#we went astray from canon bois

[bunfloras]

Okay okay. Phil thinking he's losing his mind in qsmp and maybe going to fit to confirm what he's seeing, only to realize it's not real.

Phil is alone.

Not real.

Fit is here.

Real.

Phil escaped.

Real…?

Phil sinks into the chair with a groan, face buried in his hands. It’s all he can manage just to breathe, his heart hammering against his ribs like a bird in a cage—

A cage, a cage.

How long has it been? Days? Months?

��Fuckin’ hell...”

Fit ‘tsks’ sympathetically beside him. Even that is too loud, almost as noisy in his ears as his own heart. It’s better than the silence, though. He hears a clatter as Fit digs through his chests, and then the tell-tale rattle of maracas. His heart stops for a moment, his lips forming Tallulah’s name before he thinks better of it.

She isn’t there. She hasn’t been there for a while. Phil doesn’t know how long.

Fit mouths an apology, shoving the instruments a little deeper into his chest. He hands Phil a bottle of water, though when he filled it, Phil doesn’t know. Time is skipping around like a scratched record, leaving everything hazy and disjointed. It has been for weeks.

Has it been weeks?

It’s too quiet. Everything’s too quiet.

He remembers quiet—remembers staying up for days with terracotta dust staining his knuckles and only the crows for company. Endless nights, an eternity alone with himself and the gods meddling in his life. Building, building, building because it was all he could do to stay sane. Things are different now, or so he tries to tell himself.

But the quiet is the same.

“Talk,” Phil rasps, his throat bone-dry. He clutches the water a little tighter. “…Please.” His thoughts are too loud. He needs something to drown them out.

Fit doesn’t answer.

“Mate, please.” Phil’s voice is breaking. Rough as sandpaper, fragile as glass. “Tell me this is—fuck. Tell me this is real.”

The cage’s bars rattle louder in his chest. The bottle in his hand is empty.

“Fit…?”

Was it ever really there?

[sewersewersewercouch]

(content warning for mentions of self harm and abuse)

ok I want to put my two cents in on the whole Keefe shebang because this kid has been rotating in my brain since I was 12 and I have Thoughts about him. thanks to @the-way-astray for writing the thing that spurred this ramble

the thing is, I love Keefe, I always have, but I've realized recently that the version of Keefe I love is kind of not the canon one? don't get me wrong, he has all the traits of the canon one, but framed in a different light. like, all his shitty traits are painted as just that--shitty.

because the thing is, the tendencies to joke inappropriately, the hero complex, the impulsivity, the simultaneous inflated ego and self-deprecation--those things all feel like realistic flaws for a teenage boy to have, particularly an abused, traumatized, probably neurodivergent (?*) teenage boy. the thing is, that they aren't always treated as flaws. oftentimes they're even romanticized, which is... not great. especially as some of his actions are, like, borderline sh behavior, and THIS IS A CHILDREN'S BOOK. we should NOT be saying things like that are okay in a book we're giving to middle schoolers.

now, Shannon HAS had her moments of acknowledging that Keefe is being shitty. that scene in nightfall where Sophie chews him out after the ogre fight is a good one--she points out to him that his self sacrificing is hurting not just him, but the loved ones he's so convinced he's helping. she does not cut him any slack and sticks to her guns--she doesn't contact him until his bedrest time is over. the problem is that moments like this are too few and far between, and they don't seem to, like, stick? like, he acts like he's learned his lesson and just does the same thing again.

also, kind of a more personal note that's completely irrelevant, I did kinda realize that one of my ocs is based a little bit on Keefe, by accident, but I do not let her off the hook half as much. she does have issues that affect the way she acts (hers is more about internalized ableism rather than child abuse, her dad is great I love him) and those are treated simultaneously like, yeah that's fucked up but you need better coping mechanisms that don't hurt both you and the people around you, girl! and she does end up keeping the relationships with her loved ones and building new ones, but to get there, she has to acknowledge that her obsessive martyr complex is hurting others more than it's helping them, and that her attempts at pretending she's always fine are bad for her and she needs to let people in. also she's a cool butch lesbian Shannon could never (/joke). this is again mostly just me bragging about blorbo from my brain but it's kinda like. this is what we could be so close to having with Keefe but alas

anyways tl;dr the power Keefe as a character would have if his issues weren't romanticized would be unparalleled

*wasn't there a whole thing where Shannon said she wrote Keefe as having adhd at a tour and kotlcblr went nuts? am I imagining it?

[jaeltree]

In fact, this is a big problem. The series does not give us answers about Mozenrath's past, except for the fact that he was a student who overthrew his teacher-ruler. We can assume anything. In fact, the human psyche is quite fragile, especially in childhood. If we assume that Moze got to Destane as a child, then there is a possibility that all kinds of violence affected him. After all, we haven't seen his naked body and can't know about possible scars. If you look at the behavior of grown-up children from dysfunctional families, then everything becomes clear. They are either closed or do not restrain emotions, sometimes both options. Anyway, I want to make our boy comfortable... He's an asshole, but still…

Yep! The human psyche is incredibly fragile in childhood due to children having a developing mentality, emotional state and regulation, along with them not exactly knowing how the world works. The vast majority of the learning process comes from experience, but there also has to be some sort of parental figure (biological or not) to guide them in the right direction.

So with that said, something definitely went astray with canon Mozenrath’s development. It’s pretty much safe to say that Destane was abusive towards him based on what we know about human psychology regarding abuse, and the fact that Mozenrath performed a coup against him, stole his throne, power, killed him and turned him into his undead slave. But since the series doesn’t say what happened, we’ll never know.

How I rp it to have happened was that he was verbally abused, beaten, starved, and tortured while also put under a lot of stress with too many assignments in a too little of a timeframe to be reasonable. All of which was to allow Destane to see if the trauma he went through ends up strengthening the magic he was born with, or if he needed to kill Mozenrath and start again with another student. It does end up strengthening his magic, so Destane moved onto the next part of his plan— which was to steal Mozenrath’s body so he could continue living (which is where my Moze got the idea to steal Aladdin’s body in Two to Tangle). Moze catches wind of what he intends on doing, and ends up killing him.

But yeah, my Moze is very angry. And doesn’t know how to handle other people showing him love, other than Xerxes. For him being an asshole is partly a defence mechanism, and partly because he thinks the world deserves it

[yonemurishiroku]

Permission to make this better by reminding you that Nico is canonically the "Ghost King", and if that's not a beautifully fitting name for an obnoxious owner of an ancient artifact then I don't know what is.

Nico's skull ring also has the element of heredity - as it was passed down to him by Bianca, who received it from Hades, and oh isn't that delightful? Does it sound familiar to you - an object kept away securely by members of the supposedly evil family, belonging to the most supreme of all (Ghost King, or just children of Hades in general)?

(Please pretend he never gives it to a boyfriend thank you)

Sounds like that evil weapon a hero needs to destroy before it brings calamity to Earth to me. 🤷‍♀️

There are also many materials to work with, and therefore many plots and I'm not even kidding (deluding - maybe).

It's almost comically easy to re-enact the PJO - as in, a protagonist destined to either ruin or save the world. How, you ask? Well, if I can just make said protagonist a descendant of Hazel (bc there's no way Nico has a descendant), and maybe Nico's skull rings contain all the sufferings Nico has gone through, condensed into one piece of jewelry (bc let's face it. the ring has watched Nico since the day he went astray after Bianca). It's a reminder that children of Hades never have a good ending - and the protagonist has to bear the burden of it, or go insane and ruin them all.

Or perhaps another scenario? - when Nico dies with the ring and his soul got sucked into it, and now whoever has the ring can call upon his presence, for better or worse is for you to decide. He's a specter, a ghost of ancient times that grants you the immense power of a god, but also comes haunting you every time you step into the darkness. He's lonely, and his loneliness is the black hole crushing you.

We can make this into a sort-of detective thingies, if I'm smart enough - that type of fantasy documentary when you have to solve a case from hundreds, thousands of years ago? This time, it's a lonely boy - powerful yet wronged by the people of his kind - who died without anyone mourning, his ghost is in a ring and his memories are consuming power, so in order to exterminate it, you have to heal his soul - soothe his pains, cure his loneliness, and help him let go.

This can fit so much angst in it and I'm here crying knowing the chances are all lost.

I prefer Nico’s skull ring to be lost into time and then come back 100 years later as an artifact that decides the fortune of the demigod world actually.

[nothingtoseehd]

eah characters as cavetown songs

this was inspired by @/applewhiteapologist's eah characters as taylor swift songs, sooooooo yeah

some characters might not be here because: 1. it's hard to find songs for them (as of right now) 2. i forgot them/i'll do them if i have more time

apple white - devil town v2/green

-i chose devil town v2 because it seemed the most, uh, apple out of all the devil town versions? devil town v1 seems edgy-ish, and devil town v3 seems lower and calmer, i think???? maybe i just chose this because it has those light, floaty chords, i'm not sure, i'm not smart or anything -also i honestly felt like this was hard -i chose devil town because it could represent the future she pictured in her mind when raven didn't sign the book -i don't really know what to explain green, but like, ashlynn and apple in true hearts day??? that's the best way i could explain this song -lyric analysis time: --"i still get a little scared of something new, but I feel a little safer when i'm with you, falling doesn't feel so bad, when I know you've fallen this way too" ---apple is "a little scared of something new" because she's in for an unpredictable future without the storybook of legends ---for the falling part, it's like she's not so sad about being led astray when she's with her friends maybeeeeeee -lyrics for green because i can't explain it but it's just THERE: --"you looked so good in green i hope you’re well and you look so good with him and i’m proud of you still take care of my shirt warm and red i hope you think of me still as your friend i hope you love yourself your body and heart i hope you feel happy that’s all i want that's all i want"

raven queen - devil town v1 (dang it there's no purple text so have plain text)

