#well Victor got a bit of an assist :)

[victorluvsalice]

-->With everyone back home, and a light snow starting to fall (I mean, it IS winter now), it was time to continue with the chores! Alice milked Moory and cleaned out her shed before licking herself clean (hey, if you've got the ability...); Smiler did some recycling, moved the clothes from the washer to the dryer, and chatted with the chickens for a bit (they were more receptive to their jokes, happily); and Victor had a lonely breakfast in the kitchen before heading out to the greenhouse to do the regular rounds of tending and harvesting! As he basically always does.

-->But today, he didn't have to do it alone, because not only were Elmer and Bugs still active (at least for a little bit, before they had to be turned off to avoid explosions), Smiler and Alice came in to help out too! Because it's not fair to leave it on Victor and the bots all the time. Smiler did some fertilizing with some of the Shadow poops they'd picked up in the past and applied some mite treatment to the cranky bees, while Alice used her werewolf super speed to assist with the harvesting of a few key plants that would need canning later. :) It wasn't much, but it was something. I'm sure Victor appreciated it. :)

-->With the fertilizing done and green beans and green peas picked, Smiler and Alice had a quick chat while Victor finished up the weeding and watering and such, then headed off to do their own things while Victor did the big harvest -- Smiler flying up to their room to answer comments on their Simstube videos before coming back downstairs for a dance, while Alice played with the lump of clay and did a bit of scavenging (no goodies, though). Victor finished up the harvest around 3 PM, but by that point was starting to feel the fact that he'd stayed up all night -- fortunately, a quick cash-in at the rewards store got him a cup of Sleep Replacement potion. One quick down of that, and he and his beloveds were ready to head to their store!

[kurishiri]

Prologue ┊ The great detective Harrison’s book of incidents

꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ notice ⊹ ֺ ִ ꒱ this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to narrative flow and characterization purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but please don’t repost these or claim these as your own!

— harrison’s promised event, featuring william, ellis, victor, darius, and ring. congrats to our resident peppermint boy for making it to top 5 in the elections!

[CITY - NIGHT]

With clouds the color of lead thickly blanketing the winter sky, a man was running with bated breath.

???: hah... hah...!

Even with little control over his legs and on the verge of tripping, he couldn’t afford to stop.

——He had to run.

If he didn’t avert his eyes from reality, narrowing in on him, he couldn’t live on.

But...here to put an end to the chase was another individual.

Harrison: ——Stop right there.

The voice of the man with peppermint-colored eyes broke through the silence of the night.

And the running man’s shoulders jumped before he came to a stop.

The two men’s white breaths silently melted amid the cold air.

???: ...How did you know where I was?

Harrison: Easy. You left a great many clues in your room.

H: ...I think it’s about time you faced reality, isn’t it.

H: Running away won’t solve anything. Yeah?

???: But... I...! I left everything behind and ran this far now! How could someone like myself ever have a place to return to...

Harrison: Oh, there is a place to return to.

???: ...

Harrison: I’ll tag along in apologizing for neglecting your deadlines.

H: So, that’s why... let’s head back, mister author.

Author with a bed head: ...uuu— Harrisooon~!

(ｏ・_・)ノ”(ノ_<、)

[NIGHT SKY]

Indeed, the man running away was a mystery writer, a deadline hot on his heels.

Meanwhile, the one chasing after him was a man who — under normal circumstances — was responsible for editing in a publishing company...

...and was asked to find the runaway author: a man named Harrison Gray.

[CARRIAGE]

Harrison: I’ve got a message from the company. ‘We will extend the deadline, so don’t stress about it and come back.’

Author with a bed head: Well I sure am grateful for that! ...That said, I’ve reached a bit of a dead end.

Author with a bed head: I want to play around some more with the trick that shows up in the story’s endgame...

Harrison: If you end it as is, the readers will think it’s a great success, if you ask me.

Author with a bed head: The compromise of a writer will be conveyed to the reader as well. I can’t relax until the very end.

Author with a bed head: ...Oh, I know! Harrison, could you come up with some idea?

Author with a bed head: You sometimes share some mystery tricks with authors, don’t you?

Harrison: Unfortunately, I don’t have any such material on me right now.

Author with a bed head: I implore you...! Help me out here, please...!

Harrison: Hah... fine, okay. I figure if you run away again, I’ll have to find you yet again, anyhow.

[DINING ROOM]

Harrison: ——And so, with that, I’d like you guys to let me know if there’s any incident that happens around you, or any strange happenings about.

Liam: And then you’ll go and solve those incidents and come up with an idea for a trick through there!

Harrison: Exactly.

William: Alright then. If there’s anything, I will let the Great Detective Harrison know and have you get to the bottom of it.

Harrison: You seem like the last person who’d need a detective... but well, thanks.

Ellis: Me too, I’ll pay attention to anything that’s going on around me. If it will make you happy, that is.

Liam: Oh, with a detective comes an assistant! I’ll help out, Harry.

Victor: Well then, allow me to fulfill the role of the mysterious heroine who accompanies the detective——

Harrison: ——No need for a heroine. But I will take your assistance, Liam.

Liam: By all and every means!

[TYPEWRITER]

That which is about to be written henceforth is not a record of sin, but the records of six of their encounters with little mysteries.

The truth shall become clear in his hands.

[BLACK]

Now come the tales of the great detective through which not a single lie may escape——Harrison’s book of incidents.

masterlist 🔎 ┊ ko-fi ☕️ ┊ comms 🤍

[lets-try-some-writing]

Ooh, have any of the Decepticons done anything with their holoforms, if they have any? Have they lead fake lives? Is that why they disappeared for a few years? :0

Anyways, I'd imagine Megatron would use his to either become a poet writer, or the most badass wrestler you've ever seen. Maybe even both.

Oh boy have the Cons goofted off with their holoforms.

Previous part here.

━━━━━━ ⊙ ❖ ⊙ ━━━━━━━━━━━━ ⊙ ❖ ⊙

In light of Optimus teaching in his holoform, some of the Decepticons got the grand idea to use holoforms as well. It started small, usually with the Con in question just going to watch a film or wander around. But with time, they grew more and more bold.

Knockout took to joining up with the racing leagues. At first, he was just an observer. But after mocking the drivers for their poor form a few too many times, he was pushed into joining the race where he promptly dominated all his competitors through his expert understanding of his frame. Sure a sports car in rather unconventional, but none of his fellow racers felt the need to get on his case about it when Knockout was almost always the victor. The best part about the whole thing is that not a soul can figure out who Knockout is. He comes once a week to the race, joins or watches, and then seems to vanish into thin air afterwards.

He has gained the lovely title of "Ghost Racer" due to his habit of appearing everywhere and anywhere without warning. There are rumors that he was perhaps a racer who died in an accident and now haunts the track to get his rightful medal. Others say that he is a retired racer just looking to stir the pot a bit. And there are some who murmur that perhaps Knockout really is just some guy with luck that really shouldn't be plausible. Knockout is aware of all the rumors and goes out of his way to foster each of them. He enjoys the respect they get him.

Breakdown didn't mean to use his holoform at all. But during a quick scouting mission, he decided to use his holoform to get a better look around a small town and see if the energon readings were real or not. As he wandered, he did not at all expect to find an old man working on his car out back. Curious, Breakdown watched from a distance until the elderly man invited him over to have a beer. Then being interested, Breakdown accepted the offer and ended up spending all afternoon with the man he came to know as Mr. Carpenter. From that point on, he was in deep. The cover story he gave was that he was an immigrant without any living relatives involved in some shady under the table business to stay afloat. In light of his story, Breakdown found himself adopted without meaning to.

Now he comes by a few times a month to help around the farm. He assists in fixing cars, usually by holding the light and passing Mr. Carpenter tools. He puts down fence posts when he can and overall does whatever he is able to in order to assist his elderly companion. He is always invited in for dinner and has since become an adopted son of sorts. Mr. Carpenter's children adore him and he has since become the fun uncle to the grandkids. Unbeknownst to Breakdown, Mr. Carpenter and his family are fully aware that he is not human. However they have never been ones to judge a book by its cover, so they treat him as if he were just a young man a little lost in life. He is a full member of their household, and Breakdown adores the feeling of family.

Soundwave uses his holoform very rarely. But when he does use it, he does so to go buy cat food for his favorite felines. He goes to the same Walmart every. single. time. And Primus, the employees fear him. His holoform is unnerving in the oddest of ways. He looks totally normal, too normal. His eyes are too bright, his skin too glossy. Everything about him is perfectly average, but without fault. The employees have dubbed him "The Skinwalker" and have since allowed him to come in, buy what he wants, and leave in absolute silence. Not a soul speaks to him, and for good reason.

Starscream and Shockwave do not use holoforms. Both see it as beneath them. However against all the odds, Dreadwing has used his holoform a handful of times in order to do some private investigation work. He is fond of true crime, and off and on, he will wander around to inspect cold cases. Cybertronian tech is more advanced than human tools. As such, he has had the satisfaction of cleaning up a few old cases through leaving anonymous tips. Police across the world have given him the name "The tipper".

Megatron, once he got back from his little escapade in space, used his holoform for more recreational reasons. Once in a blue moon, he will turn up at underground fighting rings just to beat the snot out of the rookies who try to make it big. He finds joy in reliving his days as Champion of Kaon. He has even gone so far as the made his underground fighting name "Kaon" Just so that when he wins, he can be dubbed the Champion of the place he once called home. He knows its a waste of time, especially since his holoform can't really be beaten. Despite that, he has a grand time putting criminals in their place and giving a few tips to the upstarts who have potential.

