#though betrayal is something

[lured-into-wonderland]

“I…I…” – it felt sad when he vocalized (or confirmed) what she was thinking before. Even if she had known that she was (or could be) a threat it was something else to know and to be told so.

“I never implied you are powerless. I am aware you have means to perform…your duties…” – she didn’t know what he could do (and didn't want to test it), but Nunnally was not powerless either – “I don’t like the thought we could…we would be forced to clash one day.” – that was an honest desire – “But I cannot exclude that will happen…one day.”

Nunnally shivered. She suddenly felt cold and hopeless; a little girl left alone, deprived of love and care. She sighed and looked straight into Haruto’s eyes; her blue eyes were kind, but there was a single tear in one of the eyes – “I have a…mission…” – yes, a mission for the lack of a better word – “…that I need to complete…and…”

“…and you might not like where it leads me, Mr Abe…”

“All of us have pasts, don’t we…Mr Abe? And I sometimes think we are prompt to judge ourselves harsher than others would do…”

She went silent. What would he tell if he knew her past. She killed. Unintentionally, but she did. And would do anything to please her father. Though she could not give him what he wanted. She was weak. Too weak: --

“I don’t care of who you were and what you did. It’s who you are now that matters to me.” – but she knew the people were usually different. She had experienced that. But not all people. And she wanted to know that she would not judge. Or at least she hoped she'd the one to repay with kindness for kindness.

"Of course I do..."

Haruto allowed the snowball to fall out of his hands, go colliding into the ground again, and he moved to join Nunnally on the bench. It was too cold for something like this, he thought, but if he stayed near her, they could be a bit more comfortable together.

"Anything that isn't human is a threat to my city. But I am not powerless. And furthermore, anything that can be a threat also has the potential to be an asset. If it's possible to be on cordial terms with you, darling, I see no reason for me to rock the boat. Too much anyway. At my core I am still a man that judges the souls of others. A little meddling is more or less engrained at this point. Of course I want to see you grow. I can see potential beyond measure in your soul..."

Sincerity and conflict all explained in one. He could also say that he was growing very fond of her and cared very much for her, but at this point he felt like those sorts of things were somewhat obvious. No need to say it. He wouldn't be sitting with her here in the snow if he didn't feel that way.

"That being said..." He continued, lowering his chin, "I am not a good man, like you say. I am growing, too, learning from my past mistakes. I am a better man than I used to be, but I have... So much to atone for. What I am now could never make up for what I've been."

[ender1821]

im a child of divorce

[wanderinggoddess]

Judas's Betrayal

[shorthaltsjester]

it is quite funny to me as someone who studies philosophy and has had to have the conversations that bh and ludinus have been having many times over and often with people who like ludinus do not have any reading comprehension and truly like. the notion of “this shouldn’t exist” is almost always one that comes up regardless of whether it’s a discussion on the metaphysics of a potential God(s) or divinity, high political powers, or vehicles of systemic oppression. and what anyone who cares about people more than their ideals (even, sometimes, ideals that started out being about people but quickly come to be about the ideals themselves) realizes very quickly in a philosophical discussion about what should and shouldn’t exist is that it does not matter if what you’ve decided ‘shouldn’t’ exist does in fact already exist. like that tends to be the difference between sociopolitical philosophy that actually has teeth and substance in the world — a willingness to engage with the world as it is, not as it should be. because you can have the perfect image of a just and wonderful future world, but if you do not at every step reckon with the unjust world from which you are aiming at that future, you’re doing nothing. ideals are helpful because they aim us toward goals and hopes, but they’re nothing without a reality that grounds them.

and so people like ludinus, who in the real world would play the role of a graduate student with critical thinking skills that make every professor he comes across question how he arrived at his level of study, they don’t have Wrong ideals, there’s obviously plenty of reasons why an exandria without gods might in fact be a better place for mortals (there are also many Many reasons why it would not). but ludinus has also chosen his ideals to weigh heavier than the mortals he claims to uphold them with. i think ashton is also interesting, because i think a lot of their positions have a fun fluctuation between being ideal focused and person focused, where sometimes they’re focused on how unfair life is in a very nihilistic position, and at other times they seem quite clear about how much ideals help no one if they’re not second to the desire to help others. and i think that made their role in the convo with ludinus in 102 especially interesting and irritating (but in a narratively fulfilling way). anyway, truly so fun watching ludinus argue with the amount of fallacies and undeserved confidence of like right wing first year students in an ethics class explaining how actually the ends justify the means and thanos had the right idea actually if it means no more starvation. get a grip old man.

[darlingod]

It’s just… it is everything that Cardan thought Jude would notice his “SO OBVIOUS” exile riddle and thinks Jude to not hesitate to come back. Beside his certainty of her cleverness to piece the riddle together, he believed he was that clear about his feelings toward her; he had thought she absolutely ought to know how he feels for her.

Like oh buddy. BUDDY. Your wife had thought of the answer to your little riddle like you thought she would. But guess what? She has detrimental TRUST ISSUES. (Like… Ur super mean and hot, I can’t blame her.) Anyway.. it’s SUPER adorable of him to so wholeheartedly believe she wouldn’t question his trust. It reveals so much about his pov of thier relationship.