-i just chose devil town v1 because i think it would work well with her guitar, i actually don't know how guitar works but i'm pretending to know how it works, don't tell anyone i don't know how they work -i think this song could represent her home life and whatnot because she's living with the evil queen -it's lyric analysis time!!: --"you said something dumb again, she's mad, at least that's what they say" (i just used orange so the lyrics wouldn't blend in as much) ---the something dumb thing could be like a 'nice deed' the evil queen doesn't like, and she's mad because of that --"we're all dead in devil town, that's fine, cause nothing's gonna scare us now" ---she's 'dead' after all the nagging and 'be eviL EMBRACE YOUR INNER EVIL' shit and it's now the normal, and it's not going to scare her since it's basically her life now -also slowed devil town can fit her too

madeline hatter - hug all ur friends/talk to me

-she's just so friendly?????? and supportive?????? and oh gosh i need a hug???????? -seriously though, they suit her because she feels so much like a huggy, supportive person and she's friends with everyone sooooooooooooo, hugs for everyone!! except you crystal!! and headmaster grimm!! not forgiving for the time you almost banished maddie!! -the lyrics because i can't explain these songs, it's just that maddie vibe, you know?: --"life’s too short to worry about things that we got wrong, so hug all your friends and let them know, you’re not letting go, i’m not letting go" (hug all ur friends) --"you don't have to be a prodigy to be unique you don't have to know what to say or what to think you don't have to be anybody you can never be that's alright, let it out, talk to me" (talk to me)

briar beauty - pigeon

-i had a very hard time with her but i think this kinda fits -it generates a sleepy vibe? (even though i didn't get this from the sleepyhead album *cough cough*) -okay, so the reason why i chose this for her is because of the chorus, which could kind of tie in with her destiny, with the 100 year coma -have the chorus for reference: --"didn’t give me time to say goodbye in the way that i wanted to, so honey, close your eyes and stay like you’re supposed to do, don’t know how i’m gonna live without, but i’ll stay strong for you"

ca cupid - sweet tooth/for you

-this is already self-explanatory if you listened to the song(s), buT IF YOU HAVEN'T YET, basically it's a song about an unhealthy crush and love and stuff -and you know who she has an unhealthy crush on???? that's right, it's blondie!! /hj (but seriously, in canon it's dexter but uH, i refuse to believe that, they're better off as friends) -lyric examples because like maddie, i can't really explain it but i know the vibe is THERE: --"a sweet tooth for you, i'm wide awake, the sugar went straight to my brain, feel like a kid, i double tap, my chest with my fist, i like you, say it back, say it back"

cerise hood - snail

-snail iS SUCH A GREAT SONG OMG -snail kinda represents her childhood and 'not wanting to be born like this' because of her parents technically breaking destiny (stupid storybook of legends) -lyrics from the song because i kinda don't really need to explain this song more: --"i was just born like this, wish that i could change it" --"i'm hanging out with the foxes and the hounds, and when i fit in i'll break back out"

daring charming - boys will be bugs/lemons (technically cavetown is just a feature but he's still there so yeah)

-it's just about the vibes -and also about the fact that the person in the songs have to uphold some sort of standard (the songs' standards were about masculinity) and i thought it could fit daring because he also has to uphold a standard (being the perfect charming prince) -also in lemons, daring's part is the one where cavetown sings it (if that wasn't obvious) -also ANOTHER LEMONS SIDE NOTE, i'd imagine rosabella singing brye's part, just because -lyrics time: --"don't mess with me, i'm a big boy now and i'm very scary i punch my walls, stay out at night, and i do karate don't message me 'cause i won't reply, i wanna make you cry ain't that how it's supposed to be? though it isn’t me boys will be bugs, right?" (boys will be bugs) --"so i'm gonna take it out on you too proud to show i'm hurting push it on you 'til you're burning" (lemons)

darling charming - 888/trying

-888 is a fun song, very groovy, has peppa pig plasters, 10/10 -main reason i chose 888, it kinda feels gay when you put it under a certain light?????????? -and snail could also fit with darling but i don't want to rob cerise -i was very stuck for a second song for darling because i felt obligated to give the charming siblings two songs because they're that top tier, but i think trying could be a good fit to some extent -could be like 'not great relationship with parents, struggle to fit with their standards ever since she found out she wanted to be a hero or something' -i still do think snail is a better fit for darling but i really really don't want to rob cerise because cerise is amazing -some lyrics: --"i'm workin' things out clouds lookin' strange papercut fingers dancing on the strings if i could see you right now i'd dance just for you when the nightlight goes out" (888) --"please let me know if you change your mind cause inside i'm falling And I need you to pull me out of this decline i realize how hard on you this must seem But trust me when i say it's far, far worse for me" (trying)

dexter charming - telescope/home

-telescope just feels like his vibe???? also because it kinda also have hopeless romantic-ness???? -also i headcanon him to be an astronomy nerd???? so that's fun???? that's my reasoning i guess???? (also, side-note i have just listened to astronomy by conan gray and it fits dexter) -ALSO HOME IS HERE BECAUSE DEXTER IS TRANS YOU CAN'T CHANGE MY MIND -also because it's also his vibe??????? -what time is it????? *clap clap* it's lyrics time!!: --"through the lens, it's dark, single-digit on the clock singing, "yessiree, i sure like-a you a lot" all i need is to get her she'll be happy if you let her" (telescope) --"turn off your porcelain face i can't really think right now and this place has too many colors, enough to drive all of us insane are you dead? sometimes i think i'm dead cause i can feel ghosts and ghouls wrapping my head but i don't wanna fall asleep just yet" (home)

okay the process of this post was just me staring at the lyrics and listening to cavetown a lot, sometimes during online classes but shhhh don't tell anyone (and finding more great songs)

is this post going to flop?? very very likely. do i care? eh, not sure, this was just me trying to put on my big brain hat.

also i realized while reading this post, that i never actually analyzed the majority of the songs' lyrics in this post?? so i'm very sorry

[aces-to-apples]

hello!! for the fanfic director's cut, can I ask about 'never knowing where we're going' or 'we can never go astray'? have a good day!

Ahhhh, my old friend, "never knowing where we're going"/"we can never go astray"

*cracks knuckles*

Uhhhhhh, fun fact time ig?

Okay so, for the uninitiated (aka people not in the maulrex discord server), there's this channel called "All The Codys" wherein are stored, you guessed it, all of the Codys. Specifically, every creepy, unpleasant, odd, or weird-ass version of Commander Cody. There's a pinned explanation of what A Cody is, a scale of Bad to Worse versions of Cody, a directory of which Codys actually have fics posted about them, it's great. To my recollection, Sith!Cody of never knowing/never astray fame is either 4 or 6 on the Bad-To-Worse Cody scale. You may have seen me refer to this guy as "Bad Decisions Cody", because they each have a funky lil name to distinguish them from both canon Commander Cody and other Codys in the server.

(Real Boy Cody from svartalfheimr's "Marae", Roboboy Cody from svar's "Starless and Stirless", Droidfucker Cody from "Shuttle 2049", yes svar has a lot of codys listen svar's brain is enormous idk what to tell you, and! I even have a second Cody, Ghostfucker!Cody from "season's greetings"!)

I think Pax named Bad Decisions Cody? So named for the fact that man did not make a single good decision in those fic. Except for killing Palpatine. That's the only one iirc.

Anyway, I never planned to write Bad Decisions Cody because Sith!Cody/Maul was just a prompt fill for my Maul/Clones series but then the man went and ate my entire brain and. Well. Out came A Cody. And finally, an explanation for why I call this fic Bad Decisions Cody lol.

Huzzah!

[tanoraqui]

okay I have to do this today because even I wouldn’t do it after the godforsaken finale airs, and it’s basically my specialty and I did spend like an hour thinking about it last night while washing dishes. Definitely partly inspired by @words-writ-in-starlight​‘s insightful post on everything Supernatural did wrong, and apologies in advance to all the characters for dragging them into anything related to Christian mythology:

Wei Wuxian’s parents die in a house fire when he’s 6(? I refuse to look anything up) months old

Jiangs are a hunter family I guess? That whole disaster of a family dynamic, except WWX dips out at some point to be idk an environmental activist bc at the time, that seems like the larger threat to the whole world. “Mom and Dad went on a hunting trip and they haven’t come back”, “bitch” “jerk”, 2 brothers in a beat-up old car, you know the drill

Jins are also an old hunting family, but more Men of Letters energy - they have a fancy bunker and do research and avoid getting their actual hands dirty. Jiang Yanli ducked out of the active hunting life a few years ago to be happily married to her peacock and settled down with a baby and she’s fine. We’re not going to bother Yanli. She’s safe and happy and doesn’t need to involved in any of this

so, WWX is the demon blood child developing exciting new abilities like telekinesis, mind control, exorcising demons by sheer force of will...etc, and Jiang Cheng is the Righteous Man. Lucifer, Michael, etc.

s1-3 probably proceeds more or less as spn canon...which I more or less remember...by the time they find their parents at the end of s1, Jiang Fengmian is...ugh, we probably shouldn’t kill him offscreen, I mean, we should probably meet him before he dies. I guess. Madam Yu lasts longer because I’m way more interested in her. But we do know that both Jiang parents are totally inclined to fling the boys into a metaphorical or literal escape boat and go hold the line for as long as possible, so...that’s spn energy...

Xue Yang is the one who’s like “fuck yeah, demon powers” and opens the gates of Hell, because I want him to have nice* things

*nice for Xue Yang

from characterization rather than memory, I’m 90% sure that Dean tried to hide his crossroads deal from Sam, but Jiang Cheng does it...better. I think it does come out, though. Right before the hellhounds do.

here’s where it starts to go farther off from spn canon. Jiang Cheng crawls his way out of the grave, gets stalked by a menacing presence that explodes windows for an episode, incidentally can’t find WWX...*Lan Wangji voice* “I’m the one who gripped you tight and raised you from Perdition” (a baller line then and a baller line now)...and then the next episode starts with them all awkwardly standing around, and JC is like, “ok well let’s go find my brother then”, and you think there’s going to be an mdzs-riffing JC+LWJ Roadtrip To Find WWX...and they’re immediately attacked by like a dozen demons

in fact, the first time we see WWX in s4 is here, wherein he goes toe to toe with an angel and...holds his own. that’s new and terrifying! also is leading a squad of demons??

because here’s the thing: for the last 3(?) months, there’s been war in hell

because unlike Some People Mooses, upon finding out that his brother’s soul was legally nearly-owned by a crossroads demon, heir-apparent-to-Satan!WWX went, “actually fuck that” and kicked open the door of Hell (metaphorically, not loosing any demons this time) and was like, “who do I have to beat the shit out of to get a specific crossroads contract around here”

this did not work, obv. He didn’t know until it was too late, Lilith had already snapped up the contract, etc. etc.

obviously he also tried to offer himself instead, and got rejected for some reason

Since Jiang Cheng died, however, there’s been a war for control of Hell. Leading one side, Lilith, the Original Babe, who wants to break all 666(?) seals keeping Lucifer bound and in the meantime, break the Righteous Man so Heaven won’t even have Michael’s destined host ready for the Final Battle. Leading the other side, Wei Wuxian, infamous upstart, who wants to rescue the Righteous Man and restore him to life, tear Lilith’s guts out through her nose, and also stop her from doing the Lucifer thing because Wen Qing explained that yes, that’s a Thing, and it’s Bad.

