#that's power taken to the next level! :o

[britishchick09]

"sing for me!" ♫ musical ♫ 'angel's mask' ♫ 'ghost on the roof' ♫ the rewrite ♫

[wonijinjin]

seventeen members when their introverted s/o feels socially exhausted

author’s note: i am a very extroverted person so it was a bit difficult to write this but i hope i could still make it comforting for my introvert darlings. enjoy!

synopsis: what the title says

word count: 1.0k | genre: fluff, comfort | pairings: seventeen x gn! reader | warnings: mentions of food, mental health

seungcheol would be a little bit taken aback at first since his nature makes him an absolute worrier; he would be asking you if you were feeling okay. if you were out in the city he would definitely suggest going home so you could recharge your energy in peace, next to his comforting presence. you could also expect him to be extra clingy after you gave him the green light of being in your more extroverted mood again.

now jeonghan is known to get drained eventually in social situations aswell, so he would be no stranger to helping you feel comfortable. he would make sure you had a little bit of quiet, leaving you for a bit with your thoughts to really think about what you wanted, and whatever that might be he would be sure to give it to you; cuddles or alone time, sleeping or just the two of you talking mindlessly about various topics.

joshua is very observant so he would notice the signs of you getting pretty tired, that is why he would make an excuse to get the pair of you home from the friendly gathering you were attending at that time, since he wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable by asking directly. after stepping inside your bedroom he would surely ask if you wanted to talk about it with him, and do as you decide to proceed.

jun is one of the more silent lovers, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be the most attentive partner to ever exist. he is quick witted so he would always have advice for you if you needed it regarding getting through a difficult time, guiding you through the ways he had solved this problem in the past. you could also expect him to buy you your comfort foods aswell, because he wants you to take care of yourself.

hoshi is a very extroverted person so he may have trouble with helping you if you got socially exhausted, but he would do everything in his power to be a fast learner. he would want you tell him whenever you needed a break from him and his friends since you hung out a lot on a daily basis, and he would gladly bomb you with long voice messages saying during you recharge period so you wouldn’t feel alone even then.

wonwoo has a very quiet way of caring for you, usually many silent acts of service included in it; the moment he saw your energy levels drop he would absolutely ask if you wanted to spend some time away from people, whispering into your ear lowly as he stroked your hair in an encouraging and comforting manner to let him know what you wanted to do next to which he would happily adjust his schedule too.

woozi doesn’t go out often so he might be a little bit confused about your feelings, but he would be desperate to understand what you mean. he would just take you to his studio where the two of you could easily lay on the couch, calming muic playing in the background while he patiently listened to your worries, cooing at how exhausted you probably looked and felt, trying to get you to sleep beside him to get the rest you deserved.

dk can be a very loud person sometimes so it would probably take some time for him to notice your change in behaviour, after you constantly going to social events, having to surround yourself with people frequently. he would be all over you (actually kind of making the situation even worse lmao) trying to figure out a way to help, to which you would gladly accept the cuddles offered by him, needing his touch only.

mingyu is also a very hyped man so he would definitely be sulking upon hearing you say that you were very drained and wanted some peace and quiet since this puppy cannot shut up. poor boy would be so careful around you, being afraid of upsetting you by making noise every minute, and you would have to tell him that he was always welcomed in your space, to which he would happily smother you in kisses.

minghao can be very understanding about your feelings, he himself likes to spend some time to take care of his mental health and well-being, this is why when you confided in him and talked about how you felt he would suggest trying meditation with him. he would also encourage you to openly say no to people when you don’t feel like letting them into your personal space or not wanting to hang out with them.

your mental health may be one of the most important things for seungkwan, since he knows how badly it can affect your mood if you are not feeling comfortable. he would baby you a lot, letting you come to him with your worries and thoughts so he won’t overwhelm you with his constant questions. he would also make sure you eat and drink enough since he no how you tend to neglect your own needs from time to time.

vernon is the perfect example of a person who can be left alone and enjoy his time without others’ presence so if you ever felt burnt out from people but still wanted to be active in some kind of way he would have many ideas offered to you about how to get that much needed recharge from the world; trying a new hobby which doesn’t include other individuals and can make you relax while doing it.

dino knew something was up with you the moment he looked into you direction, he knew you exceeded your limits and wished to rest a bit, to turn your mind off. he would take you dancing with him (even if you were just watching) to make you focus on the beatsof the music and move to it, shaking the stres away off your tired form and to physically exhaust yourself to then get into bed and sleep easily like a baby.

[furiousgoldfish]

There was a time, when as a young adult, I'd be reading self-help books, in order to see if I can do something to make my life livable. Sometimes, these books would go very deep into victim blaming, and making a person believe that they can just 'manifest anything', or 'make things happen', and later I trashed all of that nonsense, but as an inexperienced person, I was all up for magical thinking, and taking advice from people who enjoyed making everything a vague concept that one can control with their mind.

Some of these books indeed, touched on parenting, and their philosophy was that parents who are bad, are simply bad because their parents were bad, which is something they love to use as their favourite excuse (i had it worse). But as a young person, how was I to know this was stupid, I believed this. The book went on to encourage the child, to try and be the parent's replacement parent, and to offer them caretaking and parenting they never had in their youth. Now, if you know how child abuse works, you'd recognize this immediately as the encouragement of parentification, making the child responsible for the parent's well being, being the caretaker instead of being taken care of, taking responsibility for the parent's actions and behaviours when the child has absolutely no control or power over it - basically bad. But, how was I to know, right. So I decided to try and take this advice, and try to see; what are my parents lacking, in the form of having their own parents?

This is where things got funny; I analyzed my parents behaviour, and realized very quickly, that what they lack is moral compass, correction of intensely selfish, irresponsible, ignorant and shallow behaviour, and if these were my children I would simply not tolerate that level of malice. My parents weren't lacking in care, they were lacking in discipline. So at that point, I, who had no income, shelter, social power, access to resources, finances, or anything else, thought I was responsible for disciplining my parents and teaching them how to 'not be evil', if I wanted to change them in normal and good people. (Completely normal and possible thing to do.)

And it's not like I had any guidance in how to offer proper 'discipline', all I knew was violence, which I couldn't do for obvious reasons, and the next thing would be scolding, yelling, guilt-tripping, criticism, making them 'feel bad' for 'doing bad things'. And that's exactly what I had decided to do. Next time my father was acting selfish, malicious, shallow and self-obsessed, I dropped him a 'This is why you don't have any friends.' line.

Now I have no idea why, but this actually got to him. He was shocked for a moment, and then started acting defensive. 'I have friends!' he insisted, and then he started listing all of the coworkers he used for his gain in the last week. 'Those are not real friends.' I decided. That had actually gotten him upset. He started listing all the things he did with those people, which were just random work transactions, and it didn't convince me at all.

Looking back, it's funny because I was so low on his hierarchy of people whose opinion mattered, he tried to kill me multiple times, he screamed inhumane slurs and insults at me constantly, he considered me less than a person, less than a thing even, but he was still so offended that anyone in the world could think he had no friends. What I had done is made him worried that his facade and public image of being well-connected and liked wasn't strong enough, and convincing me that he was all those things, was how he thought he'd fix it. He didn't even think for a second that maybe he should fix his malicious and exploitative behaviour, it was all about maintaining an image of being something else.

Obviously he didn't have any friends, because he's a narcissist, and narcissists don't make friends, they keep prisoners. I was a constant thorn in his eye because I could see trough his delusions and would regularly call him out on that, which of course then brought on violence to make me terrified of contradicting him. Because that's how they think reality is generated, if they say something is true, and nobody contradicts them, then that must be the new reality.

Anyway, I didn't try to argue with him on friends again, because it got boring and did nothing to fix his inhumane behaviour, and I didn't like interacting with him anyway. But I still find it very funny that a book that was trying to push abused children into caretaking for their parents, pushed me into trying to punish them for abuse, it was almost Matilda-like in fashion. If I had magic powers I would have changed these people (into people too scared to be evil in front of me).

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Matt Bors’s “Justice Warriors: Vote Harder”

On SEPTEMBER 24th, I'll be speaking IN PERSON at the BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY!

There's no political satirist working today quite like Matt "Mr Gotcha" Bors, whose 2023 masterpiece Justice Warriors just got a timely – and brutally funny – sequel, Justice Warriors: Vote Harder:

https://www.mattbors.com/store/p/justice-warriors-ffzgn

You've doubtless seen Matt Bors's work, which has repeatedly attained viral liftoff, most notably with his Mr Gotcha strips, easily one of the most useful additions to online political debate in internet history:

https://thenib.com/mister-gotcha/

Last year, Bors, along with Ben Clarkson and Felipe Sobreiro, published Justice Warriors, a postapocalyptic cyberpunk graphic novel in the vein of Warren Ellis's classic Transmetropolitan:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/22/libras-assemble/#the-uz

Justice Warriors is the tale of Bubble City, a domed enclave walled off from the teeming masses of the UZ (which stands for "Uninhabited Zone" – see what they did there?). Bubble City runs on vibes, therapy-speak, social media nonsense, memes and garbage hot-takes. And while there's a lot of broad satire here, the thing that makes Justice Warriors stand out is how its creators do the relatively straightforward futuristic exercise of asking themselves, "What if deeply unserious nonsense was taken seriously?"

Others have done this before – Mike Judge's Idiocracy, say – but Bors, Clarkson and Sobreiro attain a density of sight gags, trenchant wordplay, and outrageous cyberpunk imagery that is just next level. Think Al Jaffee meets William Gibson, with art direction by Vaughn Bode, who's had one too many at the Mos Eisley Cantina. To that, mix in all kinds of MAD Magazine style fake ads and social media postings, layering joke on gag, all of it walking the fine line between "you gotta cry" and "you gotta laugh."

Justice Warriors did big numbers, selling out three printings, and now the gang is back together for the sequel, Vote Harder, which drops just in time for the final, all consuming election-season media apocalypse.

Vote Harder sees Bubble City facing its first election in living memory, as the mayor – who inherited his position from his "powerful, strapping Papa" – loses a confidence vote by the city's trustees. They're upset with his plan to bankrupt the city in order to buy a laser powerful enough to carve his likeness into the sun as a viral stunt for the launch of his comeback album. The trustees are in no way mollified by the fact that he expects to make a lot of money selling special branded sunglasses that allow Bubble City (and the mutant hordes of the Uninhabited Zone) to safely look into the sun and see what their tax dollars bought.

So it's time for an election, and the two candidates are going hard: there's the incumbent Mayor Prince; there's his half-sister and ex-girlfriend, Stufina Vipix XII, and there's a dark-horse candidate Flauf Tanko, a mutant-tank cyborg that went rogue after a militant Home Owners Association disabled it and its owners abandoned it. Flauf-Tanko is determined to give the masses of the Uninhabited Zone the representation they've been denied for so long, despite the structural impediments to this (UZers need to complete a questionnaire, sub-forms, have three forms of ID, and present a rental contract, drivers license, work permit and breeding license. They also need to get their paperwork signed in person at a VERI-VOTE location, then wait 14 days to get their voter IDs by mail. Also, districts of 2 million or more mutants are allocated the equivalent of only 250,000 votes, but only if 51% of eligible voters show up to the polls; otherwise, their votes are parceled out to other candidates per the terms of the Undervoting and Apathy Allotment Act).

Despite the structural advantages afforded to Mayor Prince – like the fact that residents of District 12 on floors 120-145 of the Bubble each get 2048 votes, while District 1 (floors 1-7) only get a single vote – he's not taking any chances. Officer Schitt (a humanoid poop emoji) and the lovelorn Officer Swamp (an anthropomorphic catfish) are each prowling the Uz . Swamp – suffering from a head injury and gripped by a delusion that a TV cowboy has sent him to infiltrate the Flauf Tanko campaign – is playing spy/provocateur, while Schitt hunts dangerous subversives.

