#these are slowly getting longer oh no

[twentydaysofdrabbles]

The Concierge’s Private Service (Part 16)

There was a time when you would never spend more than an hour asleep at any one time. Too much to do, too little time to do it in. Not enough safety. Needing to move and hunt and...

Suffice it to say you no longer have the youthful stamina you once did. A full day at work, then the excitement in the night, the long hours of waiting past midnight, then the exertion at dawn, and then now as you make your way into your second day without sleep...well, you’re tired. 

The hour of shut eye that you caught in your room just has to do. It will. 

For a mercy, no one comments on your state. Good, you made sure that you had not a single hair out of place, your clothes impeccably clean and neat, your complexion is as it always was, and your dead, dead eyes have no more of a spark of life than they ever did. With your polite, professional smile on your face, it is as if nothing had ever happened.

But it did, and it can be seen in the way that young-but-old Frisk approaches you at your counter. 

I see what you mean when you said ‘not quite like me’.

They stayed at the side of the counter so that you can see them without leaning over the tall edge. Their expression is amused and knowing all at once, their dark eyes twinkling slightly. 

You incline your head. "Admittedly, there are very few that are like you, Mx Frisk.” There were stories that came up with the monsters, of children who had fallen before Frisk. And only one of whom was quite like the child-but-not.

Frisk is the only one now, as far as you know.

The monster ambassador smiles and hides a laugh behind their hand. I don’t think there are many like you either. Their hands slow as they look at you, dark brows falling and then furrowing. 

A part of you, the same part that had relished in the warm splatter over your face, suddenly tenses. The child-but-not is looking at something. Looking at you. And you don’t know what it is they are seeing. 

All you can see is their expression. Going from curious, to concerned, to a frown. The air around you thickens slightly, as if a spell of a sort had been cast. It’s not the heavy taste of offensive magic and so you let it lie, but it’s not something you will tolerate, not even from the mysterious Mx Frisk.

“Mx Frisk, may I offer some wisdom?” you initiate the conversation politely.

Startled out of their thoughts, they look up at you with wide eyes. 

Suddenly, they just...look like a child. You’re suddenly reminded of what you see in them - not quite like you, not quite a child, not quite an adult. Then...in-between? Too old to be the ten year old child they appear to be, too young to be an adult they try to project themselves as. Trapped. As new to this Surface world as the rest of the monsters.

And that thought stills the harsh warning from spilling from your lips. No, instead to temper yourself. Let the tired ache in your head stay there, your instinct curbing the worst of your words. “I suggest taking greater care with your Vision,” you wave to your eyes to explain. “It is quite a...heavy...stare.”

Frisk gapes at you for a brief moment. You...can feel it?

Rather than answer verbally, you merely nod. 

To which Frisk scratches the back of their neck sheepishly. Sorry. No one usually notices. I’ll stop. But though they stop signing, they continue to stand at the corner of the counter.

Blinking slowly, you fold your hands before your belly, asking, “Is there something else I can help you with, Mx Frisk?” After all, very few people linger around your counter.

The child-but-not shuffles in place, briefly toeing the ground before they seem to force themselves to stop. Bringing their hands together, they speak. I know what happened last night and this morning.

Oh? You suppose Sans would hardly leave his Family out of the loop. But you did not expect them to be aware of what occurred in the early hours of the morning. “I apologise for the disruption, Mx Frisk. The indoor pools should be ready by tomorrow afternoon, should you wish to use them.” Best not to go further into what happened, not out in the open.

That’s okay. What about this morning?

“There was a performance at the Coliseum. The Manager did not want us to miss it.” You wouldn’t be surprised if someone was watching, if it were not Frisk themselves.

I was wondering why it was so crowded. Their eyes gleam and they smile. I saw that you had a leading part.

So they did watch. You only nod for a lack of anything else to say. They saw what they saw. 

I thought the Continental was neutral? When Frisk only looks at you, as if expecting an explanation for the ‘performance’, you blink back down at them. 

Hmm, the Manager didn’t fully apprise them of all that they should expect - it was hardly in her nature to be forthcoming anyway - but you would have thought they learned by now. 

“The Hotel has one rule and when that rule is broken, punishment must be meted out,” you respond. 

The attack on Sans. Their eyes turn dark, the flame within them familiar to you. As if they had wanted to get their hands on whoever was at fault and rip them to shreds.

