#the goat has returned

[lilyrose-thfc]

In conclusion having Emerson back in the xi = WIN

[slowd1ving]

hejsbdjdnsksndkdndhjw claws my way out from a dark pit in the ground like i just came back from war

hhwaaaa . hello … (@_@) after 20 long years , ive returned …. /ref

i binged the roommate au last night ( apart from the prequel , i was reading at the dinner table and saw the wc and noped out because i was getting so distracted reading instead of eating erm … ) and … hot damn . holy balls , even . also i cant believe i died right after being informed of a dan heng fic , that man is my number one husband and i missed the LIVE RELEASE SMH /(T_T))

omg and i come back to there being a fucking ratio fic too , how are you pulling nearly all my favs out of your ass ??? Σ(-᷅_-᷄๑) im actually so obsessed with starrail ( have been for a long time … ) , lately ive been studying aventurine under a microscope , hes such a fascinating character . im looking forward to obsessively reading all the works that have been released since my disappearance of hatsune miku (*´∇｀*)

i also saw you mention r1999 in one of your other replies and can i just say the doomed yuri broke me . im still not over verneider i miss my girl res i really miss her ( hasnt played in a year ) … orz

out of curiosity , whos on your main team in hsr ? and obligatory whos your fav . would ask if you want to be hsr friends but i feel like thatd be overstepping … so … only if thats okay ( and if not totally fine shekdj ) ,,,, ｡(´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡

i dont think i get to keep my old title of #mostactiveanon anymore but thats what i was dubbed … glances at calendar … sEVENN AND 1/2 MONTHS AGO !!!（ ; ; ）

HELLLO ANON welcome back from war; I hope you're alright bro 😭😭 haven't seen you in aeons

roommate au... I haven't heard that name in months... I forgot how freaky it was (also that's so real I love reading when eating, makes the food taste better fr). tbh, missing the live release just means it's marinated longer amirite??

YESSS ratio fic (part of the reason I'm replying to everyone late - sorry - is that the last chapter is already 18k words and it's still got a bunch of scenes to flesh out...) he's also one of my faves (mainly because I'm a science fanatic); YESSS AVENTURINE he's genuinely such an interesting character but his story broke me during the playthrough bro </3

nah same I got busy with school work and had to delete r1999 </3 right after I pulled shamane, might have to redownload though bc the dialogue and writing is so *argh* good!!!!!!

ok so main team currently for exploration in sunday, aventurine, the herta and moze, but I rotate between herta/feixiao and boothill :p and my favourite.... good question anon this is a very tricky and conundrum inducing question.... hmm.... in terms of character probably Ratio (stem nerd here), in terms of religious guilt Sunday, in terms of overall design boothill and mydei amen. But my overall favourite is the trailblazer because they're just peak 🙏🙏 wby? also, ofc we can be hsr friends (if you send me an ask with your id thing I'll add you then you can remain anonymous fr)

SEVEN MONTHS goddamn 😭😭bro time truly does fly, but you still get to keep your title fr

[o3o-lapd-o3o]

DINNER IS (finally) SERVED

3000ish words later and part 8 is here! hope you guys enjoy!

(p.s my headcanons explainations are in the tags if you're curious)

(p.p.s credit also goes to @rin-solo for the first headcanon )

the post/thread that started this whole au

dinner scene: part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7

there's a masterlist now!

*odysseus is making his way to the dining hall, while athena and poseidon are following behind*

poseidon: *looking around at the decorations/tapestry dotted around*

poseidon: *see’s a tapestry of what looks to be a very much younger odysseus in full king & armour attire*

poseidon: *stops walking, and turns to look at the actual odysseus in front of him, then back at the tapestry*

poseidon: *to odysseus with a sardonic tone* do your weavers like making you look like a boy, or was that a decision you made to make yourself look younger?

odysseus: *pauses his walking to see what poseidon is talking about*

athena: *also pauses and turns to poseidon*

odysseus: *sees the tapestry in question*

odysseus: *sighs* of course you point that one out 

athena: *who knew odysseus before he was king*

athena: *glaring at poseidon* uncle, you shouldn’t make assumptions, especially when you don’t know the facts

odysseus: *pats athena on the shoulder as he passes her*

odysseus: it’s fine athena

odysseus: *next to poseidon and looking up at the tapestry* if you must know, that is actually the age i was. 

poseidon: *not believing him* yeah right, you couldn’t be older than fifteen in this

odysseus: *turns to him with a sharp look* you’re correct, i was fifteen

poseidon: *slightly wary of odysseus’ mood* so… you became king at fifteen? isn’t that a little bit young for a mortal to rule a kingdom?

odysseus: *turns back to the tapestry* i was already the king, i was actually crowned when i was thirteen

poseidon: *shocked and confused* why would a child be given a kingdom to run?

