#that one is usually just 'may the father of understanding guide us'

[teecupangel]

Heya! I wanted to say that I like reading what you post on your blog. ^^ Keep up the good work, and may the Great Father of Understanding guide us.

(Saying this cause I felt it was feeling. I'm an Assassin through and through, though. Lmao)

Aaawww, thank you so much! This good work is only possible because of the wonderful asks I get (and how understanding you guys are at how slow I can be at answering TTATT)

May the Father of Understanding guide us!

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

The Vow 2

Warnings: non/dubcon, arranged marriage, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: mob!August Walker

Summary: your father’s murder leaves you in the hands of a dangerous man.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

The man is quiet. The villain. The boss. The groom. Your... husband. 

The vows were what you would find in a script. Nothing special. Just standard. Just going through the motions. And when he lifted the veil, his kiss was just as prescribed. That’s it. Your life is over and his is just beginning. 

Your hand is in his as he guides you from the hall. He takes you between the pews and out the tall doors. A shower of petals rain down on you as you come out into the sunlight. There’s a car waiting. The people around you are like actors on a screen. It’s all fake. This isn’t a happy day, this is business. 

The car door shuts on the other side of him and you’re closed in with this stranger. The stranger you’ll spend the rest of your life with. You know his name and his bad deeds, but nothing else. 

You fold your hands over the layers of the full skirt. He shifts as he pulls a fold of tulle from beneath him. You watch his large hand and tremble. 

“Sorry,” you breath and snatch the skirt so that it can’t overflow onto his lap. 

He catches your hand and you freeze. You lock up, bones aching, muscles clenched. He tugs on you. You let him draw you closer as you stare at his steely grip. He brings his other hand over to pet your knuckles. The softness of his touch makes you tingle. 

“You’re scared,” he states. It isn’t a question. He knows. “If you are loyal, you don’t need to be.” 

You nod, “yes, sir.” 

He huffs through his nose, “I am your husband.” 

You close your eyes and tempo your heartbeat, “what should I call you?” 

“You know my name.” 

“Walker.” 

“August,” he insists upon his first name. “Maybe one day, you will have something softer to call me.” 

“Maybe,” you shiver and he squeezes your hand. 

“Your father wrote his own fate, you will write yours,” he raises your hand and lays a kiss on the back of it. “It doesn’t need to be the same.” 

You stare ahead. You can’t let yourself feel or you will feel everything. The fear, the grief, and even, the anger. Once they boil over, you will be lost. 

“I understand, August.” 

Another heavy exhale. 

“You will not act so cold in front of my men.” He takes your hand and forces your fingers open. “You will touch me with kindness.” He puts your palm to his cheek and leads you to cradle his face. His stubble pokes at your delicate gloves. “You will do so without my order. You will behave as a wife, so far as they are concerned. Let your father’s defiance die with him.” 

“I will not resist,” you tell him as much as yourself. 

“Goddamnit, look at me,” he says. 

You turn to look him in the face. The anger you expect is absent. He watches you placidly. Your fingers twitch and he leans into your touch. He takes your other hand and forces you to twist toward him. He leans in and before you can think, his lips are on yours. 

It is different than at the altar. Not just a peck, more. His lips part and his tongue flicks out along yours. He hums and you open your mouth. His hand creeps up the back of your neck and he locks you against him. His tongue invades your mouth and you squeak. 

He draws away and his eyes narrow, “better.” You’re unsure if he means it was better than before or that you need to do better.  

He lets you go and sits back against the seat. He closes his eyes as he pushes his shoulders wide. His feet are planted as he lingers in unspoken thought. You look at the driver then out the window. You turn back to him. 

You touch his sleeve and shimmy closer. He hums again. The tone assures you that you aren’t unwelcome. Play your part, fulfill your vow. That is all that needs to be done.  

This is more than you, there is your mother, and others beyond that. Those that were once loyal to your father. Those you called friends and family. Those who now walk the same tightrope. Those that have already fallen. 

The car stops. A flicker of panic strikes in your chest. The door opens from outside and he pulls you out with him. You keep one hand on your skirt and the other on his arm. He marches ahead. 

You enter the large building and wait in some room. He remains silent, pensive. You’re summoned and after a time. He fixes your arm to hook through his as you stand before the large doors. 

“Head up,” he girds before you enter. 

They watch you, just as before. You can hear them this time, whispering. You don’t look anywhere but ahead of you. He nods at the more notable guests. You will not doubt be met again with those faces through the night. 

He puts you ahead of him to climb onto the platform where the bride and groom’s table stands. He follows closely. He pulls a chair out but puts his hand to your back so you cannot sit. He sidles behind you. Instead, he sits with you, lifting you into his lap. 

You quiver again. Humiliation surges through you. This is his show of victory. He boasting. No, you will not just be beside him, you are his.  

[dilf-docs]

Champagne Symphony, Caviar Dreams

harry castillo x younger fem!reader

summary: you keep finding harry in these events. how long until someone gives in?

warnings: 18+ (minors dni), age gap, (eventual) smut, foes to hoes, (one sided) enemies to lovers, angst, rich ppl (yes that's a warning), slowburn, reader may be a bit of a cunt (sorry if this x reader fic is mischaracterizing u), ft. dbf!harry (love this trope so much and had to squeeze it in, my bad)

word count: 1,815 words

side note: hi hello thank u for ur support my citizens!!!!!!! i hope you enjoy this random update even if the fandom is currently in shambles bc of tlou 2 and joel miller sexy old man with glasses atm,, just hi i'm the problem it's me late to the function as per usual. ps. if u want to be added to the taglist just lmk :) <3

part: prev | masterlist | next

The click of black shoes against wooden floors startles you.

"A White Russian, for the lady"

Before you get to ask, the waiter is gone. Rachel arches and eyebrow.

"If this was a bar, I'd be flattered. Right now, I'm just confused"

Your eyes search his in the bustling room, only to find him already staring.

You scoff. "That makes us two, then"

You raise your glass, wearing a daring smile. Drink for over ten seconds, holding his gaze across the room. If he wanted to play, so be it; didn't matter it was your father's birthday.

His eyes shine, amused. Harry Castillo likes to think he knows when a woman is looking for trouble. The faintest of a smile tugs at his lips when you lick yours. He's coming over. You're up to no good when you stare up, saying his name like a pebble on your shoe.

"I hope I guessed it right" it's what he says instead.

You finish what's left in one gulp. "Nothing too special about it"

He grimaces.

"Hello, Harry"

"Hello, Rachel" but he doesn't even bother to look her way, so unlike his manners.

"Dance with me"

As sudden as the shiver that runs down the spine. Rachel gives you a quizzical look when you turn her way for support.

"Alright"

The music is soft, an instrumental. Your dad hired an orquestra to play, the mellow sound of music filling the room he had rented, in the outskirts of the city. Annabelle wanted a DJ, said it was more modern. But your dad was always a classical man, and that was her way of calling him old, one of many. At least, she was older than you.

He guides you, hand on your back.

Somewhere along the sway, your steps get lost in the spaces between the chords of the violin.

"Why?"

You liked knowing. Answers.

"Because the music is nice" yet Harry preferred the unspoken of your relationship, if you could call it that. Strangers who knew too much about the other. Who revelled in the others' falter. Like a contest to win; you've yet decided the prize. "Don't you think?"

"My father likes nice"

Harry smirks.

"Cheers to David" he gives you a little spin, word reduced to a blur. It's just you and him, "and nice things"

You feel his body irradiate heat. Close proximity suffocating.

"We can't have nice things"

Harry shakes his head, something akin to disappointment circling in his brown eyes.

"Only if you allow yourself to"

Rage bubbles up your throat like champagne. This isn't like your father, who makes you feel small. Harry Castillo makes you feel seen, and that's worst.

He steps forward and you step back at the sound of the music.

"What do you want?"

His grip in your hands tightens, and then he drops you, but his hand on your back stays firm. It's like this with him: always on edge but never quite falling. Head centimeters above the floor, hair brushing the wooden floors; almost crushing.

You lose yourself in the white of his smile.

"To dance"

He pulls you up, face so close to yours. A faint smell of whiskey ghosts his breath.

"I think we're talking about different things"

He smiles, sadly so. He too pulls back, and you hate that small voice in your head that misses the proximity.

"You have yet to understand we aren't"

Anger rises again. You let go of his hands.

"Do you think it's funny to go around confusing people?" you spit.

He looks at you, stern gaze as the music stops.

"I've been clear since the first day"

People clap and the music resumes, but all you hear is the beat of your heart, ringing in your ears.

He leaves first.

Harry doesn't know when it started, but he knows the moment he knew.

You were late, sat next to him: with your long hair and tight black dress. Narrowed eyes as sharp as your fresh manicure. Judgmental. Appalled. Fresh out of law school, as David said.

It was during his fourth. Lasted less than a year; Harry can't remember her name.

He heard your venomous spit at his side: I hate weddings. Doesn't know if you were talking to him but listened.

How could he not? It was clear, in the way you reminded everyone what kind of lawyer you were. Jokes too rough, clipped laughs yet you didn't falter. Too obvious, refusal to be pictured in the family portrait when David married Annabelle the next winter.

But Harry too saw when you followed the bride with your gaze, something raw, not practiced nor learnt, imprisioned behind a neutral expression in your eyes.

It was summer when the wedding happened but Harry was drawn to your cold. The way you had mastered the common art to shove down any emotion, because to feel was to be human.

And to be human was to be weak. You loathed being weak.

Which is why, when you turned to him and mumbled a polite Excuse me to walk out during your father's vows, he understood.

There were dying stars in the dark scope of your eyes, begging to be pulled out of their slow death, pulsing with the same moribund sound of your heart. Hiding behind the sharp comfort of knowing no one would notice. A latent desire to be seen betraying the arm's length drive to keep people away.

Harry was one of those people. The type to notice the quiet breaths of the world that reminded of the painful experience it was to be alive.

And in that moment, he knew there was more to the carefully crafted you.

It was easy then, to figure you. To unravel the mystery of the one he had made to be impossible to decode.

You drank and mingled with the crowd, but each sip seemed labored, like you'd wish for it to be poison and kill you. You were focused, loved your career, but when the noise of the court died down, all that was left was mourning, even if he couldn't quite place your grief. You were all disdain and apathy, but hidden among your clipped conversations was the ravenous desire for attention.

Behind every fake smile and mascara layers, Harry saw the corners of your mouth twitch and the tired eyes.

It was there: the little girl he met, hiding behind mother's legs as if you took a step forward, the world would swallow you.

She was gone, and you had changed your approach: now you were to eat the world as revenge.

You could lie to everyone, yourself even, but Harry knew.

He wasn't a patient man, yet for you? He could wait.

Wait until you let him in. Until you take the hand he's been extending your way, hoping you'd take the leap and jump.

"Should I always chase for you?" Harry jokes after finding you. "Either you love running away or have a thing for balconies"

"Nobody obligues you" you turn to face him.

Harry couldn't voice out loud nor explain the pull he felt towards you. Like magnets. Moth to a flame; things meant to happen. Things that are unavoidable. Or just how easy it was to fall into your orbit. You were a black hole sun: burning and consuming.

