#then they pretty much are in the true neutral middle or have no preferences or leanings towards gender whatsoever

[gemini-atz]

ATEEZ + Fashion Designers

Seeing Ateez members be so loved at PFW and seeing their individual styles expressed was super inspiring, I wanted to make a post of designers that I would absolutely loveeee to see dress each member! Who knows maybe it will be a reality one day 😳

김홍중 Hongjoong - Thom Browne

I think HJ would look soooo good in anything Thom Browne, he takes classic tailoring and menswear and then adds so much texture and surreal or silly details and has so much fun with it, it feels so playful and I think it fits HJs vibe!

정우��� Wooyoung - Yohji Yamamoto

What can I say, Wooyoung just looks good in black!! I think he suits the layering and textures of a classic Yohji runway and I could see him having a full wardrobe of Yohjis RTW for everyday.

최종호 Jongho - Dior

I think Jongho would look great in Dior, I feel they are kind of known for classic menswear. I notice the stylists tend to keep Jongho in this type of simple and modest silhouette and maybe that’s what he’s more comfortable in! Butttt I think they could still have a lot of fun with the little details (like those star buttons) and fabric patterns to make Jongho’s fits more exciting! So I think he would suit a Dior runway

강여상 Yeosang - Schiaparelli

I wouldn’t say Schiaparelli is known for menswear but this collection in particular gives off such a royalty vibe, like if we lived in a modern fantasy setting this is what a prince might wear to a ball , which I think fits Yeosang since he really does have such princely and handsome looks to me. I think he could pull off this exaggerated tailoring well

송민기 Mingi - Robert Wun

I thought this particular Robert Wun collection was soooo romantic and just sexy when I first saw it. It's another collection without a strong "menswear" vibe, but I think with Mingi's height and body proportions if Robert designed a look for him it would be jaw droppingggg. I don’t know if Mingi would choose this designer for his personal style 🤣 but I’m fantasizing over here !

최산 San - Bottega Veneta

I think San’s warm and simple vibe really fits this Bottega collection, I feel that they are known for their quality especially their bags and I think that would also appeal to San. I could see him wearing this in Italy just feeeeeling himself. He’s already so loved by Dolce I think more Italian houses will want him.

박성화 Seonghwa - Peter Do

I think these looks speak for themselves!!! 🤣 When Seonghwa dresses himself it seems like he tends to go for more loose fitting and gender neutral vibes which I know he said is his preference. I think he looks so amazing in suits and tailoring so I feel like this collection meets in the middle and he could pull anything from Peter Do off with EASE.

정윤호 Yunho - Mugler PFW 2009

Yes, I had to include a very specific runway for Yunho. Since it’s from 2009 these gettys are the most HQ pics I could find lol! I would not think of current Mugler as my first choice for Yunho but this specific runway with these menswear looks…..(I’m super Yunho biased so it’s probably pretty clear why I thought of this runway skdjdjdjf )

Mugler is without a doubt one of the most iconic fashion houses of all time, and Thierry and his brand have influenced fashion so deeply it’s crazy to watch his 90s runways and see something that influenced a trend to this day. This runway is 15 years old and true to the cycle of fashion I think if you put Yunho in any of these looks today he’d start a craze 🤣

✩Gemini Notes✩ This was a longggggg ass post but seeing HJ making so many connections this PFW has me foaming at the mouth I cannot wait to see what opportunities await our Ateez next year!!!

[starryeyedstray]

this has been sitting in my drafts since oct 2024. but i might as well post it. it's like rk1900 in the early developing relationship stage so nines is still trying to figure markus out.

Markus smiles as Nines enters the room. "Hey Nines. Thanks for coming. Please take a seat."

Nines simply nods surveying the room. Markus has a big canvas in front of him that's facing away from the door so Nines can only see the wooden frame and the blank back of the canvas stretched around it. There are two chairs in the middle of the room. Nines sits in the one on his right.

Markus gives him directions for posing. Head tilted slightly down. Lean back a bit. One arm on the back of the chair. The resulting pose is a sitting posture much more laxed than Nines would have preferred to sit in, but it isn't uncomfortable.

"Thanks again for sitting for me, Nines."

"I am surprised you asked me to," Nines responds cybernetically.

Markus grins as he picks up his palette. "Nines, you can talk to me normally. You don't have to stay completely still."

"Oh." Nines is tempted to furrow his brows, but refrains from altering his face as to not ruin Markus' reference.

"Why are you surprised?" Markus asks. "I've always been fond of Connor's face so having you around too is a bonus. Now I got two muses."

"Our faces are not exactly the same."

"Yes, that's true. Even if you had brown eyes, your facial expressions tend to be very unlike Connor's. But that doesn't mean you're not pretty in your own right."

Markus thought Nines is pretty? Well, Nines thinks Connor is pretty, so it stands to reason that he can be considered pretty, too. They share face models after all. But it felt strange to hear it so directly.

Markus continues, "If i had to compare you two, Connor is like the sun and you're like the moon. Celestial bodies both different and similar."

"Your analogy is only partially accurate. The moon's light is a reflection of the sun's. It is correct in that regard since I am based off Connor. However, I am stronger and more powerful than Connor so I am more akin to the sun."

Markus laughs, "It's an analogy. it's not gonna be perfect."

Nines pouts in consideration before quickly returning his face back to neutral. "In this analogy, what does that make you?"

"I guess I'd be the Earth. Enamored by you both."

Despite doing his best to keep his expression steady, Nines can't help but frown at that. "That would imply that I orbit around, you which is inaccurate."

"You hang around Jericho because you know Connor will be here. So you're the moon that sticks with me because I orbit the sun."

Nines can't refute that. "Your analogy has flaws though it is very poetic."

Markus steps out from behind his canvas so Nines can finally see him again. He's grinning. "I'm an artist, Nines. Of course, I'm poetic." Markus put down his brush before looking past him towards the door. "Looks like its sunrise."

A moment later, Connor opens the door.

okay so i'm SUPPOSED to be working on this other fic. but i decided to edit this to warm me up and get my writing juices flowing. i feel like the reason i never posted this is because nothing really happens LMAO. but i like seeing markus and nines interact so take it hahaha.

[aqua-dan]

What advice would Mera and Arthur give teenage Garth if Roy was bullying him

Sorry that it has taken me so long to answer this, but to be honest, I've had a hard time formulating a response to it. I feel like there's so many different nuances that I have to explain and I don't even know where to start...

Okay, I suppose I'll try to answer the base ask first: They probably wouldn't have much advice for him. It would probably be something along the lines of "ignore him" or "try not to worry about it." Unfortunately, I doubt that either Mera or Arthur would have much good advice for him in a situation like that.

Beyond that, it really makes me want to ramble about Roy and Garth's early relationship because it is so messy and complicated. To be honest, Garth really wasn't around Roy all that much during his teenage years. They converged on a few missions through the Teen Titans, sure, but after Roy joined the team permanently, there wasn't all that many times that Garth got to interact with him. (Retcons have changed this a little bit, but.... I prefer this version...) In those few interactions they had, most of them were negative. Roy had a lot going on in his life and that caused him to lash out at people. This wasn't fair to them, mind you, but he did it to just about everyone.

Eventually, Roy started to grow a lot as a person and stopped being so much like that. The other Titans got to see his growth and they all grew pretty close. But since Garth was absent most of the time, he didn't get to bond with Roy the same way the other Titans did.

Because the very limited interactions they had were mostly negative, Garth held onto the idea that Roy was a total jackass and specifically didn't like him.

On Roy's side, that's not at all true. Yeah, Roy was definitely a douchebag when he was younger, but he does not hate Garth. The things he said to Garth that came off negatively weren't specifically about Garth. He would have said it to anyone in those situations.

When they started to interact as adults, they held two VERY different views of how their relationship was. Garth thought Roy not-so-secretly hated him (and also thought he was racist towards Atlanteans), and Roy probably felt fairly neutral towards Garth but also had a little bit of nostalgia about him by proxy when talking about the old Teen Titans. I think that he WANTED to be closer with Garth, so he defaulted to the old jokes and jibes that seem to have worked for the other members regarding Garth.

Garth... wasn't fantastic at standing up for himself when he was younger, so he didn't make it very clear how much those comments upset him. He would tell Roy to stop, but never really enforced it much, thus allowing Roy to think it was all part of the little "game" between them. He thought he was coming off as affectionate in his teasing, and Garth never set the boundaries in an adult fashion to make it clear how much he didn't like it. (That isn't to say that Roy shouldn't have stopped when asked-- he just didn't understand HOW serious it was.)

That was until Gargoyle manipulating their emotions sort of forced them to confront this whole thing. I very much wish that comics meta hadn't made it so the confrontation became slightly moot after that point. Regardless, Roy's reaction to Garth actually telling him what he thought about him/his actions is VERY telling about Roy as a character and how he viewed all of their interactions.

