#that does not belong to me but i greatly enjoy this character

[electrozeistyking]

So I don't know if SideVermin93 has a tumblr, but if someone could either tag them or send this their way, that'd be greatly appreciated. And seriously, don't knock Rebel Path simply because it features an OC; it does frequently follow Uzi's perspective, anyway.

C is a fun (if tragic) addition to the cast, and I love his use of colourful language. I may have quoted him a few times, I'm not gonna lie. Overall, I genuinely laughed out loud and smiled a bunch while reading this, which hasn't happened in quite some time.

Basically, as a thank you for making me laugh, here's the Ye Olde disassembly drone who is tired of this shit.

[withloveajaxx]

so baby let's keep this secret

𓂅 genre: modern! childe, scara, al haitham, xiao x gn! reader

𓂅 warnings: hints of making out in scara's part + childe's part is a hint of suggestive teasing

𓂅 summary: secret relationship with the genshin boys

𓂅 note: this is my first time writing for scara and haitham so,,, apologies if i mischaracterize them or they seem out of character :"D comments on their characterization are greatly appreciated ^^ but yea, that's it hehe, hope u enjoy this fic n have a wonderful day!!

CHILDE

tbf a secret relationship with childe isn't a secret to anyone at all because mans is whipped for you, but we gotta give him some credit for holding himself back from kissing you 24/7.

a "secret" relationship with this man is basically minimalized pda with a huge amount of teasing.

he absolutely loves to be the sole reason why your cheeks get red and you get all flustered in public.

when people ask you what's wrong and you can barely get out a blatant lie, childe already has a smug, yet somehow charming smirk on his face.

he's not good at hiding how whipped he is, but he does surprisingly well hiding his touches from the general eye of the public.

like whenever he's in a restaurant with you, he always makes it a point to sit beside you. he is never sitting anywhere else.

secondly, his hand is always on your thigh or fiddling with your fingers beneath the table. he simply cannot resist touching you in any way.

and finally, if he's being a little bitch… he'll slyly sneak an arm around your waist, squeezing it gently. i can bet my life he's lifting your shirt up slightly to rub your exposed skin to get you all bothered.

he's absolutely ravishing you when you get home though. spoiling you with kisses, cuddles, and anything you ask from him <3

ngl, with how touchy feely he is, i don't think people are gonna take that long to figure out what's going on between you two. the "secret" relationship is unfortunately a 5/10 in terms of success.

SCARAMOUCHE

you cannot tell me this man wouldn't take your relationship to his grave. 10/10 in this secret relationship 💀

unlike childe, he can keep his eyes and his hands off of you in public. he has a lot of self control and no amount of your teasing is going to get him to expose you guys (unless you pull out the tears or some begging then maybe). but like childe… he is absolutely obsessed with you when yall have a little private time.

this is where it gets spicy but i can just imagine scaramouche just reaching his limit from holding himself back from you after a long day, and he's just ready to break when you two are behind closed doors.

after all, he is a man of little patience isn't he? when you two get to his place after a long day, he doesn't even wait for a split second until his lips are slotting themselves against yours for a heated kiss.

he has you pinned against the wall beside the door, one elbow beside your head while the other slides down to rest on your hips.

when he parts the fairly passionate kiss his lips are still hovering dangerously close to yours. he doesn't even take that long to catch his breath, diving in for another kiss until he hears abrupt knocks at his door, and a voice he knows distinctly belonging to childe.

cursing under his breath, he holds a hand over your mouth, making sure you're hidden from the direct line of sight of the door before opening it to reveal the ginger headed man.

"make it quick, dimwit. i was in the middle of doing something," scara hisses venemously, eyes narrowing at childe. poor childe chuckles in nervouseness, scratching the back of his neck. "is that so? sorry, didn't know, maybe i'll come back later."

"yeah, whatever. just scram." and with that, the door is slammed closed and sacra's undivided attention is back on you again.

"c'mon," is all he says, taking your hand in his before leading you to a more secluded space in his apartment where no one and nothing can interrupt him from having his time with you.

ALHAITHAM

i think he'd be pretty good at keeping things lowkey. he acts the same towards everyone with some exceptions to you, so i'd say 10/10.

definitely not touchy in public (nor in private to be honest), but he's definitely into the little moments.

little moments like making eye contact from across the room and sending you the slightest hints of a smile.

or even grazing your pinkies together when your walking side-by-side in thr middle of the campus hallways.

there are bits of physical affection here and there, but the main thing that gives this man away is the quality time and acts of services that he does towards you.

hatiham doesn't spend nearly as much time with others as he does with you. you're always with him whether it be in the library studying, in a coffee shop while he reads a book, or in museums looking around and scuptures and paintings.

it's especially in crowded places like museums and coffee shops where he does small actions of adoration and affection.

like when you guys go on study or book dates, you'll feel his eyes on you when you're trying to write something down or read something.

when you look at him to ask you what's wrong, he's simply staring at you with a soft expression that screams nothing but admiration and love. it's quite endearing really, to see his ears turn the lightest shade of pink afterwards.

"do you need something, haitham?" you ask, the smile he loves so much gracing your features. he gently shakes his head, reaching his hand out on the table to take yours, "no. nothing. i was just admiring you, is all."

XIAO

there's a constant redness of his usually pale cheeks is a dead giveaway to your relationship, and he's pretty protective too so i'd say a 6/10.

whenever you catch xiao staring at you, his cheeks and the tips of his ears immediately burn red, and he whips his head around so fast.

people always notice and his friends always tease him for it, but he can't help such a reaction when what he thinks is the most stunning person is looking right at him.

or whenever he looks around the room to search for you only to find that you're already looking at him… his cheeks are literally on fire.

the adorable glow on his cheeks isn't the only sign he gives though. mind you, this man is very protective over you.

he wants to make sure that absolutely no harm comes in your way, and he'll do anything to make sure of that. he doesn't care if your relationship would be exposed that way, all he cares about is your overall safety and wellbeing.

he's the type of man who pulls you closer to him while you're crossing the street or walking by the road, having his hand on you in some way in case anything happens.

the type of guy who brings random stuff like bandaids, hair ties, and sweets for you just in case you need anything.

he's also constantly asking how you are through text, just in case you need him to do something or in case you need him by your side for whatever reason.

my favourite part about secret relationships with xiao is the kind of dates you'd have. he's definitely the type of man to do homey, indoor dates. he'd build lego bouquets for and with you, he's sit for hours bingeing movies or series you like, relax and read a book with you, or even just nap and cuddle. even though your dates are mostly at home to keep away from the prying eyes of others, he's sure to make it something you'll always love and never regret.

© withloveajaxx 2022. please do not copy, plagarize, or translate in any way.

[justsome-di]

Now a Pulitzer Prize winning book (don’t fact check this, just trust me) and featured on Obama’s 2023 Summer Reading List!

You should be reading Nobody Ends Up Dead in a Bathtub, Everyone Keeps Their Organs! Why? See above.

It’s a good story if I do say so myself. And if you read it, you’re a cool kid. Don’t you want to be a cool kid? This is something called peer pressure, and it usually works.

But for real, if you read Nobody Ends Up Dead then you’re going to go on a good adventure with good characters I guarantee you will love. Not to brag, but it is a pretty good story. There’s funny one-liners, a cute plot, and relatable characters that have been developed for years. Just heed warnings at the beginning of chapters. NEUD deals with some heavy topics such as eating disorders.

NEUD is officially all online for free. But you can still access bonus chapters and short stories on Patreon for only $4.

Links: 

AO3

Wattpad

Patreon (Patrons had early access to the whole novel and also get exclusive short stories with the characters and sneak peaks for new projects!)

Netflix Previews

Characters’ Playlists

You can also check out my carrd if there are any updates to how/where I post, it’ll probably be the most accurate place to find new or updated links.

Transcript under cut:

The Story is Dope

A New York office worker and a sex worker get set up on a date--one thinking it's a real blind date, the other under the impression it's an ordinary appointment. After realizing it was all a shitty prank, they set out for revenge. Their plan: show up to an upcoming Halloween office party as a genuine couple, convincing the pranksters they genuinely fell in love and refusing to let themselves become the butt of the joke.

Our main characters are Alex, an awkward admin assistant for a medical company who hasn't been on a date since he was a teenager, and Damián, a sex worker who seems way out of Alex's league but keeps insisting on spending time with him so they can perfect their revenge scheme.

The novel features a diverse cast and explores sex positivity. I also like to believe that it portrays sex work well. Damián is a hardworking man, doing what he loves, and meeting mostly great people along the way--but he also would benefit greatly if sex work was decriminalized and therefore had better resources at his disposal.

If you're looking for a story with LGBT characters that's mostly light-hearted but still packs a punch every few chapters, this is it! Overall, it's a happy story.

The Characters!

oh boy the characters!

we got Damián who's hardworking and doting on his lil bro but oh wow does he have some angst

we got Alex who is nothing more than a burning ball of anxiety trying his best--all too relatable

Leo, Damián's bro, is an ally, and he will make sure everyone knows. Also has angst.

Eve, Alex's lil sister, is an edgy teen who's failing calc and runs a queer book club

together, they're a weird lil dysfunctional family

I'll be honest. There's a lot of love in this story. From me and among the characters. The characters love each other, and I think the readers love them, too.

It touches on a lot of loneliness--inspired by how I've felt since Covid started--and a lot of the conflicting emotions that come with being gay. What happy endings do we deserve? What about happy middles?

It's a touching book about learning to be a better person and finding people who love you--platonically and romantically.

Here are some of my fave parts:

And then there was a streak of gray hair that shocked Alex. A streak of gray hair off to the side, nestled close to a salt and pepper beard. Textured hands held cocktails. Little, subtle lines creased when mouths laughed. Alex held his breath. On the packed floor, they were the only people Alex could see. They were laughing and holding each other and enjoying themselves, firmly in the place they knew they belonged. Flashes of teeth pressed against each other, disappearing for long seconds at a time.

--

“Sorry,” Alex said. “Your arm got heavy on top of me.” “You’re a little mouse of a man. I didn’t mean to crush you.” “I’m what?”

--

“A dog!” Damián cooed as he sat across from the lesbians. “His name is Yam,” Martin said.

“His name is Yam,” Damián cried. Kris and Clara released Yam and gently nudged him to Damián. Ecstatic, Damián picked him up and set him on his lap. “His name is Yam,” he repeated to Alex. “I heard.”

--

But he couldn’t deny that he was having a good time. It was like intense yoga with the perk of having a cock shoved up his ass. He was going to feel limber as fuck after.

--

“Can I do anything?” Alex asked. “To help cheer you up?”

“You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I’d like to. If you let me.”

--

“Wow this sounds great where can I read it?”

Tumblr @justsome-di

Watpadd @justsome-di

Patreon @just some di (link on Tumblr)

AO3 @justsome_di

Updates every friday!

[childotkw]

Self-rec time! What are your favorite five fics that you've written and why? After replying to this ask, feel free pass on to five other writers to spread the love. 💗

Oh god, this is like picking a favourite child 😅😅 but I'll rank them from most to least

1. Consuming Shadows

This was my first big story back, after I stopped writing for about six years. I was just testing the waters, having fun, and I wanted to play around with a ship I had only really just started consuming content for. It very quickly reignited my passion for writing, and it's blown up in such a way that I had never anticipated. I love the plot, I love the characters, I love Hadrian's progression from snarky but emotionally distant figure to a genuinely warm and loving friend, I love how well I managed to keep the threads of storylines and foreshadowing together, and I love the slow development of Hadrian and Tom's relationship in a way that's believable and does them both justice. The fact that so many people have resonated with it over the years has really left a mark on me, and I'll never forget all the things this story gave me.

2. you belong to me (i belong to you)

This one really was just my 'haha this is for the lolz' story. It was never meant to be popular or as big as it is. I was just fumbling around, wanting to write a cool time travel story, and then I came up with the Twist and it was no longer a joke 😂 I love the dynamics in it, I love Harry's general vibe, I love Orion and his chaos gremlin schtick. I'm still amazed that I came up with the plot twist (like, seriously, I don't think I can ever replicate that). And the fact that this story grew so popular and that so many people have enjoyed what started as my funny lil project overwhelms me in the best way.