"You dipped"

You dipped my head so close to the floor I thought I was falling. Dipped after making my skin feel like a burden and not the one I live in.

He's taken back by your barely concealed reproach.

"Would've you want me to stay?"

Life is a game, and you hate how he's the only one who makes you lose.

You scoff. "Bet that's what you would've wanted"

"You still haven't answered"

You rub your nose. "Is it so important for you that I do?"

For the first time, he doesn't know what to say.

"I'm not here to please you"

He smirks. "Do you ever aim to please anyone but yourself?"

"Are you calling me egotistical?"

"I'm not one to throw stones" he shrugs, then makes his way towards you.

"That's all I feel you do"

He let's his body rest against the marble of today's selected balcony.

"Are you accusing me of being disparaging?"

"I guess we're just throwing big words around" you laugh, dryly.

Harry exhales loudly. "Do you want me to go?"

Stay.

"It's fine" you shrug, nonchalant.

Some minutes fly by, the soft orchestral music from inside the only sound to be heard in the aphony.

"How long do you think this'll last?"

He turns to you, but before he asks for clarification, you're speaking again:

"Dad and Annabelle"

"You shouldn't be betting on your old man" he berates, but there's no bite in his words.

"It always ends"

He doesn't like the finality in your tone. Like you knew it all.

"At least you'll never run out of'a job"

"You're not going to correct me?" you snort at his attempt to humor you. "Tell me that love is real or some shit?"

Harry gives you a knowing smirk.

"Has it ever worked before?"

You don't quite smile, but your lips press together.

The music comes to a stop, people clapping and then a microphone turning on. It's your father's voice.

"Guess it's coming to an end"

Now it's his turn to speak. "Like everything else"

You're about to walk inside when he speaks.

"What about our dance?"

Your turn around. A soft breeze passes by.

"What?"

He gives you a half smile. "It hasn't finished"

Harry extends his hand towards you, waiting for you to take it.

"Shall we?"

You don't have the answer, but when the warmth of his hand covers your freezing smaller ones, you feel you've chosen the right one.

His steps are measured, each brush of your fingers and lingering touch deliberate. You lose yourself in the quiet of the night, the symphony of his heartbeat intertwined with yours, alike to that connection that holds your hands together.

"This is nice"

Outloud. You don't realize it's been you who has said it until he stops dancing, lips parted as he looks at you.

"Y/n-"

The brittle vulnerability is fleeting, like the laughs at your father's drunken speech. It comes and goes, the sound drowning each time you look at his eyes.

All words are futile devices. You're the one who knows such thing best.

"Don't"

Don't speak.

Don't ruin this.

Don't make me think of questions I'm too afraid to hear the answers.

"Okay" he coincides. "We won't"

We won't talk.

We won't ruin this.

We won't think about what this is and what it means.

But all the forbidden is lost when his touch and perfume stay in your skin even as you sink down on your lavender sheets and the feeling of knowing something you hadn't before remains.

cr: divider @kodaswrld / gif @a7estrellas / 🏷: @io12n @dowscal @oscar-isaac @joelscowgirl @jxvipike @klarkapascal @lostinmyownmaze @folklore-barnes @alinacecee @sukitruqui @youusunshineyoutemptress @hermionelove @noisynightmarepoetry @ann-gell (comment if u wanna be tagged!)

[harmoonix]

Nature's Alurre

° Short Astrology Observations °

H a r m o o n i x

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❀ -> Ceres Asteroid (1) at 6°, 18° 10°, 22° degrees can end up working in a comforting space/place for them, something about their work is very dear to them

❀ -> Sagittarius Degrees (9°. 21°) in your big 3 make you "wild", you seek for curiosity, for knowledge, for adventure, for passion all these combined make you fierce

❀ -> Someone with an Water Sign in their 6th house/Moon in the 6th house has a deep love for animals, they love animals and can find a comfort when they're around

❀ -> Ceres (1) in your 1st house/Ceres aspecting the ascendant are the type of people who need to nurture themselves first instead of nurturing others

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❀ -> Moon square/opposite/conjunct Uranus are going through 100 moods every day, I don't think they can function if they stay in one mood because their own nature is to be able to feel everything at once

❀ -> Neptune trine/sextile/conjunct Sun are the type of people who always want to be in a good mood and try staying positive about the things in their lives

❀ - If earth Venus would be described by emoji: 🌍🧚🏼‍♀️✨💚💲🍵🥗☘️ these would mostly be their most used emoji

❀ -> Pandora asteroid (55) aspecting the ascendant or in the 1st house. Can be the type of people everyone has questions about or is curious to know more about, it can even indicate that person who ask you a lot of questions and they don't like your answers/replies to their questions

❀ -> Ceres (1) in Scorpio/8th house may need sex to nurture themselves, natives with these placements can be highly sexual and sometimes can even seek for it

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❀ -> Asteroid Angel (11911) aspecting the Moon can indicate that your angels may protect/guide you through your mother, for some of the natives their mothers could've be their biggest protector, if this doesn't relate to you then your angels may have an motherly energy when they're around you

❀ -> Sun/Saturn in the 12th house can indicate daddy issues, and no.. not that type of daddy issues where girls try to date guys with 100 yrs older than them, it actually indicates issues with your father or an absent father

❀ -> For people with Chiron in the Pisces/12th house, they can heal with music, if you're in a bad mood just listen to some music it may help your mood in that situation

❀ -> I don't know why but so many people tend to ignore "Parallels" in their chart, parallels share an close energy to the same aspects as "conjunction" . And they're so underatted, we need to cancel the person who said they are not important.

♥️♥️♥️Here is a post about how you can find your Parallels in your chart ♥️♥️♥️:

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❀ -> Did you actually knew that you have a guiding planet in your chart? Your guiding planet is supposed to help you understand this life and it's lessons better and to help you in your everyday day, to know what planet you have as a "guide" you need to look at your chart and find the closest planet to your Sun. (if you have multiple planets conjunct Sun then find the conjunction with the closest degree)

For example: In my birth chart Venus is the closest planet to my Sun, they're not conjuncting but they're at 1 sign apart from eachother. That makes Venus the closest planet to my Sun...now it's your turn to find yours 🥰

❀ -> Asteroid Nike [307] shows victory/something you'll accomplish in your chart

Example:

Nike in the 10th house = good job/career

Nike in the 8th house = transformation about yourself

Nike in the 2nd house = your finances/money. Usually Nike in the 2nd house can indicate being wealthy

Nike in the 7th house = relationships/marriage

If you have Nike in none of these houses then look in this photo: Here are all house descriptions for every house specifically

❀ -> Gemini/Sagittarius placements can be very talented in writing, is way easier for them to describe something while writing

❀ -> Mercury in 10°, 22° degrees can have it hard when it comes to explaining things, they may also struggle with finding the perfect words in a conversation, on the other hand you choose your words with a good mindset

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❀ -> Aquarius Juno/Juno in the 11th house > Don't get in relationships with people who seem strict/manipulative and obsessive, you need freedom in a relationship the most, is way better than being like a bird blocked in a cage 100%

❀ -> Aries Juno/Juno in the 1st house > They desire someone intense, who can understand them perfectly. Someone who can be there for them. Don't settle for less. You desire someone who can be more than a lover to you, to be half of your soul

❀ -> Eros (433) in Libra/in Libra Degrees (7°,.19°) are seeking for true love, they want to have that true love like in movies and they really desire it

❀ -> Eros (433) in Cancer/in Cancer Degrees (4°,16°,28°) seek for a nurturing love, they'll love to nurture and take care of eachother

❀ -> Eros (433) in Sagittarius/in Sagittarius Degrees (9°, 21°) seek for a partner who they can share the craziest things with, they'll love if you will hang out with them in a adventure/place where they may like to go

❀ -> People with an Earth sign in their 8th house may have an husband/spouse who can work hard, because the 8th house also represents your spouse resources and the earth signs are usually the one who work the hardest for what they got/have (It also shows deep respect for eachother)

❀ -> I'm gonna tell you that if you love someone with Virgo Venus/Venus in the 6th house, make sure to use words of affirmation when you are with them because it simply makes them to be better (be supportive)

❀ -> Psyche (16) is the asteroid who is the most connected to your soul, and it can describe a lot of things about it based on the sign/house the degree, and the aspects

For example:

Psyche in the 4th house may be very connected to their family/especially on their mother side, their soul may feel safe around females

Psyche aspecting Uranus shows a soul of an artist who is constantly changing and evolving in something better, also there is something striking about them

Psyche in Scorpio/Cancer/Pisces may have an thing for physical touch, bounding, and dedication, their soul can be highly emotional

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🌼 Today is such a good day for shorty astro observations, coming back with a theme that so many of you like it, I rarely post on Saturdays so here we go🌼

🌼 Have a blessed day everyone and I'll see you all again at the next post 🌼

Stay in harmony and peace together with the moon - H a r m o o n i x 🌙🌼

[vyoleya]

more of my complicated DR au! (i really need to come up with a name for this, huh) today we have; lloyd!!!

all parts of my au

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

(fun fact! that first drawing was the first time i ever drew anything of this au, roughly around when i first created it, which was around may 2024! though it was VERY different back then)

HUGE ramble/lore dump under the cut :)

if you read the long arin and sora thingy, then you'll know that lloyd is VERY dead, but unfortunately for him, even death won't remove him from the narrative.

due to lloyd being the conduit, he actually had visions of his death months before it happening. of course, he was never really able to decipher the fact that it was him dying until a few weeks until it happened. (all he saw was a wolf warrior doing shatterspin, it took him awhile to realize it was object shatterspin, let alone that it was arin behind the mask.)

however, these visions are just possible futures, and there actually was a way he could've survived. there were two things that could've happened; lloyd could have killed arin, or arin could've kill him. lloyd saw both of these options.

but lloyd, knowing the whole 'curse of the first student' thing, he wanted to break the cycle. in order to do that, he went with the second option of letting arin kill him. hence, lloyd refusing to fight back against him, and letting himself be killed.