odysseus: *looks down with a sad smile, at the memory of his father telling him about him losing his mind, and how sorry he was to place such a huge responsibility on his young son’s shoulders*

odysseus: well, i had no choice, but i would do it again if i had to… 

odysseus: *turns to athena* besides, i had athena to help guide me

athena: *smiles with a nod at odysseus*

odysseus: *starts walking in the direction of the dining hall again* anyway…enough of that, can we please just make our way to the dining hall now

*they all continue making their way down the hall*

poseidon: *notices a stain on the floor tiles not far in front of them*

poseidon: *points* i think your servants missed a spot

athena & odysseus: *both look to where he’s pointing*

athena: *chuckles to herself in knowing*

odysseus: *smirks* 

poseidon: *sees both their expressions, and is confused* 

odysseus: oh that..oh don’t worry it’s clean

odysseus: *shrugs* it’s just so hard to get bloodstains out of white titles

poseidon: *wide eyed* blood?

odysseus: yeah.. not long after i finished with you, i arrived back on my island to find my palace overrun with 108…mutts… all vying for my wife’s hand. 

odysseus: *waving his hand like it was a simple issue* so i made sure to deal with them all myself… unfortunately one of them left a stain.

odysseus: -oh look we’ve made it

odysseus: hope we haven’t kept them too long

poseidon: *shocked at all the new odysseus lore he’s unlocked*

athena: *laughing at poseidon’s expression*

odysseus: *opening the door* come on let’s head in

poseidon: *shakes away the shock*

odysseus: *to poseidon* i guess it’s time to introduce you to my wife

*they all walk through the doorway into the dining hall*

*there penelope and telemachus both stand not too far from the dining table; which has quite the feast laid out, and from the steam coming off of it, it had not long be put there*

odysseus: *heads over to his son & wife*

odysseus: *looks at poseidon* poseidon, you’ve met my son telemachus before.

telemachus: *can barely keep in his excitement* 

telemachus: hi- i mean good evening lord poseidon, i’m so happ- grateful you accepted my father's invitation for dinner. 

telemachus: *puts his arm on his chest, and leans forward in a  bow of respect* i hope you enjoy the evening.

odysseus: *narrows his eyes at poseidon, silently threatening him to not be rude to his son*

telemachus: *looks back up at poseidon, smile on his face*

poseidon: *quickly nods his head in greeting to telemachus* good evening prince, your father tells me that this was all your idea 

telemachus: *raises a hand to nervously scratch under his chin* um… yes i guess it was

poseidon: well then, thank you for the idea to invite me.

telemachus: *hand leaves his chin and a big smile breaks out* well of course! you are my father’s friend after all!

poseidon: *eye twitches before he quickly composes himself* 

poseidon: yes… friend.

odysseus: *coughs* yes and now that you’ve both reacquainted yourselves again… telemachus why don’t you go speak with athena for a moment

telemachus: sure!

*telemachus makes his way to athena, and they start talking amongst themselves*

odysseus: *puts his arm around penelope’s waist* now, please let me introduce you to my wife; the queen of ithaca, penelope. 

penelope: *doesn’t bow like telemachus, but nods in greeting* welcome to our palace lord poseidon

poseidon: *nods back* thank you for having me queen penelope

penelope: *smiles but her eyes have a certain glint to them* 

penelope: my husband has told me all about your part in his journey home to us

poseidon: *totally not panicking a little* uh-

penelope: *glint leaves her eyes, but her smile remains*

penelope: -and also how you have helped out on his and my son’s fishing trips lately.

penelope: of course, i would also like thank you for taking the time to attend tonight

poseidon: sure… no problem?

odysseus: great, everyone has met everyone! 

odysseus: *to everyone* now, shall we sit down and eat the lovely feast the cooks have made us, before it gets cold?

odysseus: *moves to pull out one of the chairs at the head of the table for penelope as he normally does, when he notices that, there is only one chair instead of two*

odysseus: *looks up at the table and sees a piece of parchment with ‘mother’ written on it* 

odysseus: huh?

telemachus: *makes his way over to his father* oh! there’s a different than usual seating plan for tonight! i’ve put everyone's names where they should sit.

odysseus: *smiles at telemachus* oh ok, sure!

odysseus: well, i guess i should look for mine then, hey?

telemachus: yes, and please everyone else too!

*everyone makes their way to the table to see where they’re sitting (even though three of them already know)*

odysseus: *sees the parchment with ‘father’ on it* 

odysseus: *expecting to have either athena or telemachus next to him*

odysseus: *watches as athena stands in front of the seat opposite him*

odysseus: *thinks it’s weird to put athena & poseidon together, but thinks telemachus has done is as they are uncle & niece*

odysseus: *then sees telemachus stood in front of the seat next to athena*

odysseus: wait-

poseidon: *sees his name and heads towards it, only to look up and see odysseus standing in front of the seat next to him*

poseidon: wait-

poseidon & odysseus: *both look at each other in horror that they're stuck next to each other all evening*

telemachus: *not noticing the looks of doom on their faces* isn’t this great? it’s a family dinner, so what better than friends sitting together? 

telemachus: *turning to penelope* sorry you’re by yourself at the head of the table though mother

penelope: *smiles and waves her hand* i don’t mind

penelope: anyway, let's sit and eat!

