#well maybe not thriving. but we're alive!

[tev-the-random]

If I had a nickel for every time I told someone I use Tumblr and they reacted by staring at me and either saying "Tumblr still exists??" or "why though??"

Let me tell you, I'd have more than two nickels

[quinnyundertow]

Picking up the Pieces

For my bby Choso

MANGA SPOILERS BELOW

Angst with a happy ending, Hurt/Comfort

1,800 Words

Summary:

The fight with Sukuna has finally ended. Before he’s wisked off the battlefield the boy named Yuji begs you to try and save what’s left of his older brother.

AN:

I have been drowning in writers block. The manga has me so damn depressed and the one I want to live most right now is our baby Choso. He deserves to live that domestic life he never got to feel. Best big brother ever.

Picking up the Pieces

Choso had thought for sure he had died. No he definitely died. He had protected his little brother with his life. There wasn’t a more noble way to die. Now his brother would have the chance to thrive and grow old. Find a first love, have his first kiss, buy his first home. Have children that would have called him uncle Chocho. Never mind that Choso never had the chance to do any of those things either. Yuji would have the chance that he never did; and that made it all worthwhile.

“I’ve got you, just hold on.” Someone is talking to him. The voice is what he imagines angels sound like. Do curses get to go to heaven? Maybe death won’t be so bad. “Don’t you dare die on me.”

He’s so tired. More tired than he’s ever been in his existence. A part of him is annoyed you keep shaking him awake. Just let him rest for a minute. “Yuji needs you, so you can’t give up yet.”

Yuji? Who’s Yuji and why did he-? Yuji. Yuji! He takes a gasping breath in as his chest keeps getting harshly pushed on. He doesn’t know what CPR is but it’s painful. You keep pushing against his broken ribs. Don’t you know that’s excruciating? Wait, what about Yuji? “Yuji?” The words come out strangled and almost too low to hear.

“Holy shit you’re alive.” Your voice breaks with a mixture of relief and joy. “We're not out of the woods yet but damn it but we’ll get there!”

He tries to ask for Yuji again but all that escapes is a hacking cough from all the smoke he inhaled during his fight with Sukuna.

Thankfully, you somehow manage to understand and respond accordingly, “Oh, right. Yeah, Yuji is okay. Better than okay. Well I mean they rushed him to Shoko, our healer, but he’s gonna be okay. He’s not a vessel anymore. They won. I don’t know how they pulled it off but they won.”

The wave of relief that washes over him is visible. Your voice is coming in a little panicked now, “Woah, woah, woah! Nope! Yuji is okay but he still needs you. When they rushed him off he was asking for you. He begged me to save you. Said you’re the best big brother in the world.” Your tone warbles and his face feels wet. At least he thinks it does. Are you crying? Why are you crying? He’s a curse. You’re presumably one of Yuji’s companions, a sorcerer. Shouldn’t you want him dead? He’s straining to try and make out your features but you look like a shadow on a curtain or static on a tv. Are his eyes even open? Does it matter? He feels so nice, so warm. You’re cradling him and he can’t help but wonder if this is what his mothers love would have felt like. If his father wasn’t a rapist and if he hadn’t been born a monster.

“Shit, shit, shit. I’m losing him again!” Your voice is shrill and screaming as you wake him up again. You’re yelling names he doesn’t know, “Nitta! Nitta!” The sound is fading out. He can’t hear anything now. That’s alright. It’s perfect to go back to sleep to. He’s so warm and lovingly held. Just a little nap, well..maybe a long one. A nice long sleep.

~~

“I’ve got you, just hold on.” Your fingers keep slipping as you’re trying to do chest compressions. There’s just so much blood. The entire area reeks of it. Blood, smoke, dust. Smells of a battlefield. His pulse is so slow you’re not sure if it’s stopped or not. “Don’t you dare die on me.” This was bad. The worst you’ve ever seen. His body is so burnt and mutilated at this point he isn’t able to regenerate like a curse normally would. You try to infuse him with your cursed energy but it’s like his body doesn’t know what to do with it. It’s trying to shut down and you’re here telling it to work harder.

You can’t give up though. You’ve barely met the man in front of you but you know Yuji. As Shoko rushed Yuji off the battlefield his eyes had met yours. Choso’s name on his lips, his eyes a plea. “Please, Cho- tell him he’s the best big brother I could have asked for.”

The pain in Yuji’s eyes had been so raw. So visceral. Not even knowing what you were agreeing to you had yelled to Yuji, “I’ll do everything I can!”

So here you are. You aren’t sure if your reverse curse is even doing anything at this point. There are so many disconnected pieces of tissue. Blood vessels and veins so destroyed there is nothing left to repair. Nowhere for your technique to start. You can’t create something from nothing. He’s not breathing. Chest compressions. You’re throwing all the strength you have left into them. You vaguely remember someone saying you should push to the beat of “Staying Alive”. The song feels inappropriate in your head but it helps your timing. At least you hope it does.

The curse lying on the ground has given everything for his brother. Now you need him to live for himself. Grunting with exertion you manage to say, “Yuji needs you, so you can’t give up yet.”

When the corpse in front of you gasps you’re momentarily stunned. When are you supposed to stop chest compressions? Now? He’s hacking and you're trying to help him clear his airway. You're shocked he has an airway. Sukuna had practically obliterated him with flames. His lips are moving. You feel your cursed energy finally managed to find something inside of him it can work with.

Hands under his underarms, you pull. He’s not as heavy as you expected. Of course he isn't, he doesn't have anything left below the knees. You’ve managed to get his head resting on your thighs as you sit in the crumbling city turned battleground. He manages to croak out one word. “Yuji?” The word comes out strangled and almost too low to hear.

“Holy shit you’re alive.” Your voice breaks with a mixture of relief and joy. He would ask about his brother when he’s the one who is holding on by a thread. “We're not out of the woods yet but damn it we’ll get there!”

He’s giving this terrifying sounding cough that’s more liquid than air; but to cough means he has something there to cough with. His eyes open and his pupils are unfocused and blown. They don’t respond at all to light.

His brows are furrowing in panic when you don’t immediately respond, “Oh, right. Yeah, Yuji is okay. Better than okay. Well I mean they rushed him to Shoko, our healer but he’s gonna be okay. He’s not a vessel anymore. They won. I don’t know how they pulled it off but they won.”

His lip somehow manages to curl into a hint of a smile. He must not be able to feel any pain due to all the adrenaline. He’s relaxing against you and his eyes are closing. “Woah, woah, woah! Nope! Yuji is okay but he still needs you. When they rushed him off he was asking for you. He begged me to save you. Said you’re the best big brother in the world.” Your tone warbles and you’re yelling at yourself to hold it together. Tears fall from your visage on to his. You want to at least comfort him in his potential final moments.

Your hands go to rest on his cheeks. Your fingers lightly caressing him as you continue to give everything you have left in yourself to heal him. You brush his dark sweaty bangs off his forehead. His eyes open partially again staring into the sky. He’s rejecting your cursed energy again. “Shit, shit, shit. I’m losing him again!” You have to make an executive decision. You had been trying to give him the strength to kickstart his own regenerative capabilities but there’s not enough energy in him anymore to utilize it. You have to stop the bleeding. You have to sacrifice his legs below the knee if he’s going to survive. Rather than regrow the limbs like he normally would you focus purely on closing every open wound you can find. FUCK. Where is Shoko? Where is Arata Nitta? Someone? Anyone? There are too many wounded and dying. Not enough healers. Never enough healers.

A streak of platinum blonde hair in the distance catches your gaze, “Nitta! Nitta!” He was one of your underclassmen before you graduated. The Kyoto school is small enough to where everyone knows everyone. Nita’s looking for you in the rubble, unable to tell where your voice is coming from at first. “Arata!” His eyes lock on yours and he’s sprinting through the chaos. He looks like a track star the way he’s jumping building detritus like they’re hurdles.

He’s leaning over you trying to find where you are bleeding from but it’s all Choso’s blood. At least you think it is. “Can you help him?” Nitta’s face jerks down to what he had thought was a corpse in your arms.

He’s shaking his head no but he’s doing the movements for his technique. It won’t heal the curse hybrid but it will buy him time and at this point you’ll take anything you can get.

There’s a sharp tug in your gut as your cursed energy feels like it’s suddenly being siphoned out of you. You originally couldn’t find any of Choso’s energy to help him. Now large lifesaving gulps of your cursed energy flow into the man fighting for his life on your lap. You gasp in pain as you try to limit the amount of energy you are giving out at once. Choso’s not even conscious but instinctually his body is struggling like it’s drowning and you're the life preserver.

Nitta looks panicked, “He’s going to kill you!” You can’t afford to pass out now there are so many more people that need healing. Choso is unconsciously pulling you under with him. “This is a curse. It feeds off our kind. He’ll take from you until there’s nothing left.”

Shit. You feel like you’re going to faint. Choso’s eyelids are fluttering, they open as if seeing you for the first time. He’s clearly still delirious as his onyx eyes look at you confused. You visibly flinch, a groan in pain leaving you as he takes more of your energy. Understanding clicks in his brain and the rapid siphoning of your energy abruptly stops. Nitta is calling your name.

Nitta tries to pull you away from Choso so he can’t cling to your energy again, but you refuse to budge. You're not sure if Choso is even conscious despite his eyes jerkily roaming your face. Caressing Choso’s brow, you lean over him. Your lips are near his ear as you murmur comforting words. “I’ve got you. Everything is going to be okay.”