(that isn't the only thing he saw in his visions, but we'll get to that later.)

due to lloyd having the FSM on his side, along with being the conduit + having carried source dragon energy + being the green ninja + being too important to the narrative, lloyd's still got a lot to do.

in his last moments, he clings desperately onto his life enough to say his last words to arin (something along the lines of 'i think i understand my father now, because even as we fight, im still so proud of you, and i know you'll do great things') but this has an... interesting effect, making lloyd merge with his element.

his body still dies, and lloyd's merged element self / spirit (who i'll just call Life from now on) is taken to the grasslands. he also pulls arin alongside him for a few seconds, just to traumatize him a bit further! Life, being super wise and all powerful now, ends up harnessing the life inside of arin and residing within it, essentially making arin immortal.

when arin came back from the grasslands, he found that there was practically no trace of lloyd, other than his blood & his sword. arin took the sword with him, and uses it as his main weapon.

lloyd's spirit is bound to arin, and while technically he COULD move on and be happy in the grasslands in death... he doesn't want to until he knows that everyone he loves will get their happy ending. while lloyd can't exactly show himself, everyone has found that they can feel his presence around arin, and they can feel the love and care practically radiating off of him :)

but lloyd's not known as the 'green savior' for nothing though, as somehow even merged with his element, he keeps overprotective dad nature, and uses his green power to help keep those he loves alive. he's not able to speak or communicate to anyone, but he IS able to interact and move things in the environment that are alive / have energy (so plants & nature and somewhat electric things. he cant do anything with people because he's too busy keeping arin alive)

(during arin and sora's frequent fights, Life consistently interjects by moving trees and creating holes or turning off their equipment to get them to stop fighting. it never works.)

he also is able to make certain things hum alive with green energy, which he can sometimes use to guide people to certain places. so if someone he loves ever gets lost in a forest, they'll find a glowing green path through the grass leading them back to safety. of course he can only be in one place at once, and so that person is usually arin.

whenever arin takes any fatal blow, from being stabbed in the chest to losing a Whole Limb, whatever's damaged is replaced with life's for a second, then comes back like nothing happened. (people nearby swear that they can hear lloyd screaming whenever this happens.)

and finally, life is still the conduit. arin gets flashes of his visions from time to time, though it's not as violent/intruding as life takes the brunt of them.

this is very important as when arin/z ends up time traveling back, past lloyd ends up being abruptly stripped of his conduit abilites, as life has them instead. this causes many problems.

(i made an error on my last post that ive now corrected, arin did not end up in the third year of the merge, he came back during the peak of the blood moon, due to that having heightened magic. sora, however, travelled to the first year of the merge.)

sora, not quite understanding the whole 'lloyd is keeping arin alive by choice' fully believes that his spirit is trapped and it's her duty to free him, even if she needs to kill arin in doing so. she messes around with vengestone, chronosteel, deepstone, and she even asks jordana to teach her magic and spells (jordana's still struggling after rox's possession, but more on that another day) but sora is never successful, as there isn't much information on how to stop Divine Entities With Father Figure Tendencies.

this is a bit of a filler post while i try to figure out how im supposed to explain the post arin & sora time travel world... but ill get to that eventually haha. feel free to send any questions if you have em :) congrats if you read this far!

(& heres a bonus doodle)

[discordiansamba]

Azula visits him in his cell.

He knows she's coming before she arrives. He can hear the guards at the door try and dissuade her. His sister snaps at them, angry. How dare they stand in her way, when she knows that they let Mai through. They relent, and Azula steps into his cell.

She crinkles her nose at the smell. He's less filthy than he was before thanks to Mai, but only just. She meets his eyes- and for just a moment, her breath catches. Zuko's tempted to start growling, just to see what would happen. The dragon goads him on, but he decides against it.

"What do you want?"

She obviously didn't expect him to speak. When he does, she exhales, and she's back to the normal Azula.

"I see you're back to your usual self," Azula observed, "-I suppose we have Mai to thank for that. I hear she's been visiting you."

"Upset you'll have a harder time executing us?" Zuko asked. "Or is father the one who plans to do the honors?"

Azula flinches- it's obvious that she didn't expect him to know about that. He doesn't blame her. She must have assumed he didn't have the presence of mind to understand anyone when he'd been paraded through the Caldera like a chained beast.

(He had been, he supposes.)

"Father, of course," Azula recovers, "-it's only fitting that the Fire Lord should slay the last of the dragons."

Zuko bares his fangs. "What makes you think we'll go down so easily?"

Azula huffs, and rolls her eyes. "You should just make it easy on yourself, Zuko. I would think you'd be grateful to be released from your miserable excuse for an existence."

Yeah. He can't deny that some small part of him still longs for that. But he thinks of Uncle, and of Mai- thinks of his friends. They'd all seen him at his worst, but they accepted him anyways. And she's right- if he dies, the dragons really will be gone. He's spent years chafing at the confines of the prison that is his body, but maybe it doesn't have to be one.

Azula never looks him in the eye anymore. He levels his gaze with hers, but she takes it as the challenge it is, and doesn't look away.

"And what would you do," Zuko said, "-if it comes for you next?"

His sister pales. He shouldn't be enjoying this. He's not stupid- he figured it out a long time ago. He knows Azula blames herself. She hadn't known the consequences when she'd shoved him into that cave- she'd only been six. She was just playing a petty, jealous prank. All she'd wanted was to go back to the villa and lap up mother's attention for a few hours.

He also won't lie to himself. He blames Azula- but only sometimes. She was just a child. They'd both been children. But he also can't pretend that he's not bitter, vengeful in a way that has nothing to do with the spirit that took up residence in his skin. She'd taken everything from him- just like her namesake had taken everything from the dragon.

"Don't worry," Zuko promises, "-when you're running a fever that high, you don't even notice your body twist out of shape."

"Shut up," Azula snaps, "-I would never let that happen."

"You wouldn't have a choice," Zuko says, "-did you think I did? You can't fight something like that. You'll be lucky if the dragon decides to ever give you your body back. It's not like Uncle's here to guide you."

(He's not quite himself right now, otherwise he would never be saying these things. But he doesn't stop. He holds the dragon at bay, but only just.)

"Be quiet," Azula hisses, "-I would never become like you."

"No, you won't," Zuko agrees, "-because I don't intend to die."

Azula stares at them for a long moment, then clicks her tongue. She leaves without another word, and Zuko exhales. He shakes off the dragon, its whispers falling back into silence. He feels like he's finally won, but it doesn't feel as good as he hoped it would.

He doesn't hate Azula. He can't.

(It was as much a warning as anything else. Killing him would only free the dragon- and leave it free to search for its next host

Who better than Azulon's very namesake?)

[weirdly-specific-but-ok]

the antichrist's wellness influencer era

HELLO, SINNERS, welcome to my youtube channel, I'm Adam, the Antichrist, Adversary, Destroyer of Kings, Angel of the Bottomless Pit, Great Beast that is called Dragon, Prince of this World, father of lies, Spawn of Satan, Lord of Darkness.

Today I want to talk to you about the law of attraction, a trend that's been circulating in the self-improvement community recently. And hey, I'm all about the law of attracting! TODAY WE'RE MANIFESTING OUR BEST, MOST SINFUL LIVES.

Now I know some of you are skeptical. Manifestation? What kind of nonsense is that, it's not for us Satanical sinners! Well, I'm here to tell you that is ABSOLUTELY IS. NOT JUST MANIFESTATION, BUT ITS SINFUL BROTHER, DELUSIONS.

LET ME SHARE A REAL LIFE STORY.

I HAVE USED MANIFESTATION MYSELF. IN FACT, I USED IT AT THE EARLY AGE OF ELEVEN. I USED IT TO REVERSE THE APOCALYPSE! Not only that, I delusioned my way out of my bloodline of darkness, made myself related to my adoptive family, created duck aliens, possessed my friends and defied heaven and hell!

SO YOU SEE, YOUR DELUSIONS CAN NOT ONLY MANIFEST YOUR FUTURE, BUT ALSO REWRITE YOUR PAST. BE DELULU. IT WORKS.

Of course, I then reclaimed my Antichrist identity for this Youtube channel, because my good friend Pepper said I needed to stick it to the patriarchy and shake the status quo of the current self-improvement clime. She then said this is not what she meant by that, but HEY! THE LESSON IS, DON'T FOLLOW THE PACK, CARVE YOUR OWN PATH, EVEN IF IT'S A STUPIDER ONE!

MY GOOD FRIEND CROWLEY ALSO MANIFESTED HIS WAY THROUGH THE DREAD SIGIL ODEGRA, DRIVING HIS CAR INTO FLAMES AND EMERGING THE OTHER SIDE.

ALL BECAUSE HE WAS ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY DELULU!

I TURNED THE HELLHOUND INTO MY LIL DOG NAMED DOG, AGAIN THROUGH SHEER DELULU!

THAT'S ALL FOR TODAY, SINNERS. I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF DELULU.

AS USUAL, MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR DAILY MINIMUM OF THREE OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS. I'M GOING WITH SLOTH, GLUTTONY AND PRIDE! COMMENT BELOW WHAT SINS YOU'RE INDULGING IN TODAY, TRADITIONAL SEVEN OR OTHERWISE.

SIGNING OFF WITH MY SIGIL, THIS WAS THE ANTICHRIST. MAY SATAN GUIDE YOU DOWN THE ROAD TO HELL.

[fsfghgee]

Sektor and Sub-Zero's relationship in MK1 Part 3. What Can We Conclude So Far?

Someone asked me what I thought of the Sektor trailer the day it came out, and since the Sektor trailer revealed a little more than we already knew about her affection for Bi-Han, I decided to do a third breakdown on it.

To begin with, I don't believe that Sektor is being manipulated, is obeying out of duty, has been brainwashed by Bi-Han, sees Bi-Han as a father and so on.

I don't believe in these theories.

Sektor is doing everything because she wants to, because it suits her purposes. And most likely, she is the real mastermind behind the entire Lin Kuei evolution process. And no, I don't think she's manipulating Bi-Han. She is simply guiding him to achieve the dreams he shared with her (as stated in her own bio). Like, they are partners.

According to her bio — which basically serves to help you understand the character's motivations and what led them to engage in mortal kombat — Sektor is Bi-Han's kindred spirit.

As I've stated in other posts, a kindred spirit means this:

"Kindred spirits are like-minded and like-souled people with whom an instant connection of love and understanding is mutually experienced," clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, Ph.D., tells mbg. "The connection is inimitable and often defies verbal description."

People who share common interests, values, or worldviews might be described as kindred spirits. "In more spiritual words, we could say that they resonate at the same frequency, and there is matching energy between them," Katherine Bihlmeier, a relationship coach specializing in energy work, tells mbg.

And this is the AI's answer:

"Sense a kindred spirit" means to recognize someone as having similar interests, opinions, or feelings to you. For example, you might say "He sensed a kindred spirit and reached out to her".

Some other signs that you've found a kindred spirit include:

Common interests: You may share the same hobbies, opinions, or values.

Immediate connection: You tend to recognize each other quickly and form an immediate connection.

Strong bond: Kindred spirits tend to form strong bonds with each other that often transcend time and distance.

The earliest known use of the noun "kindred spirit" is in the early 1700s, in the writing of Isaac Watts, an Independent minister and writer.

The meaning is broad and can be applied to any type of intimate relationship where those involved have a strong (and unbreakable) bond and share common interests (without judgment, both understand and respect each other). We already know that Sektor is not related to Bi-Han (Sektor's mother is Madam Bo, a former Lin Kuei warrior leader, and her father is a respected retired Lin Kuei master armorer. While Bi-Han's mother was an excellent fighter who died a long time ago, and Bi-Han's father is the deceased Grandmaster), which leaves it to an intimate connection that arose based on a friendship (remembering that kindred spirit also implies that it was an instant connection, so it's unlikely that they have been friends since childhood) or a romantic relationship.

