#their stories and characters not so much but let's not sweat the details

[miyuskye]

with a bit of bravado, maybe tomorrow we'll be atop the heap ❤️

[see-arcane]

Our good friend Jonathan Harker is getting ready to leave for his business trip, Mina Murray is picking out a new journal, Lucy Westenra is charming a gaggle of smitten suitors, Abraham van Helsing is wrapping up his lectures, and Castle Dracula is prepping the guest room for a very long stay.

Which must mean that Dracula Season is here again!

 ‘Dracula Season’ being a catchall term for the voracious reading, memeing, writing, illustrating, analyzing, and general fun-having that’s ensued since Matt Kirkland’s project, Dracula Daily, caught on with us back in 2022. The Substack had already been running before then, but it sparked a conflagration as time went on and readers old and new to Bram Stoker’s Dracula—the actual novel, not Coppola’s fanfiction—devoured it in a way that scratched an itch none of us knew we had. Stoker wrote the book in epistolary fashion, clumping sections together as needed for the pacing without perfect adherence to chronological order. Matt went ahead and put all the events in order and proceeded to set up a lovely chain of emails that delivered entries on those correlating dates.

This style of organization and pacing turned out to not only make the virtual book club that much easier to engage with, but left space in-between to stew on the story and relate with the characters themselves. Every day of waiting in the book feels weightier when you have to pace and sweat and worry in tandem with poor Jonathan trapped in the castle or Lucy wasting away or Mina running out the clock before she loses the fight for her own humanity. And while we sat with the story or the lulls between Dracula Seasons, some of us found ourselves craving more of that ghastly gothic horror goodness to the point that we figured:

“Well. Why don’t I make something?”

And then we did! Tons of creative works have been churned out in the wake of Dracula Daily’s high. I figured that while we’ve still got a bit of time to wait for May 3rd, we should check out all this new stuff in the meantime. (Plus a handful of neat stuff that just clicks with the Dracula itch overall.)

So, in the interest of Dracula Season pregaming, let’s take a look at…

FICTION

Blood of My Blood – A recent addition to the Dracula Bad Ending AU pile, and definitely one of the most harrowing and addictive group-produced narratives I’ve ever come across, Blood of My Blood is the dramatically gothic currently-WIP work of @ibrithir-was-here and @animate-mush’s devious design. Give or take a heap of other fascinated folks (hello!) adding ideas to put more Horror into the Horrors that our cast has to face. The premise:

The Transylvanian climax went fatally sour and the Harkers were forced to shelter with Dracula himself, including their half-vampire son, Quincey. Cut to two decades later, and Quincey finds himself out in modern London, smitten with Lu, adopted daughter of Arthur and Jack, and diving into certain bloodstained old documents that detail the real history of how his parents came to live in the castle. Said revelations coming not a moment too soon, as a storm is coming for him straight from the Carpathians…

Dracula Daily Sketch Collection – An array of illustrations that captures every entry beat by beat, the Dracula Daily Sketch Collection by Georgia Cook, alias @georgiacooked was dished out over the course of the last Dracula Season. Some of the most fun character designs out there.

Fanfiction Spotlight: BlueCatWriter – With a whopping 99 works devoted to the novel Dracula (so far, the number may have gone up since I blinked), @bluecatwriter is one of the most prolific and talented fanfiction scribblers out there. Romances, nightmares, and overlaps between the two seem to crop up the most, give or take a crossover. Seems fitting that those blue paw prints have contributed to BoMB too.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlefolk – An ongoing comic in which all your favorite characters from the Classics section get together and tackle some perils ranging from the mundane to the monstrous. Started by the amazing @mayhemchicken and posted on @lxgentlefolkcomic, this series is a love letter to beloved Victorian era lit, with a spotlight on the two couples leading the League. Namely, the Harkers, ala Dracula, and the Nortons, ala Sherlock Holmes,’ “A Scandal in Bohemia.” Mina and Irene are the driving investigative and steering forces here, and still deeply in love with their likewise-infatuated husbands, just like in their canons! What a concept! Alan.

Without spoiling the full character list, just know there are going to be a ton of familiar faces roaming around before you finish reading the first arc. Said arc having conveniently wrapped up just a few days ago! Give the comic and its bonus silliness a look if you’re in the mood for a new comfort-adventure epic.

Re: Dracula – Probably the most well-known and incredible thing to come out of the initial Dracula Daily wave. This podcast is a full audio drama that follows the same format as the Substack, with episodes coming out in time with the entries themselves. And it has an unfairly cool soundtrack. They have a Tumblr with @re-dracula, a site and a Patreon to check out before the series kicks up again on May 3rd. (Also, keep an eye out for their next work, an audio drama in the same style with Carmilla.)

The Soldier and the Solicitor – Another treat from @ibrithir-was-here, this one involves a bit of time travel trouble. Quincey Harker has stumbled out of World War I and into the same dark forest where his father once fled for his life…then runs into the man himself, on that same night. Jonathan Harker, young and starved and lost, who has no choice but to trust this stranger while the Weird Sisters are at his heels…despite said stranger having no shadow. It’s a tasty emotional trek, already complete on Tumblr, but now it’s turning into a Webtoon. While Ibrithir is juggling a number of other stories, she’ll be redrawing spruced up versions of the comic and adding a few new scenes as things unfold.

Substack Stack – You know what’s better than one emailed-out public domain book club? A mountain of them. Just. So, so many of them. You’ll see that a lot of these are finished, but some are still ticking along. Either way, they’re all great picks if you’re craving some more old school lit to fill the void between undead emails.

Frankenstein Weekly – Frankenstein

Jekyll and Hyde Weekly – The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Voyage of the Nautilus – Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Letters from Watson – Sherlock Holmes

The Invisible Mail – The Invisible Man

Letters from Bunny – E.W. Hornung’s short stories of the eponymous Bunny and Raffles

Letters Regarding Jeeves - P. G. Wodehouse’s Bertie Wooster short stories, including the novel, Right Ho, Jeeves

…

……

………

…The Beetle Weekly – The Beetle (NOTE: Do Not Read This.)

The Vampyres – A novella I finally wrenched through the gears of self-publication as of March this year. Starring a petite but powerful paranormal cast, The Vampyres, centers on an unscrupulous undead fellow who finds that the revenants of the world are being mowed down by an entity known only as ‘Quinn Morse.’ Between trying to save his neck and figure out where the shadowy bastard came from, the Vampyre in question crosses paths with a new paramour and handy human shield in the form of a grieving Good Samaritan. He’s even polite enough to invite the Vampyre into his home while he’s in dire straits! Surely this will end well. All the info is available here and a little author site is over here.

What Manner of Man – This is the one made for everyone who started out hoping there’d be a real love story with our good friend Jonathan Harker and the Count when he was at his most charismatic. Where that sea of wonders dried up into a mire of horror, What Manner of Man by @stjohnstarling keeps things firmly on the romantic tracks. This Substack stars the letter-writing priest Father Victor E. Ardelian as he finds himself meeting with one enigmatic Lord Alistair Vane. It isn’t long before interest turns into intrigue and intrigue into undead intimacies.

The entire novel has been completed—along with multiple epilogues in the author’s Patreon, allowing readers to choose for themselves just how the uncanny romance plays out in the end—and the Substack now has a number of other gothic goodies piling up in the meantime.  

NONFICTION

Dracula Daily: A Unique Reading Experience: This one comes courtesy of @realwomenofgaming. It’s a short and sweet piece that amounts to a fun snapshot of the entire Dracula Daily ride. A cozy couple-minute read.

‘Dracula Daily’ is the One Substack You Need a Subscription To: Features my favorite Matt Kirkland interview. @mattkirkland, if you’re still floating around on here, thank you for dispatching our vampire newsletter again this year.

Dracula Daily is Tumblr’s hottest new book club: Alright, the ‘new’ part is worn out by now, but this one is still a delightful article to swing back around to. Two years on, this Polygon piece is a time capsule of those early months when people outside our bookworm bubble realized we were all happily receiving letters from our favorite classic gothic horror blorbos.  

“How Mina Murray Became Dracula’s Girlfriend” – Princess Weekes, if you ever read this, thank you, thank you, thank you. I am sending oceans of love and millions of rewatches to your video essay. If you haven’t seen it yet, “How Mina Murray Became Dracula’s Girlfriend” is one of the most refreshing and well-made breakdowns of both the title subject and numerous other issues that have proliferated in the public view of Dracula’s cast and plot as adaptations endlessly warp or outright bastardize the actual novel. An incredibly cathartic watch.  

Literary play gone viral: delight, intertextuality, and challenges to normative interpretations through the digital serialization of Dracula: A mouthful of a title for an even more elaborate article about the Dracula Daily phenomenon. This one is a full-on study that analyzes just what happened within the big bloodsucker book club surge and how its ‘wandering reading practices’ enriched the experience for participants.

 “The Undying Undead: An analysis of the Dracula Daily community for a theory of online community formation and interaction” – We have a thesis on here! Look at that! @sirangelothebestest’s MA thesis used our vampiric book club as the bones for a massive brick of an academic piece that definitely deserves a look.

…And I think I’ll go ahead and cap things here.

This isn’t everything I got recommended, but if I had squashed all of it in here, I think folks’ eyes would start to fall out of their head. I hope you can find something cool to comb through here. Or, if there’s something great I overlooked, tack it onto the list! We’ve got just two weeks to go until we’re off with Mr. Harker. Let’s enjoy our respite before those castle doors close behind us.

[creamflix]

MAKE SOME NOISE FOR THE DESI BOYS! — featuring gojo, nanami, sukuna, toji, choso, geto content warnings: writing this as a way to cope with my horrible first draft of a oneshot. south asian & desi settings/culture/reference(s), certain non-english phrases or words have been written in italics. established relationship, more of character headcannons than x reader moments. lots of fluff and crack and very self indulgent.

part two!!

what’s this? it’s spicy? — every time. gojo’s arrogance would be no match for a plate of golgappa with the most fiery paani. he’d insist he could handle it, only to down half a bottle of milk and dramatically flail about. would wear a kurta to your cousin’s wedding but would make it somehow... scandalous? the kurta would be slightly unbuttoned, the sleeves rolled up, showing his forearms, earning him several aunties’ stares (and jibes). absolutely insists on dancing during wedding processions. he’d make it his moment, hyping everyone up, and yes he'll even sit on your uncle’s shoulders, long limbs flailing around. if he accompanies you to a relative's house, he'd out-chat the most talkative aunty. someone needs to remind him he’s not the center of attention during mid-afternoon snack time. insists he doesn’t need or drink tea but still sips yours every single time, claiming it “just tastes better” when it’s from your hands. decides to help your mom in the kitchen one day, only to create a disaster. your mom bans him after he burns roti and mixes sugar instead of salt into daal. everytime he goes with the aunties to shop at the local markets, he always gets a few knick-knacks for you, even without asking. expect you to wear them on your dates together, duh.

nanami would be in awe of your mom's cooking. he'd sit quietly, savoring every bite, occasionally muttering, “this is exquisite.” he’d be polite to the point where he wouldn’t admit his stomach was done at a family dinner. your uncles would keep piling food on his plate, and he’d silently soldier through, sweating a little but never complaining. he’d be fascinated by your family's love for cricket and would learn the rules just to engage in conversation. next thing you know, he’s analyzing the team's batting order at 3 a.m. you’d catch him sneaking sweets from the fridge at odd hours, eyes lighting up like a kid when he discovers them stashed away. learns exactly how you like your tea and makes it for you without asking every morning. he even knows to add extra ginger when you’re sick. helps you set up lamps during diwali and insists on doing the rangoli with you, though he’s oddly meticulous and wants symmetry everywhere. tries helping you drape your saree during a family event and somehow manages to get it perfect after watching one youtube tutorial. after work, he picks up paani puri from the stall near your house because he knows it’s your favorite, even though it’s been a long day for him.