Jude thought Cardan’s (silly) trick was a (vile) trick, when it was simply a: “Im trying to impress/pay you back in kind with our romantic metaphorical sparring and eventually get you out of political drama for a bit,” trick.

I’m fucking laughing wow these delusional ass children I fucking love them.

[fujii-draws]

Rest

Summary: As a zephyr of light wind passed the cloaked wraith. The bustling, lively sounds and sights of Treasure town are unable to capture his attention. For the Gripper Pokémon was too busy tending to a certain pup, gently resting in his arms.

[Word Count: 3731]

———————

‘Riolu, Emanation Pokémon’

‘It is a widely known fact that riolu’s have a tendency to curl up and nestle into Pokémon they fully trust. Though, a rare phenomenon, seeing as they can sense one’s intentions. You’d be lucky to have one of them even remotely tolerate you.’

…

…It’d been text from a book Dusknoir had picked up recently out of morbid curiosity, mainly as to figure out why a certain young aura pup with him had been so… needy. Suffice to say, the answer he’d gotten did not disappoint, feeling a great sense of pride, and fondness swelling deep inside his chest.

“Mmmn…”

Speaking of…

…An Aura pokémon had been slumbering peacefully on the ghost-type for the past hour or so— having curled himself into a tiny ball on Dusknoir’s scarred chest. It was a foreign feeling. Yet it endeared the specter to the riolu. The cloaked ghost could feel the small aura pup’s breathing, as well as his little heart, beating rhythmically within his small body.

Rather than picking up the boy and letting him lay on the grass… Dusknoir had kept him close. Even going as far as to take extra precautionary measures ensuring the young pup had been comfortable. The Gripper Pokémon’s giant hand reached for the Relic fragment and red scarf wrapped around his yellow neck fur—gently loosening it with his index finger and thumb. Before placing it on the soft patch of grass.

It was a strange feeling, having something barely as big as Dusknoir’s hand, peacefully dozing on him without a single hint of fear …If anything, he’d assumed his imposing stature would scare the riolu away. But seeing the pup like this… it made the ghost-type feel serene. Dare he goes far as to say a little delighted, especially when putting into consideration the circumstances around it.

Normally the riolu would be working himself a mile-a-minute, having been too anxious to rest for even a second with the dreaded ‘Time Gear thief’ on the loose. Everyone at the guild, including his own Eevee partner, had begged for the Riolu to calm down. To rest. That Grovyle would be captured in due time… yet to no avail. So to see the young, agitated Pokémon… finally having a moment of peace… It had made Dusknoir slightly protective of the Riolu, wanting to ensure that the poor, young pup got his much needed rest.

Any Treasure Town residents that had passed the two Pokémon had been met with a simple nod of acknowledgement, or finger hovering under his red and gold eye in a ‘shushing’-like motion. He’d sometimes even glare at certain Pokémon who were being obnoxiously loud. Which usually did the trick. But every single time, the ghost-type’s attention would fall back to the little pup.

“Mmn… nngh…”

Aimilios had let out a tiny yawn, before shifting to sleep on his other side. Dusknoir found himself smiling towards this small action, gently reaching his massive hand towards the riolu.

“Tired little one, aren’t you..?” Dusknoir hummed, petting his fur gently.

“..Mhm..” Aimilios unconsciously responded with his eyes closed. He yawns, before nuzzling into the ghost even further.

“I see.” Dusknoir chuckles out, responding humorfully towards the riolu’s… clearly concise response.

The sleepy aura pup used his tiny paws to hold onto Dusknoir— His equally small tail and knees curling in an admittedly endearing attempt to hide from the cold. That’d go without even mentioning the momentary twitching of his ears— all of which endeared the cloaked ghost-type even further towards the riolu.

He bellows a chuckle, continuing to pet the fighting-type with his large hand— humming to himself. Dusknoir continued to watch over the riolu fondly, securing the small fighting-type safe in his arms— offering warmth as he continued to watch him idly with a half-lidded eye. As the pup held onto Dusknoir unconsciously… he couldn't help but wonder where his trust in the ghost-type spawn from so quickly…?

Despite his positive reputation as “The Great Dusknoir '' perceiving him, aswell as saving him and Ribbons from Amp plains… he knew just how easily frightened Aimilios was. Especially considering the reputation and intimidating features ghost-types are known for… and that’s without touching upon the sizable differences compared to the pup. It played a small factor in why Aimilios evaded him and his affections in the beginning.

Dusknoir knew his hand alone was probably big enough to equal that of the riolu’s body size- it wouldn’t be difficult to snuff the life out of him with a single, bone-crushing grip— to simply be done with his mission.

And yet.

“……”

…There Aimilios was, gingerly sleeping on the ghost-type after a long, somewhat uneventful day.

_____

Just an hour ago, the Gripper Pokémon had been reading under a shaded tree, wanting to take in the world of the past as much as possible before his inevitable return to the dark, bleak future that had awaited him. It was… a nice and rare leisurely pass time for the ghost; Dusknoir wanted to savor every bit of it. Especially with the even rarer moments of free time where he could put the celebrity facade to rest. It came to a halt however, the wraith catching the slightest hint of blue in the corner of his eye.

“Hm..?”

A frozen riolu, who’d been staring at Dusknoir from afar. It was rather obvious he was trying to muster up the courage to interact with the ghost-type. With a smile, Dusknoir decided to invite the riolu over— humming with a nod.

