#teamwork makes the kills rain in

[psychobatman97]

3 wins in a row and 15 and up kills each game you literally can't kill the Batman who laughs haha

[weirdmarioenemies]

SURPRISE! Did you think the day would come when we would cover Love Live on this blog? I didn't!

Yohane the Parhelion: Blaze in the Deepblue is the Metroidvania-style game based on the fantasy spin-off of Love Live Sunshine, but you probably don't care about that! Statistically speaking, our target audience is Bogleech readers who are deeply revolted by anime girls!

So why bring up? Why bring it up? The answer is 🐠 FUNNY FISH! It's Funny Fish Friday!

Since this game is set in an underwater temple, the enemies this game are all based on sea creatures, and that's cool! Again, statistically speaking, you probably think sea creatures are cool. I really liked seeing the variety of enemies when playing through this game, so I thought it'd be fun if I could share them with an audience of people who otherwise wouldn't care! None of the enemies really have names, as far as I'm aware of. But I'll do my Rubesty...?

Our first guy we encounter in the game is the sort of guy who emerges from the ground like the Zombies from Castlevania, and wow! A good first impression I think. It is sort of a squid mantle, if the mantle was also a cloak for a spooky sort of wizard! The way it doesn't really have a 'face' in the hood and the eye is below really makes it seem like a weird mimic creature. Cool!

They also get a tough lategame variant which looks like a mix between a flapjack and a vampire squid. You don't often see flapjacks be designed as scary!

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Next is Barnacles! A whole clump of them, like a cake. They shoot Energy Balls at you. Is this what Barnacles can do if they combine their powers...? The top actually opens up, and it looks a lot like a sea urchin's mouth! So maybe it is some sort of naked urchin creature covered in barnacles? Game Theory!

There are also barnacles with Ice Powers. Like real life!

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Let's give it up for Garden Eel!!!!

What a fine Garden Eel it is! Complete with the sort of grumpy face, and with the addition of two little arms that make it look like it's praying or maybe a bit shy. But it is mean! It also spits energy balls at you, then hides in the hole so you can't hit it. How very sneaky!

SO sneaky, in fact, that these eels have mastered the art of ninjutsu! The ninja eel shows up for a split second in one single room, before smoke bombing away. You'd have to use a time freeze power to get him, but I never got around to doing that. I don't have any beef with a ninja eel! I respect him and his training!

Did someone say CTENOPHORE? I hope you did, or my hearing has really gotten worse. This thing is a grade A ctenophore, only with a ring of Scary Teeth! A little scary to think of a ctenophore who could Bite you, but nonetheless this deserves a :ctenopog:!

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Let's not forget Fish Vortex! Fish Vortex was the first guy to make me go 'wow, this game's enemies really are awesome!' So of course I had to put him at the top of the post! He is my selling point! I am selling all these enemies to you. For 4.99 a pop!

Anyway. This design is just so funny and cool at the same time. A swirling school of fish that leads into an endless dark abyss, and in the middle, a big eyeball. Also covered in fish. It shoots fish at you! Yay!

There is also a pink variant - it shoots fish that give you the Solitude status effect, which basically just makes Yohane too depressed to summon her friends. Meaning? They are Depression Fish! Maybe she just becomes so jealous of the unity and teamwork of these sardines. She's me like just for real! ^_^

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isopot :)

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This slug is an umbrella. That is ridiculous! Ridiculously EPIC! It does the opposite of shield you from rain, which is create rain, that kills you. But I would still want one as an umbrella.

---

When I first saw this thing, I thought it was some strange round Echimoderm I had never heard of. But upon further inspection (I actually asked Mod Chikako shh), it is obviously like a Brittle Star, with each arm folded round to form a wheel! How creative and fun! It even has a bunch of eyes like a starfish!

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Last but not least- sushi! There are sushi guys and they are cute. They don't really do much and are typically found in their own rooms, so I'm not sure what the point of them is. But finding a funny walking sushi should be a reward in of itself, I guess! Look at their funny rice feet! Or the one with the roe eyes!

I happened to use fire magic on one of them and this happened. Oopsies...

Now I am sure you are saying, thank you for showing me all these funny enemies. But are there any cool bosses? Of course there are, me! What's a Metroidvania without cool bosses? So I shall show you my favorites without delay!

First is this freak (affectionate)! It is a sort of amalgamation of lots of different animals and I think it just looks plain cool! Two squid mantles combined into one, a bit of a sea angel shape, bug legs and of course a great big eyeball!

If it is not freaky enough for you, let it be known that the bug legs turn into big green skeleton hands, and it also keeps getting pinker, and it grows new eyes and then extra horns grow out of those eyes. If THAT is not freaky enough for you then I am sorry but I cannot do anything about that.

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Now, how about a sampling of this Freaken Thang? It honestly doesn't seem that sea-creature themed, but it uses seashells so I guess it counts!

What is really neat is that this boss has two different forms, upside down and rightside up! When it is upside down it looks a bit like a Magolor type creature. And of course, I really like the flame thing in the middle as well, that really feels like a Kirby enemy or something! Like a wisp made of plasma!

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Fans of Anomalocaris won't be disappointed by this one! It's a big Anomalocaris tank and boy is it cool! There's something for everyone here, whether you're an Anomalocaris purist or you've always wanted to see it turn into a sort of futuristic beast with a screen mouth that shoots lasers! It really is the future, zura...

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After covering all these wacky creatures, I'm going to have to end it off with the final boss! What could the big bad, the ultimate boss of all these sea monsters even be, I wonder? Well, it's...

...a coelecanth. Just a big coelacanth! It is big and blue! And really, does it need to be anything else? It is such an honor to make the biggest ultimate boss a coelacanth. It is even pretty cute!! Think he's smiling! 😊

Uh oh! Is it still cute? I guess so. My first thought seeing this was of course the world-renowned tongue eating isopod, so I really hope it was an intentional reference! It probably just wants to shake hands. Still, a pretty simplistic design for our final boss, right?

Buu buu! Its true form actually looks like this! Actually, it's kind of doing too much. Like let's tone it down a little?

So!! We beat the mega ultra coelacanth, and now we can find out what his motivation is! And it is... that he is the memories of the people of the past or something. And they all didn't want to be forgotten, so they turned into fish monsters! But we forgive them!

It doesn't really matter. All the girlies gather around and sing him a song. Look how happy he is! I forgot I was talking about a Love Live game until now, actually. All's well that ends well, the end, et cetera! Hit it, Yohane! [imagine this is like the end of a kids movie where all the Love Live girls are having a dance party and there is a shot of the big coelacanth in jail and he's tapping his mouth fingers along to the beat]

[levi-4uckerman]

╰┈➤ satoru gojo x reader // like ghosts in the snow

╰┈➤ the one where ur son asks a big question...

Words: 5.3k TWs:: mention of character death, toddler being a toddler, alcohol mentions, reader using her psychic powerz ;3 story timeline here, if ur interested :)

┈➤ next chapper !!!

╰┈➤ previous chapter here ₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊

✎ reminder that reader has been given the default name 'shiori myoji'!. you have a clairvoyance technique and a two-year old gojo >;3 enjoy!!

Tokyo, Japan- 2014.

You lingered at the edge of the ceremony, half-hidden beneath the steady drumming of rain against your umbrella. At first, you’d been against the idea. A gathering… for Suguru? After all he’d done, the tarnish he’d placed on Tokyo Jujutsu High’s name? But you saw the look on Satoru’s face, the closure he needed. He needed to remember the person that he lost, so that… maybe he could actually grieve Suguru’s death, as the rest of you had years ago. Years before he’d even died.

He stood at the center of the crowd, his tall stature and white hair making him stick out from the rest. You should have left after your first exchange with him, acknowledged him and offered condolences, then be on your way. But now you were here, staring at the small patch of skin where his hand brushed yours, the touch too lingering to be accidental. You looked up at him, and he spoke first. 

“Don’t look at me like that,” he chided, his tone missing the playfulness you'd come to expect from Satoru Gojo. 

You flinched, startled, lowering your gaze. He wasn’t even looking in your direction, and yet somehow… he could still feel your gaze. “I wasn’t–,”

“Yes, you were,” his lips twisted into a bitter smile as he tilted his head toward the sky, allowing the rain to slip down his face in tear-like streaks. “You’re trying to figure something out.”

You braced an excuse, taking in a sharp breath–

“Don’t lie,” he clicked his tongue. His voice was quiet beneath the rain, but razor sharp. He turned to you and the weight of his stare made you take a step back. Even with glasses on, even with the rain between you, it was like he was staring through you– into your soul. He craned his head closer to you, the corners of his pink lips turning upward. “This place is depressing. You wanna leave?” 

“...and then Suguru practically threw himself between you and that cursed spirit. Do you know that you would have died if he hadn’t?” You said, admonishing him with a shake of your head as you sipped on your tea. Satoru sat across from you with an amused grin, nursing some kind of half-coffee/half-ice cream beverage topped with ungodly amounts of whipped cream. “Do you even remember how close you were to getting us all killed?” 

Satoru leaned back in his seat, his grin widening. “Chill out, I knew Suguru had my back. You worry too much.” 

You narrowed your eyes at the sorcerer across from you. “I worried because you were stealing from it,” you shot back, pointing an accusing finger at him. “Did you really think it was a good idea to take a cursed item from a spirit mid-fight just to prove a point?” 

He shrugged, obviously unfazed. “It wasn’t just any cursed item. It was a miniature Inugami statue– super rare, extremely cursed, and probably worth a fortune.”

“All for you to use as a paperweight, Satoru? You weren’t going to sell it,” you scoffed. “Admit it was just for bragging rights, and I’ll let it go.” 

“I totally would, if that were the case,” he insisted. “I’ll have you know, it was actually for research.”

“Unbelievable,” you muttered, rolling your eyes. “Suguru was practically pulling his hair out, and I had to activate my technique just to get us out of there alive. Which, by the way, Yaga told us not to do.”

“That’s teamwork for you,” he said, waving his hand dismissively. “Besides, you saved us, didn’t you? We lived to tell the tale!” 

You shook your head once more, setting your cup down. Recalling the mission, your irritation started to soften. It had been one of the first missions you’d been sent on with Satoru, and you remembered the raw panic of seeing him in action– reckless and brilliant as any star in the sky –always charging headfirst into danger. You hadn’t known how to handle him back then, usually clinging to Suguru to remain grounded. 

You still didn’t really know. 

“Speaaaakingg of your technique,” he sung, his voice shifting into something more focused, interested. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table between you. “You’ve never actually explained it to me.” 

You blinked, startled by his sudden closeness. “Huh?”

“Your technique,” he said, watching you intently. “You’ve been dodging all of my questions about it since high school– I’ve seen it in action like a million times now, but you’ve never told me how it works. And don’t pretend you don’t remember– I’ve been asking for years!” 

You hesitated, his gaze pinning you in place. He wasn’t teasing anymore, and the shift in his demeanor was starting to make you squirm. “I just… didn’t think it was important,” you said finally, quieter now. 

“Not important,” he repeated incredulously. “Shi-chan, you predicted every move that cursed spirit made before it even made them. You’ve utilized your technique to the extent of a first-grade sorcerer– sponsored in part by yours truly, by the way,” he beamed at you, a quick wink following suit. 

“It’s boring, okay?” You spit out defensively, gripping your tea a little tighter. “Messy. Unreliable. It’s… not as useful as you think.” 

“Shiori,” he said softly, abandoning his earlier playfulness. You froze at the uncharacteristic weight in his voice. You looked up into an open, serious expression, like he was trying to draw something out of you. You felt like… an equal. “Tell me.” 

