#this is specifically about the 'ruthlessness' bit in Dangerous

[computationalcalculator]

the specific frustration of hearing a stanza of a song that sounds like it was written five minutes before it needed to be sent to the publisher, and having a better version of it ready to go, but knowing there's no real way to suggest it in a way where it'll get incorporated

anyway, happy Epic drop friday

[euthymiya]

Thoughts on pervert ayato please………:

dear wife, dear husband ft. kamisato ayato

synopsis: your husband is doting, regardless of whether your marriage is one of duty or of love. but unbeknownst to you, ayato craves you much more than you might have initially believed him to

contains: 3.1k word count ; fem reader ; arranged marriages ; reader has parents and is of a respected clan ; reader is described as quiet, shy, obedient, and pliant ; reader is also described to have a mole on her chest ; male masturbation ; panty (and clothes in general) thief ayato ; unprotected vaginal sex ; creampie ; implied cunnilingus + fingering + nipple play ; make no mistake: ayato is perverted but he’s still madly in love

Ayato is a man of reputation, of class. He holds certain status and sophistication that he’s fought tooth and nail to keep perfectly intact for the Kamisato clan ever since his parents passed away.

It started since he was young, when people expected him to behave messy. What they saw was a simple, inexperienced, uninformed, and ill-suited young man who’s been handed the mantle. It was too big a responsibility for a boy his age to take, being the clan head—too ruthless and unforgiving of a position. They thought him too naive, too easy to crush.

So, of course, he has to keep his image up to standards.

He doesn’t let himself be seen with a woman for years. Scandalous habits are hardly favorable for forming ties, and the Kamisato clan could certainly use at least a few allies. A young Ayato was not opposed to a marriage of convenience, either, if that’s what it would have taken to secure his clan’s former glory. More importantly, doesn’t trust too many people. Sleeping around makes him open, vulnerable, less susceptible to seeing through deception and any attempts at sabotaging him from within.

So he stays alone for many, many years. He does just fine that way—but underneath it all, he’s less than proper. He’s starved. Starved of touch, of intimacy, of a raw, carnal desire that a man can only stave off for so long. It develops into something far too insatiable to be normal. At first, he’s a bit ashamed of it. A man of his prestige, of his reputation shouldn’t be so…shameless in his own mind.

Later, he accepts it. It’s only natural, he tells himself.

Then he marries you—and, of course, it is that marriage of convenience he’d resigned himself to years ago. It happens later than he thought, but it happens all the same. He specifically chose you, too.

You’re not like other women. You’re quiet, pliant and obedient under your father’s watchful gaze. Your father tells you to sit beside him, and you do. So sweet and dependent on that guiding figure to tell you what to do. You’ve been trained so well, so wonderfully to do what you’re expected to do.

Ayato raises Ayaka to be free. People have much to say about it, of course. His sister is a precious jewel among the clan, and he can’t fathom caging her like a bird, can’t imagine keeping her sweet chirps locked away from the sky to hear. But you, you’re far too beautiful to risk. The sky is dangerous, and the world is too.

He appreciates your obedience. Revels in it.

It’s a slow progression, really. You’re wedding is a quiet affair, and apart from it being a known fact across Inazuma that your clans are to join, there is not a lot of flashiness regarding the actual ceremony.

Ayato is, of course, ever the doting husband regardless of marriage by love or by duty. He gifts you well—two beautiful pieces of jewelry from his family’s collection. His mother’s ring and his grandmother’s necklace. Expensive attire for the wedding itself that doesn’t seem to phase you. (Your father spoiled you well, he notes. He’ll have to keep up to those standards).

The first night, as a dutiful wife should, you offer yourself up to him. Kneel in front of his legs as he’s sat on the bed, slowly pushing your kimono down your shoulders, revealing more and more skin. There’s a mole on your chest—it reminds him of his own by his lip. Celestia, he thinks, must have written you as his from birth. Even the marks on your skin suggest it.

He could burst in his pants at the thought alone.

But he’s kind. Respectful as he’s always appeared. He gently reaches over and traces your cheek with a delicate finger, chuckling as he murmurs, “there is time for that once we’ve become better acquainted, don’t you think, dear wife?”

“I am happy to complete the marriage whenever you please, my lord,” you reply. So sweet. So polite. So good.

“Ayato,” he corrects, “call my Ayato.”

“As you wish,” you nod.

That night, when you sleep peacefully on your side of the bed, he fucks his fist in the bathroom, flashes of his mothers ring on your finger and his grandmother’s necklace around your neck pushing him to his climax. He suppresses the sounds he wishes he didn’t have to hide, one hand clasping over his mouth as the other squeezes around his aching, pulsing cock. His cum paints the floor, the last drops dribbling onto the tile as he shudders, thinking about the beautiful mole on your chest.

It’s wasted release, he thinks regretfully when he’s done, panting and catching his breath as he stares down at his mess. It would have looked so beautiful on your face, across those breasts he didn’t get to see tonight, perhaps even down your throat.

The latter makes his cock twitch again. He groans, feeling himself harden in his hand once more. His sweet, unsuspecting wife. So kind as to give up the left side of the bed for him because that is what he’s used to, even if it’s her habitual side as well. His precious, angelic wife, who gets along so well with his darling sister after only a few brief meetings.

He should feel bad, doing such filthy things at the thought of such innocence. But he can’t help it. The drag of his palm across his cock is not the same as before, not when thoughts of you heighten the pleasure so much.

He chokes, gripping the edge of the sink as he stands, hot, heavy breaths that are labored escaping his lips as he feels his second orgasm approach.

And then the knock is on the door. A quiet, “my lor—Ayato? Is everything alright?”

You’re outside the door. Every fiber of him aches to slam the door open and take you against this sink right now. Watch your breasts spill over the neckline of that nightgown he gifted you, decorated by the necklace hanging over them around your neck. He’d watch your face twist through the mirror, watching his thick, hard cock fuck in and out of your slick hole.

Would your pussy greedily suck him in? Would be witness the puffiness of your clit? Would the slick of your cunt drip along your thighs? Surely, you’d be just as fascinated by the sight of his glistening length bullying in and out of your walls.

So filthy. So messy. So dirty. Yet, in his mind, so perfectly beautiful.

But he doesn’t let himself have that, not yet. He can’t taint you so quickly, not when you think so highly of him.

“I’m fine,” he pants, eyes fluttering shut as he bites his lips and suppresses a grunt.

“Are you sure? You sound hoarse.”

He does end up groaning at that—at your concern and your precious little voice. The sound of you makes his cock do that familiar twitch before he’s tense and still, the shocks of an even more devastating orgasm coursing through ever nerve of his body. He lets out a desperate grunt, hissing as his palm drags along his sensitive length, so sticky and coated with hot cum.

“I’m…I’m fine,” he pants, voice strained, “I believe I’ve just unfortunately become ill with food poisoning. Perhaps I got too carried away at the wedding.”

You hum in concern through the door, murmuring a soft, “shall I fetch someone? Thoma perhaps, if you don’t want me to see you like this?”

He smiles. So thoughtful, so sincere. You’re too bright for this dark, cruel world. For a filthy, disgusting man like him. He doesn’t even know you, hasn’t even taken the opportunity to learn of your interests or your goals, yet here he is. Dreaming of spreading your folds open and getting an eye full of them.

He chuckles, breathy and tired as he stares down at the cum coating his hands. Oh, if that door wasn’t separating the two of you, he’d smear the remnants of his pleasure across your beautiful lips. The same ones where such gentle words spill from.

“No, it’s alright,” he replies. “Give me but a moment, I’ll be out. My wife will be sufficient enough. No need to disturb Thoma.”

“Oh,” you breathe. He can imagine the slightly shy look on your face perfectly. Picture it clearly. It almost makes him want to stroke himself a third time—but he retires for the night, quickly cleaning himself and the floor off before opening the door and facing you.

You’re concerned the moment he steps out, a warm hand rushing to press against his cheek and then forehead, feeling his temperature as you gasp, “oh you’re heating up! And your skin is flushed. Come lay down.”

He enjoys the way you dote on him that night. Pressing cool rags to his forehead, brushing hair from his face, spoon feeding him the soup you asked a maid to make.

He enjoys it. He enjoys you. He turns that night when you finally lay beside him, tucked under the sheets, reaching over to grab your hand and give it a lingering kiss right where his mother’s ring lays.

“Thank you, my beloved wife,” he says softly, “I am, what seems, the luckiest man in all of Inazuma. Such a doting spouse to have graced me.”

“Oh, you mustn’t make me sound like such a saint,” you say bashfully, “I’ve only done the bare minimum.”

“Then I shall be the most spoiled man, too,” he hums, “if this is considered the minimum.”

He doesn’t let go of your hand that night, sleeping with your fingers entwined.

When he wakes up, there’s a familiar ache between his legs, the morning air cold against your warm bodies. He rises, strokes your cheek gently and smiles before he heads to the bathroom.

The sound of the running water from his shower drowns out the pleased sounds he makes as he fists his cock once more.

It’s a slow, slow build up over the first few months of your marriage. Ayato dotes on you with thoughtful presents and honeyed words. You reciprocate with tender care as you look after him.

You bring him tea when he’s at his desk too long. You brush his hair and tie it back when he complains of headaches. You ice his sore calluses after long days of sword training with Ayaka.

He craves your touch. Uses every excuse to find it, remembers every detail of it to help him release the pent up tension in his body in secrecy.

He fucks his fist to you more times than he can count. Sometimes, he steals something of yours. The robes you wore the night before. The panties in the laundry pile. Once, even just the handkerchief you used to wipe your sweat on the walk you both took together.

Anything that reminds him of you, that might smell like you. He clutches it one hand, stroking himself with the other. Always when you’re not around, always without you to know of his lewdness to even your most mundane actions.

He finally breaks the night you bear yourself to him.

It’s a long night of paperwork. Ayato is tired. Extra stressed from the tricommission duties he’s stuck. The shogun herself will be making an appearance to this event, and Ayato has worked himself to the bone preparing.

You don’t see him as often as either of you would like. By now, it’s evident you’re as fond of him as he is of you. He took careful consideration to make sure you see him in such a positive light. Your sweet, respectful husband. Your dependable, generous husband. He’s so gentle with you, so patient and kind and takes such great care of you.

You’re endeared by him. So much so, that this particular night alone makes you restless.

He can tell as soon as he walks in.

“There you are,” you breathe, “I was just debating checking on you.”

“You’re still awake,” he says in surprise. He slowly undresses himself—by now, you’re used to a shirtless Ayato in bed. You often lay on his bare chest, trace careful shapes into the surface of his skin if your lucky.

On some nights, you connect his moles. He fights the strain in his boxers when that happens.

“I couldn’t sleep,” you say shyly, “not without you. I’m afraid…I’m afraid I’ve grown too used to your warmth.”