geto would become every single kid’s favorite at family gatherings. he’d let them braid his hair, play charades, and act as the mediator when they start fighting over who goes first. he’s the kind who’d sit with your grandma for hours, listening to her stories about her youth and nodding thoughtfully as if committing everything to memory. would absolutely insist on wearing a sherwani to a wedding because he respects the tradition, and he looks like he just walked off a vogue india cover. notices every detail — your earrings, your bangles, even that small bindi you put on. always manages to say something that makes you feel seen and cherished. loves watching old shahrukh khan movies with you and mimics the dramatic hand gestures, leaving you in fits of laughter. makes a mess of eating sev puri, getting imli chutney all over his fingers, but enjoys it so much that he insists on taking you for chaat every week.

sukuna refuses to admit he likes your mom’s parathas but will eat five in one sitting. he’d grumble about “why does this butter smell so good?” while scooping another bite. at first, he’d scoff at cultural events, calling them “pointless human traditions,” but eventually, you’d catch him laughing at your cousin’s bad singing or mouthing the words to a song. bhindi fry or aloo gobi would become his favorite dish. he’d demand you learn your mom’s recipe exactly as is. and god forbid, you forget the pickle. hates most people but inexplicably bonds with your uncle, the one who’s slightly tipsy at every function and making inappropriate jokes. makes you explain the 10 different kinds of pickles your mom keeps in the pantry. ends up liking lemon pickle the best but hates admitting it. accidentally steps on the edge of your saree while passing by and tries to play it cool when you glare at him, muttering, “how was i supposed to know it’s this long?” initially says, “i don’t get what’s so special about biriyani,” but after tasting your mom’s, demands she teach you exactly how to make it “or else.” always insists on driving you home from family events, saying, “your uncles are insane drivers, and i don’t trust their shortcuts.”

choso’s sweet, quiet nature would win over your aunties almost instantly. they'd call him little one and pinch his cheeks every chance they got. he’d be a sucker for gulab jamun. you’d leave him alone with a bowl, and suddenly half of it would disappear. he’d give you that guilty but adorable "did i do something wrong?" look. would love watching bollywood movies with you, but he’d always side with the villains because “they’re misunderstood.” his favorite movie is don 2. lowkey obsessed with mehndi. he’d insist you draw some on his hand for fun, sitting patiently while you doodle a peacock and floral designs. takes notes as your mom explains how to make dal tadka. later surprises you by making it, though it’s slightly too salty. gets genuinely emotional watching kabhi khushi kabhie gham, especially during the family reunion scene. refuses to admit he cried. helps you untangle strings of lights before diwali and insists on hanging them up himself so you don’t climb any ladders. sneaks sweets from the fridge at night, only to leave a sticky trail of crumbs everywhere. when confronted, he sheepishly blames the cat.

toji would absolutely love the chaos of a desi wedding. the dancing, the food, the random uncle fighting with the DJ — he’d thrive in it. shamelessly asks your mom to pack leftovers. he has zero shame about taking home an entire packet of biryani. the man can handle spice, but even he’d flinch at a particularly deadly pepper. he’d recover quickly, though, saying, “it’s good. just clears out the sinuses, ya know?” absolute menace during garba. no rhythm, no technique — just a wild flailing of arms and a massive grin. he's suprisingly good at bhangra and now everyone wants to dance with him. fixes random things around the house for your parents, like the fan or the jammed door, all while your aunties try (and fail) not to ogle him.

produced by creamflix on tumblr. all rights reserved. do not copy, steal, modify, repost. banners by cafekitsune — support your writers by liking and reblogging. ♡

[lovemomhatepolice]

wanna go on a little trip? - 1k celebration!

*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:

hi babes!!

IT HAPPENED!!! (correction - happening right now as I type this) we just reached the first thousand of you here! i am terribly, terribly grateful for you guys being here and supporting me in what i am doing, really. it means a lot to me.

and so I thought and thought, how can I repay you (and also encourage new people) for your wonderful support - and I've come to the point where I'm going to take you on a little trip :)

from 17.11.2024 to 23.11.2024 you have time to get youself for our trip. after that time we are on our way and do not collect latecomers!

well, what will you need for this adventure?

wine drunk (send a 🍷 for a nswf request) — well, someone seems to have had too much to drink at the club on our trip. oh, and who's making out in the corner? where are you guys going? — if you don't have an idea, choose something from these wonderful prompts (smutty one-liners, subtle smut, smut prompt list, first time. smut sentence, smut, “I wanna try it, bite it, lick it, spit it, pull it to the side and get all up in it”) authors: @creativepromptsforwriting, @nightprompts,

our dj (send a 💿 for a music request) — where is the dj? here you are, great! we have been waiting for you. turn on the music and it will be better right away — quick explanation: you write me the song you want and the character, EVENTUALLY the bigger details, and I write the story

oh no, we have problems (send a ��� for an angst) — what's that lights behind us? sh*t! i think we're in trouble. it's my fault?! no way, it's probably you who did something! — if you don't have an idea, choose something from these wonderful prompts (angry confessions, post argument, i can't stop loving you, situationship, too good for me, please don't leave me) authors: @dumplingsjinson, @me-writes-prompts,

10 UV (send a 🏝️ for a fluff) — it's so warm under that palm tree! I'm sweating all over, but the fact that I'm here with you makes my heart warm the most — if you don't have an idea, choose something from these wonderful prompts (acts of love, subtly physical affection, shy affection, established relationship, i care about you, falling in love, i think im in love with you, navigating through new relationship, no sexual intimacy) authors: @bonbonbee, @ricesinspo, @dumplingsjinson, @distort-t, @euthymiaaa, @me-writes-prompts)

and now the most important! who are we taking with us? all formula 1 drivers (and some exceptions like Arthur Leclerc), Pogues and Kooks, Avengers, footballers and wizards from Hogwarts

so once again - have fun! thank you lovely and let's fly for another thousand, eh?

your forever loving, fausti

PS. NO LIMITS, YOU CAN ORDER AS MUCH AS YOU WANT! and so can you reblog it to encourage fun :)

all stories will be tagged #tripwithfausti

[tanaor]

How to get the "show, don't tell" rule right in your writing!

(🙋Or how to master descriptions and body language🙋)

Hello everyone! Today I'm here to dive into the very famous "show don't tell" rule. But, first, please remember that these so called rules in art are subjective, and that ultimately you can do whatever you want. There is no wrong or right way to create. That said, let's start!

1. What is "show don't tell"?

It's a method of writing that involves describing sensations, sensory details and body language to convey your message in a way that is more relatable to the reader. For example, instead of saying "it was a hot day", you could say: "She was sweating, and her skin burned because of the sun. She faned herself with her hand, sighing". It makes the reader feel more immersed in a story, setting or emotion.

2. How to show, not tell

If you want to show things instead of telling them, you should try to reduce the number of "feeling words" in your work, such as "nervous","happy", "sad", "excited"... You get the point! Try to think what actions or details convey that emotion, and use them instead. "Sensation words" are also something to look for, like "hot", "cold", "hungry" and so on. There is always a better way to explain things! (If you struggle with this, don't worry! A lot of people make lists of actions that convey an exact mood or emotion. For example, @writers-potion has some really good ones, and also takes petitions).

Extra: I like to assign specific actions to characters so that it gives them variety, and as a little way to convey their personality in the way they express themselves. For example, one character may "cross their arms and frown" while another one might "look away and sight", and both can be interpreted as upset. Get creative!

3. When to use "show, don't tell"

Show don't tell is, of course, a great way to immerse your readers more in the story, but that doesn't mean that it's always necessary. A lot of writers see show don't tell just as a way to add words to your wordcount, and even if it is true that you usually use more words this way, that is not the objective of this technic. That is why, if you think that a specific part of your narration feels good without the show don't tell rule (or if your writing style is more genuine without it), I advise leaving it as it is. Other cases when you shouldn't use this method is in action scenes, as it can slow the pace of your story, or between dialogue, as too much description might come off as boring or unnecessary.

So that's all for today! My next post will probably be about backstorys and how to get them right, so if you'd like to read about that, keep tuned! Hope you find it helpful and happy writing everybody.

Other tips for writers: previous

[kirschteinoir]

just thinking about kuroo after the battle of the dumpster...

saw the haikyuu movie and cannot stop thinking about this man!!! kuroo is such an important character to the story and i'm glad his boobs are as big as his love for the game <3 when i tell you i was giggling kicking my feet in my chair whenever he appeared on screen... (≧◡≦) ♡

warnings; teensy bit angsty but has a happy ending i promise!!! mild spoilers for the battle of the dumpster movie and the timeskip

didn’t allow himself to be upset about losing to karasuno until he was alone late at night. for the first time in a while he allowed himself to stay up until the early morning, taking a leaf out of kenma’s book. after everyone else had gone to sleep, he snuck downstairs and re-watched the TV highlights of the match, scrutinising every detail (against his better judgement). he probably doesn’t even realise he’s crying until he can feel snot starting to drip down his lips and he momentarily grosses himself out. but he just lets himself cry and cry, horrible choking sobs that he has to hide behind the sleeve of his jacket so he doesn't wake anyone up. god forbid his team (or coach nekomata) see their giant jokester of a captain expressing his emotions!!!

the ride back home the next day is awkwardly silent. he does his best to remain chipper but he also knows his team needs time to recover and gather their emotions. he makes idle talk with kai since yaku is constantly in tears, who seems to be much calmer than everyone else, and kinda just stares out of the window, chin against his palm, until they pull up outside the school.

he doesn’t see kenma for a few days after the match. partly because kenma has a fever and is sleeping it off, but partly because he doesn’t know what to say to him. especially after the whole ‘thanks for getting me into volleyball’ moment… how do you even begin to talk about something like that? should he even talk about it? or is it something that should be preserved in the moment?

he spends the next few days resting his sore muscles, dodging questions from his dad about how the game went, thinking about how he was going to go to school next week and act like a normal high-schooler again despite feeling like a part of him has died. no more practice, no more volleyball at nekoma high.

of course, everyone at school congratulates the team. they get a shoutout in the school assembly on monday morning and have to awkwardly face the entire school as the principal describes how close they were to winning. it takes a lot for him to not burst into tears again on stage.

a lot of fellow students were cheering them on in the stands and kuroo makes sure to thank everyone sincerely for believing in them as they approach him in the school corridors. people always mention that it was such bad luck that the ball was covered in sweat, causing it to slip in kenma’s hands. kuroo’s smile is strained as he laughs it off, not knowing whether it was worse that their final mistake was something they couldn’t have ever controlled or if he would have preferred it to be a matter of bad technique.

unknowingly he regresses into himself, becoming less talkative and more serious for a short period after the game. it would be especially bad at the end of the school day, when he and kenma would usually meet up and head to the boy’s changing room together for practice. he instinctively packs his gym bag for a while, always realising too late that he didn’t need to bring it with him anymore and then being stuck with it for the rest of the day like some cruel taunt.

eventually he graduates, and real-life problems start replacing the loss of volleyball in his life. he knows the world moved on and now so must he. he speaks to his dad a lot about where he’s going to go after he graduates - he’s always done well in school and performed strongly in the entrance exams he took so he ends up at a decent university in the city, moves away from home (and kenma) to make new friends and start again

on his first day in his new dorm all alone, he feels the introverted, timid kid from his childhood start to resurface again. he thinks he might vomit but he shakes himself out of it momentarily by unpacking his sparse belongings, including his nekoma jacket. it’s comfy, he thinks to himself, and it would be a waste of a jacket if he’d left it to collect dust at home.

thankfully, his lectures and assignments keep him busy for a good month or so once semester starts. at first he texts kenma almost everyday but the younger boy starts to see how kuroo's replies get further apart and much shorter. kenma is still the team’s setter so he doesn’t exactly have free time either, but he wishes kuroo would maybe video call him soon, or at least come home to visit every now and then.

