk but after a while it hurts. we have orthotics but they don’t do shit and i might need surgery. the shitty part is most people with pttd are 40+ and our abusive grandma has it .-.

tldr: feet go ow, maybe won’t be able to walk by age 30, trauma go brr

sry for that, what i mean to ask is do we count as physically disabled?

I’m pretty sure that’s by definition a physical disability

also that sucks :(

Kinda unsolicited advice here, feel free to ignore me.

But have you looked into canes or crutches? Just because I’ve heard from TONS of people they do help with these sorts of things, one of my old friends with a leg deformity when I met up with them had just gotten a cane and they were so happy to have it.

But there’s no one size fits all, but mobility aids even now might help a little bit.

from what I gather, if something will help you from being in pain then try it. Disability is a large and confusing thing, and lots of people are also ableist as shit I should know. (I love having severe asthma attacks because people won’t let me sit out certain activities, or force me to run or exert myself without my inhaler </3 /j)

so use accessibility’s and whatever if it helps, people are always gonna judge those they don’t understand.

like I full on forget that I have literally god awful asthma, like it’s normal to think you can power through the pain and do the things you “should” be able to do. But there’s a difference between healthy limit pushing and unhealthy limit pushing, like you should be able to push your limits on occasion when you’re happy to but if you’re doing it everyday and your in pain everyday from something you should be able to rest and try again with then that’s kinda shitty if the people around you are allowing that.

your allowed to take breaks or rest, your allowed to use accessibility’s not typically associated with your disability. Your allowed to do whatever you need to ease the pain of your going through.

Idk, I hope this helps shitpostsystem!

if it doesn’t apply then that’s okay too! The bad advice blog is that sometimes bad advice, and sometimes we have to return later and try again. There’s nothing with both or me or whatever being wrong, this is a safe place to fuck up.

Hope you’re having a wonderful day! :D

[sassysuitdonut]

Maintaining Foot Health: The Role of Regular Medical Pedicures

Have you ever considered how important it is to take care of your feet? Are you the one who is neglecting to allocate time for foot care? If your answer is “yes,” then it’s high time to rethink your approach to foot health. Because Feet are your body’s foundation, so keeping them healthy is vital to your overall health. Moreover, maintaining foot health is essential for overall well-being and quality of life.

Taking care of your feet is crucial, especially if you have diabetes. There are two ways in which your feet can be affected. Firstly, the blood supply to your feet may be impacted, leading to slower healing. Secondly, nerve damage can cause a loss of sensation in your feet. This means that you may not even realize if you have minor cuts or blisters, which can eventually develop into ulcers. However, by properly caring for your feet and promptly addressing any issues, you can prevent foot problems. It is advisable to have your feet regularly checked by an expert podiatrist to identify any problems early on and avoid complications.

What is a Medical Pedicure

A medical pedicure, also known as a medi-pedi, is a professional treatment performed by a podiatrist or a specialized foot care practitioner. Unlike cosmetic pedicures, which focus primarily on aesthetics, medical pedicures address foot health concerns. They involve thorough cleaning, trimming, and treatment of the toenails and skin, focusing on maintaining and improving the health and function of the feet.

At Happy Feet Podiatry Clinic, we believe that a pedicure is not just a luxury, but an essential part of foot health maintenance. Our expert podiatrists use their specialized knowledge and training to provide a pedicure experience that not only leaves your feet looking beautiful, but also helps to prevent and address foot problems. Whether you are looking to pamper yourself or need to address specific foot concerns, our Medical Pedicure Treatment in Muscat, Oman is the perfect solution. Book your appointment today and experience the Happy Feet difference.

What role does a medical pedicure play in the overall maintenance of foot hygiene?

Here, we can explore a few of the benefits of Regular Medical Pedicures.

