#swing flag really do go swing in the wind

[strawberrynova]

the wind is my greatest enemy what do you mean swing flag

[genoskissors]

Finally done! Thank you everyone for your patience!

Principal Monokuma’s Room Check!

Trigger Happy Havoc Boys

THH Girls Rooms

There are a few notes throughout to explain some things I thought most would not know (like Japanese traditions) or just to clarify things changed in localization.

Naegi-kun’s Room Edition

Sigh. It’s the private room where a high school boy spends his agonizing nights, even so, what’s with this plainness!? Why don’t you have something more shameful or embarrassing!? Naegi-kun, I’m disappointed in you!

Checkpoints: A: It’s the memo pad I prepared. It would be nice if it had Hope’s Peak Academy’s school emblem on it, to give it a rich feeling.

B: This is the key to the room. It has a key holder with the appropriate name on it. It cannot be bought and is very sophisticated, so improper usage is prohibited!

C: It’s a mock sword that was kept on the display shelf. Even though it was only decoration, it was carefully displayed, so an incident happened. Upupupu.

D: I heard that mysterious curly hair grows in boys’ rooms. An adhesive lint roller is useful for frequent cleaning! I’m so attentive! Note: Don't really know what this means, I think it might be referencing Junko's hair.

Ishimaru-kun’s Room Edition

It’s a room filled with study materials and is well organized, just as one would expect from a serious person like Ishimaru-kun’s room. Hmm~ If you spend all your energy on this, you won’t be able to focus on the killing game!

Checkpoints: A: Dictionaries and reference books are the most exciting when lined up neatly on your desk. Huh? Are you using them properly? Hee~...

B: He irons his uniform every day. Also, the armbands as well, so you know he really likes this things.

C: A New Year’s tradition, Kakizome. I suggest ��In early spring, be careful of bears, as they can get ferocious!” Huh? Aren’t you going to start writing?

D: What kind of guy likes to swing around a bamboo sword even though he isn’t part of the kendo club? Do you stand on the ground, put your forehead on it, and spin around to split a watermelon? Note: This is a Japanese game called Suikawari.

Togami-kun’s Room Edition

Genuine rich people tend to seek a more modest sense of luxury rather than those who are nouveau riche. I have no clue how much Togami-kun’s room actually costs. Note: “Nouveau riche” refers to people who become rich themselves and “genuine rich people” refers to people who were born into a rich family, like Byakuya.

Checkpoints: A: It’s a violin or something. Famous ones can be worth billions. That’s more expensive than the famous Chinese medicine, bear bile, which is very pricey, roar! Note: Based on the phrase "violin or something" it's likely a viola. That's just my theory though.

B: There is nothing more difficult than determining the value of a painting. In many cases, collecting these masterpieces is not about appreciating art, but investing in it.

C: Ahaha! A red carpet laid out from the entrance, Togami-kun must be kidding me! That’s what the life of stardom is about!

D: The famous line “I will kill you, without fail!” is what makes Togami’s glasses indispensable! I can’t believe he has 10 of them, that’s quite a thorough preparation!

Oowada-kun’s Room Edition

I believe that biker gangs are a style and a fashion. That’s why it’s necessary for those who call themselves bikers to have an easy-to-understand logo or item that appeals to everyone. Upupu.

Checkpoints: A: These are the big flags put on the back of bikes, aren’t they? I always wonder if they are safe from being blown away by the wind.

B: These are all motorcycle magazines, right? I’m not going to go as far as suggesting philosophy books or economic magazines, but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to open a textbook once in a while?

C: Are you really satisfied with the 5G “ Cypress Stick”? Isn’t the 1500G “Steel Broadsword” the catharsis? Note: I’m pretty sure this is a Dragon Quest reference.

D: This is the colorful banner of Oowada’s gang, “Crazy Diamonds”. Hmm, you���re only really good at difficult kanji.

Kuwata-kun’s Room Edition

Hey, Kuwata-kun, baseball doesn't even have a “ya” character! I know you don't like it, but now that you're at our school, maybe you could try to act like a baseball player, even if it's a front? Note: The Japanese word for baseball, Yakyuu (野球), has a “ya” in it, so I think Monokuma is just saying this to see if Leon will even care enough to react to his statement.

Checkpoints: A: Why do self-proclaimed punk fans like human skulls? A sea bream head has another sea bream inside, right? That's even more favorable! Note: I'm not gonna lie, I have no clue what that second sentence means. I think it relates to the saying “鯛の尾より鰯の頭”, but I still don't know how it correlates.

B: I want CDs and DVDs to come in splendid limited edition packaging, but they don’t fit neatly like this. How troubling.

C: Carrying your guitar case on your back and feeling tired as you walk around town is super cool. There was a time when I thought that way too.

D: In order to stand out and be popular, you need to have vocals. Kuwata-kun's purity is manly in a sense. I would like to hear his beautiful voice. Upupu.

Yamada-kun’s Room Edition

A utopia making the world’s geeks water at the mouth, the pink love nest of Buuko and Yamada-kun. As a despair maniac, I am driven by a desire for a room devoted solely to my hobby. Note: Buuko is Princess Piggles in the localization.

Checkpoints: A: Hey, I’m giving it everything I got to ask this question, is this what Yamada-kun is wearing? Isn’t it self-indulgent to wear it on his 170cm and 155kg body!?

B: “MARTIAL ARTS LADIES”, “This time, I’ll punish you on the mat!”.  I don’t understand why martial arts cosplay makes your heart pound.

C: Some people say these sheets and body pillow are perverted, but the desire for skin contact is neither two-dimensional nor three-dimensional.

D: Three-dimensional objects have a sense of unity because they are equipped with a three-dimensional concept. The shading of light and the convergence of existence are astonishing (The following is omitted). Note: “The following is omitted” is just a way of saying Monokuma kept rambling.

Yasuhiro-kun's Room Edition

Hagakure-kun’s love of fortune-telling is, quite honestly, shady, right? Even though he has all these tools, he still uses intuition to tell fortunes, doesn’t he? So, what in the world are these piles of junk for!?

Checkpoints: A: People with extremely dry skin tend to have a lot of wrinkles on their palms, which makes palm readers cry. It’s hard to even do fortune-telling these days.

B: Fortune-telling cards are great for mysteries and romance. If I sold "Monokuma’s Carefully Made Pure Gold Tarot", maybe I could make a profit. Upupupu.

C: If anything, Hagakure-kun has more of an oriental divination image. When I see tools like this, I want to display them in an alcove or something.

D: Come on! How many times do I have to say this!? When buying fortune-telling goods online, do not cash on delivery! This time, I was the one who paid for it too!

Fujisaki-kun’s Room Edition

Even though he’s the Super High School Level Programmer, Fujisaki-kun actually has a variety of hobbies. That’s good, science... a science student! I want to learn many things from him.

Checkpoints: A: Three monitors and a luxurious-looking executive chair. He looks like a young company president or day trader. A serious side profile would be wonderful!

B: I don’t know what this is, but it looks amazing anyway! It looks like an ancient map or some other geeky item.

C: After people learn how to interact with the romantic hyperspace of the universe, their outlook on life changes drastically. That’s what I thought just now.

D: Tada! There are hand grips on the bed! It makes me tear up to know he was secretly training.

[delusionalmultifandomwriter]

hii, can u do a luke castellan x fem daughter of hypnos where she is a spy for him after he left the camp and they reunite in princess andromeda pls

Thank you so much for your request!

Luke Castellan x fem!hypnos!reader fluff

Requested?: Yes!!

You were one of the firsts that were supposed to join the Titan Army on the Princess Andromeda. Till now, you stayed in the camp as a spy but with you being Luke's girlfriend, the gods kept a close eye on you at all times. It was only a matter of time till your cover would have been blown.

Ethan left a few days prior to you, Chris and Silena were still in the camp, staying behind to supply your army with intel. Tonight was your turn. It was the night after the last capture the flag game and after the campfire everyone fell into bed exhausted.

A while after curfew, you rose from your bed silently. You kept up a slight sleeping aura up around you to keep your cabin mates sleeping. You wore dark blue jeans, sneakers and a black zip-up hoodie. With the hood pulled up and your backpack around your shoulder, you slowly opened the door.

Avoiding any noises you stepped on the grass next to the gravel path. The camp was nearly dark, except for a few cabins that were lit by different coloured torches. The grass was wet under your feet and you put on some gloves.

You let your gaze wander across the camp and checked your sword on your belt. After that, you started to make your way down the path. You snuck around behind the Hephaestus cabin that was glowing in a soft orange light.

Originally, you wanted to take a pegasus to the Princess Andromeda but since you learned that Percy had the ability to talk to horses, you were worried that maybe the other pegasi would snitch to him when they noticed you in the staple.

You snuck by the Apollo cabin since they all had a very deep sleep when the sun dipped below the horizon. Through the window you could see soft fairy lights glowing over the occupied beds. Silently, you made your way past the cabin. The oil lamps were swinging in the wind and mist covered the ocean and the beach.

Percy had put up white cloths to stop the fog from entering his mostly open cabin. The atmosphere hanging over the camp was eerie. You know who's fault this was. Phorcys and Aigaios had pulled up a tight curtain of mist to cover your journey from the god's eyes.

You stumbled down the hill behind Camp Halfblood and reached the street. And finally, there she was. Nemesis was leaning against a tree, smoking a cigarette. Her red leather jacket was open and she looked up at the sky with a disapproving look in her eyes. As she noticed your steps, she put her cigarette out and turned around to you.

"My favorite niece finally made it." She said with a smirk. "Ready?" You nodded eagerly. "Yes. Let's go." She took your hand. "Close your eyes and try to not throw up on me, will ya?"

You swallowed down your nervousness and nodded. "Sure." You mumbled and before you could say another word, the two of you had already disappeared into the shadows.

The shadow travelling did make you feel nauseous and you tried really hard to not ruin Nemesis' jacket. Luckily, your trip only took you a few moments until you ended up on the metal floor of a ship.

The waves were hitting high against the railing and salty wet water splashes were hitting your face. Nemesis helped you up. "Come on, kid. Let's get inside." You followed her stumbeling to the lower deck, fleeing from the grey sky and the wind.

"Welcome on the Princess Andromeda." Nemesis said with a wide smile. "Stairs up through the door is Luke's room. Have fun, be safe." The goddess said smirking before she disappeared into the shadows again.

You rolled your eyes and took a moment to settle back down in your body. After that, you approached Luke's room. You knocked softly on the door and after that opened the door impatiently.

Right as you stepped into the room, you were pulled into a tight embrace. Your gaze met blue soft tshirt cloth.

"Hey, my princess." Luke whispered into your ear. "You finally made it." You nodded and leaned your forehead against Luke's chest. "Finally." Luke smiled widely. He pulled you in a sweet kiss and you wrapped your arms around his neck.

"Did someone saw you?" He asked. You shook your head. "No, everything went smoothly." Luke hugged you even tighter, his hands roaming over your back. You snuck your face under his chin and kissed his pulse point. "Missed you." You mumbled into his skin.

With the nervousness suddenly leaving your body, you sank against Luke. "I'm tired." You whispered. Luke chuckled. "Come on, i made a bed for you." You perked up a little, nesting was always something that could cheer you up.