“Is that right?” He chuckles, eyes crinkling fondly. “How inconsiderate of me. A dutiful husband should never abandon his precious wife alone in bed, especially not cold without the presence of his warmth to shield her from such harsh coldness.”

“Oh don’t be silly,” you giggle, waving him off. So enamored by him—he can see it in your eyes. Such light and brightness reserved only for him.

You think so highly of him. If only you knew his true nature.

He climbs into bed, moving to pull you close against his side when you stop him—he pauses when he notices the hesitance in your eyes as you swallow thickly.

“What’s wrong?” He frowns, “if I’ve upset you, there is no need to feel guilty about sharing your concerns. I shall make sure to never—”

“It’s not that,” you breathe, “it’s…I just…”

“What is it?” He asks kindly.

You can’t seem to get the words right, mulling over them for a moment before sighing and deciding to forego the words altogether.

Your lips are on his before he can comprehend. Your hands tug him close, pulling him to hover over you as his eyes widen. He melts into the kiss, of course, but not without the shock.

“Please, Ayato,” you breathe, “I’ve waited enough. Make me yours.”

Oh. Oh, how you should have thought over your words—because you could you insinuate you’re not already his? You belonged to him, him alone in his mind as soon as the first day he saw you. Since that day you sat so close to your father, shy and meek and nervous to be in his presence.

You are his—and now is his perfect opportunity to teach you that.

“If…” you speak, breaking him from his thoughts, “if you’d like to, at least. I am more than willing to wait longer if—”

“Oh my dear, precious wife,” he chuckles, “have you not the slightest idea how much I crave you? How ardently I desire every part of you?”

The night it all snaps. His desires, his needs, his purely, filthy carnal instinct.

He takes you over and over. Tastes you, first before he feels you with his fingers. Inspects you carefully, spreading your folds and looking into the slick walls of your tight hole. He ogles your breasts for the first time, too—takes his time to kiss from the jewel from the necklace he gave you around your neck to that mole he saw that first day, all the way to your pebbles nipples. He kisses and sucks at them for far longer than you can handle—finally breaking away when you whine at him to please, please put it in, Ayato.

His cock is painful by then. Rock hard between his legs, strained against his boxers from his still clothed crotch. He doesn’t even take them off properly, simply tugs them down enough to reveal himself to you, slapping against his abs with a drooling tip of pre cum.

Hard. Red. Swollen. But still so beautiful in that way Ayato always is.

His cock nudges past your folds, but not before he drags his tip along your slit to collect the slick dripping from your soaked cunt. Not to tease you, but simply to be coated in you. Simply to have your mess on him. Simply to feel every part of you mix with every part of him.

“Do you love me, my dear wife?” He asks you in between thrusts, nudging the fat tip of his cock against your sweet spot perfectly.

“Yes,” you wail, “yes, yes. I love you. Love you, Yato.”

It’s the first time you’ve called him by a nickname. He smiles wide, pearly white teeth that glint sharp and predatory.

“Will you always love me? Do you promise to never stop?”

“Y-yes,” you moan, whimpering when his thumb catches over your clit. A jewel crowning your body, he thinks, as he stares at it. So beautiful, so rare.

“Then shall I confess something?” He murmurs into your skin, pecking along your breasts until he kisses that mole he’s sure was made to match his own.

He could cum at the sight of it alone—he holds off just for you, though. For what is a doting husband if he does not wait until his beloved wife as felt the thralls of pleasure before himself?

“C-confess?” You furrow your brows, gasping between harsh rolls of his hips, trying to keep your eyes open to stare at him while he chuckles in amusement at your effort.

“This cock,” he breathes, whispering the words against your ear, “it has come for you far too many times before now. Did you know that?”

“W-hat—oh, Ayato,” you cut yourself off with a mewl of his name from a sharp thrust, any question you want to ask him dying on your tongue.

“That first night of our wedding,” he drawls, kissing beneath your ear, I was not ill from the food. I was ill from you. You have possessed my mind since the first time I’ve laid eyes on you.”

“Please,” you whimper. You seem to clench around him at his words, earning a groan from him as you babble, “please, please—m’close.”

“Ah,” he chuckles, “so you like it, do you? Does it excite you to know that I’m unable to concentrate on anything? That I’ve spent so much time away from my duties coming undone to the thought of you? Answer me, sweet wife.”

“Yes,” you sob, nodding fervently, “yes—it does.”

“How fascinating,” he marvels, staring at you with pure awe. His eye twinkles with mischief as he murmurs, “It seems you’re just as filthy as I am. Good. Then I shall never waste another drop of seed on my hand or that tiresome bathroom floor of ours again—this beautiful cunt is more than willing to take me, isn’t it.”

You nod—and just as you do, you fall apart on his cock, spasming around him with tight walls that send him into his own orgasm.

He cums harder than he ever has before. And then he’ll cum again, he thinks. And again. And when he’ll pull his spent cock out, and he’ll notice the beautiful way his release leaks from your cunt, he’ll paint the rest of your body with his release too.

Ayato is a man of reputation, of class—that’s outside your chambers, though. Behind the closed doors, he’s a lustful, shameless man.

And you, his precious, giving wife, allow him to fulfill his ever insatiable desire.

Ok it’s 4 am and I didn’t mean for this to become this long it was genuinely supposed to be a 1-2 paragraph REPLY to an ask. Not a whole written work. But anyway. PREVERTEDLY ROMANTIC AYATO………

[eirakairos]

Leader of Onychinus

After Sylus was ambushed, you chose to take the reigns in being the de facto leader of Onychinus.

A/N: This was inspired by a post I saw in Tiktok about a text message with Sylus about MC teasing him into taking over Onychinus. This is a kinda serious side of it, but I kinda let loose on this one because it is not leaving my head for days. This is the first time I'm writing about L&DS and I'm still trying to learn the lore (also my phone cannot take the game well).

Words: 3,295

Tags: A bit revenge and hurt/comfort, Sylus being incapacitated, MC being ruthless, minor violence and injury, promises being bent

Next (Sort of sequel!)

You sighed as you stared at the window where the man you cherished was bedridden. Never in your dreams would you see the powerful leader of Onychinus Sylus was this… Unconscious.

Gripping on the black coat with red streaks you are wearing, you remember the nightmare a week ago.

“Sylus!” You run as fast as your feet can drag you. You were in the medical section of the base, specifically tailored for Sylus in case of… Such dire situations happen. As you are near the room, the twins quickly shielded your path as the medical staff went to tend to the severely injured leader.

“Hey!” You said, a bit louder due to panic. “I want to see him!”

“They are working on it,” Kieran said. Both twins looked pretty banged up as well.

“What happened?!”

“It was an ambush,” Luke answered. “Boss saw this coming but it's not this… Massive,”

“I guess we have to get through all the connections and see the rats that did this,” Kieran followed. You learned from the twins that there was an orchestrated attack from rival factions. You know he has many enemies in the N109 Zone even though he rules the entire area.

“This is a high priority, but you shouldn’t be here for now. We will place you in the emergency bunker,” Kieran said.

“And why should I follow that?” You crossed your arms and gave a stern look.

“Because Boss said so,” Luke followed. “You don’t know how dire the situation is, the leader of Onychinus is incapacitated… Or presumed dead. Many would take grabs for it,”

“And it was planned by the Boss that you would be in the emergency bunker to be sent back to Linkon and not go back in the meantime,”

“What?! No!” You interjected. “Who will lead Onychinus?! Sylus would be fine… Right?” The twins only kept silent to her question, for any reassurance.

Days later, Sylus went basically into a coma to give time and heal his injuries. You thought it was this bad, you shot him when you first met him, but he just went along with it. Him being like this, it is this bad.

You know he will survive and just need to heal. But for now, the zone is currently in more chaos, as rumors were being thrown around that the leader is down and many would want to get that immense power to rule the N109 Zone.

Walking to the next business meeting, you remembered that conversation with the twins in the mansion.

“Are you mocking us or what?” Luke said upon hearing it. “We can’t do that,” Kieran said. It was two days after the attack. Sylus is stable and was kept hidden, no one but the staff, the twins and you know.

“You will, if you want Onychinus to survive,” You said.

“We gave our word to our Boss, same as yours,” Kieran said.

“He doesn’t need to know. I just need your promise in this,” You said.

“Boss will know, you know?” Luke said. “He ordered us that in a situation where Onychinus is in danger, we should return you safely in Linkon whatever it takes, whether you like it or not,”

“And you promised him that you would follow us and not look back,” Kieran followed.

“And I will once this is over,” You stood up and walked back and forth. “I’m not confident either, but I will do whatever it takes… This is important to him,”

The twins looked at each other. You know they are doubtful about this but they just kneel in front of you. Mephisto flies and surprisingly, perched on your shoulder.

“We are at your service… Boss,”

You took a deep breath after beating up the boss of one of the rival factions that attacked Onychinus. It took a while before you got used to the heavy coat and crow mask you are wearing. You pointed the gun at the boss, who is bloodied and pleading for his life. “Give up! The former Onychinus boss is dead! You can’t keep doing this-!” He screamed but stopped because of the pull of the trigger causing birds to fly away from the abandoned building, except for Mephisto who was your eyes above.

“Good work, boss,” Luke said after swinging the bat that he randomly found. “One more rat and the deed is done,” Kieran said. You nodded, but you were less verbal when using the mask. It does have the voice change capability of a man, similar to the pitch of Sylus’.

“Still can’t believe that she is far scarier and ruthless than Boss,” Luke whispered. “Can’t believe that we are finishing the entire list,”

“Boss is not usually direct to violence this much… Unlike her,” Kieran said. Both shuddered. Who would’ve thought that the person who hugs a crow plushie and banters with Mephisto can hurt, make decisions, and manage an organization like this?

“Though I must say, for her to expand Onychinus’ power more is a bonus,” Luke said. They were silent after, hoping for the former boss to wake up soon.

“Okay, one last rat for Onychinus,” Luke said as he stretched his body before Kieran chuckled and followed.

Since the event, you’ve been busy. You knew that being the leader in an organization where you control everything, is harder than it looks. You knew Sylus’ schedule was booked, you were touched to realize that he still makes time for you despite that. You missed him so much. You often visit him and be updated about his progress, which is good. It is only a week, you believe he will wake up soon.

It was also only a week since you started to plan the retaliation against the factions that did this to Sylus. Honestly, Sylus would orchestrate a much more strategic and long satisfaction for their destruction, but you are no Sylus, they almost took away the one you love and cherished the most.

You breathe through the mask as you go into a huge building with the twins.

“That text message, are you seriously interested in taking over Onychinus?” Sylus asked while you were snuggling to him. You are at the rooftop with him, watching over the little stars and the gloom of the city. “No, it is all dirty business,” you replied. “But you know, what if? You think I can take it?”

Sylus chuckled. “If you want to, you can have a test drive,”

He turned to face you. “But… If ever something happens and Onychinus goes down, go back to Linkon and never return,” You looked at him, he was serious this time.