Off in the distance, Aimilios… clearly wasn’t expecting an offer from the famous Dusknoir to come sit with him. Judging from how caught off-guard he’d been. The cloaked specter only chuckled at the riolu doing a double-take; looking both ways before pointing to himself. He’d almost yelped when he saw Dusknoir signaling him over, giving him the go to come near… It felt almost unreal to the fighting-type. Trying to hide his fear, (and excitement), Aimilios awkwardly shuffles his way towards the Great explorer.

…At first it’d been rather quiet; with Dusknoir reading and Aimilios staring up at the sky, with the occasional, unsubtle glimpse of the book the ghost-type had been reading. Dusknoir didn’t mind however, pretending to not notice the riolu’s obvious interest. Not wanting to put the riolu on the spot so suddenly.

He allowed the curious pup to peer over his shoulder, pretending to be oblivious to the riolu’s excitement. It was until Aimilios piped up with the tiniest, excited bark; pointing at one of the passages the cloaked specter had skimmed, that he finally acknowledged the riolu. Aimilios almost immediately apologized for the outburst, (almost as formally as Dusknoir, which humored the ghost-type.) but Dusknoir only raised an eyebrow, shifting the book closer to make it easier for the both of them to read.

“O-oh!-“ Aimilios stuttered. “I’m sorry Mr. Dusknoir, sir! I didn’t mean t-to—!”

“No no, by all means!” Dusknoir boisterously spoke, shaking his head. “I’d quite enjoy your company. It was beginning to get rather quiet.”

The large ghost-type smiled warmly, the wrinkles in his eye folding up. Dusknoir preferred silence— but he’d added in that last bit to ease the riolu’s nerves— curious to see more of this side of Aimilios.

The ghost patted the patch of grass, signaling Aimilios to sit near him. He awkwardly scoots over— falling strangely silent once more… but with a little reassurance and time, the aura pup had started to wag his tail, excitedly pointing from passage-to-passage with enthusiasm. Not only eagerly asking the ghost-type questions about certain things within the book, but also explaining passages to him… displaying his sharp-wit and intellect despite his younger age.

Aimilios’s brightness and eagerness to learn, mesmerized Dusknoir, to put it lightly. He’d never seen this side to the riolu before, despite hearing from Ribbons— his smaller, more louder Eevee partner, plenty of times. Which piqued Dusknoir’s interest, but he never quite got to see it.

…Not until now that is.

Dusknoir had always assumed from their first interaction that he’d done something to upset the Riolu. A miscalculation, perhaps. What he hadn’t accounted, was for the small child to pick up on some of his mannerisms. Psychoanalyzing the large revenant with terrifying accuracy. Something Aimilios stopped doing when he felt the renowned explorer staring at him for a little too long.

The cloaked revenant felt a shift in the fighting-type’s demeanor when Aimilios read his aura for the very first time; around when they conversed at the Kelceon Market, to be more specific. Going from a soft-spoken, yet starry-eyed pup… into a more uncomfortable, timid form— hiding behind his smaller partner. He saw this same, apprehensive look in the Riolu’s eye when they were on the beach. Where Dusknoir had insisted that he ‘unfortunately’ didn’t have any information to spare regarding his Eevee partner’s memory. The wraith sensed Aimilios’s sudden want to leave when he presumably absorbed the nauseating aura radiating from him.

This… admittedly somewhat saddened the large ghost-type. He didn’t understand why he seeked the small aura pup’s acquiescence the way he did. But it hurt to see the aura pup’s blood pressure spike whenever he’d gotten near. Perhaps… because of how terrified and shy Aimilios was… he reminded the battle-scarred phantom of himself when he was a meek Duskull.

Compared to his partner, who he seemed to already have wrapped around his finger, it was clear to the cloaked specter how much more patience and maintenance the riolu required. Being extra cautious and kind around the fragile pup. Making himself out to be approachable as possible as he sought out the young fighting-type. Taking priority in the riolu’s as he took him under his wing, personally training and educating the young pup. In one-on-one sessions together.

It didn’t take long for the rest of Treasure town to see the clear special treatment he’d been giving the Riolu. Ribbons were also an exception, but it was clear how much less tense and strict the Great Dusknoir had become around the Aura Pokémon.

He’d greeted other Pokémon in the township rather professionally, but when Aimilios had approached and tugged on his cloak sheepishly. It felt as if the ghost-type became an entirely different Pokémon— floating closer to the ground and extending careful hands towards the pup as he warmly greeted him.

Though the majority of his kindness had been fabricated towards the beginning…Dusknoir’s gestures slowly grew to be more genuine. It was indescribable. To see the timid riolu slowly grow more comfortable around him. Whether it’d been a small smile, or watching as the small Pokémon reached for his large hand. Curling his black mittened paw over his finger as the pup rambled on about what he was previously telling the now endeared specter. Holding his paw back with a gentle squeeze.