*everyone but odysseus and poseidon sit down. both who have a death grip on the back of their seats*

penelope: *clears her throat* odysseus, lord poseidon… would you both please sit down.

odysseus: *snaps out of his staring at poseidon* 

odysseus: uh sure…

odysseus: *sits down and look back to poseidon, nodding his head at poseidon’s seat in the motion for him to also sit down*

poseidon: *still doesn’t sit*

odysseus: *a millisecond of a flash of red eyes* 

poseidon: *sits*

odysseus: *internally to himself* oh this is gonna be a long evening

odysseus: *to everyone* ok, everyone dig in!

odysseus: *to poseidon* can you get what you want for yourself, mighty sea god? or do you need a mortal’s help?

poseidon: *grabbing a lamb chop off a platter and tearing into it savagely in defiance*

odysseus: *rolls his eyes at poseidon, but goes to place a filet of fish on his plate*

*everyone has been eating and talking*

poseidon: *looks at penelope (who is talking to telemachus & athena) and then looks at odysseus*

poseidon: *thinking and then looks back to penelope*

odysseus: *to poseidon* is there a reason you keep looking at my wife?

poseidon: *jumps at little at being caught looking* 

poseidon: *turns to odysseus* oh do not worry yourself, i have no interest in your wife

odysseus: *unimpressed* why do you keep looking at her then?

poseidon: im..curious 

odysseus: *narrowing his eyes* about?

poseidon: normally you mortal men choose women younger than them for their wives… yet clearly your wife is; from my estimates… about a decade older than you

poseidon: *now with his hand under his chin, leaning on the table* 

poseidon: do you perhaps…prefer older women odysseus?

odysseus: *hands tighten in grip around his cutlery*

poseidon: *notices odysseus hasn’t responded yet*

poseidon: i’m right aren’t -

odysseus: no.

odysseus: *his eyes may not be red, but are clearly full of anger*

poseidon: *eyes widen in worry* whoa whoa! no need to get angry, it’s just a simple observation…. anyone if they pay attention can see the age difference

poseidon: *moves his hand to flick his hair back over his shoulder* it’s not a bad thing

odysseus: *takes a breath in to calm down and then slowly releases it*

odysseus: we are- were the same age… physically at least

poseidon: *confused* i don’t follow

odysseus: *looks at poseidon* during the 10 years it took for me to get home… i found myself stuck on a goddess’ island for 7 of them…

poseidon: ok…

odysseus: *closes his eyes* caly- the goddess had full control over everything on the island… her magic influenced everything… including a mortal's ability to age.

poseidon: so you didn’t-

odysseus: -age? yeah

odysseus: *sighs and opens his eyes* when i realised i wasn’t… i- i- 

odysseus: lets just say i didn’t handle it well

poseidon: *blinks at this new information* oh

odysseus: yep ‘oh’ indeed… 

odysseus: *looks back at poseidon*

odysseus: didn’t you think it was odd that i looked exactly the same when we met again, almost 10 years after our first meeting?

poseidon: in my defence… i was angry and trying to kill you, i wasn’t really paying attention to how you looked

odysseus: *rolls his eyes* i guess that's true

telemachus: uh lord poseidon? may i ask you a question?

poseidon: *happy to not continue his conversation with odysseus*

poseidon: *to telemachus* ask away prince of ithaca

telemachus: is it true that you gave achilles his horses balius & xanthus?

poseidon: *amazed at telemachus’ knowledge* 

poseidon: not directly… but yes i am the reason he came to acquire them. you see i gave them to his father peleus, as a wedding gift for his wife thetis…

*poseidon continues to tell the tale, and odysseus speaks with athena and penelope while more time passes*

*the meal is continuing smoothly as can be*

poseidon: *notices that odysseus has only been eating the fish. not touching a single bit of pork, beef or lamb that's also on the table* 

poseidon: *who has continuously eaten all meats available*

poseidon: *to odysseus* is there something i should know about the meat?

odysseus: huh?

poseidon: *points at the selection of meat in question* what's wrong with the meat? you’ve only touched the fish.

poseidon: if i hadn’t seen the others eat it, i’d worry you’d asked your cooks to poison it or something. 

odysseus: *raised eyebrow* poison won’t hurt you though? 

odysseus: *pointing a fork at him* also, why do you care about my eating habits?

poseidon: *frowning at the fork* i don’t, i’m just-

odysseus: curious? poseidon, i thought you were the god of the sea, not curiosity…

poseidon: *huffs* forget it-

odysseus: i can’t

poseidon: *now his eyebrow is raised* you…can’t?

odysseus: *now using the fork to push the food on his plate around* i can’t stomach eating lamb, pork or beef anymore

poseidon: *forever confused by odysseus* uh why?

odysseus: *gives poseidon a ‘do i really have to explain everything?’ look*

poseidon: *just stares*

odysseus: *once again sighing because of poseidon* well i thought you’d understand lamb… after the whole sheep incident with… your son.