What unfolds is a funny, bitter, superb piece of political satire that could not be better timed.

The paperback edition of The Lost Cause, my nationally bestselling, hopeful solarpunk novel is out this month!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/11/uninhabited-zone/#eremption-season

[aita-blorbos]

AITA for aiding my captors in their "morally wrong" pursuits?

I (15, M) have telekinesis ablities. This was found out by the authorities at a young age, and so I was taken to a research facility for other mutants like myself. However, unlike most of the other mutants, I wasn't experimented on. Rather, the scientists had me aid them with experiments using my powers. Things such as using my telekinesis to put pressure on internal organs, or assisting in terminating mutants whose use had expired.

I was told that I was special. Better than the rest. And I believed it. Truth be told, I still somewhat do. I took pride in being an important asset for the experiments. It was all I had ever known, and all I would ever know. There was no use in escaping, after all, even if my powers meant I could do it easily. I was told that the outside world would hate those like me. My only use was to remain in my place and continue assisting. I believed the scientists when they told me that serving as a means to meet an end was a noble endeavor.

However, one day, things changed. The scientist who worked with me the most, a woman I will refer to as T (presumably middle-aged, F), gave me the files for my next scheduled experiment, as usual. However, in with the files was a small folded note. T's handwriting was on the front, telling me to read it in the bathroom.

Without getting too far into specifics, T's note informed me that I was scheduled to be terminated after the next experiment.

So I did the only thing I could do. I escaped - and, foolishly, brought the mutant (13, F) from my assigned experiment with me.

We split ways shortly after escaping. I met new people and found a place to stay. These people are "A" (14, F, my girlfriend) and O (27, F). I currently live in O's apartment.

Recently A found out about the things I used to do in the facility. She seems upset about it. I don't really understand why. She says the things I did were terrible. Murder and torture. I disagree. I was just doing what I had been told. Besides, it's not as though the other mutants were on the same level as me. I'm better than them. Better than most people. Really, the only person I would consider to be my equal is A. (I also tried to kill her brother, if that is relevant. Probably not, though. Her brother is terrible.)

At any rate, A and her brother both seem to think I'm an "asshole" for these things that I did. So am I? An asshole, I mean.

[muffinsin]

Hello, muffin! 🙂

I know you mentioned that your inbox is kinda full at the moment, but I hope you don't mind me adding to it. 😅 Your writing is just so wonderful, I just, ahh! - 🤌🏽💯😍

Could you write about the fly girls having a lover that's waaayy shorter than them, like "I love you, and you'll always have my tiddy to cry on because you can't possibly reach my shoulders" kind of short, but to compensate for their lack of height the s/o is incredibly strong? And I mean on the scale of ripping a phone book in half and bending steel pipes over their knee levels of strength. 💪

Like, I love the idea of the Dimi sisters teasing/poking fun at their short af lover, but then getting extremely flustered and more than a little hot and bothered after their s/o just nonchalantly displays their strength in some way/shape/form.

How would the sisters react? And do some bedroom horizontal tangos ensue? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Enquiring minds would love to know!

Sincerely,

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ anon

Hiya! I don’t mind at all hon! :) thank you🙇‍♀️ I’m very glad you like it :D🙇‍♀️

I love that idea XD

Let’s get into it!

Masterlists

Bela

Despite her elegant and mature style, Bela can be quite bratty at times, albeit rarely

Especially when it comes to you

She loves to tease you about your height, always reminds you that she practically towers over you

Being the shortest out of her sisters, she relishes in feeling so tall around you

She loves calling you “little one”

However, there is a thing that easily keeps her in check: your strenght

Bela herself is not weak. Not at all

On the contrary, she’s quite powerful and strong, even if she doesn’t at all look it

The perks of being infected by the cadou and all

It’s incredibly rare she finds someone strong, and it never fails to surprise her when you show your strength off

Especially because you’re such a little thing…but so strong…

She turns to mush at any given opportunity when your strength is involved

Your first display of your strength left her quite flustered

She’s working late as usual, and it’s as if there is no end in sight at all. Papers keep piling on her desk, no matter how much she fills out and how many reports she writes

You’ve urged her to go to bed three times already

“Just this one more thing”

And another. And another

There is no end to it

Until Bela finds herself picked up by you, effortlessly so

Immediately, she drops her pencil and pulls her knees up as you carry her by her waist and shift her to lay in your arms in a bridal style

She knows, she isn’t all that heavy, being made of flies and all, but she’s tall, which gives her additional weight

You shouldn’t be able to lift her, technically, and certainly not this easily

She’s so flustered, and a little worried you’ll drop her. But you don’t, you merely set her down on the bed, gently

You’re a little caught off guard when she straddles you and rides your face for hours

Not that you’re complaining, really. You’re gladly enjoying yourself a nice midnight snack

The next time, it’s when you lift her table for her when she drops her pencil under it

The entire table

With a single hand, while you tuck her hair behind her ear when she leans down to pick it up

She’s like a deer struck in headlights

Poor Bela has not considered her little human could seem this dominating

Again, you find yourself being seduced by her

This time, she practically begs you to use the strap on her and hold her hips hard enough to bruise her

It takes you a few more times of showing off your strength to realize it really gets her going

Bela loves when you apply your strength in bed or to fluster her

Intimidation by height- not your strongest suit- or strength is the easiest way of doing that

She is so flustered when you grab her wrist and no matter how hard she tugs, playfully of course, you don’t let up

She is so riled up when you easily lift her into your arms or push her on the bed

You have taken up to carrying Bela to bed whenever you feel particularly thirsty and she isn’t too exhausted

You always end up with her body on top of yours, her large thighs by your small face as you make her practically whine and mewl for you for hours

Cassandra

She’s by far taller than you, and frankly?

Also stronger than you. She is the strongest out of the three sisters, and your strength doesn’t rival hers

Now, this isn’t surprising, to nobody

However, when she finds you are, despite your height, strong, it catches her completely off guard

She doesn’t need you to be stronger than her to fluster her

Merely to be strong

The first time you demonstrate it, is when she invites you along on a hunt

She’s groaning as she attempts to drag the huge beast, the carcass of a varcolac behind her

Ignoring your snickers at the image of a woman dragging this massive hound, she promptly challenges you to give her a hand

She doesn’t expect you to take half the weight off your shoulders

Nor does she expect you to cheer and lift her when you return to the castle

“That was fun!”

“Don’t drop me!”, she only shrieks

Too caught up in the shock of being levitated, she doesn’t catch on that you are lifting her

Holding her by her thighs, you seem to have little trouble lifting her and spinning her in the air

Cassandra is both shocked and flustered by this

If you can lift her, after all, surely you can manhandle her…?

The thought excites her

She’s very bold, and makes it very obvious she enjoys your strength and muscles

Often, you find her lurking nearby when you work out

She’s a total sucker for that

Cassandra loves to lay on top of the work benches or window sill, merely to watch you and lick her lips at you

Sometimes, she opts for distracting you with teasing touches

Cassandra enjoys to slide her hand between your legs when you work out, or simply to get on her knees and “help out”

She absolutely is considered a flustered mess when you do anything to show off your strength or muscles, and you know it

Often, Cassandra teases you about your height

Smudging your face in her breasts,

kneeling down and baby talking you to mock you playfully,

putting things outside your reach

Yet when she smudges your face in her chest by running into you and makes a comment about not having seen you due to your height, you have found a good counter

Cassandra’s self satisfied, confident and mocking smirk is wiped off her face when you do as much as to push her to her knees with enough force

Then, you’ve got quite the flustered little brat staring up at you

Bonus points if you keep your hand on her shoulder to prevent her from gettin up, or at the very least make it more difficult

Sometimes, this plays right in her cards

Cassandra, mischievous as she can be, often seeks you out and teases you about your height purely to have you give her a taste of this strength she loves

She likes to pick you up randomly for this and call you her blood-bag

When she is pushed down in return and mounted, she only sports a single smirk

Daniela

She’s, despite being the youngest of the sisters, quite tall

And definitely taller than you

Daniela loves to tease you about this, too. Really, teasing you is her favorite thing to do, it seems

Among many short people jokes and lines, she likes to remind you of your size by actions

Such as resting her arm on top of your head, then acting surprised and claiming you were so short, she couldn’t see you

One time, this backfires on her, and she is very much so reminded of your strenght

You’re sitting on her bed, reading peacefully as she comes swarming in with a large grin on her face

You know, you’re going to get teased again

And right you are!

“Oh! Didn’t think I’d see you here”, she says, a giggle daring to ruin her punchline

“I thought Santa still needed help wrapping the presents”, she adds, giggling and placing her arm onto the top of your head at last

You roll your eyes at your little brat of a girlfriend

Then, you decide, it’s time for revenge. To take action

“Get it? Because you’re sho-AH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

Daniela is shrieking and squirming when you suddenly lift her onto the bed and in your arms, and gasps when she is dropped in the small gap between the wall and her bed

With her legs and arms on the bed and nearly her entire body in the gap, she’s stuttering out some apology

Daniela’s cheeks turn bright pink when you lay down on the bed, at last on eye level with her

“Hm? What’s that, little Dani?”, you coo teasingly, your hand patting the top of her head

It seems the tables have turned

From this day on, Daniela grows more and more aware of your strength, and it turns her on to no end

Your submissive girlfriend loves nothing more than to ask you unnecessary things merely to see a display of your strength and mush over you

Love? Will you lift the bed for her?

Will you please lift her so she can reach the top of the closet? Something is on there. No, she doesn’t quite feel like swarming

Will you please drag her newest prey for her?

As a reward, you always receive a fiery kiss

You can’t help but notice how flustered she gets at the smallest displays of your strength, and decide to test this out in the bedroom

Daniela really gets into it when you restrain her head with your arm or hold her wrists tightly when you’re on top of her

Additionally, she seems very much so into feeling you push and pull her easily

Frankly?