on the whole, kuroo enjoys his first year of university. he’s studying business and joined the uni’s volleyball society and team, through which he made a few friends. people recognise him too, as the captain of the red guys that played that one intense match against karasuno last spring. he’s like ‘yep that’s me :D’ before he thinks about the last time he contacted yaku, kai, kenma or anyone from his life one year ago. he feels guilty and that night, over a bowl of rice and some grilled mackerel, he replies to all of kenma’s awaiting texts (three of them) AND shoots yaku a message about his latest inter-university volleyball match. he also calls his dad, who tells him his sister is back in town and to come home and see her if he can spare the time.

let’s be honest, there probably isn’t a human on earth that kuroo tetsurou doesn’t have chemistry with. he’s definitely fairly popular and the guy that everyone wants to invite out because he always makes it a good time. also had a girlfriend or two (maybe even a boyfriend???) but wasn’t really looking for anything solid so graduated single, much to many peoples' despair.

university got easier when kenma joined him a year later. he helped the younger get acquainted with campus and all the ins and outs of what the students like to do but kenma was never going to be a party animal or a socialite so their dynamic from high-school was largely unchanged. it was just that kenma was now becoming famous and was making shit-loads of money… kuroo was in awe of what kenma had made of his life so far and i feel like he inspired him once again to pursue something he was passionate about, no matter how unconventional it may be

stopped playing volleyball for a while after graduating to work some odd jobs, constantly looking for that one thing that he would do until he would die

one of his uni teammates told him about an internship at the JVA and pushed him to apply for it. of course his application was stellar: interest in volleyball from a young age, outstanding academic performance, captain of his highschool VB team? he was their dream hire

the day he got the internship he invited coach nekomata out for drinks. just the two of them. kuroo still reveres nekomata like a god, despite the older man telling tetsurou he has far surpassed him by now. kuroo remains humble, unconvinced that his future work at JVA would even hold a candle to what nekomata did for him when he was younger. they talk about the nationals match and how it could’ve ended differently, they talk about the nekoma high volleyball club as it is currently and nekomata laments that under kuroo’s leadership it was truly the strongest they’ve ever been. they talk about hinata and kageyama and bokuto and oikawa and all these names from their past excelling in their professional volleyball careers and kuroo realises in his heart of hearts that he wants to be in that world too. maybe not on the court itself but definitely on the sidelines pulling the strings, connecting people. lowering the net.

about me. 

[senseearly]

I think about how Kabru, who's taught swordsmanship by Milsiril, a very experienced and skilled swordsperson, to the point that Kabru can like take down a group of people with no sweat or no hesitation but finds difficulty when it comes to monsters and think --

Why is it that?

I don't think it's a lack of Milsiril's training. Her training should've covered how to fight monsters. And, I'm not like a swordfighter or anything, but the basics of sword fighting - whether it's against another swordsman or a monster - are the same.

It's also not like she was soft on him, either. You'd think that she would be, since she really doesn't want Kabru anywhere near a dungeon (or a meter away from her side), but it would be much better, and much safer, for Kabru if she trained him seriously. So in case he was stuck in a situation where he needs to fight, he can fight back and win.

And for the most part, Kabru fights well against most monsters.

He's honestly so skilled it's scary. If this was just a standard let's conquer the dungeon and defeat the evil magician! type of story he's the best candidate out of all the characters in the story (yes, even including Laios).

So I find it interesting that we are shown moments where he struggles:

It's not like the other characters didn't struggle against the same monsters. Laios almost didn't make it to some of these monster encounters. And, not to invalidate his achievements thanks to his quick thinking and understanding of monsters (i know he hates his time in the military, but training there really paid off here), but some degree of luck (and perhaps demonic intervention) helped him in little ways.

But Kabru's struggles against monsters are perfectly summed up in this panel:

He's scared.

Yes, he has the skills. Yes, he has the intellect. Yes, he has the experience. But even then, he freezes up in front of some of these monters because of the memory of Utaya. And I think that's such an important detail to his character, really.

At the beginning we get introduced to this Kabru who is confident, all smiles, can do everything.

But deep inside, the nightmare of Utaya haunts him.

[dailyadventureprompts]

Drafting the Adventure: Dungeons Without Walls

I love the idea of dungeons, but there was a significant portion of my life as a DM where they didn’t feature in my games. While Pathfinder and 5e provided a great framework for character building and tactical skirmishes that I could build story on top of, neither was really great when it came time to detour into a  dungeon. My players tended to get confused when we headed out to plunder the local ruin or cave system, spending a lot more time figuring out where they were and what they should be doing than actually doing anything. 

The problem as it turned out was limited information.  I had a picture of the dungeon in my head/notes but I couldn’t telepathically infer that to the party, and the back and forth questions where they tried to orient themselves within my mental labyrinth ate up a lot of session time prevented us from attaining that snappy pace that every table needs to keep the players invested.

Recently though I had an epiphany about overhauling exploration in d&d, and wrote up a whole post detailing how you could build and run wilderness adventures the same way you could a heist or a murder mystery. Because I was already writing a series about dungeon design it didn’t take long for me to realize that this exploration overhaul was 100% applicable, and could solve a lot of the delay and confusion my players usually faced on their next trip underground.  Spoilers: it worked amazingly.

 The key to this overhaul was giving my players enough information to see the dungeon as a sort of abstract checklist, and then giving them the power to investigate and check things off that list in whatever order they wished, when they enter a new level of the dungeon they get a new checklist to fill out which still keeps that sense of exploration. Folk love checking things off lists, and I as a dungeonmaster love it when players engage with the content I’ve spent so much energy creating even if it’s only poking their head in the door to realize they want to run away as fast as possible. Likewise, designing the dungeon this way let me tackle much larger concepts without having to sweat the details of filling up every little room as I would have to in map-centric design.

To summarize my exploration mechanic as It applies to dungeons:

During Design: After you’ve got the dungeons’ major concept, you divide it into unique “zones” (essentially what might be levels in a regular dungeon) with an interconnected theme, mechanic, or threat.

Each zone has a number of points of interest, which can be anything from trails to follow, odd sights they might investigate, to full complexes of rooms that you’ve mapped out. You don’t need to map out the points of interest otherwise, they sort of float abstractly within the zone 

When players enter a zone, they become aware of its name and general descriptor, as well as how many total points of interest are in that zone. They also become aware of some points of interest immediately to serve as landmarks and give them a direction for their exploration, but most remain undiscovered until they venture off the path and start checking out their surroundings. Hidden among these points of interest are the doors that lead to zones deeper within the dungeon, encouraging the party to explore in order to progress.

During Play: When the players enter the dungeon, one player is appointed as the surveyor, who’s job it is to keep track of the zones, fill out that checklist, and check things off when the DM tells them that they’ve fully explored a point of interest.

Rather than needing to be aware of the exact room layout, the party just need to know what zone they’re in and what options are available to them, Because this information is delivered in the form of a checklist with empty spaces, the party know exactly how much of the dungeon they’ve explored, what’s left to explore, and when they’ve cleared out an area.

Lets take the image above as inspiration. Say the party is trying to make it up to the tower, you can easily see a progression of zones and maybe imagine a few to go alongside them:

Ruins & Foothills: The first area, filled with the remnants of an ancient civilization. Picked over by looters and now a home to all sorts of wildlife,

Mountainside: The obvious next goal, but locked off behind a challenging climb, Filled with hazards that threaten to knock the party back down to the foothills if they’re not careful

Caverns: Secret area accessible only if the party explore a cave on the mountainside, or make a beeline towards the old aqueduct landmark in the foothills, realizing it might be easier than the climb. 

Spire Foundations: The door connecting to the foothills is guarded by a complex puzzle and arcane ward, but the party might be able to sneak in through the caves where erosion has caused a breakthrough into the cellars.

Spire Peak: High among the clouds, the party’s prize is somewhere here.  Access to the upper sections of the tower are guarded by a territorial sphinx under arcane compulsion, though the party might just be able to skip that fight if they figure out the riddle to make the portal mirrors work in the foundations.

Trying to design all this by pencilling it in on a gridmap would take weeks, to say nothing of the headache it’d cause you trying to make things fit together and fill up empty space with content. Designing it first as a sequence of zones and then filling those out with interesting fights, puzzles, and encounters is the work of an afternoon or two. Likewise, its easy on your players: five zones with six to ten points of interest is far easier to tackle when you can make a checklist and see how much progress you’ve made, despite the fact that the area they’re exploring is quite vast. 

I hope you find this as useful as I have, and if you need a more concrete example of how it might work, don’t worry, I’ll have one of those for you in the coming days.

[oh-no-its-bird]

TORA AU TIME YES ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN !!!

Ok so first, quoting this from a previous tora au post:

Personal take here: I don't think Itachi likes being in charge! That boy is a born, built, and bred shinobi who follows what he is told to a perfect T, no matter how blatantly horrifically awful the order is! Even if hates it with all of his heart! He'll still fucking do it! And then only blame himself for it and not the guy who fucking ordered it! Because he'll still obey that guy after! Which also adds another fun layer of irony bc hes supposed to be clan head one day! To me, Itachi is a fascinating subject of having an unshakable, unbreakable iron will— and also having absoloutley no spine To be fair tho was also like. Fuckin 13. He was fucked up and was tricked at a very, very young age and unfortunatley that one mistake came to chain him to that one specific way of thinking. If he came to grow out of that way of thinking, he'd first have to admit he'd made a mistake, which wasn't gonna happen bc it was too late for regrets. But anyways: With Tora here Itachi has another "voice of reason" to help steer him away from other voices who might otherwise bind him. There isn't as much pressure on only him + Shisui to here and now choose what they (and only they) will choose to do to save the entire clan or Konoha Tora is a natural leader and quick to take charge, and Itachi is ok with that. When Itachi chooses to speak, he is listened to carefully and his opinions are taken seriously, which is all he can ask for tbh. Otherwise he's allowed to sit there and look pretty till given a nice, neatly wrapped plan approved by 2 people he can really, truly trust. So he's doing a bit better mentally than canon Anyways, in this AU I think Itachi should actually get to semi-retire as a shinobi and actually Sasuke gets to be clan head bc his brother ain't built for it. Plus it can play more into the stuff I was talking ab earlier about Sasuke struggling a lot more than those around him to learn different stuff (sealing especially) only to come out as one of the most terrifying in what he eventually masters. Let the second son inherit!! Let Sasuke have a defining character moment where he decides he wants to help guide the clan, and he's forced to kind of get over his brother worship to confront Itachi to say he doesn't think he'd make the best clan head. And Itachi let's out this sigh of relief he did not know he has been holding for his entire life and tells Sasuke he's proud of him.

With that in mind ^

I think the ultimate ironic pairing for the finale of the Tora AU would be Tora and Itachi ending up together, but with Itachi as the retired ninja housewife and Tora the big boi breadwinner

The ultimate fuck you twist call back to all Tora's parents talk of Tora needing to find a "good man to take care of you" + irony from them originally cheering Tora on when they learned he and itachi were friends bc they thought he'd snag him as a husband and the culmination of Itachi's "I don't really want to be in charge actually" arc

I love a full circle !!

Sasuke is Itachi's best man and Shisui is Tora's and Kakashi gets to walk Tora down the isle instead of his parents who he has no real attachment to

Actually POV I fucking kill off the Haruno's and Tora and Sakura have to deal w the death of their parents, who they both had very complicated relationships with but relationships nonetheless

Mmm I kinda like that, putting that in my back pocket for now

I honestly don't even know how the romance would happen, tbh I'm not the biggest romance fan but I just love the progression of it in the narrative. I think it'd be a cool end to their story, I'll sweat the little details later

Maybe they aren't even in love fr fr

Oh my god wait no hear me out

HEAR ME OUT

Itachi getting out of being clan head via marrying Tora. Don't ask me how this works. They aren't even like in love or anything but Itachi is using Tora as a political shield to fuck off and enjoy his housewife retirement actually.

