#which are sometimes a bit far-fetched I admit

[berlingotesque]

What are your ships for Batim? :D

VERY GOOD QUESTION- I know my answer should be rather straightforward but I feel I have to put some context to my answers since they may seem contradictory/paradoxical otherwise, so bear with me-

Sammy x Norman : Well. I think that one was pretty obvious, anyone who's seen more than 3 of my posts knows that I'd die for these two. They're just so PERFECT for each other, from their complementary personalities to the fact that their relationship allows us to delve deeper into batim's historical and social context. Sammy and Norman have one of the few relationships that develop the most during the game's lore : Norman originally complains vehemently about Sammy's frenetic behavior, only to end up lamenting to Buddy and Dot how 'Sammy isn't the same anymore'. What's interesting about this statement is that he says it in relation to Sammy's strange behavior : clearly, the two men have grown close enough for Norman to differentiate Sammy's extravagant habits from his ink-influenced behavior.

Furthermore, Sammy is a very gray character morally, a perfectionist who is extremely socially maladjusted (surely due to the fact that he's coded on the spectrum and autism wasn't properly diagnosed at the time), naturally ostracizing him. For his part, Norman comes from a rural background (which surely earns him the animosity of the people at the studio, given the historical context and the fact that he could very well be poc) and also seems ill at ease socially : to me, it's fascinating to see two characters excluded from their peers because of differences they can't change (being autistic or poc and gay) getting closer to each other, to the point where Sammy, who is deeply misanthropic, naturally compliments Norman by describing him as very bright. To me, Norman is the perfect partner for Sammy : ready to apprehend him as he is, since he's completely free of social conventions, without taking any shits from him.

I think Sammy and Norman can really get the best out of each other, during a historical period when being different was strongly proscribed. I think I'd have trouble enjoying Batim as much without their dynamic at its heart (considering how narratively rich it is) : Norman is Henry's confidant, Sammy is Joey's, both remain morally gray deuteragonists fundamentally opposed to the ink machine, while remaining fascinated by its powers. And who wouldn't love a good old enemies to lovers ending tragically with the unwitting murder of one by the other ? After all, Norman's main flaw is that he's too curious for his own good, and it was Sammy who inevitably led him to his doom..

Allison x Tom : what more can I add. She's everything. He's just Tom. I've always been drawn to characters/ships with a vibe completely opposite to the vibe of the work they originally came from, and the 'turning poison into positivity' energy that Tom and Allison bring to Batim has always fascinated me. In a world as tragic as their own, I find it touching to see these two find beauty in all the ugliness and manage to ask themselves 'what if we were happy after all ?' It's really striking and brings a narrative richness to the work, since they directly mirror what failed with Sammy and Susie : Allison is perfect, but that was never what was at stake in Tom's eyes. Tom was looking for humanity, not perfection, and he managed to go beyond the image of the muse to discover a friend, unlike Sammy with Susie. They're literally Romeo and Juliet but, well... Not dead.

Joey x Henry/Henry x Linda : oh boy. These three... Let me get it straight right away : Henry and Linda are perfect for each other. She's exactly what he needs to be happy : she's present, patient. There's no denying that he loves her immensely. But Joey... oh Joey is undoubtedly Henry's soul mate. The subtlety is that Joey can't bring him the stable happiness Linda can : Joey tugs at him, pushes him over the edge. He knows exactly what to do to push him beyond his own limits. The love Joey offers Henry is an uncomfortable but unconditional one, one that would allow Henry to go beyond what he thinks he's capable of achieving because no one knows Henry better than Joey ! And let's be honest, Batim only exists because Joey refuses to move on, to live his dream without Henry in it. He's stuck in unrequited love and refuses to learn to live with it. And that's the tragedy of this trio : Henry sincerely loves Linda but is truly himself with Joey, which prevents him from hating OR loving him (And Joey exploits this information by remaining extremely toxic and convincing himself that he can wear him down lmao). Henry is stuck with this dilemma : Existing peacefully with Linda or living painfully with Joey. And that's why I love the dynamic of this love triangle : because there are no solutions that will satisfy everyone.

Joey x Sammy : okay, don’t get me wrong : these two are HORRIBLE for each other. Does Sammy periodically want to quit just to piss Joey off? Yes. Isn't Joey's fascination with Sammy intimately tied to his refusal to forget Henry, who was a genius like Sammy? Yes. Nevertheless, it's impossible for me to read The Illusion of Living without feeling embarrassed and like I'm reading Joey's diary : whether you ship them or not, Joey is practically canonically smitten with Sammy. I sincerely don't think Joey and Sammy can sustain a healthy relationship with each other, but oh boy, surely that won't stop me from exploiting their bizarre obsessive love-hate relationship, where it's hard to determine whether they're going to throw hands or make out.

[therantingsage]

Because I promised this, and I really wanted to do it anyway, here's a really really long-winded rambling dissertation on:

Why N and Uzi secretly dating since before episode 5 is genuinely super plausible and also stupidly hilarious /pos

Under the cut cuz it got obscenely long oops-

Idk where to start, so I'll just cover my bases: why people think they've been in a relationship already in the first place.

We all saw this scene:

And legit it can only be implying one of two things. Either A: this is his confession of feelings for her. Or B: this is him admitting that they've been dating for a while at this point. With the hearts it's pretty clear that this statement is meant to be romantically interpreted, and Nori's aghast reaction confirms that that's how it's being interpreted.

Obviously no matter the interpretation, N only writes that because he can't think of anything else to snap Uzi out of it and thereby stop this confrontation from ending poorly. And it works obviously so good on him for the quick thinking.

Two things that make me lean towards the 'we're dating' interpretation over 'confession' interpretation, though: firstly, he's not writing this to tell Uzi something, he specifically calls out to Nori before writing it. "Hey btw I'm dating your daughter" makes more sense than "Hey btw I like your daughter romantically" because if it was the latter, Nori has far less reason to be mad at Uzi about it rather than N. It's not like Uzi can control how N feels. But if they're dating, that means Uzi is partially to blame for that and Nori can get upset at HER.

Secondly, the awkward wording. Like it's really vague and without the hearts you'd have no reason to assume anything but platonic meaning. But these are words we, and him, have heard before:

...from Uzi, in response to a question about who she is and, by proxy, the nature of their relationship. She says it defensively, follows it up by telling N to shut up. N repeating her wording which, again, is a description of the nature of their relationship....but this time implying something romantic with it, it suggests the idea that it had romantic implications the first time.

I don't think it's far-fetched to say Uzi at least has feelings for N at this point in the story. I don't think anyone's arguing that that's not true. But the idea that 'hang out' means the exact same thing both times is what I'm arguing here. They're dating, but this version of N is a stranger to her. A cute stranger, as she says, but a stranger nonetheless who she isn't comfortable admitting to that she's dating him in the future to his face.

Backing up a bit, Uzi's reaction to Nori's reaction:

This is a clear and obvious parallel to the previous episode, when 'Tessa' says "Don't date my robot, please."

In both instances, someone gets on her case about the idea of them dating, and in both cases she doesn't deny it but instead defends both his and her own agency in the matter. No one is allowed to tell them what to do and Uzi refuses to let anyone try.

When Nori says it, though, she does seem to try and deny it for a moment. "I'm not-" She cuts herself off so we can't say for certain what she was going to say (if anything. it's entirely possible she started that sentence with no plan how to finish it, I do that a lot personally). But that's also because, like, she's Uzi. If this was meant to be a secret relationship, it would probably be her who made that decision. And like with butler N, she has no reason to disclose that kind of information to a stranger. She'd probably try and deny it whether its true or not.

As for when it would've started, after camp is the only big timeskip where we don't have much clue went on during. Cabin Fever is a big episode for them, and the three episodes that come after it are all back-to-back-to-back. The only time it makes sense to have started is sometime between eps 4 and 5.

And guys. Guys.

This, more than anything to me, paired with the idea that they've been dating for a while by the time the most recent couple episodes happen.....doesn't this seem so, so romantic? You could easily call this a love confession! So easily! It sounds like one much more than 'we just kinda are hanging out a lot idk' at least.

Like, rephrase that even a little: "Being with you makes scary things fun. Being with you makes me feel brave. It makes me feel safe. So I want to keep being with you."

And Uzi agrees with that sentiment. He promises to stick with her. And she laughs and smiles with him as he makes the scary thing she's been dealing with into something fun, something they can laugh about. The together line gets repeated in the most recent episode, directly calling back to this scene as well.

Like, just...AGH. In Cabin Fever he says it once as they're falling and a second time once they're grounded. The second time its a question, and one she eagerly answers with physical affection, which is super rare for her. In Mass Destruction its a statement, because he already knows her answer. Its a repeated promise. A vow.

Backing up again. Let's assess some interactions under this context. Assuming they're dating in secret. Because it paints so many things in a different light and basically nothing contradicts it which is fricken wild. This:

Isn't a sheepish Uzi trying to hold her crush's hand in a moment of fear. This is an Uzi who wants to keep their relationship a secret but is so in need of comfort right now she's willing to risk exposing them to get it.

This:

Her being so relieved because she almost watched him die but he's alive he's ok and she doesn't care who sees it because she needs to hug her boyfriend rIGHT NOW GUYS I DON'T CARE I'M HUGGING MY BOYFRIEND-

This whole scene. Uzi interacts with him so gently here. She's not gentle with anybody else at all. She sees him stressed and uses his own "you good?" on him and it's just so dang tender when you think about it. Because no one else can hear them talking to each other. It's just these two sending face texts and everyone else's focus is on the Sentinal so they can afford to be as couple-y in this conversation as they want.

And after:

Blushing because they like each other so so dang much.......sweating bullets because the other two can see them do this. Suddenly without either of them really thinking about it they're being romantic around other people and wow! That's nerve-wracking! Peak young love early-in-the-relationship behavior they ain't slick.