[the-gay-prometheus]

Important Update

Thankfully, as of Sunday, her symptoms started to improve, but we still went ahead with the stool sample to make sure that her immune system had finally kicked in and was fighting off the cocci on its own. Results today showed that the sample was now negative, which means we don't have to worry about any medication right now. That said $79.50 (receipt is screenshotted and included) is still a major blow when you've only got $140 to your name and no guarantee of employment and no other assistance.

So. I appreciate everyone who has shared this post and the individual who donated (and thanks to that individual, this is no where near as urgent now)! If anyone the ability to help me cover the rest of the cost I would super appreciate it and it would help a lot, but otherwise I'm not in panic mode at the moment.

Thanks to everyone who was so willing to help!

~~~

Alright I hate to have to do this but I don't really have any other choice right now.

Hi. I'm Jay. Or Victor. Or Viktor. Any of those names work. I'm a disabled neurodivergent transmasc who is currently in unemployment hell because the few jobs I am physically capable of and meet all of the requirements for are also coincidentally all the jobs that either don't want to hire me, or just straight up won't get back to me. I'm sending out applications daily, so far I have gotten three interviews, one of which was for a job that it turns out I would not be physically capable of doing, the second ended up being filled before I could even get to the second interview, and I still haven't heard back from the third. Needless to say, I have absolutely zero income right now.

This is my cat.

Her name is Catra.

Catra recently got extremely ill to the point of needing to be hospitalized, which meant that between me and my family, she has recently cost well over $3000. At this point, my family cannot afford to help me with any more medical costs for her, and I can't afford to continue with extra medical costs for her if I want to still be able to feed her until I do manage to get a job. Thankfully she has made a very strong recovery, for the most part...

However, she is also now battling a nasty coccidia infection that seems to be resistant to the medication the vets had given her. Which means I am once again going to need to send in a $75 stool sample and pay for a different medication. My parents will not help now as they have already gone over budget for her and also believe it is my fault that I haven't been able to find a job, but I literally cannot live without this cat. I will not live without this cat. She is all I have left right now.

So that said. If you have even a little bit to spare, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm asking for $100 $79.50 to cover the stool sample and the medication. Thank you in advance.

Please make sure if you do send anything that you select the 'friends and family' option. If you can't send anything, I would appreciate reblogs and signal boosts. Thank you.

$36.26/79.50

paypal: @binonjay

venmo: @BiNonJay

cashapp: $BiNonJay

[aquagirl1978]

Can i request Ellis Twilight with the prompt butterfly?

Thank you for the request

ellis twilight x reader | prompt: butterfly | word count: 750 | tags: mentions of blood and violence; a bit angsty

It was a perfect evening. The sky above was a painted canvas, shades of pale pink and muted purples blending together, highlighted by the last golden rays of the sun, as day shifted into night; an early autumn breeze kissed the air, a much needed reprieve from hot summer months. 

Except it wasn’t. There was nothing perfect about it.

You were walking hand in hand with Ellis, and the streets were quiet. Too quiet. Instead of providing a sense of calm one doesn’t get while living at Crown castle, the quiet was the perfect breeding ground for intrusive thoughts to invade your head. 

“Are you okay?” Ellis asked, his soft voice pulling you from your melancholy. Finching, you slowed your steps and tilted your face towards his. Ellis continued to speak, his voice still soft in the still air. “You haven’t been yourself since we left…”

His voice trailed off, allowing you to fill in the blanks in your head – the docks. 

“How can anyone…” You paused, then forced yourself to continue, the scene at the docks – and the smell of blood – still fresh in your head. “... be okay after witnessing that?”

The scene was grisly, more grisly than any scene you had ever witnessed before. The mission was supposed to be simple – well, simple was a relative word when compared to other Crown missions. Go in, scare some goons, get the information, and get out. With Jude taking charge and Ellis acting as his assistant, it should have been simple. 

You smelt the salty sea air before you saw the water, the waves crashing loudly against the restraining walls signaling that you were close. Jude was a few steps ahead, ready to warn you of any trouble ahead.

“What in blazes��. What’re ya doin’ here?”

Ellis stopped and bowed his head. “Ah, Jude, not again. Whatever happened to being quiet?” Ellis muttered to himself. He caught your gaze and tilted his head towards Jude’s voice. “Let’s go. Hopefully, I don’t have to save his ass again.”

“Lemme guess, Victor got all the information he needed and yer skippin’ straight to the execution.”

A light, melodic laugh filled the air. “That’s right.” 

You glanced over at Ellis. “William’s here?”

Ellis sighed. “I’m so sorry.” 

You didn’t have a chance to wonder why Ellis was apologizing; instead, you were distracted by a butterfly that slowly glided across your path, its large orange wings still easy to spot in the waning daylight. 

It must still be looking for a place to rest for the evening, you thought to yourself. There was a twinge in your heart as you watched the butterfly flapping its bright wings, fluttering in the sky. 

Knowing what would most likely happen, a part of you hoped it would find a more peaceful place than here at the dockyards.

“Let’s go,” Ellis whispered, tugging on your arm.

And like that, the butterfly was gone, off to find a place to sleep for the night. 

“Take this knife and slit your throat.”

Ellis pulled you into an embrace, his long arms wrapping around your waist, and placed a gentle kiss upon the crown of your head. “If I knew it was gonna happen like that, I would have never brought you tonight.”

Closing your eyes, you saw William’s face. His smile, despite having just murdered those men. The drops of blood splattered on his cheek. Blood that matched his eyes. Blood that wasn’t his.

“This is my life,” Ellis continued. “This is the darkness I live with every day. It’s a part of me. And sometimes I forget you’re not used to that part of my life.”

Nuzzling your face against his chest, the scent of freshly washed linen comforted you.

Ellis tilted your face with his thumb so that you were looking up at him. “Why don’t we get you a hand pie. I think the stand is still open.”

“It's going to take more than a hand pie to make me feel better,” you said with a small smile.

“I'll do anything to make you happy.”

That’s right, Ellis absolutely would. Taking his hand, you walked off together towards the stand. Ellis wouldn't be able to erase the events of tonight, but he was able to soothe you and make things easier. 

Not long ago, you felt like the butterfly, lost while searching for your place to rest. Glancing over to Ellis, his profile handsome against the darkening skies, you knew you finally found your place. 

Tagging: @redheadkittys @themiscarnival   @coral-relevium @cyberk1ee    @kookie-my-little-sunshine    

@ellisgivesmelife013 @ikemen-writer   @nightghoul381 @randonauticrap @xbalayage

@xenokiryu @alydra @drachonia @ranhanabi777 @silver-dahlia

@lunaaka @ikesenwritings @sh0jun @natimiles @valkyyriia

@candiedcoffeedrops @lucyw260   @nightfoxqueen

[judesmoonbeauty]

Roger Barel’s PV: Initial Thoughts

After watching Roger’s PV, I have so many things to say, and no not just about Vogel. This will contain route spoilers to Ellis route, so it’ll be below the cut.

Pared Down Overall PV Synopsis: About a week into her fairytale keeper duties, Vogel visits Crown and starts stirring things up. She is acting as Roger’s assistant, and apparently there’s a warrant for his arrest. First and foremost, look at our guys. They look AMAZING as they square off with Vogel:

Sorry if the image is crappy, but oh well. Anyway, while it’s exciting to start a new chapter in IkeVil, I’m also kind of……what’s the word……not sad, but possessive (?)….. over our guys. Putting my marriage to Jude aside, I’m speaking about the guys as a whole. True, they aren’t going anywhere and it’s nice to progress towards new curses and territory, but wow, I’m feeling a little bit possessive over our guys. It’s like they are PEAK to me. They set the bar, and then these new guys roll in. I’m not quite sure how to put my finger on it. Am I crazy here or….?

A part from that, it’s nice to see Harry being featured. Apparently, Vogel is devious and obviously sus, so his ability will come on handy! I read that Nica likes money and power, potential Jude admirer, rival?

Ring is apparently Darius’ puppet. Why? Why him and not both he and his twin??

Ok, next:

We all know Roger will do anything and everything to find a way to break their curses, that includes betraying Crown. In Ellis’ route, he openly discusses their curses with Ellis’ father Matthew, and Kate is taken aback basically wondering, “Whoa, bro can you do that?!” So, it wouldn’t surprise me if he essentially betrays Crown and England while joining hands with Vogel. Which leads me to Victor. He looks hurt to me in the PV (most likely because of Roger’s betrayal if that’s the case.) Either way, we know just how much he cares about the Crown boys. And honestly, for as cheerful as he is, he is the loneliest imo. I got those vibes from him in a recent CE story where he tells Kate, he’s afraid of it all ending (his relationship with Crown). The point I’m making with that is if Roger betrays Crown and it starts to crumble inside out, Victor is essentially losing his family. And that hurts my little heart.

This scene:

So much could be happening. Did he betray Kate??? Or is this the moment when he betrayed Ellis’ cursed predecessor, thus making him semi-protective of Ellis?? I’d love to know. That question has been burning in my mind since I read Ellis’ route. What were the circumstances and why did you betray that person, causing them to be shot to death??

Just some quick thoughts. Can’t wait to learn more!!

[themissinghand]

Genshin Impact: The Overworked God [1]

Part 2

Summary: In which one of the lore writers who help write the world of Genshin Impact was suddenly thrusted in the very world they created. He doesn't know how this happened and the way home seemed like a pipe dream.

Well, testing characters is one thing, but playing God?

Oh boy.

Note: SAGAU if you squint but not really. Mainly fluff and healing mainly between a tired worker and the oldest Archon.

Male OC!

Warning: Genshin themes with mentions of war, and death. And OC needs some rest.

"Good morning, your Grace." 

"5 more minutes..?" 

"You are the Creator."