They still clashed after this, but also had some very interesting conversations where they were able to meet in the middle.

If I were in charge of writing for them, I would LOVE to go and explore their relationship more and build off of that conflict. I would love to set up a situation where they are forced to confront this stuff again.

I'm off topic now tho.... But my point here being that Roy really didn't bully Garth in the classic sense. He absolutely DID put Garth down and make him feel awful, but the vast majority of it came from misunderstandings, miscommunication, and simply not being around each other much. So many of their issues could be resolved if they just TALKED.

So idk if the opportunity for Garth to ask Arthur or Mera advice on this would even arise, necessarily? Garth didn't really talk to them about this kind of stuff, and also the situation was far more complex than your typical childhood bullying.

I hope this provides at least a somewhat satisfactory answer! And sorry that I don't have more specific things to say on the Arthur/Mera front!

[haledamage]

World Building Whenever - Kade Mithal

I keep forgetting to post this for an actual World Build Wednesday, so we'll just call it World Building Wsaturday

B A S I C S

• Full name: Kade Mithal. That’s all, no middle name or anything. Though depending on her mood (and where she is in the story), she also goes by: 

• Kaden Rose (a favorite alias) • Kade Lok • Kade Cadera • Sometimes also will put “of Clan Lok” or “of Clan Cadera” at the end of her name, to represent her adoptive clan/husband’s clan respectively • Briefly experimented with Kade Bradensdottir, for memorial purposes, but it didn’t stick • Her callsign is “Shrike”, because cute and tiny but deadly

• Gender:  female, in a “I don’t know, I just work here” capacity. doesn’t care what people assume she is

• Sexuality:  pansexual

• Pronouns: she/her, but also any

O T H E R S

• Family: birth family unknown; Mako, adopted sister; Braden, informally-adopted father (deceased); Artus “Mandalore the Vindicated” Lok, adopted father (deceased); Torian Cadera, husband; Hana and Rin, daughters; Jayin, son. Another kid on the way, gender/name unknown

• Birthplace: unknown (Coruscant, presumably, since her first memories are there)

• Job: Bounty Hunter, “Acquisitions Specialist”, Commander of the Alliance

• Phobias: no major phobias that I can think of. A few deep-seated fears (loss, mostly, specifically of losing her family), but I don’t know that I’d call that a “phobia” as such

• Guilty pleasures: gardening. I wouldn’t call it a “guilty” pleasure, but it is one she keeps a secret. Ruins her tough-guy image

M O R A L S

• Morality alignment: Chaotic. Chaotic good, I think? Maybe chaotic neutral. But definitely chaotic

• Sins: lust/greed/gluttony/sloth/pride/envy/wrath 

• Virtues: chastity/charity/diligence/humility/kindness/patience/justice

T H I S - O R - T H A T

• Introverted/extrovert

• Organized/disorganized

• Close-minded/open-minded

• Calm/anxious

• Disagreeable/agreeable 

• Cautious/reckless

• Patient/impatient

• Outspoken/reserved

• Leader/follower (no preference/inclination one way or the other)

• Empathetic/unempathetic

• Optimistic/pessimistic 

• Traditional/modern

• Hard-working/lazy

R E L A T I O N S H I P S

• otp: Kade/Torian. Pretty much love at first sight for both of them, though I think he fell a little faster.

• ot3: Kade/Torian/Rass. I have many thoughts about this, but they’ll have to wait for their own post. May end up making this their new canon, haven’t decided yet.

• brotp: Kade & Mako. Torian may be the love of her life, but Mako is her true soulmate.

• notp: Kade/Tarro Blood, obviously. If she could, she’d resurrect him just to kill him again. Other than that, besides the obvious like Skadge or Valkorion, none I can think of

[joanofarcbutsilly]

john “soap” mactavish x reader

ft. ghost

cute little thoughts about soap and reader finding a place to enjoy

reader is gender neutral! can be read as platonic or romantic!

my favorite order at MY local diner is included as a little easter egg hehe

one of the ways soap shows you he cares is by remembering as much information about you as he possibly can

pov: you and soap are at a diner you two love to visit on your off time after being relocated

a little establishment that’s pretty close to the base, just near enough to be able to sneak off without being caught be ghost

simon always knows when you and johnny leave camp, nothing really escapes him, especially the goings on at work. even though he will ALWAYS be able to find another task that needs completing for one or both of you, he also knows that soap loves the thrill of your “secret” rendezvous. he won’t admit it, but he finds it very cute, and how could he put a stop to such a simple pleasure?

anyways! back to soap!

so you two are at the your little hide out hole-in-the-wall, just chatting it up about anything and everything

soap LOVES to gossip

he will tell you some probably (read: definitely) fake stories. like the time he had to share a bed with the rest of the 141 at a safe house, and he SWEARS TO GOD that when he woke up in the middle of the night he saw simon and price cuddling in their sleep.

you can make fun of him all you want, call him a no good liar, say you KNOW it’s not true, you can even bring proof! tell him about the time you and ghost had to share a little patch of floor for bedtime, and when you knocked into him in his sleep he punched you in the stomach so hard you almost threw up.

soap says simon must just not like you that much, because he SWEARS ghost has kissed him on the forehead in his sleep.

he is such a faker.

there is no real point in arguing with him, he will defend each and everyone of his tall tales to his death. he has swore on everything he holds dear, including his mother, and locked pinkies with you so many times that it’s a little inside greeting for the two of you now.

you and soap have also challenged yourselves to try EVERYTHING on the menu. johnny insists that you give every menu item a shot, even the ones you know for a fact you won’t/don’t like. HOWEVER, he always has a clever excuse to why he can’t eat anything with mushrooms.

the seriousness of his “allergy” to mushrooms has been recorded ranging from hives, to immediate anaphylactic shock, he’s even claimed that he will combust into flames.

YOU have to try everything though. no excuses.

once you have managed to taste the entire menu, you go back to ordering whatever is your favorite

which brings us to soap’s next little quirk

soap LOVES ordering for you

not in a controlling way of course! he just loves to show off how well he knows you, to the smallest detail!

he knows EXACTLY how you like your favorite drink. how many creamers and sugar packets you like in your coffee, the juice you prefer (and has no shame in asking for mixes of several types, since he knows that you like an apple and cranberry juice concoction), and if you like iced tea, he knows how many lemon slices you like and if you like it sweetened or unsweetened. he knows all of this by HEART. your preferences are tattooed onto his soul.

so when the waitress comes over and turns to you to ask for your order, soap holds up both of his hands frantically and exclaims for you to wait. he then leans forward with his eyes closed and his elbows on the table, fingers massaging his temples.

“hmmm-“ he starts, much too seriously for the problem at hand, “they wan’ a denver skillet. eggs sunny side up. extra cheese and peppers. replace the toast with pancakes. with chocolate chips. and sprinkes. and whipped cream.”

he breaks character when he can’t hold back anymore and his face cracks into a smile, “could ya’ make the pancakes into a mouse?”

the waitress is charmed and amused by the two of you, and especially appreciates the generous tip she gets from you both, so she is more than willing to put up with your shenanigans.

soap still has a sly grin when he asks you if you’d like to change anything

soap is a human garbage can, so if you order for him (just make sure it doesn’t have mushrooms), whatever it is, he will loudly declare that it was the best meal he’s ever had.

when you and the rest of the 141 eventually have to move from this base to the next, this little tradition continues. you and soap immediately hunt out the closest local eatery, and start all over.

bonus!!

soap cannot keep his mouth shut, and will tell ghost all of the details of your excursions when he gets bored on coms.

ghost will just ignore him most of the time, just humming in false acknowledgment of whatever the hell soap is saying.

BUT. soap doesn’t know it, but his Lt. has taken the liberty to visit the same establishments as the two of you, and has escaped running into you guys by the skin of his teeth.

thank god he never stays, because soap would be in SO MUCH SHIT

[chaosandcrimson]

no way is that ESPERANZA RIVERA UMBRA.. they're a 34-year-old HUMAN notoriously known for being QUIET & LETHAL but there are some people who have seen them being STEALTHY & SERENE. if you ask me, they remind me a lot of sneaking up on someone without making a sound, an improbable amount of knives hidden on your person, and looking like an entirely different person out of your work gear, but that could just be because they're considered the MAFIA PRINCESS SILENT ANTAGONIST around town. just keep an eye on them & see if their true colors shine through..