Luke took your hand and guided you over to a small room with a double bed inside. Luke had arranged a few square pillows around the bed and blankets were drapped over the matress. The bedding all was in dark colours, a lot of purple and midnight blue.

You smiled excitedly and you fell onto the bed. Luke approached you and gently started to take off your gear and your sneakers.

After he was done, he dropped on the bed next to you and you pulled a soft blanket over the two of you. Your hands stroked over the fluffy material. It was just how you liked it and just like the blanket that you stole from Luke when you two first started spending the nights in the same bed.

You were now laying with you, face close to Luke's, laying one of your hands on his cheek lovingly. "I love you so much. You always look out for me." You whispered and leaned in for a soft kiss.

"Everything for my princess." He whispered back against your lips. He wrapped his arms around you tightly and you nuzzled under his chin, being shielded away from the world.

Just Luke and you.

Hopefully it could stay like this.

[firstservepercentage]

USO kit tier list based on my bias

(just the players I normally watch)

WTA:

Tier A+

coco - NB's design and colour choice always makes so much sense. the back side design and the width of the skirt's folds are supre cute 🥺 they actually use their brain when designing kits!

naomi - without the jacket its maybe just so so, but an absolute banger with the jacket on. should be remembered as a historically significant kit for tennis fashion. and the headphones ohmygawd 🥺🥺🥺 who ever think this kit is not cute can fight me

Tier A

maria - whenever she gets a tank top kit she serves hard. nice colour choice and skirt design by addidas (cant believe im saying that) so sad it only existed for 1 set 😭

marta - wilson just going with the 1 dress design that worked well in every slam and its still working well. the skirt's texure looked so nice in the wind

Tier B

dasha & karo - a bit boring but suits their vibes well

qinwen - same. would like some brighter colours but was fine

katie & bibi - the actual best nike WTA kit. lilac looks cute especially under sunlight, but the design is a bit too boring for me

Tier C

elena - colour is cute, she looks like a barbie in pink, but 0 design and 0 sense in the patterning choice. looks like some swim suit my mom would buy me when I was 10

aryna (nigh match version)- how dare they call that a custom kit i can do the same design in 10 mins

Iga - bisexual flag colour but a low saturation version. also points taken off for their kits starting to look like wet tissue 20 mins into a match

Tier D

Mirra & Paula - hate the colour hate the design. nike how dare you put that ugly ass kit on them die and rot in hell

jasmine - (a) its the same north american hard court swing kit asics making 0 effort as usual (b) i do not understand that colour choice like why dull reddish purple with bright orange. what made you think of that

ATP:

Tier A+

daniil- nice colours, nice jacket, nice little design around the chest part, nice shoes. wth lacoste you can actually design???????

Tier A

Adidas people - contrary to their RG series the purple-ish blue the used this time works very well with black & white and minimalist design

Carlos - black sleeveless will never not look nice on him but its still a bit boring. would love to have a bit more special texture, with that it will def be A+

Francis - the only person that got the good nike kit (i.e. the lilac kit) in ATP if im not mistaken

Tier B

lorenzo (musetti) i like guys who wear barbie pink and look proud wearing it

matteo - not super interesting design but colour is cute. also he looks nice in polo shirts

Grigor - standard lacoste design with reasonable colour choice

Tier B-

Jannik- the kit was okay and looked a bit better than i expected. im just still a angry about his 1st set

casper - its actually okay but he kind of looked exactly the same as his opponent so i really had a hard time watching 😭

Tier C

novak - i dont understand the design why so many squares and rectangles sir can you explain. it just makes him look more like a tennis robot with implanted AI

holger (the purple kit) - should have just taken the barbie pink one

ben - same with iga. seriously i would like to know how much ON has paid them to wear those wet tissue kits

Taylor - it looks fine but 0 design, just went for the safest choice

Tier D

Jack - (a) i do not understand the back side design (b) nike how did you make the T shirt look oversized for a 193cm tall and rather muscular athlete wtf

Alex - is that pattern choice meant to make his opponent dizzy by looking at him or something

[vulgrados-best]

OFFSCREEN POST

Happy Birthday, Miguel

// TW Violence, Bullying, Dehumanization

Place: Tagtree Forest Date: September 18, 2024 Time: 5:45 PM

Another race. It had been a little over a week since the last one. Everyone was raring to go.

It wasn't much of a complicated race. In fact it was simple: get your flag at the top of the ridges and manage to get it back to the finish line before anyone else.

It had been a little bit of a hard race, but in the end Miguel pulled a manuever that they hadn't been able to do in a bit. I mean… Kinda hard to do a trick using trees when there's so little trees in Zapapico. It was a lil bit of a dirty trick but it got Miguel the lead.

Miguel managed to hold a solid lead for the rest of the track, and finished first.

As Miguel slid to a stop right past the finish line they let out a whoop of victory. "ANOTHER WIN FOR MIGUEL WOOOOOHOOOO!!!" Along with his trainer, Celcity let out a cry of victory as well.

"Let's wait for the others, huh Cel?" Miguel patted Celcity's neck and dismounted. In return Miguel got a chirr.

So they leaned against their mount, arms crossed, smug grin spread wide.

==

Ramona was the first one to get back and… well…. She was fed up. This smug motherfucker was pushing her limits and she was tired of it. So she was going to teach the prick a lesson. The moment Checkerboard was across the finish line, Ramona dismounted, and marched towards Miguel.

Mig's grin widened, there was even joy singing in their heart. They expected this to go like how winning a race against Maple went. They pushed off of Celcity and approached her in return. "Hey Ram' how's-" Before Miguel could finish, Ramona swung her fist directly into the Miguel's face, clocking their nose.

The swing caused Miguel to stumble back the few steps they had just taken. A sharp pain shooting through their nose. "HEY WHAT THE FUCK!?" Before Miguel could get another word in Ramona grabbed them by the shirt collar and got up in their face. "You think you're fucking better than us, huh!?"

Celcity rose up onto his hind legs and growled, threatening for Ramona to back off. He was not fond of anyone other than Maple laying his hands on Miguel… but he wasn't going to interfere with a fight between humans unless their trainer gave the go ahead.

Blood trickled from Miguel's nose. "What!? No-" Miguel's leg buckled instinctually as a sharp pain ran through it. As they go down they catch sight of Crescendo and Rafael a couple meters behind Ramona with stones floating around him. Stone edge… fuck.

Behind them Miguel can hear Celcity dart towards Crescendo. A fight is bound to ensue.

Of course the yanking and manhandling isn't done as Ramona grabs Miguel's face and holds them up just a bit. "You're much better down there, cheating bitch." Her words are hissed out with a venom.

Miguel growls and tries to bite at Ramona's hand, not wanting to just be thrown around without at least fighting back. Its as they attempt this they feel an arm wrap around their throat and pull them back and up.

"Don't go biting my sister, stupid mutt." Alvaro's voice is low in their ear, laced with threat. "DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Miguel tries to kick at his shins but their legs aren't in a position to do any damage, so they're left clawing at Alvaro's arms as he squeezes tighter.

"We only let you join us to be our little packmule, our gullible Lillipup who'd go fetch for us." Alvaro growled out, holding Miguel against them as his sister went in for a punch to the gut. He finally let Miguel go so they could fully drop to the ground, wind knocked out of them.

As Miguel's knees hit the ground they can feel the stones in their leg dig in deeper. Man that hurts like hell.

Footsteps crunch the dirt and leaves in front of them. A figure crouches down… it's Edwardo.

"Y'know, kid." Edwardo looks Miguel up and down. "You really should have known your place and kept to it. Would have made things less messy."

Scene fade to black

[d3vilishd00dles]

Why aren't there more wind related things in Mondstadt? since they're so proud of the wind I'm talking:

sayings like "the sky's the limit", "keep your head in the clouds", "easy breezy", " this will/it'll be a breeze", and " blown away" are used a lot. there's prob more tho

wind festivals, carnivals, there's even a designated Anemo Day

main event is Anemo Fest, celebration of the wind

kite building and racing contests

sailing races

aircraft building and racing contests

FLOATING LANTERNSSS

toy sail boat building and racing contests

ribbon and flag dancing shows and contests galore

specialty drinks and foods that make you feel "lighter than air" some actually make you float/fly

bubbles and balloons everywhere

that one scene in Trials of Morrigan Crow where they all stepped off the roof and floated down on giant umbrellas? that's how they kick off Anemo Fest

i mean people save money all year buy, commission, or make their own umbrellas and they all have different designs and people dedicate stores and booths to them

being a kite designer or umbrella designer is an actual job that pays well

the flight industry should be Certified BOOMIN'

hot air balloons, blimps, Da Vinci style flying machines, propellers

like sky steampunk type vibes for the whole city

the fashion too. puffed sleeves, puffy pants, ruffles and garments that look airy

blowing on things is a good luck charm

mindful breathing is very important 'cause your putting wind in your body

birds, flying fish, and other animals of the wind are protected and very sacred. considered to be "blessed by Anemo".

clouds, bubbles, feathers, and other airy things are prominent symbols of Mondstadt

trampolines and swing sets are considered great toys for kids because of the "feeling of flying"

that thing parents do, the arm swing where they have the kid in the middle and just swing 'em while walking? there's an old wives tales saying it's good luck from Anemo

flapping your arms and hands, sticking your head out the window when going really fast, jumping, they're all good luck movements

@philosophykitten Mondstadt is known for wine and poetry, huh?

wine tastings

poetry events

bookstores and libraries galore

vineyards everywhere, Mondstadt wine has a higher fizz 'cause bubbles=air

this is by no means a complete list please feel free to add on I would love it

[ten-shi-fandoms]

"Nevermind, everything will be fine, just go to sleep."

_______________________________________

Cw: Bachira x Reader, Yandere/Possessive Reader, Reader is manipulative, unhealthy relationship, slight derealization, Reader drugs Bachira, Gender netural reader, false senses of security, all characters are aged up, preestablished relationship

Tw: possessive behavior, blood, knives, unhealthy relationships, derealization, mental confusion, drugging

___________________________________

Bachira Meguru was a man of many things.

The man with a monster, the dancing boy.

Bachira Meguru was quite a few things.

But one thing Bachira was not, was stupid.

Bachira Meguru wasn't stupid, by no stretch of the imagination.

He saw the red flags, he saw them clearly and yet he couldn't bring himself to leave you.

Maybe it was the way your eyes sparkled when he rambled about something he likes, or how you always had this adorable smile when you caught him doodling (awfully) you.

But he couldn't deny that he saw it all.

The dark looks you gave his fans when ghey got just a bitto close, the irritated smile you held when he hung out with his friends, the small curses you let out when he has to leave for big football(soccer) matches.

They were small, little things. Little things no one would notice if they didn't pay attention. But he always paid attention to you, maybe thats why he noticed it.

Bachira hummed softly, his legs swinging a little as he stared absentminded at the falling snow. You two were on a date, and you insisted on getting hot chocolate for the both of you so he sat outside on a bench waiting for you.

The cold wind stuck to his face, the cold bitting at the insides of his throat, and the tips of his fingers.

His scarf was pulled up snuggly under his neck courtesy of you, his sleeves pulled as far down his hands as it could be, his nose and cheeks a soft red from the crisp, cold wind. He felt uneasy, something didn't feel right but he couldn't figure out what it was.