His tone of voice in this scene is gentler I think than we've ever heard from him before (Michael Kovach you are so damn good at your job). His loss-filled fury is cooled in an instant when he realizes how close he came to hurting his girlfriend. It's heartbreakingly gentle before 'Tessa' cuts him off.

And when she cuts Uzi off:

He looks like genuinely pissed at her. "Did you really just interrupt my gf while she was talking?? She's scared and you're disrespecting her tf is wrong with u??"

And like- the fact he was genuinely willing to off Tessa for her. Like he realizes there's a possibility she tried to get his gf killed for no reason and upon her not even trying to deny it he just kills her instantly. Because it's no longer a question of the universe or Uzi. It's a question of Tessa or Uzi, and its a choice his heart has already made before this point.

But here's like. The thing about all this that gets me. This is meant to be a secret relationship, right? Like nobody but them is supposed to know about this. And the fact that we the audience didn't have any reason to assume them to be an established relationship without heavy headcanoning means they did a decent job at that, right?

Guys. Guys.

N is terrible at keeping secrets. Like. Horrendously bad at keeping things on the down-low. Every single time in the series he's supposed to not spill info he like. Fails. It's wild. And because the relationship happens after "Inclusive reflexes!" that means that Uzi damn well knows this and still trusts him to try.

But based on V's reaction to the handholding in Dead End:

I'm honestly willing to bet she knew. She doesn't sound surprised, just annoyed that she has to see it. Which means N probably like, heard her badmouthing Uzi or something and got like way too defensive about it and she clocked him instantly. Because he's bad at keeping secrets. And she doesn't bother mentioning it during any of these episodes out loud because she doesn't care what these idiots do in their free time.

Can you imagine how many hundred close calls they must've had? How many times Uzi must've had to aggressively shush him or cover his mouth because he was going to say something slightly too sappy in public? The only reason we don't get to see the time period between eps 4 and 5 is because it would've been painfully obvious that these two dating is the worst kept secret in the entire bunker. I'm going insane.

Uzi fell in love with a proud himbo and they both know it. It's genuinely a miracle they didn't clue the audience in sooner.

[syndrossi]

October Trick or Treat Fill #9: Jon getting his hair braided

At long last, the "Jon gets his hair braided" prompt, which I think I wrote either first or second, gets its day! This takes place fairly close to the current chapter, as far as time-frame.

x~x~x

“When do I get to see?” Jon asked, hands folded in his lap to keep from touching or fidgeting.

Helaena had begun braiding a good twenty minutes before, humming quietly to herself throughout, halting only to answer the occasional question Jon asked to fill the silence. He didn’t have nearly as much hair as she or Rhaegar did, so he would have expected it to take no more than a few minutes.

The humming stopped. “Do you want to go?”

The trepidation in her voice made him regret asking. She had been so excited when he’d offered at supper last night, and even more thrilled when he had come calling upon her today at the end of her lessons with the septa. Jon would guess she had few visitors, even amongst her family.

It is not just our uncle. Aegon and Aemond think of her as both a girl and a baby. Daeron is too young. It is likely just her, her nurse, and occasionally her mother.

“No, I like it here.” He took a slice of raw carrot from the plate she had shyly asked her nurse to fetch from the kitchens. “Thank you for the carrots. Did Rhaegar tell you that I like them?”

“No. But Darra says that if you eat enough carrots, you can see in the dark.”

Jon grabbed another slice from the plate and held it up beside his ear. After a brief hesitation, Helaena took it, and he heard the loud crunch as she bit into it.

“What do you want to see in the dark?” he asked.

“Everything.” Helaena fell silent, hands pausing in his hair. “I don’t want to need a candle.”

Jon forced himself to remain relaxed so as not to alarm her. “No? Why not?”

“I’ll burn,” she whispered, so quietly he could hardly hear.

His instinct was to turn around and pull her into a hug, but he was still mostly a stranger, even though they were kin. Instead, he picked up another piece of carrot and offered it, then took one for himself, the quiet of the room broken by their chewing.

“I won’t let that happen,” Jon said.

“It won’t burn you,” she said, a statement rather than a question, and Jon wondered, alarmed, if Viserys had shared that knowledge with everyone or she had just overheard, as Aegon sometimes did.

“Me and Rhaegar will protect you,” Jon said, and her fingers began working again, nearing the bottom of his hair. “What about a lamp?”

She hummed in thought. “Lamps are safe. Their flame can’t reach.”

Although she could easily have meant that the flame was contained, Jon couldn’t shake the sense that she was speaking about the dragonglass candles in a roundabout way.

“Have you ever seen dragonglass?” he asked, keeping his tone even.

“Dragonglass?” The mixed curiosity and delight in her voice proved answer enough to the contrary. “No. Do dragons make glass? Can Shadow make glass?”

“I do not know,” Jon admitted. He had asked Samwell the same once, whether dragonglass came from dragons, and his friend had been unsure. The dragonglass candles themselves seemed worked in a way more like glassblowing than through carving. He wondered if Daemon might know. “It is a dark, shiny stone.”

“Like Shadow.”

“Like Shadow,” Jon agreed. The description hadn’t seemed to prompt any recognition, so he let himself relax, dismissing her words earlier as coincidence.

“Done!” she announced, tying off the last of her work with another ribbon—her eighth so far.

Jon was guided over to the mirror, and as he turned his head to various angles, he could see that each individual braid was more than passable—it was simply that there were eight of them, of varying degrees of thickness, sticking out at various angles from his head. He shook his head, feeling them pull at his scalp in unexpected ways.

“Thank you,” he said, forgetting himself and leaning to give her a kiss on the cheek.

She froze, and he pulled back, abashed, but although her eyes were wide, she did not look frightened or upset—just startled. Jon’s heart ached as he wondered how many times her brothers had ever done the same. “You like it?”

“I feel very secure,” he assured her. “If I must fight, I know my hair will not impede my vision.”

A well-timed knock at the door announced Rhaegar’s arrival, likely on his way back from afternoon training at the yard, and Helaena seemed unsure what to do with her sudden popularity, nodding silently at her nurse to allow him entrance.

“Princess Helaena,” Rhaegar said upon entering, bowing his head in greeting. “Thank you for—” His gaze had finally landed on Jon, and his expression stilled. “Oh. You braided Jon’s hair.”

“Do you like it?” she asked, face so hopeful that Jon prepared himself to glare Rhaegar into a polite answer.

It proved unnecessary. Rhaegar smiled at her, eyes dancing. “I think it suits him perfectly.” He went up to Jon, inspecting each braid. “You have mastered the triple strand. I can show you a four-strand sometime, if you like. We can practice on Jon together.”

Her gasp was audible, and she turned back to Jon, as though worried he might refuse. He raised a brow at Rhaegar and silently resigned himself to his fate. “Tomorrow, then.”

[ddlcbrainrot]

Monika, as we all know, has a Twitter that we can actually follow and stuff. But she is definitely also a Pinterest girlie 100% i will not be taking any notes on this thank you very much

Sayori used Instagram the most, its great for socialising with your friends ect. Then Tiktok came out, which is basically the social media for people with no attention span, aka Sayori's one weakness. You cant really blame her for getting just a tad bit too into it

Yuri ive never really though would use any kind of social media, at least not excessively. Maybe she'd watch book reviews on Youtube, but thats the most i thought she would use social media. And then @heartbeatbookclub made a post sometime back abt Yuri being a discord mod and i cannot believe i didnt think of this sooner. She canonically plays DND, i could definitely see her having a discord server for it and everything + she mentions having online friends and in my experience most online friends talk through discord

Natsuki uses Tumblr. Or, she did back in middle school. Then her friends started to make fun of her for it and she switched to Insta. She also mentions having online friends so her having a discord account isn't that far fetched. Maybe she watches Tiktoks from time to time, not that she would admit that however

MC is a Redditor.

[cal-writes]

for spoopy day i will share more haunted home au! its the whole bit this snippet is from first time writing franky pov but he's a joy

-

"So what do you think Robin needs you for?" Franky asks Zoro as they walk. The paved road underneath them ends right where Robin's property begins, leaving only the desirepath stomped into the dirt. He had offered to make a path several times, some nice stonework, maybe a little bridge that led all the way to her deck but Robin had declined. She enjoyed the rural vibe. 

Zoro shrugs, hands buried in the pockets of his jacket. He looks straight ahead, avoiding Franky's resulting squint. He might not know Zoro quite as long as the others did but he knew that when Zoro chose not to say something it was as close to lying as he came. Right now, Franky got the impression that Zoro did know exactly why Robin had asked him to come.

Which was fine! Franky wasn't jealous at all. Robin and Zoro were longtime pals and kindred spirits. Their resident introverts. They hung out together a lot and that was super. Franky was glad Robin had someone in their group of equal temperament. He knew his own fiery self was hard to keep up with sometimes so it was all super.

Still, he was man enough to admit to himself that he had been a little disappointed when Robin had called him only to ask him to fetch Zoro, who must have lost his phone again as he was not picking up. 

She had been back from university for her spring break. Months of her being gone finally over. They had all seen each other already, and her and Franky had gone to see that movie at Usopp's shop the other day. So it wasn't her playing favorites or anything and she hadn't told him not to come. Just asked if he could perhaps tell Zoro she needed his help with something.

Franky was totally not jealous. That'd be uncool. He's not. He's just curious what Zoro could help Robin with that Franky couldn't.

The seasons on their island are moderate due to the water streams running past their island but this far inland into the swamp, the plants and the mud make the air humid, chilling it down to where Franky always wished he had bought another jacket. His arms were getting goosebumps. Fortunately his prosthetic legs had no such issues, flying free in his hot pants. 

