#they are sooo terrible and so funny they try to kill each other at least once in every game

[scramble-crossing]

your oc is so fucking cool! divorced to minaman i'm guessing? i LOVE the noise form, that'sso clever! the idea of having a tiny lizzer that he has to hide in a big illusion, that's such a clever + fun idea. also, gecko is a cute asf noise form. the fighting using sigils is SO cool btw, i've done a lot with the idea of sigils myself but the whole concept of tearing out pages to fight is awesome. i love her flaws a lot too btw, most people end up not having ocs with enough flaws

also based as fuck being a union leader. the R.E.A.P.E.R. acronym made me laugh out loud, but man, unions are so underrated. good for them!

i would read stuff about him. also her design is cute! i love the implication that they were strangled to death (?) or are those just tattoos/? i wish that the twewy designs had implication sof how they died somehwere on them

do you actually want a lore dump about my oc? i will gladly give it if you want it, just meant that i don't want to sit here going "and now i will infodump about a topic that isn't actually wanted" (no harm if you don't want to btw) otherwise i will send another ask with the oc info! not gonna lie i don't do much with my ocs but i basically turned several canonical characters into ocs with how much i expanded on them lol. but i do have an oc that i can tell you about :)! i just spend more time expanding on the canon characters LOL

Aw jeez ;-; you're too kind!!

Um. Yeah. Minaman divorce 😔 Long story short, they're childhood friends who had a difficult falling out at the end of high school and reunited in the Reaper's Game. Sho is just as vicious and self-centered as he is in canon, and Fable's swept along in his undertow, blaming himself for Sho's actions and feeling a sense of responsibility, as his oldest friend, to put a stop to him. Sho takes this "betrayal" bitterly. He doesn't understand why Fable can't trust him to make things right again, once he's Composer, and everything that's wrong, he can fix. He just needs her to stay out of his way. He will make her if he has to.

I totally agree with you that'd it be cool if twewy designs implied how some characters died! But actually, Fable received their neck scars after they died :)))

Anyways I'm really glad you like the Noise form and the sigil fighting!! The Noise form is kinda close to Megumi's but I'm attached to itty bitty lizard...everyone else got these cool big cat forms and even Higashizawa's sheep Noise form is intimidating, then you've got this little gecko thing that can fit in the palm of your hand. Made to be held gently. Like hotdog.

And yeah I don't think anyone in the Reaper's Game is a very uh. Functioning individual (except maybe Kariya idk) so it's fun to come up with a character's fatal flaws! Fable is a self-depricating doormat who blames themself for things far beyond their control and clings to strict rules of reason to make sense of an unreasonable world and it pairs really well (or really poorly depending on how you see it) with Mina's unpredictable, domineering personally, especially in NEO once they've grown a bit and Mina has to deal with someone who, even in their best of days, really enabled him and let him get away with anything finally put their foot down and tell him to stop being such an insufferable jackass. Wrangling Support Reapers for three years will do that to a person. They're a funny crowd.

Anyways (again) I would totally love to hear about your oc! I haven't seen too many twewy ocs before and I think it's a series that's ripe for making original characters, so I'm really curious to see the kinds of things that other people have come up with :]

[blog-jei6x]

How start to love favoritism and get redemption arc in LO.

So i want to talk about Underworld work, especially how much there prospers favoritism. There is you can read post why favoritism is bad 

link

as in this post i started to interest in it after discussion between Daphne and Thanatos, but after i started reread LO i have seen how much Thanatos was right, but his position was shamed by everyone, by"good" characters, by audience, even Author have shown it as something wrong, and only he strated to love Persephone and thought that special attitude to her is fine, he became good person and start his redemtion arc.

i don't want to talk about how unbalanced this relationship is (I saw many posts about it and i have nothing to add), i am more interested how it influences on other co-workers.

Favoritism in underworld or maybe on Olymp seems to be something normal, because Hera given this work for Persephone for to get closer with Hades (it was hinted very clear), although they had antoher opotuinities for this, with their finances and love for Savor they could do Dinner party, ball, party etc where Persephone and Hades could know each other better. Why was love affair at work best variant for it? I sincerely have no idea.

Wherein Persephone said that she isn't enough skilled for this work, so someone enough skilled doesnt get this position, because Hera want to make couple from Persephone and Hades.

i would be fine if Persephone try hard for this job, yes, some characters said that she is smart, but I didn't see her labor and striving, i dont feel like she deserve this position, her only merit on that moment was beuty, it  s not enogh i think, btw to be nice and kind too. As they say in my country "a good person is not a profession".

Let's look on Underworld's bosses.

in story RS tried to show as Hades is hard worker, he preferred work to relationship, he thinks about work even in strip club and many characters said that he is so. But his behavior shows him absolutly from another side.

to my mind he and Hecata busy only his personal life. With Minthe and after with Parsephone.

as soon as Hades knew that Persephone in Underworld he left everything and flew to save her, very romantic, isn't it? but let's think a bit: Persephone came in dangerous closed facility (btw where their security system?) and made accident, it like someone broke in secret laboratory and start the fire, even if it accidentally it s not something that would be left without responsibility.

Someone can said: it's not her fault, it reptile Minthe! I partially agree with it (only partially) but it s truth for audience not for Hades, he didnt know it. For him it should be random person which got into forbidden place and acted badly there.

Hades reaction: he started to regret her, to apologize, to go everywhere with her, What the Hell was going on? oh yes and another co-workers had to look for Persephone`s brooch and cloak, so they had to left their their direct responsibilities, because somebody coulndt go away after she understood that this place is dangerous, she could wait after door of Tower 4 or befor Hades cabinet, she wouldnt lost anything in this way. But Persephone is sooo smart, isnt she, Hera?

btw very considerable moment Thanatos started to worried about his work when he knew that Persephone is liked by Hades, because he entered in train before her, does it mean that Hades not only choose favorites but shamed co-workers which dont like this favorites? we will see that yes he do it.

Another situation is presentation Persephone, oh i feel your cringe Minthe, i were in similar situation, my past boss forced our team to congratulate his girlfriend with birthday, should i say that we even didnt know her?  it was so awkward. when i read this part of story i feel the same cringe as in that day. Yeah this boss was kinda terrible, mb he didn't like me because i am not enough beauty for him? i have this feeling after LO reading.

First working day of Persephone is just quintessence of favoritism. initially Hecate went with her everywhere, after - Hades started to do it, they even changed his schedule and yeah i find indignation of Minthe and Thanatos (i dont care about their motives now) very reasonable and Hecates arguments were just silly. Why he should work with someone unqualified? and why boss dont have better business than to take an excursion ​on Underworld with new intern?

Hecate arguments is annoying, he cant said that she is unskilled (she is really so) because he eaten her baklava? great. Why they need to apologize for Persephone stupidity? Tell me someone pls, it s to hard for my mind. And yeah it's not school prom, mb Hades will start to work and stop flirting with new intern?

Oh i start to hate her, how she can be one of the favorite character by audience. Can she just be honest? Persephone is here and everyone go around her because Hades find her attractive.

Another favoritism example it is Persephone salary, Author could not accentuate that trainee dont get salary in Underworld, and it would be fine, okay she get receive income now but no, Persephone should be special and other interns aren't so special,  it would okay if she would work in office some time and she would be so hard worker that leadership would want to prize her for it. But she is just special, just because she is attractive for Hades. 

In chapter 88 Persephone confessed that she flirt with Hades, but she dont want special treatment, but she embarrassed only by business card, not salary, not that everyone worry about her. It shown as joke, oh ha-ha how naive Persephone, for me it looks not like joke, more like mockery for people who work hard and don't have such prizes, because they are not attractive for their bosses.

And in this chapter Hades left his working place and gone to decide Persephone's problems, problems other workers don't matter, but Hecata asked nice question.

i think no, how Hade's corporation are still active and success with such directors?

but actually no, looks like Thanatos and Minthe are still try to do some job, because only they could teach Persephone how to work with computer program (why is not Hermes? he works in the same position as Thanatos does it mean that he doesn't understand in this work anything because she even did not ask him?) and  I on Thanatos side in this, why he should spend his time for her?  (He already has trouble that he works worse than Hermes) and btw he tried to work, did not fawn for boss favorite, so he tried to make his work better in honest way.

And maybe she will try to read user guide? if she learned how to rule car from reading what is problem to do the same with computer program? and doesn't waste time of another workers.

Anyway It's strange that people which try to work are not fire yet. Because another worker who tried to do her work right was almost fired, because princess don't know her ID. Whose fault is it? Again for Persephone's fault another worker had trouble, and why is shown as humor again? why pain and fear are funny here, and it's unfunny where Gestia acted with Persephone in similar way. I think if it s funny it should be funny with everyone not only with defenseless and weak workers which isnt boss favorite.

and of course hades gone to bank with their interns, because what else he could do on the work? pffffff

the only time where Hades reaction looks adequate at the start at least, it accident where Persephone given coins to souls which made riot  because of it and again with it should deal other workers. everything what happened with Persephone that Hades was a bit angry and after they kissed, she transformation in butterflies, he forget about this accident and started to search what transformation means.

I thought it makes no sense to compare relationship Hades/Persephone and he\his other workers. For everything that she done any other worker would be fired, beaten, killed or something.

this leitmotif in LO if you like Persephone you are nice, if you don't - go to hell. Thanatos redemption start from his liking Persephone and think that Favoritism is fine.

Why it should care other workers and Thanatos especially? because they have trouble because of her, she tried to waste their time, and some great hard worker dont get any prize, where she get prize only for flirting with boss. their boss became unproductive and don't care about them, he think only about his sweet princess. 

So go away Daphne, pls. You are such smart as Persephone.

Btw Thanatos is gathering souls, and Hermes falsified counts of souls because of Persephone, i am not sure about that but looks like Hermes productivity were such great because of this falsification,  so if it is so, he can hate her with pure conscience, because he was blamed that he is lazy and bad worker and didnt get increase in salary.

So okay, i think Favoritism can be in fiction, but not how it was shown in LO, as something unequivocally positive and romantic, and Thanatos opinion was unequivocally shamed, everything it can work with grey moral story and such type of characters, someone can say: in LO characters are "grey", maybe, for me they are much worse than grey, but in story they dont show as grey, grey moral story it s when you can like any character and dont be in others eyes "misogynic" or no one will say to you "dont sit right with me" because of it, and another phrases which get person who prefered unpopular LO characters.

Oh what a huge post, thank you if someone read it to the end)

[just-a-luna]

Long time no see! 01.08.2022 ( TW )

So, uhm, it's been a while since I wrote something like that. Mainly it's because I was too lazy and nothing really changed, I still fell like shit. In Germany the summer holidays arw soon over, and I get anxiety when I just think about going to school in a few days. When I was young I loved school it was kind of a safe space to me, but I need to mention I was a great A-Student back then, but the pass year my grades were going down to C's, I even got my very first F I really hurt myself bad because of it. Maybe you guys are asking yourself how got it that bad? So let my start... my best friend Nick had a very nice friendship with a girl called Nancy, so I should say that I like girls and I really got close with Nancy and then at some point I fell in love with her. I had a few boyfriends before, but I was never in love like this before, before Nancy and everything the problem was Nancy was a mentally ill, bad family, bad at school, manipulating kind of girl. For me it didn't matter because I loved her sooo much! You need to know that I am the therapist-friend, and so I was to Nancy just somebody she could vent to I was awake in the night with her in a call just so she could tell my how bad and toxic her life is. I knew how bad it was to still stay with her, I really wanted to let her go several times, but she didn't let me go. She always told my how it is my fault when she would kill herself, that I am a bad friend and I hurt her. So I stayed even when she 'cheated' on me with her ex-boyfriend several times and a girl one time (not sexual) or kissed me, cuddled with me in my bed or told me she loved me just to get me to stay tho, I was stupid as fuck I know. But I really loved her. In this past year I got bad in school, I began to harm myself I hated myself for who I am, and I started to binge-eat. So you can see My Mental state got terrible because of her. I think I hurt her at some point, kind of too, but I didn't ruin her. The funny thing about it is that we sat next to each other in class, even after all the things she did I ignored her, but she pretended like she didn't do anything like really she was sad when I didn't laugh with her in class anymore. She wanted me to think that all I did was my fault, I believed it for some time, but not anymore. School is starting next week and I will try my best to get good grades! To be clear, I never hated a person in my entire life, not even Nancy, tho. I found my peace over the time. I am starting to get a bit better! So I told you about the bad news, now the good ones! I've found a new friend his name is Matheo! I like him he is such a nice guy he treats my so well and is so respectfully so in a nutshell a really lovely boy! The funny thing is he nearly had the same bad time with a girl, like me with Nancy. I like him. :D He always says to me things like "good night, sleep well :)" or "you are good enough!" he's sweet, isn't he? I deep cleaned my room and right now I feel great or at least good! So that's it for today, it's getting late! Good night everybody, sleep well, take care of yourselves, love you bye! <3

~Luna ♡

[normatural]

JJ MAYBANK | MR.16

Summary: helping your friends with the delivers could be funnier than you thought.

Warnings: creepy rose cameron, language.

A/N: I just saw that video of a girl auditioning for a scene between Rose Cameron and JJ and thought it would be fun.. but for real, that scene was cringe asf. I'll proofread later, just needed to write something.

- also thank you sooo much for all the love and support on my last one shot, love you guys! you have no idea how happy it makes me <3

...

All your thursday mornings on summer were reserved to go with Pope to figure 8 with his father's boat and help him with an extra pair of hands with the deliveries. You knew that his scholarship's interview was close and that finishing his shift earlier meant more time to study and prepare himself for the big day so you didn't even think twice before jumping in. Sometimes you'd even cover for him, almost threatning to throw him out of the boat if he said "you don't have to, really Y/N" twice.

Pope never asked for the help, to be honest you were the one who insisted on it and he had no other choice but, glady, accept.

If the boy had any chance to get a brighter future, something that he work his ass off for, then you'd do anything in your power to help your friend have a better life.

"Yo, I got this one, princess." JJ winked at you, taking the bags from your hands.

If you didn't know the boy enough you'd say he was being a gentleman, letting you rest after you took the two last delivers. But you knew him and that meant you also knew that he just wanted to try his luck with the tips.

You glanced at the name written on the bag again and then at JJ.

He knew he was about to walk straight to the lion's cage. I mean, Cameron's huge ass house, right?

JJ mumbled something among the line of 'it's okay' before jumping out of the boat, walking towards his least favorite place.

You and Pope looked at each other and shrugged, but you wouldn't complain. The sun was hotter than usual today and why not take off your shirt to work on your tan, feel the sun kiss your skin and relax while you chat with Pope?

Sometimes your conversations with Pope would let the rest of the group a little bit worrid. You could spend hours talking about dead bodies, what killers could do to properly hide a body snd things like that.

You got up from where you were laying on the floor and looked around. It's been a while since JJ was gone and yet, there was no sign of him, which messed with your nerves.

What if something happed to him?

Nothing good came from JJ taking to long to come by when you were on Figure 8.. or anywhere in the island actually.

What if he bumped into Raffe and his minions on hus way to the house?

"Took you long enough" Pope laughed when you jumped out of the boat to look after the blonde.

To be honest, he thought you'd have done that five minutes ago, which let him surprised. You were always worried about JJ and the others would tease the hell out of you for that.

You slowed your steps when you caught a glimpse of his blonde hair on the Cameron's porche, talking to someone as he scratched his neck.

Carefully you made your way closer to them, trying to don't get caught because your curiosity has gotten the best of you. What the hell he had to talk for more than three seconds with a kook, a Cameron kook, without being tied down or something?

"What do I own you, Mr.Sixteen?" you jaw almost went to the floor when you heard the voice of none other than Rose Cameron.

You'd have thought that you were crazy if you hadn't took a step foward, hiding in one of the fancy bunches before the front door to see the way he basically undressed him with her eyes.

What. The. Fuck?!

"It's just the cost.. plus a 100 for delivery" JJ pushed his arms with the bags foward, his leg bouncing and you knew that the woman caught him off of guard.

You bite you lips, doing your best to don't laugh when she rolled her eyes, ignoring the bags and how JJ tried to look away from her, without sucess.

"I know about that. I asked you what do I owed you for your effort."

You had to put you hand on your mouth. It you kept holding you laugher you were sure you'd end up with a broken rib or something.

"You mean a tip on top of the delivery fee? That's okay, miss Cameron. You don't own me anything"

JJ, your best friend JJ, just declined a tip from the kook queen herself?

You frowned, you laughter long forgot when you saw Rose's finger touch his shoulders and go all the way down his arms.

Okay. That was it. Enough of that shit.

You came out of the brush, jogging to the porsh again as if you had arrived only now. JJ looked to the side and found you, his eyes widening in surprise and relief as you saw his shoulders relax a bit.

"Baby, what is taking you so long? Mr. Heyward is going to kill us if we.. Oh, hey Mrs. Cameron." you forced a smile at the woman, putting an arm around JJ when she arched a brow at you, probably surprise with the boy having a girlfriend.

"I was just.. waiting for Miss Cameron to open the door." He forced a smile to you, trying to hide the blush creeping to his cheeks before looking at the woman, pushing his arms with the bags one more time. "Here, ma'am."

Rose took a deep breath and called one of the maids to get the deliver, giving the most fake smile you have ever seen to the both of you.

"I didn't know you had a boyfriend, Y/N" she stared a few seconds to JJ before turning to you and you had to use all your control to don't roll your eyes.

You only delivered things to her once in a week, of course she didn't know about your life.

"Only a idiot to say no to this hot stuff right here." you intertwined your finger with his, getting on your tip toes to leave a kiss on his cheek. "Right, baby?"

You were pretty sure by now that the boy was petrified and you tried not to laugh.

He blinked a few times as if you had pulled him out of a daze and nodded.

"Yeah, uh, right. Bye, Miss Cameron." he tried his best to don't run away and dragged out of the house once he got the money.

You made sure you were away from the door when you started laughing, falling on the floor.

"What do I owe you, Mr. Sixteen?" you mimicked her voice, tried to use the same 'sensual' aka cringe tone she used and pucked your lips to JJ.

If he weren't red when you arrived, he was 50 shades of flustered right now, knowing that you actually heard everything.

"Fuck off!" he groaned, only noticing that your fingers were interwined when he pulled his hand away to push you, which only made you laugh harder.

"Bro, she was aaall over you and you were like on run away mode." you put your hand on your belly, it already aching from the lack of air. "I'm gonna.. die!"