You exhaled slowly and downed the rest of your drink. “It’s… threads,” you began, the words tasting unfamiliar on your tongue. You’ve never tried to explain this before. “Imagine you’ve stepped onto a spider web, right in the middle… staring out into thousands of possible pathways, connected by everything– choices, actions, outcomes. They aren’t all clear. If I focus, I can follow them. Sometimes, the outcomes come to me before anything else– like all of the choices have been made, all of the steps have been taken, and now all we can do is… embrace what comes next. Prepare for it.” 

He didn’t say anything at first, and you worried you hadn’t explained it well enough. The intensity of his gaze made you feel like you’d just stripped yourself bare in front of him. “You see the threads of fate,” he said after a few quiet beats.

You swallowed hard. “I guess. It’s not perfect. It’s overwhelming, usually. I can’t always control the visions that come to me, and sometimes… there’s nothing I can do about them.” 

“And you live with that?” He asked, sounding genuinely curious. “Seeing all of it… every day?” 

“It’s not that different from you, I suppose,” you sighed, meeting his gaze despite the unease twisting in your gut. “You see cursed energy down to an atomic level, right? The flow of it, the flaws in it. You can’t turn it off. You live with it, too.” 

For a long moment, Satoru didn’t say anything. He stared at you, his eyes brighter than you remember them being, with a clarity that was nearly overwhelming. You were worried that he was going to laugh for implying that your techniques could even be compared, but… he didn’t. Instead, his lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile. “So, that’s why you always look at me like that.” 

You blinked. Huh? “Like what?” 

“Like you knew something that even I didn’t,” he said. “Like you saw something that I couldn’t.” 

Your breath caught, his words settling deep in your chest. You weren’t prepared for them. For years, you’d thought of him as the untouchable one– the person that no one could truly understand. But now, as he stared at you– almost fondly, it felt like… he was saying the same about you. 

“We’re the same,” he continued, his voice a bit softer now. Almost hesitant. “You and me. We see too much. Control too little. And it’s…,” he trailed off, his eyes searching yours. “It’s lonely, isn’t it?” 

You didn’t answer. You felt a blush creeping across your cheeks, and the noise of the cafe faded into the background, leaving only the sound of your heartbeat and the weight of his gaze between you. You didn’t know what to say, but at that moment, it felt like he’d already said enough for both of you. 

Somewhere out west, 2018...

The smell of coffee lingered in your memory, rich and warm, as though you could still taste it. You remembered the way the cafe lights cast a faint golden glow on Satoru’s white hair, the way he’d leaned across the table with that uncharacteristically serious expression. 

“We see too much. Control too little. And it’s… it’s lonely, isn’t it?” 

You exhaled sharply, your eyes adjusting to the brightness of the morning. Natural light fled in through the windows, and you reacquainted yourself with your surroundings. You were dreaming of him again. The memory faded, replaced by the creak of wood and the soft sound of Haruto’s laughter filtering in through the cabin’s thin walls. 

The storm had passed. You could feel the silence it left behind– a fragile, weighty calm pressing down on the trees, the roof, and the snow piled high outside. Your routine waited for you, with very little space to allot for memories of Haruto’s father. 

You rolled out of bed, tugging on a thick robe before padding into the main room. Haruto’s laughter grew louder as you neared the entryway, bright and unrestrained. The kind of pure, innocent joy that made your heart swell and ache all at once. 

“Aya,” you called, your voice carrying over the sound of your son’s delighted squeals. “You didn’t have to start without me.”

Aya stood near the front door, she turned toward you with a wry smile. Her shadow manipulation technique was at work, sending dark tendrils of energy rippling across the snow-covered ground. They were pushing and pulling, heaving snow from your doorstep out into the surrounding forest. Aya’s hands moved fluidly, almost like a conductor guiding an orchestra as shadows stretched beneath her feet.

“Good morning to you, too,” She said, raising an eyebrow. Her tone was teasing but warm. “Someone was eager to get started.”

Your gaze fell to precious Haruto, who stood bundled in his little puffy winter coat, stomping his boots gleefully as the snow shifted in heaps under Aya’s command. “Make a wolf!” He cried, his voice high-pitched with excitement. “Make a wolf again!”

Aya chuckled, and with a flick of her wrist, the shadows twisted and curled, forming a sleek, wolf-like figure that bounded through the snow. Haruto squealed with delight, clapping his mittened hands as the shadow wolf ran a wide circle around him before dissolving back into the earth.

“You’re spoiling him,” you said, leaning against the doorframe with a small smile.

Haruto ran toward you, his cheeks pink from the cold and his blue eyes sparkling with joy. “Mama, did you see? Aya made a wolf!”

“I saw,” you said, crouching down to straighten his hat. “Did you say thank you?”

“Thank you, Aya!” Haruto shouted, spinning back toward her before tugging on your hand. “Mama, I wanna play in the snow!”

“After breakfast,” You said firmly, standing and brushing the snow off his coat. “And we’re not going anywhere until Aya finishes clearing the door.”

“Almost done,” Aya said, her voice light as the shadows moved in one final sweep, gathering the last of the snow into a neat pile several feet from the cabin. 

“It’s late. Do you still plan on opening the shop today?” you asked, pouring a cup of coffee. It had never been your drink of choice before moving to the States, but it had grown on you tremendously when Haruto entered toddlerhood. Some days, it felt like the only thing keeping you on your feet.

“Of course!” Aya tsked, as if the answer was obvious. “You’ve got appointments to keep, Madam Myoji.” Her chuckle was warm but laced with dry humor. “And don’t pretend otherwise.”

You nodded at her insistence, never one to take a break. Aya had slipped into this life with you so seamlessly that you sometimes forgot how strange it must have been for her—a former Zenin, once heir to a prominent jujutsu clan, now living in a sleepy American mountain town where her shadows swept driveways instead of fighting curses.

“This is my life now, huh?” you muttered, sipping your coffee. “Selling my technique for spare change. Reading fortunes for a living…” You rolled your eyes.

Haruto giggled from the porch, his mittened hands clapping as a few of Aya’s lingering shadows swirled into shapes—first a bird, then a bear, then a giant, wiggling snake. “Aya, make a dragon!” he shouted, bouncing on his toes.

“A dragon?” Aya exaggerated a gasp and arched her eyebrow at you. “This boy’s got high standards. You sure he’s not a Gojo?”

You groaned, setting your coffee cup down on the counter behind you. “Don’t start, Aya.”

She laughed softly, but there was a knowing glint in her eyes as she approached Haruto, her hands moving in fluid motions as the shadows shifted and expanded, taking on the elegant form of a serpent-like dragon. Haruto squealed with delight, stomping his boots as the dragon coiled and twisted in the snow.

“I spoil you, little one,” Aya said, her voice warm as the dragon dissolved into misty shadows. “But don’t get used to it. I’ve got a shop to run.”

“And we’ve got a living to make,” you muttered, leaning against the doorframe. The words were practical, a reminder to yourself as much as to anyone else. “Haruto, come inside. You can play in the snow after I’ve seen you eat.”

“But the dragon!” Haruto whined, dragging his feet as he shuffled toward you, his cheeks flushed and his nose red from the cold.

“Dragons will still be there after breakfast,” you said, tugging off his hat as he stepped inside. You crouched to unbutton his coat, brushing the snow from his sleeves. “You’re going to turn into a snowman if you stay out any longer.”

An hour and two Haruto tantrums later, you and Aya stepped into her seamstress shop, snow crunching under your boots. Haruto trailed behind you, bundled up like a marshmallow, dragging Snowy across the floor. You flipped the sign from CLOSED to OPEN with a practiced motion, sighing softly.

The familiar warmth of the shop wrapped around you, the lingering scent of fabric, thread, and lavender from one of Aya’s enchanted sachets. Her strange Zenin shadow magic kept the shop pristine despite the storms that often battered the mountain town. While the rest of the village dug out from under snow drifts, her storefront always remained untouched—an unspoken oddity that no one questioned. 

Clients would show up today, no matter the weather. You knew they would. When the forest loomed as dark and enigmatic as it did here, people sought answers wherever they could find them.

Aya pulled her gloves off with a practiced motion, her shadows flicking the shop's wood stove to life as she said, “Warm up and keep that little one busy while I set up for the day.”

“Good luck,” you muttered, pulling Haruto’s coat off as he squirmed. His attention was already fixed on the bolt of fabric sitting on Aya’s worktable, his small fingers twitching as though itching to touch it. Aya caught him with a pointed look.

“Don’t even think about it,” she said, and Haruto immediately darted to the corner where his box of toys waited, forgetting about it quickly— as toddlers do.

Shaking your head, you walked past the racks of handmade garments and stepped through the beaded curtain into your private workspace. The faint clatter of beads behind you felt like crossing into another world, and the cool calm of the room washed over you. A soundproof veil rippled faintly overhead, separating this space from the bustling shop floor.

Myoji Metaphysical.

Your real job. The one that kept your technique sharp while providing enough income to raise a toddler. A balancing act, though you couldn’t help but feel the edges fraying every now and then.

The room was simple—candles lined the shelves, the scent of sandalwood lingering in the air. A small, sturdy table sat in the center, surrounded by two chairs. You lit the candles with a quick flick of a match, dimmed the lights, and exhaled deeply. The room always had a stillness to it, as though the walls themselves were holding their breath.

This was how you lived now. Clients came in, you held their hands, maybe drew a few cards, and guided them through the tangled web of fate that stretched before them. You weren’t lying to anyone—your technique worked. Their paths revealed themselves clearly enough when you focused. You could see which thread was strongest, which outcomes loomed closest. Many of the townspeople were so pleased with your readings that they came back, regularly booking appointments for ‘advising’. 

The shop’s structure kept you nearly invisible. All income filtered discreetly under Aya’s business, unlisted, untraceable. A ghost in the system. Just the way you wanted it. 

The faint chime of the front door’s bell echoed through the curtain. Your first client of the day. You sat down at the table, hands moving with muscle memory as you shuffled your cards. The scent of sandalwood mingled with the first faint tendrils of tension that always came with meeting someone else’s threads of fate. 

Aya’s voice carried softly from the main shop. “Special event? Straight down that hall and to the left, dear.”

You closed your eyes for a moment, steadying yourself, and then exhaled. This was your life, and the day was just beginning.

The beaded curtain swayed, and a nervous energy swept into the room. You looked up from your cards to see a woman hesitating in the doorway, her hands clutching the strap of her bag so tightly that her knuckles were white. Her scarf and coat were dusted with snow, her face red from the cold, but her wide eyes were what caught your attention: she was frightened.

“Come in,” you said gently, gesturing toward the chair across from you. “It’s warm here. Take a seat.”

She thanked you politely and shuffled forward, her boots scuffing the floor as she sat down. She didn’t let go of her bag, clutching it to her chest as though it might shield her from whatever it was that she feared. You waited, letting her adjust. 

She cleared her throat and spoke quietly. “It’s about my husband,” she said, her voice shaky but determined. “I… I don’t think he’s cheating, but something’s wrong. He’s been sneaking out at night.”

Your expression stayed neutral, though your interest piqued. “What makes you say that?”

“He doesn’t know I’ve noticed,” she continued, glancing at the candles flickering on the shelves. “He waits until he thinks I’m asleep, then he slips out the back door. And he always takes the lantern with him, the one he uses when he’s going into the woods.”

Your fingers paused mid-shuffle. “The woods?”

She nodded, biting her lip. “He won’t tell me where he’s going or why. But he comes back hours later smelling like smoke and… something else. Something I can’t place. And his hands…” She swallowed hard, her voice lowering. “They’re always filthy, like he’s been digging in the dirt.”

Her words lingered in the air, and you felt your own pulse quicken as you stared at her, calculating. The woods were no place for anyone to wander alone, especially at night. The town’s collective silence on what truly lingered in the forest spoke louder than any words could. Whatever superstitions the townsfolk clung to, you knew the truth: cursed energy lingered in those woods, and where there was energy, there was danger.

“And you think he might be…” You trailed off, giving her space to fill in the blank.

She hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper when she spoke again. “I think he might be… dabbling in something. Something occult. He’s always been stubborn, and he doesn’t talk about what he does out there. But I’ve heard stories about those woods. I don’t know what to think.”

You took a deep breath, setting your cards aside. “All right. Let’s take a look.”

She blinked at you, her hands trembling slightly as you extended your own. “Place your hands in mine,” you said, your voice steady despite the tension coiling in your chest. “Let’s see if we can’t get to the bottom of this.” 

She obeyed, her fingers cold as they pressed against yours. You closed your eyes, reaching out with your technique. The threads began to unwind before you, tangling and twisting like a web of possibilities stretching into the unknown. You followed them, searching for clarity, and—

There it was. A figure in the woods, lantern in hand, crouched over something. You saw the faint glow of fire, the smell of smoke thick in the air. He was hunched over a makeshift still, the clink of glass jars faint but unmistakable. Moonshine. He wasn’t calling spirits from the forest—he was brewing something potent and illegal, alone in the dark to avoid prying eyes.

You exhaled sharply, relief flooding your chest as you pulled back from the threads. The woman’s wide-eyed gaze met yours, searching for answers.

“He’s not dabbling in anything occult,” you said carefully, watching her shoulders sag with visible relief. “But he has been sneaking out. He’s… working on something.”

“Working on what?” she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

You chuckled, unable to help yourself, then gave her the truth. “A still. I believe he’s brewing moonshine in the woods.”

Her face froze, her expression caught between shock and disbelief. “Moonshine?”

“Yes,” you confirmed, folding your hands in your lap. “He’s taking the lantern because he needs the firelight. That’s where the smoke and the dirt are coming from.”

The tension in her face melted into something almost comical, and she let out a shaky laugh. “You mean to tell me he’s been sneaking out to make bootleg liquor?”

“Looks like it,” you said, unable to keep a small smile from creeping onto your face. “If it’s any comfort, he’s not summoning spirits or doing anything dangerous. Not occult spirits, anyway.”

She buried her face in her hands, letting out another laugh—this one tinged with exasperation. “That man is going to give me a heart attack,” she muttered. “I thought he was dragging some eldritch horror into our lives, and it’s just booze. God, I’m going to kill him.”

You chuckled softly, standing as she gathered her bag and made her way to the beaded curtain. “Tell him to be careful,” you said lightly. “Those woods… they’re not safe at night. Perhaps he can… relocate his business elsewhere?”

She barked a laugh, shaking her head as she slipped back into the main shop. “Thank you,” she called over her shoulder. “For the peace of mind, at least.”

The beads clattered softly in her wake, and you sat back down, exhaling deeply. Relief lingered in your chest, though a faint unease tugged at the edges of your thoughts. They have no idea what’s out there. 

Aya’s voice filtered through the curtain, teasing and warm. “She looked happier leaving than when she came in. That’s always a good sign.”

“Let’s hope it lasts,” you murmured, already reaching for your cards again.

The day is slammed full of mundane readings, your head aching just a little by the time you finished up with your last client. After seeing the young man through the front door, you smiled politely through the glass before flipping the OPEN sign back to CLOSED. You breathed a small sigh of relief, letting your shoulders drop with the exhale. 

You were grateful to be loading Haruto into his car seat that evening, starting the short drive up the mountain to your home. Dinner was a simple chicken soup, which everyone thankfully enjoyed, and it felt as if the day had flown by when you were finishing up the last of the dishes, staring out into the snow-covered forest beyond your kitchen window. Aya’s voice carried over from Haruto’s bedroom; she was trying to get him to wind down for bed.

“I wan’ a story!” You heard him protest, stifling a chuckle at his persistence. He’d do anything to stay awake a little longer, even when he’s swaying on his feet. 

“Which would you like me to read tonight, little one?” Aya’s warm voice carried over to you. 

You finished putting away leftovers and tidying the kitchen quickly, stepping into Haruto’s room just as Aya finished the book she’d pulled from the shelf. He was already tucked into bed, Snowy the Rabbit hugged tightly to his chest as he listened intently. You lingered in the doorway, unable to help the smile taking over your lips at the warmth in Aya’s voice. 

“...And the little prince slept soundly,” She read, her tone soft and soothing, “knowing that his mama and papa would always be right outside, fighting off all of the monsters.” 

Haruto clapped his hands excitedly, his laughter bright and bubbly in the cozy room. “Monsters!” he giggled, mimicking the word like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. He babbled on about how he’d fight monsters, too, waving Snowy around in his fist like a sword. Eventually, he settled down and his gaze turned thoughtful. 

He looked up at Aya with wide, curious eyes, and you felt a tugging in your chest. Your skin erupted in gooseflesh, and a chill overcame you. My technique. 

“Aya,” your son said, his innocent curiosity making your heart ache. “Do I have a papa?” 

The room stilled. Aya froze, her fingers lingering over the cover of the storybook still sitting in her lap. Slowly, she looked to you in the doorway, straightened as if bracing for impact.

When she finally spoke, her words were measured. Careful. “That’s a big question, Haruto,” she said gently, her voice steady. “I think your mama can answer it better than I can.” 

He was looking at you now, blue eyes sparkling like stars as he waited for your answer. You pushed off the doorframe and approached his bed with your heart thundering in your chest. You knelt beside him, hands trembling as you smoothed a lock of his white hair. 

“Honey,” you started, trying to choose your words carefully. “You do have a papa. But… he’s not here right now. Mommy hasn’t seen him in quite a long time.” 

“Where is he?” He pressed, tilting his head.

You forced a small smile to your lips despite the lump in your throat. “He’s… somewhere very far away, doing something very important. But you don’t have to worry about that, sweet boy. I’m here, and I will always take care of you.” 

Haruto seemed to consider this for a moment, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling. He looked back at you suddenly, as if he just had a realization. His expression was earnest and concerned as he exclaimed, “But mama! Who’s gonna help you fight all the monsters?” 

The question hit you like a physical blow, stealing the breath from your lungs. Even Aya inhaled sharply behind you, her usually neutral expression momentarily shaken. You stared at your son, his innocent concern, unable to speak as his words echoed in your mind. 

“I don’t need anyone else, Haruto,” you nearly whispered, your voice quieter than you’d intended. You cupped his cheek in your hand. “As long as I have you, I’ll be just fine.” 

A soft lie wrapped in love.

As stubborn as his father, your son pouted at your carefully crafted response. He furrowed his little brows and inhaled as if he were going to argue. Your heart squeezed in your chest, bracing for whatever unfiltered truth that might tumble from his lips next. 

Haruto puffed out his tiny chest and sat up in bed. “Don’t worry, mama!” He declared, his voice full of confidence. “I’ll help you fight ‘em!” 

The fierceness in his tone startled you, his resemblance to Satoru so shocking in that moment that you might have started crying if it weren’t for the soft laughter bubbling up from your throat. The sound cracked through the weight of the moment, warming the room like the glow of a candle.

“You will, huh?” You murmured, brushing a hand through his snowy white tresses. “My brave little warrior.”

“Yeah!” He nodded enthusiastically, blue eyes sparkling with familiar determination.

Your throat tightened again, but this time it wasn’t from fear or guilt– it was from the sheer, overwhelming love you felt for this tiny boy– the most precious of all of your secrets. He had no idea how much you wished you could keep him safe from all of life’s monsters, real or imagined.

“That’s a big job, little one,” Aya spoke now, closing the story book with a snap. “You’d better rest up if you’re gonna keep up with mama.” 

And finally, he smiled, nodding at the sentiment. He settled back in bed, his eyelids starting to drop as he nestled into his quilt and clutched Snowy close. 

When you stepped out of the room for the night, the weight of the moment finally settled over you, suffocating. Inescapable. You closed the door softly behind you, careful not to disturb Haruto as the ache in your chest intensified. 

The tears that clouded your eyes were hot and stinging, and you blinked them away furiously– trying desperately to keep them at bay. You didn’t cry over Satoru often– not anymore. You’d trained yourself to push those feelings away, ignore them, bury them deep into the recesses of your heart where they couldn’t touch you anymore. 

But tonight, the walls you’d built around them were crumbling. 

“I hope I can be all that he needs,” you whispered, voice trembling. You clasped a hand over your mouth to stifle the sob threatening to escape. “I… I want to be.”

Your knees nearly buckled, and you leaned against the wall. Your hand pressed tightly against your lips as the tears spilled over. Aya’s soft steps stopped beside you, and though she didn’t speak, you felt her steadying hand on your shoulder. 

“You are,” she said, firm but gentle in your ear. “Even when you don’t believe it.”

You shook your head, the words doing little to soothe the guilt gnawing at your insides. “He deserves so much more,” you managed to say between shaky breaths. “More than I can–,” 

“He has you, Shiori,” Aya said, her voice carrying a necessary edge to get you to listen. “That is enough.” 

“I… I knew he would ask eventually,” you said with a shake of your head. “But… So soon? He’s so little.” 

“Little and smart. He’s curious, Shi-chan. Questions like that are only going to come up more as he gets older.” She said evenly. 

“How will I know how to answer them?” You whispered, eyes falling on the cracked door to his bedroom. 

Aya sighed, her fingers brushing over your arm. “You don’t have to have the perfect response right now,” she said. “But you should prepare some of them. He’s a sharp little one.” 

Her words were blunt, but practical. She bore no judgment in her tone, only acknowledgment of the difficult path you’d chosen. You closed your eyes and pressed your back against the wall, letting out a breath that you didn’t know you were holding.

“I respect your decisions,” she continued after a moment, watching you carefully from where she stood next to Haruto’s doorframe. “You’re protecting him the way you know best. However, your little boy is going to need you to be honest with him someday.” 

You nodded shakily, refusing to acknowledge the scalding tears returning to your waterline. “I know.” 

As Aya’s footsteps faded down the hall, you lingered in the quiet she left behind. Your gaze fixed on the door that separated you from your son’s tiny world. “Someday,” you murmured to yourself, clutching the fragile hope that the truth, when it came to light, would be enough.

...

This is Chapter 2 of a multi-chapter fic to be crossposted to AO3. Taglist below as requested. @starlightglimmersworld @mccookiemonster @leilakaro @certainduckanchor @itsbellablue-blog @shokosbunny @megumisthirdog @thegh0stwife @54fangirl @misslovingpearl @idkuluka

[onyourowndaisymae]

hi!!!!!! can i request the minecraft post u did for the dateables but for the brothers? i love ur writing sm it's so cute <3333

obey me brothers playing minecraft with you

thank you so much for the love <33 this was actually a lot of fun to write because all of these men are so very ridiculous. cheers to my first ever request!

[dateables version]

content warnings: language, bullying the villagers, killing the animals, you know how minecraft is

prompt: you've somehow convinced these guys to play minecraft, a human world game, one night, just the two of you. but how exactly does that experience go?

{established relationship, obey me x reader with the brothers}

Lucifer

oh. oh peepaw.

you really have to coax this man into playing with you. he's perfect at everything, all the time-- to engage in activity like this one, in front of you of all people, wounds his ego more than he'd like to admit. he doesn't want you to see him be bad at something. what if you no longer respect him? what if his inability to comprehend the little block people's actions are enough to ruin your love for him? he's genuinely distressed about this (not that he'd let it show), but you seem interested, so he reluctantly agrees.

two key things are necessary when playing minecraft with lucifer: patience and teamwork.

leaving him to do any task alone is daunting. the perfectionism paralyzes him a bit in these moments. take him with you! collect wood together, mine in the same mineshaft, hunt monsters together-- all of it starts to ease his mind when you work together. he starts to focus not on his pride but his love for you and spending quality time by your side.

as time progresses, he does eventually get a grip in the controls and mechanics-- well, as much as you can expect a dinosaur like him to understand. you still do a lot of tasks together in-game, but it's more of camaraderie thing by that point. he just likes being by your side, okay? don't make him say it, or you'll be hunting monsters by yourself bestie.

lucifer is also a really big fan of the soundtrack. it's so simple yet well-composed, a stark different to that garish video game music levi listens to. please play with the sound up and let him enjoy the sound of the rain intermingling with the music; his relaxed face is very cute.