It took approximately one hard pinch to the elbow and 55 seconds later that Kai decided (albeit begrudgingly) that this was his reality.

Always negotiate the terms and pay for any job.

Payment is obviously going back home, but also monetary compensation, enough to retire early as a billionaire. And maybe a nice villa. Or bed.

Until Kai goes home, he might as well get an easier life here.

Which clearly did not go as intended.

"I will not be the babysitter for any Archon." Kai already has countries to run, royal families to manage, and human relationships are ever so complicated. He doesn't have the time nor desire to babysit gods for goodness sake.

And besides, the 7 Archons comes so much later in time! 

He's a game writer, not a politician or babysitter! It's only because he played kingdom simulation games before and read too many fictional works that he could figure things out. 

Celestia is supposed to be his assistant since he's the Creator, but isn't he working too hard!? At this point, he's gonna retire early! 

"But your Grace, you cannot manage the world yourself. Archons can help manage them for you!" 

Yes, Celestia gave up in speaking in elegant and ambiguous ways after their first negotiation session. 

Kai thought about it for a bit before agreeing, anything that spelled less work for him, he'll take it! 

"But, I'm not going to be a babysitter!" 

Archon war? 

Stop making me do more work! 

What happened? It was peaceful for such a long time! 

Was it because there were too many gods or powerful creatures? Damn Celestia, you're supposed to keep it under control! 

Kai has a migraine everyday, so this wasn't surprising, but did the gods have to fight each other, just so only 7 left?! 

Celestia!

"It must be done your Grace! Isn't this what you and your team wrote?" 

"Well I changed my mind." 

"Your Grace! If you go out there now, they will use you and your powers!" 

"But I can't watch people die just because some stupid god or creature that wants power!"

Celestia remained silent at his outburst. 

"Tempus. It's too late, it had already begun." 

"Celestia!"

"Everything is your will after all. You wrote the story, didn't you?" 

It was then did Kai realize that Celestia didn't follow him, but rather the words and designs set by his team in the real world. 

Celestia is like an AI robot, one that only acts in accordance to the wishes of it's Creator. 

But isn't he the Creator right now?! Does this mean he needs more power to be recognized, or overthrow the set system? 

Kai stomped out in fury and for the first time, not as Kai, but the God of Time and Creation. 

Tempus.

Tempus never thought he would play God, but here he is, relying on his godly powers to save what's left of his creation. 

"Tempus." 

Kai sent his final message to his country's royal family before turning to greet the rude guest.

"Morax." One of the 7 victors of war, a newly appointed Archon, entered without announcing anything beforehand and immediately strides towards Kai. 

When Morax stops in front of him, there's an awkward silence between them, and Kai knows this man is waiting for something.

"No." But Kai declines. He's got why too much things to deal with and he's not going to do something he's done too many times. 

"Guizhong is dead." Kai frowns, ah, of course. 

"Please." Morax pleads, and Kai is put at odds when seeing the Lord of Geo so weak, so desperate.

"Morax. You know I cannot."

"Kai." He almost hisses, and Kai could care less.

"I'll do anything to bring everyone back."

"They will die no matter what."

Because I wrote it.

"Shut up!" Kai does not flinch when the God of Contracts claws at him. He simply stares into those golden eyes of fury and desperation.

"Turn back time! Do it!" The entire world quakes at his call, and Tempus is stuck. 

Stuck between pity and reality.

"If I do, what will you do? What can you do?" Tempus responds, tired of this entire show. He groans when he felt strong claws around his neck.

"I'll save Guizhong! I'll stop the Archon war!"

"You'll only suffer and regret." Like him.

"I will not." The resolve in his voice is undeniable. 

"If only you had been there with me then Guizhong-"

"Will die. If not by the war, then by her people."

"What?" Morax freezes, and Kai could hear the bitter realization hit him. 

"If not by her people, then by fate. If not by fate, then by Celestia, by YOU! You of all people know even Gods die, Morax. It's a war." Kai is sick of it. 

Tempus tried everything, but he is a powerless, useless god against his own pen in his home world. 

Morax inhales, then exhales.

"Do it. Turn back time."

Tempus sighs, a distant memory of a determined, hard-working, and adorable adepti resurfaced in his mind. 

He remembers laughing and writing Zhongli's character-

"One chance." Then the Lord of Geo lets go and bows.

"Thank you." Tempus puts a hand on Morax's bloodied shoulder and closes his eyes. 

This conversation turns into one of the past.

The Archon war occurs, and Tempus watches Morax fail.

If he prevents one red flag, another arises.

Everything repeats, like a never-ending cycle of torture.

"Morax." 

"Tempus." The God of Time stops behind his sitting figure in front of Guizhong and many of his colleagues' graves.

Tempus puts a glazed lily on each of the graves and offers his own condolences.

"Morax. It's over now. Return."

"And where would I return?" Tempus holds out his hand. 

"Then, come with me." 

Morax accepted and followed. 

For some reason, Morax holds onto his hand like his lifeline, and Tempus allows him.

Just like that, the two Gods made their way to Temporium, a land where time moves differently than in the rest of the world. 

Temporium is a wonderful nation.

Old as time, this country is the first nation Tempus raised from the ground. It is also the country that he chose to call "home". 

The royal family is the one that manages the country and Tempus is merely a guide and protector, helping them navigate the dangers of the past and the future.

His protective shield around this land slows down or speeds up time within the shield, creating a safe haven that is immune to any outside influences. 

Kai wants to make this country similar to his real home. 

Before he was thrown into this madness. 

Tempus leads Morax into a transparent dome known as a green house and stops. 

"Morax. Time is limited. So cherish it."

Surrounded by flowers and greenery, there stood a woman with a gentle smile.

"Morax?" 

Tempus watches them reunite and thinks that losing sleep is worth it. 

Looking up into the skies, Tempus thinks that since he was able to change fate, just slightly, it means Tempus is stronger, but not enough. 

Celestia is wavering. 

But he's too late.

Too many died, and too many suffered due to his hand. He can't just turn back time, for he will also revert to the past "him".

Nevertheless, Tempus swore to change the plot, and maybe, just maybe, end this never-ending madness. 

Seeing as to how Morax and Guizhong are fine, Tempus disappears and reappears under a cherry blossom tree.

There was another person he saved, a sister and leader to many. There, two sisters cried in each other’s arms like no tomorrow.

Tempus watches solemnly, and repeats the same disappearing and reappearing, many times.

Tempus shouldn't be at this tea party. 

"Morax. Let's rebuild Liyue."

"Guizhong. They betrayed you." Morax clearly looks like he was withholding his rage. 

"I know." Guizhong acknowledges, but isn't afraid. 

"But even so, I understand their reasons. To protect their land from an unwanted war."

Her kindness knows no bounds. Truly, no one deserves her. 

"Thus Morax, this time, we will rebuild Liyue with the adepti, and we will stand together. As always."

"Guizhong. I...cannot afford to lose you again." She smiles wistfully, and then looks at Tempus. 

"I too am afraid of disappearing, and without Tempus, perhaps I would have perished. It was he who saved me and led me to his realm to heal. For that, thank you." 

Morax too bows in gratitude.

"I apologize that I cannot save everyone." 

"That would be too much to ask from you, Tempus. For you are not an omnipotent, omniscient or omnipresent God." 

For the first time, Tempus feels slightly relieved at someone's words. 

"I'm sure you did your best and already changed so many people’s lives."

Huh. A soft smile blooms on his face and the two seemed surprised. 

Truly, no one deserves her.  

Eventually they leave, and Tempus, sends them off peacefully, wishing them the best.

Then, Liyue is built once again.

This time, they build the foundation and protect the city together.

But again, even the gods cannot go against time.

When Guizhong dies, she dies as she scatters her wisdom all over Liyue, to her people, to her country and to her loved ones.

This time, she dies without regrets.

This time, she dies because Celestia told her it was time.

There was no forewarning, but it looked like she knew. 

She spent the last of her time with Morax and Tempus before she fades and flutters away like dust.

Again, Morax receives a stone dumbbell, challenging him to unlock.

But this time, there was one thing that changed.

"Morax, I hope you can befriend Tempus. He's the oldest of all gods, the one who has drifted the longest among all. Yet, he is perhaps the one that is the loneliest and wisest, or perhaps that is why he acts the way he acts." She says after she gives him her dumbbell.

"If I have one regret, it would be that I have never gained his trust."

"Guizhong, that's impossible-"

"Morax, he has never shown us more than courtesy and kindness. Maybe I am greedy, but I want to become a friend to all." She smiles.

"That is why, I hope you can be his friend in place of I."

"Of course. By your gift, I pledge to fulfill your will." Morax holds her hand as she disintegrates.

"Thank you Morax. I hope only happiness and prosperity follow you."

Like dust, they slip through his fingers and disappear.

Like all of his comrades, friends, and loved ones.

And Tempus could only watch from the distance like a powerless God he is. 

"The loneliest and wisest huh..." 

He could only laugh bitterly.

"Tempus."

"Morax." The god replies with a low hum, "What brings you here?"

"I want to give you my gratitude."

"No need." Tempus does not turn to greet him, but simply continues to write. Morax watches him write with a mysterious utensil, a pen.

Tempus truly is worthy of being called a genius amongst geniuses.

A god who built a country, and protected his realm despite the Archon War, and survived. No wonder he is heavily respected and worshiped by his people.

"Teach me."

The god stops.

"What are you talking about?"

"Teach me how to build Liyue."

"It's already built."

"How to govern as a God." Without Guizhong and his friends, Morax is incapable of running a country. His hands were made to fight and seal monsters, not to care for people. 

"You do not need to govern a country. Barbatos-"

"He's a fool." Morax heard a muffled laugh.

"But his country is still functioning quite well isn't it?" Tempus turns around, his azure eyes meets his golden ones.

"Tempus."

"What will I get in return? God of Contracts?" Tempus smiles before he stands.

"What do you need?"