While Daniela expects princess treatment, she often enjoys being manhandled and fucked like a slut, and a little bit of strength is just perfect for throwing her on the bed, pulling her where you want her and having your way with her

[gummybearzgocrazyagain]

kinn/porsche fic rec vol. 2

Futuristic/Space AU

All That Just For a License? by @nuwildcat [daaaaaaaaamn son the squeals of utter delight i have produced while reading this...????? numerous. porsche and chay are bounty hunters, picking off criminals and delivering them to the waiting, and most importantly, well-paying hands. this next job must be nothing out of ordinary, the guy looks dirty and worn-out, and porsche knows this next part by heart... or is he. if i told you it was extremely delicious and entertaining read, it would still be an understatement. so so so so so many compliments and kudos]

Clandestine by @aheartfeltlie [in somewhat cyber-punk-ish future, that includes flying cars and chip-implanted eyes, porsche is equally “eat the rich, and not a good kind, especially if it is kinn fucking theerapanyakul” in real life, and “eat the rich, definitely a good kind” in the all-immersive world of Clandestine, game to rival all others. awesome variation on enemies-to-lovers, tis a rec]

a/b/o + college 

And They Were Roommates by @tessalane [aaaaaaaa, obsessed with this one, the absolute perfect mix of softness and horniness of enemies-to-lovers a/b/o college roommates AU, tropes that has been used to death, and yet somehow never get old in the right hands, and does this author have the rightest hands for it, bless up. can’t rec this enough]

Alpha’s bid by @paulalestat-blog [fresh premise of the futuristic set-up: with time due to the virus, omega population withered to near extinction, and each omega is valued and sought after. an agency kinn goes to provides match-making services, where omegas are shown alpha’s profiles, and then are free to choose any alpha they deem pleasing or fit, and alpha can not back out. you know what happens next. and yes, kinn is a uni teacher in this one...? go figure. still a wip, and a very good one at that]

Vamp AU

Smoke and Raindrops by @nuwildcat [*fanning herself* thank you, dear author, it was delicious. it is beyond me why vampire!kinn is not a huge deal in this fandom, all the signs are right there - paleness, piercing gaze, power, audacity, stature, daddy issues, etc etc, one would expect the tag to be flooded and yet, good vamp!kp fic is scarce, which makes this even more precious: traditional back alley meeting, werewolf!porsche, canon levels of horniness, delightfully wrapped in author’s eloquent style. so many kudosssssssssssss]

after dark by @foreigncars [i...am not exactly sure what i think of this one yet, some of the plot points seemed... tad abrupt, but hey, it’s a vamp!kinn, can’t be too choosy when it comes to the vamp trope, in this house we appreciate them all]

Spy/Assassin AU

Worthy of Love and Loyalty by @rebellconquerer [what.what.what.what the FCUK was that i am wheezing, the fuckkkkkk dear author, how DARE YOU, the audacity....??? i mean, are there even words//// i am so in luv with this thang, it’s not even funny, my long-running partiality towards this trope is back with the vengeance it seems. theerapanyakuls have an intelligence agency, porsche is taken in by force and made to train, yada-yada, if you have not read this yet, i am so fucking envious you have no idea. this fucking fic <3]

two shots by @martynaxao3 [yassssss slay assassin!porsche, who could resist such temptation. this thing has it all, plot, twists, lust, great pacing, excellent style, huge rec, no notes]

Historic/fantasy AU

putting a harried love letter into a red mailbox by @captainkit [like this author and their unhurried, sensual style. in this au, porsche is a temple khon dancer in a capital that kinn is currently laying a siege to. not a MS crossover though, still a kp historic au. although the story is centred around kp, vp and kimchay have their own prominent parts, and there is plot, for real. wip, but enough has been written by now]

what a tangled web we weave by @fairhairedkings [has this author ever disappointed, duhhhhh, ain’t never a miss with them: scheherazade au i am sure everyone follows already, so this rec is more of an homage to the beloved author. i for once, can never have enough of “forced marriage resulting in smitten kinn” trope, can anyone, especially so well written one. all the possible kudos, as usual]

with the subcategory of warprize!porsche

How I Know You by @nuwildcat and A thousand jasmine blossoms bloom by @iffervescent [another trope kp dynamic seems especially suited for, imho, executed soooooooo beautifully by this fandom. hands down both are such amazing works, no notes, all the possible kudos and eternal gratitude to the authors, i was saaaaaaat 🙌]

Hybrid AU

Feline Purrsuasion by @wiccawrites [based on this idea, the piece is highly entertaining and very-well executed. porsche is a brat even in feline form, and kinn is struggling to retain his sanity. the fact that the idea was born before woody on stage, is... inchresting. bravo author, big time rec]

Magic AU

Like water by @deliciousblizzardshark [ouccccccchhhhh, that capital H hurted. brilliant, brilliant writing, how have i missed this gem from the author of one of my fav pieces. in a world where you can tattoo magic symbols on one’s skin, obedience is one of the most logical ones to tattoo on your new bodyguard, isn’t it though... it is for kp to find out. damnnnnnnnnnnnnn it was painfully beautiful and so absolutely worth a read. thank you dearest author, what a fucking masterpiece <3]

The Empty Crown by @rainbowcolored7 [such a great world-building, and the lore is superb: kittisawasds are from the fire clan that can command phoenixes, and theerapanyakuls are the water clan that are connected to dragons. when their clan’s capital is destroyed, lil porsche and chay are forced to run and hide, and spend their lives in fear of their true lineage being discovered. they are minding they own business leading ordinary folk lives, all until an idiot falls down a hill and hurts himself right in front of unsuspecting porsche, who was just trying to fish in peace. suuuuuuch a lovely read, so pleasantly paced, it keeps you fully immersed and invested, not to mention, the chemistry between the poor conflicted porsche and the injured idiot is 👌👌👌]

sex on fire by @cherry_apples22 [it’s pretty much like if My Type by Saweetie was a fic, i dunno what else to add: since he found out he was a phoenix, porsche is unable to get laid, cause his flames would hurt any other living creature. well, almost any other, there are dragons, for instance... who do not get affected by phoenix fire, right... his own lil bro is even dating one... how hard can it be to meet one for himself? p.s. and if there are but hints of monsterfucking? don’t mind if i do 🙆‍♀️]

green isle in the sea, love (a fountain and a shrine) by @anakinn [i am quite frankly speechless sitting here with my eyes like 👀 didn’t know this was a thing...? until it absolutely became a thing....? in a nutshell, porsche spills some oils in some random shrine they’ve stumbled upon while on a recon mission, some deity felt slighted, and now there are two kinns...? i ain’t gonna say no’ mo’, you ought to read this for yourselves bruv]

Alternative meeting

stripper for one night by @martynaxao3 [yasssss, thank you, tay for the win againnnnn, it’s kinn’s bday, and they are celebrating at some hole in the wall place they just chose at random, and the bartender working there keeps being rude to the birthday boi, or is he.... super fun and super hot, author deserves all the praise, as always, much luv]

Tiger bite by @Verbana [after the death of their father and husband, namphueng, little porsche and babie chay are brought to stay at the theerapanyakul household, to be brought up along with their cousins kim, khun, and anakinn. understandably, the angst ensues. if i knew any words prior to reading this, they’re all gone by now. immaculate, immaculate vibe. adore this type of stories to death, the longing, helplessness, the despair of it all.. omg.]

Fake dating

Situationship by @vcrses  [no, you don’t get it, when i say i am in luv with this fic <33333333 the author is so effortlessly funny, made me cackle multiple times, such a light and enjoyable read <33333 it is some sort of AU within an AU, as the characters we know have different backgrounds/circumstances, for instance, tankhun is not agoraphobic in this, and even some places named differently, but it doesn’t take away from the experience at all, quite the opposite, comes off as refreshing; the story overall is a perfect perfect embodiment of the trope, these versions of kp are so loveable, i am smooching this author’s face with abandon]

Accidental babie acquisition 

Dropping a baby off at a mafia compound is a good idea, right? by @lalala53 [it is actually exactly what the title says, short and sweet read, couldn’t pass over the opportunity to rec, luv the trope]

Various in-universe AUs // Canon divergence

Burn Your Name Into My Skin by @everyforkedroad [omg omg omg unexpected but damn pleasant surprise of sub!kinn wrapped into minor fam!bodyguard porsche and general star crossed lovers trope. it was such an entertaining and captivating read: they meet at a sex club, porsche is on a mission for vegas, his boss (i know, just typing this out is something else), and kinn is unsurprisingly hooked. huge rec, thank you author]

take this life and hold it by the hand by @p1n3appl3p3n [if i tell you i was vibrating out of my fucking skin reading this. shaking crying throwing up with giddiness and squealing like a new-born piglet. have seen this rec so many times in people’s bookmarks, and that single goddamn “mpreg” word has deterred me every time. how could have i been so foolish. one of the best fucking things i’ve read lately was hiding in plain sight this whole time. yes, mpreg, but who gives a fuck, if in return you get this..? reconciliation trope of your dreams. i am on my knees for this fic. p.s. i conveniently have an existing h/c for the twins, which despite the fact that canon pair is a boi/gurl set, is still my ironclad image for them, cause have one look at them and tell me these don’t look like porsche’s children]

[N] Let the fire breathe me back to life by @Zeronay [beautiful mess of two besotted idiots going on a mission underprepared and taking a bullet each. short and lovely read]

Mutatis Mutandis by @zipperbiter [daaaaaamn that was <3333 during one of the quiet uneventful family breakfasts tankhun suddenly realizes that a little chaos never killed nobody, and decides to stir these calm waters up a bit by posing quite an interesting question. the bouts of... scientific experimentation... that ensue in order to conclude the experiment, are both extremely skilfully written, and entertaining to boot. very much a rec]

Wicked Game by @Acearcy01 [set in canon and divergent after ep4, someone keeps making attempts on kinn’s life, and he suggests an agreement: porsche will stay for 60 days to try and figure out who is after kinn, in exchange for his complete freedom afterwards. porsche agrees and starts counting the days. he can’t wait to leave this hellhole behind.... right?. there is something about this story.... really liked it, give it a try, if you haven’t read it already]

Burnished night, blood-soaked stars by @The_Old_Astronomer [absolutely lovely and touching missing/alternative scene between kinn getting shot and waking up at the hospital wing, feelings realization, and a bit of a porsche/big reluctant understanding]

quis custodiet ipsos custode by @concernedlily [gosh i luv this author’s style, am sure everyone has already read this, the piece ain’t new, i just... there can never be enough kp desperate for each other’s safety, not in my world]

two hungers are in me, and they drive me forward. i was born to starve by @captainkit [porsche-centric and bitter-sweet, it is painful to get through in places, but porsche is lovely, earnest, bratty, and plenty sad in this. not to mention, hungry throughout. read when in melancholic mood p.s. ngl, the bit where kinn takes him to a cafe for his bday, and there is no cake, made me cry a lil. p.p.s also author compares kinn’s ep 3 dancing to a “drunk uncle at a wedding”, and i’ve literally never have read anything more accurately hilarious]

Outsider perspective

innocent bystanders by @BeStillMySlashyheart [super-entertaining drabble set in AU where kp not only do not hide, but rather flaunt there new relationship in the compound inhabitants’ faces, and porsche’s poor colleagues have to witness their comrade enjoying his honeymoon phase with their own boss in front of their own bleeding eyes. i cackled, tis a rec]

Horror

A Curious Cat by @The_Consulting_Werewolf [whatttttttt...? *just sits there with her jaw slack and mouth slightly open* what exactly.... has transpired here? you know what i ain’t even gonna say nuthin just go read it for yourselves]

Non-mafia AUs

Twelve, Twenty, Almost Thirty by @just2wings [ooohhh no no nooooope sir, nuh-huh, who gave you the right to hit me with all them feels on this fine tuesday evening completely unprovoked....? hell to the no, i demand reparations, wasn’t sufficiently warned about my insides turning all gooey after reading this, the longing, the looooooongiiiiiiingggggggg <333333 ahem, rant over, to the plot: non-mafia AU in which they have actually met once during the childhood, once in college, and now again as adults. and if you haven’t read it yet, you’re missing out big time. i cried]

Punch at First Sight by @Sandee Sing [yaaaaaay, what a ride, such an entertaining AU, porsche is a bar owner, and theerapanyakuls are business moguls. porsche is visiting the mansion on korn’s invitation, when kinn sees him and understandably? mistakes him for a stripper hired by tay as a gift. it spins out from there. i reeeeeeally liked it, absolute rec]

Hot wheels by @tiredfairycake [disabled!porsche in da house, very cute drabble: kinn is stopped in the middle of his early morning stroll through the park by a weirdo chilling on the bench asking to be helped home. kinn is whipped in every universe, which is no surprise to any of us, super sweet read]

Crack

five things gay by @martynaxao3 [if this is crack, then i never want to read anything that is not crack again, love the author, never a miss with them, including this gem: porsche decides to make it his mission to help his confused, lonely boss to figure out his sexuality... the boss, as the whipped idiot that he is, goes along with the plan. entertaining, funny and super hot. much kudosssssss]

[juxl25]

KUROSHITSUJI THEORY!

Spoilers for ch208 onwards

Will the whole circus troop be brought back? And will Doll end up siding with o!ciel?

