#we’re talking foundations of the craft here

[autism-alley]

hi originally posted this at the end of a long thread of back and forth, here’s the og post if you want full context but i feel like this needs to be its own post especially bc i keep seeing this argument being made—the argument that the kids (in this case it was annabeth) SHOULD just know the monsters are monsters and who they are and how to defeat them before ever encountering them, that it’s a problem if they don’t.

the problem is not if 12 year olds should recognize a trap when they see one, even if they’re smart 12 year olds, and if that’s realistic. that is entirely beside the point.

the problem is rick riordan wrote a book series whose formula is bringing myths to the modern age and he’s not sticking true to that in the show—percy jackson and the olympians’ Shtick is taking these classic, ancient threats and giving them a new face. these traps work because these kids are not walking into a cave marked with Get Out and getting ambushed by monsters—the monsters are disguised as harmless mortal human beings, in harmless mortal human being places (for the most part) and i think we—and more importantly, the show—are all forgetting the mist, the magic involved here. it’s not just that medusa is a “creepy lady with her eyes covered” it’s that there is ancient magic at work here, magic that, like the systems of abuse pjo exists to criticize, has been evolving and continuing its malevolence for millennia. it’s formulaic, that’s the point. it’s the same trap you’ve learned about all your childhood, the same trap a thousand children before you learned all their childhoods, and still, it works. you fall into the trap. because that’s how generational abuse works. it’s a trap. it isn’t enough to learn monsters exist, what they look like from a second hand story that originated thousands of years ago. if you want to escape alive, you have to adapt as quickly as they do, recognize their face, and ultimately, beyond any individual trap, the game itself has to change. real, generational change.

so. the problem is rick riordan wrote a series with a formula for action that perfectly captures the overarching, systemic conflicts he was commentating on, and then threw that formula out in the show because it was “unrealistic”. i don’t give a damn about realism when it works to the detriment of the story. this is a story about generational abuse, yes, but it’s told through ‘a tale as old as time’ and that’s why it works so fucking well. and when it comes to basic storytelling, if your characters know the threat before they even walk in and you do practically nothing to then make up for the stakes you have removed, that’s a flaw. now you’ve lost the entertainment value for your audience, on top of also lessening your themes.

something else that is so. honestly soul-crushing as a writer and a creative, is that to me this is reflective of the way we are now afraid to tell earnest stories. stories where we care not for listening to the people who want to pick apart fictional, mythical, fantasy stories for not being “realistic” instead of aligning with our target audience who acknowledges reality is not what makes a story. think of your favorite movie, show, book, comic, what have you—has the reason for your favoritism ever been because it is the most reasonable, the most grounded, the most practical out of any you’ve seen? or is it because of the emotion? the way it speaks to you, to your life and the person you are? the journey it takes you on? is the percy jackson and the olympians book series so good because it’s inherently realistic?

the secret to storytelling is, very simply, focus on your story. everything else is secondary. if it’s written well, it doesn’t matter to me that the characters walk into a trap that, to the audience, is obviously a trap. because i can understand how the characters don’t know it, and how the story falls apart if the narrative just tells the characters it’s a trap from the jump. that’s what dramatic irony is—first used in greek tragedies! this is literally a tale as old as time in every sense except for the end—where it’s happy. and it’s not earned if we don’t first see, over and over, the status quo as a tragic trap.

it’s not about if annabeth (or the other kids) is “smart enough” to not walk into a trap, or about if she’s just too prideful to not walk into what she knows is a trap (or any reason that could apply to the other characters), it’s that annabeth, at the end of the day, is a character. she is a storytelling tool for the messages of the narrative. that doesn’t make her any lesser. in fact ignoring it reduces her, because it reduces what she represents. it’s about how rick riordan, or whoever else at disney, has fumbled the storytelling bag so ridiculously hard that they can’t take the simple, effective formula outlined from start to finish (by good ol 2009 rick himself) and adapt it to the screen without answering the most unimportant, derailing, anti-story questions.

[redroomreflections]

Hotel California | Track 5: Heartbeat Havoc

Natasha Romanoff x fem!reader

Summary: Natasha Romanoff, frontwoman of the punk rock band Velvet Rebellion, falls hard for a woman she believes is too good for her. Their intense relationship unfolds in the chaotic world of rock 'n' roll, where they struggle to balance fame, personal demons, and their undeniable passion for each other.

W/c: 6.3k

Chapter 5/12

Masterlist | General Masterlist

Note: it's only up from here

18+ Minors DNI (mature)

Themes: love, fame, sex, drugs

"So, the release went well, but now we need to capitalize on the momentum. What we don't want is for you to disappear after the premiere," You leaned back into your chair, twirling a pen between your fingers as you spoke on the call. Your tone was confident but measured, ensuring there wasn't too much enthusiasm. You knew your client well enough to know this was a serious conversation.

Tanya Lawrence, an early twenties actress who had just starred in a blockbuster film, was on speaker, along with her agent and manager. You were coming up with a game plan to keep her in the spotlight and sustain the momentum—not only to continue promoting the film but to elevate Tanya herself.

Tanya's voice was thoughtful as she replied, “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that. But I don’t want to do the same press rounds everyone else does. I mean, how many times can you sit on a couch and tell the same story?”

You smiled, fully expecting her reluctance. Tanya was always searching for something fresh. It was part of what made her appealing, but also part of the challenge of keeping her relevant without overexposing her.

"I hear you," You said, jotting down a note on your tablet. "The late-night circuit can get a bit tired, but we still need to keep you visible. How about this: we skip the talk shows and go for an exclusive feature with Vogue or Elle? We’ll craft a personal story—something deeper than just promoting the film. We’ll show your evolution from indie darling to blockbuster star. It’s more narrative-driven, more you."

There was a pause, then her manager chimed in, his voice skeptical but intrigued. “How personal are we talking?”

“Not too much," You assured him. "We’re not looking to dig into her private life—just enough to give the audience something to connect with. We’ll focus on her as an actress and philanthropist. Maybe highlight her charity work? The key is controlling the narrative.”

Tanya's voice came through, warmer now. “I love that idea. I’ve been wanting to talk more about the foundation. If we can connect that, it would feel real, not like I’m just selling myself.”

You nodded, already sketching out the potential angles. "Exactly. And we can play it across platforms—get some behind-the-scenes content on social media to drive engagement, maybe even a short Instagram series showing a day in your life. That way, you’re not just doing the standard PR push but building a brand around authenticity.”

The enthusiasm on the other end was palpable now. Tanya's agent was already chiming in with ideas on how to expand the campaign, and her manager was starting to see the vision.

"You’ve always got the best ideas," Tanya said, and you could hear the smile in her voice.

You chuckled. "That’s why you keep me around."

The call wrapped up, and you took a moment to breathe. Another client managed, another fire successfully put out. You were in the zone—this was what you were good at. A notification lit up the screen as you closed your notebook and checked your phone.

"Is Love in the Air? Natasha Romanoff Seen Leaving Concert with New Flame"

Your stomach did a little flip. The photo was grainy and interesting for today’s time, but you knew it was the two of you leaving the concert venue last weekend. It hadn’t taken long for people to start talking, and you weren’t sure how you felt about it all. You tried not to think about the sudden influx of followers you’d gotten or the interest of every possible gossip rag in suddenly taking a deep dive into your life.

As a publicist, you were no stranger to media frenzy, but it was different when you were the story. You’d spent years helping clients navigate this kind of attention, knowing exactly how to spin, deflect, and maintain privacy. But now, as the headlines circled you and Natasha, it felt oddly invasive.

You sighed, locking your phone and rubbing your temples. This wasn’t exactly how you imagined things going with Natasha. A quiet fling, maybe, or just a few months of fun before things inevitably fizzled. But the way her hand had lingered on yours that night, the way she looked at you when she thought no one was watching—something about it felt more... real. And now, the world was catching on.

Focus, y/n, you told yourself, pushing the thought aside. You weren’t going to let this derail your work. Natasha had dealt with the media for years—she could handle it. The question was, could you?

Your office door creaked open, and Monica strolled in, her usual swagger in every step. She leaned casually against the doorframe, crossing her arms with an amused smile.

“You see the headlines?” She asked, eyes twinkling with mischief.

You shot her a look, already knowing where this was headed. “You mean the ones making me sound like some groupie?”

Monica laughed, moving to sit across from you. “Please, Natasha Romanoff’s mystery woman has a much better ring to it. Plus, who says groupies can’t be successful?”

You rolled your eyes, but a smile tugged at your lips. “I didn’t ask for this attention, Mon.”

“You’re dating a rockstar. What did you expect?” she teased before her tone softened. “But for real, how are you feeling about it?”

You hesitated, twirling the pen in your fingers, not quite sure how to put it into words. “It’s... strange. I’ve always kept my private life private, you know? And now I’m on the front page, just because I went on a date.”

Monica nodded, her expression shifting to something more serious. “It’s a lot. But you’re the queen of handling this kind of thing. You’ve dealt with bigger fires. And Natasha... well, she’s used to it.”

You sighed, leaning back in your chair. “Yeah, but this feels different. It’s one thing to be in control of someone else’s narrative, but when it’s you...”

Monica tilted her head, studying you. “You really like her, don’t you?”

Your heart skipped a beat at the question. You hadn’t even allowed yourself to fully consider that yet. Did you? The two of you were just getting to know each other. It wasn’t supposed to be serious. But the way you smiled at the thought of her, the way your stomach fluttered when her name popped up on your phone—it was all too familiar.

“I don’t know,” you admitted quietly. “It’s moving fast.”

“You fucked didn’t you?” Monica began to grin.

Your eyes widened. “Jesus, Monica." You cursed. You looked back to your office door, the one she'd decided to leave open, and then back to her. She folded her arms knowingly and you sighed.

"Maybe?" You responded with a smirk. "Or... several times? I lost count that night."

"Oh my god!" Monica cackled. "I knew it. I'm so proud of you."

"Proud shouldn't be the word used for that," You shook your head. "Oh, and Sam decided to bring Isabella home early the next morning so they met each other much sooner than I expected. She also introduced herself as my girlfriend."

"Ooh, and how did Sam react?" Monica knew your ex-husband just as well as she knew you.

"He was shocked but also not shocked." You begin. "I just hoped it wasn't something that made Natasha question what we have going on. I mean anyone would be threatened to have the ex just casually standing in the living room."

"Nah, the woman is head over heels," Monica assured. "Besides, Sam's a good guy, and he's not a possessive ex. So, back to the importance, was she good?"

You couldn't help but smirk. "Yes, she was very good."

Monica smiled, nodding approvingly. "Good. Well, I'm happy for you. It's been a while since you've had some good sex, and even longer since you've had a good woman."

"Somehow you and my daughter are the same person just in different fonts," You mused at her words. "You have no idea how much Bella asked about her."

"What can I say, we both have good taste," Monica smiled. "Anyway, back to work. I'll let you enjoy your celebrity-adjacent status. It’s interesting really how you’ve managed to stay so lowkey. I mean Sam is famous, your parents are famous…”

You chuckled. "It's a blessing and a curse. You can't blame them for being overprotective though. They just wanted to protect their daughter and granddaughter from the limelight. It's why I stayed off the radar."

Before she could question it further, there was a slight knock at the door. An unassuming man with a delivery hat and a gorgeous bouquet caught your attention.

"Are you, Y/n?" He asked.

"Yes," You replied, a little surprised. You watched as the man set the vase down, signed for the delivery, and thanked him. Monica watched in interest.

"What's that for?" Monica asked.

"I have no idea," You replied, a little puzzled. You plucked the card from the bouquet and unfolded it, curious. As your eyes skimmed the neat handwriting, your heart skipped a beat.

“Just in case you needed a little brightness in your day. My time with you was amazing, being with you makes everything even better. — N”

You couldn’t help the smile that tugged at your lips, warmth spreading through your chest. Natasha had a way of being sweet without overdoing it—something that caught you off guard every time.

Monica raised an eyebrow, leaning over to get a glimpse of the card. “Ohhh, so the rockstar is a romantic.”

You laughed softly, tucking the card back into the bouquet. “Apparently. She’s full of surprises.”

Monica grinned, leaning back in her chair. “Girl, you’ve got it bad.”

You tried to ignore the flush that crept up your neck, your eyes drifting back to the bouquet on your desk. Maybe you did.

**********

Natasha wiped the sweat from her forehead, adjusting her grip on the barbell before settling into her seat. The gym was practically empty, just the way she liked it. Wanda was a few feet away, doing leg presses with ease while music pulsed through the space, the rhythm of the beats syncing with the steady clank of weights hitting the floor. Just as Natasha was about to dive into her next rep, her phone buzzed on the bench beside her. She hesitated for a second, but the moment she saw your name flash across the screen, she abandoned the barbell with zero hesitation.

Y/N: Thank you for the flowers 🌸 They’re almost as beautiful as the woman who sent them. Almost.

Natasha smirked as she leaned against the bench, typing back with one hand while the other still held onto the towel slung around her neck.

Natasha: Almost? I must be slipping. I’ll have to step up my game. 😏

She hit send, already imagining the soft laugh she knew you would give at the response. She wasn’t usually one for the whole romantic gesture thing, but with you, it felt... right. You were different, and Natasha could feel herself getting pulled deeper into this thing between you.

Wanda finished her set and glanced over, eyebrow arched as she caught Natasha mid-text. “You’re supposed to be working out, not flirting,” Wanda teased, giving her a knowing look.

Natasha didn’t bother hiding her smile. “Can’t help it. It’s... motivation.”

Wanda chuckled, moving to grab her water bottle. “Yeah? Motivation or distraction?”

Natasha shrugged, her eyes flicking back to her phone as it buzzed again.

Y/n: If this is you slipping, I can’t wait to see you in top form. Maybe tonight?

Natasha’s breath hitched slightly at the invitation, her mind already racing ahead to the possibilities of your date later. She glanced over at Wanda, who was watching her with mild amusement.

Natasha: Tonight, then. I’ll pick you up. Get ready to be impressed. 😉

Wanda raised an eyebrow as she stretched her arms. “You’re really into her, huh?”

Natasha paused, glancing at her friend before nodding. “Yeah, I think I am.”

Wanda smiled, something in her expression softening. She knew how guarded Natasha could be when it came to dating, so it was a relief to see her opening up again.

"Good," Wanda said simply. "I think you two look cute together. She's a breath of fresh air."

"Yeah," Natasha agreed. "She's different."

Wanda's smile grew wider. "You're different with her."

"Different how? I mean you've only seen us together once," Natasha wiped her brow again.

"Just different, a good different. You've got that glow that you used to have when you and Carol were first starting." Wanda pointed out. "You know before shit hit the fan."

"Hmm, maybe. We'll see." Natasha took a swig from her water bottle. "She's cool. She's secure in herself which is a pretty huge deal. It doesn't come across as cocky or anything."

"That's important. Especially in our field." Wanda nodded.

Natasha smiled to herself as she thought about the last time you’d kissed her goodbye. Your lips had tasted like mint toothpaste, your hands gentle and warm against her skin. It was such a simple thing—just a goodbye kiss—but it had stayed with her all day. She couldn’t wait to spend more time with you tonight.

"Well, I’m happy for you," Wanda said, breaking Natasha from her thoughts.

"Thanks," Natasha replied, feeling her cheeks warm as she thought about you again. "I'm... happy too."

It was true. Happy wasn’t a word Natasha often used to describe herself when it came to relationships. Her past romances had always been complicated, intense, and full of drama. It was almost a given that things would eventually blow up—whether it was her fault or the other person’s. But with you? It felt different.

She wanted it to be distinguishable.

For once, Natasha didn’t want a relationship that was marked by chaos or suffocating intensity. She didn’t want someone who would cling to her or become overly dependent, and she didn’t want to lose herself in someone else’s need for attention or validation. She’d been there before—too many times—and it always ended with someone getting hurt, usually her.

But with you, it felt like things could be... simple. Easy, even.

You weren’t trying to force your way into her life or demand all her time. You didn’t seem interested in changing her, and you weren’t fazed by her fame or reputation. If anything, you were the one who kept a distance from the spotlight, which Natasha found both refreshing and grounding. She liked that you had your own life, your own career, and your daughter to focus on. You didn’t need her to complete you.

That’s what Natasha craved—someone who wanted her but didn’t need her in the way that had always made her feel trapped before. She wanted love, yes, but not the kind that suffocated. She just wanted something real, something healthy. She wanted to feel safe and comfortable, the way she already did with you.

For the first time in a long time, Natasha felt like this could work. It was early, sure, but she couldn’t help but hope that maybe this time things would be different. Maybe this time she wouldn’t screw it up.

She glanced at her phone again, re-reading your last message. Her heart did that annoying little flip it had been doing more often these days, and she chuckled to herself.

***********

You stood in front of the mirror, staring at the dress you’d just slipped into, second-guessing yourself for what felt like the tenth time in an hour. It was a deep burgundy, with a flattering neckline, but was it too much? You tugged at the hem, frowning.

“I don’t know about this one,” You muttered, glancing over your shoulder at Monica and Isabella, who were both sitting on your bed, staring at you with varying levels of judgment.

Monica leaned back against the headboard, arms crossed. "It’s cute, but it feels a little... formal."

"Yeah, Mom," Isabella added, making a face. "It’s like you’re going to a wedding."

You sighed dramatically, turning back to the mirror. "Why is this so hard?" you grumbled, tossing your hair over your shoulder. "It’s just a date."

Isabella giggled, swinging her legs back and forth. "Not just any date. It’s Natasha Romanoff!"

Monica snorted. "Right? Rockstar extraordinaire."

You rolled your eyes, walking over to the closet and grabbing another dress off the hanger. "She’s just... Natasha," you said, trying to sound casual, but the butterflies in your stomach betrayed you. The truth was, Natasha wasn’t just any date. She had a way of making you feel both grounded and completely out of control, and that was terrifying.

Monica raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that."

You tossed the burgundy dress on the bed and slipped into a simpler black one. “Okay, how about this?” you asked, turning to face them again.

Isabella tilted her head, considering it. “Better,” she said. “But... kind of boring.”

Monica nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it’s cute, but you can do better. You’re going on a date with a rockstar, not attending a PTA meeting."

You huffed, pulling the dress off and tossing it aside, feeling a mix of frustration and nervous energy. "I just... want to look good," you admitted. "Not too overdressed, not too underdressed. Just right."

Monica smiled gently, getting up from the bed and walking over to your closet. "You’re overthinking it," she said, flipping through the hangers. "Natasha likes you, right? So whatever you wear, she’s going to think you look great."

You sighed, sitting down on the bed next to Isabella, who leaned against you, her little arm wrapping around your waist. "You think so?"

"Definitely!" Isabella chirped. "Plus, you always look pretty, Mama."

You kissed the top of her head. "Thanks, baby."

Monica finally pulled out a deep green two-piece pantsuit, simple but elegant, with just the right amount of edge. "What about this one?" she asked, holding it up.

You stared at it for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Yeah... I like that one."

Monica tossed it over to you with a grin. "Perfect. Now go get ready so I can get the scoop later."

You laughed, slipping into the outfit and smoothing the top down over your belly. "You’re not getting any scoop."

"We’ll see about that," Monica teased, winking at Isabella, who giggled.

As you slipped on a pair of heels and checked your reflection one last time, Isabella tugged at your hand. “Mom?”

“Yeah, sweetheart?”

"Do you like Natasha?" she asked, her voice innocent but curious. "Like... like like her?"

You paused, looking down at your daughter’s wide eyes. Monica raised an eyebrow, waiting for your response. It was a fair question, and one you’d been asking yourself a lot lately.

"I do," You finally said, feeling a little nervous saying it out loud. "I really do."

Isabella smiled. "Good. I think she likes you too."

You chuckled, smoothing a hand over her hair. "Yeah? You think so?"

Isabella nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I saw the way she looked at you when she came over last time. She was smiling a lot."

Monica smirked from the corner of the room. "Out of the mouths of babes..."

You laughed, trying to ignore the way your heart fluttered at Isabella's words. Was it possible Natasha was already falling for you too?

A knock on the door made you jump, and Isabella squealed, running towards the door. "She's here!"

You took a deep breath, smoothing the front of your shirt and trying to calm your nerves. "Tell her I'll be right there."You called after her.

Isabella was more than happy to answer the door for Natasha. She swung it open with gusto, Bear hot on her tail, as she greeted the woman.

"Hey," Natasha said with a big smile.

"Hi, Natasha," Isabella said with a toothy grin. "Mama's almost ready. You can come in." She leads Natasha over to the living room and sits across from her on the couch. "Before she comes out I want to ask you a few questions."

Natasha was taken aback in an amused sort of way. "Questions?"

"Yup," Isabella said, a serious look on her face. "If my mom makes you mad, are you gonna write a mean song about her?"

Natasha had to hold back her laughter. She loved Isabella's forwardness and honesty. It was refreshing. "No. I don't write songs about people I care about. Plus, I'm not sure your mom could ever make me mad."

"She has her moments," Isabella shrugged. "Another question, Why do you like my mom? Not just for her body or her money or anything. I've been reading a lot of old school magazines lately and I have all of the information."

Natasha bit her lip and cleared her throat. "Uh, well, your mom is very kind and sweet. She's smart, and she has a really good sense of humor."

"And you're not using her for money?"

"Of course not."

Isabella seemed satisfied with her answers. She nodded. "Okay. Good. I like you, Natasha."

"Thanks, kiddo. I like you, too," Natasha chuckled.

"Do you think I could score backstage tickets to your next concert? I promise I'll behave."

"Isabella..."

Isabella rolled her eyes at your stern tone as you rounded the corner. "Fine." She sighed.