I was tame, I was gentle, 'til the circus life made me mean "Don't you worry, folks, we took out all her teeth" Who's afraid of little old me? Well, you should be

OVERVIEW

Name: Esperanza Jacinta Rivera / Umbra

Nickname(s): Essie

DOB: February 4, 2090

Age: 34

FC: Eiza González

Height: 5'8"

Pronouns: She/Her / They/Them

Sexuality: Bisexual

Occupation: Owner of The Floral Dilemma / Enforcer and Assassin for the Skyport Mafia / Personal Bodyguard to the Underboss

Relationship Status: In a relationship with Mercury Midwinter

[+] charming, serene, stealthy [–] bashful, quiet, lethal

BIOGRAPHY

tw: death

Esperanza, affectionately nicknamed Essie, was born into a middle district family. For the first five years of her life, her existence was pretty uneventful; her parents worked regular nine to five jobs, and when they weren't doing things as a family, she spent most of her time trailing after her big brother Nicolas.

Their parents were killed when Essie was 5 years old and Nicolas was 8 years old. There was no rhyme or reason to it—they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The siblings were put into the foster care system and placed in a home that might not have been that bad if it wasn't so overcrowded.

They stuck it out for a bit, but eventually decided to take their chances out on the streets. Over time, they ended up gathering a small group of fellow street urchins who all managed to survive by looking out for each other.

Essie was 12 years old when Nicolas joined the Skyport Mafia and their station in life drastically improved. She wanted to attend school, but after years of living out on the streets, she was severely behind. Connie arranged for her to be home schooled and tutored until she caught up enough to attend high school.

In exchange, Essie began secretly training under Connie as an assassin. She saw and admired how seamlessly the older woman moved between her civilian lawyer persona and her mafia assassin persona, and how the two almost felt like entirely separate people, and decided to emulate it. But she took it a step further.

When she started working as an assassin, she took the name Umbra and chose gear that completely conceals her identity. Her clothes hide her figure, her mask obscures her face, and it even provides voice modulation—although she does not speak much in general, and prefers to sign when communicating.

Her identity is kept secret from almost everyone including her fellow mafia soldiers. Even her gender is unknown, and she purposefully uses they/them pronouns when in her Umbra persona to keep it that way.

Meanwhile, in her civilian identity as Essie, she attended college and business school before opening a flower shop in the middle district. The Floral Dilemma is a neutral business with no mafia ties and no illegal activity.

When she was 27 years old, her and Nicolas orchestrated a coup to take out the underboss. He was getting old, hadn't gotten onboard with Reina's vision for the mafia, and had a history of giving increasingly irrational orders. The operation was a success, and her brother became the new underboss with Connie's endorsement, whom may or may not have been involved all along.

As a result, Essie went from being relatively unknown to having a public persona as the little sister of the underboss—the mafia princess who is purposefully kept away from the business. Similarly, Umbra went from being an assassin to being the infamously masked personal bodyguard of the underboss.

It was Essie's increased visibility that prompted her brother to place a mafia soldier at her flower shop as an employee. It was mostly for appearances—Umbra could obviously look out for herself, but Essie wasn't supposed to be able to. She picked Mercury, who also became the underboss's personal driver.

It didn't take long for working together at the flower shop to turn into Essie and Mercury low-key flirting with each other all the time. On the other hand, working together under Nicolas became Umbra and Mercury being mildly antagonistic (weapons were drawn multiple times) but always having each other's back.

It was very funny and kind of endearing when he eventually confessed to having feelings for both of them, and she had to explain to him that he was not, in fact, crushing on two different people. They have been together for the past five years, although for obvious reasons she can only date him publicly as one of her personas, and it made the most sense for it to be Essie.

MISC

She has a number of cybernetic enhancements that mainly improve her stealth, speed, and agility. Most of them are very discreet, and the ones that aren't she keeps carefully concealed when in her Essie persona.

The only people who know that Essie and Umbra are the same person are the mafia leadership (including the capos), Mercury, Cassie, and Oda.

[the-chosen-fanfiction]

Gentile. | Chapter 1

Disclaimer: This story touches upon possibly distressing themes, such as domestic abuse, infidelity, racism and non-consensual intercourse. Period typical attitudes do not represent the author's personal view. Reader discretion is advised.

Story description: Whilst you're trapped in an arranged and loveless marriage to Praetor Quintus, a chance meeting has you spiralling into an intense and passionate love affair with the most tenured agent of the Cohorte Urbanae.

When you find out you are pregnant with his child, it's only the beginning : Nothing you've ever known remains intact when a certain Preacher reaches the ear of Capernaum, including yours.

Chapter summary: Arriving in Capernaum, you realise that your arranged marriage to Quintus might never know a true breakthrough.

Chapter list

Your husband, you know better than anyone, is a volatile man, and despite the decent amount of time you have known him for, his mannerisms are still thoroughly unpredictable to you.

Praetor Quintus removes his heavy helmet with a sigh, a thin sheen of sweat shimmering on his bald head, and steps out in front of you to take in the sight of the chamber that he’d call his office for an undisclosed period of time. “It’ll have to do,” falls from his lips, a statement that might be deemed neutral to some, but you know that tone. He’s displeased with the size, the decor, and perhaps even with the plasterwork. He is, all in all, critical of everything.

You, on the other hand, can’t care less. The room is still half-empty, but the small chaise longue you usually rest on during days that Quintus wants you in his office is already standing in the corner, a little daylight streaming in through the window. It makes for the perfect spot to read some books, although you’d prefer a bit more privacy.

“We’ll be settled in no time,” you reassure him, causing him to look at you with a raised brow. 

“Of all places, we’re stationed in Capernaum. Don’t think it will be easy around here, dearest.” The nickname makes the hairs of your neck stand on end. How could a word usually so loving be spoken in such a cold way, you think to yourself, for there is no comfort in his drawling voice. You’re certain that the man hasn’t even grown fond of you, despite your second wedding anniversary rolling around in a few weeks from now. 

Not that you had been too keen on marrying him, either, for you are naught but a pretty thing on his arm. Being your father’s property, alas, you had no choice.

“As long as I have my books, I will be satisfied everywhere in the world.” you told him earnestly.

He scoffs. “You and your books.” With a roll of his eye, he tosses his helmet onto his desk with abandon. “It would have bored me out of my mind ages ago.”

You hug the bag that hangs over your shoulder a little closer to your body, the familiar outlines of your leatherbound journal pressed against your chest. “Well, I quite like it, thank you very much.”

“As long as you don’t keep them lying around.” he chastises you like a father addressing his daughter with a distant edge to his tone, and it causes you to shrink. 

A thought pops up in your mind - he had promised you your own little sitting room where you could store your books and write on your poetry - and you open your mouth to ask him about it, but a sudden stranger on the threshold causes the words to get stuck in your throat.

A middle-aged man clad in red takes off his helmet and holds it under his arm, one hand against his chest. “Hail Caesar,” he says, catching your husband’s attention, who eyes him with characteristic suspicion.

“Hail Caesar.” Quintus replies, not satisfied with the fact that he had not yet given the centurion permission to speak, but he doesn’t mention it. “And you are…?”

“My name is Gaius, Dominus.” the man explains, his gaze momentarily falling on you, and he gives you a slight bow out of respect. You nod at him in response before his attention shifts back to your husband. “I oversee part of Capernaum when it comes to—”

Quintus smiles one of his oddly fake grins and holds up his hand, giving a small shake of his head. “Don’t even bother with that right now, Gaius. Can’t you see my wife and I are busy unpacking? You may return in half a day or so, once we have settled at least a little bit.”

“As you wish, Dominus. Forgive me for the intrusion.”

He turns to leave and you are finally able to ask the question you had been meaning to bring up. “Quin,” you pipe up with a pet name that wholly replaces your calibre to call him darling, or dear , or love , which are three terms you are certainly not assigning to him for neither fits his personality, “I would like to withdraw myself to our residence, if that is alright.”

Your husband looks at you with a furrowed brow as if you had just asked the most ridiculous thing you could have, but raises his voice to call back the guard that had just left the chamber, “Gaius!”

The summoned guard once again appears with a dutiful look on his face. “Yes, Dominus?”

“Please escort my wife to our new residence at the end of the street. Make sure no one gets their filthy paws on her - even better, make sure that no one so much as looks at her, do I make myself clear?”

Gaius’ eyes shift to you. “Of course, Dominus.”

“I will see you soon, darling,” Quintus says, walking closer for a kiss. When you don’t move your head to meet his lips, he presses one against your cheek before withdrawing, resting one hand on the small of your back, “Tonight.” 

There is a look in his eyes that alerts you of what he wants and you shudder unpleasantly, dread already setting in the pit of your gut. The fact that you have not yet borne him an heir is often subject of your domestic squabbles, even though it is unfair that he blames your barrenness on your character and nothing else.

“Naturally, Quin.” you breathe before following Gaius outside, who soon halts to have you catch up to him. There is a certain stiffness in his shoulders that makes you wonder what he is so nervous for. 

“Tell me something about Capernaum,” you query, Gaius looking at you from the corner of his eye. “What is it like?”

“Restless,” Gaius replies with a tight-lipped expression, as if he is afraid he will say the wrong word, “Things have been worsening around here ever since our previous Praetor… Prematurely retired.”