Mammon

what's that? you wanna play minecraft with the great mammon? of course you do! he's gonna be the best player you've ever seen, just ya wait-- what's that? no, he's never touched the game before, but he knows he'll be fantastic. watch and learn, baybee, cuz the great mammon is here to show up and show out.

what he lacks in skill, he makes up several times over in enthusiasm. this is important, because he absolutely lacks skill.

mammon is a dangerous combination of unobservant and overenthusiastic, leading to every stupid situation you can think of. he thinks he sees an important resource, so he leaves for juuust a second... boom. he's lost. he somehow manages to attract lava in every. single. cave. at this point, you have to ban him from carrying anything important.

one thing he is good at is monster hunting. he's made it his mission from day 1 to protect you, whether it be real life or in a video game. he'll face a monster-- enderman, creeper, sneaky skeleton, you name it-- without an ounce of fear if it means you'll live another in-game day (some might call this excessive, but you just call it cute).

like everything with mammon, sometimes his instinct to protect you goes overboard. he tries to ban you from entering the mines and going outside at night because what if a monster gets you, human?? fortunately for you, he never figured out how to run in-game, so just sprint past him and carry on.

on a completely unrelated note-- this greedy motherfucker (said with SO much affection) hordes all the treasures in-game like a dragon. his goal is to build you two a mansion of diamond and gold. this is very cute if you once again ignore the fact that he keeps FALLLING IN LAVA with all his vauables. y'all are never getting anywhere in this game.

Leviathan

levi is, hands down, the best person to play minecraft with. you don't have to teach him a thing-- in fact, he's probably the one that brought it up to you!

he's very pleased that you'd indulge in one of his hobbies like this, regardless of whether you actually play video games or not. just the thought of you there, sitting next to him, hanging out with him because you want to be around a shut-in otaku like him... the thought gives him butterflies.

... y'all can't actually share a house by the way. he gets too flustered. make a joke about putting your minecraft beds together and he's blushing. it does not matter how long you've been together, his reaction will always be the same.

he's one of the only ones that you can progress through the game with. bashful levi is amazing in the mines. he's got a system down pat that'll help you guys find your way back to the entry point, where he's set up a base camp with chests and resources so you won't have to resurface until you're done. smart, right?

y'all actually go to the nether and the end. he's very quick to pick up the game's mechanics and use his luck to to help you guys progress. every victory is shared; what's the fun of winning if you're not winning together?

levi will play with you basically any time you ask. he loves when you refer to it as "our minecraft world". better yet, praise him for all his hard work in making your world and watch him melt. he's just a sucker for your love, and the fact that he's actually good at this activity makes him all the more happy to do it with you.

Satan

satan doesn't really know much about this game that you're describing, but he's willing to play it with you if you're really that interested. he's always ready to learn more about things from the human world; when you tell him this is one of the most popular games up on earth, he wants to try it at least once.

satan is not the best in general at video games, but he's quick-witted and resourceful, so the two of you get by just fine. the problem mostly lies in the fact that satan's audacity gets you into trouble sometimes. there is no little voice in his head telling him not to do something potentially dangerous and stupid, especially if there's some reward to gain on the other side. he is fully convinced he can take on an iron golem with a stone sword and no armor, just you watch--

be carefully with letting him run around freely. there's lots of ways to die in this game, and each failure pokes at the embers of wrath below his cool exterior.

this intelligent lil guy figures out redstone pretty damn quick. he'll use this knowledge to create lots of little creations meant to make your camp better. whether or not this actually helps is an entirely different story... but look! a gate! aren't you so proud of him? (please praise him, he needs it so bad)

and you wouldn't be playing with satan if all progress didn't come to a stop the moment he spots an ocelot. when you tell him you can befriend them, he's overjoyed. look at how cute they are! one ocelot turns into two, then three, then four... suddenly there's a small army of ocelots in your house that he's caring for. y'all better make room in your joint minecraft bed or satan will feel like a bad cat dad. he's so ridiculous and i love him

Asmodeus

this man plays minecraft with his priorities straight-- he spends way too long creating a cute character skin to play with, then builds a cute house and decorates it to the nines, then focuses on finding himself the cutest armor and weapons... all before doing literally anything productive, btw.

do not expect asmodeus to be much help. he's mostly there for moral support. he cannot do things "for survival" like gathering food and resources or building a starter home. everything must be perfect, or it doesn't get done. asmo did not craft himself a bed until he was able to dye the wool pink and have a cute pink bed. he cannot bring himself to live in an ugly house, so you either need to help him or listen to him whine about getting rained on or attacked by monsters until he's done.

this is not to imply that playing with asmo is not fun!!

asmo is not a monster hunter, a miner, or any good at gathering resources. however, his experience with makeup makes him insanely creative. while you might not have a house for several days, the end result even gives barbatos' house a run for its money. his decor is always very cute and clean, soft even in the blocky 2D world. he'll make your whole base camp aesthetically pleasing if you let him (please let him-- his smile is worth it).

asmo often finds himself a damsel in distress. he'll fall in holes and get very confused, scream when he gets attacked, and generally need you to protect him at every turn. succeed, though, and he'll hail you as one of the most amazing people he's ever met. the game will be discarded as he throws his arms around you, kissing you all over the face and showering you in praises, all for saving his house from a stray creeper.

oh, and he'll definitely put your beds next to each other and smirk at you. what did you expect from the avatar of lust? cornball

Beelzebub

sweet, beloved baby beel. he's ready and willing to play with you whenever. if you want to make some actual progress, prepare lots of snacks and set a cozy atmosphere to keep him full and content. playing with the avatar of gluttony does require a little prep in that regard.

this (metaphorical) angel really has a hard time killing any of the livestock. he apologizes aloud anytime he has to slay one and explains to the poor creature why he's killing them. sorry, little sheep guy, but you two need to make beds. the cows make him feel especially bad because they remind him of belphie.

he's really big on making sure you guys have a secure, safe home to hide away in. sometimes, things get really overwhelming in the game, so he wants you to have a space where you feel safe and protected enough to calm down. this bunker is definitely a bit ugly, but we can't win them all.

play with him long enough and all the food will start looking really tasty to him. that bread looks a little too real, doesn't it, mc? and that cake is so life-like... redirect him to his snack horde, stat.

he also wants to do all of your tasks together. when he's there with you, he can make sure you're safe or offer you help when your struggling to complete a task on your own. he want to make sure you're having fun! let him help you, please, it makes him feel loved. he likes spending time with you.

definitely doesn't get the "putting your minecraft beds together" joke. you can either explain the to him and watch him blush, or let him live with the assumption that it's for extra cuddle room.

Belphegor

you've got to coax belphie into playing with you for a few days, because honestly? that sounds like a lot of work. not only does he have to participate, but he's also got to learn, too? he's already yawning just talking about it all.

he'll eventually snuggle in with his back against your chest and your arms clumsily holding the controller in front of him. he doesn't particularly care that this position makes gaming difficult for you, not when you're cuddling him like this. it's really a win-win situation in his eyes: he'll play the little block game if you shower him in unconditional affection any time he wants. what a deal! his youngest child energy really shows in times like these.

belphie is heartless when it comes to raiding villages and collecting resources. what's that? you feel bad? they're not real, mc. they don't have feelings. they don't care that you're stealing from them. if it really makes you feel bad he'll stop, but he will complain about how much easier things could have been if you'd just robbed a village or two.

somehow, some way, he's also super lucky?? he'll stumble upon rare resources with little to no effort and snicker about how you're still scrambling for supplies. don't worry, he'll share. only if you beg, though. go on. he wants to hear it. maybe, maybe he'll be willing to give you the diamonds he found if you convince him. (what a fucking menace!)

he will, eventually, fall asleep while playing. the music is too soft and your arms around him are too warm for him to not drift off. that's okay. carefully take the controller away from him, save the game, shut down the system, and settle in for the night. he'll cuddle closer in his sleep, unconsciously touched by the gesture, and drag you into dreamland with him.

[kandisheek]

Cap-Ironman Rec Week 2024

Better Together Monday: July 22nd

Prompt: Tell us all about those fanworks where Tony and Steve are better teammates, are more competent, complete missions more efficiently and are just overall better for working and being together!

We all know that Steve and Tony are better together than apart, and this is the perfect time to celebrate it! Here are some of my favorite fics where teamwork makes the dream work:

-- Kludged Together by Veldeia

When he cut his morning jog short to join Tony Stark on a reconnaissance mission off the East Coast, Steve sure wasn’t expecting to end up stuck on a life raft in the middle of the ocean, his hand knuckle-deep in Stark's chest.

-- Danger Mouse by isozyme

First step: get both Tony and the pieces of Tony’s suit into some kind of shelter. It’s not raining now, but it’s only a matter of time. The passenger bay of the jet is sitting at a thirty degree angle and pretty banged up, but the doors are accessible and, hey, it’s got a roof. Step two after shelter: make a fire. That’s wilderness 101. Steve pats around his belt pouches for his matches. He comes up with a pack of tissues (wet), a couple of business cards (wet), his guilty pack of cigarettes (also wet), and finally a book of matches. It’s wet.

-- If Through a Door by jibrailis

Tony is accused of murder on an alien planet; Steve marries him to bring him home.

MORE RECS BELOW THE CUT:

-- Symmetry Breaking by Annie D (scaramouche)

After the Battle of New York, Steve rode off on his motorbike. That's how it went the first time. This time he rides back, all the way to Stark Tower, where he asks Tony for help.

-- Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happy Hour by BladeoftheNebula

“What is your problem?” Steve finally asked, annoyed at the way Stark was acting like there was a storm cloud over his head. Stark reeled back. “My problem? My fucking problem? You walk around this place with a stick jammed so far up your ass I’m surprised you can even bend over to suture!” Steve’s jaw dropped. “At least my head isn’t so big it barely fits through the OR doors.” Dr Steve Rogers is finally assigned to work at the MASH 107 army hospital in Korea, just like he’s been wanting since he was drafted. Too bad the Chief Surgeon is such an ass.

-- Senseless by Scavenge4Dreams

Blinded, deafened, exhausted, injured and afraid, Tony raised himself up into a defensive position, the knife coming up just like Nat had taught him.  “That had better fucking be you, Steve Rogers- it had better be you. Fucking disarm me. If you let me kill you, I swear I will be very, very pissed.” Tony snarled, sure it was Steve approaching. Had to be. Had. To. Be.  What if it wasn’t?

-- Trust Fall by Sineala

Tony needs someone who cares about him, bandages, a jacket, ibuprofen, dinner, a lasting romantic relationship, a nice time in bed, and assistance committing federal crimes. He gets them. In that order.

-- Love among the Hydrothermal Vents by DevilDoll

In which Namor has a thing for Steve, an octopus has a thing for Tony, and Steve and Tony eventually have a thing for each other.

And two of my own fics:

-- Flipping Through Channels

When Loki hits Tony and Steve with an illusion spell during their fight, Tony is prepared for torture, nightmares, the whole shebang. What he's not prepared for is being trapped in a kitschy eighties rom-com with him and Steve as the protagonist and love interest. And why the hell does Loki want them to kiss so badly?

-- Some More Equal Than Others

Steve split from SHIELD years ago, but when Fury approaches him with a rescue mission that goes beyond anything they've ever done before, Steve knows that he can't turn a blind eye to it. Those animals need his help, and if he has to go undercover to save them, then he'll do it gladly. He never expects to find what he does, a tiger hybrid who seems to understand him and yet pretend to be an animal. Steve knows that even more than any of the other animals in this illegal zoo, this man was never meant to belong in a cage. No matter what, Steve won't rest until the man is free.