Aimilios looked happy merely seeing another Pokémon take him and his interests seriously. Dusknoir couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment, being able to aid in breaking the riolu out of his shell. The pup had gone on and on… to the point of tuckering himself out. Hoho…

…Eventually leading to where they were now in the present. Finding the same, reticent aura pup… sleeping comfortably on him. Dusknoir’s cloak tendrils curl around in a protective barrier at the mere sight alone. Dusknoir simply watched over Aimilios as he continued to cling onto him like a baby Komala... It was a sight the Gripper Pokémon had been taking in for the past hour.

“Nghh…”

The Gripper Pokémon observed quietly as Aimilios woke up—in the form of a little stretch whilst yawning, smacking his lips. The fighting-type rubbed his eyes open, whirling his head left and right—looking as if he’d been trying to figure out which continent he was on. Humoring the wraith quite a bit.

“This…” Aimilios groggily begins. “…isn’t the guild…”

Dusknoir’s stomach maw parted slightly, letting out a low, rumbling chuckle at the now awakening Riolu. Aimilios’s eyes drift upwards, squinting at the source of the noise… only to find himself on top of the gargantuan wraith’s chest.

“No, I do not believe it to be so either.” The gargantuan wraith lightly jokes.

“D-Dusknoir..?!” He exclaimed, staring up at the cloaked ghost-type that’d been holding him for the past hour, his tail frizzing out visibly as his ears and black appendages perked up.

“Good afternoon, Aimilios.“ Dusknoir chuckled out in a playful wit, continuing to lightly tease the young riolu.

“W-why am I here..?! Did I..?” Aimilios frantically sputtered. He nearly leapt off the dusknoir; his paws hoisting his upper body as he continued to whip his head left and right. Interrupting Dusknoir with his frenzied panic.

“…Aimilios?” Dusknoir had stopped smiling at this point, his worry increasing from the Riolu’s frantic movement. “Please, try to calm down— I don’t understand-“

“O-oh no— oh no no no—!“ Aimilios holds his paws on his face in disbelief; red pupils shrink as more and more intrusive thoughts fill the aura pup’s mind— “I didn’t mean to—!”

“Aimilios.”

…Dusknoir admittedly felt horrible, slightly raising his voice towards the panicking riolu. But it was the only way he could stop whatever train of thought Aimilios was having right in its tracks.

“Just slow down.” He cuts the terrified aura pup off, stroking his face with his huge, scarred thumb. Calming the small riolu. His words prove effective, seeing as Aimilios froze completely per Dusknoir’s request. He continues to pet the riolu, trying to calm the little one down.

“I…”

“…It’s quite alright.” He says, already have forgiven the young fighting-type— his soft smile not leaving his face. “Now… Did you rest well?”

Aimilios stares wide eyed, almost bewildered by the ghost’s question. After a couple of seconds have passed, he coyly looks away, nodding slightly with the tiniest ‘mhm.’

Another low chuckle.

“I'm glad to hear.”

Despite this, Aimilios looks away from the giant wraith, almost ashamed of his actions. Dusknoir’s expression contorts to that of slight worry.

“…What troubles you?” The large specter asks, his head slightly tilting in confusion at the riolu’s movements.

“Wh-why didn’t you wake me up…?”

“Pardon..?” Dusknoir eye widens slightly. Aimilios breaking away eye contact as he does.

“…W-With all due respect Dusknoir sir..!-“ Aimilios yelps. “Y-You could’ve just told me to leave you alone…! You didn’t have to wait that entire time just for me to w-wake up..!”

Ah.

“You looked peaceful.” Dusknoir calmly stated. “I did not intend to disturb you.”

“Wh?- Why not..!?” Aimilios shouts near the end, covering his mouth with his paws towards his outburst. The riolu now having gotten the ghost-type’s full attention, who looked down towards the young Pokemon in concern.

“Was there something you were planning to do today?” Dusknoir woes. “Forgive me, Aimilios. If I had known, I would have—

“That’s not it..!”

“Then… what is?” Dusknoir had sat up more straightly at this point; giving his full, undivided attention to the terrified riolu. The ghost-type’s expression is filled with concentration; traces of worry added into the mix.

“Excuse me for my bluntness… but… I don’t quite understand what you’re trying to tell me.”

Aimilios looks bewildered at the last part of Dusknoir’s sentence.

“I-I mean-..! You’re the Dusknoir..!” Aimilios exclaims. Gesturing to the ghost with both of his paws stretched out. “You’re the world renowned explorer of the Grass-continents..! You probably had a bunch of important work you could’ve been doing…!”

Dusknoir’s expression shifts slightly.

“…You didn’t have to wait on a nobody like me…” Aimilios pouts. “I-I would’ve gotten out of your way if you’d just told me-“

Aimilios is cut off rather abruptly by the cloaked ghost. He feels himself suddenly being cradled against the phantom’s body. His cloaking wrapped all around the grass and riolu in a protective, outer ring. Dusknoir makes quiet shushing noises in an attempt to soothe the little riolu. Aimilios feels his stress slowly evaporate the longer he’s held. The young fighting-type shuts his eyes as he sinks a little into the soft, dark-gray like flesh.

“Is that all..?”

“…”

“Aimilios.” Dusknoir began softly, yet with assuredness in his words. “You need not worry about how I spend my time. Whether it be work, job requests, or even to sign autographs.” He inhales a deep breath, before sighing melancholically. “That being said…”

The Gripper Pokémon rubs the side of his face with his large thumb in circular motions in an attempt to console the self-deprecating Riolu. He cups the riolu’s face with his large, battle-scarred palms, making certain that the young boy was looking at him when he says his next words. “I wished to spend my time with you. I wanted to be here, regardless of whatever duties I could have been attending to.”