3. The Lone Wolf Dies (But The Pack Survives)

In a lot of ways, this was a love letter to Regulus. I'd never really given him much thought as a character, but I fell in love with my interpretation of him. He's incredibly complex, and the future potential of the story really makes me excited.

4. ruination

Again, it's more the potential of this story that makes me love it. I wasn't super comfortable writing for asoiaf, and the fandom makes me...uneasy in a lot of ways. But I greatly enjoy all the ways this story could go. Lucerys intrigues me, and my interpretation of his character is especially fun to think about. I want to explore the slow but fundamental shift in a character, something that leads to them becoming almost unrecognisable. I love fantasy, and getting to play around in such an immersive world makes me giddy.

5. i don't owe you my forgiveness

It's only one chapter at the moment, but I really really really love the concept of soulmate rejection and the bitterness that is sown by Tom's hasty actions. The inherent power imbalance - originally in Tom's favour and then very dangerously in Harry's - is one dynamic I can't wait to sink my teeth into.

[undermine-the-instinct]

Stop looking at me with those eyes!! JJK Pt l | Pt ll | Pt lll

Characters: Sukuna, Mahito, Kenjaku, Choso.

Warnings: YANDERE. Minors DNI. Due to the nature of said characters I will classify this as yandere/ darkfic. Soft(?) Gore mentions.

(A.N:I don't know what you did to get these men's attention, but good fucking luck, lol)

Love is what they this, this lesser thing beings pursue for some semblance of worth, importance. A liability, and a weakness that {Sukuna} doesn't have. But he supposes that is love by human standards. Curses fare no better. He will not debate whether curses can love or not, he does not exist to either, and he will hold himself to no standards but his own.

You are soft and sweet in his arms, and he enjoys that. Your sounds please him, whether in pleasure or pain. He savors the taste of your blood on his tongue. He wants to rip you to shreds, but he holds himself back. It will be too troublesome to find someone good enough to replace you.

So he supposes that he loves you, in his own way. The only way that matters.

He admits that he greatly enjoys the way you look at him. Your eyes shine, and while mortal means of wealth never enticed him, these are the only jewels he wants to hold in his hands.

"Stop looking at me with those eyes."

You're held up against his side, cradled in one pair of arms, bloody and tired and limp. He is not quite sated after his latest binge, and so he holds you; the remains are scattered around you both, twitching and shivering in the open air. Much like you are, you have to stop that–Predator instincts demand he sinks his teeth into you. Your flesh is a delicacy that he knows well.

But your sweet eyes– so wide and tinged with horror, are alive and bright, like lanterns cutting through the dark mist of night. So pretty. What would he do without them?

"Stop looking at me like that pet, or I'll pluck your eyes out again, like the pretty jewels they are." They were soft and veiny in his mouth, popping like gushers. Reverse cursed technique keeps you in one piece.

As if to taunt him, your eyes gleam brighter with your tears, and his hands twitch around you.

He must always catch himself. Sometimes he doesn't. He wants to keep going, keep going further and further till you're nothing more than viscera, blood in his mouth. Until the pain turns you into a curse, held above them all, just like he is. It would be better for you. It would be better for him.

But, no, not yet. He enjoys your human softness. He deserves it.

"Oh dearest." Your tears fall out unbidden, and he sighs, brings you up to his face, and licks the tracks they run down your face. Sweet, just like the rest of you.

You will stay here forevermore. You will never belong to anyone else, much less yourself.

♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡

{Mahito} is a creature born from every nasty thing humanity has ever felt or thought or done. A maelstrom, a calamity. Not a catastrophy. He is still happening after all.

Love is twisted for him, it's a thing of malcontent for him. In fact, it's one of the main things that made him up. A lover's anger at a cheating partner, vicious joy at their pain, the satisfaction of a lover's vengeance. The soft vindictiveness that comes after, when you pick up the pieces and put them back together again. It twists and quivers up in the light, and Mahito offers it all to you with a smile and horrid gleam in his dual colored eyes.

"Stop….stop looking at me with those eyes." You can barely whisper. There is a weight in your chest. Mahito quirks his head, a mockery of innocence, and doesn't even pout to make light of the situation, like he usually does.

Maybe its because he's never gone this far before. His pupils are blown out, leaving hardly any color, and they don't leave you. It scares you. He is smiling, he has been smiling this entire time, and you hate that smile. It has never been a good thing.

"Do I scare you?"

You keep quiet. Because you can't think, and you know better to blurt out the first thing in your head.

Yes, yes, you do. You know you do. And I know you like that.

"Your soul is finally trembling back into place." He hums, trailing his hands along your prone form, and you can't help the little whimper that slips past your clenched teeth. You can't handle it again. But Mahito grins, and squeezes, hard. Like a child with a fresh new toy. You're sure he's leaving bruises. The kindest touch he's given you so far.

"I worried for a moment that I'd have to mish-mash you back together, but you're fine. We're fine."

You are not fine. You are absolutely not fine.

"I tried to be gentle, like you asked me to. I tried to be considerate. But, just, look at you." The shaky exhale of his breath sends your heart racing, and your hands rush over to clamp over his wrists. He lets you.

Your skin is broken and bruised and bleeding. Your head is fuzzy, but panic keeps you alert. Your heart lugs in your chest, heavy and thumping and you feel the blood pound in your ears, it makes you want to tear yourself out open in order to stop the sick rhythm. You are sore, and you can't tell what exactly is broken, or bent out of place, but you're not dead, not this time.

You don't know how many next times you have.

Mahito softly shakes his head, looks down at all your broken and bloody bits. A breathless smile spreads across his face, while his brows furrow in question.

"How am I ever going to replace you?"

You whimper.

♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡

{Kenjaku} has means of helping you 'reincarnate'. He says helping, but really, you don't have a choice in the matter.

He has done this dozens of times, every time he obtains a new body. You are always the first thing he attends to after, your resurrection is priority. He wants your opinion, he says, and your attention, he doesn't. Your love. You're the only one worthy, and interesting, enough of standing by his side. You will remain there.

He smiles at you in this new meat suit, long black hair and smooth skin, a monks ensemble. He sits cross-legged, chin in hand.

"Stop looking at me with those eyes dearest."

"Or what? You'll pluck them out again?" You join him at the low table, if only to glare at him closer. He smiles, almost blissful.

"Not this time, I think this form suits you more than the last. I'd hate to blind you once more."

"I'll kill you one day, Kenjaku." He nods, mockingly.

"They say love is the greatest curse."

"You don't love me." You don't hiss, you don't growl or grit the words out through clenched teeth. Your hatred and malice is a dark, cold thing, settled in the pits of your belly like sediment at the bottom of the deepest ocean. It slips from your lips like the oldest poison.

"We've done this song and dance for centuries. Your morbid curiosity and lust for power is what keeps me here. I'm a pet."

"No love," he reaches over and boops your nose. He has gotten more playful in this body, and it makes you see red. It makes you afraid.

"You're an experiment."

"Like your cursed wombs?"

"No, something more personal." You roll your eyes, and move to serve your own tea. Fuck him.

"And what experiment am I an unwilling participant in, hm? How long it takes to break me?"

"How long it takes for you to love me," he corrects. The lines of the body's scar are shiny pink in the light. You want to tear it bloody.

"Which is one and the same, I suppose."

♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡ • ♡

{Choso} exists for his brothers, and that is all. That is all he wants and all he feels he was truly made for, and there is no room for anything else.

Anyone else.

Much less you.

"Stop looking at me with…those eyes." He doesn't understand adoration, only duty, and he is unused to the soft rapture in your eyes. It is wasted on a being like him, anyways.

"What eyes?" You droll out, still clearly lost wherever your mind went. He tries not to think where.

"You know what eyes you're making. Stop it." He hates how the softness leaves you, brow tugging down.

"Oh, sorry. I don't want to make you uncomfortable with all the, um, staring."

"It's not the staring. It's the reason behind it. Your feelings are wasted on me. Place them elsewhere." You don't flinch but your shoulders hunch, and he does not take back his words. They are true and they need to be said. Your feelings are wasted on him.

He just wishes he didn't return them.

"...I can't help the fact that I love you."

"You don't." You can't. You can't.

"Even if you did, it doesn't matter."

"Don't say that. Of course it matters."

"If love ever mattered my brothers and I wouldn't exist. You would understand the situation, and what this means for all of us. Your love is shallow, because you only see that which is in front of you." He sighs, and does not meet your gaze. He doesn't know what you see.

"There is no future for us." And no future that he can secure you.

His…father created him and his brothers on a vicious whim. He will not let you be dragged into that same cruelty.

There's no need to weep. He lets you leave to compose yourself, and doesn't let you take his heart with you.

A half curse, half human thing such as he– half wretched and half tainted blood, all sharp edges and harsh things.

He was not made for love. He was not made for soft things. He was born for tragedy and he will end that way too, and he will comply with his duties as an older brother.

He can not offer you soft things. Even if he dreams of your smiles.

So, please. Stop…looking at him with those eyes.

[riacte]

hope you don't mind me asking, but how do you write/characterise ren?

Hi, thanks for the ask!

For me, Ren has a very distinct character voice, so usually I put in a few words from the Rendog language post and it does like 70% of the work if it's nothing too serious. Hit the dialogue with the Rendogification beam! I know there's a post of people Rendogifying DSMP quotes and it's hilarious. Add a "my dude" before/ after his dialogue and it'll usually work. And maybe pepper in some "get in line"s. Or "outrageous!", "geez", "freakin'".

For HC Ren / Ren in general, I put him as like... a friendly, enthusiastic, charismatic guy who's very supportive of his friends and he's always eager to help. He is kind and sees the best in everyone. He's also very dramatic and unashamed of his dramatic tendencies (singing out loud, posing, twirling). And of course he flirts. He flirts with everything. He's probably flirted with someone's houseplant. He wants everyone to get in line for him. He makes a lot of inappropriate jokes (check my #the rd difference tag) which is greeted with complete silence.

But underneath that, I think he's a guy who tends to look down on himself / self deprecating and he is soooooo self sacrificial. He's gonna be good at something then go "I've never been good at anything 🥺". And he is genuinely so eager to sacrifice himself at all times; he'll probably throw himself in front of his friends to save them. And I think Ren is terrified of being lonely which is why he's clingy. If you leave him to his devices for too long he'll literally burn / blow up his base (Last Life, HC 7). Ren is fantastic with words, he's optimistic and naturally good at bringing people together, but he's also just a doggy who wants company.

Ren is quite talkative and he can ramble about random topics forever. But he also occasionally asks questions to his friends so they can contribute to the conversation. And I think he's fantastic as a storyteller because not only is he a master at "yes, and", he also likes including his friends and subtly inviting them to roleplay with him.

Ren is highly sentimental and remembers a lot of memories. He's not afraid to go sappy and sincere and vulnerable, but then again there's his fear of being a burden. Ren has a tendency to trail after competent, snarky, and mildly intimidating people (insert Ren's greens: Doc, Iskall, Martyn, False, etc) and enjoys being lovingly bullied and lovingly used as a punching bag. He lovesssss being a pathetic lil guy. He loves acting sad and soggy. And he kinda loves being beheaded and beheading his friends.

Ultimately, I think Ren greatly values company and loyalty, and always desires a tightknit group of people to belong to, maybe to even lead (Knights of the Square Table, Dogwarts, etc). And he wants to be useful and not be a burden, leading to his self sacrificial tendencies. He is so eager to serve and offer his services to the rest of the server— in HC, he likes selling / providing food in the early days (HC 4 he made a farm, HC 9 Gigapies) and then proceeds to build infrastructure for everyone to enjoy (HC 6 Hermit Railway Network), or come up with detailed "game" systems (HC 5 Hermitron (?) and HC 9 Hermit Quests). In that way, despite his theatrics, Ren is quite practical and down to earth. Give the man something to manage and he'll be happy.