Before Sektor's bio was revealed, I was inclined to believe it was just a friendship based on common interests, but since nrs usually uses "kindred spirit" as a kind of love term…

And Bi-Han as a pround (no one bests a Lin Kuei ~Subzero mk1) and lonely leader of an ancient warrior clan (a real clan, a group of close-knit and interrelated families. They grow the clan by having children among themselves, not by kidnapping children from the streets as in previous timelines) who made Sektor (previously just a master armorer and a skilled warrior) his second in command (even before his brother Kuai Liang and his adopted brother Tomas abandoned him, as Kuai Liang himself subtly says in the story mode…

Like, why would the daughter of a master armorer and her apprentice be a major impediment to the second and third in line of succession? We already know why. Because Bi-Han made Sektor his lieutenant as soon as he took over as Grandmaster and Cyrax for being associated with both (Bi-Han, the grandmaster who believed in her and she trusted him, and Sektor her commander and ruthless instructor) ended up becoming a sort of third in command of the Lin Kuei.

), I'm inclined to believe in the second hypothesis.

She sounds really close to him…

She doesn't even call him Grandmaster…

Even though she respects him as Grandmaster.

She'll rescue him and humiliate herself so that Liu Kang can restore him (she may not get on her knees, but just the fact that she asks Liu Kang to restore him, knowing that she shares Bi-Han's contempt for Liu Kang, I'm sure that resorting to Liu Kang was humiliating for her)

Since the Sub-Zero ending, we already know that Bi-Han admires her a lot and shares everything with her…

She's more than the second in command of the Lin Kuei. Much more…

What are the real chances of there being nothing more than friendship? I mean…

I wish I had a friend like that!

Let's be real, Sektor is his ride-or-die girl.

[birdiebirdjay]

controversial opinions on characters? (specifically harry potter)

hi anon! thanks for the ask :)

hmmmm i have quite a few

i don't like luna lovegood. i think she's very irritating as a person and i would absolutely go batshit if i had to interact with her in real life. she is the wizard equivalent of a flat earther and an anti vaxxer, not a spiritual guide. hermione wasn't narrow minded for doubting her and xeno, they were the narrow minded ones for never questioning their beliefs despite the MOUNTAINS of evidence against them. rahhh she makes me so angry. (i hate that i have to specify, but this isn't misogynistic, i would feel the same if she was a guy.)

lucius malfoy is a relatively harmless guy, he's just slippery. he gives me such peacock vibes. he just wants to show off and look rich and not be questioned. (also he def dotes on narcissa and draco which is adorable to explore in fics <3 i think he would be an amazing father to a little girl and would have loved a daughter which i like exploring in my fics, but that's just a headcanon)

draco is the same way, i feel. iirc he's usually too scared to start shit unless crabbe and goyle are there, he just makes me laugh tbh. of course he does do and say some shitty things but i am just. unable to take him seriously. this may be because i haven't thought about his character in a while, but as of right now, i don't really see him as evil OR a sympathetic little boy. he's just. a little dude. (he is more dangerous than his father though, i'll give him that.) i mean if marauders stans are allowed to glorify james potter and put him on a pedestal, i'm allowed to have this.

percy weasley! i love percy so much, i think this is an uncommon opinion but i don't really know. i think he's amazing, i've already talked about him a lot on my blog so ye :)

i think the weasley family is dysfunctional asf. i don't think i personally can explain it, but this post by @/arkadijxpancakes does a great job of comprehensively analyzing their history and dynamics as well as showing why each weasley is the way they are. super good read!

albus dumbledore: i don't know why this is controversial but i actually think he was a good character, all things considered. yes, he did some bad things, but they were to help save the wizarding world in the end. he set it all up.

severus snape: i think he's awesome, deserved WAY better, and was a traumatized character who is severely overhated. please don't try to fight me on this, you'll just give me a headache.

lily evans: this is a very new opinion of mine but... i don't think she was a great person. i used to wonder 'how could james potter, a shitty little twit twat, end up with such a wonderful and kind and amazing person?' but i've come to realize, she's really not those things. she was kind of a bad friend from what we know. i still think she's very interesting, but not necessarily a good person.

harry potter!! i want to include him because i think that quite frankly he is an awesome little dude but is super underrated and borderline disliked by a big part of the fandom. though i personally feel like he could have been written better in some ways, i still love him tons and i think he deserves more appreciation <33 (also i adore the idea of an oddly specific au where percy and oliver team up to take care of lil tiny first year harry)

neville longbottom: this may be the most controversial one yet but i just don't feel the hype. i feel like he was largely unimportant in the first six books besides as a side character (but it's been a while since i read most of them, so correct me if i'm wrong) and yeah he was cool in the seventh, but like... i still don't feel it. he was pretty boring imo. i think i logically understand why he's loved, but i don't personally relate :/

(canon) james potter: hate him. -100000000/10. he can go die. (OH WAIT HE ALREADY DID!) i'm sorry, i just cannot like him. fanon james is awesome and super cute and lovable, but fanon james is a whole different person than canon james. if we compare young severus to harry, james is dudley dursley in literally every way. rich, privileged, gets away with everything, and loves picking on powerless and vulnerable people for fun. the only difference is that james potter tended to do it with a partner/group, and dudley could do it on his own. oh, and dudley apologized, i guess. it was pretty half assed but we did see him trying to be better with the teacup and stuff. they both suck, obviously, but at least dudley had a slight turning point. maybe i just don't like james because we never saw him be apologetic or regret anything in canon? idk.

cho chang: i honestly really liked her! i thought she and harry could have been super cute ever since i read the third book. now obviously valentines day of 1996 was a disaster, but i still think that if she and harry had met up again after the war and after they had figured themselves out, they could have sort of talked and apologized and moved on and possibly rekindled. idk, this isn't really as ~controversial~ as some of the others because i feel like cho chang is just more forgotten than unpopular or controversial, but i don't see a lot of charry content out there so i'm putting this here :]

one last thing i almost forgot, VIKTOR KRUM IS A FUCKING CREEP!! i used to be more hesitant about voicing this opinion because he's so loved in the fandom, but GOD DAMN he's a creep. as a famous, rich, popular adult, he asks out a 15 year old and is super nice to her and appreciates her intellect and is generally very sweet to her, but that just. that literally just sounds like grooming to me?? wtf?? i mean if i was asked out at 15 by an 18 year old, i would be VERY creeped out. also he comments on how attractive ginny (15 at the time) is at bill's wedding when HE IS IN HIS 20s. he then makes a comment along the lines of 'what's the point of being famous if all the good looking girls are taken?' HEY HERE'S AN IDEA, FIND A WOMAN INSTEAD OF A GIRL??

there's gotta be more controversial opinions i have but no one else comes to mind right now; feel free to request opinions on specific characters! i have a lot of those :]

[kentobb]

hiromi higuruma x female secretary (AU).

chapter 20 > chapter 22

chapter 21

The tree’s shadow falls over Higuruma as he stands silently, his posture rigid, his hand gripping yours tightly. The sun is muted behind the heavy gray clouds, casting a somber hue over the funeral. A few dozen people are gathered around a casket in the distance, the quiet murmurs of grief blending with the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze.

The pastor speaks, his voice carrying across the space, solemn and steady.

“We gather here today to lay to rest a man who carried the weight of his pain in ways many of us could never understand,” he says. “A son, a father, a brother—a man whose life was defined by struggle but also resilience. His actions, though not without fault, stemmed from love—love for his family, love for the life he built, however imperfect it may have been.”

Higuruma stares at the scene, his face unreadable, but his jaw tightens with every word. He watches the mourners, their heads bowed, their expressions a mixture of sorrow and quiet reflection.

You stand beside him, your hand in his, sensing the storm of emotions brewing beneath his calm exterior. His grip on your hand is firm, as though holding onto you is the only thing keeping him grounded. You look up at him, searching his face, but his eyes remain fixed on the scene ahead.

From behind the tree, the three of you—Higuruma, Nanami, and yourself—keep your distance, watching as the ceremony unfolds. Nanami had arrived minutes earlier, his presence a quiet acknowledgment of the moment’s gravity. He stands just to the side, his arms crossed, his expression stoic but reflective.

The pastor continues, his voice unwavering.

“His family remembers him as a man who carried his burdens alone, who fought for his loved ones with all that he had, even when it seemed there was little left to fight with. He was stubborn, yes, but also unyielding in his convictions. Today, we honor not just the man he was, but the humanity within him—the struggles, the triumphs, and the love he gave in his own way.”

Higuruma exhales sharply, the words cutting deeper than he anticipated. His mind flashes back to Toji’s final moments, the blood, the bitterness in his voice, the despair masked by anger.

Your fingers squeeze his, pulling him slightly back to the present. “Are you okay?” you whisper, your voice barely audible.

He doesn’t look at you, his gaze still locked on the casket. “I will be,” he mutters, his voice heavy.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps behind you breaks the quiet. Higuruma turns, his sharp instincts flaring for a moment, only to see Geto walking toward you. He’s holding Gojo’s hand, steadying him as they approach.

Gojo looks pale, his arm in a sling, his movements slow and deliberate. There’s a light bruise under his eye, and though his usual confident smirk is absent, his presence alone is a testament to his resilience.

Geto nods at Higuruma in acknowledgment before guiding Gojo to stand beside him. You glance at Gojo, relief washing over you at the sight of him upright, even if still recovering.

Gojo’s eyes drift to the casket in the distance, his expression hard to read. “So, that’s it,” he says quietly, his voice hoarse, likely from both injury and exhaustion.

“Yeah,” Higuruma replies simply, his tone flat.

The four of you stand together, a quiet unity forming as the casket begins its slow descent into the ground. The mourners around it grow quieter, the sobs of a woman breaking the silence intermittently.

Geto’s grip on Gojo’s hand tightens as they both watch the ceremony from afar. Neither speaks, though Geto’s gaze flickers briefly toward Higuruma. He doesn’t say anything, but there’s an understanding in his eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the weight Higuruma carries.

As the casket reaches the bottom, Higuruma finally looks away, his eyes falling to his own hands, still stained—at least in his mind—with the guilt of everything that’s happened. He feels your grip on his hand again, grounding him once more.

“It’s over,” you whisper, your voice gentle.

He nods slowly, though the tightness in his chest doesn’t ease. The four of you remain standing in silence as the mourners begin to disperse, their grief lingering in the air. From afar, you watch the final shovels of dirt cover the casket, the chapter finally closing on the chaos Toji had brought into all your lives.

Though no one says it, there’s a sense of shared understanding in the air—a fragile peace that binds you all, even if the scars of what’s happened will remain.

The city lights flicker outside as Higuruma drives to his apartment, the low hum of the car filling the silence. You’ve noticed the shift in his demeanor these past three days—his quietness deeper, his thoughts distant. His grip on the wheel is firm, almost too tight, and his jaw is clenched as if holding back something he can’t say.

When you finally arrive at his place, he moves mechanically, unlocking the door and stepping inside without a word. He doesn’t even turn on the lights, heading straight to the window. There, he stands, his silhouette framed by the faint glow of the streetlights outside. His gaze is fixed, unseeing, as though he’s somewhere else entirely.

You follow him, your footsteps soft, and wrap your arms around him from behind. Your cheek presses against his back as you hold him close, planting a gentle kiss between his shoulder blades. He doesn’t react at first, but his breathing hitches, just barely.

“How are you feeling?” you ask softly, your voice breaking the stillness.

“I don’t know,” he admits after a long pause, his voice heavy and distant.