As I’m sure we are all aware from the end of the book of circus manga, the undertaker had most of the circus troops bodies (joker being the accepted as he basically got cremated). And now with Snake’s death and Doll having his body, that they will likely hand over to the undertaker, will mean the the undertaker will have all the bodies of the first tier Noah’s Ark circus.

I suspect that now with all the piece (the bodies of the first tier) the undertake will bring back them back as low level bizarre dolls (think Derrick Arden lvl) and force them to preform.

Why do I think that? Well I have very little evidence from the manga (like nothing at all) however I believe in poetic irony and a theme with Yana’s writing style.

First let’s look at the evidence from the manga, this is mostly for snake getting brought back to life.

This is mostly just me grasping at straws for snake being brought back lol. But also with Yana known for always including bits of foreshadowing in her work. Wether that being the chess game in showing to Ciels during the emerald witch arc, as well as ciel lying about the true fate of the circus troop to snake, apron his first arrive at the Phantomhive manor foreshadow him finding out later on in the story. So this panel’s taken from the start of book of Atlantic hits towards Snakes and by extension the rest of the troops being brought back to life.

And now on to my poetic irony. As we know Yana like to play the hand of justice in the series. Specifically killing of semi important characters in the series in the same way they have killed other people. This is shown in Madam Red’s death, Madam Red kills women by slitting their throat and then cutting the stomach open, and madam read died from being cut open when Grell stabbed them in the stomach with her chainsaw. And snakes death as well, where he got he throat slit was in the same place that Phipps got bit by the black mamba. Now following this theme we would expect the circus troop to die in a way that mirrors the death of the children in they kidnapped, but this didn’t happen. Thats why I suspect they will be made in to bizarre dolls and forced to preform. Being made in to low level BD would mimic how the kidnapped children were after their lobotomy and forced to preform like the children where forced to for baron Kelvin.

This leads on to my next point. Why might doll ended up siding with O!ciel? Because of the bizarre doll circus troop. Doll would take the place of joker as the ringleader and be forced to witness their family preform this way; Mirroring how joker felt watching the kids preform. But the difference is unlike joker who wouldn’t betray the Baron because of him believing his siblings at the work house would be punished, Doll currently does have any loyalties like that except to her family. So when they see what the undertaker has turned them in to Doll will do everything in their power to save them. Leading to them siding with O!ciel in the end.

But what do yall think? Let me know your thoughts or if I’ve missed something in the comments :)

Tags: @abybweisse

[delusionalwings]

― synopsis -> first kiss

― characters -> leviathan

― gender neutral reader

― scenario

― warnings -> soft yandere leviathan, some themes of jealousy

― a/n -> for @nanamisflowerfield collab!

Leviathan had been dreaming feverishly of the day when he would taste your lips. He envied everything that those soft petals touched. Whenever he was at the dining table ready to eat these days, his eyes lingered there; his heart fluttered on seeing them curve into a smile or to find a stray crumb of food there. How he wished he could be as lucky as that crumb! Hunger deserted him as he sulkily excused himself. It was becoming difficult to stay in your presence without wanting to knock the breath off your lungs like a romcom protagonist.

But the truth remained that he was Levi, an ultra gross otaku who thrived in clicking unsolicited pictures of you to worship than ask for a couple picture. Your boyfriend Levi who kissed your picture a million times a day but couldn't ask if you were ready to kiss for the life of him!

The thought made him just as excited as it made him anxious.

What did a yucky otaku like him know about kissing? Nothing!

You, on the other hand, might have experience, might even expect him to be a good kisser. He wanted you to enjoy what he could give you or he wouldn't be able to live on. He wanted the kiss to be beautiful and powerful, to be imprinted in your mind forever.

Jealousy poisoned his heart when he pictured you kissing someone else. Your alluring form leaning into another human. He wondered what kissing felt, what kissing you felt like.

No no! Normies should not intrude his mind or he might unleash his envy during his first kiss and ruin the experience for the both of you! He must channel his energy into picturing you with him and only him, your arms intertwined together, exploring the other's body, your hands possibly on his shoulders or running through his hair as you let him caress your sweet lips.

He wondered what you preferred. Slow, gentle pecks that demonstrated his shyness well or passionate, long kisses that took the breath out of your lungs and the soul out of his body.

Taking out a small doll of you that he had made by hand, he talked to it longingly, "Oh, [Name], aren't I your boyfriend? Why are you not with me right now?"

Then an idea struck him. Maybe he could practice! Clearing his throat, he took a few moments to compose himself before beginning, "S-S-So, [Name]. We have been d-d-dating for a while now, huh. Do-Don't you think it's time we move up to the n-n-next level?! G-G-Give your Leviachan a kiss~"

"Leviathan!" Your voice called out to him from outside, making him jump and hide the doll in haste.

"[Name]?! C-Come in."

He was so happy that you were there. With a smile meant for him, you made your appearance inside. An angel was blessing his room.

"Levi! I have something for you."

He blinked as he clutched his T shirt tightly, "O-Oh?"

All kinds of terrible thoughts passed through his head. What could it be?! Did you find his secret stack of your photos that he hid from you? Or did you find out that he...

He didn't have to think for long.

"Tada!" You scooped out mistletoe and put it on his head.

He blinked, not realising what just happened.

You grinned and wrapped your arms around his neck.

A blush rose in his cheeks, but he didn't move back. He was familiar to your touch now. "W-What are you trying to do?"

"Levi, do you remember you were muttering under your breath a few days back...?"

Mistletoe and his sad muttering? He nodded, afraid where this was going.

"I heard what you said~"

Oh no! He wanted to run away and die.

"You wanted to..."

NO IT COULDN'T BE. YOU DIDN'T HEAR IT!

"...kiss, right?"

You finally completed.

He gulped. Realising that he couldn't run away, he tried to confirm. This was his chance! "I m-m-might have."

"Do I take that as a yes?" Your heart skipped a beat as you asked. Preparing for that exact moment had taken you some days too.

Closing his eyes, he nodded for he didn't trust himself to talk.

You smiled, satisfied, and leaned closer to him, as he had seen in anime. A soft whisper escaped your lips just as they were about to meet his. "I love you, Levi."

He fidgeted in surprise, making his nose brush against yours.

"Aww haha, Levi, you are so cute."

"I... I," Levi spoke, feeling ridiculously shy. "I lo-lo-love you!!!!"

Your eyes met for a moment before he leaned closer and kissed you. His kiss was gentle, a little unsure. He stayed there for a while, longer than you would have expected. You feared that he had passed out in that position, but he pulled back just when you were about to check on him.

"That was..." He spoke, hiding his reddened face behind his hand. "EPIC!!!!! UWAAAAHHHH!!!"

You pulled him for a hug and he clutched onto you like a drowning demon.

[mae-i-scribble]

Since I am entirely too unwell about Ancient Magus Bride at all times of the day I have decided to break down the latest opening because I cannot do so for the friend I am watching season 2 with since she hasn't read the manga. Hands down this latest opening, Nemurasareta Lineage by Junna, is the best in the series to me. And I don't make that claim lightly, the first opening is iconic on so many levels from the visual to the lyrics, we ignore the 2nd opening bc it sucked (sorry to the fans out there I just do my best to pretend this one doesn't exist, no i have not moved on from my bitterness at its reused animation since 2016 next question), and season 2's first opening is also incredible.

However, what this latest opening brings to the table is some of the most spectacular visuals I've seen in a hot minute- and I don't mean from purely visual, I mean thematically, this opening is fucking spectacular. Every single moment has purpose and meaning behind it.

I will be putting the rest under a read more as to not clog anyone's dash bc this is gonna be l o n g

Starting off from the very first shot we already have so much thematic meaning crammed into this.

Firstly, the shot of Elias opening the book has many connotations, alluding to how he has read the Testament of Carnamagos while also alluding to the fact that him reading that book is ultimately what lead to this story happening at all. If Elias had never read it to try and transfer Chise's curse, Chise would not have done what she did and Elias wouldn't have learned how to let Chise be independent, and then Chise never would have gone to the college. In that respect it's a perfect opener for this "play," as it was the prelude to this act.

Then we have the next shot of Elias hanging like a puppet, showing us an empty vessel-like appearance before being pulled upwards. There are a lot of different ways to interpret this, personally it drew me back to how the Wil O' Wisp described a magus as "someone bound to their fate." Elias, a tried and true magus, is bound to his fate like a puppet on a string while Chise, someone who is not yet fully a magus is free to walk around the stage as herself. Elias' removal from the set, and subsequently the way he claps to bring forth the next "acts" in the show, I think speaks to the way he is largely removed from this arc. Of course he is there, watching over Chise and pushing her along as best he can, but he has very much taken more of a spectator role in this arc. He guides his pupil the best he can but lets her make her own choices.

Now, onto Chise's entrance.

With the college/the sorcerer's society as our stage, the protagonist enters. Chise walks in and looks around confused, just as she did when first entering the college and when she first learned of the dark politics lying underneath it. She is the only one not a part of the performance, the one factor that ultimately destroys the narrative the Sargent and the Rickenbacker families were trying to create.

At first, I thought these cardboard figures were a representation of the 7 powerful sorcerer families we are introduced to, but then I realized there were actually 8 figures so that theory is thrown out the window. This is something I'm not actually that confident in so if anyone else has interpretations I am so down to hear it. Obviously the woman in red holding the spider alludes to Lucy. The wolf next to her is most likely then the werewolf mother. The hooded man with the hammer I think can reasonably represent Isaac. While the knight beside him I honestly see as Rian (his sort of knight in shining armor attitude when it comes to Philomela, his very straight-laced straightforward view of things). The nun-like figure with the owl is mostly likely representing Philomela/Lizabeth Sargent. I can see the jester with the snake wrapped around him to be Zoey. For the last two figures though, I am absolutely stumped. The two women with the songbird remind me of Veronica, from the way she was raised up by her family to be a bird in a cage while simultaneously holding Philomela in an even smaller cage. For the family on the far right though I have absolutely nothing. However, I know there is some meaning behidn it, this opening is too packed with symbolism for it not to.

Speaking of symbolism, the sequence that follows is chalked full of it.

Elias ushers in the entrance of Philomela, trapped in her cage. The design of the cage and the flowers around it make it seem extravagant, exactly what Philomela's life might look like to someone not aware of what's really going on. But a cage is still a cage, and this one comes with a guardian owl, keeping watch over Philomela in place of actually showing Lizabeth. The toys lining the bottom are representative of one of the key moments that made Philomela realize just how tight the bars around her were- that she would never have her grandmother's love, no matter what she did.

Then we cut to moments of Philomela's childhood, again deceptively happy with what we know of Veronica and how she treated Philomela. The baby bird hatching from the egg, Philomela when she was still young and innocent and far too fragile. This association of the baby bird with Philomela also comes back later in a heartbreaking way so :')

Then Chise reaches out with the potpourri, and Philomela becomes alive. It's so fitting, in that Chise's kindness to Philomela, the understanding she has to exactly the pain Philomela is going through, is what touches Philomela so deeply, reminds her of the time where her life was not structured in this way. Chise gives her hope that it doesn't have to be, Chise pulls her out of it and gives her a perch to stand on, and it all began with one fateful meeting.

The shot we get of Chise smiling and swaying in the breeze is all too perfect, in showing that this desire for connection is mutual.

Fittingly, we then see Chise reach out to her friends one by one. Lucy and Zoe's each have a bit more meaning behind them, as we're still somewhat in the dark when it comes to Rian and Isaac's histories, but it still examplifies the ways in which Chise tries to help those around her as best she can. It also makes it abundantly clear why Philomela, and subsequently everyone else, are presented as children in this sequence: a direct reference to chapters 86-87 in which they all are mixed up due to Chise's influence and Chise goes around helping them regain themselves. It marks the turning point in which Philomela tries to take a stand against her grandmother and start believing in the people who have come to try and save her.