Wen Qing! I’ve decided to combine Bela and Ruby’s roles and let WQ be both the cool badass example of how demon deals can go Bad and the demon deliberately leading our heroes astray for most of s3-4. Wen Qing is a very new demon; she used to be some sort of herbalist/witch but then she sold her soul in a crossroads deal to cure her brother of some lingering illness. 10 years of happiness and then boom, hellhounds. WQ is so obviously competent, though, that they (Lilith, I guess?) immediately offers her a job, with the promise threat that gee, that’s a nice brother you’ve got there, even with his Designated Chronic Health Condition getting all relapse-y. It’d be such a shame if something were to...happen to him...

we find this out at some point in last s3 I guess? some Monster of the Week case involves WN as a witness or something, or possible next victim, and WQ shows up to be A Normal Amount Of Invested In This, while desperately trying to avoid actually interacting with her brother (who thinks she’s dead). YES, the truth comes out; YES there’s a tearful reunion

now in s4, Wen Ning is fine actually, health-wise, bc he maybe made a crossroads deal with Wei Wuxian personally, and Wen Qing may or may not have admitted that she’s supposed to be working for Lilith to get WWX ready to host Lucifer? Or potentially that comes out later, idk. Either way, she’s 100% his top lieutenant in this exciting Hell War they’re waging

[insert whatever the hell (ha) happened plot-wise in s4 of supernatural]

we obviously mix up the relationships, too, bc it’s like, *LWJ internal monologue* I’m too young to remember my brother Lucifer as he was before he Fell, but surely Wei Wuxian is his Heir and Destined Vessel in truth, for he is Charismatic and Charming and Makes Me Feel Things, with his Clearly Feigned Righteous Drive and Compassion for All God’s Creatures and - why does heat keep pooling in the lower abdomen of my vessel when I look at his lips, which I am definitely doing a Normal and Not-Weird Amount - I’m just keeping an eye out for the famed Silver Tongue, and not in any way wondering how it would feel in my own mouth -

it’s actually DEFINITELY plausible for Lucifer to still be released even if our designated Heir Apparent is using his demon powers to his full potential and no one’s lying to each other about their motives. You just need to let Lilith be more scary too, and especially bc by “no one” I mostly mean Wen Qing; the angels are still totally hiding the fact that they, too, want to jumpstart the shit out of this apocalypse.  LWJ decides at the last minute that that’s a bad idea actually, gets himself discorporated to send JC to intercept WWX because he accidentally releases Lucifer, etc. etc. Oh yeah, the boys were def fighting before this, bc JC has actually fairly reasonable concerns about the sort of things WWX is getting up to in his quest to become King of Hell...

SO

...I neither know nor care what happens in s5

it does end with both Lucifer and Michael locked in the cage probably, bc I rather liked that solution. Fuck both of ‘em, basically.

I was toying with the idea that WWX also found Madam Yu in whatever hellish torment she was suffering after making a deal so her idiot son(s) would survive, and she was leading forces for him in the war against Lilith as well. If she came back to life somehow, body and all, it’d probably be compelling if she offered her own body to Michael - bc it’s her lineage! - and we’re all led to believe that she’s, uh, being a bitch and actually wants to risk destroying the world in order to destroy all demons...but then she seizes back control and flings herself/Michael and Lucifer into the Pit, because she’s just That Hardcore?

which means we’d actually have had her around and having characterization for most of s4-5, too, which would be fun

More importantly, it ends with newly crowned King of Hell Wei Wuxian appointing Wen Qing as Queen-Regent and ditching to go on an indefinite honeymoon with his new angel boyfriend (they’re going to fuck for like three weeks straight, then roll up their sleeves and go conquer Heaven in the name of free will), and Jiang Cheng gets to live out his hitherto-unknown-to-himself life’s ambition to be the sugar baby of the Queen of Hell. It’s very Hades/Persephone, except he goes back down to the underworld at least once a month. He gets his own demon squad whom he trains up in all the hunting techniques and it’s gr9. Wen Qing is reforming the crossroads deal process to make it more fair to the humans.

the end

Addenda:

it should go without saying but Jiang Yanli is definitely a recurring character, like, at least once a season there’s a filler episode where they go to Jiang Yanli’s for dinner and have to get along as a family, and also do the much easier job of defeating some sort of terrible demon that gets loose in the bunker and turns the evening into a horror movie. She’s their main research/emotional check-in person, a la Bobby, more often appearing in later seasons when there’s, uhhh, more to emotionally check in about.

Jin Zixuan is actually a perfectly competent hunter; he’s just a priss and we don’t Like him

we like Mianmian, though. Oh, I guess the official Hunter’s Guild or w/e tries to declare WWX a public enemy on account of the whole “King of Hell” thing and she’s like “actually what if you’re morons and assholes?” and joins hte team in s4 or 5? Yeah.

idk how the 3zun disaster happens in this ‘verse but I do encourage it to be happening in slow motion as a recurring subplot for several seasons. NMJ is a hunter, LXC is obv an angel, and JGY is...I wanna say one of the more human monsters, like a vampire? Or, you know, something that could be born from JGS sleeping with someone/something he shouldn’t have

[sunsoothed]

open 24 hours

hello hello!! got a brainworm for jaehee/soohyun content so i wrote this mess. what can i say. women. anyway! this is set in canon and after that scene where sunah calls jaehee to hang out.

word count: 825

read on ao3

enjoy <3

-

It’s after the most peculiar phone call from her boss Jaehee’s ever had that she bumps into her, the woman she’d hit on the head so hard that one slip of hand would’ve killed her. It’s not everyday you meet the person you almost killed. Funny it’s happening to her so late in life, though, considering the sheer amount of people who’ve suffered the same fate as officer Yoon Soohyun by her hand.

But the officer is checking her out, and Jaehee’s happy with the attention she usually receives from middle-aged creeps, so she can’t entirely blame herself for sliding up to Yoon Soohyun’s side and clinking her glass with her’s.

“Cold night, isn’t it?”

“It is,” Yoon Soohyun replies. Then, with a nervous finger on the rim of her glass and her nervous eyes unstraying from the surface of the bar, “I’ve never seen you around here before.”

“I’ve never been around here before,” Jaehee supplies. “Are you a regular?”

“Find out yourself,” Soohyun says, a bout of confidence strung within her. Whether she knows, whether she doesn’t, Jaehee can’t discern.

“Okay,” She agrees, grinning, “Uh, unnie?”

Yoon Soohyun laughs, affronted little by her forwardness. “Soohyun,” she introduces. “I suppose your Soohyun unnie.”

“Soohyun unnie,” Jaehee says. “It’s good to make your acquaintance,” she holds out her hand. “Jung Jaehee.”

And Soohyun takes her hand. “It’s good to make your acquaintance as well.”

-

Jaehee hadn’t expected to spend next to the whole night here. She’d come for a drink, perhaps to look at some attractive people, perhaps to go to bed with one of them; but never to stay for longer than a few hours. But here she is, cocktail replaced by a glass of water, and the seat opposite hers occupied with a more-than-tipsy Yoon Soohyun.

“I don’t know if I actually like him, though,” She’s saying. Talking about Kim Gaon, Jaehee suspects, but she’s been lost staring at the way her mouth moves rather than her words.

Jaehee leans forward on her elbows. “But?”

“What but,” Soohyun mutters, “I love him. He’s my best friend, we’ve known each other since school, I’ve been there for all the horrible things that happened to him.”

“But,” Jaehee repeats, prompting, resting her drooping cheek on the rim of her glass.

“But I don’t… I’m not… in love with him. You know?”

“I know,” She assures, even though she definitely does not. “Must be difficult to figure this out, no?”

Soohyun waves her hand. “No. Always knew I preferred women.”

“How remarkable, unnie,” Jaehee purrs. “Most of us don’t know ‘til we kiss boys and feel nothing.”

Her unnie huffs, a terrible smirk gracing her lips. “Is that how you found out?”

Jaehee sips her water. “He was smitten with me,” she gestures vaguely to her side, aiming to indicate some time back, but managing to convey, everyone here.

Soohyun hums, clearly understanding.

“And, as per the fashion, I thought he was cute, and his confession was worth accepting, because I loved those chocolates. And this was the way to go, right? We’d hide behind the patrol officers behind school and hold hands. We kissed once. That’s when I put an end to the relationship.”

“How eventful,” Soohyun notes. “I never had a relationship in school. People thought Gaon and I were dating anyway, and they wouldn’t believe us when we refuted them, so.”

“And since?” Jaehee inquires.

“And since… I went to police academy. There were some nice girls there, but nothing really happened. When I joined the force I had one serious relationship until her parents found out. Then we were just friends.” Soohyun looks to the table and sighs. “And you?”

“I’m hardly as refined as you, unnie,” Jaehee compliments. “I’ve had my fun here and there, but nothing serious.”

“Too busy with work?”

If only you knew. “Exactly,” she sighs, fully slumping over the table now. “My boss is so demanding.”

“Should I teach your boss a lesson?”

“Unnie,” Jaehee admonishes. “You’ll get into some serious trouble. My boss isn’t someone you should mess with.”

To be fair, Soohyun does look considerably determined. After a moment of staring into Jaehee’s demanding gaze, however, she relents. “Ah, I’ve had my fair share of butting into things lately.” Another sip from her glass. “I’ll sit this one out.”

A reigning moment of silence, then, “Thank you, though.”

“Hm?”

“Thanks for standing up for me, unnie,” Jaehee says timid, gaze astray. “It feels nice.”

Soohyun’s eyes twinkle as she leans close and says, “Of course.”

Jaehee wants to explain all circumstances to her, wants her to know that her boss isn’t a bad person, wants her to know that the damage caused to her was never meant to harm her, wants her to know all that she can stomach telling her. But she only swallows down another sip, and shares a discreet smile with her unnie, and spends until closing time observing a view unseen.

[ask-the-seer-of-breath]

On Theseus and his Paradox

I'm making this post hoping no one else has done this, haha. Though it should not matter, I'm sharing my thoughts on this anyway. Huge thanks to @FrankTheUnusual on Twitter for bringing to my attention more about this subject.

I know half of us are excited about Homestuck^2: Beyond Canon. I also know the other half of us isn't. Personally, I’ve been reading when I can muster the strenght to do it. Regardless of your stand in the multiple continuations of Homestuck, I hope you find my post interesting and/or fun. (^-^

Remember to keep reading under the cut.

Let's begin with context. Spoilers for the first part of Homestuck^2 ahead.

Dirk Strider has become a full-time anime icon, and he is ripping off Kamina from Tengen Toppa Gurren Laggan. As shocking as this is, he seems to have developed a narcissistic kind of view on himself. One that, I dare to say, is both caliginous and flushed. He has also spiraled down into the Homestuck fan void. He's obsessed with all that pertains to the rich lore, going so far as to have a collection of panels. Not unlike Doc Scratch. And he also seems to be depressed due to severe isolation from his emotions. His only coping mechanism is taking care of some discolored succulents he alchemized. Which are sadly not safe from the fangs of one of his shipmates.

Speaking of shipmates. First mate Terezi seems to be both the plague and the pilot of the Theseus, destined to crash it into a new planet. While Rosebot is as passive of a player as The Choice made by Alt!Calliope. She is not unlike the succulents.

Going back to Dirk, he has perfectioned the abilities of an ascended Ultimate being. And it is revealed his purpose is to take Homestuck back to the times before the narrative went astray into other concepts. His way of fixing the comic? Bringing back commands, which his connection to the Heart aspect allows him to suggest-ify. But he scraps that when it doesn't go the way he expected. Or did it?

Before we continue in what is Homestuck^2, we are left with a view of the Theseus approaching the destination Dirk and crew have pursued for three years at light speed.

Right off the bat, it seems that we are getting more involved with Titles and Roles in Homestuck^2. I suppose, courtesy of yours and my boy, optimisticDuelist.

Who the hell keeps making these references?

The subject of this post is to bring to light the name Theseus, and the fact that it's a ship. A space ship, yes, but it's enough to just know it's a mean of transportation.

