#turned into a novel!

[huntersrequiem-if]

I do not know if anyone has asked this but it's my favorite toxic scenario so don't judge me.

If the ROs and MC are out and someone tries hitting on MC while an RO is away from them... how do the ROs react?

Can we pretttttty please do crushing stage vs relationship stage. 😫

I'm already dying while imagining reading Astaroth's... i have a problem 😭🤣

Hiii! Sorry, it took so long, was a bit busy. Also don't worry I'm not gonna judge, after all, it's pretty fun to explore this side of the characters.

Warning: It's pretty long so it goes under the cut.

(Also I imagined it as some sort of party)

Crush:

Nope, nope. Astaroth is seething inside. How dare this worm bother the Hunter with useless drivel? And why, oh why isn't the Hunter leaving, could they like it? No, no, he shall hear no reason like duty and politeness or silly things like that.

While there is little he can do about it - unless he wants to get into an ugly fight - Astaroth does what he knows best, talk. He picks apart everything about that worm, from the way they speak and look, the clothes they wear, the way they carry themself.

Poor Hunter will have to leave to spare themself a headache.

And if Hunter don't? Well, fine, they forced his hand. He's willing to go into a fight over this.

Regardless of how it happens, Astaroth is right as rain the moment Hunter leaves the worm in the dust. Back to jokes – fine, he’ll even grovel a bit, or more until they stop cursing him out.

Just this once.

Relationship:

Here he is more assured, confident. Because Hunter is his and nothing can take that away. So, who cares if some poor thing makes a fool out of themself trying to flirt with someone as radiant as the Hunter? Ha!

He would watch this - with his head resting on the Hunter's shoulder arms wrapped around their waist. Draped lazily over their back, he enjoys the show. An amused smirk plays on his lips as his eyes follow the bumbling fool. It widens when they stumble over their words.

Astaroth wants to cheer the idiot – “Go on, make a bigger fool out of yourself, amuse us!” – but he doesn’t, just nitpicks the attempts to himself. Frankly, he heard better flirting.

 He'll be quiet, only speaking when the idiot finally scampers away.

"Hm, I almost feel sorry." Lips brush the Hunter’s neck, a brief kiss against their warmth. “Almost.”

Crush:

Moon would freeze, not knowing what do to. Well, she does know but she isn’t that idiotic. She wants to slide near the Hunter and intertwine their fingers together. And Hunter placing a kiss on her knuckles while she sends the beau a smug look.

No, that’s downright idiotic. Moon has a duty, an obligation. She should be by her husband's side, be his darling wife. She shots a glance at the man by her side, see his gaze snap back to her. She flashes him a quick, meaningless smile, her eyes already back on the Hunter.

Movement from the little beau and Hunter, the person raising a hand to touch them. She bites her lips, wrapping her wings around herself. Oh, but would you look at that? Another person bumped into the beau before their hand touched Hunter.

Those two seem stricken by each other, you can just see the hearts floating around each other. They walk off like two loverbirds.

How adorable! How fortunate the little beau had found their mate! Isn’t Moon such a caring goddess?

The self-satisfied smile on her face withers when her eyes meet Hunter’s, quirked eyebrow and unreadable expression on their face. Moon flushes, feathers ruffled. Turning to her husband she places her arm delicately on the crook of his elbow, trying to focus on him, his lips, his words.

Relationship:

Moon sweeps between them with fluttering feathers and a trailing dress. Her tinkling laugh steals the beau’s attention and her smile is like the sun.  Warm, radiant. She enchants the person until they’re so enamored with her they forget Hunter is even there.

But she doesn’t. Moon’s eyes are always on them, flashing them a smile meant for them. Soft, adoring. Brushes of her knuckles against the back of their hand, featherlight and gone in a flash. It burns her and she wants nothing more than just leave this party.