"Hey," You said softly, walking up to the pair, a small smile on your lips.

"Wow." Natasha breathed, taking in the sight of you. You looked incredible. "You look... good."

"Thank you so do you," You leaned into her embrace when she stood to kiss you on the cheek. You subtly glanced at her outfit, glad that you'd picked your casual one too. Natasa's dark denim jacket draped effortlessly over a loose white t-shirt. She wore Black skinny jeans, slightly distressed at the knees, and hugged her legs, giving her a subtle edge without trying too hard. Clean white sneakers grounded her look. A simple silver chain glinted at her collarbone, and her hair fell in tousled waves around her face, giving the impression that she hadn’t overthought any of it—yet still managed to look effortlessly striking.

"Thank you," Natasha said.

"You're welcome," You hummed as you pulled back from the hug, the scent of her perfume filling your nose.

"Okay, we'll be fine, Mama." Isabella gave a thumbs up. "Go have fun. Don't stay out too late."

You laughed. "We'll try not to," you promised. "And no ice cream past ten, okay?"

"Okay," Isabella rolled her eyes.

"Don't forget Bear's walk," you added.

"Mama," Isabella whined. "We got this. Go!"

"Alright, alright," You chuckled, turning to Natasha. "Ready?"

"Lead the way," Natasha smiled.

"Have a good time, ladies!" Monica called as the two of you made your way out the door.

Natasha held your hand as the two of you walked to the car, her fingers rubbing your knuckles soothingly.

"So where are we going?" You asked, glancing over at her.

Natasha grinned, squeezing your hand. "It's a surprise."

"Oh, a surprise?"

"Yup," She said. "Wait," She said just before opening the door. You turned to face her questioningly. She leaned forward, pressing her lips gently against yours.

Your heart skipped a beat at the unexpected move, and you let yourself sink into the kiss, savoring the way her lips felt against yours. It was soft and sweet.

"I figured you wouldn't want to do that in front of your daughter," Natasha mumbled awkwardly.

You laughed, resting your hands on her shoulders and pecking her lips again. "That was very thoughtful. Are you really not going to tell me where we are going?"

"I could tell you, but where's the fun in that?" She smiled, opening the car door and ushering you inside. As the car rolled down the busy streets, you found yourself stealing glances at Natasha. The way she carried herself, with a mix of confidence and ease, was enchanting. Her posture was relaxed but commanding, and even the simple act of driving seemed to radiate a kind of effortless cool.

The radio played a mix of tracks that Natasha had curated—a blend of classic rock and some modern hits that seamlessly complemented her edgy style. You could see the genuine enjoyment on her face as she sang along to the lyrics, her voice harmonizing effortlessly with the tunes. It was moments like these that made you appreciate the depth of her passion for music and the way it intertwined with every part of her life.

As the car pulled up to the restaurant, Natasha turned to you with a soft smile. "Hope you like this place. I've been wanting to check it out for a while."

You read the giant side on the outside of the building, The Cooking Institute.

"Cooking classes?" You guessed aloud. Natasha glanced over at you.

"I hope that's okay," She said quickly, suddenly a bit unsure of her plan. "I know it's a little unconventional, but I figured it could be fun. If not, we can just grab a drink somewhere or-"

"Natasha," You cut her off, resting a hand on her knee. "It's perfect."

Her shoulders relaxed, and she gave you a relieved smile. "Great. I'm glad."

You were soon ushered inside by an eager host, who led you to a spacious kitchen, equipped with every cooking appliance imaginable. You expected to see more guests inside of the space but instead only found an instructor.

"Welcome to Cooking Institute," The woman, who appeared to be in her mid-40s, greeted the two of you with a warm smile. "My name is Lisa. We're so excited to have you."

"Is this only for us?" You questioned Natasha.

"I rented it out for the night," She shrugged. "So, we could have some privacy."

You nodded, appreciating the gesture.

Lisa clapped her hands together. "Well, I'll let you two get settled and we can get started." She gave the pair of you a thumbs up and made her exit, leaving the two of you alone in the kitchen.

"So," You glanced over at Natasha. "What's the plan here?"

"Well," She grinned. "We're going to cook some food."

"Gee, I never would have guessed," You teased. "But what kind of food?"

Natasha's eyes twinkled with amusement. She leaned against the counter, her excitement barely contained as she outlined the evening’s menu. "Alright, here’s the plan," she said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"We’re starting with a Classic Wedge Salad—simple, and something I can make with no problem." She paused, savoring the anticipation. "Next up, we’ve got Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin." Natasha’s smile widened, clearly proud of the menu.

"And then," she continued, "we’re making Oscar-Style Beef Filet. It’s a bit fancy but worth it." She chuckled at the look of awe on your face, clearly pleased with herself. "So, ready to get cooking?"

You nodded, laughing. "This sounds amazing. Let's do it."

As the night progressed, the two of you quickly fell into a comfortable rhythm. It was easy, being around her, and the conversation flowed naturally. The host led you both to your designated cooking station, complete with all the utensils and ingredients needed for the evening’s menu. Natasha's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she glanced around, her enthusiasm contagious. You could see the genuine pleasure on her face, which made you smile even more.

"How do you like your steak?" You asked.

"Medium rare," She said.

You nodded. "Same. This looks so amazing. I can't wait to taste it."

"Me too," Natasha admitted, glancing over at you. "I love a good steak."

You smiled, shaking your head in amusement. "Of course you do."

"What?" She chuckled.

"Nothing," You said. "It's just... you're very cool, Natasha Romanoff."

She grinned, leaning closer to you. "Well, thank you. That's very sweet."

You bit your lip, feeling a blush creeping up your neck.

"See, blushing," Natasha said smugly.

You nudged her, trying to hide your grin. "Stop it."

She smiled, her eyes softening. "Never."

As the meal came together, you were surprised by how much fun you were having. It turned out your cooking ability was light years beyond Nataha's. Which wasn't that surprising. It's not like she had a child to cook for or anything.

"Nope. You've got it all wrong," You said, trying to keep a straight face.

"What?" Natasha looked at you, perplexed.

"The salt, Natasha," You chuckled. "You need a lot more salt."

"Are you sure?" Natasha looked down at her mashed potatoes.

"Yes, I'm sure," You replied, trying not to laugh. "You can't eat those."

"Aw," Natasha frowned.

"It's okay baby," You assured her, patting her shoulder. "I'm here to help."

Natasha grinned. "Okay, Chef."

You smiled, leaning over and kissing her on the cheek. "You're cute."

"Thank you," Natasha said.

"Alright, enough messing around," You declared, picking up the wooden spoon. "Let's keep this going." As you both continued to cook, the kitchen became a lively space filled with laughter and playful banter. Natasha's attempts at seasoning and timing were endearing, though they often resulted in humorous mishaps. The contrast between her occasional culinary blunders and your surprisingly deft cooking skills became a running joke.

Often there were times you two forgot Lisa was even there, too wrapped up in each other to notice her. Finally, your meal was finished and you both sat in the dining area to enjoy it.

"Okay, I've got to admit, that was pretty amazing," Natasha said, sipping her wine.

You smiled, savoring the bite of tender beef. "It really was. Thanks for bringing me here."

"You're welcome," Natasha said. "I'm glad you liked it."

You looked up at her, your heart beating a little faster. She was looking at you with such fondness that it made your chest ache. "So, I figured we should get to know each other a little better."

"You mean we don't already know each other well?" She smirked, referring to your night together.

You blushed. "You know what I mean. I mean, the basic stuff. What's your favorite color? Your favorite movie? Things like that."

Natasha nodded, smiling softly. "Sure. My favorite color is blue."

"Like the ocean?" You asked.

"Yeah," she replied. "What about you?"

"Green," You answered. "Like the trees."

"Interesting," she murmured. "Movie?"

"I'm a big fan of romcoms," You confessed.

"Really?" Natasha asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah," You shrugged. "The Proposal. Anything with Sandra Bullock or Jennifer Lopez and I'm sold."

Natasha laughed. "Good to know."

"What about you?" You questioned.

"Well, I'm a sucker for anything with Ryan Gosling." She grinned.

"Good choice," You agreed.

"Favorite food?"

"Anything sweet," She winked.

"I can work with that," You chuckled.

"Favorite TV show?"

"That's a tough one," She paused, thinking. "House."

"Nice," You said.

"Favorite song?"

"Don't you already know?" She arched an eyebrow.

"Yes," You laughed. "But I want to hear you say it."

"Fine," She sighed dramatically. "The Scientist by Coldplay."

"You have a good taste," You mused.

"I think so," She said, winking at you.

"I like The Night We Met," You replied.

"Really?" Natasha asked.

"Yeah," You said. "It's a great song."

"It is," She agreed. "I just didn't think you had a real liking for that particular genre."

"I'm full of surprises," You wiggled your fingers.

Natasha took a sip of her wine. "Clearly."

"Okay, last one," You said. "Favorite band."

"The Beatles," She replied without hesitation.

"Nice," You said.

"They're classics," She shrugged. "Can't go wrong with them."

"That's true," You said. "I think I have a lot more to learn about you, Natasha Romanoff."

She smiled softly. "Same goes for you, Y/N, Y/L/N."

As the two of you finished dinner, the conversation shifted into a more relaxed tone.

"So," You said, leaning back in your seat. "What's next on the agenda?"

"That depends," Natasha replied. "Do you trust me?"

You grinned, your heart skipping a beat. "With my life."

"Well, then, let's get going."

As the night progressed, you found yourself growing more and more intrigued by Natasha. She was intelligent and witty and had a surprisingly dry sense of humor. Her eyes lit up when she spoke about the things she was passionate about, and it was clear she was truly a free spirit. You could see why she had risen to fame so quickly.

***************

The next stop was Echo Park’s Swan Boat line, the sight of the bustling park filled with families and couples enjoying the evening brought a smile to your face. The iconic swan boats bobbed gently on the water, their white feathers illuminated by the soft glow of park lights.

"This is beautiful," You breathed, taking in the sight.

"It is," Natasha agreed, slipping her hand into yours.

"You ready to get out there?" She asked, grinning.

"I'm a little nervous but I'll get over it," You held her hand. You joined the queue, the line stretching a bit as people chatted and waited for their turn on the boats. As you neared the front of the line, you noticed a group of teenagers in front of you. One of them, a lanky teen with a mop of curly hair, kept glancing back at Natasha with a mixture of curiosity and excitement. After a few moments, his eyes widened, and he nudged his friend, whispering loudly, “Hey, isn’t that Natasha Romanoff?”

Natasha caught their gaze and offered a friendly if slightly reserved, smile. She knew being recognized was part of her life, but she also valued moments like these where she could enjoy a quiet, semi-anonymous outing. There was a moment when both of them argued about who would talk to her before they made a choice.

The teen, gathering his courage, turned around and said with a shy grin, “Hi, um, I don’t mean to bother you, but are you Natasha Romanoff?”

Natasha chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Guilty as charged. How are you doing tonight?”

The teen’s friends crowded closer, their excitement palpable. “We’re huge fans! This is so cool,” one of them exclaimed.

"Would you guys mind taking a picture with us?" Another asked, pulling out their phone.

Natasha's smile grew warmer. "Of course not. " She pulled you in close, wrapping an arm around your waist. You tried not to blush as the teens gathered around you, their phones held high.

"On the count of three, smile!" The first teen instructed. You obliged, smiling brightly as the phone flashed.

"Thank you so much," he gushed. "This is so awesome. My friends won't believe this."

Natasha grinned, giving them a wink.

"Are you guys on a date?" One of the teens, a girl with an oversized hoodie and glasses asked.

"Maybe," Natasha's eyes sparkled. "Or maybe it's just a casual hangout between friends."

You laughed, shaking your head. "I can tell you that I'm a fan of hers." You played along.

"Me too!" The girl squealed. "I'm your biggest fan, Ms. Romanoff."

"I'm flattered," Natasha chuckled. "Well, have a good night, everyone." She pulled you toward the front of the line as it was now your turn to ride.

"Thank you, Ms. Romanoff!" The girl called out. "This is the best night ever!"

"Any time," Natasha called back. You couldn't help but smile as the teens began animatedly talking amongst themselves.

"That was nice of you," You murmured.

Natasha's gaze softened. "They were sweet kids. Besides, I don't mind the occasional photo op. It's all part of the job. You ready?"

You looked at the small boat tethered to the dock, a mix of nervousness and excitement fluttering in your chest. "Is it safe?"

Natasha laughed softly. "It's perfectly safe. I promise."

With a deep breath, you nodded. "Alright, let’s do it."

You both climbed into the boat, Natasha taking the oars and maneuvering it gently away from the dock. As the boat drifted into the middle of the pond, the moonlight cast a soft glow over the water, creating a serene and almost magical atmosphere.

The gentle lapping of the water against the boat was soothing, and you glanced at Natasha, who was focused and confident as she rowed. After a few moments, she set the oars aside and leaned back, her gaze meeting yours.

"How are you holding up?" she asked, a teasing smile on her lips.

"Surprisingly well," you replied, your heart racing a little from the adventure. "This is actually kind of thrilling."

"I'm glad," Natasha grinned, reaching for your hand and squeezing it.

You gazed up at the night sky, admiring the twinkling stars and the bright moon. It was a beautiful night, and you were happy to be sharing it with her.

"I know this is a little cheesy," She started, her gaze turning soft. "But I've always loved the idea of a first date."

"I love a good first date," You chuckled. "I think you knocked it out of the park for sure." You said.

"I'm glad," She whispered. "I was hoping you'd like it."

You smiled, your chest tightening with emotion. You felt a connection with Natasha that you couldn't explain.

"So, my girlfriend..." You grinned, alluding to Natasha's introduction of herself to Sam.

"It has a nice ring to it," She laughed aloud. "I saw you fumbling and took the opportunity."

"Thank God for it," You shook your head. "I don't think I would have known what to say."

"You would have figured it out," She assured.

"Not fast enough," You replied. "I want you to be my girlfriend." You said with such confidence Natasha's head whipped over to you.

"Wait, really?" She asked. 

"Really," You nodded.

Natasha smiled, her cheeks flushed with pleasure.

"I was hoping you would," She replied.

"Well, consider me your girlfriend," You declared, feeling your stomach do flips.

Natasha's gaze met yours, and she leaned in, kissing you tenderly. The kiss was soft and sweet, filled with the promise of something more.

"Thank you," She whispered, her breath warm against your skin.

"You're welcome," You murmured, your heart pounding.

You sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, simply enjoying each other's presence.

"So," She finally spoke, her voice quiet. "Where do we go from here?"

"I guess we figure it out together," You replied, your gaze locked on hers.

"I can't wait," She said, her eyes shining.

---> next part

[maxdibert]

I know Rowling didn’t do the best job at explaining her worldbuilding, but from what we see of the death eaters I think it's reasonable to call them fascist, with anti muggle ideology, since they do act like it in the last book. And if they turned like that then it's logical to assume that was their whole goal. Supressing or killing their enemies and subjugating or killing all muggleborns.

It really irks and bothers me to see the term "fascist" being trivialized, especially when it’s in reference to a children’s/young adult story where all the supposedly political themes are terribly mishandled and lack solid socio-political foundations and worldbuilding. This is particularly frustrating because people tend to draw comparisons between fictional characters and real-life people with real ideologies that have had real impacts on society, which leads to oversimplification and banality. Like, the argument always boils down to, “This character is a Nazi,” to make a point, and aside from being a blatant fallacy, it’s also a terrible oversimplification. Fictional characters, unless we’re talking about a story explicitly set during World War II or dealing with extremist groups in a real-world context where neo-Nazis exist, aren’t Nazis.

You can’t just throw around terms like “Nazis” or “fascists” so casually, especially when we’re talking about a magical children’s fantasy story. In fact, there’s an actual term called "Reductio ad Hitlerum" to describe this kind of ad hominem fallacy, and people who argue “Death Eaters = Nazis” fall straight into this trap. Their entire argument for disliking a character or defending another boils down to this fallacy because they believe that associating or comparing something to Hitler or Nazis ends the discussion. The debate is considered closed, as though no further argument can be made after invoking Hitler.

The main issue here is people comparing characters in a fantasy novel for children to Nazis, even when novels that much better establish what a totalitarian fascist dictatorship is (like The Hunger Games, for example) don’t go as far as making such comparisons. Unless the story is actually set in a real-world context, making that parallel requires a well-crafted sociopolitical structure in the fictional world that clearly intends to reflect those kinds of issues—and Rowling doesn’t do that. She only uses certain references to create her "big bad," but fascism is a specific concept that Voldemort doesn’t align with. Voldemort is a terrorist with an ideology that’s more similar to that of ultra-nationalist European groups.

For example, no one would say that the IRA or ETA were fascists, but the more fanatical factions within those movements share a lot more in common with the mindset of someone like Lucius Malfoy than any factory worker who struggled to make ends meet and was drawn to ultra-aggressive propaganda promising to end everything that made them poor in exchange for joining a political party.

[minkieater]

────── STRAY KIDS AS ONE PIECE CHARACTERS ˗ˏˋ ´ˎ˗

this is so self indulgent its not even funny. portgas d ace will NOT be included, pls don’t bring him up or else i will cry myself to sleep tonight. also im only on whole cake so pls dont spoil me either. one piece is so special to me ok enjoy

BANG CHAN / RORONOA ZORO ☆

this one is self explanatory— zoro is huge, chan is huge. physically, it just makes sense. personality wise, i see the biggest similarity when it comes to their loyalty, the kids to chan are luffy to zoro, loyal til the end no matter what. zoro is also extremely motivated, he is always working out, always working to master his craft of being the greatest swordsman. chan not only works out, but is also devoted to making music, producing music for skz, putting out banger after banger. and just like we saw with pre timeskip zoro, we know he can be silly just as much as he’s serious, which is very much so chan to me. chanzoro you are so special to me

LEE MINHO / TRAFALGAR WATER D. LAW ☆

an incredible leader, swift, cunning, strong, intelligent, sneaky, funny without even trying, easily agitated… both have somewhat of a darker aura about them, at least in my opinion. give lino the op op fruit he’s using that shit JUST like law room shambles into jisung’s my bed. law is the captain of the heart pirates, a different kind of pirate crew in the op universe, even their jolly roger is a smiley face instead of a skull and bones, that is so lino coded to me. lawlino is canon in my book and bepo is seungmo. thats his son

SEO CHANGBIN / CYBORG FRANKY ☆

hear me out. chan said changbin is ace (i’m crying) and it pissed me off so bad i blocked him on instagram. changbin is SO franky coded it kills me to think he’s anyone else BUT franky but okay hear me out. franky is the strawhats shipwright, he has quite literally laid the foundation for the strawhats to be able to travel the grand line. changbin is the heart of skz, he tries to be the strongest so the kids can count on him, a shoulder to cry on, etc. they’re both hilarious, freakishly strong, extremely emotionally intelligent, sensitive men. strawhats wouldn’t be able to get across the grand line without franky and skz don’t make any decisions without changbin. they are both crucial members of their crew and i stand by that! SUPERRRRR

HWANG HYUNJIN / VINSMOKE SANJI ☆

ah, my princes! bear with me here, i know if we’re talking cooking, our minds go to lino. but, cooking aside, something about hyunjin screams sanji to me. prince of versace and a prince of germa (i’m literally in whole cake rn lets not talk about it) they both not only look like royalty but act like it, too. both are huge flirts, love to take care of their friends, dress well, respectful to women, both do what’s right and what they WANT instead of what’s forced upon them, both are MEN. they would be besties irl

HAN JISUNG / MONKEY D. LUFFY ☆

ok chan had a point with this one, almost unblocked him for it ! hanji is sooooo luffy it’s not even funny— both wildly ambitious, emotionally intelligent and sensitive, loyal, leaders, FUNNY, absolutely insane, would do anything for their friends, loud, both can’t remember SHIT, even down to the fluffy dark hair han jisung you are SO luffy. being a rapper, vocalist, dancer and producer, han is THE ace (im triggered) skz would not be skz without han jisung the way the strawhats wouldn’t exist without luffy. 3racha is so monster trio when were talking powerscaling (lol) hanji even LOOKS like him. not for nothing he is year of the dragon and luffy's dads name is dragon

LEE FELIX / SABO ☆

my beautiful blonde twins omg felix is so sabo. both emotional, we saw how sabo cried when he got his memories back, bro looks just like felix bawling his eyes out onstage. both are also beautiful built yet little nerd boys, sabo was a little fucking weirdo growing up and so is lix and i adore them for it. both older brothers, both beautiful boys that give off gender envy (fight me on this i dare u) in the way that felix was scouted off of facebook to eventually become one of the most popular kpop groups, sabo literally got kidnapped saved by monkey d. dragon just to become second in command of the entire revolutionary army.

KIM SEUNGMIN / NICO ROBIN ☆

ok lowkey i had trouble finding someone who fit seungmo but now i’m feeling pretty confident in my decision. robin grew up wanting to be a scholar in ohara, know the secret of the void century, only to get her future ripped out from under her feet by someone else. seungmin’s original dream was also ripped from him by an injury, but they both put their passion into something else entirely, and have become extremely successful in doing so!!! both are pretty quiet individuals but have savage one liners, extremely intelligent, emotionally stable, not super open people. it took luffy shooting down a government flag for robin to crack herself open, seungmin doesn’t show his emotions that often either— when they do, it shows the impact of the situation. seungmin is a good person to rely on, to trust with your secrets, and i think robin is the same for the strawhats.