Tora is similarly using this for one of his infamous political plots somehow, it's all part of his master plan and as usual itachi is just happy to go along for the ride

,,,the perfect queer platonic besties end to their arc ,, I love it this is my new ideal endgame

Sasuke drops that he's gonna fight Itachi to be clan head and Itachi one ups him by going "oh cool. Guess I don't need to marry Tora then."

Queue Sasuke spit take "You don't need to WHAT"

"Yeah we were gonna get married as part of a 10 step plan to help Tora take over the clan council + get me out of being clan head by abusing some old laws Tora found."

"??????????"

"I guess I'll tell Tora we don't need to do it anymore. I'm happy for you, little brother."

"???????????????????"

Anyways yeah, thinking ab tora au again.

I just finished re-reading my vault fic chapter for it and am having Thoughts(tm)

[hoeforalbedo]

ᗪEᗩᒪ ᗯITᕼ TᕼE ᗪEᐯIᒪ ✟

Chapter 2

———————— ♱ ————————

WARNING: PLEASE READ

Sensitive topics including vague details of SA. Reader will display many mental health such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety. I will also discuss after effects of said trauma such as hyper sexuality, over-sexualizing oneself, over trusting, and many more. (Many cope in different ways however I am more familiar with this side of the spectrum as I have taken this information from my experience.) Suicidal topics. Horror. Manipulation. Blasphemy. Religious horror and possibly hints of religious trauma. Demons. Paganism. Witchcraft (I try to depict witchcraft as accurate as I can however if I make it too accurate, it will seem boring so I did add magical abilities. I write it based off of how I practice it). Possession. Death. Murder. Exorcism. Sex. Ritualistic sex. Female reader. A bit of crack (reader doesn’t take things seriously. Humor is the way of coping 😭)

If any of these themes trigger you, please do not read. You have already been warned.

Writing criticism is appreciated since I want to get better in writing.

Note: This story is heavily inspired by Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and honestly I was going to write a story like that but I wanted something original. I did leave in some ideas I really liked so to anyone who watched it, you guys may know a little bit of the direction I’m going with for a specific character. Also yay, I did manage to post it but Chapter 3 may take a bit.

Summary: Everything is happening too fast and it just keeps getting worse. Hey, at least you got to see a friend!

———————— ♱ ————————

Hongjoong’s body is tangled with yours with only a thin blanket covering you both. He feels so good as he thrusts slowly and passionately into your sopping wet hole.

“Hongjoong,” Whines fell from your lips like a prayer. You dig your nails into his back and bury your face into the crook of his neck.

“Feel so good, squeezing me so right, doll,” He groans in your ear, his tip pressing against your cervix snugly.

“Joong, please,” You gasp as his pace quickens, driving you closer and closer to the taste of your sweet orgasm.

“That’s right. Say my name, doll. Scream it. Worship me,”He starts grunting out nonsense, although it sounded right under the drunken haze of pleasure. His thrust only became rougher, drawing strings of profanity from you. “So sinful,” He chuckles. “Tell God how much you love this demon’s cock,” He cackles, tearing you away from pleasure. When you look at him, his eyes are rolled back to his head and some black substance oozes out of his mouth.

You let out a horrid scream and reached for anything on your night stand. “Get off of me!” You cry, grabbing some object and hitting Hongjoong on the head with it. He then collapses over you and you shakily toss away the object you killed him with, a crucifix.

He lifts his head up, “You can’t run from the mark of lust.”

You sat up immediately, ending whatever nightmare that was. It felt so real, and you swear it felt so good before the whole demonic stuff happened.

That night you prayed. To be honest, during times like these, you suddenly become a devout Christian, or was it Catholic? Does it matter? They both worship God.

“Have you ever seen Doctor Who?” You walk around the courtyard of the church as you ask the priest some questions. The courtyard doesn’t seem to be well taken care of, the shrubs over growing and eroding statues. The grass could also use some cutting.

“No, can’t say that I have,” He shakes his head.

“Well there’s these weeping angels. They’re pretty much statues and when you blink or when the lights go out, they move. I would have nightmares from them.” You remembered you were at the dorms during your college days and your roommate had introduced you to the show. After watching the weeping angels in particular did she start regretting it, as you woke up in cold sweats. You had dreams of the angels chasing you.

“Well the church has plenty of those,” Hongjoong laughs as you shudder at the thought. The leaves crunched under your shoes, as the weather had gotten colder and it seems the world is dying around you.

“Do they ever move?” You ask jokingly as you link arms with him.

He shrugs, “Yeah.”

You look up at him, scoffing, “Oh really?”

He smirks as he nods. “Yeah. There’s one behind you?”

You turn your head to look behind and there was nothing. “Liar,” You huff and Hongjoong came to a sudden stop. Confused, you turned your head back to face the front to question why he stopped.

“No I’m not,” He says as you come face to face with the stone cold statue that looks at you with empty eyes.

“You are so mean!” You raise your voice but you weren’t offended by the harmless joke.

“Michael just wanted to say hi.”

“Well I’m saying goodbye,” You roll your eyes as you walk ahead of him.

He laughs as he watches you slowly walk off, eyes glazing over your figure and the way you kick some rocks while muttering under your breath. His gaze wanders back up and stops at your waist, or at least the middle of your spine much closer to your tailbone. “Hey, you’re bleeding.”

You wave him off, “Not falling for it.”

“No, I'm serious. You’re bleeding.”

“I would feel if I were bleeding,” You turn to him, brows furrowed.

“I could take a picture to show you,” He offers.

You sigh and hand him your phone. He leans down and pulls your shirt up by an inch. “Oh shit!” He gasps, making you panic.

“What. What. What happened?” You ask, trying to look at your back for yourself.

“Let me just,” He snaps the picture then turns the phone screen to you.

“Oh fuck,” You whisper as you zoomed into the picture. It’s slightly still bloody, however you can easily make out swollen red marks that form into an unknown symbol. It’s almost as if you’ve been branded. “Hongjoong, this seems demonic. I’m too hot to be possessed. . .” You whimper, eyes brimming with tears. “My gorgeous face would be ruined by a demon!” Wails come from you as you can already imagine that one girl from The Exorcist. In all horror movies, the host always becomes ugly after possession. “Like I wanted to die but not like this! Even if I’m on my deathbed, I have to remain gorgeous!”

“Y/N, I fear you have questionable priorities, however I can recommend some things since we’re not sure if you’re truly possessed,” Hongjoong says, rather too calmly.

“How do you know?” She grabs onto his shirt and shakes him. “How are you so sure?” She looks deep into his eyes.

Hongjoong rolls his eyes and pulls out a rosary. “What do you feel when you look at this?”

“Trauma. Those times when my parents would force me to recite the rosary ten times,” You shudder. “Wait- does that mean I’m possessed?” You gasp dramatically.”

“Do you feel violent? Like you’re going to hurt me. Or perhaps do you feel physical pain?” He asks.

You scoff, “What? No! Of course not.”

“Then you’re not possessed,” He flicks your forehead earning a grunt from you as you rub the spot.

“But how do you know?” She insists.

“Because as a former exorcist, I know that most demons would immediately react to anything holy, and the fact you’re standing in front of the church shows that you’re not possessed. There is a rare case where a demon doesn’t react at all, meaning the demon is very strong, but there are still some symptoms unless the demon fully takes control of the body,” He explains.

“Oh, okay,” You sigh in relief. “I’m good.”

“But it could also mean that you’re a target of a demon.”

“We’ll get rid of it! How do I get rid of it!” You cry.

Hongjoong couldn’t help but laugh at how dramatic you are. “Sleep with a crucifix in your room, pray at night, and go to confession and apologize for the lack of faith,” He instructs.

“Is that 100% foolproof?” You ask.

“No.”

“Damn,” You huff.

Suddenly, a loud high pitched scream causes you both to freeze and look at each other in panic. Collectively, you both decide to run to where the screams came from. Once Hongjoong pushes the heavy wooden doors open, he looks around and sees that the deacon has already arrived at the scene.

“Seonghwa, what happened?” Hongjoong asks as his gaze falls on the nun, Sister Anna, who’s crying next to the man. Before them is another nun who remains unmoving.

“I’m afraid the killer has gotten into the parish, Father,” Seonghwa says calmly.

Hongjoong walks up to them with you following close behind. The closer you got the more you were able to make out the scene. “Oh my God,” you gasp, earning a look from Seonghwa for using God’s name in vain.

The nun on the pew sits stiff, her hands tied together with a rosary. She looks at the huge cross above the altar however her eyes are deep pits of emptiness. She’ll never see God. The killer scooped out her eyes. Was she praying while getting killed? How did she get killed in the first place? Not a single gunshot or stab wound. Her body is just there, praying.

“I’ll prepare the funeral right away,” Seonghwa says with a lack of emotion, taking the body as if it was nothing.

“Shouldn’t we leave the body so that the police can investigate?” You ask.

“And ruin the peace of the church? Giving a proper funeral for Sister Mary is what she would have wanted,” Seonghwa says sternly, to which you don’t understand. Someone died. Why is he being so calm about this?

“Look, Y/N,” Hongjoong turns to you. “I think you should go home. I don’t think you should see any more of this.”

“But-“ You start but the look in his eyes, the look that says, ‘question and you’ll see the consequences,’ forces you to shut up and turn away from. “Yeah, I’ll see you,” You force out before walking down the long isle till you get to the huge set of wooden doors.

You have decided to cut through the woods, realizing that it’s a very quick shortcut to your house. As always, you pass by the huge oak tree. Maybe this is the reason the town is called Oakheart.

“You bear the mark of lust,” A woman sneers.

Your head spins to the voice. It’s the woman from before. This time, she wears a black thin veil over her head.

“That. How did you-“ You are flabbergasted. You recalled your dream. You can’t run from the mark of lust. “Who are you?”

At the corner of her lips curve into a smirk. She transforms in a blink of an eye. The once wrinkled skin becomes tight and youthful, although there’s still age. She looks very mature. Her eyes are sharp and her blue eyes are piercing cold. Her once pruned lips are pulled tight, the color dark red like wine, or even blood.

“What the fuck!” You scream as you back away. “The woman. The old lady. The grandma! How? What,” You stutter, trying to make sense of everything. You’re not high or drunk so this must be real, right? You pinch your skin to make sure.

You could care less for an explanation at this point as you run off. First you witnessed a murder. Now you’re seeing things. It’s best if you just go home.

“You can’t run, child! You’re a beacon! They’ll find you!” The woman calls from behind you.

You keep running and running until you make it to your street. You’re never going through the forest ever again. You don’t even look back, nor look at where you are going so it’s no surprise when you collide with someone.

“Are you okay?” The man asks, though the kindness is unexpected. In New York, you know you’d get many nasty remarks.

“I’m so sorry- Wooyoung!?” You gasp, recognizing the face of an old friend.

“Y/N? I haven’t seen you in so long!” Wooyoung’s face lights up, erasing all the negative feelings you harbored. Finally someone familiar.

He’s what you can describe as the typical shy church boy, always hiding behind his glasses. He has a soft spoken voice to him, which to be honest does not match his face nor his smile that naturally looks mischievous. He looks like he’s scheming when it’s the complete opposite. He’s a sweet guy.

“Just visiting. Rough times,” You chuckle awkwardly.

“I’m somewhat saddened that you never even visited me,” He frowns.

“I’m sorry Woo, it’s just so many things going on. I see you still got your typical outfit going on here,” You lightly tease, hoping to change the topic and lighten up the mood. “It’s really about time you get rid of those flannels.”

He always wears his typical flannel shirt, buttoned all the way to the top and khaki pants. He dresses like a dad. And of course he always sports his black thick-rimmed glasses. You always say he has the face of a model but he never cares, always telling you , “It matters not the clothing or richness you have. God judges all equally.”