You feel his muscles tense beneath your touch. He turns slowly, his movements deliberate, and when he faces you, he pulls you into his arms. The hug is tight, almost desperate, as if he’s holding on to you to keep himself from falling apart.

“What about you?” he asks, his voice quieter now, his breath warm against your hair. “How are you feeling?”

You rest your head against his chest, your own emotions stirring. “I don’t know either,” you whisper, and your voice trembles with honesty.

He leans back slightly, his hands coming up to cradle your face as his forehead rests against yours. “We’ll figure it out,” he murmurs, his lips brushing your skin. “We’ll get through it together.”

When your eyes meet, you see them—tears forming in his dark gaze, threatening to spill. Your hand instinctively reaches up to cup his cheek, your thumb brushing against the dampness trailing down.

“Hiromi,” you say gently, your voice trembling as your heart aches for him. “Tell me what’s wrong. Please… just let it go.”

His composure cracks, and the weight he’s been carrying finally collapses. A ragged sob escapes him, and he buries his face in your shoulder. His body shakes as he clings to you, and his cries fill the quiet room.

“I feel… so guilty,” he chokes out. “I killed him. I had to, but… I can’t stop thinking about it. About him. About how angry, how broken he was. I saw it in his eyes, and I…”

He pulls back slightly, his face crumpled with anguish. “I feel like a monster. How can I feel sorry for him when he hurt you? When he nearly killed Gojo? What kind of person does that make me?”

Tears well in your own eyes as you shake your head vehemently. “You’re not a monster,” you say firmly, your voice breaking. “You did what you had to do. To protect us. To protect yourself. That doesn’t make you a bad person—it makes you human.”

He lets out a shuddering breath, his tears falling freely now. You lean forward, pressing your lips to his cheeks, kissing away the salty trails. You hold his face between your hands, your grip firm yet tender, grounding him.

“I’m here,” you tell him, your voice steady despite the tears streaming down your own face. “We’ll carry this together. You’re not alone in this, Higuruma. I’m with you. Every step of the way.”

Your foreheads press together again, your breaths mingling as his hands come up to cover yours. His grip tightens slightly, as if anchoring himself to you.

“Together,” he whispers hoarsely, and in that single word, there’s a promise. A fragile, beautiful hope.

[Three weeks later..]

The night is quiet, save for the hum of the air conditioning and the soft rhythm of Higuruma’s breathing beside you. You’re curled up against him, his arm draped protectively over your waist. But something feels off—a strange, churning sensation in your stomach pulls you from sleep.

You lie still for a moment, hoping it’ll pass, but it only worsens. Before you know it, you’re slipping out of bed and rushing to the bathroom. The sound of retching fills the silence, waking Higuruma instantly.

“Hey, hey,” he murmurs, his voice groggy but laced with concern as he hurries to your side. He kneels beside you, his hands already gathering your hair and holding it back as you lean over the toilet. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

You groan softly, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand as the wave subsides. “I… I don’t know,” you manage, your voice weak.

Higuruma’s brows furrow as he rubs soothing circles on your back. “Did I mess up dinner again?” he asks, half-teasing, though the worry in his tone is unmistakable.

You glance up at him, exhausted but touched by his attempt to lighten the moment. “I don’t think so,” you say, managing a faint smile. “I’ve just… I haven’t been feeling great lately.”

Higuruma tilts his head slightly, his hand never ceasing its comforting motions. “How long has this been going on?”

“A few days,” you admit. “I thought it was stress… or maybe anxiety. Everything’s been so overwhelming.”

He hums softly, his other hand brushing against your forehead to check for a fever. “No fever,” he mutters to himself. Then, looking back at you, he smiles gently, his tired eyes soft with affection. “You’re worrying me, though. I’m starting to think I’m cursed in the kitchen.”

Despite yourself, you let out a weak laugh. “You’re not a bad chef, I promise.”

“Debatable,” he teases, but his gaze grows more serious. “Still, we can’t keep blaming anxiety for everything. Maybe we should check this out—just to be sure.”

You nod, leaning into his chest as he pulls you into a gentle hug. “Okay,” you whisper, your voice shaky but comforted by his presence.

For now, Higuruma helps you back to bed, his arm wrapped around you as if shielding you from anything that could hurt you. Both of you drift off, your thoughts lingering on what could be causing this strange turn in your health.

The soft sizzle of eggs fills the quiet kitchen as Higuruma expertly flips them in the pan. His morning routine had become something of a solace lately—a moment of calm before the day unfolded. As he grabs a pinch of salt, his phone buzzes on the counter. Glancing down, he sees Gojo Satoru flashing across the screen.

He sighs but picks it up, already bracing for whatever chaos Gojo might bring to his morning.

“Gojo,” Higuruma greets, his voice calm but slightly wary.

“Chef Higuruma! How’s it going? Burned breakfast yet, or are you going for round two of ‘How to Ruin Eggs’?” Gojo’s voice comes through, cheerful and relentlessly teasing.

Higuruma lets out a rare chuckle. “Not today. Though I’ll be sure to send you a plate if I do.”

“Spare me, man. I’m still recovering,” Gojo quips, a playful edge in his tone. “Speaking of which, you and your better half doing okay?”

“She’s fine. A little under the weather lately,” Higuruma replies, keeping his voice neutral. “She’s been throwing up a lot.”

“Oh?” Gojo hums, his mischievous tone creeping in. “Well, congratulations, dad.”

Higuruma pauses, confused. “Dad?”

“Yeah, you know… a father? Papa? Otoosan? Sounds like someone’s pregnant!” Gojo declares triumphantly, as if he’s cracked a life-altering mystery.

Higuruma shakes his head, suppressing a laugh. “That’s impossible. We’ve been careful.”

“Pfft,” Gojo scoffs. “Careful? My man, the number of times I’ve heard that line? Every ‘careful’ couple ends up knee-deep in diapers nine months later.”

“I’m serious,” Higuruma says, though there’s a faint smile on his face.

“So am I,” Gojo replies smugly. “I can already see it now—tiny little Higurumas running around, all serious and brooding, carrying baby gavels.”

Higuruma finally lets out a laugh. “You’ve lost it, Gojo.”

But even as he brushes it off, a nagging thought slips into his mind. She didn’t take the Plan B after the…Could it really…? No. That’s ridiculous. Surely you’d have noticed by now.

“Higuruma? Hello? You there, or did you just realize I’m right?” Gojo’s voice cuts through his thoughts.

“Sorry,” Higuruma mutters, brushing it off. “I was just trying to remember why I answer your calls.”

“To brighten your day, obviously,” Gojo says without missing a beat. “Anyway, I gotta run. Try not to burn the eggs—or the house.”

“Have a good day, Gojo,” Higuruma replies, shaking his head as he hangs up.

He’s setting the eggs on a plate when he hears soft footsteps behind him. Turning, he sees you padding into the kitchen, your expression scrunched up as you immediately cover your nose.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, concerned.

“The smell of eggs,” you mumble, waving your hand in front of your face. “It’s making me nauseous.”

Higuruma pauses, his mind snapping back to Gojo’s joke. “Do you want some fruit instead?”

You nod quickly, looking relieved. “Thanks,” you mutter, already turning back toward the bedroom.

Higuruma watches you leave, the gears in his mind turning. The conversation with Gojo replays in his head, and his brow furrows. Could it really be…?

He shakes his head. No, that’s ridiculous. You’d have noticed by now… right? But as he starts slicing some fruit, a small voice in his head refuses to let the idea go.

Gojo’s words echo obnoxiously in his mind: “Congrats, dad!”

Higuruma groans, shaking his head. “If you jinxed me, Gojo, I swear…”

He shakes his head again, trying to push the thought away, but it lingers, stubborn and persistent. Could you be pregnant?

Higuruma stands in front of the mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his white dress shirt, his expression focused and calm as always. His suit is pressed to perfection, the dark fabric complementing his composed demeanor. You, still in your soft nightgown, approach him quietly, holding his tie in your hands.

“Let me,” you say softly, gesturing for him to stop fidgeting with it.

He steps back slightly, allowing you to stand in front of him. You loop the tie around his neck with practiced ease, your fingers brushing against his collarbone as you carefully tie it into a neat Windsor knot. There’s a quiet intimacy in the moment, the soft morning light framing both of you.

As you finish, your eyes meet his. “There,” you whisper, smoothing the fabric of his tie against his chest.

He looks down at you, his eyes softer than usual. “Thank you,” he murmurs.

You smile faintly and lean in to kiss him, your lips pressing softly against his. The kiss is unhurried, filled with a quiet kind of passion. When you pull back, your hand lingers on his chest.

“Why can’t I go with you?” you ask, your voice gentle but tinged with disappointment.

Higuruma sighs, his fingers brushing lightly against your cheek. “You won’t be back at the office until you’re feeling better,” he says firmly, but there’s no harshness in his tone—just concern.

You pout slightly, your lower lip jutting out just enough to tug at his heart. He leans down, capturing your lips in another kiss, this one more lingering, as if he’s sealing the conversation. He pulls away to kiss your forehead, letting his lips rest there for a moment.

“Don’t worry,” he murmurs against your skin, his voice warm.

He reaches for his bag and car keys on the counter. As he adjusts the strap on his shoulder, you cross your arms and call out, “Oh, before you go—Utahime’s paying me a visit later.”

He pauses near the door, turning back to look at you. His brow lifts slightly, but he offers a small smile. “That’s fine,” he says, his tone easy. “Just don’t let her convince you to overdo it. Rest.”

You roll your eyes playfully. “Yes, Dad.”

Higuruma chuckles under his breath, his hand on the doorknob. “I’ll see you later,” he says softly, his gaze lingering on you for a moment longer than necessary. Then he’s gone, leaving the room with the faint scent of his cologne still in the air.

You stand there for a moment, the quiet of the apartment settling around you. Even as he leaves, the warmth of his kisses lingers, making you smile faintly before you head to prepare for Utahime’s visit.

The massive federal detention facility loomed, its stark gray walls and barbed wire a grim reminder of what lay within. Higuruma stepped out of his car, his briefcase in hand, his sharp suit cutting a striking figure against the bleak backdrop. He spotted Nanami standing at the entrance, his own professional demeanor a perfect match to Higuruma’s.

Nanami extended a hand. “Higuruma.”

Higuruma nodded, clasping it briefly. “Nanami.”

Without wasting time, they strode toward the main entrance. Guards in tactical gear checked their identification and thoroughly searched their belongings before allowing them to proceed. They passed through metal detectors, the cold hum of security devices adding to the sterile atmosphere.

As they walked through the endless corridors, Higuruma broke the silence. “Sukuna is…an unconventional individual.”

Nanami arched a brow, a faint chuckle escaping him. “Unconventional? Coming from you, that’s a surprise.”

“He’s unserious,” Higuruma said, his voice flat. “Despite the gravity of his situation, he treats it like an inconvenience rather than the severity it warrants.”

Nanami shook his head, skeptical. “The most dangerous man in the country cracking jokes? I’ll believe it when I see it.”

They reached a reinforced steel door, where armed guards stood at attention. One of them punched in a code, and the door hissed open, revealing the room beyond.