odysseus: then after i escaped you with the wind bag-

poseidon: *rolls his eyes at the memory*

odysseus: we wound up on the sorceress circe’s island… where she turned my men to pigs. 

odysseus: i managed to convince her to turn them back, but it now feels weird to eat pork

odysseus: as for beef, short story is my men ignored my warnings and killed the sacred cattle of the sun god… so yeah beef is a no go for me also. 

poseidon: *wondering how one mortal managed to interact with so many gods on a journey to get home*

poseidon: *laughs at odysseus* and you’re letting that affect your eating habits? i expected you to be stronger than that odysseus

odysseus: *narrows his eyes at poseidon* oh just like how you let my handling of your trident, affect you into doing as i say?

poseidon: *now glaring back* 

poseidon: *turns away from odysseus* whatever, more meat for me

*dinner continues, with telemachus asking poseidon more questions. poseidon loving the interest in him and telelmachus’ knowledge, answers the all the questions with surprising enthusiasm*

*eventually what was once a giant feast of food has nearly been cleared from the table, thanks to having two gods eating most of it*

telemachus: have you enjoyed yourself so far lord poseidon? 

telemachus: *smiling* it’s been really fascinating and fun to learn so much more about you

poseidon: *almost letting a small smile appear on his face in return*

poseidon: *instead just nods* yes, it certainly has been an interesting & knowledgeable evening

telemachus: what about the seating, was it a good idea to put you with my father?

poseidon: *wants to answer no, but feels a kick from under the table. clearly from odysseus*

poseidon: yes, you came up with an ok-

odysseus: *gives another kick* 

poseidon: -great idea

telemachus: *laughs in happiness* 

telemachus: oh but i can’t take all the credit

odysseus: *raises an eyebrow in curiosity* 

athena: *who is sipping wine next to him*

athena: *slightly chokes* wai-

odysseus: *suspicious* son, you must make sure to tell us who else to thank for this

telemachus: *not understanding the bombshell he’s about to drop* oh athena actually came up with the idea!

athena: *suddenly nervous with the two very intense stares directed at her*

athena: w-well it was just a suggestion really…

telemachus: no ‘thena! remember you said as it’s a family dinner, friends should sit with friends!

odysseus: *to athena with the fakest smile* oh athena, how considerate!

penelope: *who has been quiet this whole exchange*

telemachus: *as if he hasn’t already unknowingly thrown one person to the wolves* but i of course had to run it by mother first, as she was helping me with all the planning!

penelope: *eyes have totally not widened*

telemachus: she said it was a great idea!

odysseus: *now to penelope* oh my dear wife, a great idea eh?

poseidon: *just chugs back his cup of wine at the revelations*

*after a awkward moment (at least for 4 of them) they continue on finishing the meal*

*eventually the food is finished and the dinner has come to an end, everyone has moved away from the dinner table and are now sitting on cushion chairs or standing around them talking amongst themselves*

poseidon: *looking out the window seeing just how dark the night sky now is* 

poseidon: well this has been a lovely evening, but it is getting late and i have been away from the sea for as long as i can.

poseidon: *turning to penelope and nodding his head in actual respect* queen penelope, thank you for your hosting

poseidon: *without nodding at them* athena, odysseus… good night.

*before poseidon can turn to bid telemachus good night, the prince runs out the room*

telemachus: *yelling before he leaves the room* please lord poseidon, wait a moment! i forgot something!

poseidon: *turns to look at odysseus in confusion* 

odysseus: *just shrugs also confused* 

poseidon: *turns back to the door, telemachus long gone* uh sure.

*not long later telemachus runs back into the room dishevelled but holding something in his hand*

telemachus: *walks up to poseidon* 

telemachus: *bows and holds out something covered in a silk cloth to him*

poseidon: uh-

telemachus: it’s a gift! i’m not expecting anything in return, and i’m sure you have better things… but i saw it and thought you’d like it

poseidon: *blinks, but takes the gift from telemachus’ hands*

poseidon: *carefully unties the silk cloth*

poseidon: *breathes in sharply*

telemachus: *not sure if that's a good or bad reaction* uh if you don’t like it that's fin-

poseidon: *holds his hand to stop telemachus* 

poseidon: prince of ithac-

telemachus: telemachus- sorry for interrupting. please my lord, call me telemachus

poseidon: …telemachus. thank you, this is a very thoughtful gift. 

poseidon: i will cherish it.

penelope & odysseus: *curious over what's got the god of the seas ‘cherishing’ something*

athena: *small smile as she knows*

*penelope & odysseus move closer to poseidon who is still staring down at his gift. once close enough they can see in his hand is a a handcrafted glass/crystal hippocampus*

*poseidon ended up wrapping it back in the silk cloth, and placing it in his chiton. He then thanked telemachus again and bid him good night & farewell. odysseus offered to walk back to the cove with him, but poseidon waved him off and told him to stay with his family*

[ashildrs]

this song eats at my skin

[toaarcan]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

SON BOY!