Preventing Infections

Medical pedicures can help decrease the risk of infections in your feet. Regular medical pedicures are effective in preventing fungal infections like athlete’s foot and onychomycosis (nail fungus) by maintaining cleanliness and dryness of the feet. Thorough cleaning and proper maintenance can lower the chances of bacterial infections, especially for those with diabetes or weakened immune systems.

Diabetic Foot Care:

Regular medical pedicures are a game-changer for people managing diabetes. They’re not just about pampering—these sessions are vital for keeping a close watch on neuropathy, and catching nerve damage early. Plus, they’re a powerful preventive measure against ulcers, a serious concern in diabetic care. By staying on top of foot health, these pedicures can make a real difference in overall wellness.

Timely Identification of Foot Issues:

Regular appointments with a foot care specialist are key to staying ahead of foot issues such as bunions, hammertoes, and other deformities. These proactive visits ensure problems are caught early, allowing for timely intervention and effective treatment. Don’t wait for discomfort to escalate—stay proactive and keep your feet healthy with regular check-ups.

Customized Solutions:

Healthcare professionals are equipped to provide personalized solutions to ease discomfort and improve pain relief for those suffering from foot pain. They may recommend custom orthotic devices or prescribe specific exercises designed to target the root causes of the pain. By tailoring their approach, these professionals ensure effective relief and enhanced comfort, empowering individuals to regain mobility and quality of life.

Pain Relief:

A medical pedicure has the ability to alleviate pain in individuals experiencing foot issues, such as corns, calluses, or ingrown toenails. By seeking the expertise of a foot care specialist, these conditions can be effectively and safely treated, resulting in reduced pain and discomfort. It is important to address corns and calluses promptly, as they can potentially impact your walking pattern and potentially contribute to the development of other foot conditions if left untreated.

The above-mentioned are primary benefits of regular medical pedicures, which help maintain foot health.

It’s crucial to ensure that your pedicure is performed by a qualified professional, ideally a podiatrist or a trained foot care specialist. Happy Feet is the leading Podiatry Clinic in Muscat, Oman and we specialize in a wide range of services tailored to address diverse foot conditions. Whether it’s managing foot pain, diabetic foot care, treating sports injuries, or correcting foot deformities, our expert team is dedicated to providing comprehensive and effective care. Trust Happy Feet for professional podiatry services that prioritize your foot health and overall well-being.

[parekhhospital]

Are you experiencing persistent knee pain that hampers your daily activities? Are you dealing with stubborn knee pain that just won’t let you be yourself? Well, you’re not alone. Many people like you find themselves struggling with knee issues that can severely impact their daily life. But here’s the good news: knee replacement surgery might be the solution you’ve been seeking!

We will now help you delve into 8 key signs that indicate it might be time to consider a total knee replacement. So, let’s get started and find out if this procedure could be the game-changer you need.

8 Signs You Might Need a Total Knee Replacement

1. Bad Arthritis

One of the most common reasons for knee replacement surgery is severe arthritis. Arthritis causes the cartilage in your knee joint to deteriorate, leading to excruciating pain and stiffness. If you find yourself constantly grappling with joint pain and swelling that makes it difficult to move, arthritis could be the culprit. Don’t worry; modern total knee replacement procedures have shown remarkable success in restoring mobility and alleviating pain for arthritis sufferers.

2. Nonsurgical Treatments Ineffective

You’ve tried everything — physical therapy, medications, injections — but the pain just won’t budge. When non-surgical treatments no longer provide relief, it’s a strong indication that your knee needs more substantial attention. Knee replacement surgery becomes a viable option to give you the pain-free life you deserve.

3. Debilitating Pain and Limited Activities

Has your knee pain escalated to the point where everyday activities have become challenging? If your knee discomfort hinders you from doing normal things like walking, climbing stairs, or even taking care of yourself, it’s time to consider knee replacement. The procedure can help you reclaim the freedom to enjoy life without being held back by knee pain.