The main lake comes into view around the corner, previously hidden from view by the thickening foliage and around the bend sits Robin's house. His greatest work. She had bought it early, taking up a loan after her first book deal had been promised to buy the property. The house on it had stood there for as long as Franky can remember and based on the architecture and materials used originally it must have been there for decades before that. Robin had been enamored with it since childhood. They used to sneak off there with the others, climbing around the rotting wood and hiding from their teachers. 

It used to belong to an old man who lived on the neighboring half island who had been looking to sell it for quite a while. A hard endeavor as most of the property was a natural habitat so most construction work was forbidden. Robin hadn't cared, had seen it a perk of the property, in fact. And so, her little refuge had become hers.

And Franky had made sure her house was up to his rigorous standards and Robin's every wish. 

She had wanted a modest cabin, not much larger than the original hovel. Most of it had to be torn down but Franky had used the wood that was still good for some detailing and some of her furniture. Such as the ornate decorative knobs atop of her porch fencing and an inlay in her front door.

One of the steps creaks slightly as they step off the dirt path and climb up so Franky hangs back to examine the stairs as Zoro knocks on the door. The humidity is always hard on the wood even with Franky's expert treatment. He should remodel the stairs, he has had a fantastic idea for a ramp that he could propose to Robin. Good thing he came along! He follows Zoro up the stairs, testing the creaking step with his weight a little before taking his notepad out of his pocket and sketching something down before he forgets.

Robin opens the door and the smell of her shampoo and shower gel wafts enticingly in their direction. Her hair is still wet, a towel draped around her shoulders. She gives them both a smile though she does seem a little surprised at Franky's presence here. He ducks his head and fiddles with his notepad sheepishly. 

"Thank you for coming." Robin says gently and invites them inside. "I made a curious discovery on my walk this morning and require your expert opinion." Franky's head snaps up in attention but unfortunately finds Robin addressing Zoro with that statement. Which is super cool, Franky's a different kind of expert. Robin probably didn't need him here, she probably hadn't even noticed her creaking step, always absorbed in her brilliant mind when she returned from her walks.

She leads them past her hallway through the archway to her living room - a gorgeous woodwork flower design with stained glass elements in the corners. 

Franky steps into the room last, stopping by the archway and drops his notepad.

On Robin's wicker rocking chair - a yardsale find that Franky spruced (ha) up - sits a skeleton with a huge black wig and a floral halter top dress that Franky knows to be Robins. 

"Yohoo." The skeleton says, lifting a bony hand and wiggling his fingers in greeting. He is holding a cup of tea on a saucer, sipping from it idly. The liquid splatters through his bones, soaking the cloth napkin on his lap.

Robin takes a seat on her couch next to the rocking chair and gestures for them to sit down. "This is Brook." 

Franky knows he is gaping. feels his tongue dry. He dares a look at Zoro, who thankfully has a similar, albeit more subdued expression. That somehow makes Franky more at ease. Even Zoro with his weird stories about ghosts is freaked out a little and-

Oh. Ooohh. Franky slaps his own forehead. "That's why you said you needed his expertise." He says out loud, proudly his hands on his hips proudly. "It's a ghost thing. It's a ghost thing." His hands fall to his sides as the realization hits him. "Shit, bro. That was real the whole time?" He asks Zoro, grabbing him by the shoulder and earning himself an annoyed glare.

"No, I was making it up for shits and giggles." Zoro throws back, shrugging off his hand before heading over to Robin's seating area. He kicks the plush footrest closer to sit right in front of Brook, elbows braced on his knees and hands folded between his legs.

Brook puts his cup down on the saucer. "Miss Robin told me you are a ghostly expert." He says. 

Zoro shrugs. "Wouldn't say that." He is so modest sometimes that it takes Franky off guard and tugs at his heart. "I'm going to be honest, I've never seen anything like this before." Both Brook and Robin deflate a little in disappointment.

"Ah," Brook says softly and Franky slowly makes his way over to the couch, shuffling past the coffee table and hitting his shins on them as he always does.

Zoro offers his hand and Brook almost seems to startle. He puts the cup down on the end table and places his hand into Zoro's. The entire skeletal frame of him shudders briefly, reminding Franky of a wind chime.

Zoro closes his eyes, placing his other hand atop of Brook's and sits there unmoving. Brook, perhaps compelled to or for the lack of anything else to do, lays his other hand over Zoro's knuckles, making a stacked hand sandwich.

Franky scoots closer on the couch until he can lean down to Robin's ear. "You just found a skeleton out there?" He asks.

Robin inclines her head towards him. "I was looking for amphibian or fish fossils in the mud out by the big tree." She tells him in a hushed tone as if they were sharing a secret. 

"Huh," Franky nods. "He's gotta be dead for a while right? I don't have to be worried about murderers running around here, right?" He asks gravely. 

Robin chuckles and glances up at him through her lashes. "I believe so but perhaps you should stay the night regardless." She murmurs with a cheeky smile and Franky feels the chill of the swamp evaporate as a fire lights in his gut.

"Of course." He purrs back, putting his arm around the back of the couch.

"Not yet a hundred years, I'd say." Zoro says nonchalant. He slips out from between Brook's hands, blinking as he opens his eyes. "You remember your life?" He asks Brook as casually as he would talk to anyone. Franky can't restrain his awe at the display even as he's distracted by Robin's hand in his knee.

They all know Zoro's tick, his thing. The ghost thing. Town as small as theirs was addicted to gossip and the orphan child talking to ghosts was a great story to pass around. Even being two years above Zoro at school, Franky had heard about the weirdo in his sister's class and had laughed along to the jokes and the teasing. Then Robin had befriended him and as such made him part of Franky's circle. Afterwards he had discouraged the comments and the mockery. After all, Zoro was a troubled child! He was bound to be a little cuckoo, especially after Zoro's own sister had died. 

Franky had never considered it to be true. 

Brook takes a while to answer. "Bits and pieces, I believe. I can play the guitar. I was a sailor." It's hard to tell where he is looking, given the lack of eyes but Brook appears to be staring off into the distance. "I remember the whales." He says, trailing off by the end.

Zoro nods. "If you don't remember how or why you died, makes sense you'd stick around. Is there anything you feel like you need to do you haven't done yet?" He asks and Robin leans forward, observing with interest. Franky is a little more freaked out than fascinated but he swallows it down, taking inspiration from Robin. She is always his greatest muse.

Brook scratches his jaw bone and hums in thought. "I feel like there is but I cannot quite grasp it. It's on the tip of my tongue." He says before letting his jaw drop open. "Not that I still have a tongue." His voice has the cadence of a pointe to a joke but Franky figuratively hears it land with thud as none of them even crack a smile.

"These are your actual bones, aren't they?" Zoro asks, jutting his chin at Brook's skeleton. 

"I sure hope so! Otherwise that would be quite awkward." Brook replies.

"You haven't seen such possession before?" Robin asks, intrigued. She holds her chin with her thumb and index finger. 

Zoro makes a vague hand gesture. "Object possession is pretty rare. Usually only with violent ghosts. If they manifest physically they don't usually need a medium to do it." He explains with a nonchalant confidence that baffles Franky. It's almost like he's seeing his friend for the first time. An entire aspect of his personality hidden just in plain sight.

No, not hidden, Franky has to concede. Zoro had never hidden this talent of his, they had just dismissed it. Ignored it. Written it off as some delusion. It makes him sick to his stomach and his eyes fill with tears. He sniffs loudly.

"I'm so sorry, Zoro bro." He wails and Zoro jumps, pulling his shoulders up and giving Franky a weird look. 

He looks horrified. "What? Why?" 

Robin gives Franky's knee a soothing squeeze but it's not enough. Franky has to stand up, pushing the coffee table away in his fervor before he takes a big step to cross it. Zoro nearly falls off the footstool before Franky wraps his arms around him. He tenses in the warm embrace of Franky's muscles.

"For never believing you. You were always true to yourself and I doubted you. I'm a disgrace. Please forgive me?" Franky asks tearfully, tilting his head so his snot won't rub on Zoro's clothes. 

He feels a sigh against his throat and Zoro's hand comes up to pat his arm. "It's fine." He tells him, muffled against Franky's chest.

"I believe you, I should have believed you before. I'll do better in the future, I swear." 

"Alright. Can you let go now?" Zoro asks and Franky gives him one final squeeze before they part. Robin holds a box of tissues into his direction and he takes a handful to blow his nose.

Brook chuckles. "Well, I do enjoy you guys' company if you don't mind me staying while I get my bearings." He asks carefully.

"Of course." Robin says immediately. "I am quite curious about you, if you don't mind the occasional question and I have the room to spare." She offers kindly and Franky's heart swells with affection for her. That was his Robin, the kindest soul of them all.

"Not at all, perhaps we can uncover my past together." Brook says with genuine excitement and a little bit of relief. 

Robin smiles, the sun coming up in her living room before she turns to Zoro. "I do apologize as well, for not taking you seriously all these years." 

Zoro looks away, shrugging and rubbing the back of his neck. The tips of his ears pink with embarrassment. "It's fine, don't worry about it." He mutters before clearing his throat, signaling his desire to end this thread of the conversation. "Dunno how much I can help. Far as I know, if you don't remember more details and there aren't any clues around where you first appeared, not a lot I can find out." He says slightly apologetic.

Robin perks up. "I am sure we can find out more." She says, her eyes alight and Franky falls in love with her all over again.

[ghostwise]

“seeing an object and thinking of them” for hamal & zev pleeeaaase 🫶🏽

They live out of their packs, carrying only what they need to survive: rations, basic supplies, weapons, and precious few comforts. Of these, there is the boar bristle hairbrush Zevran has allowed himself to keep. The oils Hamal uses for his skin. Sunscreen and elfroot extract. Zevran's boots, which he imagines they rescued from their cold exile in Haven. Keeper Mahariel's necklace. Their wedding rings.

Eventually, however, they need to go shopping.