JJ put his hands on your shoulders once you got close to the boat, stopping in front of you and making you look at him. His eyes were hard but you could see the pleading in it.

"Don't say a word." he said slowly as it'd make it easier for you to understand or make you obey.

You nodded and bit you lip, pretending to zip your mouth and throw it away. JJ stared at you a little longer and you held his gaze, his hands slowly pulling away from you, probably making sure you'd keep your word and don't start acting all annoying again.

Almost reaching the boat you called him and he turned around, brows furrowed.

"I don't even get a 'thank you, baby'? Gosh, you are a terrible boyfriend." you brought your hands to your chest, pretending to be hurt when he showed you his middle finger and got on the boat.

Pope had went to the other deliver and it was JJ's time to be alone with you. He tried his best to drink his beer and ignore your funny gaze and smirk to him.

That's when you remembered something.

Mr. Heyward didn't charged a hundred bucks for deliver.

"You son of a bitch!" you gasped, throwing you watter bottle and JJ. "That's how you get your tips?!"

It was his time to laugh and wink at you.

"They love me, Y/N. What can I do? It's a gift." He shrugged, a cocky smile dancing on his lips before he took another sip of his beer.

+

Taglist: @maebanks @obxwriterfan @jayjaymaebank @drizzlethatfalls @sarahsmaybank

Let me now if you want to be add on my taglist :)

• masterlist •

[hayleysstark]

paper stars 

words: 1933 warnings: none summary: Here's the thing: trolls just don't each other's hair. Not unless they're—and his whole face burns just to think the word—lovers. Because this is a lovers thing, which means it's not a thing Branch should ever do with Poppy. But here he is. With his hands in Poppy's hair. And freaking out about it. 

Read on AO3. 

This is a terrible idea.

Obviously, it's too late to back out now—the Pack is already here, inside his bunker, talking and laughing and singing—and it's too late to get lost in all the maybes, all the what-ifs and should-haves, like if I hadn't let Poppy talk me into this, if I hadn't cracked and said okay, fine, if she hadn't turned her stupid pretty eyes and stupid pretty smile on me until I folded like a damn party chair, I wouldn't be in this mess.

But he is in this mess, because Poppy turned her stupid pretty eyes and stupid pretty smile on him until he folded like a damn party chair, because she can apparently turn his iron will to jelly with just a look.

It's humiliating.

But, for better or for worse, he folded like a damn party chair. He said okay, fine. He told Poppy she and her friends (his friends too, now, and it's so stupid, how happy that makes him) could come into the bunker and make a big mess of tinsel and garland and glitter—or, as Poppy put it, "spread a little Christmas cheer" and "brighten up that gloomy hole".

At least the Pack did promise that they would stop to run the bigger things past him, that they wouldn't do anything major before they got his say-so, that they wouldn't push him into anything he didn't want, that they would listen to him even if he said no.

But the Pack doesn't seem to think "a hundred paper stars swinging from the ceiling" falls under "anything major".

"Poppy!" He almost drops the box of pinecones in his hands. "What are you doing?"

"Oh!" Poppy spins around to toss him a bright smile. "Do you like it? Is your mind totally blown? Your mind is totally blown, isn't it!"

"That's one word for it," Branch mutters, swatting the stars out of his way to get to her.

"Okay," Poppy holds up her hands, where she clutches even more paper stars, "okay, just hang on, Branch, picture this. Hundreds of beautiful, shining stars, hanging whimsically over your head."

"Picture this," Branch puts the pinecones on the floor at his feet. "Me, violently ripping them all to shreds."

"Oh, come on!" Poppy plucks a single gold star from her fingers and throws it at him. "You let Biggie get away with the garland over the door!"

"She has got you there," Guy Diamond tosses out, dancing past with a heap of shiny silver tinsel piled in his arms and a candy cane hanging half out of his open mouth.

"Okay, first off," Branch throws the star back at her, "I let Biggie get away with the garland because the garland is stuck to the wall. It's not going to hover over my head like a swarm of wasps whenever I walk past. And I can already tell you those things are going to get tangled in my hair every ten seconds."

"No, no!" Poppy snatches the star out of the air before it can hit her and waves her hands at him. "That's not gonna happen! That's not gonna happen, Branch, it's gonna be great! Promise! Cross my hair and hope to never hug again!"

"Look," he runs a hand down the side of his face, the leftover glitter off the star scraping and scratching at his cheek, "I can't have those things up there. It's just not practical."

Poppy throws back her head and heaves a deep sigh. "You really don't like 'em?"

"I don't like them there," Branch tells her, and he means it. "Not on the ceiling."

Poppy perks back up. "Sooo, does that mean we can put 'em somewhere else?"

"Not over the door, either."

"Oh, you are no fun, Branch," she says, but she leans up on her toes to snatch a star off the ceiling, her quick, thin fingers deftly undoing the tight knot in the glittery white twine.

Branch should probably just leave her to it—he still has to string the pinecones with DJ Suki, but she was still happily munching her candy cane when he left her, and it's safe to say she's probably dead asleep now, passed out in the nearest empty chair, so he reaches up to untie the glittery silver star right over his head—

—but a sudden, sharp tug at his hair pulls him to a stop.

He glances up to see a dozen paper stars twinkling merrily in his thick blue hair. Yeah. Called it. He looks over at Poppy, too, and—

"Hey, Poppy," he says, seriously, "you've got something in your hair."

"What?" Poppy frowns at him, running a hand through her bubblegum-pink locks—he can see it on her face, the second she feels the crinkled cardboard lodged in her ponytail— "Branch!" she tosses a scowl at him before she tugs at one of the many stars tangled in her hair.

"You know," Branch plucks gingerly at one of his stars, too, but it doesn't come out, "I hate to say I told you so—"

"No, you don't."

"—but I told you so."

"See? You loved that. You loved that so much. Too much."

"You're right, I did. Every second."

"Okay, okay," Poppy drops her hands back to her sides with a little huff, "this is silly, Branch! I can't even see what I'm doing, and you obviously can't see what you're doing, either, so why don't we just help each other instead?" She tips her head at him, her tangled hair spilling out, in a bright, gleaming pink river, in front of him.

"Uh," Branch says. His mouth feels too dry all of a sudden.

Because.

See.

Here's the thing.

Trolls don't just touch each other's hair.

Not unless they're—and his whole face burns with a furious blue blush just to think the word—lovers.

Not unless they're lovers.

Because this is a lovers thing.

Which means this is not a thing he and Poppy should do. This is not a thing he and Poppy should ever, ever do, but—but she's right, she can't see what she's doing, and he can't see what he's doing, so it isn't practical to turn her down on this, not when she's got such a good point, and—

"Um," Branch squeaks. "Okay. Yeah. Okay. Fine. We can try that."

He reaches out and he pulls a small gold star out of her hair—with the tips of his fingers, so he doesn't actually touch, because this is a lovers thing, not a friends thing, and if he touches her hair, it will mean things that this obviously doesn't mean, things that she obviously doesn't want this to mean, things that she'll never want this to mean, and—

Branch plucks a second star out of her ponytail, but when he reaches for the third, he misses, and his hands are in her hair, and the bright pink locks are so soft under his fingers, and this close, he can smell her favorite strawberry shampoo and if he dies in the next ten seconds, at least he can say he died a happy man because holy Troll Tree, he is touching Poppy's hair—

To get out the stars.

He's touching Poppy's hair to get out the stars, and that's it, that's all, and it isn't making his stomach do flips and it isn't making his heart pound and it isn't making his hands shake, because it doesn't mean a thing, so he would have to be pretty pathetic to get nervous about touching her hair when it doesn't mean anything.

Which means he's just invented an entirely new level of pathetic.

He takes out the rest of the stars and he doesn't touch her hair again.

"Thanks!" Poppy looks up to beam at him. "Your turn, buddy!"

"Right," Branch rasps, and it's good that he has to duck his head down now, because he's flushed all the way to the pointed tips of his ears, and if Poppy sees what a nervous wreck he is, he's going to have to lock himself away down here for another ten years until she forgets about it.

Poppy threads her small, pink fingers in his hair.

Holy hell.

He was wrong before, wasn't he, because this is the second where he can die happy, this second with Poppy's hands tangled up in his hair, nowhere near the quick, light, chaste touches he did to her—it's almost like she wants to touch him, but that's—that's crazy. That's insane.

That's not true.

Is it?

"It wouldn't kill you to relax a little, you know," Poppy laughs. "I'm not gonna hurt you."

"I-I know," Branch says, and he does—he trusts Poppy more than he's ever trusted anyone before, and that scares the hell out of him—but he's pretty sure if he doesn't hold himself still and stiff as a board, he's going to melt right down into a puddle under her hands.

"You know, I'm thinkin' you should keep this look," she tugs a star out of his hair and tosses it to the floor. "It's festive."

Branch huffs out a small, breathless laugh—he can't tell if that's actually a funny thing she just said, or if he's just a complete basket-case right now. "How long would it take Chenille to call me a 'crime against fashion'?"

"She already calls you that. Like, every day."

"Oh. Great. Just what I needed to hear."

Poppy giggles and pulls another star out of his hair in a shower of silver glitter. "Well, it looks like I got 'em all! You're lucky. I musta had way more in mine."

Branch is lucky, because he didn't pass out with her hands on his head, which he really thought he might do. And he might still do it, actually, because when he looks up, she's so close, he can still smell her shampoo and he can count every freckle on her face.

And her fingers are still tangled in his hair.

This isn't making his stomach do flips. This isn't making his heart pound. This isn't making his hands shake.

He's not staring at her mouth, at the faint shine of pink gloss on her soft lips and he's not thinking about that light, quick, split-second kiss she dropped on his cheek under the mistletoe last week, when she smiled and said maybe next time, and is this next time—?

She drops her hand back to her side. Her eyes flick down to his mouth.

He thinks this might be next time.

She leans in, and he leans in, too, and his heart pounds and his hands shake but maybe next time, and this is next time—

"Branch! Poppy!" Biggie hurries over with a steaming cup clutched in his hands. "There you are!"

Branch scrambles away from Poppy so fast, the whole room spins and he stumbles over his own feet, almost falling to the floor.

"Come on!" Biggie beams at the both of them. "Where have you two been? Come on into the kitchen, we're having a hot cocoa break!"

"Oh," Poppy says, almost breathlessly, and she tugs sharply on the fur trim on her skirt to straighten it. "Oh, yeah, that—that sounds great. Doesn't that sound great, Branch?"

"Yeah," Branch blurts, a flush burning in his face, his heart still pounding and his hands still shaking, and he doesn't know what they're talking about, he doesn't know anything except that he can still feel her hands in his hair. "Yeah. Sounds great."

"Yeah. Great."

"Great."

[common-blackbird]

it’s time... for a dragon age 2 playthrough post. scroll on!

The things i loved most:

1) the frame of the game - Cassandra interrogating Varric.

What a great way to get hook the player. Like, the opening of guards dragging this poor dwarf with cuts of the title, and then Cassandra demanding answers... Whoaaa! I have no idea if that’s usually done in games or not, but it’s definitely such an amazing intro with characters introducing themselves as well as the story so perfectly, it captivates instantly. The tutorial has a charm to it bc varric is messing around. Which serves to show more of his character. Cassandra’s personality was pretty much blank here but her presence is so powerful. Something happened, something huge and they know and i was about to find out. I can’t describe how excited that intro made me feel. Each time the scene cut to the interrogation scenes, my eyes were glued more than ever. Just GREAT.

Also it makes for a very convenient scapegoat for every plothole ever with the argument “it’s just his version of the story”.

2) The story.

It’s tragic. It’s amazing! The further you play, the more you can see that no matter what you do, everything leads to a disaster. Hawke doesn’t want to take sides, tries to mediate, does not want to get involved, but just can’t stop it. For every thing gained, Hawke loses two more. Your friends come with packages that get you involved in terrible stuff. Your good intentions result in disasters. The whole game you spent time climbing  the social ladder not only to reach the top hauntingly alone after losing all of your family, but also losing even that empty title and watching as the city you started to find your place in fall apart in blood. UGH! GAH! FEELS!

3) Kirkwall.

“ But, I beg you my dear readers, never forget that, no matter the subject of any story that might ever be explored between the cliffs of Kirkwall, She will find a way to steal the thunder of the protagonist. Or become the antagonist. Kirkwall is never a mere background. We could even understand it so: the challenge for you dear readers is to prevail against the smokescreens and observe to what extent our characters are players or played by the merciless black souled stone giant. Enjoy playing the dare of the ages between the lines of these humble memoirs. “

Memoirs from the Downfall - Act I. Mirage    by Pfefferminze on ao3 (fic rec!)

This paragraph summs up what Kirkwall is better than I ever could. This shrouded mystery that surrounds Kirkwall keeps you on toes. From the first intro when Varric describes it (paraphrasing from memory) “Kirkwall. The city of chains. It is a free city - keeping in mind i use the  the word loosely”. You already start seeing how dark Kirkwall gets. The name, that derives from its black walls (interestingly, the walls in the game aren’t black...), the history of slavery etched into every corner of that city  and its surroundings - the names (The Gallows, the Bone Pit, the Wounded Coast, the pub The Hanged Man), the scenery (sculptures of slaves, the sunken ships by the Wounded Coast, slums and underground of the Lowtown and the Darktown).

I was really digging the History of Kirkwall and it loved it. Kirkwall has a history of violence, from the times of slavery of the Tevinter Imperium, to Qunari conquests and liberation from Orlais. Many revolts and uprising. And though free now, it’s suggested that, seeing that the Templars hold the most influence, Kirkwall is in the hands of the Chantry.

It’s full of cultures mixing together. I love how not one of your companions is a native to Kirkwall, and it feels like a crossroads to every character’s life. a very tragic crossroads in their life, seeing there’s nothing ever good waiting for you in Kirkwall.

Also there’s these codex entries you look for about the Enigma of Kirkwall. It was when i started digging that up that i fell in love with the city and all. Combined with the History of Kirkwall and every codex entry for every place in and out of Kirkwall, I was pulling my hair out reading about the Enigma. I..i’m still not quite sure what happened. Did the magisters use blood of thousands upon thousands slaves to unbound a forgotten one? if so, is that corypheus? And around what time did that happen?? I get that part (or all?) of Kirkwall’s mysterious violent agency is owed to corypheus slumbering relatively close to the city, but is that all? or is there something more? In either case, the Band of Tree are my heroes.

4) The characters.

I’ll talk more about them later, but in general, i just love how they oppose each other, how complex they are, and there is just not pleasing everyone. They feel genuine. They are all deeply flawed. They all have a solid background that makes their beliefs and actions convincing. The friendship/rivalry points are shaky though, and sometimes really don’t fit the character, but i guess there must be someone hating/loving your bad choices for the sake of the game regardless of characterisation. But all in all, i really appreciated each and every character, and loved how their viewpoints challenged me.

First i want a disclaimer: i love each and every character in the game, whatever i say against them doesn’t diminish my liking of them. My issues really aren’t significant. Also, i might and probably will say smth wrong bc i’ve only played it once. I’m a baby.

let’s start with Family:

Mama Hawke:

i really loved mama hawke. after reading her codex entry and an excerpt of some book on this site, i really feel for her. I mean, imagine going back to your home city where you only remember being respected and wealthy only to find out everything you remember is gone, you are forced to live in poverty, your kids are doing dangerous jobs and you can’t stop them bc you do need that money, you write letters trying to get the old connections but keep failing (at least it was implied?), it’s really been hard for her. I get why she was so obsessed with her legacy. She wanted her childhood home back. She can’t feel like Kirkwall is her home until she is home.

Also loved her antagonism towards Hawke. It seems she can no longer treat him like a child, so she criticises him instead. and honestly, hawke is doing some crazy things so he defintiely deserves some criticism. And stopping Hawke from taking carver with him is just logical to me, idk. since she knows she can’t stop Hawke from going, she will at least attempt to prevent the last kid from going into mortal danger. I’d do the same. AND AFTER HAVING CARVER DYING IN DEEP ROADS I AGREE WITH HER

All in all, i don’t think she’s a perfect mom, but there is no perfect mom, and Leandra does care a lot for her kids. The All that remains killed me too :’(

Bethany

RIP :(

Her codex is not long, but i guess she wasn’t happy with her magic :(

CARVER

My favouritest bestest bro in the game. A secondary character with an inferiority complex towards his sibling, with no sense of humour, blaming everyone else for his inability to get a life? I see a lot of myself in him.  He is sooo bitter, but doesn’t even realise (or at least doesn’t admit) that he’s his biggest obstacle. He feels like it’s Hawke’s fault for Carver not getting his place in the sun, but honestly, it’s Carver’s devotion to Hawke that keeps him from getting a life. He’s just tied with that responsibility and can’t break from it unless forced to.

His interactions with other characters are so funny. Either he’s bitter or he’s awkward, i die every time ;;__;;

Anyways, he became a templar in my game and i thought it fits better thematically (throughout the game the grey wardens felt more like a fanservice material since they really aren’t connected to the story), but after reading that meta about carver and seeing the striking difference between warden!carver and templar!carver i wanna reload and redo everything ;;__;;

i mean... carver isn’t exactly a templar material. The codex entry for templars says that the wanted characteristics of templars are strong faith and utmost  obedience, none of which carver really has... . But that moment when he stands up against meredith was *chefs kiss* worth it. I’m just wondering what happens after, is he still a templar? is he with hawke? is he in Kirkwall or if not, where did he go?? so many questions ;A;

Uncle Gamlen

I feel bad for him. Mostly he’s mean but i like to think it’s bc he’s so ashamed that his sister sees what he’s become. And he’s bitter about his own life. I was so happy when i realised he has a personal mission ;__; I feel bad that he didn’t come to live in the hawke estate tho, especially since Hawke is also alone there :(

COMPANIONS!

Varric

There are no words that can properly convey the amount of love for this guy. He is simply flawless. He’s a charming godfather of the dwarven mafia. I wanna have a charming godfather of the dwarven mafia in my life... He already becomes interesting with the intro, and i gotta say, out of all ~storyteller~ types of characters, he is the best. he puts a disclaimer at the beginning with that game tutorial, and during the whole interrogation he’s like “well, how do you know i’m not lying? i could be.” Also, his voice is the second best voice in the game. 

As for his personal missions, oh wow, that thing with his big bro really hurt. I also gave him the red lyrium... was that a mistake? will i regret it? ;__; I know the true friend would prevent him, but i also trust that varric knows how to handle dangerous stuff...