I don't read a lot of HC fics nowadays but I don't think I've seen like, really severe mischaracterisation of Ren. Probably because Ren RPs a lot so he can RP as a lot of characters which decreases OOC-ness, maybe? Ren's a bit pathetic but he's not a coward, he will literally die for his friends. And while Ren might be a bit of a "derp", he has decent strategies (sometimes) which is mostly him accumulating resources + building a secure fortress (evident in Life series).

For Life series Ren, it's similar but more... guarded and cautious. Still desires a tight knit group of allies (usually his top priority). Still loves gathering his resources and building his defenses. Is kind and forgiving to the point he's taken advantage of (this behaviour decreases in latter series). And he loves his allies with all of his life and would die for them.

Oops, this got long lol. Hope this was helpful! :D

[vagabond-umlaut]

fairy cakes

two dumb classmates redefining mutual pining. one injured senpai people keep linking you with. zero baking experience in your being.

what could possibly go wrong?

▸ student! gojo satoru x student! gn! reader; wc: 1.6k; background nanami x haibara; lots and lots of fluff; pining; teasing; missions; injuries and recoveries; reader is in denial and acceptance (confusing, ik); (i repeat) soft tooth-rotting fluff (i promise)

▸ belongs to series we're the summer to our winter rain but you can read this as a stand-alone if you wanna!

▸ idk what's happening to me. (another fic, so soon!?!?) (i ain't upset tho.) anyways, gif, divider and characters aren't mine. please don't plagiarize, translate or repost this. enjoy reading! ❤️

"are the cupcakes readyyy?"

the decision of letting these four guys spend the afternoon at your place was a blunder. terribly, horribly, greatly - a historic blunder.

you shoot geto an exasperated look. the boy simply shrugs back, lips twitching, as he takes a water bottle from the fridge and saunters back to wherever the hell he emerged from.

beside you, meanwhile, nanami continues to mutter the ingredients under his breath - the thousandth time in the past hour - making you wonder if you can survive a jump from your fourth-storeyed flat's kitchen window or not.

maybe not, you decide, cracking three eggs open and pouring them into the bowl. and even if you do, it's not worth the risk, anyways. you might've got money to burn but you would much rather not burn it all on hospital bills, thank you.

"hey, they said two eggs, not three," your classmate's solemn voice draws you from your thoughts. glancing at the boy, then at the bowl, then back at him, you feel the corners of your lip lift in a tense grin.

"that recipe you are reading's all wrong," you state, snatching the cookbook from him with one hand and snapping it shut, "my mom always baked me and my brothers cakes in our childhood. trust me, i know. i might've never baked before but it's in my blood."

you watch nanami open his mouth, then close it, then open it again - only to close it. and the metaphorical bulb lights up in your brain.

a teasing smile now carving its way onto your lips, you return to the batter, adding, "don't get stressed, kento-kun. i'm pretty sure yu-kun will looove the cupcakes. just as much as you love him."

a sputter followed by a cough sounds next to you. "hey, that- that's not true. what're you talking about?" the blond exclaims indignantly.

the whisk dropped into the batter, a loud gasp escapes you as you twist to face him. "are you implying your love for yu-kun is fake, then? oh gosh! and here i thought you were a decent person, kento-kun!" you cry out dramatically, placing a hand over your forehead.

"hey, no, that's not it," the boy refutes your claims in an instant. you watch in glee how his otherwise-stoic features grow bashful. "my feelings for haibara-kun aren't fake. they are real. quite a lot so."

"oh, is it so?" you ask in faux-curiosity, then turn to the boy, genuinely wondering, "then why don't you confess to him? yu-kun will accept it in a heartbeat, i'm sure of that."

a couple of seconds pass before the smile falls from your face, giving way to a mighty frown, as you watch the boy next to you grow silent, desolation dimming his gaze as he returns to finding the cupcake moulds.

in your sixteen years of existence, you've always viewed love as... just that. lovely. exceedingly so.

yes, you have never experienced it yourself yet, but everyone else always described it as wonderful, leaving one happy and giddy and just splendid at the end of the day.

then why does kento-kun's face grow grave at love's very mention?

"are you scared of losing him one day, kento-kun?" you ask him quietly, the words tumbling out your mouth before you registering, while you add the other ingredients - brown sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract - into the bowl and start whisking them again.

a long while passes - one wherein two excited yells sound from the living room, accompanied by a dramatic whine (you know whose) - after which your question receives a reply.

except, it's your inquiry thrown back at you.

"aren't you scared of losing your loved ones?" nanami asks, just as quietly as you did. in the background, yet another dramatic cry rings through the air-conditioned air.

and your mind, as if on auto-pilot, flies back to that one night a week ago you spent in the infirmary.

the night you felt the most terrified. the most penitent. the loneliest.

the mission was worded to be an easy one, a simple in-and-out kind.

gojo and you decided to visit the ruins of a shrine in nikko, kill the special-grade curse wreaking havoc there, and finally go to the patisserie nearby, he had been singing praises for, for weeks and days at end.

that was the plan, that would have been the reality too - an awesome reality to mark the start of your much-loved summer holidays - until everything went haywire, that is.

there was no one special-grade curse, there were multitudes of them. and if that wasn't enough, to couple that woe, the walls were too, too derelict and weak to bear the brunt of either of your cursed energy blows, let alone your joint attacks.

the tragedy, however, lay not in either of the facts.

the tragedy lay in gojo's and your ignorance of both of them.

before either of you could realize what's wrong, whilst you two were relaxing for a beat, having exorcised all the curses, bodies tired and bruised, the ages-old shrine came caving in on you - the roof, the walls, the everything.

and gojo, being gojo - the absolute self-sacrificing idiot you never knew he could be - chose to turn his infinity off in favour of pulling you under his tall frame, bearing the weight of the crash all upon his back.

the entire trip back to school and everything that happened after is all a blurry mess in your brain now.

save for the metallic stench of blood, the leaden weight of guilt, the sympathetic soft voices and the ice-cold hand you kept rubbing circles on and on, and pressing kisses to, throughout the night till the morning next - when a familiar pair of clear blue eyes opened, blinking blearily, and crinkled in a grin at your sight, raspy voice asking if you would mind visiting the shop a couple of days later.

your cheeks feel awfully wet as you recount those details - and you huff a watery chuckle.

"i too am scared, i guess," you admit in a hushed tone, pouring the batter into the moulds - eight, not twelve, you remind yourself, 'cause shoko went to visit family and geto's going on that date you're forcing him to go. a beat passes in utter silence before you feel a pair of arms pull you gently into a side-embrace.

"i didn't intend to make you cry, sorry," nanami says in a kind voice. you immediately open your mouth, wanting to say it's not his fault; the boy shushes you, continuing, just as gently, "why don't you take a small break, hm? only the frosting's left, right? i'll call haibara. both of us can handle it from here."

betraying your brimming eyes, you throw him an impish grin. "are you sure this wasn't some ploy to get some alone-time with your boyfie?"

"no, it wasn't," your classmate says, rolling his eyes in annoyance, though the smile on his lips tell you otherwise. accepting the napkin from him, you let him maneuver you towards the living room, an arm slung around your shoulders, when he speaks up again, "geto senpai will be leaving for his date in another couple of minutes. he's already ready."

your brows furrow a tad as you glance at him from the corner of your eyes. nanami hates stating the obvious... then why is he now?

"of course, i know that. i was the one who set him up on that date, remember?" you say, perplexed, "so?"

"so..." the blond drawls with a rare wide grin. did the sun rise in the west today or something of the sort?

"you should've realized by now, it was a ploy to get you some alone-time with your boyfie."

an indignant gasp escaping, you twist in his grasp, ready to deny his mind-boggling claims - then stop when you catch gojo grin at you, waving not unlike a maniac, from where he is slouched on the couch.

ignoring the tight feeling in your chest (must have been a heartburn from that stale pizza), you grin back at your shades-wearing senpai, waving just as wildly.

nanami's an idiot - you decide as you sit down carefully next to the white-haired boy - he's still healing, after all - and kiss his bandaged forehead. your two classmates, meanwhile, keep rambling, like the pining fools they've been of late.

ignoring them, you focus on your ruminations instead - yeah, you're certainly not in love with your gojo senpai. it's just that-

"hey, were you crying?" musings broken in half by a gentle thumb on the apple of your cheeks, you peer up at the boy, only to find him frowning, concern clear-as-day behind his goggles.

biting your lower lip to keep it from wobbling, you shake your head 'no' and snuggle into his side, relishing in the warmth he offers, the balmy discomfort of 39°C be damned.

asking you no more questions, gojo simply pulls you even closer into himself; you close your eyes to restrain your tears.

tears of joy.

tears of relief.

tears of something new, something wonderful, you can't name yet, but have a hunch, can soon.

encased in your dear (not beloved, just dear) senpai's comforting touch, your lost train of thought revisits you, waiting to be finished.

a warm smile appears on your lips.

it's just that you'll do anything in this world - without an ounce of reluctance - if it means you always get to see that goofy, careless, adorable, genuine grin on his face, you've grown to cherish so much.

▸ masterlist

[lovesick-feelings]

can you pls write hcs for yan withered foxy? istg hes so underrated;-;;

Your right dear reader! It's strange how unpopular Withered Foxy is compared to his variants. Well, that is if you remove all the fan-made comics with Withered Foxy as a protagonist (っ´ω｀c) Either way, I think it's because a ton of people see the original characters to be the same as the withered but broken and traumatized ⊙︿⊙ I personally see them as different entities tho. Anyways thank you for requesting lovely reader!! \(♡´౪<♡)/

❤ Years of loneliness and neglect have left Withered Foxy in total disarray. He can’t remember the last time he left the dark, dusty service room. He could always roam around, but what’s the point when there is nothing out there for him? Normally, he’d recline and reminisce about his short time on stage, but lately, it's been harder with how restless he has grown. That is until he hears two employees talking beyond the door. Something about a new guard being hired? 

❤ Like every other Foxy, he appears reserved. Your first couple of nights will be him stalking you from the shadows of the hall. As he observes, he likes to fill in the gaps about what you could be like. You smile at a drawing a kid has made of him. Do you have a soft spot for children? Or maybe you're a fan of his? Either way, the more he watches it fills his head with delusions. Ones where maybe… you were meant to be his.

❤ Only when given an opportunity will Withered Foxy start talking to you. He’ll inquire about you; ask you who you are, why you chose this job, and such. Oh, how sweet you are to him. So patient even though you were alarmed by his presence. You’re so amusing to him; perhaps he should look after you more. After all, there are things worse than him in this pizzeria. He’ll make it his duty to visit you every single night.

This man has two sides to him: 

❤ Very weary. He doesn't feel the motivation to do anything besides seeing you. He’ll shuffle his way to your office and talk about anything on his mind. Even if you don’t talk back, the thought of you listening to his ramblings about the good ol’ days comforts him greatly. If you're interested, he’ll even recite his classic pirate stories. He's very hesitant when he realises he's talked for too long, regardless of how much you assure him that you enjoy listening to him. He’s mindful of his off-putting appearance, so unless given permission, he won't come any closer. To show him you are not afraid, you can reach out to him. Beware as this can unlock some unwanted clinginess. 

❤ The other is frantic. Impulse drives him to become more animalistic. When the only thing pledging his mind is you, what else do you expect from him? Instead of his casual greeting, he hides in the dark, ranting about you belonging to him only. Before you can process, he's already launched himself onto you. He grips you with every ounce of strength to make sure you don't leave him again. He holds you tightly until you bruise, and if that doesn't stop you from struggling, he’ll mark you instead. The last thing on his mind is the agony you feel. Only to be with you, no matter the cost. What's worse is the way he “compliments'' and patronizes your helplessness. He goes on about how beautiful the color red is on you. How, if this were anyone else, you would have been killed in seconds. Of course, he could never because he loves you~. The Flashlight is your only hope of getting you out of this madness.

❤ Once he resets, it takes a second for panic to set in. The poor fox does anything he can to make up for whatever he’s done. He doesn't know what he's supposed to bring, so he's breaking the first aid cabinet and rushing everything he finds to you. With all the overwhelming emotions you give him, he can’t control his mood shifts. He doesn’t want to wound you; yet, he doesn't want to leave your side either.  