There is one gaping hole in this in that Zoey is in fact, not present at all in the whole mind melding thing, but I'm taking that as the animators/directors wanting to include him in this sequence as another main player. Plus the shot we get of him is very cheeking in showing a broken shell- in the way Chise figurative helped him break out of his shell and very literally revealed him to be a gorgon/human mix by accident.

In that interpretation it is also crucial to think about why Chise was kept as her teenage self and not also scaled down to baby form as in the original chapter. But overall keeping her as a teenager flows with the story of the opening itself better while still keeping those same allusions and thematics.

The next big shot to talk about is this one right here.

Many have already pointed out how it is an homage to the classical painting "The School in Athens." Which is very fitting for the college setting of this arc. More so than the reference itself, the way in which the characters are placed is so meaningful.

We have Chise in the center of it all as the catalyst of course. But we once more get that repetition of Elias as a bystander, observing the situation while remaining more in the background when it comes to Chise. Parallel to him is Lizabeth, who is similarly an outsider but with none of Elias' good nature, she is an outsider in that she wants to watch this scene burn to the ground (and probably why the choice was to then introduce a werewolf who leaps forwards on the attack, still under Lizabeth's control.)

Ruth and Alcyone are also parallel to one another, highlighted in a shot mirroring the two of them. This is interesting in that Alcyone is far more often paired with Elias when being given a point of comparison. While she is quite literally an artificial familiar, her presence is what sparks the idea that Elias might be something similar to her, and yet here she is paired with Ruth. They do have their similarities in the way they would do anything for the person they live for. A thought that struck me was in this mirroring there is also a contrast, Ruth shares his life with Chise, if he dies she is to die as well. However Alcyone's death was meant to be a way for Philomela to live- it was crucial in ensuring Philomela's freedom from her grandmother.

Also notably, Veronica is given a long, lingering shot. As a child, she is far more innocent looking, but the shot stays just a moment too long, as if trying to confirm the suspicions surrounding her (which manga readers will know are true). We also have Jasmine and Violet prominently featured, a very interesting choice considering how little a role they play in this arc, but I feel that current suspicions about how they will have a large role in the upcoming arc might be supported by their presence here. There actually isn't much to say about the shots with the werewolf and our first glimpse of how the show portrays the Testament as it gains a physical form.

While gorgeous there's just not much to say about them from an analytical standpoint. Besides for the way in which everyone is turned back into their play forms upon being killed, as if that was their original fate before Chise's interference with the story.

We then see Chise look devastated, the carnage of her dead friends behind her on the stage. It truly captures just how terrified she is of losing people she cares for. But then she looks at the thorn rune- plot relevant in the way her rune charms protected her friends from being killed. But it's also Elias' symbol, and yet another reminder of how he is still watching over and protecting her throughout all of this. It's only after she activates the magic that she looks up, determined to carry on and change this fate.

The start of our final action sequence for this opening is a bang, giving us this chaotic shot.

We see both bits of the classical painting and of our original stage figures being tossed around in the background referencing how the Testament literally rips its way through both the college itself and the students/teachers there. It also, notably, is not contained within the story, instead existing on the same plane as Chise. It's a being far too powerful to be contained in such a way, so it makes perfect sense for it not to be confined to the theatrical setting of this opening.

The next flash of shots is perhaps one of the most hearbreaking ones in this entire opening. First we're shown Philomela and her grandmother, then we cut to this:

Y'all the layers to this, the l a y e r s. We've already seen this bird represent Philomela in the opening itself as a hatchling. However the adult form of this bird is exactly the same as what Alcyone's base is, it is the only thing remaining once Alcyone dies. However we see all 3 stages of life here, lying dead on the ground. The Sargent family is a family of abusive cycles. Lizabeth passes down her abuse to her son, having been doomed to this path from the moment she was born. It's Adam who tries to break the cycle but ultimately fails, choosing to end his own life rather than return. This dooms his baby daughter to the same fate, nearly killing her as well. It's Alcyone, the last remaining gift Philomela has from her father and the one way he thought of to keep her safe even if he was gone. It's both about the cycles and about how they are broken and how Philomela will never truly escape the violence of the family she was born into, even after her grandmother is gone. This is then followed by the 1 picture of her parents that Philomela tries so hard to remember but cannot. Anyways I am going to be physically ill, next.

While the last sequence is just a build up to the final fight (cool as fuck but again, not much to say analytically), I do want to point out that when the Testament pulls in all the surrounding settings, it pulls in both the theatrical characters and the actual representations of Chise's friends with them. Which is such a cool little detail my jaw in on the fucking floor.

And after a brilliantly animated scene of Chise running to try and save Philomela from the jaws of this monster, everything abruptly comes to a close. Leaving us unsure of whether or not Philomela was truly saved, as the last set piece to fall away is that gilded cage, the angle making it unclear if Philomela is still inside before our title card appears. The quiet, peaceful shot of the classroom the title lingers over in favor of the chilling set pieces of the opening before it is an excellent place to end, leaving that sense of urgency and notions of the sinister lying in wait at the college.

All of this, and I haven't even touched on the lyrics- which I won't do so here. I am not a qualified translator and frankly this post is long enough as it is. It isn't as if this opening needs anything else to explain how fucking fantastic it is- the visuals themselves are stunning on a level few openings are these days. Not only does it tie into already existing thematics of the show, not only does it go through plot points we have seen and those yet to come in unique and engaging ways, the opening *itself* brings forth its own thematic reading of the college arc and Chise's place in it while telling its own story of events. Truly a masterclass piece of animation all around.

[chutkiandchotte]

IPKKND Enneagram: Arnav Singh Raizada

Enneagram Type: 8 (The Challenger)

The Powerful, Dominating Type: Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational

Arnav is strongly influenced by his basic type, with minimal wing influences from 7 and 9. Hence, I classify him as a pure Type 8, also called The Challenger or The Protector.

All gifs in this post are NOT by me, they're made by the these amazing people - @loveubarunsobti @phati-sari @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @arziaisfrench (also individually credited below each gif)

(if any of the folks above wish to have their gifs taken off this post, pls let me know, I'll do that!)

Here are some fun facts about type 8s. Tell me if it sounds familiar.

Basic Fear: Being controlled or harmed by others

Basic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own destiny)

At their best: Self- mastering, they use their strength to improve others' lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and inspiring. Caring, generous, and highly competent.

At their worst: Vengeful, ruthless, dictatorial, destructive, emotionally shut off. Use any means, including blackmail or violence, to get obedience from those around them, and recklessly over extend themselves in pursuit of their goals.

(Sidenote: I didn't paraphrase any of this...its taken verbatim from various sites...did the IPK makers refer to Enneagram type 8 when writing Arnav??? lol)

Understanding Arnav's Core Personality as an 8

As their name suggests, 8s love challenges. This is where they shine, this is what they enjoy. Arnav completely embodies this - he thrives when he is fighting to prove himself, loves setting challenges for others, and admires those who manage to compete at his level. I mean, this is basically the entirety of Arshi's courtship lmao.

Another one of Arnav's most 8-esque qualities is that he is a tremendously charismatic leader with a natural tendency towards taking charge and the innate ability to inspire people to follow him. 8s act quickly and decisively in stressful situations, seeking out logical, practical solutions, and taking charge of dealing with troubles. Hence, they often become the rock to cling on to in tough times. They are willing to take the heat for unpopular decisions that they judge to be right. Full of natural confidence, resourceful thinking and common sense, they strive to use their abilities to take care of everyone dependent on them. If they are the head of a family, fairly looking after everyone's needs is important to them. All of this is why he is the Raizada HBIC when he has like 5 elders in line before him. It's not just about the fact that he is AR Designs CEO/billionaire. The Raizadas implicitly trust him to take the right decisions for them because he has proved to be a worthy leader in crisis periods.

At the same time, a source of great annoyance for his family is another of his classic type 8 qualities - 8s do not fear public opinions and can easily defy disapproval if necessary. They will refuse to give in to social conventions that do not suit them, with zero shame or fear of consequences, which can seem inspiring, intimidating, or even infuriating, depending on where you stand lol.

Also like a typical 8, he is extremely ambitious and has impressive willpower which drives him to set, and usually achieve, big goals for himself. Be it his professional ambitions (successful) or his idiotic commitment to fighting his feelings for Khushi (vv unsuccesful; try again next time).

Arnav's shares both of the core fears of an 8. First, he fears being harmed by others. This doesn't imply Arnav is a coward who runs from a physical fight...the opposite. In fact, 8s have tremendous physical endurance, to the point where they are often harmfully negligent of their own health. Arnav has shown this trait repeatedly - the hot tea incident, the multiple times he fainted due to neglect etc etc. So Arnav's fear of harm is not about physical blows but more to do with emotional harm, specifically betrayal or abandonment. 8s absolutely hate the idea of being emotionally dependent on any one and often construct strong emotional armours to push people away and hide their paradoxical inner emotional vulnerability. Ummm...yeah. The turning his head away to hide his face any time a conversation with Anjali (or later Khushi) enters remotely emotional territory. How he makes it a point of pride that Arnav Singh Raizada NEVER says "sorry" or "happy birthday". And of course, the MANY times the extent of his passion towards Khushi freaks him out and he responds by pushing her away by any means possible.

Their second fear is that 8s are terrified of giving any one any power over them - be it social, psychological, sexual or physical. No matter what their sphere of life, retaining and increasing their power is extremely important to them. And Arnav is absolutely obsessed with power and control especially in the romantic/sexual/emotional realm. The most obvious example of this, of course, is how he seeks out romantic relationships that allow him to be minimally emotionally engaged, and where he has much of the control. After the first break up with Lavanya, his indifferent reaction may seem cold and almost cruel to us (and Khushi lol) but from his perspective, that's exactly his ideal relationship - where he remains totally unaffected by being dumped and his heart isn't involved at all. And then OF COURSE his entire relationship with Khushi is defined by this fear. So many of his actions in the show are motivated by a deep fear of the sheer intensity of what Khushi, the girl he is supposed to look down on/ignore/hate, makes him feel.

He is triggered as all hell whenever Khushi proves her totally unconscious power over him (physical or emotional). Such as Diwali when the feelings he has for her almost made him cheat, an action that is abhorrent to him and he is staggered, HORRIFIED by this fact. How does he react? By doing his DAMNDEST to re-exert a measure of control over the situation. The tremendous anger he feels there comes from a place of absolute fear at his loss of control because of the Khushi feelings. Her questions about the poolside moment and the payal highlight to him just how much power she has over him and how close she is to discovering it. And he launches his campaign of trying to "win" over those feelings, trying to erase them and revert to a position of absolute indifference to her and control over himself and his surroundings. Trying to double down on his commitment to the "safe" relationship with Lavanya, one that doesn't threaten his emotional safety one bit, that keeps his heart safe and sound locked away in a dungeon somewhere. Its an absolutely classic type 8 move to pursue a course of action that is not only harmful to others, but also to your own self and in opposition to your other priorities, just so you can prove a point to yourself about control control control. He does NOT believe in marriage or want to be married, certainly not to Lavanya; he doesn't want to be rude to and hurt Khushi and doing so hurts him also; he feels pain when she thinks badly of him or cries due to him - YET - he commits to this very course. He chooses to prioritize his ego, his need for control, over all other considerations, including his own happiness and peace of mind. While on this trip, the utmost need in his mind is to prove that those feelings for Khushi DO NOT control him, even if that means he keeps making choices that are deeply emotionally painful for him and everyone around him.

