#wouldn’t even treat regular child alters like that

[thattheater-kid]

A friendly reminder for literally everyone, including systems and including the rest of this system

In general, systems do not control what introjects show up.

I have been actively attacked by singlets, systems, and other parts within my own system for being a South Park fictive. The most hurtful things I’ve heard are from other parts within the system. I’ve been called a mistake, I’ve been told I wasn’t supposed to exist by members of my own system. The system has been judged by others for my existence. They don’t even watch South Park that much, they just watch it when our brother puts it on. Even if they did, that’s not a reason to attack me or them for my existence.

No one could control who I am. Certainly I couldn’t. I didn’t want this. Do you know how hurtful it is to be called a mistake and told you don’t deserve to live to your face? Actually, I’m sure many of you do. Many of you have been hurt like that, so maybe don’t do the same thing to introjects from problematic sources. Nobody wanted this. Nobody chose this. It’s not fair to judge and hate for it.

-Kenny

[alyona11]

Yeah, I highly doubt an animated film of Hadestown will happen. While I do think the animation age ghetto (as TV tropes calls it) IS on it’s way out, I think it’s still prominent enough that I really don’t think mainstream Hollywood audiences are willing to accept a cartoon musical film that is a tragedy, even if they do cut out the more inappropriate content (Persephone’s love of wine, Orphydice having sex in All I’ve Ever Known, some of the swearing, etc.) for the younger audience members, and altering the ending to be happy wouldn’t do it justice at all. And the musical is fully sung at 2 hours and 30 minutes - and they would probably have to cut quite a few songs for those who can’t sit still for that long.

And I feel like that even if it is animated, the film STILL wouldn’t be able to capture the full message of the original show. So, I hope they’ll just leave at a pro-shot and just let the musical be like it is, unless they’re really willing to take risks with a cartoon version. Though fanmade animatics are still welcome.

I don’t think anyone would ever bet to put effort into making an animated musical adaptation. Period.

But also animation is not a “children media” even though unfortunately it’s treated as such (see people gladly watching the remakes of the animated movies because it’s the same thing but for grown ups) . I do hope that with Arcaine as well as with some other shows people would open their minds and understand that animation is just a media, just like a film so it doesn’t have to be child-adjacent. In the scenario where animation is just a media there is no need to cut off complicated topics out of Hadestown.

But obviously we will never see a version of Hadestown that will be better than a show. I doubt any film adaptation will get any closer (plus hadestown is sang-through which imo makes it harder to adapt unlike Wicked), I just can imagine better with animation cos I sometimes make/imagine animatics.

But yeah my hopes are for the proshot. Would be lovely to have it. Plus unlike a movie adaptation it’s less likely that it will bring more crazy people to the fandom by making the subject more popular. I truly have no time and wish to read/talk to people about “problematic hadestown” or whatever which usually happens once regular Twitter crowd gets their hands on smth

[realcube]

The Maid Café || Saiki K x Reader

summary: nendou and kaidou keep pestering saiki to visit their favourite maid café but he shuts them down every time. however, after a bit of prying they manage to convince him to give the place a try and while they are there, you just so happen to be on shift. 

tw// cussing, maid café, (she/her) reader

key:

“non italicised text” = somebody besides Saiki speaking

“italicised text” = Saiki telepathically communicating

‘italised text’ = Saiki’s thought

‘Of course Nendou and Kaidou would be into maid cafés of all things — not cat cafés, not internet cafés — it just had to be maid cafés.’  

Saiki’s internal monologue began as Kaidou continued gushing on about the cute lady he met at the café a few days ago as an argument to why Saiki should join them next time they go. Not to say Saiki wasn’t listening as he felt extremely sorry for whatever lady had to tolerate Kaidou’s advances and his prayer went out to her but besides that, he really couldn’t care less about the maids or the café. 

Until, his attention was involuntarily aroused at the vocalisation of his name from Nendou, “Saiki’s definitely in for Friday, I’m pretty sure I sold him when I told him that the sandwiches there are almost as good as the ramen we usually get.”