“You know yur ol’ Foxy adore ye too much to hurt his treasure~” 🥰

“This is your fifth time biting me” 😐

❤ Withered foxy is both possessive and jealous. The mere thought of you seeing someone else sends him into panic mode. Anyone he deems to be getting too close he’ll maul into pieces. Even his withered friends are not safe from his scowls whenever they get too buddy-buddy. He wasn't the first animatronic to greet you, but you gave him your heart when you welcomed him with that beautiful smile of yours. To him, that’s the equivalent of marriage. 

❤ The only other animatronics he trusts to leave you with is Balloon Boy and JJ. Withered Foxy resents the Toys with a passion. Despite this, he still has a soft spot for BB, as he cannot bring himself to hate children, and they make a good team. Same for JJ except he empathizes with her being left behind. They sometimes follow Withered Foxy whether he wants them to or not. On rare occasions, he leaves BB or JJ in charge of watching you when he’s away. If you're good with children you could use this opportunity to your advantage. 

❤ His paranoia always gets the best of him. He’s the type to have a dream about you cheating on him and get angry at you for it. Heaven forbid he finds someone showing any type of romantic gesture too. He will gut them until they are nothing but mush in front of you. He won’t beg or talk you into staying. He’s dragging you into the parts and service to trap you in a suit. If he doesn't, regardless, you’ll still be stuck in the parts and service room. Resisting or begging won’t help much with him thinking you don't know any better. Maybe you would've been better off being killed in a suit.

“If there be one thing a pirate never shares between his crew it be his treasure! And you, me jewel, shall be with me forever~ ”

[bleachbleachbleach]

Verisimilitude (long thoughts about writing)

Sometimes I get mailed random books to consider for course adoption. The first one I looked at the other day was so incredibly bad I could not make it past page 12--"oh my god I hate books" bad; "trees were wasted on this!!" bad. And then there's this one. I've made it to page 30-something and I could have told you 20 pages ago that Oliver Twist it would remain, but I am still reading it to read it, and maybe keep it to recommend extracurricularly. (The protagonist Alva is a weeb for American culture, whatever the word is for that, which I think could make for interesting study!) But that's all context to say,

AH YES THE INTERNET RABBIT HOLE OF NARUTO FAN FICTION, HENTAILORD. WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE.

SO...

BLEACH MENTION WHEN????

Based on the style of her screen name, the Naruto porn, and her listening to My Chemical Romance and Linkin Park, this girl is definitely living her teenage life in the mid-00s, in ways that are searingly obvious. Which feels like it should be a massive success in terms of using verisimilitude to pinpoint a particular time and place and, by extension, person. But I don't think it does?

In thinking about why this doesn't work for me as a reader:

1. As a general rule, I tend not to enjoy "fandom" subculture references like this in fiction, because they have never felt true to my experience of fandom, or even my experience of others' experiences of fandom. The specificity is there but not the verisimilitude. Whether this is because of an inability to articulate the breath of life that animates fandom spaces, or a feeling of needing to at least kind of translate it for the uninitiated general audience, I don't know. Not that Alva's narrative goes far enough to merit this discussion; she's just reading Naruto porn for one sentence, but it just doesn't land right for me. (Sidebar, this is probably also why I don't enjoy acafandom or fandom essays that aspire to acafandom; there's usually this attempted, manufactured critical/"objective" distance from the text that often feels performative, or at least the wrong [or less interesting] tool for the job. And even where 'in-group' positionality is addressed, the translation required to make these things legible to the out-group is just--well, not what I want in life, I guess!)

2. I am a great believer in drawing greatly from what you know and feel and all those random thoughts and behaviors and emotions and tics that make life interesting, and giving them to fiction. In fanfic especially, I am a great believer in seeing the author's hands in a text, making the story (and the original canon) unmistakably theirs. But I kind of always want them to be hands that are in the act of giving. By which I mean, I think there's a difference between all these things existing in a story and having been given to a character or a world or a story, and integrated genuinely into them.

Like, all I can think about while reading this book is how the author definitely lived through the mid-00s in a particular and very familiar way. Rather than create a richly immersive world, the details jump out of the page and leave the story behind. They don't feel like they belong to Alva (or perhaps Alva does not feel like a character with the depth to hold them and make them hers). They belong do the author, and to me, and to history, but Alva falls out of the equation. And if this is going to work, I feel like Alva can't fall out of the equation.

3. I was talking to a friend about something similar a few months ago. She was complaining about a historical fiction book she was reading with a book club she leads at the library she works at--how it was clearly very well-researched, but dry as hell. The information was not animated by the story itself. And I compared it to a fanfic I'd (not) read, where the author was very proud of all the research they'd done and how accurate-to-life its setting was. (To be clear, I'm not subtweeting Bleach fandom. Completely different fandom! Also this fanfic was published like 16 years ago.) The fic did bring in lots of specific details about trees and highways and city names--things I knew well, too, because it was set where my sister lives--but rather than be as exciting and, again, rich, as I feel like that familiarity could have been, it all felt dead. Because all these things were described specifically, but not true to how the narrating characters would describe them, or mentally catalogue them, or experience them.

And you might think, well, how would we possibly know how a character thinks about highways? It's not like he's explained this in canon. And I'd say, well, you definitely can. There are probably a lot of different ways a character could plausibly think about highways, depending on the specific shade and flavor of your characterization of them, all equally believable; but it's got to be part of the equation. There are a lot of ways to be right, and you know it when it's wrong. The wrong-est way it can be is for the way they think about highways to not factor into the way those dang highways are being described by them, in their POV.

4. I think about this both as a reader and as a writer--certainly more often as a writer, because I find that level of imagining a character's headspace the VERY best part of the process, and also because I am often concerned I am not doing it, or at least not well, lol. I'm positive I've done all the things I've just talked about not enjoying.

These concerns exist at the level of characterization work in general, but also at that level of, is the wizard behind the green curtain? Are his hands giving? Because while I do write fanfic because "it is fun" and because "this idea interests me," I am also usually writing it to work through deeply personal emotions/experiences. Which again, perhaps selfishly, I support that. But from a craft perspective I don't want it to feel, transparently, like "oh lol this author is going through it."

Moreover, from a relational perspective, I don't want that to be the relationship between me as author and the characters. Because one thing I am ALWAYS writing fanfic to do is to indulge my feelings about how much I am in complete, rapturous love with the characters and worlds in question. I don't want to just place things upon them, like a film or shroud; I want them to be given, integrated, arriving in the text wholly in their bodies and in their minds and entirely theirs. And I mean this for both the emotional arcs and conflicts and the random tics and details. I want them to have been given, and to belong, and to feel completely and inextricably theirs.

So, those are my thoughts about mid-00s Naruto porn!!!

I'd love to hear others' perspectives, as readers or writers or both. Have you had similar reactions, or quite different? Why do you write, and what do you want? What's your template for how you think about characterization, or your writerly relationship to canon/characters?

[mitternacht]

UU Appreciation Week Day 2: A UMA you appreciate

It’s technically the 21st for me so posting this now. I may be in the minority here but I really do adore Soul! I like where his character is going and I'm obsessed with the potential he has. So here's me rambling a bit about why I want to put him in my pocket so bad. More under the cut for spoilers!

I've been immensely endeared to Soul since my first reading, specifically because of his unique place in the story as the sole UMA created by Luna.

Soul is an outsider to all other UMA's, an Other. He is their predecessor as the first UMA to exist on Earth, and simultaneously he does not truly have a place of belonging with them. While every other UMA was created by Sun to challenge humanity, Soul is the singular UMA created to gift humanity potential.

And how tragic he is. He doesn't understand his place or purpose as a UMA because of this. Soul is humanity's hope, their lifeblood, their dreams and ambitions. He's not meant to bring suffering to humanity like every other UMA has been instructed, but doesn't know anything else. He's also been shown to greatly enjoy seeing humans overcome challenges, even if he doesn't quite understand why that is.

Imagine you're Soul, and you're your parent's only child, and you never receive an answer as to why you exist, why they brought you into the world. As time goes on, you realize you're just amusement for them, just another piece in their game without any true purpose or reason for being. Whether this is true or not, this is all you've been led to believe. And so all you have to cling to is the directive given to those around you. And even then you're just not quite right, not quite the same as the other UMA's.

(Can we just talk about the sadness in his eyes in this last panel)

And I truly do think that the realization in 223 may have been Soul’s breaking point, realizing that Luna never really gave him any sort of purpose other than for their own amusement, for their game. I’m unsure if it may be an inking error, but I’m fairly certain this is the moment we see his pupils start to shift from white to black as well.

From this point forward, we’ve only seen Soul with his blown out black pupils, and his personality has quite changed in comparison to how he’s acted before. He seems more uncaring, and cold now.

At the end of the day, I truly do believe that a huge part of winning this final conflict is going to be Soul finding his place with humanity, and understanding his purpose. UU is all about connection and belonging, and I don't think Soul is going to be the exception to that. I genuinely don't see him as evil or irredeemable, he's just a little mixed up and was predisposed to be a little off. And I only hope he gets a happy ending, along with everyone else.

PS: Who wants to join me in my insane theory that Soul is going to either turn out to be the Artifact Heart or that it’s somewhere inside him and that’s why it hasn’t shown up yet? Because I’m nearly convinced about it at this point, please ask me about my theories-

[theyanderespecialist]

Byakuya's Runaway Bride (Scenario) Yandere Byakuya X Female Ichigo (Bleach)

[Hello, My Sexy Muffins! I am here with a new chapter! This one is a request for a female Ichigo trying to escape from yandere Byakuya! Anyway I hope that you all enjoy this chapter here, Muffins!] 

(Disclaimer: Byakuya Kuchiki is not Yandere in canon. This is just for fun and not to be taken seriously at all! Simping for fictional characters and yanderes is fine! Same with shipping Characters as well! Just do not be illegal or gross about it! Yanderes are not ideal partners to have in real life. Also, remember to separate fiction from reality and headcanon from canon! 

Disclaimer: Byuakuay and Ichigo are not a canon couple and Ichigo is not female in canon! Again this is just for fun and not to be taken seriously.) 

(No One's POV) 

Ichigo slipped out from his arms. Getting something for his drink to make him fall into a deep sleep was difficult. Ichigo had saved Rukia yes, but after she did. Byakuya had become obsessed with her. He needed her in his life. She could not stand it, to be honest. Soon 1 year ago. He had kidnapped her from her home. She rarely saw Rukia now, as Rukia was ordered not to see her. She has not seen her friends or family. 

He told her in one month they would be getting married. She could not, and would not marry him. She stands to her feet and slips out. Walking to his office. She needs to get her Zanpaktou before she leaves, she will not leave it with him. He has a spirit energy suppressor on her neck. A collar. To show that she belongs to him.

She places her hand on her neck. The collar pissed her off greatly. It was one of the main reasons she could not leave for so long. She opens his office and then goes to the cabinet. She takes her bobby pin and starts to pick the lock. Slowly she worked and finally, the click could be heard. She unlocked the cabinet and took her large Zanpaktou. She had Zangetsu back. She will be able to leave finally. 

She does not even worry about day clothes or shoes. She just grabs her blade and runs out of the manor. She climbed over the way when suddenly the security bell of the manner started to go off. Shit! She jumped into the alleyway and started to run. Then she felt it. 

Byakuya is awake and his spirit energy tells her that he is VERY Angry! 

She needed to find a captain! Anyone that will help her. Of course, she does not know the layout of the Soul Society and it is pitch black! She quickly ended up in a dead in and then his voice made her blood run cold. 

(Byakuya's POV) 

I stood behind, my darling fiance as she caught her breath. I was angry, of course, I would be. She drugged me. But, I was also worried. She went out at night alone. She could have been hurt! Or worse she could have been taken away from me. 

"Ichigo, Darling," I say and she tenses. 

She knows that she has been caught, and she has nowhere to run. 