Before he could think to much about it, a woman walked over to him. She was tall, just a bit taller than him. Her hair was pulled back, her glossy red lips shined under the sunlight, her trench coat covering all but her legs. She was pretty, but what did she want with him?

"Hello there." Bachira tilted his head a little, unsure whether or not to speak to the woman who had popped up unannounced.

A smile crossed Bachira's face, as he stared at the woman deciding it would be rude not to speak.

"Hi there ma'am! Do you need something?"

The woman opened her mouth to speak once more but Bachira caught sight of your figure walking out of a small café, two cups in hand, an unamused expression over your features as you took in the woman infront of him.

He wanted to tell her to leave, he wanted to tell this woman to run as far as she possibly could away from him, but his words were caught in his throat.

Did he really want this woman to run?

She was kind sure, and she had only said hello. She didn't nothing wrong.

So why did he want her to face whatever consequences you had planned for her?

Why did he want to see what kind of plot you planned for this unsuspecting woman?

You stopped behind her, the cups in your hands threatening to break by how violently you were holding and shaking them.

"There a problem here ma'am?"

Your voice was as cold as the wind biting at his lungs, he had to supress a shiver. The woman turned quickly at the sound of your voice a sheepish smile on her face as she stared at your form.

"Oh no, I was just going to ask this man for his number.'' Bachira saw it, the small twitch of your eye as you stared at the woman a tight smile making it's way on your face.

That smile was dangerous, it was one of the smiles that reeked of danger and ill intent.

Bachira stood up, his cold hands making their way around your wrist tugging on your wrist. "Darling can we go now? I wanna drink my hot chocolate before I freeze!"

The woman blinked, her eyes widening when she understood the situation. She bowed quickly, her head hung low.

"I am so sorry! I didn't know he was waiting for you!" the smile on your face stayed somehow seeming to grow tighter.

"It's alright ma'am. Anyways we'll be on our way." Bachira stared at you, a smile on his face yet he was a bit uneasy.

Why were you smiling like that?

What's going through your head?

The woman nodded, quickly running off leaving you and Bachira alone.

"Let's go." your voice was thick with a emotion he couldn't figure out, but he wouldn't get the chance to figure it out as you begun walking making Bachira speed up to walk next to you.

The walk was quiet, aside from you handing over his cup of hot chocolate. The heat of cup warmed his cold hands, the liquid warming the deep parts of his heart.

The liquid calmed him. It calmed down the unease, it helped him relax.

So why was he feeling sleepy?

The moment he stepped into your shared apartment he collapse, everything was spinning, his vision was going blurry. As his eyes begun to close he saw you begin to smile.

It wasn't a worried smile, or a cheeky one it was a sinister one. One completely laced with ill will.

______________________________________

The world spun as Bachira leaned his head to the side. It felt like he wasn't in his own body. Like he was there but he wasn't. It felt odd but in a good way. It was almost a daze like state.

He looked around a bit, his body to heavy to move. After a moment of searching his eyes landed on the onky familiar thing in the room. You.

You were bent down over a table, playing away with something shiny, he went to reach out towards you only to find he had been handcuffed.

Your head perked up at the sound of the handcuffs move, turning to look at him the same smile from earlier laid on your face.

"Good evening sweetie, did you sleep well? I bet you did."

Bachira blinked slowly, his mind was fuzzy, he wasn't there at least not mentally. Your smile softened most likely due to his confused state, as you stood up straight walking over to him, it was only then did he see what you held in your hand.

It was a knife.

It was the pretty, blue handle knife he had bought you after your first date. The small, hand painted dolphins still littered around the handle.

Bending down in front of him, you smiled more noticing his dazy focus was placed onto the knife.

"What is it sweetie? Are you wondering why I have this?" he nodded absentmindedly, his only focus being the knife. You chuckled softly twirling the knife between your fingers, Bachira's eyes watching as intently as he could at each movement of your fingers.

Suddenly you gripped the knife stabbing it into his thigh. The pain was red hot, it burned. It hurt so bad. But Bachira couldn't find himself caring. The pain almost seemed foreign, his mind not registering the pain at all.

You pulled the knife out of his thigh, pointing the blood stained blade at him quickly, effectively splattering some of the blood across him face.

"If I catch you talking to anyone I don't like, I'll kill them. Do you understand me Meguru?"

His name slipped past your lips like velvet, it was so sweet that he nodded his head to caught up in the sound of your voice to register the words you had spoke.

A kind smile replaced your sinister as you leaned in placing a soft peck against his nose, smudging the blood on his face to your lips.

"Good, I'll be back later. Oh and one more thing."

Bachira glanced at you, his expression a mix of daze and drowsiness. You paused, shaking your head a bit.

"Nevermind. Everything will be fine, just go to sleep."

Bachira hummed a bit, acknowledging what you said as he leaned back against what seemed similar to a couch, his eyes closing drowsiness quickly covering him as it chased him into sleep.

You stared at him. The blood from his wound still splattered and smudged against his face, the knife sized hole in his thigh, the peaceful sleeping expression he held, all you could do was smile.

He looked lovely like this.

This is why you would protect him.

The world didn't deserve Bachira Meguru.

That's why they won't take him from you.

That's why Bachira is yours and yours only.

You will keep him safe.

[yoitsjay]

Death Clash (finale)

Pairings: Hunter x gn! Reader

Sunmary: the battle is finally over, and you can live your life with him by your side

Warnings: cannon violence, piercing injury, death, fluff

Word count: 1,645

The waters were calm and the wind was blowing in the direction you needed to go. Anchors had been lifted and your ship was sailing in front, while the ten other pirate ships sailed to your sides or behind you. You had a loose plan, surround the red death and wait for your signal to start firing. They didn’t know what you’d do before then, and you weren't even really sure what you were going to do when you got to him…

but at the end of this battle he would be dead, and you would have your heart back, and intact. That wretched witch's curse will be broken and you will be freed.

It took two days total to sail to the area you had last seen and heard of The Red death. you would have assumed the ship to have moved obviously, but you could at least pick up a trail and figure out where the ship would have sailed off too.

Hunter was there every step of the way, helping you track and find things that you definitely would have missed. And every time he found something, you'd smile and kiss him on the cheek despite the burn on your chest, and you’d continue on.

A few more days, and you could tell you were getting close to The Red Death, with the smell of blood lingering in the air, death and decay and body parts floating in the waters. It was a beautiful sunny day, but you could taste the oncoming storm… the storm of battle, and a thunderstorm.

And you were right.

As you caught the tail end of the Red Death it had started raining, getting heavier and heavier the closer you got to that dreaded ship.

“Hoist the colors!” You shouted, your order being carried off to the other ships surrounding you, and you watched as each ship hoisted their different colors. And finally you raised your ship's colors. You watched as The Red Death slowed its course, having spotted you and the fleet of ships behind you. “Start the surrounding maneuver!” You ordered, splitting off from the other ships, pulling up beside the red Death, sharing right into the Captain's eyes, spotting a white flag being raised above the ship. “Parley!” One of the crew shouted.

You frowned, but nodded to your men. “You heard them! parley!” You shouted, waiting until all the ships had stopped and surrounded the Red Death. No escape for them. “Ready the cannons!” Phee shouted as you grabbed a hold of a rope, preparing to swing over.

However Hunter quickly grabbed your wrist, pulling you into his arms as he kissed you passionately. A surprised yelp left your lips, but you quickly melted into his embrace before pulling away. “Take a dingy.” You breathed out, nodding your head towards the smaller ship which you assumed was Hunter’s Marauder. “Take control of the ship stealthily, and prepare to back me if I need it. But don’t sink The Red Death.” You ordered, and Hunter nodded, squeezing your hand.

“Be safe, please.” He muttered. You nodded your head, kissing his lips one more time before you swung over to The Red Death, looking around as you waited for Captain Red to step out.

When he did. you glared, and tightened your grip on the handle of your sword, watching the man cautiously. “Captain Y/n, of Death's call.” The older pirate drawled out, circling you before stopping in front of you. “You have us surrounded… impressive little fleet, how’d you convince this many pirates to join up against me?” He asked, studying your expression which had remained neutral.

“Gamshire’s deed.” You answered nonchalantly, hiding a smirk when Captain Red’s eyes widened upon hearing your answer. “Interesting… and did it burn away when used?” He asked, and you simply nodded. “It did… now i only have one request for you Captain.” You started, and you slowly drew your sword. “I challenge you to a duel. To the death. Winner gets the loser's ship and crew.” You set out the rules, staring right into the man's eyes.

Captain Red smirked, and nodded. “I agree to those terms.” He stated, before shouting at his crew. “Create the circle!” He ordered, looking back at you. “Only swords?” He asked, and you nodded, unclipping your gun from your belt, setting it down on the railing in front of the ship's wheel. Captain Red did the same and led you to the circle that had been hastily created in the middle of the ship.

Pirates from every ship in the surrounding area were cheering for you, minus the pirates on The Red Death, they were encouraging their captain, for obvious reasons. You looked over at your sister, who nodded to you, albeit concerned. You sighed, and looked at Captain red.

You and Captain Red began circling each other, blades drawn as you watched, waited and calculated your first moves. Taking an opportune moment, or at least that’s what Red believed he did, he charged towards you with swift strikes. You used your smaller frame to your advantages, and dodged or parried each swipe he took at you. You didn’t strike at him for several minutes until one of your parries managed to knock him off balance.

You made your first strike out of several, dropping to your knees as you spun on the deck of his ship, slicing your sword against his leg before popping up behind him, sending a strong kick into his back before you swung your sword against his arm, hoping to disarm him or maybe remove his hand entirely.

You had managed to nick a portion of his hand, but he was quick to recover and he struck at you again. You parried, and took a few steps back, sensing a pattern in his otherwise reckless and heavy attacks.

Captain Red was skilled, you gave him that much, but as you dodged, parried then striked, you noticed an opening within his swings. But just as you found his weakness, Captain red seemed to find yours as you went to strike each other, your blade piercing his heart just as he pierced your stomach.

You yelped, and gritted your teeth as Red let go of his sword, blood leaking from his lips as it filled his mouth. You watched as life left his eyes and he fell to the ground, the sword slipping from his heart, and then from your hands as you also fell to your knees, putting pressure around the wound. Phee swung from your ship to this one, running to your side with fabric to press into the wound, holding you against her as she examined the placement in the sword. It wasn’t lethal, but if she wasn’t careful you could bleed out.

You stared up at her, offering a weak little smile. “Hello Captain.” You grunted, naming Phee in your place, just in case. “Oh Y/n, you fool.” She muttered, and called for Tech and Echo, who already had medical supplies and had swung over to help. The crew of Captain Red just stood, and watched, not totally sure of what to do.

Tech and Echo managed to stabilize your wound before pulling the sword out, packing it to prevent you from bleeding out. At this point, Hunter had swung around from his ship, landing in front of you with wide eyes.

“Y/n! are they okay?” He frantically asked Tech, who nodded. “They will be, with some rest. They have named Phee Captain… so the battle is over.” Tech explained, and Hunter took his place beside you, cupping your cheek in his hands. You grinned at him, and reached up to your shirt, pulling it to the side to show that the burn scar was gone. Your curse was lifted.

Hunter sighed in relief, pressing a kiss to your head before gently picking you up. He brought you back to your ship, bringing you to your room so you could get that rest while Phee delt with the rest. The other pirates who had come as backup had all now made their way back to pirates cove, or wherever else they wanted to go.