You hum, letting your eyes fall on a pair of orphans that sit on the edge of the street with a cup in their hands. The denarii in your pocket are burning against your leg, pity making you feel sick to your stomach at the sight of their fallen, pockmarked cheeks. 

“My husband will live up to his reputation,” you state matter-of-factly, knowing that there must be a reason that Quintus had been selected and sent all the way from Rome. “I am sure that things will become better around here, soon.” The promise is perhaps a wish, for you miss your friends and family, whom you had to leave behind in favour of Quintus’ profession.

Gaius gestures to the right to have you turn the corner. You follow his instruction and are met with a decent house made from dark basalt stone, groups of slaves moving chests of items inside. A few of them gawk at the pair of you, causing you to drape your Palla over your hair to cover up a little, feeling scrutinised.  “Hurry along!” Gaius barks at one of them lingering in the doorframe. They all scurry away, continuing their work. 

The residence is not large but spacious enough, and when you mention the room that Quintus has promised you, Gaius helps you find it. He is a silent man and attempting to start a casual conversation is off the table almost immediately, prompting you to follow him in silence.

“This must be it,” you tell him upon entering a room that contains most of your chests, where a few tall shelves have already been placed against the walls. There are two windows, which look out over the town square. Despite the village being cramped, you can count yourself lucky with a corner room like this one, which gives a false sense of space. Gaius nods, giving you a small bow with a hand on his chest, and leaves you to yourself, the only sound left being the men downstairs carrying furniture into the house.

You sigh and look around the still quite empty space, but soon envision where you want your sofa to stand as well as your desk, and you begin to unpack your belongings that are already standing on the floor. You finger the brass SPQR etched onto the small chest, unsure of how much to unpack. After all, you have no idea for how long you will be staying here.

Inside are your golden clips, hair pins and other jewellery. You store them in your desk, that has been shoved against the wall where you don’t want it standing. Taking a mental note to ask Quintus to get it moved later, towards a spot where you’d have more natural light coming in, you continue the task at hand, getting installed to your best ability.

Your tunics are already neatly hanging in the wardrobe, several pairs of sandals stored at the bottom. Somewhere during the afternoon, a female slave brings you water and some figs, which you thank her for. The dullness in her eyes causes the money on you to weigh down on you again, but you know that Quintus would be livid if he found out about you secretly slipping some money their way.

The lowering of the sun has already cloaked the fishing village in hues of pink and orange when Quintus finally appears on the threshold of your room, dark circles under his eyes. “Finally,” he murmurs upon seeing you, and you look up from your thoughts, an unopened book resting in your lap. “If everyone is as incompetent as the workers I’ve seen today, I doubt I’ll have any employees left by the end of the month.” Knowing him, he’s given at least five of them the sack already.

When you don’t reply, Quintus clears his throat. “I hope that you’re satisfied with your room here, darling.”

“I am,” you tell him with a genuine smile, “I love it.”

“Good.” he retorts with a rather sarcastic edge to his voice, adding: “It’s the best room in this place, you better be thankful.”

“I am.” you repeat, although different in tone this time, with your smile falling from your lips.

Quintus crosses his arms over his chest, observing the way you have put away your belongings. He drags a finger over a shelf that had already been hanging on the wall and looks at the dust that gathers on his skin with chagrin. “Would have expected them to deliver this place clean, at least. Moving to Upper Galilee is bad enough as is, with all kinds of vermin scurrying about. Let me know how you want your furniture arranged, I’ll send someone over soon enough. For now, follow me, dear.”

You rise to your feet and put your book away before heading after your husband, who leads you through the residence that is already fuller than it was when you entered hours prior. A few slaves that are still unpacking cower at the sight of him, falling silent in their whispered chatter, not daring to make a noise. He leads you to your shared bedroom, a rather large space with an adjacent, open washroom containing a small basin as well as a polished mirror on the wall above a small dressing table, where your perfumes and powders were already on display. 

“This is our place,” says he, already taking off the heavy pendant necklace that sits around his shoulders. “We will sleep here together.”

You give him a tight-lipped nod, swallowing the comment that you had already figured that out by the sight of the large bed, and you fold your hands in front of you expectantly.

Quintus clicks his tongue and steps forward, cupping your cheek in his hand. You resist the urge to move away from it, enabling your usual habit of just closing off your mind to the disdain that seeps through your veins whenever he touches you.

His fingers are already on your Palla , and he unravels it with ease, like he has done plenty of times before. “How is your cycle?” he quizzes. You are unable to sell him the lie that you are in your infertile days of the month, sighing deeply before responding.

“Fertile.” 

“Good,” Quintus breathes, letting go of your cloak, letting it pool around your ankles. “Undress and join me on the bed,” he mutters with his lips against your temple, pressing a cold kiss against your skin.

And you do as you’re told, shutting your mind off, fulfilling your marital duties to the man you loathe so much, distancing yourself from your own form as he takes you.

Once done, Quintus pushes you away with a disinterest that he doesn’t even bother to cover up. You turn away as he steps out of the bed, not wanting to see his naked form withdraw to the bathroom, where he washes himself without so much as a word of thanks.

Defiled in the sheets, you force back your tears, drifting away into a slumber that teases the hope that he’ll be gone once you wake up, so that you can cry properly without his judgemental sneers.

A waft of cologne tickles your nose and a readily dressed Quintus appears in your field of vision, prompting you to look up. 

“Did you hear what I just said?”

“No.” you say apologetically, “Sorry.”

He lets out a sound of slight indignance before repeating the comment you had apparently missed: “I said, I am planning on throwing a party tomorrow. I’ll be inviting the men amongst the higher ranks. Gives me a chance to introduce the new rules I’m planning on issuing around this mess of a village. As for you, you better show up looking your very best. Didn’t marry you for nothing.”

You hum and give him a small nod. “Of course, Quintus,” you tell him, knowing that saying no is not an option, and you lay down back on the bed, closing your eyes. He sighs, turning towards the door, where he momentarily halts on the threshold. 

“Oh, (Y/n).” 

You once again look at him. “Yes?”

“Don’t wear your purple stole tomorrow. Can’t look too rich around here.” 

As if the residence itself isn’t ostentatious enough as is.

“Of course, Quintus.” you comply

He mutters no final greeting, the pad of his sandals becoming a distant sound as he leaves. 

You allow your tears to flow freely now, sliding down your face towards the duvet, where they are absorbed by the rough linen that was witness to your misery, sobs of agony shaking your desecrated form.

Next chapter Chapter list

[the-unrelated-theorist]

The Overworld Theme

(And the Men from Another World)

Well! Well well well well welly well well....

I know most people are sick of theories based solely on the OST. So I decided to annoy y'all with another one, anyway.

I've been playing these games for over 2 years and I'm still discovering new things about the OST's. I may even be the last UT fan to notice these, but here goes.

So, Waterfall, Another Medium, and The Core all have the same intro. Some time ago, I finally noticed this intro does appear in Ruins, just not as the intro- it's actually near the very end (starts at 1:20- listen to the bells in the background).

But it wasn't until this comment on YouTube:

...that I went back and checked Ruins against Another Medium and The Core. Listen to Ruins again, starting at 1:02. Compare it to Another Medium, from 0:07-0:51.

And to The Core.

The ending of Ruins gets remixed in all of them. Or Another Medium got remixed into the Ruins. Anyway, it's there. It's a little hard to tell if you're not looking for it- or it was for me, anyway- but it's there.

Now, we all know that every one of Undyne's themes on a Neutral Route is a remix of Ruins (Waterfall, Quiet Water, NGAHHH!!, Spear of Justice), BUT... even Battle Against a True Hero has a bit of Ruins. Listen to the bells in the background at 0:38- it's the beginning of the middle BAATH (1:36).

Now, then...

It makes sense to me that Undyne's themes all get remixes of Ruins, since I now know that Ruins is pretty much the Overworld theme. Undyne is the hero of the Underground.

So then, why does Mettaton have so many themes that are remixed from the Overworld theme?

Death By Glamour is, of course, just a remix of The Core. So that's one very obvious place where Mettaton reuses the Overworld theme for himself. BUT:

Starting at 0:26, we can hear the intro to Spear of Justice. This also gets remixed, much more softly, in "It's Showtime" and "Live Report."

For the longest time, I thought Alphys had just included a bit of Undyne's theme into Mettaton's coding. But now I realize the whole thing isn't specifically Undyne's theme but rather an Overworld theme. So as it turns out, then, Mettaton is just incorporating the Overworld theme into his own themes, just as Undyne does.

This makes sense when you think about it. Undyne is the Hero of the Underground. Everyone knows her. Why shouldn't she be allowed to use the Overworld theme? Mettaton is the Star of the Underground. Everyone knows him. Why shouldn't he be allowed to use the Overworld theme?