She turns around slowly and she does not meet my eyes. "Ichigo. Come here, your feet are dirty and you are cold." I state blankly. "Let's go home and I can run you a bath." 

"No!" She shouts and lifts her blade, ready to fight. "I rather die!" 

I sighed, she gave me no choice. I use my kidou, something she was never good at. It ended up knocking her out and I caught her in my arms. I will need to keep her zanpoktou somewhere else. I will also have to chain her down or start drugging her when we go to bed. These are things I wanted to avoid doing. But My Darling, Ichigo, she has given me no choice. She will learn to love me someday but until that day. I have no choice. 

I flash step home and remove her clothes. She is truly beautiful. My Darling Ichigo. My fiance. And Soon, my wife~ 

[YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS another one done! I hope you all enjoyed and, stay sexy, all of my sexy muffins!]

(If you could see anyone with Female Ichigo from bleach who would it be?) 

[chibivesicle]

A more comprehensive way to watch Kekkai Sensen

This is something I started way back in May when I made my best friend watch the first few episodes of KKSS but in chronological order (in universe) as opposed to episode release order.

By no means is this to be a definitive list of things and I didn't quite completely match the manga and instead went with a flow that allowed for character development. I also wanted to make certain season two scenes or lines make more sense in context with the additional information from season 2 episodes or skipped manga chapters.

Like many people, I started KKSS with the anime and watched season one. I greatly enjoyed it but immediately picked up on the fact that a lot of content had to have been skipped over. This is due to how frequently anime will so faithfully adapt manga (line by line, panel by panel) that I found too many lines/character interactions were lacking something. Yes, Steven is one of my favorite characters, and my bias is showing, but it was clear that he was one of the characters who definitely had things cut around him. Closely following Steven, were K.K., Chain and Zed to a lesser degree since he didn't pop in until S1E9 and fairly late in the manga as well (volume 5 of 10).

Another issue with the season one original arc as opposed to adapting the chapters in order meant that all of the volume 1-10 back fill that season two had hurt Leo's character the most. Season one has him slowly overcome his struggles to save Black and release White. Season two then starts with legit Back 2 Back content and then jumps to back filling with the amazing original chapter 7 Day In Day Out. All of a sudden a lot of the comments directed at Steven by K.K. in particular make a hell of a lot more sense from S1E4.

Most of the return to previous chapters fleshes out Chain and the rest of the werewolves, Zed's origin and struggle to belong, Gilbert's skill set as a combat butler and K.K.'s domestic life responsibilities. Luciana Estevez is introduced all in all much later and we also get a return to the Desperate Fight in the Macro Zone, a story focusing on Leo's friendships with Beyondians outside of work.

Why a chapter like Get the Lock Out! was smashed in the middle confused me, since the season two finale was the manga volume 10 finale before Back 2 Back. I'm not sure if they should have even included this episode and instead animated other chapters like 11.5. Cherchez L'idole, 16. Outlaw of Green, or 19. Escape from Pain: Chain Reaction.

This all contributes to a sort of 'backwards/stagnant' character development for Leonardo Watch. When he does appear in events that happened in the manga before KKSS volume 10, he's back to the usual struggles which he was supposed to have overcome by volume 10. It made it weird as a viewer to see him get his ass handed to him as he waffled on things while if things had gone in order, it would have all tied up neatly with the Spectral Vision, Spectral Eyes the volume 10 finale. Instead, this is the season two finale which makes Leo go through the same motions as with season one and the new Black/White/King of Despair arc.

This is why I argue the anime hurts Leo's character the most - he gets development, then slides back trying to match the original manga story line and then ends up at the same place by the end of season two. If you had just been reading the manga chronologically, Leo gets much more fluid development and a lot of the self-doubt and growing street smarts have already resolved by the beginning of Back 2 Back. Leonardo Watch will never be the type of character with out of the world power or stats but by time he's in Back 2 Back, his relationship with Libra is such that he is a completely equal member of the main team. He voices his opinion when necessary and rolls with whatever is happening.

This is my long winded way to say that my proposed watching order will allow for a more natural development of the cast of characters and try to keep key elements together.

Here is my proposed watch order:

S1E1 – Secret Society of the Magic Sealed City

S1E2 – After the Phantom Ghost Wagon

S1E3 – A Game Between Two Worlds

This is one of the few anime episodes that really blows away the manga panels. The entire sequence as they enter the domain of the mob boss to play prosfair is gorgeous. I was already enjoying the anime, but when I saw this transition, I knew I was caught hook, line and sinker. The clever animation sequence, the perfect OST song, the build up. It was all excellently executed!

S1E4 – Bloodline Fever

S2E3 – Day In Day Out

A critical character development chapter for Steven, Chain, Leo and Zapp. Not having this in season one greatly hurt the characterization for them, in particular Steven and Chain. However, by bumping this into season two, I can see why after Get the Lock Out! they did not include Midnight Blue as Anila and Garrett are in Get the Lock Out! and Midnight Blue revolves around Garrett.

S1E5 – The Tremendous Blood Hammer

S1E7 – A No-Holds-Barred Eden

S2E5 – One Butler’s Blitzkrieg

S1E6 – Don’t Forget to Don’t Forget Me

Read chapter 11.5 Cherchez L'idole. This is the first glimpse into K.K.'s private life removed from Libra.

S1E8 – Z’s Worst Day part 1

S1E9 – Z’s Worst Day part 2

S1E10 – Run! Lunch!! Run!!!

Note, this episode will end oddly due to it being followed by S1E11 but most of the content with Daniel and the HLPD makes sense to be here. Again, this isn't perfect; you could watch up until Zapp gets sick and hold the last bit to watch right before S1E11 for better flow.

S2E4 – Werewolf Mission: Chainpossible

Somewhere around here read the chapter 16, Outlaw of Green. Again, a Klaus-centric chapter with more unsavory aspects of Steven's character that are removed from the anime.

S2E8 – Desperate Fight in the Macro Zone part 1

S2E9 – Desperate Fight in the Macro Zone part 2

Read chapter 19, Escape from Pain: Chain Reaction for Zapp & Zed Big Dipper bonding and hangry Steven. [Where's my subway sandwich?] and more unsavory Steven behavior dropped from the anime.

S2E2 – A Phantom Hospital Ward Rises

S2E7 – Bronchial Blues

S2E10 – Bratatat Mom

Watch the Restaurant OVA or read chapter 20, King of the King of Restaurants.

S1E11 – Paint it Black

S1E12 – Hello, world

I have no good filler for this section. Imagine some sort of boring time passed between these two situations. Due to the White/Black storyline it seems odd to flip the order of the finales.

S2E11 – Spectral Eyes, Phantom Vision part 1

S2E12 – Spectral Eyes, Phantom Vision part 2

S2E1 – Lights! Camera! Action!

S2E6 – Get the Lock Out!

There you have it, my proposed watch order for KKSS. If you want to throw in the zany formal dinner with the generic middle eastern prince OVA, go ahead and put that in sometime before S1E11, perhaps before watching Bratatat Mom since K.K. thinks lovingly about her husband Yukitoshi.

I personally love the OVA since it is one of the few times we get to see Steven's inner thoughts in a difficult situation animated. I still can't tell if the only reason why he doesn't succumb to the out of the world delicious food is to how anxious he is that he can't enjoy anything. He's so worried about landing the additional donation all other things fall to the wayside. Perhaps he should have brought a subway sandwich just in case?

That's all I have, go ahead and give my order a whirl if you want it to flow a bit better and read a few of those missing manga chapters.

[chattegeorgiana]

Hello Chatte, it’s me again! Just read chapter 13 and it was great! The chapter really sets up what you wanted to do story wise. Each characters pov drives the plot and their motivations makes sense from the OG canon. I love Sakura and Naruto drives and motivation. Naruto acknowledges the challenges of his philosophy such as his feelings on Pein and the Raikage, his personal feelings and how he’ll have to adjust if he wants to be Hokage. Sakura driving the plot forward with her plans to deal with the aftermath with war and her own personal project and the potential consequences of that is great. I’m assuming that’s why Sakura is wearing black? To symbolize her maturity and death of innocence due to the war and the potential consequences of what she wants with bringing back the dead. Also Tsunade taking care of business is great, shows how her character coming full circle from her walking away from Konoha to coming back and to making sure the next generation doesn’t have to deal with it. I read it on AOE, and I think you dealt with dark subject matter well. People often justify horrific actions behind “good” intentions. Both in literature and in real life

Anyway I’m glad that you’re taking a break to plot out the rest story I’m sure that will be easier going forward!

Hiii dear!

First of all welcome to my inbox again. My heart skips a beat whenever I see a message from you because you're one of the few people that truly does go such in depth with the way I create this story from so various angles. You and another great person I talk to about Kaika have a way to see right through my writing like no other!

Not to take from the others who enjoy Kaika, far from me, I appreciate each and every person who does it, but it's something about you two that tickles my writing senses, so to speak, haha.

It like y'all see right through me, and not in a bad way, but a great one. To be honest, I have to admit that ever since I started writing Kaika, it gave me perhaps another angle to look at Kishimoto and understand his predicament - especially in terms of Sakura's character.

It's so nice when one (or multiple) of your readers understand these layers of your writing and what you're trying to do with a character, because it creates a bond between the two of you, an understanding in an off itself, a knowing, a belonging; like a (not so) secret/coded language where you as the writer leave the coded messages, and the reader interprets and deciphers the message.

And when someone deciphers and understands the message it's absolutely incredible. It's like a feedback loop where both parts are in absolute sync feeding each other information and keeping the "motor running", if I may say like that.

Such an incredible feeling! Which is why, like I said, offered me another opportunity to understand Kishi's predicament with Sakura - for example. He did say he was trying to do things with her, but sadly the message wasn't getting across to so many.

But for me, back then, it did. It's just that I didn't have any means to reach out to him and tell him all those things. Sometimes I wish I could have been able to, to make him understand that hey, look, there's someone out there who sees it, keep pushing it, keep doing it, I SEE YOU!

But alas, it didn't happen.

Which is why I'm writing Kaika today to be honest. Well, not the sole reason but one of them.

It's my way of saying back after all these years to Kishi (methaphorically speaking of course, cuz it's not like I could reach him or anything lol) - I see you. I always did. And for as much as I didn't agree with many parts of his story, especially the ending, and how mad I was with him back in the day, I still appreciate him for giving me Naruto and especially Sakura Haruno, a character that I'll greatly cherish.

Anyway, I went so much on a tangeeeent! Let me get back to the actual subject of your message here, haha.

So, for the story and the plot... I'm finally so happy I'm slowly getting to these parts of it and I am slowly but surely starting to move the plot forward, you have no idea. I've been meaning to do this for such a long time, and while I planted the seeds in the initial chapters, with all the things that were going in my personal life that prevented me from attending to the story as I wished, it's such a big relief to be able to finally get here.

And not only that, but do it in a natural and organic way, that stays true to its canon counterpart. Because one of my worries was, I have to admit, that after being gone for so long, I would loose that touch, if I may say so, when it came to my writing. That flavor I try to bring it.

I have to admit, it's still kind of on and off, because I've been away from it for a long time. Took me almost an year from chapter 11 to 12, for example. I felt terrible and I worried that it was going to affect my writing, as well as that natural and organic feeling I tried to give to the story when mirrored to OG material. Partially my writing was affected as I do see things I would've written differently every time I reread the chapters after publishing myself.

But at the same time if I would edit over and over and over again, I would've never publish them, so for now it's like move forward, and you'll get back to your groove as you get to writing it.

That's why I've written this chapter only and then I want to take a break to plan story arcs. Because I want to be done with that side so that then, I can go full steam ahead and only focus on improving my writing.

As for Naruto and Sakura, what I'm trying to do with them is actually have them move the plot forward, not just be pawns that witness how everything moves around them, but have them be the agents of change. And to do that, I wanted to delve deep into their psychological and emotional attributes - like you said, for Naruto being the Pein and Raikage storylines, which are one of the biggest antithesis to Naruto's idealistic self, and with Sakura I went from two angles - from a relationship with self POV and with others. With self it's the greatly missed opportunity with inner Sakura, and with others is through how she connects with the others and brings about real change, rather than staying back and feeling sorry for herself that she cannot do more than that.