4. Unrelenting Pain and Sleep Disturbance

Imagine trying to sleep with persistent knee pain keeping you awake at night. Not pleasant, right? Severe pain, even while resting, and disrupted sleep patterns due to knee discomfort are strong indicators that a total knee replacement could be the right step towards relief and better rest.

5. Persistent Swelling

Swelling around your knee that just won’t go away might be a sign of an underlying issue. Chronic knee swelling is something you shouldn’t ignore. It could be a red flag that your knee needs some expert attention, and knee replacement might be the answer to reducing the swelling and restoring comfort.

6. Knee Deformation

If you notice your knee joint starting to look deformed or misaligned, don’t wait for it to get worse. Knee deformities can lead to further complications and hinder your ability to move freely. A knee replacement surgery can help correct the deformity and get you back on your feet.

7. Willingness to Limit Activities

Perhaps you’ve found yourself avoiding certain activities because they worsen your knee pain. While it’s admirable to adapt, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice the things you love due to knee discomfort. Knee replacement surgery can offer the chance to live life to the fullest without fear of pain holding you back.

8. Age Consideration

Age is a factor that can influence the need for knee replacement surgery. As we grow older, the wear and tear on our knees increase, making us more susceptible to joint issues. If you’re in the older age group and experiencing persistent knee pain, a knee replacement might be the key to maintaining an active and independent lifestyle.

Why Choose Us for Knee Replacement Surgery

1. Experience and Expertise

At our medical centre, you’ll be in the hands of skilled knee replacement surgeons with years of experience in knee replacement procedures. We’ve helped countless individuals regain mobility and embrace life again.

2. Advanced Technology

Our state-of-the-art facilities and advanced surgical techniques ensure you receive the best care because of the finest knee replacement surgeons we have.

3. Customized Treatment Plans

We understand that every patient is unique, and that’s why our team designs personalized treatment plans to cater to your specific needs and circumstances. The knee replacement surgery cost here will be as per your budget and requirement.

4. Patient-Centred Approach

Your well-being is at the core of our approach. We prioritize open communication and compassionate care to ensure you feel comfortable and confident throughout your knee replacement process.

Client Testimonials after knee replacement

1. Manisha Kagdi’s story of successful knee surgery

2. Harsha Khakhi’s journey to a pain-free life

“We had tried every treatment possible, but the pain won’t subside. So, a friend suggested us this hospital for total knee replacement. Best decision ever! I can’t thank my doctor enough for giving me back the ability to lead an active life.”

3. Jyoti Gade: Triumph over Knee Pain

“After years of suffering with deep pain, the total knee replacement surgery feels like a miracle. I’m pain-free and doing things I never thought possible again. If you’re hesitant, don’t be — it’s worth it at Parekshs Hospital because of the best knee replacement surgeons!”

4. Rinda Shah Reviews on Successful Robotic Knee Surgery

“I have a new lease on life because the total knee replacement I got done at Parekhs was quite helpful and my recovery was smoother than I expected. Highly recommended also because the robotic knee replacement cost at Parekhs Hospital is feasible and covered in many insurance schemes!”

Summing up…

So, there you have it! If you’ve been grappling with knee pain and wondering if knee replacement surgery is right for you, remember these 8 signs to watch out for. Don’t let knee discomfort hold you back from enjoying life to the fullest. Our experienced team, cutting-edge technology, and personalized care are here to support you every step of the way. Take the first step towards a pain-free and more active life today by scheduling a consultation with our knee replacement surgeons!

Source: https://parekhshospital.com/blog/signs-total-knee-replacement/

[cottoncandy-sylveon]

Kinda gruesome/ graphic vent post. I’m sorry.