On a side note, since i’ve read the comics (no self control whatsoever), i loved the beginning of the Until We Sleep, where varric mentions it’s easier to imagine all the people he had to kill were evil than to face the fact that those were normal people just doing their job or trying to survive. Man, it hurts TAT

*garret hawke’s voice when he looks a certain way at the family crest in the hawke estate* ISABELA!

Ok ok, so, i love Carver bc i relate,  i love Varric because he’s simply perfect. But I love Isabela because she’s the most intriguing.

She just crashed in Kirkwall and really didn’t sign up for all the trouble she got. She never likes to have deep conversations, she is always downgrading herself and you just wonder, what is it that happened in her life, and you know her past mistakes haunt her, and she’s doing her best to move on. Her arc was i think my favourite. I think the comic Those Who Speak really adds a lot to her arc in DA2 and makes some of her choices more understandable. Her whole story is about her internal conflict of whether to survive or do the right thing. Her story about freeing the slaves got her ship wrecked is great and all for making her be a pirate with a golden heart, but that story about her drowning all the slaves few years previous make this freeing of slaves a big character moment for her. She finally did the right thing. And she got for it was more trouble, because she’s a pirate which means she can’t afford to just do the right thing. And throughout the game, that same story is going back and forth. She runs off with the Relic bc she’s done the right thing before and it got her nowhere, so now she decided to put her own survival as a priority, but comes back bc she’s too kind to just leave Hawke standing like that. And again, with the slaver papers, it’s the same reasoning: it’s her or the higher cause. She needs that ship. She chooses herself. It’s her biggest flaw. But hey, between pros and antis in your party, it was really refreshing to have someone who, along with varric, just gives you a break with moral high-grounds.

I only wish we actually got to see her more as a captain in power in the game or that she showed me that amazing hat she saw in lowtown. It’s cool that it’s implied that her crew doesn’t like her and she also lost most of them during the crash while the others probably left her after.

I love it when she says she goes sometimes to the docks just to watch the ships. That there is no feeling like sailing. I just want a spin-off with captain isabela’s terrible adventures (´A`)

Also, isabela’s VA is my fave, she really did an amazing job. she voices so smoothly, i wouldn’t know if i was playing a game or watching a movie. And has such a pretty way of talking...

Aveline

I’m really neutral towards Aveline. I like her personality and i like that she’s found herself a purpose and advanced in the guards, and she’s always looking out for everybody. I just wish her personal missions went in the vein of the one in act 1... i feel it would have been more interesting to see her having trouble in her position and that you can’t just waltz into Kirkwall and take command. It’s implied she’s being pressured, so i guess she’s just dealing with it herself, but i just... eh. She’s ok.

Merrill

Merrill actually has one of the if not the most tragic story-line that really challenges you both morally and emotionally. 

Her cheerful and cute personality is dampened by her constant dark leitmotif of willingly practicing blood magic. And i think her story really showed well the indirect consequences of it.

Not in one instance was Merrill’s practice of blood magic an active culprit for all tragedy that surrounds her. First, it seems that blood magic is practiced in the clan, seeing there is no freeing Flemeth without it, but i’m guessing it’s seldom practiced and with great caution. So Merrill wasn’t in any danger of being prosecuted for her blood magic. It’s actually her wish to study it further with the help of the demon that makes her an outcast. That and the magic mirror that apparently is forgotten for a reason. Also, it’s made quite clear that Merrill would be welcomed back no questions asked if she at any point decided to ditch the demon and live without the study of magic mirror. She, on the other side, is driven by the higher cause, the idea that figuring out the forgotten purpose of some evil mirror might help her clan, and is willing to be an outcast if it means reaching her goal and helping her clan. Fast foward to act 3, the clan is still there when they should have moved away, and it’s only when you face the demon possessed Keeper, you realise why. She knew Merrill would sooner or later bargain with the demon again. And she sacrificed herself, trapping the demon within her, as to prevent it. And i think that is why the clan stayed so long there. She waited for Merrill because she wanted Merrill to kill her, and hopefully with her the demon. It didn’t go as planned, obviously, but i really think she had good intentions. When Merrill does manage to kill the Keeper she’s forced to face the clan and i chose the wrong option of telling the truth which resulted in a massacre. Merrill gets back and regrets everything. She, however resolves to help the alienage.

The thing is, there is no one to blame Everyone had the best intentions. Everyone is working for the safety of the clan. it’s a story of sacrifice and when sacrifice feels like the wrong choice (whether it truly is or isn’t depends on your worldview) and it’s really done well.

But here are my issues with Merrill. I love her as a character, but i don’t agree with her decisions.  It’s a personal issue. Merrill is giving up everything as to help her clan by learning history of the evil mirror. And while this is a game where old things are important and significant, her mission is always explained as this duty of preserving history. And while i agree that preserving history is very important, there is a limit to it. you should never put history before the present. If your research endangers the present, you give up on that line. The other is that you need to make peace with the fact that many, many things are forgotten and will be forgotten. It’s sad, but you gotta make peace with the fact that some things are just gone.

And Merrill, who is a magic historian, fails to see that. So that kinda irks my historian moral codex. And in the end, as far as i know, Merrill doesn’t succeed in reviving the evil mirror and dedicates herself to help the alienage. It was a terrible way to learn that some things aren’t worth it.

The other, less personal issue, is that none of this had to happen. I mean, the keeper obviously didn’t think Merrill was experienced enough to actually deal with demons and therefore distrusted her and warned the clan about it. So, if Merrill was a little bit more patient she could have just studied normally under the keeper, and when she herself becomes the keeper, she could have fraternize with that demon however she wanted without much complications. So yeah... i guess youth is made of idealism.

But as i said, minor issues. Her story is really, really great.

Fenris

Fenris and Anders are my “i love you but i am soo annoyed by you but i still love you” characters. Half of the time they’re just there to make you feel guilty for being a neutral party. Which sometimes has me rolling my eyes. If Fenris and Anders actually got along with each other, slavery and mage oppression would have ended in 2 days. Which makes it all the more frustrating that they do not.

Fenris.. his voice. What a nice voice colour. So elegant, but kinda rough, sometimes he talks like he’s 80 years old, sometimes like he’s a teenager. I love it.

As for the rest, i mean, i don’t agree with his methods, but very often, the guy’s got a point. I get his experience with mages colours his view on them, so while i symphatise, it’s really hard to have him on my “free mages” missions when he’s my best tank and i want him to be on friendly terms with Hawke so this makes things... difficult. That aside, it’s interesting that fenris doesn’t see mages as evil per se, but rather victims who, in his experience, will always, always going to succumb to a demon. It’s an inevitable reality to him. And this makes me wonder if he ultimately, despite being his friend or lover, is just waiting for the day he will be forced to kill Hawke too :(

As for his missions, they were ok, it led up to culmination and i didn’t let him kill his sister bc Hawke has just lost his mom, don’t do smth you’ll regret ;__;

also, somewhere around the end of act 2 i decided to romance fenris bc i love to suffer, so i worked the whole act 3 trying to get more aproval points and also wondering why are there no romance options when i talk to him... turns out that one night stand with isabela romanced her and canceled fenris. But i never even finished the romance with her so i’m just ??? about it all.

I wish it was more explained about the tattoos fenris has? I just thought the tattoos would play a big role somewhere in the game and it just never happened. There was a banter with Merrill about how his tattoos are similar to valaslin, so i thought, hmm, interesting, maybe the two are connected. But nah they just glow in the dark and make you pass through walls. Whatevs.

also dude just goes and kills without a second thought, i’m just “mate, you gotta calm down”. But that’s his thing. He’s constantly bitter and is very bad at anger management. I can’t blame him, considering he lacks around 10- 20 years of experience due to amnesia.

He’s the only one who left me when Hawke sided with mages, and i was like, “ok i getcha, it’s been nice knowing you”, but then when i asked him to join me 5 minutes later he just went “ok changed my mind” which was so funny, like, where did all that integrity dissappear??? It would have been more impactful if the dialogue went in the line of “i want to stand by my principals but you’re a living breathing proof that not all mages are weak to succumb to demons so i’ll join you in the end” (and then side-eye “i told you so” when orsino turns into a demon)

And i wanna read the fenris comic now bc my question for every character here is what is their fate after kirkwall. I only know that isabela & varric are working for alistair and merrill wants to help the alienage. Aveline is i guess either dismissed from her job or got a pass after cullen took  the command.  But Carver?? Fenris?? Anders?? They never talked about long term plans...

Anders

ooh boy, here we go. there are many questions i have for him and am generally just hmmmm. First, as for his pro-mage rights - it’s like opposite fenris so i just have the same feelings: you mean well, i don’t agree with your methods, your experiences define your worldview so i let some things slide, but other things i will not agree with. Though, question: in how many circles has Anders been? He knows the kirkwall circle, he knows the fereldan circle. Seeing he has excaped 7 times, did they send him to a different circle each time or was the fereldan the last one? or the first one? Or maybe it was his boyfriend they transferred? did i miss something?

I’ll just whisper: awakening!Anders >>> da2!Anders. I just miss the old anders. Which says a lot bc during the awakening i was just “shut up anders”. I miss his bad jokes, his terrible attempts at flirting, his enjoyment of freedom, nagging all the time, and generally being more moderate in pro-mage rights. Like, in awakening, because it was not the only thing he talked about, it felt more personal and intense. Here mage-rights are the only thing he ever talks about + justice. I mean, please correct me if i’m wrong, this was just general impression. But to defend da2!Anders here, it makes sense that merging with mixed both of their personality, and i like that they did that. It’s also very sad.

The thing is, when i’m thinking about anders, i love his story and character. Just as it’s terrible that Fenris, having no memory from before being Fenris, Anders can never go back to being just Anders. And this, people, is why you don’t fraternize with spirits. He’s obviously afraid of how justice is affecting him and there are some bare traces of his old personality and i guess he wouldn’t be as radical if he didn’t have justice personality that can’t stand the injustice. And in combination with anders quite selfish personality (form awakening, and i say that lovingly), it makes him do things that justice wouldn’t condone. Anders is literally a walking bomb.

Again, same problem as with fenris, i really thought that the justice glow would have a incredibly significant culmination, and it didn’t, it was just to show that anders and justice are very bitter. Eh, ok.

Also, i let anders join after he blew up the chantry, bc he started it, so might as well follow it through.

Some minor characters that i remember

Senechal Bran for the next Viscount! He hated hawke so much but still put up with him.

Feynriel is the coolest mage in Kirkwall. I think his missions were my favourite. Dude goes from “oh no i’m a mage” to “i will just dreamwalk to tevinter and learn control the reality” to “i dream-killed bad people from thousands of miles away”. Does he appear in the next game? I want him on my side. He’s so cool.

I think the Maker is sending Cullen signs to quit being a templar. First job: evil mages that tortured you. Instead of “this job will kill you” h took it as  a “never trusting mages again, got it”. Second job: your boss is evil possessed paranoid maniac. Man, talk about bad luck.

What is the story of the Lady Elegant?

Flemeth had that big great talk at the beginning of the game and i thought by the end of the game i’d realise what it meant, but nope, still no clue.

Ok so I defeated Corypheus, but there was this looong shot of Larius walking away. Corypheus possessed larius, didn’t he? He’s out there. In a madman’s body. I know he appears in inquisition.

Many thoughts

I gotta say, in Kirkwall, at least, it didn’t feel like much of a challenge to pick a side. Like, there was no mage who said “hey i actually really like it here in the circle, the templars aren’t so bad”, and having templars actually smuggling mages from the circle says a lot to say the least. Every time a mage talks to you, unless you go with “oh they’re 100% lying”, their stories invoke sympathy and of course you want to help them. And then in 99% cases they turn to blood magic bc there was no other way. Except that dude who always hanged out with the wrong people, he only did blood magic to save Carver. But yeah, that turning to blood magic was like having Fenris side-eye me with an unspoken “i told you so” bc every mage, whether in desperation or hunger for power, will turn sooner or later into a demon. Regardless, blood magic was always in the act of desperation and self-defense. The only times where magic was actually evil was the slavers and the serial killer, who is a madman.

When i was reading the Enigma of Kirkwall, there was a part that talks of a blood-mage conspiracy and i was all, oh shit, there is a reason why templars are mean to mages! maybe the conspirators are framing innocent mages on blood magic crimes that they actually commit, maybe Meredith is actually on trail of the conspirators, maybe there is a reason for animosity on both sides. After all, Kirkwall was known for having a bigger number of apostates, a bigger number of blood magic cases and far more ruthless templars. It added up.Thinking back now, i never even got any specific reason why meredith was so intensely anti-mage, other than going mad.

But yeah, no conspirators. Just sad mages and mean templars, and good templars that get screwed by desperate and mean mages.

While in Kirkwall it’s easy to be a pro-mage, i was thinking a lot about mage-rights in general so let me indulge myself: there are circles, but the mages aren’t oppressed. Rather, the circles would be educational centres and society in every larger city where one learns how to properly handle magic bc magic is dangerous. You can leave when you pass the final exam and also come back anytime to hang out with mages who decide to live there since the institution would support mages.

Also, when one gets possessed, i’d invest more into “walk into their head and free them of demons” specialists. It’d be cool if you could have a dreamer who does that bc no lyrium spent. Honestly, why don’t they ever do that? How did the keeper do that rite for Feynriel? Was it blood magic?

I guess, you’d still have to answer for your crimes, tho no death punishment and degradation allowed. Blood magic wouldn’t be punishable by death, but rather have specialists who study it, but practice with extreme caution and use of another person’s blood is strictly prohibited.

Templars would still exist but completely reformed. No more “mages are all potential disasters”, but i’d rather make it that mages can too be templars, since they both have abilities that prevents the others from casting magic. This way the control system would be much like the dalish: if the keeper(mage) is possessed, the clan (which means the non-mages and the first(mage)) need to kill them. You could argue that you don’t need templars as non-mages, since mages can do it too, but seeing that in general people fear magic and feel inferior to it (since there’s a collective memory of the great tevinter imperium), having non-magic specialists would make them feel like on equal ground. The extra-reformed templars would be under Circle, not under direct command of the chantry, and circle, depending of whether chantry is reformed, might or might not be under chantry.

(a side note, i was thinking about templars recently and i can’t recall an instance where it says who had the clever idea to chew lyrium first? i just wanna know)

I know that DA2 wasn’t about grey wardens and therefore not about darkspawn, but seeing as in legacy we get corypheus being... an evil version of the Architect(??), i was only wondering do we get more answers about the darkspawn? is there hope for them? is the Architect still alive?

And oh, to turn to the Anders question:

Is he a terrorist, or was that just activism? I mean, i don’t see why those two can’t go together. blasting a building with a symbolic significance killing and harming many innocent people to get a message of your radical activism across belongs into a schoolbook of terrorism. Does he have a good cause? He sure believes so, and i, too, agree that mages should not be oppressed for just being mages. But does that mean this is the right way to do it? Personally, i do not condone any act of violence in service of a political or religious cause. I know it’s sometimes inevitable, but i like to believe there are more diplomatic ways, or at least not including an attack on civilians.

That aside, the moment where anders goes in front and just announces that the church was gonna blow up in a minute was the best anders moment for me. Until that point i more or less just viewed his activism as a hobby since he just did it in his free time, but now he put his money where his mouth is and freaking went all out. Cool character moment. And incredibly heartwrenching. He was aware of how many innocents he killed, but just didn’t see other way to get the point across.

I still don’t agree with his idea of blowing up the church tho. Maybe if he told Hawke, they could have done something to empty the church previously and further people away from it and then blow it up?

But still, blowing up religious buildings isn’t the answer. If i was the radical mage activist, i would have gone for the open assassination. Seeing it worked in WW1, i don’t see why it couldn’t start a fantasy war.

Some random things i liked:

uniportant but lovable interractions in the house: it starts innocently with gamlen’s house, to see how you’re doing, and becomes really fun during act 2 when you see your friends have been here and left you things. In act 3, however, it feels melancholic. no more family to come back to, just ghosts of friends that have visited, Bodahn and Sandal being there for you, Orana still not getting some sunlight and your dog at the fireplace. The Hawke Family Suite is playing, and you feel older than you are, lonlier than you should be. just... ouch. I hope Bodahn adopted Orana and took her out of Kirkwall :(

t i named the dog “Maker” which is very funny to me bc every time i summon the dog i just imagine Hawke yelling “Maker help us”. Carver hates the name bc he needs to chase the dog often in the streets. Mama Hawke never ever calls the dog Maker, but she never has to call the dog anything: he’s super obedient towards her.

Fighting wasn’t as hard as in origins, i like that.

The haunted house mission was so cool.

When random people greet aveline in Hightown.

And that’s i think about it. There are probably plenty more things i loved, but i think this is already enough. if somebody told me i’d be playing so much this year, i’d laugh, but I already want to play the next game ;;___;;

[lunchador]

ok but!!! what happened!!! im screaming!!! you finished the game but there are no details!!! friend i need details!!! who sided with who!!!! im just!!! so excited about ur playthru and i need any and all details about how u feel about anders rn especially!!! i think there was less different paths because funding but i still would like to Know

 SO!! MUCH!! HAPPENED!!

It was funny, cuz, y’know, in comparison to DA:O where the END OF THE WORLD is hanging above your head at all times, I felt the pacing was considerably more relaxed in 2. And in retrospect, it definitely was building up in ways you weren’t quite piecing together (Or am I dumb? That’s usually the case) as you aren’t even sure why you have the derogatory title from cassandras mouth of Champion. Champion, of fuckin what? I do chores for people.

So like most of the game feels like you’re chilling. Talk to some people, do some small quests, learn some lore.

Then like, the qunari attack happened. Which, I assume happens regardless, correct? Man that statue of me looks douchey as hell. Flaming sword?

ANDERS CAN SUCK SHIT. That fucker lied to me? and made everything OH SO MUCH FUKIN WORSE. Oh boohoo I want to rid justice, distract her so I can MURDER PEOPLE ACTUALLY INSTEAD?? Like, MAN, I really like him on paper, healer of the needy, activist, cat lover. But he is so warped in his thinking and self hate. Also I know I joked about this somewhere but our second conversation ever (first one being when I met him) he gives me a big speech about how he could see us together but how he’s so bad he’s a monster boohoo so i need to stay away from him romantically and I’m standing there like.......yeah ok man. 