And as Hamal finds himself ill-suited to the bustle of a typical Antivan marketplace, Zevran is happy for the chance to wander alone and stock up on sweet smelling soap, coffee, beeswax, spices...

There is one other thing he has in mind.

Hamal's shirt is long past mending. It is patched and thinning in several places, though the man would never admit this; after all, he'd spent the last month of the Blight wearing a shirt that was more repair than fabric.

Which is precisely why Zevran has taken the decision into his own hands.

Hamal deserves something fresh and comfortable, not the worn tunic he's carried for years. Zevran rather suspects it's a bit small in the shoulders for him as well. He's filled out a bit, now that he's on a proper sleep schedule and enjoying the far superior food Antiva has to offer. Health and happiness look lovely on him.

So, it is time for a change. This is not a whim, it's a necessity. Zevran ventures to several clothing shops, seeking the right shirt for his husband.

It should be linen, or percale… something apt for the heat. It should be slim in the arms--billowing sleeves, while quite fetching on Hamal, would get in the way of his bow. Definitely no buttons… they'd gape. Actually, that might be a plus. Perhaps something with laces?

When Zevran finally makes his way back to camp, his pack is cheerfully filled with all his day's purchases. He walks right up to Hamal, trades his welcome back vhenan with a kiss, and immediately tugs at his shirt.

"Take it off," he says.

He need not say it twice. Hamal laughs and tugs the garment over his head.

"Alright, now, put this on!"

Zevran takes the old shirt, shoving the new into his arms.

Hamal blinks at him. His eyes trail down to the shirt, a snow-white percale cotton with dainty sprigs of lavender embroidered on the fabric.

"You tricked me," he says lightly.

"Do you like it?"

Hamal hums thoughtfully as he puts the shirt on. Zevran notes with some relief that it fits him well, and the low neckline is suitable, too.

"These little leaves are pretty," Hamal says, tracing the embroidery along the collar and sleeves.

"It reminded me of you," Zevran said softly, hoping to convince him. "And the color matches your eyes. I bought ribbons for your hair, too. A few different colors to match."

Hamal laughs at that. "Ribbons! I love you, truly!" he says. "Ma serannas. I do like it."

"Thank the Maker," Zevran sighs.

Not that he was worried, but Hamal is slow to such changes sometimes. No doubt he'll want to keep the old one.

It's like clockwork.

"The old one isn't that bad!"

"It's bad," Zevran says with a smile, and he smooths a hand over his shoulder, picking lint off the fabric. "Amor, it's practically falling apart."

"Not at all. It has a few years left!"

"As my pillowcase," Zevran agrees with a laugh.

Hamal considers it. "Alright," he says, charmed by the idea. "Deal."

[microwave-core]

Carmine Fluff Alphabet Thing

For all intents and purposes, this is pre-Kieran Joker Arc.

Activities- What does she like to do? How does she spend her free time?

Carmine’s favorite thing to do with you is just laze around. She likes to splay out on the couch, tangling her limbs in yours, as you chat mindlessly. Makes Kieran bring in food and drinks from the kitchen or the drug store down the road. He grumbles about it, but he gets to hang out with you for a bit after doing so (he looks up to you a lot). Other than that, she likes showing you the many sights and scenes of Kitakami, especially the Festival of Masks. She’s very proud of her home (except for the whole casting out Ogrepon when she did nothing wrong thing, but I digress).

Beauty- What does she admire physically and mentally?

Physically, she likes your eyes. It’s not in a “eyes are the window to the soul” poetic type of way, though. She just appreciates their color and shape. Also really likes thighs. In terms of personality, Carmine really values courage. Even if you’re on the shy side, you’ve got at least some in you to stand toe to toe with her. She also really admires the ability to admit when you’re wrong, as it’s something she struggles with herself.

Comfort- How would she help when you’re feeling down, having a panic attack, etc.?

To be honest, Carmine’s style of comfort is a bit unconventional. She helps you settle down normally enough-instructing you to take deep breaths, to talk things out, and to let her hold you closely-but then she starts threatening whoever did this to you. She will make sure these bastards never see the light of day for hurting you, regardless if they hurt you on purpose or not. It’s up to you to reel her in if you think she’s going too far, because her threats are far from empty.

Dreams- How does she picture her future?

Hmm… Honestly, I don’t know. I could see her wanting to stay in Kitakami, continuing to live in her hometown out of habit, but I could also see her branching out and going on a journey to bigger regions and cities. She’s very prideful, though. She won’t easily admit that she likes a certain town or city or region, instead playing up how things are back at home. She wants you to come with her, obviously. What’s the point of going on a journey alone when she has you to do things for her to rely on?

Equal- Is she more dominant or passive in the relationship?

Definitely on the dominant side. She’s used to dealing with Kieran, who’s too shy to stand up for himself. Taking the reins comes naturally to her. She wouldn’t try to order you around all the time or speak on your behalf, but it’s obvious that she seems in control. She’s very vocal about what she does and does not like, and has a hard time dealing with push back. That being said, she does try to think about your needs and wants and changes to accommodate them, but that does not come easily to her.

Fight- What’s it like to fight her? How easily does she forgive? 

Carmine is easily agitated, but she tries to keep her temper under wraps for your sake. She tends to get snippy with other people over small things, but she doesn’t want to be mad at her lovely girlfriend for something petty. That being said, when it’s a big fight, she’s a nightmare to deal with. She needs at least a week of space before she’s even willing to be on speaking terms again, and she complains about what happened during most of that time. Also has a hard time admitting her faults, which doesn’t make things any easier. She’ll come around eventually. 

Gratitude- How grateful is she in general? Is she aware of what you do for her?

She’s very grateful for all you do, but doesn’t always vocalize that fact. Carmine doesn’t outright order you around, but she does ask you to do things sometimes. Can you bring me this, could you run to the store and grab that, would you be able to fetch Kiki for me, stuff like that. She’ll thank you after the fact, but it doesn’t show the depths of her gratitude. 

Honesty- Does she keep secrets or hide things, or does she share everything?

Doesn’t usually hide things. You’re her closest confidant, so she has to reason to lie… Okay, there are certain things she doesn’t vocalize, like just how grateful she is for all you do, but she’s not normally going to lie. Unless she thought hiding something for the moment would be the best for you (just like how she hides meeting Ogrepon from Kieran), she’s going to be pretty honest.

Inspiration- Did you inspire her to change in some way?

You make Carmine want to be a nicer person, in a sense. She’s a bit prickly and snippy with people she doesn’t know or doesn’t like, but she doesn’t want to be like that with you. She really cares about you, and really wants to keep you around, so she tries her best to be kinder and softer with you, but not with anyone else… except maybe with Kieran. She also tries to boss him around less.

Jealousy- Does she get jealous easily? How does she deal with it?

Yes. Absolutely yes. She doesn’t like most other people, so she obviously doesn’t like when they’re around you. How dare they have the audacity to think they know you better then she does? Carmine knows you better than anyone, no questions asked! She also doesn’t really deal with it, she just holds you close and glares at her opposition. Doesn’t really acknowledge her jealous streak, but she doesn’t try to deny it, either.

Kiss- What’s she like as a kisser?

She’s above average, I guess. A bit rough with them, but puts just enough passion in to leave you wanting more. She tends to soften up a bit when you kiss her, pouting until you give her another, then another, the another, so on and so forth. She’s a bit greedy with your affection, honestly. She wants to be showered in your love.

Love Confession- How does she confess?

Carmine doesn’t confess. Or rather, she doesn’t want to. She’d much rather be confessed to. She’ll drop hints constantly, hoping that you’ll pick up on her feelings and just spill yours already. The more hints she drops, the more obvious they get. Should you take too long, she’ll confess in a rather aggressive manner, basically just telling you to kiss her already.

Marriage- Does she want to get married? Does she want kids?

I think Carmine wants to be married, but I don’t see her as a person who’d want kids. She’s more of an aunt figure in my mind, in a “when your double-income, no-kids, lesbian aunts show up to unleash the gift reckoning on christmas” way. Of course, she waits for you to propose, but will begrudgingly take up that mantle if you take too long. Her ideal wedding is a small one, just being surrounded by family. Listen, she’s a sap but she doesn’t want anyone to know.

Nicknames- What kinds of pet names does she use?

Typically just sticks with babe or baby. If she’s in a teasing mood, she’ll use an overly sweet nickname that makes other people cringe. Could also use a short form of your name if that’s applicable.

On Cloud Nine- What’s she like when in love? Is it obvious to others? How does she express her love?

She’s noticeably happier and softer when she sees, or even just thinks, about you, but she only smiles smugly when asked why she’s in such high spirits. Her main love language is acts of service. She usually just orders people around to do her bidding, so going out of her way to do things on your behalf means a lot coming from her.

PDA- Is she upfront about your relationship and affection? 

Very upfront. Carmine wants everyone around to know that you’re her girl, just so they know not to mess with you unless they want to deal with her wrath. Has no issue with being affectionate with other people around, but tries to hold back with Kieran. She’ll tease him if he thinks her affection towards you is embarrassing, telling him off for still believing in cooties, but she does tone things down. She cares about him, really, she’s just an older sister. It’s how it be.

Quirk- What’s an ability she has that’s beneficial in a relationship?

She won’t hesitate to fuck someone up. Now, I’m not saying you should indulge in her violent tendencies and sick her on those you don’t like as if she’s a vapid dog, but you could if you really wanted to. Just know that you’ll likely have to take some of the responsibility if she clocks someone unprovoked.

Romance- How romantic is she? What does she do to make you happy?

As previously stated, she tries to do things for you. Again, it’s not much, but it means a lot coming from her. She’s not super romantic, but she is pretty passionate. As much as she likes sitting back and basking in your love, she will at times turn the tables and instead shower you in affection, peppering you with light pecks, telling you how much she loves you after each and every one.