“So how’s it been? Are you working or anything?” You ask curiously.

“I’ve actually taken a job as a history teacher in Oakheart High School,” He chuckles.

“Oh really? Any interesting history?” You ask, knowing that history class back in your high school days was a bore.

“You’d be surprised. You can call me this town's historian, well unofficially anyways,” He shrugs with a chuckle. “How about you?”

“Neurosurgeon. So where are you off to?” You ask.

“Home. You should, too. Y’know it’s very dangerous for us to be out and about with the murders.”

“Yeah, I just witnessed a murder in the church,” You shrug nonchalantly, earning a gasp from him and he quickly covers your mouth.

“Don’t say that out loud. It will cause panic to everyone. Whatever you saw, keep it to yourself. I’ll pretend like I never heard what you said,” He warns you, urgency clear in his eyes, darting about to make sure no one heard. “Now I’ll be going home. You have a nice day okay,” He smiles, taking his hand off your face and walks back.

“Bye Woo.”

This town doesn’t make sense. Nothing makes sense.

—————————————————————

“They found the murderer! Come on! We have to go!” Your father screams, waking up the whole house. He rushes you and your mom out the door as quickly as possible.

“Where are we going?” You ask.

“Church,” Your father says, adding nothing more. You all got in the car and drove 10 minutes. You know cutting through the forest is faster.

When you all arrive, the parking lot is filled, having to park on the side of the road instead. It seems the whole town is there.

“What’s going on?” You ask once more, getting more confused by the second when you see people heading into the woods.

“Just don’t ask and follow us,” Your father responds gruffly.

You said you’ll never go back to the woods but here you are amongst a whole group of people. “Woo!” You whisper, weaving your way to stand next to him. “What’s going on?”

“The murderer, they found the murderer and she was found to be a witch,” Wooyoung shortly explains, eyes focused ahead as he clutches the rosary beads in his hand. “God is gracious,” He kisses the beads.

“Oakheart used to be a coven of witches, that is until the Evangelist came and forced us to turn to their God. Others who refused were burned here,” You remember the words of the old woman. Here you are, standing before the large oak tree once more, anticipating the events that would unfold, and it doesn’t seem good.

Hush murmurs drowned the silence of the woods. It seems everyone knows what’s happening but you. You don’t know what to expect.

“Brothers and sisters,” The familiar voice of Hongjoong quickly hushes the crowd. The deacon, Seonghwa, stood next to him. “It is thanks to our devoted loyalty and prayers to God that we have found the demon causing havoc to our town. A witch.”

“I didn’t do it! I didn’t do it!” Screams echo through the quiet forest as the nuns drag a woman to Hongjoong.

Your hand shakily covers your mouth, recognizing the old woman. There’s no way. A fragile woman like her? But the way she transformed before your eyes. Maybe she did do it. She seems to be staring at you now. You know I didn’t do it.

You don’t get it. If she’s the murderer, why is she here instead of in jail? What are the police doing? What is Hongjoong doing?

“Now we won’t be burning any witches but we know what to do with them,” Hongjoong smiles. He then turns to the nuns who dragged the woman to a platform and only did you notice that there’s a rope tied to a strong branch on the tree.

“There’s no way,” You whisper.

“It’s what happens to witches,” Wooyoung assures you. “History says so.”

Hongjoong puts the noose around the woman’s neck then steps back. “Brothers and sisters, we should not place mistrust in each other, but this is an example of what happens to the worshippers of the devil. With a nod, Seonghwa drops the platform, causing the woman to drop with it, the noose causing her to lose circulation and ultimately killing her. Hongjoong is turned away from you but from where you are, you can make out a smirk.

“What the fuck,” You manage to get out as you back away from the crowd. Everything happened so quickly. One moment she was screaming, the next second she’s limp. You want to puke. You might puke.

“Where are you going?” Wooyoung asks.

“Out!” You scream, causing a commotion. You run away from the group of people, Wooyoung calling out your name and your parents running after you.

You weren’t going to wait for a bus. You immediately call for an Uber as you pack your bags.

“Where are you going? You can’t just leave,” You’re mother yells.

“Well I can and I will. I am an adult!” You look out the window to see your Uber waiting for you. You push past your mother. You don’t even make eye contact with your dad.

Hongjoong killed someone. In fact, he was smiling. You can’t be mistaken.

“I’m not coming back. Not even if you force me,” You put your bag over the shoulder. You walk out the house, not even glancing back as you enter the car.

“No you are not leaving!” Your mom cries, forcing the car door open.

“Let go!” You yell, pushing her, causing her to stumble.

“Theresa!” Your dad calls you by your catholic name, as if a strong boisterous voice would scare you. You close the door and tell the driver to just go. You weren’t going to come back. There’s a reason you go by your middle name rather than your first. Maybe you should have changed your name to Lucy out of spite. They always believe Lucy is just a shortened version of Lucifer. Or maybe Lilith? That would rile them up. It doesn’t matter anymore. And fuck Hongjoong.

—————————————————————

Jung Wooyoung drives home in the dark rainy night, singing to whatever song is on the radio. Suddenly, he sees a person on the road in front of his car which forced him to swerve so suddenly. He looks back in shock then undoes his seatbelt before getting out of the car to check on the person he saw.

“Hello?” He calls out into the dark road, as nobody had invested in more lights. No answer and so he keeps on walking to the direction of where he saw the person.

“Help me! Please!” A man begs from behind him. He turns slowly to look at him.

“Oh my god,” He whispers to himself, looking at the dirty disheveled guy. So he finds himself driving the young man in the back of his car to his house. “Oh poor thing,” He shakes his head. “My house is just at the end of this road. We’ll get you all cleaned up. Tomorrow I’ll call a doctor to get you all checked.”

Wooyoung is quick to give the man the best hospitality he can offer. “I brewed you some tea. I would have gotten coffee if it wasn’t night already,” Wooyoung smiles at the young man who had finally gotten all cleaned up. The man slowly approaches him. “I also found some cookies. What’s your name? Can you tell me what happened to you?” He asks. He’s far too kind, inviting a stranger into his home, offering them refreshments without knowing anything about them. “Did someone attack you?”

The man shakes his head and sits in front of him. “No. The woods did.”

Wooyoung bites his lip for a second before his lips form a smile, sitting down as well. “Wow, well you’re not from around here, aren't you?” He chuckles. “You know, everyone knows about the witch hunt in Salem, but many people don’t know that there was one, right here in Oakheart. 1692. Well maybe the lucky few who escaped. It’s no surprise the spirits of the woods are mad. There was a hanging today.” He starts talking about the eerie history of the town. “Back then, thirteen witches were hanged in the forest,” He tells the man, explaining why he believed him so easily, being one to be a huge believer of superstitions. The superstitions are the reason he becomes even more a devout Christian, not wanting to awaken any angry spirits.

“How do you know so much,” The man asks, “about witches?”

Wooyoung smiles, “Well, I may be the unofficial historian of Oakheart. Plus, I teach at the high school. Oakheart High School. The town is actually named Oakheart because the tree the witches were hanged was an oak-”

“Do you know Y/N?”

“Yes actually! She’s my friend,” He says, taken aback. “Do you know her?”

“Not yet,” The man answered in a distorted voice which made Wooyoung stand up in fear. “But hell will be much livelier with her.” The man raises his arm up, sending a silver sheer to stab Wooyoung’s neck. He looks at the stranger in shock before collapsing to the floor.

The man approaches his body, touching his fresh warm blood while chanting in latin. The stranger transforms into the image of the man, smirking to himself. “Asmodeus, you owe me. I’m not one to play matchmaker.”

[mono-dot-jpeg]

tank moment - mauga

summary; title slightly irrelevant, i wanted to be funny. iykyk

genre/extra tags; headcanons/bullet fic, i talk about mauga hcs i thought of on the fly, reader is implied to be a support character, reader is also part of talon group, fluff, i only know the bare minimum about him and that's all i need baby, is this platonic or romantic idk

[gender neutral reader] [canon typical violence mentioned]

a/n; im back on my overwatch era. it never really ended but, i want to write about him, mauga, the beloved. typing this on my phone and finishing on my computer if anything seems wonky shhh dont tell me i'll relive that mistake for days

also this is a somewhat lightly reseached- aka not fully accurate/detailed work. i briefly mention samoan culture and if it offends or if it's a mistake, please tell me and i will erase those parts asap.

[support me and buy a kofi]

🗣 ALRIGHT SO ‼️

i've been watching and playing with/against mauga since the trial to play him came out and god i love him

but he's kind of easy to counter (im an ana main, nade is fucking broken but that's just anti heal things) and his ult is annoying

anyways

every tank needs their heal bot to keep em up

you just happen to be mauga's heal bot KDJSJSJ

(baptiste is too probably but not really)

he's a really smug guy

no one really knows that bc he sounds so upbeat and nice

but he loves to tease you, poke at you bc he knows that you will answer to him most of the time and entertain him in conversation

you and him are probably in your world even when you're both in talon tbh

he does his own thing and you just happen to join in

(he totally baits you to join his plans and you both know it)

he's a chaotic and cunning man and you're his enabler

(sounds like me and my bestie tbh)

"a hero would sacrifice you to save the world but a villain would sacrifice the world to save you" type beat

he's lowkey possessive but we dont talk about that

jk we do talk abt it

he's your scary guard dog privileges

like that man is tall tall ‼️‼️

idk why but i dont really imagine him being like an openly sweet person

he keeps it private even with how loud he is

anyways

you know how he's on a yacht for his origin story and there's like a bunch of people who got destroyed by him?

yeah he would totally do that shit for u if you asked.

he would give you the best home but

"thanks for the new place and all but did you have to kill someone for it?"

"i mean come on! this place is nice! let's enjoy it!"

he's very "i'll do the dirty work, just sit back and look pretty." and then you're like, "yeah i could. but i won't."

dps support vibes for you ✨️

but also he's charging in most of the time so, there's not much time to dps support KDHDJDJJD

he's like the kool aid man bursting in through the walls /j

cough

back to the hcs here...

he's so tall and big, he would totally let you hang off his back like nunu and wilump (from league, yeah i play league dont remind me totally gonna write for heartsteel soon tm)

also he's literally the greatest heated blanket (ahead of roadhog)

he's so stronk and wowowowow im so gay i love him

when you're surrounded by some enemies, he's charging in, slamming the ground and carrying you with ease as he keeps you safe while destroying any enemies who even tried to touch you

ugh

despite his lack of pda, he's a very actions over words.

he's so silly

chivalry isn't dead when he breaks into a jewelry store for u 😍😍

if you ever have those crazy thoughts about crime, he's totally gonna enable you and let you reign havoc on god knows what.

love language is actions and gift giving. enough said.

when he gives you a hug, he's so fucking warm omg

i said it before and i'll say it again, he's the best heated blanket, literal furnace

bad for the people who sweat easily though (ahem me lowkey)

one the off-days where it's just a day off and relaxing, he's taking care of you well !!

when you're on talon missions, since he can't run around as easily unless he gets the okay but you do keep him company until then

he likes to protect but he loves destroying people

he knows you're able to care for yourself, so he can go crazy whenever, and he loves that.

he also loves watching you get mad or angrily passionate

"yes go, la'u ma’asoama!" (my rock/stone, get it? bc his name means mountain)

he is a really good hype man. even if you're the one in the wrong.

god I WISH I LOOKED UP MORE ABOUT HIM ARGBHYKFJ

soon (tm)

someday i'll write more.