You nod. “And on another. We enforce our own rule. Judiciously so.” That message was sent, and you hope it was received. It had better be.

Frisk smiles darkly, but signs no more. Ah, you must have answered their questions. So you tilt your head as Frisk remains standing there, their gaze to the floor as if considering something. “What else can I assist you with, Mx Frisk?”

Frisk hesitates for a moment more before their shoulders straighten and they shove their hand in their pocket. Coins jingle and jangle, and then they take several out to offer to you.

Taken completely by surprise, you just stare at the coin. “Mx Frisk?”

The child-but-not puts the coins on the desk space between you to free up their hands. Can you help me look for someone?

Ah. You shake your head, “I don’t offer private services any longer, Mx Frisk. But the Continental has many services--”

No! Their gesture is insistent. I saw you this morning. You still do some work, otherwise you wouldn’t have killed that man. Please, it’s...it’s my mum. I can’t find her.

Their mother. The former queen? That is interesting indeed, you weren’t aware that she was missing.

Your fingers press together briefly where they are folded up against your belly. “Mx Frisk, I serve the Continental and by extension the Manager,” you explain as politely as you can. What’s a professional way of declining the ambassador? “I unfortunately do not offer any personal, private services to guests.”

Frisk grabs the coins and holds the pile up to you in a pleading gesture, signing as best they can with one hand. Can’t trust. Asgore. Sans hurt. Papyrus obvious. Please.

You don’t want to admit that there is a tug in your chest at the way they beg you with hands and eyes and expression. It is genuine, the way that they are asking you. This isn’t a ploy, or a manipulation, as far as you can see. And you like to think you have become rather good at it. 

Still. You shake your head. “My sincere apologies, Mx Frisk, I--”

Then can you set up a meeting? They sign with the coin in their hand.

Uh. 

Polite confusion twists your expression the slightest bit. How did that change the request? Frisk seemed to be rewording their bargain to make it more palatable to your ear. 

Then, before you can respond to that amended question, the phone rings. “One moment, Mx Frisk,” you say apologetically. Picking up the phone, you recognise the caller to be the Manager herself. Speak of the devil. 

“My Heart. I know it has been a long morning, but there is something I would like you to do...”

“Of course, ma’am.” You can deny the Manager nothing. “How can I assist?”

“I’ve heard that a certain someone has come to request your assistance. It just so happens to align with what I need. Two birds with one stone, yes? I’d appreciate it if I had an ear to the ground, as it were.”

You close your eyes. Of course. The woman has eyes and ears everywhere. As do you.

“Certainly, ma’am.”

Upon hanging up, you turn to Frisk who has crept closer while you were on the phone. Close enough that they could hear the soft murmur of the Manager’s voice over the speaker. And yet, they still look up at you innocently with the widest of eyes, a small pile of coins cupped in their hands, raised in offer to you. 

Looking around warily to check if anyone is watching, you kneel down and reach out to take one coin out of the pile. “Miss Toriel was last seen in the south of the city yesterday morning,” you murmur, pocketing the coin and pushing Frisk’s hands closed over the remainder. 

They frown and look at you, dumping the coins in their pocket to sign at you. Wait, but the Manager said-- Their expression is a mix of confusion and frustration all in one. 

“Patience, Mx Frisk,” you say evenly as you stand. “I’ve been advised by the kitchen that they are making pastries this afternoon. If you like, I can arrange to have some sent to your room.”

The child-but-not looks every bit of their physical age as they frown at you. You can only hope they catch your meaning. 

After a few heartbeats, they bite their lip and nod. Chocolate chip cookies? Sans likes them too.

You can’t stop yourself from blinking, but you reflexively respond in the affirmative, “Of course, Mx Frisk.” Well, far be it for you to wonder why Frisk wants to involve Sans but not the others.

A smile blooms on the child-but-not’s face and they nod with a bounce. Okay! See you around! They wave and give your leg a brief hug. It only lasts a heartbeat, but to your frozen form, it feels like a heartbeat too long. 

Your skin prickles uncomfortably where Frisk had hugged you. Looking down at them, you don’t move to reciprocate or push them away, only peering down at them curiously. Warily. “Have a good day, Mx Frisk.” That’s all you can think of to say.

Frisk seems to hold back a giggle as they sign thanks. They can clearly tell how uncomfortable you are despite the polite way you hold yourself, mercifully deciding to make themselves scarce.