I love exploring these aspects to be honest, because that's one of Kishi's trademark signature when it comes to his writing style - the way he delves into the deep pits of the human psyche and manages to engage both the heart and the minds of his readers.

Like I said in one many of my other posts and talks with people - the reason Naruto is successful as a story and so popular is because of emotional manipulation, actually. I know it may sound like a negative thing I'm saying, but it doesn't have to be.

I mean, it is and it isn't at the same time. Depends from what angle you decide to look at it. From one angle can be good, from another can be bad.

But as a standalone fact, that's the truth. Kishimoto was remarkably crafty at manipulating his reader's emotions and getting them attached to the story to this degree. For that, I applaud him, even if I don't agree with him on everything he did, I can still recognize this remarkable skill of his.

And for better or for worse, I learned a lot from him, storytelling-wise. So for that, I'll always be grateful. And so I found my way to do that - through Kaika.

As for Sakura wearing black - YAS! That's exactly why it is, haha. That's exactly why both of them are having more black than other colors in their designs. Because it's meant to represent the depths of their psyche, going into the deep end face whatever they find there on that path.

I know Kishi already did it with Naruto in OG, but that was more on a personal level. It was from a standalone POV. So I thought, ok, how can I put a spin to this, add my own touch while still being faithful to OG? So then, that's when the opportunity presented itself - in his vastly unexplored Hokage dream that neither the franchise didn't go too much in depth.

Or at least, not in the way I've seen it, because from what I saw, they did something, but too surface level if you ask me.

Personally, I like to go deep and drill in the darkest depths of the being, if I may say so, haha.

Which is precisely what I'm doing with Sakura on the other hand. Sakura is a goldmine! An unexplored, uncharted territory with whom you can do so much with. It's incredible, really. Like I said on my Twitter on a post, it baffles me that Kishi didn't do so much with her because the potential. Dear God, the potential!

But oh well, I guess that leaves me more room to play with, haha.

As for my dear Tsunade, when I started Kaika I have to admit I didn’t exactly knew what to do with her other than tying her with some plots regarding the whole medical advancements. But those are built to bring forth Sakura's development, so I can't have Tsunade outshine Sakura. In this case Tsunade's function as a character in the story is very limited. This would prevent properly portraying the exposition with the new generation surpassing the old one.

And as we know, due to the way Kishi developed Sakura, it's rarely truly noticeable who's the better medic and he often put Tsunade in even scenes that impact-wise imo, would've fit Sakura better from a writing pov.

But then I ADORE Tsunade, so then the issue rose - what do I do with her character, in such a way that while yes, in Sakura's story she doesn't outshine her and provides support, but still leaves a great impact and mark on the plot as a standalone character, outside of Sakura's influence? Because as I said, this story will be mainly Sakura Haruno centric. Buuuut, I want it to be a balanced story, still.

And upon analyzing the character better - that's when the opportunity presented itself that fit all that criteria - is a supporting character in terms of Sakura's medical ninja development, however, she's also standing her her own as a standalone character by being a cog in one of the wheels of the old system that I work on reforming to bring the new one, and all done nicely wrapped in the the theme of the old generation vs the new one.

And given that this story is going to be mostly a story that focuses on the female counterparts - Sakura, Tsunade, Hinata, Karin, Ino (it's like I literally did a flip of the OG story that focused on the male cast lol, now I realized it), and females being the nurturers and live givers, I found it perfectly to have Tsunade the one that takes matter into her own hands in the problem of the Uchiha genocide. Because at her core she's a nurturer, a life giver. Despite being so incredibly strong, she represents perfectly the very principle of the traditional woman.

Because you see, I believe there's nothing wrong in portraying women in their traditional views of nurturers, life givers and all those other attributes that are associated with the female gender.

It's a matter of how you do it. You can have a character that's both a girl boss and a tender nurturing lover, for example. Like Tsunade is.

After all, the symbol that is associated with the divine feminine principle is the circle (which also happens to be the Haruno symbol *winkwink*). A circle has 360 degrees which encompasses 360 angles from which you can view a particular subject.

A woman encompasses all those 360 ways you can look at her in ONE. One circle.

It's just a matter of male authors rarely being able to portray that.

But since I'm a woman, I guess it's easier for me to do it.

And I will. Through Kaika.

Thank you once again for your incredibly insightful message.

Like you see, I love talking about these things, since this message turned out to be incredibly long.

It's been quite a while since I've written such a long response to an ask I receive, haha. But you surely know how to pull out those things in me haha.

Thank you, once again, as I said.

Wish you nothing but the best.

Chatte

[jhuzen]

workload [gn. reader]

you are just so done with your workload and your acolytes seem to notice it :)). is this me hoping fontaine will be kind of like my favorite lawyer game just at least character-wise? yes. will it happen? no lmao. descender reader because i am slowly in love with world building for u hehe. also, genshin men ofc ofc.

𐂂 mondstadt ver.

For some reason, despite finding yourself seated at the throne as this world’s overseer and caretaker, you couldn’t find yourself to let go of your job in your own world. You were a defender of justice, someone who stood by the innocent and defended them fiercely and someone who prosecuted against the criminals mercilessly. Suffice to say, Focalors was more than pleased to know the kind of job you’ve taken on in your home world.

Your beloved acolytes have tried to tell you to not trouble yourself any further now that you’ve descended. You can finally kick back and relax, and opt to just enjoy and bask in the company of the people you’ve taken care of in behalf of the primordial one. And you loved them dearly and wished to honor their requests, but your world is a legal justice mess and as one of the leading figures back in your home, you wanted to fight for it.

However, at the moment, things have quelled and you took it upon yourself to get involved with small-time cases, taking on minuscule legal advising. But then you got bored and started taking in moderate leveled cases.

And you should’ve known. In your years of living, you of all people should have known. Even Yanfei herself hated it when you engaged into some mundane chats with her about your work.

You shouldn’t have taken a civil case — one that begets many more problems that you actually felt the need to flee into Teyvat for some solace while you sort out this case that you’ve taken up on.

And unbeknownst to you, some of your devoted acolytes have noticed the number your case is doing to you.

𐂂

Albedo

He sympathizes with you greatly when he finds you suddenly curled up into a not so ergonomic position in your swivel chair while you glared at your papers. He was sure if you can shoot lasers out of your eyes (which apparently exists in the other worlds you’ve visited), the paper would’ve been burnt to crisp.

He’s one of the leading figures in Mondstadt too as the trusty Chief Alchemist and the Captain of the Knights of Favonius’ Investigation team, so he understands when sometimes you hit a dead end with your cases which causes you to groan and mope around.

Albedo visits your one of your many humble offices that’s local to Mondstadt when he catches wind of your arrival. It doesn’t take much guesswork when people in Mondstadt start to become more lively should he descend from his lab in the mountains. And well, it’s a privilege to indulge in your presence so freely, so he always makes time to visit you if his research allows enough free time. And besides, you’re always reassuring him that he’s welcome to visit no matter when.

So when he sees your obviously distressed figure, he had to brave through his struggles in social interactions and serve you instead unlike the way you do to him when you welcome his presence in your office.

He’s a smart man, of course he picks up on how you make tea for him and yourself and he does so with so much care and regard for your belongings. He does it without so much as speaking to you, knowing that in times like these, you prefer to initiate the conversations. And he waits until you’ve finally pulled your head out of that spiraling turmoil.

You blew into the tea that Albedo had graciously made you, picking up the scent that you loved so much — it was a tea all the way from Liyue, and you always managed to get the first few shipments. The papers that you tried so hard to burn with just your irritated stare laid flat on your desk.

“Thank you, dear,” you crooned softly, eyes looking towards your current guest, who sat on the cushy pillows of your sofa chair. “Should I put you up as my official tea maker? You’ve done a far better job than I usually do.” Your laughter echoed in the room and Albedo could only take it in with a small smile.

He knows your words were a mere jest, but for you, he would. He would travel a hundred miles from his laboratory down to your quaint little office in the city just to make you one.

“Have I managed to life your spirits up then, Your Benevolence?” He asked, both a tad playful with a smidge of hope for your approval.

You only nodded with a small satisfied smile, “Yes, it’s what I need, actually. Thank you again, Albedo,” the way his name rolled off your tongue so smoothly almost made him shudder in delight — it was a nice feeling, to hear you speak his name with so much care. “I have been feeling under the weather because of this case, actually.” You admitted with a solemn sigh and he listened.

“May I ask what kind of case is burdening you, Your Benevolence?” Finally did Albedo move from his spot from the couch as he headed to the chairs that were placed just in front of your desk, his eyes catching a glimpse of the many excerpts.

“It’s this god awful civil case,” you answered with another loaded sigh, shifting to much better position in your chair as you slid the papers to his side with one hand. “A complaint between two neighbors arguing over a plot of land. Normally, things like these are easy, only that both of them are siblings and have decided sharing is out of the question. It caused a whole lot more problems.”

Albedo didn’t know much about these kinds of things, provided that often the things he investigates don’t fall into these categories — not to mention, if he didn’t insist that you teach him your world’s language, it would’ve been over for him the instant he read your case file. It was foreign to him, but curiosity (and the time he could spend with you) quickly won him over. He looked at you through his lashes, blue eyes glimmering with unfiltered want.

“Would you mind if I lend my assistance, Your Benevolence? I might be able to help you find a solution,” he proposed. He was confident enough in understanding the legal terms written in your world’s language, and the fact that he is an investigator grants him an advantage in having a keen eye.

And perhaps, he looked for a chance to endorse you his prowess in giving thoughtful insights, returning the way you would do the same when you accompanied him in his laboratory as he did his experiments. Those were the times he cherished more than anything, truly. Sometimes, he would even hear the exploits of your worlds’ scientists as you call them, and they often clash with the mages of your world.

Your world was fascinating, and if he could have a little taste of where you came from through aiding you, he would do so with little to no hesitation.

You blinked and met his gaze, surprised, “Eh? Ah… well, I suppose I don’t mind. But I don’t want to take you away from your research.”

“I’m not in the middle of one at the moment,” he said much too quick for his liking and much to your amusement. He feigned a cough, so obviously fake (but you thought it was adorable), “However, if I’m not needed, then…”

Your hand quickly gained a mind of its own as it chased after his fleeing one, grasping his hand so softly, “Dear, who said you aren’t needed? I already said I don’t mind, didn’t I?” Your prodding grin was enough to fluster the alchemist a little, or was it your hand on his that’s stirring such reactions within him? “Please, stay and help me.”

“Your Benevolence… you didn’t have to… beg.”

The way your eyes shone with such mirth and amusement only had Albedo gripping on the teacup’s handle even more, afraid to drop it as his hand trembled.

𐂂

Diluc

He may not know what it’s like to be in your position, but he sure can recognize what a person looks like when stress decides to hit them deep. Truly even beings from other world (aka you) cannot escape the wrath of a tedious workload.

Well, as someone greatly revered across the land of Teyvat, Diluc also held some form of admiration and respect towards you and it does bother him to see you in shambles.

You first expressed your distress to him when you decided to drop by the tavern he owned and had to down a couple of kegs just to feel numb to the stress you’re currently drowning in. It was concerning, considering not even the drunkard bard could measure up to the amount of drinks you had to down. But just before he sold out on his drinks, you opted to stop and paid him, grumbling on and on about having no other choice but to face the music.

He couldn’t offer anything at first but the alcohol you consumed, but he did make sure that should you visit the next time and had been feeling the same thing, he would do his best of his abilities to console you, no matter how outside it is within his actions and character.

Diluc’s preparations entailed much stronger wine (he doesn’t quite approve of your methods but he can understand, he has met too any patrons that just want to forget about their problems), a favorite food that he may or may not have tried to master with the help of Adelinde, and a couple of soothing aromatics to aid you. And little did he know, you would come back much sooner.

It was a lucky timing, really, when suddenly Diluc heard the scrambling of feet down on the main hall of his winery. He was currently in his office, and while he often took note of the shipments of ingredients from the other nations, he didn’t particularly remember any scheduled at the moment that could have caused this commotion.