YANG JEONGIN / TONY TONY CHOPPER ☆

the babies!!!!!! my fucking babies!!! both the youngest, they take their health seriously + the health of those around them, both a bunch of smiley boys!!! they’re both loved by literally everyone around them how can you NOT love them. both timid, get scared easily, love to eat good food, a lil sassy, solid fashion sense (don’t even tell me chopper doesn’t pull up every arc fitted the fuck up) my silly silly boys!!!!!! i feel so strongly about this even tho i dont have much to say, i feel like i dont have to explain it. they have baby of the group energy and they do NAWT hide it, but both very very crucial members of their team

[rottenshotgungames]

I have to publish this one before I can talk about stealth

Footfall Devlog 3

This Devlog will be covering the basics of what Footfall is and the challenges of making a game so heavily inspired by immersive sims.

So, without further ado:

What is Footfall?

Footfall is an occult-industrial stealth-action rpg inspired by Dishonored, Mistborn, and Bloodborne. It aims to emulate the systemic ecosystem and emergent gameplay of immersive sims, particularly the fast, creative, movement-centric gameplay of Dishonored.

You play as Gifted of the Watchman, the god of stories and action. You are functional demigods, arcane in nature and forever part of a great cosmic play of chaos and change.

The Other Half

Editing note: This portion of the devlog covers my design philosophy reasons for talking about this particular topic today. As such, its tone (which is academic in nature) is a bit different from the other devlogs as well as the other sections of this devlog. If you, at any point, find yourself confused or bored, feel free to skip ahead to the next section.

As far as I’m concerned, all action taken within Footfall can be placed within a venn diagram composed of two circles labeled “Movement” and “Interaction.” We’ve talked about the nuances and foundational mechanics of the “movement” circle in the last two devlogs (which cover the physics engine and power sets); to delve into the majority of Footfall’s design—which lies in the intersection—we must now explore the foundational mechanics of the “Interaction” circle. This begs the question, what’s the difference?

Here, “Movement” can be defined as mechanical levers that are only limited by the “physical world” of the narrative space as well as player knowledge. What can prevent you from moving? A wall, a chain, hesitation to open a door, the lack of a specific key, so on and so forth. Movement is defined by external barriers; some movement may be able to ignore some of these barriers, and some movement may occur without the consent of that player or their character, but it will still only be limited by the physical world and interaction there with.

“Interaction,” on the other hand, is best defined as mechanical levers that impact the narrative and its presented barriers, but are limited by character proficiency and comfortability. Interacting may allow you to break down a door, pick a lock, convince a guard to turn their head, but all of that is locked behind how much knowledge that character has about those specific subjects and how comfortable they are with the approach they take.

These definitions provide us with two major points of distinction:

“Movement” is defined by the external, “Interaction” is defined by the internal

“Movement” must always be certain, “Interaction” cannot always be certain.

This is why there’s little-to-no randomization within Gifted powers, because they are (often) a pure expression of “Movement” in this system.

Before we continue, I want to say that there are a lot of games that don’t use RNG task resolution, and instead rely on resource pools or group fiat to determine whether or not an action succeeds. To me, these games still represent a degree of uncertainty with their “Interaction” mechanics, but they often include far more “player knowledge” limitation and may even add another kind to the mix (such as “dramatic desires of the group” in the latter example). The definition of “Interaction” that I’m using here, while able to be expanded upon and therefore used broadly, is crafted to represent my conceptualization of it in specific reference to Footfall.

If you haven’t guessed it by now, today we’re talking about the

Dice System and Task Resolution

Yay! Everybody’s favorite subject (on Reddit, specifically)!

I’m about to be incredibly real with you. I love skill-based games. Traveller and Call of Cthulhu are my bread and butter (even if I never get to run the CoC), and Cyberpunk 2020 is a game I think about constantly. Skill based games have this degree of free form-ness and ability for mechanical characterization that I don’t really get from playbooks and classes, and it makes them a perfect playground for all my little character ideas. That being said, they do have a key flaw.

By trying to encompass everything through the LONGEST LIST EVER, you inevitably run into the issue of “What? Why??” You have to make decisions about the skills you include and what they encompass, and often the reasoning for such decisions can feel esoteric to an outside observer. An incredible example of this can be found within Cyberpunk 2020’s “Interrogation” skill. How does one normally go about interrogating someone? I would assume through a coercion of sorts, promising to give someone what they want or take away what they have, right? Now, that sounds like a combination of Human Perception (used to figure out what will impact them the most) and Persuasion or Intimidation (respectively). So why is Interrogation its own skill? I could not tell you for the life of me. This is the issue, if you go too specific while still having more generalized skills, you’ll get noticeable overlaps over and over again, and any attempt to list everything humans can be good at is bound to have a few generalized points on that list. Skill list based games are always playing this balancing game between overly-general and overly-specific with every skill, and they’re bound to mess up eventually.

So, if the problem is balancing the overly-general with the overly-specific, why not use a combination of general attributes to create specific interactions? This lead me back to where it all started: Modiphius’ Dishonored RPG. The Dishonored RPG uses a set of Skills (which define what you’re doing) and Styles (which define how you’re doing that thing) which combine to form your Target Number on a check (e.g. You decide to try stalling for time by telling the enemy your full plan from start to finish, hopefully giving your allies enough time to see it through and rescue you. That would be a check to Talk Boldly). To those who have read FATE Accelerated, Styles should look familiar. This manages to maintain the narrative aspect of interaction, cover all circumstances, and avoid the over-specificity that makes long skill-lists kinda clunky . . . well, if well-implemented, that is.

See, I have two big problems with the Dishonored RPG’s approach to this kind of task resolution:

It’s attached to Modiphius’ design limiting 2d20 system, which pisses me off INFINITELY!

It runs back into the specificity issue we discussed earlier, although to a far lesser extent.

Dice and Differentiation

For those that don’t know, 2d20 is TTRPG publisher Modiphius’ mainline, in-house system that they’ve used for basically every licensed RPG that they’ve made. It’s a dicepool system that uses a combination of some Attribute and Skill to form the Target Number that a d20 must roll under in order to produce a success. In each 2d20 system minor alterations are made to the foundation to flavor it for the specific IP being represented, but it’s still a copy-paste dice system and therefore nothing too substantial can be changed.

Here’s the issue: I think that they struck GOLD when combining Skill proficiency with Style of approach. You can achieve almost any specific solution to solving a problem in this framework, it’s absolutely brilliant—but they missed out by having them both act as a numerical bonus toward the same Target Number. These two attribute pools (as I will be calling them) represent completely different concepts, far more so than in most of their other games, which tend to have one acting as a subsidiary of the other rather than combining to form something new.

It was a specific goal of mine to have the equivalents of these two attribute pools be mechanically differentiated in Footfall’s task resolution system. The easiest way to do that seemed, to me, to be that one should impact the dice rolled and the other should be a flat bonus to the die roll. After that it was pretty easy to figure out which was which, it just makes sense for one’s proficiency in an area of skill to provide consistency.

Finally, I had to actually decide on the mechanical feature of the Style equivalent. A dice mechanic. I knew I wanted it to be a bit swingy, after all your Skill acts as your minimum, the die should be there to increase your maximum. Because of that same little piece of design, which had wriggled its way into my brain unprompted, I also knew I didn’t want it to be a dicepool (as much as I love them). Somewhat swingy, with variety, and increasing maximum rolls as determined by the die and the bonus? Why, that sounds like a variation on the dice mechanic of Jon Gilmour’s Kids on Bikes! Yeah, that works.

Two attribute pools, one representing character proficiency and the other being approach; character proficiency provides a flat bonus to the die roll, while approach determines how large the die is (on a scale of 1d4 to 1d12, excepting exceptional circumstances). It works, and it works well.

But there’s still that second issue to take care of

6 and 6

The two attribute pools in Modiphius’ Dishonored RPG both consist of 6 attributes. This is too many, for both of them. To explain what I mean, I have reproduced them both in full:

Skills:

Fight

Move

Study

Survive

Talk

Tinker

Styles:

Boldly

Carefully

Cleverly

Forcefully

Quietly

Swiftly

Do you see the issue here? The useless stats that make literally no sense? I’m sorry for ragging on you, Modiphius, but this one hurts.

Survive isn’t a real skill. Survive is almost always an overly specific form of either Move or Fight, and as such should be erased and rolled into them. The only reason it exists normally is to inform your stress track, making it the functional equivalent of D&D’s Constitution ability score. It’s getting cut.

Study is also overly specific and feels like it’s only there to learn information to help with Tinker, or maybe Talk in the case of a psychiatrist. If defined further as any means of gathering information, it’s even further stepping on the toes of Move (interacting with and spotting minute details within your environment), Talk and Tinker. Either way, erase it and roll its function into them.

Quietly isn’t a real Style. I’m sorry, it just isn’t. If I’m trying to Move Quietly, y’know what I’m actually doing? I’m moving Carefully so as to avoid making noise! Quiet makes absolutely no sense to me, and the only reason I can think that anyone would ever bother even trying to include it is as a stealth catch-all, which would actively make the game less interesting. Fuck you, it’s getting erased.

This leaves us with 4 distinct Skill equivalents (Fight, Move, Talk, and Tinker) and 5 distinct Style equivalents (Bold, Careful, Clever, Forceful, Swift). This leaves us just enough Style equivalents to work for the 5 dice we’ll be using, and a total of 20 different possible combinations of rolls.

Putting It Together

Alright, long walk for a short drink of water, but here ya go! The task resolution / dice mechanic as it appears in Footfall:

Each character has four Skills and five Temperaments. When asked to roll a check, the player will describe how they are performing the action then the Watchman will tell that player which Skill and Temperament is applicable to that description (e.g. “I’m gonna wait until I’m sure the guards have turned around, then slowly make my way across the room as silently as possible.” “Alright, that would be a Careful Move check”).

After the Watchman and player agree on the Temperament and Skill, the player rolls a die determined by the Temperament used (1d4 through 1d12) and adds a numerical score determined by which Skill is being used (+1 through a maximum of +10 unless stated otherwise) to the result. If the total result matches or exceeds a Difficulty set by the Watchman, the character succeeds.

- Skills -

Skills are aptitudes for particular tasks and represent a degree of knowledge and experience held by the character in the associated subject. Following is a list and brief description of each Skill:

Fight - Governs your knowledge of and ability to participate in violence.

Move - Governs your awareness of and ability to navigate your environment.

Talk - Governs your ability to understand people and navigate conversation.

Tinker - Governs your ability to repair, understand, and use technology and the arcane arts.

- Temperaments -

Temperaments are specific approaches to performing tasks and solving problems, and tend to speak to a character’s mentality and personality. Following is a list and brief description of each Temperament:

Bold - Brash, brazen, and passionately.

Careful - Quiet, tactful, and precisely.

Clever - Intelligent, calculated, and creatively.

Forceful - Blunt, direct, and violently.

Swift - Quick, abrupt, and instinctively.

Conclusion

I honestly want to keep talking about the mechanics that surround and interact with dice, but I think over 2000 words might be pushing my luck.

There’s a lot of talk online about what makes a good dice mechanic—probability curves, predictability, the feeling of making a roll—I’m not really smart enough to talk about those things. Hell, I couldn't even tell you what makes a good Task Resolution mechanic. What I can tell you is this: You can learn a lot from those who came before.

I talk quite a bit about disliking 2d20 in this blog post, and my disappointment with the Dishonored RPG is partially what compelled me to make Footfall, but the core of its Task Resolution encourages mechanical characterization in such an incredibly interesting way. For all the flaws I found and decided to fix in my run around, I probably would've never caught those if I were the one to create the first draft. Even then, I kept what made it interesting and combined it with other sources of inspiration to create a Task Resolution mechanic that's wholly my own.

My point is that you can always learn something, even from the things that you hate—whether that be a brilliant piece of design hiding amongst a million little mistakes, or how to avoid making those same mistakes yourself.

Self Promotion

Hey y'all. Thanks for sticking with me through this one, I know it was long . . . and maybe a bit rambling. That being said, we're done with dice mechanics (for right now)! Which means that I can finally talk about Stealth mechanics in the next post.

If you wanna check out my other games, and get updated when the Footfall free playtest goes live, follow me on Itch.io! If you're just looking for more Footfall status updates, or want to have an impact on the design, you can always join my public Discord (which is where I post all of the pre-public playtest changelogs). If you want more devlogs, and more rpg design talk, follow me here or on twitter.

Either way, I hope you have a great night and a great day.

[aparticularbandit]

Of An Endless Infinity: Remnants (III)

Summary: What does it mean to be the Ultimate Hope?

Is it only hope on the big scale?  That the world is not so dark and depressing and destructive as the villain in front of you says it is?  That you can win, even when everything else says that you can’t?  That maybe it is better to live your life, even afraid, than it is to keep yourself sequestered away, alone?

Does it not also mean hope on the small scale?

Or: Makoto sacrifices himself in the hope that the other survivors might be able to help Junko. It remains to be seen whether this will actually succeed.

Chapter Rating: T. Fic Rating: M for Danganronpa reasons.

AO3

previous chapter | next chapter

Elsewhere….

“I knew ya’d come ta see me soon!”

His teeth are still filed into points.  He’s not the sort to eat people – that’s Teruteru’s specialty, something he makes explicit note of saying has more than one meaning – but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t still bite them or shred their skin with his teeth if attacked.  Most people don’t get that close to him, though; he’s got more than enough machine guns fixated everywhere to kill them if—

Well.

He is the one who put the guns on top of the school in the first place, isn’t he?  The one who helped craft all of the mechanics in those executions her beloved put on during the show?

If your most qualified Future Foundation member couldn’t get to the school, then they couldn’t get to him either.

The only reason she and that hope-obsessed fool can get through is because she alerted him to their coming, using the same messenger he’d created for them all when her beloved first started this whole thing, when she’d first chosen to live undercover with her classmates rather than stay with her horrors.

She’d hidden, and he’d given them a way to keep in contact no matter where in the world they were: a small plush bear like Monokuma, designed after the first one her beloved created.  He’d modified that one, too, of course, after her beloved gave him permission to do it, but that one had gone dark after the last Trial.

Her beloved told them not to contact her during the Game.  She couldn’t afford any distractions.

She’d tried to contact her so many times since then, but there’s nothing.

No response.

She can only imagine what her beloved’s old classmates might be doing to her to prevent her from—

“We need your help, Kaz.”  She tugs on the chain wrapped around the fool’s neck, grins when he stumbles, when Kaz laughs, loud, at him.  It’s a form of appeasement, at least.  “We’re trying to get to her.”

Kaz’s once pink eyes darken, that sharp, sharp maroon a reflection of who he is now, the same that the once faded bruise of her own eyes now holds the tint of something redder, fresher.  “You saying ya want me ta shut off my guns?  I can’t do that.  She told me ta—”

“Now, now, Kaz,” the fool chides.  “She said no such thing.”

“Shut your mouth!”

Kaz jumps down from his pile of – it’s probably a bunch of half-finished projects, or completely finished ones that he’s still tinkering with, but mostly it looks like a throne of trash to her – and shoves his hands into his pockets as he stalks towards the fool.  “You’re trying to get to her, which means ya gotta go through my guns, which means you’re going ta get shot, which means you’re only here to get me ta shut ‘em off.  And she told me ta—”

She places a hand on his arm, and he stills.  “You’re so much smarter than that, Kaz,” she purrs.  “I’m sure you can think of some way to get us through without turning them off.  Can’t you?”  She leans in close, smells the putrid copper on his breath, and whispers, “If you do, I’ll tell Sonia you helped us.  You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

Sonia hasn’t talked to him since the Game began.  She’s complained about it with her.  Kaz kept trumpeting about how much he helped her beloved, as though it was about him instead of about her.  (She would have been just as frustrated as Sonia was, if she’d heard it from him, but she would have responded in a much more…physical way.)

Once, she told her beloved that maybe someone should tell him to stop pining for Sonia, as it obviously made both of them uncomfortable.  But her beloved said that his constant hope that something might happen was also a source of constant despair for him, that Sonia’s constant hope that he would stop was a constant source of despair for her.

It was only then that she understood.

This, too, is a gift.

One that Kaz gave to Sonia; one that she gave right back to him.

And yet Kaz still shivers at her words, which is how she knows that she has him.  He leans back, shoves a hand through his spiked pink hair, a brighter color than her beloved’s has ever been, and shoves his other hand deeper into his pocket.  “Well, I can get ya through the guns; that’s for sure.  But even if ya get through the guns, ya gotta get through the door, and I can’t do nothing about that thing.”

“You can’t?” she asks with a hum.  “Just imagine how proud Miss Sonia would be of you, if you helped us save—”

“I got an idea!”

Kaz grins, hands clenched into fists, his tongue stuck out in his excitement.  His eyes sparkle, gleam, bright as stars in the sky.  (Bright as they used to be, anyway.)  He leans forward, right into her face.  “I just got one question for ya.”

She raises a brow and tries not to recoil at his breath.  “What’s that, Kaz?”

“How much of a ruckus we causing here?”

[ultramagicalternate]

UMAE - Haze and Chaos

Master Post - Patreon

Suggested Reading (but not mandatory):

ULTRAMagic Interlude: Shadowland

ULTRAMagic Interval

ULTRAMagic Eon 1

“Adrien, does this VTOL go any faster?” Will complained.

He laughed. “Sorry, Amigo, but we have speed limits, even up here.”

“Don’t worry, Will,” the pilot reassured him as Will stuck his head into the cockpit. “We’re not too far off from Sky Fortress Camelot. If the noise is bothering you, I can increase the sound dampening.”

Will felt a little embarrassed. “Uh, no, it’s alright. I’m just a little bored is all.”

“I gave you a few movies to watch, didn’t I?” Adrien asked.

“Yeah, but I’ve seen them too many times recently… also really? You just had to include Dr. Strangelove, didn’t you?”

Adrien laughed again. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. How about you sit down and talk? Tell us about the guild and The Unlight while we wait.”

“Are you sure?” Will tilted his head towards the pilot.

“Yeah. Don’t worry, Beckenbauer is a great multitasker.”

The Pilot chuckled. “Well we have to be in order to pilot these crafts.” He then flipped a few switches. “Besides, I can put her on autopilot since we’re so close to Camelot.”

Feeling better, Will took a seat. “So my most recent mission was something else…”

“Yeah, you seem different because of it,” Adrien pointed out. “I was actually able to get you into the VTOL this time, ha!” Beckenbauer laughed.

Will nodded with a chuckle. “I got to meet the early ULTRAMagic Guild, where I messed things up… but I also got to hang out with Aureolus and Queen Dunja who gave me a pep talk and started to teach me void magic.”

“Very cool,” Adrien replied. “Know any spells yet?”

“I’m still working on that. Also good lord, Blood-Wraith back then was so much more cheerful compared how moody he is nowadays.”

“Really? Do you have any idea what happened?”

Will shook his head. “I know there’s a major event that happened a year or two after I returned to our time, but I’d have to ask someone like Scholar or Vanguard about it.”

Beckenbauer checked the instrument panel, then looked out the windshield. “Good news, Will; Camelot is right ahead of us.”

“Finally,” he said with another chuckle.

Sky Fortress Camelot was a grand achievement for The Liger Brigade. The colossal, aerial base invoked the image of a galleon, widened and expanded to truly immense proportions. Jets, helicopters, and other VTOLs were coming and going as Camelot sailed proudly amongst the fluffy clouds. After going through basic protocols and getting clearance to land, Beckenbauer brought the VTOL into one of the hangar bays. Once they were landed, Adrien led Will to the hangar operations center. The hangar staff were quite busy, but Adrien approached one at a desk who was writing things down.

“Barclay, how are you doing today?”

“Hello, Captain Adrien. Just knee deep in paperwork, as usual.” He then noticed who was with Adrien. “Will, good to see you again!”

“Hey, Scot.” Will replied, a little shy as he typically was.

“Want me to get Antares’ attention?” Adrien nodded, so Scot picked up a telephone and dialed a special number. After a quick exchange, he set the phone down. “Alright, Bran and Antares are waiting in Containment Wing X.”

“Very good. Let’s go, Will.”

The two made their way past staff and military personnel as they walked through the various halls and wings. Something Will could not get used to was the impossible space technology Camelot used. One would have thought that his experiences in The Unlight would have helped with this. On the bright side, all of it helped him stay calm. Being in flight always made Will nervous, but heading deeper in gave him the illusion that he was back on the ground. Adrien on the other hand was fine, albeit he was always slightly unnerved by the impossible space.

Containment Wing X was used for dealing with anomalies that could cause trouble for the public. The Liger Brigade worked closely with The Anomaly Containment Foundation (The ACF) and The Magic Anomaly Investigation Group (M.A.I.G.) in this regard. Usually the brigade handled anomalies of the extra terrestrial variety.

The wing itself was denoted by its dark gray walls and red lights along said walls. Staff in special uniforms were moving about, some carrying documents and boxes. All of it gave off an aura of unease. Fortunately Will and Adrien’s nerves were relaxed when they saw a small alien run by with a birthday hat on, being followed by a staff member trying to catch up with them. They chuckled alongside the staff at the check-in and proceeded to decontamination. Once ready, the two were escorted to a room with a large cell in it. Two men were already there, accompanied by two guards.

“Captain Adrien, Private William,” a man with subtle purple hair stated, expecting them to stand at attention. He looked strong and wore a uniform indicating a commanding officer.

“Sir!” Adrien and Will said in unison.

“Well done, Private. You’re getting better at this…”

“Considering you drafted him…” a man with hot pink hair cheekily chided. He had a different uniform on that indicated he was a scientist from another organization.

“Quiet, Bran…”

“Permission to speak, Captain Briggs!” Will requested.

“Granted, but I’m not a captain anymore. It’s Lt. Colonel Briggs now.”