I am sick once a fucking gain. I’m so tired of being sick. Im so tired of being in pain. I’m tired of my lungs and chest hurting. My deformed spine aching. And my teeth rotting out of my fucking mouth. I feel like my body is falling apart and I CAN’T stop it. I don’t have the energy to take care of myself. It feels like torture just to make myself wash my hair every morning. I have thoughts of just snapping my teeth out. Crumbling them in my fingers like chalk. Breaking my stupid legs. Pulling my hair out in handfuls. Ripping myself apart to maybe get some relief. Because it doesn’t matter what I do. I think everything inside of me is just bad and sick and infested and ruined. It doesn’t matter if I get out of this garbage heap, I am infected and will carry it with me. I was doomed from the start and every time I failed to learn my lesson and take care of myself I broke more and more and now I’m hopeless.

I know people see me and think I’m disgusting. No wonder she waddles and pants. She’s a pig. Who cares that I’ve waddled since I learned to walk. Who cares that my legs are twisted and wrong, that my spine can’t straighten. Who cares that I starved myself and cried in my sleep every night while wearing that stupid fucking brace. Just to end up fat and broken and in pain.

Every time I love myself for half a second something happens to rip it away from me. My hands shake. Constantly. Every time I stand my head throbs and pounds till I feel dizzy and nauseous. I can’t handle a walk from my office chair to the bathroom without panting. My feet ache no matter what shoes I wear. I sweat in the dead of winter any time I move. And my stupid face. And arms. All my skin. I sit and gouge even when I know they can see me. Even when I know they see the blood and claw marks.

I want to try. I want to be clean and soft and pretty. I wash myself and moisturize and brush my teeth and wear perfume but I know it makes no difference so why should I do it tomorrow? It won’t fix me. It’s just fake happiness plastered on to try and appease everyone else. Pretending not to be broken so they don’t have to fake compassion and pity for me. They just “know” I do it to myself. That I deserve it for refusing to do things the “right” way like them.

[6mommymilkers9]

If your comfortable with this, how would the four lords react to fem!reader being pregnant?

As soon as I read this, I knew I had to write it! Thanks for the request :)

The Four Lord's With A Pregnant S/O Headcannons

Alcina Dimitrescu

° Alcina is extremely ecstatic. Considering you both...lacked the necessary equipment to have a child of your own, it was planned, so it was nothing but happiness for the Lord and yourself.

° Lady Dimitrescu, having daughters of her own, knew nothing of how to care for an infant or child no more than the size of her calf. Her daughters were born from Cadou; this was something new. She won't say she was nervous, but her eyes told her lies.

° The pregnancy was a very 'on the fence' type. Life in the small village wasn't as boring as everyone thinks, so the constant excitement was a bit of a problem. Thankfully your daughters let their antics subside (The mom look Lady Dimitrescu gave them scared the shit outta them).

° With that, there were maids, of the highest order per Alcina's request, that took care of you. They had helped you walk around when your baby bump grew heavy, making you wobble. As well as with getting up the stairs and such. You never touched a single broom or dusk cleaner during this time.

° Alcina took care of you in the more intimate ways. Putting away her books and drama with Mother Miranda, she gave you her iconic smile as she helped you bathe or rub your back when it was a testing day. She always made sure you wore a face around her.

° Over all, she may be nervous, but absolutely in love with her unborn child, ready to see them any moment to spoil the hell out of them. It's mother instinct you know.

Salvatore Moreau

° Moreau, as soon as he heard the news, was scared AS SHIT! Before his mutations, he was a doctor, the birthing wasn't what bothered him. It was the part of "I'm a dad?"

° Only Mother Miranda knows how he landed you as a partner, but you carrying his child? Oh boy that was something new. Him being insecure, this made it worse, but at the same time made him happier than ever. All he ever wanted was a family, and looks like he was getting it, even if he had the personality of a wet towel.

° He would stalk up on books about parenting and pregnancy to help you at any point he physically or mentally could. Since he is physically disabled from his reactions to the Cadou, he isn't that much of help with walking around or such things of that sort. He is more than happy to help you talk your head off. Even if he can't speak well, he musters the longest conversations he could with you to get things off your mind.