Chapter 2

AN:

If people want more I’ll continue. It just flowed out so here it is. Please don’t comment if you don’t have anything nice to say.

[aurumacadicus]

so excited about your arranged witching au! you're such an incredible writer, i love everything you create. how does steve feel about an arranged marriage?

Thank you!

Steve's feelings are....... complicated. His mother had taken the arrangement as payment but had implied (at least to him) that they almost certainly would never use it. If they did, she hoped it was in the far-flung future, perhaps his great-great-grandchildren. She hadn't even really wanted it, but taking a curse from a baby was no small feat, and it was... the 'going rate' back then, so to speak. It would have been ruder to turn them down, and quite frankly, she needed the boost of the promise to her magic with how well-stuck the curse truly was on Tony.

But she's gone now, and it's just him left to lead their nomadic coven. He has no siblings, no cousins, no aunts or uncles. There is no one else he can ask to take a Stark hand in marriage instead of doing it himself. (He doesn't know if he could have asked, either, knows the guilt of it would have eaten him alive.) He would have liked to find his own spouse. But other nomadic covens are slowly being wiped out, and there are skulls and tentacles being burned in their belongings like a brand, or maybe a warning. He's powerful, but he's alone, and while nomads can be more powerful than a witch in lands not their own, they're not as powerful as a witch on their own lands. They need that sort of power on their side if they want to survive, let alone thrive.

And from what he's heard, Tony Stark is one of the most powerful witches of their generation. So. He's glad for that. He's glad that Tony is powerful and will be helpful for their cause. And he's... hopeful... that there will be something about him that Tony will find agreeable. He wants to make the best of it. He thinks he's a reasonable man, and he's heard that Tony Stark is a man who likes reason. Even if he had nearly thrown up when Bucky had said 'well, there's always divorce once we're finished with Hydra,' and Natasha had flatly replied, 'The Starks don't believe in divorce.'

[radioisntdead]

After extermination day

Hazbin hotel x reader with some Alastor x reader

Warnings: :]

Song used

Wake up, say good morning to

The hellish daylight shined through the curtains and onto your sleeping face, effectively waking you up, you stretched out your limbs.

That sleepy person lying next to you

You turned onto your side to see if he was there, sleeping off his injury like he was supposed too.

If there's no one there, then there's no one there

He wasn't.

You let out a sigh as you crawled out of bed and sluggishly made your way to get ready for the day.

But at least the war is over

You could faintly hear Niffty chasing after something in the halls from just outside your room, despite the hotel being rebuilt better then ever it still had the occasional roach come in.

It's us, yes, we're back again

You eventually made your way down the halls, you never thought that you'd miss the way the original hotel looked, it was a little worse off but you grew used to it, maybe you were growing a little too sentimental.

Here to see you through, 'til the days end

"Morning Charlie, Vaggie!" You greeted the couple with a grin as they returned the greeting before passing by you, probably to drag the king of hell out of his room that despite only living in the hotel for barely half a week already had a concerning amount of rubber ducks overflowing in his room.

And if the night comes, and the night will come

"Morning Angel," You passed by Angel who instead of waking up like the others was returning from a late night at the studio, things had changed yes, but not everything had.

"Night' toots." He yawned before throwing open his rooms door, you could hear Fat nuggets squeal at his owner's return.

You continued on down the halls, eventually passing by the tribute painting of Sir Pentious.

"Morning Pentious." You brushed a hand over the frame that held the painting, you all knew that there was a large chance that you wouldn't live to see another day, but you didn't expect Pentious to go out the way that he did.

You missed your dear friend, you could only hope that he was at peace wherever he ended up.

Well, at least the war is over

Husk had his head in his arms, sleeping at the bar, cradling a bottle in his paw.

Cherri bomb was having a mind numbing conversation with the last remaining egg boy, you decided not to interrupt and continued your way to find a certain deer.

Lift your head and look out the window

Rosie stared outside the window of her emporium, watching as cannibal children played in the streets and as the older people chatted like any other day.

Cannibal town had lost many that day, funerals were prepared, people were injured, some injuries would never be fully healed, many mourned for their losses of friends, family, lovers.

Stay that way for the rest of the day and watch the time go

But yet it still thrived, just like any other extermination day, not everyone survived it.

Listen, the birds sing, listen, the bells ring

Rosie let out a sigh as she saw Susan strolling up to the emporium, wearing an exorcists wings as a new fashionable shawl.

All the living are dead, and the dead are all living

No one would outright say it but they were surprised that Susan of all cannibals survived and came out without even a scratch.

The war is over and we are beginning

Fear the old lady.

Gridlock on the parkway now

The Vee's carried on business as usual, Vox was especially disappointed that Alastor had, in fact not died, and was instead thriving! He wanted to do unmentionable things to the radio demon.

All totally murder related of course!!

The television man is here to show you how

Katie killjoy and the other guy, what was his name? Tom French? Trench? did an segment on whatever the newest chaos was happening in hell as per usual.

The channel fades to snow, it's off to work you go

Valentino was unfortunately still alive, hopefully he would get taken out soon enough, maybe by Susan, she could use a another shawl.

But at least the war is over

"Are you fuckin' kidding ME?!" The first man screamed as he grabbed and pulled on the horns that were attached to his head, ignored by the majority of sinners that passed by.

Turns out holding mass murders yearly no matter the reason, was still a sin, and the first man, once a winner, was now a sinner.

A filthy, disgusting, no good sinner.

Hell hadn't changed much, or at all since extermination day, there was some anxiousness in the air of what will the next extermination day hold? Will it ever come? Heaven on the other hand.

She's gone, she left before you woke

Lute was still angry and still missing an arm, she wasn't getting that back anytime soon, especially since her prosthetic wasn't done yet.

As you ate last night, neither of you spoke

She would sometimes feel her missing arm although it wasn't there anymore, the pain would be unbearable, but it didn't compare to the pain she felt from the lost of Adam.

Dishes, TV, bed, the darkness filled with dread

She kept his Halo on her nightstand, it was... Comforting to have.

But at least the war is over

Sera was shocked that Charlie's redemption idea was successful, sinners could be redeemed.

Lift your head and look out the window

Many thoughts went through her head, was it a good idea? It was possible yes, Sir Pentious was pure proof of that, but was it a good idea? Surely there were sinners that no matter what they did would never truly be redeemed, like Valentino for example.

But then there were sinners that could be redeemed, like Sir Pentious.

It would take time for her to fully accept that things were changing, that sinners could be redeemed, that allowing Adam to hold the exterminations was a horrible idea, how many sinners that were murdered could've been redeemed? And how many of them couldn't?

But once she did accept it? How would she go about it? She did certainly owed not only Charlie a proper apology but Emily as well, withholding information from someone could be worse then a lie sometimes.

Stay that way for the rest of the day and watch the time go

Emily was ecstatic that Charlie's redemption hotel was a success! Sinners could be redeemed!

She had so much fun showing Sir Pentious around and getting him situated in his new place of residence, one day Charlie could visit again, and see that her dreams were a success!

Emily couldn't wait for that day to come.

Listen, the birds sing, listen, the bells ring

Sir Pentious didn't know what exactly he was expecting to happen when he selflessly sacrificed himself for the hotel, double hell? Permanent darkness maybe, but not heaven, he didn't expect to have a whole color palette change.

All the living are dead, and the dead are all living

He missed his friends Family at the hotel, he missed the times they shared, but at least he had some of his egg Bois with him, oddly enough they were now hard boiled but they were there.

It would take him awhile to get used to everything but he was slowly getting comfortable, he even made a friend other then Emily, a spider winner by the name of Molly.

The war is over and we are beginning

She oddly enough reminded him of Angel dust, maybe it was the spider appearances?

We won, or we think we did

"Morning Niff!" "Good mornin- oh! Outta the way!" You passed by Niffty who was still chasing that roach, you chuckled before continuing your way.

When you went away, you were just a kid

Climbing up the stairway to a certain deers new and improved radio station.

And if you lost it all, and you lost it

You opened the door, not bothering to knock, did no one teach you manners?

Alastor went on hosting his radio show, talking about whatever, you didn't really pay attention, only watching him as you leaned on the door way waiting for him to notice you.

Well, we'll still be there when your war is over

It didn't take long for him to do so, with a raised eyebrow he motioned for you to come in as he smoothly switched from talking to putting on music.

Lift your head and look out the window

"My dear! To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" He asked spinning around in his chair.

"You weren't in bed, Al, you're supposed to be resting," you moved towards him softly closing the door behind you.

Stay that way for the rest of the day and watch the time go

"Nonsense my dear, I am perfectly fine, fit as a fiddle if I do say so myself!" You frowned at the radio deers words, you knew damn well he was not fit as a fiddle, he nearly reopened his stitches just the other night.

Listen, the birds sing, listen, the bells ring

He got up from his chair and held out his hand to you for you to take.

"Care to join me for a quick dance, Mon étoile?" He asked, a grin reluctantly spread out across your face as you took his hand.

All the living are dead, and the dead are all living

You missed the time before extermination day, you missed Sir Pentious, you missed the old hotel, if you could you would've cherished it more, but it was too late for cheesey sentiments like that, all you could do now was cherish the people in the new hotel now.

And focus on the lovely dance you were having with your still injured partner.

The war is over and we are beginning

Things were changing quickly, for better or for worse you were sticking with this hotel, with Charlie, with everyone in this place through it all.