[ganondoodle]

even if i didnt love botw as much as i do, totk drives me nuts bc, similarly to pokemon, this series is so SO SO full of potential, they have so many games they can pull from, theres so many themes, characters and worldbuilding thats just left to rot, you dont need to connect anything with a chain to old titles, you dont need to bring back any things that already had their ending, but PLEASE harness at least a fraction of all this!!!! and they just refuse to do it beyond shallow references

totk jsut drives it all home to me, bc this isnt just the next game in the franchise, but a DIRECT SEQUEL no 10 years apart from botw, yet they cant even, they REFUSE to even keep the continuity with its OWN lore it established in botw together, and that, i think, is what truly makes me so insane (derogatory) about totk

it PROVES they do not care, they dont care to build on anything of the lore of old titles beyond references in form of amiibos or whatever, they dont even care to make a sequel to their most successful game in the franchise coherent with its own lore

botw established a captivating detailed world full of potential, while lacking in active storytelling, it had environmental storytelling, characters and ideas that were the perfect ground to build on-

and then they do away with it bc idk .. they want you to build mechs and make videos of it that go viral and thats all they care about or something

shiekah tech? forget that existed character being the character you know? act as if you are seeing them for the first time just like they are lame story? dont think about that just be distracted by the epic presentation of it lore the previous title established? forget that, all that matters is what is here and now beloved character from old games beign brought back? hes a new guy and has no background and no lore and just sits waiting for you at the end to have a flashy fight with references from old titles and their lore? just here for nostalgie bait, dont you remember? you LOVE this series, now give me 70 bucks for a glorified DLC that ruins what you loved about the series and makes you realize that nothign matters and nothing is interesting anymore

you are supposed to take it all at face value, to not think about anything, to see a character say something and just go with it, and forget it the second its over, be distracted by good music and pretty visuals, but dont think about, dont think about anything but what is directly said to you like you have no critical thinking skills, forget there was a game before this one, only the one you play matters, empty your skull and dont let yourself feel anything but what the game tells you to feel

if they dont even care to make the sequel to their most successful game actually build on the previous title, dont even care to keep their continuity of two games supposedly directly happening one after the other in tact- maybe they never cared, and all the meaning we thought we saw them build into their games was all accidental and meaningless

and that is absolutely soul crushing for fans like me to discover

its a game. its not a story, its not a world, its not themes, its not characters, its not lore. its a product made to make you pay money, not to make you think about anything.

[cconfusedkat]

acts of terrorism (lesbianism edition)

[boygirlctommy]

what if theyre trying to bring people back from the dead. and the data sorting is basically coding their brains

[victorluvsalice]

Valicer Polyship Week 2024, Day Two: “Blorbo Has Two Hands” (Soulmate AU)

It's Day Two of Valicer Polyship Week 2024, "sponsored" by @polyshipweek, and today's prompt is "Blorbo Has Two Hands!" This prompt, as per PolyshipWeek's write-up on the matter, is all about "The rallying cry of polyshippers everywhere: Why have a love triangle when you can have a trio of lovers instead?" and how the polycule makes love, not war. This is naturally an excellent prompt, but I wasn't sure whether I was going to use it or one of the other ones when it came to writing a story for Day Two --

Aaaand then Wednesday, November 6th happened. And after rather a lot of time spent staring at the prompts with no inspiration because I was still feeling kind of numb inside over the fucking election results, I came back to the list right before going to bed, looked at "Blorbo Has Two Hands" again, and thought, "You know what, I can probably do something with that and my Soulmates AU -- specifically, someone doubting the trio are all actually soulmates because multiple soulmates isn't a common thing in that verse." So I drafted out a story about Smiler, working at a bar post-the trio fleeing England to avoid the wrath of Kelman, the wrath of Victor's parents, and possibly the wrath of the police after Alice killed Bumby, getting harassed by a customer who didn't believe them when they said that both they and Alice were Victor's soulmates -- only to get proven wrong when said soulmates showed up to find out why Smiler was suddenly feeling so upset. It was pretty rough, but I figured it worked for the prompt --

And then I went, "Hang on...didn't I just do something like this yesterday?" For indeed, this story was rather similar, at least in general theme, to the "Alice vs Nessa" Valicer In The Dark tale I wrote for Day One. But given my mental state at the time, I couldn't come up with anything better for Day Two. So I left it be and gave myself a choice -- either try to write a different story later, or lean into the theme and do a Victor-POV story of some jerk inserting their nose into the polycule's business and getting theirs for Day Three.

...given the story I'm about to present is the "Smiler gets harassed by a customer about whether or not multiple soulmates is a thing" story, you can probably guess what I chose. XD For now, here is your Day Two story! Sorry it took a bit to get there! XD

--

“So – Mister Van Dort over there is your soulmate?”