Who is Theseus? A demigod, son of Poseidon but also the son of King Aegeus of Athens. The rightful heir to the throne, and a mythical hero for Athenians. Similar to other Greek mythological heroes, he went through several "labors". Daring adventures to prove his strength. These labors he fought against were representations of archaic religions and social orders, left behind by the Greeks. He is, therefore, historically recognized as a symbol of "major cultural transition".

Let's not dawdle, Theseus is highly connected to Ult!Dirk. It is a symbolism, meant to connect Dirk's crusade to a heroic concept of historical rebirth. They're both godly? Checked. They're both catalysts for major changes on the narrative? Checked. Had a sexist friend who was related to horses in some way? Checked. Abductor of women? Checked. Wait. 

It is also worth mentioning that Theseus is rooted in the word thesmos. Which in Greek is “The gathering”. It's as if the battles of Theseus are the recount of the Homestuck narrative by Dirk.

But the hero Theseus had a ship too, which he sailed back from Crete to Athens. What is the importance of this boat?

Theseus rows across Paradox Space

What's more important to us right now, is the philosophical meaning of these references to Greek mythology. Because Dirk and Rose are all about that and have been "laying down mad enfilades of philosophical shit" on those three years.

Many times in the Epilogues and now in Homestuck^2, Dirk mentions what is like to be detached from the concept of Self, and how you need to internalize what your Identity is in order to ascend to a fully realized ultimate player. What does it matter being Good or Evil if you are Yourself? But what is Yourself?

Dirk mentions he used to drown in the ocean of his full potential, constantly trying to escape the things he was capable of doing. As a Heart player, he's capable of being aware of his splinters across Paradox Space. All of them doing different things, but all of them being him still. No matter how bad or how good. Are the other Dirks less or more Dirk than him? At what extent does he stop being Dirk?

But now, he has become the ocean. And he is beyond a definition of Self, of a trace of Identity, of being more or less, good or evil. Or so he says.

Let's recount the ship of Theseus. It is said it was kept by the Athenians as an object of adoration and historical importance for many centuries.

The Paradox of the Ship of Theseus says: Suppose that the famous wooden ship, on its preservation, has a piece that starts to rot away. The piece is replaced by a new one, but then the same scenario happens again. And so on, until many years later, the ship has had all of its parts replaced by new wood. Is this restored ship still the original ship in which Theseus sailed?

What happens if someone had stored and cured each rotting piece of wood that was scrapped originally, and then reconstructed the ship entirely. Which ship is the original? The one reconstructed from the old parts or the one restored by the Athenians? Which is more important, the body of the ship or the consciousness around the ship?

At what point does it stops being the ship? How much or how little change should it undergo to still be it? And what is even it?

When something changes, who is to say it's not the same as before, and who is to say it is? But rather than change, what is that which defines an object?

What if we decide to apply this concept to human beings, who is to say that you are the same person you were 10 years ago? If you argue that a person is their body, remember that in a span of 7 years your cells reproduce and decay, until you are made of completely new cells. Are you still You? Let's say you argue a person is their mind. Is your ten-year-old self the same as your fifty-year-old self? Everyone might still perceive you as the same person, but psychologically, you are not the same. You learn new things that influence the way you behave. So what is it that defines You?

"Where does consciousness exist, and what is the reality of our soul if we question the basis of personal identity?"

Living this paradox is what it means to reach your Ultimate self. Which might explain why is it such a difficult feat. The fact that Dirk was even capable of pulling it off is amazing, and probably derives from his upbringing as well as being bound to the aspect of Heart.

However, the Paradox of the Ship of Theseus is not only an answer to ascension, but it is also a question to the fandom.

At what point does Homestuck cease to be?

What is the end of Homestuck? Is it when all the characters reach a happy ending? Or is it when the villain is defeated? Is Homestuck^2 still what we love? And if it changed, who are we to say it isn’t Homestuck? Did Homestuck ever begin or was it already here.

This philosophical question resides in each of you. The answer is what you decide it to be. I myself I’m no philosopher but this was a fun question to reflex on, regardless.

Love it or hate it, H^2 came to stay. Dirk is here to stay. Whatever happens from now on... Let’s see how far we’ve come, everyone. 

Thanks for reading!

Sources where I fact-checked and got inspired

Wikipedia: Theseus

Wikipedia: Ship of Theseus

Utne.com “The Ship of Theseus and the Question of Identity”  By Noson S. Yanofksy

[lorei-writes]

Dragon’s Treasure

Masamune x MC Some Fluff, Some Angst Family AU Post Canon (~10 years)

Summary: Nobunaga invites his allies to come to the Azuchi castle. As the invitation is impossible to reject, Masamune travels there with his wife and children. However, nobody could have foreseen what happened during the banquet. 

Some fluff, some angst. @nyashalynn wanted some, so I delivered. For further notes, read under the cut.

Word estimate: 2.5k

Content Warnings: poisoning, harm to children, food mention

 Masamune’s children are called Iroha and Torakikumaru (the boy changes his name to Tadamune later in life, after the coming of age ceremony). Nobunaga’s son name is Kanpachi.  Hideyoshi’s daughter is named Sadako.  Ieyasu’s son - Takechiyo.  ( I tried to use the historical childhood names). The story takes place roughly 10 years after the events of the game. 

I refer to MC as either the wife, the princess or the mother, as I didn’t really want to give her a name nor call her MC.

I’ll probably die out of embarrassment for posting it, but I’ll do that tomorrow. 

As the sun began to set, the Azuchi castle flickered on the horizon, bringing relief upon Masamune Date and his wife, the beloved princess adopted by the Oda clan. The journey seemed to have exhausted them more than they could have expected, with their daughter, Iroha, taking after her father more and more each day. The children, both wild and lively, appeared to be ready to conquer the entire world, despite their parents’ efforts to keep them safe. From Torakikumaru hijacking Masamune’s horse during a break, to Iroha running off into the woods at night, just to lead the maid assigned to her astray and be later found hiding by her mother, the days on the road were full of  minor and major adventures, provided exclusively by the little troublemakers. Being the only ones able to tame the little cubs, the lord of Oshu and his beloved found themselves craving sleep more than anything else. However, they reckoned Nobunaga’s calls couldn’t be ignored any longer and as such, considered his invitation unrejectable.

As they neared the castle gates, the children awoke in the carriage and peaked out of it curiously. “Papa, are we there yet?” Torakikumaru inquired, as Iroha rubbed her eyes eagerly, trying to shake away any remaining sleepiness. “  Yes. And it seems uncle Hideyoshi and uncle Mitsuhide are waiting for us at the gate,” Masamune answered. Soon, they halted their horses and descended, handing the reins over to the servants ready to take care of the animals. “Had you not sent that messenger a couple of days ago, Nobunaga would be scheming to take over Oshu now,” Hideyoshi complained, his lips turning into otherwise rather warm smile. “Oh, did he miss us that much? The last time I’ve heard from him, he had his hands full with certain konpeito thief,” Masamune joked, warding off the tiredness. “ Little lord Kanpachi did learn his lesson, I presume, as I’ve woken up to him still being scolded by a certain someone,” scoffed Mitsuhide. He looked down, as something tugged on his robe, only to find Iroha. He lifted the girl into the air. “ Remind me, little mouse, how old are you? Five already? You grew so much since our last visit to Aoba.” “I’m four, silly uncle.” Mitsuhide handed the girl to her mother, shaking his head in theatrical disbelief.  “ To think, the tiger’s cub would start to bite so soon,” he added, causing Iroha to giggle.

With help from Hideyoshi, the servants managed to escort the children to the Date manor, while their parents went to greet Nobunaga. “You look rather…” Oda started, just to be cut off by the princess: “ Sleep deprived? Can’t say we slept much in past two weeks.” “ This better be worth it, Nobunaga. Iroha may fancy taking over your land if she explores by herself any more forests at night. What’s the exact reason behind that invitation?” Masamune chuckled. “The unification’s almost complete. I’ll be hosting a banquet to celebrate our recently formed alliances. We may be heading into our final battles soon, so I presume you’d want to see your friends this time.” “ You do realise you’ve called for a child rebellion by demanding everybody to come with their family, do you?” princess inquired jokingly. “ I do and I plan to benefit from it greatly, Fireball.” With that, they parted their ways and came to rest at their quarters.

The servants at Azuchi castle couldn’t have been prepared for a sudden influx of not only adult guests, but also rowdy little humans. However, the temperature was only about to rise on the very day of the banquet, as somebody stole konpeito Hideyoshi had hidden. Little did the warlord realise, the culprit wasn’t his daughter, Sadako, nor Kanpachi, but Ieyasu’s son – Takechiyo. With the girl acting as a diversion, he successfully sneaked past his father and delivered the sweets to Torakikumaru. The boy orchestrated the plan and as such, wanted to be the one to bring them to his uncle. “ My lord, I completed the mission you’ve tasked me with,” he said, upon entering Nobunaga’s chamber. “ As expected, you did splendidly. I presume the friendship between our clans will flourish. However, I must ask you, is Hideyoshi still unaware of our plan?” “ He is and shall be for much longer, as he had underestimated his enemy gravely,” claimed the future lord. Yet, he broke the act just as soon, as he asked, his eyes shining brightly with hope: “ Uncle, can I have some too? You do reward your vassals, don’t you?” To that, Nobunaga could only laugh, inviting the boy to feast on the sweets as well.

A few hours later the children were gathered in one wing of the Azuchi castle, where servants could watch them closely. Allies flooded the main hall, their eager voices filling the air. Many new faces appeared – some belonged to the warlords’ spouses, some to recently sworn vassals and some to the heads of the few clans remaining out of any coalition. However, the initially foreign atmosphere changed quickly, becoming reminiscent more of what the feasts looked like all those years ago. Mitsuhide still tried to switch Masamune’s water for alcohol, Ieyasu bickered with Mitsunari, Hideyoshi kept attempting to kill anybody who appeared to be even mildly unfavorable towards Nobunaga with his gaze alone. The lord of Oshu caught himself wondering, whether the wormhole would come in three months, only to remind himself this conversation was long over – his princess had chosen to stay by his side, to become the lady of his entire domain and to share his sorrows with him. Seven years had passed since she bore him a heir, but more importantly – a son. Glad to be alive and to have met his lass, he joked with his friends and teased his wife, stealing a couple of short kisses from her lips here and there.

The heads turned towards the sliding door, as a maid opened them frantically and ran towards her lord. She bowed on the floor and spoke, gasping for breath: “ Toraki…kumaru… He… He collapsed. Suddenly… He is escorted… Manor..”. Masamune and princess rose instantly, soon leaving the jovial atmosphere behind them. As they rushed through the corridors, his wife said: “ You go. I’ll fetch Iroha.” He didn’t have time to argue, as they both picked up their pace.

He arrived just as the guards stepped outside Torakikumaru’s room. Without a word, he went inside. His son was shaking violently. His face was twisted into a mask of terror, as he could neither speak nor take any control of his body. The pupils of his eyes were dilated enough to consume almost the entirety of his irises, making the boy seem almost inhuman. Masamune moved instinctively, sitting on the floor to hold the child firmly against himself. “ Call for Ieyasu!” the lord of the manor yelled, then turning all of his attention to his son. “ It’s going to be all right. Hang in there,” he claimed reassuringly, trying to drive away at least some of the fear. “ I know it’s scary, but it will be okay. I am here. Mama went for Iroha. She’ll be here in no time. You just have to endure it a bit longer.”