“No way!” Will exclaimed as he shook his hand. “Congratulations, Antares!”

Adrien chuckled. “He did so well in the Bethany situation that he shot right past Major.”

“And if everything goes well with getting Bethany all sorted out, I’ll be promoted to Colonel proper” Antares elaborated. He then felt a chill run up his spine. “She broke containment again and is right behind me, isn’t she?” The other three nodded.

A girl behind him promptly blew a raspberry and ran through the wall. “Nana nana nah nah!” she taunted.

Antares angrily inhaled and went for the communications panel. “Alert, Bethany is out and about again.” No alarm was triggered as this had happened before.

Will studied the ectoplasm left behind on the wall. “Not to downplay Beth here, but Darkmage Valerie makes her kind of pale in comparison…”

“Out of turn, Private, but I’ll let it slide as I want to hear about that eventually.”

Bran went up and shook Will’s hand. “Nice to see you again, Will. You had Kyu update your computer, right? Because I snuck a peak at your private art while you were gone.”

Will went bright red. “Oh, Um… Uh…”

He laughed. “Don’t worry, I only looked and won’t tell. Succubus’ honor…”

“Honor?” Adrien lightheartedly scoffed. “Male succubi aren’t even supposed to exist, let alone the amount of time you’ve been spying on Will and Sam for M.A.I.G.”

This warranted a groan. “Anyways, what we have here today is Haze, as the entity has been identifying itself as. It has been nothing but trouble for us and The ACF.”

Will nodded in confirmation. “So what do you need me for?”

“We firmly believe Haze is from The Unlight, given that we can’t make heads or tails of whatever it is.”

“Plus your status as a Dullahan may help here, Will,” Antares added. “We also suspect that this could be a type 3 or 4 ghost.”

“I see,” Will replied. “What has it done?”

“Aside from interrupting my experiments and AMVs?” Bran sarcastically asked. “Well the first ones to catch him were the ACF. Haze was then turned over to us to see if we could learn anything after it nearly caused several mass containment breaches. Between our organizations, we have discovered that Haze can theoretically possess anyone with emotions. This is what allows ANTIMagic Haze to manifest…”

“We’re classifying it as an ANTIMagic mage? Like how Beth is ANTIMagic Phobos?”

Antares nodded. “Certainly, Private.”

Bran continued. “ANTIMagic Haze appears to have a sense of vigilante justice that can override the will of weaker individuals. They then proceed to attack any criminal in sight. And if Haze can’t possess anyone to do that, it’ll just consume the criminal, leaving nothing behind. How do we know? The ACF threw some death row inmates at it and found out by accident.”

Will shuddered and gagged a little, with Adrien rubbing his back. “So why is it here then?” the private asked.

“Because it keeps breaking containment” Bran answered. “The Liger Brigade offered to take it off our hands and take a crack at it.”

“Would you like to take a look, Will?” Antares asked.

Will accepted and Antares pressed a few buttons on a control panel. A black, glass pane in the heavy iron door went clear, showing the cell inside. Looking around, there was nothing to be found. Will was a little worried, questioning if he had messed something up. He pretended to make observations, hoping the others bought it. After turning to face the group, Will noticed they were all looking concerned.

“Is Haze supposed to be invisible?” he sheepishly asked.

“No, you should have seen a red cloud of smoke…” Antares noticed one of the guards was staring at Will. “Jones, why are you looking at the Private like that?”

What happened next was sheer chaos. The guard lept at Will, pinning him to the ground. Antares, Adrien, and Bran were knocked back by a shockwave as Jones began vomiting a black and red sludge into Will’s mouth. The other guard tried to get Jones off of the Private, but it was no use. Once Jones was done, he rolled over and moaned in agony. Will was transforming, his body turning into a shiny, black substance. Antares regained his bearings and scrambled for the alarms, warning everyone that Haze had broken containment.

When Will was done, he stood there laughing. His hair was sterling white, his eyes were hidden, and his mouth was a mischievous grin full of shark-like teeth. What became of his body was similar to rubber and giant, red zippers were all over. Specifically they were on his upper arms, upper legs, around his abdomen, and one was in the spot where his neck split for his Dullahan nature. Bran and Adrien were in awe of this transformation, but also beside themselves in confusion.

Will noticed Antares going for the door. “RUN RUN RUN, AS FAST AS YOU CAN” he exclaimed as he deformed and stretched through the door crack. “YOU CAN’T CATCH ME, I’M THE GINGERBREAD MAN!” He cackled as he went into the air duct before anyone could catch him.

“DAMN IT!” Antares cursed as the rattling of the ducts trailed off. He then turned to the other guard. “Howell, get Jones to the medical wing…”

He was interrupted by a rumble that shook the whole ship. “CODE RED: SKY FORTRESS UNDER ATTACK” an automated alarm repeated as harsh sirens blared throughout the halls.

“WELL THAT’S JUST PRIME” Antares growled. “Adrien, battle stations! Bran, stay out of trouble. I’m heading to the bridge!”

Everything was a mess as staff hurried into battle shelters and soldiers raced to wherever they were needed. Antares gave orders as he ran, eventually running into a group of Shadow Constructs. These ones were in the form of Shadow Robots and attacked anything in sight. They were in his way, so Antares created a flame sphere. After hurling it forward, he snapped his fingers which led to a violent explosion of flames that destroyed the robots.

The bridge was just as chaotic, with a tall, muscular commanding officer giving orders to everyone there. “Scramble the jet squadrons! Get those rear batteries firing! Where are these things coming from!? And someone get General Lundberg and the Pentagon on the horn now!!” 

He was cut off by two, large display screens showing a feed of a pair of individuals. One looked vaguely like a German general and the other was what was best described as a psychotic jester. Both of them had a clear, villainous disposition.

“Despot and Valentin. Of what do I owe this utmost displeasure?”

“We have no time for your formalities, Colonel. Hand over Camelot and Bethany or die.”

“Or just die! THAT WORKS TOO!” Valentin said with a maniacal, unhinged laugh.

“Over my dead body.” The colonel then signaled to cut the feed as Antares came running in.

“Colonel Aalders! What are Perkele and Despot even thinking?!”

He cracked his knuckles and growled. “No idea, but it can’t be good if they want Bethany. Take control of the bridge, Lt. Colonel. I’m going to get in contact with Archmage Milan.”

While all of that was happening, Will was hiding out in a store room. Haze had caused his mind to go wild, but he was back in control, for the most part. He thrashed around, trying to maintain his composure. A voice kept telling him to go wild and vanquish the criminals and villains. Will then shouted at the top of his lungs for the voice to stop.

“Wait, you can hear me?” Haze asked.

“YES! STOP ORDERING ME AROUND!” Will was at his wits end.

“Oh my goodness… you can hear me! Yes! Finally, a viable partner to work with!”

Will inhaled and exhaled. “FINE. Just stop ordering me around!”

Sensing his rising emotions, Haze froze Will in his tracks. “Easy, I’m not going to hurt you or your friends. I just need help fulfilling my promise to someone special…”

“And who’s that?” Will inquired as everything shook.

“Queen Dunja. She spared me back in Shadowland, so now I owe her…”

“Dunja? I know her!”

Haze was surprised. “Really?” He went through Will’s memories, causing him to convulse a little. “Can you help me out then? With my mission?”

Another rumble knocked them to the ground. “After we help out! Camelot is in danger!” Will stated.

Haze returned control of his body to WIll, allowing him to provide assistance. The Liger Soldiers were doing a good job, but the Shadow Robots were persistent. Will was able to enlarge his fists and sling his punches, devastating any Shadow Construct that was his target. He also discovered that he had access to a grisly, red fire that burnt his foes to cinders.

It took some effort, but the Liger Soldiers eliminated the small army of Shadow Robots. Will and Haze took to the exterior where they swung off of enemy aircrafts, destroying them as they went. Many were being shot down, so the two had to be careful as bullets occasionally whizzed past Will’s head. Haze spotted one last aircraft and told WIll to jump for it. This was a good call as it crashed on the sky deck, allowing them to get back onto Camelot.

“Okay, that was dangerous, but fun,” Will admitted as he collected his bearings.

Bran came running up to him. Camelot had slowed its speed, so it was easier to walk up on the sky deck. “Will! Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I guess. Me and Haze… Do you have anything on this?” Will held his arms, causing them to stretch a little.

Bran stared at Will, completely baffled. “Sorry, kid, I got nothing on this.”

Will inhaled and exhaled in a worried manner. “Really, Bran?”

The Liger Soldiers that had accompanied Bran finally caught up with him. “Don’t worry, Will’s back in control” he assured them.

Before anything else could be said, something landed on the sky deck with a massive thud. It was an ugly, grotesque serpent that towered above them. The monstrosity had a glowing, red eye and oozed black sludge everywhere. Two soldiers rushed Bran and Will to cover as the others began firing upon the monster. It roared and bellowed as it shot beams from its eye.

Panic set in for WIll. “What is that thing!?”

“I think it’s a Shadow Wyrm…” Bran said as they instinctively ducked in response to a beam blast.

Haze was all too familiar with such a hideous creation. “Will, I know how to defeat it!”

“Really? How?” The others were giving him weird looks as he was clearly talking to himself.

“Aim for the eye. That’ll destroy it! You should be able to use anything given how sloppy of a Shadow Construct it is.”

Will presented this idea to Bran and the soldiers. It was worth a shot, so they handed him a combat machete and provided cover fire. With a mighty leap, Will and Haze latched onto the head of the Wyrm. The creature tried to shake them off, but they held on tight. Once he was in position, Will relentlessly stabbed the creature over and over again. The Shadow Wyrm screeched in pain, managing to finally fling him off. Will then landed at the feet of a familiar individual.

Above Will stood a confident, handsome man with silver hair. His brilliant, black and red robes shone in the evening sunlight as he snapped his fingers to cast a spell. A bow made of magical energy appeared before him. Grabbing it, he readied an arrow and prepared to fire.

“Don’t worry, Will. I’ll finish it off!” Letting loose the arrow, it hit what remained of the eye dead on. After one last wail of pain, the Shadow Wyrm collapsed in on itself and began fading away.

“Archmage Milan! Nice shot!” Will complimented.

He chuckled as he helped Will up. “Thanks, but I was showing off a bit…”

“A truer shot was never had, Milan” Colonel Aalders also complimented as he approached. Antares was with him. “And good work, Private William. I’d dare say your trips to The Unlight brought out the soldier in you.”

“Sir, thank you sir!” Will replied at attention.

“How’s Will doing, Bran?” Antares asked.

He shrugged. “Fine, I guess? I have no precedent for this, but he handled the Shadow Wyrm just fine.”

“Well I’d dare say we don’t have to worry about containment at the moment then…” Antares remarked.

Milan stepped forward to inspect Will. “Intriguing, it feels like I’ve met this entity before…” He then shuddered after a dreadful feeling overwhelmed him. “Colonel, how about we talk to Will about this?”

“I was just about to say the same thing, Milan. Private, Lt. Colonel, Bran, meet me in my personal meeting room for debriefing.”

“Sir, yes sir!” Will and Antares replied.

“Everyone else? Let’s head in before Camelot returns to full speed.”

As everyone went inside, Haze began to speak to Will. This time he indicated for him to talk with his thoughts. “Will, Milan concerns me.”

“Why’s that, Haze?”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear that was Milosh Proch…”

Will was taken aback. That was quite the infamous name amongst the guild. “Are you sure about that?”

“Positive. That soul is too close to not be his.”

“Well, I mean, Milan is a little awkward, but he’s not bad. He's a pretty cool dude and I’d trust him with my life. Are you sure he’s not Milosh’s twin or something like that?”

Haze had no idea what to think. He was praying it was not his foul creator who returned to haunt him. “Be careful around him, Will.”

Will patted his shoulder, as if reassuring Haze. “Don’t worry, Haze. Milan is one of the best mages I know. Also speaking of which, we need to introduce you to everyone else. I really think you’re going to like my girlfriend and our roommates.”

Next: ???

ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)

[aith-art]

Falloutober 2023 - Day 29

"Shrapnel"

Prompt by @falloutober

Word Count - 1290

Zap. Dana materialised in the doorway of the small crypt. Without a moment to reorientate herself, she sprinted down the small staircase towards Myself and Desdemona. I had been looking over the old maps of the sewage system, the metro tunnels, any form of underground access through Boston. But I’d been drawing nothing but blanks. Desdemona had just lit another cigarette when Dana ran into the other side of the makeshift table. 

“We have a problem.” She was panicked. Instantly I moved round the table, standing at her side to ensure she wasn’t injured. 

“Something wrong with the rebellion?” Desdemona questioned.

“No, Z1’s rebellion is ready to go. It’s- It’s the brotherhood. They’re-” She took a shaky breath, “They’re on their way here.” 

“What, what are you talking about?” She put out the cigarette. Concern flooding her face. 

“The Institute. They- they caught wind of a surprise attack.” 

“Jesus.” 

“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath. 

“Take this,” Desdemona handed me a gun, crudly crafted but functional, “Tom made if for you. Sound’s like we’re gonna need it.” Desdemona turned to the rest of HQ, “Everyone else, mobalize. We’ve got Brotherhood incoming.” 

Deacon was at my side. I placed the gun on the table, a nice gesture but too heavy for my style. While people rushed to defensive positions I turned to Dana. 

“Are you alright?” I asked in a hushed tone. 

She gave me a nod. A sight tremmer in her body. 

Desdemona was still giving orders when the foundations shook. 

Gunfire erupted from the alternate exit. Drawing my shotgun from my back, I openned fire. 

Their power armour did little against the modified shotgun, but enough to recoil some of the shrapnel. Pain shot through my left side. Something had bounced back at me. 

Through the pain I kept firing. The soldiers falling heavily. Our safe exit no long a viable option. Deacon watched as I pulled some bandages from my bag. Quickly and crudely I put pressure on the wound. I had no time to worry the quality of my bandaging. Deacon said nothing as I turned back to Desdemona. 

“We’re cut off.” She stated. “The catacombs are now our only way out. Glory was guarding the entrance, but she may already be overwhelmed by the Brotherhood.” 

Dana, now alert to the reality of the situation, stated “No one died yet.” 

“We’ve been lucky so far.” I added. 

“Your warning saved us. Thank God for that.” Her tone changed. “You and the others go help Glory. Win that fight or we’re all dead.” 

I nodded. She was right. 

Running ahead of the others, I made it into the catacombs. Bodies littered the floor. Brotherhood members. Across the room I saw her, Glory. Hands held tight to her stomach. Dana and Deacon entered the room as I jumped down, clearing the space between myself and Glory in a second despite the dull throb in my own side. 

“None of them got past me.” She winced, “Damn… that stings… Listen.” She grasped my arm. “The Railroad’s always sitting on it’s hands… Ahh…” I tried to get closer, examine the wound but she wouldn’t let me. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened.” Her grip on my arm tightened. “Promise me you’ll free them. All of them.”

“I’m not gonna let you die on me Glory.”

“How bad is it?” A small voice came from behind. Dana, rounding the corner and standing beside me. 

Deacon piped up from behind me. “... Not Good, kid.” 

“No escape, this time…” Her breathing was becoming more and more unstable. 

“You’ll make it through. You’ve got to.” 

Dana knelt down beside her, giving her a hug. “Please don’t die.” She whispered. Before stepping back. 

Glory looked up at me, still gripping my arm. “I need you to promise me.” 

“I promise.” 

“I know my word is worth Jack, but. I promise to, Glory.” 

She smiled, released my hand, “Isn’t there… supposed to be a light.” 

She slumped. The room seemed somehow colder. I closed her eyes. We had to keep moving. 

Dragging myself from the floor, taking a sharp inhale through my teeth, I dusted myself off. Prepared to keep moving and for a moment removing all pain I had for killing members of the Brotherhood. 

The hidden entrance exploded. The only way out was to fight. 

Systematically Deacon, Dana, and I worked our way through the catacombs, taking out every soldier we could find. I through a pulse grenade down the tunnel, short circuiting the suits of power armour and allowing for Deacon and Dana to make short work of the men. 

Powering through the evergrowing pain in my side, we made it into the Church. Four soldiers in power armour had taken posts throughout the pews and upon the balcony. Atleast one would have a minigun. I just couldn’t tell which until gunfire rained down on us from the broken pews. 

“You two stay here. Pick off the fuckers on the balcony. I’ll try to swing around the room and get the minigun off of you.” They nodded. With a deep breath I ran. 

I dived behind the broken pews that filled the centre of the church, moving swiftly behind the pillar for better cover. The minigun followed my movements as Dana and Deacon picked off of the two men on the balcony. When the guy holding the minigun bgan to reload, I ducked from cover, threw the last of my pulse grenades then unloaded a magazine’s worth of 12 guage into his power armour. He fell. The last man standing was shot from the enterence to the catacombs. Dana stood there with a smoking magnum. 

Desdemona appeared from behind them. Releasing a shaky breath I made my way over, hand openly grasping at my shrapnel wound. 

“You’ve killed the last of them. And you’re still standing. I wish the same could be said for Glory.” She shook her head. “No time for that, though. The Brotherhood underestimate us. Badly. Their next attack will be far, far worse.” I nodded in agreement. I knew how bad an all out frontal assault from the Brotherhood could be. It had wiped the Enclave off the East Coast with the Brotherhood at only a fraction of their current power. 

As Desdemona kept talking to Dana and Deacon. I shrunk away from the conversation. I knew I should be listening, but I needed to get some fresh air. Before anyone could notice, I had left the old church gripping my wound and letting my guard down. 

I found a ledge. Somewhere quiet but still close enough that once I’d tended to my wound I could go back. Glory should not have died. But the more I thought about it, the more I realised it was what she wanted. She would have never accepted a death outside of combat. It had been all she’d known outside the Institute. 

Cleaning my wound, I wondered weather I’d accept death like that. Not knowing if the very thing I’d give my life for would come to fruition. But I wouldn’t. I hadn’t. I should have died six years ago in a graveyard in the Mojave. But here I sat. Tending to a wound similar to that which had just killed somebody. What kind of cosmic bad luck must I have to have survived these things that should have killed me while I watch everyone I care for die around me. 

My head had been flooded with questions. Questions I had been asking for the last six years and gotten nowhere with the answers. 

An electric Zap came from behind me. 

Before I could turn and greet whom I had assumed was Dana. Something hit me over the head. 

Everything faded to black.

[jeanmoreausautismstickers]

Baby Dove

You could hear Harry crying before you saw the house. It was a sort of wail you wouldn’t be able to recreate, not without feeling the loss of someone so close to you. Sirius had let out the same anguished wail when he found out.

It immediately set him in motion, bounding up the street. He only stopped, nearly toppling over, when he saw what little remained of the cottage. The same cottage he’d helped James and Lily move into. The same cottage where he’d crashed at night when Remus was out on missions, and Sirius’s anxiety couldn’t be quelled by a bottle of firewhiskey.

The cottage that had been his second home for the last year was now shambles, barely held together on it’s foundation. The magic stunk so badly Sirius could smell it, he didn’t even need to shift into Padfoot to do so. He wanted to. Merlin, did he want to. Being Padfoot would make it easier, he wouldn’t have to deal with the tangle of emotions currently cracking his heart open. 

Being Padfoot felt like running a brush through the mess that was Sirius’s soul. But he couldn’t. Not with Harry’s agonised cries ringing out. Not when he could see a body lying on the stairs from the street. 

So he trudged up the stone walk way. The stone walk way he’d lovingly helped Lily garden around, turning the front of the house into a gorgeous garden, one that was crafted with so much love and joy.

Reaching the front of the house was hard. Stepping through the arch where the door no longer was? That was even harder. Sirius could feel his heart breaking, Harry’s screams getting louder the closer he got. 

It was when he shifted the busted down front door off the stairs, moving it so he could fully see who was under it, that Sirius broke down again.

James. His James. The James who had rescued him from his family, who had invited him into his own family with open arms and a blinding smile. James who’s eyes lay open in terror, glasses cracked and skewed from where they rested on his face.

Sirius tried to keep his dinner down as he gently lay his hand over his best friend’s eyes and closed them. Taking his glasses and folding them up before gently tucking them into the collar of his jumper. 

Sirius had given him that jumper. He gifted it to him for Christmas just last year. He’d given Harry and Lily matching one’s, and James had loved it so much he pulled it over the ugly-sweater he’d made. 

Swallowing a sob, Sirius quietly stepped over James’s body, slowly making his way up the stairs. The same stairs that Harry had first learnt to stand up with. The stairs that James had installed a baby gate for. Sirius realised, another sob threatening to shatter him, the baby gate was not longer on it’s hinges.

Sirius finally reached the nursery, heart stopping as he looked at Lily, lying on the floor of the nursery she’d spent months preparing. She’d started fixing it up a week after she and James found out. 

Sirius glanced around at everything. At the rocking chair he’d seen Lily cuddle Harry in. The changing table she’d so lovingly changed his clothes on. The books that she and James had read to the little boy, before he’d even been born. They now lay scattered on splintered, wooden remains of the bookshelf Remus had built them.

It hurt, all of the memories he knew were tainted forever. The memories that he could no longer look back without thinking of Harry’s sobs for a mother he didn’t realise he’d lost. 

Sirius leaned down, closing Lily’s eyes as well, and gently brushing her hair away from her face. She’d always hated having her hair in her face, and had been talking about cutting it off until Harry was out of, what she’d so lovingly called, his “grabby phase.”

After he’d gently pressed a kiss to her forehead, he turned, lifting Harry from the cot. “Oh little dove... I know. I know. I’m here...” he murmured, rocking Harry the way Lily had showed, rubbing his back the way James had rubbed his after Regulus’s death was announced.