Support- How does she help you achieve your goals?

Carmine can, and will, weed out anyone standing in your way. Is someone harassing you, or scaring you off, or in general just bringing your spirit down and making your job harder? Sit down babe, Carmine’s just gonna have a little chat with them real quick. She doesn’t always resort to violence, sometimes threats are enough to scare them off, but she will use force if she has to. Again, you might need to step in before she takes things too far.

Thrill- Does she feel the need to try new things out to spice up your relationship, or does she prefer stability?

Honestly, I’m a bit conflicted here. I think she does spice things up in, um, plenty of ways if you catch my drift, but she doesn’t do anything too extreme to your relationship as a whole.

Understanding- How well does she know you?

Carmine knows a lot about you. It’s like she’s got a little memory bank in her brain just for you. She’s pretty perspective, too, and tries to keep them in mind. She’ll do normal things like pick up your favorite snacks and plan dates at your favorite locals, but then she’ll do things like claim no one can sit in a specific spot because that’s your favorite seat and you deserve to have it. 

Value- How important is your relationship to her?

Incredibly important. Honestly, Carmine doesn’t have too many close relationships outside of her family, so you mean so much to her. When she knows that things between you are getting serious, she genuinely sees you as a part of her family, and they think the same. Her grandparents love you and think you’re a great influence, and Kieran thinks you’re ridiculously cool. So don’t break her heart.

Wild Card- A random headcanon.

She absentmindedly plays with your hair when she’s not doing anything else. She’ll twirl it and untangle it and wrap it around her fingers. If it’s too short to play with, or if you’ve styled it in a way where she can’t, or shouldn’t, mess with it easily, she’ll settle for scratching gently at your scalp.

XOXO- Is she affectionate? 

Pretty affectionate. She likes to hold you closer, or lay her legs across your lap, or vice versa, or… or anything, really. Carmine just likes to be close, both in public and behind closed doors.

Yearning- How does she cope when missing you?

Perfectly fine, then not at all. If you’re gone for a while, she can deal with it. You can’t be around all the time, she gets that. She still has Kieran to hang around with, so she’s not lonely or anything. But when days turn to weeks, she suddenly breaks. She becomes incredibly dramatic, lamenting about how much she misses you, about how you’ve been gone for so long. Practically jumps you the next time you meet.

Zeal- Is she willing to go to great lengths for your relationship? If so, in what ways?

I already stated that she would deck a man for you in a heartbeat so I’d say she’s willing to do a lot. If someone is clearly bothering you, she won’t ask any questions, nor will she hesitate. If you're not uncomfortable or in distress when asking her to do something, though, she might complain about it. She’ll still do it, even if she doesn’t really want to, but she does ask to be compensated in affection.

[reikunrei]

I didn't talk about this at all in my last doctor who post because there was so much else going on that I wanted to touch on, but after @mikesbasementbeets mentioned one of the closing lines of the episode in the tags, I kinda wanted to just talk about it a bit.

So, this is one of the rare episodes of dw where everyone lives at the end, including all of the victims who outright or technically died. Throughout basically the whole show, but especially the early seasons, and especially s1 with the 9th Doctor, there's an incredible emphasis on "we cannot interfere or else everything will fall apart." The episode right before these ("Father's Day") actually tackles this very idea, which I hope to explore sometime in another post. In short, the Doctor doesn't save people. Doing so often results in more harm than good (unless it wasn't meant to happen, but we don't have time to get into that here lol).

However, at the end of this episode, he does something completely different.

He says everybody lives. He sends out a mass of nanogenes, now reprogrammed, toward the gas mask soldiers surrounding the bomb site and they rewrite and "fix" their DNA, making them all normal humans again without the injuries of dead little Jamie. As I showed in the initial post, even Jamie winds up coming back to life, despite the fact that he was already dead when the nanogenes found his body and used him as a blueprint. Realistically, Jamie should still be dead because he wasn't technically "changed" by the nanogenes, simply brought back to life, which the Doctor earlier says is easy.

It's an extremely profound ending to a dw episode, and it's one that sticks with a lot of people.

Now bear with me because I'm sick with a cold as I write this so it might not be very coherent, but in conjunction with all of the other connections/similarities/parallels between these episodes and Stranger Things, this feels startlingly fitting for (at least part of) the conclusion to st.

Throughout all of st, we've seen time and again that knocking things down with violence doesn't really work. It's especially evident in st4 when Nancy, Steve, and Robin flambée Vecna, blast away a few chunks of flesh, and knock him out of the third story of a house. You'd think that would turn him into a pile of smoldering mulch, but it doesn't! Frankly, he gets up and walks away very quickly. We're shown and told time and again that killing outright does not work.

In these dw episodes, they could have tried killing any of the victims to keep them at bay (at one point the Doctor even pick-pockets Jack's sonic blaster so he won't use it on the victims). However, with the nanogenes present, they simply would have been "fixed" again and brought back to life. Much like Vecna, they would've just kept coming back.

And what winds up saving the day in dw? Love and understanding. When Nancy finally admits to Jamie that she's his mother, not his sister, and apologizes for everything that's happened and comes into contact with the nanogenes, it makes them fix their misunderstanding.

A lot of people talk about how Will said "we have to kill him" irt Vecna/One at the end of 4.09. However, again, we've seen that it literally does not work. And along with everything else surrounding the weirdness with identities in st, specifically with the distinctions between Henry/Edward, Vecna, and One (and Brenner) (check out the original post I linked at the top for links to other folk's posts about this), it's not far-fetched at all to assume that untangling the uncertainty left here will be what brings them closer to "saving the day," much closer than anymore fighting ever would.

We spend a lot of these dw episodes being scared of Jamie. Even Nancy is constantly visibly fearful of him and won't go near him, but in the end, she takes him into her arms despite the risk of her becoming infected. They don't brute force the nanogenes into understanding, they don't try to reprogram them, and they don't physically fight them off. They constantly run away, use words, or even sing them to sleep. There is very little violence in these dw episodes, and most of it comes from the victims themselves and is very tame.

Stranger Things, at its core, is about love, and that extends to the (supposed) villains. The way things have been presented thus far are very unreliable, but we have enough information from the show itself (aided by things like TFS and even bits of the VR game) to prove that there's something else going on, and maybe, just like with little Jamie, someone just needs a little bit of helpful truth.

As Joyce Maldonado once said, "Can love defeat fear?"

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

Regarding how Jimin tells stories like the rainy day fight, I don't think Jimin is comfortable going deep into stories in a public settings. He revealed a lot of rawness in his EP and yet when he had to discuss it on that live that was scheduled, he just skipped a lot of it or left it vague. I wouldn't mind it if it was just him being naturally bad at public speaking but I have a suspicion its probably a result of prior experiences. That he spoke about being better about how he handles his diet, and armys gave him an ed. That he talked about how he's changed and learned how to become a strong man and armys used that characterize his younger self as an insecure mess. He probably learnt to limit his emotional musings to his art.

Yes, I perceive it the same way. Of course his reasons are for him to know, but we also can't help but draw some sensible conclusions. As long as we keep in mind that this is just how we interpret it.

I do understand being wary and taking a step back. And the changes happened mostly during the height of the pandemic and currently. I remember watching some of his vlives from 2019 when he used to mention his friends. He wasn't giving personal details which is understandable, but he was telling stories. Now there's none of that. And it happened at the same time or perhaps when he was becoming very very private. More than he used to be. I'm not trying to say there's something bad in particular with this, it's just an observation. To me it looks like a conscious decision and in that case, I can't complain that I want more from Jimin just so I can be entertained.

Did I get a bit frustrated of how evasive he is even whilst talking about his album? Yes, I admit that. It's because I like to hear about the process, of the artist trying to explain in depth the concept, the themes, if/how personal experiences shape that. A lot of them do and they are opening themselves up and they show vulnerability in a way. Sometimes it's not that deep and other times it's painful. But what I have to remind myself is that ultimately, it's a choice. Just as I as a private, regular individual have trouble sometimes talking about my life with certain people, then the same can be available for artists.

On the other hand, being able to talk about one's art without revealing personal "secrets" it's also possible. You just have to know how to do it. Jimin has been active in the industry for more than 10 years and he's an experienced idol, but talking about group concepts and then having to do that about your own album that encapsulates personal experience is a different game. Which is why I can understand that as well and I think that I should cut him some slack because this was the first time he had to do it on his own. He'll get better and better as the years go by.

I'll add a little observation here. Kidergarden teacher is mostly a joke and he put on that role even while watching his Like Crazy mv. Jimin from 5-7 years ago would've probably had a completely different attitude. I believe that what current Jimin is doing is an active calculated choice in how he wants to be perceived. This is the side that he wants to show for now in some specific contexts (an important observation), whether I personally like or agree with it. My two cents, not some definitive verdict.

Lastly, allowing the art to speak for itself is an understandable choice and a good one as well. In his case, the work Jimin does can actually speak for itself because there's something of value there. It leads to multiple interpretations which I think it's amazing. Once the music is out there, it belongs to the listener as well. We add meaning to it. We also add layers over layers of meaning to music videos and photofolio shoots and teaser images. Some may be far fetched, others outrageous and others sensible. We can agree or disagree with them. What's important is that they exist, without the artist having to give a 5k words explanation of each piece. Jimin's interpretation is one thing, but it's not the only correct one. That's not how art works. And that's why expecting him to talk in detail might seem redundant. As I said, it's a choice. If an artist wants to add more, then that's great. If they let mostly their art to do that, then that's fine too.