Aimilios looks up at Dusknoir with his glassy eyes. His words getting through to him once more.

“So rest… I won’t be going anywhere, lest you request me to.”

“……” The riolu stares at the ghostly giant for quite some time. Bewildered by the sheer authenticity of his words. All while the same, soft expression never leaving his eye. Aimilios was trying to find a hint of irony or perhaps even cruel sarcasm… but all he sees is Dusknoir’s real and faux, gold eyes. Smiling softly.

“Y-You mean it…?”

“I do.”

“And…” Aimilios stutters “Y-you don’t mind…?”

Dusknoir brings the riolu closer to him.

“Not one bit.”

“………okay.” Aimilios mumbled, barely audible, but just loud enough for Dusknoir to hear. He sees Aimilios no longer fighting to keep his eyes open. Dusknoir softly smiles once more. He watches Aimilios shifting around to get more comfortable— balling both of his little paws into fists. The Riolu huddles into himself once more. Something in the riolu’s chest twinges with a warm feeling when he sees Dusknoir gathering him closer into his arms… Aimilios smiles at Dusknoir one last time— before returning to his sleep. Being held gently by the large figure watching over him.

“…Comfortable?”

A nod, Aimilios willingly allowing himself to go limp in Dusknoir’s embrace. The ghost-type feels the young riolu smiling.

“I’m glad to hear it.” A large, gentle finger reaches to move the black appendage covering Aimilios’s face. He stared fondly at the aura pup, who was now finally allowing himself to be vulnerable around Dusknoir… the ghost’s mind wanders back to the book he’d been reading. About how difficult it was to gain the trust of a Pokémon such as Aimilios, considering their built-in lie-detector in aura sensing… and how much trust he put in Dusknoir.

“…...” a slight shadow fell over the ghost’s face as more sinister, deadpan expression twisted in the specter’s eye— looking away from Aimilios.

How it pained him knowing soon that Aimilios would come to realize how foolish he’d been, trusting a deceptive Pokémon such as himself.

But for now…He’d indulge in this moment… he’ll take in the scene laying right before him. Of when Aimilios still trusted in him. He’ll carry out this meaningless delusion… just a little longer.

“Rest well…little stalwart…” Dusknoir hummed softly. Gazing at the Aura Pokémon once more with the same fondness he’d been looking at him since he’d first slept. His cloak wisps and surrounds the small fighting-type— swaying and curling in-tune with the ghost’s emotions towards Aimilios. The time for their confrontation will come, but for now…

…He’ll keep Aimilios happy.

For as much time as he has left.

…

Dusknoir stayed true to his word as he held the small riolu until sundown. Orange-pink skies were now replaced with a star-filled night overhead. A black, yet beautiful tranquility fell upon the town and its residents as the revenant took in the majestic view. Nights in the present were eons better in comparison to the empty future.

The ghost-type’s attention is promptly stolen by the young pup, sleeping gently in his arms. A small bit of warmth from the aura pokemon leaked into his chest from the time spent cradling him. Keeping the little one from freezing with insulation. But it was clear from the way Aimilios began shivering that his thin fur coat wasn’t enough to brace the elements.

“Let’s get you somewhere warm, shall we?” The cloaked revenant spoke to the unconscious aura pup, still smiling at the sight.

Dusknoir grabbed the Relic Fragment and red scarf laying on the patch soft grass. Now holding the riolu’s belongings in his fist, the revenant begins departing onwards, floating straight to Wigglytuff’s guild.

…

He was aware of the curfew set for guild members. Primed of the knowledge thanks to a certain nosy brown fox. Dusknoir really had to speak with Ribbons’ snooping activities, especially regarding her guildmates’ personal journals. The ghost-type floated stealthily by the perched bird. Sparing the aura pup from a harsh scolding that would have awaited him in the morning.

The giant specter floated silently past the other guildmates’ rooms through the narrow hallway. He noticed Aimilios grimacing in his sleep as they went by Loudred’s room. Which Dusknoir empathized with as soon as he heard the same, ear-splitting snore roaring from within. It’s no wonder the poor boy hadn’t gotten any sleep.

Upon entering Team Hope’s dormitory, Dusknoir is greeted with the sight of a slumbering Eevee. Laying flat on her back with her maw agape— drool dripping from the side of her mouth. If her hind legs twitching was any to go by— It was clear the Eevee was dreaming about… something. What that was could be anyone’s guess, Dusknoir internally chuckled to himself. Her snores, while not as loud as her purple companion, were… unnatural to say the least. Sighing heavily, the cloaked wraith hovers over Aimilios's haybed. But stops himself halfway.

Almost hesitant to let go.

Between the Riolu and his vixen partner, physical contact with the young Eevee was much, much more common. Ribbons would almost always be located somewhere around his body— mainly his ruffs. Dusknoir thoroughly enjoyed her company, despite her complete disregard for personal space.

Then there was the Riolu, who was the complete opposite.