“What do you mean? I can’t leave you behind!” You said.

“Promise me,” he said, like there is no room for argument.

“I… Okay,” You sighed and cupped his face, understanding what he meant.

Sylus' breathing changes as he has the energy to open his eyes. His wounds and bruises are gone due to his self-healing but he felt immense pain still. The medical staff saw his vitals and went to check on his status, while also sending a message to the twins about him being conscious.

You were panting as you held on your side, you could feel it throbbing in pain and the wetness in your hand. You are bleeding from an attack. The twins are preoccupied but they are thinking internally to come to your aid. Your vision felt blurry, just this one last victory, and when Sylus wakes up, he’ll see Onychinus is well, despite that you have to go back to Linkon. The life you owe him, this is not the time to repay it.

“Urgent message from the medical team: The big crow is flying.” is heard from your mask. You gasped, that is a code meaning Sylus is awake! The twins probably had heard the news, seeing them fighting more vigorously. You panted and ready the gun you have, you can’t be undone in this. He is awake and you should be too.

Sylus can hear the footsteps as the twins barge in. “Boss!” they both yelled. Sylus only hummed as he looked so much better than before. “It seemed you two went to such a fun party,”

“Well, definitely a hard, fun party!” Luke cheerily said then groaned a bit.

After giving him a report of what happened since they are monitoring Onychinus while he is gone. Sylus only hummed, he was internally surprised but processed it well. 

There was silence then…

“How is she?”

The twins looked at each other and then back at him. “She is well. She is in Linkon, as you ordered,”

“Good,”

You groaned in pain as you were resting back in Linkon. It’s been a couple of days since the last mission and you are sent back here after the medical staff bandaged your wounds. Now Sylus is awake and is back being the leader of Onychinus, your days as the de facto leader are over.

Your hand went over to the side of your torso, where the biggest damage was. You wondered how they are now, you learned he is well but you haven’t seen him since.

Your phone rang. It was Sylus.

“It has been a while, kitten,”

“Sylus…” You missed that voice so much.

“Luke and Kieran will fetch you in half an hour. Get ready,” he said.

He didn’t take the conversation longer, he is probably a lot busier than ever. Half an hour later, the cars arrive and the twins meet you as you go down.

“Nice to see you again, are you feeling good?” Luke asked. You smiled. “Of course, how has it been?” You said as you got in the car, then the twins followed. You pretended to be fine, as you were still feeling pain from the wound in your torso.

“Oh, man! We were very busy! But Onychinus is well!” he replied. You smiled more, feeling that sense of relief that all of you did the missions successfully.

After arriving in the mansion, Sylus is there waiting. He is awake and well like nothing happened. “Welcome back, sweetie,”

You ran and embraced him. He wrapped his arms around you, savoring the moment as well. He missed holding you, he had to make sure you were safe enough to return, and upon doing that, there’s so much going on.

“I missed you… So much,” You whispered. Sylus’ hand went to your back and rubbed for comfort.

“You don’t trust me that I’ll be back? You shot me before you know,” he chuckled.

“You dummy, I know you will be back! It's just… I'm worried about you… You might not wake up,”

Sylus hummed as you released your embrace. Then, he sat down with you on his lap. “So… Kitten, fill me in the details when I was gone,”

“Well, I was just waiting for you when the twins called and said you were hurt… Then… I… I was not let in the medical bay, they told me you were unconscious but are healing fast. Despite my protest, the twins dragged me back to Linkon as you ordered,”

“Surprised that you were that obedient, kitten,” Sylus said. “The twins handled it well. They told me they kept you updated and gave your inputs in the operations,” he pats your head. You nodded in agreement, despite you having done so much more than that.

“Well, how do you want to spend the day? Going outside? To the cafe? Or just like this?” He asked.

You were still feeling exhausted from the last battle and being the leader. You just wanted to feel Sylus’ presence. “Just like this for now… Just with you,” Sylus nodded and carried you in bridal style to his bed. You squeaked in surprise and quickly hid the pain from the wound on your side.

“... Are you alright?” Sylus asked.

You quickly went back to your composure. “Yeah, yeah, I was just startled,” You giggled. Sylus stared at you then continued.

Sylus and you didn’t leave the room after a couple of hours, just sleeping and cuddling together. You feel happiness when you get to be close like this to him again. ‘Despite you being the most feared and strongest out there, I would want to protect you,’ you thought.

It was a happy week before you returned back to Linkon for normal activities. You felt relieved that the entire stay, Sylus didn’t seem to notice anything unusual, you made sure of it in the plan.

A couple of days later. Your phone rang. It was the twins.

“Hey! We kinda got a situation here!” Luke said. You hear they are huffing, they seem to be running. You’re quickly on alert.

“The boss is in trouble again and we have to get you back here!”

“What?! What happened?!” You yelled.

“We sent the coordinates! No time to explain! Just wear it!”

“I… I can’t do that anymore! What-!”

Your panic increases when the line suddenly cuts off. “Luke?! Kieran?!” you yelled. You didn’t think much about what to do, you got a black bag in your secret compartment. It contains the coat, the mask, and the guns. You tried to contact Sylus but there was no dial tone, nor any response. This makes you frantic as you get on your motorcycle to go to the location.

You arrived at an abandoned building, you didn't see the twins. Your big cloak flows in the air as you breathe through the crow mask. You can feel Mephisto roaming around above.

Masked men jumped and circled you. Your instincts as a boss emerged again. Gunshots and screams are heard as you are mercilessly beating them up, decreasing in numbers. When completely gone, you breathe deeply as you are satisfied with the job.

A dark projectile suddenly blasted behind you and barely dodged it in response. As you turn and point your gun, a dark red mist surrounds your wrist, stopping your control.

“What-”

From the other end of the floor, a tall man was standing. “Great work, the boss of Onychinus,” he said.

The familiar voice made you shiver. ‘Sylus?’ You were trying to process everything about what happened. ‘The twins…’ You thought as you realized. “It is amusing that the high-profile boss easily falls into a trap,” Sylus gets closer and looks down on you. Even with the mask, you can see he is not happy. You cursed, everything went so well as you would’ve thought.

“I came here to usurp the boss,” he smirked. “And claim what was mine,”

You tried to move but the dark mist started to spread around you to keep you still. You can see his hand moving towards your face. You moved, trying to get away from the grasp of the dark mist.

“Let me go!”

“Still keeping up with the facade?” He bent down to your level, smirking at you. But you can tell he is not amused. “For a boss, you look like an angry kitten,”

You felt your adrenaline drained away and despite knowing the consequences, you can’t help but feel many emotions in his reaction to finding out. He would probably cut ties with you and return you back to Linkon.

But you were surprised that strong arms circled around you and were being carried. “Let go of me!” You squirmed. Along the way, you see the twins leaning on the car in the distance. “Sorry!” They shouted as you squinted your eyes in response.

Outside was a garden, it was unkempt but peaceful. He sat on a bench with you on his lap. There was only silence between you two and the rustling leaves and chirping birds, with Mephisto roaming around as usual. Your breathing is a bit uneven, probably due to anxiety or because of the mask. You can see his hand hovering on your face, knowing where the latch is and propping it open. As he removes the crow mask, you can see his face in a much more detailed look. His expression didn’t change when he saw who was behind the mask.

“So… Leader of Onychinus… If you are so kind, can you tell me what is going on?” he said in an amusing tone. You didn’t respond, you felt your throat was stuck. His expression got more serious. “I am giving you a chance. You bended your promise,” he gazed at you, with the tone of betrayal. You looked around before looking at him again, your heart sunk with the feeling of defeat.

“I’m sorry… I just know how important Onychinus is to you,” you finally said, “I bent the promise because it would be a mess of people taking your spot. Despite you willingly giving it up, I can’t stand there and let it happen. I bent the promise because I don’t want to leave you like that. I don’t want to leave it all behind,” You said with conviction. “I don’t regret doing it… I had to do what I had to do,” You spoke and looked down. Sylus remained silent and then sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“The moment I was aware of things, I felt something was wrong. Everything felt locked into place too well,” he spoke. “As I’m going about my business, I’m hearing… Rumors about a masked boss that took over Onychinus,” he hummed. “I heard the boss was ruthless and skilled. Even the twins were surprised,” you looked at him, wondering about Luke and Kieran. 

“It wasn’t long either that I found out about them. They are adept fighters but I don’t think expanding the Onychinus and gaining more power is in their arsenal,” he chuckled. “They did confess to me as my orders supersede all, even from you,” You got sad as you got the twins in trouble.

“But I…”

“Oh, I know it's all on you, sweetie. But they do have their share,” he sneered. “Same to Mephisto, too,” Caws are heard above them. “You may delete his memory by accessing admin rights but you don’t know there is a backup memory… And I saw everything,” he smiled. 

“Especially the last mission you did,” His face switched to being more serious as he stared at you, his crimson eyes looking intense but his voice was soft.

“I almost lost you… Because of a roleplay in being a leader,” he spoke, his voice low and menacing.

“Never do this again,” Sylus said. “Without my guidance,” he continued. You blinked and looked at him, surprised.

“As I said in our text message many years ago, I have no problem with you being the new leader of Onychinus if you want to… Just not in scenarios like that, where you will risk your life more than you bargained for or… Without me,” Sylus smiled at you again. You feel relief and comfort when Sylus pats your head.

You want to get up and give a kiss on his cheek but you still feel pain on your side. Sylus held you tighter as he stood up, carrying you again and going back to the car. “Never thought a cute, vengeful kitten would eliminate all the vermin,”

“Well, the love of my life was hurt,” you said. Sylus looked at you, a bit touched and thinking about the potential you have if you took over the organization. He often pokes your anger in teasing but has to realize your vengefulness is strong to the ones you love.

“You need to rest since you are still feeling pain,” Sylus said. “But that doesn’t exempt you from my punishment,” You gasped. “Can…  Can I know what punishment is that?” You dared ask.

You felt a rumble in his chest. “You’ll see how the real boss leads, kitten,”

[theeoriginals]

Something with Klaus based on this quote from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

“… You listened.”

“To you? Always.”

I NEED the tension PLS

what a feeling | klaus mikaelson

klaus mikaelson x psychic!female!reader (no y/n)

author's note; this + the oneshot I did with the ozark quote are so fun to do, if y'all have any more tv/movie quotes you want me to do fics with send them in <333

warnings; umm vague mentions of violence but ultimately nothing besides fluff, reader is kind of an anxious mess but it's short and sweet

Her powers had always been somewhat of a burden. They were unreliable at best, dangerous and deadly at worst. She'd been on both ends of the spectrum, and even though the power that ran through her bloodline hadn't skipped her, it might as well have compared to everyone else in her family.

It'd made her somewhat of a black sheep amongst wolves. Her dreams, visions, couldn't be trusted. She couldn't be trusted.

Her family never really let her forget that, so the first time two Originals walked into her family's innocuous shop, she figured they wanted her mom or dad, or someone else– anyone but her.