I SHOULD HAVE KILLED HIM - I was legit SO mad he did that. Everything was bad as is, and he made it worse. If I hadn’t have helped in that quest would it still have happened? AUGH. Almost everyone wanted him dead but I still felt bad. Of the companions, I think i bonded with him and sebastian the least. I tried really hard to side with the mages, cuz, i’m a mage, i dont think magic is bad but bad people can have magic, and Meredith IS a dick and instigated it, BUT THERE IS SO FUCKING MUCH BLOOD MAGIC IN KIRKWALL, WHY.

AND FUCKIN SEBASTIAN - SO MAD - was like if you let him live i’m coming back with an army to attack. like...bro what happened to being a peaceful monk or whatever the shit? I thought I told you taking the crown wasn’t worth it if you don’t want it? fuckin jude law looking motherfucker. But i barely played with him and i figured anders healing would be useful for the end. so, i took anders with me. So now I guess I’m gonna hear in inquisition about this dude coming in to attack kirkwall later idk SIGH

So yeah, I tried to side with Orison. Then that bitch ass gave in to blood magic too and turned into that disgusting abomination. I HATE when you try to defend someone and they too turn into a jackass. Fuck you, man. And Meredith of course is off her rockers with red lyrium. I hate all of these people. I tried to save the decent mages where I could and that bit me in the ass with one of them at the end FUCK YOU, UNGRATEFUL.

A N Y W A Y S,

since I’m sooooooo good at these games (how am I so so so bad??) Hawke basically...lost everyone. I didn’t officially romance anyone. Though in the epilogue, it says everyone eventually splits from Hawke except Isabela. I figured she had a soft spot for me. I think I couldn’t fully romance her because I didn’t get her the boat? Idk. I didn’t like the romance system in this game. Like, yes it makes sense for story plot reasons but it’s terribly confusing for someone not in the know and I hated looking at guides because they had spoilers.

My mom got murdered by a serial killer blood mage, r.i.p. My sister is dead. I am SO surprised Carver sided with me in the end. I thought he was genuinely about to pick being a templar over me and fight. I TRIED TO BE SO NICE TO THAT FUCKER.

i’m surprised cullen sided with me too. the few interactions you have with him in origins and here he’s kind of a dick. and i know all that shit going on with his VA so i am not stoked for him in inquisition

I tried/failed to romance Fenris. Man, I got SO attached to him?? He tries so hard to be grumpy but you get under his skin. Every time he called me his friend or smiled I was like YES, YOU FUCKER, YOU LIKE ME. But being a mage is such a cockblock. FUCK. I’m definitely kissing him next time.  But I can at least brag that I guess I did his companion quest correctly enough and he was maxed out cuz he didn’t leave me. He seemed begruding that he was gonna defend mages but he was gonna do it for ME. BFFs til the end.

how the fuck did fenris turn around and settle for compromise while anders was still pissy as hell? I guess anders just feels so much for others. also the whole tranquil shit was sooo fucked. Also I love they’ve known each other for 6 years and they’re still disgustingly snippy with each other - FIGHT!!!!

MERRIL TRIED TO CONFESS FEELINGS FOR ME. HOW? I kept pissing her off by not supporting the blood mage shit. I HAD TO PULL THE LIKE A SISTER LINE. MERRIL IM SO SORRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYY. She’s so sweet, yet her quest was incredibly fucked up oh my god?? We had to kill the dalish group and I FELT AWFUL. WHY SO MUCH BLOOD MAGIC????????

I thought this game was going to end with assigning a new viscount. ANd I was like man that sucks, Sid isn’t the type for permanent responsibility like that but like, if it’ll get everyone to shut the fuck up ok. But...that wasn’t the ending. I hope that gets addressed in inquisition? I felt like that kinda got cliffhanger’d. Also I’m assuming Aveline had to run too being she was associated with me so the guard is probably in shambles too.

oh my god what about dominic? D:

anyway, I would die for varric, and while I understand the story reasons for not letting him be romancable, it still sucks cuz he pairs SO well with a snarky Hawke, sigh

but yeah there may have been less big decisions but there certainly were a lot of smaller ones I felt I fucked up. I’m just.......so good at that. I got so many people KILLED.

def some replay value in there!! I tried to do a lot more sidequests in this one than origins. so we will see how inquisition goes. It’s been super hyped to me and I’m told it’s pretty long

Its just crazy all the shit hawke got caught up in without even particularly trying. Like the warden is there because, yeah, they’re a grey warden, one of the few, but in 2 its just kinda like..............oops lmfao.

[darklymelanatedstories]

Nameless crush (ft Piccolo)

Part 2: We meet again short stuff

I walked out of the market with my giant supply of organic hair products. I heard someone calling my name and turned to see the nerdy looking Saiyan jogging towards me.

"Oh hey Gohan.",I said. He glanced at my giant bags, you'd swear I was doing end-of-the-world shopping. "Whats with the huge bags?",he asked.

"Its for my hair. I'm washing my hair tomorrow and I ran out of a few things."I said. "Do you think my gorgeousness just happens on its own? My hair is my crown and I have to take care of it."

"Didn't you shave it all off once?"

"Yeah, it was my invisible crown at that time."

He chuckled. "The things women do."

"More like the things women go through. I swear men have no idea how much work we put in everyday.",I said.

"That is true. Mind if I help with your bags?"he asked, being the gentleman that he is.

"Yes 'cause I'm so weak that I can't even carry a few bags."I said sarcastically.

"No, no I meant that-",he said.

"Dude relax, I'm joking, of course you can help. Jeez, lighten up."

He walked me over to my apartment, in a comfortable silence. My thoughts taking me to the day I met Piccolo. Thats when I looked over to the half Saiyan.

"Hey Gohan, can you teach me how to fly?",I asked out of the blue.

He stopped in his tracks then glanced down at me and smiled. "Why now all of a sudden? Whenever I offered before you weren't interested."

I frowned. "Can't a girl just change her mind?"

Then he just laughed and said, "Sure, I'm free this weekend. Or today if you'd like."

I jumped up in excitement.

"Yeah sure today is great. As soon as we get these to my place.",I said.

We got to my apartment and I changed out of my dress into a snug black short, red tshirt and black sneakers. I got onto Gohans back and we flew over to his house.

"Its been so long since I've seen Videl and Pan.",I said as I got off the Saiyans back.

"Well Videls not here at the moment so we asked a friend of ours to look after Pan.",he said as lead me to the house. As soon as we walked in Pan was flying towards her dad, giggling and excited. She must've heard us outside. She almost tackled Gohan to the ground. Strongest baby I've ever seen.

"Hey Pan." I leaned over the little girl and made a funny face. She laughed so hard it could cause an earthquake.

I heard footsteps coming towards us but I continued making funny faces, getting Pan to laugh even more.

"Gohan, you're back."

I instantly froze.

"That voice, is it–oh shxt."

"Hey Piccolo.",Gohan said bringing me back from my thoughts. I didn't even realise Pan left Gohan and went to Piccolo. "Hope she wasn't too much trouble."

"You Saiyans are always trouble."Piccolo said. "But Pan was fine." He took Pan in his arms and turned his attention to me.

"Who's your friend?",Piccolo asked seeming to battle a smirk that he wanted to show. Gohan put his hand on my shoulder, somewhat calming me down. "Oh this is-"

"A friend.",I said interrupting him. "Nice to see you again Piccolo."

"Wait you know each other?",Gohan asked. He gave me a puzzled look before looking back at Piccolo.

"Yeah we met a few days ago, though she spied on me, she won't tell me her name.",Piccolo said.

"I didn't spy on you!",I shouted. He just smirked, probably enjoying seeing me annoyed.

"Seriously?",Gohan said to me. I gave him my signature smile and shrugged.

"What? You know how I be.",I said as I walked to the door. "So you teaching me how to fly or what?"

Gohan sighed and followed me to his backyard.

~

I've been trying for about an hour now but I still couldn't do it. I kept falling on my ass and It frustrated me so much because I didn't know what I was doing wrong.

I followed Gohans instructions but it seems like he was just as confused. Like he didn't know how to teach such things anymore.

"Ugh, I give up.",I said. I sat down defeated as I looked up at the clear sky. Gohan plopped down next to me having the same expression.

"I'm sorry, I guess I'm not used to teaching these kind of things." Gohan looked completely clueless which annoyed me because this dude was supposed to be a genius.

"But I do know someone who can teach you." It's as if a lightbulb appeared over his head all too suddenly.

And as if on cue I heard the annoying chuckle from the green man who wasn't too far from us.

I glanced to see Piccolo standing in the dark corner with Pan. Its dark enough that he couldn't be noticed. He was probably watching this whole time, eating this up.

"Let me take it from here."Piccolo said. "You take Pan."

Gohan agreed and took Pan with him inside. Once we both heard the door close Piccolo looked back at me.

"Sit up and close your eyes.",he instructed.

"If you think you can sneak a kiss while my guard is down, then you're surely mistaken."I joked. He didn't find it that amusing though.

"Please. Don't flatter yourself." He rolled his eyes. "Now just do it."

I did what he said and sat with my legs crossed and eyes closed.

"Now breath, clear your mind and focus, focus all your energy to you hands."

I did what I was told and soon a felt a tingly feeling in my fingertips. I looked at my hands to see the tiniest ball of light in my palms. I couldn't help but smile in excitement. I was doing it.

"Good. Now transfer all that energy to your feet and balance it throughout your body.",he said.

Again I did what I was told and before I knew it I was levitating. In three simple steps I was levitating. Shows that Gohan is a lousy teacher...or he did bad on purpose.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when something sharp hit my forehead.

"It was Piccolo! He poked my forehead. The dude has sharp nails why would he..."

I stopped when I saw that I was flying really high in the air without knowing. Piccolo was right in front of me. Flying up at the same pace with his arms folded. He must've tried to warn me but I was in deep thought. I hate when that happens.

I glanced down. The house was getting smaller by the second. I tried to keep a cool face in front of Piccolo. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me scared.

"Sooo...how do I get down?",I asked trying to sound calm. A grin appeared on his face. "Tell me your name first then I'll tell you."

"What!",I exclaimed. "No way."

"Why not."he asked with a smirk. "I won't judge if it's terrible."

"You probably would.",I said. "But nah, I just don't give in so easily."

"Hmm. I'm surprised you're not a Saiyan.",he mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing."

He crossed his legs, the same as me, his elbow steady on his leg then rested his head on his palm, just waiting for me to break.

"So?"

I shook my head. "No, I'll figure it out myself."

So maybe I can reverse it. I closed my eyes and focused the energy in my body to slowly let me down. I tried my hardest to stay focused cause I knew if I got distracted, I'd fall and this Tall-ass-baby Yoda wouldn't catch me.

I felt myself heading down slowly but I think Piccolo found out my plan because what he did next made me want to choke him to death. He sneezed. And it wasn't a normal sneeze, no, this was an earthquake in the air.

"ATCHOO!!!"

I lost my concentration and dropped.

"Rrrgh, Piccolo!",I yelled after cursing. The ground came closer by the millisecond. I was prepared for impact, to end up in hospital for months, or worse.

He dived down next to me, with a smug smirk on his dumb face. I knew if I wanted to live, I had to give in. But that look on his face made me keep my mouth shut. I hated myself for having more pride than common sense.

As soon as I was close enough to the ground I closed my eyes, ready for impact. But it never came. Instead i felt a hard yet soft surface. I opened my eyes to see myself in Piccolos arms. My head on his chest, my hands clung to his gi as my nails dug into his skin.

I quickly let go and he dropped me on the hard ground, like a school boy throwing his bag as soon as he got home.

"Oww! What the hell?"

"What? No thank you, for saving your life?" He shook his head. "So ungrateful."

"Thank you."I, muttered, though was still mad. He did save my life and I shouldn't have been playing around like that earlier.

I looked up to see his face in shock and uncertainty. I don't think he expected me to be sincere.

"Thank you Piccolo for saving me.",I said a bit louder.

He smirked at me. "Don't mention it, shortie."

"Shortie?"I questioned. He chuckled as he rested his arm on my head.

"Yes, because you won't tell me your name and you're short.",he said.

I pushed his arm off my head in irritation. "Shortie, seriously" I was about to respond but he cut me off.

"Now lets try that again.",he said "And next time you lose focus, I won't catch you."

~

After a another try, I finally got it. I had to. Piccolo wasn't playing around, he even taught me how to sense energy and made me spar with him for a few minutes. Key words: Made me! The man could've killed me but I think thats what made it more fun.

We headed back inside. Gohan just put Pan to sleep and I found Videl in the kitchen, cooking. Guess I was too distracted to notice her before.

"Hey Videl."

"Hey. Oh and Gohan told me not to say you're name around Piccolo.",she said. "Why is that though?"

"Good question." Piccolo said.

"I have my reasons.",I said. I poured myself a glass of water and drank half.

"Yo, Piccolo do you want some?",I asked.

"Yeah, sure.",he said. I smirked before licking the top of the glass in a circular motion all while not breaking eye contact to show him I meant business. I then handed him the glass. He gave me an annoyed look.

"Another joke? I thought we talked about you being a terrible comedian. There's no way I'm drinking that.",he said. "It's probably infested with all your horrid germs."

"You know some people would kill for at least a quarter of this water."I said. "So you're so high and mighty that you can't even drink from the same glass as a commoner like me?"

"Well I'd say I'm mightier than you.",he stated proudly.

"Wow, look at King Piccolo over here. Thinking he's too good for my poor people water."

Videl tapped me on the shoulder and whispered in my ear. "Actually his father was King Piccolo so...and also this is my poor people water you're drinking."

"Oh so King Piccolo Jr, its funny how-"

Piccolo cut me off when he grabbed the glass from my hands then drank it before stomping out the room.

"Maybe I shouldn't have said that. He obviously has daddy issues."

"I went too far.",I stated.

"Yep.",Videl agreed. "Piccolo doesn't like going back there. The memories. You better apologize."

"What? Me?" Videl just gave me her guilty glare. She didn't stop until I agreed.

"Fine.",I whined. "You're the worst sometimes."

I stepped outside but he was nowhere to be found. I tried to track his energy but it was faint, I guess I'm not that good yet. Though I managed to sense it. I took off to the skies because where he went was too far to walk. I actually got nervous seeing as theres no one to catch me this time but I just focused and let the wind flow through.

I found him surprisingly at the same spot we met. He was just standing there, looking at the horizon from above. I tried my best to land smoothly but fell ass first.

"So much for a silent approach. He definitely heard me."

I walked over to him, taking caution with every step, since I probably pissed him off good.

"Hey. I'm sorry for what I said. I shouldn't have said those things." I said. "And I'm grateful for you teaching me, I know I can be a bit much-"

"A bit?"

"Ok, a lot." I sat down on the edge of the cliff with my feet dangling. Apologising was really hard. I needed to sit down.

He sat next to me with his legs crossed and we just sat there in a comfortable silence. Apparently it wasn't awkward, it was actually nice just sitting in silence with him.

"So are we good?",I asked. I looked up at the beautiful, green man who was still staring at the view.

"Yeah we're good."he confirmed. "Just don't-"

"Yeah I know I'll try to stop pushing your buttons.",I said.

He looked at me, this time with warm eyes, just having them stare at me made me feel all tingly. It was weird.

"Hmp, and stop interrupting me like that. If I'm gonna train you, you'll have to stop."

I sighed. "Fine. Such huge demands, I might add."

He chuckled. "Those aren't huge demands, you just dont want to do it."

I laughed. Its true I really liked bugging him and I don't listen to people that much. Thats why I cut them off. But if it means he'll stop being mad at me then I'll try.

"You asked my name earlier."I said. "Actually like a bunch of times."

"No need."he said. I looked at him a little confused. This guy almost let me die because I wouldn't tell him my name and now he doesn't wanna know.

"I'll find out your name sooner or later but for now I just want to know other things about you, Shortie."

"Don't lie. You just don't want me to tell you so you can keep calling me Shortie.",I said accusingly.

He chuckled almost trying to contain himself. He liked messing with me like how I liked messing with him.

"So I'll see you tomorrow then?"he asked.

"Nope, can't. Have to wash my hair."I happily said.

"So, doesn't that take a few hours?",he asked giving me a puzzled look.

I let out a chilling laugh, making him even more confused.

"Oh honey no. You see thats gonna take me the whole day.",I stated.

"The whole day?"

"Yeah, my hair needs special attention. This is my crown, mind you. I said tapping my afro hair lightly. "But day after tomorrow I'm free."

"Hmp, I'll never understand female earthlings.",he said.

"Its a blessing and a curse."I thought.

"Maybe you would if you actually had hair, baldy." I giggled but soon felt a bit bad when he didn't respond with a snide remark.

"Sorry."I said. I stood up and wrapped my hands around him from behind. I don't know why but it just came to mind. Looks like I really caught him off guard because he felt tense, like he didnt know what to do. It felt awkward enough so slowly released but he took hold of my hands and pulled me closer. I nuzzled my chin on his shoulder and just enjoyed the embrace.

"What a big softie."I thought. A laugh escaped my lips which I think snapped him out of it because he soon let me go.

"So yeah I'll see you later."I said, moving back slowly.

"Man that was awkward."

From the corner of my eye I noticed Piccolo glance over at me before quickly turning his attention back to the view.

"Aw, so cute."

I took off almost hitting a few trees but I got the hang of it. I could've sworn I heard Piccolo laughing at me.

[nomnomsik]

A Small Taste of Summer

Pairing: Taehyung x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 3.8K 

A/N: I can’t believe I wrote an entire oneshot in one day... I am beyond speechless. But, enjoy this pool summer fic in the dead of winter! Stay warm everyone! It’s absolutely freezing~

Trigger warnings: physical assault, stalking, yandere-themes, extreme violence, explicit dialogue. Please read with caution and understand I do not condone any of the actions in this fic. 

»»————-　♡　————-««

Bright sunny days were always the best. The sun beating down on the exposed skin of people who played in the pool, arms and legs lathered with sunscreen. Yet, the humidity of previous days was gone with a slight breeze blowing and rustling the trees. 

When the sun was shining high up in the sky, small clouds floating through the vast expanse of blue, you would run out of the door, your mother yelling at you to wait for her before you crossed the street. 

“Hurry up, mom!” You called, waiting by the crosswalk in the suburban area of houses with pretty green lawns and large sidewalks, wide enough to fit an entire family. With a thin white t-shirt covering your bathing suit, and blue shorts with your feet comfortably fit in sandals, you jumped up and down, a large smile on your face. 