And if he can't erase or control the feelings, well, at the very least, NO ONE, least of all Khushi, the dangerous wielder of that scary power, should know any thing about them. That's why he does everything to push her away, down to hurling at her that IT DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING. The gentleman doth protest too much.

This reading can be applied to so many of Arnav's actions, especially some of the cruellest ways he lashes out at Khushi when she has done nothing (at that moment) to really earn it. Like during the contract marriage, he is tortured by the fact that no matter how hard he tries, how much he intellectually loathes her, emotionally, he still feels concern for her. She betrayed him! The worst happened - his worst fear came true - he gave someone power over him and they used it to hurt him emotionally - and he can't even escape the cycle of pain, he has to live in it, every day he has to content with the fact that he harbours intense feelings that keep growing against his will for this traitorous person. It is a nightmare situation for an 8.

The more she starts affecting his mental, emotional and physical reactions in ways that shock him, the more triggered he gets and the more he either pushes her away or pulls her into toxic power games. This is his classic pattern from early on in their whatever-ship, from the increasingly unhinged office challenges post the red sari scene, to the farak padta hai games, to forcing her to marry him, to the entirety of the contract marriage.

It's also because of these core fears that 8s dislike any type of manipulative or lying behaviour. They do not appreciate being made a fool of or being emotionally blackmailed and will immediately be extremely suspicious of any outsider who attempts such things with them. The reason is that they ARE very vulnerable to emotional manipulation from loved ones - so they want to ensure they don't let people in who would take advantage of this weakness.

Arnav as a Stressed/Unhealthy 8

After the first Lavanya break up, Khushi hits a little too close to the truth when she asks Arnav "did you ever even love her at all? are you that heartless?" and Arnav's responds (in essence) "yes, I am heartless, and everything that has happened proved me right. love is a stupid illision and causes nothing but pain, we're better off without it". This is a CLASSIC unhealthy 8 that is totally blocked in his ability to love. Because love requires vulnerability and giving the other person power over you, which contradicts their basic drive for emotional autonomy. An unhealthy 8 is dominated by their core fears and that stops them from experiencing or expressing love in a healthy way.

An 8's hard working and ambitious nature, combined with their emotionally distant tendencies makes them prone to being workaholics and emotionally negligent. This can lead to dissatisfaction and complaints of neglect amongst loved ones. We saw Anjali complain about this multiple times, but it really hits home with Khushi post the kidnapping. After calling her the biggest mistake of his life, all he had to do was say sorry, I love you, I want to stay married to you forever, and Khushi would have forgiven and forgotten everything in an instant. His silence on the matter combined with his emotionally distant/volatile actions fans her insecurities to the point that she first attempts to, and then leaves. This breach is eventually healed only when they are able to have an honest, emotionally vulnerable communication about the nature of his feelings for her and their marriage (this is what the pearl necklace scene is supposed to be - there wasn't much verbal conversation but you know what I mean lol).

The funny thing is, underneath all that emotional coldness, 8s have a potent fear of rejection and abandonment. Subsequently, they are sensitive to any such indicators of dissatisfaction in loved ones. They hate to feel that a loved one is dissatisfied with them or misunderstanding them. This kicks in their fear that they have lost control of the situation - they may be about to be rejected and can do nothing about it. When in an unhealthy space, where they are still ruled by their core fears, they often react by resorting to bullying behaviours to assert their dominance and control over the situation. Even once Arnav, to a degree, accepts his feelings for Khushi, he still choses to woo her through "challenges" (the 24 hour track), blackmail (Buaji's house rent) and threats (I'll pick you up and take you with me if needed Khushi!). It's still extremely difficult for him to be emotionally vulnerable and communicative and leave himself open to being rejected. He prefers power games and challenges. He wants all the cards to always be in his hands.

Stressed 8s often become secretive, fearful, and guarded in their behaviours. The most terrifying thing an 8 can imagine is not merely to be cheated in love - it's to be cheated in love and then have that loved one mockingly laugh at their "victory" over them. I think Arnav does fear confronting Khushi about Shyam because, among other reasons, he can't face it if she also does a turn face like Shyam and starts a villain monologue laughing at him. He definitely knows they had some kind of flirtationship during the Payash wedding and he now believes that was her manipulating him in order to distract him - and it would be torturous to hear this confirmed from her mouth.

It's not just in the love/romance arena that Arnav's unhealthy 8 traits manifest. The Arnav we see in the beginning might be tremendously successful but he isn't exactly a mature, evolved professional. His extreme egoistic behaviour is proof of this. 8s often build up their ego as a defence against the world, becoming extremely sensitive to "slights" to their authority or self-respect. Combative and intimidating to anyone they perceive as a threat, they can become increasingly hard-hearted and cruel in a quest to retain power and "win" against threats. This is ASR at his worst.

Arnav's Journey to a Healthy 8

Khushi's love for him AND his love for her, plays a huge role in Arnav's journey to healing. 8s feel most content and secure when a loved one knows them, and accepts them unconditionally, as they are, no qualification or complaints; they are happiest with a partner, and a family, that has an instinctive understanding of their actions, their feelings, their motivations, without them having to say any of it out loud.

This is why Khushi's words "I know (that you love me) (you don't have to say it)" - both after he apologizes and before they consummate their relationship - hold so much meaning, and affect him so deeply. This is the assurance that he craves, someone who innately just gets him.

Arnav's decision making process on his second wedding day truly embody the moves of a healing 8. Healthy 8s who have overcome their deepest fears, can recognize their paranoia for what it is. They move towards devaluing the importance of "power" and "control" especially in their personal life and make a conscious choice to prioritize real needs (their own and others) over their ego or their fears. Arnav choses love over hatred, hope over fear, and that's an 8 stepping into their best self.

Evolved 8s are open-hearted and caring; they channel the best of their abilities to become passionate yet generous, resourceful yet empathetic, and authoritative yet honourable; a true leader worth following.

Wings - 7 or 9?

Like I said earlier, I classify Arnav as a purer type 8 with minimal influence of his wings. However, between the two, I would say he has a greater influence of his "9" wing than "7" wing.

The 7 wing adds a taste for experiencing life to the fullest and a gregarious, extroverted, risk-taking side to an 8s personality. I considered 8w7 for Arnav because I do think he has a taste for the finer things in life, he has a powerful charismatic aura, and is comfortable with taking risks; but ultimately I discounted it because I don't think any one in their right mind could call him "extroverted" or "gregarious" in the slightest. I also don't think he is experience-oriented like a 8w7 would be, his ambitions are more concerned with his own business, his family, and his power, not with "living life to the fullest".

The 9 wing too does not appear to be a great fit at first glance - 9s are pretty much the opposite of 8s, being peaceful, conflict-avoidant and complacent. These aren't words I associate with ASR lol. Yet, this is what I chose ultimately. The 9 wing supposedly adds a soothing, family-oriented effect to the dominating and wilful 8 personality. Arnav is definitely very family-oriented. Additionally unhealthy 8w9s often exhibit an almost scary duality - a calm, gentle nature with loved ones and then an aggressive mode when faced with threats, at work, etc. ASR/Chotte/Arnavji. Rakshas/Rajkumar. And remember Khushi's comically shocked face when she saw ASR-at-home avatar for the first time?

Early days office Arnav reminds me a lot of 8w9s. 8w9s often combine indifference with aggression, often employing cold, depersonalized violence to exert control over others. Behind their calm and seemingly emotionless demeanour hides an explosive and unpredictable temper. Check and check.

Consider the name of the 8w9: The Bear. Aggressive and scary to outsiders, cuddly with their loved ones. Firm and decisive, but also measured and cooperative. Isn't that Arnav? Especially the Arnav we are left with at the end of the show? I believe Arnav started out a strong 8 with a slight 9 wing influence, but as he matured over time, his natural tendency for the 9 wing also developed in a healthy manner, and he became calmer, more accommodating, more openly loving.

[jadeazora]

A new Message from the Masters Team is out now!

Lear is our Lodge Pair for this month starting Oct1, but you'd have to recruit him from his Hoops Scout banner first:

New battles in the Battle Rally and Secret Titles will also be added Oct1.

The Academy Founding Chapter event will be added Sept30! It will take a new approach to story and lore!

Overviews for Giacomo and Clavell!

Giacomo & Kingambit are a Dark-type Strike Sync Pair, with the Tech EX Role. Their Perfect Kowtow Cleave Buddy Move can attack all opponents and gets more powerful the more Giacomo & Kingambit's Sync Move ↑ Next effect is increased. It also attacks while ignoring the target's Passive Skills that would reduce its damage, Passive Skills that would protect the target against a critical hit, and the target's Enduring effect. One of their Passive Skills increases their Sync Move ↑ Next effect by a number of ranks equal to the number of Pokémon that have taken damage when an ally takes damage from an opponent, and their Spin You Up Good! Trainer Move can increase their Sync Move ↑ Next effect by two ranks.

Clavell & Quaquaval are a Water-type Sprint Sync Pair. Their EX Role is Field. Their Liquidation Dance Buddy Move can attack all opponents, gets powered up the more their Speed is raised, and its power is not lowered even if there are multiple targets. Using it removes all of their Speed increases, but they can raise their Speed by one stat rank by using their Aqua Step Move. Also, a Passive Skill of theirs doubles stat increases when their Pokémon raises an ally's stat with a move, so you can boost their Speed over and over and use their Buddy Move!

Special Monthly Event Happy Prize Box will begin on Oct1! In this event, you'll pull from the Prize Box using Happy Prize Box Coins that you can earn from the Log-in Bonus held during the event or from daily battles to earn rewards. The grand prize for Pool 6 of the Prize Box is a Fair-Exclusive Scout Ticket. You can use this ticket to team up with either Sygna Suit Wally & Gardevoir, Sygna Suit Morty & Ho-Oh, Elesa (Classic) & Emolga, Sygna Suit Cynthia & Kommo-o, Marnie & Morpeko, or Sygna Suit Red & Charizard from a Scout guaranteed!

Early to mid-October will see the return of the Alola Chapter Villain Event, as well as a Legendary Gauntlet, an Ultimate Battle addition, and a new Solo Event.

And the part that's going to go over oh sp great with the fanbase, especially after how unpopular this anniversary was: The update for late October will introduce a new strengthening method for some Sync Pairs. Once a Sync Pair has reached 5/5, you'll be able to upgrade them up to five additional levels. Up to the fourth of these five additional levels, there will be fixed boosts for each Role, such as stat increases and power-ups for Moves, Sync Moves, and Max Moves. The fifth level has one fixed Passive Skill for each Sync Pair.

This update is currently planned to be an enhancement for Fair-Exclusive Sync Pairs. It will be applied to new Fair-Exclusive Sync Pairs that debut from late October onward, as well as to all existing Fair-Exclusive Sync Pairs in three installments: in late October, late November, and late December.

[aikoiya]

Yan!Silco x Yan!Fem!Assassin Reader Who Absolutely Adores Him

Inspired by @sunshine-for-serotonin's "Silco with an S/O who genuinely adores him."

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Yandere Silco with Fem!Assassin Reader who absolutely adores Silco & dotes on him, being very affectionate with both him & Jinx.

Not obtrusively or overly saccharinely so or in any way that would imply that he has weakness. At least, not in public anyway. Rather, she's careful to behave in ways that show him as being powerful & in charge while making her appear weak. Will often discretely place her hand on his shoulder or arm & give him a light squeeze to show she's there when she notices that he needs reassurance.

She looks delicate & defenseless, the Industrialist's cute little arm candy. Often compared to a porcelain doll. But was in reality trained from birth to be an assassin like Black Widow, just without the operation to remove her womb.

Silco had been one of the clients her handler took, & the instant he saw her standing there, he knew that she had to be his. So, after she completed the hit, (it took nary a day & there was no evidence or witnesses) Silco later comes back, kills her handler, & takes her for himself.