This, then, brings up one more question:

Why doesn't sans use the Overworld theme? We see him literally everywhere in the Underground from Snowdin to the MTT Resort. sans speaks with Toriel, so he has a connection to the Ruins. We don't see sans in The Core or New Home, but we do see him in the Judgment Hall in Asgore's castle. sans is EVERYWHERE, even more so than Undyne and Mettaton. Why doesn't he use the Overworld theme?

It could just be his style, his preference- he simply prefers that little jazzy theme of his. But... Papyrus doesn't use the Overworld theme, either. And he's almost as "everywhere" as sans is, through our phone calls, through chatting with Alphys via the Undernet, through knowing Undyne. Not to mention the fact that Papyrus is arguably the most important character in any run, since so many Neutral endings hinge on whether you killed Papyrus or not. (And then, of course, there's Papyrus' notable absence from Deltarune, but we're not talking about Deltarune today.)

"sans" appears anywhere that sans appears, whether it's Grillby's or one of sans' sentry stations or the MTT Resort (albeit remixed into "It's Raining Somewhere Else"). "sans" also permeates sans' entire house, EXCEPT for Papyrus' room, where no music plays at all.

But neither of the brothers uses the Overworld theme. In addition, "sans" doesn't appear outside of sans themes, except for "Bring it In, Guys". Same goes for "Bonetrousle"- "Bring It In, Guys" and STMPWYFS are the only non-Papyrus songs in which "Bonetrousle" appears (and, like, it's pretty obvious why we hear the trousle of bones in a song that might play you fight sans, amirite?).

The skelebros show up more often in the Underground than any other character. And yet they have no musical ties to the Underground whatsoever.

Could that be because they're not from the Underground at all?

"Beware the man who came from another world."

Thanks for the tip River Person- but which one?

[cloudbattrolls]

@condescensionsation (for the conversation ask that got ungraciously eaten by tumblr)

--

The silver desk in the middle of the well-lit office had once belonged to Jamie Abnale, but was now covered with duck knickknacks. Its pencil mug was decorated with a dancing kittycat meme, and it was dustier in the few spaces not covered by stray papers or notepads that had never been so disarrayed when the blueblood had used it.

It now held a nameplate that read 'Chimer Latrai' and the eponymous fuchsia was settled in a chair she'd brought in to both spin around and accommodate her tall stature.

On it rested a folder that had ‘RESTRICTED’ printed on it in imperial red.

Chimer looked at the man anxiously sitting across from her, his worry clear from his stiff posture and fins held at a determined neutral half-mast.

It was a little funny, though not the kind that made her laugh. More the ‘where did my life go’ type.

“So…I mean. Your résumé is good. Ullane said you’re pretty solid, a few incidents aside. I’m not gonna phone up Queenpin for a reference, but I’m sure she’d say the same. But why did you apply?”

“Tuuya recommended it to me.” He admitted, seeming sheepish about the fact, his glow spots flicking brighter and dimmer in turn.

The fuchsia snorted. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. You don’t eat people, right?”

The violet looked scandalized at the very thought. She laughed.

“Great. Already an improvement. But like, you’re pretty busy these nights already, aren’t you? What made you want to go back to your old gig?”

Thrixe shrugged.

“Money. I don’t charge the clinic or Kaningård too much, they’re both good causes. But also…I want to keep my skills sharp. I feel…restless.” He admitted.

“My life is great. Better than I ever thought it’d be. But even though I’m doing work I enjoy, it’s not quite the same.”

Chimer nodded.

“I know you can follow orders. Probably better than worms mcgee can, though I admit they weren’t always wrong when they decided to divert. Hurts to say so, but it’s true. More importantly…do you understand you’ll be going directly against the empire at times?

Tuuya’s said to me that you still have tendencies that way, which I’m not gonna lie, is pretty funny given your whole deal.”

The hybrid winced. “I…I am no longer loyal to the empire. I haven’t been since I faked my death and fled. Then they tried to kill me a second time.” He said with a sigh.

Chimer’s eyebrows raised.

“Yet you don’t sound mad about that.”

“I’m a threat.” Said the violet bluntly. “A major threat. From a security standpoint, trying to eliminate me made sense.”

She laughed softly, rolling a pencil between her fingers.

“You sure are, bud. You’re a threat I want on my side…because even though I’m out of my old politics now, there’s a whole new field I’m playing in. I know now that the only reason no one screwed with me before was the resistance’s protection, and the resistance is gone, thanks to a certain freckled moron hunting their leader.”

Thrixe blinked. This was complete news to him, and he had no idea who the freckled moron was.

“Corelo’s great, but he has his own stuff to deal with, and I prefer him close to me.” She continued. “He’s best on the management side. You I need in the field, when trouble comes calling, or when I need to prevent it.”

She straightened up, her gaze harder.

“But will you go against the empire? Not just ignore their rules. Not just slide under their radar. Actively step up and fight their forces. Can you do that, Thrixe?”

The violet thought.

Then he nodded.

“Yes.”

Chimer Latrai grinned.

“Great. Welcome to the team. We have doughnuts every other week.”

Thrixe looked confused.

“I don’t eat doughnuts.”

His new boss looked at him in mock horror.

“You are a sad, weird little starfish.”

The violet rolled his eyes.

[firewhiskeyfm]

hi hi! i'm raë, and this is my bb gabriel "gabe" sanchez! ( tommy martinez | cis-man | he/him ) — was that gabriel sanchez passing through diagon alley? those close to them say they remind them of an undeveloped roll of film forgotten about in a desk drawer, messy unkempt hair, a tear through an old family portrait, multiple hearts but not one is capable to love, what is right is not always what is good, which i suppose seems to fit that slytherin alumnus. they’re actually pretty introspective, charismatic, and untrusting for a twenty-eight year old, but i wonder if it serves them well when working as a bartender/aspiring photographer at/for the hog’s head/the daily prophet. rumor has it that the half-blood is aligning with the neutral … for now. i wouldn’t have guessed… but this is a conversation we should be having somewhere else. ( raë | 27 | est | they/them )

read more about him below!

CHARACTERISTICS !!

full name:  gabriel miguel sanchez

nickname: gabe, g

gender & pronouns: cis-male & he/him

birthplace: el paso, tx

hogwarts house: slytherin

age:  twenty-eight

occupation: bartender at hog’s head & aspiring news photographer for the daily prophet

sexuality: bisexual

height: 6′2″

build: muscular

positive traits: charming, loyal, compassionate, flirty, open-minded, artistic

negative traits: untrusting, pessimistic, hot-headed, devious, impulsive

hobbies: photography (his prized possession is his 35mm film camera), quidditch/flying - keeper (for fun), painting, sculpting, graffiti, drawing (his preferred medium is charcoal), hiking

ABOUT - GROWING UP / HOGWARTS !!

gabriel comes from a lower-middle class family; his mother - camila - is Muggle (has family money) and father is magical (pureblood slytherin line)

a few months after his sister was born, and when gabe was only three years old, his father left his family behind to pursue the dark arts.

gabe attended muggle school up until his high school graduation. when he told his mom about his acceptance to hogwarts, she was so proud. she decided the family would move closer to the school. (tbd if his sister was a fan of this or not)

gabriel was sorted into slytherin at hogwarts, which upset him a bit at first, as he didn’t really want to be connected to his father. however, he ended up liking be a part of the house!

ABOUT - POST HOGWARTS !!

when he graduated, gabe wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted to do, so he got a bartending position at hog’s head. somehow, he’s been there for 7 years now. he wants to do something more with his life, he just isn’t 100% certain yet.

his dream job would be to be a photographer/photojournalist for the newspaper the daily prophet. but he’s nervous about pursuing that and failing.