“Mommmm~” You whined, spinning around as your mother still stood by the entrance to your house, locking the door with her handbag over her shoulder. “We’re going to be late!” 

“Yes, yes… Like community pools close at 1 pm. I learn a lot from you every day, darling.” 

When your mother finally got to your side, you reached out for her hand, ready to cross the street together. She pulled her hand away as you sulked, running up ahead and turning the corner as the smell of chlorine intensified as you got further down the block. “Be careful!” You heard your mother call from behind you, worry in her tone. 

“Mom, just let me go by myself! You’re sooo slow...” You pouted as you watched your mother slowly catch up to you. “And... I’m an adult now too…!” As you puffed up your chest, your mother just poked your forehead stringing you along into the community pool. 

“I know that, but I’m still worried.” She gave you a tired smile, as you frowned, folding your arms across your chest. 

“I’m not a kid and the pool isn’t more than six blocks away… Mom, please?” You begged, tugging on her thin shirt as she just gave you a reluctant glance. 

With her silence, you stormed away as she set her belongings on the lounge chairs that sat next to the pool. Pulling your shirt over your head and through your arms, you threw it onto the bench, dipping your foot into the crystal blue water. 

The water wasn’t too cold or hot as you slowly submerged both legs, feeling the soles of your feet touching the tile-patterned flooring. 

“Mom!” You yelled, waving your arms wildly in the air. “Mom, take a picture of me please!” 

She looked up from her phone, her glasses perched on the bridge of her nose as she gave an indifferent look. When she rotated her phone sideways, you smiled, giving several peace signs to the camera. Your mother gave you a thumbs-up as you turned back to the pool water you splashed in.

With more than half of your body under the water, you paddled around, finally turning onto your back and closing your eyes. The water swished back and forth from the other people who joined you in the water, letting your floating body be carried by the gentle waves within the pool. 

As you opened your eyes back, you stared up at the beautiful blue sky, with the sun blinding you as you quickly shut them back up. Your hair dragged you down as you struggled to get upright, your fingers digging into the side of the pool and stopping yourself. 

“Hey.” 

You looked over to where your hand lay, and up to the gentleman who stood crouched next to you. He had blue horizontally striped swimming trunks and a Hawaiian pattern shirt with only half the buttons properly fixed in. His hair was blonde, but as you continued to stare, there were dark black roots. 

“H-hello?” You asked confusingly, as the man just innocently smiled. 

“Don’t know how to swim?” He smirked, his nose scrunching up as you took offense to his teasing. “I can teach you since you’re pretty.” 

You exasperatedly laughed, crossing your arms as you gave a look of disbelief at the man. Was he flirting? And why did he have to be so nasty? Did he do this to all girls he found “pretty”? 

“I’ll take the compliment, but I can already swim.” You huffed, plunging your entire body underwater and swimming a few feet in front of you. As you lifted your head back up, your hands wiped your eyes as water dripped back into the pool. “See?” 

“Cute.” He smiled again, as you sighed. “Should I get you some swimming goggles?” 

“No! I can swim just fine!” You emphasized.

“Want me to introduce you to my grandmother?” He grinned, ignoring you and standing up, stretching his arms up above his head. 

“What?” You gave him a perplexed stare as you still stood in the water, feeling the splash of another family’s children. “I don’t even know who-”

“Oh, I’m Taehyung! You can call me Tae though. I'll introduce you to my lovely grandmother! But, you have to make a promise with me.”

Side-eyeing the man who had to be the same age as you, a nervous look graced your expression. Your stomach bubbled as you didn’t really want to ask what his proposal was. Nor that you cared.

“Go out with me, please?” He pleaded, leaning over the edge of the pool as he grasped both of your hands together. 

Your face broke into a smile as you laughed, and as terrible as you felt afterward, you couldn’t help yourself. This man was actually ridiculous and his entire existence was so incredibly laughable and preposterous. 

“Oh my god, that was a funny joke. You can’t be serious.” You snorted, pulling your hand away from his grasp as his expression still remained the same, happy and cheerful.

“But, I am serious! You’re pretty and I really like you. C’mon… Do I really look like a terrible guy?” He sulked. “At least tell me your name?” 

“Y/n.” 

“Well, y/n, please? I’ll be indebted.” 

“What for though?” You countered, crossing your arms. When Taehyung couldn’t find the right words, you turned away and swam off in the other direction. He clenched his fists, burrowing his head into his legs.

“Grandma is going to kill me…” He mumbled, standing up and walking over the other building.

Meanwhile, you made it back from where you started, staring at your mother who seemed to have fallen asleep. You pushed your body up, feeling the water that had soaked into your swimsuit try to drag you back down. When you finally got the first leg over, you rolled, leaving a wet trail behind you as you successfully, but not coolly, got out of the pool. 

Grabbing one of the dry towels, you ruffled your drenched hair and wiped your legs down. As the towel couldn’t handle more water, you threw it in the wastebasket, picking up your shirt and covering yourself back up. It stuck to your wet swimsuit and you shrugged, sliding into your sandals as you shook your mother awake. 

“Mom, we can go home now.” You smiled as she blinked several times, yawning and sitting up. “You should really get some rest at home, mom.” She just shrugged you off, grabbing her belongings and walking out together.

“Sorry for always dragging you along with me, mom.”

“Nonsense… I… c-care about you… That’s all.” 

She turned her head away as you stared up at her, feeling your lips curl up into a warm smile as you nodded. When you grabbed onto your hand, you felt her accept it, letting you curl your fingers around hers. 

“Yeah… Let’s go home, mom.”

»»————-　♡　————-««

“Mom, I’m heading out!” You yelled, stepping out of the door and feeling the breeze blow through. 

“Be careful! And don’t-” You heard her voice echo through the house as her voice got softer and softer. You giggled, poking your head back in the house.

“You’re the one that should be careful! Get some sleep and stop working too much!” You yelled back, shutting the door before you could hear your mother argue back. As you dashed down the block, you waited by the crosswalk, watching as cars drove past. 

You hummed as you walked to the community pool, watching as children splashed each other and others floated in those cute inflatable tubes.

As you entered through the gate, you watched as several kids ganged up on the one sitting in the inflatable tube, pulling him down and soaking him in the water. At first, you were worried the child couldn’t swim, but as you saw his head appear back up to the surface and lunge his body at the other kids, you giggled. 

“Oh, hey!”

As you looked over, the blonde boy from yesterday jogged up to you, smiling. You flinched as he got close, staring at his different patterned Hawaiian shirt. 

“Did you change your mind, beautiful?” 

“I don’t even remember your name…” You murmured as you tried to walk off to the other side of the pool. The man just followed behind you, smiling and staring at the pool. 

“My name is Taehyung! Do you think you’ll remember now?” 

“Well, Taeyoung-”

“No, no, TaeHYUNG-” He emphasized the h-sound as you set your bag on the lounge chair, throwing your shirt above your head, before dashing to the pool. 

Taehyung watched as you quickly ran by, jumping into the air as you made a huge splash in the pool. The side of his body got wet as water splashed everywhere, his expression furrowing as you swam away. 

He stomped away, back inside one of the buildings of the community pool. As you kicked your legs in the water, you felt a poke on your shoulder as you turned around, to find a girl who looked a bit older than you. 

“Is Taehyung bothering you?” She whispered, brushing the wet strands of hair away from her face. 

“Oh, I don’t really care. I could care less about the guy.”

“Ugh, I remember how he did the same thing to me. Always asking me to be his girlfriend. I’m just glad he’s found someone else to pine after.” She rolled her eyes at the memory as the two of you hung and swam around the pool together. As you were making the third lap around the perimeter, she explained. 

“Taehyung and I were good friends, but both of us come from the neighborhood over. Taehyung only comes to this pool because it’s bigger and his grandmother is undergoing physical therapy at the building over with the gym.” 

“So, you’re telling me once the therapy is over, he won’t come back right?” You pondered, turning your body until you lie on your back. 

“Perhaps, I don’t know. But, isn’t the pool closing in three weeks? With it almost being fall…” 

“Ah, true. I mean it’s no big deal. I wish he didn’t talk to me.” You laughed, propelling yourself as you pushed your feet off the walls of the pool. 

As you conversed for another hour, you learned her name, Aveline. You both stepped out of the pool, the two of you walked over to the bathrooms, off to the side of the pool and secured with a large and heavy door. You had heard it was because kids had normally spray painted the insides and the community pool had to deal with the vandalization and pay for replacements. 

When the door shut, you squeezed your eyes, it smelled like body odor, urine, and dirty pool water. But, you let the shower spray your body as the chlorine washed off. When you finished, you stepped out as fast as you could of the bathroom, grabbing the nearest, clean towel and drying down your body. You hated going in there. 

"I'll see you tomorrow if the weather's nice." You called as you dressed and slipped on your sandals. 

"Cool. See you tomorrow." She replied, walking into the community building as you left the premises of the pool.

The sun was setting as you began your walk home. You lugged your bag over your shoulder as you happily went down each block. And as you waited by one of the intersections, looking at the light to change, you saw it. 

The sun was directly behind you and on the ground, there were two shadows. Your heart pumped as the traffics lights had changed, your legs taking a shaky step as you crossed the street. As you kept your eyes on the ground, you watched the sidewalk, hoping your eyes had momentarily deceived you. 

But they were right. When you entered a clear, open sidewalk, you could see his shadow off to the left of yours. You immediately turned around, hearing the panic of his movements as he dodged behind a post office drop box. 

Your eyes squinted as you felt your head swirl. Do you lead him to where you live or do you run in circles? The last thing you wanted to do was get unexpected visits so you ran down the street, illegally crossing to the other side as you heard his footsteps rush too. 

As you turned the right-hand corner, you didn't follow the sidewalk, running in the opposite direction of where you lived. It would be difficult to completely lose him, but if you could outrun him, then maybe… 

All you could hear was your harsh pants and all you could feel were your sandals loosening its grip around your leg. You cursed internally, looking behind you again to see Taehyung a bit farther off than before. 

You cut through the yard from the neighbor's house across the street, climbing up the metal fence and jumping over into the lawn. Taehyung watched as you landed on your two feet, disappearing behind the house. 

You sneaked your way from the back to the front of the house, unlocking the gate that led to the backyard and slipping through. Your legs sprinted to the other side of the street, opening your door and shutting it with a slam. 

"I'm home!" You called, your back sliding down against the door as your bottom hit the floor. "I'm home… Thank God…" 

"Welcome home." Your mother called from the living room as you entered to see her cozied up on the couch. "... What's wrong?" She frowned as she noticed your dark expression.

"Ahh…" Your voice wavered and cracked at the end, your eyes looking off to the side as you tilted your head downward, turning away. "Nothing much, mom… Did you rest well?" You asked instead, your mother standing up from her seat and letting her blankets fall onto the rugged floor. 

"What's wrong?" She whispered, cupping your head between her hands as she lifted your head up. “Why are you crying…? Darling...” 

“I-I, I was-” Your voice broke for the second time as your head rested on your mother’s shoulder. “So, so, scared… I was running-... Thought-”

“Breathe…” Your mother rubbed your back soothingly as your nose began to congest and your tears blurred your vision. “Slowly… Don’t rush. Mom will wait right here.” 

When you began to calm your body down, taking a seat on the couch, you recounted the story to your mother as her body tensed up and nails dug into her own skin. She said nothing when you finished, only pulling you into her chest as she tightly embraced you, holding you for several minutes until letting go. 

When you looked up at her, she just poked your nose, standing up and running her hand behind your ear. She was never one to say much, even though she loved you more than herself.

You stayed home for the next two weeks, trying to forget the scarring memory as you spent your time busying yourself around the house. Sometimes, you would sit by the living room window, staring up at the beautiful sky and the calming breeze that blew into the house. You sulked, upset and anger boiling in you as you trapped yourself inside. 

“Mom~” You chirped, poking your head into the living room as she sat there, laptop resting against the coffee table. “Mom… The pool is closing in two days and I was thinking… Could we go together?” 

You looked down at the repeating pattern against the rug, feeling heat rush into your cheeks. How shameless were you to ask your mother to take you to the place where a crazy man lingers, perhaps waiting for you. 

“Are you sure about this?” 

Your head shot up as a chill split down your spine, your legs shaking behind the wall you hid behind. 

“If I’m with you, then I’m sure.” 

»»————-　♡　————-««

“Is he there?” Your mother called as you stepped through the gate and into the community pool grounds. Your eyes darted left and right as you tried to track down the head of blonde hair and Hawaiin patterned shirt. 

“He is…” You whispered, squeezing onto your mother’s hand. “But, I doubt he’ll try to do anything if you’re with me.” 

She gave a hum of agreement as the two of you walked over to the lounge chairs next to the pool. As you threw over your shirt, you spotted Aveline waving at you from the other end of the pool. You splashed in, swimming over as you smiled. 

“Hey, where were you? You disappeared for so long I thought you weren’t real for a minute.” She complained, splashing water at you as you chuckled. 

“Well, actually, something scary happened-” You began, until you were harshly cut off. 

“Oh hey! Y/n!” 

You flinched, holding onto your friend as Taehyung smiled at you, waving. 

“I was wondering-” Taehyung started, only for a cold voice to cut him off.

“Excuse me. Why are you talking to my daughter?” Your mother walked over, as Taehyung looked over. 

“Oh, are you her mother? Hi, I’m Taehyung! It’s nice to meet you!” He beamed at her, delight sparkling in his eyes. “Oh, let me get my grandmother out here!” He called, running into the community building and disappearing from sight. 

“Thanks.” You mumbled, your arms covering yourself as you felt your body grow cold despite the warm sun beating down on you. “I’m actually going to use the bathroom real quick.” 

As you climbed out, water droplets splattered the ground as you made your way to the bathroom building. It was cold as you stepped inside, with two lights flickering above in the ceiling. The tile floor was slimy, with chunks of dirt and sand littered all over the floor. 

Ugh, should’ve brought my sandals. 

As you approached one of the bathroom stalls, the lights turned off. Your body stopped as you hated the pitch-black darkness and the hallucinations your eyes would play on you. You took several steps back as you retraced your steps to the door. 

But, instead of the door, you collided into another person. And then two intense hands grabbing at your shoulders, pulling you down to the dirty floor. As your hands fought back in the darkness, you could feel and make out the figure. 

“I’m not going to let you out until you agree to go out with me, y/n,” Taehyung growled. “I’m not taking no for an answer. I will make you.”

“Get off me, you monster!” You shrieked, kicking your legs and pulling his hair that you could feel his strands rip off his head. “I don’t even fucking know you!” 

As you could feel his grip release, you overpowered the boy, your teeth biting his flesh and arms throwing him down to the ground. You sprinted to the door, pulling on the heavy door handle, but feeling it not budge. 

“I locked it.” Taehyung snarled. “I can’t believe you fucking bit me.” 

“Someone!” You screamed, banging on the door, but knowing how the bathroom was off to the side of the pool and the large metal door in your path, your hope began to drain by the second. “AHH!” 

“HEY!” 

You both froze as the sound of a toilet flushing echoed in the bathroom. If you weren’t scared for your life, you would’ve found it funny.

“What the fuck is going on?” Another voice echoed in the bathroom as a woman stepped out of her stall. “Is this some sort of prank you kids are into these days? Do you know how much trouble you’re going to be in?” 

“I think you’re the one that’s going to be in trouble here, hag.” Taehyung spat. You were somewhat thankful for the lack of light because if you were to see Taehyung’s face, you weren’t sure how you’d react. “I’ll fucking kill you.” 

“If I can break my grandmother’s own legs, do you think I can’t do the same shit to you? I’m going-”

Taehyung was interrupted by a loud bang on the door. 

“Y/n, are you done, honey? Wait, why is the door locked?” 

“Mom?” You gasped, banging on the door. “It’s locked! T-tae locked me in!” 

“Shit… He locked you in? Okay… Okay, I’ll be right back! I’ll get them to open the door!” 

Taehyung sighed in the darkness, your eyes barely making out the shake of his head. His arm seemed to move and rest on his hip. 

“You really, really, pissed me off. You know what? If I can’t have you, I might as well start with you first.” Taehyung grunted, sounds of metal rustling in his pocket as your body tensed. Before Taehyung could jump on you, he was pulled back from behind. 

“He has a knife! Stay away!” The woman yelled, trying to maintain a secure grip on him as Taehyung struggled in her grasp. 

“You’re! All! So, fucking, annoying!” Taehyung went feral, back elbowing the woman until she collapsed on the ground. His breathing was intense and his pants filled the bathroom as he redirected his attention to the other way. In the pitch darkness, he couldn’t tell exactly where you were, making slow steps to the corner in which you cowered in, away from the door. 

Before Taehyung could grab a hold of you, the door slammed open as several people rushed in, as well as a security guard, gazing in awe at the scene that played in front of them. In a blink, Taehyung was slammed onto the ground as you scrambled to your mother, taking you out of the bathroom as your tears finally released from your body. 

“I’m so sorry…” Your mother whispered, hugging you tightly. “I’m sorry I ever put you in a position like that. Please, please, forgive me.” 

“Y/N!” Taehyung screeched from the women’s bathroom, his voice only getting softer. “Don’t think for a second, I’ll ever forget this!!! If I ever see you again, I’m going to rip your-”

Your mother dragged you far away, covering your ears as she grabbed all of your belongings as she cleaned you with a towel and wrapped another one over your shoulders. 

“Let’s go home and warm up a nice bath. You would like that, right?” Your mother spoke as she held you by the hand. As you followed her footsteps, you stared up at the pink sky, expression emotionless. 

Bright sunny days were the worst. 

[semi-imaginary-place]

In which I play maddening classic with only Byleth and Dimitri and liveblog on discord 1/15/20 - 2/2/20

because if I’ve got to see a character die repeatedly, countless times, it might as well be dimitri.  

So I'm on maddening and classic with only dimitri and I’m going to kill off every other character. I heard if they reach 0 hp in part 1 they stick around the monastery and you can talk to them they just aren’t a part of your class anymore. Give me your blessings.

I died on the prologue! ... i dont have a healer... Death count:2

I am definitely new game+ cheating this for professor level and skills. I was thinking magic focused but she can't be too squishy... Gremory would help that. Also why do all the magic classes have bad growths. Give me a moving fortress of magic!