But Hunter had stayed by your side while you healed, and you were so grateful to him and Your sister who worried about The Red Death while one of your trusted crew followed behind, and the Marauder was being sailed by Tech, who was also close behind until an island was reached. Yours, phee’s and Hunters ship’s had all been docked, and you were able to walk around now, with minimal support. But Hunter wanted you to see a doctor just in case, so he came with you.

The doctor cleared you, and said you had healed nicely and to just take it easy so you did. And as you and Hunter walked along the beach back to your ships, you had tugged on his arm and paused, staring at him intently. “What is it?” He asked softly, moving closer to you as he pulled you into his arms.

You sighed happily, before speaking up. “I want to stay with you… join you on the Marauder. Phee can have both ships, and start her own little fleet if she wanted to, but there’s this island, Pabu… Phee and I have a mutual friend there… and I think- I think I want to settle down.” You explained softly, pressing your face into his chest.

Hunter’s heart rate picked up, and he didn’t say anything for a few moments before he nodded, smiling down at you. “I would love that…”

So, you settled down. Of course the pirate in you never left, and you and Hunter would treasure hunt every so often… But you had a home in Pabu, a family.

And you’d defend it till your dying breath.

➺

Tag list:

Hunter tag:

All:

@moomoog017

[get-your-fuckin-star-bitch]

Sorry, just need to drop this cause I dunno where to put it

Mary Keay would have still talked to Gertrude that final time

Gertrude reluctant to send Michael out into the field after failed twisting, he doesn’t know why (and neither do I, at least not for sure). She puts him in charge of filing and keeps him as far away as possible from Emma.

Emma still gets incinerated (yippee!!!!!!!)

After Emma’s incineration, Gertrude initially refuses to get a new assistant, but Michael tries to help out anyway (after giving her time to “grieve” of course cause he’s convinced himself it wasn’t somehow Gertrude who got Emma killed) (he’s still worried that it might have been she, though, in the back of his mind somewhere…). Eventually, everyone’s just taken to regarding him as the “unofficial archival assistant”.

Martin??????????????????? Martin become assistant?????????????? But to WHOM!!!!!!!!!

Gerry!!!!! But also Gerry :(

Michael gets to bond a lot more with the rest of the archival staff while Gertrude’s out on long trips with Gerry, cause usually he would basically be fretting over her almost 24/7…

For some reason doesn’t meet much with Martin, though. (/Gen dunno why, I just felt it) Maybe they’re just… never in the same room as each other, somehow… by some freak swing of “fate”. (Unsure if “fate” as in “Elias Buttshard” or as in “web”…)

Burns a Leitner at one point!!!!! With Gerry!!!!!!!!! :D (Yeah, it was that one Gerry brought into the archive :D)

GOD HE’D HAVE TO BE AT THE FUNERAL FOR GERRY TOO D: wouldn’t have known each other all that well (sorry gerrymichael shippers, I genuinely love the ship I promise, apparently the web says no 😔)

(WAIT HOLD ON HOLD ON POSSIBLE FALSE ALARM??????????)

((THIS TURNED INTO A THING™️, I’LL PREFACE AND THEN YOU CAN READ FURTHER UNDER THE CUT-))

Witnesses The binding of Gerry to the End book……… which. Shakes him up SO fucking bad and starts to fracture the image he has of Gertrude…. Passes it off as just her grieving in a weird way and tells himself not to be too judgemental (buddy you absolutely get to be judgemental she cut skin off of the corpse of a dead guy who was supposedly close to her, that’s such a big red flag???)

However, morbid curiosity gets the best of him, (plus he just REALLY wants to make ABSOLUTELY sure that he DIDN’T see what he thought he saw), and he somehow gets ahold of the creepy book Gertrude had been holding when she was at his grave.

Does a bit of reading, and BAM. Gerry, looking confused, RIGHT there in front of him. Cue Michael freaking out and nearly having a heart attack. (/semi-goofy)

BIG conversation that gets interrupted because Gertrude came back? (Are they in her apartment???? What’s going on???????) Michael tries to get the page out of the book but runs out of time and has to basically leap out the window-

Needless to say, he left marks on the page in the attempt, and could hear Gertrude sounding very concerned about this as he sat outside on the fire escape and tried very hard not to make any noise or move too much-

Second most awful and terrifying experience of his life- had to wait outside for her to go to bed, tried to get down to the pavement without making noise and alerting her, failed to do so, ended up barely getting out without being caught or recognized-

Next day at the institute — Gertrude seems slightly on edge, meanwhile Michael is NOT doing as good a job of hiding the fact that something is wrong with him. Doesn’t help that it feels like Elias’s eyes are somehow always on him whenever he looks up from whatever work he’s doing…

At some point, Gertrude calls Michael into her office, and he is trying so hard not to make it obvious that he’s freaking out- she just wanted to know if he was doing okay. He didn’t even get a chance to stammer out an explanation, she just gently suggested that he should probably take a day off from work… “a funeral is a lot to handle… and work can wait.”

Needless to say, he doesn’t wind up getting a break, his brain won’t let him. He ends up going onto his personal computer and trying to get details on some of the dealings of the institute, hoping to maybe be able to piece something together.

There is… a knock on the door, a few hours into his search spiral. He opens it to find two men standing there in postal-service attire, holding a package. For him, apparently, though he, 1) hadn’t ordered anything, 2) wasn’t going to be having his birthday for another two months, and, 3) CERTAINLY hadn’t been expecting anything.

…It’s a book.

Hearty-looking, leather-bound cover. Interesting, complicated spiraling patterns curling up and down the spine, some of which branch off and curl over parts of the front and back cover. It’s hard to keep from tracing a finger along the path of the intricate patterns.

It is also very difficult for him to resist the urge to throw this thing out of the window.

It feels familiar. But not in the sense that a item of nostalgic value is familiar. There is no heartwarming sense of comfort coming from this book. Its cover does not evoke memories of family gatherings around a fire, or whatever one might think of… it is the memory of crying and pleading for someone to come help, for a friend’s screeching screams to stop and for everything to once more be okay again, knowing full well they never can be, never will be, and it is hungry. It is him it is hungry for. It has ripped the essence of his friend apart, and now… now it would do the same to him. Now it wants to eat him, too.

He chucks the book at the floor and screams at the top of his lungs until the neighbors come running to see what on earth could be going on in the only flat that was ever completely calm.

He’s taken to the hospital, but they release him after only a day. He doesn’t have any symptoms of any disorders relating to hallucinations, but they recommend him a therapist, and that is that.

He returns to his home nearing the evening, ignoring the book on the floor, and how he knows that he can hear it shifting across the fake wood whenever his eyes aren’t on it.

Naturally, that night’s dreams are strange. Full of twisting hallways and wrong doors, those awful spiraling patterns permeating the whole of it and laughing as they swallow him whole.

And so the next day, he takes a kitchen knife and tries to stick it into the cover of the book.

The door on the cover — which he hadn’t noticed on the cover before — swung open and snatched the utensil out of his hand, like a mouth opening to eat a piece of food he’d dangled in front of it. The thing nearly took his whole hand with it, too, but he startled, and pulled it out of the way just before the yellow wood could slam on his fingers.

It took a great deal of back-and-forth with himself before he finally phoned Gertrude, who showed up less than thirty minutes later, clearly trying to hide a grave expression under one of complete calm, as she usually did in these situations.

He hadn’t told her about Gerry. He didn’t think he wanted to. He’d started to remember things he’d shoved into the back of his memory in the past, things he’d chalked up to him “just being nosy” or “just jumping to conclusions” or “just” anything but what he now knew it had probably really been.

And that included Emma Harvey.

He didn’t even realize he had been staring at her with an expression of poorly-veiled distress and fear, until she told him so, at which point he hastily excused himself to go make a cup of tea for her.

She asks him about the book, where it came from, and he keeps being very hesitant about giving her the exact information, but he gets it out eventually, telling her about the two strange men and how the book had felt in his hands. He leaves out the part about the hospital, but he isn’t quite sure why… perhaps he’s just not eager to tell her where he might be found on Tuesday afternoons and give her a chance to come in and set his therapist’s office on fire.

She seems more concerned about him having touched the thing at all than she does about the two deliverymen, and looks very grave when he describes the knife being swallowed by the strange door on the book — which, as he can now see, is no longer anywhere to be seen on the cover.

She instructs him to hold up his hands, and he does so. Her eyes lock on his left, the one he’d tried to stick the knife in with, and she takes in a breath, a signal he knows to mean trouble. Very, very bad trouble. And as his eyes follow her gaze, tracing up his arm to the hand he’d just barely managed to pull out of the book-door’s gaping “maw”, his face drains of color as he sees why she had been staring.

It’s a good while of screaming, shouted reassurances, and a bit of scuffling before the old woman is able to calm him down from the sight of his stretched, strangely warped fingers.

Her voice doesn’t seem as reassuring to him as it had used to. And he can only stare across the apartment at the book, which still lies in the spot on the floor it’s been sitting in since that morning.

[inventors-fair]

Two-Faced Runners-up of the Halloween 2023 contest! ~

Congrats to @horsecrash, @real-aspen-hours, and @snugz as our runners-up for this week!

@horsecrash — Morphic Trickster

I'll be honest: there were two faerie-oriented cards in this pool, and I knew that one of them was gonna get up there and one of them was gonna also be praised, and I just think it's funny that we had two faerie transformation cards. Not surprised, but—well, to be honest, a little surprised. Let's take a look at this aspect! It's certainly a little more mean-spirited, but there's nothing wrong with some jerk faeries. The flavor text is spot-on for sure, and wow, Insects? That's a great choice.

The multikicker and the ability that comes from it is a great choice to really sink mana late-game or just make one problem creature a little pest, OR to give yourself some extra aerial advantage later when you gotta swing for it. The multikicker wording seemed odd at first but you used the right wording for that. With the changing part of it, Eccentric Apprentice says you can drop the "gain" off that ability. I think overall this is a fun, versatile card that plays into some mischievous aspects of its color/type that aren't super easy to capture. Unlike Steve, the Recently-TF'd Insect.

@real-aspen-hours — Amoeboid Gift

There are two main wording tweaks for this card. Firstly, I would make this an "as it enters" rather than "when," although I couldn't tell you precisely why. I suppose just for reaction's sake. Secondly, Arachnoform tells us that Embrace can be worded: "Enchanted creature gets +3/+3, has trample, and is every creature type." And also Reject should have "loses all creature types" after but whatever—those are some weird ones. The concept: solid. The card: really strong in limited and would probably be a bulk rare. The feeling: genuinely horrific.

I know that you wanted this to have the creature lose all abilities, and you know what, that would've made it a much stronger rare, but I want to focus on the strengths of this card. Besides being a slammin' good time for combat tricks and aggro Simic strategies, you nailed the art description and nailed something I wouldn't have thought about this card otherwise. I would've said that this was more of an actual-Simic card without knowing the thoughtless annexation of the amoeboid in question. I can see the gunk-drowned scream frozen on the soldier's face beneath the translucent body that is soon to become their body forever. It's grotesque and, like you said, deeply unsettling. Great show of transformation's complexities on a solid body of a card!