Somehow, she manages to make the beau leave. With a wink, she turns to the Hunter and discreetly tugs at their wrist. Once they are in a secluded and shadowed corner away from prying eyes, she presses herself against them, lips seeking theirs in a heated kiss. Her hands search purchase on their clothes, trailing.

“Hello, love. Missed me?” Her words are faint against their lips.

Crush:

They would watch – glare, if you were to ask anyone else, over the rim of their cup, sipping slowly. They’re being silly, Night knows that. Hunter is their own person – this is just a childish crush, it will pass. But why does their heart do a painful squeeze when Hunter reciprocates?

Why do they wish that smile was for them?

They glance away, lips pursed in a thin line. Sneaking a glance back, they run a hand through their hair. How… pathetic they are, pinning for someone who doesn’t even know they care.

Ridiculous. They’ll leave – not because of this little scene, no, no! – but because the Underworld is busy. Night can hardly leave it unattended for a silly party.

Yes, that’s exactly why. Downing the last of the wine, they’re gone before anyone else notices.

Relationship:

A hum leaves their throat, watching the spectacle unfold. Night is not amused, more like curious. How will this happen, will the person take rejection gracefully? Some do, some don’t. A shame, to embarrass oneself for this.

Their steps bring them closer to the Hunter. They have a questioning look in their eyes – is this alright? Do you need help?

The Hunter shakes their head and Night’s shoulders drop slightly. Still, they give their hand a quick squeeze, a touch of heavy wings on their back gone just as soon. A flash of a warm smile accompanied by a nod and they leave. The Hunter can take care of themselves – but Night would keep an eye from the corner of the room.

When the Hunter returns to their side, Night smiles softly at them, leaning their shoulder against them. They start talking in soft, hushed voices.

Crush:

The other partygoers give them a pitying glance.

They have been standing in the same spot for quite a time, hovering uselessly around a certain conversation.

Poor thing.

Some have tried to engage this lone figure.

Santana flashes their current conversation partner – a woman with auburn hair and pretty green eyes – a fleeting smile and they try. To be aware, present and listen. Yet their answers are short and quiet with a gaze more often than not on Hunter.

Peering at this person, Santana knows it’s silly – they don’t know all people after all. But maybe they know this one or heard of them. Tall and bearing a proud figure, Santana’s mind blanks. They can’t put a name on the face.

It was to be expected, but it did nothing to quell the disappointment in them. With a huff, they can’t help but be curious, who is this person to have the courage to flirt with a god so brazenly?

Another bigger part is annoyed by how easily they capture Hunter's attention with so much confidence in each gesture.

Santana frowns, trying to ignore the incessant tugging in their heart, like a thin thread wrapped around Hunter's fingers.

A small nudge against their shoulder brings them back to reality with a startle. Santana blinks wide eyes at the woman, cheeks flushed. Her eyes sparkle with mirth.

How rude of them!

Before they can release a torrent of apologies, she cuts in with a jerk of her head. "Your partner?"

They follow her gaze and their cheeks flush harder, mortified. "No!" Their voice is a little too loud, too high-pitched.

Curious eyes glance their way and Santana gulps, shoulders rising to their burning ears. Especially when they feel the Hunter's gaze, hot and scorching on their skin.

Why can't the earth open up and swallow them?

The woman snorts and takes another sip of her wine. "No offense, friend, but you're a terrible liar."

A small pause. "None taken." They rub a hand at the back of their throat, unsure. "But nothing is going between us."

“Sure, friend.” Santana frowns, not liking her sarcastic words.  She lifts a shoulder, swirling the wine in her glass. “There won’t be anything else if you keep watching.”

They watch her, the veil of melancholy that feel on her face. It saddens them. “I’m sorry.”

She blinks at them, for a moment looking taken back. A quick bark of amusement slips past her lips, shaking her head. “There is nothing to be sorry about friend. We just made our choices.” A fleeting pat on their shoulder and the woman leaves, blending in the crowd.