Here it comes, here comes the first day

You didn't know it yet but after this dance Charlie would come bolting up the stairs excitedly letting the two of you know that a sinner wanted to join the hotel, and that the wall had been taken down and if Alastor could fix it because the duck man was distracted making ducks.

Here it comes, here comes the first day

Afterwards you and Alastor would go greet the sinner, a song would take place and beef would be beefed between the deer man and the duck man.

It starts up in our bedroom after the war

You wouldn't change any of it for the world.

It starts up in our bedroom after the war, after the war

Good evening folks! Guess who finally posted angst ON ANGST WEDNESDAY FOR ONCE HAHAHAHAAH SUCK IT PROCRASTINATION,

This is more bittersweet than angst though but we don't talk about that, I wrote this in like two hours, like I hyper focused on this, I'm gonna schedule the fic IT BETTER POST THIS TIME OR IM BITING TUMBLR, As always thank you for tuning in and Goodnight folks!

pssssst! You should join our discord! You get to witness my 5 AM writing screams with snippets

[gaelfox]

Ok, so I was just going to stay quiet watching you talk about Law again after a time. But now I have read something it's getting on my nerves..

What if Cora is alive?

Suddenly, this theory seems to have catch the internet again after so long but honestly? I don't quite believe it.

I have read @/1000sunnygo theory here o Tumblr, but I would like to see an Trafalgar Law specialist talking about the case, if you may.😎

Woooooheeeeee thank you for the ask and MORE reason to keep talking about Cora and Law! I ADORE the "What Ifs?" I see of the world. Hell even Disney/Marvel published their own little thought experiment that leads to so many new and uncharted waters when it comes to the construction of an overall story and universe. Would Law be the same person if Cora lived? Would he have stayed on Swallow Island, met with Wolf, Shachi, Bepo and Penguin? Would Cora have taken him further into Navy protective custody now that he had a target on his back with the Op-Op Fruit? (...would the Gorosei even allow him to live after that, knowing what we know now?)

AH. So many ideas, just from surviving his injuries! So. After reading @1000sunnygo 's analysis (Which, I absolutely *love* how they put in the time to add in panels and images to support their statements) I have to agree with the points they've made for both sides of the argument. Overall, I do not personally believe that Cora is Alive. (But, as we've seen, Oda has left enough room in the story if he wants to bring him back for whatever reason, he can and will and I will not complain about it) I'm gonna take a little bit of a different look on this than the points previously mentioned that are within-universe, and instead tackle this from a literary standpoint. Let's ask these questions: 1. Why was Cora introduced to this story? 2. Has he fulfilled this purpose? 3. Will his presence later fulfill something that has yet to be explained/fulfilled? So let's talk about #1. Why was Cora introduced to One Piece? We probably won't ever know truly unless we actually ask Oda himself -- but Cora can arguably fit best as a Catalyst of sorts - character-wise, he's the reason why Law behaves and acts as he does, as well as puts the entire Arc of Dressrosa into perspective of how Doffy came into Power, Law's place in it, and acts as a sort of nice glue that ties everything in that arc together. If you remove Cora from this story, that story does not exist. There is no inner journey of healing, there is no misdelivering the missive to Vergo, and you could even argue Law maybe(?) is given the Op Op fruit by Doflamingo once they obtain it, who raises him to be his right-hand man as planned and BOOM. Law is now a villain. A villain who maybe even dies from the Perpetual Youth surgery before he ever gets to where we are now -- the What Ifs just snowball from there. Cora is the Sacrificial Lamb. Cora is the Catalyst which frames Death as a Sacrifice for the Greater Good, as an Act of Love, for Law to have a chance and for him to understand that. While Cora swore up and down that he should never try to put reason into love, Cora is the one that Gives Everything and gives Law's live the ultimate value simply because he unapologetically existed. (Of course, and to make sure that Doffy's plan wasn't fulfilled, but we're talking character growth here, and I personally believe that Cora's actions were framed equally both by his mission and his want for Law to thrive.)

Cora's role as a Marine was, if I remember correctly, was to act as a mole in Doflamingo's plan, relate that info back to the marines, and keep tabs on dangerous activity. So, that leads us into #2 - has is current presence in the story done its job? Overwhelmingly, yes. Law is who he is because Cora's death. His entire action and reason for going to Dressrosa was realized. He confronted, and won, against Doflamingo, brought him down, and "gave back" to Cora what he'd sacrificed so many years ago. Dressrosa is free. Law is Free. And lastly, #3, arguably where most of the "what ifs" are now being speculated. Let's say, if Cora was alive...why? What value does it add to the story now? One could say "Well, if would give Law a chance to say Thank You for Everything, and have a cathartic closure". That...kind of already happened in One Piece Odyssey -- if Oda was going to do this later, why even add it in the game as a beta test if he was planning something later? We argue the canonical viability of spin-off media all the time (and many, many series have heavily canonical events mentioned in passing in obscure media .... *cough cough Kingdom Hearts* ) but between the movies, books, and other publishing, Oda has made it pretty clear that generally whatever he touches has a specific purpose to the overall plot. "He could be part of Sword/Acting on his Own/Letting Law Act as His Own Man" Do I honestly believe that Cora, who wanted nothing more for Law to Live and Be Free, would idly sit back and allow him to put himself in as much danger as confronting his Brother? 13 years later? Was his job as a marine not to allow the seizure of Dressrosa to happen? These things, I believe, are only allowed to spiral out of control because Cora wasn't there to stop them. Would he have secretly gone back quietly to the marines? We already have the Fresh Bloods of the Marines (Koby, Helmeppo and the gang) already spearheading the new generation in -- what value would adding Cora back in there serve? Does Cora's presence in the future add anything to the overall plot of storytelling? Maybe as an ally in the final fight, an additional resource in the Marines or as a fruit user -- but truthfully, every other reason I can think to bring him back has either already been addressed or just...doesn't add any additional unique value. Law's story with him feels completed, he has done what he was brought in to do, and its not him but his legacy that is carried on by Law that's a huge part of the whole "Inherited Will" that One Piece has as part of a huge theme.

Now, would I be happy if Cora suddenly showed back up? YOU BETCHA.

[apompkwrites]

the guardian kingscholar || leona kingscholar

masterlist characters: no canon, atiena, nuru, jabali, jabori (OCs) genre: angst contains: death, uh mwezi miji is under attack idk what to tell you, some weird magic lore :), very few fighting scenes, injuries summary: with mwezi miji under attack, (name) finds that misfortune follows them wherever they go. notes: have been planning for this ever since atiena... honestly became a thing in the black sheep universe. big big plans because we're getting closer to NRC :DD maybe next chapter? hopefully :D parts: [og post] | [the lesser kingscholar (1)] | [the broken kingscholar (2)] | [the two kingscholars (2.5)] | [the runaway kingscholar (3)] | [the outland kingscholar (4)] | [the grown-up kingscholar (5)] | [the guardian kingscholar (6)] | [the mourning kingscholar (7)]

"...that's why i'm here," you shrugged, the pit in your stomach growing larger and larger the more the silence remained.

having to spill your secrets to the people you now called family ate you alive. the lingering thought that they may very well turn you in was a constant, almost buzzing in your brain.

although, you wouldn't blame them. not at all.

if anything, you preferred them to turn you in. because if they did, you knew that at least they would be compensated for it. you loved this town and if your suffering at the hands of the elders allowed them to thrive the way they deserved?

you would live that life a million times over.

and despite all of that, it would still hurt. you knew that. deep down, you hoped and prayed to whatever god would listen that they would allow you to stay. you would grovel if you had to. or at least, you think you would. thought and actual action were always two separate beings.

"(name)," of course nuru was the first to say something. honestly, you would feel hurt if he wasn't.

"...nuru?" all you could do was utter his name, your ears flat against your head.

instead of responding, he dived at you, his wings spread to wrap around you. they seemed to form a wall, separating you from the rest of the world. here, it was just you and him with his arms thrown around your body.

his breathing was erratic as if he were the one that suffered all those years of torment from the elders. his body shook but his hands remained still, grasping at the back of your shirt in a death grip.

"...they're not gonna hurt you anymore," he muttered into your shoulder, a promise both to you and himself. "i swear on my life."

"get a room, you two," jabali grumbled, swatting at nuru's wing and making his way closer to the two of you. "but... he's not wrong."

"we're not going to turn you in, if that's what you're worried about," jabori promised, saddling next to his twin. "i think you're pretty much stuck here now."

"we're not letting you go anywhere," nuru muttered, pressing his nose into your neck. "not even the king of beasts will take you away from us."

now more than ever you prayed to whatever god would hear you. you prayed more than when you were mourning the sickness of your father. you prayed more than when the elders began their training with you. you prayed more than when you ran away from the kingscholar territory or when atiena was interrogated you about your identity.

you prayed.

and prayed.

and prayed.

and all that you could think as you chased after nuru towards the mwezi miji border was "let me be there on time."

and much like the other times you prayed, no god was there to answer.

what greeted the two of you at the outskirts of town was carnage. you had no clue the beastmen of the dens were this violent. maybe that's why it took a bit for the older people of mwezi miji to adjust to your presence.

bodies were strewn across the ground, blood seeping out of their scratch marks and punctures, pooling underneath their eerily still bodies. the sight made your stomach churn. you knew these people. you knew them and if you were to survive this, you would have to bury their bodies.

the gods were cruel. although, you already knew that.