Ieyasu was the first to come, as he rushed to the Date manor right after hearing the details of the event from the maid. He stormed into the chamber, just to witness as the child stopped shaking and went limp in his father’s arms. Masamune’s eye widened in fear. He lowered Torakikumaru onto a futon. Before he could look for any signs of life, Ieyasu was onto it. In less than a minute, he said: “He’s alive.” The head of the Date felt the waves of such an intense relief wash over him for the first time in years. “ Masamune. What symptoms has he shown up until now?” “ Convulsions. Wide pupils. Couldn’t speak,” he replied, his throat surprisingly dry. “Does it ring a bell for you?” Ieyasu remained silent for a while, attempting to match the gathered information to any kind of poisoning he knew of. He kept his gaze low and shook his head, just as the princess entered the room. She was carrying crying Iroha in her arms, trying to soothe the girl’s confusion and fear with rubbing her back and soft kisses pressed to her temple. The princess kept the tears from escaping her eyes. “His alive,” claimed Masamune. As his wife sat on the other side of Torakikumaru’s futon, they eyes met. She nodded and spoke: “ Iroha, listen. I know it is really scary. I know you feel lost and it seems dangerous. We love you and will protect you. But now we need you to stay for a couple of days with one of your uncles.” “ But mama, I don’t wanna go. They didn’t let me be with Tora. I don’t wanna go!” she screamed, her little hands grasping at her mother’s kimono tightly “I know, my little kitty, but we really need to keep you safe. I promise, you’ll see Tora soon and I’ll make you your favorite mochi to eat together. We need you to stay with one of your uncles for a couple of days,” Masamune added, gently patting her hair.

By the time Mitsuhide arrived with Hideyoshi and Mitsunari, Iroha was only sobbing quietly, exhausted from all the tears she had shed. Mitsunari could hardly bear seeing such a young child in so much pain, so as soon as he learnt of her parents’ intentions, he crouched next to her and said softly: “Little lady Iroha, I’ll take you to lord Hideyoshi’s manor, okay? I’ll see to it you share the room with Sadako and I’ll tell you both as many bedtime stories as you want today.” She looked up for a second, without saying a word. “Okay,” Iroha mustered, standing up. She left, holding Mitsunari’s hand. Without the girl in the earshot, Hideyoshi spoke: “ Who could have poisoned him?” “ I can’t recall the Date having a strife with any of the present clans,” Masamune answered, clenching his fists. “I presume it’s best I seek the insight of my spies then. At least until Nobunaga is still hosting his dear guests,” Mitsuhide added, before turning around and leaving the manor. Ieyasu rose to his feet. “ I’ll have the medicine delivered. Assign somebody to be with him at all times. Make him drink once he wakes up.” Lord Tokugawa and lord Toyotomi left.

The following days were filled with fearful anticipation. The convulsions returned once, yet  he didn’t regain consciousness a single time. Torakikumaru’s form seemed to shrink, as his body struggled to fight the poison. None of the treatments proposed by Ieyasu gave any signs of success, leaving the family helpless. The warlord usually came to visit afer the princess had already fallen asleep, Masamune watching over their son for the night. “Any new ideas?” one-eyed dragon asked, knowing the answer all to well. “ Yes, but nothing for Torakikumaru. Mitsuhide has came across some clues,” he started dryly, averting his eyes from the people in the room. “ The poison doesn’t come from here. It’s uncertain whether there’s even any antidote for it. We won’t find it in time.” Masamune looked at his friend, not daring to say anything. It was unusual for Ieyasu to be this sincere. “ Unless he wakes up on his own in the next couple of days, he won’t make it,” the Tokugawa added. He stormed out of the room, without waiting for the answer. In a way – he was right, as there was none to begin with.

For the next two days, Masamune couldn’t sleep during the day, even despite staying up all night. With princess, he kept being by Torakikumaru’s side, desperately awaiting his awakening. Yet it didn’t happen. “ If he doesn’t wake up, how will we explain it to Iroha?” the princess asked, her eyes red from tears. Masamune’s chest tightened, as he saw just how exhausted she was, her eyes dull and full of inexpressible sorrow. “ I don’t think anything we can say will make it any easier,” he confessed. “ Why would anybody do that to a child?” his wife’s voice threatened to break. “ Usually, I’d say it’s either for revenge or to invite us to war. Maybe somebody wants to start an internal dispute within the Date… But this time, I don’t know either, kitten. It’s cruel and it hurts,” he admitted.

Masamune never thought he’d perceive the political matters through the lenses of his personal afflictions. He remembered the times before he came to understand his beloved – how easy it was for him to rationalise the cruel, war-spoiled and merciless world they lived in. He could brush off his mother trying to poison him, yet seeing the very same thing happen to Torakikumaru enraged him. He felt weak, for ever allowing that to happen, for not being able to stop the person who threatened to harm his family in their tracks. Another subject that reappeared in Masamune’s thoughts whenever he was awake was Iroha. Neither of them had seen her since Mitsunari left with her. Giving anybody any clue about her whereabouts was too dangerous… Though, there was another reason just as well. How could they face their cub, all too well knowing they’d had to lie to her? He certainly didn’t want to bring any more hope into those young, curious eyes – as he might very well be the one to shatter it and replace it with sorrow and fear.

Masamune, lost in his thoughts, didn’t notice when the day turned into night. His eyes stung, so he moved his hand to rub at them. His wife had already fallen asleep from the exhaustion, still in her kimono. “Papa?” a weak voice came from the darkness. “I’m right here,” the lord of Oshu answered, frantically lighting the lantern. Torakikumaru was awake, his eyes wide open. “ What happened? I don’t remember much.” Masamune felt his eyes watering, as he took his son and positioned him in his lap, only to hug him tightly . “ Somebody dared to hurt you. You don’t have to be afraid anymore. They’ve called the wrath of the dragon upon themselves and will soon regret it with the entirety of their beings.”

Lord Date didn’t realise  when his wife wake up or when she found her way to them. He could only feel the warmth of her embrace and see her eyes shed yet another tears, this time tainted with the shades of joy.

The messengers were sent out.

[starbrightblack]

Long Live The Noble House of Black

OOC: No longer relevant or true to the canon of the rp.

Content tw: Verbal domestic abuse, Verbal child abuse, Threat of physical abuse, Murder, Pregnancy... It focuses on Walburga Black and includes the kind of crazy you’d associate with her.

Summary: The situations that led to Sirius and Regulus’ conceptions were not as straight forward as one might assume.

@nilamdeuil​

Walburga Black was raised in the ancestral home. The House of Black at 12 Grimmauld Place was in her mind a beautiful place, grand and glorious for all its gothic quirks. She was content to live there forever, but her parents made it quite clear that although she was the oldest, she would not be inheriting 12 Grimmauld Place. As a woman, it was her duty to marry into and continue on a pureblood line. However, she would be continuing her husband’s family line, not the Black family’s. Therefore, the family home was to go to Alphard as the oldest son. Walburga had always hated her brother and his peculiar mannerisms, and she couldn’t stand the idea of him taking away her house, especially when he tried to make her feel better by insisting he didn’t want it anyway. So Walburga did what any sensible witch would do in her situation.

She married her cousin.

By marrying Orion, she kept her family name, ensured at least one branch of the Black family' stayed pure, and reinforced her own claim to 12 Grimmauld Place. Alphard gave up his stake for it without a fuss, and Cygnus had always been sensible enough to know when his sister would win. She kept her home and had a husband to whom she could always speak her mind.

Once the two had been married and moved into the home Walburga had never had to move out of, Walburga and Orion got to work on the next set of expectations. Walburga didn’t particularly like the idea of motherhood, but it was her duty and had been part of the deal to keep the house.

After a few years of trying, however, the couple realized that something was gravely amiss. They summoned a very discreet healer to solve the issue, and Walburga nearly hexed him when he said there was little he could do. He explained that some of the issues she’d always had with menstruation had hinted at her problem with carrying a baby. It was possible that Walburga could carry a child to term, but it would take a lot of pain, many potions, and a great deal of luck besides. He recommended they consider their other options.

They knew they couldn’t do anything local, and most of the options he’d recommended were unlikely and very indiscreet. A pureblood baby up for adoption was unlikely in the UK and untrustable from another country where an orphanage might say anything to get them to take a child. Besides, the matter was more difficult than just finding a child they could pretend was biologically theirs. Walburga—and Orion too to a less extent—felt passionate that they could not let the Black family line die. Yes, Cygnus was now married and had just been blessed with a third child, but they were all girls. Some blessing.

Walburga and Orion turned their consideration toward another option the healer had suggested: surrogacy.

Orion had been uncertain at first, concerned that his wife would change her mind about allowing him to sleep with someone else. For Walburga, though, it seemed to offer a lot of wonderful benefits, and if someone else dealing with her husband for a little while was one of them, well, she wouldn’t voice the concern aloud.

They made a plan. The two staged a trip abroad together, but Walburga didn’t go. She trusted Orion to make a suitable pureblood choice and to bring her back before the pregnancy ended. Walburga stayed isolated inside her house, but she didn’t mind. She loved her house. She never wanted to leave it anyway, and an excuse to stay there exclusively for a little while sounded heavenly.

Perhaps she should have gone, Walburga realized in hindsight. While Walburga had sat at home musing about whether Elladora or Belvina would be a better namesake for a daughter, Orion had been led astray in his choice by beauty. He claimed that finding a pureblood witch who looked like Walburga and was willing to carry a child she wouldn’t keep was too much to expect. Walburga would have expected him to come home empty-handed, not with his hand on the shoulder of some pretty Beauxbatons dropout hard on her luck.

The girl—for she was barely old enough to be considered anything else—had been disowned by her family and was willing to do whatever Orion wished as long as he paid her for it.

“That makes her a whore,” Walburga had hissed.

“That makes her sensible,” Orion had argued.

The nineteen-year-old was stunningly beautiful, and her hair did somewhat resemble Walburga’s hair. But her glowing olive skin would never produce a child that could pass for Walburga’s.

“You worry too much,” Orion murmured against Walburga’s hair, trying to soothe his wife’s anger. “No one would call us on it. Besides, the girl is so docile. We could probably keep her here, hide her away until we’re ready for another child. I bet she’d stay.”

Walburga’s eyes had flashed as her husband proposed keeping a mistress in Walburga’s own home, but she’d said nothing. Instead Walburga waited until the baby had been born before taking him from the room, naming him after Orion’s grandfather and her great uncle, depositing him with Orion momentarily, and returning to the girl’s room to slit her throat the muggle way. Walburga did have to admit some things were more satisfying by hand.

Orion’s prediction turned out to be true that no one would dare suggest the child didn’t belong to both of them. If any whispers happened behind closed doors, Walburga wasn’t listening at the fire to find out. She was too content in her own little world as she attempted to mother a baby.