"Trade." Morax blinks.

"Free trade amongst civilians. No taxes or barriers." Morax doesn't quite understand his terms, but he's willing to learn.

"I accept."

"You don't even know what I said didn't you?" Tempus crosses his arms and shook his head.

"I believe you are a fair person and one who will teach me what I need to know.”

“Just like old times isn’t it?”

This was Morax's first contract, and certainly won't be the last. 

Time passes quickly, and soon, Morax and Barbatos become the two of the original seven left. 

Despite this, Tempus does his job as both a Creator and babysitter job well. 

He ensures Gods fulfill their duty and if they need help, they can seek him out. If Tempus ever saw something worth his time (which is like...every time), he too would interfere, gaining the Archons' favour. 

He realized the power of the butterfly effect. From saving Gods such as Guizhong and Makoto, even with what little power he had during the Archon War to extend their life, it played an immense part in changing the Archons themselves.

Again, too much work, and too little time. 

Even if he slows down time, he could never get enough sleep. 

It's also blatantly obviously the Archons are treating him too well, but he originally thought it made sense with all the effort he put in to change the plot. 

But their affectionate gestures increased after they found of he was the Creator.

Tempus really shouldn't have told Morax this a while back and allowed him to tell the other Archons. Luckily, he prevented them from telling anyone else under the pretense that it was his order. 

Even so, Kai finally feels a little more at ease. He could finally get some sleep. 

Could he really complain about the children (Archons) when they gave him the most premium material to sleep on? 

Or hear a private concert from a certain bard?

Or try out the best food in the jungles?

Or let him sleep under the giant cherry blossoms whenever he wants?

Or take him out to a hot springs in Liyue?

"Kai. How are you feeling?" Zhongli asks from behind him, who is washing his long, long hair. 

"Good...Thanks...Zhongli."

Kai can finally relax a bit and it’s well deserved. Taking care of kids is hard. Much less 7 at once.

At least they’re paying him back with interest.

Zhongli couldn't help but smile proudly when the sleepless God fell asleep in his domain.

He'd be sure to brag about this at their next Archon meeting. 

Not knowing it would be their last.

[otome-obsessions]

Fairytale Keeper Archives - Madam Beryl

Part 1

3. What is the most distinct memory you've made with Beryl?

William: Do you remember when the three of us went to the opera house? There was a brief moment where she closed her eyes and began to silently mouth the lyrics of the mezzo-soprano performance. Her expression was intensely wistful. Like a bird singing inside of a cramped cage… She seems to know a great deal of opera by heart, and yet she doesn’t even hum when I play her favorite melodies. I can’t help but anticipate the day she lets her voice be heard again. Harrison: We were having breakfast one morning when Beryl and Jude started arguing as always. When they finished she slapped him on the back and stuck a little note that said “Beware of Dog” on his jacket. She kept giggling about it behind her fan, and whenever Jude would ask what was funny we’d all pass it off as something else. She's got a surprisingly childish sense of humor. Liam: One night, Beryl invited me to dinner at one of her taverns. After we ate, she admitted that she only asked me out because she wanted to get more publicity for her business. That honestly didn’t bother me, but she said she wanted to make it up to me since she really liked our conversation. So we left and got some snacks around the city, just the two of us. It’s not an exciting story, but… The way she looked at me when she said sorry really stuck with me, you know? Elbert: We were on a mission together, and she personally condemned a man guilty of enslaving children. She flew into a rage and beat him to death herself. I was surprised by her strength. It was like something possessed her… I couldn’t look away. Alfons: There are very specific rules of engagement at Beryl’s common houses. I happened to be enjoying the company of a new friend one night when a different client broke said rules. Beryl happened to be overseeing operations at the time, and she personally – and publicly – corrected the man’s behavior. By the end of her lesson, the rabble rouser was attached to a leash in her hand and kissing the tip of her shoe. Though, I imagine he enjoyed that much more than his protests let on. Roger: Like I said before, we don’t see each other much… Ah, I’ve got it. I saw her out in the city once. It was only in passing, and I wouldn’t have recognized her if it wasn’t for her heartbeat. She’s usually dressed up in those fancy dresses, but she was wearing a shirt and trousers at the time. Seemed like she was out drinking with her assistants and bodyguard. By the sound of things, they were having a good time. Jude: And why the hell do ya need to know that? (Keeper's note: The purpose of this report as well as the previously agreed upon compensation were reiterated toMr. Jazza.) Tch, fine... I've got a good one. There was one case where a group of 'merchants' were moving in on the East End and selling drugs behind my back. The product made its way into the bird's whorehouses, so with Queenie's blessing we buddied up to weed 'em out. Managed to snatch one of their grunts off the street, and we got to work on 'im. Started off playin' good cop, bad cop, but the bell end was dumb enough to admit to offin’ one of Beryl's girls. Little Miss Prim started peelin' the skin off the poor sod and echoin' his screams back at him. Oh? That make you feel queasy, princess? Well, we both know Queenie likes her fairytales graphic, so don't leave out the good bits, yeah? Ellis: Jude and I met Beryl when she first came to London and started her business, and at the time it seemed like we would end up condemning her for her crimes. I really thought she was a bad person back then, but when I was shadowing her one day I saw her buy some food for the homeless children hanging around her tavern. No one else saw her do it, and I don’t think she knew I was there that day. I can’t really call her a good person, but I started to look at her differently after that.

Victor: Oh, our first lunch together was absolutely wonderful! We’d both finished our investigations into each other without bloodshed, so we finally started learning more about each other as people. Did you know she speaks Italian, Spanish, German, and French? Our Beryl is just so talented, isn’t she? Anyway, while we were speaking about language studies she demonstrated her ability for me by mimicking the voices of the Crown members. Have you ever heard Harry reciting a poem in German? Because I have!

━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━

[theenemyod]

go into deep ramble about why your current favorite character is your favorite character

(OBVIOUSLY NOT FORCED 😋 only if you want)

Fave character is Alex Strike from Magisterium

I don't really know. Aaron was my fave for ages and he's still up their (probably betrayed as fuck that my new fave is his murderer) but I can give a few unorganised bullet points

The concept of the Devoured of Chaos could be really interesting if tgt didn't fuck it up

how he spent so long trying to become like Constantine

Also him compared to Call as a really fucking good opposite

Like Call trying so hard after finding out he has Constantine's soul to be like Constantine while Alex is trying so hard to be like Constantine/be Constantine

Him and Drew

Just random headcanons about him that can make him slightly more human

IF THE SILVER MASK HAD DONE THINGS FUCKING WELL

(tsm remains my fave book because I can fix it. Not because it's done well)

I can project onto him a bunch. transmasc headcanons.

I too would do all that for attention

"Call called on everything he'd ever learned about the soul tap and sent his concentration spinning towards Alex. He could see Alex's soul, the glow and light of it, no longer blackened with chaos. He felt it, almost as though he held it in his hands, pulsing and sparking, wrapped around with cords of hate, ambition, and pain. Call could see the kid who had liked being popular, who liked being Master Rufus's assistant, but who felt like it was never enough. He saw the kid who had crafted elaborate illusions out of movies, weaving in his friends and himself, always himself -- as the winner, the victor, the person who got everything in the end. Call saw the part of Alex that had felt bereft when his father died, abandoned to a woman with her own agenda, her own obsession. He saw his ambition grow and bloom and twist. Saw his hatred of Call, his resentment, his desire to be the winner. Call saw all of that, saw Alex's soul, whole and human and flawed."

THAT PARAGRAPH

HOLY FUCKINF SHIT THAT I HATE TGT BUT THAT FUCKINH BIT

his and josephs relationship like him trying so hard to impress joseph and joseph just wont have it jospeh does not see him as any good

" "If you can't find Drew's soul, then you must not be much of a Makar" he heard Master Joseph say from the other side of the door "Perhaps you should be the vessel for Drew's return. Perhaps Callum Hunt can push Drew's soul in and your soul out" // "I'm a Makar," Alex whined. "You can't do that." " ... " "your powers are stolen and you are inferior" Master Joseph said, his voice thich with rage. "You were never meant to wield chaos magic." // "I can do this," Alex said. "I can!" There was a scraping noise. "Just give me some room to work." "

That bit

actually there are a lot of tsm moments

"I ought to be Constantine" who tf uses the word "ought" bitch

I too would be pissed off if someone exploded a stoat on me tbh

emo boy

he is 100% an MCR fan okay

cannot stand Call for five seconds

That one picture in tsm WHY ARE YOU SITTING LIKE THAT

what is an evil overlord-y look I wanna see it

He did a lot of it for attention and honestly if you're gonna go that far for attention I think you deserve to get some

I could fix chaos devoured him. Not in a "I could fix him I could make him a good person" way in a "I could make this way more in character and work better as a plot point" way

I have way too many of his lines memorised and idk why. Why do I need this shit playing on loop in my head wtf

[alexisnoir]

Our Flag Means Death Fanfiction Recommendations

I haven't read OFMD fanfictions after season 1 but started when season 2 was airing. Now that season 2 is over, I went through few fanfictions I believe many of you may find interesting to read. Most of them are epic long, finished, posted BEFORE season 2 ended or right before it ended. They're modern AU's, different universes, different timelienes. Stories I've found, after reading few chapters I'll be immersed for hours to come. So here's my list, hopefully you'll find something to read yourself if you are fanfiction reader. With few of the stories I'm close to finishing them and others I just started. I have more stories I'd love to share but haven't read them since some are so long and still posting I'm scared to know if they will get finished after season 2. Hopefully they will.