Sitting at the table, wrists shackled but posture exuding confidence, was Sukuna. He leaned back in his chair, a smirk plastered across his face. His red tattoos stood out vividly against his pale skin, and his eyes gleamed with mischief.

“Well, well,” Sukuna drawled, his voice laced with amusement. “I was expecting Higuruma and his lovely partner, not…” His gaze slid to Nanami. “A sausage party.”

Nanami blinked, visibly caught off guard by the audacity of the remark.

“Sukuna,” Higuruma said evenly, ignoring the comment as he placed his briefcase on the table.

Sukuna’s grin widened. “Oh, come on, Higuruma. Lighten up. You’ve been the talk of the town. I heard through the grapevine you were out there living a Fast & Furious sequel. Car chases, shootouts—what’s next? Jumping out of a plane?”

“Grapevine? You mean your cell partner?” Higuruma asked with a scoffed.

Nanami cleared his throat, still processing Sukuna’s brazen attitude. “You’re certainly…not what I expected.”

“I get that a lot,” Sukuna said, winking.

Higuruma straightened, his tone sharp and professional. “We’re not here for entertainment, Sukuna. Let’s discuss the offer from the government.”

Sukuna’s smirk faltered slightly but didn’t disappear entirely. “Ah, yes, the grand offer. Lay it on me, Counselor.”

Higuruma opened his briefcase, pulling out neatly organized documents. “The federal prosecutors have proposed a sentence of 190 years in maximum security, with no possibility of parole. This includes acknowledgment of the plea deal, sparing you from the death penalty.”

Sukuna threw his head back, laughing loudly. “A hundred and ninety years? What do they think I am? A vampire?”

Nanami’s lips twitched, but he said nothing.

“Be serious,” Sukuna continued, his laughter subsiding into a mocking grin. “I’m not even going to be alive by the time half of that rolls around. They may as well just say ‘forever’ and save everyone the paperwork.”

Higuruma ignored the quip, sliding the document across the table. “The terms are non-negotiable, but there is room to discuss sentence reductions for cooperation.”

Sukuna raised a brow, leaning forward slightly. “Reduction to what? One hundred and eighty-nine years? Tempting.”

Nanami interjected, his tone measured. “You might want to consider the alternatives, Sukuna. Cooperation could significantly influence the conditions of your sentence, if not the length.”

Sukuna tapped his fingers on the table, pretending to mull it over. “Let me guess, you want me to give you the names of all my little friends? Hand over some juicy intel, and I get to spend my days in a slightly nicer cell?”

Higuruma met his gaze without flinching. “The specifics of cooperation would determine the benefits. Otherwise, the 190 years stand.”

Sukuna sighed theatrically. “You lawyers and your numbers. How about this? You convince them to shave off, oh, I don’t know, a hundred and eighty years, and I’ll think about it.”

Nanami leaned back in his chair, observing. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Sukuna. Your choices here will determine the rest of your life—or what’s left of it.”

Sukuna’s grin faded slightly, and for a brief moment, his eyes darkened. “Oh, I’m well aware. But tell me, Higuruma, what’s in it for you? Are you here to make the world a better place, or are you just another cog in the machine?”

Higuruma didn’t hesitate. “I’m here to do my job. And if doing so ensures you don’t harm another soul, then it’s a job worth doing.”

The room fell into a tense silence. Sukuna leaned back again, his smirk returning but less genuine this time. “Fine. Let’s talk options, Counselor. But don’t expect me to make it easy.”

Higuruma nodded curtly, adjusting his papers. “I never do.”

Nanami glanced between the two men, his respect for Higuruma quietly growing as the negotiation continued, layered with tension, wit, and unyielding professionalism.

The soft knock on the door drew you from your restless thoughts. You made your way to answer it, each step heavier than the last, your mind already tangled in the uncertainty that had been weighing on you for days. When you opened the door, Utahime’s warm smile greeted you, her arms opening wide for a hug.

Without hesitation, you stepped into her embrace, her hold comforting and grounding. “It’s been too long,” she murmured, squeezing you tightly.

“It really has,” you replied softly, leading her inside. “Come on, let’s sit in the bedroom.”

The two of you made your way to the room, collapsing side by side onto the bed. The weight of her presence, so familiar and safe, was a balm to your unsettled thoughts. The two of you stared at the ceiling in companionable silence for a while, the soft hum of the air conditioning the only sound in the room.

But the thoughts you had buried couldn’t stay hidden any longer. You took a deep breath, the words catching in your throat before you forced them out. “Utahime… I think I might be pregnant.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Utahime shot up, turning to face you with wide eyes. “Wait, what? Are you serious?”

You nodded, your hands instinctively covering your stomach as you avoided her gaze. “I’ve been feeling weird lately—dizzy, nauseous all the time. The smell of food is unbearable. I can’t even look at eggs without wanting to throw up.”

Utahime’s brows knit together in concern as she sat up fully. “How long has this been going on?”

“Maybe two weeks,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t think much of it at first… I thought it was just stress.”

Utahime stared at you, her concern deepening. “Have you taken a test? Anything to confirm it?”

“No,” you said, shaking your head. “I’ve been too scared. What if it’s positive? What if my life changes forever? What if it’s negative and I’m just overreacting?”

Your voice cracked, and Utahime reached over, gripping your hand tightly. “Why didn’t you say anything? Does Higuruma know?”

You shook your head again, your throat tight. “He doesn’t know. I don’t even know how to bring it up to him. He’s been through so much lately—I didn’t want to add this to his plate unless I was sure.”

Utahime sighed, her expression softening as she looked at you. “I get it. But you can’t carry this on your own. You have to know, one way or the other. Not knowing is only making this worse.”

Tears welled up in your eyes, and you turned away, staring at the ceiling. “What if it’s positive, Utahime? What if I’m not ready? What if we’re not ready?”

Utahime scooted closer, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “Then you take it one step at a time. You’re not alone in this. You have me, and you have Higuruma. You’ve been through so much together. You’ll figure this out, no matter what the outcome is.”

Her steady, unwavering presence gave you the courage you hadn’t been able to find in yourself. You turned to her, your voice trembling. “What do I do now?”

Utahime squeezed your shoulder and stood, pulling you up with her. “We go to the pharmacy. Right now. You need to know, and I’ll be there every step of the way.”

Her words were firm, her determination infectious. You nodded, wiping the tears from your cheeks. “Okay… let’s go.”

As the two of you grabbed your things and headed for the door, a flicker of hope stirred in your chest. You didn’t know what the answer would be, but you knew one thing: you weren’t facing this alone.

Sukuna lounged in his seat, a smirk tugging at his lips as he casually tossed out demands that bordered on the absurd. “No prison time. Not even probation. Hell, I don’t even want to see a parking ticket on my record when this is over,” he declared, leaning back with an air of defiance.

Higuruma’s expression remained stoic, though disbelief flickered in his eyes. “That’s… ambitious,” he said, his voice carefully measured, professional.

Nanami, seated beside him, let out a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Ambitious? That’s putting it mildly. This isn’t a negotiation; it’s a fantasy list.”

Sukuna chuckled, thoroughly amused. “Come on, gentlemen. I thought you were supposed to be the best. Surely, you can make a little magic happen?”

“This isn’t magic. It’s the law,” Higuruma responded coldly. “You’re asking for the impossible, and frankly, it’s wasting everyone’s time.”

Sukuna’s grin didn’t falter. Instead, it grew wider. “Alright, how about this? I want to see my wife and kid.”

The room went silent. Higuruma’s brows furrowed slightly, though he kept his tone neutral. “The wife who testified against you? The one who cooperated with authorities to ensure your capture? I find that request… curious.”

Nanami, who had been doing his best to keep his patience intact, leaned forward. “You’re delusional if you think that’s an option. Not only has she disappeared, but there’s no indication she’d want anything to do with you.”

Sukuna’s smirk faltered for a moment, replaced by something more solemn, though his tone remained sharp. “They’re my family. She’s my wife. My son is my son. No matter what she’s done, no matter where she’s gone.”

Nanami scoffed. “You think she’s waiting around for you? She testified to get as far away from you as possible. Even if we could find them, what makes you think she’d agree to see you?”

Higuruma cut in before Sukuna could retort, his voice cold and deliberate. “Your family doesn’t owe you anything. You’ve given them every reason to run and none to look back. If you truly cared about them, you’d let them live their lives in peace.”

Sukuna’s eyes darkened, his smirk gone. “Let them live in peace? You think that’s easy for me? Knowing they’re out there somewhere? If you had a family, Higuruma, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to see them? Wouldn’t you tear the world apart to find them?”

The question hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, the confident Sukuna seemed almost vulnerable.

Higuruma didn’t respond immediately, his expression unreadable. He adjusted his tie, straightening in his seat. “What I would do is irrelevant. You’re here because of your actions, Sukuna. Whatever you feel about your family now, it’s too late to change what’s been done.”

Nanami crossed his arms, his tone curt. “You’re not getting what you want. Not from us, not from anyone. Accept the reality of your situation and stop dragging this out with impossible demands.”

Sukuna leaned back again, though his eyes were colder now, his smirk more forced. “Reality, huh? Alright, boys. Keep your reality. I’ll be waiting for you to deliver something worthwhile next time.”

The tension in the room was palpable as Higuruma and Nanami exchanged a glance before gathering their documents. As they stood to leave, Sukuna’s voice followed them, taunting.

“And, Higuruma… maybe think about my question. Might give you some perspective.”

Higuruma didn’t look back, his steps steady as he exited the room, but Sukuna’s words lingered in the air like a shadow.

[wintersettled]

Ongoing Batfam recs

disclaimer! this is being written primarily off the top of my head so don't expect insane quality! also I'm aware a lot of people aren't sure where to start or what's current -- for that I recommend looking through reading guides but I thought I'd talk a bit about current ongoing batfam comics I'm aware of. To read these you could go to your local comic store, use the DC Infinite app or do what I often do and use alternative sites to read comics, many of which can be found by searching "where to read comics free reddit" via your internet browser.

not all batfam characters are currently appearing very much in comics so I'm afraid there will be a distinct lack of many favourites such as Tim Drake, Helena Bertinelli, Stephanie Brown, Jason Todd, and Jean-Paul Valley, however it should be noted that in Batman: The Brave and the Bold there is always a chance that an issue will feature one of them. This series features 60 pages containing multiple short stories which vary in length, some occurring across multiple issues. While it is labeled "batman" it regularly features characters outside of the batfamily.

I'd also like to not that due to DC's All-In there are many new authors and storylines starting up so most are barely any issues in! These are really just early on thoughts BUT it's a great time to start reading!

Regarding Bruce Wayne himself, Batman is currently (as usual) appearing in two new all-in arcs in both Detective Comics and Batman (2016). Can I say I like either? No! It is a long established fact that I am most definitely not Taylor's biggest fan and him deciding to rehash already done and in fact tired storylines as well as making minor adjustments to origins is no surprise nor do I care -- still I'll be fair and tell you that the story involves, you guessed it, the no-killing rule woah! Something so deftly written you can spot the killer from the first couple pages except this time the issue ends off with perhaps one of the most ridiculous and bad plot twists I've ever seen... enough hating on that. Now with the Batman series itself, I fear I dropped it ages ago. I'm understanding there's some conflict regarding the return of previous characters but following Gotham War I struggle to car about this run and I'll admit so far what I've heard from those who have read the recent series is mediocre at best.. still I recommend checking it out for yourself seeing as I can't actually speak on it.