[idiopath-fic-smile]

having a quiet afternoon in; feeling like doing that "choose a WIP and i'll write a bit of it" meme that's been going around but I only have 2 WIPs so it's really just a binary choice:

"e/R 1970's" (sequel to this)

"the patron saint of all-night diners" (sideways spin-off of this feat. Julie the waitress and the Reagan-hating fry cook falling in love)

(i don't think you're supposed to give that much context to the WIPs but *sunglasses emoji* sometimes you gotta break the rules.)

snippets under the cut. both of them are set in restaurants in the American midwest, which i mention only because it might be distracting otherwise. throw me an ask about one or the other and i'll write three more sentences. i will do this until i get tired.

e/R 1970's

Grantaire frowns down at her menu. “Suppose I’ll have to get used to lentils eventually,” she says, “if it’s bound to become part of the lifestyle. Only, remember when all you had to do to be a lesbian was want to make love to women?”

“And live entirely submerged in fear and shame?” Enjolras replies, without heat. New York’s Stonewall Riot seven years earlier—and the bolder, more confrontational movement that followed it—have changed her. With a suitable outlet for her particular magnificent energy, she is more focused than ever in work, and a little calmer in repose.

“True,” Grantaire replies. “But I worry that any day now, we’ll be issued a box of cats.” She shakes her head theatrically. “You know I can barely keep houseplants alive.”

“Houseplants don’t meow until you remember to water them,” says Enjolras. “And I admit, I have a morbid curiosity for what you’d name a pet.” She raises her eyebrows.

“Skinny Bones, if we fed him the food of our people,” says Grantaire. “Did you see they sell vegetable ice cream?”

Enjolras shrugs serenely. “We’d give him meat,” she says. “Cats are carnivores. And as far as human food goes, the spinach and black olive enchiladas aren’t half bad.”

They’re sharing a table at Viv’s Vegetarian Spot, the best lesbian-owned cafe in all of Boystown and likely all of Chicago. “Best” being perhaps a little generous, in Grantaire’s meatloaf-and-potatoes-loving book.

“You know I admire your devotion to supporting our sisters-in-arms—our sisters-in-amour, let’s say,” Grantaire counters, “but in this one particular case, I’ll never grasp why you—”

Enjolras reaches over and squeezes her hand; their waitress has swooped in, the numerous political pins rattling on her denim jacket like chainmail. “WE HAVE BEEN TOO NICE TOO LONG” reads one. “OUT OF THE CLOSET, INTO THE STREETS” reads another.

“Hi there, I’m Sandy. Can I get you two anything?” she asks.

“I’ll have the enchiladas,” says Enjolras. She hasn’t moved her hand on top of Grantaire’s. And then she beams up at Sandy and adds, deliberately, “And my date will have…”

“The enchiladas also,” Grantaire fills in, swallowing hard as Sandy nods and retreats to fetch them waters like this is the most normal and natural thing in the world. “Alright,” Grantaire says. “I think I can grasp it now.”

the patron saint of all-night diners

The first thing to know about Al’s 24-Hour Eats is that it didn’t start as a haven for the queers and deviants of the greater Indianapolis area.

The second is that the transformation was no accident.

“Julie Williams,” says Lloyd, the night manager.

Julie nods, smiles blandly. She does not adjust her unfashionable brown turtleneck or her equally out-of-date khaki maxi skirt, both chosen with care at Goodwill in an effort to look as staid and buttoned-up and employable as possible.

Lloyd’s eyes scan down her resume. She presses her lips together. Given that he’d kept her waiting in the narrow, dingy outside his office twenty minutes into their scheduled 10 o’clock appointment, it feels like he could’ve at least already read a single sheet of paper. A bead of sweat slides down her spine.

There are six lies on her resume, and seven truths. The lies: previous places of employment, mostly, retroactively fitting her with a past where she has always been known as she. The provided contact numbers belong to sympathetic friends who have been told to answer the phone cautiously over the next couple of days. The truths: her name, first of all, truer now for years than whatever might be printed on her birth certificate. Her list of relevant skills; even in her previous life, she knew her way around a tray of plates, a table full of rowdy drunks.

Also this: Julie Williams is a people person.

This will be important later.

“You ever done this before?” Lloyd says suddenly.

Julie blinks. He’s still holding the paper in his hand. The paper which says that she has a combined fifteen years of experience working as a waitress in dining establishments across the Midwest. This is not strictly true, but that’s not the point.

“Yes, I have,” she says, in her most pleasant voice. “Most recently, six years at Sunrise.”

“Sunrise in…?” Lloyd trails off.

“Lafayette. Up way past Lebanon.”

“Were you any good at it?”

“Very,” says Julie without hesitation.

Lloyd lets out a long sigh. “That’s good, that’s good. Between you and me, we’ve been having a tough time filling the night shift lately. Nobody wants to work anymore. And this part of town going the way it’s been going, we’ve been getting a lot of weirdos applying.” He raises his eyebrows.

“I’m real sorry to hear that,” she says. A second bead of sweat is slipping down to join the first one, right at the start of her asscrack. Charming.

“Yeah.” He pulls himself to his feet and shakes his head. “This place is headed downhill fast. Has been since that seedy little rathole across the street opened.” He must be talking about Hey Sailor, the windowless establishment Julie passed on her way here. Mentally, Julie updates the little dot on her mental map from probably a gar bar to almost certainly a gay bar.

“I should warn you,” he adds, “the crowd gets a little wild at night. Our last waitress quit because she couldn’t hack it. Think you can stand up to the freaks and perverts?”

She can feel her smile go sharp-edged. “I don’t let anyone push me around, sir.”

Provided the patron saint of all-night diners comes through for her and she gets the job, Julie makes a solemn vow to herself just then, regarding said freaks and perverts.

This, too, will be important later.

[littlemissagere]

Hii ! Can I request CG! Bennett and Regressor! Razor from Genshin Impact short or headcanons ? Thank you, have a wonderful day ! 🌷

Thanks for your request ! <3 I hope you enjoy !

———🐾🔥 Cg!Bennett and Regressor!Razor

)———🔥 cg!Bennett Head canons !

🩹He is a bit overprotective, in a sense he’s worried his bad luck will affect his little one. Despite this, he still stays optimistic for his little!

☘️ I think Bennett is a caregiver for regressor!Fischl and regressor!Razor , and he gave a nickname to both! Razor's nickname is little guy or pup, and Fischl's is Princess, or whatever correction Fischl gives him .

🩹 Bennett will spend LOTS of time outside, unless it’s late of course. He plays hide and seek with them! Razor acts like a puppy when he’s little, so they usually play games that let them run around and get dirty, just like a dog!

☘️ Due to his own unfortunate bad luck, he always has first aid equipment on hand, just to make sure everyone is accounted for in the case of an accident?

🩹Bennett sometimes takes Razor to see Lisa to get advice or help when taking care of a fussy little Razor -!

)———🐾 Regressor!Razor head canons !

🐺 Razor is a pet and age regressor ! He regresses to a puppy/dog and his little age is around 2-5 .

💜 This puppy isn’t very good with his words, usually little “yip”s and “arf”s , or other gibberish !

🐺 He enjoys playing outside with Bennett, and even if he does get rather dirty afterwards—(which leads to an unfortunate bath), he seems to be very happy

💜 He likes to nap curled up in a ball, or sprawled out like a kiddo after a sugar crash!

🐺 He can get fussy during bath time, or bed time… he likes play time very much

💜 “papa” or “Benny” is his nicknames for Bennett, when little

🐺 He regresses involuntarily !

💜 Lisa sometimes offers him picture books that Bennett can read to him later !

🐺 Him and Fischl sometimes bicker, but she has knighted him in her little kingdom .

)———🪶 Bonus : Regressor!Fischl ;D

⚡️Fischl regresses to around 4-7, making her Razors big-ish sister

📖 She LOVES playing pretend , especially princesses or royalty !

⚡️ She’s made Razor fetch more times than she'll admit

📖 Not too naughty… but has gotten time out before

⚡️ She likes telling gibberish stories to Razor and Bennett, about her journeys as the Prinzessin !

📖 “Benny” or “Papa” as well for Bennett !

⚡️ Oz helps translate her babbles and gibberish

🐺 ————+ Short ! +———— 🔥

Bennett, Fischl, and Razor are in Lisa's Library together—seated around one of the tables on the bottom floor. Fischl was drawing a princess like character, that seemed to look like her, and Bennett was leaning forward on the table, smiling to himself. They had, had a pretty good day so far, though, Razor looked a little frazzled. Razor was swaying a little, unable to stay still. Maybe hyper? Bennett noticed the hyperness of Razor, he knew it all too well by now.

“Razor? Are you okay?” Bennett gently asked Razor, Razor can get easily overwhelmed by conversation—and people in general. Razor looked to Bennett, and seemed to process the question. Razor gave a little nod, and then pointed at the window. “…You… wanna play outside?” Bennett asked, trying to understand the gestures. Razor nodded, but then pointed at the story book he had picked out.

“Book, read, there” Razor said, in a whisper-yelly voice, pointed to the outdoors. Fischl looked up from her drawing by now, listening.

“Can I play too?” Fischl had been regressed for a while now, but it wasn’t obvious until she started to speak up. Bennett leaned back in his chair a bit, stretching, and then sitting normally again.

“Sure, why not?” He suggested, with his usual optimistic grin. Bennett picked up Razor's book, and Fischl's coloring supplies, stuffing it in his bag, and then offered his hand to Razor. Razor held Bennett's hand, staying at his side, looking at everything around him. Whenever he regresses, his attention is grabbed by the things around him much more.

The three had walked outside, and sat by the tree at windrise—Razor's favorite spot. They spent the next few hours hanging out there, playing, and reading their story books. By the end of it, the little ones had already wore them selves out. Razor asleep curled up by Bennett, Fischl, asleep on her stomach, around her coloring supplies. And Oz, making sure everyone was alright… even Bennett had fallen asleep…

—🔥🐺🪶

[subtlehysteria]

My prediction (re: deep dark wish) of how GOmens S2 Episode 1 is gonna go down

Okay so

From the season 2 sneak peak audio clip with Muriel, Aziraphale and Crowley, we hear Crowley barge through the book store’s doors carrying what sounds like shopping bags, complaining about having to drive all the way to get whatever it is he got when Aziraphale could have taken the train because “You like trains.”