The list with links:

Ed, Actually by BonnetPetit

When newly divorced and newly out Stede Bonnet is dragged to a rock concert by his assistant, he thinks it will be a fun night out and a chance to be more social after isolating himself. Little does he know, he is about to attract the attention of the legendary Blackbeard, frontman of Queen Anne's Revenge.

Their meet-cute hits a bit of a snag when an incident at the concert threatens the nationwide tour Blackbeard and his band are about to go on, putting Stede under a spotlight he never wanted or asked for.

I'm Used to Death by dimplyowl, That_Mothra

The 74th Hunger Games looms over the 12 districts of Panem. In District 12, Stede Bonnet, the son of the district’s only living victor, has been reaped from a pool of hundreds. In District 1, Edward Teach has volunteered for the Games in an effort to help his family. Both know that either death or victory waits for them in the arena. Neither of them expects a third option.

to a good home only by fluffy_miracle

In a world where alphas are second-rate citizens, Ed Teach, a more or less retired omega lives alone in a cozy house that is all his own. He hasn’t dated in years, not since he got out of an abusive relationship with his ex, Jack. He has some health issues that keep cropping up and he knows he will eventually have to deal with them, even if it means getting an alpha.

One day, while checking the classifieds for parts for his boat, Ed finds an ad about an alpha for sale. On a whim, he calls and finds himself with an alpha of his own in the next three hours. Stede is not what he was expecting, but there’s something about the sweet, most likely traumatized alpha that makes Ed want to keep him, even if it’s just to make sure he’s finally taken care of.

The Expectations We Hold For Ourselves by aspenspiratebrainrot

Mary said yes to going to sea, albeit only for two months, and so they go.

Jim, on the run from Spanish Jackie, splits from Oluwande and joins Blackbeard's crew in exchange for his protection.

Lucius, pickpocketing his way through Barbadian towns, somehow finds himself employed as part of a three-person crew.

Three weeks into the two months, The Revenge is attacked by Blackbeard, and Stede's hope of an exciting but ultimately peaceful voyage with his family are crushed. All that's left is for him to bargain for his family's lives, even if that means putting himself on the line.

The Definitive Leda House and the Kraken Verse by Vee (Vera_DragonMuse), Vera_DragonMuse

A modern AU that follows the entire staff of the drag bar named Revenge as well as their partners and the Bonnet children. Features drag shows, late in life coming out stories, romance in many forms, and as much found family as you could ask for.

The Underground by NymsShadow

Recently and amicably divorced Stede Bonnet is slated for a big promotion, when new hire Ed Teach swoops in and steals his job… and then his heart.

Candid Moments by meg_ofmd

Stede Bonnet is married with two kids. He works for his father, but knows this isn't his passion. He loves photography, but it's just a hobby for him. When his favorite photographer, Edward Teach writes a book about his life, he's tasked by his father with publishing it. Edward Teach is married to one of his oldest friends, Jack Rackham, but isn't happy. He's bored with his career and annoyed with his manipulative husband. He meets Stede Bonnet, who is publishing his book, and realizes he may have found his soul mate, but he's married.

Eureka by JaneSane

In the year 1888, Stede Bonnet, twenty seven years of age, holder of a degree in Political Economy (by the skin of his teeth and his father’s refusal to fund any further studies in Classics or History), lived life fairly well on his own terms. He was a little queer in his ideas, and in addition to the arts was an enthusiast in some branches of science. Those with a passing acquaintance, which was the most anyone would claim, called him a decent fellow enough.

Some stories are very explicit, some are less but still hold warning tags, so if you have any triggers you want to avoid, read the tags in the stories!

[vorish-wonderland]

story/headcanon of fem mer escaping from mer-azul but mer-floyd catches her. feeling hungry floyd swallows her and carries her back inside his stomach, pls. if that's too much then it's okay

Includes: soft/safe vore, unwilling prey, fem reader

★✦Personal Escort✦★

☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ

"You've broken your contract, (Y/N)." Azul said to you.

"It... i-it was an accident, though...!" You told him, terrified. "You... u-understand... don't you...?"

"Oh, of course I understand!" Azul said, a sickly sweet smile on his face. One of his tentacles slithered under your chin, tilting your head upwards. "However... I must punish you for breaking contract... you'll never learn without consequences, after all~"

You were completely panicked. So many thoughts were pulsing through your head right now, but one thought in particular was most vivid.

Run.

And so...

That's exactly what you did.

You swam away as fast as you could.

"They always think they can get away..." Azul sighed. "But he's just up ahead. So she won't get very far..."

You were breathing so heavily as you tried to get as far away from Azul as you could.

You thought you had gotten far enough away.

You thought there was no way Azul could get to you.

But unfortunately for you-

"Bah~~!"

An eel popped up from out of nowhere.

"Ehehe! Did I scare ya~? Your face looks like you've seen a ghost~"

...

You still need to get away.

Even if Floyd is... scary, and intimidating...

You need to get away.

So you push him out of the way and just keep going.

"Ohhhhh, it's one o' thoooose cases, eh?" Floyd giggled to himself. "More fun for me~"

You swam as fast as you could but he still caught up to you.

"Awww, why the rush~? Don't you wanna hang out~? It'd be fun~" He grabbed your hand tightly. "You're not very smart, y'know that? I dunno why you ever thought you could escape from me."

He coiled himself around you, wrapping his tail tightly around your body.

"I could probably just... break all your bones right now, and drag your broken body back to Azul~" Floyd whispered to you, before licking the side of your face. "But Azul's been havin' me do this soooooo much lately... I think I deserve a bit of a treat. Don't you~?"

He gently bit your cheek.

"I think that treat might just have to be you."

This happens under the sea. It's considered even kind of 'normal'. So nobody's going to help you.

Floyd grabbed your face. He opened his mouth wide, wider than what you would consider normal, and then just like that-

He forcefully shoved your head into his mouth.

Well this is just great. Exactly what you needed today.

The second jaws sprang forward and grabbed your head to assist with the swallowing. They pulled you towards the throat, and then... it started. Floyd swallowed your head.

Placing his hand on the bulge in his throat, he could feel all the details of your face, he enjoyed the feeling... this superiority...

It was an entire ordeal for the both of you, Floyd was struggling to swallow you, and you were struggling to get away from him.

Quite unfortunately, after struggling from both of you, Floyd was the victor and down went most of your torso.

And now, all that was left was your tail, spasming in a panic.

And then not even that.

"Haah... it's... been a while since... I've done this..." Floyd said as he took deep breaths. "Not really... used to having... a meal this big..."

Being curled up inside of someone isn't the most comfortable thing. Especially when that someone won't stop playing with you, poking, squeezing, squishing, etc... it was not fun for you.

"Alrighty then, let's get ya back to Azul~!"

You sighed. Not really anything else you can do in this scenario, is there.

You've got to face the consequences of accidentally breaking your contract.

"Why'd you think you could get away? Jade an' I were there when you signed your contact, did you not think Azul would use us to make sure you don't get away from your contract?"

You don't want to talk. Not to him.

"Not much for conversation, eh? Well that's fine. Just thought it'd be fun if we, y'know, talked for a bit... thanks for this, by the way. It's nice. Haven't felt this stuffed in a while."

There was a long while of silence after that.

"Hey, Azuuuuuul~! I got that anemone that tried escaping before her punishment~!"

"Good. Bring her in."

"You got it!"

"...Floyd. How many times have I told you not to do this?!"

"Whaaaat? It scares 'em, don't it?"

"Dear Seven... just get her out, ok?!"

"Eh?! But I don't wanna anymore! I sorta like how she feels in there~"

"Get. Her. Out."

"Well... I might... for a trade. Ehe, I'll let her go if you agree to take her place~!"

"Oh not again..." Azul sighed. "FINE. Just let me punish her for breaking contract first, ok?!"

"You got it~!"

Now you have an anemone growing from your head. Humiliating.

You made sure to get out before you could... 'intrude' on their 'business'.

[kiryll-antiqua]

Bark

Kiryll's ears burned when he heard about Victor for the first time. He knew Varis liked dogs, which made the tempered pugnaxes in Babil Tower make his heart hurt even moreso, but to think, a particular show dog existed and survived the whole Anima incident…and on display locally.

The requirements to get in to see him were very high, and Kiryll lacked the ability to commit time to completing them, but at the very least, he could go in to visit it.

Though no farmer's hand with animals, he was a dog lover himself. Lady Susuno had had borzoi, and it was one of Kiryll's duties to assist in keeping them well-cleaned. They had needed enough attention that Lady Susuno hired a new member of staff to do the entire job, because it had just become too much of an ordeal. His grandmother's dog was a very sweet and dense Collie named Scratcher. 

Victor was warmed to Kiryll almost immediately. He was large, and the pugnax face aesthetic was not to his taste, even with Victor being considered as having the gold standard pugnax face. He was barking and wagging his tail as Kiryll approached, and when he got within range, Victor slobbered on the upper half of his right torso, leaving Kiryll shuddering for a few moments, wiping himself off with a handkerchief.

Kiryll had never enjoyed any kind of dirt on him, ever since he was a child. Born the son of a lord, but raised as a servant, it always had perplexed him how much he hated getting dirty, while his half sister seemed to roll in it daily.

Victor's handler calmed him down and waited politely for Kiryll to approach again. "It's all right, I know he's a good dog. Aren't you?"

Kiryll knew just where a pugnax preferred to be scritched. 

–

"Do you like dogs, Warrior of Light? I have a summer home to the south, and I keep several there. Pugnaxes, that is."

"Pugnax?" Kiryll hadn't heard that word in such a long time, and didn't think he had certainly never seen one before.