[waywardsunlight]

Most powerful owl house characters (raw physical/magical power)

1) The Titans (ft Luz and Belos Titan magic variants), includes King when he’s grown up

2) The Archivists (Second because they had to use deception to kill the Titans, I imagine they aren’t more powerful than the Titans directly or almost matched in power)

3) The Collector (Defeated by Papa Titan and Belos using Titan magic, hasn’t reached their full potential yet)

4) Darius Deamonne (Darius can beat Raine in a genuine fight and is only defeated by Eberwolf’s life being threatened/Eda’s magic decay so generally. He can easily defeat other coven heads and has the ability to just disintegrate metal??)

5) Raine Whispers (Raine can defeat Eda and almost defeats Belos when they’re exhausted, Raine is a prodigy who’s known for being powerful and could change the chemical composition of your blood if they wanted to. Fun fact.)

6) Eda and Lilith Clawthorne (their harpy forms are pretty powerful, as well as their magic decay abilities. Eda can defeat Lilith but after Lilith steps into her own and begins defining herself the comparison kinda fades and I think they just share a place on the list.

7) Gus Porter (Gus is the most powerful of the Owl House kids in raw magic which also comes with major drawbacks. However, Gus is able to defeat a coven head on his own and cast massive and powerful illusions)

8) Terra Snapdragon ft the Coven Heads (they’re staggered but I don’t want to sort them all tbh) (I don’t need to explain her 👍) /j, also tied with Alador Blight (Alador primarily uses technology that makes him more powerful but he is significantly powerful and could probably hold his own against a coven head)

9) Belos (he’s further down because he tends to win based on political power and other characters like Hunter and the Scouts backing him up, or using Hunter as a shield. He’s still powerful though, but he’s very much making up for lack of power by using other people. He would be dead so many times over if he wasn’t liquid 👎

Bonus: Warden Wrath (Sometimes). Willow Park is also up here as well as Amity Blight but they’re still growing into their magic and I was thinking 1v1 power and not teamwork bc together they can kick some ass!! I think Gus, Raine, Darius, Eber etc hold back most of the time or are choosing not to use their full power actively. Luz can beat Belos in gaslight gatekeep girlboss arguments but sadly that didn’t count. Her glyphs are based tho. Luz beats Hunter and he’s very cranky about it /silly.

[thunder-opossum]

Oh, here's a thought for you:

I know someone had the idea of Sizzle's sis surviving, I think you agreed her name would be Raincloud (?), and I wanna build onto it too.

Arti is still violent, but now she has the power of teamwork. Raincloud learns to be aggressive as well. Arti treats her daughter like an actual slugcat and not just a helpless pup. Raincloud adores her mother's affection, but is also blind to her abuse. Arti is still an abusive parent, but less so to Rain (she shouts and scolds a lot but has yet to hit her). Why does this matter?

Because after Raincloud learns Sizzle is alive, she doesn't tell Artificer just yet.

Arti instead finds Sizzle and Kelp and excitedly calls Raincloud over. Raincloud doesn't say anything about finding him before, and Sizzle is more accepting of Arti because Rain is there too.

Flash forwards to about Chimney, Sizzle has gotten used to bearing the brunt of both his mother and sister's anger (she was taught it was right to do such). At least he has Kelp.

And then *that* happened. This time, Arti framed it a little better by tossing Raincloud into danger too, so it seemed like Kelp died saving Rain. Arti informed Rain of this plan and she accepted, but she very nearly died because of it. (First moment she thinks mom might not be so good for suggesting this)

When the trio reach Pebbles, he tells Sizzle and Raincloud the exact aftermath of the toll incident for both of them (Sizz being pulled out by garbage worms and adopted, Rain being knocked out and eventually recovered by Arti). Then he also tells Sizzle about Kelp, to which Raincloud nonchalantly replies about how she knew Arti was responsible, and Sizzle is upset and runs away from her.

Cut to Metropolis, and they're in the shelter where Sizzle normally does his epic escape. He escapes, leaving the other two to fume.

Right before the toll the scav chieftain is behind, Sizzle hears a scream and turns around to see Rain running up. He tries to tell her to stop because the scags will attack, but then asks the scavs to not attack instead.

Rain runs right past Sizzle and towards the chieftain, and then he sees Arti approaching fast, so he runs too.

The Chieftain is warned, and Arti enters, the fight almost breaks out, and Sizzle grabs the spear because he knows what he needs to do.

Before he can do it, though, Raincloud takes an explosive spear and backstabs Arti. Dead.

Sizzle rushes to make sure his sister is okay, and then he sees that she is very much not. She's bloody, wounded, and shaky. There's a severe wound still bleeding profusely, and being sent into a wall by an explosion did not help.

Raincloud quickly explains that she had told Arti she'd found him far sooner (in a screaming fit while they tried to get out), and Arti snapped and attacked Rain, almost killing her. She escaped, but also knew she was most likely going to die. She didn't want Sizzle to live with the guilt of killing Arti, so she did it.

And then she dies, too.

Leaving one shocked and depressed Sizzle trying to process what just happened.

-Angel

Wowzers. That's pretty damn harsh 😭.

Raincloud helping in the scheme to kill Kelp is so big brained and sad ahhhhh.

Also hell yeah, Artificer deserves an explosive spear death.

This is a good idea for the au! @kaceyunderfell made og Raincloud.

[xxavengingangelxx]

Long Way from Home 1/?

Ok, so here is chapter one of I don't know how many. I have 25 pages of this. My goal is to immerse the reader in this world and put them into the OC's shoes as she questions her sanity and breaks down. I don't know how it's going to end yet.

Same intro: 141's translator isn't able to escape after Graves's betrayal. He takes her, thinking she has information. Things go horribly. Stockholm Syndrome eventually sets in and our OC feels her 141 identity being ripped to shreds while a new one, possibly loyal to Shadow Company takes hold.

Idk how this is going to do because it's a darker fic. War Criminal Graves for sure. Really insecure about this one :/

READ: Trigger warnings (for the whole fic): Kidnapping, eventual dub-con, threatened rape, torture, mind fucking games, implied/referenced suicide, self-harm.

TAGS: Dub-con, violence, torture, implied/referenced suicide, self-harm.

-

Graves.

You looked up at him as your vision became clearer. Your head was pounding. You realized you were lying in the street. Did someone hit you over the head? You couldn’t recall. Graves started shooting and everyone ran for cover or tried shooting back. You shot back maybe once or twice. Truth was you were terrified of Graves’s Shadows and wanted to get the hell away from them.

You were able to camouflage into the woods and managed to make it to the streets on your way to the agreed upon rendezvous point, which was planned in case just an event happened.

The coldness, hardness, and wetness of that same street took your attention away from the sharp pains seemingly crushing your skull. Raindrops made your vision blurry every now and then as they landed in your eyes.

But that didn’t stop you from glaring at Graves. If looks could kill the man would’ve dropped dead on the spot. After all the missions, all the teamwork, and especially all the nights spent with him…you felt disgusted.

But you still felt small, vulnerable, like prey, even with all your gear on. You were flat on your back surrounded by Shadows (demons)…and Graves. You were beginning to worry. Sure, you’d received the training required to tag along with the 141 but definitely not quite all of it. How the hell were you going to put up with being tortured for information or being held captive if it came to that?

“141’s translator.” Graves smirked. “Good to see ya again, Valdez. Been better though, yeah?”

You said nothing. The firefight had stopped although you didn’t know how much time had passed between the end of the fight and now. You only hoped Soap, Ghost, and Alejandro were okay. You didn’t know what all had happened. All you remembered is that gunshots rang out and everyone ran.

You apparently didn’t run fast enough.

“Where are your friends?” Graves commanded, looking down on you with his hands clutching his vest.

Arrogant bastard.

“141?”

“Duh.”

“I dunno,” you answered simply. “You kinda fucked everything up when you started shooting.”

He laughed. He sounded cruel.

“Where are they?”

“How the fuck would I know?”

“Don’t act. You had to have a rendezvous point.”

You remained silent.

Graves paused before saying, “Actually you know what? Let’s get outta this rain.”

Rough and careless hands grabbed your arms and pulled you into a sitting position, soaking the rest of your clothes.

“Watch it,” you snapped. “Cabron. No me vuelvas a tocar,” you added in your native tongue, demanding he not touch you again.

You heard Graves scoff from the inside of a dilapidated building. He then said, “Cuff ‘er and bring ‘er to me.”

You felt those same rough hands placed thick plastic zip ties around your wrists after pulling your arms behind your back and he pull them tight, almost painfully so. You were then pulled to stand in the same coarse manner before being led into a building that looked like it was barely standing. It had been gutted inside and out. The same Shadow shoved you and you fell onto your knees and shin hard in front of Graves. You felt your knees scrape and bleed.

“Forgot how good you look on your knees,” he smirked. He reached towards you and you almost bit him. He ripped your radio off, also taking your earpiece with it and cutting your ear. He gave it to one of his men, telling them to get rid of it.

You ignored what Graves had said because how could he fucking forget when you’d just seen him last night? You instead decided to temporarily focus your anger on the Shadow that had roughed you up earlier. “Fuckin’ asshole,” you snapped at the faceless man. “Tu mama no te enseño que los hombres no les pegan a las mujeres?” You then shot back, asking him if his mother never taught him that men don’t hit women.

“Now you need to knock that Spanish shit off,” Graves mentioned. “You’re in the presence of Americans so speak English.”

You said nothing, only scowled at him even though he was currently towering over you.

He laughed. “Still got that mouth on you I see. Good for telling others off, translating, and…other things, too, huh?”

You felt your cheeks blush but out of anger. Your ears felt hot despite the cool rainy night. Apparently Graves liked to kiss and tell. The fact that the last time you’d slept with him was right before this mission left you feeling absolutely disgusted. You felt like he’d raped you in a way as he didn’t tell you who he really was.

“Where’s 141?” He asked again, standing before you and again reaching up to grasp his vest. You saw that lines or scratches and scars lined his forearms.

“I told you I don’t know.” You paused before adding, “Si te lo digo en español lo entenderás mejor? No se.” You asked if you telling him in Spanish might help him understand better.

“You really need to start cooperating here,” He walked about you in a circle and you felt like he was a wolf circling injured prey.

“I don’t know, man!” You snapped. “We all had to run for cover when you and your goons started shooting.” You paused before adding, “Heard they knocked a few of your Shadows off.”

One of the Shadows from behind you kicked you and your vest roughly, almost making you fall sideways. You gave a scowl in that general direction before focusing back on Graves. “You’ve been planning this shit for awhile haven’t you?”

“Look at you, so perceptive,” Graves cooed. It was creepy. “All I did was told them I was in charge and they didn’t like it.”

“So you betrayed them?”

“No, no,” he stopped dead in front of you again and knelt so you were both at eye level. His eyes were cold, icy, like the arctic. You smelled blood and gunpowder and you wondered if it was his blood or some of your teammates’. You silently prayed they were okay. His eyes had never looked like that before. “They betrayed me.”

You laughed callously. “Bullshit,” You tried to stop yourself from saying the next thing but it was said before you even knew it. “You’re a traitor, Graves. And a fucking war criminal.”

With that he smacked you across the face. Hard. You cried out, tasting blood. You shook your hair from your face and turned back in his direction.

“So you hit women, too now?” You gasped, spitting blood in between his boots as he kneeled in front of you. “At the very least you have treason and usurpation.”

“It doesn’t need to be this way. I need to know where they are.”

“Why, to kill them?”

“Nah, I wanna keep ‘em,” he added threateningly. “Some brainwashing and they’d make a good team for me.”

“Go to hell, fuckin’ traitor.”

He reached out, grasping your hair so tightly you yelped. He tilted your head up to make sure you made eye contact with him.