° He gives you tons of offerings and gifts. If you mentioned you liked something, he would get it for you. Though, he found you much preferred to be wrapped in his coat on the large bed you two shared in the mines. He would smile everytime he walks in on you napping in his coat, his pride shows through.

° With his happiness, he worries about his child's conditions. Would they be the same as him? Would they have his same complications? With the little technology he had, he couldn't know the answer and that scared him.

° What he suffers from was preventable, he doesn't want his child to suffer from something they were born with. To him, he saw it as cruel. This ends up with you having to comfort him until you convinced him that whatever happened, your child would be loved the same. Things will be alright.

Donna Beneviento

° Well, it's the same concept with Lady Dimitrescu. It was planned with some help. Now, in contrast to Alcina, Donna had dealt with a small child, bearing her own. Do to an accident, her child passed away, which made her dive into her work as a doll maker.

° She was extremely scared. Not for you, but your baby. Her failure to protect her child in the past projected to her child now. What if she couldn't protect the baby? What would she do in an emergency? In summary, she is a big worrier.

° All the corners in the houses and sharp objects were child protected, and you were only in your first trimester! That's not the worst of it, she was always by your side. It sounds nice, but she was way too clingy. After some talking, she gave you room to breathe.

° As a doll maker, she also had a hobby of knitting clothes, making outfits for your child. They arranged from dinosaurs, to dolls, to even herbs. You watched as she knit and even tried it out for yourself. Let's just say you ended up with a deformed sleeve. You let Donna handle the clothing from then on.

°She is always there to comfort you in any way possible. If she is off for a meeting, she makes sure Angie stays with you to keep you company and help with anything you need. Angie sees you as her mother and treats you as such. She can't wait to see her new sibling.

° When you are in pain, you bet Donna is on her way to make some tea with special herbs to help with it. Her green thumb is something special in that garden of hers. You couldn't thank her enough. Better than a prescription from a doctor anyways.

°She and Angie take great care of you and make sure your needs and wants are met. You have two amazing people..and dolls by your side. Just wait until the little one arrives!

Karl Heisenberg

° He is on the fence about it, really. It's not like he doesn't want the child, but he doesn't have the best parental figures. He doesn't know if he would be a good father or not.

° Over time, he would ease up, listening to your encouraging words about your future family and events. Though he still has moments of doubt when he wanders around the factory to tend to the Soldats that were malfunctioning.

° He ain't soft and he ain't a sissy, but that facade is thrown down the drain when he would curl up behind you to wrap his arms around your baby bump and whisper to his unborn child. He isn't much of a singer, but he hums songs from his childhood against your bump, thinking the baby could hear him.

° Karl absolutely gushes over you and the baby when he can feel a kick. He can sense the strength the little one has already. "Atta champ! Just like your old man." He is going to drag for days to his machines about the strength of his child and how they will grow to be a great leader someday.

° He is overprotective as anyone could think. Especially when Mother Miranda is around. Her, thinking it's her grandchild, decided one day to pay a visit. Karl wouldn't have that, nearly tripping over his own feet to drag her ass to the bottom of hell's tunnel.

° No one is going to mess with you and he makes sure to everyone that is clear. The Soldats don't even try to bother you. In a factory of killing machines, you are the being they are most afraid to even look at. Just wait until your child is born. Those poor machines.

[natstuart]

Sometimes, Nat wondered about all the people she’d left behind. Her friends from high school and college, women she'd bunked with in prison, what they were doing now and if everything in their lives was alright. It wasn’t that she regretted her choice to cast them aside. Memory was a scab she picked at when she wanted to slink back into old alleyways, when she wanted to bleed herself a new, imagined past in which she didn’t run away.

“Don’t worry, I’m a fast driver.” Nat pushed the handgrip all the way down and gunned them forward at what must have been 90 miles per hour. The air stank of hot trash as they sped onward, the reek of rot and burning rubber on the wind that buffeted her nose. It was fucked up to see so many bodies, so much utter aloneness and carnage. All these miles and not a single sign of life.