"One of several types of attack dogs. Round-ish, snub-nosed, sharp teeth. Though I suppose they haven't made their way to Eorzea…I know your people do use attack dogs, but I'm unfamiliar with exactly which ones. I'll have to look them up later…"

Kiryll cleared his throat, a little nervous. "I did see to it that my lady's three borzoi were taken care of, but I typically haven't too much experience with attack dogs."

"Are borzoi not attack dogs themselves, though?"

"Only if you agitate them."

Varis was very good at diverting the core of the conversation so that there was more to talk with him about. Kiryll wasn't sure if it was a bit of attention deficit or purposeful deceit, meticulously crafted in advance to keep Kiryll ensnared. He worked a bit to find the thread. "Summer home, you say? I think I can handle meeting an attack dog."

Varis smiled at him, his crows feet catching Kiryll's eye. "You're a good person. You can probably handle all six."

–

Kiryll had indeed been able to handle all six. Said summer home was in a warm place that reminded him of Thavnair but he didn't think it was within its borders. The home was a modest cluster of homes, impeccably kept, not standing out as an Imperial edifice due to its retaining of the local architecture style, but heavily patrolled. 

It was nice to share a secluded set of evenings on a beach, alone with someone. He was a little bit angry that that someone ended up being Varis and not some kind of better paragon from Eorzea, but he was still in his feelings about Eorzea, which was part of why he decided to go meet Varis rather than ripping up the letter he got sent.

The dogs looked very fierce, and he didn't remember any of their names, but he was good to them, and they were good to him. Even the ones that seemed skittish or likely to snap seemed to warm to Kiryll as if he were royalty in a fairy story.

Now years later, he wondered what had become of that place, or if it could ever be found. Victor barked, though it came off as more of a "boof," bringing him back down to earth.

Kiryll spent so much time in his own thoughts these days. The trainer had him do a few tricks and it was almost time to let the next group of people in to see him, and he was eventually politely ushered out after loitering for too long.

Kiryll was having trouble keeping his lucidity in public, and he didn't like that at all. He hoped the move to Garlemald to help the Twins would prove useful.

He trodded back to his apartment and grabbed an old bottle of plum wine off the shelf before bed, still thinking about Varis's dogs, and all the other pugnaxes he happened to encounter afterwards. He had such terrible trouble being on the other side of their leash.

He felt like the biggest heel in existence as he had to push past the pugnaxes Zenos seemed to employ in his own defenses. Though with Zenos, Kiryll thought that maybe his defenses were actually designed by his retainers, or been mandated by Varis himself. It was almost comedic, like ordering small bodyguards for an unbelievably powerful Gladiator.

Though Victor here would only be an entertainer. His snarls seemed like the dog version of smiles, and his love language was a frightful bark, it was the only language he knew, and it also reminded him of Varis. 

There was not a single day he wasn't thinking about him, in all this time. He knew it was about time to try to let go a little bit. It had been almost two years, after all. He felt quite stupid, drowning in the dreams, the nightmares, the fanciful daydreams. He was surprised he was not tempered, himself. 

Kiryll remembered seeing tempered pugnaxes in Babil Tower, and the horror of the situation really set in - Babil Tower was not something Varis would have chosen for himself. It was a vicious punishment enacted by Fandaniel's desire to destroy, and Zenos's silent apathy to everything that surrounded him that was given to him by his family.

It was good that the war had ended. It was just gruesome and terrible that it had ended like this.

Kiryll was constantly hearing people on the streets of Ul'dah talking about it, and not just amongst the Lemures, but the merchants and the low ranking politicians, too. It had lost its charm, and with it, most of what tied his attachment to Ul'dah.

Most of his own things were in boxes, and friends had been communicated with, and a long conversation with his mother as well. This was his last week here, and he was hoping the change of venue would be better for his mind.

[cushfuddled]

DUDE DUDE DUDE THANK YOU! All your meta on Viktor makes me so happy.

Viktor can be closed off and callous, but what kills me is that he doesn't mean to come across that way. I think a lot of his comments look snide on paper, but are spoken with genuine care. Like their meeting from S1E2:

JAYCE: Who are you anyway? VIKTOR: I'm assistant to the Dean of the Academy—who it may serve you to remember is also head of the Council. He sent me here to ensure that anything dangerous is removed safely. Which, according to my list, includes you. JAYCE: What? How am I dangerous?! VIKTOR: That's for the council to decide.

In my memory, Viktor delivered these lines with a cavalier tone, like, "I'm the ASSISTANT to the HEAD OF THE COUNCIL who's gonna KICK YOUR ASS, rich boy." But look at Viktor's expressions as he delivers these lines!

"I'm assistant to the Dean of the Academy—who it may serve you to remember is also head of the Council. He sent me here to ensure that anything dangerous is removed safely. Which, according to my list, includes you."

There's maybe a tiny flicker of amusement as he reminds Jayce of his place, but I don't think that's Viktor relishing Jayce's plight. To me, these expressions are more contemplative with a tinge of surprise. Less like "haha, look at this dumb rich boy suffer consequences for the first time!" and more like "haha, this kid's got spunk!" He's not put off by Jayce's naive pigheadedness; he's fascinated by Jayce's work and endeared by his outbursts. He relates to Jayce's frustrations and his fighting spirit.

In other words, Viktor may not mean to reprimand Jayce so much as alert him to the gravity of his circumstances. The translation goes, "Don't underestimate the power of the forces you're up against. I'm here as a representative to the Council, which means 1. you're a threat to the oligarchy, and 2. as a man of my position, you can trust me when I say you need to take this situation very, very seriously."

And then look at Victor's face when he says, "That's for the council to decide."

There's no contempt or schadenfreude here. Viktor looks so SAD. To my eyes, this is the face of a man who's seen Jayce's rebuttal to a plea for caution, and knows Jayce won't be able to disguise his passion at the trial. This bright spark will be extinguished under the heel of the oligarchy, and that inspires a regretful tone, not a haughty one.

But again, the words themselves would lead anyone to believe Viktor spoke with derision. And I think this mismatch applies to a lot of Viktor's interactions with Jayce and Sky. Again, I remembered Viktor being aloof and snarky when he saved Jayce, but the reality was much less black and white. On rewatch, Viktor wasn't the pillar of snark from my memory. He seemed out of his depth.

"Am I interrupting?" no longer feels like snark, but a misfire. I don't think Viktor has a lot of experience with giving or receiving comfort, and I suspect his first instinct—even when faced with a scenario as dire as a man on a ledge—was to reach for something light and quippy to diffuse the tension. The "a bit egotistical" comment falls into this category for me too, especially with the way Viktor's eyes dart around as he delivers the line (and how Jayce's offense seems to catch him off guard).

VIKTOR: ...Every page, I might add. Eh, a little egotistical, don't you think?

JAYCE: Is that why you came? To insult me? VIKTOR: [Fervently] No, no.

VIKTOR: I was intrigued by what you said at the trial. JAYCE: [Shooting Viktor down again] That makes you the only one. VIKTOR: Yes, well, I wanted to talk about your work.

The awkwardness of Viktor's "...Yes, well," reads like course correction. If there's exasperation here, I think it's coming from a desire to reach Jayce, coupled with the terrifying knowledge that his failure could spell Jayce's death. He's tried to diffuse the situation, and now he's had to switch tactics; he'll convince Jayce to stay on the merits of his work. Except Jayce anticipates ill-intent and reacts defensively. From Viktor's POV he must feel like he's only pushing Jayce farther and farther away, and there's a desperation leaking into Viktor's expression as he says, "Yes, well, I wanted to talk about your work. This Hextech theory of yours."

Viktor steps closer and closer towards Jayce. But Jayce takes the peace offer as an insult. He's angry, convinced Viktor came here to antagonize him. "It's not a theory!"

But then Jayce gives Viktor an in: "You have no idea how beautiful it is. And now it's gone. No one believed me."

Here, Viktor gives up all pretense of detachment. He steps out of the shadows and joins Jayce in the revealing light of the ledge. He meets Jayce where he's at, and his vulnerability ("Nobody's ever believed in me. A poor cripple from the undercity. I was an outsider the moment I stepped foot in Piltover") is what allows Jayce to finally shift his perception of Viktor from a bully (here to pour salt in his wounds) to a comrade in arms (here to help him achieve his dream).

In general, Viktor strikes me as an autistic man...

with a passion for his work (cough special interest cough) so intense it can make it seem like he doesn't care about other people/being included/recognition/his own health

who sometimes misses key social cues (like when Sky offers to walk him home) and struggles to follow the "right" social scripts, with his flat affect and cut-to-the-chase approach often causing him to come across as detached or mean when he's really neither of those things

Viktor doesn't feel safe enough to show vulnerability very often, which also contributes to that aura of aloofness. He's absolutely got a sense of humor, and I think he can be snarky. Sometimes Viktor even defaults to snark and banter as a buffer between himself and his emotions. Big emotions have always frightened and frustrated Viktor on so many levels.

*whispers* Viktor never once says anything mean or belittling to Jayce after they become partners. Not one insulting "you" statement, not one disagreement where he doesn't remained focused on the point of contention. He never makes ad hominem attacks, he never insults Jayce's appearance or intelligence.

Literally the single meanest thing he says to Jayce that could be considered a "you" statement is "Your mind has become rigid." Basically, he's saying that Jayce has suffered so much recently that it's closed his mind to broader intellectual possibilities like, that is barely an insult, and clearly Viktor just means it as a statement of fact, if not a challenge for Jayce to joyously consider possibilities again. And by the way? That statement is when Viktor is in his full his villain arc. It's remarkable because it's the only time he's pointed out a perceived flaw in Jayce since the night when he questioned if Jayce signed his notes out of being egotistical.