“If you use that word again I will kill your friends when I find them. Not before I kill you in front of them first, though.” He didn’t break eye contact, almost expecting a reply from you. “Are we really gonna have to do this the hard way?”

You didn’t speak.

“Fine,” he responded. He stood up, his height allowing him to tower over you again. He drew his sidearm and pulled the hammer back, placing a bullet in the chamber.

So this is how you were going to die. On bloodied knees in front of what you now considered an enemy combatant. He placed the gun to your head and you felt the cold barrel through your thin, wet hair.

“Call them,” Graves demanded.

“No,”

You weren’t expecting it when he hit you with his sidearm across the side of your face. You screamed in pain, falling flat on the floor. You vision was blurry and the sounds around you were going in and out. You saw him step closer is you flinched, mumbling, “Don’t!” When you thought he was about to kick you. Graves grabbed your vest and hauled you back to your knees.

“Call them,” Graves commanded again, his voice louder in volume and deeper in tone.

“I can’t,” you gasped, your head throbbing. You shut your eyes, wanting to be anywhere else but here. You opened them and you were still there, effectively being tortured.

Graves stepped out in front of you. It was dead silent, the only sounds being the crickets and the rain. You met his eyes trying to muster any sympathy. You were likely concussed at least two times over and you were in pain. His eyes didn’t soften and his men didn’t even flinch. Were they seriously okay with this?!

He raised the gun at your chest.

And he fired.

The force of the bullet forced you onto your back and you felt ribs possibly break underneath your vest. You yelled in pain as you found yourself glancing up at the ceiling of the gutted building you were in. Your vest had stopped the bullet from penetrating but it still hurt like a motherfucker.

“Get ‘er back up and take her vest off,” you heard Graves tell one of his men.

Your body protested as you were again hauled up on your knees. The Velcro of your vest easily gave way to the strong arms ripping it open. It was tossed aside. You wanted to ask them to at least have some respect for the American flag on your vest but your energy was sapped. It was focused on staying quiet and surviving.

He was kneeling in front of you again and you wondered if he was going to shoot you point blank because he wanted to look in your eyes as you died. Pulling at your zip ties was useless.

Graves reached into his vest and pulled a large, black knife.

“You’re torturing a captive!”

“There’s the military and me,” Graves stated simply. “I’m not as bound by the rules.” He then leaned forward and sliced through your uniform shirt. Underneath all you had on was a pink tank top. He signaled to one of his men who then knelt directly behind you and pulled you up off your shins and onto solely your knees. He grasped your chin from behind and pulled up, forcing your line of sight up and away from Graves. Graves was completely out of view and you had no fucking idea what he was going to do.

“What’re you doing?!” you voice broke as you began panicking.

“I’m about to scar that pretty body if you don’t talk or call your friends.”

“I don’t know! I don’t!” you yelled out desperately. “You know I can’t do that to them,” you sniffled.

The first cut was deep but not deep enough to cause vital injuries. It went from your collarbone to just over your heart. At this point you just sputtered and cried.

“Either tell me where they are or call them.”

“I can’t!”

“No, you’re choosing not to.”

“I don’t know, I don’t fucking know!” Your breath came out in hurried, panicked gasps.

“Sounds like a rehearsed response to me,” The second cut Graves inflicted mirrored your first except it was on the opposite side of your chest. You couldn’t help it. You screamed.

“Graves what the fuck!” Your words echoed Soap’s from not too long ago. You believed you heard him sheathe his knife, presumably without cleaning it, almost as if he wanted your blood to adorn his vest.

“Let her go,”

The Shadow behind you released his grasp and you immediately fell onto your knees and shins, Doubling over in pain. Your once-pink tank top was covered in blood and the cuts on your chest would need stitches at the minimum.

“Hmm, they must not care about ya anymore,” Graves taunted. “Maybe you should come work for me.”

“Never, fuck you,”

“There’s that attitude again,” he laughed callously. “But you have to admit that would be a neat trick.” His voice was sickly sweet as he added, “Imagine that. You at my beck and call before I sicced you on 141.”

“Never,” you repeated.

“We could really, really use you,” Graves stood back up. “You speak Spanish, have experience with surveillance, countersurveillance, know the culture…”

“You wish,” you sighed.

“Well if this isn’t working and asking nicely isn’t working, we can try something else.”

You were past trying to hold back tears. Luckily your dark hair hid your face. You started at the ground, not daring to meet his gaze. With what he had said earlier you were scared another look at him would brainwash you. We circled you again and you couldn’t help but flinch when he got close.

“You and I had a pretty good working relationship, didn’t we?”

You didn’t answer.

“Answer me, soldier,” he demanded.

“Yes,” you snapped. “Not anymore.”

“You’re right not anymore. Maybe soon though.” He paused, scoffing before adding, “Didn’t we also agree to have certain friends with benefits activities?”

“Fuck you,” you half sobbed.

“Yeah you actually did,” there was that cold laugh again. He continued walking around you in a circle as you watched blood drip onto your dark pants.

This was humiliating.

“Man you worked wonders with that little mouth of yours,”

“Argh!” the yell came from your lips loudly. You were frustrated, concussed, in pain, had been betrayed, and now you were finding out that man you were starting to have feelings for was betraying not only but everyone. “You’re so fucking disgusting!” You shouted, raising your gaze to glare at him.

“How ‘bout a repeat?”

Your glare lost its edge for one of surprise and fear. Was he talking about…

“I’ll go first and they,” he signaled around to his men, adding, “Then they’ll go next. And if you keep pretending not to know we can make things…invasive. How’s that sound?”

“Jesus Christ, Graves,” you whispered, “you’re talking about torturing and raping a captive.” Your voice sounded weak, fearful.

“It’s up to you,” Graves shrugged. “You can stop this anytime you want. Or if you really wanna get laid without admitting it you can keep not talking.”

You whimpered.

“I mean, think about it,” Graves knelt in front of you again, keeping that sadistic blue gaze locked onto your darker one. “It’d happen right here when anyone can see what a fuckin’ slut you are. No one would help, either. They’d just watch it happen.”

You cried because what the hell else could you do? You weren’t used to this. You translated for fuck’s sake. You wouldn’t have ever imagined you’d be captured. Not in your worst nightmares. That was something for the movies, for fiction books.

“Keep up the charade and you’re going to suffer. I promise.” He glared at you with those blue-grey emotionless eyes. “I mean hell when I get sick of ya they’ll pass you around however the fuck they want to. I’m sure they’d love to have a shot at a 141 bitch.”

“Fuck yeah,” a Shadow said from behind you. “She’s a cute little thing. Love to see her cry some more.”

You were floored. How was this happening?

“Graves—” you started.

“Commander Graves to you from now on.”

“Commander Graves. I don’t know. Even if I did, they’ve moved on. They’re mobile,” you tried to reason. “I’m of no use to you.”

You saw his jaw muscle clench. “No, you’re gonna be useful, trust me.”

Your hopes that he would just untie you and send you back to 141 bloodied, beaten, and tortured to send a message fell to zero.

“Pick her up and bring her with us,”

“Fuck no, man,” you shook your head. You knew that you under no circumstances could you allow them to take you to a second location. It dropped your chances of survival to almost zero.

You were pulled to your feet roughly and you suddenly felt a wave of nausea. You were definitely concussed.

“Take her vest. Leave her name tag.” Graves wanted to send a message: she’s alive…come get her before I rip her to shreds.

The Shadow who pulled you up whispered hot and heavy in your ear through his mask. He had to lower himself to your level he was so tall. “Cry some more for me.”

He was so close to you, so close to your face you tried to bite him. “Try me, asshole.”

Graves, further again, laughed. A few other Shadows chuckled. Not because it was funny but because they were probably thinking: awe, how cute…she thinks she can take us.

You pulled and struggled and screamed and cursed. They easily kept control of you. They were too tall and too strong. They tossed you in the backseat of a black Tahoe and your cursed inwardly when you failed to get the plate.

Graves got in on the other side of the backseat. He easily reached over you, grabbing your seatbelt.

“Don’t! Don’t you fucking touch me!” you yelled.

The doors slammed shut and two more of his team got up front.

The van took off and you heard your seatbelt click into place.

You glanced in his direction. Your glare was gone. You were about to resort to pleading when you thought of one more idea. The windows were so dark you couldn’t see anything but you had to try.

You quickly leaned sideways towards Graves. The quick movement threw him off and he didn’t react immediately. It put you in a position to where you could kick the window. One, two, three kicks before Graves grabbed your hair, pulling you upright.

“You need to stop,” he warned darkly. “You almost broke my window.”

The cracked glass might be of some use and so you screamed. Screamed for help. You didn’t mention names but you just screamed for anyone to help.

“If she doesn’t shut up we’re gonna get pulled over,” someone said from the front. “There’s a few non-corrupt cops out here ya know.”

You felt a gloved hand tangle itself further in your hair and the other gloved hand place itself over your mouth.

“Hand me that,” you heard Graves say.

You tried biting but the gloves were too thick.

Graves untangled his hand from your hair and produced a roll of duct tape. “You need to stop biting,” he said darkly. You decided you would keep biting and scratching and kicking.

Using no gentleness at all, he wrapped the thick, suffocating tape over your mouth and around your head, effectively silencing you completely.

“Shut up,” he snapped.

And with that you gave up. You were going to die. You only hoped the US would at least get your body. Things quieted down. Graves worked on a laptop while the other two Shadows up front chatted about nothing in particular. It seemed like hours passed and your head injury wasn’t letting you keep track of the twists and turns.

Exhaustion and your concussion got the best of you and you surrendered to the darkness.

[totkdaily]

Day 63: Racing, and Statues

There are a fair few Gorons at Hudson's jobsite, including Trucson and Sanson. Sanson says YunoboCo has sent across some workers to clear the debris and unearth Zonai artefacts. I wonder if Gorons have started naming their children '-son' to get them jobs here.

I meet a Zonai researcher in the office, Setari. She says this is no place for civilians - too dangerous. Good thing there are none of those here, then.

There's hubbub in the workshop. Shabonne and Tali are arguing with the researcher Fernison, and say they were tricked into coming here from the desert to drive a unique vehicle - but the prototype hasn't been a success. Fernison's been making vehicles out of Zonai devices, and they wanted help from professional racers. Shabonne is frustrated, but Tali wants to give it a try. 

I remember Tali from the old days - she's an incredibly racer, and I hope to try to beat her high scores again. I wonder if the old course is still up near Gerudo Town.

I offer Fernison a steering stick - it seems to be the one piece of debris this place is in need of. I attach it to their prototype to demonstrate. Shabonne demands I take the first turn, to show them how it works. Delighted to! Fernison turns on the test course. 

The vehicle is so slow… but the three of them seem excited. Fernison asks me to come back tomorrow for the next phase. I make no promises - it's still pretty early in the day, and I have a lot on my plate. 

I spot a monster camp nearby, don my bokoblin helmet, and go and get that photo for Kilton. The bokoblin almost looks like it's smiling. I don't kill it. It doesn't seem fair. I head back up to Tarrey Town to deliver the result. 

Hudson knocks up a pretty good replica from my photo, and I set it on Kilton's stage.

Teamwork! Kilton asks for a horriblin next - for that, I need a cave. I wonder if there's a Satori blossom tree anywhere nearby? 

I head up the hill past my new house and aim loosely for the base of the Zora Highlands, looking for blossom or caves. I rescue a traveller at dusk, Nars. He doesn't want to have to have been rescued, so I leave him to it. Maybe he should move on from here though - I've just spotted a white-maned lynel. He doesn't see me, and I give him a wide berth. 

I spend most of the night carting a korok to its friend, and I realise I've managed to wander all the way to the coast - I recognise the chain of islands connected with bridges to the east. 

I don't really want to head over to those islands in the rain - they used to be death traps, and if I can't climb I'll get into trouble. I wander the nearby hills, undecided, until dawn.