Ashe went down, 7 to go. Ch3 turned into a survival horror... but i made it out

Ch 6 is hell. Any idea for how to kill every last one of them in 25 turns with only byleth? Or alternately get to and take down the death knight. Only byleth and dimitri run. And no dimitri this chapter, Byleth's a thief

My main problem in crowd control. If i had infinite turns then i could agro them 1 by one... Maybe I've built byleth wrong and just don't have the stats. Is the warp route faster? Haven't tried that yet. In hindsight this was a bad idea for my first maddening run. I'm so used to not using byleth much that this is very different. Damn archers...  Got done in by chip damage the first time...

I I dont know what happened... but I beat the death knight.... I was expecting to die becausr i accidentally opened the door so i skipped what actually happened.... Next thing I know game is telling me i got a dark seal What  Did I crit? With a silver sword? Im in shock I DONT EVRN I dont even know if it was a crit! But byleth is thief so lethality is out of the question Maybe I should go give a sacrifice to rng god

so I was in shock but yeah I used the warp route and avoided fighting most of the enemies.

So i'm now at the winter ball chapter and felix is still alive (i've decided to off one character every chapter so Miklan downed sylvain. oh and first time through ch5 i accidentally stepped into range of one of the center archers so every unit rushed me and i died) and i tried felix's paralogue and wowo its impossible. Rodrigue dies in 2 attacks, outruns my healing and likes to charge headfirst into the enemy. My record so far is 3 turns before he dies. Might give up since this is optional.

(i eventually finished the paralogue but gave up saving anyone else so i didn’t even get anything good out of it)

The ally A.I. is sooo bad. Jeralt. Dad. Please stop getting yourself killed

Almightly Father in Heaven preserve me. I'm making dimitri learn reason.  maybe his rationale will start making sense no more moon logic for you boy

Hey. Why wont the game let me make dimitri a dark bishop

I need dark mage certification first? Or is the internet lying to me

Well dimitri is at c+ reason but I'm tired of grinding.  

got dimitri from c+ to b+ in a battle. But the boredom makes me want to cry.  Also might have miscalculated.... Fighting an assassin in a forest.... i have 35% hit and no other weapon. They have like 18% hit....  When will i be free...

I made dimitri into a dark bishop and he beat lysithea in the magic tournament.  Also just the thought of dimitri in slithers is funny to me

wrath is how i survived the sothis paralogue. crit everything

chasing the empire around in the hold tomb with 2 units was actually kinda fun

I cant believe that worked... Final battle of part 1. I charge down the middle. And it works 4 turns for infanty to cross the field... and it worked ... Welp i somehow made it to part 2 intact. Endless waves of reinforcement here i come

(Oh yeah and rng is punishing me right now by giving terrible level ups)

For the bridge is it best to go straight for the commander?

bridge wasn’t too bad but I was convinced to spare dedue so i had to fend enemies off him like ants to a dropped ice cream cone. if dedue reaches 0 hp or you don’t do his paralogue he dies in fhirdiad and I’m trying to get everyone off my party but not dead, soooo he’s along for the ride

I'm stuck on am ch 14 ... how do I defend 4 spaces when I have 2 units... Those pegasus knights keep dodging too... Damn pegasus knights.... without them i could just hold a choke point with 1 unit. I have 4 gambit uses maximum... Another thought I had is to out fly their flyers so I can shift byleth over quickly. if I take out randolf in delusional prince the map doesn't end. It just stops reinforcements right? 

Soo I tried to kill randolf but my movement is too low. It takes 3 turns to reach him...

Yup this is possible. But because I can't do things the quick way. I'll have to do the long way of waiting out the right side and then heading for randolf with byleth all the while holding out with dimitri in the center and hoping rng favors me for lije 20 turns

ALRIGHT WhIcH oF yOuSe a LIAR Sooo .... killing randolph does not stop reinforcements nor does it get you a victory, the fire attack is the only way. Time to go guard another npc with a death wish. Also Gilbert is unkillable in AM

FEAR ME The only way to beat a pegasus knight to to out pegasus knight the pegasus knight Falcon knight bae-by! I am unstoppable I. Am absolute (I am never doing this again)

Finally got past that defend 4 spaces with 2 units and endless reinforcements

I've figured out how to level grind since same level enemies are giving like 7exp each

Alright. Taking suggestions, on how to keep hilda and judith alive in golden deers plea.  Alternately, how to kill arundel in 2 thurns without archers destroying me.  With only byleth and dimitrti.  Right now I'm thibking retribution-> byleth and gunning it. Suggestions for abilities/battalions? My current thought is vantage, alert stance+, renewal, wrath, pavaise, and evasion ring and bridgid hunters

Well i can get to arundel before hilda dies but not judith. I'm starting a campaign to save judith. Please pledge your support on the indiegogo page below

whew judith and hilda and both alive! Stride was a good idea. just make a run for arundel. Kinda sad i didn’t get the aurora shield but eh I got the stat increases at least. I also tried propping up judith with byleth healing them but tanking doesn’t exist in maddening so that didn’t work.

I've been skipping cutscenes because there’s no one else there but gilbert

Things I have learned this playthrough: how to grind skills, how to grind levels, how to save scum level ups. 

I’m actually getting a lot of dialogue I missed before just because Byleth and Dimitri are taking down every single enemy unit

At fort merceus, and i want the black pearl.  And i'd like to avoid lindhardt and caspar.  I'm thinking 1: fly over nab the pearl and kill death knight.  2: wait it out and eliminate every last unit ob the map.  What turn does death knight start running? Or is when you get to a specific part of the map?  Or am i thinking of an entirely different map...

New plan. Forget everything else and kill death knight

I have beaten the death knight. I have beaten the impregnable fortress. 44% crit rate.  But I didn't get the black pearl in the treasure chest and i want my item so... i might redo the battle

Got my pearl. for an idea what the battle is like each turn each of the 2 units needs to be on one specific tile for the best chance of survival, if they die i usually had to restart the battle or change something to get a reroll. and you do this for like 5 turns learning the combinations with a mix of guesswork and trial and error. you also need to move quickly because if 4 units surround you, you’ll be stuck until you’ve defeated every single enemy unit on the map or more likely you die.

Ok story time.  So I'm on ch 21 of AM now and aux battle no longer give me exp so my only way of leveling is healing (the exp curve is brutal). Even with the double use of bishop, i'm running down to the wire getting 1 level up/battle (plus the next battle where they gain stats for its more like 1 level/2 battles). I ran out of healing with like 500exp left to go so i restarted but by the end of the 20 heals and 10 recovers I had a different number and now I’m confused Reddit is telling me turn count? Affects exp gain?

Anyways I'm in enbarr.  One of the many wonderful things about playing with only dimitri and byleth is that you can't change their starting positions in battles

Wow i did that on my first try. O.o  Huh that actually worked... Good thing hubert is squishy. spared dorothea and petra too. huh.

I just had a realization... on the last map of AM. If I apply retribution to everyone... could I kill edelgard with that without having to cross the room? Hmmmm must try it out

Nope cant counter attack. Good thing enemy units on this map are acting defensively and only attack when you go into range.  If they swarmed me I'd be dead (again)

Once you reach a certain tile they do swam... i lasted like 4 turns... need to clear the room to stop reinforcements...

(its impossible to stop reinforcements with 2 units on maddening. once you get to the throne room a new wave comes each turn. but clearing the rooms before hand buys you time before you are overwhelmed). To give an idea of what’s going on aux battles are aprox 10 levels below my units. regular enemies are about the same level (so each is a threat and my 2 units can die on any turn) and bosses are usually a couple levels higher.

Hehehehe I am so powerful I have beaten maddening with only byleth and dimitri (Dedue came along for the ride too but was never deployed to battle)

The final AM wasn't as hard as some of the others (defending garreg mach) but boy is it long.  I think my final turn count was in the 50s.  Also the credit screen character battle  count maxes out at 999

I think I got dimitri and byleth up to like 70 base crit last playthrough. Plus wrath and defiant crit almost garunteed each hit was a crit.

nope it was more like base 120 crit

In the end for both dimitri and byleth I used rng based builts around avoid and critical hits (after i figured out what the hell i was mid way through part 1). dimitri went through the brawler line and then split time between war master and great lord. Byleth went up the thief line to assassin and then falcon knight. for both of them i also got most of the class skills.

considering this was my first maddening or classic run, I looked at 0 strategy guides (like an idiot) and had no idea what i was doing in the beginning, I’d say I did pretty well for myself.

oh and I was mistaken about something, if a unit reaches 0 hp in part one they die off screen during the timeskip (except gilbert to my despair) so there was no real point to sparing dedue. I really do hate gilbert, it seems no matter what you do you are stuck with him all of AM. there is no salvation. and this is why i skipped all the cutscenes this time around.

Dedue didn’t have much if any influence on the playthrough. Dedue was never deployed in any of the chapter battles but he did tag along as an adjunct (no weapon equipped) in aux battle sometimes because I felt bad for leaving him out all the time (that and dedue pops up later in battle on the map in part 2 and if he was still a level 1 commoner i would have 0 chance of beating the map since enemies rush him). so him leveling up was to negate the consequences of keeping him alive. If i had gotten him killed i wouldn’t have to worry about keeping him alive later. By the time I got to part 2 the skill gain from tutoring was negligible compared to the amount gained from grinding in battles, also both units were starting to max out on skills (S+) so choosing to explore the monastery gave little benefit. Interestingly, you can’t do a lot of the monastery activities if you only have 1 student (choir, dining, etc). So even after Dimitri stops loafing around, having dedue there for eating meals and stuff wouldn’t have helped and I’d choose battle anyways.

I now know more about how the game works than I ever wanted to... For example the calculations for any probability check (hit/miss, crit, level ups, pass/fail) are long done by the time you see them. so to reroll the dice so to speak you have to go back a certain amount of time (varies for each thing. Level up stats are determined before you enter the battle field so you have to reload a save on or before the preparations screen. Whether you pass/fail a certification is already determined by the time you reach as given calendar date, so you have to reload to before that day. If you divine pulse a 95% hit rate that your unit missed to right before any action is taken with that unit, they will still miss. With only 2 units you will probably have to rewind to the previous turn, but with a full party you need to go back at least a few units but I don’t know the exact number. More or less forcing the game to run at least one different probability calculation than your target will reset whatever result was determined for your target.

When you have an infinite number of iterations, even the most unlikely outcomes eventually come to pass.

This run was  60% luck, 35% perseverance,  4% "grinding", 1% skill, 100% pain

edit: 5/1/2020: looking back, i was a stubborn idiot (as usual) for refusing to look up strategies or other solo maddening runs that people had already done. i can definitively say omegarevolution dealt with the defend map far better than i did. i never even considered +20hit to deal with falcon knights

oh yeah and i don’t have dlc or the nintendo online subscription so i couldn’t use any of that.

[01010010-posts]

the sound of his kisses muffled by your skin, a brief rustling of clothes here and there “you’re so cute” he whispers, letting go of your lips to peck your left cheek, and then your jaw, and then your chin, leaving room for you to respond “thanks, could say the same to you” he stops a moment and faintly chuckles at that compliment, his right hand already resuming to the task of teasing your hips “is this position comfortable?” he hints with his brow at the slim black recliner you two are leaning on, your spine kinda pressed by his whole body. however there’s no way you can reply now, too busy focusing on reciprocating his affection, what a needy man – you would never have guessed it; that RK900 was such a tender alpha, his cold exterior hid it too well, not that you had anything to complain about the former or the latter, for you loved both. another thing you wouldn’t have thought was him crushing on you as hard as you did. can’t complain on this side either. a low growl comes from his chest, along a silent buzz of his jacket’s pocket. his eyes roll in annoyance and, while lifting up a bit his torso, he reaches for his phone, giving you the time to breathe more freely “yes, detective reed?” of course it’s him. you giggle, mouth ajar, slightly short of air, warm blood weaving in the veins under your dark circles – thought you don’t know this but you’ve just made RK900’s heart skips a beat. and he can’t help but puts his fingers near your left ear, caressing your features, basking in your loveliness, ooh gavin could have waited even an entire day if this little android wasn’t so meticulous about work in the first place “mh, i understand.” he mumbles, deciding that these few minutes shouldn’t be wasted, and lowers down to gently nibble at your neck “i see, that makes sense.” at your carotid “no, i didn’t.” and at your collarbone “c’mon you’ll make me purr” you jokingly murmur but he retorts with a wink, still paying attention to the call “very well, then.” the last picking at the start of your sternum “i’ll hang up.” and he does, finishing his path of invisible lovebites in a hushed speech. you wonder how you’ll be able to face the other detective without being too embarrassed the next occasion you meet him “i’m sorry, looks like i have to go.” “y-yeah, figured.” you clumsily attempt to smile, using your elbow as a lever to start raising your figure “but i’d love if we could, uh, continue this?” fuck please yes “sure! – i mean, mh, sure, why not.” we’ve got to the part where you have to act casual but it’s not your forte, shit “perfect! seems i’ll be late this evening but you can come home with connor.” he slowly gets up to iron the wrinkles out of his suit with his palms. a kiss on your forehead and he’s gone. wait what. connor? he leaves you there, dumbfounded, trying to decipher his words. by all means it must be some kind of mistake, you didn’t hear right or maybe you did but he meant something else or.... not, as you get to confirm at the end of your shift. connor standing in front of the DPD entrance, tall, unsettled, probably concerned, most certainly awkward, 100% anxious “hey” you notice his digits unravel in a continuous motion, but as soon as you acknowledge that particular he’s quick to hide them in his trousers, perhaps playing with his usual coin “hey” a tiny show of his teeth in an immaculate friendly manner, he really is different from RK900, huh. “this is not going to work, i’m a mess” “you’re fine connor, love, you’ve been made for this” “stop joking you’re not helping. also, your scent is mixed with [name]’s and i have trouble restraining myself gosh” “do you want a human punchline?” “NO i do not want a human punchline” “you’re so funny i’d marry you” “i regret the day you downloaded a sense of humor” you point the tip of your shoes onwards and rock the heels backwards, to and fro, to and fro, looking at the glass doors disclosing the sudden downpour “sooo....” he abruptly wakes up from his train of thought “ah! it’s fine, i brought an umbrella!” from behind his frame appears the aforementioned dark object, which, honestly, wasn’t your first worry “that’s good.... but i actually wanted to understand.... how can i say it– what’s the deal?” “you haven’t told them?” “mh?” “you haven’t told them.” “oh. i might have accidentally forgotten.” “you’re dead.” he softly grits through his teeth and unwittingly you let out tiny gasp “oh so that’s the plan? to kill me?” his pupils quickly wander to you again “nonononono no no, i guarantee you that’s not what’s going to happen” you can feel a tinge of panic set in his bones (bones? he does not have them). making you distressed it’s the least he wants to, that, you can infer. however this does seem an episode of some crime tv series where two robots want to kill their co-worker for absurds reasons “i was– talking to myself.... i think.” he thinks. the return trip is weird. not because you actually fear he’s going to murder you (do you?) but because he’s.... too stiff. you’re familiar with connor. everyone’s familiar with him. he’s pleasant and easy to talk to, you’ve had plenty of conversations with him before – even flirts? one can say so? –, yet in this instant there’s a dead calm between your shoulders, each of you struggling to keep a topic going for more than twenty seconds. you hope to change this at the earliest opportunity “please take a seat if you’re tired” in his voice the ghost of confidence while his index begins to scrape at his jowl, he’s clearly nervous but does his best at finding something to occupy his mind, oh right! he should prepare dinner! “Nines is going to make us wait but you must be hungry.” you do as told, having a faded green chair caw above the white pavement “do you two live together?” he opens the fridge, taking out three eggs, one leek and half an onion “mh? yeah, we’ve been for quite some time now” (they’re a thing?) carefully he washes and chops the vegetables with a shiny knife. androids don’t need to eat so it’s almost obvious that he bought ingredients just for you, which is terribly sweet you must admit. did he also practice cooking for today only? gosh, the sole thought is enough to make you endearingly beam “and.... you’re happy?” he finishes cutting, in insanely equal pieces, and places down the cutlery. he needs a pan with a dash of extra-virgin olive oil, pinches of salt and pepper and everything’s ready to be sautéed “mhh” a subtle hum along a conspiratorial nod. the food sizzles “i am. and i wish for him to be too.” he wishes, uh. it’s the turn of the eggs, gently beaten in a bowl “of course, mh–” he fakely clears his throat as he pours the yellow concoction in the pan, again, stirring to blend “i– i’d love if you could be happy too– with us.”

[atopearth]

Shall We Date? Ninja Shadow Part 9 - Nakagawa Makoto Route + Blissfully Yours

I’m surprised Makoto called her out on her disguise so fast but I guess he’s not really one to waste his time dawdling and I like that he knows from the beginning that she’s a girl. I guess her conviction to protect her village and take care of it to the best of her ability struck Makoto to be something similar to his position . He also had to step in as the vigilantes head when Toru decided to abandon it, and he has lived as his brother’s shadow as well, so I guess there will be a lot of things they’ll have in common!😄

Lmaoo that she’s acting as his fiancee, they’re so cute. Makoto is such a softie though, he has expectations, but he can’t help but be worried, so when the heroine was on her first mission, he asked Asagi to use a shikigami to watch over her, it’s nice that he did that for Yuzuki when he had his first mission too! He’s such a great leader. Omggg I know it’s “punishment” but to kiss the heroine to prove to a random (he doesn’t realise it’s Toru) that she really is his fiancee is not very nice at all!

Luckily it was Shintaro that found out that she was a girl, since he’s the easiest to trick into thinking that it’s just a disguise and that she’s not really a girl haha. So cute how Makoto teases her all the time though, they’re so adorable~ Definitely wasn’t wise of the heroine to follow Willem when she got separated from Makoto but I guess it couldn’t be helped since she thought he was just any average merchant… Not sure what exactly Toru wants out of her though, does he want to assess whether she’s truly worthy of being Makoto’s fiancee or does he just want to see an agitated Makoto and that’s why he keeps making moves on the heroine? Omggg, it was so cute to see Makoto care so much about the heroine and be so honest about not wanting her to leave him and try chasing after them, I think he’s had enough of a scare, heroine! Let the poor guy take a break from worrying about you haha. It was so adorably funny when Makoto waited for Ukyo and the heroine to finish their mission so he could see if she was okay, and then when Ukyo put his hands on her shoulders, he immediately brushed them off and said “hands off”, Makoto is sooo cute! So funny when he kept calling her to do random errands for him as an excuse for him to keep seeing her lmao.