As they go, you exhale through your nose slowly. What a strange child. 

[forecast0ctopus]

Sorry, it's really funny to me that we're watching your Star Trek obsession unfold. It's a great franchise. I love it, and ur artwork is great!

THANKS lmao it was inevitable……… i do think its funny that you say obsession though ive posted it Twice here like. you are not wrong but i think i managed to spare most of you by relegating my Thoughts to my close friends story

theres too much star trek media though i fear ive condemned myself

[hesbianyaoi]

The Soukokus and the Four Symbols: Pt 1

STARTING OFF BY SAYING: This is just a fun connection/"theory" (if you would call it that) I made while reading BSD, so not everything will be connected exactly to the T. I just love mythology and Byakko has already been confirmed to be a celestial being thanks to chapter 119, so in any case, buckle up and enjoy my insanity.

WHO AND WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE FOUR SYMBOLS?

The Four Symbols—also known as the Four Guardians or the Four Gods—are constellations and mythological creatures in Chinese (and other countries in the Sinosphere) culture that are believed to be the protectors of the four cardinal points: the North, South, East and West.

They also had correspondence with the Five Phases (Wuxing), the philosophy that the fundamentals to the universe were composed of elements and their relationships to one another. These elements include nature, seasons, times of day, directions, and colors.

The Four Symbols are the Azure Dragon of the East, the White Tiger of the West, the Vermilion Bird of the South, and the Black Tortoise of the North.

Sound familiar?

It's like how Soukoku + Shin Soukoku is associated with the colors blue/red and black/white. This alone wouldn't be enough for me to make this entire thing such a big post in the first place, though; it's the very nature of everything else in Bungo Stray Dogs concerning the Soukoku's and the subtle symbolism they have connecting them to these divine beings.

For the sake of my own mind, we'll be discussing Shin Soukoku in this post, as they have the most relevance to the recent update and to their associated guardians/gods. Interesting since they create such a unique Singularity, right?

ATSUSHI: BYAKKO, THE GUARDIAN OF THE WEST

We have the most information about Byakko thus far, so it only seems fair to start off with her.

Byakko's associations with Wuxing include the color white, sunsets, autumn and its desolation, and the west itself. These are things Atsushi is commonly associated with, such as sunset/moon symbolism, how the sun sets in the west during the autumn equinox, even his joke title of the Wimp of The West in chapter 33.

Atsushi's white tiger is something we already know is highly sought after from all around the world, and we already know that the tiger itself is a "bookmark" to locate the book. The Book is obviously representative of something otherworldly, something as heavenly as its association with creation and life, and of course, Byakko is the literal guide to finding it. Because of course she is.

Byakko is more than just a white tiger; it is the embodiment of justice, protectiveness, and righteousness. It is the king of beasts and a capable warrior. She's more than just an ability (as we see in Dead Apple, alongside Rashōmōn, since they're the only two that take their own forms compared to everyone else's abilities being mirrors of themselves) as she resides inside of Atsushi's body as another physical being entirely.

Canonically, abilities are described as receiving their power by their user's souls, which is why an ability will disintegrate once their user dies.

But Byakko is not just Atsushi's ability; she is an entire being residing within him, two souls in one body. And not just any being, but a god.

It's also speculation on my part, but Byakko is often referred to as the "key" to finding The Book when in actuality, she's most likely protecting it. Fitting of the White Tiger's role as a guardian of justice and morality—if it fell into the wrong hands, balance would be broken.

AKUTAGAWA: GENBU, THE GUARDIAN OF THE NORTH

Also known as the Black Warrior of the North, as the character 武 translates to warrior/knight and is a much more faithful translation. Compared to Atsushi's more blatant connection to Byakko, Akutagawa's connection to Genbu relies more on subtlety, which I would say picked up during chapters 117.

His death, becoming a vampire, and the time spanning from his death until now could also count as a form of hibernation, given the fact tortoises hibernate and winter is the prime time for hibernation to occur, which aligns with Genbu's associations with Wuxing: the color black, winter and its frost, midnight (prime time for traditional vampires), and the north itself.

From the beginning, Akutagawa has always been associated with black as his signature color. Rashomon, his armor, is his protective "shell" like that of a tortoise. In the most literal sense, he is a warrior—a true knight, further emphasized by Bram's final wishes and desires to protect. It's also worth mentioning that the Tortoise is revered as a pillar of support during challenging times.