“Yup,” Smiler confirmed, smiling over at the table where Victor was currently involved in what looked like a rather intense conversation with Alice, his hands flying all over the place as they spoke. “We met at one of his parents’ parties – ended up in the same corner together, started commiserating over the fact that we both hated stuffy social gatherings, went to formally introduce ourselves by shaking hands, and – well.” Smiler grinned down at their own hands, currently drying a glass. “Suddenly the party was that much better.”

“I see,” their current customer – a fellow named Robert, who apparently ran a woodworking shop in town – murmured, nursing his third whiskey. “And Missus Van Dort is – all right with that?”

Smiler tilted their head. “Er – yes. Why wouldn’t she be?”

Robert raised an eyebrow at Smiler. “Because – she’s his wife?” he said slowly, as if they were an idiot. “And would likely want to be her husband’s soulmate?”

“Oh, there’s no problem there,” Smiler said brightly, putting away the dried glass. “She’s also his soulmate.”

Robert blinked at them. It was a pretty long blink. “What?”

“Alice is also Victor’s soulmate,” Smiler repeated obligingly. “We’ve got a bit of a thing going on.”

“You’re – but – that’s impossible,” Robert insisted, leaning heavily on the bar.

“It’s not,” Smiler said, mentally preparing their usual speech. “It’s rare, yes, but–”

“Balderdash,” Robert cut in, putting a finger in Smiler’s face. “People can only have the one soulmate. Otherwise, what’s the point of them?”

Now it was Smiler’s turn to blink. “What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about how the whole point of a soulmate is that they are the person that the universe has ordained as the most important one in your entire life,” Robert said, warming to his topic. “The relationship beyond which all others pale. The one twinned to the very center of your being! If you were given more than one, then – then it would cheapen that bond. Make it – make it lesser. It wouldn’t be about finding your perfect match – it would be about finding someone you just kind of like more than the rest. A person only has room in their soul for one soulmate. It’s simple fact.”

“It’s not,” Smiler insisted. “There’s been studies done on the bond, and–”

“Oh, studies,” Robert said derisively, grabbing his drink and taking a big swig. “Yes, everyone appreciates a study. As if any scientist really knows how to measure a soul.” He looked Smiler up and down. “And what do you know about studies? You’re a bartender.”

“My father’s an alienist,” Smiler said, wrinkling their nose against the bitter taste in their mouth produced by even obliquely mentioning Kelman. “And I study chemistry in my spare time. I’m not an idiot just because I pour drinks for a living.”

“No – you’re an idiot for letting your soulmate get married to someone else,” Robert retorted, attempting to poke Smiler’s arm – they jerked it out of the way just in time. “Shame on you for that. He’ll never be able to be a proper husband to his wife if you’ve already taken up that space in his soul! Everyone knows that people who have soulmates that are just friends have to remain single. It’s the natural order of things!” He took another drink. “Cruel of you both to lead that poor woman on. She should be off trying to find her actual soulmate, not being – taken advantage of by two horrible monsters like yourselves.”

Smiler opened their mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. Closed it again. Where the hell were their words right when they needed them most? Alice had once said they could talk their way out of a murder scene while holding a bloody knife, and now they couldn’t refute one drunk?! One deeply annoying drunk who’d hit pretty much every nerve in their body, sure, but… “I...you…”

“Smiler?”

Smiler and Robert both looked over to see Victor and Alice approaching, wearing identical expressions of concern. “Is everything all right?” Victor continued, picking at the knot of his tie. “You – you feel quite upset about something.”

“Very deeply annoyed indeed,” Alice added, giving Robert a suspicious glare. He smartly shrank away. “Is this fellow bothering you?”

“Yes, but he might not be for much longer,” Smiler said, smirking. “You were saying about how people can only have one soulmate?”

Robert looked between the three of them, visibly processing the fact that Alice too had felt Smiler’s emotions. “I – but – she – you?” he stammered, clearly having trouble collecting his thoughts.

“All three of us,” Smiler said, leaning on the bar. “Two romantic bonds and one platonic one, and all very real. And even if we weren’t all soulmates – so what? I think Victor would still have enough love in him to handle both his wife and me.” They put on an innocent stare. “Unless you’re saying that nobody can care about anyone but their soulmate? Because that sounds like a pretty lonely and miserable life to me.”

Robert stared at them for a moment more. Then he reached into his pocket, plonked some coins on the bar, and fled out the door. The trio watched him stumble away on wobbly legs. “...so I guess he didn’t believe you when you told him we were all soulmates,” Victor finally said.

“He did not, and decided to give me a big old lecture about it,” Smiler said, scooping up the money and counting it. “Okay, good, this is what he owed...anyway, it was all about how ‘multiple soulmates cheapens the bond’ and ‘if your soulmate is your best friend you need to remain single’ and nonsense like that.” They shook their head as they put the money away. “Who comes up with those things?”

“Arses,” Alice said succinctly.