I’ve always thought about the possibility of someone killing people in the name of the vigilantes or something since no one knows who they are, so with this incident of someone killing a supposedly innocent woman in a way that only someone as skilled as the vigilantes could, it would be interesting to see how it unfolds. I wonder why Yuzuki thinks that Makoto would be killing these rich ladies that were after him because of a reason like his fiancee wanting him to get rid of these pests, that’s so not a Makoto thing to do, like ever. Like, just because he’s been acting different shouldn’t warrant such distrust… But ooh, so Makoto isn’t actually that well versed in fighting since he was devoted fully to his arts and planned to support Toru who was expected to lead the vigilantes financially through his paintings, but then Toru disappeared and he was forced to take it up and become the leader.

It felt so terrible to hear that Makoto was interrogated for an entire day… But at least he was able to hear that the heroine believes in him and that he could rest on her shoulder and feel comfortable and safe enough with her that he could sleep on her shoulder, it was really sweet and heartwarming to see that. I’m glad that Asagi believes in Makoto and isn’t as blinded by justice or as rash as Yuzuki. There’s not even any proof of it really being Makoto and yet he wants to take it to the magistrate’s office! Like seriously, you guys have been working together for justice in the vigilantes, why would Makoto kill these women for such a petty reason! I appreciate the others’ reactions much more since they are more neutral and are in doubt because of how suspicious things are but will not haphazardly deem Makoto to be the culprit so easily without further evidence.

Aside from Yuzuki continuing to be frustrating, the heroine hugging Makoto after he got officially suspended from the vigilantes was really sweet, their feelings have finally connected😊 Glad that they could finally show Yuzuki the trick to the smoke and show him that Makoto was accused wrongly. I love Makoto and her little interactions, they’re so hilarious and cute. But honestly, when the heroine got hurt by Willem’s gun, I was so happy to see Makoto so caring by watching over her every night and how concerned he was when she got hurt, it was just such a nice sight to see. So funny when he insisted on feeding her even though she was mostly better now. Lmao that he says he just doesn’t want to clean up after her if she spills her porridge, he’s so not honest🤣 Glad to see Yuzuki apologise to Makoto and for insulting the heroine since he was badmouthing the fiancee which was actually her hahah. But OMG, when Makoto kissed her a few times and then hurried back to his room without saying a word, HE WAS SO CUTE. DYING. Makoto is as wilful as usual towards the heroine but I love it hahaha.

Overall, I really enjoyed Makoto’s route, actually, I loved it. Loved it as much as Ukyo’s route so they’re my top two! I just loved how affectionate Makoto was, but he still tried to make it seem like he wasn’t into her but he totally was and that was so cute. The dilemma was also evidently relatable considering both their circumstances with their brothers etc and showing that they can stand through anything together, and how much they believed in each other and how that really solidified their relationship. Really enjoyed it, so happy! Gonna dig into the S2 now! Still find it really sad that Toru was captured as usual though, since I agree with him to an extent. So I guess having Tsubaki actually be a rebel against the shogunate that recognises Toru’s ideals and leadership qualities in being able to affect people is definitely something understandable. It’s kinda weird to see Hijikata be such a hot headed guy that isn’t good at calculating things ahead since I feel like I’m used to that calm type of Hijikata from other games haha.

I like Zeyo. He respects Tsubaki’s dream/goals even if he may not agree with it and thinks that since it’s his dream, whether it be unjust to other’s eyes or not, this is the path that he chose, so he’ll support him by watching over him as a friend and not doing anything. Maybe what Tsubaki is doing may seem wrong to others but it may not necessarily be wrong and I like Tsubaki’s firm belief in himself and Zeyo’s respect for that. It’s so hard to see Makoto feel so terrible over Toru’s exile, enough to kind of want Tsubaki to actually be able to take him away. Makoto really did respect Toru after all, and Toru seems to really care for Makoto as his little brother and wants to protect him and the place he lives in and that’s why he chose what he did I think, so it’s pretty saddening to see everything turn out like this… But yeah, Toru escaped with the help of Tsubaki anyway so…

Honestly, I’m not a fan of this S2. I felt like it added nothing to the story and only rehashed the problem in the first story without really doing anything about it again, since Toru got away and although Makoto laments over Toru, it doesn’t show anything beyond that, and he’s back to teasing the heroine like usual. It just felt like nothing happened tbh and I’m disappointed. Basically, first story was awesome but second, not really, very skippable lol.

[iyliss]

Sooo @lily-liegh I finally finished writing everything for your gift >w< It ended up much bigger than expected so I have to post it here under a read more. Also I went for a travel in Paris since I know the place at least a bit, and im sorry if it isn’t always well written and has lots of mistakes...

Anyway I hope you enjoy it ♥♥♥

First, how they ended up travelling together... First was Akira, who had to go to Paris for a week for a business trip. But he managed to get paid for another week there, so he could have some nice holyday with Aoi since they never really travelled like this. But well Aoi couldn't stay alone in this city she doesn't know for the week that Akira had to spend on work... So he asked her if she had any friend or classmate who would like to come,and she invited Yusaku and Takeru.

When he heard about this, Kusanagi kindly « offered » to take care of the kids if he could come with his brother. Meanwhile, Ema kind of imposed herself and her brother in the trip because she always wanted to go to Paris (and Akira trusts her on keeping an eye on Aoi).

As for hanoi....Well, very sadly, Baira and Faust had a last minute work preventing them from doing that travel they had prepare... But it would be a shame not to use the plane ticket and hotel room ! Ryoken,what about you go with Specter ! (actually they never planned on going to Paris, they just wanted to give Ryoken some actual holydays and knew he would have never accepted directly). And it turns out they are in the same hotel as everyone else, and they kind of decided to spend the week together.

Now for the planning. Takeru absolutely wanted to go to Disney Land, Revolver wanted to go to the  Museum d'histoire naturel (natural history museum??) to find stuff to give to the other knights. Specter totally agreed with him, especially since he learned that the botanic garden was nearby.

Kusanagi basically wants to see the classic places (louvre, eiffel tower...) and take a lot of photos. Aoi secretly wants to go to Disney too, and she knows her brother will bring her to all the museums she likes anyway. Ema absolutely want to explore the catacombs and go shopping. Kengo just want to go back as soon as possible.

They somehow managed to organize everything in a single week, by allowing a day for each person who will chose where the group would go. It ended up like this :

    Sunday : the plane actually don't arrive too late but Akira spoke words of wisdom : « don't plan anything. You'll just be laying on bed all day because of jetlag. »

    Monday : a whole day for disney world. It was the most sunny day, and monday is always better than week end or wednesday.

    Tuesday : Morning for the louvre (it's a bit cloudy), afternoon for the eiffel tower (some more sun)

    Wednesday : late at night is when the catacombs tour take place, so they just kept the rest of the day empty to do what they wanted on their own

    Thursday : Shopping time ! And visiting the old paris, buying lots of souvenirs.

    Friday : Museum d'histoire naturel+botanic garden. Takeru didn't understand how it could take up a whole day.

    Saturday : Packing up, the plane is in the afternoon.

And... How each day actually went :

The beginning of the travel was pretty nice.Takeru managed to get the window seat, Yusaku in the middle and aoi on the aisle side (she asked her brother to travel with her friends). On the other side are specter and ryoken. At first Specter wanted to be by the window but he quickly felt bad so they switched. Behind was jin (window), kusanagi (middle), ema and on the other side kengo.

The first few hours were a lot of fun, they had started to play some card games, Kusanagi had food for everyone, and they took beautiful picture. The first one to fall asleep was actually Yusaku. Surprisingly, he felt very good in the plane and managed to sleep more during the travel than in the last two weeks.

Ema decided to sleep to keep a healthy schedule. She didn't, and watched stupid comedy with kusanagi for hours while criticizing everything. Takeru fell asleep while watching movies, and Aoi had to crawl all the way over Yusaku to take off his headphones which he was starting to entangle beyond recuperation.

Specter watched a 10 hours long documentary about the Amazon forest. Ryoken red a book, then slept, then tried reading again but couldn't, then started a movie he didn't finish, then slept again a bit, woke up on some turbulations, red again, and all this the whole time. Kengo said he was reading, but really he was playing with the game there was on the screen in front of the seat.

Aoi just spent most of the time half asleep, looking at everyone and listening to music when everyone was sleeping. When they arrived, she ended up the most capable with Yusaku to guide everyone to their hotel room. Though they almost forgot Takeru, who had fallen asleep on one of the subway station seat and didn't follow the group when it came.

But the magic of Disney land blessed him during the night, and he actually woke up first singing (badly) all the worst songs. Aoi, Kusanagi, Ema and Kengo yelled at him to shut up because they already started to have the songs in their head. Everyone prepared, and they arrived at the park quite early. They were expecting to see some people, but not that much crowd.... and now here comes my lack of knowledge of how this thing is like (i never went to disney land ever). So I have absolutely no idea what is really there. So sorry it'll be a bit lacking…

But anyway, they came back to the hotel incredibly tired. Thanks god they had eaten so much junk food, they didn't even need to think about a dinner.

The next day was harder for everyone. The sky was grey, and they were more than afraid to get lost once more in a dense crowd. But they still got to the museum around midday and ended up splitting up. Ema, Kusanagi with Jin, Takeru and Aoi went to see the Joconde and all the important stuff. Specter, Ryoken, Kengo and Yusaku went to visit the other less crowded flours. The first group got their great dose of selfies to expose on social media, and even ended up « retranslating » the guides speaking language they didn't know but with stupid explanations.  The second group found a nice little exposition about how middle-east prehistoric civilization were worshipping nature that satisfied everyone. They ate at the museum's restaurant and went to the eiffel tower.

And it's at this point they realized the hell that was Paris' subway. They came back to where they were countless time, had to ask many people, and spent way too much time arguing about where to go... and about how to pronounce all the exotic words

(kusanagi swore to god that « bastille » was pronounced like baseball). But they still found their way, and the eiffel tower. « It's small » said Aoi. « it's huge ! » said Takeru. « And this is where Humanity's hopeless vanity started. » said Kengo. « Look there's a colleague ! » said Kusanagi as he was reaching for the closest Hot dog van, not even minding that they ate copiously 2 hours ago.

They climbed up the tower. It turns out Specter had indeed dizziness (or vertigo ? Like when you're ill on height ? ), so he stayed on the ground with Jin who was too tired and Kusanagi who was talking business.

As they were walking on the countless stairs, Ryoken couldn't help but talk about how this was nothing compared to his own tower. Eventually they reached the top and gladly enjoyed the wonderful view. Aoi and Ema started reading some flyers they managed to find in japanese about how the tower was built, and Ryoken and Kengo got in a deep talk about how high you should climb on such a tower to start having trouble breathing. Takeru found one of those thing used to see the city closer (where you have to put a coin), that looks a lot like a big canon, and said played with it like a big big laser gun.

When everyone gathered, it was already quite late and the restaurants were all full. They got back to their hotel, found a pizza hut on the way, and watch with much incomprehension french tv shows in the same room.

The next day everyone woke up at their own pace. Aoi, yusaku and ryoken woke up quite early and decided to go buy croissants for everyone and enjoyed the grey morning together. After spending two days in loud crowds, the silent streets felt magic. When they came back to the hotel, specter had woken up and was a bit scared not to find Ryoken in the room.

After breakfast, ryoken, specter and Yusaku went around to find big book store with very specific books of their interests. They found a little shop with  old books, where Specter discovered an encyclopedia of plants from 1500~, with watercolor illustrations. Then they ate a sandwich, and went down a street with a bunch of retro video game shops and old informatic stuff. They regretted quite a bit not being able to bring back the most fragile and big pieces.

Meanwhile Aoi waited for Ema to wake up, while looking for various stores (mostly CDs). They left at the beginning of the afternoon with takeru and kusanagi. (Jin was too tired, kengo was too grumpy) they got lost quite a lot, but managed to find their way and enjoyed a nice time of trying to tell the seller what french singers aoi was looking for with the most terrible pronunciation.

They gathered where the catacombs tour started. Since there wasn't any in Japanese, they went for the English one (ryoken, kengo and Ema could both understand it well enough to explain to the others. Kusanagi thought he could too but it turned out that beside informatic words, he didn't understand English that well). Though after some time they ended up just trying to scare each other (mostly everyone trying to scare takeru). They also lost kengo and ryoken at some point. Ema thought it'd be funny to say they had been taken away by some zombies or demon. She almost got killed by specter. They eventually found them discussing French revolution at the entrance (they were bored and left).

Thursday: once again, they ended up in way too much crowd. Specter spent the whole time whining about all the people, except that moment they stopped to eat chocolate crêpes. Takeru had a little list of things he had to bring back for him and kiku. He barely bought half of it, and he spent most of his money on completely unrelated stuff(like those little metal eiffel tower). He still managed to find the hoodie he was looking for.

Kusanagi cried when he saw all the aprons there were in the souvenirs shops. He ended up taking picture of each of them and make a complicated organization to chose the ones he'll buy, two of each since yusaku needed one.

Ema bought more magnets than she had place on her fridge. She spent around an hour deciding if she should take one of those pin up lady ones. “They are so pretty! but that's still objectification of women. but they are really cute aaaah…”

Ryoken found a quite good old revolver replica and considered buying. Or more like Specter and Yusaku almost bought it for him before he allowed to gift himself with it.

Aoi tried not to buy much stuff since her brother always tell her about how all this is useless and just for tourist. She still fell for one of those little music box in cardboard boxes.

And of course they got lost countless time. And every time there was someone to say “wait let me check on my phone” to realize they had no connexion here…

When night fell, they found a nice little restaurant with traditional french dishes. Never did they eat that much cheese in their whole life.

Friday: specter was incredibly excited to see the garden, but it wasn't open in the morning so they first went to the museum. They spent hours at the place with dinosaurs bones and various animals exposed, until Specter realized it was 1 PM and he might not have time for the garden if he stayed with the others. So he went there with Aoi and Yusaku, who also wanted to see pretty flowers rather than dead animals.

There was strangely not that many people in the garden, and they greatly appreciated this calm moments after days of noisy crowds. Aoi took picture of all the colorful flowers, Yusaku red the little articles about the poisonous plants and did the little quizz with much concentration, and Specter skipped all the smaller plants and went to look at all the trees. He was very sad to hear he wasn’t allowed to touch all of them, but still took a lot of pictures and enjoyed it a lot. When he came back with a bunch of books from the nearby stores, Aoi pointed out it was all i english and he won’t be able to read them. “Don’t worry I can understand english well.” “But… you didn’t help us when we got lost?” “Revolver didn’t ask me to do so.”

The others kept enjoying the museum. Ryoken got the glorious idea to first go to the store and took his time to take stuff for each of the other knights, as there was a lot of choice. Takeru and Ema stayed at the animal section, amazed by all the wonderful creatures that lived on this earth (and takeru actually cried in the lost animals part, where it’s only species in danger or extinct). They also managed to scare Kengo with the dinosaurs reconstitution (Ema still has the recorded moment).

Kusanagi went with his brother to the geology section, and spent the whole time going for each pretty stones display wondering which one was the coolest. Also none of the three that went to the plants questioned why Takeru and Kusanagi had dino hats for the whole evening.

Saturday: Yusaku and Kusanagi woke up first. Yusaku didn’t have much stuff to put back in the bags, but Kusanagi had bought quite a lot and had to organize his luggage carefully to put everything in.  Ema thought about keeping enough space for her purchases, and managed to pack up quite quickly (tho she had to redo it completely once because she had lost her phone, which was inside the biggest bag). Revolver and Specter ended up with too many books, but by taking them with them for the travel they still managed to pack everything quite easily.

The real panic ended up for Takeru. He had bought way too many things for the space he had, so he had to organize everything like a tetris game. Despise that, he still asked yusaku and Aoi to take some of his stuff in their bags (Aoi would come back the next week so she didn’t had to pack, but she knew she wouldn’t buy much with her brother anyway).

They still came to the airport in time, could buy some food for the flight. They sat in the plain ready to enjoy the travel over the cloud once more… But every single one of them slept the whole time.

[imjustaweirdo93]

SPOILERS AHEAD PEOPLE, SO WATCH OUT  oh and it’s loong

As my first post here I want to talk about the awesomeness that is Avengers: Endgame, because I had couple of days to fully absorbe it and get out of the depression, so I need to write down my thoughts.

First of all … don’t really look much deep into it. Everyone is talking about loopholes and silly aspects of the film, but really…time travel isn’t real (well not yet) so there is no scientific proof of how it should work. Stop questioning it, just enjoy the movie and accept the explanation we got from Banner. For me it was really easy to understand.

Now, I want to really give the biggest credit to the rat, you know which rat. Without it Ant-man would be probably stuck in the quantum realm forever and there will be no one to think about time travel, so yaaay, hero was born (maybe give it a movie marvel?)

So one of the thing that I really liked about the movie and was probably the biggest surprise for me, was Thor. Yeah, didn’t see that one coming and oooh it was sooo good. Not that I enjoy depressed superheroes, but it was interesting change to the character, like….we know him as this unstoppable strong god who already lost so much, but still didn’t break and kept going and now…now he did break, he was a broken man and was going through it like we normal humans do. I don’t really get the hate, plus it was insanely hilarious.

Another thing I loved was Professor Hulk. Him, Rhodey, Ant-man and Thor were the funny core of this film and I didn’t expect that at all. It was interesting to see him as this peaceful, calm, funny being giving his previous struggle with Hulk. Who knew huh.

Ooooh and the best scene of course - Avengers Assemble. That was just pure orgasm guys. That was the reason we all watched all those movies right? To get moment like this and it was totally worth it. 

Let’s talk about endings….

NATASHA

For her I never really had some emotional bond, but in Endgame they finally give her some space to really show her true colors, to shine and when she died I was heartbroken. As soon as they reveal that she and Clint were going for the soul stone everyone must have known what will happen. Clint wanted his family back and she wanted to save everyone. It was her purpose and it kind of makes me happy in the end. Not the fact she died, but the reason behind all of it. Also the whole scene between them, who will die and who will live, was great. There was no romantic love between them but it felt more real and raw than some romance. I wasn’t hyped for the Black Widow movie, but after this I am.

CLINT

The reason why I like him is because he’s one of the few parental figures in marvel movies. Someone here wrote something about people not caring for Hawkeye’s family, which is not true, I cared. The first scene hit me hard and I was thinking to myself “they want to torment us from the start?!” and yeah, I already felt terrible. Also, people saying Clint should have been the one to die and not Natasha, because what he did in those 5 years?? They both did bad things, that’s life, but each of them had different purpose in life, so I’m glad there weren’t more children without father in the end.