@snugz — Brazen Banner

Doesn't it feel good to go back to basics? This card's a pain in the butt and thank goodness it's not common. These days, you never know, but still. I think this card shows a little historicity and a return to Magic without being nostalgia-bait or pandering. Flagbearing is a pretty complex pseudo-mechanic as it stands. You gotta start somewhere, though, and the target is right there. The ability to block stuff implying that this thing sits back and takes the hits is kind of sad for it, actually. I feel bad for a creature that doesn't even exist yet.

And I would've liked to see more flavor here, honestly. Not necessarily flavor text, but: where do you imagine this card taking place? What do you see happening to this determined soldier? Are they proud to carry the banner? Does the banner stand unfurling in the wind? To be honest, I thought about the Tarkir banners, and a young warrior with their hands gripped around a pole so ancient that the wood is indented with other finger-marks of generations past. But it could be a makeshift rebel flag just as much, a hooligan's mark running through the city. What's it to you? What's the line between nobility and novelty? I'd like more of that—from every card that ever gets submitted, for sure, but here especially where the resonance feels just on the cusp.

Commentary's a-comin'! @abelzumi

[tigers-eyes-26]

They First Met

Mario and Luigi had found a golf book in Peach’s library. They were never rich enough to play golf for themselves on Earth. It would be fun to try it out themselves and introduce the sport to this new world. They had given some Moles money and helped to design a course in a grassy field far behind Peach’s castle.  Mario had just returned from saving Daisy from Tatanga. Daisy was feeling overwhelmed assessing the damage in her empire. Peach had invited her over to learn the new sport which Daisy jumped at the opportunity.  Mario won the rock, paper, scissor game he went first. Of course, Peach opted to be with Mario, which left Luigi and Daisy.

“D-do you w-want me to explain how it all works or just watch or….” Luigi stuttered.

He didn’t look like he was good at talking so she chose the latter. Luigi muttered to himself the book instructions as he got himself set up. He took some practice swings and readjusted his grip. Daisy stood a way back. She was there to learn and get her mind off what awaited her back home. She saw how he was so focused, how he rotated his shoulders and hips with the swings. He pursed his lips and his eyebrows scrunched. After he felt he was prepared he shuffled up to the tee with the ball on it. The ball was blue with white stars just like his sweater he was wearing. THWACK! The ball whistled through the air. Daisy had been quietly observing but couldn’t help herself from commenting. “WOAH!” she jogged up to Luigi. He was looking intently at his shot. His mouth turned down. “Why the sour face? You smacked that ball sooo far!!!”

Luigi lapsed back into his awkward state. He dug the toe of his boots in the grass. “I F-forgot to think about the wind….”

“Oh,” She looked out at the flag it was blowing to the right. “Here let me try.”  She dug into the golf bag and found a plain white ball. She copied what Luigi had done, she tested out a few practice swings. Then shuffled up to the ball. THWACK! Her ball had landed left of Luigi’s and closer to the hole. She turned to beam at Luigi. His mouth was open in shock. She sashayed back to him.

“H-How…?”

She put a hand on his shoulder. “You’re a really good teacher.” I

He blushed at the compliment but didn’t agree. They continued on playing. Daisy was good at the long shots but getting closer and reining in her power was harder. Luigi was good at all of the game, but his lack of confidence hindered him. Mario was a good aim but putting got on his nerves. Peach was having a hard time getting the ball far at the start. In the end Mario won but by a sliver, Luigi came in second, Daisy was third and Peach graciously lost.

They walked on the dirt road back to Peach’s castle. The Boys carried the golf bags talking animatedly in Italian. Daisy and Peach watched them trying to figure out what they were talking about.

The boy stopped suddenly and dropped the bags. Luigi glared at a mischievous Mario.

Luigi flicked his brother’s nose. Mario reached up and batted Luigi’s hat over his eyes. He brushed the hat back up and went to flick his brother’s ear. His hand was caught and held away. No mater Luigi had another hand. This one was captured as well. Fine. Luigi gripped his brother’s wrists and dropped to the ground taking his brother with him.

They ended up trying to bat their hands away from each other and trying to smush each other’s faces in the dirt.

Peach brought her hands to her mouth confused at the fight. Daisy cheered them on. “Whhhhoooo!” She started to chant “Go go go!”

A yellow toad was walking along the road stopped to see what was going on. Daisy tried to get Peach to join her but noticed the distraught look on her friend’s face. “Aaaauuuugggh, Fine.” Daisy lifted the yellow toad up to her face. “I need you to break this up.” She tossed the toad at the two. The toad hit Luigi who was currently on top shoving his brothers face into the dirt. Luigi lost his balance with the toad’s weight. Mario hopped up quickly, Luigi followed. They locked their hands and tried to twist each other off balance. The toad walked up in between the brothers, he jumped up and grabbed their shirt collars. The two brothers where launched forward smacking each other’s foreheads.

“Owie….” They sat on the ground rubbing their heads.

The Toad raised his hands in triumph. “Haha ha!”

“The winner!” Daisy declared joyfully.

The brothers looked at each other, then at the toad. The toad sensing the shift, frowned and dropped his arms. “Uh oh!” He ran.

The boys gave chase, Luigi with his long legs caught up first. He snatched the toad off the ground. Mario caught up and started to tickle/punish the toad.

Giggles rang out. The toad pleaded for mercy. Daisy laughed at the shenanigans.

Peach stomped up to Mario, with a playful smile. She dramatically pushed Mario off. Mario returned the action by slowly falling to the ground. “I’ll save you!” Peach declared as she lifted the toad out of Luigi’s grasp. She set the toad on the ground and patted his head. “Good job at getting them to stop fighting.” She whispered to the toad. Daisy took a coin and flipped it to the toad with a wink. Satisfied with his job the toad jauntily walked off with his new coin.

Luigi helped Mario up off the dirt. Daisy skipped over to them. “What were you guys fighting about!?”

Luigi looked down to hide his angry face and kicked at the dirt.

“Oh, I was just telling Luigi here,” Mario finished dusting his pants off to sling his arm around his brother’s shoulders. Luigi gave him a side eye. “That he could have won the game….” Mario grinned at Luigi’s annoyed face and quickly added. “If-a-certain-princess-wasn’t-around-to-distract-him.”

Luigi shoved Mario hard away from him. “Cretino!” Mario just giggled.

Daisy smirked then shifted to serious face. “Mario! Did you set up your brother to lose!” She pointed an accusatory finger at his big nose.

Mario stopped giggling and raised his hands in surrender. “N-now, Princ- “

She cut him off, “You paired me up with Luigi so he would be nervous trying to teach a new person he doesn’t know!” Daisy pressed him farther.

Mario started to back away from Daisy. “Princess,” he tried to defend.

“You cheated!” This time she did poke Mario in the nose.

Mario was so flabbergasted at being accused of cheating he started to bumble sounds out.

Luigi snickered at his brother’s misfortune.

Peach laid a hand on Daisy’s arm lowering it from Mario’s face. Daisy glanced at her waiting what the regal pink princess would say. “I must confess, Mario did tell me he knew is brother would be nervous.” Peach smiled at Daisy.

Daisy grinned wide. “SEE! CHEATER!” She threw another point at Mario. “C’mon Peach let’s leave Mario to stew in his guilt.” She hooked her arm with Peach, and they giggled while walking away.

Luigi still snickering joined his brother. Mario narrowed his eyes in confusion. “Che? How is it that I win but also lose?”

------

Author's Notes: Luigi and Daisy first met in the game NES Open Tournament Golf. I want the girls to be more than caddies. I don't like the other human characters. This is my write around, AU/headcannon. The scene of the brothers fighting has been in my head for months. My brothers would have brotherly wrestling matches all the time.

[thebluemallet]

My Top 10 Favorite Moments From Bridgerton Season 2, Episode 3: "A Bee In Your Bonnet"

It has officially been one year since Season 2, so please enjoy this ongoing series of posts about my favorite moments from each episode (and ignore the fact that I never finished doing this for Season 1). My favorite moments in no particular order (except maybe chronological):

10- Edmund's Final Farewell

Not everything on this list can be a "fun" moment. But this moment deserves a mention because it definitely left an impact.

This opening was heartbreaking, wasn't it? There's the picture-perfect day, the father-son bonding, and then the bee. It's a change from the books having Anthony and Violet present at Edmund's death, but a necessary one, I think. But the most heartbreaking part of the scene is when Edmund seems to realize (and accept) that his time has come--he's going to die. So he reaches out to Violet, the love of his life. And Violet understands (but does not accept) that he's saying goodbye as Anthony watches on helplessly.

9- "Is that a promise or a threat?"

Daphne has returned to the Bridgertons with Augie just in time to meet the lady her older brother has been courting and intends to marry. And she promises to help Anthony this season just as much as he helped her last year. Which Anthony doesn't take too well.

8- Mistaken Identity

The Sharmas and Lady Danbury have arrived in the country! And Kate is definitely charmed by the sight of Aubrey Hall. She can't help but take it in. And does Anthony first greet the woman he has been courting first? Nope. He makes a beeline for Kate. They banter. Newton makes his feelings known. Daphne is giving them some side-eye. Eventually, she proves herself to be the only Bridgerton in possession of the Bridgerton brain cell (or any brain cell), because she immediately clocks that this must be the woman who has won Anthony's heart.

But of course, she quickly discovers that the woman who has won Anthony's heart and the woman he has been courting, are two very different women.

7- Pall Mall

It's pretty safe to say that this sequence was highly anticipated by anyone who read the books. And we got it all. We've got Kate and Anthony being competitive maniacs and we've got the Bridgerton siblings being little shits. More Bridgertons than the book, even, since Eloise and Benedict didn't participate in the book.

It's also a series of red flags waving furiously in the wind that Edwina and Anthony would not make a good couple. Anthony's really struggling to hold on to his "gentlemanly" persona in Kate's presence and his siblings aren't helping things. Kate immediately gets along with the Bridgertons and gets into the spirit of the game. But it's clear from the start that Edwina is not having a good time. The playful music stops every time it's Edwina's turn to swing. And every time she misses, there's only polite clapping. It's like the Bridgertons are taking pity on her and decided that teasing her would be akin to kicking her while she's down.

By the time Edwina bows out of the game, she's struggling to keep up her own "pleasant" diamond persona. It's a wonder that Daphne is the only one who picked up on anything else happening between Kate and Anthony.

6- Mud Bath

Anthony and Kate falling in the mud. Of course their competitiveness would lead them there. But it allows them a much-needed moment of levity that they haven't had since they first met. And, honestly, it's probably the hardest Anthony's laughed in years.

Of course, Anthony's emotional baggage comes back to haunt him and the moment is gone.

5- Emotional Damage

The entire episode is killing us with the flashbacks. There's Edmund's death, Anthony being thrust into a role he is nowhere near prepared for, everyone looking to Anthony to have all the answers when he doesn't have a clue, nearly losing his mother and sister in childbirth, and then losing his mother to her grief for who knows how long afterward. Anthony had to develop a tough exterior to survive it all and nobody around him seems to understand how hard that was--and still is--for him.

4- Benedict, how high are you?/No it's "hi, how are you?"

If your friend tells you to only take one edible at a time...you listen to them. They probably have more experience than you. Unfortunately for Benedict, he was not in possession of the Bridgerton brain cell when he decided to drink all of Colin's tea. And he has to learn from his mistake by tripping balls during his mother's dinner.