But Klaus had set his eyes on her and said her name like it meant something. Like it wasn't basically a curse in and of itself.

The Mikaelsons were kind to her, despite all of the trouble she came with. Rebekah was sweet and mostly understanding, though she could sometimes be a bit hurtful without realizing it. Elijah was ultimately the same, and his interest in witchcraft always made her remember how much she really did love it, even if she was considered cursed by most witches in New Orleans.

Elijah had told her all about how their mother was the Original witch, and that if they hadn't been turned into vampires, they'd all have a bit of magic in them still. Their sister Freya, and Kol, were both lucky to have that part of their heritage still, apparently.

In the months of working with the Originals, helping them to the best of her ability, though, it was Klaus that she'd come to enjoy most.

She'd heard stories of the infamous hybrid her entire life, stories of bloodshed and needless violence, painting a picture of an unforgiving, ruthless man. Admittedly, when he'd first sought her out, she thought he'd come to kill her. For what reason, she didn't know, but there was no other reason he'd want to speak to her unless she'd unknowingly passed on a piece of her cursed magic to him.

But that hadn't been the case, and he'd just been in need of her specific powers, needed her help to keep an eye out for certain people and any future threats that would bring harm to him and his family. She'd quickly learned that above everything, Klaus just wanted to keep his family safe, and she was more than happy to help in any way she could.

Even though most of her visions were unreliable, he still urged her to share them just in case. Even though not a single one of her visions about the Mikaelsons had come true so far, he still made her tell him and his siblings. He never let her doubt herself.

She supposes that's why she's trying not to be upset right now, listening to them talk over her like she's not sitting right in front of them.

"We can't just sit back and let this happen, Niklaus," Rebekah says, her face twisted frustratedly. "Her visions aren't fact, they're mere possibilities. And very low possibilities at that."

She flinched, ducking her head down to hide the hurt Rebekah's words inflict on her, because she can't really be upset when the blonde is right. Sometimes it's just a feeling, not even a vision. She can't blame them for not trusting a vision of a future that is constantly changing.

Elijah, ever the mediator, gives his sister a slightly scolding look before looking at his brother with something apologetic in his eyes. "Rebekah's being... harsh, but brother, she's not wrong. There's no way to prove that it will come true, and because of that, we have no real reason to not fight back. We have to do something, otherwise every vampire in the Quarter will be in danger."

Klaus pinches the bridge of his nose, his face twitching in a glare. His eyes drift to the quiet witch sitting down, twisting her fingers together anxiously in her lap. He catches her gaze and softens at the sadness in her eyes, feeling it pang in his chest.

"I know," He says finally, an apology swimming in his glacial eyes as he looks at the witch. Her sadness deepens with hurt at his words and he tears his eyes away from her, looking to his siblings. "We have to go."

She stands up abruptly, looking at him in disbelief. "But Klaus, they have white oak stakes, and they're going to use them on all of you. They kill you all, and they don't stop until you're all gone, even Freya! I saw it happen, I swear! You have to believe me, please,"

Elijah says her name with pity in every syllable and she swipes a hand out, turning to look at him with pleading eyes.

"You have to believe me, you're going to be killed if you go. They have laid a trap perfectly made to capture you, and you're walking directly into it!"

"We have to," Klaus shakes his head, already walking towards the doors, Rebekah and Elijah following. He looks over his shoulder, giving her a firm look. "Stay here until we return. It's not safe for you anywhere else."

He walks out before she can say anything else, pretending that he can't feel the heartbroken look on her face burning into his back as he leaves.

──────

She hasn't moved from her seat on the couch in the entirety of their absence. With every minute that shows no sign of their return, her heart beats faster, guilt beginning to seep into her pores.

Stuck in this spiral of horrible, self-deprecating thoughts, she's startled when the doors slam open and the three Originals come marching into the compound.

She stands up, eyes wide as she takes in the drying blood staining their skin and their clothes, but can't stop the wave of relief that washes over her at the sight of them all alive.

Rebekah has a slight limp to her step and Elijah seems to be favoring his left side more than usual, and there's blood on Klaus's face that she knows is his, but they're alive.

She lets out a shaky breath as Klaus walks towards her, Elijah and Rebekah heading for the stairs to likely clean themselves up and find a blood source to suck dry and finish healing.

"I was wrong," She sighs, eyes closing in abatement. "I'm so glad I was–"

She's cut off by Klaus's palms cupping her cheeks, and her eyes snap open when she feels the press of his plush lips against hers. She makes a noise of utter surprise that quickly dissipates into a noise of pleasure, and her eyes flutter shut as she lets him deepen the kiss, stealing the breath right out of her lungs.

She chases him as he pulls away, but he stops her, dragging his thumbs gently along her cheekbones as he looks at her with a look she'd dare call adoring.

It takes her breath all over again and she squirms beneath it, feeling like she's teetering on the edge of something big.

"What," She breathes out, licking her lips like she can still feel the weight of his on them. "What was that for?"

"You were right," He says, his voice rough. "You were right. They had white oak stakes and they tried to kill us. The only reason we survived is because of what you told us,"

Her eyes widen and she looks up at him in disbelief. "But... I'm never right. I'm cursed,"

He shakes his head, lips pulling up into a smile, creasing the dried blood on his cheek. "No, you're not, darling. You saved my life. You saved my family,"

Her throat tightens, thick with emotion, and she isn't entirely proud of the way her voice shakes when she speaks. "You listened?"

Klaus's gaze warms with fondness and he gives her a smile that makes her heart race for entirely new reasons. "To you? Always."

[veenus777]

◜𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 & 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 & 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬◞

          ┊ ᝰ﹕For a long time, I’ve had this playlist about Jason that I created based on some specific universes and scenarios, and now I associate all of them with him and specific situations. Anyway, I decided to share a little about it with you.

          ┊ ᝰ﹕The following words were written by a woman with insomnia during an anxiety-filled and obsessive night about Jason Todd.

♧ Electric Love

This song makes me feel like I'm in a specific scenario where Jay and the reader are just riding a motorcycle on one of their outings through Gotham, without any specific destination. I imagine the sun setting and giving way to the city lights at night while they just speed off towards nowhere.

♤ Go To Hell

This one is a bit more specific to the Vigilante universe. It happens right after they meet again following Jay’s death and all the drama of Red Hood vs. Batman. Jason rejoins the team, but the reader has already moved on or at least tries to, despite Jason's constant presence by their side. So, after a successful mission, they decide to have a happy hour with some of the older team members like Babs, Dick, Luke, and Kate. The reader ends up meeting one of their flings while Jason ends up drinking too much. I feel this song is exactly what’s going through his head the whole time.

♧ End Game

First of all, I’d like to make it clear that this song is definitely the song for Jason and Vigilante. There simply isn’t a better definition of them than this. Okay, just imagine Jay alongside another vigilante with a turbulent past and questionable morals, who is equal to or worse than him in ruthlessness. They simply become the royalty of Gotham’s underworld. Criminals would shudder just hearing about them because they know how bad they were separately, but together, they are completely unbeatable.

♤ Adiós

This one is short and quite similar to Electric Love, but different at the same time. In this, Jason and the vigilante are riding a motorcycle through Gotham, the reader on the back while Red Hood pops a wheelie on the wet asphalt of rainy Gotham. That night, there was a small breakout in one of the smaller prisons, nothing as serious as Arkham but still dangerous. So, the whole team spreads out across the city looking for the criminals. The adrenaline is strong while shooting at criminals at high speed, and Jason’s hand on your thigh to congratulate you on a job well done.

♧ Love Me Harder

This one is extremely specific and also takes place in the Vigilante universe. Jay and the reader were sent on a mission to Tokyo, which wasn’t uncommon as they had to travel frequently. They end up staying in a cheap hotel that served as a great hideout for them. By this point, they are already a couple. In fact, I feel this is where things change for both of them in their relationship. The mission ends well and ahead of schedule, but they decide to stay and enjoy the beauty of Tokyo, going out at night, trying foods, or buying silly things at fairs, just being young and in love on a trip without any external worries.

♤ Harleys In Hawaii

This story happens when Jason, finally, after much insistence from the reader, decides to take a vacation. And nothing is better than a hotel in Hawaii, in which Bruce is one of the partners, far away from Gotham and vigilantism. So, the next two weeks are summarized by boat rides along the coast, diving, hiking, and romantic seaside encounters with a tanned Jason, with his sculpted and tattooed body under the Hawaiian sun.

♤ Dark Paradise

This story takes place in two scenarios at the same time, where the reader is a classical dancer. The reader is in their dance studio, rehearsing late at night to relax and relieve the weight of their feelings. "Dark Paradise" plays on the sound system while they spin and leap around the mirrored room, but their mind travels to the previous night, where another Wayne gala took place. All the pomp and candlelight created an ethereal atmosphere with Jason there. He hated balls but knew the reader would be present. So, there he was, in a well-tailored suit, his eyes fixed on the reader as they entered the ballroom, almost hypnotically. The rest of the night was filled with tension and small "accidental" touches everywhere.

♧ Valentine

This is a simple yet extremely cute story, where Jay takes the reader to a carnival that was passing through Gotham that weekend. And it is nothing but intoxicatingly cute. They go through all the rides, and Jay makes sure to win the biggest teddy bear at the shooting gallery. They eat junk food and laugh idiotically as they walk, with Jay’s strong arms around the reader’s shoulders. They end the night on the Ferris wheel, having a perfect view of Gotham's lights. When they head back home, their hands are full of prizes and photos taken in photo booths.

♤ Marry You

This story came about because of a one-shot I read here once and simply could never get out of my head (I really don’t remember the author’s name, but if you know, please leave the name of this heaven-sent angel in the comments). The scenario is basically this: Jay and the vigilante are on a mission in Vegas, and things almost get out of control, but it ends with a "if we survive, will you marry me?". And they do survive. They look for a chapel the next day, wearing simple clothes and nothing but each other and an Elvis-dressed officiant. For them, it is simply perfect. Everything happens with lots of smiles and loving gazes. Afterward, they just enjoy the Vegas gambling and casinos (let’s completely ignore the song lyrics, okay? Just feel the vibe).

.˚｡  💋 .˚｡ 💌

[puppycak3s]

Run While You Still Can | James Sunderland/Pyramid Head x reader Part One | inspired by @scratchingcatfics658 for their Jekyll and Hyde AU thanks so much for letting me write this pookie🫶

TWs: HEAVY dubcon, power struggle, cheating technically?(I love you Mary I swear I'd never take your man if you were still around🫶), groping, PinV, afab anatomy but no specific terms are used, monsterfucking? Kinda? Kinda. (most of the smut will be in the second part sorry i have to set the scene) i love touch starved man, i tried to write him as touch starved as possible🫶

The dark fog was agonizing. Not even able to see your hand in front of your face at times, let alone the companion you had along with you. Well, maybe companion was a strong word, you knew very little about the man you were travelling with, but seeing anyone who was an actual person in this hellscape almost made you want to cry tears of joy. Those... monsters, twisted and screaming and dangerous. It seems like the second you stepped into Silent Hill you've been fighting for your life, or maybe your sanity. But it was worth it, it had to be. You were here looking for someone, someone you hadn't heard from in a long time and so far had no success in finding.