Any attempts made at getting physically closer to the riolu were met with shy declines. Most of which, we’re always laced with a hint of fear, looking up at the ghost type before backing away slowly. Which the Gripper Pokémon understood. It was a given, afterall. Ghost-types we’re not known for their positive reputation or welcoming looks. Even if Aimilios was starstruck— he would only retreat from Dusknoir at the very last second.

So when the aura pup finally felt comfortable enough to not only climb on his stomach to better study the book he’d been skimming. But to fall asleep right on his chest…?

It felt almost sacred.

…

After moments of contemplation, the hesitant wraith gently placed the young Pokémon down. The Riolu didn’t make it any easier on the elder ghost-type, who kept clinging onto him as he tried to let go. Once detached from Aimilios, Dusknoir floats back the way he came. Not before taking one, final glance towards the sleeping pup.

[the3rddenialist]

(( What time is it? Yeahhhhh, more @slay-the-heroine by @tai-janai, traditional edition))

Another Sly Spectre

Chapter 3 Buddies (something something narrator things fucked them up)

[langfield]

do you think vinh was actually in love with safi? i know he starts doubting that he ever was in chapter 5, but if he wasn’t actually in love what do you think his true feelings for her were? emotional attachment maybe? on safi’s side, i think it’s interesting how even after knowing about vinh’s statement about maya she still decides to hook up with him for a time (only to eventually stop sometime prior to the game?? maybe they had another falling out idk). their relationship in general is just very fascinating to me lmao.

god, the safi-vinh dynamic is certainly one filled with intrigue because of all the intense emotions attached to the people within it ; aimed at each other and also at the bystanders whom haunted around their not so defined relationship. there’s just so much baggage attached to them, you know? mostly painful things and a general sense of betrayal or regret, creating a potion of this general wishy washy bullshit that’s hard to parse through … more so in safi’s case than vinh’s, but i’ll touch upon that later! as for your question about vinh and his true feelings, well.

maybe he was in love with safi once upon a time. maybe the fact he believed that he was in love with her is really all that matters. i suppose it depends on what your definition of romantic love and utter devotion is. it’s undeniable he cared fiercely for safi, enough so to become jealous of max ( safi’s object of obsession ), swear off serious relationships in hope she’d want him back, and to engage in a general meddling within her life to make sure she comes out of situations as unscathed as possible. i mean, he schemes to steal a cow skull and then proceeds to throw it through her windshield in an attempt to save yasmin’s and safi’s relationship … it is very extra of him to do, in fact it’s a literal crime, and the game has both max and safi acknowledge the intensity of said action in episode four. we see the memory of the hedgehog he proudly displays on his desk, the carelessness in which safi treats it, her ‘i’ll buy you another one if it breaks’, and how vinh simpers beneath that offer because he doen’t want a new one, he wants this one, the one safi gave him : a gift that was likely unprompted, some sort of surprise maybe, given to him on a whim and cherished better than any other possession he owns. we also see how he breaks it when she dies. then there’s photos upon photos of safi on his phone and it’s implied he takes pictures after they sleep together and -- that isn’t even touching upon how he practically gives up on himself after her death. the mask drops, he starts trying to branch out and find acting gigs elsewhere, wanting to leave caledon forever, and there’s a sense of raw anger and loneliness he feels when she’s gone. he stops hooking up and pushes everyone away besides max, whom he clings to, and it’s a lot, right? there’s love there. obsession, probably. in many ways he’s still the ‘puppy’ following safi around like gwen said, only without maya this time. he waits and stews and he wants, certainly, for her to love him … but was it purely romantic love? who’s to say!

i think vinh wanted safi as his girlfriend before, maybe when things weren’t so tense, and he still believed that fiercely even when he stopped wanting it. i don’t think he knew where his feelings started to dwindle into something less excited and more resigned, or when he started looking for someone else. his priority remained with safi and with yasmin and thus there wasn’t a lot of time to dissect his heart, a rather vulnerable act he already struggles with anyway. he’s a repressive sort of man. he doesn’t do a lot of introspection because he has an act to maintain, a reputation to follow. but i do believe that by the time double exposure takes place, vinh’s love for safi has indeed shifted because his attraction to max veers on something that isn’t purely sexual. there is an undeniable interest, both in dead and living world, that he’s either embracing or squirming away from … i do not think vinh had many crushes at all when he was in love with safi. i don’t think he allowed himself that luxury, because he didn’t want to move on from her, or put himself off the market in case she wanted him again, in bed or in some profound, loving sense. lots of waiting. lots of surrendering, ‘she’ll come around, we’ll make up’, and hoping despite himself. so his romance with max proves to me that vinh is somewhat right in saying ‘or i thought i was’ when talking about safi and being in love with her, because he was before, but he isn’t exactly in love with her now, if that makes sense? i’d say an emotional attachment is a good title for what they have by the time of the games events.