The first real affection she'd ever gotten in her life was from Silco & she was instantly addicted to it. She's desperate to keep him loving her.

Is always wearing hair sticks that are actually needles that she uses like daggers. Will gladly kill anyone who threatens Silco or Jinx.

Has Spiderman levels of parkour & freerunning skills. With Assassin's Creed levels of stealth.

Knows ballet due to having been taught at a young age as ballet teaches absolute body control.

Has a great deal of knowledge in toxicology & toxinology as a result of her profession & actually very much enjoys making her own poisons.

Despite her short & sweet outside, she's a regular hellcat in a fight. Literally. Absolutely vicious, yet cold as ice. Fights with poison-laced nails or her hair sticks. Moves like a cat too. Cannot be caught unless taken completely by surprise. Will literally rip a man's ear off with her teeth!

Also knows her way around a sniper rifle or crossbow when necessary, but prefers her knives & nails.

Has intimate knowledge of all the body's weak points & can kill you faster than you can blink. Quick & without ceremony. They won't even realize that they're dead before they're facedown in their own blood.

Is secretly Silco's second to last line of defense, his goons being his first, Sevika being the next, then there's Reader, & finally Silco himself.

Frankly, she terrifies Sevika.

—

She always takes note of when Silco is overworked, stressed, hasn't eaten, is insecure, or just has a headache & goes out of her way to pamper him in ways that help him relax & feel better.

Scalp massages for headaches. Easy to eat & mess-less, yet delicious & healthy sandwiches when he's working. Or full delicious meals (namely his favorites) to coax him away from work for a moment for a small break. Refilling his coffee when it's low (always done just how he likes it).

She didn't initially know how to cook, but was determined to be of service to Silco as best she could as that was all she'd ever known. So, she began reading cook books & learning all she could from Silco's minions who actually know how. (Who are too scared of the boss killing them to deny her requests.)

Back massages after being hunched over in a chair all day, getting all the knots out. Body worship with whispered adoration & praise when insecure (which doesn't happen often, but it does happen on occasion), especially in the places that he's most insecure about. Specifically, the scarred side of his face. She is decidedly not scared of his scars & actually finds him devilishly handsome, even rogueish without his cover up.

Holding him tight when he has nightmares. Rubbing circles into his back & whispering that she was there into his ear.

When he's struggling with something, she makes herself available to him emotionally. Always willing to talk things out, but if he doesn't want to talk about it, she'll just sit there quietly with him, holding his hand as he processes his emotions. Just letting him know that she's there.

Baths where she washes his hair & back, massaging his scalp & back thoroughly. If he's working too late into the night & there is no deadline for the work, she'll coax him away with promises of sex by either getting up behind him & sucking/kissing his neck, whispering in his ear all the dirty things she'll do to him or what she wants him to do to her or walks in wearing a trench before letting it fall to show lingerie underneath. (As an assassin, she's had to seduce both men & women at times in order to get close to them & kill them. Though, Silco was the first person that she's ever actually wanted to be with in such a capacity. Thus, he means quite a lot to her.)

Doesn't mind wearing sexy little numbers or roleplaying for him because she figures that if she does this for him, then he's obligated to indulge her in her kinks later. (It took a lot of trial & error for her to learn what all she enjoyed. Pegging is always fun, though it took a while for Silco to be okay with giving her so much control. She actually got a magical tattoo over her womb that creates a solid magic phallus that she can actually feel through for one of her missions before Silco. -Don't ask.- It also took her a while to understand that she was allowed to ask for things from him too as she'd never been in anything even resembling an equal relationship. All her experience was as a slave who did what she was told.)

For more on the magic strap, go here:

If he needs her to top, she does so (a switch by nature & a service top who's default is gentle & reverent unless he urges her to be rougher, then will go as hard as he wants; in such a situation, she is either a top, whether via riding or pegging, or as a power bottom). Doesn't mind it if he decides that he needs her to cockwarm him while he finishes work. Will just embrace him & relax against his chest as she places soft, sweet kisses to his neck & shoulder as he finishes his paperwork. Is more than okay with indulging in his kinks so long as they aren't absolutely disgusting (which, luckily, none of them are). Is even willing to indulge in knifeplay or choking or play the part of a dominitrix (bdsm, dom/sub, bondage, degridation, whipping, ect) so long as it doesn't go too far. The last thing she wants is to legitimately harm him, but also understands that some people get a kick outta pain.

Reader often helps organize Silco's paperwork when there's too much of it by order of importance & urgency, while grouping together duplicates or multiples with the same basic issues (letting him know about them before throwing the extras away just in case she missed something) & complaints. As well as condensing reports. Just overall streamlining things for him. (She started doing all of this on her own just to help him however she could.)

---

In this situation, I could see Darling sitting on Silco's lap during meetings with a book, even in Chem-Baron meetings. Sorry, that's simply her seat now. You're just gonna have to deal with it.

She is tremendously intelligent, a mistress of Hellstromism (reading a person's thoughts via observing their facial ticks & body language), interrogation, & torture, & when she wants to make an observation in a meeting that no one else seems to have really considered or some other frankly enlightening contribution to the conversation or even the fact that one of the other Barons was hiding something, she'll lean up & whisper it into Silco's ear rather than alerting the rest of the Barons. But even in those situations, she doesn't divert her attention away from either Silco or the book in her hands even while quietly observing everyone in the room.

Only really noticeably looks at the other members of those meetings to glare at them in a way that makes them feel like insects.

She also quickly notices when Silco begins to get frustrated in these meetings & in those moments, gently kisses his cheek or jaw or temple while she caresses the other cheek. Never shying away from his scar.

It never fails to calm him down & ground him.

Always wears a steampunk dress that matches his suit in color scheme to Chem-Baron meetings & can always be seen wearing a leather choker with a gold heart & Silco's signature engraved into the metal.

It all sends a clear message. One that very loudly says, 'I'm Silco's. Do not touch under pain of death a/o dismemberment.'

She has this thing about reciprocal ownership & also has a tattoo of Silco's signature over her heart. If Silco has one of hers over his own heart, is absolutely ecstatic about it.

If he calls her 'his,' will confirm with 'yours' before asking 'mine?' If he reciprocates, confirming that 'yes, he's hers too,' then she'll practically croon into his kiss.

Also likes it when Silco uses possessive pet names such as 'my kitten' or 'my treasure' or 'my pet' or 'my pearl' or 'my doll' or even 'my queen' for her & she tends to use them for him herself. Things like, 'my king' or 'my love' or 'my darling.'

There's definitely a lot of co-dependency going on in this relationship.

Adores Jinx & enjoys listening to her babble on about her inventions. Eager to give her own input when appropriate. Seems to know how to handle the girl in a way that even Silco really doesn't at times. Is very kind, calm, & motherly with the girl. Has big mom energy.

Helps Silco to administer his medicine whenever Jinx is busy. Holds him close when he seizes from the pain, nuzzling & kissing his throat.

Will also seamlessly step into his spot of ruthless business owner when he needs a break. Is normally sweet & demure, but it's like a switch is flipped & she becomes this cold, calculating queenpin. Still seems sweet, but in a passive-aggressive way, her edges suddenly far sharper & unusually threatening for a woman her size. She can actually handle most anything that Zaun or Piltover can throw at her with steel in her bones, she just prefers her life as Silco's cute little housewife.

Just very dedicated to taking care of her man & their daughter, making sure they're both happy & healthy. (Which includes helping Jinx come to terms with her past trauma & become a well-adjusted individual. As well as how to value people as more than toys to be played with until they're broken, then thrown away.)

Loves Jinx dearly, but quickly takes on the role of 'responsible parent' because it becomes very obvious, very quickly that Silco is very soft on the girl & literally lets her get away with murder. So, Reader takes on the dubious duty of being Mrs. Tough Love, in charge of real serious talk. Never oversteps the line, but definitely nudges it. Is really serious about this role & often reads parenting books. Is careful to never be cruel about it.

Also teaches Jinx how to fight both hand-to-hand, with a knife, or brass knuckles just in case she's ever without her guns or bombs. Gifted her with a pair of fingerless shooting gloves with metal knuckle studs. Would rip apart anyone who hurt the girl with her bare hands.

If anyone ever tries to kidnap Reader & hold her for ransom against Silco, she'll, 9 times out of 10, end up walking back home on her own covered in her captor's blood before the kingpin even has the chance to do anything, as though she hadn't just committed a massacre. Might even end up meeting up with him as he's searching for her. Always brings back a trophy, which tends to be something her captor held dear that's also small enough to carry with her.

Gifts it to Silco as an apology for having been stolen from him.

---

Reader is innately a non-materialistic person & most things she wants tend to have some sort of utility or purpose, whether for herself or for her family. She's used to living a very spartan lifestyle, so it takes time for her to begin indulging in things. Even then, most superfluous things she becomes interested in will either help her to help Silco, is really something that Silco will like (such as lingerie), or reminds her of Silco or Jinx in some way.

She does have a fascination with stealth weapons & jewelry that have a utilitarian use. Things like her hair stick weapons or shoes with blades in the heels or earrings that function as 2-way radios or charm bracelets with charms she can remove & throw to the ground & they turn out to be smoke bombs or flash bangs or a bracelet that unfolds into a wrist-mounted mini-crossbow. Things like that.

Has also begun to learn pharmacology & various other medical studies for fear of her new family getting hurt or becoming ill.

Is quickly becoming skilled in biochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, & alchemy as a result. (Revived Silco after Jinx shot him at the end of season 1.)

Has discovered that she enjoys gardening & cultivates plants that are useful for poison making, alchemy, medicine, or cooking.

Is an immaculate strategist & has a natural inclination for noticing cause & effect. As such, she has a tendency to see the long-term consequences of Silco's plans when he simply doesn't see the full scope at times. Such as the long-term consequences that Shimmer will have on Zaun & its people, as well as Zaun's incoming economic collapse should the city not find any other products to trade besides Shimmer.

As such, she alerts him to those consequences without making him feel like she's criticizing or degrading him.

Because of this, she recommended that he hire people to scour Runeterra for phytoremedial & cave-dwelling plants, including crops, to try & alleviate this oversight.

She & Silco enjoy playing chess. In the beginning, Reader would let him win until he noticed & requested that she no longer do so. She then began crushing him at the game. This resulted in Silco slowly becoming more skilled over time until they became pretty even skillwise. Now, the outcome is pretty even between Silco, Reader, & tie.

---

It's just been brought to my attention that the Reader in this is kinda yandere herself &, honestly, they're right.

I suppose that Silco & Reader's relationship in this is supposed to be a lot like salt. In that salt is a benign compound made by combining 2 toxic elements, sodium (Na) & chloride (Cl). Don't know which represents which, but c'est la vie!

In this way, their combined yandere-ness sort of cancels each other out? Or, at least, that's what I'm going for here.

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How would Silco react to all of this do ya'll think?

Anyone who wants to tackle this is more than welcome to!

Just be sure to tag or link me!

[rjcopeseethemald]

Responding to a few times Elsie tagged me for tag games because I haven't responded to them at all before

(also guess who's back into posting)

Whoops, sorry @elsie-writes, it appears I've accidentally ignored every tag game you've tagged me for. All of them over several months ago. Better late than never though!

Below are responses for a Character Voice Tag, OC in 15, and Find the Word:

Character Voice Tag

My line: "Is it supposed to be green?"

Lia: "Hey, is that thing supposed to be green? Lioko: "Uhh... guys? There's this, uh– green thing, and I'm not sure if it's supposed to be green or not!" Maiolo*: "That's supposed to be green, right? This'd be a bad time for me to start going colorblind..." Hydrogen: "Hang on..." Adjusts their eyes... then adjusts them again.... "Is that thing supposed to appear green like that?