When you first ran into James you froze, thinking he was another creature come to haunt you. But he was just a man, looking for someone same as you. You had decided to travel together for the time being, safer that way. You weren't going to lie and say it wasn't a relief to have someone to help defend against the ghoulish inhabitants of this run down town. It gave you hope, hope that you'd find what you were looking for and leave together with your sanity mostly intact.

Your companion, James, took charge in dealing with most of the creatures with whatever weapon he had available, not above using his own hands to protect the both of you. It felt nice to feel protected, it had been so long. Pushing you behind him to keep you safe from attackers, those big hands gently moving your waist, like he was afraid to touch you, hurt you. You knew you should probably be afraid, he was strong, ruthless, a man. But it was his eyes. They had this beaten, profound sadness to them that made you drop your guard. A look most men didn't have or had lost long ago. Not to mention the raw beauty of them. His wife, the woman he was searching for, certainly was lucky.

As you travelled together you both spoke little about what brought you to this place. Not exactly the best place to have a heart to heart while trying to avoid all those foul creatures. You got bits and pieces. His wife, Mary, had sent for him. You gathered that she was sick and then got hit with something that made you question if this man was the safest option. Mary had passed. Three years ago at that. But from all the things this town had made you see, a dead woman writing a note to her husband wasn't something that would shock you at this point.

You were exhausted, the trek around and the fear making you feel weak. You knew you would have to rest soon or you would be nothing more than dead weight, or maybe just dead. James had to be exhausted too, there was no way he wasn't.

"James?" You said softly trying to get his attention. He was alert, scanning for threats like a wild, scared animal. You almost found it endearing, he was like a guard dog. "James?" You prompted again, reaching to touch his shoulder. He froze for a second when you made contact, an almost inaudible gasp escaping him, before turning his head to look at you. Those eyes, tired and unfocused and wide, but so beautiful. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you" you tried to placate with a weak smile. "No, no it's alright I just- my head, it's a mess right now" he said shaking his head slightly, offering a polite smile back. He exhaled through his nose as he slumped his shoulders a bit, exhaustion prevident on his features. "I was thinking we should find a place to rest" you said rolling your own shoulders to fight against the sting that had began in your muscles. "Looks like there may be a building up ahead, do you think we should check it out?" He paused for a bit, his mouth a firm line. His fingers were drumming absentmindedly on the lead pipe he was carrying, before he let out a small sigh. "Yeah that's- probably the best idea for right now." He nodded his head like he was convincing himself. You nodded once too, before you both set out to the building in the distance, careful to avoid any threats.

A hotel, hopefully it wasn't home to the abominations outside. Only one way to find out. James ushered you behind him, his lead pipe at the ready as you cleared the building. It must have been instinctual for him, the feeling to protect. It made you smile a bit to yourself. You felt foolish for feeling attraction toward a married man, but you decided to blame it on the adrenaline. Maybe there was something in the fog. Slowly you two crept through the narrow hallway, checking each room. Each time your adrenaline spiking, expecting the worst. But there was nothing. No monsters in here. Or so you hoped.

As the door swung open slowly as the two of you checked the final room at the end of the hall, James at the ready with his lead pipe, you both let out a sigh of relief as you found no adversaries. "Thank god" you said wearily as you walked into the dingy room. A bed with questional dirt and debris, filthy carpet, and peeling wallpaper, but not a monster in sight, and that was good enough for you. James followed behind you, albeit hesitantly. He was always on edge, that man. He scanned the room eyes lingering for a second too long on the bed. Not that you caught it, as you rifled through the wardrobe for some hopefully cleaner blankets. His eyes followed along your figure. A small bit of brazen confidence knowing you wouldn't be able to see him admiring you. As his eyes were drifting to your legs, they snapped back as you let out a small victorious laugh. You turned to him holding up a larger blanket that seemed to be a bit threadbare, but otherwise in usable condition. "Jackpot." You said, your tired smile betraying the playfulness in your eyes. A pure kind of excitement. James laughed a bit in spite of himself. It was adorable he had to admit. Seeing someone light up over something as small as a blanket. He felt a kind of warmness in his chest, something he hadn't felt in a long time. But he could always blame that on exhaustion, or the fog.

"Well done" he said returning your tired smile. You made a show, taking a dramatic bow. Tiredness always had a way of making you act unhibited. Usually it was a good thing.

You shook out the blanket and laid it on the bed, smoothing it over the dingy comforter. It wouldn't be the most comfortable sleep, but at least it was something. He was staring again, trying not to make it obvious, but it was. You could feel it, but didn't really mind it. It was more of a curious gaze than a lustful one.

You turned back to face him as he averted his eyes, his face a bit flushed. It was cute. You sat down, leaning back on your hands as the tension started to ease, a small contented sigh leaving your lips. "I'm so glad we found this place" you said, your eyes closed. "I don't think I could have carried on any longer out there." A smile tugging lightly on your lips. James returned your small smile. "Yea, I know what you mean". He shifted a bit, eyes glancing towards the door. "I should let you rest now, you've earned it." He started to turn towards the door. "I can... keep watch outside if you need me." "Where are you going?" Your voice stopped him in his tracks.

He turned back to you, meeting your eyes. You had sat forward a bit, eyes worried and confused. "I thought- I should keep watch outside while you.. get some rest." Your gaze was hard to meet. You stood up, walking slowly toward him, keeping a small distance between the two of you. This was dangerous, he knew it was. "James?" The way you said his name, so sweet, unassuming. Almost like- He froze as you closed the distance, placing your hand on his arm. "James." He met your gaze this time. It was like you were trying to peer into his soul, into all parts of him. It made him feel as if he was slowly losing control.

"Please don't go". He couldn't speak. The words were there, what he should say "no it's not safe, I should keep watch outside, I'll be fine" were caught in his throat. He hadn't been looked at like this, needed like this in some time. Your hand curled into his jacket. Your eyes following it, grounding yourself. "I'd rather you stay here, with me". He felt like he couldn't breathe. "You look exhausted James, you should rest here too". "The-" his voice was unusually quiet. "It's not safe..the-" "You can protect me from in here, can't you?" He slowly nodded his head, begrudgingly. "Please James" you said, tugging him closer to you. It was far too close to be deemed appropriate, but you desperately needed the comfort. You knew he did too. You leaned your head against his chest."Just stay here with me". A long beat of silence hung thick in the air. His voice was barely above a whisper, but you could feel it through his chest. "Okay".

[thanakite]

I wonder if raising/taking care of Isha made Jinx realize that even if Silco cared about her he still also manipulated her into fitting his own ideals?

Like it's very clear how much she cares for Isha and that Isha cares for her in turn and the show makes it pretty clear that Jinx is never pushing Isha to be like her, that, that is Isha's choice 100% and that while Jinx has her way of doing things she's also not pushing her to take revenge on people or anything like that, instead she's really more trying to get them to hole up and hide away together

Comparing that with Silco who convinced her to need revenge when she was vulnerable, who regularly preached to her that Vander (the man who took in her and her sister and raised them after their parents were killed by enforcers and did everything in his power to keep them safe while giving them a good a life as he could given the circumstances) wasn't who she thought he was, and who pushed her down the most dangerous path forward (like really, Jinx didn't have to be someone in the field doing things she could have been their inventor, someone he kept safe and protected behind the scenes and who provided them with weapons and such but wasn't expected to actually get her hands dirty or do dangerous things, but instead he set her up to be front and center, to potentially get caught and sent to Stillwater or killed or whatever, when that wasn't necessary to make her a vital member of his organization, and in fact it would have made her more valued and respected if he had done that since her acting in the field often caused people to look at her as a fuck up)

Really, I think that for all Silco cared for her (and he did care for her in his own way), what he really wanted from her was to be a face for their organization because it showed people his own skill/power. People who remembered Powder and remembered Vander and Vi and Claggor and Mylo would see her and would see that Silco could take a kind and smart girl from a family that cared deeply for her and turn her into a murdering menace, which in turn kept specific eyes off of him (Because while some people knew that Jinx was connected to Silco, aside from those in Piltover who worked for him, Piltover didn't really know that for a long time so to them it was just her)

And really, while the show doesn't make it clear if Jinx was doing similar work before the Progress Day stuff, it is clear that Silco wasn't actually fully utilizing her talents (I honestly wonder if he feared that by doing that she'd become more popular and more powerful than him), because if he had been, his people would have been set up with weapons designed by her and would have likely been using other things she could have invented during that time as well, because all things considered, she is smart and capable and able to create some amazing stuff, while at the same time it is clear that her talents weren't even honed correctly

Like really, she could have been working with Singed to develop her skills more and hone them into ruthless destruction and such, but there is such clear evidence that her childish nature is present in the weapons of hers we are shown that it is clear that she wasn't really given that kind of training (Because even if she did like that stuff a lot, time training under someone like Singed or even just time being encouraged to make things for the cause would have seen at least some of that stuff fade away a bit, if ONLY because it wouldn't be logical to take the time to paint on that kind of stuff if she was having to outfit a lot of people)

And in raising/taking care of Isha, while Jinx was obviously not perfect and was never going to be and while she didn't push Isha away from violence (which likely would have been difficult anyway) it's also fairly clear that she wasn't constantly pushing her towards violence either

She didn't tell Isha to go to the rally in her place, she actually didn't even know she had gone in the first place, she didn't tell her to attack the checkpoint, Isha did that on her own and Jinx wasn't exactly happy about it when she found out

And that is very different from Silco sending her to "take care" of the Firelights, even if she was older than Isha when that happened

Did Isha make Jinx see that while Silco took her in and raised her, he also had an agenda that ensured she further screwed up her life?

[theangelwithawand]

So, as much as I love charming, swaggering Han Solo, the guy is kind of awkward.

At first I thought it was an issue with his characterization in ROTJ where they made him a little too buffoonish for lack of a better word, and in Solo where they leaned a little bit too hard into Han being inexperienced and naive.

Don’t get me wrong, when it matters, the man is suave and dangerous and charismatic, and I love it.

But I was rewatching ANH the other day and I realized that at least when it comes to his personal relationships (except for Chewie) Han is kind of insecure and inept at forming meaningful relationships. To be fair, it makes sense given his backstory (in both Legends and Canon) and seedy profession. But legendary scoundrel Han is not at all slick when it comes to genuine interaction.

His initial introduction in the cantina as a ruthless survivor and his cocky dealings with Jabba tend to be the bulk of what people remember about his character, and for good reason. But there’s also captivating glimpses into a Han Solo who is more human than he probably wants anyone to see.