Diluc debated between coming down to check on the fuss or to continue his paperwork, and ultimately decided on the latter, looking back down on the many contracts of partnership offered to him by other successful businesses. Surely Adelinde could handle it.

It wasn’t until the said head maid knocked onto the smooth mahogany doors of his office that he looked up and gave her the green light. He looked up to see the head maid, rather flustered, obvious by the way her cheeks bloomed and her eyes shine in complete admiration — it certainly was unlike her, considering that she was usually composed and when she did express happiness, it was much more courteous and reserved.

“Master Diluc, I hope you can forgive the interruption of your work but,” she took a good deep breath as a smile came onto her face, “Their Benevolence has visited us and is in search of you…”

Diluc’s eyes widened at Adelinde’s words and while now her expression made sense, he couldn’t shake off the tiny sense of giddiness and excitement that flooded through his chest when Adelinde mentioned that you, the great overseer, pharos of Teyvat, is looking for him of all people. Still, he managed to steel his expressions and nodded a little.

“I will be down in a moment then, Adelinde,” his response was met with a bow from the head maid, who soon disappeared from behind the doors, probably off to give you a taste of Dawn Winery’s hospitality.

He effortlessly signed away on the route contract for some of the goods that he wanted to obtain from Natlan and promptly left his seat. He couldn’t resist the urge to brush off his coat and straighten his collar. He didn’t need much fixing, he wasn’t exactly running around a lot compared to his activities once nighttime hits.

Diluc didn’t waste time as he grabbed the newest brew, especially just for you and headed downstairs to see the business of Dawn Winery’s most trusted staff, trying to pamper you with all their might.

And it was as if you could feel him staring amidst the distracting bustling in front of you that you looked up at the ledge, exactly where he was peering from. You flashed him an inviting smile and waved him down graciously, he ignored the warm feeling in his chest and descended the staircase quick, and as if practiced, the moment he got to the bottom, everyone stood aside and waited for him to be seated by your side.

Diluc was used to occupying the head of the table, but somehow, seeing you in it with him beside felt oddly right.

“Diluc, dearest, my apologies for suddenly barging into your grand abode, I was… in need of some distraction,” your frown was quick to tug onto the strings of concern in his heart.

“It’s not something to apologize about, Your Benevolence, you must know that my staff and I are always set on welcoming you.” Diluc was thankful his voice didn’t crack. He was sure his throat clammed up with the way you referred to him as your dearest. “I suppose the night you spent at the tavern a few days ago was not enough?”

“I’m afraid so, dearest. Sometimes I wish I knew less. I just managed to unravel quite the secret from my client that made it inherently hard for me to defend him, quite a mongrel that creature is.” The light sneer from you gave everyone a shiver but somehow Diluc found it endearing. You lived up to your name as the benevolent caretaker and overseer, but the times that you would shake the ground with your anger was something not to yawn at.

Diluc figured it was now the time to show you the gift he had, “I figured as much, I should hope this would do it,” he presented the bottle to you — the glass bottle was definitely regal, befitting of your status, with golden accents and everything. “I should hope it’s strong enough for you. It’s enough to knock out a human in one glass. My testers made sure of that.”

Your laugh was a blessing in everyone’s ears, “Oh my! How thoughtful of you, Diluc! I should hope the men who had to succumb to the testing were given much compensation.” You took the bottle from him so gingerly and smiled. It was nice to see him make an effort for you. You took Diluc’s hand and gently removed the glove.

Diluc hoped his red enough hair could cover the way his ears also matched its color. Even more when he felt your lips ghost over his knuckles. A kiss so soft it felt like it was there but also not.

“You’ll have to excuse my lack of gift, dearest. Rest assured, I will compensate for it nicely.” The way your eyes sparked with complete mischief was enough to render him speechless.

𐂂

Kaeya

What? Even the overseer gets stressed? Can’t relate. Kaeya was sympathetic, but definitely wasn’t so gentle in consoling you. He teased you for even struggling when you’re the oh-so great overseer of Teyvat. And normally, anyone who would say that either from Teyvat or your own world, you would’ve called for your personal executioner to cut their head off.

But Kaeya was different he’s just quirky like that, he was the semblance of normalcy in the world where you were constantly greeted by flushed faces and stammering words. He even acted like one of your colleagues back in your home world, an absolute shameless flirt. He was, ironically enough, the piece of home in Teyvat.

Even so, he understood the pressure. He’s seen Jean experience it, and even with his coolheaded tendency, he wasn’t exactly safe from the clutches of overwhelming stress — especially when things get extremely hectic for the Knights of Favonius.

So he takes you out to drinks, accompanied sometimes by Rosaria or Venti. But even then, he figured it wasn’t much help when he realized your companions (including him) are long passed out before you could even get the light buzz. What’s the sense in drinking if there’s no company, after all.

So he decided for another approach to help you out. He decided to do it the sober way, and took you out shopping.

“Why in the many worlds am I paying if you said this was your treat?” You heaved a sigh. You knew Kaeya was loaded, you’ve been to his house before, it was the epitome of comfort (which often led you to your numerous visits day and night).

“Oh come now, Your Benevolence~” the cavalry captain purred with a grin, in his hand held the many shopping bags that you’ve procured in your trip, and the other occupied itself with your arm. “I saw you having quite the crisis so I merely suggested we shop.”

You looked at him with a bewildered expression, “No? I’m quite certain you said, ‘Come now, [Name], let’s go shopping, my treat,’ verbatim.”

“But is it not a treat for you to be with me?” Kaeya’s laughter roared when he saw an even more incredulous expression your pretty face morphed into.

“No, absolutely not.”

Kaeya snickered, it was truly an entertaining sight to behold. Somehow he managed to get on with you so well — perhaps it was the fact that you were open and more present despite your high status. He saw the way people adore you, children weren’t so afraid in approaching you (though that may have been just their childhood naïveté) and you lived as if you were one of them.

Quite like him, actually.

“You said you had way more money than you know what to do with!” Kaeya’s grin was relentless as he guided you through the streets of Mondstadt. It truly was a wonderful day. Wonderful enough to help you burn through your towering savings. “Don’t you have bigwig clients in your world? Ones that pay you a hefty sum?”

“Yes, I do, except you forget they’re from my world with its own currency,” your hand itched to pinch the bridge of your nose. “Our currency isn’t exactly like here in Teyvat. We don’t use mora, Kaeya, my beloved.”

Resisting the urge to croon at your endearment, he insisted his argument, he is not going to pay for this as it seems, or maybe he would, but relished in teasing you. “Ah, then why don’t we ask your beloved followers for more mora?” His grip on your hand tightened out of excitement as when he saw the way people gawked at the way you to looked right now. “Maybe we should tell them if they don’t give enough mora, your powers will fade!”

You of all people knew that was a far cry from the truth. You draw your power from your own world, but the people of Teyvat might just believe it. And you could only look at the captain with a begrudging face, “Beloved, I believe what you are suggesting is plain old extortion.” A wry smile made its way to your lips. “And if I do so, the primordial one may rise and absolutely obliterate me.” Though even that’s impossible.

“Ah, let’s not go there then, wouldn’t want to lose my favorite outlander now, no?”

“Hoh? And I thought the traveler was your favorite outlander.”

Kaeya shrugged haphazardly, he knew it didn’t matter to you. It was clear in his eyes that you too favored the traveler amongst all — he chalked it up to kinship between outlanders. But there’s no doubt that he was your favorite amongst the people living his world.

“Same old thing, Your Benevolence. I tell you they’re my favorite, I tell them you’re my favorite.” He was cool and collected when those words left his lips, already anticipating the adorable pout you’d use to humor his teasings.

His nonchalance soon ended when you opted to turn his little jest on him, “Great minds do think alike. It’s the same strategy I use for you and your brother.”

Kaeya swears, the sun grew a little hotter with the way your conniving smirk entered his line of vision and the way his bottom lip stuck out into a pout was a mere gesture of himself trying to wet his dry lips.

𐂂

Venti

Much like Kaeya, the bard was quick to realize that getting you to drink your problems away was futile. He already woke up in your abode in Mondstadt, on your soft plush bed to be specific (which he definitely did not thoroughly indulge in) and found out that you were still sober when you carried him back home. (He also thinks something happened, but you refused to show it despite the way your eyes twinkled knowingly).

Of course after rolling around in your bed and wrapping himself with your blankets as tight as he could with a content smile on his face, and also marveling your things, some of them he didn’t recognize because of its sheer alienness, he decided to look for you.

And he found you just about ready to perish with how troubled you looked at the papers. He’s seen Jean already struggle and even see Kaeya complain about the nature of these troublesome paperworks. How glad was he that he was the God of Freedom, even from paperworks. Hah. He asks with a smile what’s troubling you, and even though you brush off his concerns, he offers to help with no promise of success.

He was right not to promise success when a completely different set of language and characters entered his sight when you slide him the bane of your existence at this very moment. He quickly handed it back to you and promised to be back with your favorite meal.

Except he decided to take it one step further instead of just bringing it to your study and let you work with the company of him and his food. He did a little math — if he could add himself and his food and subtract your abhorrent workload in the form of case files, it equaled into a nice outing at Starsnatch Cliff.

The soft winds of the high cliff caressed your face gently. You were quite sure the Anemo Archon himself had a hand on this kind of breeze but you didn’t mind. You appreciated the calming effect it had on you. A breeze so caring can only be a luxury in your mess of a world, especially when the carriers of your world’s winds perished at the hands of the high order of the blessed ones.

But that was a story to tell for another time. It was truly why you greatly enjoyed staying in Teyvat, uncaring of your sudden disappearances in your cruel, cruel world. Despite the fact that you know there’s trouble brewing underneath this world that you oversaw in behalf of the primordial one, you for now appreciated the peace.

Venti had to wrestle you away from your case files and even had to make sure you didn’t sneak in a couple pages of it in your person. You liked his adamance in you being away from work, and even you had to admit defeat. You’d like to have your sanity intact until the day of your client’s trial, thank you very much.

The blanket you laid on protected you from the grass and helped Venti bring out the many snacks he had either snagged from your pantry or make himself. Of course, he couldn’t resist but tuck inside a little bottle of the intoxicating elixir he found in your cabinet.

“Truly the view from this height never ceases to amaze me,” your smile was serene and content, and all that Venti could ever ask for. “And the breeze is so fresh and invigorating, certainly something the people of my world would die to have.”

Venti has heard of the tragic tale of what happened to your world… and was overcome with great sadness when you reveal the concept of freedom only exists to people like you, influential and highly powerful, and oh, the great element he embodied ceased. He once joked it must’ve been like Mare Jivari, but ultimately regretted it when you said it was getting close to it.

So he made sure your visits in his land would be filled with love-filled breeze, kisses from the gentle wind that he himself would deliver. A great god you are, an overseer and an ally of Teyvat’s creator, beloved by all, and yet you lived in a place filled with suffering and it did not sit right with the archon who advocated for a near hedonistic approach.

“Your Benevolence, if given the chance, would you stay here in the world that you oversaw?”

Your smile was breathtaking and ironically, almost knocked the wind out of Venti, “Of course. In my many years of overseeing other worlds, none has captured my heart quite like Teyvat.” Your gaze dug into him and he relished in it, loving the way you couldn’t let him out of your sight.

“Would you stay in my land then?” Venti’s smile was coy and prying this time, a boyish charm in his aura sparked up. “There’d be no shortage of the breeze you long in your world~!” He coos his offer to you.

“Is my songbird becoming greedy?” You returned the smile with your own playful one, “How unprofessional! Though coupled with your sweet songs, you might just give every archon a run for their mora. I cannot say no to the luxury of freedom either, I suppose~”

You just knew what to say, didn’t you? Somehow Venti found himself sitting up straight, eager and leaning towards you, aching to hear more of your approval, the way you sing your sweet praises to him, to his land and his people — to Mondstadt and its history, your appreciation for him that’s more than the rest. He wanted all of it.