FAMILY !!

father: ?

mother: camila

sibling(s): younger sister

family’s financial status: lower-middle

fun facts !!

slytherin but could easily be a ravenclaw (think luna kinda ravenclaw)

enfp (we’re twins !!!!!)

air sign (aquarius af)

true neutral

primary vice: lust

primary virtue: temperance

has the curliest mop of brown hair u ever did see

wanted connections

younger sis, whom he’s v protective of

work friends & artsy friends !!!

past fwb’s - if your char was even the slightest bit flirty w gabe, 69 times out of 10, he would’ve seduced them flirted right back

slow burn/sexual tension ships

exes on good or bad terms

more tba // i’m v much open to suggestions!!!

gifs: https://erika-writes.tumblr.com/tommymartinez

[neverhangd]

Send me Ⓐ and my muse will rate yours: (haha for Raoul? Haha who am I kidding he has a knife to my throat and he's insisting. Haha please help me)

Send me Ⓐ and my muse will rate yours:

Haha, such a kidder! Haha please let Eve go. Please. 🥺

ALWAYS/STRONGLY/PRESENTLY SOMETIMES/VAGUELY/IN THE PAST VERY STRONGLY/IN THE FUTURE NEVER

Attractiveness:

repulsive || hideous || ugly || not attractive || unappealing || not unattractive || meh || no preference || ok || mildly attractive || nice looking || cute || adorable || attractive || pleasant on the eyes || good looking || hot || sexy || beautiful || gorgeous || hot damn || would tap that || perfect || godlike || holy fuck there are no words

Personality:

grating || irritating || frustrating || boring || confusing at best || awkward || unreasonable || psychotic || disturbing || interesting || engaging || affectionate || aggressive || ambitious || anxious || artistic || bad tempered || bossy || charismatic || appealing || unappealing || creative || courageous || dependable || unreliable || unpredictable || predictable || devious || dim || extroverted || introverted || egotistical || gregarious || fabulous || impulsive || intelligent || sympathetic || talkative || up beat || peaceful || calming || badass || flexible

How likely they would have sex with them:

not if they were the last person on earth and the world was ending || fuck no! || never || no way || not likely || not sure || indifferent || I’m asexual || maybe || probably || it depends || fairly likely || likely || yeah sure || yes || would tap that || hell yes || fuck yes! || wishing that could happen right now || as many times as possible || we are already having sex

Level of Friendship:

never in a million years || worst of enemies || enemies || rivals || indifferent || neutral || acquaintance || friendly toward each other || casual friends || friends || good friends || best friends || fuck buddies || bosom buddies || practically the same person || would die for them || true friends || my only friend || sorry raoul no friendship for you. lovers or obsessions there is no middle ground.

First impression of them:

I hate them so much || I don’t like them || I don’t trust them || they annoy me || they’re weird || I’m indifferent || meh || they seem alright || they’re growing on me || truce || I think I like them || I like them || I’m not sure if I trust them || I trust them || they’re cool || they’re genuine || I think we’re going to could get along || I really like them || I think I’m in love || oh fuck they’re hot || I love them || he terrifies the living hell out of me || am i going to die??? i’m going to die.

Current Future impression of them:

I hate them so much || I don’t like them || I don’t trust them || they annoy me || they’re weird || I’m indifferent || meh || they seem alright || they’re growing on me || truce || I think I like them || I like them || I’m not sure if I trust them || I trust them || they’re cool || they’re genuine || I think we’re going to get along || I really like them || I think I’m in love || oh fuck they’re hot || I love them || take a bullet for him? yes. and shoot one. and not shoot one.

How good of a kisser:

worst kisser ever || terrible || bad || awkward || just okay || alright || pretty good || good || makes me moan || excellent || exciting || oh god they’re good || I dream about it || fucking amazing || absolute perfection || again daddy || we haven’t kissed (but fuck you I do what I want. obviously.)

[arcxnumvitae]

Preferences

Just another mass headcanon post. Wanted it down just because I use broad labels (bi, pan, so on) but there are distinctions that differ among muses in terms of sexual preference. And who doesn’t like to learn new things

Ven: The sllliiightest preference towards women but it’s so small there’s not much point in me saying anything

Qingshan: Big preference towards Jian

Ren: Leans towards women

Alexa: Wo....men....I think?

Katarina: Ironically, leans towards women

Dawn: Also towards women

Cornelius: Moderate preference towards women

Huaxiu: Personal/moderate preference towards men (finally)

Raven: Big big lean towards women

Eira: Leans towards men

Arya: Rare in any case but leans towards men

[starlightshore]

Why do you think the player is an in universe entity? In undertale specifically. I feel like it takes away a lot of what Frisk could be if they are only a puppet

it’s both! frisk is both their own person and under the control of the player. I think Frisk has more control than Kris, but still very much influenced by the player.

long post because i don’t want to clog ya’ll’s dashes.

I think we can all agree on this? you control the soul, same as you do in deltarune.

See, even choices are chosen with the soul. This is the same.

Now, for the choices themselves, I believe they are the opinions of each kid.

They can drastically different opinions!

But I think the biggest and most important viewing of these choices as each kid matters the most here, when you’re at Toriel’s house.

Chara wants to stay and is inquisitive about the Snails. However, Frisk is persistent about leaving, referring to their original home and asking the same questions three times.

And Frisk does more than just supply potential replies -They can even talk on their own without your input.

Frisk will ask Gerson: “What if the child is a human” which -at this point, Frisk wouldn’t know about Chara and is actually about themself. (Chara should already know this information, so we know this is Frisk asking.)

And then in the pacifist ending, you have two choices: “I want to stay with you” and “I have places to go.” Now, either Frisk is unsure of staying with Toriel, or because of the chat with Gerson I believe it’s Frisk who is sure. They want to stay with Toriel -but Chara prefers Frisk go somewhere else. (Each interpretation is valid, who’s to really say!) But here we are! An actual character arc, right here! So Frisk isn’t just walking along the ride but rather reconsidering their choice to leave the Ruins. Toriel even finds it funny.

So on a quick tangent, i promise this is relevant: the plaque in the first puzzle room recommends you stick to one route and stay on that route -that a middle ground is not an option. Which references the Deltarune prophecy, and also references your actions as the player having to stick one method of either FIGHT/MERCY to get the two major endings. In addition, monsters believed was Chara originally, and now view you to be it.

Asgore in neutral/pacifist: (It’s Chara-Frisk’s hopeful eyes that remind him of the hope for monsters/the prophecy. He believed in both kids.)

AKA: this is me proving the Deltarune is important to both Chara, Frisk and the Player. How it’s both shown repetitively to matter to your choices and the game’s routes pretty explicitly -or at least as explicit Undertale gets.

Anyway the point of this is to show that both routes are majorly important, and that Your specific choices influence both kids (both literally, as you playing the game and in-universe here) depending on your choices of FIGHT/MERCY.

Going to briefly recover this talking point, sorry to go over it again so soon:

The dog food bag changes depending on your exp. How Chara views the world within the glass half empty/half full depends on if you’ve been killing or not.

If you punch the dummy, depending on your LV, Frisk will feel different about hurting the dummy.

Frisk is only named in Pacifist, while in No Mercy is defined by You, the player, selling Frisk’s soul -aka the culmination of Frisk’s entire being. A name has power, a name is also the culmination of someone’s being in a sense. The two routes are two extremes on the spectrum.

Now, back to Toriel and Frisk at the pacifist ending. Toriel talks to Frisk, naming them and talking about their choices on this. When Toby is very clearly separating the player characters and You the player in both Undertale and VERY explicitly in Deltarune, this matters a hell of a lot. We, the player, don’t have the choice to stay with Toriel forever because Frisk made that decision to move forward -and it’s their choice and their life to live with Toriel or not.

It’s why it’s so important that Flowey emphasizes this if you try to True Reset:

So, please.Just let them go.

Let Frisk be happy.

Let Frisk live their life.

I think that sums it up. Frisk goes on this journey WITH you, and is not you. It’s still partly their choice -as much as someone who is under control of the Player can choose of course.  And by the end of no mercy, they have zero input if their literal soul is sold or not. And it’s your choice if Frisk gets keep their happy ending, too.

EDIT: this is just more for fun than for the analysis i made above lol.

so like, Frisk acts out their own in cutscenes. I think if Chara’s control is only relevant in No Mercy, because the moment you spare Chara steps back and is unsure of the plan. that you showed kill or be killed in not a rule anymore, and that its possible to get by with sparing. Anyway, Frisk will do things like chase after the annoying dog on their own, play along with the puzzles in snowdin ect.

for more frisk characterization, they’ll have opinions and feelings that chara describes.

* (Playfully crinkling through the leaves fills you with  determination.)

* "Ballet Shoes" - Wpn AT 7 * These used shoes make you  feel incredibly dangerous.

* (Your face reflexively scrunches up.) (referring to Papyrus’ spaghetti)

* Look at these cool toys! * They don't interest you at all.

Tldr;.....frisk is baby :)

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

Is being agnostic as bad as being religious? I’ve heard a lot of people say that being agnostic is pretty much just a worthless middle ground that tries to please both religious people and atheist people, does more harm than good because it doesn’t go explicitly against religions and the atrocities associated with them like atheism does, and one that can’t even be described as an actual position in and of itself. For clarity’s sake, I do not believe any of that as I am currently agnostic myself.

A/gnosticism concerns knowledge, a/theism concerns belief.

"Agnostic" only tells us that whatever your belief in gods, you don't claim it to be knowledge.

https://religion-is-a-mental-illness.tumblr.com/tagged/agnostic

Regarding a/theism, you either possess a belief or you do not. There is no middle ground. It's like "do you own a car?" You either do, or you do not. It's not a question about the gods, but about you. "I don't know" doesn't really work here. It would be like "I don't know if I own a car." Surely you know if you own a car/possess a belief in god(s), however you define them. If you're really not certain if you own a car/possess a belief in god(s), then it seems like you don't.