She screeched the bike to a halt by the parking garage, nearly bucking the two of them off as she only just managed to avoid hitting the curb. Val’s parking pass did surprisingly work to pop up the gate—which meant the system had to have an emergency battery installed—and Nat guided the motorcycle into a parking spot inside. “See? I'm good at this," she said. "Also, it might be a good idea to grab that battery on the way out. With that much charge, it could power a few systems in a pinch.” She pulled her motorcycle helmet off and shook her hair out, her ears alert for signs of danger. Robbing a police station had always been an action item on her bucket list and to be doing it now with no repercussions was kind of awesome. Petty as it was, it felt like sweet revenge for how inhumanely they'd treated her.

A dull thud from inside the station door snapped her out of her thoughts, and Nat drew her sword, her gaze registering three zombies in police uniforms behind the glass. “Do you know these guys?” She asked, raising an eyebrow. “Because they seem kind of excited to see you.” No sooner than the words left her mouth did a cracking sound vibrate through the air. The glass spiderwebbed. Then something lower, monstrous, guttural. A wave of pain from her medication withdrawal shot through her head just as a clawed hand broke through the full-body glass window, and suddenly, a deformed creature was on top of her, its flesh translucent and sticking against her with a thin, mucus-thick film. Jeez, what a time to glitch out.

By all intents and purposes, Nat was probably going to die.

A maniacal laugh trickled out of her throat but it sounded more like a wheeze with the zombie’s weight on her. She’d somehow managed to keep her elbow between the creature and her neck, its jaw dislocated beyond that of a normal human’s as it snapped at her. At the last second, she kicked against the zombie's dripping body with both feet and raised her sword, a set of motions that sent the creature up a foot before it threw itself fully at her, its neck falling onto the sword as if a stake. She used the momentum of the fall to slice its head clean off and jumped back to her feet as the other two monsters set their eyes out for Val.

Natalie seemed intent on her idea of leaving the city and no one had managed to pop her bubble about the logistics of her plan just yet--Maybe because she hadn't actually shared much in the way of logistics for her grand scheme. Val had decided to bite her tongue on the issue, knowing that there was nothing she could say that would convince the younger woman to wait. to breathe. to let the adrenaline of their new world settle into her instead of using the rush like a junkie who was riding the best high of their life.

Truth be told Val was kinda pissed.

Every time she overheard Nat asking about which highways to take for best mileage or which roads would be most congested, Val could only picture her body torn apart by monsters or taken out by a sniper. The entire city was looking for a way out and Natalie thought that somehow she would be the one to slip through the cracks? What pissed off Valerii the most was the utter waste it was. How she was running towards her own death.

So maybe when it came time for Val to make her own supply run, as so many others had been doing the past week, Natalie hadn't been the first companion she'd considered. Valerii had ran through a mental list of potential candidates but none settled as neatly into her plan as Natalie. No one else would fight with that ferocity, that anger. That fuck you i'm going down swinging attitude.

"Just make sure those things don't catch us." It was less of a command and more of a plea. Val put on the helmet and threw up the gate, turning her head to watch it close as the duo began pulling away from the building. She wore her parking pass lanyard around her neck and kept it secure under her leather jacket. The plan was for Natalie to get them to the gate and Val would buzz them in before a crowd gathered.

Being this close to Natalie might've been distracting in other circumstances but currently Val's attention was strictly on not getting eaten. She kept a tight hold of Natalie's waist and tried to keep an eye out for potential dangers. Admittedly the rush of the wind against her felt good, grounding. She gave Natalie's left side a squeeze to remind her of an upcoming turn.

So far Natalie had done a good job navigating the obstacles left for them in the street. Abandoned cars, busses. Bodies. Val didn't want to be a pessimist but she knew their luck would run out sooner or later.