Santana blinks at the spot she was. Ah well, there goes their excuse to linger around. With one look at Hunter, Santana bites their lips, hard.

Taking a deep breath, their feet bring them closer. Hunter turns their head slightly and Santana smiles, eyes on them. Trying to stop their hand from trembling, they place it on the crook of Hunter’s arm.

“Hello. I’m Santana.”

Relationship:

Santana would pause, fingers wrapping tighter around the cups they are carrying. Of course, they left their side and someone already swooped in. A furtive glance at the person reveals a stranger.

Another glance to Hunter and they don’t seem interested. Good.

A frown worms it way on their face - how to approach this? What version of them did the Hunter like more?

With a shake of their head, Santana sighs and resumes their way. Smiling warmly at Hunter, they give them a cup. Now with their hand freed, they slide it across Hunter's back, resting on their hips.

Taking a sip of their drink, Santana watches the stranger over the rim of their cup. "Hello. I'm Santana." A small nod, eyes inquisitive. "And who might you be?"

Crush:

??? would hover so close, just behind Hunter's shoulder, staring at the other speaker. The other person would shift before finally leaving.

With them gone, ??? would turn to Hunter and ask in a small, quiet voice. "Is this something you to often? Bedding mortals?" There is no reproach in their voice, mere curiosity.

"Are... are you offering?" The answer is befuddled, lacking any kind of heat.

They would tilt their head, mapping the Hunter's features with their eyes.

"No."

Still, they don't leave, sticking to Hunter like a quiet shadow.

Relationship:

A simple look is enough to tell them everything they need to know. ??? would wrap their fingers around Hunter's wrist and drag them away from the stranger.

They would search a quiet spot, potentially the garden before slidding down and resting their head on Hunter's shoulder.

[runawaymarbles]

Reading Mockingjay as an adult is extra devastating because. Of course the plucky teenager and her ragtag friends aren't going to sneak into a government building to kill the president with a bow and arrow. That's absolutely ridiculous. It's the kind of thing that's only possible in the kind of propaganda that Coin developed. But she's so good at it that in some ways she tricks the reader into thinking that's the kind of story this is, too--even after 3 books reminding us that pretty much everything that Katniss does the second she volunteers is manipulated by adults pulling strings to make propaganda in some form or another.

[fairsweetlonging]

system wardrobe malfunctions and small scenario pushers: exteme edition au

after his qi deviation, shen qingqiu starts working on slowly building up relations with his fellow peak lords and disciples; saving liu qingge in the caves, spoiling luo binghe rotten, freely praising his students, inviting the sect leader over for tea, he's a whole new person!

and yet... his friendliness levels aren't going up.

he knows it's a bit icky to judge his relations with other people based on numbers an alien entity is giving him, but he needs them to survive, and he swears that once he's above a certain threshold (somewhere between "civil" and "friendly", he figures), he will mute every and all notifications regarding it.

but they're just not going up. since his deviation he's at least managed to claw his way from "hostile" to "tolerant" with most of them, but some are somehow still stuck in the "aloof" section! they wouldn't even care if he died!

he just doesn't know what he's doing wrong; he understands these things take time, but it feels so bad when people refuse to sit next to him or sigh when they're assigned a mission with him, especially since it's not his fault.

now, it so happens that, one day, the system hears his woes and takes pity on him.

【 user seems to experience difficulty increasing character favor levels 】

you could say that

【 would host like to utilize our special deluxe package to activate 'The Path of Blossoming Hearts and Unspoken Affections' free of charge? ₊˚⊹♡ 】

though shen qingqiu isn't trustful of the system's antics, he can't deny that so far they have helped him well enough, and since it's free of charge with no penalties, wouldn't it be a waste not to use it? the title is a bit dubious, but was the original shen qingqiu not known for his frozen heart? for never sparing a single nice word to anyone? this could be his chance to let it blossom without the system nagging on his characterization.