If I ask you if you have a pen, and you say "I don't know" and then go looking, one of two things will happen. Either you'll find a pen, or you won't. Even if you don't find it, it doesn't mean you don't have it, but for all intents and purposes, we have no alternative but to proceed as if you do not. What we do know is that your answer is not “yes, I have a pen.” (This is similar to being found Guilty or Not Guilty, the latter including both Innocence and Indeterminate).

Remember: atheism doesn't claim that a god does not exist, it indicates absence of a positive belief.

Gnosticism, as a claim to knowledge, carries a burden of proof. If you assert that a god conclusively does or does not exist, then it carries a burden to make that proof, either way. Gnostic atheism carries a burden just as gnostic theism carries a burden.

You do not need to prove to me that you have a belief in god(s), or that you do not have a belief in god(s). I believe you. That doesn’t mean I believe in god(s), but I believe you, that you know best whether you do or do not have a particular belief in your possession. But the claim that this belief is true (i.e. a claim to fact) carries a burden.

With this in mind, I don't think being agnostic is a problem at all. Indeed, agnostic atheist is the most neutral position of all. It requires no belief and makes no claim of knowledge. Every baby born in the world is by default an agnostic atheist.

I generally default to being an agnostic atheist. It's not necessary for me to claim that god(s) don't exist when it's only the claims of other people that they do. I don't have to disprove what has not been proven, I can simply debunk/refute theistic attempts at proof. I don't need to disprove a non-denominational vaguely defined but supposedly necessary cosmological transcendent prime mover when I can simply notice the argument is fallacious and has a recursion built in. I don't need to insist that an elephant-headed Hindu god doesn't exist when I can just laugh that people worship Babar.

That said, i will assert that certain specific gods don't exist, especially when they cannot exist. The god of the bible explicitly cannot exist. Xians describe this god in ways that are mutually exclusive: a perfect being that needs worship; an all-knowing being that grants free will; a "good" being whose ways are unknowable, etc.

Regarding "agnostic" in the "middle ground" sense, and considering all of the above, since atheism is the default position, my stance is that someone who says they are "agnostic" is implying "agnostic atheist." When I define terms in this way, I've found that the majority of "agnostics" are indeed agnostic atheists.

I believe the misunderstanding of "agnostic" - or if you prefer, the adoption of the "middle ground" definition - can be tied back to a misunderstanding of "atheist."

It has been useful for theists to insist that atheists/atheism claim that "God (theirs naturally) does not exist," because it seems to put atheism and theism on equal footing. People, who would likely be best described as atheists, are reluctant to associate themselves with the term because they can't prove that god doesn't exist (the theist strawman definition) and say instead that they don't know. The pool of atheists therefore looks smaller than it really is. This "middle ground" has been invented, but actually isn't there.

And because "atheists" are still looked down upon, a testament to the efficacy of theists claiming exclusive rights to morality. While non-belief is on the rise even in the US, atheists frequently still rate at the bottom of who people would be willing to vote for:

2007: https://news.gallup.com/poll/26611/some-americans-reluctant-vote-mormon-72yearold-presidential-candidates.aspx

2012: https://news.gallup.com/poll/155285/atheists-muslims-bias-presidential-candidates.aspx

2014: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2014/05/19/for-2016-hopefuls-washington-experience-could-do-more-harm-than-good/

2019: https://news.gallup.com/poll/254120/less-half-vote-socialist-president.aspx

2020: https://news.gallup.com/poll/285563/socialism-atheism-political-liabilities.aspx

Something something “systemic” something something.

And general distrust remains high:

2011: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/12/study-of-the-day-religious-people-distrust-atheists-as-much-as-rapists/250005/

2011: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22059841/

2012: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/in-atheists-we-distrust/

2018: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/pop-psych/201805/the-distrust-atheists

It's hardly surprising then that people may be reluctant to say they're an atheist. Even though, if we were to evaluate their beliefs under the bivariate definition, they would probably be categorized as such.

Which isn't necessarily a problem. Identifying with personal attributes is how many of today's problems have emerged. Identifying with beliefs prevents people from changing them, and identifying with non-beliefs makes no sense at all. I've never seen anyone put "aBigfootist" on their Twitter or Tumblr bio.

"In fact, "Atheism" is a term that should not even exist. No one ever needs to identify himself as a "Non-astrologer" or a "Non-Alchemist." We do not have words for people who doubt that Elvis is still alive or that aliens have traversed the galaxy only to molest ranchers and their cattle. Atheism is nothing more than the noises reasonable people make in the presence of unjustified religious beliefs."

-- Sam Harris

https://twitter.com/SwipeWright/status/1411068252688580608

I'm an atheist because I don't believe in God or gods. I don't "identify" as an atheist; I simply am one, by definition. My atheism is the result of a conclusion I came to, and I don't identify with my conclusions. Changing one's mind should not trigger an identity crisis.

There's an infinite number of things people don't believe in. How could you ever “identify” with non-belief of all those infinite things?

So, I do get why people would (mis)use the word "agnostic." I just think it gives the wrong impression about both "agnostics" as fence-sitting/hedging-your-bets, and the strawman "atheist" that believers insist upon. (Seriously, I've seen believers get very annoyed when someone explains what they really mean by "atheist" and it contradicts the theistic narrative.)

Which is why I've consciously changed my own terminology, and mostly refer to "non-believers" - that is, those who are not explicitly believers - reserving "atheist" or "atheism" for when the specific categories are actually relevant.

"None" serves the same function. My father is obsessed with the word "unaffiliated" after I introduced him to it. In the sense that we have no need for religion or god belief, and live outside the belief bubbles.

[dreamkidddream]

Hiya~ Can I request quote 9) "Are you jealous?" for Lucifer in Obey Me! pretty please😊

This was so much fun to write! Luci know that he gets jealous but never wants to admit (his jealousy is worse than Mammon but you didn’t hear it from me 🤭) and sorry this got kinda long! Reader is gender neutral!

TW: suggestive/spicy themes, but nothing extremely graphic is mentioned

Prompt: “Are you jealous?” with Lucifer!

Lucifer is pissed.

He’s tapping his foot, and constantly checking his phone, waiting in his study for you to either walk in or call him. It’s late, and you’re still not home yet. He asked his brothers where exactly you are, and when Asmo told him that you’re out with the same “friend” you seem to blow all of them off for some time now, it just makes his mood turn even more sour, the scowl on his face deepening.

Now, Lucifer is not opposed to you making friends, as long as they aren’t a threat to you, his family, Lord Diavolo and the other exchange students. He understands that it’s very easy for you to connect with others, intentional or not, and he encourages it to a certain extent. However, this same “friend” that you’ve been increasingly been hanging out with for the past couple of weeks is starting to rub him the wrong way. Of course he’s met this “friend”, a classmate from your Seductive Speechcraft class (which just made him feel more unease with you being with them), and they seemed harmless enough (for a demon at least). Annoying, but harmless, at first.

Then began the constant need for your attention.

It started with the messages and calls under the guise of studying, the “innocent” demon begging you for help so that they can pass the class, and you being the naive nice human that you are of course obliged their request. Then it escalated from once a week, to three times a week, to almost staying after school every day just to “help”. He didn’t like that, as it’s him or his brothers that always walk you home every time, and this demon (who he found is Yuki, a demon who feeds off of sexual energy nonetheless), is messing with the routine, but he kept his cool and forced his brothers to do the same. He- They weren’t happy about this, but at the end of the day, you’re still coming home to him- them, and nothing is changing that. Not to mention how he made sure that someone had their eyes on you, whether it’s Mammon, Beel, or even himself (which he preferred).

Until Yuki decided that you need to hang out more, without him or his brothers.

That’s when he made it known of his dislike towards them, and dislike is putting it lightly.

You started to come home right at dinner, right before Beel devoured your plate. Mammon obviously voiced his displeasure aloud, with the others silently agreeing or making passing comments, but Lucifer would just shut the conversation down before anyone gets too upset, mainly for himself. He doesn’t want to lose control over something trivial like this, he can’t, he won’t- he’s well above some minuscule pest like them, and it would be a waste of time and energy to be worried about someone who is clearly below him!

He’s already irritated with Yuki integrating themselves into your everyday life, but he’s also trying to fight the increasing sinking feeling in his stomach the more you both bond.

The more you two become more than acquainted with one another, the more Lucifer tries to fight and hide this feeling. He buries himself in more paperwork, practically locks himself in his study, avoids anyone’s questions or concerns, and has become overall snappier than usual. He’s even snapped on Lord Diavolo, Lord Diavolo of all people!

(Granted Diavolo just thought it was overall stress, so he just simply laughed it off, but it didn’t go unnoticed by everyone, including you).