Sirius was a horridly fussy baby who screamed and cried and carried on, and nothing Walburga did seemed to calm him down. Only the family house elf seemed to have a way with him, and Orion quickly grew to resent that the elf caring for their baby meant that he and Walburga had to do more things for themselves. In Orion’s frustration, he planned another trip abroad to take care of some business. Walburga didn’t bother to hide her resentment at him leaving her alone with the child, especially now that he was starting to walk and getting into things like mad.

The trip was meant to last two months. When Orion had been gone for three, Walburga didn’t think much of it. When he’d been gone for four, she sent a howler.

That got him home fairly quickly, although Orion arrived in the dead of night, once again with his arm around some floozy’s shoulder. That wasn’t the worst of it. Orion had gotten her pregnant, this time an accident instead of a planned surrogacy, and this witch was Korean.

Walburga lost it. She started screaming and cursing right there in the entryway, furious that Orion would be unfaithful, furious that this girl hadn’t been smart enough to avoid a child, and furious that Orion’s wandering eye hadn’t picked someone who looked like her. She threatened the girl with the Cruciatus, only avoiding it because Orion got in the middle and started yelling back. In her anger, she threatened to hex him too and in a different way. What good was his manhood to her if it couldn’t even give her a child correctly?

Eventually Orion managed to placate his wife enough that she didn’t kill the girl, but it was tempting. He tried to shield her from the same fate Sirius’ mother had suffered; however, when Walburga’s eyes flashed during the girl’s labor and she’d told him to walk away, Orion had listened. This one didn’t want to give up her baby, but she didn’t have much choice in the matter. She did force Walburga to deal with things in a slightly different order. She killed the birth mother first, then named him after Orion’s uncle and carried him to Orion.

Regulus wasn’t as easy a pill to swallow as Sirius had been for the pureblood community, but when Orion insisted both were pureblood, no one questioned it. They did start to whisper about a potential affair leading to Regulus, and “Come to think of it, Sirius doesn’t really follow the Black family looks, does he?” Walburga hated it, and as Sirius grew older and began to act out, she blamed him and his heritage for every little thing.

Sirius was just five when he innocently asked his mother why he and Regulus didn’t look alike. She let loose, screaming at him about his father’s incompetency and admitting neither boy was hers. She even went far enough to admit that she’d killed “the harlots” who had carried them and threatening Sirius that if either boy ever stepped out of line, she wasn’t afraid to do the same to them. Traumatized, Sirius had fled upstairs to Regulus’ room, and Walburga let him go, her anger momentarily sated.

Upstairs Sirius openly sobbed as he clung tight to his toddler brother and decided right then that if she was ever going to hurt one of them like that, it should be him. He had to protect Regulus at all costs, no matter what happened to himself in the process.

After six years and Hogwarts, that resolve began to crack, but it took eleven to break it completely.

[mellz117]

Mellz plays KH Re:Com on PS2, Reverse/Rebirth (Riku’s campaign) Part 2

Yeah I hate Larxene. She’s mean for the sake of being mean, she has no redeeming qualities. Xemnas at least has a goal, Larxene is just an asshole just to be so. She reminds me of Agent South from Red vs Blue, whom I also can’t stand lmao.

Now that THAT’S out of the way....

Check out part 1 of Riku’s campaign if you’re joining me for the first time! Also linked there is the beginning of my time with Sora’s part of the game. Otherwise, let’s continue.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Snibbs shout out to you for warning me about Wonderland. LETS GO THERE RIGHT NOW!

Ok I think I know that you meant. I have like 20 cards but only 9 show up in battle.

Oh wow ok. I only ever have 9 cards to work with in Wonderland which sucks against the boss. So I died.

I'm getting so mad right now. I died 4 times. Ok. After reaching the next floor a cut scene plays and Lexaeus tells Zexion that Vexen is dead, which he already knew because "his scent is gone". Some convoluted bullshit gets talked about, if the hero of light loses his path the Organization might find use for the hero of darkness. If the hero of light goes astray YOU STILL HAVE ROXAS.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

So I'm at the Olympus Colosseum and after a while I started wondering out loud

"Can Dark Firaga heal Hades?"

And my sister, who's been eating Ferrero Rocher says "Dark Ferrero?"

Thanks, Rose. Do they make Ferrero Rocher with dark chocolate? I kinda want that.

I do not struggle with Hades at all. Ever. Especially when I don’t have a stupid DUCK casting fire spells.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

When we finish the Colosseum Riku meets Lexaeus, who's already got his tomahawk out. He's ready to kick ass and take names. Nobody here has any time to stop and smell the white, ceramic roses do they?

He calls Riku an infantile coward (a wussy baby) and battle ensues.

Oh ho-ho on battle attempt number 5 we both had one hit left in our HP bars. Guess who won!

NOT ME!

Death count with Lexaeus was 6 after a bunch of grinding. My card count wasn't a problem it was my HP.

Jesus christ, Lex. Hes 15, give him a break. No, not shatter his back on the ceiling...

Well now you done it. Ansem took over and kicked your ass for Riku.

Rose: "Sorry, Ansem, I don't think you're his type"

Please stop talking. Seriously. Someone call the feds omfg

Zexion laments Lexaeus’s defeat. He sounds so sad about it. Were they close?This melancholy mood is quickly shoved aside when Axel appears. They both casually discuss who of the remaining Org13 members in this castle is gonna die next. Zexion leaves to confront Riku himself.

It doesn’t take long before Marluxia's dead, which is enough power to SHAKE THE WHOLE CASTLE and Zexion shows himself to Riku. "Sora's destiny is to fight the darkness, including you, Riku". he says and peaces out until we get the Destiny Islands.

Poor Riku, constantly being bombarded with reminders of his mistakes. These bad guys REALLY like to give him a hard time. LET HIM LEARN WITHOUT HURTING HE’S TRYING HIS BEST.

The Darkside is also a super easy boss. Especially at this point in the game. It's like a bull against a mouse, and the mouse wins. The mcguffin card showed up at the end when it wasn't necessary but I used it anyway.

There’s a door. Oh I get a choice? I don't remember that door. I always just went up to "Sora". What happens if I pick the door?

God damn imagine how BEYTRAYED Riku feels, thinking Sora has turned against him. Hm, well Sora sure knows how it feels now Riku does too!

He looks so sad...

A figment of Kairi appears before Riku. “There is no power than can defeat you” she says. So Riku is OP? She means like, one nor the other has to be his downfall. She tells him the darkness will make him stronger but that’s what ANSEM has been telling him this whole time. And Riku just believes this illusion of Kairi… why? She’s parroting Ansem and Riku’s like “...Yeah that sounds legit”

……………………………………………………………………………………………

What does darkness smell like? Like a damp towel? Stale potatoes?

Battle ensues. So I didn't realize Zexion was stealing my cards to use against me. So what a surprise when I paused to do something and he's got Soul Eater in hand!

Upon exiting the Destiny Islands a cutscene in the darkroom plays. Zexion is scared half to death by Repliku before he realizes Axel is there too. Oh how short that wave of relief lasts... Axel manipulates Repliku and has him kill Zexion. Axel is a bastard. How would killing Zexion help Repliku? What does he know too much of? Isn't he still loyal to Xemnas? Or did he defect like Marluxia and was considered a traitor? Is AXEL even still loyal to the Organization at this point?

Poor Zexion.

The disembodied voice of Ansem Seeker of Darkness calls out to Riku. "Who's there?!" Riku asks, totally forgetting the fact he has seen this man talk with this voice. Canonically it's the same voice. It may be different to the audience but in canon it's the same!

Mickey is at full opacity.

I really like seeing this side of Riku, more silly and cute.

Riku just really needs a hug.

Riku is just completely overcome with relief and his legs give out on him. He’s not alone anymore. When did they get the time to bond between the end of KH1 and CoM?

I'm reading this aloud and Rose says, when I'm done. "No, no, you have to do the voice”

Ok so I went back and reloaded the save before the Darkside fight and the door just leads you to the previous room in case you want to save. Now with that over with, we go to Twilight Town

……………………………………………………………………………………………

DiZ tries to be all "ooh Im evil, I’m Ansem, be very afraid Riku". They battle pose and nothing happens for a too long an awkward moment of time and Riku sees right through this farce.

"You're not the true Ansem" ACTUALLY HE LITERALLY IS THE TRUE ANSEM THE ANSEM YOU KNOW IS TERRANORT’S HEARTLESS LMAO. Look if any of you reading this don’t know Diz and Ansem the Wise (not seeker of darkness) are the same person, what are you doing here?

Oh look it's that ho. I know I keep dragging Repliku but I'm just remembering his death scene and I'm really sad again. I honestly feel so bad for him. He needs a hug. He's super distressed and it's just so heartbreaking. Help!

“Your own darkness doesn’t scare you anymore”

“How can you tell?”

How many of you have played Sonic Adventure 2?

Repliku’s feelings of existentialism hurt me. 

I stop feeling bad for him with every death I face

I was grinding for level ups and this happened

I’m barely within its despawn range lmao

……………………………………………………………………………………………

I did it! I don't know how but I beat Repliku! Guess a lot of dueling is the technique? Because I ended up doing that a bunch.

So Repliku is dying. I gave him a lot of crap and drug him through the dirt but the fate of Repliku is a heartbreaking one. He's just laying there and accepts his fate. HE DIED SO YOUNG.

I’m suddenly reminded of this omg

Let’s get back on track.

What DOES happen if a replica dies? Riku ponders as well, perhaps they go to the same place as a normal person. THIS SCENE MAKES ME SO SAD [video]

After all this anger and drama I'm glad that Riku feels pity the replica. He's not heartless. We now enter the mansion and into the... Basement? Is the pod room in the mansion’s basement?

Omg shes so cute.

She shows Riku the pod Sora’s in and Riku's wigging out, thinking Namine's done something wrong with him. Riku, you’re scaring her!

She explains what he's doing there and offers to use her power to make Riku forget the darkness. Riku is concerned he could forget his loved ones as a result. 

Riku is king of sass

God damn I love this kid. Little shitlet half the time but I love him. My son. My boy. That stupid finger waggle

DIZ! YOU'RE 3 FEET I FRONT OF RIKU. JUST HAAAANNND HIM THE CARD LIKE A NORMAL HUMAN BEING. THIS AIN’T YU-GI-OH!

GEE I WONDER! Think back what, 10 years ago? Is that when BbS took place?

Riku is ready once and for all to fight Ansem and tells Mickey to stay behind because there’s no point in fighting him if Riku can’t win with his own power.

He’s like “Hey do me a solid? if I don't defeat Ansem, just kill me.” 

Riku-interrupting Mouse interrupts him “Sure I’ll save you if that happens”

“No, no. If I lose, DESTR-”

-”Nope!”

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Here’s [part 3] of Reverse/Rebirth, as well as my final thoughts.

[wanderingcas]

tcoat: 1, 2, 5, 9, 15. (I'm sorry, I'm just... a mighty curious person, lol D:) (Also, don't be surprised one day if I ask to do an interview with you. I've been known to do that with a few people, ah ha....)