【 accept optional mission? [yes]/[no] 】

he picks [yes].

two weeks later, he wishes he hadn't.

the package is devided into small scenarios that mostly appear at random, ranging from small dialogue challenges where he has to pick the right option (he really doesn't like those, the dehumanization of it makes his skin crawl), to the equivalent of two rivals getting locked in a room together.

the first few scenarios are minor and not very impactful, to the point where he's finished three of them and his favor count with qi qingqi has increased a whopping +2 (still "aloof") and that of wei qingwei +5 (still "tolerant").

his fourth scenario, however, reminds him of exactly why he should never accept gifts from strange screens floating in the sky.

he's on a nighthunt with liu qingge to slay a mirebeast that's been terrorizing travelers—an amphibious creature with thick, slimy skin, a crocodile tail and a leech-like mouth that shoots mucus when threatened... and shooting mucus it did.

while his clothes can easily be cleaned with a cleaning talisman, he never feels truly clean himself unless he actually bathes. luckily, there's a beautiful, glass-like pond nearby that's surrounded by natural demonic-repellent vegetation, a win! he's just draped his clothes over a nearby branch and submerged himself in the water, when the system rings out.

【 heads up! small scenario "Stolen Silks and Sunlit Waters" is about to begin! penalty: none. wishing user good luck (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) 】

hold up—stolen what.

stolen silks. his silks. stolen by a mossy-jade stag that happens to scratch its huge antles on the exact tree he hung his clothes on, which rattles the branch and causes his robes to fall exactly onto its head, spooking it into a gallop as it disappears into the forest.

how. how does that even happen.

shen qingqiu is just about to get out of the water when of course liu qingge chooses that exact moment to stomp into the glade looking for him, even though he should have been miles away to the village to ensure the people the beast is dead.

for anyone looking in from the outside, it's not a bad picture: shen qingqiu, with his hair pulled up and away from his slender neck, submerged to his (very bare!) pale shoulders in golden sunlit waters, surrounded by lotus flowers and lily pads. to liu qingge, this must be a terrible view, apparently—shen qingqiu can think of no other reason that would cause his face to flush so bright red.

liu qingge tosses his outer robe on the grass between them and turns resolutely around. it's only a bit insulting—is shen qingqiu not pretty enough to try and sneak a look at? even just a glimpse? meanwhile liu qingge is trying really hard to mentally recite the ethics sutra to not fixate on the sound of shen qingqiu getting out of the water (naked!!) or the rustle of fabrics as he wraps liu qingge's robe around his (naked!!!!) body. when liu qingge turns around he flushes an even darker shade as he sees shen qingqiu's bare legs and feet sticking out from under the robes.

"thanking shidi," says shen qingqiu, who notices none of this, as he pulls the robe a little closer around him, "for coming to this one's untimely rescue."

liu qingge grunts, turns, and walks away.

【 congratulations! liu qingge's favor increased. character satisfaction points +50. please continue to work hard! 】

shut up

【 ૮(˶╥︿╥)ა 】

they return to the sect victorious, but very embarrassed. the mirebeast gets all the blame. where his clothes are? well—uh, gone. the mucus dissolved them. yes he knows that's not how mucus works but it did this time okay?!!

yue qingyuan acts a bit strange seeing shen qingqiu wearing liu qingge's outer robes. he almost qi deviates when he finds out his shidi is wearing absolutely nothing under it. it's all very dramatic. apparently the sect is made up of people who shower with their clothes on or something.

【 ⁺‧₊˚bonus scenario!!˚₊‧⁺˖ interactive dialog quest: pick the best suited options to win additional favor points! 】

i don't like where this is going

"shidi?" yue qingyuan asks, looking at him with those big worried puppy eyes.

【 choice A: (demure) this shidi is cold. will you not invite me in at least?

choice B: what are you looking at?! mind your own business stupid old man!

choice C: i'm in love with liu qingge 】

WHAT

if he was drinking tea he would have spat it out, and then coughed himself to death. what the hell kind of options are these!!