Now Lucifer is not stupid, he’s a very intelligent and powerful demon, and he doesn’t have to say it to be known. He made sure to do some research himself on Yuki, and didn’t put anything past them. You’re still surrounded by demons who wouldn’t hesitate to swallow you whole if allowed, and some are still desperate enough to try anything, so he’s very cautious with others being around you.

Which leads to now, you being out again with that demon at The Fall. Ever since, Lucifer retired to his study, constantly checking his phone for any updates. He refused to look distressed in front of everyone, and he knows that you’re smart and not so gullible, you’ll be okay, you had to be.

It’s well going on 1 in the morning, and you still haven’t answered any of his calls and texts? You swore that you would always answer him, so something had to happen. What exactly were you doing? What exactly were you two doing? We’re you okay? Are you safe? Has that Yuki tried anything with you?

Were you two doing anything now?

All of these questions swirling around in his head, his worry only adding on to his frustrations and building tension going through his body.

He already marched down to the door, coat forgotten and tie undone, flinging it open and scowl so deep that his fangs were bared. That Yuki better hope that you come home in one piece and spotless, or else he will make sure that they regret being alive-

He couldn’t wipe the surprised look on his face when he made eye contact with you, who was matching his own expression, hand frozen in the air mid knock.

“Lucifer? What are you still doing up? Are you about to go somewhere?” His expression quickly morphed to one of high distaste, the irritation displaying clearly on his face and his grip tightening on the door.

“I was still awake waiting for you. Have you forgotten how to use a phone, or are you too good for one now that you’re with your ‘friend’. And I remember specifically telling you to let me know when you leave, did I not?”

“Oh. Well...my phone kinda died, but I was already on the way home and-”

“By yourself?! Do you know how irresponsible that is? Do you forget that you’re a mere human?”

His irritation is rising to pure anger at this revelation. So that demon didn’t even have the decency to walk you home? To make sure that you arrive safe? And yet you still have the nerve to spend time with them and practically ignore him?!-

“Well- um, Lucifer? Lucifer!”

He snapped out of his murderous thoughts, and stepped aside to let you in.

“Come inside now, it’s late, and we have much to discuss.”

Your face scrunched up, showing confusion in how he’s acting. You know that’s he mad about your phone being dead, but he’s mad enough to leave the door barely hanging on its hinges? But you knew that arguing or pointing it out would just make things escalate, so you just stepped past and began to make your way up the stairs.

You can feel his eyes bore into the back of your head, but you just didn’t understand why. It’s about more than just your phone, it seemed like he’s been on edge for awhile now. You want to approach him, to ask him what’s wrong, to have him open up, but of course Lucifer being Lucifer, it was to no avail.

You racked your brain as he lead you to his room and began the “conversation” about how irresponsible you were being (really it’s just him getting whatever he needed off his chest and not you giving any input). Was it because of you going out so late? No, you didn’t drink, you and Yuki stayed together the whole night, and you let him know hours before. Was it Yuki? Now that you’re think about it, he has been frowning more it seemed like every time you brought up their name-

The pieces are starting to fit together now.

Oh my Diavolo.

You couldn’t stop the words escaping from your mouth before you could realize it.

“Lucifer, are you jealous?”

He choked in the middle of his sentence, and the room went quiet. You’re pretty sure that you can’t even hear him breathing, and his face just went entirely blank, no expression whatsoever.

Oh no, you broke him-

A gust of wind erupted, so strong that you had to shield your eyes for a second, and when you removed your arm, you were met with massive black wings and a very enraged demon.

“Excuse me?”

You stepped back until you stumbled onto the bed, as he stalks closer and closer to you.

“Care to repeat yourself?”

You knew better than to respond, and you felt frozen on the bed. You also know that Lucifer won’t attack or try to kill you, but it didn’t take away from the fact that he has moments where he’s very intimidating, one of those moments being now.

He’s looking down at you like a predator would to its captured prey, his ruby eyes glowing deviously in the dim room. He didn’t stop moving until he was on top of you, caging you in.

“Me? Jealous?” He scoffed. “I am the Avatar of Pride, the most powerful being in this house, yet you assume that I’m jealous of a demon that’s beneath me? You insult me, MC.”

He took hold of your chin, “Do you not remember what I said when we made the pact? You are mine and mine alone. Not anyone else’s, but mine.”

You felt like your nerves were getting the best of you, but you couldn’t force yourself to tear away as he leaned closer. He sealed his lips against yours in a heated kiss, one that you gladly accepted, not before uttering the words that made your heart race even faster.

“Maybe I should remind you of who you belong to, hm?”

—-

“Had a fun night, MC?”

“Yeah, it was”, you coughed in your hand. “Very nice, very fun. We had a great time.”

“Hmmmmm...you and Yuki or you and Lucifer?”

“Asmo!”

He giggled, “I’m just saying dear. I don’t sense the pent-up sexual frustration from Lucifer anymore, and he seems back to normal and even relaxed. Though I must say MC, I wish that you had spent the night in my bed instead.”

“Of course you do Asmo.”

“Besides, I would have covered your hickeys much better-”

“ASMO-”

“MC, are you ready?”

Speak of the devil and he shall appear has never been more true than now, as Lucifer appeared behind you both, placing his hand on your shoulder.

“Huh? Oh, yes, sorry.”

“Eh? Where are you two going?”

“Out.”

“And without me?!”

“Yes. Now, leave us be”. Lucifer moved his hand from your shoulder to your own hand, leading you both out the door. You two had plans for the day after the...eye-opening talk from last night, and he didn’t want to waste anymore time than he already had.

Bonus:

Asmo waited until he heard the door click, and then quickly whipped out his D.D.D. to text Yuki. He knew that the plan was going to be a success! A tense Lucifer made things more difficult for everyone, and he has too much pride to open his mouth so he decided to step in and team up with Yuki, who already knew about the whole ordeal.

Lucifer was already on the edge of snapping and letting his primal instincts take over anyway, so Asmo just gave him a little push in the right direction.

Thank Diavolo the plan worked, or else it would be hell for them both. He did owe Yuki some exposure on his socials in exchange for this and backing off of you now, but it was well worth the trouble.

[mino-diabolik]

Ⓐ

Send me Ⓐ and my muse will rate yours:

Attractiveness:

repulsive || hideous || ugly || not attractive || unappealing || not unattractive || meh || no preference || ok || mildly attractive || nice looking || cute || adorable || attractive || pleasant on the eyes || good looking || hot || sexy || beautiful || gorgeous || hot damn || would tap that || perfect || godlike || holy fuck there are no words

Personality:

grating || irritating || frustrating || boring || confusing at best || awkward || unreasonable || psychotic || disturbing || interesting || engaging || affectionate || aggressive || ambitious || anxious || artistic || bad tempered || bossy || charismatic || appealing || unappealing || creative || courageous || dependable || unreliable || unpredictable || predictable || devious || dim || extroverted || introverted ||  egotistical || gregarious || fabulous || impulsive || intelligent || sympathetic || talkative || up beat || peaceful || calming || badass || flexible 

How likely they would have sex with them:

not if they were the last person on earth and the world was ending || fuck no! || never || no way || not likely || not sure || indifferent || I’m asexual || maybe || probably || it depends || fairly likely || likely || yeah sure || yes || would tap that || hell yes || fuck yes! || wishing that could happen right now || as many times as possible || we are already having sex

Level of Friendship:

never in a million years || worst of enemies || enemies || rivals || indifferent || neutral || acquaintance || friendly toward each other || casual friends || friends || good friends || best friends || fuck buddies || bosom buddies || practically the same person || would die for them || true friends || my only friend ||

First impression of them:

I hate them so much || I don’t like them || I don’t trust them || they annoy me || they’re weird || I’m indifferent || meh || they seem alright || they’re growing on me || truce || I think I like them || I like them || I’m not sure if I trust them || I trust them || they’re cool || they’re genuine || I think we’re going to get along || I really like them || I think I’m in love || oh fuck they’re hot || I love them 

Current impression of them:

I hate them so much || I don’t like them || I don’t trust them || they annoy me || they’re weird || I’m indifferent || meh || they seem alright || they’re growing on me || truce || I think I like them || I like them || I’m not sure if I trust them || I trust them || they’re cool || they’re genuine || I think we’re going to get along || I really like them || I think I’m in love || oh fuck they’re hot || I love them

How good of a kisser:

worst kisser ever || terrible || bad || awkward || just okay || alright || pretty good || good || makes me moan || excellent || exciting || oh god they’re good || I dream about it || fucking amazing || absolute perfection || we haven’t kissed

“Our first encounter was rather… odd, I’d say. It wasn’t entirely bad, but I honestly couldn’t help but think how naive she was to approach a stranger covered in blood while in the middle of storm. She was just trying to be nice, then, though she might’ve just been very lucky that it was me she ran into and not some other creature. We’ve traveled together quite often since, which has allowed us to interact quite often. So, I’d like to think we’ve grown closer.”