Honestly, need I say more?

Genbu is also associated with resilience, wisdom, and most importantly, immorality. The story of the Black Tortoise (Xuanwu) varies from legend to legend, but the general base for the story is the same: Xuanwu was once a mortal who achieved enlightenment and became immortal by pulling out his stomach and intestines, the last remains of his human parts. Once he pulls them out, they become demons, and he must subdue and tame them—quite literally overcoming his own sins.

In a twisted sense, Akutagawa's death was a form of enlightenment.

He dies believing that Dazai truly didn't abandon him, that this was all just a test, and thus he dies with a smile on his face. Now that Akutagawa is awake, he doesn't remember anything besides his knightly duties. It is a new beginning for him, one without the demons of his past weighing him down internally.

He is anew. He is enlightened.

SO, WHAT COULD THIS MEAN?

That's the thing. It could mean nothing at all except for speculation. It could mean something bigger in store for the future of the story. The point is that we don't know what could happen or what any of this could mean outside of correspondence with mythological archetypes. Regardless if this actually contributes anything to the plot, the similarities between Akutagawa-Atsushi and the White Tiger-Black Warrior were too fun to resist talking about, which brings up another point.

Byakko and Genbu, Baihu and Xuanwu, Atsushi and Akutagawa, the new Double Black. They all represent the same thing: balance.

The tiger is representative of its protectiveness and righteousness whilst the tortoise is associated with its wisdom and the strength of a warrior. All four guardians are responsible for the balance of the cosmos and nature itself, and for the Soukokus, it is the same.

The balance they fight to keep is not only between themselves and each other but for Yokohama, for the fabric of reality itself. (And it's something I want to go deeper into when I focus on Dazai & Chuuya next.)

[yellowplumfruit]

finch’s mom 🫶 i need help w her name

[b4kuch1n]

pre-holiday leave crumbs

[silver-dragonborn]

I don't know what I'm going to call my fanfic where the Greens lose and Criston runs away to Essos with Alicent and Aegon in exile where they're forced to sell mangos for a living.

Mango Craze

Mango Dreams

Mangogate

It's supposed to be pure crack but also has a lot of serious moments where the "victims" of Rhaenyra's "tyranny" come to the startling realization while selling fruit for a copper that if they had just stayed in their lanes, they wouldn't be in this situation.

[quailxcrossing]

maybe i didnt need to worry about anything, maybe i just had to make the comic

[instinctsxbad]

​this may not be very coherent bc I have a narsty cold but it’s something I don’t see talked about much— I’ve been thinking about how much I enjoy the fact that Peter Parker/Spider-Man is kind of creepy. Like. I love that he’s got that freaky “teleport when you’re not looking” ability spiders have, the creepy crawling, the fast and unpredictable movements, the eerie stillness, the hanging, the warning that they’re around with entangling traps or even just dissolving cobwebs that let you know they’re in the area. the kind of animalistic, unnatural, disturbing parts of being a spider that makes spiders, and spider-man, so cool

[aroaceofthesea]

Summer camps and similar very intense for 2 weeks and then suddenly finished activities are so tragic because you'll form one of the deepest connections of your life and then you never see those people again

[freebooter4ever]

proportions are all off, but bits and pieces are slowly starting to come together. this one has been so damn technical that whatever i do next is gonna have to be blobby and organic lol

[local-magpie]

my body hair has been growing noticeably lately. i get so much joy from playing with the like three ultra dark curly belly hairs ive grown in

[juicemitio]

Shaving the rest of my head tomorrow I'll probably be ugly but idrc

[penisbilt]

the ebb and flow between mania and depression is so wretched to deal with, but i guess i do prefer it over the depression with No mania that ive been in the trenches with for like well over half a year at this point

[arolesbianism]

Thinks oh so hard abt the spiraling upwards clan founders, especially the birchclan founders. Silly lil kitties who's pasts are drenched in blood with the primary regret of not drawing it sooner

[silverior968]

Having a fucked up cerebellum that doesn't fit into your skull and requires a brain surgery / duraplasty has its perks, actually: I got to go watch FNAF with a friend and some snacks for free thanks to the finnish chiari and syringomyelia union. I really enjoyed the movie!

[essaytime]

Excuse me, but I need to walk around my room in circles and desperately overanalyse approximately five seconds of today