"ma!" nuru cried out as he soared through the air. his yell tore you out of your thoughts, the harsh realization of your current surroundings dawning on you. you were on a battlefield and there was no time to mourn. not yet.

your eyes immediately landed on the twins, their backs pressed against each other as they fought off a crowd of lion beastmen. jabori took it upon himself to guard against the more violent attackers, pushing them away with his spear. jabali, on the other hand, was more straightforward with his method, punching and throwing the aggressors down to the ground. as expected from the twins.

a few of the remaining guards held their ground, albeit struggling with staggering stances and wounds covering their skin. but what tugged at you the most was atiena.

the guardian of the night, her black wings no longer granting her flight due to a spear lodged in the middle of it, stood in the center of the chaos, now donning her bird mask that covered her entire head. she heaved breaths as she stared down her opponent, who seemed to be on the same level as she was.

"guardian!" you cried out alongside nuru, who called out to his mother as opposed to his boss. the two of you raced towards her only to be stopped in your tracks, as if some force were pulling you back.

"stay back!" she demanded. oh gods, she sounded so tired. "we've lost too many people! deal with the rest of them!"

"...yes ma'am!" was all you could say in response. with a heavy feeling in your gut, you and nurru split off towards the side with more casualties.

atiena knew what she had signed up for the day she became the guardian. she knew that the beastmen from the dens were violent people. she knew what they were capable of.

she had experienced it firsthand when she had come searching for refuge with her newborn son.

she remembered fleeing from the dens, her wings barely enough to ensure her escape with her son completely unharmed. if she were being honest, she was surprised they healed after that.

she remembered the joy and relief she felt the moment she found mwezi miji. it was nothing but a small village with no more than a couple dozen people living there, all of them surviving the outlands due to their collective fear of the dens pushing them together.

that was when she dedicated herself to the town. she raised her son alongside the village, watching as it grew and grew into what it was now. and she was there every step of the way, protecting her saviors in the dead of night.

the bird mask that covered her entire head became a reminder of the fact she had a duty to fulfill. it was sewn together crudely with mismatched patches lining the skull and beak.

she loved this town with her entire body and soul. almost as much as she loved her son, her precious nuru. oh, how she wished to apologize to her beloved boy.

she was sorry, that much she was sure of. she was sorry he would no longer have a mother at his side.

the influx of magic burned under her skin. it hurt to conjure small bits of it, let alone the entirety of it. the magic of the night, as she called it, was something she dreaded using. she hoped that she would die without ever having to conjure it.

and yet, here she was. she knew it was the only way to save the rest of the guard. to save her children.

she stared the beastman down. she had to take him down with her. even if the rest of the dens remained, she knew the overwhelming loyalty they felt for their pack overweighed all else.

and so, with apologies the only thing on her mind, she allowed her magic to overflow.

"ma's really powerful, d'you know that?" nuru grinned, a little giggle following after his words. "she's got this really cool magic trick she tells me about!"

"yeah? well, i bet you my big brother has cooler magic," you snickered your tail swishing behind you.

"no way! ma's totally cooler than your stupid brother!" nuru stuck out his tongue when you punched his arm. "she always tells me that she'll never use it, though..."

"why?"

"because... she said..."

"no..." nuru was glad he was still in the air. he was able to see what his mother was doing. "no, no, no, no!"

"nuru!" you shouted his name once one of the beastmen fell to the ground. "what's going on?!"

"mom!" he didn't answer you. directly, at least. he was quick to ignore the beastmen scrambling underneath him, opting to turn all of his attention to where atiena was.

and what greeted you when you looked over to where he was headed made you feel as if you were watching your father become bedridden.

atiena had engulfed herself and the beastman in black as dark as the night. it was as if she had grabbed the night sky itself, stripped it of the stars and moon and clouds, and draped it over the two of them like a blanket.

it terrified you how one minute, she seemed to disappear. but the next, all that remained was her.

she lay on the ground, her wings stripped of their feathers, leaving behind black bone and the weapon that was lodged in them before. her mask was still on her head, but the top layer was ripped off as if a beastman had torn at the top of it.

what scared you the most was the blood. it was pitch black but it flowed just like blood. it smelled like it, too.

it was as if the entire battlefield was set on pause. no one moved or made a sound. no one until--

"mom!" nuru's cries were harsher than they were before. his voice scratched against his throat, the guttural scream that accompanied his cry tearing at your heart, just enough for you to drop your weapon and race after him. you knew the twins weren't far behind either.

"mom... mama..." he whimpered once he reached her body, ripping the mask off her face and pulling her head to lay on his lap. "mama, wake up... please, please, please wake up."

"she said it would be the last magic she would ever use."

"you used it... you used it, mama, why?" his shoulders shook as he cried, grasping at her fur jacket as if he were a child exploring the world again. "you told me you'd never use it, mama... why'd you lie?"

she never answered him.

taglist: @brokenncrown @help-meplz @destinationdesignation@rainys-personal-garden@kalims@sxftiebee@luxaryllis@auld-a@the-dumber-scaramouche@ayra2452008@tinywho-man @spadecentral @justeclem44 @bajifairyy @mulandi@minteaspoon@kitty-chan33@hornehlittleweeblet2@letskeepitsimpleshallwe@atsuki-mitsuri@catgirlwannabe@miss-puregotti@havens-not-here @valka-230 @sacrificialwife1@cherrykissesss890@nothing-leave-me–alone@carmelchocola@mulandi @a-random-bored-person @shuriiiewrites @chaos-inperson @o01101bean11010o @zolev @psiioniicmatesprit

[greycaelum]

Hi there Grey! I know this is late, but I made something for Mother's Day! But it isn't a happy one, unfortunately.

Some background on this, because of how youe depicted Satoru's parents, specifically his mother, I started to get creative with my take on Satoru's childhood. And thanks to the song "Never Love an Anchor", it just gave me more ideas 😃

With how his parents, especially his mother, acts after Satoru and the Reader had Kouki and Saika, I think to some level they regretted what they did. And the song perfectly depicts how they felt.

I know this is a sad, and late, way to celebrate Mother's Day, but I couldn't help myself and decided to go the angst route this year

(Personal headcanon: The dominating features of the Gojo clan is their white hair since it's very rare. Satoru got his eyes from his mom and was born a different shade because of Six Eyes)

Oh my goodness 🥺😭 I am so late I don't remember if I've written for Mother's Day special, thank you so much, Love for these wonderful fan arts!

I am listening to the song as I write and I really love the part

"On some level, I think I always understood That a ship could never really love an anchor So, I did the only thing that I could And severed the rope to set you sailing from my harbor"

I guess I am relating it to the part where Satoru is breaking away from the tradition of the old prominent clans by straying off tradition and being more dynamic in his point of view and teaching albeit more often than not reckless like a ship on the uncertain sea. But then again, ships are made to sail, not anchor in the harbor. Then maybe at some point in his childhood, his mother (if she's alive in canon) may have felt that Satoru as he grows doesn't wish to be contained in the millennial pattern of the society he's born. I love this, thank you!

I don't know if it's in canon but in KSeries I could say Satoru was somehow adored as a child. Perhaps not loved in a way a child should be loved but more adored and looked up to with what he brings with his existence, maybe his parents would feel that sort of lacking they had for Satoru as a child when they see their grandchildren thriving more happily and Satoru being a good and loving father as well as a responsible and devoted husband.

I really don't know if I'd agree since we're lacking references on what other Gojo Clan members look like aside from Yuta but for the Gojo Genes Supremacy and my peace of mind as well I'd say it really depends on the genes and how close they are to the main family branch bloodline.

AHAHAHAHAHAHA thank you for sending this in, dear~

—Grey,

[magicicephoenix]

Hoax - The Ink Demonth 2024 (Day 3)

In which a particularly heavy rumor takes the studio by storm. And they take… interesting measures in the face of it.

ao3 link

-----------

went for more of an "audio only" type style here, mostly for my own sanity ^^' and yet this still ended up rather long for a day-long prompt… oh well. had a blast writing it, at least!

btw this takes place in my The Silent Demon AU, which is essentially just: everyone is happy, the studio is thriving, and Bendy is alive! he's also mute and deaf.

enjoy!

----------

"Another special? So soon? Honestly, Joey, it's like you want everyone to quit."

The sound of papers being shuffled. "C'mon Henry, it'll be great for business! I mean, it's not my fault that Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all go in a row!"

"But it is your fault that Bendy, Boris, and Alice are celebrating all four." An amused huff. "Couldn't we just do a short for New Years or something?"

"But the vision! The prestige!"

"Now you're just saying words."

An offended scoff. "I'm just saying, this'll be good for the studio! A step up against the competitors!"

"And the best way to do that is to work everyone to the bone?"

"You know I'd never let it get to that point."

An acknowledging hum. "Alright, fine, whatever, you're the boss. But you better not get any ideas about Valentine's Day."

"Ah! Now that you mention it—"

"I'm gonna stop you right there. I'm leaving."

"Wait, but- Henry! You haven't even heard what I was going to say!"

"Nope. I'm not hearing another one of your far-too-complicated ideas today. I'm making like Wally and getting outta here. For real this time!" The sound of decisive shoes on wood, a door opening.

A pause—skittering of hidden footsteps rushing away, staying unnoticed—and then… the laughter of two good friends joking around.

The shuffling and bustling of employees on break.

"Did you hear? We're starting another special."

The crinkle of a lunch bag opening. "Geez, again? What's this one about?"

"New Years."

"And we need a whole special about that?!"

"Jesus."