But let's be honest: it's Benedict. He will learn nothing from this experience whatsoever.

3- The Proposal That Wasn't

Jesus Christ, Lady Danbury! Are you blind? Your success from last season must have made you cocky. (Though if you think about it, she did as much to get Daphne and Simon together as Emma did with Mr. and Mrs. Weston.)

Anthony's been eyefucking Kate from his seat for the entire dinner and he looks like he wants to stab himself in the eye with his spoon when Lady Danbury not-so-subtly hints at a proposal.

They're all lucky that Anthony's dinner didn't come back up at the effort of attempting to force a proposal. Thankfully he abandons his efforts...for now.

2- Anthony vs Newton

If it hadn't been for the subtitles, I might have missed Newton growling at Anthony. And it's funny to see Anthony get so worked up because he can't get a dog to like him. Why is Newton's good opinion so important to you, Anthony? Did you ever stop to think about that? Hm? No? I didn't think so.

1- The Bee: The Sequel

Anthony's past has come back to haunt him. When he's bickering speaking with Kate after her ride, a bee lands on her, and Anthony can't help but panic. Especially when Kate does not heed his warnings to stay still. And all of that fear of watching someone he loves dying right in front of him comes rushing back. And only Kate can bring him down from his panic.

Controversial opinion, but: I don't mind that they deviated from the book here. At this point in the book, Anthony decided that sucking the venom out of Kate's bosom was the only way to save her, they get caught by Violet, Mary, and Portia, and they have no choice but to get married. But with the number of times a lady's reputation is "compromised" in a Bridgerton book and the couple is forced to marry, that plot device would get very old very quick in the show.

[bmodiwrites]

Here is part 2 to My Younger Heart Was Feeling New - you can find part 1 here (& here)!

For the next two days, Steve staked out the Munson trailer, waiting with some misguided hope for that stupid red flag to stand upright again. For the first time, probably ever, Steve appreciated the fact that his parents were nonexistent. It was much easier to go in and out of the house at all hours without people breathing down his back or asking where he was going.

Trying not to appear like a creep kept Steve plenty occupied already.

Not wanting to stir up any sort of suspicion, Steve rode through the trailer park early in the morning, long before anyone was up and ready to be nosy for the day. Once everyone went to work, Steve hung out around the park a couple streets from Eddie’s place and idled on the swings there until the urge to ride past the mailbox became too much. A few times throughout the afternoon, Steve ditched the bike and walked in that direction, just to shake things up.

His mind told him, over and over, that it was all just a fluke. Steve must’ve very lucidly dreamed the entire afternoon spent freaking out and biking all over Hawkins. In his heart and soul, though, Steve knew his effort wouldn’t be for not. The timing of it all simply couldn’t be some nightmare or coincidence – Steve lived through something that seemed impossible once; at this point, nothing that happened ever occurred without some sort of backlash.

He tried to stay strong willed, but the days were long and no result shook his foundation. By midafternoon of the third day following that first letter, Steve wanted to pack it in and enjoy the last little bit of his break. In all reality, he did his part by answering the call for aid and providing it. Despite the desire to keep doing exactly that, Steve couldn’t help an entity he didn’t really know, that he couldn’t even see.

Just about to swing his leg over the middle seam of his bike for the last time, Steve’s eyes widened as the mailbox’s little red flag soared up into its standing position. A gasp left Steve’s lips – he was so dumbfounded that he tripped over himself trying to dismount his bike. A quick roll to the ground proved Steve’s hurry; he dusted himself off as he got up and opened the front of the box without hesitation.

He felt a whole lot better about himself upon seeing the folded up paper with his name on the back – this time, it was noticeably without any blood.

----

March 26, 1986

Steve,

I take it by the way you last wrote about ‘your time’ that you’re not my Steve, but a Steve from some other year – my best guess in 1984 based on the date you included. That’s two who years in the past for me.

I’m sitting in the middle of a hive mind in an alternate dimension, yet I have such a hard time believing that. What the fuck is wrong with this world, man?

On the bright side of things, the stuff you passed through the mailbox came in clutch. I finally feel like I can fend for myself now that I don’t pour blood from each bite every time I turn from my back to my side. You saved my life, Harrington. I appreciate the efforts, especially for a stranger like me.

Can you tell me anymore about the Eddie of your time’s disappearance? It’s crazy to think that being trapped here means I cease to exist in the real world. I wonder if I’ll simply fade into obscurity one day. If you stop answering my letters, will I float away like dust on the wind?

I wonder if that means I’m dead in my reality..

I know you don’t know any of those answers, so I’m sorry for putting that burden on you. I’ve been up in my feels the last couple of days – it’s lonely around here, Steve. There’s no sign of life at all, not in the sky, not in the long black vines that tangle their way through each area of the world. I haven’t been up for exploring much, but there’s nothing – it’s just me and thousands of bat corpses.

I’ve never been so honest in my life but it’s easier to write the words than actually say them out loud. I’m terrified, Steve. I feel a little more fear each day that passes. But, maybe that’s a good thing.  

Write back when you can –

Yours,

Eddie.

----

Leaning against the mailbox, Steve clutched Eddie’s letter in his hands – after reading such desperate words, Steve needed to ground himself in the moment he actually existed in. He felt the visceral nature of Eddie’s fear; deep in the bottom of his heart where Steve banished all his give a shit, a stirring occurred. New life was settling in.

Everything about the way Eddie wrote pulled on Steve’s insides, spurring him on even further.

After pocketing the letter, Steve was quick to dig into his bag for the little notebook he made sure to have with him. He flipped open the top and started writing furiously.

----

March 26, 1984

Eddie,

Wait – I’m yours in 1986? Not me, but the Steve in your time… you know what I mean!

Anyway –

I think the denial of our reality is the brain’s way of protecting us. At least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself since I learned about all this supernatural stuff. I hate to break it to you, but the time difference is one of the easiest parts of this whole thing to stomach.

The fact that you’re still alive but my time’s you has disappeared? Well, that’s a bit harder to take down.

I’m glad the medical stuff helped. Joyce Byers was surprisingly helpful, despite the many, many questions I knew she wanted to ask me. When her suspicions blow over a little bit, I’ll head back there and get you more supplies. Do you need anything specific? A spear or chainsaw, perhaps?

All joking aside, I wish I knew some of the things you’re asking me. The news said Eddie seemingly disappeared out of thin air and from the looks of it, that’s exactly what happened. There’s no signs or evidence of any crime or that Eddie simply ran away. Your van is still parked like shit in the yard in front of your trailer..

If it helps any, I don’t have any intention of not answering your letters. I want to get to the bottom of this, just like you do. There’s obviously something going on that’s linked us together. Let’s beat this thing and get you home safe, okay

Do you have any information that might help? The last thing I heard about the Upside Down was that it and its creatures were destroyed. Chief Hopper was very specific about that.

Obviously, that’s not the case. So I’m at a loss. What happened between 1984 and 1986 that made everything so messy?

I’m here for you, Eddie. Don’t give up.

We’ll figure things out.

Steve.

----

The letter took up more pages than Steve initially thought, though he admittedly didn’t see a way or reason to shorten it. He checked over his spelling, even thought about striking out the first line a couple of times (he seemed a little eager, despite not really understanding why), before folding it up and pushing into the mailbox. Anxiety didn’t have time to swoop in and change his mind. Not today.

It was satisfying to see the little red flag on the side of the box drop down to its original position almost immediately. Obviously, Eddie was waiting for his correspondence on the other end of the line. Steve’s heart raced a little at the thought – despite the danger Eddie and himself and the rest of the town were in, Steve couldn’t help but feel a kick of warmth in his chest. He was connecting with someone and that felt better than good.

Steve spent the next few minutes walking through the maze of trailers around Eddie’s place to distract himself. He left his bike on the ground by the mailbox, just in case he needed to grab the next letter and run. It was oddly peaceful, though, the quiet of the trailer park – the rest of the world seemed to miss the memo and went on spinning around him. It seemed like people never took the time to see past the end of their noses, no matter what the struggle was.

One missing kid wasn’t going to change that.

Still, Steve wondered if the people around saw him and didn’t care or wrote him off as another one of the neighborhood hoodlums. He didn’t drive his fancy car here for a reason, though hiding completely wasn’t it. Maybe he was blending in a little too well.

The necessity of those thoughts became unimportant when the red flag on the mailbox popped up again. Steve dropped his musings in the dirt in favor of reading Eddie’s next words.

----

March 26, 1986

Steve,

I should have chosen my words more wisely. Steve, him, you – are not mine in any way. I simply used that possessive pronoun as a way to distinguish you from the Steve of my time. No matter how much I might want what you’re suggesting, I doubt the universe would ever be so kind.

Mrs. Byers is a smart woman. I never knew her all that well but she always treated me right whenever I walked into her store. Not a lot of people did that in Hawkins, so I know she’s just worried for you.

From what I hear, she’s seen some shit – just like the rest of us.

I think I have it covered weapons wise, but I could use some more food. Maybe Honeycomb cereal if you can fit the bag in the mailbox. I’d kill for something crunchy like that. And cigarettes!

I don’t understand a single bit how this world works, Steve. Up until a handful of days ago, I was ignorant of demobats and Vecna. So gloriously ignorant. I thought all of that junk only existed in the D&D handbooks I drew all of my campaign inspiration from. You and Dustin Henderson were the experts of all things Upside Down when it became necessary to fill me in. In fact, it’s weird to be talking to a version of you that’s not completely in the loop. You’re a bit of a mother hen in 1986.

Speaking of Dustin, maybe that’s your next move. That kid is a scary genius who puzzled out every single problem we came across. I always knew he was brainy, but the way his mind works is fucking fantastic. He’s a conceded little shit about it, though. Play up his ego, explain yourself, and maybe you’ll find an ally in all of this.

I wish I knew more but I’m just as blind in this as you are. If you bring me specific questions, I may be able to answer them, though. I’ve been surviving here for days now.

Speaking of, it’s getting too dangerous to be standing out in the open, waiting for your letters to come. I’m going to head into my makeshift fortress for tonight and buckle down.

Write me back tomorrow.

And find Dustin!

I know he’ll help.

Nighty night, Stevie.

Yours,

Eddie.

----

For a reason Steve refused to name, his mind lingered on that first paragraph. There was a longing that Steve figured only existed in his own heart. He lived a life where no one, not even the people who were supposed to, loved him. At least, not for the person he genuinely was. The feeling brought about isolation that Steve hated living in. Eddie, it seemed, understood a little bit about that.

Not for the first time, Steve wondered about his future self. There had to be a reason he became so protective of the people he cared about. An event or something must’ve whipped Steve into shape, making him the kind of person who had others willing to be looked after by him. What a concept that was. Steve hoped, no matter what happened, that his story wouldn’t change too much.

Future Steve seemed to have so much going for him.

Shaking his head of those pesky thoughts, Steve put Eddie’s letter with the last two in his pocket for safe keeping. Despite Dustin’s previous interaction with the Upside Down, Steve knew he needed to have a bit of evidence to make his story plausible. If Steve were on the other end of the explanation he was about to give, he’d certainly want some proof. Mostly because the journey they were about to embark on was risky, seemingly impossible even.

Steve allowed himself one last lingering look at the mailbox before hopping onto his bike to make the trip back into Hawkins proper. The Henderson house wasn’t all that far from his own, so the ride wouldn’t be wasted, regardless of Dustin’s decision.