【 system has based these options on what will earn (or lose!) user the most points. please pick one. 】

[ admin notes: option A will earn +60 points. option B will neither increase nor decrease points. option C will decrease -100 satisfaction points and increase +200 heartbreak points ]

shen qingqiu silently curses the system. option B is way out of line, even for the original shen qingqiu, who probably would insult yue qingyuan, but not with so little class. he doesn't even consider option C an actual option. and, well, he is cold. and wet. and almost naked. he would like a warm bath and some clothes. A it is then.

he doesn't like the way yue qingyuan's face light up when he grits out the dialog.

【 congratulations! yue qingyuan's favor increased. character satisfaction points +60! keep up the good work! 】

he can't keep doing this much longer.

unfortunately, he does have to keep doing this for much longer.

he's just about to go to bed when someone knocks on the door. luo binghe is already sleeping so he goes himself. just as he's about to open the door the system rings out—but it's too late.

shen yuan is used to wearing old tshirts to bed and no pants (he hates the feeling of his legs being restricted while he sleeps), so he doesn't really care when the only equivalent of this in pidw is a silk nightgown. his mother wore them, his sister wore them. hell, one of his brothers once bought one for fun and ended up using it for months. it's florally embroidered with puffy sleeves and reaches to his knees, that's decent enough, right?

【 heads up! small scenario "Dreamy Encounters at Dusk" is about to begin! good luck! 】

he has no idea what that's supposed to mean and he doesn't care. he opens the door, and it's mu qingfang. not... that unusual, but still.

"can this master help you?"

it takes mu qingfang a moment to remember what he's here for, it seems, because he stares at shen qingqiu for a good few seconds before raising an eyebrow like he's caught him doing something wrong.

"does shen-shixiong always answer the door like this?"

shen qingqiu glares back. "only when unsolicited guests come stumbling around my porch in the middle of the night."

"fair enough."

apparently he's here on behalf of yue qingyuan, who had asked him to do a post mission check up as soon as he was available, which is now. which yue qingyuan had apparently forgotten to relay to shen qingqiu himself. awesome.

he invites mu qingfang in (he can hardly close the door on him, it's late for him too!), and sits through the usual poking and prodding.

the system is prodding, too.

【 would user like some advice on how to maximize point earning? 】

no

【 ( •̯́ ^ •̯̀) system is only trying to help!! 】

i really don't need your help with this, thanks. i can keep a conversation on my own.

【 optional system booster: not mandatory. user may choose to decline this quest.

option 1: this one appreciates your care. the hardship is... unexpected. (look away shyly). i find it difficult to accept help sometimes, even when i need it.

option 2: i'm in love with you.

option 3: stand up and pretend to faint into his arms 】

shen qingqiu is about to spit blood—what the HELL is this!!! why do all your options make you look bipolar HUH??? and what's this about professing my love to people?!! why is that always an option??! this isn't a dating simulator, stupid system, they'll think i'm crazy!

【 all these options result in an increase of character satisfaction points (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) 】

HOW

【 (ó﹏ò｡) user seems misinformed about character preferences. [mu qingfang] likes to take care of people! 】

... i decline the quest. booster. whatever. i'll figure it out myself. and stop talking about him like he's some one dimensional character!

they hear stumbling coming from the little side room, then the creaking of floorboards. binghe peeks through the door, hair sleep-ruffled and his robes pulled on over his sleeping clothes.

"shizun?" he asks, worried, "what's wrong? why is mu-shishu here?"

【 ⁺‧₊˚bonus scenario!!˚₊‧⁺˖ interactive dialog quest: pick the best suited options to win additional favor points! 】

oh god, not again.