Nightwing aka Richard Grayson is having a seemingly better time. With the introduction of Dan Watters as the new writer we're getting a new Nightwing (2016) story that I am feeling really positive about! I fully recommend checking this one out, just going off the first issue it looks good and I have spent the last month yearning for more! Titans (2023), however, I'm a bit more sceptical of... I'm liking the change in dynamics (always love a Roy feature and Donna leading) which see different characters taking the forefront of the team. I'm not a big fan of Beast Boy nor his dynamic with Raven so it may not be the best but I think the Titans are a super important part of Dick's story so I'll say if you're not keen on this, maybe run it back and pick up The New Teen Titans (1980) which is the start of the team and even sees Dick become Nightwing!

A new writer has finally joined up on Catwoman (2018) and let me say that I loved that first issue. Someone is trying to kill Catwoman and all of her previous identities. We hearken back to her international thievery and what a huge scale Selina Kyle was once on! I'm very excited to see her travel as the story progresses!

Damian Wayne continues as a main character on Batman & Robin (2023) which I am not caught up to so I can't comment on the story but at least in the past it's had its moments! I can't say I've always been totally into the portrayal of Talia however this series has in the past emphasized Damian's relationships with his father as well has others like Nika aka Flatline!

Both Barbara Gordon and Cassandra Cain have been appearing in Birds of Prey (2023)! I enjoy the series but I will admit I feel like it's still finding its footing and I loath the occasional portrayal of Barbara as Batgirl -- something I feel is actively harming the quality of the story. Most of the time she is portrayed as Oracle, and while her wheelchair has yet to make a comeback, I'm hoping somebody explodes the dark spirit of Dan Didio from that office so ableism and misogyny can finally die a cold and lonely death in their buildings janitorial closet. Anyways! Cass has also been appearing in her new solo Batgirl (2024)!! This is so exciting! If you don't know Batgirl (2000) is possibly one of the best things ever written in history and every one should read it so I'm so excited to see her back! This first arc seems to focus a lot on the dynamic with Lady Shiva, Batgirl's mother. While the first issue was more set up for the rest, I cannot wait!

outside of elseworlds I'd say that about wraps things up for current batfam! pick one up, I'd love to chat about it!

[devout-of-the-elder-scrolls]

Hello! Have a great timing. I am going to do a little weird question... What do you think about Lucien Lachance? I have been doing a lot of research about the path of Sithis and the Night Mother (besides research about Padomay) and I wanted to ask... In the canon Skyrim you see Lucien Lachance as a protector and guardian of the Main character, because he is already in the realm of Sithis thanks to betray. Also an advicer and helper. While in Oblivion, he is literally a mentor and a guide. Someone who initiates people into the cult. There is a posibility to have Lucien Lachance as a guide in the practice? I think of him, when it comes to dark magic, spiritual stuff, terrenal stuff, necromancy, baneful magick, sorcery, deep rooted traumas asociated with betray of brothers, family and good friends. Also with violent things in life. Maybe with defensive protection magick. Also, understanding the shadows, dark aspects of oneself, inner peace, alchemy and the path of Sithis/Night Mother as soul or spiritual companions, Mother/Father. I always felt like an attatchment to him, I play those games since I was a kid and recently I experienced a lot of things in chaos Magic. Like, I am a traditional magician and this is new for me (I owe this path to Loki, the norse god bc). Let me read what you think! Bless life.

Well met internet traveler! I'll be answering both asks you sent in this one ask, I hope that's okay. The second question is answered below the first one.

— ☆ —

I'd say Lucien Lachance is very able to be worked with or worshiped! I work with many more than Gods, even if my TES worship focuses on Gods and Saints. But outside of TES PCP, I do a lot of hero worship as well.

Lucien can be considered as a form of hero worship, in my opinion. He may not necessarily be a "hero" in the traditional sense, but the contents of hero worship would work well with Lucien. Hero worship works quite similarly to God worship, you just revere them as a hero instead of as a God.

Lucien himself would probably be more than happy to help in all the things you think he would be willing to, and if he's not, it's not the end of the world or anything like that. Just reach out like you would to any other entity and ask, y'know?

I've never worked with Lucien directly myself, as of current writing, so I can't share any personal anecdotes or anything about all of that, but I hope my answer is still helpful.

— ☆ —

The second ask in question was about whether or not one could have a more social relationship with pop culture gods and spirit guides.

I'd say absolutely certainly - They're just another "flavor" of a spirit guide, basically. They taste of cherry soda comparatively to the lemon-lime soda of a non pop culture entity, but they're both sodas, if that analogy makes any sense?

If you're already comfortable having a social relationship with what you dub "more traditional guides", then you can absolutely continue that relationship type with pop culture entities. However, there's really no pressure to do so. Sometimes the relationships we have with other entities is very different than our usual entities. My relationships vary heavily from entity to entity, especially across my broad sphere of entities.

I also don't think it's disrespectful to have this type of relationship as long as the entity wants it that way. If [xyz] wants to be your grandfatherly figure, then there's nothing wrong treating that entity as your grandfatherly figure.

As well, the ask mentioned a lot of fears of being delusional, I understand very much. However, it's a bit of a complex answer. It really depends on what these entities are to you. I can only speak on my own, so I'll do as such.

I believe more in the "they are fully realized individuals, existing independently of others" idea. Not egregores, not aspects of other deities (such as Hircine being an aspect of Cernunnos, I've seen that one tossed around hence using it as my example), anything of that sort.

So I view them the same I view any other entity, and even when I'm met with doubts, I allow them to soothe me. I ask for signs, I perform readings and interact with them, and they do their best to remind me "I'm here, I'm real, you're not doing anything wrong."

It's normal to doubt these things.

However, it's important to remember that you're doing your best. And the Gods won't be mad at you for falling to a delusion anyways. They know our limitations, they know our struggles, and in my experience, aren't typically prone to punishing people for things that they have no fault in, and being delusional isn't one's fault.

I do find it helps to learn and accept these entities as they are the best you can before stepping further in. Letting them make it clear that "I am [xyz]!" and getting comfortable in that before you make any direct steps forward.

I was both fairly confident in them being pop culture gods, and worried about what if they weren't, so I took a bit of time letting them show me who they truly are, which only affirmed further to me their individuality as Akatosh, or Sithis, or Hermaeus Mora, or whoever, instead of as any other God.

I do hope that you find peace within yourself on this matter, and that you thrive well with the TES Gods and entities.

I do want to note that I do see it fine to see pop culture entities as egregores, or as aspects of other gods, it's just not the way I work all of this, y'know? So I can't speak much on other ways of revering these entities.

[thesirenwithnovoice]

Personal rambling: Small life achievements and embracing what makes life worth to you

2024 accomplishments? I finally completed the lacks on my Fairy Tail collection and I now have a pretty home for it✨"But Siren, isn't it as simple as going to the store and buying it?" NO, I almost gave up one of the things that makes me happiest in the world and I wanna vent, sorry

Last year I decided to sell most of my manga collection, including Fairy Tail. But since it used to be my favorite during my early teen days, I choose to read it one last time - and the result, well, I think you can guess xD (my sincere apologies to the buyer that had his order cancelled).

And it may sound silly, but realizing that I still love FT after all those years and despite it's flaws was a giant turning point in my life because, until now, I hadn't realized that I abandoned my passions to live someone else's truth.

I lost my teen years to depression (mostly due to bullyng). I heard so many terrible things about my personality and appearance and I became so insecure about everything that I liked, that I tried to distance myself from the person I was as much as possible. I lost joy in reading, drawing and even listening to music. But eventually, things changed and I found myself on a gentler place - I graduated, found people I care abt and life become peaceful, so I thought I was happy.

I didn't realize that I had been living like a zombie until now.

Last year I engaged on reading again and it was the first time in almost 8 years that I truly felt alive and excited again. There's so many things I want to do and draw that I can barely find time to eat - and it's a pleasure. For someone that used to wake up wishing they didn't, can you see how much that means?

Some may not understand how small things can have such a big impact in one's life, but I do love stories since I realized I was a conscious being (judging by my first drawings, I was 2 xD). My earliest memories are my father reading for me and daydreaming about videogame characters. I say without doubt that, along with nature and my loved ones, NOTHING makes me happier than art. But being yourself is not always an easy task, because insults don't usually stop at "you're stupid", they turn into "you're a freak and a harm to the world for being the way you are". And well, it's hard to not worry you might actually be a terrible person. It took me a while to see most of those opinions are not based on rational thinking, so trying to argue is a lost battle. Some people will always be rude, and it's not our fault. But I'm now at peace believing I will always be a better person minding my own business and being happy with silly things than spreading hate and bigotry.

It may sound creepy, but having flirted with death for long made me see life in a lighter way cuz, if I'm going to die anyway, then I lose nothing spending my time doing what brings me joy.

So idk if this loong rant makes any sense, but I wanted to share it because I can't stop thinking about how close I was to erasing something that is such a big part of my joy in life just because I was scared of facing my fear of judgement. In the end, it's not only about FT.

And if someone is going through a similar thing, I hope this can be a reminder things can get better, I promise. Please remember time is too precious to waste with stupid people. There's work to do. And pets to feed. And cool arts to see. And cute bugs to gently guide out of your home when they get stuck. 🌱🐞

[princeloww]

Hello, its me again, telling the Takin Over the Asylum fandom about Scotland, despite being from Ireland.

My last post was about Scottish slang and a rough guide on how to actually use it. (Aye, Nae, Cannae, etc)

Today, not because of any specific reason, and just because I feel like it, I'm going to talk about how education works in Scotland, since I know a lot of TOTA fans are NOT from the UK, yet probably still wish to write fanfiction, and might want to get it more accurately right.

Again, I am not Scottish, but I've done research, and this is just a rough guide for people wishing to write fanfiction about Campbell Bain. - and a lot of people may already know this stuff, of course, but this is just for those who might not.

"High school" is generally not a used term. Some schools are CALLED "high school" in their actual names, for example, Perth High School, but they aren't high-schools like in the USA.

School starts for Scottish kids in primary one. This is the equivalent to elementary school, in other places. Usually kids are around 4 or 5. Primary school lasts until P7, which is the equivalent of year 7 in England. You would be 11 in P7.

After primary school there is no middle school. It is straight to secondary school, in S1 (equivalent to year 8). Secondary school is basically middle school and high-school combined. You're there from 11-ish until you're ready for college.

Secondary school lasts from S1 (yr8) until S6 (yr13).

The Scottish education system is much different than in England/Wales and Northern Ireland, so here's some things that will explain it better than I can:

National 5 is pretty much the equivalent to GCSE, which are exams taken in the rest of the UK when you finish school. In the rest of the UK, once you've done your GCSES, you can go onto complete your A-levels, which is basically just a higher qualification.