Victor and Smiler both snorted. “Well put,” Victor said, then laid a hand on Smiler’s wrist. “And for what it’s worth, I don’t feel at all that having both you and Alice as soulmates has cheapened anything. If anything I feel – I feel blessed. I had trouble believing sometimes when I was younger that I was worthy of one soulmate, let alone two.” A bright smile split his face. “And now look at me. Tied forever to the two most wonderful people in the world.”

Smiler beamed, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze. “I feel exactly the same. Two bonds just means twice the love to spread around.”

“Well said,” Alice said, putting her hand over theirs. “Hopefully someday people will understand that better.”

“Mmm. Until then…” Smiler leaned in and gave Victor a quick peck, before shooting Alice a grin. “I’ll just enjoy what we’ve got.”

[mediocres-writing-blog]

Mortal Kombat: Enenra's Shadow part 2

Chapter 1: Return of the King.

A year or so has passed since Viktor and Enenra have returned home along with Viktor’s father Nico Ghai, who you might recognize better as Red Robin. Despite returning home with a new arm and a jacket with one sleeve (yeah a lot happened in the last series lol), he returned home safe and sound nevertheless to his mother, Melisa. Since said year has passed, Viktor has been able to return to school with minimal issues. In fact, he had fewer issues with bullies and thugs this time around, since he had Enenra with him this time around. Before you jump to conclusions, no, the two didn’t kill anyone, they just scared the shit out of anyone who bothered them or Viktor’s friends. Even on the exams, he had no pressure despite missing for a whole week. He passed all the exams with flying colors, finally trading school and studying for relaxation over the summer vacation. Before heading home after getting the results from the exams, he went to a cafe with a friend of his, in fact, the same friend he talked to when we first met Viktor.

VIKTOR: <Hey, Enis, I just wanted to say thanks for giving me the study-material. Means a lot.>

ENIS (Viktor’s friend): <That's what friends are for, bro.>

The two drank their coffee as they sat there with the sounds of chatter and occasional cars passing by.

ENIS: <By the way, where were you that week? You weren’t answering my calls or texts or anything, what’s up?>

Viktor almost choked on his coffee as he sat there. He looked around, knowing if he told the truth, he might think he’s crazy. So Viktor thought of two possible outcomes to this: either A: he tells the truth and makes himself look like a fool; or B: he makes up some bullshit story that didn’t even happen. So he naturally chose the next best option, drank what was left of his coffee, and got up.

VIKTOR: <Oh, fuck, I should get going. Look, next time i see you, I swear i’ll tell you about it, bye, heheh.>

He snickered, as he walked away from the scene. Viktor began to sweat bullets as he walked through the street, not because he was tired but so goddamn embarrassed at the scene he just caused. He unzipped his jacket just a little bit so that he could get some air, but just as he did, Enenra popped out from under his shirt and gave him a little spook.

ENENRA: Hey–

Viktor jumped a bit, pushing Enenra back into his jacket and looking around, making sure no one was around to see him. He then walked a little faster, trying to make it to the bus as fast as he could while still walking. He finally sat down on one, sitting in an empty seat and zipping his jacket open just a little bit and he poked his head in it and whispered to the symbiotic demon.

VIKTOR (whispering): What did I say about forming while in public?

ENENRA (whispering back): Something about not doing it unless it's necessary.

VIKTOR: Exactly(!) So why are you doing it?

Enenra seemed to look at the star child with a sad expression, the lines on his face bent down as he spoke with a more quiet tone.

ENENRA: I just haven’t spoken to you in a few hours, i felt like you forgot about me…

Viktor sighed, not annoyed, but sort of disappointed in a weird way. As he stepped out of the bus, he walked along before eventually getting to his apartment building, fiddling with the key before he walked in, closing the door as he unzipped his jacket fully and scratching the top of Enenra’s head.

VIKTOR: How could I forget about you, ya stupid idiot? You saved my life.

Enenra smiled, pleased by the affection Viktor is showing him.

VIKTOR: But you know I can’t show you out in public. They’ll throw me into a psych ward and you in area 51 to get experimented on.

The star boy responded, stepping in the elevator and after a few seconds, arriving on his floor and entering his apartment after taking off his shoes. And passing by his mother on her laptop.

VIKTOR: Hey, mom.

ENENRA: Hello, misses Wilson.

MELISA: Hey there, boys.

Before heading to his room, Viktor stopped out of curiosity, approaching his mom and sitting next to her on the couch.

VIKTOR: Uhm… Whatcha doin’, mom?

MELISA: Thinking if I should legally change my last name or keep Wilson while trying to get your father citizenship.

Viktor nodded, as Enenra looked beside him. Melisa turned her head to look at the demon, patting him gently.

MELISA: Hello, Enenra… also, Viktor, do you think we can talk. In private?

Viktor looked at her and nodded before taking a conveniently placed jar from the table. VIKTOR: Oh of course. Enenra, I bet 5 marks you can't fit in this jar.

Enenra slowly turned to his host, showing a face of determination and slight cockiness.

ENENRA: You dare challenge me, Earthrealm fool?

The demon responded, completely evaporating from his host and slithering into the jar before looking at Viktor.