  “We’re going to make it out, little dove. It’s going to be all right. I promise. No one’s going to hurt you now.”

[littlespider666]

Chapter Two

Your heart is in your throat. The blood rushes in your ears. Everything sounds muffled—like your brain is short-circuiting, struggling to process what you just heard.

Because what did she just say?

You need to pretend to date Bakugou Katsuki?

Igarashi doesn’t even blink. “It’s simple, really,” she continues, flipping through the folder in front of her like this is just another Tuesday. “This photo has generated the most positive PR Bakugou has received in over six weeks. We need to run with this.”

There’s a beat of silence.

Then Bakugou lets out a sharp, disbelieving laugh, ““So let me get this straight—Japan’s top PR firm, with all your fancy degrees and big-shot strategies, has decided that the best way to ‘fix’ me…is for me to play fuckin’ house with this one?”  He jerks a thumb in your direction, eyes flashing with something between amusement and pure disbelief. “That’s it? That’s the whole plan?”

Igarashi doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t so much as blink at Bakugou’s sharp-edged tone. Instead, she exhales slowly, folds her hands atop the table, and levels him with the kind of look that could bring lesser men to their knees.

“No, Bakugou,” she says, voice smooth but firm. “We’re also going forward with the actual strategy that she spent all night working on—the one that includes a structured damage control plan, curated media coverage, and a full-scale image overhaul.” She nods toward you without breaking eye contact. “That remains the foundation of this campaign.”

Then, with a slight tilt of her head, she adds, “But we’d be idiots to ignore this.”

She taps her manicured finger against the printed-out headline in front of her—the photo showcasing Bakugou smiling, the one with hundreds of thousands of comments dissecting the way he was looking at you.

“This photo—this narrative—is already out there. We didn’t manufacture it. The public did,” she continues. “And for the first time in weeks, they’re talking about you in a way that isn’t a complete PR nightmare.” She leans back slightly, arching a brow. “Are you really in a position to turn that down?”

Bakugou’s jaw clenches. You can see the war waging in his head. The stubborn pride versus the logical side of him that knows she’s right. 

The same war that’s waging in yours.

Because did anyone even care what you thought? You didn’t sign up for this.

Right now, all the media has is the back of your head, a blurry silhouette in the background. But if you agree to this, your name, your face, your life is about to be everywhere. Picked apart by the entire country.

And worst of all—your carefully built walls around Doki-Doki Bunny? One crack, and they come crashing down.

You’ve worked so hard to keep your secret identity separate from your real life. Kept it carefully curated, wrapped up in pastel branding and anonymity. A little mystery was part of the charm. And yet, one lunch with him has already sent the internet spiraling.

If you do this? You might not be able to stop the rest from unraveling.

But did you even have a choice?

With the way Igarashi was looking at you, you knew where this was heading. 

“Um, can I ask a few questions?” Your voice coming out a lot softer than intended. 

Igarashi gestures with a hand. “By all means.”

You shift in your seat, suddenly feeling like you’re on the wrong side of the interrogation table. “How long would this… arrangement last?”

“A few months. Enough time to stabilize Bakugou’s image and let the public grow comfortable with the idea. Once we decide the relationship has ‘run its course,’ we’ll release a carefully crafted statement about an amicable split—no drama, no bad blood. It keeps the goodwill intact while also giving you both a clean break.”

You nod slowly, the weight of it settling on your chest. “And what exactly would this… entail?”

Igarashi steeples her fingers. “Public outings. A visible relationship. The occasional hand-holding, maybe a social media post here and there. Just enough to make it convincing.”

You don’t miss the way Bakugou shifts in his seat beside you, clearly biting his tongue.

You clear your throat. “Right. And, uh—what if it doesn’t work?”

Igarashi’s expression sharpens, eyes flickering between you and Bakugou. “It will.”

Bakugou lets out a snort. “Cocky much?”

She merely lifts a brow. “We’re playing with public perception, Bakugou, not rewriting history. The people want this to work. They’re already filling in the gaps on their own. All we have to do is let them believe it.”

You exhale slowly, rubbing your temples. “Okay, but what about me? I mean, my life isn’t exactly… media-friendly.”

Igarashi gives you a knowing look, and you realize—she’s already considered that.

“We’ll control the narrative,” she assures. “You’ll be introduced as a successful PR professional, someone outside the hero world, which plays in our favor. A grounding presence.”

Bakugou scoffs at that, and you fight the urge to kick him under the table.

“And, of course,” she continues, “we will make sure your privacy is protected to the best of our abilities.”

A slow, creeping anxiety curls in your stomach, because she doesn’t know. She doesn’t know that the real threat to your privacy isn’t just nosy reporters. It’s the risk of someone making the connection.

The risk of Doki-Doki Bunny coming to light.

Bakugou sighs, dragging a hand through his hair. “This is so fuckin’ stupid.”

She ignores him. “Then it’s settled. We’ll start laying the groundwork immediately.”

“Hold on, I haven’t agreed—”

“Then agree,” Igarashi cuts in smoothly, leveling Bakugou with a look so sharp it could slice steel. “Because right now, this plan is in motion, and it’s the most viable option we have.”

Bakugou leans back, arms crossed, jaw tight. He hates this. You hate this. But neither of you have a way out.

“Fine,” he mutters.

You exhale, still trying to process how the hell you ended up here.

“Good,” Igarashi says, closing her folder. “Then let’s begin.”

The weight of it settles. You’re officially fake-dating Bakugou Katsuki. 

                              ✦•········★········•✦ 

Cho shrieks on the other end of the phone. Literal animal noises. A mix between a turkey and a pterodactyl. “Bitch, this is like…..everything you’ve ever wanted. Except you know, it’s a complete fabrication and you two kind of despise each other with every fiber of your being.” 

“Choooo,” you whine collapsing on your bed, “I’m freaking out. I’m literally going to be on display for all of Japan to tear apart piece by piece.”

“Babe…”

“No, I’m gunna fuck it up, I just know it. Like what if I trip on camera? Or if they take a picture of me and I have food in my teeth? What if—”

“What if Blasty gets too into it and starts acting like a real boyfriend?”

“Cho, that’s not helping…”

“No, but imagine you’re out at an event and he puts your hair behind your ear.  Or he puts his hand on the small of your back. Possessive, like protective.”

“Why are you making this so much worse?”

“I’m just thinking that maybe you should be prepared for the possibility that you could, you know…catch feelings.  Especially since you’ve always had a little crush on him.”

“That was forever ago. And now that I’ve met him? Bubble popped.”

“If you say so.”

“I do, now if you excuse me I have to go cater food to my fake boyfriend and his friends—-unbeknownst to him—-in a bunny costume.”

“Good luck. Call me later!”

You hang up, tossing your phone onto the bed before turning to the mirror.

“I swear to god, if this night doesn’t go smoothly—”

You cut yourself off, because let’s be real—you’re not about to tempt fate like that. Instead, you take a slow, deep breath, adjusting the half-bunny mask on your face.

It’s sleek, pastel pink, covering just the upper half of your face, with two exaggerated, pointed bunny ears sticking up. Cute, playful, just the right amount of kinda ridiculous but in a way that works. You still have full visibility, full mobility—perfect for driving, setting up, and, you know, not dying on the way to the party.

The full bunny head? That’s coming with you. Stashed safely in your delivery bag, ready to be swapped in when it’s time to serve.

You take a step back, looking at the whole picture. The pink mask. The frilly apron tied snug around your waist. The pastel uniform, fitted in all the right places, complete with little heart accents along the trim.

It’s a lot. But it’s you.

And it’s Doki-Doki Bunny.

You grab your neatly packed food containers, running through your mental checklist one last time. Everything’s prepped. Orders are labeled. The plan? Simple:

Get in. Serve the food. Get out. Minimal interaction. No nonsense.

Easy. Right?

Right.

As you turn to leave—-

You stub your toe because why wouldn’t you?

“Off to a great start,” you grumble, shaking out your foot as you grab your keys and hoist the delivery bags over your shoulder.

                            ✦•········★········•✦ 

You step out of the car, adjusting the bunny mask and smoothing down the frilly apron tied around your waist. The weight of the food delivery bags rests comfortably on your shoulder, but there’s a distinct tightness in your chest. Not nerves. Not exactly. More like… anticipation.

The neighborhood is stupidly fancy. The kind where even the air smells expensive, and the houses are practically mansions. You check your phone for the address one last time before making your way up the steps, ringing the doorbell with a quick ding-dong!

Shinsou opens the door, looking like he just woke up from a nap he didn’t consent to. His gaze flicks over you once before he steps aside.

“Get in before Kaminari sees you—he’s gonna lose his shit.”

You blink. “Uh. Okay?”

Stepping inside, you adjust the strap of your apron, but catch the way Shinsou gives you a second look. His brow furrows, and then, very flatly—

“…Didn’t think the outfit would be this slutty.”

You freeze.

“…Huh?”

Shinsou blinks like he just heard himself. “Wait. No. Shit. I meant—” He gestures vaguely at the frilly, pastel dress hugging your shoulders, the poofy bubble hem that bounces when you walk, the dangerously high cut that would definitely expose way too much if you bent over too fast.

“Short!” he corrects hastily. “I meant short! Not—fuck—” He drags a hand down his face. “Forget it. Kaminari’s still gonna lose his shit.”

As if on cue—

“YO.”

A voice echoes from deeper inside the house. Then, Kaminari appears like he just got hit with divine revelation. His jaw drops. His eyes go wide. He clutches his chest like he’s just seen the face of God.

“HOLY SHIT.”

Shinsou exhales through his nose like he’s making peace with death. “Called it.”

Kaminari rushes up so fast you consider using the tray in your hands as a weapon. “Oh my god, no way—this is the Doki-Doki Bunny?” His hands are on his head, absolutely losing it. “Bro, you look even better in person.”

You blink. “Uh—”

“And the ears! The apron! The legs—”

Shinsou grabs Kaminari by the back of the shirt like a misbehaving puppy and physically yanks him away from you. “Alright. Enough.”

Kaminari, completely unbothered by the fact that he’s being manhandled, grins at you upside down. “You gotta tell me—do you actually cook in that or is it just for the brand? Because, like, wow.”

You smile sweetly. Too sweetly. “Oh, I cook in it.”

“You do?”

“Mhm.” You lean in a little, still smiling. “With very very sharp knives.” you add tilting your head just a little.

Shinsou barks out a laugh.

Kaminari slaps a hand over his chest. “Okay, wow. That’s—yeah, that’s kinda hot.”

Shinsou shoves him toward the living room. “Get the fuck away from the food before you start humping the air.”

Kaminari grins and winks at you before disappearing into the house.

Shinsou rubs his temples, then glances back at you. “…Sorry about that. He’s, uh. Like that.”

You adjust your tray, exhaling. “It’s fine. I meet worse.”

Shinsou smirks. “Bet you do. You can go ahead and set up over here,” He leads you to a set of swinging doors that open to a butler’s pantry, “ guests are already arriving. You can interact with as much or as little as you want. Since you are kind of a big deal I’m sure you’re going to get a few people asking for pictures or being annoying,, are you good with that or?”

You set down your bags and begin unpacking, working efficiently, arranging the dishes just right. Your hands move with practiced ease, adding final garnishes, making everything look as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Presentation is key, after all.

You’re still close enough to the entrance that you can hear people arriving.

Your fingers twitch every time the door opens.

You don’t look up.

“Yeah,” you say, focusing way too hard on placing a sprig of cilantro in the exact perfect position. “I’ll be fine.”

Another set of voices filters in from the entrance—louder, rowdier. The energy of the room shifts slightly, more people filtering into the space.

And yet, all you can focus on is the steady sound of the door opening and closing.

Your stomach tightens.

It’s fine. Everything is fine. He won’t know it’s you. You transitioned from the half bunny mask to the full one, you have your cutesy little character voice. It’ll be fiiiine. 

“Bakubro!”

Fuck. You’re literally gunna throw up.

                          ✦•········★········•✦ 

As soon as Bakugou enters, chaos erupts.

Kirishima is the first to get to him, gripping both his shoulders with a borderline manic grin. “WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?! You haven’t replied to any of our messages or calls! What gives?

“Just didn’t feel like dealin’ with dumbass messages,” Bakugou grunts, shoving him off. He barely takes another step before Denki practically materializes in front of him, vibrating with barely-contained excitement.

“Ohhh, but you should’ve! Dude, what the actual fuck!” Denki shoves his phone into Bakugou’s face, screen lit up with an all-too-familiar image. “LOOK!”

Bakugou scowls, pushing the phone away. “ Yeah, yeah, I fuckin’ saw it.”

Izuku, who’s been silent up until now, finally speaks up. “Kacchan,” he says, voice teetering between disbelief and barely-suppressed amusement, “when were you planning on telling us that you’re dating someone?”

A collective noise of agreement rumbles through the group.

Shinsou leans lazily against the counter, raising a brow. “Yeah. Got yourself a girlfriend and just decided to ghost us?”

The sheer amount of bullshit happening at the same time is literally making Bakugou’s head pound, “Yeah, it’s nothing like that, it was just a business lunch.”

“Riiiiight,” Sero chuckles, “that’s exactly how I look at someone I’m in business with. You think we’re stupid?”

“Yeah dude!,” Denki shrieks, putting his phone back in Bakugou’s face, “Look at your little smile on your little face—”

“Holy fuck, shut up.”.

Kirishima crosses his arms. “Come on, man, the people need answers! Is it serious? How long have you been seeing her? And why the hell didn’t you tell us?”

“It ain’t fuckin’ real,” Bakugou growls. “It’s just a PR stunt. Nothin’ more.”

A heavy silence follows his words.

Then—

Shinsou, who had been watching him carefully, snorts. “Yeah. I’m not buying it.”

Izuku hums. “I mean… you don’t smile like that for just anyone, Kacchan.”

Denki throws his hands up. “EXACTLY. That’s the kind of smile you give someone who—”

Bakugou looks like he’s about to explode. His scowl deepens, eyes narrowing into a glare sharp enough to cut steel. “Jesus fucking christ! Can we just drop it already? I’d never date someone like her.”

                             ✦•········★········•✦ 

Tucked away in the little butler’s pantry, your grip tightens around the serving tray. 

EXCUSE ME? ‘Someone like her’?

You use your elbow to push the swinging door open so you can stare daggers into the little punk’s face.

You watch Kirishima frown. “Dude, what’s that supposed to mean?”

Bakugou scoffs, rolling his shoulders. “I dunno, she’s just—” He waves a hand vaguely, like he’s swatting at a fly. “Plain. Dresses like she got lost on the way to kindergarten. And her taste in food?” He lets out a sharp, incredulous laugh,. ”Atrocious. The first time I met her she was arguing with me in the middle of the grocery store. Like the fuck? No way. Bad vibes. All the way around.”

Oh. Oh, you know he did not just—

You blink, brain scrambling for purchase. The actual nerve of this man.

Plain? Lost on the way to kindergarten?!

YOU HAVE A WHOLE BRAND, SIR. A WHOLE CURATED, MARKETABLE AESTHETIC. 

And—oh, ohhh, he wants to talk about food? Mister “I Eat Six Pounds of Protein a Day and My Taste Buds Have PTSD” has opinions on your palate?!

Denki whistles. “Damn. That’s cold.”

Izuku shakes his head. “‘Normal’ isn’t a bad thing, Kacchan.”

“Yeah, it ain’t. But did you hear all the other shit I listed? She’s a literal mess and she’s supposed to ‘fix my image?’ so fuckin’ dumb”.

A MESS? WOOOW. OK BAKUGOU. OK. 

You inhale through your nose, gripping the platter so hard your knuckles ache.

Fine. Fine. You were a professional. You didn’t care. You didn’t care.

You pull in a breath, smile sharpening beneath your mask.

“Oh, shit, Bunny,” Kamanari calls you over. 

Great. Guess you weren’t being as inconspicuous as you thought. 

“Let’s get your opinion!”

Shinsou groans. “Leave her alone”

“No come on,” Denki insists, grinning. “You got any thoughts on Bakugou’s new girl?”

Your stomach flips.

Shinsou, mercifully, jumps in. “She’s working, dumbass. Just let her do her job..”

Denki pouts but drops it, and you force a little giggle, waving him off in that same cutesy, bubbly voice you’ve perfected. “I’m just here to serve up something sweet and delicious~ not dish out any gossip.”

Denki groans dramatically. “Even your rejection is cute.”

You flick your gaze to Bakugou. He’s still not paying you any attention. .

And suddenly, suddenly, you have the strongest urge to just hit him over the head with your tray so hard he sees stars.

But instead you place the next platter down with entirely too much grace, lace-gloved hands smoothing down your apron as you tilt your head.

“Now,” you chirp sweetly, “who’s ready to eat?”

                             ✦•········★········•✦ 

The second the platter hits the table, Bakugou’s eyes flick down—first, to the food.

And okay, yeah. He’ll admit it. It looks good.

Annoyingly good.

At the center, yaki udon glistens under the warm light, thick noodles tangled with perfectly seared shrimp, caramelized onions, and slivers of red and green bell peppers. The glossy sauce pools just enough at the bottom of the dish, clinging to the noodles in a way that suggests whoever made it actually knew what the hell they were doing.

To the side, an arrangement of sushi sits neatly in a fan-like display—smooth cuts of salmon, tuna, and yellowtail nigiri pressed against compact little rice beds, next to a row of spicy tuna rolls drizzled with aioli. Tiny onigiri, lightly dusted with furikake, fill in the gaps.

Then there’s the gyoza, golden brown and crisp, stacked in a neat little spiral, each pleated edge almost too uniform—too perfect—to be handmade, except they obviously were. A small dish of dipping sauce sits in the center, dark and glossy.

And finally, yakitori skewers rest in a precise row, each one lacquered in a rich tare glaze, the chicken charred in a way that hits that exact right balance between smoky and sweet.

It pisses him off.

Not because it looks bad—but because it looks too fucking good.

Like, sure, he expected decent food—Shinsou wouldn’t hire some half-assed caterer—but this? This is another level of skill entirely. The kind of plating that takes years of practice. The kind of food that doesn’t just happen.

And then—finally—his gaze trails up.

Doki-Doki Bunny is standing just to the side, hands delicately smoothing down the frilly apron cinched at her waist. The oversized bunny head really making the whole thing even more ridiculous.

Pink ears twitching. Lace gloves delicately posed. The dress? Too fitted, too cutesy, too much—frilly at the hem, short enough to make it look more like a slutty halloween costume than uniform. Thigh high stockings with matching opened toed high heels..

It’s a whole thing.

His brow twitches again.

“Now,” she chirps, voice bright and airy, “who’s ready to eat?”

It's way too much.

His arms cross. "Tch. Where'd you learn to cook like this?"

Doki-Doki Bunny’s movements don’t falter, but there’s a slight pause before she tilts her head, playing up the exaggerated, playful act.

"Oh, you know~" she sings, pressing two lace-gloved fingers into the shape of a heart. "A little magic and a lot of love!"

Bakugou scoffs. "The fuck kinda answer is that?"

She gasps dramatically, one hand flying to her chest. "Oh no! Is Lord Dynamight doubting my skills?"

Bakugou squints.

The way she says it—Lord Dynamight—it’s too theatrical, too sugary sweet, but there’s something under it. A tiny little bite.

He leans back, eyeing her with a skeptical look. “Damn right I’m doubting it.” He jerks his chin toward the food. “This ain’t some half-assed catering spread. You don’t just throw this shit together. So, what’s your deal?”

Doki-Doki Bunny clasps her hands behind her back, rocking on the balls of her feet. "My deal? Oh, I just bring happiness to the world, unlike some people who act like frowning is their full-time job."

His eyes narrow. “The hell’s that supposed to mean?”

She sighs, exaggerated, dramatic, tilting her head again. “Oh, just that I bet if someone checked, they’d find exactly zero serotonin left in that grumpy little brain of yours.”

Bakugou’s eyebrow twitches.

Did he just get insulted by a— furry?

The guys are watching now, barely holding back laughter. Kirishima is biting his lip to keep from grinning, while Sero is straight-up shaking.

"You talk pretty big for some costumed little bit—" Bakugou starts, but she cuts him off with another too sweet giggle.

"Ah-ah-ah!" She wags a lace-gloved finger at him. "Easy, Lord Dynamight~! You’re already 90% anger—any more and you might actually combust.”

Denki wheezes.

Bakugou’s jaw locks.

This fucking bunny.

“The fuck is your problem? You just enjoy getting a rise outta me or what?”

Doki-Doki Bunny places a delicate hand to her chest. "Me? Oh no, of course not~!" Then she leans in just a fraction closer, voice dipping lower—sweet as sugar, sharp as glass. "I just think someone should humble you a little." 

Bakugou blinks.

What.

The.

Fuck.

“Oki Doki-Doki everyone, time to serve the other guests. Enjoy your meal!”

He stares at her as she all but bounces down the hall—this ridiculous, pink-clad, cutesy menace—and his brain stutters.

Because who the hell is this girl? 

                            ✦•········★········•✦

The party was fucking stupid. 

Not that he didn’t like being around his friends—whatever, fine, they were tolerable—but between Denki’s drunk ass yelling, Sero taking too many pictures, and the general shitstorm of the past few days, Bakugou was already at his limit.

And yet—

His eyes kept drifting.

Kept snapping back to her.

The fucking bunny.

It wasn’t on purpose. He wasn’t doing it because he wanted to. It was just—she kept drawing attention to herself. She flitted around the room like she owned the damn place, setting down trays of food, chatting up the guests in that dumb, cutesy voice of hers, hips swaying just enough to make it obvious that she knew eyes were on her.