"Mr. Stein reacted the same, I heard."

The thump of a cup being put down. "Really?"

"Yeah. Told Joey something about quitting if stuff like this kept happening."

Stirring of a spoon in a bowl. A laugh. "Mr. Stein would never quit."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Are you kidding? He'd never leave the studio. Not to mention Bendy."

A chuckle. "Ah, you're right."

"Then why'd he say he was leaving?"

A spit take. "What?!"

"Who told you that?"

"Overheard. He said he was leaving, for real."

"No way."

"Yes way. That's exactly what he said!"

"That can't be true."

"He'd never actually leave!"

"You've seen how exhausted he's been recently! What if this was too much for him?"

"…he has been here longer than anyone else."

"And Mrs. Stein would be happy that he'd stopped working late."

"Where do you think he'd go, though?"

"Doesn't matter where he'd be going, what matters is that he might be leaving!"

"The department wouldn't be the same."

"Yeah, it'd be so empty!"

"We'd have to get another department head!"

"Augh, it'd be so weird reporting to anyone other than Mr. Stein…"

"Yeah, tell me about it."

"But… it's only a maybe, right?

"I mean, I guess. But what if it's true?"

"I can't imagine what would happen if he left for good…"

"Then let's just hope he won't."

"Yeah, fair enough."

A door slamming open. "Henry might be leaving."

The crash of a chair falling down. "He's what?"

"Wait, what-"

"Heard it through the grapevine."

"Susie, you can't just believe every hint of gossip that comes your way…"

"No, no, she's right."

Another chair hitting the floor. "She is?!"

"What, you're tellin' me that you haven't felt the stress from the recent specials? Imagine how brutal it must be in Animation!"

"Ugh, even thinking about all that drawing makes my hand cramp up…"

"He's been working late more often, too. What if he's reached a breaking point?"

"Henry doesn't have a breaking point. He's crazy when it comes to work."

"Everyone has a breaking point."

"Well, of course you do, you break just about every day, you perfectionist."

A scoff. "I am not a perfectionist."

"Oh, yes, when you scream at the band every day, that's not due to any undiscovered need for only the best take possible."

"I do not scream, I instruct, and it's only because all the fools on the instruments don't understand the basic principles of—"

"All I'm hearin' is that you have unreasonable standards."

"Well, Joey hired me for a reason—"

"Ladies, ladies!" The rush of banter dies down. "Calm yourselves. We have a problem on our hands, and we're going to address it."

"So what do we do about it then, Susie? Beg him not to leave?"

"Well, hold on. If he's already decided, there's not much that can change his mind. He's stubborn as a mule."

"Linda could!"

"If he's leaving then Linda knows and approves."

"…right."

"But he hasn't decided! It's only that he might leave."

"So we have a chance to stop him."

"Exactly."

"So what's the plan?"

"Maybe we guilt trip him."

"Norman!"

"I'm just sayin'."

"Well, actually, he might have a point."

"What? Guys—"

"How would we, though? If he's really thinking of this seriously, he must've already considered all the factors."

"True… so what else can we do?"

"What if we can't do anything?"

A somber silence.

"Well, then… we plan long term. Just in case he leaves. A safety net."

"I guess that's… reasonable. But I still think we should—"

"Who would be the next head of Animation, do you think?"

"Eugh, tough break. No one's as good as Henry."

"But someone'll have to step up!"

"What about Bill? He's been around for a while."

"Really? I don't think he's management material."

"Maybe Phil, then."

"Oh, that's not a bad thought. He can handle stuff in a pinch, for sure."

"Yeah, he helped time the frames for the latest song, you remember? When Henry was busy fixing the misplaced lighting debacle."

"Don't you dare speak a word about that, I swear to God, animators in here every second of the week—"

"Wait, hold on, everyone shut up." Everyone does. "We're thinking too complicated. Quick answer, what's going to happen if Henry decides to leave?"

"Um, Animation will lose a capable artist?"

"Joey Drew will summon more demons."

"Sammy'll blow a fuse."

"I will not— "

The sound of someone stomping their foot. "Ugh, honestly! You men are so dense. Do I really need to spell it out for you?"

"Maybe for some of us."

"Hey!"

"I didn't say it was you. What, you outin' yourself?"

"I- You annoying—"

"Bendy, you guys, Bendy! What'll happen to him?"

"What'll… happen?"

"Yes! If he can't be by Henry's side all the time, where will he go? What will he do?"

"Who will he choose instead, you mean."

"Well- I mean yes, obviously."

"Won't he just go with Joey?"

"Maybe if you think simple. Don't you realize? This is our chance!"

"What are you talking about? He already spends plenty enough time here."

"Playing piano with you, maybe, but the rest of us are woefully starved of Bendy time!"

"Bendy time?"

"You know what I mean!"

"Um, I honestly don't think this what-if warrants this level of—"

"So you're sayin' there's a chance of him pickin' someone else?"

"I think it's in the realm of possibility."

"Then we'll have to figure out who."

"And how will we do that?"

"I'm sure I could think up a few contests… see who he picks…"

"We'd have to go get him first."

"Well then, let's do that."

"Guys, seriously! Can't we just… I don't know, talk to Henry before jumping through these crazy hoops?"

A pause.

"Stick to lyrics, Jack."

"Yeah, Jack."

"Alright, let's do this, team!"

Amid the clambering of shoes leaving the room, there's a long suffering sigh. "I'll be in my office, I guess…"

"Did you hear? Henry might be leaving."

"Really? Always thought he'd stick around 'til the business sank."

"So did I!"

"So, see, the Music Department's been running around addressing things. Possible concerns."

"You'd think Joey would be the one doing that."

"Nah, haven't seen him all day, actually. And I have a script waiting for review…"

"Anyway, they've been gathering everyone in the band room."

"Everyone? What, they're doing a concert?"

"Bendy's in there. Norman says he's 'up for grabs.'"

"…what?"

"Bendy's super attached to Henry, right? So they're trying to figure out where he'll stay if Henry decides to leave."

"Isn't Joey the obvious choice? I mean, he is the guy who created him."

"I guess… but maybe he'll choose someone else."

"I don't think 'up for grabs' is the best way to put that…"

"Don't blame me, Norman's the one who said it!"

A pause.

"I mean, we're going, right?"

"Oh, of course."

The sound of a door easing open. "Hey, Mr. Drew?"

"Ah, Buddy, yes, hello! Come in, come in! What's on your mind?"

"Um… you're wanted in the band room."

"Oh, alright." The scratching of a chair being pushed back. Footsteps on wood. A door closing. "What am I needed for? Did Sammy finish that theme I asked him for?"

"Um… no, sir. It's for a contest."

"Pardon?"

"A contest. Everyone's there in the band room waiting for you. All the animators and writers, too."

"I… why are they there?"

"That's where Bendy is. And people are hoping he'll pick someone new to follow around."

"And they're hoping this because…?"

"Because Mr. Stein might be leaving."

One pair of footsteps stop. "…what?"

"Mr. Stein might be leaving."

"I… Henry isn't leaving."

"He isn't?"

"Of course not. Whatever in the world gave everyone that idea?"

"Um… it's what everyone's been saying, sir."

"I told you, Buddy, you don't need to call me sir."

"R-right."

"Anyway… do you know where they heard this?"

"Someone said they overheard him talking about quitting. And he's been working late a lot, so maybe he's tired."

"That… doesn't sound like Henry. I-I mean, I know things have been stressful, but not that much. Right?"

A noncommittal hum. "That's just what I've heard."

"Huh…"

An anxious silence.

"W-well, they still want you in the band room for comparison."

"I… comparison?"

"To see who Bendy likes more."

"Ah… I-I see… so they think this is really happening?"

"I guess so."

An unnerved clearing of the throat. "Right… well then… I suppose… it only makes sense…"

"Are you alright, Mr. Drew?"

"J-just peachy, Buddy. C'mon, let's get going. There are many, many people waiting for us!"

"Hey, Henry?"

Silence.

"Henry."

"Oh, hey Abby. What is it?"

"You’re not leaving, are you?"

"Leave- do you need help with something? I can stay. I was just finishing up with—"

"No, I mean… leaving. The studio. Y'know… quitting."

"What? Of course not. What gave you that idea?"

"Everyone’s saying it. Joey, too."

"…Joey thinks so?"

The rustle of a nod.

A long sigh. The sound of a pencil being put down. "Oh, man… alright, where are they?"

"Band room. They’re doing a contest to see who Bendy will take to if you leave."

The sound of a chair scraping against wood. Another sigh, this one more fond. "Of course they are."

Everything goes silent when Henry Stein enters the room. Everyone freezes on the spot, stuck with their hands in the cookie jar. Well, the cookie jar that is an elaborate mashup of toys, instruments, and other objects in an attempt to get a certain cartoon demon's interest piqued.

Bendy is the first one to move, of course. He jumps down from the table he’s been placed onto and weaves through the crowd of people to get to Henry, to whom he raises his hands expectantly.

In a clean movement, Henry bends down and scoops Bendy securely into his arms. He surveys the room silently, taking in a range of emotions from surprised, to confused, to worried, to amused. Then he sighs, exasperated, like the weight of the entire studio is on his shoulders. "I’m not leaving," he announces, much too tired.

The room erupts in noise. Disbelief and accusations hit the air, with everything in between ringing out into the big space. Above it all heaves the loud, mirthful laugh of someone who knew this all along and played into the insanity, and the similarly loud but very different cry of someone who knew and dreaded this very result from the start. And, quieter, between the shouts and yells, there's the blessedly relieved exhale of a man too paranoid for his own good.