( i do not wish to diminish vinh’s feelings, but i also think there’s a case to be made that he was rather desperate when he thought himself in love with safi ; there was a lot of insecurity within him back when he was a student, weighed down by the fact he was poor and not your standard run-of-the-mill white man … as an adult he scoffs at his acting abilities and wields his power as head of abraxas with a rather tight fist, as though it’s the only control he’s ever had before. it’s rather clear his only two friends were safi and maya and that vinh hasn’t had any since them -- was desperate to stay on their heels despite the fact he was never really apart of whatever they had. it’s not a stretch to speculate that vinh was, perhaps, a cocktail mix of loneliness and desperation rather than strictly in love with safi. maybe confused his all-consuming need to be around her as desire, or maybe just enjoyed feeling wanted by safi enough to mix his wires. after all, why was it safi he was in love with and not maya? vinh also uses sex as a means of coping, as seen by his rather active sex life in game via hookup apps and reggie, so maybe his sex with safi was just that. coping. in it’s own way. regardless, he did love her, or so he thinks so, and to me i think that’s enough, speculation aside )

safiya’s side of things is much more difficult than vinh’s, who is more obvious about his feelings towards her than he thinks he is. there are some brief contradictions, like how it’s stated that safi doesn’t care for vinh ( which is true ) and yet she also acknowledges that when she split apart and lost herself, all that was left of her was moses, lucas, gwen, and vinh. we know that moses and gwen matter to safi, or mattered, and that at one point safi might’ve admired lucas … so where does that leave vinh? if she doesn’t hate him like gwen or lucas now, and if she doesn’t cherish him like moses or max, why is he still apart of her? what does that mean? is it just a metaphor for their times with maya, and how safi will always be connected to that past with vinh because of her love for the caledon’s personal dead girl? was her sleeping with vinh about maya too? or did she actually care for vinh once, albeit weakly and casually, and did that fleeting moment of affection count when she vanished into everyone who’s ever thoroughly affected her life? and, as you said, it’s so fascinating that she hooks up with vinh at all post maya death … it feels strange and odd and unlike her. even in their intimate picture together after fooling around she is nothing but angry, disinterested, her underwear and bra are already back on ( if they were ever off at all? ) and while that’s on account of safi just hating photos, i also think it’s a testament to how irritable she finds vinh’s presence when stuck in it. it’s not a happy photo really, even vinh’s expression is a little red-eyed, forced, like he was likely wasted the night prior. i wouldn’t be surprised if safi was only able to be with vinh if she was … you know … literally out of her mind drunk or high or what have you.

though, that’s just speculation of course. my vague take on things is that safi went to vinh whenever she was partied out or if she was feeling particularly destructive that day ; choked with self loathing over her mom or maya and so sex with vinh was a means for her to feel even worse. some sort of self harm, some sort of outlet where she could be particularly cruel and evil without consequence, because vinh would take it and roll over -- could even be her way of controlling things too, like vinh with abraxas, because we know vinh has no issues with being led around in the bedroom, so that’s some food for thought. i don’t think she thinks about it after or remembers it much … she really doesn’t think about vinh unless it suits her or if she needs to. i always notice how, in episode four, safiya immediately knows what max is talking about when she asks if safi’s ever transformed into amanda, gwen, or lucas. she owns up immediately, confesses, and understands intimately what situation max is referring to. but when max asks about vinh and the phone, there is a brief moment where safi just stares blankly at her -- like she’s thinking about it, like she doesn’t even remember, before it finally clicks after a beat. either she wears vinh’s metaphorical skin a lot ( which, to be fair, she does pretend to be vinh a lot in game ) or she literally thinks of him so little she’ll forget everything about him in minutes. both are likely! she doesn’t even recall what type of alcohol he likes, calling it bougie japanese brandy ‘or whatever’ … and can’t be assed to remember his phone’s pin number exactly, only vague details about a magician scientist that she clearly thought was boring and lame when vinh told her said story, if her hostility and complete forgetfulness is anything to go by. for me, it’s easy to get caught up in a ‘safi did care! she had to!’ angle about vinh, although the game repeatedly shows you over and over again that she does not. she doesn’t even care that max kissed him really, if anything, she’s more jealous of vinh being with max given some of her remarks :

( i know, technically, safi’s ‘come again?’ is more nervous than jealous per se … but there is a certain air to it, especially given the ‘i can be your new boyfriend’ comment as seen above lol. if she loves max and doesn’t care for vinh, i can only imagine how she’d feel about their romance in particular! )

and, of course, there’s that part in episode four where safi can disguise herself as vinh in order to tear lucas a new one. i enjoy that part for many reasons! seeing how safi feels so much more comfortable in someone else’s skin than her own is fascinating and makes for good foreshadowing … but there is also the reveal of her opinions on vinh, unabashed and shameless, when she is finally giving him an ounce of thought :