1: What inspired you to write the fic this way?

i thought ‘FAKE RELATIONSHIP’ and then i thought ‘ANGSTY BACKSTORY’ and then i thought ‘CANON MANIPULATION’ and then went wild from there hoo boy

2: What scene did you first put down?

one that never fully made the cut, actually. if you’re curious i can post it here. the only thing i kept in the story was the coffee scene: 

Sam watched silently over the rim of his coffee mug as Cas shuffled, hair astray and shirt hanging much too loosely on his ever-shrinking frame, to the coffee pot. Across the table, Dean watched him out of the corner of his eye while also failing to remain nonchalant and read the newspaper.

Cas pushed the ‘on’ button and filled the coffee pot with water. Pouring it into the machine, he stared at it impatiently as it began to warm up.

Sam cleared his throat, finally unable to stand the tension in the room. “So, uh… Dean, want to check out that case in Lawrence today?”

“Uh-huh,” Dean replied distractedly, eyes still on Cas’ back.

“We haven’t accepted a hunt in a while,” Sam reminded him, gently but firmly. “Maybe it would be good to get out a bit. Maybe take…” He trailed off, head subtly tilted in Cas’ direction.

Dean frowned; shook his head. “I don’t...”

Cas turned and fixed the brothers with a hard stare. “I want to join you on a hunt,” he declared. It was the first sentence he spoke in a while.

Dean’s expression grew stony. “No, Cas. Bad idea. You literally just turned human weeks ago—you really wanna take that new mortality of yours out for a test drive and get killed?”

“I wouldn’t,” Cas grumbled, turning back to the coffee machine.

“Answer’s no, dude,” Dean said.

(etc. etc.) 

5: What part was hardest to write?

uhh ALL OF IT. but in all honesty, the last 3 chapters. they totally kicked my ass. but i think that’s the case for a lot of fics? when you get to the culmination of everything, and have to start tying things up, it gets overwhelming.

9: Were there any alternate versions of this fic?

tons. i went a lot of different directions before i settled on this version. Faith as a monster took a lot of different turns, too. I originally had her as a perky blonde (sort of like May) that hit on Dean a lot. I also changed the backstory of how Cas became human a LOT before settling on the (admittedly) simplest one. i’m actually gonna write a concept i thought of into another fic, i think!

15: What did you learn from writing this fic?

how to weave the flashbacks into the present. not sure how successful i was - but i learned how hard it is :p

[ask me writing things]

[whifferdills]

HERE WE GO, THE LONG WAY AROUND: DW Xmas special 2017 les go

we saw the Hartnell-->Bradley effect as a teaser p early on, but, janky as it is, it really does work. and it's a giant This Ish Gonna Get Meta signpost, which i enjoy

River's Booze Cube in the TARDIS coming back i'm

right that's a straight line from "Deep Breath" to here. 'you're gonna want a drink, dude'

One, here, aside from what we're gonna go over in a later bulletpoint, feels like - more EU inspired, than anything? they feel like Shitty Nervous Baby Asshole Theta, faced with finally having to commit to stepping out into the world. i've never been super into One Doctor Era in terms of like. being really into it, and i do have a variety of EU-based Shitty Nervous Baby Asshole Theta headcanons, so i like this. ymmv

fuck do i love two or more Drs in a room being jerks to/ begrudgingly admiring each other. this shitbird

the guitar being the only dusted thing. gross college-student 'sniffing to see if the hoodie passes the smell test' 12 headcanon confirmed

THE FLOOF MULLET

sorrynotsorry PCap continutes to be weirdly hot throughout this episode

'shitty baby Thete made the first sonic at the academy' headcanon UNCONFIRMED. unless One's jus playing it cool, like, that dumb thing? hah hah never heard of it

god i do not understand this plot at all but it's Moff in full fuck-off mode so. les go

i love League of Gentlemen but have never really enjoyed, like actively liked, Mark Gatiss' contributions to DW. but i like him here a lot. it's a heartfelt, understated performance and kinda anchors the melodrama of the Dr(s). if he coulda poured that out previous a lot of episodes of New Who would be better

"what do you mean, world war one" fuck what a line

right i get why people might be pissed off at One Dr being obviously a dated piece of shit here, but questions of canon aside: DW has been total fuckin shit, like a lot, it's fucked up bad and frequently (and recently) and i'm entirely ok treating this as a meta critique

fuck this building is the same one from Missy's "imagine the Dr" speech. what does she know

i know Moff loves his doubles/copies/etc but did he need put that on Bill cmon that is hinky af

tho seriously i love these two nerds and i need more 12 & Bill in my life

"long story short: i totally pulled" i'm

wouldnt all these Bill n 12 scenes been better if Moff hadn't needed to do the whole pLoT tWiSt ThEy'Re A cOpY thing. i do love Moff. but. why. why this, here now

Gold went fairly old-school Spooky Synths before returning to his Classic Themes later and like. i'm more of a fan of his work now, than i have been before, but i'm okay with him being replaced with someone more inclined to do something other than what we've been hearing since Eccleston.

the fuckin sunglasses. this dweeb

like i do honestly love moff's sort of, short form spec fic, bizarro, 'hold your hat it's about to get wild' style. outside of mainstream SF i do prefer stories that don't explain, that don't world build, that just throw some bullshit at you and expect you to understand the emotional resonance. and i do love this story as a character piece, as a sort of...ambient? intentionally-confusing thing. but i also think it bit off more than it could chew, and it fucked w/ tropes in a way that kind of highlighted why you can't just apply any trope to any character, specifically any minority character, and have it come off how you want

like this episode reminded me what i'll miss abt Moff and what i...won't

Pearl tho fuck i have missed her. and Bill. Big Finish, please, please do me a solid. Bill Potts, tell me what to do

"will you put that buzzing toy away" THIS doof

'the Doctor of War'/'to be fair, they've cut out all the jokes'. i'm. One's face, and how it gets subverted later on

the whole window-size thing

NEW VORTEX SO FRESH N SO CLEAN

fuck tho 12's increasing levels of anger and shame at what they'd been before leads up SO well into the eventual Whittaker

facehuggers what

seriously what the fuck is this plot like i get the plot isn't the point but i do not understand what's happening with Testimony thing like

im drunk so uhhh

~fear makes Drs of us all~

this story would have worked so much better minus the Twist abt the shapeshifting whatevers. Bill's already a space goo, why. why add more things, when the dynamic between 12 n Bill is already so complex

the dr's weaponized self-destruction has always been such a Thing but how offhand 12 is about it, like. fuck dudes. #relatable

RUSTY. all the birds come home to roost

i'll probably come back to this later but DANG the camera and editing and coloring in this are N I C E

"Dunno why Good wins over Evil so i did a Le Both Sides survey" One u r fuckin lyyyyyiiiiiiing don't let Space Reddit lead you astray

oh god this is "Hell Bent" this is Clara on Trap Street this is

"The real world is not a fairy tale" was THE moment i knew Clara was gonna make an appearance

"I don't really know what to do when this isn't an evil plan" both lmao and. i love what this episode is trying to be. not an evil plan, just. circumstance. life. shit happens.

my kink is Dr Who taking responsibility for their shitty short sighted actions

FUCK HE WAS A LETHBRIDGE-STEWART YOUSE WERE RIGHT

please feel free to shake up your headcanons accordingly

the christmas armistice, ok, i teared up. iirc PCap did a spoken word performance of a letter about that, i wonder if there's any direct connection there

"the rug was crap anyway" THIS IDIOT BOY

and dang will i eternally love PCap's physical, specific performance of this role. the absolute exhaustion mixed with fuck-it whimsy and a weird, uncomfortable intimacy, it fffffucks me up

12 pulling their collar up like. this small vulnerable dying boy. my whole heart

Bill repaying the Dr for the photos of her mother - and how, 'zactly, did she come across enough of a Clara to do this like i'm not saying Bill/Clara is canon but

OKAY THEY'VE GOT THEIR MEMORY BACK OF CLARA DELIVERED VIA A KISS OK OK OK

OK THIS IS OK IM OK EVERYTHING IS FINE

Twelvedole is also canon. Whom - the fuck - glass nipples?

please let this boy take a nap

oh it's. the TARDIS is 13's ~First face~. they're not doing this alone, they're doing it with their one true love. 'time to leave the battlefield' yeah

this silly old universe. basic stuff first:

ok yeah that "Heaven Sent" theme is good

mmmmlove the decision to have a lot of the regeneration be JWhit, interspersed with PCap's trademark eyebrows. it pings...something, in my brain, that struggles with gender

the ring no

tiny wee JWhit in 12's outfit so...joyous and fucked up, like they always are. looooove it

they're not gone, they're just someone else now. the cycle begins anew. aw, brilliant

this is such a small, sweet, sad story, which imo is why the basic Moff Bizarro doesn't fit. plot aside, i quite like this one. the fear of death faced and overcome; yourself and your ethos being more important than the shape you take; the importance of kindness, and the possibility - if you try very hard - of a fairy tale. good shit.

laugh hard, run fast, be kind. Doctor, i let you go

[chicagocityfclanspromoblog]

Alexus Anderson → Gina Torres  → Hunter

→ Basic Information

Age: 54

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Straight

Birthday: August 25th

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Religion: Catholic

Like Alexus? Consider taking her in our Hunter Giveaway Event! We will be waiving applications para samples, personalities and histories requirements for all canon hunters. Just send in the first and last name of the hunter(s) you would like to the main.

→ His/Her Personality

(one to two paragraphs)

→ Her Personal Facts

Occupation: Head of Household and Hunter

Scars: Up To Player

Tattoos: None

Two Likes: Teaching/Mentoring and Designer Shoes

Two Dislikes: Disobedience and Divorces

Two Fears: Losing Rank and Going Broke

Two Hobbies: Raising Hunting Dogs and Big Game Hunting

Three Positive Traits: Responsible, Vigilant, Intuitive

Three Negative Traits: Controlling, Mistrusting, Competitive

→ His/Her Connections

Parent Names:

Carl Anderson (Father): Carl was a tough man that always put his well being first before others, including his children. He kept the mantle as head of the Anderson’s hunter family well into his 70s and nearly destroyed their household before Alexus took over. Carl is in a retirement home and Alexus typically ignores his calls.

Diane Anderson (Mother): Diane is Alexus and Grants biological mother but they were not raised by her. Diane and Carl divorced when they were still young. Diane had a choice between a large sum of money or her kids and she took the money. Or at least that is what Carl tells them. Alexus and Grant have tried multiple times to find her but she seems to have disappeared.

Dominique ‘Coco’ Anderson (Step-Mother): Dominique moved in less than a year after Diane left and tried to take over completely. She was from a well known Canadain hunter family and her marriage with Carl was arranged. She cared for Alexus and Grant like they were her own. Alexus was in high school when Coco announced that she was pregnant. After Tirra was born, Coco and Carl’s relationship seemed to falter. One day Carl came back from a hunting trip without Coco, they were attacked and he was unable to save her or grab her body.

Shanice Anderson (Step-Mother): Shanice was a quick fling until she got pregnant and inserted herself into their lives. Alexus and Grant were old enough to start seeing a pattern and remained as far away from Shanice as possible. She was only a few years older than themselves. After Alexus sent Carl to a retirement home, she gave Shanice the option of disappearing or death but also promised that they’re sister Jazmine would be unharmed and always welcomed into their family.