In the chaos, Henry looks down at Bendy. Bendy blinks back, completely out of the loop, and Henry chuckles.

"Don’t worry, bud," he says, even though he knows Bendy won’t hear it. "I’ll never leave you. No way in hell."

----------

thanks for reading! :)

after this Henry has a very long talk with the entirety of the studio about jumping to conclusions. and a separate, more stern talk with Joey about letting his doubts get the best of him. and then another talk with the entire studio about just talking to him if they hear rumors like this, jesus christ.

[favoriteblogonthecitadel]

Six Song Soundtrack Game

Tagged by the beloved @isayashai !! I loved reading through the songs you picked <3 And I had my eye on this tag game, so tysm for tagging me!!

Rules: If tagged, make a new post with links to music and/or lyrics describing the following: 1. An event that defines your character's past 2. How your character sees themselves 3. How others view them 4. Their closest relationship (platonic or romantic) 5. A major fight scene 6. End credits song

Doing this one for Xiomara Shepard with her ME1 self in mind specifically. Song titles/lyrics below, and since I like how they sound together, here are all of them in a playlist :)

Atlas: Eight by Sleeping At Last

I remember the minute It was like a switch was flipped I was just a kid who grew Up strong enough To pick this armor up And suddenly it fit […] But I can't let you see All that I have to lose All I've lost in the fight to protect it I can't let you in

If you’re wondering, yes, I’m very normal about Earthborn Ruthless Shepard. Particularly normal about Xiomara getting recruited from a chaotic environment and tossed into the super rigid expectations of Alliance training — struggling with culture shock within that structure, until the moment she gets to put on armor for the first time. It just... feels right to be ready to fight things, any things she gets thrown at, and becoming a soldier gives her everything she needs to pursue that instinct. From then on she thrives on the skills and attitudes she learned as a child, because apparently gang and Alliance cultures have some commonalities (they both reward desensitization to violence and loss of the self to the best interests of the organization).

2. Sometimes by Gerry Cinnamon

Sometimes, just sometimes Well alright, maybe all of the time I'm on a false ego trip Well I'm a renegade of sorts I roam the concrete jungle Hunting idiots for sport And now the cocaine scene It picked me up and made me frown That's when joking says that music helps the medicine go down Hey, it makes you feel alive More like demons of the night Flinging powder up your nose It's the way the water flows Yeah that's the way the story goes

For a character who relies so much on confidence and aggression, her inner dialogue is a lot more grounded; resigned, even. She has a job, it’s dirty work, and she does it well while finding acceptable ways to cope with it (also questionable ones, but what's life without some risk?). She doesn't feel any particular inclination to change her lot in life, until she finds the Beacon and faces a Bigger Picture she wasn't ready for.

3. MONEY by The Warning

Moral code updates three times a year Truth that's dipped in gold is just as sincere I'll never ask for forgiveness I come with God as my witness I pray he'll wash my hands It's sad and true, and the world hurts Sold your soul that's how it works We're human after all Are you worth your weight in gold? Going once, going twice, sold It's all about that cold, hard cash, hon Ow!

This is how I’d anticipate a lot of people view the Butcher of Torfan turned Council Spectre (and the mere concept of a human becoming a Spectre, tbh).

4. L.A. Kid by Act As If (for Xo and Kaidan)

You were an L.A. kid You were fighting hard You didn't need no one To set you apart You took me by surprise And stars fell from the skies You say you lost your heart And the lights went on 'Cause when you saw me, it was gone It was gone, it was gone And now that I I've got you here My days are long But you know when I'm coming home Coming home, coming home

They’re in love, your honor. <3 Neither of them was expecting it or looking for it, but once they collide, they're home.

5. The Pretender by Foo Fighters (for the final battle with Saren)

I'm the voice inside your head you refuse to hear I'm the face that you have to face, mirroring your stare I'm what's left, I'm what's right, I'm the enemy I'm the hand that'll take you down, bring you to your knees So, who are you? Yeah, who are you? Yeah, who are you? Yeah, who are you? Keep you in the dark You know they all pretend What if I say I'm not like the others? What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays? You're the pretender What if I say I will never surrender?

Heyyyyy so what if we were narrative parallels in our relationship with the threat of obliteration? What if we were both ruthless and flawed but one of us felt like a Chosen One forced to minimize the damage of the apocalypse, and the other could give zero fucks about compromising with false gods? What if our final confrontation after months of mutual hunt happened in the room that ordained both of us into the same Vigilante job, and it was not just a physical fight, but a conversation about which of us is a hero and which is a puppet? What then?

6. Raise Hell by Dorothy

Gotta raise a little hell Young blood, run like a river Young blood, never get chained Young blood, heaven need a sinner You can't raise hell with a saint Young blood, came to start a riot Don't care what your old man say Young blood, heaven hate a sinner But we gonna raise hell anyway

It's just Xiomara vibes honestly, and it goes well with the mutiny thing near the end of the game!

[randomgentlefolk]

CPC CHAPTER 158

With each chapter updated, the more I sob to my cat (while wearing my plaid clothes of course)

Also this post is going to be long because I love psychology so much.

Tw: mentions of un-aliving oneself

Lorzanna fighting alongside each other....... that is the most badass way to say "we're girlfriends"

Lorena using the chains as whips and Suzanna doing fencing style!! THEM. I NEED MORE OF THEM.

Medic Syrah! It's like one of those I things I never know I want until I get it.

Aww Orson and Monika holding the portcullis together <3 they're so strong???

Frederick telling Syrah step by step on how to do first aid <3

Also, Frederick using his strategy skill!! He can finally show his talent for Leland to see >:D or, uh, not really since Leland is not currently in the room but ANYWAY

Beckett..Beckett, Beckett, Beckett.... Man got snitched and I'm having second hand embarrassment 💀💀 well he won't be Pastel Top 1 guard but at least he can be with Maria. Oh yeah finally!! He knows who the real Maria is!! I hope he won't forget when he's back conscious tho.

Fellas, let's give appreciation to our guard homies Horace and Old guard (he still needs a name)

Also may I just say Maria looks GORGEOUS in this panel?? HER HER HER??? Also her starting to wonder why Frederick is against the Plaid kingdom?? IT'S ALL COMING TOGETHER Y'ALL.

I went from "Lance!! :D" to "Lance :'(" because damn...DAMN??? Bro tbh I'm relieved the gala foreshadowing is him getting hit on the head and not gettint CHOPPED but on the other hand DAMN. The commander did NOT have to do that DAMN. The blunt head trauma??? What if he hit head when he fell?? "So he won't hurt himself" my foot BRUH. I just checked again and HE HIT HIS HEAD. Bro is gonna get a concussion.

Also his face is still bleeding out. In case someone, uh, forgot.

Go Lorena and Suzie go help him! I know what he did was horrible but he's trying!!

Confrontation Time Yayyy...

Blaine. Blaine bro. Stop. Just. Okay there is a lot of childhood issues to be unpacked here. But you know what before talking to him before telling him what he should do maybe we should all just. Let him relax, for awhile. I mean ngl he looks awful, and I'm not trying to be mean here but he and Frederick clearly needs professional help. But let's unpack them one by one. Let's start with the pianist.

(Disclamier: I am not a professional. I am simply telling you my opinion in this post)

Holy shit. Someone give him a break. Give him lots of sleep. Anything to make this boy relax. Let me just say this right away, golden child syndrome. I'm blaming all of these shit on Leland. Y'all our lesson today is: don't put too much pressure on a child, don't compare your children to each other, and accept your child however they are. Please y'all this has happen too much. A child is smart and they achieves lots of things, then makes that their only reason of living, the only reason they are loved. That's horrible. In Blaine's case, I think he feels as if those achievements, those trophies, are a way to validate his life. It's like he cannot fail because if he fails automatically he disappoints everyone including himself.

We know that he has been 'thriving' since he was child. Let's say approximately since he was uhh 9 years old? That would be 12 years of intense hardwork hell sugarcoated by the paradise of 'winning'. Once again, not exactly the best childhood ever. Not to mention, does he even have any friends? We have never seen him mention any. So we can say that he doesn't have any support outside of him being 'perfect' (well, until Maria at least, but that was pretty short-lived :')

At this point I won't even be surprised if the reason he has been doing self care is only so that he looks good as a model and so that people love him.

Man, he needs intense reality check. Also I'm like 99% sure he definitely doesn't want to kill Frederick. The event of him and Lance beating the shit out of the bullies still live in my head rent free. Bro is VERY confused with his life right now and needs help.

Let's move on to the youngest now

Right of the bat I'm going to say:

Scapegoat child, self esteem issues, possibility of depression, and uh we're gonna have to add this now... possibility of being suicidal. Alright.

What is a scapegoat child? A scapegoat child is the child who is pretty much blamed for everything and takes attention of the center of the problem, if that makes sense. As far as I know, this is the child who recognize the actual problems in the family, and is the one to break the cycle of abuse. These children are the opposite of the golden child. And you know what it makes sense that both of them are in the same household. If there is a golden child to praise and give attention to, then there is the scapegoat who is blamed and left out. That is what Frederick is in his family.

Self esteem issues. This boy has been told he is pathetic, weak, useless, and all of those words for his entire life, to the point he actually believe that those words are his entire personality.