From the moment Jayce told Viktor about how beautiful magic could be, arguably once Jayce became a person to Viktor rather than a subject of academic discipline or skepticism, Viktor has not once leveled a personal attack against him as a person. Not even during the fight on the bridge. Not even when he called Jayce's Councilor work a waste of our time. Not even when Jayce was considering making Hextech weapons, Viktor still remained focused on the substance of the argument, expressed incredulity, anger, even disgust that Jayce would consider making weapons, but he never said it was because Jayce was stupid or privileged or blind. He pointed out specifically that he knew Jayce felt trapped by the decision, he knew Jayce was being manipulated, and then, in a very pointed manner, Viktor reminded Jayce that there's always a choice, challenging Jayce to stand firm and do what was right.

Even when they parted ways in 2.02, Viktor didn't say there was anything wrong with Jayce. He just said their paths had diverged, again not saying anything was wrong with Jayce, or even his choices, but rather that they're two different people who had stayed together longer than their diverging goals normally would have allowed because of the affection they held for each other.

I don't know, I get why people write Viktor as catty or mean or dismissive of Jayce. There's definitely some quotes from the day they met, before they become partners, that lend to the idea that Viktor can be quite dry and sharp with others. And conflict is the stuff of good fiction so again, totally get putting some conflict between him and Jayce in fic.

But I also think there's a tendency in derivative works like fic to Flanderize the characters, or worse, put them into narrow archetype boxes that are vastly different from their more interesting and nuanced canon selves.

How many times have we seen a wiggly man/straight man or blue vs. red personality partnership duo? How often have we seen those partners not be able to fucking stand each other, who are bickering all the time, who are snide or backtalk, or are perpetually sarcastic?

It's so common that I get why people see it with Jayce and Viktor but that's why it's so damn fascinating to me that they aren't like that.

Jayce and Viktor don't suffer each other unwillingly at any point, even when they're having a goddamn flying superhero fight in the final episode they're talking about how they're happy to see each other and praying that the other will please step away from this destructive path! They don't want to hurt each other, even verbally!

During the years of their partnership, they're constantly delighted by the other's presence, they are instantly comfortable together and never have a bad word to say to or about each other. They actually don't bicker! When they have disagreements, they stay entirely focused on the point of the disagreement and they never dip into personal attacks of any kind.

Even the tone of the time Jayce yells at him on the bridge, arguably their most acrimonious moment in the whole first season, isn't an actual argument, no more than a parent yelling at their child for running into traffic is an argument. Jayce says awful things but it's clear his anger comes from fear for Viktor and for their precarious situation. And it's clear this is a deeply unusual moment for both of them, Viktor is taken aback at how unusual it is, Jayce once called out backs down immediately, arguably because it's so unnatural for them to fight at all that it takes the wind out of the sails of Jayce's anger instantly when he realizes he's crossed a line.

No one can drag a bad word about Viktor out of Jayce, and vice versa! When Singed implies that Viktor might lose loved ones over his choices, Viktor immediately (and correctly!) states that Jayce will understand.

They are rigorously protective of one another too. Arguably all the times Viktor excludes Jayce from his Hexcore experiments in S1 is to protect him from his reckless and likely illegal experiments (as well as not wanting Jayce to stop him and wanting to live, but it can be many things). Jayce constantly cites Viktor as his partner and constantly reiterates that Viktor is his priority in life, that saving Viktor comes first. Jayce overthrows the goddamn founder of the city in order to protect Viktor!

Jayce's love for Viktor is so extreme that literally in S2, the only person who can convince Jayce to hurt Viktor, after seeing the post-apocalyptic Hell of a future that is caused by him, is Viktor himself. Jayce doesn't even get mad at Viktor after he learns Viktor is the cause of what he saw! He is instead desperate to get back, to avert the damage caused by their joint work in Hextech, and saved Viktor from the fate worse than death that is Mage Viktor's total isolation in the aftermath. And every step of the way, even knowing what he knows it's clear he's in agony at the thought of having to raise a hand to Viktor at all.

Now of course I'm getting into just how insane their love for one another gets in S2, but I just feel so baffled sometimes reading fic where Viktor is constantly undercutting, insulting, or belittling Jayce every which way. He never once does that after the partnership begins. And it makes me so insane because we have so many partnerships in media that do devolve into sarcasm, cattiness, and backbiting but Jayce and Viktor aren't one of them and that's really really fucking interesting and worthy of exploration I think.

[kaoarika]

Early this week I was able to watch Undelu's first episode and I still have the same complaints I had due to the first impressions I DID have when it aired WAY back last year :)

I don't think the first ep needed to be SO artistry or too symbolic in some parts. I mean, I know ex-SHAFT staff worked on this... but I still don't feel it needed it (the tilt heads meme that SHAFT is full well known is still rotting in my mind after all these years, it seems) and I feel it goes better with stuff like 3gatsu rather than... Undelu.

OH, the first sequence is NICE and it implies in some way or form that might be the anime adaptation of To You From Me, with all the context/parallels of the Loops, Victor, Juiz and the fact that I ALWAYS forget Undelu happens in some weird alternate world than ours... but it didn't have to go hard like THAT, lol (also some parallels with IRL Undelu's anime adaptation vs the manga... I have read reactions that are ALL over the place for the pacing of the anime's season, so, that might be fun :)) )

I miss the crowd from the first scene of Fuuko and Andy... it feels so strange and lonely... it works better that there was a crowd and not... just THEM???

My brother insisted to watch it with the LatAm dub, so I cannot really be against it. So far, it's good... but it feels a bit... weird because it's ALSO using other Spanish translation than what the manga uses (I always suspected that the manga is using Spain's manga TL and it's being "fixed" for it to be neutral) and there's also the biiiig familiarity of reading the manga in English. SO. WEIRD.

To put it briefly:

English -> Spanish (Manga) -> Spanish (Anime)

Unluck -> Desafortunada -> Infortunio

Soemthing about synonims and words and nouns that are rarely used in Spanish becase there are alternatives that are better well known and used in our dialect and some feel like REAL, REAL deep cuts that I have rarely seen other ppl use in prose context (ie unluck is basically mala suerte)

Andy is named like such in the LatAm anime's localization because "Anti-muerte" and Anti -> Andy sound similar I guess (we all know it's because Andy - Undead and it's pronounciation in Japanese as its a borrowed word from English... so)

I know that Tozuka never anticipated the series would get translated other than English (and I think he even mentions that his assistants may know a bit better English than him, regardless), so there's going to be nouns and such that would be weird in my language translation later on (Unjust and Unfair both mean "injusto" >.>, the manga opted for "Ilegal" for Unfair... and yet it still doesn't sound right when certain someone gives hints of what their real ability is >.>, it TECHNICALLY has the same meaning as "injusto" in certain situations -ie cheating-, i will be real, but other than THAT...)

The dub is okay, so far. I think Edson Matus is the highlight because he fits Andy's gruff voice a lot (yet I want to listen to Youkyan, because... Youkyan) and he is currently one of my bro's fave dub actors at the moment (he voices Charlie in Smili*ng Friends, and I concur, he sounds awesome there). look, I am SOOOO tempted that in any chance they get him here, I will bring either vol 1 or my figure to get it signed (below the figure base, sorry :V*)

STILL A FREAKING DAMN SHAME D*SNEY+ GOT THIS, THOUGH.

(I'm just looking at the next new anime adaptation releases of Blue Box and Sak*amoto Days in Ne*tflix and... FRICK, you know?)

*Reminder that I don't go to anime cons since 2017 because going on my own is not fun and it's basically "rinse and repeat" with merch stands and the expensive tickets for all that and a conventions monopoly and open secrets about the whole organizing event thing????

[crackspinewornpages]

Les Misérables 260/365 -Victor Hugo

251

That night Babet, Brujon, Guelemer and Thenardier had planned an escape and Montparnasse was to help from outside. Brujon had woven a rope in confinement. He was transferred to the new building and found Guelemer and a nail. At this time roofers were relaying the slates and the new building was falling into disrepair (the irony) and the two’s beds were on the lower floor against the chimney that pieced the roof. Thenardier had been in solitary on the top floor and had somehow procured a bottle of wine. “There are, in many prisons, treacherous employees, half-jailors, half-thieves, who assist in escapes, who sell to the police an unfaithful service, and who turn a penny whenever they can.”p.616 (again things never really change)

When Gavroche picked up the two children Babet escaped and waited for them on the other side. Guelemer and Brujon used the nail and a chisel to loosen the boards and cause an avalanche of falling stone work and scaled the chimney and were on the roof. They used the rope to scale the walls and end in the street. That night Thenardier was too worried to sleep, he saw their shadows pass the roof and waited for the sentry to deliver food. He was allowed an iron bolt for his bread, (they just hung it on an iron rod) when it was delivered two hours later another sentry would round and found the previous one unconscious and a hole to the roof and his bayonet missing. Thenardier reached the crest of the ruined house somehow but his strength failed at the edge of the wall and the clock minutes before chiming the next round of sentries, when it did an uproar followed. Fall or arrest he thought, until he saw a man in the street who stopped under him, he heard their slang and recognized them.