ENENRA: Ha ha, see? I fit perfe–

Before the demon could finish, Viktor closed the jar, carrying it to the kitchen before returning to the living room and sitting next to his mother.

VIKTOR: What’s the situation, Ma?

Melisa looked around as he walked back, taking a deep breath before looking at Viktor.

MELISA: Look, Viktor, you're a good kid.

VIKTOR: Well, you’re a great mother.

Melisa chuckled, looking down for a second at his comment, before looking back up.

MELISA: Thank’s son.. But that's not what I wanted to talk about. It's Enenra.

VIKTOR: What about him?

Melisa’s expression shifted as she responded.

MELISA: Well, he’s… God, how do I put this… Chaotic.

VIKTOR: What do you mean?

As he asked, a shattering sound was heard from the kitchen. Viktor stood up, looking over to the kitchen and seeing Enenra slithering toward him, a shattered jar on the floor.

ENENRA: You thought you could trap me in that glass prison forever, you pink-haired pest!?

Viktor turned his gaze to Melisa, who gave him a smirk with a raised eyebrow.

VIKTOR: The face is unnecessary, mom.

MELISA: I beg to differ, kid.

Viktor rolled his eyes as Enenra slithered up his leg before he started walking over to the door to his room. Then Melisa stopped him.

MELISA: Oh, one more thing?

Viktor turned.

MELISA: Keep that peculiar dog on a leash, is all I’m sayin’.

She added, looking back to her laptop and continued working. Viktor nodded before heading off to his room. Viktor half-closed the door, tossing his jacket over the end of the door and crashing down on his bed. 

VIKTOR: Well, that's a way to start a summer vacation. 

ENENRA: How, by receiving a cryptic message from your mother or by trapping me in a glass jar? Also sidenote, DON’T do that again.

VIKTOR (while chuckling): Both. And I just might.

ENENRA: If you’re smart, you WON’T.

VIKTOR: Fine fine, I’ll stop, Jesus.

Viktor responded giggling, as he laid in his bed. As we leave our protagonists alone for a bit, we turn our attention to a completely different location. Not a city, not a town and not even a village, but instead a completely different plane of existence.

The picture rotates to an island, somewhere between the borders that bind the realms of Outworld and Earthrealm, is where the facility of the Deadly Alliance is located. In said facility reside the aforementioned Deadly Alliance of the two sorcerers, Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. As Quan sits with his fingers interlocked at a desk, looking furious, Shang Tsung sits cross legged on a chair, eying the egghead from across the office-like space, looking sassy and zesty as usual.

SHANG TSUNG: You seem to be upset.

Quan Chi turned his gaze toward his partner in war crime as he broke the silence.

QUAN CHI: What do you think? All my henchmen that I sent to kill that kid that stole my experiment failed and died.

SHANG TSUNG: Well, maybe you should have sent some actual fighters after them instsead of a bunch of nobodies.

QUAN CHI: Like who? All of the idiots that i hired to rebuild Ermac have either found new benefactors or have tried wasting me.

Shang Tsung sat in silence, the air was surprisingly cold as moment passed.

SHANG TSUNG: Well, thats because you haven’t had me at the time. See, if I was to hire a squad of warriors, they could retrieve our little science project with minimal issues.

QUAN CHI: And what makes you sure they wont backstab us? Given that those Earthrealm fools have already exposed you as nothing more than a con artist and a snake. I’m no different, for that matter.

Shang Tsung scoffed, a somewhat sinister laughter escaping his throat as he stood up and sounds of sparks emerged from his robes.

SHANG TSUNG: My friend. You forget that I am a scientist first and a charlatan second.

The sorcerer responded, as Quan Chi smiled menacingly. This would not be the last time we hear or see of the two.

[the-one-with-spider-brainrot]

MFUCK YEAH MY NARINDER CHARACTERISATION HAS BEEN VALIDATED YIPPEE

[zaddyazula]

is an anime even good if kenjiro tsuda isn’t in it???

[aluminia]

I'm a goat girl listening to a band called Goat Girl, I continue to be a parody of myself

[hypostatic-oath]

4.2 has officially destroyed my brain in terms of lore. Farewell, everyone, I shall join my fellow mad scholars in Aaru Village, because WHAT ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH.

If you picture someone wearing a tinfoil hat screaming incoherently while wildly gesturing and waving their arms about, you can get a pretty accurate depiction of my mental state.

Featuring: me rambling in the tags. Careful for spoilers if you choose to read them - I don't go into detail but still.

[nah-id-pluh]

OH MY GOD ITS JOSEPH

[prettyboykatsuki-moved]

RAAAAAAH I’m SO excited for sdv 1.6 for console 😭 I haven’t had the time to play it yet and I’m DYING!!!!!!! As soon as I’m off work 🕺🕺🕺🕺

HAVE SO MUCH FUN!!!!! i have had the chance to play it only recently bc i caved and played on desktop and its genuinely an amazing update and i cannot say more good things about it. concernedape is truly such an amazing and good dev