As the road passed underneath his feet, Steve tried to think of the best way to present all the facts he was going to bombard Dustin with. It was increasingly difficult to brainstorm a situation that Steve really didn’t understand all that well himself. He had the letters and eyes that could melt a girl’s heart – aside from that, Steve’s negotiation skills weren’t all that fine-tuned. He never needed to be anything but smooth in his past life. Dustin Henderson would not be impressed by a soft smile and sweetly spoken words.

Still not all that sure of himself, Steve hesitated at the end of Dustin’s driveway. It was starting to get dark, so Steve needed to act fast. Mothers never took too kindly to social calls once the sun went down.

Collecting all the courage he had, Steve dropped his bike in the grass and walked up the stone walkway. He tried to keep his steps even and fluid but impatience was quickly winning out. The last few steps were practically running strides. Though it was silly, Steve felt so much better now that he was finally face to face with Dustin’s front door.

Before he could knock, the heavy wood opened on its own accord. Steve took a step back in surprise but the emotion was stopped in his tracks – Dustin was looking at him with expectancy written all over his face. It was odd to see such a mature expression on Dustin’s young face. Shock turned to anticipation and anxiety very fast.

“I was wondering when you were going to show up. One more day and I would have hunted you down myself.” Dustin spoke as he opened the door a little wider and gestured for Steve to come inside. When he hesitated, Dustin huffed and rolled his eyes. “I know what you’re here about. Come inside, Steve. We’ve got lots to talk about.”

[wordpimp]

We live in a world of calm and speculation.

Rainstorm gesthemane, hialeah watertown.

Be good to me daddy, he says.

I will baby, she says.

They argued a little earlier abt what to call things. They stepped into a mud hole, she carried him across a mud puddle. A turtle floated them across its back. It was flat. Lounge lizards in tucson, in tulsa, in poughkeepsie.

It was hot in july in the trailer. White broadside yellow cream trim, it was pretty in a way. Petticoat, baby wore mary janes to match, white socks farmer tan. Yellow wig. Ginger blossom. He had a few tattoos, but really only liked one of them. It was a bird, a kanji, the owl.

梟

Baby went to japan once, mt fuji, and asked for sake like a tourist. For a long time they thought abt him, there, in the wind.

Around evening, baby would want ice cream from the ice cream truck. Parlor junction. Mi casa es su casa, the driver used to say. But baby misinterpreted the one time he went down there: mikasa.

It was a brand of dinnerware but they already had some. Casa with a K. They did that a lot. Sign of puberty. The world was young, then. Flags were rectangular, money was printed on clothes. Put a dollar in me, the walls whined at night. Labor of love.

*

Signs in the chimney. When they were able to, they would have a fire again. Saturday maybe. The days were gone, mixed up since daddy had begun to work again. Out in the yard, in the cinder, baby could hear the pitchfork shovel of machinery. He smiled at his typewriter. It was fitting. 

A bug flew in from somewhere, green-yellow, yellow-green, there must have been a window left open. It looked like a crayon. Stick of wax, eyes, cardboardy paper, birch bark. O the skin of my love. 

Baby lit a cigarette on the stove, waiting to flick the ash, started boiling some water for mac n cheese. Mac in cheese. Macaroni and cheese. It was italian. Starving, he noticed. Ice cream for dessert, maybe tonight.

He wondered abt daddy, what she would do when she came in, what would she say, what new saying, what did she see out there. Or maybe a souvenir today, taking her time to dig up the bottles and ingots she got paid to hand over. Sometimes she would bring one of those back. A small gem, it might go into a scepter or a walnut, it might make a tree in the country, a beautiful place from a story.

Tire swing. That sounded too beautiful to baby. He hardly noticed the light swelling on his arm, where the crayon had landed, and the kettle boiling, or the white hot flowers. Bloom of midday he needed a nap.

*

Baby had the most extended childhood of anyone. He was born in a manger, he died on the cross. He was wet he was hard. He couldn't cum, then he couldn't stop. 

That he wasn't a cult leader, that he wasn't a shepherd, with a flock to watch over or admonish, that he didn't abandon them all to go sit in judgment of everyone he ever met or heard of, that was a minor miracle. It made sense if you heard of easter, running out in bare feet with diapers, eating all that candy. Chocolate bunny marshmallow bird, give me the stomach to jesus. Baby jesus, jesu of man's desiring. If you ate all that candy, you would never want that responsibility. 

Instead baby was a loud quiet person. Chaotic quiet, perturbed by everything. Lately he had been frustrated by the wallpaper, by the color of time, orange like the sun blue like the water green like the pears or unripe apples. Ripe pears unripe apples. Confusing. Some of the wallpaper was peeling but it was almost peaceful that way. Maybe it wouldn't burn all at once, if that was its destiny. It was a taste of freedom, for baby. Like coming out of a cupboard, a box cutter to skin. Letting the hunger abate.

Baby liked to sleep in a small bed. I think it's closest to the true meaning of his character.

*

Daddy shut and locked the front door behind her when she went to work outside. The back door stayed locked. It wasn't to keep baby in, it was to keep the lunatics out. She was going to ride her tractor for a little bit, and dig a little bit. Who knows. Metals in the earth. She had heard that there was a meteorite under the sand. It had brought up ghosts. It was actually what people had come to see. Why they lived there. 

Daddy never saw the ghosts anymore, but jehovahs and mormons, scientologists, they would sometimes come by and that was bad for baby. He would talk to anyone, he just couldn't help it.

Daddy was more circumspect. She talked to strangers and people that she knew casually but said very little. Hi dolores hi bill, hi stephen. Their house was at the end of the street. A few neighbors, the creek. Mulberry tree, sideyard with a big hole from digging. They had been thoughtful and made the quarry wide enough to corkscrew down a few more turns. She hoped they wouldn't have to move for another year or two, it was a nice setup. 

*

Daddy's schedule to get the ice cream was posted on the fridge. Left side mwf, right side, the rest of the week. Daddy made it, really worked hard on it. Pews in a church. Wings pearl grey. Everything was pearly. Cum colored or pink. Raw and toothy. It was the inside of a mouth. Of a cunt. Daddy shaved her leg. This is the one, lick it.

Tonight, daddy would go get ice cream for them, or eat the cake while the truck went down there for her. It stopped at the hill, not a long walk. Laundromat, axila, underarms. Excitement. Daddy liked to walk. It's the ether, she said. She never went to mt fuji either.

Daddy thought abt buying a general motors car, an olds cutlass supreme, gliding smoothly over rough asphalt. It's what you think abt while you shave, while you fuck. Nice, smooth. Blue midnight metallic half vinyl top. That's the kind of car they would drive.

They rode sidesaddle. Half beard in the mirror, there are pirates who invented transgenderism. Walk the plank. Is that also the abyss? Or a kind of it, a version. For reasons they only knew, this was never consummated.

Where do we live daddy. Is it a trailer? Is it a house. Is it a cabin?

It's a mansion. Big enough for you little bird.

It really was big enough, no matter what they called it.

*

Daddy stopped in the mirror. She was a bit run down from the summer. The gel of her eyes was blue or brown or aqua, ça dépendait, when the sun hit. She didn't wear pants or shoes. Inside, she didn't wear much of anything. Baggy shirt. Why hide all this, she thought, and so she didn't hide it.

Pudor is for the dirt, the shirt said, in yellowing cotton.

Daddy liked to sleep under covers. The bed was warmer for her. Nude and warm and redolent. Patchwork lace embroidered, panels in a tapestry. She felt like penelope.

One time daddy saw a diagram of a medieval church, all the parts like a body on a map, a table of divine making. But not anymore, they were done with operations. Trepan my brain, amputate my ear, excise, cut me, dig. It was already there. It was science.

Ash on a mantle. Face in a polaroid. There is one of daddy and baby pinned to the closet. 

Baby said they lived on a cliff. It was curious to listen to him talk. He talked in his sleep too. Cliff, diving board. Daddy liked to hear him talk, she knew he could see something and sometimes she could see it too. Rolling down the street in a dream, jumping off a building. Play in that water. She felt good in the mornings when she could talk to him about what he dreamt, what he was seeing. It got her excited.

Meanwhile baby slept and talked in his sleep. Jackdaw emu...

She could tell he was dreaming abt birds again.

*

Daddy. 

Yes baby.

Remember that movie abt the birds? You know the weird one I told you abt? I dreamt abt that again last night. But now there's a garden. And children. Well, two. I think they're us. I think they're us before, and maybe again. And it's very sad and very strange but also very healing. It's like when you come back from your work and tell me abt the outside. It's like when you tell me what to do. 

Like I know you can't stay. I know this is all ending. It's the end already, but I can't help it. It's all I dream abt now. 

Baby it's never enough but it always has to be enough. Why don't you come sit with me. Let me hold you.

I want to come back here. I want to grow up and get big and strong and ready. I want to lift you on my shoulders and fly with you, and throw you in the water. You'll see, then I'll dive with you. We'll swim. Will you wait for me, until I can do it. Will you watch me?

She could never say no to him, not like that.

When baby was finished talking he put the blanket on daddy and started a fire in the fireplace.

The flames did a slow dance, like salome. He saw a headless snake, ankles and rigging, the stubborn wind. It was the edge of the world. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep but he dreamt of the morning when they'd both be naked and wet.

[dakota-and-paris]

[A video from Roro's Rotomphone Signature]

[Take a look!]

[The video opens with the crunching of leaves and light snow beneath a pair of boots. Dakota can be heard chattering to some of the other pokemon.]

After a few moments of walking, they come upon a clearing in the White Forest, and within that clearing... is a ralts. Its horns are purple, upon seeing this, Dakota immediately motions for the pokemon following her to hush, and she ducks down into the bushes.

At the rustle of the leaves, the ralts turns. It seems... suspicious

[Pokemon translation mode active]

"...Who's there?"

The pokemon turns, and stares directly into the bushes.

"I can sense your emotions- I know someone is there!"

Dakota looks between her pokemon with a furrowed brow.

"uh.. um what do we do, I- didn't really have a plan."

Paris slaps a tasseled hand over his gem eye, making a frustrated noise. And floats out of the bush.

"ah... hello there. little one."

The ralts tenses up at Paris's appearance and speech. It then growls.

"You! You're not from around here! I don't like you!"

"I promise I mean you no harm."

Paris extends a tasseled hand to the ralts.

"My name is Paris, My trainer and friend Dakota is seeking strong companions-"

A psychic wave emits out from the Ralts, powerful enough for the group in the bushes to feel.

"We're gonna fight! You think I'm gonna go with some strange pokemon and live life without the thrill of a fight?? No!! Fight me now!!"

A battle begins- though it mostly consists of Paris dodging as the Ralts tries to land a hit on him.

"Please we don't have to fight if you'd just listen-"

[RALTS used Psychic!]

[It's not very effective...]

"I'm not trying to hurt you, kid! I'm just trying to talk!"

"Well I don't wanna talk to you!"

The ralts sticks out its tongue to add insult to injury. Paris's eyelid twitches.

"I wanna FIGHT YOU!"

"..."

Paris looks about ready to hit the ralts with a move that would surely kill it- when Dakota finally emerges from the bushes.