‘No, you didn’t. I won’t be coming to join you on Friday. I’d much rather stay--’ 

Somehow Kaidou managed to cut off Saiki’s internal monologue with his annoying voice, “Don’t be silly, Nendou. You’re not going to win Saiki over with such a ridiculous comparison, one that he clearly doesn’t care about.” 

‘Am I delusional? Is this a hallucination? Or did Kaidou just say something logical and based in reality?’

Kaidou’s aura immediately changed to dark and sinister as a mischievous smirk crossed his face, the background squawks of the crows suddenly became much louder for some unknown reason. “Instead, you must locate your opponent's weak point before you can recognise the crucially important moment to exploit it. The process takes patience but it is one I have learned from my many years rebelling against Dark Reunion. Now, young Nendou, watch and learn.” He finished with a dramatic flip of his school jacket which was slung over his shoulders as a cape.

‘What was all that about?’

Saiki wondered before Kaidou turned to him, much less brooding than he was a few seconds ago, and said casually, “Your loss if you don’t come, Saiki — you’ll be the one missing out on some of the best desserts in our whole town — not to mention the coffee jelly.”

✿✿✿✿✿

‘How do I always end up losing to these people? I am a psychic for god’s sake!’

Saiki mentally cursed himself out as he stood shamefully in front of the maid café, wearing a carefully curated outfit — including his germanium ring  — created especially to hide his identity from anyone from his school that might pass by the café and spot him in there through the window or something. Honestly, he wouldn’t be caught dead in a maid café, or so he thought.

However, all the reviews he read along with both Nendou and Kaidou’s thoughts helped him conclude that this place’s coffee jelly and general dessert selection is nothing to sneeze at. In fact, his favourite Tumblr blog - DeadlyDesserts11037 - visited the place and gave it a 5 star review, recommending everybody who happens to pass by the town to definitely check the place out. After that, he was sold.

Saiki looked over at his friends and couldn’t help but facepalm in response to their bright red, thrilled expressions. “Good grief, please don’t tell me you are both that excited over ladies in maid outfits.” As you might’ve guessed, Saiki didn’t really understand the concept of a ‘maid café’, so he simply assumed the male obsession with maids had something to do with the objectification of women hence he obviously did not want to take part.

“Saiki, you’re seriously just built different if this doesn’t touch your soul.” They both brushed the pink-haired boy’s comment off, completely mesmerised by the sight of a particularly pretty maid-lady walking by the window — probably on her way to serve a table — carrying a notepad in one hand and a plate with a scrumptious-looking coffee jelly on top. 

Saiki followed their gaze, his breath hitching at the sight. He was speechless; no sarcastic comment, no running commentary, nothing. Just..woah! If he had known that the girls that work at this place were so gorgeous and the food looked so delicious, he would’ve came a long time ago.

He wasn’t even sure which one he wanted more; the girl or the jelly. In a way, one wasn’t complete without the other because the coffee jelly which she held high next to her head brought out her (E/C) eyes while her shapely figure highlighted the defined curves of the jelly. Drool was quick to start forming at the corners of his lips but he was even quicker to wipe it away; he was starving.

“We’re going in.”

✿✿✿✿✿

To Saiki’s dismay, it was not the stunning (H/C)-haired girl who he had caught a glimpse of through the glass that ushered them to their table. Rather, it was a slightly less gorgeous maid-lady who had long, bright purple hair which was clearly a wig. 

Fortunately for him, after she left Kadiou, Nendou and himself to take their seats, she rushed off saying that someone will come take their orders whenever they are ready.

Even with his psychic abilities, there wasn’t much he could think of to alter fate so the pretty coffee-jelly lady would end up serving their table, and besides that, he was way too caught up in gawking at all the mouth-watering desserts they had pictured on the menu. 

Simply glancing over the menu brought a stupid grin to his face, he wanted to try every delectable treat presented in front of him. However, he knew he must exhibit restraint, which was fairly simple as he knew deep down there was only one thing on the menu that he was truly after. You guessed it  — coffee jelly.

Usually, he couldn’t care less about what his friends comrades were going to order but in this case, he was tempted to try convince both Kaidou and Nendou to order something he liked so he could take a bite of whatever they were having, “What are you two going to order?”