And people are saying Crowley and Aziraphale are already living together by the start of season 2 which I love

BUT, what if instead these two idiots are caught in some miscommunication nonsense in which Crowley is practically living with Aziraphale already but is unwilling to admit it to himself (cough cough commit). He’s got more than half his plants there, the spare room is basically his by now with almost all his closet and personal belongings there. They eat dinner and drink wine and chat late into the night in Aziraphale’s study and Crowley always uses the excuse of not wanting to sober up to drive back to his apartment to stay the night and Aziraphale always goes along with it. But when Crowley fears he’s taking up too much of Aziraphale’s space or time or he’s just overwhelmed with the love he has for his angel and has nowhere to direct it without giving his full feelings away, he escapes to his now very barren flat and complains to his remaining plants that he’s yet to move.

On the other hand, Aziraphale thinks Crowley’s already moved in and is not-so-secretly very happy with this new arrangement with his friend. They’ve never been closer, are truly creating their own side, and it is rather wonderful having company most nights. Aziraphale figures the reason Crowley still has his old flat is because sometimes he needs space away from Aziraphale. Aziraphale knows he can be a bit much sometimes, all the other angels have said so more times than he can count. So if Crowley needs a break from him from time to time that’s perfectly alright. And he figures by now the little “don’t want to drink and drive” routine is simply a fun little inside joke between them, nothing more.

And these two idiots have been living together under these presumptions about the other’s feelings about it for MONTHS until a certain bright eyed not-a-real-copper Muriel comes knocking on their door. And of course they’re confused by this arrangement Crowley and Aziraphale have going on and so ask rather bluntly, “Sorry, but, are you two living here… together?”

Aziraphale replies a very confident “Yes,” the same time Crowley gives a more wishy-washy, “Kind of.” To which they both stare at the other in shock because You think what???

And I can imagine you know other plot things happening in the episode that stops them from talking it out right away but at the end when things are more settled and it’s late in the evening and they’re both indulging in some wine, Aziraphale asks rather quietly, “What did you mean by ‘kind of’?”

And Crowley, who is far too sober for this but can’t stand the kicked puppy look his angel is giving him tries to explain how he doesn’t want to intrude on Aziraphale’s little safe haven, that he appreciates being let in but understands that obviously this is first and foremost Aziraphale’s home.

And Aziraphale’s sitting there shocked and also totally enamored because how stupid can his dear demon be?

“Crowley, I told you when we first started this arrangement that my home is your home. You are always welcome here, in whatever capacity you’re most comfortable with.”

And Crowley can’t not be at least a little vulnerable right now. “I like living here. With you.”

“I like it too,” Aziraphale agrees. “Immensely so.”

“My, uh, my flat’s lease ends in a week,” Crowley coughs nervously.

“What perfect timing,” Aziraphale remarks. “I’m sure that’s plenty of time to fetch the last of the plants.”

And the music rises as they share knowing looks and they’re leaning in and then—KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Crowley grumbles as Aziraphale, ever polite, rises to answer the door. He saunters closely behind him to give some dirty dagger eyes to whoever decided to interrupt whatever the hell it was that was happening

Aaaand it’s amnesia-Gabriel looking totally confused asking if this is where he can find an Aziraphale

END ON CLIFFHANGER

[a-luran]

Alasdair and Arthur making a desire path from their home down to inside a forest where there's a small clearing and there's flowers growing from every inch?

It took me a moment to catch on to what you meant with desire path but one I caught on YES!

I think long and hard about gardening and home-keeping headcanons for ships because i think they can be some of the best ways to explore a relationship. A desire path though, that's genius! something built out of unconscious habit is so truly honest.

If I may run with your headcanon for a bit, I would like to imagine that one of the first times Arthur ever takes that path into the forest it is out of anger. Maybe he has been trying to make an effort but the first few months living under one roof after a couple of centuries avoiding being in the same room for more than an hour at a time are rough. They have grown into themselves but are still, at their core, the exact same as they have always been; that immutable truth of character and personality. And they Piss. Each. Other. OFF.

So Arthur trudges off into the forest in a temper, leaving Alasdair behind also in a temper, and every other member of the household keeps clear. Eventually Arthur comes back and they neither apologise nor speak a word of it to each other. The next time a fight like that happens, it's the same. And the next, and the next, and the next.

Then one day it rains.

And they are no strangers to rain, none of them are. Sure, the centuries have seen them grow a bit softer, a little more fond of hearth and home, but they're not so far removed from their history. If Arthur wants to stew out in the rain let him, Alasdair might figure. See if that washes some of the shit off him. But the hours tick by and Arthur does not return and despite himself Alasdair starts to feel uncomfortable. He would not admit that it is concern and would probably mask it with annoyance at the absolute childish pettiness of staying out in the rain when there is a perfectly good house to get lost in, standing two stories high and with plenty of doors to lock. He'd go out to fetch him with put on reluctance, and that is the first time he walks down the exact same path as Arthur does, chasing his lead into the forest.

This becomes a familiar scene. it plays out over and over tinged with different arguments and justifications. Eventually some of those fall to the wayside and the routine is just a walk after tea. Sometimes it is one of them knowing the other has to cool off from a fight with Wales or Ireland instead of between them; sometimes it's phone calls which harken ill-news. Arthur might notice the patterns in which the wildflowers grow and encourage that, green-thumbed and easy in this clearing they have carved by their presence alone. Maybe something in nature recognises what they are, who they are, and it conjures something into the air. No one else ever seems to come across the clearing so it becomes only theirs, undisturbed.

[kquil]

Hello!! Can I have a 🧁? Thnx!

Soo I haven't done this in a while, lol..

I'm shortish at 163cm, curvy and have long auburn curls and amber eyes. You could say I'm a bit cute, but I'm very insecure about my weight, so yeah. Gods this sounds a bit like My Immortal. Moving on.

I'm an extroverted introvert? Like I prefer being alone, but can enjoy good company every once in a while, and sometimes you'd think I like the sound of my own voice a bit too much? I'm all about knowledge and loveeee socio-economic politics etc. I'm a bit stuck up like that I suppose, kinda snobbish tbh. What can I say, I like good quality stuff, like not cheap and think and awfully stitched synthetic fabrics, it doesn't have to be bloody 100% hand spun and made alpaca wool, but cmon, yk? I grew up with a very strict the-curtains-are-never-just-blue kind of mother (french and flute and ballet, and learning the savoir-vivre front-to-back, the whole she-bang, you know the drill). I'm like her more than I'd like to admit, in more ways than one.

I'm a very autonomous person, and hatehatehate depending on others even for the simplest things. I have a lot of patience usually, but improper behaviour and lack of manners will get a rise out of em pretty quickly. I'm a cat person too.

When it comes to PDA, not a fan. I'm shy when it comes to intimacy, but also think it kinda improper.

Love books, hate how most ppl teach stuff- you could call me an independent researcher at soul, but have quite a bit of biases. (Eg, with barely knowing anything about evolutionary psychology, I essentially called it a useless waste to my mentor the other day. I think my exact words were "it seems a bit far fetched to be truthful")

Yea, did I mention I use a lot of brittishisms? I'm not even a brit, English is my second language, idk what the deal is with that.

Also I'm a slytherin, if that wasn't obvious so far. When i first took a test and it said so, I retook it feeding it the proper answers to make me a raven, because, and I quote, "being ambitious is just being smart about how you wanna live your life". Yeah. Still stand by that statement, just have rejected the hp canon and jkr as a whole in the meantime (her horrid ideas too).

I drink my tea an dmy coffee strong and with no sugar nor milk. I love books, and bodies of water (esp the sea!!!), and thunderstorms and greenery. Also ostentatious rose gardens and glass and wrought iron greenhouses and glass domes on indoor gardens etc. Yes, I have my dream mansion sketched out for when I'm rich ever since I was 9ish. I'll just say I need to be filthy rich because it includes a private groove AND lake. I think the word you're searching for by now is "delusional"

I'm a stereotypical Slytherin I think. Even my all-time fave music genre is a tie between classical and jazz (though I do love rock and punk too)

This is getting too long, so I hope it's enough! Thanks in advance!!!

PS I have two names, the first of which is horrid, but means Sapphire One, and I go by my second, Alexandra. Much too ostentatious to have both of these, I know, but I quite like "Alexandra".

wow! truly a slytherin through and through haha! thank you so much for requesting darling, im sorry it took so long for me to deliver on and i don't know if this is up to your standards but i did my best!

I ship you with sirius black 

i. in actuality, you two started off as enemies and eventually became lovers, growing up together since young from very prominent slytherin families only to be sorted in rival houses instead. it didn’t take until 6th year for the two of you to blossom a romance with each other, it was after reaching an understanding of each other’s personal difficulties growing up that the two of you grew close, slowly growing closer until you made it official. sirius became the person to balance you out and him, you. you both learned to be better people through each other. 

ii. sirius loved how independent you were but also loved getting a rise out of you by being annoying, he loved getting your attention through that, knowing that you loved him too much to really sink your teeth into him, unlike the unlucky people he’s seen get a tongue lashing from you — he is not envious of them. he likes knowing that he can get away with things around you whereas other couldn’t, it made him feel special and, although you knew what he was up to, you always indulged him anyway. one thing you loved about him was that he made you feel so confident and loved, to the point where the insecurities you had of your body and appearance just disappeared because he loved everything about you, every good point, every star quality, every flaw…he loved those about you the best. 

iii. he’s the one who slowly eases you into soft PDA, he knows you aren’t going to be the type to make out in front of people or sit in his lap blatantly when in a group setting but he wants to always be holding your hand or have his hand on your waist or play with your beautiful auburn hair. he loves whispering his admiration for you into your ear when you least expect it as well, some times he’d speak it in french just to add that additional touch of romance to it. 

iv. he understands your love for ostentatious things, the two of you are common in that regard. and, being someone who took pride in everything he did, he was sure to shower you in all the opulence you were willing to receive. at some point in your relationship, he had acquired the perfect balance of gift giving to keep things special between you two without it being too in-the-face of others. he would take you on these really grand dates, get-aways, if you will, where the two of you indulge in all your favourite things as well as his, sharing and making memories together. He wants you to always be surrounded by beauty, because that’s what you deserve and you appreciate him so much for it. 

v. he knows how to make you your tea and coffee and you know how to make his, he knows what books you like to read and the music you enjoy and you know the same for him — the two of you are equal in that you share your interests and act on them for each other. in the beginning, you felt as though your ideal life one day were just delusions but he promises and made those delusions a reality for you. he loved that you knew exactly what you wanted and he delivered on every wish as best he could because he would do anything for his princess

1K MILESTONE EVENT : CLOSED | NAVI.