A-levels are equivalent to Scottish Highers.

You do your National 5s in your last year, and then can go onto do higher education.

In Takin Over the Asylum, Campbell is 19 (I believe), and his father says he has not finished his exams, and wants him to go back to school.

I'm assuming the education system was generally the same in the 90s, and working off of that assumption. If it was not, then this is a waste of your time, but oh well.

Either Campbell did not complete his National 5s at 15-16ish, or his father is pushing him to finish his higher education. I think both options are interesting, when it comes to possible headcanons or fanfiction ideas. Either Campbell struggled with his (basically GCSEs) and was unable to complete them, having no qualifications at all, or he did complete his exams, has some qualifications but his father wants him to do more, finish his education and strive to achieve more.

I like to headcanon that he really struggled in school despite being bright and well-able. He always seemed to get in trouble when he didn't mean to, probably for being too loud, energetic and "disruptive", in a way that the teachers didn't understand to NOT be him misbehaving.

Most of this is just food for thought, really, and a wee bit,,, entirely useless, but I thought it was a bit interesting.

Again, feel free to correct me in the replies. I am but a simple Northern Irish David Tennant fan, who wants to help people feel more confident writing fanfiction, for my own selfish desires.

Hope this was somewhat helpful to someone out there!

[snobgoblin]

too tired to draw but I got Danny brainrot so I'm gonna take this ask game and just fill out the ones I want to lmao

💛 How easy is it for your character to laugh?

see you really have to catch him off guard because he tends to be kind of stern and standoffish? he wants to be respected (and is very socially awkward) so he generally won't laugh unless you really throw something unexpected at him- or unless hes very comfortable with you. also he hates puns and will groan when hearing them (glances at Julian)

💛 How does he put himself to bed at night (reading, singing, thinking?)

stimming... often he'll fall asleep watching some weird little moving doohickey. he can't let his thoughts get to him or he'll be up all night. this way he sleeps like a rock. sometimes he sleeps against the window if it's not too cold and watches the fog swoooosh in the moonlight

💛 How easy is it to earn his trust?

depends on your definition of "trust". like he trusts Portia pretty easily because she spilled secrets to him first and he knows he has leverage over her, in a way. but he will NOT let you have any leverage over him unless he has something on you first. part of it is paranoia from living in a world with magical beings- he won't even give his full name to strangers for fear of them having power over him. he doesnt trust easily to say the least

💛 Does he consider laws flexible, or immovable?

pretty flexible. part of him is like "rules i must follow rules i must have defined boundaries" but another part of him is like "all these rules are made up and arbitrary anyway so I should just be guided by what I consider to be right or wrong" so he's conflicted about it I guess. he does pay his taxes though. unlike Asra and Lucio

💛 What was he told to stop/start doing most often as a child

READING PEOPLES MAIL. he's naturally curious so he would go through his father's satchel when he was home and snoop in people's business. he learned how to not leave any evidence he was in them, which he uses for some investigations

💛 Does he swear? Does he remember his first swear word?

he doesnt usually. he may occasionally say "damn it" or "gods" if he's really screwed but he's really not one to swear. he's super tame with it. if he's really done with Lucio's shit in any route he might say "let's kick his ass"

💛 How does he cope with confusion (seek clarification, pretend they understand, etc)?

INVESTIGATES. if he's confused he will ask questions. if he can't ask questions without drawing suspicion he will Find Out Another Way whether that be books or going through your belongings, in extreme cases

💛 What color does he think he looks best in? Does he actually look best in that color?

he thinks he looks great in gold and he does but honestly he looks good in any color he's very handsome. my favorites to put him in are deeeeep red and purples

💛 What animal does he fear most?

you would be hard pressed to find an animal he IS afraid of tbh. he happily approaches snakes, wolves, and poorly trained (biting) hunting dogs- he's not afraid of bugs either

💛 How does he speak? Is what he says usually thought of on the spot, or does he rehearse it in his mind first?

he lives in his mind and lot. he thinks more than he speaks and he doesn't always realize it. if it's a planned meeting or something he'll often rehearse or try to prepare but he's not generally *too* anxious about it. just socially awkward. but he doesn't dwell on it too hard usually especially if he's working at a higher goal

💛 Is he easily embarrassed?

yes.

💛 What embarrasses him?

being perceived slash being vulnerable in any way shape or form. if you see him doing anything that can't be seen as cool and mysterious or respectable in some way he thinks he's ruined

💛 What is his favorite number?

15

might revisit this game later but for right now I have satisfied the brain worms

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

Personality through quotes

Thanks @willtheweaver here, @melpomene-grey here, @somethingclevermahogony here, and @awritingcaitlin here!

Rules: give quotes from your OCs based on the given prompt!

Got long, under the cut!

Prompt: Being caught red-handed

Lexi: *sobbing* “I am so so so so so sorry please - please I understand if - if you don't see that but - but I really mean it! You should understand! You do, right?”

Maddie: “Fine, I did it. But if you think about it, you were supposed to look out for that, so in a way, it's both of our faults.”

Ash: “I did it, that's true, but lookey here...” *pulls out $5* “diiiid I?”

Gwen: “Well, you got me... I'm really sorry I was... I was trying to help, y'know? I try my best and sometimes I mess up, and it's not good enough. I had no idea this meant that much to you. I'm really sorry. If I knew, I would've been much more careful. You know me, right?”

Robbie: *standing up straight, hands on hips, but noticeably bouncing on his toes* “Look, I know it looks bad. But in my defense...I literally forgot. And I was stressed.”

Akash: *trying not to panic* “Please, just believe me when I said that it was an accident. Genuinely. You won't to put me in too much trouble for an accident, right?”

Jedi: “My sincerest apologies. I am humbled by this experience. I admit that I did this terrible thing. You must think little of me. Perhaps I went a bit too far. It shall not happen again.”

Carmen: “I cannot believe I'm being interrogated! You actually think you've caught me doing a wrong-doing? Tt. You haven't caught anything! Who are you going to get me in trouble with? No one! Agh! This is a pointless conversation. If you're going to ask me questions to get answers from me, the least you can do is not sound idiotic.”

Prompt: About someone they wish they could forget

Lexi: “I wish I could forget Shelby entirely. I mean, I don't remember first grade to begin with, other than that something happened that made me hate her forever. I wish it could've all gone. Then again...maybe it helped Ash, in the end. I'm not entirely sure.”

Maddie: “Hm. Brycen. I miss him sometimes since he used to be a friend. I wish I could forget him, so I won't have to miss him.”

Ash: “I want to say Frank, but I dunno what effect that would have on Mikey, so I'm picking Mr. Jimenez. Whatever creepy thing happened at his house I'd like to forget.”

Gwen: “I don't want to forget anyone. It's shaped me into who I am today. However... There was this one rude girl, Chailey, in elementary school. I guess her.”

Robbie: “Jason Sturges. I called that guy so many insults, I can't regurgitate them all.”

Akash: “Jason Sturges. Middle school was bad enough.”

Jedi: “I would not mind forgetting the man my father was.”

Carmen: “My uncle. I hope he is not resting in peace.”

Prompt: You're completely lost in ____(fill in the location)

Lexi: “If I'm lost, I'm gonna be honest, I'll panic. Before I found out I had teleportation, that is. Though my instinct may be panic first anyway. It felt so weird being in Alium for the first time. I felt more lost there than ever.”

Maddie: “I get lost in places like the mall. I only visit, like, three stores, so I don't know where I am if I'm not in my usual stops.”

Ash: “I get lost in my aunt Reyna's house. Is that normal? It's almost a maze.”

Gwen: “On my first morning run, I got lost in my neighborhood. I think I took a wrong turn and got to a street I've never been on. So it threw me off, and it took about ten minutes to find my way back. Maybe it was shorter. But it felt like ten minutes.”

Robbie: “I get lost in my school all the time. It's pretty big, which is pretty annoying when I space out. It took me forever to find my classes on the first day. First week, actually. I kept forgetting.”

Akash: “I don't usually get lost, actually. I have a good sense of where I am. So I'm usually Robbie's guide that first week of classes. But when the whole Alium thing happened, it freaked me out.”

Jedi: “I believe we are speaking literally, for I have become lost in my work before. In the case of the former, I have found certain cities hard to navigate, even when I studied maps beforehand.”

Carmen: “Tt, I don't get lost.”

Prompt: A quote about bad weather.

Lexi: “Oh, I hate bad weather! It completely ruins my plans that I make with my friends. I mean, yeah, rain is good, but come on! Why when I have an outdoor activity plan!?”

Maddie: “Hm. I dunno, I don't care about bad weather. I mean, sometimes I want to be outside but I can't, but I don't mind the rain.”

Ash: “I don't care if rain ruins my plans. I'll just do something else. But I don't like if I can't do what I want, like if a hurricane keeps me trapped inside my house. That's the worst.”

Gwen: “Well... Bad weather has its ups and downs. I don't like the rain ruining my plans, but if I'm inside all day, it's really nice atmosphere for reading!!”

Robbie: “Ah, bad weather...would be a lot more fun if my mother didn't fuss about how dangerous playing outside is.”

Akash: “Logical brain says bad weather is natural. Emotional brain says I agree with Lexi, I hate bad weather.”

Jedi: “Sector 2 is rather small and completely surrounded by water. We have many powerful hydrokinetics whose job it is to prevent flooding or destruction. Sector 9 has less of those, but we are close enough to a coast to get a lot of rain and occasionally potential flooding if the season is right.”

Carmen: “Miss Morgan and Mr. Singh had a point when they said they hate bad weather. I happen to strongly agree, though my reasoning is irrelevant.”

Prompt: [A quote about reading]

Lexi: “I like reading, but I usually will gravitate towards audiobooks so I can multitask. Sometimes if I don't feel like music I'll turn on an audiobook while I'm riding my bike or working on my garden! And sometimes I'll peek at some fanfiction....”

Maddie: “Sometimes I'll read a cool sci-fi book. And sometimes nonfiction stuff about technology. Also decided to check out some Star Trek fanfiction. I'm not sure if I should be doing that.”

Ash: “My shelves are full of high fantasy and cool robotics stuff. And puzzle books.”

Gwen: *lights up* “Oh, I love reading!!! My walls are lined with shelves that I got when I ran out of room on my bookshelf! It feels so cozy being surrounded by books, and I usually curl up and read a book in my little reading corner to wind down at night.”

Robbie: “Reading is super cool for something I don't do as often as I'd like. I've been reading more Webtoons lately and some manga. That's awesome.”

Akash: “I'm still reading the book series I loved in fourth grade, like Wings of Fire. Who cares that I'm a high school freshman now? That's basically still middle school. And sometimes Robbie will pester me until I read a web comic.”

Jedi: “I have been so busy with my work lately that I do not often read for pleasure. Even still, reading for pleasure usually included science or speculative fiction.”

Carmen: “I don't read often. Just research papers.” [she likes historical romances even if she'll do nothing but complain about them I know it]

Tagging @mysticstarlightduck @cherrybombfangirlwrites @mk-writes-stuff @monstrouswrites @drchenquill

+ ANYONE ELSE

Your prompt: [A quote about the ocean]

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