Yet again though, he was ignored as Nendou and Kaidou were both too busy checking out other types of snacks to care about the ones on the menu. 

Then, a movement out of the corner of his eyes caught his attention so his head jolted from the menu to his new target, the beautiful girl he had saw through the window earlier. Previously, she was holding a coffee jelly but now she was basically empty handed, until she approached the table and pulled out a notepad and pen, “May I take your orders?” She asked in the most calming, melodious voice Saiki had ever heard, the sounds that left her mouth were nothing short of angelic. Which made sense since her serving their table must’ve been god’s gift to Saiki for all his hard work.

Chills, Saiki got literal chills before he mused, “A coffee jelly, and two brownies for the pair of clowns.” His blood ran cold; curse his smooth sarcastic comments! Most of the time, he was able to filter himself but due to the nerves that arose while talking to you, he probably shouldn’t be surprised that he had a little slip of the tongue. But now, you probably think he is a bitch that insults people on the regular; which he is, but not usually aloud! Plus, he couldn’t even tell what you were thinking due to his germanium ring and your distant expression, awful combo!

While he was in the middle of feeling bad for himself and considering teleporting away home, a miracle happened, you burst out laughing. And somehow, your laughter was even more silvery than your voice. 

Saiki had zoned-out from pure shock for a moment before coming back to reality, noticing that you had started jotting down something in your notepad, a sweet smile still lingering on your face despite the fact you had stopped laughing. “Alright, so one coffee jelly and two brownies. Anything else?” You asked, glancing back and forth between the three equally unique and strange men sitting at the table. 

“That’ll be all, thank you.” Saiki telepathically communicated as he usually did, considering actually using his mouth to speak for a change so he didn’t seem weird but in all honesty, he couldn’t be bothered. In any other situation, he would’ve gotten a drink of water or perhaps hot cocoa but right now he was way too afraid of making another error in his speech to request something else. 

Silently, he extended his arm to hand you the menu he was given when he entered the café, along with the ones Kaidou and Nendou were given too. His actions single-handedly shooting down your plan of leaning across the table to ‘take the menus’ but in reality it is just a subtle way of showing-off how nice your torso looked in this maid outfit, a trick you learned from your supervisor. 

You nodded, closing over your notepad and making your way over to the kitchen, being sure to swing your hips just a little bit extra to impress the pink-haired megane at the table you just took an order from. You mentally cursed your stupid brain though for always crushing on guys/gals who don’t seem the least bit interested in you. In this case, the guy’s attention was divided between his star-struck friends and the desserts on the menu, rather than you which was an unusual sight in a maid café considering that most people would only come to ogle at the waitresses. 

✿✿✿✿✿

“So, Saiki.” Kaidou finally landed back into reality after a large chunk of the waitresses roaming around were now in the kitchen which he didn’t have viewing access to, “What did you order us?”

‘So, he was fully aware that the waitress came to take his order, he just chose to ignore her and left me to order his food. What a child, it must be a side-effect of his eighth grade syndrome.’

Saiki couldn’t help but sigh, “I ordered you both brownies.”

Kaidou stuck out his bottom lip to form a pout as he crossed his arm over his chest like a toddler, “I hate brownies.” He muttered to himself, realising that if he wanted something done right, he’d have to do it himself.

An amused smirk tugged at Saiki’s lips but he resisted the urge to laugh, ‘I know.’ He thought, his masterplan to eat more food without looking greedy falling into place. “Oh well, more for me then.”

Suddenly, Nendou spun his head around to abruptly join the conversation, “Hey guys, did you see the hottie that was serving our table?” He inquired with starry eyes, as if he was a kid in a candy store.

Saiki nodded, ‘Obviously I did, you moron. I was the one who ordered the food for goodness’ sake!’

Kaidou shook his head, his eyes lighting up as he leaned in close to Nendou, “Nope! I was busy looking at the other girls, but tell us!” 

Nendou chuckled at Kaidou’s enthusiastic reaction before glancing to the side, outstretching his arm and pointing at the waitress that was now approaching the table with the food in her hands. “There she is!”