When Ben trains Luke, Han won’t stop insulting them both, but underneath all of the posturing, he does genuinely try to offer up real advice (that a good blaster is more reliable than an antiquated weapon). Then later, before abandoning Yavin, he doesn’t want to part on bad terms with Luke so, he chokes out a parting phrase that means something to Luke, tamping down his discomfort which is visible to the point that it’s kind of funny.

The first movie largely neglects his lack of social skills in regards to Leia (they do snap at each other, but that’s more to do with their clashing personalities than anything). He winks at her at the end, but Han is good at surface level flirting.

But then we get to Empire…strap in folks.

So, their first interaction takes place in the command center on Hoth, and Han is threatened to leave. And boy oh boy does Han really want/need Leia (and Leia in particular) to say she wants/needs him.

She has her own (very understandable) issues with opening up, so the closest she can get to admitting her own feelings is saying that the Alliance needs him. Leia may see herself as an extension of the Alliance, but that’s a different conversation and not enough for Han who needs to be sure of her feelings before making his own known. (Leia seems to have the same problem. They kinda suck at communicating sometimes.)

He asks her, very subtly pleads with her to open up, to reciprocate the bit of vulnerability he’s showing. She understandably doesn’t (again she has an unfathomable amount of her own trauma), cueing a fight at and Han goes back to the Falcon to be Totally-Not-Sad. Despite the fight though, he risks his life to make sure Leia gets out during the evacuation. (Gotta love how well he knows her.)

Then we get the big kiss scene. This time, Han has decided to acknowledge Leia’s insecurities because he wants to be with her. He specifically asks her “What are you afraid of?” Yeah, he’s kind of teasing her, but he knows Leia freakin Organa is not afraid of getting her hands dirty. It’s such a lame excuse, so he calls her out on it.

Then, all of the sudden, they’re finally together and Leia is just all in (see my post about Leia’s physically affectionate nature). And…Han adjusts. By the time they arrive on Bespin, he’s the one initiating hand holding, giving forehead kisses.

It’s a way more intimate than he would afford a casual hook-up. His scrapped intro in ANH (which was incorporated into the novelization by Alexandra Bracken), literally had him forget the name of the girl on his lap.

He’s still insecure when Lando starts flirting, but above all he’s in a relationship that is so casually affectionate. It’s a part of him we’ve never seen, but it suits him well.

Then we get to the big “I love you/ I know”.

In the original script, Han was supposed to say “I love you too.” Everyone thought it was a very out of character thing for him to say. The now iconic response was created during the shooting of that scene. I agree…to a point.

Now, I love the line. It’s iconic and great and very Han Solo. Yes it’s a smooth response…but it’s also…a really weird response…

Yeah, there’s a lot of people and to be fair, he just told Chewie to take care of Leia (which is very sweet), and once again probably still has some issues expressing vulnerability.

But…he also might die, so it’s weird that he wouldn’t tell her while he still can.

The pattern continues in ROTJ. Han is a bit out of character in this one, however I do like the moment where he’s referred to as a general. It’s usually read as him proving his commitment, and I agree. But I still think it’s funny that he decided to make it a surprise. It’s so cute and weird and very Han Solo.

He’s protective when Leia goes missing after the bike chase, and when they’re reunited picks her up and spins her adorably.

He’s still not super sure how to provide comfort all of the time (there’s a few times where Leia seeks his embrace, and he seems visibly unsure of what he’s doing). During the battle he’s always reaching out to shield her, hide her when she’s injured. Then he just holds her after the battle. The way she asked him to earlier, with a small but very genuine smile.

Finally, we arrive at “The Princess and the Scoundrel” where Han Solo does the GFFA equivalent of proposing on the first date. (For real, this book is one my favorite things. It canonized so many of my head canons like a very casual proposal). It’s perfect for its balance of being both weird and romantic.

Anyway, I like Han’s soft side and I don’t see it discussed enough.

[hevs-dreamworld]

Masterpost:

So, I noticed that since I have joined @sonic-au-collision, I should probably go ahead and get a masterpost started.

Hello there!

My name is hevexn, or as my mutuals call me on my main, realm! I am the creator of siren’s call! AU, and this is where a lot of the art/story will end up! (Outside my main @hevexns-realm)

This is mainly for my own enjoyment, so don’t expect the storyline to be in order. (I will try, but no promises-)

Storyline:

The story follows team nostalgia going to a fancy casino/hotel for the annual villains’ meetup. The MMJ casino, home of the biggest criminals in all of solleanna. Also the home of Mary Jane the cat, an old friend of mephiles’.

After a while of catching up and drinking a little. Team nostalgia ends up going outside to get some fresh air, only to see rouge and Amy coming in. After a little bit of talking, a female hedgehog walks up to Amy and rouge and hugs them. She then turns around and introduces herself. Her name is Iris, the star of the casino, and the most popular performer there. After chatting it up, Iris heads off to get ready for the show, while team nostalgia head back to the private room where the meeting was being held.

Months go by, and the trio starts hanging around with Iris before and after her shows, and things seem to be going well between them all. That is until a news report pops up saying that Iris’ apartment had been destroyed in a fire after siren-hunters found her home location. While hedgesirens weren’t allowed to be legally hunted, was it going to stop them? No. Siren hunters are ruthless, and won’t stop until their prey is found and destroyed.

So, Nazo takes a risk by asking her if she wants to stay with him and seelkadoom until she can get back up on her feet. After all, they’ve known her for a while, and it’s not like she’s dangerous to herself or others. Besides, friends help each other in times of need, why should this be any different?

Iris hesitantly agrees and heads back home with nazo and seelkadoom to their place, and then they find out that it’s not just the fact that Iris is not all that she gives off.

And then shenanigans ensue from there, there’s (mostly) wholesome and funny shenanigans with team nostalgia, with lots of LGBTQ+ / polyamorous themes surrounding this newfound quartet of friends who have fun little moments together!

Any trigger warnings?

Y e p. There will be mentions, themes, and more of:

- blood (possible gore)

- arranged marriages

- physical and mental abuse (from Iris’ family.)

- slight suggestiveness (I’ll probably save this stuff for my main-)

- alcohol (all characters who drink are over 21, but it’s best to mention it!)

- physical and mental health issues (PCOS, POTS, depression and anxiety, etc. please do your research, for these will be based off my experiences, and it’s always good to educate oneself about some things!)

- just a much more.. mature Sonic AU in general. Although it hopefully won’t be an absolute cringefest and get made fun of! ^^||

Asks?:

I’m more than open for y’all to ask about the AU! I prefer for you to ask on this blog specifically, but you are allowed to ask on my main too! Just don’t make them too NSFW on here! (Same goes for art too!)

Post schedule?

I probably won’t have a schedule for a while, and I upload whichever pieces I want to. So I’m sorry if it’s all over the place, I’ll try to organize it! 🖤

I think that’s it. I’ll be @-ting a few of my mutals so they see this! ^^

Either way, I hope you enjoy this! 🤍🤍

@hunniegl4zed @thebreadmeower

[seven-meds]

Been thinking a bit about "patheticness" as a character trait - all the ways a character can be depicted as pathetic, as well as the social construction of patheticness.  It's a multi-faceted category as well as a subjective one, but in the case of a story we can analyze how something is written and shown to us, we're able to view what the creator sees as pathetic and what they would like to convince us is pathetic. It is interesting, there are definitely characters who I don't personally believe are pathetic but who are portrayed as such by the narrative and so I wrap that into my understanding of the character.

This is the case with Arthur, certainly. I find that, while I heavily empathize with Arthur, the narrative itself is quite cruel. I often feel as if I must defend him from the film itself. It's simply too obvious how he is seen by the creator, that he is constructed in a way that is meant to be funny, and this is saved only by Joaquin's gentle acting. (Of course, I'm poisoned by nature of having read the script, if one only has the final piece to go off of they may feel differently.)

Lou is definitely depicted as pathetic at the start of (and at times throughout) the film. His social awkwardness is prominent, he tries very hard and gets nowhere specifically because of the way he is seen. It is also immediately made apparent that he is entirely alone. I don't personally see his behavior as pathetic, but it can't be denied that it's meant to showcase his difficulties and make him seem off-putting. Ultimately his ruthlessness ends up shielding him and as an audience we come to view him differently.

Ken I think is portrayed as pathetic, but in a way that is purposefully written as charming. We're meant to enjoy this aspect of him, as well as understand that it is something not entirely intrinsic to him as a person but rather a result of social pressure. It's also something that he overcomes in some aspects, he sheds a layer of self-consciousness that contributes to the behaviors that embody the trait.

Morf, well… he devolves quite quickly into an absolute mess of a person, but one could easily argue that he is pathetic from the start. Conceited to an absurd degree, terrible at his job, completely divorced from the humanity of art due to his obsession with aesthetics.

Patheticness has a negative connotation but it can be what draws someone to a character. It can evoke softness and a desire to protect and defend. It can also evoke a sense of danger despite its association with weakness. And it actually has very little to do with competence. It's an extremely versatile trait. Being "pathetic" may tie characters together loosely, but the characters themselves can be extremely disparate.

[imagitory]

So my mum and I were revisiting one of our all-time favorite Christmas movies, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and I think maybe -- just maybe -- there's some really fun symbolism we've all been missing out on. And it all has to do with our main character Scrooge and the color red.

Okay, so at the beginning of the film, Scrooge is in all black, from head to toe. It makes him this wonderful dark shadow over the rest of the cast, and also makes him immediately stand out when he's in public, since everyone else is much more colorfully dressed.

Contrast this especially to the people who are closest to him, Bob Crachit and his nephew Fred.

Well, well, isn't this interesting...both of them have red in their costumes. Even later on, at Fred's Christmas party, we see his wife also wearing red.

The Ghost of Christmas Present -- the ghost who in this film arguably influences Scrooge the most out of all of them -- has a bright red beard...

Oh yes, and we mustn't forget that our favorite narrator "Charles Dickens" is also wearing a bright red coat. (Even his friend Rizzo has some red in his scarf.)

Red as a color can mean lots of different things symbolically -- violence, passion, anger, courage, danger...but I think the one most relevant to this reading is love and warmth. Why? Because even when we see Scrooge as a young man prior to the "all black" treatment, his definitive color is a dark blue.

Notice how much cooler young Scrooge's overall color palette is compared to the much flashier, rosier Fozziwig. (And yes, I think that rosy palette is on purpose -- in the film, Scrooge even describes Fozziwig as being "as hard and as ruthless as a rose petal.") It also makes it so that when Scrooge meets Belle (at this point dressed in pale green with pink rose details), their palettes compliment each other a little bit more, even if Belle's look is still softer, lighter, and warmer in tone to Scrooge's cool, serious ensemble.

But when Belle and Scrooge part ways, we see them wearing colors that contrast much more. Scrooge is still in cool, detached blue, but Belle is in...