[katyspersonal]

some fake bitch in Soulsborne fandom: Lmaaoooo the take that [insert something that doesn't follow their very one-dimensional, nuance-less version] is so braindead and nonsensical, like did?? everyone??? just suddenly forget???? this this and that detail in lore?????? Yall I am begging you to understand what subtext is and also to actually read into the story! We don't have to put up with these blatant misinterpretation just because you 1) are all misogynists 2) lack media literacy 3) want to defend white male character #158254 (select what applies). Anyways lol let's see how many soulsborne weirdos will want to crucify me for having actually CARED to analyze the lore 😭😭😭

me, an ACTUAL lore enthusiast: Hey, I accept your challenge with the very weapon of YOUR choice - the meticulous focus on the presumed implication of the writers and commonly neglected lore bits! Here is my essay going into excruciating detail on why your point about lore is wrong and so your toxic behavior doesn't even have factual backup. I hope you can appreciate how I haven't missed a single obscure item and how much new information you have learned from it as well as my masterful use of Spongebob memes.

the very same fake bitch: *sweats nervously* Ummmm w-well, why do you think obsessing over lore gives you intellectual high ground in the discourse..... W-we can all have opinions and our own interpretations and be mature about it!!! After all, Soulsborne fandom is about having fun, not about seeking the One True Lore...... I-I for one don't even care about loredigging that much, I just do what makes me happy and so should everyone else <3

????????????

______________

So, NOW you condemn the hassle about seeking "truth"? So, NOW you want to respect different readings within the fandom, including those that neglect some details? After you got beaten in YOUR OWN game? Coward.

It is seriously not okay that it happens from time to time, and, I want to tell that you people should always watch out for this particular brand of hypocrisy. The more you spot such """changes""" and document them, the less you will be worried about discourse. There is really nothing to be stressed about when it comes from opponents so pathetic they don't even have set standards and just tell whatever makes them have moral high ground at the moment

[cuylleed]

"Hungover with video games"🥞‧₊˚ 🍵 ⋅*ੈ✩‧₊˚ Jack Hughes

 Jack Hughes fluff. Y/N=Your Name, N/n= Nick Name, Y/F/MK/C= Your Favorite Mario Kart Character

Word Count: 704

Jack Hughes/New Jersey Devils

˚₊•𓂅𓏲ʚ🥞ɞ𓂅𓏲•₊˚

the night before you have had a bit to much to drink, so you had laid on the bed with a hangover and headache not bothering to get up or shower not even brush your teeth. Looking to the side to see Jack was gone, maybe at practice or with his brother, you didn't know, you just needed pain killers, but the scent of pancakes filled your nostrils making you drool the tiniest bit. You slowly got out of bed a bit wobbly but managed to walk down the hallway into the kitchen to see Jack standing next to the counter with pancakes cooking, while he was scrolling through Instagram. 

you decided to sneak up behind him and wrap your arms around his waist earning a little laugh and "Morning N/n", you chuckled looking at the stove "Morning" your voice scratchy and low. You looked up to Jack hugging him lightly eating a strawberry from the plate. "I do have practice later but I think Quinn and Luke might come over" Jack said going to flip the pancakes and taking out the whip cream, "that's good we could all hangout and play some games" you said going over to the fridge to pour 2 glasses of orange juice for yourself and Jack and setting them on the island. "maybe watch a movie or play some games" Jack commented  placing the pancakes on plates and setting them next to the glasses of orange juice.  You and Jack ate every last bite of pancakes and every last sip of orange juice.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨🥞 🧺୧⋆ ˚｡⋆｡°✩

"Can we please head back to bed, I just want it to be me and you and to get rid of this headache" Y/n complained seeing Jack get up and taking both your and his plates to the sink "later you know i have practice" Jack said looking at his phone seeing the message from his brothers "well they can't make it, Quinn's stuck in Vancouver for practice and games and Luke is busy with practice, same with me, that reminds me i should get ready" Jack said heading to the room to get changed for hockey practice, you soon followed him into the room and getting back into bed whining about your headache. "I'll be back later and just take some pain killers, I Love you" Jack said kissing your forehead and leaving, and leaving you alone to sit and sulk with your headache. Time had passed and Jack returned with sweat on his face, "please Jack come join me in bed already" you said "I will just let me take a shower first!" Jack said putting his gear in the closet and grabbing his towel and heading to the bathroom and turning the water on, you on the other hand were being an Ass and also being clingy, you just wanted to lay in bed with your boyfriend and sleep or play some games, so you head into the living room to get the Nintendo switch and some chips, Jack had already come out of the shower in just  sweat pants and was sitting on the bed, "can we at least play some games before bed?" you whined handing Jack the chips and placing the switch in the dock "Fine but were gonna play Mario kart 8" Jack said all that came out of your mouth was "Fine but I'm gonna be Y/F/MK/C" you said grabbing the switch joy con and pressing the character while Jack was Mario. An hour had passed and Jack was winning most of the laps, but alas your headache got the best of you and you had fallen asleep on Jack's shoulder. Once Jack noticed her had went to put the switch away and put you under the cover, kissing you on the forehead, "Night Y/n" Jack said laying his head on your chest

 ⋆｡°✩🍽°•🍓☆¿?𖦹

I had taken no effort but lots of time to put detail into this, it had taken me a week to finish this mainly just dealing with school. but this is for practice this story.

[archangeldyke-all]

Hi Angel!

I've been reading your kidfics and if it's okay I'd like to contribute to your little fucker cinematic universe because I have a real story that happened to me when I was tutoring and I think you might like it. 🌸

Little fucker is a clever kid. Sometimes too clever. And the problem is - she can't sit for the life of her. She will stand on her chair, rock it back and forth, run for water and for snacks and for whatever thing she wants to show you, but she will not just sit and do her homework.

Which is fair, she is only 7, but you're not so patient. So you decide it's going to be Sevika's problem now. Part of you hopes that little fucker will be more intimidated of her grumpy mom, but this hope is more of a delusion - you know Sevika is a softie and your daughter knows it as well.

Sevika thinks she got it, she is an adult, what can be hard about 7 year old's homework? Counting apples? Sevika is cocky about the whole ordeal, but you don't say anything, letting her find out by herself.

Sevika gets absolutely humbled when she sees little fucker's homework and gets confused at a math question 10 minutes in. Then she sighs in relief when she remembers she is only supposed to monitor little fucker and only help her if she is confused. Yeah, she can't sit through five minutes of work, but Sevika finds a way in a "waste my time I'll waste your time" deal. Little fucker's time management improves immediately.

One day they're doing homework and little fucker has to write a story, but before that, she needs to write details about her character (teddy bear on her shirt).

"How do you call really smart people?" Little fucker asks with a philosophical frown.

"Geniuses?" Sevika tries, also frowning in an effort to find the right word.

Little fucker looks at her disappointedly and Sevika sweats like she is a first grader in front of a teacher.

"Prodigy? Also a great word." Sevika offers, but the disappointment on your baby's face grows.

"I have no fucking idea, kid." Sevika admits.

Little fucker just flops her arms encouraging Sevika to try.

"Do you mean scientists?"

Another look of extreme disappointment. Sevika starts to feel bad.

Little fucker sighs and taps her pencil on her book, frustrated. Then she looks at Sevika again, still shocked at her lack of intelligence.

"Nerds." She says in mock surprise. "They are called nerds, mom."

Sevika is speechless. Then she snorts and nods, admitting her defeat.

"Okay. You're right." Sevika is kinda proud of her baby's sass and she doesn't even try to hide it.

"I'll use genius though." Little fucker says like an expert and slowly writes down the word.

"Yeah. Don't think your teacher will like it very much if you say your Teddy is a nerd."

Later Sevika asks you the same question.

"How do you call really smart people?"

"Competent?" You try offhandedly as you wash the dishes.

"Well, according to our daughter, they're called nerds."

"This girl, I swear to God." You snort. "It's all your influence."

"Dunno, I married a nerd after all, not you."

this is FUCKING ADORABLE IM SOBBING

[yggdraseed]

An Incomplete Analysis of the Sukunadome

I stress the point that this is an inherently incomplete analysis. It's getting late, I'm tired and unhappy, and… well, the fight isn't over yet, so there's no way this analysis could be complete even if I felt like it. However, it's on my mind, and I feel the need to start exerting myself more on these things. Sometimes sweat is the better medicine. I know this is a long one and doesn’t have any pictures, but if we all support each other, we’ll get through it together.

Full disclosure, I wish more people had gotten filtered by this fight and just stopped talking about Jujutsu Kaisen by now. Like yeah, I think it's great different people see things in different ways, but let's all be honest with ourselves here, most of the people criticizing this fight are not doing so with any sort of literary or artistic perspective or good faith. Most of it is Gojo fans who are still crying, seething, vomiting, pissing, and shitting over the fact that the character they attached their ego to didn't win Jujutsu Kaisen like they wanted. If this describes you, well, this post will probably do you some good, but I'm confident nobody who takes the stance that Gojo should have won would have the space in their mind for what I'm about to say about Sukunadome.

Because that's what I'm calling it. "The Sukuna Cycle" was maybe a little funny for a week or two, but like most memes about this series, it wasn't really based on the story so much as it was on an agenda. Kusakabe was part of the fight since Yuji and Higuruma entered, and up until Miguel, we knew all the combatants who would be tagging in were there. We knew Yuta was off dealing with Kenjaku and would return, we knew Maki was in play, and there really weren't a lot of switches. Just Choso leaving and coming back, Ui Ui retrieving Higuruma's and Gojo's corpses, and… you know, actually, I think that's it. Sure isn't as much as the "Sukuna Cycle" memes made it out to be, huh?

Okay, if you haven't noticed yet, I'm a big JJK fan and a big JJK fandom hater. I think JJK has the worst Western internet fanbase I've seen in a long time, with only a few oases scattered across the internet where you can find intelligent life. Like it's insane what kind of bullshit a person can convince themselves of.

However, I'm not analyzing JJK's fanbase, I'm analyzing JJK. Someday we'll litigate whether or not Lobotomy Kaisen was really funny enough to justify how badly it ruined this fanbase's ability to objectively, productively engage with with one of the most competently written and culturally impactful manga to come out this century. Today is not that day.

So Sukuna's got four arms and knows how to use them. He's got four eyes and so much sass one mouth wasn't enough for the amount of trash he's got to talk to the youths of today. Just on a basic level, having four arms would be such an insignificant power in any other Shonen as to almost be a joke. Yet with how jujutsu sorcery functions as a power system and how adept Sukuna is at using every possible advantage at his disposal - even going so far as to take what probably should be disadvantages and twist them to work for him - having the ability to make hand seals while fighting hand-to-hand, and being able to chant without interrupting his breathing, are inseparable from Sukuna's godlike fighting ability. I love how something seemingly so mundane is such a huge x factor for Sukuna.

We continually see how Sukuna is a complex, but fundamentally vile antagonist. He has a very rich, detailed view of the world, but one that fundamentally reduces every other human being to be his playthings and food. It's just that Sukuna says, "Don't like it? Then get stronger." It's a very Social Darwinist, late stage capitalist view to be coming from the Heian Era, and I think that maybe it's intentional. Shitty people are shitty in mostly the same ways, it's just they find new things to be shitty about or to use to be shitty with.

Like if that were all it is, it'd make Sukuna so effective as a villain to hate and would slot so nicely into Jujutsu Kaisen's overarching social and political commentary. Cruelty within suffering, selfishness as a strength and a weakness, the unfairness of how the strength to pursue one's agency is unevenly distributed and how the haves don’t realize how easily they could have instead been have-nots, it's all there.

But there’s this inherent charisma to Sukuna that I think is intentional. He has this noblesse oblige where he’s so inherently aware of his greatness that he doesn’t have a problem with giving credit where credit is due. Like he talks all the trash when he’s fighting Jogo, but where Gojo’s insults come across as puerile and blunt, Sukuna’s always displaying this wit to him. And when the battle’s over, he acknowledges that even though Jogo wasn’t as strong as him, he was stronger than most and could have gone even further if he hadn’t held himself back. He starts off belittling Gojo in their fight, but by the end, he expresses a profound respect and gratitude towards Gojo. Like it’s a very warped form of those sentiments, but I think it’s sincere. Even with Ishigori, when Sukuna fails to cut him the first time, he just acknowledges it was disrespectful to hold back and that he’ll give it full force the next strike.