【 option A: (gently) nothing is wrong, binghe. this master is alright. go back to sleep.

option B: (gently) nothing is wrong, binghe. this master is alright. (invite him to sit next to you during the examination)

option C: (gently) nothing is wrong, binghe. this master is alright. mu-shidi is just keeping me company tonight. 】

huh. so you can give meaningful options that i would actually consider picking?

【 ◝(ᵔᵕᵔ)◜ 】

[admin notes: option A will decrease -100 points for luo binghe. option B will increase +20 points for luo binghe. option C will decrease -300 points for luo binghe, and increase +20 points for mu qingfang. option A & C increase luo binghe jealousy levels with 400 points].

[goblins-riddles-or-frocks]

forever obsessed with dynamics between vampires, specifically that of a maker and fledgling, as a way to explore abuse. the creation of a vampire itself can so easily be a literalization of the lasting impacts of trauma and also much more simply the ways a perpetrator might shape their victim’s very identity. the extremes of isolation in the way that the new vampire, in most narratives, must cut all ties to their mortal life, or else go through an elaborate charade to maintain the facade of humanity, while forever still being removed from it. and the sheer dependence and vulnerability of being in an entirely new state of being, wholly uncertain of what it entails, and relying on another person to define… everything.

[wiltkingart]

ch 299/300

[giantkillerjack]

Me: hm, I want something to put on the TV as background noise... Huh. Looks like YouTube is recommending something called The Last Unicorn. That's perfect, it's probably some old shitty animation that has aged poorly! I can watch it ironically!

Me, 2 hours later as the credits roll: *crying, cheering, buying the book, composing the songs*

Me, 2 weeks later: So I have compiled all of the quotes from the book that I think could make good tattoos, and also, HOW HAVE I NEVER LEARNED ABOUT HOW THE LAST UNICORN FUCKING SLAPS??? This gay-ass little fairytale fed my soul! Watered my crops! Transed my gender! Can't believe I heard of this story from youtube recommendations, of all places!!

[nonaonann]

I think the insanity of Korean web novels needs to be highlighted more. Why is the word count over 1 million when translated to English? What do you mean there are more than 500 chapters? 800? Actually, what do you mean there are 1000 chapters and it's still ongoing??

[aniimus]

Liar liar mobs on fire

Soren !!! 💥💥 before and after he flees to the end

Whether he’s turning into an Enderman or not (definitely is), it doesn’t matter bc he’s strangely euphoric about it ...

[my-darling-boy]

And it hurts to miss you, but it’s worse to know

That I’m the reason you won’t come home

Photos by keltikfilm, editing by me

[expelliarmus]

[bardandbear]

But whose heart would not take flight? Betray the moon as acolyte On first and fierce affirming sight Of sunlight, sunlight, sunlight

[indiegamesoutofcontext]

[cocktopic]

recommending orv to people who don’t like isekai is so hard bc i have to be like no trust me it gets philosophical and such and they’ll be like in what way. and i have to say well that’s a spoiler. so they’ll be like so when does it happen. and i have to say in the last 50ish chapters. but it’s especially great and stands out in a reread. and they’ll be like “so you want me to read 2.6 million words?” and i have to be like well. yes.

[madeofjules]

Katniss and Haymitch have such a love/hate relationship and people always idealize the love aspect but I absolutely adore the hate. This is a teenage girl acting like a teenager and a grown ass man also acting like a teenager. He is hardly a father figure to her; they are both immature children who bicker constantly but protect each other like family when it comes down to it. They love each other but do not like each other because they're the same person and neither of them likes themselves. They are downright nasty to one another but the trust between them is strong because they know the other will never hold back how they really feel. I just love their relationship, even the ugly parts.

[pocketgalaxies]

Me and my friends are going are going on a mission that is important and could change a lot of stuff, and I feel like something bad is gonna happen. There's doom on the horizon. But I still think it's right that we're going. (for @overnighttosunflowers)

[wiltkingart]

turning by kuyu has completely overtaken my brain