[ikakalaka]

hi

it's been a bit, sorry. the submissions dried up and i got a bit distracted with other things. i will admit, however, one of the main reasons the blog halted was because one of my few opportunities to find a solid lead never came to fruition, making most of the background investigation i was doing on this blog to stop. i went to reach out to a former developer of one of the games mentioned on this blog before and just didn't get a response, and i didn't wanna pester them over it. there were other avenues i had considered, but i didn't really know if i would get better results so i mostly moved on. if another opportunity presents itself, i'll go after it! but for now, it'll be a bit quiet unless i get other submissions.

on a somewhat unrelated note, i had two drafts on here -- one post about the Spaceworld 2000 demo that ended up turning into a rabbit hole of information, and one i had half-written about a common submission i got here, which i'll just cover in brief for now; Siegfried from Soul Calibur.

this one i should honestly probably submit, but i'd avoided it mostly due to the fact that his sword is more likely a German executioner longsword; a sword that tends to get conflated with the ikakalaka due to their similar purposes;

visibly, they're pretty different, since the germanic executioner swords are larger, have a large crossguard, and namely no fanned-out tip. but i think a lot of designers of videogames or other media don't know about the ikakalaka, and thus their only frame of knowledge for swords without an obvious singular point tend to be interpreted as being a germanic executioner sword. it wouldn't even be far fetched to say that they likely even consulted sword experts who made the same mistake, simply because the ikakalaka (especially before resources like the internet) was that obscure to them. it happens often for many industries!

i was also considering mentioning the khanda sword but i didn't wanna muddy the pool/dissuade too many people from submitting. just know that it's why i haven't accepted most Genshin Impact submissions, because they're moreso based on the khanda -- a sword mostly seen from the Indian subcontinent that can sometimes be seen in religious and cultural symbolism in south and southeast asia.

that is all! thanks!

[rosegoldandsequins]

@akiiyamashun​  //   SENT :

Getting acclimated with the Tojo was not something that its new First Officer had quite accomplished yet; the ship was much smaller than the ones he had served at previously, and as such the crew had tighter and closer bonds - Akiyama had suspicions of being considered some sort of invader or intruder, despite being a graduate of the same Academy as everyone else on board. And yet, for such a compact vessel, it had a curious number of unique officers that he couldn't remember seeing elsewhere: symbionts, a Tora (he had never met one before, let alone one boasting high officer rank), a captain with a certain reputation that was not entirely positive. His job there, on behalf of the higher councils of the Federation, was very clear: to keep an eye out and ensure that captain Dojima observed regulation rather than avoided it. But thus far, there was nothing wrong - if anything, the crew seemed to be fiercely protective of their commander, and he found himself struggling to establish rapport with his fellow subordinates (and peers at the the bridge, too). Sighing, the man decided to go for a drink after his work hours - it was also Haruka's shift, a sweet and nice girl who did not appear to share the same refusal in befriending the newcomer. Akiyama claimed a spot at the bar instead of picking a table, ordering whatever form of sake they had that didn't happen to be synthetized; while Haruka nodded and fetched his order, the First Officer turned in his seat to gaze at the room that seemed to fill in with the change of shifts... ...Only to almost fall from his chair. At that very moment, the sliding doors parted to admit a woman; granted, the Tojo's crew was mostly composed of men given its origins in deep space exploration, but there were females aboard of different species. But for some reason, Akiyama had never seen her until that moment, and the surprise was further boosted by how impossibly beautiful she looked in her eyes. It felt like being gifted a miracle by some ancient god from Earth - the blonde waves, the emerald-colored irises, the soft smile on perfect features, the way the uniform (a standard one) seemed to compliment her build so well - hell, even the way she walked inside was special, as if there was something different to how the blonde lady moved. Akiyama was so entranced that he failed to notice Haruka's amused smile, the drink ready and placed at his side and followed by a soft nudge from the bartender. "Who is she?" The First Officer's voice sounded vaguely dreamy and a bit higher than normal; the disbelief and surprise was clear from every form of reaction, and Haruka chuckled while folding arms over the counter and looking at the newcomer for a second. "That is Azumi Okamura, communications officer. She sometimes comes here for a drink - I have adapted a strawberry cocktail for her, it's Azumi's favorite," the girl said emphatically, waving at the blonde and beckoning her closer much to Akiyama's surprise, "Azumi, good to see you! Would you like the usual?" Haruka said cheerfully when the blonde was within range, and casually gestured to the (still immovable) man sharing the counter with her, "This is our new First Officer, Shun Akiyama. I'm not sure if you two have met before."

❛ ❤ ⋯      

Okamura slipped her palm - sized respirator into her pocket, smoothed the front of her uniform, and tossed her hair over her shoulder. She could somewhat see herself in the reflection cast on the door. Thanks to a long nap in her quarters, her appearance wasn’t quite as perfect as she would like, but it would do. A faint dusting of glitter ( picked up from her cabin ) sparkled in her locks and on her fair flesh, which made Okamura smile. Thankfully, in this shape, it appeared to be a cosmetic choice as opposed to an uncontrollable shed. 

The Fae wasn’t meeting anyone or bound to observe a deadline ; it was merely that she held herself to a strict social schedule. Humans loved to flock together. Because of this, they often took notice of individuals who didn’t come into the fold. It was an intriguing give - and - take : in order to preserve her level of privacy outside of shifts with the crew, Okamura needed to join in their merrymaking twice per week at minimum ( or, at the very least, make an appearance ). Luckily, the Tojo possessed enough recreational spaces to make this self - imposed demand fairly enjoyable  ―  though the Fae’s favorite, by far, was the bar area.  

She nodded to the few crew members who noticed her entry immediately. Okamura inhaled deeply as she walked, steadying herself against the air tinged with alcohol and made stale by the sheer amount of bodies that constantly passed through. Suddenly, she caught the barmaid’s wave. The Fae’s carefully - controlled expression was morphed by a dazzling and excited smile. Her steps toward the bar quickened.

Okamura ignored Haruka’s words at first. With all of the grace and quick, darting movements of a hummingbird, she slid between the stools. The Fae mirrored Haruka’s body language and leaned in to greet the younger woman by bumping their noses together. There was an obvious degree of affection there : the blonde was fond of every woman onboard the Tojo, but sweet Haruka was easily one of her favorites.

The barmaid couldn’t help but laugh as Okamura found her seat a moment later. Her features sobered, however, at the narrowed eyes and frown on the Fae’s face. “What?” Haruka asked quizzically.

“Your hair is a mess,” Okamura complained. “To me, momo. Now. Let me fix it for you. If it stays that way, you’ll get a headache.”

Haruka sighed. “I have work to do, Azumi-chan,” she answered with truly little fight. Clearly amused, the barmaid untied her apron and started to walk around the counter.

“It is not my fault that you have to come out here,” Okamura reminded Haruka with a teasing grin. “You banned me from going behind there, momo.” The Fae spun elegantly on her stool once the barmaid arrived. Her thin fingers, tipped with pink almond - shaped nails, pulled out the flimsy hair tie from Haruka’s sloppy ponytail. Humming softly, she combed through the dark tresses first. 

“The last time I let you back there, you ate half of my strawberries,” Haruka reminded the blonde. 

Ah. Okamura parted the barmaid’s hair more comfortably for her. With expert skill, she wove a loose braid through the black locks and tied it off. “There,” she cooed with a sense of triumph, reaching around to tap Haruka’s cheek. Pointedly, the Fae said nothing about her fruit theft in the past. “You must stop pulling it up, momo ; the breakage will be devastating if you keep that high ponytail.  ―  and, yes, I would like my usual.” Okamura removed her hands then, allowing Haruka to break free.

The Fae moved again on her stool. She did not return to facing the bar ; instead, she stopped facing Akiyama’s direction. Okamura canted her head, which sent her golden waves spilling to the side. They were long and seemed to shine in the bar’s moody lighting. Those thick strands were as immaculately cared for as her pristine skin and well - laundered uniform. It was evident that the woman took immense pride in her appearance. 

“We haven’t met,” she ventured, raising an eyebrow. The answer was to a question asked long ago, but the point still stood. Her shimmering lips pressed together thoughtfully. Okamura did not address him with the same warmth as she did Haruka  .    .    .  but she didn’t seem interested in dismissing him as easily as perhaps some others onboard already had. This ( handsome ) stranger’s eyes were far too intelligent for that. She wanted to find out more before she passed judgment ( even if her natural inclination would always be to defend their renegade captain ).

The Fae continued to speak, emerald gaze seeming to appraise the man in front of her with no shame for how it wandered. “I am Azumi Okamura  ―  linguist. You need no introduction, sir ; I’ve heard quite a bit about you. I hoped to meet you sooner, but I’ve been too engrossed in my research lately.”