Now, I'm not gonna straight up say he is suicidal, though we have an evidence in the panel here. But if we look at the past chapters, he doesn't exactly actively try to die. Those moments where he fell of the Pastel hills are accidents. But we can also say that the suicidal thoughts just came recently. Especially considering what is happening lately. Being trapped in a deep hole with little to no socialization can really do some things to you...even if you're an introvert. We are social creatures. As much as we say we hate chatting with people, we also don't want to be alone with no social communication our entire life now, do we?

Anyway, I'm going to suggest this, there is a chance that Frederick probably has what is called passive suicidal ideation. He doesn't actively try to die, but he wouldn't care if he die. But I'm a little conflicted on this one. Maybe someone else who is better at this field of study can help me?

We can also assume that Frederick told Blaine to kill him out of desperation. There are lots of possibilities that I hope Lambcat will explore more in the future.

Also his coping mechanism of escaping reality is something to watch out for since he has shown signs of not being able to differentiate between reality and fantasy

Now, I just want to say that there is a chance that I'm heavily wrong here. But I'm just stating my opinion and I'm not trying to offend anyone. If there is something wrong in what I wrote please do tell me.

Okay, let's move on to the next scene now—

NAH BLAINE SWINGING THAT SWORD 💀💀 Bro is clearly so stressed istg. C'mon Blaine the curse tattoo doesn't look THAT bad. It looks aight if you ask me. I would even say it's unique.

Yeahhh! What Whitney said! Lmao I'm so sorry but this scene reminds me of Steven Universe and Spinel. Whitney just wanna talk it out :') he has changed so much from his old self.

YOOOO ALL THE ELDEST SIBLINGS ARE GIVING BLAINE A REALITY CHECK. Maria, Whitney, Calpernia. Snap outta it Blaine please.

"I'd like to cut in" Goals. I do also want to start my battle by saying a pun. I can't wait for Prez vs Blaine!! It's going to be sick.

THE MAIDS. HOLY MOLY (haha get it?). Of course they also have weapons. It makes sense considering how protective Jack is! Also

Was. Was the cleaver not enough? Lol 💀

I am even more hyped for Leland vs The maids!

Well, that's it for now. That was a long ass post lmao. I'm gonna go back to class.

Mono out! (But still in to hear your thoughts)

[roguemonsterfucker]

Baby bird news... Not great news but everyone is alive and okay.

The momma bird started attacking the babies. She pulled a chunk of feathers from Junior and I don't know what happened with Opaline but the poor baby looked traumatized. Uninjured as far as I can tell, but traumatized.

And then the momma bird laid an egg so that's probably why.

Unfortunately, I had to separate her and her mate from the babies, which sucks so fucking much because little Number Five isn't really old enough to be away from the mom but she's been really snippy with him too so I can't risk her hurting anyone.

So Happy and Bucky, the mom and dad, are in their own cage now. As soon as we're able, we're taking them to the vet to get a hormonal implant that will prevent them from wanting to breed anymore and once we see how that works out, the pair should be able to go back in with other birds. For now, Happy is too dangerous to be with even her own babies. I've been bitten badly by her before and I don't want the babies to be on the receiving end of that...

Not all bad news, though!

Even though Five is a week behind the rest, he's still growing very well! He flew and drank water for the first time today (that I've seen). Thank goodness. Because without that, he wouldn't survive being without his mom. But in theory, he should be okay at this point. I'll be keeping a close eye on him and I can hand feed him if needed, but I don't think I'll need to.

All the babies are doing great. The oldest three, Magpie, Opaline, and Junior, fly all around and eat and drink and explore. They've stopped sleeping in the nest. Only Five still sleeps in the nest.

I feel sick over having to separate Happy from her babies, but it was that or maybe wake up to a dead baby. And I love these little guys so much, I couldn't bear the thought of losing any at this stage.

Going into this, my mantra was "they probably won't live they probably won't live they probably won't live." But then... they did. They made it to an age where they're real birds, flying and eating, and I thought they were safe from all the risks I worried about. The idea that I could lose them now, after all the trials and tribulations, because the Mom became aggressive... I couldn't handle it.

They all should be fine. Little Five may not thrive as well as the rest because of this, but he still should be alright.

I'll reblog this with baby pictures later. @roguemonsterfucker Tagging myself so I can reblog this.

[iiboronii]

OMG WHAT IF ARTIC ASSOCIATES AVIE WITH PERIWINKLE FLOWERS OR GIVES SOME TO HER AS A GIFT

Them being blue reminds me of your banner image, and this page says they represent "early and sincere friendship" :D

Sometimes I think about that scene of them outside the factory where Artic's explaining how the wings work and Avie brought her snacks and I just smile. They're besties your honor!!!!!

I imagine it'd be hard to find fresh flowers given the state of the valley, and the Onceler promoting fake flowers bc "They come in any shape and color no matter the season, and you never have to worry about them wilting! Who needs real flowers anyways!"

So I'm picturing Artic flying into what's left of the valley, trespassing on company property, to find some ouo

Maybe they end up in one of those windowsill planters, being well taken care of and faring much better than they would at the mercy of an axe-hacker. And a sweet scent in the air whenever Avie walks by the window -u-

STOP THIS IS SOOO CUTE I LOVE ARTIC AND AVIE AS BESTIES THEY'RE LITERALLY THE BESTEST FRIENDS EVER <3 They just chill in my head sometimes tbh, going about their lives and doin' whatever.

No but I can see Avie being SO SHY to take the flowers Artic got for her. She's a social butterfly, but she's never been great at recieving gifts or anything. There's always this "oh no, are you sure?" moment with her when you give her ANYTHING. And she's super sentimental so her estate is decorated with a whole bunch of knick knacks that she's recieved over the years :)

Ohhh the Onceler. Back at it again, promoting his business. "Try these fake flowers! They'll never die, as they're made entirely out of plastic! Just like the entire city will be soon! You could never find this shade in the wild, no matter how hard you tried, but we have it here for you, ready to purchase at your nearest retailer!" One day, Avie's lamenting to Artic about how she misses real flowers, just something pretty and bright and alive, and then a lightbulb goes off in Artic's head. There's gotta be some real flowers around here, right?

So Artic, slightly defiantly, because she's annoyed at the Onceler for being... Like That, soars into the now barren Truffula Valley, scouring the land for flowers. Anything, really, that would give Avie something nice to look at and care for. And then she finds something perfect!!! Periwinkles!! And ofc Artic knows what the meaning is and I'm sure she's like "yeahhhh that's exactly what I was looking for!!"

And like I said, Avie loves gifts but she's very shy about getting them. "You thought of me?" is the first thing that comes out of her mouth when she's presented with 'em. It's somehow surprising that somebody would think of her with such a sweet gesture. And Artic is like "yeah? It was either you or the axe, and I think you'll take much better care of them." Eventually Avie takes them and Artic asks her if she knows flower language and ofc Avie has no clue. So Artic explains that periwinkles are all about friendship and by the end of it Avie is tearing up a little bc it's such a sweet and lovely gesture. "You thought of me because we're friends?" It ends with Avie giving Artic a biiiiiiig tight hug and because she's just so grateful that she's got someone so kind, thoughtful, and genuine in her corner.

Avie cares for the periwinkles sooo gently. They end up in her kitchen windowsill planter so that she can see them every morning when she wakes up to make herself breakfast. They always seem to perk up and say good morning to her when she comes in with their fragrant, delicate smell! They thrive, of course, in Avie's windowsill, representing how her friendship with Artic is thriving and growing!

And Avie wants to return the favor. Thankfully, she's crafty! So she makes friendship bracelets (I'm picturing the threaded ones, something like this!) for them. Artic's has blue flowers and a purple chain, while Avie's is the inverse (loosely based on your banner image, ofc). Avie's all embarrassed to give Artic her bracelet bc she's worried that her bracelet making skills aren't all that good, and she babbles on about how the periwinkles were really sweet and she wanted to return the favor and she hopes it's not subpar- but I can see Artic being like "nono, this is good. Don't worry."

So yeah in conclusion Artic and Avie are the best friends ever <3

[oldflyingraven]

I know you love me

But knowing and feeling are different things.

-

I'll gladly play the fool if it makes you smile

I'll gladly play the fool if I get to see you smile

-

4:03

Fuck off with your daybreak

-

I lost my fantasy worlds

Where did they go

I can't flee to them anymore

They're not real anymore

--

The good parts of my days have names now

--

"This heart beats voluntarily"

Well this one beats

Purely out of fear

Of the alternative

--

I love you

I love you so much my chest hurts

Platonic or not

I love you

--

I'm content

To resent you from a distance

--

I whisper "I love you" to you in crowded rooms

Maybe one day you'll hear it

--

It's hard to be jealous

When all the people you kiss are so nice

I just wish

I was one of them

--

I like seeing myself surrounded by people

It makes it looks like I belong

---

4:21

No daybreak yet

Good.

--

Life is busy and infuriating and I continue it purely out of spite and fear

--

Living is a puzzle

Unfortunately all the pieces are jagged and don't fit together

--

I'd follow you to hell and back

Even though we're already there

--

Thriving(we're both doing terrible)

(And I wish I could help)

(But I can't)

--

I'm a mosaic

I consist of parts of others

This time it's comforting

--

I don't want to die

I just want to be alive again

Was I ever?

--

There's something so inherently validating to someone being excited to do something with you

--

I'm not unwanted

Just slightly less wanted than everyone else

[warriorbeeofthesea]

Hi Bee! I sporadically check your blog for any life updates- anyways hope you're doing very well and that your fandom break has been restful!