Red. Specifically, like Bob and Fred, she has red right around her neck, in the form of her bonnet's ribbon. And it's presumed that over time, after losing Belle and withdrawing more into himself and his own greedy self interest, that Scrooge lost the remaining color of his life and became the cold, black-hearted moneylender we see in the film.

Then of course Scrooge goes through this radical transformation thanks to the Ghosts of Christmas, as we all know...and the very first Christmas present he receives, as a thank you for his charity, is from one of the charity workers, played by Beaker. What is it?

A red scarf.

It's a gift given in the spur of the moment, and yet from Scrooge's reaction, we can tell it's something foreign to him. It's likely it's been ages since he's received such a modest, and yet heartfelt gift from anyone. Scrooge feels the warmth of the gesture, not just because a scarf keeps one's neck warm, but because it was given out of such sincere gratitude and kindness. And as startled as he is by it, he responds with such sincere joy, and wears it happily for the rest of the day. He wears that warmth as easily as Fred and Bob wore it earlier in the film -- as if it's become a part of him. And in a strange way, it has.

For the first time, arguably in his whole life, Scrooge has a true understanding of selfless, loving warmth. The warmth that he should and does feel for the people most central to his life and identity -- his nephew and niece-in-law, his loyal subordinate, his first employer, his first love...even the Spirits who taught him the true "meaning of the season." A kind, generous warmth that permeates the entire story of A Christmas Carol because it's what Charles Dickens loved so much about the holiday season and so wished to spark in his audience.

[dailycharacteroption]

Prestige Class Spotlight 14: Crimson Templar

(art by AdmiraWijaya on DeviantArt)

While the forces of good normally extoll the virtues of mercy and kindness, most concede that offering such benevolence to most fiends at best allows such monstrous beings a chance to get away and bring about more evil, and at worse, also puts you in direct danger of them taking advantage of this perceived weakness to also kill the agent of good as well.

Few understand the ruthlessness of fiends better than a being that was raised in part by one. I of course speak of Ragathiel, the empyreal lord whose father is none other than Dispater, archdevil and lord of the Second Layer of Hell.

As such, many of Ragathiel’s followers firmly believe that one must be as ruthless as the wicked, destroying them without any mercy beyond the promise of a quick and clean kill. To them, redemption is reserved for those capable of accepting it, which precludes the vast majority of fiends.

The path of the Crimson Templar is a thankless one, for their brutal methods against evil give many of their allies pause, but they soldier on, content to let others accept praise, knowing that the warriors of other divinities are not sullied by the necessary evil of their path.

The prerequisites for this class involve being a righteous worshipper of Ragathiel, being a competent warrior, and knowing how to use a bastard sword as well as several techniques related to hitting foes hard. Naturally, this makes non-barbarian/bloodrager/skald martial classes the preferred option, particularly paladin, but magus, warpriest, fighter, and others are also quite valid options, with only full casters being super iffy. Additionally, we’ll see that ranger and slayer are surprisingly good options here due to synergy with certain abilities.

It should come as no surprise that these warriors know more about fiends than most. As such, they can quickly study such creatures to gain an advantage against them, which stacks with similar training from rangers and slayers.

They also gain deific obedience with Ragathiel if they did not already have it.

Reflecting the five wings of Ragathiel, these warriors are wrapped in a ethereal ward against flame, which only increases with mastery. However, they can forgo this protection for a while to unfurl the wings and make them manifest, granting them flight.

Well-practiced in the art of finishing off foes with their swords, these warriors can quickly deliver finishing blows to vulnerable foes and move on.

While many would not consider it honorable, these warriors learn the art of targeting weak points against distracted foes, bringing them down more quickly.

They also receive additional combat training, picking up a few more techniques.

Much like less-focused obedience-themed prestige classes, these warriors gain the boons of Ragathiel at an accelerated rate, granting various powerful defensive and offensive buffs.

As agents of Ragathiel’s wrath, these warriors can charge their underhanded blows with his wrath, manifesting as holy flame that sears even diabolic flesh with holy power.

Finally, they can unleash this power into slain evil foes to totally obliterate their foes, preventing the allies of such wicked beings from healing or resurrecting them.

Looking for a bit of lethal edge with your holy power? This prestige class can certainly offer that, letting you destroy your foes with raw holy power. The exact class you pick to go with this is up to you, but it certainly lends itself to hitting hard, so build accordingly. That being said, be careful not to be indiscriminate or overzealous in your fiend-slaying, for a goodly alignment and the discretion to not put innocents in harm’s way are required to maintain these powers.

This prestige class is pretty heavily focused on devotion to Ragathiel or a similar entity in your own homebrew games, but it also presents a fun precedent where one can design prestige classes based on devotion to the ideals of a specific deity in addition to granting obedience boons at a much faster rate. Food for thought for the would-be homebrewer.

Ever since he charged off into the fiendish horde, Redmond the Silver Edge hasn’t been seen sense, and is assumed to be dead. However, a scouting patrol discovered a recent mark etched with the symbol of the templar order, suggesting that possibly somewhere, he still yet lives.

Gnolls are a pragmatic people, and they understand better than most that some enemies cannot be reasoned with or offered mercy, lest it find ways to fester in the hearts of the people and bring untold suffering. Thus, when they were allowed to join the order, they brought that belief with them.

They say that in the earliest days, all names were known, including those of the spirits that would one day fall to corruption and become fiends. Crimson Templar Varidos has come up with a daring, some day suicidal plan. In order to gain an advantage over the fiends, he suggests they retrieve those names from the memory of one of the oldest beings, the legendary Leviathan itself

[pretensesoup]

Queer Books 2024: Old Time Religion

I have been trying to figure out how to talk about Old Time Religion.

The problem is that it's the second book in a series, which makes it a little confusing if you haven't read the first. I think you probably could jump in here, but it's not quite the same as reading The Restaurant at the End of the Universe without having read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy first. The relationships you're jumping into are a little more complex. But regardless, I'm going to give it a go, because I was recently called out for not mentioning the sequel, and to do that, I kinda need to explain how we got there.

So. I knew when I wrote Dionysus in Wisconsin that Ulysses was bi/pan. I won't go into detail about my specific associations with each of those sexualities because as a person who is myself pansexual, I'm not sure of the difference all the time. Also, I don't recall hearing the term pansexual in use until about 2004 (when I said, "Why do we need that?" Then about 12 years later...) So it felt historically inaccurate to call Ulysses (and many of the other bloodline magic people) pansexual. On the other hand, since I wrote that, I've also written various non-binary characters who use the singular "they" as their pronoun, which is also historically inaccurate (not the non-binary part—of course nb/agender always existed, and so did the singular they, but as far as I can tell it was more likely that they'd use neo pronouns or some other arrangement up until relatively recently). So pick your poison, I guess? 

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. When we meet Ulysses in DIW, he's hot and single, but he's not going out with a lot of people. He's actually keeping to himself to the point where Celeste is a little bit concerned about him and how shut off from being an integrated whole person he is. So I knew he'd had someone in the past who had messed him up a little bit, and it turned out to be a woman named Livia. 

Livia is a character that I like much better than almost anybody who has read the novel. My mother read OTR and when I mentioned one of the characters from it was coming back for book 5, which will be the grand conclusion of the Julius Sterling Arc, she was very emphatic that it not the Livia coming back unless she did a lot of apologizing. I thought that was interesting because as a writer, you wind up with these different perspectives on the characters and the work. I think it's necessary to be more sympathetic to what everyone is trying to accomplish if you want to write a really human story. Of course there are always villains like the Empire in Star Wars or, I don't know, Dr. Octopus, who are hard to sympathize with, and probably if I were writing them I'd also find them hard to sympathize with. But I always try. And I liked Livia a lot. I like her snappishness, and her refusal to be cowed by Ulysses, who is really a great dude but has very emphatic opinions about things. I like her willingness to try dangerous things to get what she wants.

That's the background. And then Livia shows up at the beginning of Old Time Religion. (I hope that doesn't sound like a spoiler. It's chapter one.) She wants things. She's a little bit ruthless. And Sam and Ulysses have to work out how to deal with her, and how to deal with each other at a time during which the way that they connect is changing. They have a deepening relationship because they've been together for about 6 months at this point, but also they are learning that they may have some magical connection. Don't have sex with gods, I guess, is the lesson. If there's one lesson we could take from all of Greek mythology I think that would be it, it's don't get involved with God's in a sexual way. Unfortunately Ulysses doesn't listen.

Of course the provenance of books is people who make bad choices, and no one makes worse choices than PhD candidates. And Ulysses is amply taken to task for this at various points. 

Quote from Troth:

“Is that what you were trying to tell me about, back in April?” She snorted. “Ah, yes.” Lesko sat back in her chair. “That’s right,” she said, in a dry tone. “What did I say? Is this wise? And you told me—what was it again?” “That it was a fait accompli.” Dr. Lesko nodded, lips pressed together. “In other words, you were given a warning, which you chose to ignore, presumably because you were horny.”  Ulysses briefly wondered if he could just die where he sat in order to escape from this.

Livia's appearance makes Sam incredibly jealous, which is also an emotion he doesn't deal with very well. Key quote:

"Ulysses was with someone else," he said, in the too-earnest way he had after too many drinks. "A lady." Harry shrugged. "So?" Sam leaned forward as though imparting a secret. "He also likes women," he said carefully. Harry, sitting across from him, looked unmoved by this revelation. Ellen was carefully peeling the wrapper off of her beer bottle. "Sam, I thought it was going well between you guys," she said, with probably more patience than he deserved. "What's the worry here? Did you talk about going steady?" "No, because this isn't a production of Bye, Bye, Birdie," Sam snapped, and then immediately felt bad. Ellen punched him in the arm, not gently.

And at the end, I wrote about the one time I dropped acid.

No. Uh. But there is some drug use. And Ulysses defends his PhD. And there's a musical version of Macbeth that @tryxhyjinks helped me write songs for. And despite my inability to talk about it, I think it's an excellent novel. 

That brings me to book 3, Troth, which is coming out October 7th. (Muffled screaming.) There's a lot to like about Troth, but in the interests of not spoiling anything, I'll just say it brings Ulysses's brother Laz back from the war. Laz is the type of pathetic little meow meow that authors love, and I love every moment of his appearance, and he gets his own book later (book 4, Lazarus Home from the War, will be out in 2025). Troth is currently up for preorder in ebook and will be available in paperback on the day and thereafter. You can find all three books here (Amazon) or here (B&N).

[blue-rose-soul]

The Devil's Dear Friend - A What if?

Alastor's connection to Lucifer was overwritten when he tried to save his mother from her employer and was killed first. He ended up in heaven for his sacrifice.

Nicaise was not granted the same reward. One moment she was screaming and holding her son, the next she was alone and staring up at a blood red sky.

A century later, Charlie hears a knock on her door and opens it to find a fierce overlord literally marked by grief and wearing a bright smile. "Hello Princess! I heard you're looking to make some changes around here?"