Brujon was telling Montparnasse his tavern keeper accomplice must have been caught when they hear the prison alarm and figure Thenardier was found. They patrolled La Force looking for him, he didn’t dare call but threw the rope at them, he’s too cold to climb down. There was a plaster flute but it was too narrow except for a child and Mantparnasse went to fetch Gavroche. They give Gavroche his orders and up there Gavroche recognized his father. When they got back to the ground Babet told Thenardier that Eponine found there was nothing to be done but they’ll look into it. Ignored Gavroche listened for a bit before running off, Babet saw the family resemblance but Thenardier doesn’t acknowledge it.

BOOK SEVENTH SLANG

252

Pigritia engenders the whole world theft, hunger, the son and daughter and idleness the mother, slang, a dialect theft in people and language. Thirty-four years ago, the author was aghast at it from the abominable of society. Balzac and Eugene Sue were objected for writing dialects. “When it is a question of probing a wound, a gulf, a society, since when has it been considered wrong to go too far?”p.623 It was seen as a courageous act, fulfilled merits, why should one not explore everything, why stop. It is neither or attractive to investigate the lower order of society, the vocabulary of monsters, but when has horror excluded study. (page of examples)

All rungs of societal hierarchy and intelligences have slang, an extension not everyone will admit. There is veritable slang and pre-eminent slang, but it is vile and attacks the social order, what use is preserving it. “Assuredly, if the tongue which a nation or a province has spoken is worthy of interest, the language which has been spoken by a misery is still more worthy of attention and study. It is the language which has been spoken, in France, for example, for more than four centuries, not only by a misery, but by every possible human misery.” p.625 So we insist in the study of deformities to find remedy, descend into darkness, a historian isn't good if they do not understand hidden life interior as well as exterior, a true historian mingles in everything. “Is the under side of civilization any less important than the upper side merely because it is deeper and more sombre?”p.625 It is really the human tongue, words misshapen obscurity in voices and acts the real human division and cry education through those in the light can burn from excess.

253

Every syllable is marked from those in darkness but it has rights in literature it has syntax and poetry, it is language. A study in it would be fruitful, a language within language, dig deep enough and find the language of Mediterranean ports. (well yeah linguistic drift and borrowing vocabulary exists that’s why English is such a hodge podge and some west states pronounce iron as urn) An edifice in common by the miserable growing. Slang is metaphorical, sometimes slang passes into metaphor, it lives in the language and ordinary words are deformed and complicated and when understood changes. Man with only rags and vices are ripe for crime and in the galleys and in hell they sang songs of their birth, some were tender. “Do what you will, you cannot annihilate that eternal relic in the heart of man, love.”p.631 In the world of dismal deeds people kept secrets in the aide of metaphor and to research slang is to discover it. Slang is the convict of language to deliver in the abyss and create consternation.

254

Slang four hundred years ago, words now mournful, now menacing, a sadness of the vagrants in the Court of Miracles. In the middle of the last century there was a change in prison songs, the melancholy of the dejected class vanishes into laughter. The eighteenth century is healthy and good humanity advanced to the light with philosophers Diderot, Turgot, Voltaire and Rousseau. One winter was of an unhealthy gallery was Retif de La Bretonne, effected Europe summed up by Schiller, crime rose up and suffering engenders wrath and prosperous classes blind themselves to it, as to set a light to it brings society’s scrutiny to everything, crumbles and the French Revolution cut it short, the Revolution changed societal conditions. (given recent events in France they could use another one)

255

Is all social danger gone, no phthisis is there and called misery, even selfish hearts understand political necessities and first thought is the disinherited, so enlarge the horizon, educate them, (the Midatlantic accent common in old movies used to be taught in schools because it was considered upper class after WWII it declined) offer labor, balances, it is the beginning. “The true question is this: labor cannot be a law without being a right.”p.635 A body starving for bread isn't as sad as a soul starving for light, (Valjean would have a few words about that) as humans move up, layers emerge from distress to elevate a level is to eliminate misery. Why do those who do not desire a future say no, they only condemn themselves, staying in the past is to die. Humanity enters equilibrium, equity aided by science, but in the meantime, there can be no halt.  

More than once society has given way and was crushed from unknown reasons, could they have been saved, was it their fault there’s no answer. “We are not acquainted with the maladies of these ancient civilizations; we do not know the infirmities of our own.”p.636 Our society is worth the trouble of saving, it will be, but there are those that doubt and have weaknesses. “Will the future arrive? It seems as though we might almost put this question, when we behold so much terrible darkness.”p.636 (did he really just write all this to shit on accents and justify his use of them and yeah Gavroche has an accent and uses slang but in English translations he has a cockney accent because Victor says gadin is the Parisian cockney but also translated to English cockney is a recognizable low class form of speech to signify a lack of status and education like America would use an Appalachian or very southern dialect)

BOOK EIGTH ENCHANTMENTS AND DESOLATIONS

256

The reader already knows Eponine recognized Cosette on Rue Plumet and didn’t inform the ruffians and told Marius. Marius easily entered the garden at night, (he’s compared to Romeo) had Cosette fallen for a man less unscrupulous she would have been lost as women yield to generous natures, love ruins or saves, (I think she could do better) the dilemma of human destiny, Cosette encountered a love that saves. All through May they met but kept a distance they didn’t cross. Cosette told him her real name, Euphraise, Marius prefers Cosette, she tells him she loves him and they laugh that he thought her name was Ursule. Then he told her how he was going to beat a veteran for seeing her ankle, (girl run this is a red flag) he imagined life with her.

257

They didn’t notice the cholera outbreak that month and they didn’t tell each other much besides their names, Marius told her of his father but being a baron didn’t affect Cosette. Cosette told him she was raised in a convent and her father was poor but generous, denying himself everything while giving it to her. Marius never thought to tell her of what happened at Gorbeu house. Love takes the place of thinking and they didn’t think of anything but each other and didn’t ask where it would lead them. (you both are young and dumb)

258

Valjean suspected nothing, Cosette being happy made him happy and he didn’t think of Marius and Toussaint was ignorant as well. Marius never went in the house and they hid in the trees when he returned to Courfeyrac around one in the morning he asks what’s her name but Marius wouldn’t talk. They spoke of finery and politics as complications approached, one day on his way to Rue Plumet Eponine met him, he had out her out of his mind, she couldn’t say anything to him and left.

259

June 3 1832 was an epoch on the horizon, Marius ran into Eponine again and she followed him to Rue Plumet to see the rendezvous and hid in a niche. Six other men had followed Marius and Thenardier is shocked to see Eponine who asks why he’s there, how did he escape and how is mamma. She keeps hugging him and greets the other thugs and when asked lies that the woman living at Rue Plumet moved, the lights are from the squatters. Thenardier will turn the place over and Eponine begs Montparnasse not to enter, they won’t listen and she threatens to scream, she’s not afraid of them. Montparnasse has plans to use a knife and Thenardier didn’t say anything but Brujon called off the job and Eponine followed them until they disappeared.

260

After the ruffians departed Rue Plumet was tranquil in the mist, there are things beyond man which the living are ignorant of, a black figure stops the wild beast.  

NEXT

[clown-demon]

"Next time you WILL do better. Stop apologizing," he ordered, taking to her side so she could have a frame to lean against if she needed to. He started to lead the way out of the alley way. He decided she could get treatment at his home. He was fine with being the one to take care of her injury. Despite his cold exterior, he did care a little bit for her well being.

"Who attacked you, do you know who it was? Was it from someone from the agency?" he asked her as they took the back streets to his home. He kept a careful watch around them, making sure they weren't being followed. From what he could collect, whoever attacked his assistant did not tail after her. She must have lost them.

"At least it seems you lost the attacker. I do not know if you were the victor or not. I can only hope that you were able to kill the other and you simply suffered damage from the attack." He never asked if she accomplished in taking their life and that was the reason she wasn't followed. Or if she simply hid her tracks and got away.

Higuchi feared her words might have left more doubts than answers, but as the queasiness took over her concurrently with the hurting at the place she had been hit, it felt as a more truthful answer than simply replying about her injury. Because as it had been a strong enough hit to make her feel bad beyond the simple throb and sting of a bleeding wound, than the wound itself was not the only thing to worry about.

Her mouth let out almost a whimper as the frustration of disappointing him took over her. She immediately leaned in a bow with closed eyes, almost throwing herself off balance, moving her feet quickly to stop her body from falling over towards him. "I'm very sorry. I will do better next time."

Brown eyes promptly opened at the familiar sound of coughing, almost ignoring her own state to rush over to him. If not for the fact that she was afraid such sudden movement coming from her unbalanced body might prove less than beneficial. Higuchi opened her mouth for no longer than second before shutting it again. She wasn't one to disagree unless she was thinking on his health and well-being first. Which seemed to be the case. She did not want to be a burden. And she was the one supposed to take care of him, not the other way around. Such a great assistant and bodyguard. It made her hesitate, wishing to say that she could walk on her own, if only not to be a problem. But he was right, and her passing out would be a much bigger problem. Yet, she never understood why wouldn't he just leave her if she became too much of an issue. "I'm sorry..." She whispered again before she finally took his hand.