I realize it's been years since I logged in here, and I know this ask itself is already pretty old, but: Hi, I'm alive and thriving.

When you last heard from me I was falling apart and going through a divorce. Well, divorce is done, I've moved on, fallen in love and got remarried a few months ago. Love of my life, absolutely feel a million times happier, and actually like myself now. We're very good together, and I only actually signed in here to read something she just posted. If I believed in soul mates I'd say I've found mine.

I spent a lot of time writing about love and the way I wanted to be treated by a partner, and now I have that. Which sadly has made me a bit lazy about writing, but someone recently asked if I was ever going to finish Love Game, and... maybe?

I'm poly, and have been falling in love with a new partner the last couple months, and I keep finding myself thinking silly things, realizing they sound familiar, and that I actually wrote these silly things in fics already. If my life were a fic, I'd tag this chapter: friends-to-lovers, idiots-to-lovers, slow-burn, minor-angst, unresolved-sexual-tension, making-out-in-doorways, self-esteem-and-growth, wearing-each-other's-clothes, and the classic, inspired by Simon Snow: I-didn't-know-I-liked-you-until-I-made-out-with-you (minus the burning forest) (see above, idiots-to-lovers)

anyway, hi, I'm here and I'm good. I know no one is likely to see this, but that's ok. message me here if you want, or reach out on discord.

[stars-of-kyber]

well it maybe sound stupid but do you think kanthony fandom is dying

Look, I've been actively participating in different fandoms for the past idk 13, 14 years. It's not unusual that things die down a bit between seasons/after the movie/show ends, the longer it takes to get new content if you do. (You should have seen the Sherlock stuff, it took us three years to get a season with 3 eps lol) There's always the more diehard fans who stick around for years and years and years, but some just go find another fandom to interact with. I still follow people who post Sherlock fics even after all these years, and some others have completely changed fandoms. That's absolutely normal.

I think, with season 3 coming and we getting some Kathony new material, things might pick up again.

But I have to say this: Fandom is supposed to be a fun experience. It's a hobby, something you do that is not an obligation, you interact in your free time (or in times when you're not really free but let's not go there lol) for your pleasure and enjoyment.

It stops being fun the moment people are mean and rude simply bc they don't agree with your take on smth. This is not only on the Kathony/Bridgerton fandom. I have received death threats on Anon for almost a year about Star Wars and I almost abandoned the fandom as a whole three different times (the only reason I didn't was that the hyperfiction was stronger than my annoyance at these people).

So, yeah. I can see why getting hate messages on your blog or rude comments on your fic might drive people away from the whole thing. You're there trying to enjoy your faves and someone is bitching about you and being super rude bc they don't like your ship or they don't agree with how you portray them (Honestly guys, these are fictional characters. Just close the fic, block the person and move on with your lives! It's not that hard, people do it all the time!)

Particularly during that SW Reylo fandom hate time, I came to this interesting realisation that I usually share with my friends when we talk about it. I will not allow a sad, sorry person who has nothing better to do than bully people without even having the guts to show their face and who thrives in seeing someone else miserable to drive me away from something that I love and that makes me happy. I am here bc I love the characters, I love the story and I love writing. I'm not going to stop bc someone is miserable enough that they need to make me miserable too.

Don't engage with bullies. Delete their asks and comments, let them shout to the wind. Use the block button with gusto if you see smth you don't particularly care for. Use the AO3 tag filter, it's your best friend. Don't hate-read. Tag your stuff properly and don't open smth with a tag you don't care for. Don't rage-bait. Don't leave mean comments on fics you didn't care for. Ship and let ship.

That's the only way to create a nice fun space and make sure the fandom stays alive with loads of people interacting.

We're here to have fun. Let's enjoy ourselves.

[mrdrhenwardhykle]

I was in a silly goofy mood, so here’s a Bad End/Goons Dragon’s Lair AU +drawings c:

(Body horror, blood, rotting flesh, +kinda sad tw ig)

Idk, this may be set up like partially disorganized DND stats

Hollow:

Alrightly, so the first one we're talking about is more of a remake/redesign on an established character in the franchise. 'Hollow' is a character from the possibly non-canon 3D game, and is like the evil Dirk or something (idk-I tried to look into it, but looking at this game for too long makes me cringe)

Yeah, this guy.

But instead of just being a recolor and a copy of whatever Space Ace did that one time, in my version he's just Dirk from an alternate timeline.

So basically, in this timeline either a. this follows one of the deaths where it doesn't fully show him die/just shows him fail and get stuck somewhere, or b. a timeline where Mordroc and his goons take another route and attack him all at once when he first enters

Anyways, Mordroc (with intention of getting another servant to his castle) gets to Dirk and places an amulet over his neck, explaining he just gave him the 'gift' of immortality; confusing Dirk, wondering why he just did that in the first place. In a turn of events Mordroc stands back and allows his goons to tear Dirk's eyes out and throw him in a random room.

With the amulet, the victim cannot remove it themselves- but have to rely one someone else taking it off for them. You can gain fatal injuries with the amulet and not die, but the injury will likely never heal (other than maybe bleeding stopping), and the one who wears the amulet will never have the pain ease.

'Hollow', as the inhabitants of the Dragon's Lair have come to name him, isn't inherently evil; nor has any forced villainy caused by the amulet, and is still just normal Dirk- but cannot hear or see, and is thriving off of desperation to leave the castle without adding anything else to his anguish. Having a good intuition at first, he has forced himself to concentrate enough so his instincts can help him 'survive'. But no matter who you may be, good or bad, Hollow takes no chances and swings first.

To survive, remember to be smooth and agile in your movements if you see freshly killed goons/knights, smell old blood and rotting flesh approaching, or hear a man crying, screaming in anguish, or calling out 'Daphne' or help. Remember that harming him only makes him more desperate and hostile. If you have his well being in mind, avoid harming him at all costs and just sneak and dodge- and barricade the nearest door if possible.

If you don't care and just need to get closer to saving the princess, just disarm him by cutting off his arms and/or legs but that's pretty cruel. It's actually frowned upon to do that and should only be the last resort.

You can actually befriend Hollow, and it's one of the most recommended routes (other than taking the amulet off yourself). To do this, you need to dodge his attacks, and reassure through some way of touch or presence to show you are a friend or to reassure that he's safe. Show though grabbing his hand or arm that you're going to be guiding him, and just stay in literal touch or out of range when enemies are near-and he should take care of the issue. If you are able to lead him out, let him know he's safe and comfortable before paying your debt by taking the amulet off.

It's unclear if you can save Hollow, as taking off the amulet will just let his fatal wounds catch up to him and instantly kill him (Aka the amulet keeps him alive). Asking most guides, they would just tell you that yanking the amulet off is the best you can do, as he's 'cheating' death and won't suffer any longer- but there may be a 1% in reversing it. That is, to begin the route; take Hollow out and find the best healing mange you can. It's hard to say if healing magic or medical attention can actually 100% help him out, as there's plenty of issues causing him anguish, and either magic or medical care can miss that. And that being said, it's likely difficult to find a good mange in the kingdom, and an even better mange to cure full blown missing eyeballs and other organs- and he might still live with difficulty. This isn't the most recommended route to deal with Hollow, but taking the chance is by no means frowned upon.

Any time Hollow gets close to the exit, a goon is sent to pull him back to another room to screw him up again. It's unknown if they would do this if he got close to the gold room. They've lost a few goons while doing this, but Mordroc insists in keeping him as a guard and a good selection to his 'collection' of knights.

Anyways, ignore the quality of my horrible colored pencil drawings

The Banshee Princess:

After Dirk's 'failure' to save her, Daphne officially became another new 'toy' to Mordroc's collection. Mordroc basically went through the same ritual as seen in the second game, and casted the Banshee curse on her through marriage. The Banshee curse itself forms out of loss and grief, and being that Daphne was in a slightly different position of grief (Aka, no children or husband to lose-but rather just a whole kingdom and boyfriend((?)) ) her form composed into a different and lesser variation.

After she was let out of the bubble, she claimed Singe's room-even to the point of becoming to agitated with him to the point that she killed him by eating him from the inside-out while he was sleeping.

This rendition of the banshee is smaller and more agile like a lizard; and can be found mostly at the back end of the castle. She can crawl on walls, and uses that to her advantage to sneak on her prey. While she can attack goons, she mainly aims for and lives off of knights (as Mordroc won't announce her change to the kingdom and also won't bother to come close enough to feed her).

Her scream is loud and shrill enough that it instantly paralyzes her victims- however she only does this at a very close perimeter.

Look for signs of the Banshee once you enter this area. Keep alert if you feel like your eyes are making up something crawling on the wall beside you. Don't follow if you hear a woman's voice crying out anything like 'help me!', 'save me!', 'mom!' or 'Dirk!'.

Unlike Hollow, there's more of a chance to save Daphne from this fate (albeit she will revert back due to fatal injuries). The one and only cure is a kiss of true love (maybe where befriending Hollow comes in,, but you can try if you wanted to ig)- but the issue with that would be in getting her to remember who she was before so she could stop attacking. Memories are quite rare to get, but it's at least worth the try. Memories are also quite temporary, and she'll just quickly revert back to her animalistic instinct if you're not quick enough to communicate to her.

The ring is no longer there, and the deadline for the ring to enact the curse is long past due. She ripped it off herself while she still had a little bit of control at some point.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed the random angst

:3