You took a hash brown from your plate of delicacies and inched the food near him, Venti quickly took the offer and took a bite out of your offer, humming his gratitude with an easy smile. No doubt if people were to see the sight, he would be the envy, being hand fed by the being they all worship just as much as the creator and the archons.

But it wasn’t your actions that he found unfair and addicting, but the words that left your lips soon after.

With a soft gaze that could rival any god that claimed to be so benevolent and kind, you spoke to him with such unreachable vulnerability, “My most treasured songbird, Barbatos, I could not be more thankful for the freedom your land and people have given me in each of my visits. I should hope on the day the blessed ones have laid upon my own judgment, that you accept me with your loving breeze.”

Venti’s heart raced as you lay your heart open for him. He does not know the tales of your life fully, and does not know how fate will come upon you, but all he knows for certain, that as a god who worships you, he could never forsake you.

[coraniaid]

Doug Petrie and Jane Espenson both joined the Buffy writing team in Season 3 and they each wrote three episodes that season.

Across the three Doug Petrie written episodes -- Revelations, Bad Girls and Enemies -- Faith has more speaking time than any other character except for Buffy (about 50% more speaking time than Angel, the character with the third most speaking time in that block of episodes).  In Enemies, she has more speaking time than Buffy herself.  

Furthermore, in all three of these episodes Faith is a central character to the plot: one whose actions and decisions and mistakes drive the story in fundamental ways. From being fooled by Gwendolyn Post into fighting Angel and Buffy, or accidentally killing Allan Finch, or willingly working with the Mayor to betray and abduct her fellow Slayer.  

Throughout these episodes Faith has a clear character arc in terms of her conflicted relationship with parental figures (compare “I just have this problem with authority figures: they end up kind of dead” to “We’re Slayers [...] why should we let [Watchers] take all the fun out of it?” or to “You get the Watcher, you get the Mom [...] what do I get?”) and of course her relationship with Buffy herself (Revelations opens with Buffy insisting that “really, we’re just good friends” after teasing the idea of going out with Faith on something that isn’t quite a date; Enemies ends with Faith warning Buffy that “kill me, you become me: you’re not ready for that” before kissing her on the forehead).

If you only watched the three episodes of Season 3 that Doug Petrie wrote, you'd probably assume that Faith was a major character of the whole show, as important as almost any other member of the core cast.

And you would, of course, be completely right.

On the other hand, across the three Jane Espenson written episodes -- Band Candy, Gingerbread and Earshot -- Faith does not speak one word of dialogue.  She does not appear on screen in any of these episodes, with her absence going entirely unexplained in two of them (even though they all take place after she arrives in town and Giles has been assigned by the Council to take care of her).  Only Earshot explicitly acknowledges the fact that she even exists (although something Joyce says in Gingerbread does, arguably, at least imply that there are Slayers other than Buffy).  

These three episodes instead give much more time to characters like Joyce and Giles and Cordelia Chase -- key characters since Season 1 who have a greatly reduced presence in the three Douglas Petrie episodes.  (Funnily enough, Angel himself and this season's big bad Mayor Wilkins also have rather less presence in these episodes than they do in the first three.)

If you only watched the three episodes of Season 3 that Jane Espenson wrote, you'd probably conclude that Faith is only a fleeting presence in the show.  A shadow who can only affect the world through Buffy Summers; an unseen ghost whose influence is reflected through Buffy's worsening relationship with her mother ("This is not a good town [...] it belongs to monsters [...] and the Slayers") or through her troubled relationship with her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend ("I’ve been with dozens of girls like her" is perhaps not the most tactful thing Angel ever says).  

You might even decide that Faith is not quite a character in her own right at all: she's more of an absence, a possibility, or an idea that Buffy has dreamt up.  Someone who Buffy enjoys spending time with ("not that she was so bad to have around" she tells Angel), someone who Buffy sympathizes with ("she was hurting a lot, and [...] protective-type people might be drawn to that”), possibly even someone who she's attracted to ("to the naked eye, [kissing Faith] looked fun" she tells Willow at one point; “she has the whole, you know, bad girl thing working for her” she tells Angel later).  Based on these three episodes, you’d likely think Faith only exists in the show at all in relation to Buffy.

And you'd be completely right about that too.

[icanseethefuture333]

omg hi, can u do a reading on doja cat please... why whyy was she in those racial in*el chatrooms 😭 do u think she was bullied for being black/biracial when she was younger and bc of her dad not being present or something? ugh and her groomer bf. ugh crazy bc she has so much potential and talent to be even bigger imo. ugh doja 😭😭

This is such a good question because I was just thinking about how much I miss Doja's Hot Pink era 🤔 that was such an exciting time to witness as a fan! Her Scarlet era would of been much more enjoyable for me if she wasn't involved in so many controversies. I used to be a huge fan of her, but Doja's atttiude lately is just plain nasty. To answer your question about my opinion and everything. I believe Doja grew up in the suburbs and most poc can tell you that living in predominantly white spaces it is very racist and you will encounter microaggressions on a daily basis. Doja said that in her youth she didn't really have many friends and her brother would tease her for it. So I believe her feeling the need to turn to the internet and everything for finding a safe space would make sense? People also forget to realize that Doja isn't just a black/biracial girl, she is also neurodivergent. When you're black, alt, queer, have adhd/autism, etc. People are gonna perceive you as "weird" or you don't "belong". So I do think her having a absent father + living around mostly white people could of greatly affected Doja's self asteem. However, I don't believe her past justifies her current actions to this day. I won't dive too deep into someone's personal trauma because it's not my place and it's not something I personally like to do because not only does it make me uncomfortable but it's also unethical and immoral, but I can do my best to do a reading on why... Doja is the way she is.

Doja Cat behind the scenes: Amala

Personality

I think the small bits of her we see on live is really how she as a person behind closed doors. When she's really enjoying herself and being creative, is just how she's always been. Doja could be a "geek" or a "nerd". She has niche little interests that are special to her and gets so excited to talk about it. So for example, if you mentioned an anime she's watching, Doja would like light up like a kid in a candy store. Another thing is I feel like her spirit in general is very youthful? She does have a quirky personality but it's not as extroverted as when she is "Doja". Amala is more of an introvert, in fact, I believe her being in public spaces makes her feel a lot of pressure. Doja is really a "all bark no bite" type of person. Being a troll online gives her the ability to do the stuff she's not confident to do in person. She doesn't really know how to set boundaries as well in person than she does online. "People pleaser". It's really hard for Doja to say no or not entertain people. I also feel like when she is "Doja" her behavior is crazy, unfiltered, blunt, wild, and the life of the party. She becomes a mean girl from a 2000s movie come to life but more unhinged. As Amala though, it's the other way around. She's the nerd and is the one who hopes to impresse all the other "cool kids", even her character Doja. I feel like she actually gets embarrassed sometimes by the things she does for attention. "Why did I say that? Why did I do that?" When it comes being alone and in her own space, it's something she's used to. I genuinely don't even think she has like a close friend or if she does its not that many friends she has. Doja really only has her pets for comfort, security, and protection. I feel that Doja has a lot of inner child wounds that she needs to heal from because there is a lack of balance between this character she portrays herself as and who she really is behind the scenes. I believe it could be causing her some sort of identity complex.

Shy

Introverted

Creative

Youthful

Struggles to set boundaries

Falls into peer pressure easily

Has trouble fitting in or making genuine connections with others

Enjoys artistic hobbies such as painting, makeup, & music

Pets or animals are significant to her, they provide a healing presence

Identity complex issues

Is only aware of her self attributes but not her self concept (I.E: Knows her name, job, likes, dislikes, etc, but does not know what her morals or values are)

Career

The contract she signed was not beneficial to her at all, so Doja Cat is pretty much stuck with it until it is over. Doja Cat began her music career in 2014 and didn't become famous until 2019. So it took a lot of determination and sleepless nights for her to get to the top. She suffered a great deal of anxiety during this time and was over worked by her label, which has caused her to have mental breakdowns in the process. Doja's rise to fame was inevitable due to her ability to portray a duality of being sweet but also spunky. I believe her label wanted her to have this "ingenue" persona, which did attract a lot of money and appealed to a younger fanbase. Doja was sick of this though and felt like her dreams were starting to slip away from her. Doja enjoyed this era and seeing the fruits of her labor come intro fruition, but she knew if she continued to play the role of a "good girl" she would soon fade in with the other female artists in the industry. "I am a grown ass woman and I am not a little girl anymore!". Doja's "Scarlet" era was to create drastic change for herself and others around, it was uncomfortable, but was necessary in her eyes. She feels more confident, mature, and sexy with this new look of hers and does not care if it is received well or not. Doja could have more creative control in career now.

Love life

Doja's song "Addiction" could be an accurate description of her love life. I feel like she suffered from a lot of disappointment and codependency is a pattern within her relationships. Her partners become a "coping method" for her and it's how Doja escapes from the world. I'm almost getting she may suffer past trauma (possible symptoms of PTSD). She could experiences age regression in certain aspects, which unfortunately makes Doja fall victim to abusive or toxic partners. She was vulnerable and has been taken advantage of in her relationships, as well as having her heart getting broken many times. Doja also makes a lot of the wrong decisions whenever she does attract a healthy partnership because of her fear of being hurt or being attached to the wrong person. Self sabotage is a big factor. I also actually don't believe the man she is dating now will be the person she will be with long term. He is more so a reflection of her trauma and she just has been attracting the same person in different fonts. Doja could potentially feel torn between two people she's dated or will be dating. One person is from her past that she rejected and one will be someone new. The person from her past misses her deeply and wishes they could start over. This will be a shock to Doja and not something she will be expecting. They will dote on her and put in a lot of effort to make her happy. They both share similar wounds regarding their parents and could have fear of an abandonment. With this person, Doja could find herself feeling very loving to her partner and wanting to never leave them. She desires to do right by this person and make them happy. I could see her having a baby with them as well, possibly a baby boy? Doja will discover a part of herself that is more nurturing and emotional. They could be a divine counterpart or they will cause a spiritual awakening for her.

Tinychat rumors

So this is silly... but Doja was in those chatrooms because she liked the attention and praise she got lol 💀. People would always praise her and give her compliments, so that's mostly why she was present. I also think Doja Cat was like someone's "discord kitten" if that makes sense 🤣? She had a big crush on someone there (Doja could of even wrote "cyber sex" about them?), but I don't actually believe all of the people in these chatrooms were necessarily racist (which I remember watching videos about this when it happened and Doja wasn't actually the only poc there, there was also a few other poc present, but the one where she was only talking to white people went viral). So were there racists? Yes. Was there incels? Yes. Was that her intention to talk all of these people though? No. She was just crushing on one specific peeson and they would invite her to these chatrooms who were supposedly friends of theirs. So Doja would just hang around to fit in and she has a bad habit of doing shit for validation from others. Which consequently led to the video of her saying the n slur in the chatroom going viral. Mentally I feel she was overwhelmed during this time and was regressing? She literally would behave like a kitten for this person and could tell they were getting bored of her. Now the person Doja crushed on (who I feel was most likely a admin or mod) didn't spew hatred or anything of those things, but he wouldn't speak up to defend any of the poc in those chatrooms. So that would mean yes, they are racist by default because they allowed it to happen. Doja got special treatment in comparison to others though because 1. She was famous 2. The person's "crush" (more like a pet I should say...). As far as it goes for how Doja was treating other poc, she was ignorant about a lot of comments she made and regrets it, she mostly knew stereotypes but didn't actually have the proper knowledge of what's true for other poc (I got a whiff of a stinky scent and I believe that's a sign for her knowing her behavior was really "shitty" and knows that her not knowing better is a bullshit excuse 😭). People literally told her engaging in these chatrooms would be bad for her image and Doja was just really in her delulu phase before shit got real. I feel like someone even came to her house uninvited??? and was like literally stalking her (how scary!). That was when she realized shit got real and it was not a cute little fantasy anymore. Her life could of been in really danger at one point. It took a lot for her PR team to fix this situation and make sure she didn't get canceled or become a flop overnight, as well as having to hire extra security for her.