Bakugou scowled.

It was stupid. It was all a gimmick. And yet—his gaze kept following.

He watched as she leaned over to set another platter on the table, the frilly apron cinched tight around her waist, the ridiculously short skirt hiking up just a little more the further she reached.

It was all a stupid little show.

He shifted his weight, arms crossed, leaning against the back wall where no one would bother him.

The bunny must have caught him staring, because she turned just slightly—just enough for his crimson eyes to meet those damn sewed-on doll eyes.

She tilted her head.

Bakugou’s shoulders tensed.

Then, with an infuriating slowness, she lifted a lace-gloved hand and blew him a kiss.

He hated her.

                    ✦•········★········•✦

It kept happening.

Every time he thought he was done paying attention, something would pull his gaze back to her.

The way she handled herself in that dumb getup—effortlessly, fluidly, not an ounce of self-consciousness. The way she moved, graceful even in those heels, like she’d been wearing them her whole life.

And, of course, the fucking attitude.

It wasn’t just an act. Not just the bubbly, saccharine Doki-Doki Bunny persona. No, there was something beneath it—something sharp, something that bit back.

She set down another platter, dusting off her gloves before turning her head ever so slightly—just enough to catch his crimson eyes still locked on her. “Well, well,” she purred, placing a delicate strawberry tart onto the table, “if looks could kill, I’d be a goner by now.”

Bakugou narrowed his eyes. “You really like hearin’ yourself talk huh?”

She gasped, placing a lace-gloved hand over her chest. “Oh no, am I distracting you? My deepest apologies, Your Majesty. I should have known better than to steal the spotlight.”

Bakugou clicked his tongue. “You are distracting. Just not in the way you think.”

“Oh? So you were watching me?”

His jaw ticked. “The fuck else am I supposed to do at this shitty party?”

She hummed, tapping her chin in exaggerated thought. “Oh, I don’t know—talk to your friends? Be a functioning member of society?”

She giggled, tilting her head. “No? Not your thing?”

Yeah. She was really pushing it now.

And yet, Bakugou wasn’t looking away.

His feet moved before his brain could tell him not to. Pushing off the wall, he closed the space between them, stopping just close enough that one of those stupid, floppy bunny ears brushed against his cheek.

Her breath hitched—just barely—but he caught it.

“Bet you wouldn’t be so damn brave without this dumb mask on,” he muttered, voice low, gravelly. Then, just because he could, he flicked the edge of her mask with two fingers.

Her shoulders stiffened for half a second before she tilted her head, “And I bet you wouldn’t be so interested if you weren’t dying to see what’s underneath.”

Bakugou scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Like hell I am.”

She hummed, slow and knowing. “Mmmhm. Sure.” Something about the way she said it—like she already knew the answer—made his eye twitch.

“Whatever helps you sleep at  night.” She patted his chest lightly, before turning away, tossing a playful little wave over her shoulder as she sauntered off.

And It didn’t stop.

The little back-and-forths. The snarky little jabs.

Bakugou knew she was poking at him on purpose—every comment meant to get under his skin was deliberate.

And maybe—just maybe—he was playing into it.

Not that he’d ever admit it.

“Dude.” Denki drapes his arm around his shoulder.

Bakugou barely looked up. “What?”

“You seein’ it?”

He scowled. “Seein’ what?”

Denki waggled his eyebrows, tipping his drink toward where Bunny was currently laughing at something Kirishima said. “You’ve been staring at her all night, bro.”

“Fuck off.”

Denki grinned. “Nah, nah, nah—do you finally get it? Do you finally see and understand the Bunny fantasy?”

Bakugou nearly choked on his drink.

“The fuck—?!”

“I mean,” Denki drawled, nudging his shoulder, “you can’t lie—there’s something kinda hot about her, right? The whole thing—the ears, the mask, the whole cutesy looks but I don’t know sometimes like dommy mommy energy—”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Oh my god,” Denki gasped, smacking Bakugou’s arm. “You do think she’s hot.”

Bakugou shoved him.

Denki cackled. “I KNEW IT.”

✦•········★········•✦

You make your rounds one last time, gracefully refilling a few empty glasses and brushing off more than a few lingering partygoers trying to get your number. Also dodged Kaminari’s one last selfie request (he already took at least 30) and  expertly side-stepped Sero’s playful attempt to peek under your half-mask, all while maintaining your perfect, practiced poise.

The night had been long, but profitable. Very profitable. And now, it was time to collect. Thank God.

You slid into the butler’s pantry where Shinsou was waiting, lazily nursing a half-empty drink. He looked you over. Violet eyes raking scanning your frame.

"Didn’t think you’d last the whole night with that full mask on to be honest" he remarked, sipping his drink.

You smirked, “Oh, I’m a professional, Hitoshi. We suffer for the craft.”

Shinsou chuckled and reached into his jacket, pulling out a thick envelope. “Well, your suffering paid off.” He handed it to you, but before you could tuck it away, he slid another crisp stack of bills on top.

You brows lifted behind the mask. “Oh? A tip?”

“Consider it hazard pay,” he deadpanned, flicking his gaze toward the other room where Kaminari was still looking around like he’d lost something precious. “For dealing with them all night. But especially him”

You let out a melodic giggle, carefully counting the bills before slipping them into her bag. “He’s um….spirited.”

“Aw come on Bunny, that’s too kind. You’re off the clock, tell me how you really feel” he muttered, the corners of his mouth quirked up just slightly.

“Always a pleasure, Nightshade~.” You wink then step through the door.

“Isn’t it?” He calls after you.

✦•········★········•✦

Meanwhile Bakugou was watching from where he stood near the far end of the room. He caught the tail end of the exchange. He had no idea what was said, but he saw the way Shinsou’s lips twitched in amusement, the way Bunny accepted the envelope with a delicate flick of her fingers before striding toward the door.

She moved like she owned the place. Like she was untouchable.

He’d never admit it to anybody especially fuckin’ dunceface but he was intrigued. 

So when she finally made her way toward the exit, he found himself pushing off the wall, following after her before he even realized what he was doing.

He wasn’t being a creep.

He had to leave anyway, you know? Big day tomorrow or whatever.

His hands stuffed in his pockets, he kept his pace even, casual, totally normal as he trailed a few steps behind her.

It wasn’t weird.

Wasn’t like he was paying attention to the way her hair swayed when she walked, or how the delicate slope of her collarbone peeked out beneath the edge of her half-mask. Definitely wasn’t staring at the way her fingers toyed absentmindedly with one of the strings tied around her waist—unraveling, retying, then smoothing down the apron over the curve of her hip.

Nope.

Just… walking.

She reached the front door, slipping out into the night without so much as a backward glance, and still—still—his feet carried him forward.

That was when it hit him.

What the hell was he even doing?

He had half a mind to just pivot, head back inside and pretend like this whole thing never happened. But then—then—he caught the way she moved.

The way she stepped down the front stairs, swaying just slightly, her mask tilting to one side. Pausing.

Like she knew.

Like she could feel him there, lingering in the doorway like some kinda weirdo.

Bakugou slowed, instincts on edge as he watched her.

Then, without warning, she bolted.

What the fuck?

His eyes narrowed as he shoved the door open, stepping outside just in time to watch her round the corner of the street, heels clicking fast and sharp against the pavement.

She was running.

From him.

The realization sent something hot sparking down his spine.

Was she serious? Did she really think she could outrun—him? Him?? 

Oh, hell no.

His body moved before his brain could catch up, boots hitting the pavement, his steps quick, effortless, zero hesitation as he gave chase.

She had a head start, but that didn’t mean shit.

Bakugou wasn’t about to let some costumed little pain in the ass think she could just lose him that easily.

But then—

She did.

One second she was just ahead, turning down a side street—next thing he knew, she was gone.

Vanished.

Like smoke.

He skidded to a stop, crimson eyes scanning the empty street, jaw clenching as he whipped his head left, then right.

Nothing.

No clicking heels, no fluttering apron.

His fingers curled into fists.

Fucking hell.

Bakugou stood there, exhaling sharply through his nose, chest rising and falling as the realization hit him.

She lost him.

On purpose.

And now?

Now, he wanted to find her more than ever.

      ✦•········★········•✦

What the fuck??? What the fuck??? What the actual fuck?!??!! 

Did he know it was you? Why else would he be following you?  

Your heart was still hammering against your ribs as you flattened yourself against the brick wall of some random alley, ears straining for any sign of him. 

You peeked around the corner, eyes darting toward the street you’d left him on. He was still there, standing stiff with his hands shoved in his pockets, scanning the area with narrowed eyes.

A slow exhale left your lips.

Okay. Okay. He didn’t see you.

Your stomach twisted. He couldn’t know it was you. Right? There was no way. You were completely unrecognizable in this stupid bunny costume. Your voice was different, your posture, the fucking heels—you weren’t even wearing Crocs, for fuck’s sake!

There was no reason for him to be following you.

Unless—unless he was just being a weirdo.

Oh my god.

Was he actually intrigued by you?

That thought was somehow worse.

You pressed your back against the wall, trying to breathe, trying to calm the electric panic still rattling through your limbs. This was fine. It was fine. You just needed to stay put until he gave up, went home, forgot this ever happened.

Except.

Exceeeept.

Your car was parked two blocks over. And there was only one real way out of here.

And he was standing right in the middle of it.

Shit

You sucked in a slow breath.

Think.

You needed a distraction. Something—anything—to throw him off, to get the hell out of here without him trailing after you again.

Your eyes flicked toward a stack of crates and garbage bags by the alley’s entrance.

It was a long shot.

But, well.

Desperate times.

You adjusted your mask, braced yourself, and with one well-aimed kick—

CRASH.

Bakugou’s head snapped toward the sound, eyes immediately locking onto the shifting shadows deeper in the alley.

Good. That’s right. Look over there, not here.

The moment he took a step toward the noise, you bolted in the opposite direction.

Silent. Fast. Go-go-go-go-go—

Your heels clicked against the pavement—too loud—you nearly tripped—shit—but it didn’t matter because you were moving, ducking through side streets, weaving between buildings like your life depended on it.

You finally made it to your car and you let out a sigh of relief. You threw your empty catering bags into your trunk, the adrenaline still making your hands tremble. Your heels were the first to go, kicked off with a groan as you flexed your sore toes against the cool pavement.

“Ugh, finally.” You exhaled, yanking off the half-bunny mask, your skin damp with sweat from literally sprinting for your entire life.

Your pulse was still racing, but it was fine. You had gotten away. In fact, you were feelin’ pretty good about it. You, a literal nobody, had managed to escape the great and powerful Dynamight. How many people could say that? 

You wiped a hand down your face, ready to finally get the hell out of here, reaching for the car door—

“The fuck are you doing here?”

You froze.

Oh shit. Shit shit. 

Your stomach dropped straight to the pavement.

You turned your head just slightly, heart in your throat.

And there he was.

Bakugou Katsuki.

Standing at the edge of the parking lot crimson eyes locked onto yours. 

Your eyes immediately dart down the Doki-Doki Bunny costume. Thank god your lower body was hidden behind your car. 

Your fingers curled slowly around the edge of the car door, shoulders stiff as you willed yourself to sound normal.

“Oh, uh—me? Nothing! Nothing at all! Just, uh… just getting some air!”

Bakugou squinted. “In a fuckin’ parking lot?”

“Yep! Nothing like… the fresh air of, um, pavement.”

Bakugou’s gaze narrowed.

Your fingers twitched.

Abort. Abort. You needed to get the fuck out of here.

Slowly, so slowly, you lowered yourself behind the car, hoping—praying—that if you just disappeared from sight, he would give up and go away.

There was silence.

Then, footsteps.

Oh no.

Your stomach dropped as the sound of his boots got closer.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

You panicked.

“NOTHING!” you shouted way too loudly, immediately cringing at yourself. “Absolutely nothing is wrong with me. I am totally fine!”

“…You sound not fine.”

“Nope, definitely fine! No problems here! Everything is going great!”

There was a pause. You could feel his judgment from the other side of the car.

“…Are you—are you hiding from me?”

The second he moved toward your side of the car, you ripped the apron off, yanking at the ties so hard you nearly strangled yourself in the process. Then the skirt—pulled down in one frantic motion to pool at your feet. The top followed next, yanked over your head so fast you nearly dislocated a shoulder.

And just like that—

All that remained was your nude bandeau, matching hot shorts, and the stupid pink thigh highs.

Bakugou’s brows furrowed as he glanced at the pile of discarded clothing in your car. Then back at you.

Then—his gaze dropped.

And lingered.

It dragged down the bare slope of your shoulders, the delicate curve of your collarbone, the dip of your waist—like he was still processing what the fuck he was looking at.

Your breath hitched.

Oh my god.

You felt exposed.

Fully clothed—but somehow exposed.

Bakugou blinked. And then like a switch flipped—

“The fuck are you wearin?”

You snatched up your discarded skirt, clutching it to your chest like that would somehow fix the situation. “It’s—It’s—it’s fashion,” you blurted out.

“…Fashion,” Bakugou echoed, like the word itself offended him.

“Yes,” you squeaked, gripping the fabric tighter.

His eyes dragged down your figure again—slower this time, like he was still trying to make sense of it.

You felt your face heat.

And then, in classic Bakugouness

“Didn’t know fashion was just runnin’ around half-naked, barefoot, in a fuckin’ parking lot.”

You gasped. “I AM NOT—”

His brow lifted.

You scowled.

“Oh, because you’re such an expert on fashion,” you shot back, shoving the skirt into the car and slamming the door. 

“Uh, yeah I am, actually. My Mom’s a fashion designer, dipshit.”

You opened your mouth.

Paused.

Fuck.

Why the hell did he have to be right about this of all things?

“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?”

“I’ve decided to become a buddhist. So…you know. Namaste. Barefoot to become more in touch with nature.  And all that.” You force a smile. 

“Last time I checked Buddist don’t dress like,”  he uses his hands to gesture towards your body, “this.” 

You cross your arms around your chest before then deciding to wrap them  around your torso in an awkward attempt to conceal yourself from him. 

“Why the fucking stockings though?”

“Uhh..well—” Words. You fumble them. “So..well…one wears stockings Bakugou when—”

“Wait, are you a stripper or some shit?”

You nearly choked on your own spit.

"What—NO—"

Bakugou took a step forward, gaze narrowing. "‘Cause this definitely looks like some stripper shit."

Your whole body seized up. "IT’S NOT—"

Another step. "You sure? ‘Cause you got the thigh highs, the tiny little shorts, no shoes—"

"BAKUGOU."

He squinted at you, tilting his head. "Is this some kinda lingerie shoot?"

"OH MY GOD, NO."

Your voice cracked at the sheer volume of your own panic.

"Ok, sweetheart, if you say so." His voice was too smug, his hand dragging lazily across his jaw, thumb brushing his chin as his eyes slowly trailed back down your body—

Until they landed on your thighs.

Specifically, the baby pink thigh highs.

And his nose actually scrunched up in disgust.

Before you could even process it—

He was kneeling.

In front of you.

Your eyes went wide, your entire body rigid as you impulsively stepped back—

Only to hit your car.

Your heart slammed against your ribs as his hand shot out, gripping your ankle like this was normal—like this was just some casual fucking Tuesday for him—before his thumb hooked under the fabric of your stocking and yanked it down in one swift motion.

Your stomach flipped.

“What–what are you doing?”

Bakugou’s gaze flicked up, meeting yours as he tilted his head, something dangerous flickering behind those crimson eyes.

And then he smirked.

"This shit looks dumb as hell."

He went to hook his finger into your second stocking when—

FLASH.

Your head whipped toward the sound.

Bakugou, however—froze.

His entire body went rigid, his hands still braced on your ankles, as his gaze snapped to the source.

And then—

FLASH.

“Oh, you’ve GOT to be fucking kidding me.”

Bakugou whirled around, eyes zeroing in on the dark figure crouched behind a parked car across the lot—camera pointed only at you this time.

Your stomach hit the floor.

Bakugou darts in front of you so fast it’s like a blur. His body blocking your much smaller frame.

“You got about two seconds to get the fuck outta my sight…” His voice was low and meancing.

Before you could even blink, Bakugou was on his feet, practically lunging after the guy but you quickly grab his arm and wrap yourself around it to hold him back.

He turns to you, his crimson eyes burning a fiery red. 

“Bakugou–,” you talk to him nice but not condescending, “This is exactly the type of PR we’re trying to avoid. Just…don’t ok?” 

He looks back towards where the paparazzi was, but they’re long gone by now, then back to you. You let go of his arm. But he’s still wound up. 

You can see it in how tense his shoulders are and how his nostrils flare. But most of all you could smell it. 

His scent changed. 

It’s no longer warm comforting embers and aged vanilla—it’s raw fire, something searing, something untamed. Like a forge burning too hot, like charred cedar and singed air, the kind of scent that lingers after an explosion.

And beneath it, something sharper, something that makes your throat tighten—ozone. A storm brewing, heat crackling in the air, like lightning about to snap down from the sky. It makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

Then, at the very base of it—something deep, something dark, like scorched leather.

It’s almost overwhelming.

Bakugou cursed, kicking a stray rock so hard it ricocheted off a lamppost with a loud CLANG.

You stare at him.

Heart pounding.

Mind blank.

Because they definitely got a few pictures.

That meant—

THE INTERNET WAS ABOUT TO BE AN ABSOLUTE CESSPOOL.

Clearly Bakugou was thinking the same thing because he immediately brings out his phone. When he unlocks his screen you see floods of texts coming through–he quickly scrolls through them until he finds one where someone sent a link and he clicks it. 

You hold your breath.

And there front and center is you in basically nothing and Bakugou on his knees with his thumb starting to tug down your stocking. And in big bold letters:

DYNAMIGHT'S SECRET ROMANCE? WHO IS THE WOMAN THAT BROUGHT THE HERO TO HIS KNEES?"

You glance at him, but his face is unreadable. He scrolls and the comments are…unhinged.

— "BAKUGOU KATSUKI IS ON HIS KNEES FOR A WOMAN. REPEAT. BAKUGOU. KNEES. WOMAN. THIS IS NOT A DRILL."

— "WHY IS THIS PHOTO MAKING ME FEEL THINGS??????"

— "I HAVEN’T EVEN FULLY PROCESSED THE FIRST PHOTO AND NOW THIS????"

— "WHO THE FUCK IS SHE AND HOW DO I BECOME HER???"

— "HE’S TAKING OFF HER CLOTHES. IN PUBLIC. IN A PARKING LOT. HELLO????"

— "NOBODY FUCKING MOVE. I NEED TO STUDY THIS IMAGE LIKE A HISTORICAL DOCUMENT."

— "Oh, he’s in love. That’s his girl now. Sorry, I don’t make the rules."

— "NOOOO HE’S REMOVING HER CLOTHING LIKE IT’S THE MOST CASUAL THING EVER I CAN’T DO THIS TODAY."

— "He’s looking at her like she’s the first meal he’s seen in DAYS."

— "LADIES, THIS IS WHY WE WEAR THIGH HIGHS."

— "This is the energy I need in my life. WHERE IS MY VIOLENTLY ANGRY HUSBAND??"

— "Okay but look at his hands. LOOK AT HOW BIG HIS HANDS ARE."

— "That grip. That STARE. Oh, he’s a menace."

— "WHY DOES THIS LOOK LIKE FOREPLAY I’M GONNA THROW UP."

— "I HAVE NEVER WANTED TO BE A PAIR OF THIGH HIGHS SO BADLY IN MY FUCKING LIFE."

— "Bakugou removing her stockings like he’s unwrapping a present… I need to leave the internet."

— "HIS JAWLINE. HIS FUCKING JAWLINE. THAT’S IT. I’M DONE."

— "If this isn’t the start of a romance novel, I don’t want it."

— "If I was his girl, I would simply pass away from the stress of being perceived by him."

— "This is the horniest picture I have ever seen without it being explicit."

— "This man could say ‘get in the car’ and I’d be in the trunk before he finished his sentence."

— "Yo who is this chick bc her body is insane wtf."

— "She is FINE FINE. Thigh highs are actually God’s greatest invention."

— "That waist, that body shape??? Yeah, I understand why he’s on his knees."

— "Her thighs?? Her everything???????"

— "BAKUGOU, HAND HER OVER."

— "I NEED HER @ RIGHT NOW. FOR SCIENTIFIC REASONS."

— "I respect Bakugou but if she looks at me for longer than two seconds, he’s gonna have to fight me for her."

— "Yeah yeah Bakugou blah blah WHO IS THE WOMAN???"

— "Fellas, we have lost. We are not him."

— "NO BECAUSE WHY DOES SHE GET TO LIVE MY DREAM."

— "I WANNA BE HER SO BADLY, I’M ACTUALLY ABOUT TO SOB."

— "THE LUCKIEST BITCH ON EARTH. WHAT A LIFE."

— "Y’all, we have to band together and take her out. I don’t make the rules."

— "I would literally commit crimes to be in her place rn."

— "She better drop a skincare routine bc she’s GLOWING WTF."

— "THIS COULD HAVE BEEN ME. IF GOD LOVED ME, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN ME."

— "Some people really win in life. I am not one of them."

— "Oh, she’s stunning. If he doesn’t wife her up immediately, I will."

— "She is the blueprint. The muse. The main character."

— "HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GO TO WORK AFTER SEEING THIS."

— "My dog saw this picture and he fucking barked."

— "I am outside, touching grass. It is not helping."

— "WHY DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A STILL FROM A DRAMA WHERE THEY HATE EACH OTHER BUT SECRETLY WANNA FUCK."

— "No bc this is actually hotter than 99% of romance movies."