[roboraindrop]

Hi Chucky, what's up bestie. I'm curious, what kinds of dates do you and Rain like to go on? Or like.... how do you guys do dates with you being...yourself. in all your dollness n stuff.

Another question, what are some of your favorite things about Rain? Also, what does Rain feel like, to you? I hope that makes sense... have a nice evening guys!

🔪Alright, alright. I'll start with the easy ones- I gotta work my way up to all this mushy shit. I don't know if you've noticed, but it ain't exactly my style.

🔪Kid, when you look like me you can't exactly go for a night on the town. 'specially when you're being carried around on someone's damn hip everywhere. Where we really shine as a couple is teamwork- I knew joint killings were fun with Tiff, but Rain can be a special kind of unhinged. You'd never know it from lookin' at 'em though. Like I said before, I like to hide behind an innocent face, and there's nothin' more innocent looking than those pair of bright blue eyes...

🔪What? I'm not getting all sentimental here, fuck off! Look, the kid's got a good heart, but everything can be changed with time, y'know? You shoulda heard it, the laugh they let out at their first kill- I knew it right then and there, they were born for this! So what if I help 'em along a little? Some killers are born, some are made.

🔪Off the record, they've got this voice that could drive a man crazy, not always in a bad way, either. It's eerie, it gets in your brain. You don't know true beauty 'till you're knife deep in a guy while Rain's singing echoes through a hallway with good acoustics! I used to be all about the solo game, but hell... Having someone to share in the joy of a good kill really is something special.

🔪Speaking of, what they feel like... They feel like the first bloodspray after bein' locked away for a while, that's a good comparison. You know how I feel about a good kill, that should tell you all you need to know right there.

🔪Now get the hell out of here and keep your mouth shut about it, I don't need them finding out I let myself get into all that sentimentality.

[abrahamvanhelsings]

tagged by @zaegreus, thank you :)) 💖

do you make your bed? yes, always, it takes five seconds tops and it makes the room look cleaner and neater immediately. i can stand a little clutter but too much of it makes my mind feel chaotic. and it feels good to complete a little task in the morning immediately ✅

what’s your favourite number? i like 7 like any other guy but 16 is also important to me bc that used to be my shirt when i still played football

what is your job? phd candidate, which if you're fully employed by a uni is a real job with a real grown up people salary in the netherlands (thank god)

if you could go back to school would you? NAY the days dragged on and on bro especially high school... mind killer. the only upside was seeing your besties every day, if we want to meet up now we have to plan it six months in advance

can you parallel park? yeah but it usually takes me two tries lol

a job you had that would surprise people? whenever i mention i worked at mcdonald's people are surprised even though i was 17 when i did that and at 17 fast food service is straight up the most normal job to have if you're not in retail. i did domino's too

do you think aliens are real? ehh, yeah, in the sense that imo the universe is too big for them not to exist. but i don't rly think abt it all that much

can you drive a manual car? im a european so yeah lmao. don't own a car though the only one i drive is my parents', don't want one

what’s your guilty pleasure? i think at this point we can safely say eurovision is a guilty pleasure. didn't watch this year but i can't help getting invested through the things i do hear about it unfortunately

tattoos? none!

favourite colour? green

favourite type of music? i like a lot of video game music generally, and i like classical music

do you like puzzles? ya

any phobias? not really phobias in the literal sense but if i see a spider inside the house that thing is getting killed and murdered

favourite childhood sport? i really liked football when i still played but the sport i miss the most is horse riding by far. i think primarily bc it's more inaccessible - you can play football anywhere but horse riding involves a lot more planning etc. and i love horses, there's really something about the teamwork between you and the horse and caring for it afterwards (can you tell i was a horse kid)

do you talk to yourself? brother the moment i step through the front door into my house i am yapping away like ill die if i don't

what movie(s) do you adore? - singing' in the rain bc that's my comfort movie of all timeee - in the mood for love, the atmosphere/shots/music interaction in it is amazing, i should really rewatch it soon, lodged into my brain the first time i watched it and i still think abt it so often - the ghost and mrs muir, very pretty romantic movie but the bittersweetness of it really scratches a particular part of my brain it's so beautiful

coffee or tea? tea!! but it's 26 celsius out rn and im craving an ice coffee like you wouldn't believe

first thing you wanted to be growing up? PREV??? >> paleontologist << i was a HUGE dinosaur kid i wanted to be a paleontologist for years. but once the dinosaur hype wore off i discovered history was more my speed after all

i just did another one of these so im not tagging people for this one but if you like this one go off lmao

[reinekes-fox]

The pokémon team anon has returned. I read the Hound Nights demo and got creative.

Starling:

- Starly. The names match! Also, that is Starling's starter, they left the cult together.

- Rufflet. Another cult buddy that escaped with Starling. Rufflet's evolution, Braviary, has this dex entry "For the sake of its friends, this brave warrior of the sky will not stop battling, even if injured." Starling shows similar tendencies towards her family, but much like Rufflet, she still has some growing to do before fully fitting the role.

- Togekiss. A pokémon that enjoys the company of kindhearted people. Starling insists Togekiss stays around for their parents, but it is clear Togekiss really cares for her.

- Drampa. A friendly pokémon that loves children and protects them from danger? Yeah, of course a traumatized cult survivor would end up with one looking after them. MC's family probably gave it to her to help her feel safe.

- Bagon. Just a little baby that wants to fly free and is willing to jump off cliffs to reach its dream.

- Shiftry. Its body is wood, so the nose can serve as an improvised stake. It knows the move Sunny Day, which turns the wheater sunny. It can even read minds. Shiftry is Starling's anti-vampire buddy.

Marian:

- Meowscarada. Green magician cat, that's all.

- Perrserker. Bushy tail, black and grey face, cat. Knows Pay Day (a move that generates free money).

- Male Meowstic. Green-eyed cat with psychic powers. It has the Prankster ability.

- Electabuzz. A pokémon that loves storms just seems fitting. Marian has been raising this one since it was an Elekid.

- Castform. It changes type based on the weather and helps Marian with practical effects, since it can make rain, hail, and even sunshine.

- Female Basculegion. Its dex entry states that females "can afflict a target with terrifying illusions that are under its control. The deeper the sadness in its friends' souls, the paler Basculegion becomes." Marian deserves a fish filled with ghosts.

Theo:

- Mightyena. A pack hunter that values teamwork and is obedient to skilled trainers.

- Mabosstiff. A gentle dog that loves children, but that will take on an intimidating look to protect its family. Theo's Mabosstiff has the Guard Dog ability, which "Boosts the Pokémon’s Attack stat if intimidated. Moves and items that would force the Pokémon to switch out also fail to work."

- Dusknoir. A ghost that guides lost spirits home. Of course the cemetery keeper would end up with one on his team.

- Cubone. Theo saw a little orphan baby and adopted it, no wonder he was ready to take MC in.

- Gyarados. Do not forget what Theo is.

Chrétien/Florence:

- Swoobat. As always, a bat for the vampire. A friendship evolution that gives others positive mood shifts? Very fitting for a vampire who is happy to be someone's best friend... as long as they are of use.

- Skeledirge. Matching its trainer's interests, Skeledirge is both an excellent singer and capable of producing flames at a temperature of 3000 ℃, perfect for burning up a body.

- Drifloon. A pokémon that likes kidnapping children.

- Gorebyss. To quote the dex, "Although Gorebyss is the very picture of elegance and beauty while swimming, it is also cruel. When it spots prey, this Pokémon inserts its thin mouth into the prey's body and drains the prey of its body fluids."

- Vespiqueen. Uses pheromones to control those around it (and make them fight for its sake), much like a vampire does with a hound.

- Hypno. Is it a weird yellow humanoid? Yes. Is it good for getting food in a pinch since it can put people to sleep and drag them away? Also yes.

Welcome back! Glad to see my work can inspire you even more x3

Tbh I would kill for that Pokemon AU...

Also "Shiftry is Starling's anti-vampire buddy." sounds so damn cute!!

Marian.

I love how its just "cat!" and I see they are something... however he and Chase wouldnt get along very well. And the fish looks so tired :(

Theo.

Also whenever I think "awww so cute!" there is always something super dark

Hound MCs totally friendly and absolutely loyal Master /pos as in piece of shit

[cataclysmicamomile]

Okay, I've had a pretty good tolerance for TKA season 3 so far, even though I can admit some parts of the animation are genuinely kinda ass like a lot of fans complaining about.

But they fast-forwarded/off-screened Mo Fan's getting schooled during the LV75 dungeon first kills? By just showing him with a terrible expression, like he's troubled, but not showing why??? This is important for his characterization, that he's terrible at teamwork! During the match against Blue Rain, how are you going to show the impact of his character progression? I know he's one of the minor characters in Happy, but this sets a terrible precedent for the rest of the minor characters. Now I'm worried they'll do Fang Rui dirty. Are they going to just make Ye Xiu call him a useless dimsum, without explaining why? Then you'll just make Ye Xiu just look like a jerk.

I liked Colored Pencil Animation in Season 2 because they knew to pick out important character interactions/plot beats without messing the pacing, but it looks like even with 18 episodes they weren't able to overcome this problem this time.

[potsmokingweirdo]

The only living generation I haven’t worked with is the “greatest generation” (the people born between 1901 and 1924) so I have a bit of experience to speak on with this but lemme tell you,

The silent generation yeah they’re quiet as fuck. I’ve met southern silent gens and sweetest fucking people you’ll ever meet but push them to they’re limits and they are GONE. Northern, quiet but you push them to they’re limits and they’ll get into a different department under a different boss and make more than you just to throw it in your face during lunch breaks. They’re a spunky bunch.

Baby boomers take the cake for entitlement. They’re the aunties huddled in the corner talking shit and the drunk uncles yelling perverted comments at the minors. They’re the first to return a product they broke and demand a refund and lord forbid one of the products you’re selling damages their vehicle during transportation.

Gen X they still hold a lot of the hatred towards people who are of minorities. Lie to them about party times so they bring food but leave early.

Ahhh the millennials. Millennials saw the in your face and yo mama jokes grow into rap battles from history and diss tracks. They have a comeback for anything and somehow are always going through a midlife crisis. Approach with caution and caffeine, they’re probably having a hard day.

The gen z. To work with, we’re the most fiery. We’re the first to match Karen with Karen. We’re still about 5’10 max and are just learning how to drive, but everytime we see a cop pulling over a minority we have the wheel now and we stop.

The generation A is seriously so emotionally aware. These kids utilize quiet corners to manage their emotions in a way adults with whole houses to relax in cannot. They’ve missed the beginning of middle school or two years worth of socializing as a baby. This generation will grow up knowing who in their family fought for their right to kill others and that’s something they’re going to have to cope with forever. Theyre the generation who will have to fight in the war the boomers and silent gen have started. They’re the ones who will have to produce enough engineers and innovators to solve world hunger and climate change but they’re the generation who will have no time to go to school or the spare money to afford furthering their education. We’re leaving them a problem that can only be solved with focus and teamwork, but no one can access the classes working to solve these problems because they will have to work every free moment they have just to eat and will leave the creation of the ideas up to those who have the time to daydream up to how solve things, and they can afford a lawyer team to monopolize it. They are the ones who will have to figure out how to build upon sinking land, how to create fireproof buildings because the rain cycles have altered so much that fire season goes on for longer each year. They are the ones who will have to solve the diseases coming forth from the melting permaice. And they were raised as siblings or in school with or likely somehow in proximity to gen z. I wish those who fuck with this generation a very genuine good luck.