*Originally named Miilo and then Maiilo before I settled on Maiolo.

For this one, I'll tag @eccaiia, @melpomene-grey, @vesyl, @elmachetecriollo, and leave it open! Your line is "We have to get the power back on." or, if your setting doesn't have electricity, "We have to get it working again.""

OC in 15: Hydrogen

A lot of people seem to love Hydrogen, so I'll sample 15 of their lines for you all:

The wisp slowed down in mid-air and floated towards the re- emerging twins, but stopped briefly to glance at the massive hole in the wall. “Oh,” they said, only mildly taken at all. “I told the novices to keep their sparring outside…. Anyway!"

“So! Am I to assume the age of the Cadrian Empire is long gone? –Actually, I’m taking your near total confusion as a ‘yes’–”

“[Crafting] the stars?” Lioko repeated, incomprehension in his voice. “How’s that not godlike?” “Oh, they were going to form anyway,” Hydrogen dismissed, with a several little waves of their hand. “I just made the first few. It took me a million years for each one, several failed attempts, and I can’t even do anything larger than those boring red ones that just…” they rippled their fingers in the air. “–fizzle out.”

“Okay, this is great and all,” Lioko interposed. “But… how can we trust you?” “It’s simple!” Hydrogen giggled. “You can’t!”

“Oh, I’ve got thirteen billion years on both of you. I know full well how suspicious my whole… deal– might sound,”

“This world is not mine to hold dominion over. I'm an Elemental! Not a supreme being!” said Hydrogen. “…So, anyways: May I accompany you home? Or shall I be relegated to waiting outside?”

“You know, Hydrogen…” said Lia, cracking an appreciative smile. “I like the way you think.” “Well, now you’d just be making me blush if I was able,” they quipped.

“Sleep really is the most… unnecessary necessity, isn’t it?” said Hydrogen, not looking away from the sky. “Yeah, I guess it is,” Lia answered, hoisting herself all the way up onto the roof. “Hmm… sorry about that,” they quipped, holding their hand outstretched and shutting one eye. “Blame… the laws of physics, or something.”

“Why even get so close to us humans in the first place?” asked Lia. “You’re so… far above us, on a basic level.” “On a basic level, maybe,” Hydrogen answered, pushing off the roof to float cross-legged in the air. “But I don’t consider myself to be above you. I’ve got feelings, too; I’m far from perfect; and I have opinions and tastes. Sure, I might be– well– me, but really; that’s where our differences end. And, you could still learn to mimic a sizable fraction of our power. Not so far above you now, hmm?”

“Well, of course I’m willing to guard you against threats to your lives,” Hydrogen clarified. “Just… don’t personally ask me to kill anyone.”

“Might I remind you that atomancy can give you parity with regular weapons,” Hydrogen imparted, floating down from the driver’s bench. “Yes, even these fancy new ones.... I talked with the village toolsmith, they’re not that impressive.”

When dawn broke the next day, Hydrogen was right there on the kitchen windowsill, casually lying back in waiting. They had a pleasant little smile on their face, a look of satisfaction or contentment. “You’re finally awake!” they greeted, flitting up into the air. “I’ve been wanting to tell you the good news since midnight.”

“Well, let me just say, I’m delighted there’s some Elemental already doing this!” Hydrogen responded, bouncing up to float at eye level.

A titanic golden eagle– whose feathers appeared to be made of real gold– landed on the steps. Hydrogen was like a mouse to him. “Well!” said Hydrogen, recovering back to a standing float. “You’re certainly new!"

“Ah. Hydrogen, you’re back,” said Bromine. “What did you find?” “A lot,” Hydrogen answered, frankly. “But that’s all I’m going to say!” they tried to lighten up once more.

For this one, I'll tag @lanawritesalittle, @late-to-the-fandom, @oh-no-another-idea, @njnetails, and leave it open

Find the Word Tag

My words: Blonde, Hall, Know, Drug, Girl Blonde:

And– the early hour had almost made [Sandrine] forget– regulation dictated that long hair belonged in a single bun. She quickly consolidated her platinum blonde locks at the back of her head into a swirling sort of shape, and with that, headed off towards the Joint Command building.

Hall:

Molau’s seat of government was quite meager in comparison to the Visselan House of Congress, but the Assembly Hall made do with what it had.

Know:

“Atomic fusion!” Hydrogen proclaimed, sheathing their sword with a little spinning trick. “Only a few Elementals’ atoms are light enough for it. And… want to know the best part?” Lioko went “Wait, uh–” but not before Lia could jump in with “–Ooh, tell us!”

Drug:

No instances

Girl:

“Police!” the irate Visselan shouted over to the J. Miller building, catching the attention of a couple loitering officers. “That Native girl and her brother stole my dyes three months ago!”

Sending this one out to @mk-writes-stuff, @eddie-roo, @marlowiswriting, @moonsbetween, and leaving it open; Your words are Head, Hunt, Silence, Steal, and Witness.

This was fun, and hopefully I'll keep my word and get back into posting! And please remember that all tags are no pressure!

[starcrossedyanderes]

Let’s get fluffy! Bathing with s/o headcanons for our Rygel

Imagine after the blurb!

One of the benefits of being with Rygel is the fact how scientifically advanced his people are. The pursuit of knowledge is what drives his species to conquer so much. In other words, they have done all the research and have figured out how to optimize relaxation, including baths.

Although you are admittedly one of the first humans they’ve had to study when it comes to relaxation levels, it shouldn’t be hard to calibrate it to your liking.

They actually have ships dedicated solely to be spas, but Rygel has his own full set of amenities in his personal quarters on his preferred ship.

Although many of his people take sonic showers, they also have the ability to take regular showers and baths. Rygel personally made sure his quarters have these options, but made sure to essentially install a giant jacuzzi for you.

The other nice thing about Rygel? His psychokinesis. This means he can touch you all over, without lifting a finger. Which means he gives the best massages. His ability to essentially read your mind/body allows him to make adjustments for your comfort, before you even know you want something to change. Ok, ok, here’s like an actual scenario.

~|~

“Starlight, I’m picking up increased levels of stress from you.”

You slowly blink at him, not expecting to see him buck naked and in what could only be described as one of the most extravagant self-care baths known to man.

“I’ll just pretend I never saw this and be on my way-“

As you turned around, you heard a scoff behind you before a non-existent hand drug you back towards him.

Rygel lifted his too-perfect arm from the water and essentially beckoned you.

“You are stressed. Our studies have shown that taking baths is one of the most effective ways to relieve stress. My people often partake in these.”

You had to hold back a laugh, imagining his rather emotional-less species partaking in such pampering.

“Well your highness, you enjoy your bath.”

Rygel shifted in the mountain of bubbles as he sat up, allowing you to see his slightly glistening umber skin.

“It’s your imperial majesty. Now hush. I can practically feel your cortisol levels rising. Unfortunately it will take a few days to get to a proper spa vessel, so this will have to do.”

He lifted up a wine glass to his mouth and took a sip. He then used his psychokinesis to dim the lights, start some music, and even light some candles. Another wine glass began floating towards you, beckoning you to take it.

“My research shows that this is how humans tend to do a relaxing bath. I’ve already taken the liberty to spread rose petals along with throwing in some bath bombs.”

You reluctantly take the wine glass as invisible hands begin tugging on your clothes, carefully taking them off of you.

“I’m not getting out of this, am I?”

From the edge of his wine glass you saw his lips temporarily quirk into a smirk.

“Goodness no, Starlight. That wouldn’t make me a very good mate, would it?”

You let out a huff as you felt his psychic powers lift you into the bathtub next to him, now that your clothes were off.

“Was you taking off my clothes like that necessary?”

He had delicately placed you in the water next to him, quickly whirling your hair in a updo so as it wouldn’t get wet.

“You would have gotten your attire wet. Also I enjoy doing small things like that for you.”

He placed a kiss on the crook of your neck

“And, you just happen to look marvelous when I do it.”

You rolled your eyes as you felt him get to work at massaging you all over your body.

“I thought you said your species weren’t helpless to lust.”

That comment got you a squeeze on your breasts and butt.

“Yes, that is true. At least certainly not as much as humans, but when it comes to our mate we are certainly susceptible to such.. urges. We just have so much better control over ourselves to not let something like lust consume us.”

Despite your wishes you leaned into his touch, as he was admittedly an expert masseuse.

“There you go again, calling me inferior.”

His ministrations immediately halted at this and he forced you to look at him.

“My darling, darling starlight. You are anything but inferior.”

He cupped your cheek in his hand as he used his powers to place kisses all over your body.

“My love, we were quite literally meant for each other. I know you feel it, the way our minds resonate for one another. You are the only being in this world I could possibly procreate with, so you are most certainly not inferior. You are the best of your species, the crème de la crème. And I’m sorry if I’m not the best at telling you that, sometimes I forget you can’t simply read my mind like I can you. I love you deeply, Starlight.”

Yeah, sorry about that not being the best ending or anything. I’m out of practice.

[dgrailwar]

Round 8, Day 1 - Team Ruler

Read of Pretender's True Name Dissolution HERE!

The ground had splintered and cracked, the digital landscape corroding and destroying itself as the wyrm drew closer. The Ruler stared in disbelief at what she saw. Reckless power and wanton destruction... to the benefit of no-one. She clasped her hands together, eyes closing in brief prayer.

"...O' Lord, grant me strength..."

Then, her banner flew as she proclaimed--

"Pretender. It's time for us to end this! As a Ruler-- no, simply by my integrity as a human being, I cannot allow this to continue!"

Due to the change in the battlefield, your Defensive Play boost will be generalized to +1% to any poll next round!

If Jeanne lands the finishing blow on Pretender, she'll gain a new skill!

Team Ruler has no Command Spells remaining!

When fighting the Abyssal Wyrm:

Servants can choose to target the Abyssal Wyrm in an attempt to reduce the damage it is causing.

If multiple Servants attack the Abyssal Wyrm (as in, choose the 'Abyssal Wyrm' option), they will form into a 'coalition', and their bonuses against the Abyssal Wyrm will be combined. There is no limit to the size of the 'coalition'.

However, this may be a chance for other to sabotage their enemies as well (by picking the options relating to the other Servants, the same as you usually would). Meaning-- You're still able to attack your foes as usual, complicating combat situations and potentially using the chaos to get an upper hand and sneak in some damage.

No matter who you choose, the option to 'Play Defensively' has been removed.

Servant Skills:

Magic Resistance (EX Rank): Jeanne cannot be affected by demerits, no matter how severe. 

Revelation (A Rank): If she is attacked while ‘Playing Defensively’ she gains a +2% boost. When engaged in one-on-one battles, she gains +3%. When engaged in a Free-for-All, instead of the Ruler Class-trait of +3%, she gains +4% instead.

Reinstatement of the Radiant Holy Light (A Rank): If attacked while Playing Defensively, your foe takes a -2% demerit that bypasses resistances, increased to -3% to each each enemy if a Free-for-All is triggered.

NOBLE PHANTASM: Luminosité Eternelle (A Rank)

A powerful defensive Noble Phantasm. When used, Jeanne gains a +20% boost to her final score results for one round, and cannot sustain any wounds for that round or the immediate round afterwards. When used against a Servant using a Noble Phantasm, it ‘reflects’ the boost of the other Servant, canceling their bonus out and supplying Jeanne with half of it.

-

Class Trait:

RULER-CLASS Servants are keen-minded and level-headed. When they engage in a 'Free-for-All' battle, they gain a consistent +3% boost, that cannot be taken away by other skills or Noble Phantasms. If engaged while 'Playing Defensively', they are not caught off guard and can battle normally.