— "SOMEONE NEEDS TO WRITE A FANFIC OF THIS ASAP."

— "I’M CHEWING ON MY SEATBELT I CAN’T DO THIS TODAY."

— "MY MOM JUST SAW THIS AND SAID ‘GOOD FOR HER’ LIKE MA’AM I AM SUFFERING."

— "HIS MOM IS GONNA KILL HIM LMAOOOO."

You were still reeling when Bakugou turned back to you, face thunderous, his jaw clenched so tight you could practically hear his teeth grinding.

"Well…that was," His voice was low, a barely-contained growl, “is this the kind of shit you guys had in mind for this ultimate PR plan or?” He lets out a sort of annoyed laugh as he runs a rough hand through his hair. 

You swallowed. "Uh. Well. I’m not sure. That… was unfortunate timing I think?"

“Understatement of the fuckin’ year.” 

You’re still standing there, barefoot, in basically nothing, and for a second something crosses his face that resembles…concern?

And before you could argue—he yanks his jacket off his shoulders and drapes it over you.

You blinked.

"...Oh."

Bakugou squinted. "Oh, what?"

You cleared your throat, shifting awkwardly. "Nothing, I just—uh..you didn’t have— Thanks."

He scoffed, crossing his arms. "Yeah, whatever. You gonna stand there all night, or you gonna give me a ride?"

Your brain short-circuited. "What?"

"You heard me." He gestured at the car. "Unless you want me walkin’ around like a fuckin’ stray dog in the middle of the night”

You stared at him.

Then—sighed.

“Fine, but you don’t get to complain about my music choices.”

✦•········★········•✦

You unlocked the doors and Bakugou reached for the handle just when you remembered— the evidence! 

The passenger seat that was currently occupied by a pile of discarded Doki-Doki Bunny bullshit—the half mask, frilly apron, and the tiny skirt. Thank god you had stored the full bunny mask in the trunk with your catering bags.

With lightning-fast reflexes, you snatched up the entire pile in one frantic scoop and yeeted it into the backseat so fast that your fingers actually stung from the impact.

Bakugou froze mid-step.

Then blinked.

Then squinted.

“…Dude.” His voice was flat. “You move like a fuckin’ squirrel.”

You twisted in your seat, throwing him an overly wide, totally not suspicious smile. “I—what? No. I—I’m—uh—” You fumbled for an excuse, hand still gripping the steering wheel like it was your last tether to sanity. “I’m just a very efficient person. I like to keep my space organized.”

He stared.

You stared.

“…You just threw your shit into the backseat like you were launching a grenade.”

“Organized chaos.”

He exhaled sharply through his nose, rubbing his temple before muttering, “Yeah. More like fuckin’ rabid.”

You chose to ignore that.

“Anyway!” you chirped, flipping on the ignition, the car rumbling to life. “Where to, Your Highness?”

He tilted his head and eyed you a little suspiciously for a second  “My place. Obviously.”

Your fingers white-knuckled the wheel.

Right.

His place.

You were about to drive Bakugou to his place at 2 AM, barefoot, wearing his oversized jacket over the shreds of what was once your dignity, and he has no clue that you were just tormenting him all night dressed up as a bunny but all the evidence of this is only like 12 inches behind him. Yeah.

This was fine.

Totally.

Completely.

You threw the car in reverse and pulled out onto the street, pointedly avoiding Bakugou’s gaze, pointedly ignoring the way his scent still clung to the jacket draped over your shoulders.

Just drive.

Just get this over with.

You could do this.

Right?

The glow from Bakugou’s phone screen reflected off his face, illuminating his expression of pure baffled amusement.

"Jesus fucking Christ," he muttered, thumbing through the onslaught of unhinged tweets.

You did not want to know.

You really didn’t.

But then—

He snorted.

And that never meant anything good.

“…What,” you said flatly.

Bakugou cleared his throat and started reading—

Out loud.

— “That girl better ride him into the sunset for the rest of us or I’m gonna be pissed.”

You choked on air. “EXCUSE ME???”

Bakugou didn’t look at you, just grinned.

— “No thoughts, just Bakugou gripping her thighs like he’s about to make a meal out of her.”

He blinked, looking at the photo again. “Okay, but like… I was kneeling—”

“DON’T AGREE WITH THEM.”

— “Bakugou Katsuki could ask me to ruin my life and I’d say ‘yes sir, how soon?’”

Bakugou laughed, full on laughed. “Oh, these people are horny as fuck huh?”

You nearly drove into a fucking pole.

"PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY."

— “His face is in the perfect position for her to throw a leg over his shoulder and change both of their lives forever.”

Bakugou stared at the screen. “…Like in a good way or?”

Your face was on fire.

— “I’d let him blow my back out so bad I’d have to relearn the alphabet.”

"BAKUGOU."

He wiped a hand over his face, grinning. "The fuck is wrong with people?"

"What’s wrong with you for still reading???!"

— “Bakugou is one thigh grab away from ruining her life. She better be careful.”

— “That’s not just a hand on her thigh. That’s a claim.”

— “I fear the next photo we get will be this man devouring her.”

— “The way his jaw is clenched? The tension in his arms?? That’s a man trying to behave. BARELY.”

— “Sir, just take her home and break the bed. We support you.”

Bakugou whistled lowly, shaking his head.

"PULL OVER. I’M GETTING OUT."

"You’re the one driving, dumbass."

You gripped the wheel like it owed you money.

You felt like you were having any aneurysm. How was he reading these so calmly not having a physical reaction to it???

He was actually just literally thriving.

"Oh, nah," he said, reading the next. "This one’s a classic."

— “If this man told me to bark, I wouldn’t even hesitate.”

Your entire body seized.

“Would you?”

“Wo–would I–what?” 

He just smirks “Nevermind, Princess.”

And keeps scrolling.

"Goddamn," he muttered, “People are actually insane."

You pulled into the underground parking garage, the engine humming as the car settled into a space near the elevator. The soft overhead lighting cast long shadows over the interior, and for some reason—some stupid, annoying reason—the silence between you both felt charged.

Like something was there, humming beneath the surface.

You refused to look at him.

Which was a problem because the air in the car suddenly felt thicker.

Denser.

Different.

And then—

Then you realized.

His scent.

It wasn’t the sharp, fiery spice of frustration anymore. Wasn’t the burning heat of irritation or raw embers.

It had softened—deepened.

Now it was something rich, heady, dark.

Warm musk threaded with something smoother, something subtly sweet—like golden amber warmed by body heat, spiced vanilla curling at the edges. But beneath that, something deeper—earthy, slightly rugged, like aged leather and a touch of bourbon. The kind of scent that lingered on skin and in fabric, stuck to sheets and pillows.

Oh.

Oh, fuck.

Your fingers tightened on the steering wheel.

And Bakugou?

He shifted in the passenger seat, one elbow braced on the door, fingers resting against his mouth as he exhaled slowly.

Like he was thinking about something.

Like he was holding something back.

Your pulse picked up.

Your thighs pressed together.

NO.

Absolutely fucking not.

You were not about to sit here and psychoanalyze the sexually charged fucking cologne this man was naturally producing from his body.

You weren’t.

"You wanna com—"

Bakugou stopped himself mid-sentence.

You snapped your head toward him so fast your neck cracked. "What?"

His jaw flexed.

Then—he shook his head. "Nevermind."

Your brows furrowed. "No, what were you gonna say?"

He scoffed, looking away. "Nothin’."

"…No, see, now you have to tell me."

Bakugou clicked his tongue. "I was gonna ask if you wanted to come up, but—"

Your heart skipped.

"—but I figured you’d be fucking weird about it, so forget it."

You blinked. "What?! How would I be weird about it??"

Bakugou gave you a look. A very specific look.

The kind that said: Bitch, please.

Your mouth fell open. "EXCUSE ME?"

"You’re literally sittin’ there vibrating like a fuckin’ Chihuahua."

"I AM NOT—" You paused. Glanced at yourself. Your fingers were literally drumming against the steering wheel. "Okay, that’s—irrelevant."

Bakugou smirked. "See? Weird."

You gasped.

"Wow. Wowww. I’m sorry, are you calling me weird after you were the one caught on your knees in a parking lot peeling off my stockings like some depraved Victorian husband who just saw an ankle for the first time??"

Bakugou gaped.

"The fuck?? That is NOT what happened—"

You snorted. "Okay, ‘That’s not what happened, your honor,’ but the pictures say otherwise."

"Oh, you think you’re funny, huh?"

You grinned. "I don’t think. I know."

Bakugou rolled his eyes, dragging a hand down his face. "You’re fuckin’ insufferable."

"Mm. And yet, here you are."

He scoffed. "By force."

" Force my ass! You literally begged me to take you home.”

"Fuckin’ delusional."

"Fuckin’ obsessed."

Bakugou barked out a laugh, shoving the car door open. "God, I hope you drive straight into oncoming traffic on the way home."

"Love you too, bestie!" You called out as he slammed the door shut behind him.

[simplileapdigital]

Unlock Your Business Success Today with Simplileap Digital – The Leading Website Designers in Bangalore

Is your business stuck in the digital age? Are you tired of seeing your competitors surge ahead while your website fails to impress? The truth is, your website could be the ONLY thing standing between you and unparalleled success. But don’t worry! Simplileap Digital, the finest Website Designers in Bangalore, is here to change your fate, and we’re not just talking about ordinary websites – we’re talking about extraordinary, high-conversion, sales-driving machines.

The Opportunity You Can’t Afford to Miss

If you want your business to rise above the noise in today’s competitive marketplace, you NEED a website that stands out. And no, we’re not talking about the cookie-cutter templates that flood the internet. We’re talking about a CUSTOM-BUILT, cutting-edge masterpiece designed to captivate and convert. At Simplileap Digital, we know exactly what it takes to make your brand unforgettable – and it’s time you found out.

The Simplileap Digital Advantage: Excellence at Your Fingertips

When you work with Website Designers in Bangalore at Simplileap Digital, you’re not just getting a website – you’re gaining a powerful business tool that will drive your success for years to come. Here’s how:

Tailored Solutions that Work for YOU Generic designs are a thing of the past. At Simplileap Digital, we understand that every business is unique, and so should be its website. Our team of experts will work with you to create a design that captures your vision, your brand identity, and most importantly, your audience’s attention. Whether you’re an e-commerce store looking to skyrocket sales or a service-based business aiming to build trust and credibility, we have the perfect solution for you.

Unmatched Aesthetics That WOW It’s simple – first impressions matter. And when it comes to websites, a visually stunning design can make all the difference. Our team of elite designers is dedicated to ensuring that your website isn’t just functional – it’s a work of art that will WOW your visitors the moment they land. Every element is strategically crafted to make your brand shine in all its glory.

Boost Your Sales with Seamless User Experience Your website isn’t just a pretty face – it needs to convert visitors into loyal customers. At Simplileap Digital, we understand the psychology behind user behavior. Our designs are optimized to provide a smooth, intuitive experience that guides visitors toward taking action whether it’s making a purchase, filling out a contact form, or signing up for your newsletter. We don't just design websites; we create conversion machines.

Speed & Mobile Optimization: No One Has Time to Wait In the fast-paced digital world, every second counts. A slow website can cost you visitors, and ultimately, sales. That’s why we make sure that your website is fast, responsive, and mobile-friendly. With more people browsing the web on their phones than ever before, you can’t afford to miss out on this crucial aspect. With Simplileap Digital, your website will be optimized for speed across all devices, ensuring you capture every opportunity.

SEO That Gets You Noticed What good is a stunning website if no one can find it? That’s why we integrate powerful SEO strategies right into your website’s foundation. Our SEO experts know exactly what it takes to get your website ranked on the first page of Google, driving organic traffic and boosting your visibility in front of your target audience. SEO is not optional – it’s essential, and Simplileap Digital has the expertise to make it happen.

Ongoing Support and Maintenance A website is never truly “finished.” With technology constantly evolving, your website must evolve too. When you partner with Simplileap Digital, you don’t just get a one-time design – you get ongoing support, maintenance, and updates to keep your website performing at its peak. We’re here for the long haul, ensuring that your website continues to grow and adapt with your business.

Why Wait for Success When You Can Achieve It NOW?

Every second counts in the business world, and your website could be the key to unlocking your brand’s potential. With Simplileap Digital, you get a team of experts who are as passionate about your business as you are. We take the time to understand your goals, your audience, and your brand, crafting a website that’s not just a digital presence – it’s an extension of your business that works tirelessly to bring in new leads and sales.

Don't settle for less when you can have the best. Choose Website Designers in Bangalore at Simplileap Digital – and watch your business reach new heights.

Read More:

Creating a Multilingual WordPress Site: A Step-by-Step Guide

[exoticgourmetcatering]

Exotic Gourmet Catering Elevating Your Event with Unmatched Hospitality and Culinary Excellence in Bradenton, FL

Exotic Gourmet Catering in Bradenton, FL, offers a one-of-a-kind fusion of flavors and artful presentations that turn any celebration into an unforgettable experience. Led by Chef Cynthia Muir, we craft luxurious dishes and design elegant stations tailored to your event’s theme, colors, and textures. Every detail, from appetizers to desserts, is meticulously curated to reflect your unique vision. Chef Cynthia personally oversees each event, ensuring exceptional quality and personalized service. Let Exotic Gourmet Catering bring bold flavors and stunning designs to your next gathering, creating memories that last long after the last bite. Exotic Gourmet is fully licensed and insured catering.

Our Comprehensive Catering Services

Exotic Gourmet Catering offers a wide range of services to meet your needs, no matter the size or style of your event.

Luxury Catering

Transform your event into a high-end affair with our luxury catering services. We specialize in creating extravagant dishes and stations that elevate your celebration, making it the talk of the town.

Event Catering

Our event catering services, from corporate luncheons to birthday parties, are designed to make planning stress-free. We handle everything from menu design to setup, so you can focus on enjoying your event.

Wedding Catering

Your wedding day deserves nothing but the best. Exotic Gourmet Catering works with you to design a menu that complements your theme, colors, and personal preferences. From plated dinners to buffet-style spreads, we ensure your special day is unforgettable.

Bartender Service

Our experienced team provides a full bar service, creating signature cocktails that leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Desserts Catering

Satisfy your sweet tooth with our dessert catering services. From gourmet cakes to decadent pastries, we create desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

Why Choose Exotic Gourmet Catering?

Choosing the right caterer can make or break your event, and Exotic Gourmet Catering has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results. Here’s why clients continue to choose them for their catering needs:

Personalized Service

We believe every event is unique, and we strive to provide a personalized experience for each client. Our team works closely with you from the initial consultation to the final cleanup, ensuring that every detail aligns with your vision.

High-Quality Ingredients

The foundation of great food is great ingredients. We source only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to ensure every dish is flavorful and satisfying.

Creative Cuisine

Our team of chefs loves to experiment with flavors and textures, bringing you innovative dishes that stand out from traditional catering options.

Attention to Detail

We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service, with careful attention to every detail to create a memorable experience.

Affordable Luxury

We believe that luxury catering should be accessible. That’s why we offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality or service.

Our Service Area

Exotic Gourmet Catering is proud to serve a wide area in Florida, bringing exceptional cuisine and service to the following locations:

Sarasota, FL

St. Pete, FL

Bradenton, FL

Palmetto, FL

Tampa, FL

Wesley Chapel, FL

St. Pete Beach, FL

Clearwater, FL

Fort Myers, FL

Venice, FL

New Port Richey, FL

Port Charlotte, FL

Englewood, FL

Book Your Event with Exotic Gourmet Catering Today

Contact Exotic Gourmet Catering today to discuss your needs and start planning the perfect menu. Located at 27th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205, we’re just a phone call away. Reach us at (941) 301-8290, and let’s create a celebration. With Exotic Gourmet Catering, every event is an opportunity to create lasting memories through exceptional food and service. Let Chef Cynthia and her team bring their passion for culinary artistry to your next gathering. Call today to start planning your unforgettable event!

[wonkrew]

5 Ways Wonkrew Can Transform Your Business as the Top SEO Company in Chennai

In today’s digital world, getting noticed online is everything. But let’s be honest: standing out isn’t easy. That’s where Wonkrew, the best SEO Company in Chennai, comes in. As a trusted digital marketing agency in Chennai, we understand the challenges businesses face in the online space. Let me share five simple but powerful ways we can help transform your business and boost your online presence.

1. Optimized Content That Ranks

At Wonkrew, we know content is king. But not just any content — it needs to be optimized, relevant, and valuable. Our team specializes in crafting high-quality content tailored to your target audience. By using the right keywords (like “SEO Company in Chennai”) and focusing on search intent, we help your website climb to the top of Google’s search results.

For example, if you own a boutique in Chennai, we can create blog posts, service pages, and product descriptions that resonate with your audience. We also ensure your content stays fresh and updated, which search engines love. Whether it’s blog writing, product descriptions, or FAQs, our content strategies are designed to help your business get discovered online.

2. Local SEO That Drives Traffic

Are you a business owner targeting customers in Chennai? Then local SEO is your golden ticket. As a leading SEO agency in Chennai, we know how to optimize your website for local searches.

We focus on:

Adding your business to Google My Business (GMB)

Optimizing your website for “near me” searches

Managing online reviews and local listings

Imagine this: someone in Chennai searches for “SEO services in Chennai” or “Marketing and Advertising agency.” Thanks to our local SEO techniques, your business appears at the top, driving real customers to your door.

3. Advanced Technical SEO

Let’s talk about the backend of your website. No matter how beautiful your website looks, it won’t rank if it’s not technically sound. That’s why we at Wonkrew focus on Technical SEO.

Here’s what we handle:

Website speed optimization

Mobile-friendly design

Fixing broken links and errors

Enhancing site navigation

We ensure your website checks all the technical boxes so search engines can crawl and rank your pages effectively. Think of technical SEO as the foundation of your online success, and we’re the builders who make it strong.

4. Data-Driven Strategies

The best part of working with Wonkrew is our approach to data. Unlike other agencies that rely on guesswork, we make decisions based on real numbers and trends. As a trusted digital marketing company in Chennai, we:

Analyze your website traffic

Track your keyword rankings

Monitor user behavior on your site

This data helps us refine strategies, ensuring you get the best results. For instance, if we notice a blog post driving a lot of traffic, we’ll optimize it further to convert those visitors into paying customers. Data drives success, and success drives growth.

5. Comprehensive Digital Marketing Services

At Wonkrew, we’re not just an SEO company in Chennai. We offer a wide range of digital marketing services in Chennai to cover all your online needs. Think of us as your one-stop shop for:

Social Media Marketing agency: We create engaging posts and run ads on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Pay-Per-Click Advertising: Our PPC campaigns deliver instant results, targeting the right audience.

Email Marketing: Stay connected with your customers through personalized email campaigns.

Branding and Advertising: As a Marketing and Advertising agency, we help businesses stand out through creative campaigns.

With our end-to-end services, you get more than just SEO. You get a partner dedicated to growing your brand online.

Why Choose Wonkrew as Your SEO Company in Chennai?

Here’s the deal. At Wonkrew, we believe in creating genuine partnerships. We’re not just here to deliver numbers; we’re here to make a difference in your business. Our personalized approach and proven track record make us the go-to SEO agency in Chennai for businesses of all sizes.

Still unsure? Let’s talk about some of our results. We’ve helped:

Small businesses double their website traffic in just 6 months

E-commerce stores achieve a 40% increase in sales

Local shops dominate search results for Chennai-specific keywords

When you work with us, you’re not just another client. You’re part of the Wonkrew family.

A Few Quick Tips to Boost Your SEO

While we’re here to help, here are a few quick tips you can start using today:

Always focus on user-friendly website design.

Add clear, concise meta descriptions for every page.

Use local keywords like “SEO Company in Chennai” to target your audience.

Post regularly on social media to improve your online presence.

Partner with experts like Wonkrew for long-term success.

Conclusion

To sum it up, transforming your business online isn’t rocket science when you have the right partner by your side. Wonkrew is proud to be the best SEO Company in Chennai, offering a mix of creativity, expertise, and proven strategies. Whether you need help with content, local SEO, or full-scale digital marketing in Chennai, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Let’s connect and start your growth journey today. At Wonkrew, your success is our mission.