it’s interesting! she doesn’t care for him, really, doesn’t loathe him like lucas or gwen or her own mother, but there’s a level of vitriol regardless. she thinks him fake. she thinks him a coward. she thinks he’s scared of facing consequences and that he only acts in his own self interest and she hates every bit of that. while safi can confess to doing maya wrong and hating herself for it, she never allows vinh that same courtesy. even says as much to max, claiming that only she had the humanity to regret her choice while vinh apparently didn’t. and yet … she doesn’t hate him? doesn’t feel strongly towards him? he’s still apart of her, a large part, and she can get along with him fine on crosstalk if she so pleases and she can hate his guts but, when the raw truth is revealed, she apparently feels nothing towards him at all? it is fascinating to think about is all. how she doesn’t wish him dead but doesn’t care if he’s alive either despite everything they’ve been through, even though she hates gwen and lucas and her mother more. it’s rather mean, though that’s what makes it so complex and interesting. it shows that safi only ever cares ( and oh, does she care fiercely, obsessively ) for a very slim group of people, and that when push comes to shove, everyone else can fend for themselves for all she cares. she would protect moses and max in a heartbeat, without thought, and the piece of her within them tries valiantly to keep them safe by locking them away from the world ( another thing to dissect, certainly! ), but she doesn’t really extend such empathy towards the innocents caught in her crossfire. she may be tormenting lucas and gwen specifically, but everyone else was going to be collateral damage and safi was fine with that. at least a little bit. vinh falls in that category of inevitable damage, i think, despite their closeness and despite their history, and you can tell that’s what really wounds him at the end of things. safi couldn’t even torment him, didn’t have the want or energy to do so, he was valiantly apart of her and safi didn’t even care about that. very interesting! it’s also heartbreaking in many ways to see two people who should’ve been able to lean on each other, who should’ve loved one another, be nothing but strangers at the end of things. an example of how tragedy doesn’t always bring people closer. sometimes it drives you worlds apart from the one you should be grieving with, which can be seen in other life is strange games, most notably with chloe and joyce, i think.

anyway! tldr : it’s complicated and worth exploring. there are many ways you can interpret their relationship and i highly encourage everyone to find what angle is most interesting to them! and i don’t blame you for finding their dynamic fascinating because it’s easily one of my favorites in double exposure … i don’t think of it often, but it’s always lingering in the back of my mind. regardless, i hope this word vomit is helpful! if i brought up more questions than answers, i do apologize. but thank you so much for such a fun question <3 it was an absolute blast, and tickled my brain enough to pump this out asap.

[greenerteacups]

Are there any other wizarding families that are underexplored in canon and pique your interest in a similar way to the Blacks?

This is a unique function of what food my brain worms like to eat, but no one's doing it like the Blacks. The drama? The intrigue? The Gothic horror? The prodigal sons and lost daughters and killers and sinners and martyrs and saints? The wizard Catholicism of it all? The story of the House of Black is the best book never written.

[aelswiths]

*screams into the void*

[nomsfaultau]

RELIGION? IN MY DSMP? MORE LIKELY THEN YOU THINK

Anyways would you like to have a debate like Ancient Greek scholars about religious imagery on the DSMP

“…and every revival only births a perversion of the original, and yet a return to form and renewal of the mission. Wilbur brought back to ambition, Tommy to fear, Techno to anarchy. This is because they were not properly revived through holy means, instead in symbols associated with satanic imagery; a grimoire, a totem. The revival book’s association with Dream echos ideas of Satan offering power that ultimately corrupts. Other symbols of Christianity show up beyond souls, revival, and satanic imagery, likewise tied to Dream. In the garden of Eden—”

“Golden apple as a symbol of the temptation of power! Of course of course! Knowledge as power, the fall of man from grace. This shows particular on the summit meeting between Techno and Dream, wherein a god apple is given by Dream. This falls neatly into parallel with Eden, where Eve is lured with the promise of having the same wisdom and thus power as god. It is the temptation presented, power promised in the same breath as suffering and conflict…”

[ahalliance]

how do i turn qantoine’s spontaneous marriage proposal to qetoiles into evidence of his early-days fear of qfrench drifing away and keeping secrets from one another

[moe-broey]

Every day I get dangerously closer to doing Heel Math. Which not only hurts my brain, but also makes me feel like I'm betraying myself........ there's NO WAY Moe stands at 5'6" in the hooves. No fucking way. Is Sharena 5'4" with or without the heels? She HAS to be One Inch Taller than Moe. Because Moe is 5'3". Don't even get me fucking STARTED on Alfonse allegedly being 5'11", something I've been taking as gospel from the art book, but there's no way. He has to be 5'11" WITH the heels. He Has To. There's NO WAY he's a whole ass 5'11" AND cunting it up on the battlefield to hit past 6 feet. That's fucking ridiculous. Do I do whatever I want forever, using the official heights as guidelines? Do I finally succumb to Heel Math. To try and capture the general height differences ACCURATELY even when everyone is wearing their shoes. LIKE if Moe is wearing 3 inch hooves and Alfonse is also wearing 3 inch heels the balance of the universe is maintained. The worst part of this is referencing my own shoes, from flat but thick soles to heel-heels, and I feel like Moe's hooves have got to be closer to 3 and a half if not 4. I pulled out a measuring tape and everything. But there is NO WAY. NO WAY. THAT THANG IS STANDING AT 5'7". ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE??????????????

[kyouka-supremacy]

Mmmhhh

[magpie-trove]

I don’t think the “mad at and separated from everyone because they lied to me (ie didn’t tell me the whole truth) so I’m storming off” plot device would work on me, rip to every character that’s been used on ever but I’m different

[whump-is-love-whump-is-life]

Thinking about that time before the betrayal. Those moments of happiness, of safety, of trust

When you think back to those moments and they’re forever tainted. When you’re just going about your day and memories hit you and they hit you hard. So many emotions in the present moment. How could someone so horrible seem so good? Were there moments you missed? Signs they aren’t who you thought? How could you not know?

How could they do this to you? To others? How dare they pretend they’re anything but a monster— and they are, always have been. You know it now and you feel so stupid for having not before.

How can you ever trust again?