Something to keep in mind is that everything Megumi warned Yuji about when it comes to ancient sorcerers applies to Sukuna as well. They’re not treated as uniformly, unambiguously evil anymore than anyone else in JJK is, and are acknowledged as having fundamentally different world views about violence and the value of human life. Kashimo, for instance, seems to value his life only because he’s able to risk his life and lay it on the line. They’re people from an era where children died so young that parents often gave them numbered names so as to not get too attached until they’d see if their kids actually were going to make it or not. If you didn’t give your whole life over to a goal, you probably wouldn’t achieve it. Whereas modern sorcerers, modern people, have all these complex and sometimes contradictory views and needs, ancient sorcerers show a tendency to shave everything away except their one singular conviction because that was what you had to do in an era of much shorter life expectancies and peril on all sides. You’d be very lucky to accomplish one life goal, let alone as many as people of today set out to achieve: graduating high school, graduating college, getting a job, starting a family, and hopefully having one or two passions on the side. Fundamentally different worldviews from fundamentally different periods of history.

And Sukuna is no different. His goal is simple: partake in the many colors and flavors of humanity through mortal combat in the arena of sorcery. Sukuna’s love for sorcery runs deep. He’s always curious about different cursed techniques, even ones that are pedestrian to a sorcerer of his level, like Nanako’s smartphone-based technique. He reminds me of a quote from Baki: “Someone who works hard can never beat someone who enjoys himself.” Sukuna has clearly put forth great effort to master sorcery, but clearly doesn’t see it as work. He sees it as just doing what he enjoys and is good at.

Unfortunately for everyone else, he enjoys killing and is extremely good at it. Sukuna is the ultimate ethical heat death of the “live for yourself, cherish your own agency, don’t let yourself be controlled” mindset that is the ideological starting point of JJK. It’s a very dark, extreme interpretation of Buddhist non-attachment, where even compassion is an attachment to ultimately shed. Sukuna lives perfectly freely, including being free from guilt or compassion.

Naturally, there’s an exception. All things seem to have exceptions. In Sukuna’s case, that would be Uraume. I’ve been fascinated by their dynamic since we first learned of Uraume’s allegiance to Sukuna during Shibuya and I still can’t wait to know more. Suffice to say, Sukuna dotes on Uraume, forgiving their mistakes and seeming to enjoy their company not just because of their service to him, but because their existence makes him happy. I’m reminded of Power in Chainsaw Man, how she was seemingly incapable of empathy or mercy until she met Meowy.

Honestly, Sukuna reminds me a lot of a lot of characters in Chainsaw Man. People who are trying to climb from this state of misery, of struggling just to meet basic desires, and learning to be human. Yet Sukuna is so strong he never needed to learn to be human. He never needed to cooperate with others to survive — or at least, doesn’t seem to believe he did — and so he never saw the value in it. And so he’s basically brute forced his way around having to undergo an arc like Denji’s, and has instead ended up a hedonistic black hole devising all these complicated philosophical arguments to justify what is, really, a very simplistic, predatory desire to only satisfy his basic material wants and creative interests and nothing else for anyone else.

But like, it’s not that simple. If you give to others, you get something immaterial in return. I can’t quantity it or define it, but I’m sure most of you know what I mean. The happiness that comes from taking care of others’ needs, and the deeper levels beyond that happiness. Like I do believe that’s the subtext behind Binding Vows as metaphor: that you almost never give without getting in return. You might not get the same thing back, in the same form, but being changed by the act of putting the needs and wants of others before your own even temporarily still is part of the exchange. It’s part of becoming complete as a human being.

Sukuna has defied that exchange and broken the cycle, and I don’t think it’s inherently for his own benefit. There are some thing about being human that you don’t just get to opt out of, no matter how much you claim you’re more than or less than human. Even if Sukuna doesn’t think he’s lost something of value, he has. And that something of value is inherent to the whole point of this final battle.

Jujutsu Kaisen is basically working on two big problems. There are lots of ideas at play in the series, but there are two fundamental problems for which every fiight, every character arc, every turn of the gears consitutes part of the calculus to solve one or both of those problems.

The first problem, a thematic and philosophical one: “How do you love and fight for something when you know you’re going to die?”

The second problem, a metatextual one: “Is there any artistic and social value left in the Shonen formula as it stands in the modern day?”

And this fight is, ultimately, where GeGe is showing their work. It’s where Yuji has to defeat Sukuna, if not in terms of out-boxing him, then in terms of prevailing over his beliefs about humanity and the world as a whole.

GeGe has stripped Yuji of everything that is supposed to determine the worth of a Shonen protagonist’s victory. He’s not fighting alone, he didn’t go off and train all by himself, he trained with a lot of powerful, smart people who helped him. And Yuji is arguably not even the most important participant in the fight. So why should we care if Yuji wins?

The answer is so simple it’s easy to lose track of it. Yuji is risking his life to rescue someone, his friend, from being exploited, and to save the people of Japan from being exploited. Even after everything that’s happened, Yuji plants his fucking feet and takes a stance that no, shithead, there is such a thing as the right thing. Maybe it isn’t obvious all the time, and it sure as hell isn’t always easy to know what it is, but he knows now with certainty what it isn’t: to exploit others or to destroy yourself. We can find our answers somewhere in-between.

Sometimes we can’t resolve our problems with a tidy solution that makes everyone happy and sometimes we have to carve a piece of ourselves out and give to something we won’t be sure to see the fruition of, but that’s just life. It doesn’t mean we have to throw away all hope for things to get better. Even if the world won’t become utopian, it can still become better, no matter how many nihilists hide their own inequities behind assertions that there is no point.

Nihilism is not a solution to the problems of life, it is the choice to run away and hide. To give into nihilism is to give up the fight even while other people are still fighting all around you.

So that’s the fucking point of the Sukunadome. Nobara already said it better than anyone else has before she made Mahito look like the bitch he was and always will be: “Sometimes you need to fight even when you know you can’t win.” Because you won’t always win and you won’t escape death, nor will you know what lies beyond death. However, you can still live according to your principles and fight for the things you see as meaningful even if other people don’t.

That is why so many characters have come and gone from the fight. All gave some, some gave all. Nobody is truly useless — even if Miwa self-deprecatingly jokes about being useless, she still was the one thing standing between Maki and Malevolent Shrine’s eviscerating hellscape. Even Amai’s sweets-conjuring joke technique saved Hana from a would-be fatal fall and helped to supply sugar to the brains of people using reverse cursed technique in Shoko’s triage. Larue couldn’t do much, but they caught Sukuna’s eye at the perfect time for Yuji to land a Black Flash, and that means something. It all means something.

Given how deeply GeGe clearly respects Hunter X Hunter, I want to end off by citing one of the quotes in Hunter X Hunter that has been the most impactful for me and I suspect has been about as impactful on GeGe: “It seems small things… infinitesimally small things… are needed to build the entire universe. The size of a thing has nothing to do with its power.” We always seem to direct our senses to the superlatives. The largest, the oldest, the loudest, the things that hit the hardest. But while it would be wrong to throw those out, we often lose sight of how many little, important things there are in the midst of those huge, important things.

Seeing someone’s smile when you remembered something they said that showed you were listening to them. The feeling of a warm breeze on a summer morning. The smell of honeysuckle on your walk home. Waking up to rain on a Sunday. The taste of watermelon. Getting married. Having your heart broken. Songs that make you smile, songs that make you cry — songs that do both, and songs that make you feel things you can’t describe. When you’re always looking to those immense, monolithic things, always comparing your seemingly small, seemingley meaningless life to them, you lose sight of just how meaningful all of it is.

Just because it doesn’t have cosmic, absolute meaning doesn’t make it meaningless. Every little thing that means something to you is worthy of being cherished. The people around you, the things that bring you happiness, even if that happiness is going to ebb and flow. It’s all worth fighting for and living for. It just takes bravery and conviction to keep fighting and keep living with authenticity and love. And if there’s an artistic value, a greater meaning to Shonen, now and always, it’s the unerring, unabashed belief that there’s a reason to aim high and not give up.

Because sometimes, life hurts. But if it’s just pain, Yuji Itadori will never stop. We’ll see what I have to amend, reconsider, or elaborate on when the fight is finished. I hope this gave some of you a new way to look at it.

[xmalereader]

Thomas Shelby x Vampire! Male Reader

-

|| Masterlist ||

-

Authors note: It’s finally here, the last part of the Doctor Hemlock series 🥲. The inspiration was gained by watching; Oppenheimer ( because cillian ) S6 of peaky blinders and Story of Dracula. I mashed up all of these together and wanted to come up with something slight angsty and fluff towards the end? I’m thinking about making this short series into an actual multi chapter series with better explanation and view of their relationship, but I’d get into too much detail and lore of Hemlock. Anyways, please enjoy this last shot, I apologize for any history stuff I’m a huge history nerd which is why I enjoyed watching Oppenheimer.

Summary: The final part of the Doctor Vampire series.

Warnings: Fluff, angst, mentions of death, turning, history buff, language, mentions of WW2, marriage, past trauma, Oppenheimer reference, Thomas says his last farewell, character death, mentions of the future and past, kissing, slight mentions of blood, mentions of sexual assault.

Word count: 3.3k

—

—

December 1933

It’s been a a year since he escaped Oswalds grasp, doing things that he was not proud of while under the mans watch. He can still smell the rotten blood along with the sweat of other men who used him for their desires. After Oswald’s huge win on the nazi party he was finally let go under terrible conditions. He’s been locked away for months without the knowledge of knowing what happened to the Shelby family—what happened to Thomas.

After Oswald had won his way into the Nazi Campaign he was finally let go, tossed out from the basement that he was locked in after a year of torture and pain, unable to fight his way through without people taking notice of his existence as a vampire. The world wasn’t ready for it and he couldn’t risk it, not when he agreed to work under Oswald in order to keep the Shelby family safe and alive or so he thought.

Y/n went missing on the day that Polly was killed, for 4 years he was never to be seen again and leaving a bad impression on Thomas making him believe that he had left the family or had betrayed him, having no idea that he was trying to find his own ways to keep the Shelby family from losing anymore people. During his time locked up he heard very little of the family whenever Oswald paid him a visit, feeding him like usual and talking so highly about his latest wins and victories in politics and it letting it be known that he was reaching the high chair and reaching the top.

For a four years he remembered the smell of blood and vomit; Oswald was feeding him, but not correctly. The cruel man would bring innocent people to him in order to feed, knowing damn well that the vampire didn’t drink fresh human blood. He found ways to balance his diet without drinking from another human being after the first time he did. Feeling disgusted with himself he had no choice but to feed if he wanted to make it out of this place alive.

He remembers the cries of the people he drank from, lips covered in their blood as the life in their eyes die out. Once Oswald was satisfied with the results he left him alone with the corpse in his cell, letting him rot in guilt while vomiting up the blood he drank knowing that it wouldn’t do him any better. For four years he faced the torture of Oswalds men for those four years he was forced to lie about Thomas medical condition, making up fake reports of a disease in order to trick Thomas into thinking that he was dying.

For Oswald to get rid of his number one enemy and competitor.

After being released he spent his time looking for the Shelby family only to find nothing. Thomas was gone and so was the rest of his family. No trace of the family was left behind it was as if they all disappeared into thin air, leaving him on his own again. For the first few months he remained hidden from the public’s eye, not wanting to be recognized as the missing doctor of Birmingham. It felt like old times again, having to hide from the people as the years went on. As time moved forward he remained the same, having to adapt into the new century to come.