[cleverhottubmiracle]

There are only a few days left for Halloween. You know what that means? Your inner vixen is ready to come out in this spooky season. There was a time when Halloween costumes only meant ghosts, witches, or zombies. But things have changed today to include all other ideas including sexy Halloween lingerie. This is a comprehensive guide about Halloween lingerie costumes and how you can build a costume worth looking at. The Rise of Sexy Halloween Costumes Before we share how to create the perfect Halloween lingerie costume, let’s take a moment to appreciate how we got here. The evolution of Halloween costumes from purely frightening to flirtatious is a fascinating journey that reflects changing social norms and personal expression. • Early 1900s: Halloween costumes were primarily homemade and focused on traditional spooky themes. • 1950s-1960s: Store-bought costumes became more popular, but still maintained a family-friendly approach. • 1970s: The sexual revolution began influencing costume choices, with more revealing options emerging. • 1980s-1990s: Pop culture references became increasingly popular, often with sexier iterations of characters. • 2000s-Present: The “sexy” costume trend exploded, with lingerie-inspired outfits becoming a Halloween staple. This shift towards more provocative Halloween attire has sparked debates about empowerment, objectification, and personal choice. However, it’s important to remember that Halloween is a time for fantasy, self-expression, and pushing boundaries.  Sexy Halloween Lingerie When we talk about Halloween lingerie costumes, we’re not just referring to your everyday bras and panties with a few spooky accessories thrown on. Oh no, darling – we’re talking about a whole new level of seductive creativity! Halloween lingerie includes a wide range of styles. Here are some popular categories to consider: 1. Classic Characters Re-imaginationed Foxy Lingerie’s Miss Behavin’ Schoolgirl Lingerie Costume Create sexy versions of beloved characters like Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, or Cinderella. These costumes often feature corsets, short skirts, and thigh-high stockings in various color schemes. 2. Profession-Inspired Fantasies Foxy Lingerie’s Naughty Nurse Lingerie Costume Naughty nurse, seductive schoolgirl, or sultry police officer – these costumes play on traditional roles with a sexy twist. They typically include form-fitting uniforms with cutouts or revealing necklines. 3. Animal-Inspired Ensembles Foxy Lingerie’s Roaring Tiger Lingerie Costume Cat, bunny, or even unicorn costumes get a sexy makeover with furry bodysuits, ears, and tails. These outfits often include lace, fishnet, or sheer fabrics for added allure. 4. Supernatural Seductresses Foxy Lingerie’s Beauty Of The Dead Lingerie Costume Vampires, witches, and fallen angels are perfect for those who want to combine spooky and sexy. You can go for dramatic capes, plunging necklines, and strategically placed cobweb lace. 5. Pop Culture Sirens Foxy Lingerie’s Working Late Office Girl Roleplay Costume From superheroines to video game vixens, these costumes let you channel your favorite characters with a seductive spin. Expect tight bodysuits, mini skirts, and thigh-high boots. Crafting Your Perfect Sexy Halloween Lingerie Look Now that we’ve explored the world of Halloween lingerie costumes, it’s time to create your own ensemble. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you put together a look that’s sure to turn heads and raise temperatures: Step 1: Choose Your Character or Theme Start by deciding on the overall concept for your costume. Are you going for a specific character, or do you want to embody a general theme like “sexy witch” or “naughty nurse”? This decision will determine the rest of your costume choices. Step 2: Select Your Base Lingerie The foundation of your sexy Halloween lingerie costume is the lingerie! Choose pieces that not only fit well but also align with your chosen theme. Some options to consider: Foxy Lingerie’s Sensual Embrace Lingerie Set • Corsets or bustiers for a classic, curvy silhouette • Bodysuits for a sleek, all-in-one look • Bra and panty sets for mix-and-match versatility • Teddies or babydolls for a softer, more romantic vibe Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to layer! A sheer robe or cape over your lingerie can add mystery and allow for easy coverage if needed. Step 3: Add Accessories This is where you can really bring your Halloween lingerie costume to life. Depending on your theme, consider adding: • Thigh-high stockings or fishnets • Gloves (elbow-length for extra drama) • Character-specific accessories (e.g., cat ears, witch hat, fairy wings) • Props (e.g., wand, whip, or toy sword) • Dramatic jewelry or a choker Step 4: Don’t Forget the Shoes The right footwear can make or break your sexy Halloween lingerie look. Some popular options include: • Stilettos for added height and confidence • Thigh-high boots for a dominatrix-inspired vibe • Mary Jane shoes for a coy, innocent touch • Combat boots for an edgy, alternative feel Step 5: Perfect Your Hair and Makeup Complete your transformation with hair and makeup that complements your costume: • Consider a wig for a dramatic change or to match a specific character • Go bold with your makeup – go for dramatic smoky eyes or vibrant lips • Add temporary tattoos or body glitter for extra sparkle • Don’t forget about nail art – it’s the perfect opportunity for spooky designs Rocking Your Sexy Outfits with Confidence Once you have put together your jaw-dropping Halloween costume, it’s time to wear it with confidence! Here are some tips to help you feel confident and comfortable in your sexy costume: 1. Try it on Try on your costume before the big night and practice moving, sitting, and even dancing in it. This will help you feel more at ease and identify any potential wardrobe malfunctions. 2. Embrace Body Positivity Remember, sexy comes in all shapes and sizes. Your confidence is the sexiest accessory you can wear, so rock your costume with pride! 3. Consider Your Venue Make sure your costume is appropriate for the event you’re attending. What works for a private party might not be suitable for a public venue. 4. Layer Up If you’re worried about being too exposed, consider adding layers that you can remove as the night progresses. A sheer robe or cute jacket can provide initial coverage. 5. Bring Backup Pack a small emergency kit with fashion tape, safety pins, and a mini sewing kit. This way, you can quickly fix any costume mishaps. The Do’s and Don’ts of Halloween Lingerie Costumes To ensure you have the best (and safest) experience in your sexy Halloween lingerie, keep these tips in mind: Do’s: • Do choose a costume that makes you feel comfortable and confident • Do consider the weather and bring a coat if it’s chilly • Do respect others’ boundaries and costume choices • Do have a backup plan in case you need to cover up quickly Don’ts: • Don’t wear anything that could be genuinely offensive or culturally insensitive • Don’t pressure others to wear revealing costumes if they’re not comfortable • Don’t forget to check your costume for wardrobe malfunctions before heading out • Don’t sacrifice comfort for style – you want to enjoy your night! Beyond Halloween: Incorporating Lingerie Costumes into Your Everyday Life Who says the fun has to end on November 1st? The confidence and creativity you tap into with your Halloween lingerie costume can extend well beyond the spooky season. Here are some ways to keep that sexy spirit alive year-round: 1. Spice Up Your Love Life Use elements of your Halloween costume to create exciting role-play scenarios with your partner. That naughty nurse outfit might just be what the doctor ordered! 2. Costume Parties Anytime Host or attend themed parties throughout the year that give you an excuse to don your favorite lingerie costumes. 3. Lingerie as Outerwear Incorporate pieces of your Halloween lingerie into your everyday wardrobe. A corset can make a stunning statement piece when paired with jeans and a blazer. Wrapping Up Sexy Halloween lingerie costumes offer a unique opportunity to express yourself, boost your confidence, and have a wickedly good time. Whether you’re channeling a sultry superheroine or a bewitching enchantress, remember that the most important aspect of any costume is how it makes you feel. So this Halloween, dare to be bold, embrace your sensuality, and let your inner seductress shine! And when you’re ready to find the perfect pieces for your Halloween lingerie costume (or any other occasion), check out Foxy Lingerie. With a wide selection of sexy lingerie, accessories, and everything in between, they have everything you need to create a costume that’s truly spellbinding. Visit Foxy Lingerie today and start planning your most unforgettable Halloween yet! Related Source link

[norajworld]

There are only a few days left for Halloween. You know what that means? Your inner vixen is ready to come out in this spooky season. There was a time when Halloween costumes only meant ghosts, witches, or zombies. But things have changed today to include all other ideas including sexy Halloween lingerie. This is a comprehensive guide about Halloween lingerie costumes and how you can build a costume worth looking at. The Rise of Sexy Halloween Costumes Before we share how to create the perfect Halloween lingerie costume, let’s take a moment to appreciate how we got here. The evolution of Halloween costumes from purely frightening to flirtatious is a fascinating journey that reflects changing social norms and personal expression. • Early 1900s: Halloween costumes were primarily homemade and focused on traditional spooky themes. • 1950s-1960s: Store-bought costumes became more popular, but still maintained a family-friendly approach. • 1970s: The sexual revolution began influencing costume choices, with more revealing options emerging. • 1980s-1990s: Pop culture references became increasingly popular, often with sexier iterations of characters. • 2000s-Present: The “sexy” costume trend exploded, with lingerie-inspired outfits becoming a Halloween staple. This shift towards more provocative Halloween attire has sparked debates about empowerment, objectification, and personal choice. However, it’s important to remember that Halloween is a time for fantasy, self-expression, and pushing boundaries.  Sexy Halloween Lingerie When we talk about Halloween lingerie costumes, we’re not just referring to your everyday bras and panties with a few spooky accessories thrown on. Oh no, darling – we’re talking about a whole new level of seductive creativity! Halloween lingerie includes a wide range of styles. Here are some popular categories to consider: 1. Classic Characters Re-imaginationed Foxy Lingerie’s Miss Behavin’ Schoolgirl Lingerie Costume Create sexy versions of beloved characters like Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, or Cinderella. These costumes often feature corsets, short skirts, and thigh-high stockings in various color schemes. 2. Profession-Inspired Fantasies Foxy Lingerie’s Naughty Nurse Lingerie Costume Naughty nurse, seductive schoolgirl, or sultry police officer – these costumes play on traditional roles with a sexy twist. They typically include form-fitting uniforms with cutouts or revealing necklines. 3. Animal-Inspired Ensembles Foxy Lingerie’s Roaring Tiger Lingerie Costume Cat, bunny, or even unicorn costumes get a sexy makeover with furry bodysuits, ears, and tails. These outfits often include lace, fishnet, or sheer fabrics for added allure. 4. Supernatural Seductresses Foxy Lingerie’s Beauty Of The Dead Lingerie Costume Vampires, witches, and fallen angels are perfect for those who want to combine spooky and sexy. You can go for dramatic capes, plunging necklines, and strategically placed cobweb lace. 5. Pop Culture Sirens Foxy Lingerie’s Working Late Office Girl Roleplay Costume From superheroines to video game vixens, these costumes let you channel your favorite characters with a seductive spin. Expect tight bodysuits, mini skirts, and thigh-high boots. Crafting Your Perfect Sexy Halloween Lingerie Look Now that we’ve explored the world of Halloween lingerie costumes, it’s time to create your own ensemble. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you put together a look that’s sure to turn heads and raise temperatures: Step 1: Choose Your Character or Theme Start by deciding on the overall concept for your costume. Are you going for a specific character, or do you want to embody a general theme like “sexy witch” or “naughty nurse”? This decision will determine the rest of your costume choices. Step 2: Select Your Base Lingerie The foundation of your sexy Halloween lingerie costume is the lingerie! Choose pieces that not only fit well but also align with your chosen theme. Some options to consider: Foxy Lingerie’s Sensual Embrace Lingerie Set • Corsets or bustiers for a classic, curvy silhouette • Bodysuits for a sleek, all-in-one look • Bra and panty sets for mix-and-match versatility • Teddies or babydolls for a softer, more romantic vibe Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to layer! A sheer robe or cape over your lingerie can add mystery and allow for easy coverage if needed. Step 3: Add Accessories This is where you can really bring your Halloween lingerie costume to life. Depending on your theme, consider adding: • Thigh-high stockings or fishnets • Gloves (elbow-length for extra drama) • Character-specific accessories (e.g., cat ears, witch hat, fairy wings) • Props (e.g., wand, whip, or toy sword) • Dramatic jewelry or a choker Step 4: Don’t Forget the Shoes The right footwear can make or break your sexy Halloween lingerie look. Some popular options include: • Stilettos for added height and confidence • Thigh-high boots for a dominatrix-inspired vibe • Mary Jane shoes for a coy, innocent touch • Combat boots for an edgy, alternative feel Step 5: Perfect Your Hair and Makeup Complete your transformation with hair and makeup that complements your costume: • Consider a wig for a dramatic change or to match a specific character • Go bold with your makeup – go for dramatic smoky eyes or vibrant lips • Add temporary tattoos or body glitter for extra sparkle • Don’t forget about nail art – it’s the perfect opportunity for spooky designs Rocking Your Sexy Outfits with Confidence Once you have put together your jaw-dropping Halloween costume, it’s time to wear it with confidence! Here are some tips to help you feel confident and comfortable in your sexy costume: 1. Try it on Try on your costume before the big night and practice moving, sitting, and even dancing in it. This will help you feel more at ease and identify any potential wardrobe malfunctions. 2. Embrace Body Positivity Remember, sexy comes in all shapes and sizes. Your confidence is the sexiest accessory you can wear, so rock your costume with pride! 3. Consider Your Venue Make sure your costume is appropriate for the event you’re attending. What works for a private party might not be suitable for a public venue. 4. Layer Up If you’re worried about being too exposed, consider adding layers that you can remove as the night progresses. A sheer robe or cute jacket can provide initial coverage. 5. Bring Backup Pack a small emergency kit with fashion tape, safety pins, and a mini sewing kit. This way, you can quickly fix any costume mishaps. The Do’s and Don’ts of Halloween Lingerie Costumes To ensure you have the best (and safest) experience in your sexy Halloween lingerie, keep these tips in mind: Do’s: • Do choose a costume that makes you feel comfortable and confident • Do consider the weather and bring a coat if it’s chilly • Do respect others’ boundaries and costume choices • Do have a backup plan in case you need to cover up quickly Don’ts: • Don’t wear anything that could be genuinely offensive or culturally insensitive • Don’t pressure others to wear revealing costumes if they’re not comfortable • Don’t forget to check your costume for wardrobe malfunctions before heading out • Don’t sacrifice comfort for style – you want to enjoy your night! Beyond Halloween: Incorporating Lingerie Costumes into Your Everyday Life Who says the fun has to end on November 1st? The confidence and creativity you tap into with your Halloween lingerie costume can extend well beyond the spooky season. Here are some ways to keep that sexy spirit alive year-round: 1. Spice Up Your Love Life Use elements of your Halloween costume to create exciting role-play scenarios with your partner. That naughty nurse outfit might just be what the doctor ordered! 2. Costume Parties Anytime Host or attend themed parties throughout the year that give you an excuse to don your favorite lingerie costumes. 3. Lingerie as Outerwear Incorporate pieces of your Halloween lingerie into your everyday wardrobe. A corset can make a stunning statement piece when paired with jeans and a blazer. Wrapping Up Sexy Halloween lingerie costumes offer a unique opportunity to express yourself, boost your confidence, and have a wickedly good time. Whether you’re channeling a sultry superheroine or a bewitching enchantress, remember that the most important aspect of any costume is how it makes you feel. So this Halloween, dare to be bold, embrace your sensuality, and let your inner seductress shine! And when you’re ready to find the perfect pieces for your Halloween lingerie costume (or any other occasion), check out Foxy Lingerie. With a wide selection of sexy lingerie, accessories, and everything in between, they have everything you need to create a costume that’s truly spellbinding. Visit Foxy Lingerie today and start planning your most unforgettable Halloween yet! Related Source link

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There are only a few days left for Halloween. You know what that means? Your inner vixen is ready to come out in this spooky season. There was a time when Halloween costumes only meant ghosts, witches, or zombies. But things have changed today to include all other ideas including sexy Halloween lingerie. This is a comprehensive guide about Halloween lingerie costumes and how you can build a costume worth looking at. The Rise of Sexy Halloween Costumes Before we share how to create the perfect Halloween lingerie costume, let’s take a moment to appreciate how we got here. The evolution of Halloween costumes from purely frightening to flirtatious is a fascinating journey that reflects changing social norms and personal expression. • Early 1900s: Halloween costumes were primarily homemade and focused on traditional spooky themes. • 1950s-1960s: Store-bought costumes became more popular, but still maintained a family-friendly approach. • 1970s: The sexual revolution began influencing costume choices, with more revealing options emerging. • 1980s-1990s: Pop culture references became increasingly popular, often with sexier iterations of characters. • 2000s-Present: The “sexy” costume trend exploded, with lingerie-inspired outfits becoming a Halloween staple. This shift towards more provocative Halloween attire has sparked debates about empowerment, objectification, and personal choice. However, it’s important to remember that Halloween is a time for fantasy, self-expression, and pushing boundaries.  Sexy Halloween Lingerie When we talk about Halloween lingerie costumes, we’re not just referring to your everyday bras and panties with a few spooky accessories thrown on. Oh no, darling – we’re talking about a whole new level of seductive creativity! Halloween lingerie includes a wide range of styles. Here are some popular categories to consider: 1. Classic Characters Re-imaginationed Foxy Lingerie’s Miss Behavin’ Schoolgirl Lingerie Costume Create sexy versions of beloved characters like Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, or Cinderella. These costumes often feature corsets, short skirts, and thigh-high stockings in various color schemes. 2. Profession-Inspired Fantasies Foxy Lingerie’s Naughty Nurse Lingerie Costume Naughty nurse, seductive schoolgirl, or sultry police officer – these costumes play on traditional roles with a sexy twist. They typically include form-fitting uniforms with cutouts or revealing necklines. 3. Animal-Inspired Ensembles Foxy Lingerie’s Roaring Tiger Lingerie Costume Cat, bunny, or even unicorn costumes get a sexy makeover with furry bodysuits, ears, and tails. These outfits often include lace, fishnet, or sheer fabrics for added allure. 4. Supernatural Seductresses Foxy Lingerie’s Beauty Of The Dead Lingerie Costume Vampires, witches, and fallen angels are perfect for those who want to combine spooky and sexy. You can go for dramatic capes, plunging necklines, and strategically placed cobweb lace. 5. Pop Culture Sirens Foxy Lingerie’s Working Late Office Girl Roleplay Costume From superheroines to video game vixens, these costumes let you channel your favorite characters with a seductive spin. Expect tight bodysuits, mini skirts, and thigh-high boots. Crafting Your Perfect Sexy Halloween Lingerie Look Now that we’ve explored the world of Halloween lingerie costumes, it’s time to create your own ensemble. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you put together a look that’s sure to turn heads and raise temperatures: Step 1: Choose Your Character or Theme Start by deciding on the overall concept for your costume. Are you going for a specific character, or do you want to embody a general theme like “sexy witch” or “naughty nurse”? This decision will determine the rest of your costume choices. Step 2: Select Your Base Lingerie The foundation of your sexy Halloween lingerie costume is the lingerie! Choose pieces that not only fit well but also align with your chosen theme. Some options to consider: Foxy Lingerie’s Sensual Embrace Lingerie Set • Corsets or bustiers for a classic, curvy silhouette • Bodysuits for a sleek, all-in-one look • Bra and panty sets for mix-and-match versatility • Teddies or babydolls for a softer, more romantic vibe Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to layer! A sheer robe or cape over your lingerie can add mystery and allow for easy coverage if needed. Step 3: Add Accessories This is where you can really bring your Halloween lingerie costume to life. Depending on your theme, consider adding: • Thigh-high stockings or fishnets • Gloves (elbow-length for extra drama) • Character-specific accessories (e.g., cat ears, witch hat, fairy wings) • Props (e.g., wand, whip, or toy sword) • Dramatic jewelry or a choker Step 4: Don’t Forget the Shoes The right footwear can make or break your sexy Halloween lingerie look. Some popular options include: • Stilettos for added height and confidence • Thigh-high boots for a dominatrix-inspired vibe • Mary Jane shoes for a coy, innocent touch • Combat boots for an edgy, alternative feel Step 5: Perfect Your Hair and Makeup Complete your transformation with hair and makeup that complements your costume: • Consider a wig for a dramatic change or to match a specific character • Go bold with your makeup – go for dramatic smoky eyes or vibrant lips • Add temporary tattoos or body glitter for extra sparkle • Don’t forget about nail art – it’s the perfect opportunity for spooky designs Rocking Your Sexy Outfits with Confidence Once you have put together your jaw-dropping Halloween costume, it’s time to wear it with confidence! Here are some tips to help you feel confident and comfortable in your sexy costume: 1. Try it on Try on your costume before the big night and practice moving, sitting, and even dancing in it. This will help you feel more at ease and identify any potential wardrobe malfunctions. 2. Embrace Body Positivity Remember, sexy comes in all shapes and sizes. Your confidence is the sexiest accessory you can wear, so rock your costume with pride! 3. Consider Your Venue Make sure your costume is appropriate for the event you’re attending. What works for a private party might not be suitable for a public venue. 4. Layer Up If you’re worried about being too exposed, consider adding layers that you can remove as the night progresses. A sheer robe or cute jacket can provide initial coverage. 5. Bring Backup Pack a small emergency kit with fashion tape, safety pins, and a mini sewing kit. This way, you can quickly fix any costume mishaps. The Do’s and Don’ts of Halloween Lingerie Costumes To ensure you have the best (and safest) experience in your sexy Halloween lingerie, keep these tips in mind: Do’s: • Do choose a costume that makes you feel comfortable and confident • Do consider the weather and bring a coat if it’s chilly • Do respect others’ boundaries and costume choices • Do have a backup plan in case you need to cover up quickly Don’ts: • Don’t wear anything that could be genuinely offensive or culturally insensitive • Don’t pressure others to wear revealing costumes if they’re not comfortable • Don’t forget to check your costume for wardrobe malfunctions before heading out • Don’t sacrifice comfort for style – you want to enjoy your night! Beyond Halloween: Incorporating Lingerie Costumes into Your Everyday Life Who says the fun has to end on November 1st? The confidence and creativity you tap into with your Halloween lingerie costume can extend well beyond the spooky season. Here are some ways to keep that sexy spirit alive year-round: 1. Spice Up Your Love Life Use elements of your Halloween costume to create exciting role-play scenarios with your partner. That naughty nurse outfit might just be what the doctor ordered! 2. Costume Parties Anytime Host or attend themed parties throughout the year that give you an excuse to don your favorite lingerie costumes. 3. Lingerie as Outerwear Incorporate pieces of your Halloween lingerie into your everyday wardrobe. A corset can make a stunning statement piece when paired with jeans and a blazer. Wrapping Up Sexy Halloween lingerie costumes offer a unique opportunity to express yourself, boost your confidence, and have a wickedly good time. Whether you’re channeling a sultry superheroine or a bewitching enchantress, remember that the most important aspect of any costume is how it makes you feel. So this Halloween, dare to be bold, embrace your sensuality, and let your inner seductress shine! And when you’re ready to find the perfect pieces for your Halloween lingerie costume (or any other occasion), check out Foxy Lingerie. With a wide selection of sexy lingerie, accessories, and everything in between, they have everything you need to create a costume that’s truly spellbinding. Visit Foxy Lingerie today and start planning your most unforgettable Halloween yet! Related Source link