[tarosin]

The great adventures of y/n tommy tubbo and jack - using tanks to battle

requested: yes/no

this is part 11 to the great adventures series

it was now 5 am you had been on facetime with ranboo since he started streaming at 10 pm neither of you was going to sleep anytime soon

“isn’t it like 5 am for you”

“trying to get rid of me then”

“no no no soon enough I’m going to be stuck with you pretty much 24/7”

“heh? aren’t you staying with tubbo when you come to the UK?”

you watched his face turn red thinking that he had said something that he wasn’t supposed to tell you it was only when he looked up to see you with your head tilted he realised you weren’t aware of what was going to happen in the following weeks

“I will tackle you in the middle of the airport if you don’t tell me what you tubbo and lani mean when you all make comments about me constantly being around yous”

“I cannot wait to see you try”

“I'm blocking you”

hours passed and it was now time for you to get ready to go meet the others you left your phone on your bed whilst you went to get ready by the time you returned ranboo had fallen asleep

“goodnight boo not long now till you’re in the UK, you’re asleep I’m talking to myself goodnight”

since your parents had to go to work they offered to drop you off on the way, the journey to meet the others was pretty uneventful you just spent the time talking about how streaming was going and future plans. that was until your parents mentioned ranboo was flying over soon

“your friend is flying over soon right?”

“ranboo oh yeah yeah he gets here on 26th as far as I’m aware i’m going to tackle him in the middle of the airport”

“great great you’re going with tubbo to meet him, do you know how long you’re going to be out”

“..no why? shouldn’t be too long”

“don’t worry about it darling we’re here now oh look here comes tubbo”

as soon as the car stopped you laughed as you noticed in the corner of your eye tubbo running towards the car you said your goodbyes as you got out of the car and was instantly pulled away by tubbo

“oh oh okay tubbo I think I can walk on my own bud”

tubbo completely ignored every word you had just said and continued leading the way to the others where you were met by Tommy shouting about tanks and jack pretending not to know Tommy.

the four of you went to get ready, a simple enough task or so you thought as when you looked up you noticed Tommy was putting the outfit on the wrong way around

“Are you sure it’s safe for Tommy to drive a tank..”

“help me then”

“no”

a few minutes later the four of you were now equipped with your rather baggy army uniform safe to say if it started to rain you'd have to deal with getting wet as if you put the hood up it would cover your eyes taking away your eyesight which is unsurprisingly important since you were about to drive a tank for the first time. as soon as you all thought you were ready to go to the tanks tubbo announced that although it’s a bad time he needs to go to the toilet

“he’s fucking waddling”

“y/n be nice to your best friend”

you stood laughing to yourself as Tommy was arguing with Jack about how he’s your best friend, not tubbo.

“believe it or not I’m their best friend”

“elaborate on that”

“no”

“i’d argue ranboos their best friend”

halfway through their ‘argument’ tubbo came back and rested his head on your shoulder making you jump

“you're so tiny”

“I beg your pardon tubso”

the worker came over taking you all to the tank you would be driving putting Tommy and jacks argument on hold, for the time being, you were honestly so excited to drive a tank but you were also nervous as you weren’t exactly a great driver

“y/n doesn’t have a license can I get out the tank when it’s their turn”

“you crashed your parents' car fuck off”

before you all got in you were informed that the tank wasn’t designed to take you on adventures so you were probably going to get injured

“great cant wait in you go Tommy”

Tommy got in first followed by you then tubbo and jack

“draw me like one of your beautiful tank girls”

“I failed GCSE art”

“HOW”

“that my friend is a story for another night”

now this tank wasn’t designed so three of you could look out from the top of the tank so you did what every sensible person would do in a tank…you sat on the floor next to tubbo whilst he annoyed jack by touching his face

“y/n you okay down there”

“having the time of my life”

you could hear Tommy revving the tank and from then you could just tell you were going to leave the tank covered in bruises. you sat talking to tubbo and jack who were talking louder than usual just so you could join in the conversation. not seeing what was happening made the tank ride interesting, to say the least. one minute you were messing with tubbos shoelaces the next minute you heard three boys yelling that there was a cow in the middle of the road. it was now tubbos turn to drive and rather than letting you stay with the others he dragged you with him

“you’re driving next may as well stay with me”

“Please don’t crash I will get injured”

“to be fair y/n I didn’t plan on it”

you sat near tubbo watching him drive the tank occasionally yelling words of encouragement at him for your own entertainment and totally not to your surprise he was actually doing a decent job, he didn’t crash, the tank was going quicker and the ride wasn’t as bumpy then tubbo stalled, you could hear Tommy and jack yelling at tubbo to do more killing. you laughed as tubbo would look at the worker then at you not knowing what to do

“Are you ready to drive y/n”

“I guess so”

you and tubbo swapped places and you began to drive like your good friend tubbo you were decent at driving as you managed to pick up some speed along with many comments from jack and Tommy about how bumpy the ride was alongside tubbo yelling at you that you were going to be responsible for the bruises on his arms and legs

“tubbo stop being dramatic it’s not my fault the road is bumpy”

“Y/N I'M NOT”

“Okay then you’re responsible for the bruises on my arms and legs because you decided to stall”

It was now jacks turn you sat next to tubbo where you and Tommy argued that you didn’t like how Minecraft split the caves and cliffs update into two parts

“IT SAID CAVES AND CLIFFS UPDATE AND IT DIDN'T ADD CAVES AND CLIFFS UPDATE”

“you're such a tory y/n agrees with me”

“NO I DON'T I WANTED TO EXPLORE PRETTY CAVES NOT GET CHUCKED OFF OF A CLIFF BY A GOAT”

the three of you continued arguing your points before jack interrupted you all

“we’re talking about the new Minecraft update…because it was you we weren’t really paying attention”

“I DROVE BETTER THAN ALL THREE OF YOU”

“but no you didn’t”

“YOU'RE A PRICK MANIFOLD”

before Jack could answer Tommy began ranting about the update again before being once again interrupted by jack telling him you were about to shoot things and then go up against a tank that was miles better than the one you were all in, the one thing they didn’t know is you would be going with the boss against them just so you could actually have a role in the mini battle rather than just sitting there. you stood shaking your head as Tommy and tubbo made jokes about the balls you were all given

“say it”

“I like balls”

“jack they’re talking about balls…again”

Tommy was first to shoot whilst you and tubbo stood telling jack that the two of you would be the reason you win the battle against the boss, jack went up next and you both were telling Tommy that you weren’t scared of the boss after the last bit of practice you all went back to reception with the worker where he announced the roles you were all going to have

“so my aimer loader and driver”

“Are we allowed to ram tanks”

“no”

jack was the first to realise you hadn’t received a role for the fight against the boss and spoke up about it making tubbo and Tommy realise you did in fact not receive a role

“wait what about y/n they didn’t receive a role”

the worker just nodded at the four of you confusing the hell out of the others while you stood looking around the room to avoid laughing, you didn’t want the others to know so said you’d be back later you just needed to go to the bathroom. rather than going to the bathroom you went off to meet the boss before the others and decided what role you were going to have.

after discussing what role you were going to have the pair of you went back to meet the worker to let him know you have a plan

“LOOK ITS THE BOSS”

“…and y/n”

“oh now we’re losing”

the worker went up to their table to create a plan, once you watched the worker walk away you made your way over to the table they moved to where Tommy was having a ‘date’ with a mannequin

“Woah am I interrupting something”

“I'm on a date y/n”

“y/n you really had to leave me with tubbo and Tommy”

you whispered that you were sorry so Tommy and tubbo couldn’t hear then turned your attention back towards Tommy’s date which wasn’t going very well as Tommy accidentally pulled the wig off of one of the mannequins only to find out that his ‘date’ was also wearing a wig.

it was now time for the battle clearly best friends think alike as you and tubbo both had the role of driver. you and the boss made a strong team and you surprisingly got along well with each other which made teamwork easy making you more of a challenge for Tommy’s team

“yooo this is amazing”

“you’re doing great y/n”

as soon as the boss made the final shot you cheered

“do you think we won then y/n”

“I'm not sure they did put up a good fight”

“come on let’s head back so you can be with your friends again”

the pair of you made it back after thanking him you ran to tubbo, who for some reason was on the floor, and tackled him into a hug before sitting next to him

“AH FUCK”

“HI TUBSO WHY ARE YOU IN THE MUD”

“BECAUSE WE WON”

“mhm sure”

“What role did you have y/n”

“driver”

“NO WAY ME TOO”

your celebration was short-lived as Tommy decided to chuck mud at the pair of you yelling catch when it was far too late to react, you both looked at each other nodded at chucked mud back at him and jack

“ayo we hit him”

after playing in the mud with tubbo for a while jack called you both over to hear the scores and find out who won

“Why do you both have smiley faces on your face”

“y/n used mud to draw a smiley face on my cheek so I got revenge”

in the end, Tommy's team got 10 and began celebrating that they had won

“the boss and y/n got 11”

“LETS GOOOOO”

after bragging about your win you and tubbo ran off throwing mud at each other and Tommy whilst Tommy and jack bickered about who made them lose a few moments later you and tubbo looked up to see Tommy running past you both

“I don't think he's taking the news well”

you all made your way back to the car park Tommy and jack left together tubbo stayed with you waiting for your parents to pick you up on their way back home.

“you could just stay the night at mine..we could stream for a little while I’m sure you’ve left something that you can wear for the night and tomorrow and to be fair you stay at mine all the time”

“yeah I probably do I’ll call them on the way back to yours”

“come on let’s go home”

taglist:

@bearytime @milkydisaster @dumb-chaotic-bi-energy @uselesssapphickitten @l0ver0fj0y @etheriaaly @xx-smiley-xx @hawarun @kylobensgirl @cawcaw-pretty-thing @reverse-iak @renleicrashed @augustine-is-joy @c1loudee

[celestialgloaming]

I really don't think there's actually any significant problem if it's not repeatable. There's always more combats to fight, and letting someone do the cool but situational idea is more fun for everyone - most of the time if the idea is actually cool and unique I'd argue most players get excited for it.

I also think, in general, for it working to actually make sense it needs a bit more effort than a single spell. If it could be done with a single spell in all circumstances it's probably not intended - if it is intended it's probably within the spell or the monster's text somewhere. To use the specific example of the fire elemental, the fire elemental in 5e explicitly takes 1 cold damage per gallon of water splashed on it. Create water creates 30 gallons, so that's 30 cold damage - a lot of guaranteed damage for a 1st level spell but hardly ending the encounter in one turn. That's ignoring that it requires an open container unless you want to make it rain in a 30ft cube (which would deal 3 damage). If you want to force the fire elemental into a space that could be considered a container, where the water wouldn't spread past the elemental's spaces, you'd need teamwork. The way you could potentially insta-kill a fire elemental is with control water, but that's much high level, and requires you to be near an existing large body of water - in which case that is in no way repeatable, and you likely killed it before initiative was even rolled. I think if the other players are annoyed by that... that's their own problem. They'll get to fight more monsters later but they should let the player with a clever solution. IDK I don't see why there's any problem if it's that situational and one off. Maybe if initiative gets rolled and some turns go by first time feels a little wasted but otherwise... eh?

On the other hand, repeatable encounter ending stuff like "nuh uh I suffocate them with my purposeful misunderstanding of the intent of this spell" is like... clearly bullshit to the point of Just Say No. No one wants that, it'll ruin the game, and the sorts of players that suggest that kind of stuff are prolly just on some kind of power trip.

My hottest Ttrpg take is that "creative solutions" to combat usually just make combat more boring to everyone but the person who came up with it

It's fine on games that are not about combat like if you come up with some interesting way to kill a Mi-Go in Call of Cthulhu that's probably for the best those things are nasty to fight but if it's something like Dnd and you win combat turn 1 by casting create water on a fire elemental or something and immediately win then I think you just robbed everyone else of the opportunity to play the game they came here for

It's even worse when it's something incredibly repeatable. I can't speak from personal experience here but if someone does something like use gaseous form to enter someone's lungs and kill them from inside how are you ever going to have interesting combat from now on?