He watched as the world went on, watched as the fascists won and continued to rage on war onto their own people. It felt like history was repeating itself and he was there to witness it like always. It wasn’t until he noticed the news of Oswalds wedding, marrying the horrendous women that showed in the picture of the newspaper that his hand gripped. His blood boiled in anger at the thought of Oswald getting everything he wanted while he remained on his own, losing the only family he had left.

With rage blinding him he made his way towards the nearest place that could help him get to Oswald faster. Finding his way to Holford’s home, knowing that the man replaced him into becoming Thomas’ doctor for the past 3 years in order to get closer to the Shelby man.

Y/n had entered the property, ignoring the workers protest of him not being allowed inside as he walks further into the place, looking for the doctor until he hears a gun shot go off, getting his attention. He’s quick to rush towards the noise, standing at the entrance of a tunnel only to see the one person he never thought he would ever see again. He’s frozen in place, eyes wide while he stares into Thomas blue eyes.

Thomas stood at the other end of the tunnel, frozen in disbelief as he shakes his head slowly and murmurs to himself. “I’m seeing things.” He had seen his dead daughter and now he’s seeing a dead man that he once trusted with his whole life, telling himself that it wasn’t real.

“You’re in my head.” He says again only this time Y/n finally speaks up.

“Thomas?”

His voice was the same since Thomas last heard it, soft and warm. He wants to tell himself that it wasn’t real and that he died many years ago only for him to feel a warm pair of arms thrown around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. Thomas stumbled back in his step, clearly in shock. His hands shook and his breath grew ragged.

“Hemlock?”

The doctor nods into Thomas shoulder, holding tight as Thomas gently placed a hand onto his back, feeling his heart beat. The feeling brings Thomas to tears, breaking down in front of them as his arm fully pulls him close.

Y/n knew that Thomas never cried unless needed too and he never judged the man for it as the two stand in the middle of the tunnel, holding each other close.

One relieved to have found someone they cared for and the other relieved to know that they haven’t lost everything.

—

Thomas and Y/n had gotten far away from Holfords place, out on the hilltop where Thomas’ carriage burned in flames. Instead of Thomas running instead to save what he had of his family he instead mounted his horse with Y/n climbing behind him as they road off towards the hills, far away from the place. The ride between the two was in silence, Y/n had his forehead pressed against Tommy’s back, one arm around his torso while Thomas held the reigns with one hand and the other holding onto Y/n’s arm, wanting reassurance that he wasn’t seeing things again.

The warmth of his hand was enough for Thomas to know that he wasn’t dreaming.

It doesn’t take long for them to arrive near a lake, dismounting the horse in silence as Tommy ties the reigns and Y/n sits near the river, watching the fish swim and the water run downhill. He feels Thomas sit next to him as the two remain close to each other.

The silence is later broken by Thomas. “You disappeared, thought you died.” He began, he played with the pocket watch he held between his fingers. “I went looking for you after Polly died—I knew how much she meant to you and had to tell you, but you weren’t are the hospital nor at your house.”

Y/n’s focus is still on the fish remembering that it was the same day that he was taken by Oswald’s men, captured and locked away.

“I asked Alfie if he knew where you were and he didn’t.” Thomas licks his dry lips. “I thought Oswald got to you and killed you, but your a vampire you can’t kill one easily—“

“Oswald took me that night.” Y/n cuts in, interrupting Thomas and getting his attention. He doesn’t look away from the river. “Oswald knew I was a vampire…his ancestors hunted us for years and he followed into their footsteps. When he found out that I was associated with you and your family he took advantage and threatened me, used me, and I—“ He looks down, holding back the guilty tears as he speaks. “He told me that he wouldn’t hurt any of you if I left with him and I agreed.”

The silence that Thomas was giving him was enough for him to keep his eye focused elsewhere, not daring to look at the man that possibly hated him only to gasp when Thomas reached out to touch his hand, getting him to look up at the other man who only stared at him with eyes full of tears. “I thought you died.”

Y/n shakes his head. “I could have…”

Thomas held his hand tight the two siting close to each other as they listen to the river run.

“We’re both dead to the world and we both lost.” Said Thomas.

After finding out that his disease wasn’t true he had the ability to turn back to his family, but after a month of being gone is possible that everyone thought that he had killed himself. Everyone knew that Thomas Shelby wasn’t going to allow a disease to slowly kill him and would much rather put a bullet in his own head. His family and friends probably think he’s dead already and knows that he couldn’t return to them, not after everything he put them through.

Y/n knew that he wouldn’t have much time with Thomas, having to live on without him. Thomas will pass on and he will move forward, watching as the world grows. “What now?” He blurts out. Y/n usually had things planned and out and knew what to do for the next hundred years, but after what happened in the past five he felt lost.

Thomas was the same.

He was always two steps ahead of everyone, now he felt like he was two steps behind. “I don’t know…” His response was honest he really didn’t know.

The vampire sighs while the two stared ahead, lost in thought and unknown to them on whats to come next. The cold weather was approaching and soon the hills will be covered in snow and new life will start again once spring hits. Y/n had spent years watching the world move on while he stayed the same, having to change every new century, befriend new people, watch them die, and repeat the cycle again. Only this time, he couldn’t do it again, not alone.

—

“What’s it like?”

“It’s like falling asleep and then you wake up.”

Thomas chuckled, head on the doctors lap as he stares at the night sky, stars shining down on them.

“There’s no turning back, Tommy.”

He rolls up his sleeve.

“I know.”

He bites into his own flesh, blood coating his lip.

“Then you know what you’ll face? It’s harder than it sounds.”

“Am I going to be alone?”

The doctor faintly smiles. “No.”

“Good.”

Their lips finally seal together.

—

December 1954

Y/n was sitting in the living room a copy of Times in his hand as he reads through the article, pen in hand and biting down on it in concentration. “Who would have thought that in 20 years a bomb big enough to wipe out an entire city could be seen as the worlds biggest threat.” He speaks out loud, flipping the magazine page as he reads through the article of the “Grandfather of the atomic bomb” news had spread around the world that America had used an atomic bomb to target Japan.

Killing thousands of innocent people.

War was nothing new to Y/n and has seen it for many years and it always end the same with millions of lives being lost due to politics that he never liked or partook into. Whenever he was invited to parties or event during his time as a doctor he was always dragged into political conversations, always finding a way out of it and leaving the crowd before it got too serious for him to handle.

The doctor sighs and closed the Time’s magazine before tossing it onto the empty space on the couch. Until a pair of pale hands picks up the copy. “If you hate it so much why read it?” asked Thomas as he sits next to the other man, reading the magazine in his hand while the other held a cup of tea, taking a small sip as he reads the cover.

It’s been twenty years since Y/n had turned Thomas.

Twenty years since they’ve moved to the states and started new lives.

Thomas looked healthier than he used too and was still adjusting to life as a vampire, learning Y/n’s diet and consuming human foods whenever he pleases. Due to him looking healthier he also looked young for a sixty year old man, the thought merely makes the doctor chuckle since he, himself, was far older than Thomas.

“Perhaps I should stop reading the papers.” He comments, siting back in his spot while lying his head against the cushions while watching Thomas flip through the magazine.

Y/n remembers the first few years of Thomas adjustments, watching as life went on while he stayed frozen in time and struggling with his thirst. Y/n had promised him that he would be with him along the way and wasn’t going to break it, teaching Thomas how to feed and starting his own diet. Before the two left for the states, Thomas had watched over his family and watched as they moved on with their lives, making changes to his company and using the funds that he gave to them for their own children. He watched Arthurs struggle of losing another brother only to heal with the support of his wife, Lizzie and Charlie both move to the country side were she was able to relax from the chaos and death she faced, while Ada remained a widow with her two sons, still lost in the dark from Thomas not telling her the truth as to why he left.

Thomas always felt guilty for not telling her, but she had been through so much that he couldn’t bring himself to tell her and thought that leaving without saying anything would make things easier for him only it didn’t. He bid his silent farewells to his brother and sister before traveling across the ocean and to the states where both Y/n and Thomas were able to start over.

Y/n had caught Thomas outside siting on the porch every night since arriving to America, unable to sleep as he thought about his family. Y/n’s couldn’t blame him and knew what it felt like to leave everything behind, knowing that he couldn’t be present without letting it be known that they were vampires, but with time Thomas grew adjusted to the changes.

“Science takes you everywhere.” Thomas sighs out deeply while setting the magazine down and turning to face Y/n who was already looking at him with a faint smile on his lips, causing the other to furrow his brows.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Y/n shakes his head softly. “It’s nothing.” He repeats himself, clearly proud and admiring Thomas.

“Very well…” Thomas slowly raised the cup of tea to his lips as the sun hits the silver ring he wore on his left hand, getting the vampires attention as his eyes followed the gleaming ring. Not only had Y/n turned Thomas, but the two had secretly gotten married a few years back, knowing that it was illegal for same sex marriage to occur and resulted in terrible consequences that both Y/n and Thomas did their own ceremony in private.

The two wore their own silver rings and would often be asked who their ‘wives’ were when they attend neighborhood parties or work parties and the two always found ways to change the conversation, throwing them off from knowing their marriage.

Perhaps in the future they’ll be able to get officially married?

“Any new patients?”

Y/n hums in questioning, getting pulled out of his thoughts when hearing Thomas ask about his work. “There all the same, mostly soldiers that have gotten back from the war.” He explains. “A few are still struggling with the shit they’ve been through.”

“I know what that’s like.”

Thomas knew of the second war that was raging on with Germany and the amount of lives lost.

The two had lost Alfie in that war and knew how close Y/n was with the man that the news devastated him. The doctor kept his distance for a few days, letting the news sink in before he could accept the fact that Alfie was gone.

“Now Russia is targeting America, think will live through this one too?” Thomas chuckled at his words, lips forming into a small smile. “I think will be fine.”

Who would have thought that they would make it through a Cold War.

—

January 2023

“—successful companies don’t just happen. Success requires nurturing, year after year, to assure that customers expectation not only are met, but also are exceeded. For this weeks assignment I want you all to research about any company or business that has succeed and to reasoning as to why.”

Thomas hears the rustling of bags being packed and the sound of laptops and notebooks being closed making him check the watch he wore and noticing that he went over ten minute of his class time. “I seem to have gone over my limit.” He chuckled, before dismissing his class. For years, Thomas had done different jobs; working in bars, politics, gambling, assassination, stay at home husband, and various others throughout the last sixty years.

He never thought that he’d enjoy being a professor and teaching business, having started when Y/n convinced him to give it a try due to his knowledge in business and knowing how to handle one since he used to own the Shelby Company.

It didn’t take Thomas long to get the job as a business professor.

His first semester only had twenty students, due to him being new not many students joined his class until the second semester hit. His list of students tripled surprising him by how much changed in such a short time.

When he told Y/n about it the doctor only grinned whiling telling him that his students tripled because of his good looks and not because of his lesson, but Thomas refused to believe his words and continued his teachings, oblivious to the fact that his husband was in fact correct and that majority of his students were only there for him.

“Is the professor available for a date?”

Thomas is startled by the sudden question, looking up from his paperwork to see Y/n standing on the other side of the desk, hands inside the pockets of the jacket he wore while a smirk spreads across his face.

“I have some papers to grade, but I can leave that on hold.” Thomas smiles in return while putting his stuff in his brief case while the doctor waits for him. In the last sixty years, Thomas never would have thought that he would see the world advance in such a way, watching the newer generation make changes to their own future, seeing things that he never thought he would see.

Even though Thomas was still stuck with his old ways he tried his best to fit in with the new world, having aged just a bit but not a lot to show how old he was really getting. He was in his hundreds alongside with Y/n, sticking together.

Once Thomas is done putting the papers inside his brief case along with the laptop he bought awhile back due to his old one no longer working properly. “Shall we go?” He raises a brow to Y/n who chuckled. “I’m always ready.”

He locks their arms together as the two walk out of the empty room.