Sibling Names:

Grant Anderson (Brother): Grant and Alexus were tied at the hip when they were younger. They were a dominant and inescapable hunter duo. That was until they both started their own families and worked towards take over from Carl. Alexus knew Grant could’ve been a wonderful leader but it wasn’t in her nature to simply rollover. Alexus worked hard for her title and has no intentions on giving it to her baby brother or any of his children. Alexus knows she doesn’t have the guts to personally destroy Grant but she is willing to destroy the world around him.

Tirra Jenkins (Half-Sister): Tirra is Alexus best friend and the only sibling she trusts not to stab her in the back. Alexus practically raised Tirra herself. Tirra was born during the summer of Alexus transition into high school and Coco died less than 2 years later. They bonded as more than sisters when Tirra reached her 30s.

Jazmine Anderson (Half-Sister): Alexus doesn’t trust Jazmine and would rather her leave. Her human mother, Shanice, filled her head with lies and deceit. Alexus isn’t blind to the web of lies and seeds of doubt that Jazmine has placed within their family but Alexus is also aware that asking her to leave or getting rid of Jazmine will be disastrous.

Children Names:

Nia Anderson (Daughter): Nia was supposed to be her successor after she was ready to go. She poured all her time and energy into making Nia the best she could possibly be. Trevon and Marquis seemed to naturally pick up hunting and excel at it with little input from her, whereas Nia had to work to achieve each step. Nia seems to have given up on that and merely wants to play nice with everyone. She wonders what happens, and hopes Nia readjusts her priorities again.

Trevon Anderson (Son): Trevon has lost his way. Grant took him under his wing and along with Imani, showed Trevon the Colts and their ways of hunting. He’s become violent and angry and Alexus doesn’t know where or when he went astray.

Marquis Anderson (Son): Marquis seems like he’s drifting. After she pulled him out of school, he lost the small spark in him while he was hunting. There’s no excitement or passion in him, and 9/10 times it seems he wants to be alone. Alexus is worried for him and is trying to spend more time with one on one hunts with him.

Romantic Connections:

Samson Anderson (Husband): Samson has been working tirelessly on expanding all of the Andersons’ businesses out east. He has found new clients for their dogs and is making alliances with other families along the eastern seaboard. She wishes he was home more, but understands that he feels like this is his duty in the Anderson family.

Platonic Connections:

Imani Anderson (Niece): Imani has always been very talented but extremely competitive. Alexus can see that Imani is her own person, not taking too much from Grant or Candace. Alexus was surprised when Imani first started dating Blaine Colt but supported their relationship and even started to see Imani in a new light. Alexus doesn’t have much contact with their kids but would love to.

Ebony Anderson (Niece): Ebony was born with the same skill innate skill Alexus’s boy and Imani had. She truly embodied the Anderson method of making deals and persuading the supernaturals any way she could. While Alexus appreciates that on a leader level, she insulated Nia from it so she could focus on herself, rather than comparing her abilities with her cousins.

Raven Jenkins (Niece): Raven has all of her parent’s talents and then some. She and Marquis make a great team, when Raven doesn’t go rogue. Still she refuses to play the same games as the rest of the family which makes her a reliable chess piece to move around as necessary.

Malik Jenkins (In-Law): Alexus was very critical of Malik when she first met him. She didn’t think anyone would be good enough for her sister. He proved himself a strong enough man to stand by her and she eventually gave him her blessing to marry Tirra.

Blaine Colt (Hunter Friend): Blaine has been head of the Colt household for about 5 years and somewhat of a close and trusted friend for just as long. Blaine never beat around the bush with her and has always been outright with his intentions. They plan hunts and share species information with one another. Unlike other local hunter families, Blaine took on his responsibilities earlier on after his father, Byrce was sure Blaine was married and had a child. His marriage to Imani has brought them closer but Alexus wants more time with her grandnephews.

Ezra Schultz (Hunting Friend): Ezra is a member of the local Heavy pack. He, as well as their leader Clara Fields, will go hunting in the woods up North. Alexus strategically plans her own hunting excursions so that they can meet and she’s able to gather info on them. Ezra has purchased dogs from her in the past, and they are friendly.

Matthew Stone (Hunting Friend): She’s been going hunting with Matthew for a decade now. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and she can just him not to make any stupid moves. They talked often about expanding the Stones outside of just vampires, and Alexus gave him tips. She always thought it was a shame that Matthew was married off so quickly, because he could have been a good match with Nia.

Paul Stone (Hunting Friend): Paul is the first one of the younger generation who appreciates hunting with dogs as much as she does. He invited her to a local fox hunt and they had a good time. She sees him as a promising member of the Stone family.

Hostile Connections:

Chris Bialar (Target): After the attack on Alice Colt by a member of the local Cats, she and Grant agreed that someone needed to go down for it. Then they got into an argument over who would be the one to actually target the Cats. Grant used Ebony to have her involve herself with Chris Bialar’s son, while Ebony went in and researched all the incidents of Cat sightings in Chicago. They both want Chris to pay for what his clan did.

Clara Fields (Target): Clara is one of Alexus’s main targets. After stumbling into the heavies at a hunting event. She did research into the famous Fields family and discovered online the few photos of Garland Fields’ family, including one of his daughter. She bore an uncanny resemblance to Clara and Alexus doesn’t buy the story of an identical granddaughter.

Pets:

Set (Doberman): Set is a puppy from her newest litter. She’s keeping him for her personal hunting and as a pet.

Ra (Doberman): Ra is a puppy from her newest litter. She’s keeping him for her personal hunting and as a pet.

Bartlett (Doberman): Bartlett is her oldest dog and is her favorite pet. He’s on his last legs, and Alexus is doing everything to keep him going.

→ History

(paragraph(s) on background)

→ The Present

(paragraph(s) on how the character connects to the plot)

→ Available Gif Hunts (we do not own these)

Gina Torres [1][2][3][4]

[tuckerfuckingdidit]

when i first read the interview between wash and the counselor in the red vs blue book in fall of 2015, i was very surprised that the writers chose to give him such a violent backstory. at the time, i rationalized the vulnerability wash displays during the project as him knowing that this is the last chance he’s going to get due to his history. i even wrote about it here a bit.

then i proceeded to repress the shit out of it, because as a handful of neat individuals on this lovely blue site have taught me, canon only needs to be as canon as i say it is in my works. here’s why i don’t fuck with book!wash at all.

1/09 edit: if you are interested in the complete discussion of book!wash that was had, i recommend you read the most recent post in this thread rather than just the original one, as fandom has once again saved the day and made this backstory much more palatable for me.

the cecil kyle story and counselor interview aren’t just not canon for me—they actually scared the shit out of me. not because of the violence (well, not just because of it), but because i feel like RT has missed the point of wash: that he was an average kid whose worldview and mental health were horrifically tarnished by the events of project freelancer. 

leonard church stole this kid’s innocence, full stop. 

wash is the prime example we are given in red versus blue that war changes people irrevocably. we are shown him as three different people: david, who struggles to keep up with the rest of the freelancers despite his best efforts, agent washington/recovery one, a tool of the director’s and hargrove’s with no other options, and wash, when he finally decides to check the fuck back into his life again, stop living like a zombie, and decide what kind of person he wants to be.

the cecil kyle backstory makes it seem like the darkness we saw in him after he got out of prison was always there, and there isn’t a single part of me that believes that. wash’s story is so much less compelling if he’s always been ONE person instead of at least three. doesn’t your heart break a little more to consider a boy with presumably no behavioral problems, aside from occasional difficulty focusing, traveling down a winding road that ends in him being a killer?

yes, you can view wash shooting donut at point blank range as a relapse. but honestly, the boy we’re introduced to in the project freelancer flashbacks is so soft? a man who’s attacking his commanding officer to save lives is either capable of putting his emotions aside to get the job done, or he’s exploding violently. when we see wash at his most dangerous, he’s actually very calm, so i’m going to assume we’re meant to believe the former. but before epsilon, wash can’t even get through a firefight without putting making Cracks™ ahead of fucking rolling to cover, and we like that about him.

“i don’t wanna end up like georgia!!!” that’s anxiety. that’s paralyzing fear.

@capricornfraud​ is actually who reminded me of the interview in the first place, and freddie raised the point that wash does speak up when he sees things amiss, like when wyoming and maine bring live rounds into the training room. but it’s worth noting that is all he does: talk. and he allows himself to be shut down, because he believes in the chain of command. this is what hurts him so badly later on—that he and his friends put their trust in people they presumed to be honorable and good intentioned. 

if wash is coming into project freelancer having usurped a CO’s authority before, don’t you think he’d be far more jaded about taking orders from a man who doesn’t even go into the field? remember, leonard church was never a soldier. not at any point in his career.

season 14, for all my issues with it, does give us the absolute gem that is wash’s discomfort with being addressed as david even before epsilon, which i immediately put my grubby little hands all over to seize in support of my favorite interpretation of pre-epsilon!wash: that he has a type B personality, and is attempting to become someone stronger. 

we are led to believe wash is very young in those flashbacks, in that he’s still a little fragile—he takes the criticism he receives from teammates very personally, and never really stands up for himself. it’s clear he hasn’t been taught that his opinion has much merit, and i would personally say confidence would be the first thing necessary to engage in behavior that is essentially treasonous. for instance, compare wash to CT, who gets a bad feeling, does her research, and essentially winds up on a crusade to bring the director to justice.

a major concern for me is also maintaining the most amount of integrity for the foil locus is for wash later on in season 13. locus could have been obsessed with carolina—hell, the chorus mercenary with an issue could have been felix taking personal offense to carolina “dumbing herself down” hanging with soldiers that are incompetent in comparison. instead, it’s wash that speaks to locus, which would inherently require locus to see himself in parts of wash’s personality and/or history—more specifically, his choices.

if you ask me, locus is still struggling years after the war to reconcile the relatively innocent person he presumably was before it with the actions he took both in the war and after it. both locus and wash were at one point just soldiers following orders, and they lost the most human parts of themselves to that. locus is obsessed with the idea that one’s humanity is something that can be shed like snake skin in order to become a more efficient soldier, and he sees himself and recovery one!wash as examples of people who have successfully done so. 

the problem is, rather than reveling in sociopathic glory, wash grasps for the things that made him human again when caboose gives him a second chance. (i personally believe that if wash really was the type of individual presented to us in that interview, he would not have wanted caboose’s offer of friendship—the shelter, yes, but inevitably he would have been gone.) wash peering into the abyss and walking away from it threatens the sense of self locus has built. when you relate to a person intensely and discover a huge difference in opinion between the two of you, it’s natural to ask yourself which of you is wrong. most people will tend to say it’s the other person. what saves locus is his acknowledgement that it’s him. 

with all that said, i think the most realistic take on the scenario posed in the interview would be that wash spoke up on the risks regarding the mission they were sent on, survived it, and went on to experience a heavy amount of survivor’s guilt centered around allowing himself to be shut down by his CO. but again, this sets wash up to have already experienced being led astray by authority figures before the project, and i think his innocence still being relatively intact when he first makes it into the program is more important than any kind of ~edgy backstory.