I was about to start with how hypocritical that would be of Heaven, since the whole reason Nicaise even got in that altercation with her employer is because she was trying to protect Alastor in the first place. Then I remembered; Heaven's leadership is hypocritical, and even they don't know what the requirements to get in are.

I've always depicted Nicaise as a friendly and sweet person, but most of my posts about her take place after she'd been living in Heaven for almost a century. While she is a shrewd person who was suspicious of Heaven's leadership and knew there was something not quite right, she still lived in relative safety and comfort for a long period of time and could afford to relax her guard. On Earth she had it quite a bit harder as a woman of color as well as a single mother. Especially in the early 1900s. I imagine Nicaise as someone who actively chose to take joy wherever she could, but also a grounded person who did what she had to to make sure she and Alastor were okay. Nicaise took great pains to never let Alastor see her struggle and give the impression she always had every situation under control.

Gee, sounds familiar, don't it?

She built herself a strong support network, making as many friends as she could. During the day she cleaned wealthy people's homes and at night she played piano at the bar, to put food on the table. She made connections in both places, with other servants, with the bar staff and patrons, with shopkeepers and store owners, with just about anyone she could strike up a conversation with. She knew how to trade favors and get discounts and was able to build a relatively comfortable life even after her parents passed and she had no other family to help support her and Alastor.

In Hell, Nicaise again does what she needs to to survive. Even if that means making deals. I'm a little undecided on what sort of powers Nicaise would develop if any. In the main branch of the the Devil's Bastard AU I decided that the person Alastor made a deal with Eve, and that she specifically chose him because he is Lucifer's son. But Eve doesn't have any way of knowing about Nicaise mothering Lucifer's child in the Devil's Dear Friend so I don't have a reason for her to make a deal with Nicaise. She wouldn't manifest with overwhelming magical power like Alastor did, she would have to slowly build it up over time. Nicaise grew up Catholic because of her father, but her mother was vodou practitioner, so there could be some overlap in their abilities as Nicaise gets stronger.

So Nicaise forms connections, begins building a power base. Along the way she meets and befriends Rosie, and at some point or other sinners start looking to Nicaise for protection. Becoming an Overlord isn't something Nicaise set out to do, but she wields the title with pride. Sure, she's grown more ruthless over the years, more bloodthirsty, and sure, she hasn't thought about her son in... years now.

She did mourn at first. But these days she's, well, she's not exactly happy about it, but Nicaise is at least satisfied with the knowledge that Alastor is safe in Heaven. She has some criticisms but at least she knows her child isn't in any danger of being hunted down by an exorcist, or any of the more commonplace dangers of Hell. It's bittersweet, and she can't help but wonder why they had to take her away from her child, but on the day-to-day her main concern is with survival.

Eventually she does learn about the Royal Family and Princess Charlie Morningstar, but it isn't until Charlie's segment with Katie Killjoy that Nicaise actually gets an opportunity to meet her. Nicaise isn't sure what to make of the Happy Hotel project. She's not opposed to the idea that people could change for the better but, given she doesn't even know what she did to end up in Hell, she's not so certain Heaven would accept any damned souls even if they did. And as an Overlord, she knows full well how dangerous it is to show even a slight amount of weakness.

Still, she's intrigued. How could she not be? This girl is the Princess of Hell and she's trying to change one of the fundamental rules of How Things Work. Nicaise could get some answers. She could learn what she did that was so terrible that she was condemned to an eternity in Hell for it. She might even get a chance to see Alastor one last time.

If nothing else, there is an opportunity to get in good with the Princess of Hell, a powerful ally to be sure. Unlike most of the fools in Hell, she knows better than to dismiss Charlie's power just because she doesn't flaunt it.

At first she's not really counting on getting to meet Lucifer again just because she's made contact Charlie. After all, while Charlie was running around post-extermination rescuing survivors and treating their injuries, Lucifer remained holed up in isolation. Frankly, after her initial surprise that that little goofball she met at Mardi Gras years ago was Lucifer himself, she didn't think too much of him. He'd been out of reach to her for so long, and Nicaise preferred to focus on things within her scope of influence. When Charlie invites Lucifer to the Happy Hotel a month before the early extermination, Nicaise doesn't even expect him to recognize her.

He does. He very obviously does. Not only can she see it, so can everyone else with the way Lucifer stares at her, eyes wide, and says her name before being introduced.

Nicaise says the only thing she can think of to break the awkward atmosphere.

"Hello, Luci. I'm here for that child support you owe me."

[pantalaiimon]

I've seen dune part 2 twice now (both within a 24 hours interval lol)

the expectations were humongous, the hype was real

and at first, I was a bit thrown off by how much it veered away from the book compared to part 1 - so much so that I was thrown off the pacing of the movie and had trouble getting into its rhythm (because i kept thinking back to changes from 5 minutes before), anyway that first viewing experience was a mess for me

now that I've had more time with it, I can safely say I love the movie. I think I prefer part 1 in some ways (I prefer contemplative & moody to action-packed & drama), but I also love how part 2 leans even more unapologetically into the utter weirdness of the source material, and how cinematic it is

it looks gorgeous (even moreso than part 1), the acting is good to superb, but the dialogue could be better (compared to the books and to part 1), and hans zimmer recycled the first score which I found to be a real disappointment: even though it's still good, it's too repetitive

now unto specifics (incl. potential spoilers):

I am 100% harkonnen trash (which could mean anything, as paul states quite clearly he's harkonnen too, so...) (but yeah i'm harkonnen trash as in I absolutely loved the whole giedi prime sequence, and have soul-binding devotion to & utterly unhinged sexual desire for Feyd-Rautha (yes, even bald and less scheming than in the book), because boy is he twisted in interesting ways

Alia was robbed of a lot, BUT I love the fucked up deranged codependant mother-daughter relationship she and Jessica have got going. actually i live for it, for the abomination. bring it on. Also Jessica, who was the most OOC character to me in part 1, switched to being the most IC in part 2 and i couldn't be happier?

more desert lore, from details like wind traps, to weather & travel conditions, to hints of the sandtrouts, and the whole ecological system linking spice, worms, desert & water. yay for fascinating and immersive worldbuilding (that movie makes you feel the desert, unlike the first one)

more charlotte rampling is always a good move. also sets up dune messiah beautifully. on that note, irulan was well paced, that is, she's allowed to stay muted and observant rather than front and center, again, setting her up nicely for dune messiah. however, stilgar's arc was pushed way ahead and it displeased me, because I feel it lessens the mourning and regret I remember feeling reading the books as he evolved, and how tragic his changing was (highlighting through him, that of his whole people, and their downfall into fanaticism). if the movie rushes to the end result, I care less about that change, for i can't realise and mourn for what was lost along the way. on a similar note, as they played paul as more moral at the beginning of his journey (to make him more likeable), the switch to his mahdi era was a bit jarring. so yay to mohiam & irulan character arc pacing, nay to stilgar & paul.

chani was also allowed more breathing room and dimensions/depth/inner life than in the books, and as I remember finding the book lacking in that respect, can't fault the movie for fixing this.

the ruthlessness of the politics of the landsraad and the intricacies of the manipulations by the bene gesserit were perfectly show-cased. The commentary on the dangers of messianic religions and its melding to politics was too overt for my liking. especially at this stage of the story, it's less of a warning to the insidiousness of fundamentalism if there are glaring neon signs at the onset of that path telling you "do not go, there be dragons"... I know villeneuve wanted to set up herbert's course-correction from dune messiah earlier, but it's too much too early imo

anyway, to conclude, i'd like to lick feyd-rautha's abs

[snickerdoodlles]

Kim is my favorite character but Chay is the most special™️ boy in the universe :p that’s why I keep thinking of an AU where everything is mostly the same except that like in the Sandman there are anthropomorphic personifications of the fundamental concepts of the World (they are: Dream, Death, Destiny, Desire, Delirium, Despair and Destruction) and Chay is casually besties with Death, most people don’t know they even exist and the Mafia fam knows that there’s some kind of magic in the world but nothing more than that.

This comes out when they’re “casually” talking about some horrible thing that Korn did and Chay just looks at Kim and asks “if there was a way for him to die and have nobody be responsible for it, would you want him dead?” And he’s like “yeah, obviously” and Chay is like “okay! :D” and like two days later Korn just dies out of nowhere and nobody can prove it but everyone knows that Chay had something to do with it so Kim just asks and Chay just tells him he asked a friend to do him a favor and Kim is like “???” until Chay is like “yeah, that friend is literally the anthropomorphic personification of the concept of Death :D” everyone else is for some reason also there.

Chay doesn’t tell anyone this bc they would lose their shit if they knew but they met Death when they died accidentally when he was like 4 and when Death came to collect him, they just told her very politely that he couldn’t go with her bc that would made Porsche sad, she found him adorable and let him stay alive! They have been friends ever since.

Tankhun kind of knew that the personifications existed but never told anyone, he met Despair & Delirium when he was kidnapped :) to be fair he thought he was hallucinating.

I practically just told you my favorite daydream about those two 😂 tbf I thought you would find it interesting

-⏳💤💜

anon

anon I am kissing you on the forehead, this is DELIGHTFUL

Chay!!! as besties with Death!!!! Death a common friend to all but the deepest connection with CHAY. I love your day dream, I had in fact immediately pictured Korn's bloody ruthlessness being in part an effort to court Death for his own nefarious purposes, and Chay's like "oh? do you want to meet her then?" and Death arrives and gently tells Korn he's always had her attention, he never had to try to catch it, and Korn feels very smug about this until she holds out her hand and Korn realizes he's just dead and she means she knows everyone who passes through her lands eventually, he's not special.

(I hope!!! You do not mind me playing with your day dream! Yours is a beautiful idea, I hope I added and didn't impose 😂🙏)

but oh mannn, I'm right there with you in that Kim is my favorite but Chay is my most specialest boyTM, and I have a silly day dream for them too actually! I'm not sure if you've ever heard of the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire? it's a novella series centered around the concept of portal fantasy worlds, with a bunch of children who had gone to different alternate worlds and are now back on earth, trying to make a life after and several waiting/hoping to return to their worlds. I had actually first had a weird mashup of that series and bad buddy, but then kp came out and I fell down that rabbit hole and my brain shifted the day dream to accommodate Chay going to a different world where he'd gotten literal wings before he was returned to earth (reason typically being for Porsche). and something-somrthing happens, the exact reasons for this next bit change, but somehow he and the other boys are in danger, Chay's door opens again for him, and he drags all thr boys with him for safety and they all learn our boy is MagicTM. Kim is 😍 x100 obvs, he doesn't really care about the specifics he just cares about Chay lol. Porsche's reactions vary but usually around I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A GAME WE PLAYED AS KIDS, and Kinn and Khun are just. Baffled. Mind blown. What the fuck is happening, this is very cool but still WHAT?!