STEVE ROGERS

I really never was a big fan of Cap. I respect him, he is THE MAN, great leader and role model, I also love Chris Evans, but other than that I always found him a little boring. That changed during the Infinity war (yeah, the beard helped) and in Endgame I just enjoyed every minute of him. Maybe it is because he is no longer some naive boy, we-have-to-do-it-right boy. He has grown a lot and been through a lot, he knows better now. Also he apparently swears now and that gives me life. Anyway, since Age of Ultron I just knew that one of the great trio will die eventually, but for some reason I never thought they will rid of Thor, which left Tony and Steve. I was really really sure they will kill Steve, because it just felt there is nothing for him in the future unlike Tony who wanted to start a family and till the end of the movie I really thought they will go with the reasonable choice, not the most heartbreaking. Boy was I wrong. A lot of people said they ruined Cap’s character, that he wouldn’t just go live with the love of his life into the past, that he wouldn’t just stop fighting. But that was all he had, he never had a chance with Peggy and as I see it? He wanted to honor Tony and Natasha and live a life that they couldn’t anymore…he wanted to rest too and that makes me happy. He deserves it. 

THOR

I bet a lot of people thought that in the end, he will be the great king he was supposed to be from the start, but like from the first Thor movie it was clear that it wasn’t what he wants anyway and I never really saw him as a king, so him going into the space with Guardians, trying to find his place in the universe is in my opinion great ending for our beloved God of Thunder. Maybe people think they ruined all his character developement, but just remember Thor at the start of this epic journey. He went from his worst to his best and then to his lowest and I really hope that means Thor will stick around for a little while longer as Chris Hemsworth expressed interest in playing Thor again in the future. Maybe he will join Guardians and that would be totally awesome, right??!!

TONY

Ugh….this one still hurts. Let me tell you this, I have a Top 5 favourite list of superheroes which are Spiderman, Daredevil, Batman, Guardians of the Galaxy (yes, I take them as one, because I just love all of those assholes to death!) AND Iron Man, so….yeah. When I was watching the movie I was so focused on the moment when they’ll kill off Captain America (mainly because I read some fake spoiler about him dying) that this shit hit me out of nowhere. Once I saw him holding all those stones I knew it’s over for him and from that moment I tried really hard not to sob for the rest of the movie. Ooh and when the dying scene came up I couldn’t look, it broke me. I was Thor-level broken. When we were leaving the theatre I remembered the moment between Tony and Strange, where he show him just one finger, one possibility and that broke me again, because in that moment Tony realized what he must do and why Stranger wanted Thanos to spare his life, so he can save all of them. He knew there was no other way than sacrificing himself. Geeez I thought I got over it, but I’m still too emotional. Anyway his end was epic, heroic, selfless and the last goodbye was beautiful. Thank you Tony, yes, you are Iron Man.

GUARDIANS

Gosh I was so happy they showed us Guardians at the end, ready for next adventure like the last five years didn’t happen. I think I like them more than Avengers. The biggest and maybe my only issue with this film was not bringing original Gamora to life. I was hoping the whole year thay they’ll find a way to bring her back and in a way they did, but still, it hurts me that the real Gamora, with all the memories and love for Peter is gone forever. At least Quill was searching for her in the end, so let’s hope it was foreshadowing of the Guardians of the galaxy 3, where they’ll find the past Gamora and make her part of the team once again (and fell in love with Peter again, because they’re like my all time favourite MCU couple).

Well, for me it was really amazing experience. I had no expectations, I just wanted to see anything they got for us and I wasn’t disappointed. There was everything. Fun, love, sadness, hope, happiness, action, drama and I’m really sad that I can’t see it for the first time one more time. So thank you Marvel, thank you Stan Lee and thank you Robert Downey Jr.

Love you all three thousand 

[thatgryffinwhore]

My Personal Voltron Season 7 Review

Okay, so I’m seeing a lot of S7 hate and love on here, and I have some opinions of my own, so let’s talk…

(Just so you know, none of my opinions are influenced by which ships did or didn’t get their moment.)

THE BADS:

• First off, I hated the game show episode. Hated it. The only part I liked was the end where they all voted for who should get to leave and gave reasons for it, but then they just cut through a good moment with Keith’s reasoning for picking Lance. Like, totally threw his character development out the window for a jab at Lance, which, ha ha, makes an audience of ten-year-olds laugh I guess. But for older and long-time fans of the show, it just fell short of anything good. The whole episode was full of Lance jabs, too. And Lance has been developing as a character, so I don’t think that was very fair. Here, it’s like the one-sided rivalry all the way back from S1 is back, but this time Keith, the leader, is the petty one. I just really didn’t like that episode. Overall, they were barely in character, character development was completely ignored, and it did not move the plot along What So Ever. Filler episodes were cute in earlier seasons, but this season is the penultimate. There’s sooo many more filler options that could’ve maintained the tone of the season while still being funny and light-hearted.

• Too many new characters. I feel like the writers are digging themselves in a hole here. Don’t get me wrong, I like Romelle, but she’s just… there. In the background. The only scenes where she’s given any screen time are comedic ones, which is great, but she’s just tagging along and the loss of hER ENTIRE CIVILIZATION AND HER BROTHER DYING IN HER ARMS Is never acknowledged. I would’ve liked to have seen a bonding moment between Allura and Romelle, maybe even with Coran. Hell, they could’ve made THAT the filler episode. Aside from Romelle, I feel like they did a good job with Krolia’s character and her bond with Keith, but they haven’t really given us a reason as to why she’s there. What’s her purpose? Too much screen time with too little impact on the plot, in my opinion. Don’t get me started on Acxa. No point. Literally no point. I seriously hope that the writers have plans for her in S8 other than Keith’s love interest. Characters don’t have to fall in love to get closure, but it seems like that might be the “closure” route they’re heading to with Keith and it scares me. It’s such a forced relationship. I don’t mind Keith getting with a girl but shit, at least put him with someone the audience can connect with. A blade member that he fought side-by-side with or something, not “I’m so sorry for being on an evil team, I’m different now” and “don’t you remember how she never wanted to kill him uwu” ugh. Please stop. And I like Griffin’s team, a lot, but I’m not sure what the purpose is of introducing a group of characters with main-character potential with only one season left. Maybe it’s a surprise, or maybe they just did it so the audience could be better invested in the flashbacks about what happened to Earth.

• The??? Fucking getting lost in space??? How? Like, I sort of understand the purpose: Keith’s been separated from the team for a while, and they need to re-establish their bond. However, it seems like Keith’s character development has been ignored again, and he’s reverted back to S1 Keith, which is really annoying. I was rolling my eyes the whole time. Like, I get it, they’re going a little space-crazy, and they’re gonna turn on each other a bit. But it’s like the writers forgot that they aren’t in S1 and S2 anymore, or at least that’s how it felt to me. Angsty Keith, *yawn* been there, done that. He’s an adult now. And their leader. They could’ve gone about re-forging the paladins’ bonds another way. Not to mention, the time-lighting thing was never explained, never made any sense. Oh! And guess what else was ignored? The characters figured out a long freakin time ago that they could call out to their lions for help, did they just forget?

• Shiro and Keith practically don’t interact throughout the entire season, besides ep 1. Again, I kind of get it. They dedicated an entire episode to their bond, last season and this one. I’m not looking for more proof of their bond, but they need to talk about Shiro being dead, Keith fighting his clone, and Keith willingly falling to his death with Shiro. They’ve both got to be traumatized on some level, and it’s not even acknowledged. Like, what are the writers afraid of? Are they afraid that the Sheith shippers will get their hopes up? Are they afraid Klance shippers will get mad? Are they afraid people will get bored of Shiro and Keith interacting? Did they just not have enough time to address it (*cough* game show episode *cough*)? Like, regardless of the reasoning, a lot of shit happened between the two that needs to be talked about. I don’t know and it doesn’t matter if the writers intend for them to be like brothers or best friends or something more, that kind of stuff needs closure. Shiro probably has nightmares about dying/being dead and trying to kill his team. Keith probably has flashbacks of the first person other than his dead father to care about him trying to murder him and saying he should’ve abandoned him. Writers, please, even a thirty second conversation would suffice if it’s done well. They at least need a

“I’m sorry I tried to kill you, Keith.”

“It wasn’t you, Shiro. I’m sorry I didn’t know you were dead.”

“It’s okay, you saved me from that darkness. I thought I was going to be there forever.”

Then they hug and go on their ways. That’s it! That’s the bare minimum. That would’ve sufficed. Shiro’s obviously got some heavy inner monologue, why push it off to S8 or ignore it completely?

• And for my last bad, we have: killing Adam. This isn’t about shipping; I really didn’t care if Shiro and Adam got back together or not. But they deserved closure. Shiro deserves closure. I know Shiro’s the “stoic leader” but he has feelings, and the writers just keep making bad shit happen to him and never address how it’s affected him. Listen, Shiro is an LGBT+ rep regardless of whether he’s in a relationship, as long as he isn’t killed off. But give him some depth. The closest thing to that we’ve gotten so far is knowing that he (used to have?) muscular dystrophy, and seeing his memories of Keith. Other than that, where’s his backstory? His reason for joining the Garrison? His family? How his adventures have affected him mentally? Adam could’ve been the window to all of that, but they killed off an opportunity. If they wanted to highlight the loss of war, they could’ve killed one of Lance’s many family members, or one of Hunk’s; but Adam, as far as we know, was all Shiro had to come back to. He was the only way that they could’ve taken Shiro and made him into a more complex character. Besides that, I don’t think it’s right that they had us anticipating meeting this queer character for nearly an entire season before revealing he’d died. It’s not as bad as when some shows kill off queers, but still… I hope they give Shiro a romantic interest in someone else; queer representation includes healthy queer relationships and happy endings.

Overall for the bads, in my opinion, this is the gist of it: Character development was ignored at times. Some of the writing was lazy. Too many characters/plot point, too little time. Not addressing major issues with characters. And… queerbaiting. You don’t have to agree, but this is my opinion on queerbaiting: it isn’t black and white. Sometimes it’s terrible, sometimes it’s just a little annoying. Voltron killed off a queer character, but he wasn’t a main, and he wasn’t the only queer, and we didn’t know him. On the other hand, he was the only other (confirmed) queer character’s love interest. On a queerbaiting scale of 1-10, I’d call it a 5. Like I said, it’s partly redeemable if they give Shiro another male love interest.

THE GOODS:

• Shiro’s flashbacks of Keith. We’ve been seeing since S1 how much Keith cares about Shiro, and now we finally get a glimpse of Shiro caring about Keith. The “we saved each other” line. The flashbacks paired with Keith’s desperation really cemented that bond that they started showing us in S6, and little Keith was adorable. It was also important to get a little more background on Keith, it tied up all the loose ends from Keith and Krolia’s time in the quantum abyss. Also in ep 1, the humor was top-notch. The writers managed to make comedy out of a dire situation for the paladins, and Romelle seemed to fit in very well! And I find it impressive that shifting back and forth between the funny, light-hearted adventure of the others and the solemn, tense situation in the Black Lion didn’t kill the mood of either plot line. It will come as no surprise to you that ep 1 was my favorite of the season; probably one of my favorites in the series.

• Having Krolia separate from the team. Don’t get me wrong, I love Krolia. She’s a great mom and her relationship with Keith was written perfectly; it checked all the boxes for my hopes when Keith finally met his mother. But she was older and more mature than the paladins; she didn’t fit in. In her heart, she’s a member of the Blade, and she knows she’s more useful to the cause as a spy and fighting alongside Kolivan. I’m glad that they didn’t undercut my love for Krolia by having her awkwardly tagging along. And the writers kicked fragile masculinity’s ass with the goodbye scene between Keith and Krolia. The soft smiles, the “I love you”s, the hugs, and KeiTH GIVING HER HIS BLADE THAT HES HAD SINCE HE WAS A BABY BECAUSE HE KNEW HED SEE HER AGAin those were all wonderful. Everything about the mother/son relationship between Keith and Krolia, from the moment they met to the moment they said goodbye, was perfectly executed. They took their time with it. Kudos to the writers for that.

• Character development. Barring everything I said in the ‘BADS’ because I don’t want to be repetitive, the character development in S7 was phenomenal. We have Lance taking on more leadership responsibilities, stepping up, protecting people he cares about at the risk of his own life, and respecting Keith as the team leader. In this season, I’ve grown to respect Lance a lot (ha) more. And we finally get some background on Hunk, we see him missing his family and home, we see him crying, being frustrated about it. We see him opening up to Keith. Keith, of all people (maybe Keith was the only one who asked). Either way, I love the depth they gave Hunk, and I love the acknowledgement of Keith and Hunk’s friendship, especially after that lost in space scene. And Keith’s character development, omg. It was the best. He was a leader before, but now, he could give Shiro a run for his money. Maybe he already did. The team respects him unhesitatingly. He leads them out of every life-or-death situation on top. He helps them forge a closer bond with their lions than they’ve ever had before, on more than one occasion. And he does something that’s really hard for him, which is asking someone else (Hunk) to open up to him. He offers to listen to his teammate’s worries. His fighting (mostly hand-to-hand combat) skills are clearly the best we’ve seen in the show, right on the same level with Shiro. When he killed that Druid without seeing him I was like 😯, and when hE LAUNCHED OUT AN AIRBORNE LION AND SLICED THROUGH SENDAK LIKE HE WAS NOTHING BECAUSE SHIRO WAS IN DANGER I Was like 😲!!!

• The animation was outstanding. I know the poor animators were busting their asses, especially during those last few episodes. It’s got to be the best animation I’ve seen in the show so far (besides the ‘The Black Paladins’ animation in S6, it sent me into another dimension). In fact, VLD has some of the best animation I’ve ever seen in shows of its kind, and that’s saying something. Those fight scenes get you so immersed, and they’re like a visual orgasm.

• This one is more opinion than anything else, so I’ll keep it short, but I love how they showed the fighting spirit of Earth. How humanity never gives in. I think that’s part of why everyone enjoyed those flashback episodes of Earth so much; the audience felt they could relate to those people, and they felt proud to call themselves human. In the show, while interrogating Sendak’s memories, they asked, “What do you do if a planet refuses to give up?” (Referring to Earth). And Sendak basically says, “We destroy it, but the only planet who’s ever refused to give up is Altea.” And I. Love. That. Time and time again, we’ve been shown how smart and powerful the Alteans were, and now we’re being compared to them. I love the overall way that the writers handled the paladins’ return to Earth. I love the paladins’ interactions with Griffin’s team, I love the Alteans integrating easily with humans, I love humanity’s resilience being showcased, I love the reunions, I love Keith’s interaction with Iverson, and, most of all (some people won’t agree with me on this), I love that humans already knew about aliens and the Galra when Voltron returned. I would have dreaded them having to go through quarantine, and being called crazy, and having to fight against the Garrison, and whatnot. I just love how most of the last few episodes were handled; it was mostly the middle of the season that I had issues with.

Overall for the goods: I liked getting a little insight into how much Shiro cares for Keith. I liked ep 1 a lot. I liked how well they handled everything about Krolia. I liked the character development and background that we FINALLY get throughout the season. The amazing animation. Enough said. And the way the writers wrote Earth, in the flashbacks and in the present.

Overall for the season: I don’t think it completely tanked. I think too much of people’s opinions are based on ships, but I agree that this was not the best season, and it fell short in a lot of areas. It was a little disappointing, but not un-redeemable, and I think everyone who’s saying “fuck Voltron” and swearing to never watch it again is a bit ridiculous and childish, tbh. Disagree if you want, but that’s my opinion and last I checked, I was allowed to have one.

Alright, let me know if I left anything out! Feel free to add anything or share your opinion, even if it’s negative, I want to know your thoughts!

[kangseluigi]

Unpopular opinions post bc I wanna

I hate B* B*rnh*m. I just…didn’t actively like him at first, bordering on dislike but everyone loooooveeeeddddd him so I watched his netflix special and the first half was meh, didn’t laugh but ok I guess, then he kept making awful bigotted jokes and I hate him OH WELL

I don’t like  qu**r eye. tbh I only know 4 of them guys, and:

I know nothing about K…what’s his name? Y’all don’t even talk about him lbr 

but I know Tan, he seems…okay?

But I don’t trust the cooking guy very much

and least of all I trust the guy everyone is obsessed with with the long hair, he looks like a mix of r*pist ass J*red L*to and J*mes Fr*nco and they both can go to hell so maybe it’s projection but I also know that like 98% of the time my hatred is justified so I’ll hold on to this he has something buried prove me wrong

I like One day at a Time but not more. I don’t think it’s particularly funny tbh and one of the few shows that try so hard to focus on doing everything right and being progressive, which is a good thing, that they kind of…forget how to write jokes? the jokes are few and very niche, and some are funny, but not hilarious? Still a good show tho, just wish it’d make me laugh a little more, but also, I guess individual taste + tumblr’s “THIS IS THE BEST AND PERFECT” pandering raises expectations into the impossible which brings me to:

I…really don’t think b99 is remotely funny. And I attribute that largely to not having picked it up when only 1 person was watching it because when the big tumblr rush for it came it did the usual “this is perfect, it has [number of PoC] actors, [number of gay characters], AND tackles [2 social issues it mentioned briefly in 3 seasons]. IT’S SO GOOD AND PROGRESSIVE and hilarious and soooo aware, every character is GOLD and every.single.episode addresses an issue in society but TOTALLY FUNNY it’s amazing!!” which…is not true, ever, for any show, but also doesn’t tell me much about the show itself. Like I’m gonna see a diverse cast if you show me a pic or two, but that doesn’t tell me anything about the quality itself. But after every post like that you think it’s gonna be sooo good, while it’s just…a show. It’s funny, it doesn’t tackle things as much as they said, it doesn’t have you laughing tears every 5 sentences, and yknow what? if you had just said that I would totally have liked it, but once my expectations are too high, it can only let me down. Y’all gotta stop exaggerating shows and let people find their own way in. Also, I’ll never love a show tumblr guilt trips me into.

I loathe the Office. Maybe because I only saw bits and pieces, but all I have ever seen is people being awful to each other, bullying a dude for no reason, and that dude killing a woman’s cat. All just gross people being terrible, which…may just be the american way but wow shit no

Y*ri on ice sucks ass. Started out boring, had only 1 twist you could hope for and that got spoiled for me by a lil bitch so all in all hate, deep, deep hate.

But like people can like what they like I just…wish I never had to hear about them again, especially at the rate I have to on here crol