"Hey!! Wait please-" She tries her best to put on a smile, trying to keep her emotions calm to hopefully calm this little spit fire of a ralts. "We can fight but- Can we make a deal first?"

"No!!! I wanna fight now- wait. lady did you understand me?"

The ralts looks curious- and Dakota smiles with a nod.

"Yup, I can talk to pokemon- But you don't wanna talk, right?"

The Ralts nods very determinedly.

"I wanna fight, and then I'm gonna evolve! I'm gonna be big and strong like my family!"

Dakota holds in a giggle and nods back.

"Okay, how about this then? I'll let you fight my buddy Paris here-" The ralts starts to wind up another attack but Dakota holds up a hand.

"And! and. afterwards if it sounds good to you- I want you to join me and my team. I want you to achieve your goal of getting stronger, and I think training a pokemon like you would be a cool experience. How's that sound, little dude?"

The ralts thinks for a moment. Then nods with a smile.

"YEAH! Let's do it!!"

[Video end]

[A second video is attached, this one begins in the clearing. Paris and the ralts facing each other. After Dakota waves a start flag, the two go for each other.]

[RALTS used PSYBEAM!]

[It's not very effective...]

The Ralts' psybeam barely seems to effect Paris, Paris retaliates- swinging his tassels at the Ralts, as they go through the air the hand turns to shadowy talons.

[PARIS used SHADOW CLAW]

[It's super effective!]

The Ralts is sent rolling... and for a moment it looks like the battle is over but... it gets back up. It looks.. determined. Paris looms over it- about to go for another hit when...

[Kirlia used DISABLE!]

in a flash of light, the Ralts has evolved into a Kirlia!

[SHADOW CLAW FAILED!]

Paris's attack fizzles at his tassles, and the kirlia follows up with more attacks- kicks and punches and lands hit after hit imbued with psychic energy. Eventually- Paris backs off, the kirlia goes to try and hit Paris again- but catches its reflection in Paris's blades. It blinks, once, twice- and then pats its face.

"I... evolved?"

It pats its face again and then beams, beginning to spin and dance about.

"I evolved! I'm stronger now! I'm stronger look at me!"

All observing the battle are stunned, the Kirlia runs to Dakota and grabs her hand.

"You!! Your training did this!"

Dakota laughs nervously. "I mean... I don't think I did much of anything I-"

"No!! No this is your doing!! Thank you!"

Dakota is pulled into a hug, still shocked she looks to her other pokemon, to Paris who shrugs. Dakota shrugs back and pats the Kirlia's head.

"um... you're welcome. Little dude."

[Video ends]

[macgyvertape]

D2 Lightfall campaign thoughts

gameplay discussion above, campaign and post campaign story below cut:

New UI looks good, just wish they made the element mods color coded.

Immediately went to go craft a bunch of weapons before starting the campaign, I’m glad they made the change to crafting materials

Thinking back to when you used to have to spend ascendant shards to change the armor affinity of a masterwork piece, I’m so glad the game has progressed to no elemental armor since that will save me a lot of vault space.

Once again 9 or 10 resilience is incredibly noticeable in survivability vs lower resilience

The redo of the mod system from a dev standpoint probably makes designing the challenge level a lot easier since the elemental well mods had a lot of extremely powerful outlier combos. However, doing fun and varied buildcrafting was a big engagement point for me for the last 6 months so I hope there’s more creative options than at first glance.

huh Bungie is introducing destroyable cover, that showed up in the mars battleground last season. Very curious about the design process for that

Fighting tormenters feels like Dark Souls where you position around telegraphed wind up attack and a lot of dodging. Especially when you damage them enough and they “go full sicko mode” and charge you for the kill grab. Blinding grenades or chill clip to stun, or Arc Speedboost with witherhoard/anarchy for damage over time and kiting them around seem to be the winning strats. 

Checkpoint system in the campaign right before the rally flag is great for when something isn’t working in your loadout. I really appreciate the ability to change loadouts mid mission for a different final boss loadout

Basically every fight involves something that will force you to keep repositioning and a lot involve infinite ads. I've found witherhoard to be the most effective gun. Honestly most of my deaths are when the game forces me to run around with no cover then the ads shoot me. 

Overall I really liked the difficulty and challenge of legendary and enjoyed playing it mostly solo. Replaying missions helping a friend and its interesting how even though enemy health and damage is increased some parts are easier with enemy targeting AI.

The game was a lot more generous with giving me increased power level gear so I was never underleveled for any mission. Really appreciated it as both BL and WQ I had to take a break from the story to go farm blue gear

I used Necrotic grips and Osteo Striga for a lot of the campaign and it goes really well with Strand

Strand grapple vs a damage grenade, there’s not a lot of times where I want to grapple into a bunch of enemies, and there are times where it just swings me off a platform because of momentum. I’ve only unlocked Warlock so far but the cooldown on the Strand Grenade is so slow vs campaign that it takes some of the enjoyment out of it. I’m sure like stasis which was also underwhelming at first, that I’ll like it after some patches.

New updates to the Tower are cool but more importantly menu times seem to have improved. 

Glad the Terminal Overload public event will matchmake you with others directly, considering you need to finish the event to complete bounties to get an item if you want a pinnacle from the Partition missions.

Campaign:

New intro is great actually for explaining the story so far to new and returning players

Then the space battle cutscene was fucking great. The witness looks cool and less of a meme smoke-Megamind lookalike

If I had a nickel for every time an unknowable alien force sliced a bunch of things apart and gave me chills I’d have 2 nickels. (The Expanse protomolecule rising scene). That poor ghost where it had that moment of eye contact before falling apart just like the samurai sword slash trope 

I wiped 3 times against Mr Grabby hands, the fact that it's such an enclosed area didn’t help. Icarus Dash and Witherhoard and kiting the boss around were my winning strategy

When I first saw the cloudstrider armor design from the trailers I thought the metal bits looked really awkward but it looks so much better in game

Glad the cabal have moved beyond the need of pressure suits so Calus can have all this drip

Osiris’ criticisms feel a lot bitchier than I hope the writers intended because he makes so many of them. “Stop wasting time” as we go literally as fast as we can and I get my ass handed to me by tormentors. I get what they’re trying to do with his character arc but I wish the writing would trust I remember what he said 5 minutes or the last mission ago vs have him keep repeating the same thing. 

Second mission boss was a pushover

Oh no ghost but yay we get to talk

When ghost says “they have it locked down tight” lmao yeah that like 6 gunships and 4 tanks

Caiatl shows up to rescue us, I love her so much. Then we get a vehicle escape segment which is a lot of fun with Always On Time

The fresco style cutscene is beautiful, not new info to repeat players but a good exposition to new/returning 

Awww its Saint calling Osiris. Like Osiris’ terse commentary is clearly coming from a place of grief and frustration because he’s so used to doing stuff himself with Sagira as a moderating force and now he literally can’t. Him forgetting Sagira was dead for a brief moment was really touching. 

The need to use Strand to get around the suppression fields is a much better setup of why you have to use this darkness power vs needing stasis to open a few locked doors

“Information wants to be free” as Nimbus gives us a tank, I’m pretty fond of them

RIP Rohan, it was pretty obvious from foreshadowing he was going to die defending Neomuna and Nimbus the rookie would have to step up, he didn’t get enough screentime for me to get attached 

I like how the game clearly tells you when there are interlude dialogue

The tormented called “imprint of Nazerac”, Neomunda citizens having nightmares that feature Nezarec i hope this plays out somehow

Lmao immediately after listening to the radio messages I did the strike where Nezarec is on coms. Got to say he has the sexy monster voice, and I’m glad that a lore character who was built up so much gets to play a bigger role than Nezcafe drink. I can’t wait to see his physical design when we eventually fight him and very interesting since his corpse was dismembered for the reliquaries. I thought Rhulk was cool as fuck and hope Nezarec is equally as hype

I really I liked the speed racer section of the strike but wow that section will feel very different in GM

Nimbus is very cheerful and upbeat referencing Rohan’s death, they’ve been characterized as a jokester throughout but I figured there would have a more serious moment here and it would be a break from comedic relief to let the story breathe. The campaign story so far has really been pingponging from dark and serious vs cheesy quips, but it's landing too much on the side of cheesy that it makes me wonder why I should take the threat seriously.

The training montage with Osiris’ voice over about letting go of grief and persevering handled that line of comedy/seriousness with the tone a lot better 

The music that played during the Headstrong mission right after the training montage made me go “wow this is a lot of 80s action movie vibes” which apparently there are interviews where they said they were looking at blockbuster action movies to set the tone. 

It also made me realize in the style of a blockbuster action movie there’s been no explanation of the mcguffin of “The Veil”  and the other mcguffin of the “Mast” and how it plays into the Witness’ lager goal just that The Witness getting it would be bad, but no specific of how exactly. 

In the final mission it took me way longer than it should have to realize I was supposed to fight all those cabal strand empowered. Caiatl’s speech was badass and I loved the moment of fighting alongside her

Final fight was the one part I didn’t do solo just because of how many times I died from falling off the platforms. 3 people made the second phase easy because Calus could only chase 1 person at a time. I did like the final fight being in an ancient Istar lab that was the founding of the city.

Good on the Witness for the Xanatos gambit, it got what it wanted either way things played out. 

Once again another cliffhanger teaser where it throws something new at us that we have no context for. Big The Expanse ring gate vibes.

I don’t understand why Zalavala and everyone were just standing there the entire time, since it seems like the campaign takes days but the way they’re standing there implies they haven’t moved and it's been hours. 

Zavala has a really somber and well done speech after the campaign, and once again it's that tonal whiplash from the cheesiness of the campaign

I thought there would be a lot more exploration of the themes of mortality: Calus’ fear of death lead him to ally with the Witness, Guardians are brought back to life and basically immortal until they die in combat, Cloudstriders sacrifice a long lifespan for 10 years, and Osiris sort of in the middle with only the rest of his lifespan to live out. But there's not really any of that in the story

I thought the soundtrack was really mid except for the track that plays during the first tank scene and the track when you’re exploring the veil. Its not just that I expected it to be more synthwave to match the 80s tone but there wasn’t anything really stand out. 

Post Campaign:

Disappointed how there was no dialogue about how Neomuna has known about the Last City for all these years and any explanation of why they didn’t help out during the Dark Ages or The Red War even if only in a humanitarian way. I assume it was a resources issue, but I hope there’s at least some written lore for this

I think its cool how a lot of the bounties are Neomuna citizens, and that you can see them standing around as virtual avatars. Funnily enough I’ve seen more named Neomuna citizens than Awoken citizens (it’s all troops in the Dreaming City) and the Last City (there’s Eva and Hawthorne)

Neomuna has a LOT of bars around it, seems like citizens had a pretty fun time with all the art, arcades, and party setups

Really like how the Unfinished Business exotic quest reused the Garden Raid, a raid I think is beautiful but hate to run. The writing with Nimbus where they make jokes but have heartfelt moments with the players was what I wanted from them in the campaign. Also great closure for Osiris

Lmao at the reporter trying to interview Ghost, “Mr. Ghost can you hear me?”

Between Asher alive in the Vex network (he’s viewable in Partition) and Nezarec being in the Vex network I’m looking forward to how this plays out in the next Vex storyline. I was hearing ominous whispers just playing randomly at times around Neomuna, but with Nezarec’s sin the message is audible