‘Don’t point at her, you idiot!’ Saiki mentally insulted his friend but instinctively followed the guidance of the tip of his finger until his eyes landed on your shapely figure — accentuated by the nature of the maid outfit  — slowly heading toward his table, holding the coffee jelly and the plate of brownies in the same graceful way you did when he saw you through the window. 

The gleam of your gorgeous hair, the movement of your luscious lashes, the gentle bounce of your upper body, how your perfectly manicured nails clutched the base of the jelly glass; everything about what he was seeing made him believe that if/when he were to die, this would be his ideal first sight as he passed through the gates of heaven. 

Before he knew it, you had reached the table and placed his jelly down on the table, gently nudging it towards him, “One coffee jelly for the cute boy with antennas.” You mused, making Saiki’s heart flutter in a way he was unfamiliar with. Then, you placed the brownies in front of Kaidou and Nednou who sat opposite from Saiki, “And two brownies for the clowns.” 

If it wasn’t for the fact the pair of clowns were too busy leching over you in your maid outfit, they’d probably be curious as to your choice of words but luckily for both you and Saiki, they were way to entranced by your visible bra strap to care about the little nickname.

Saiki felt a light blush creep onto his face, which only got worse as you discretely sent him a playful wink before turning on your heels to stroll back to the kitchen, “If you need anything else, just give me a wave.” 

All of them hummed agreement in unison until the waitress was out of sight, giving Saiki a moment to process the events that had just went down. Not only did you refer to him as ‘the cute boy with antennas’ but you also winked at him, if that wasn’t a clear sign you were interested, what was? However, Saiki still had his doubts since this was a maid café after all, perhaps you were just trained to do that with all your customers.

Luckily, the had the foresight to slip off his germanium ring to read your mind and that helped him come to the conclusion that you were either interested in him or you were just very competitive as the whole time you were serving the table your thoughts were along the lines of;

‘I’ll adjust my skirt- Ha! You looked! Try resist falling for me now, you hot lil’ megane! Your heart is mine and I know it! See, I’ll fidget with my corset too-- just make a move already, pinkie!’

Although he didn’t appreciate being called ‘pinkie’, he had no right to judge what was going on in your brain. All he could do is be thankful that you didn’t say that aloud.

✿✿✿✿✿

You sighed as you noticed the pink-haired boy and his little posy exit the establishment without so much as a goodbye, or even a wave! 

It was disappointing as you had already mentally planned your future with this guy and he had the audacity to do the real life equivalent of leaving you on read. But oh well, it would be approximately a week until you developed a crush on a random customer that lasts for around 30 minutes and for the time being, you can focus on doing your job.

You glumly shuffled over to their table to gather their plates to be washed, then a piece of colourful paper attached to the empty jelly glass caught your eye. As you held up the glass to inspect it further, you realised that it was a sticky note with a message written on it in black ink and neat, cursive handwriting. It read:

‘Dearest waitress,

Thank you for the excellent service, we (myself) tipped accordingly.’

You hadn’t finished reading yet but you were curious as to what he meant by that, and apparently you service must’ve been exceptional as the writer had left a whole ¥2000 tip. That’s a huge addition to the demonia fund.  

Followed by this charming little message was an extra tip for you; the writer’s phone number! Meaning that this little sticky note was something you had to protect with your life..so you shoved it in your bra for safe-keeping. 

But not before taking a moment to giggle with delight at who the note was signed by, 

‘Sincerely, the hot lil’ megane (aka Kusuo Saiki)’ 

[mrs-march-ahs]

What The Evans Are Like With Kids

This post pairs nicely with savanionie blanque Sauvignon Blanc, and even nicer with my existing post, What Would Evans Call Their Kids? It’s a very old post of mine so it’s short and not very detailed, but sweet nevertheless.

This wasn’t requested but I thought it’d be a cute idea, having baby fever recently :) This is my first time writing for Pietro so feel free to tell me if you hated it and I should never write for him again, still figuring things out!

Enjoy! <3

Tate Langdon

-A big kid himself

-Finds things in common with them

-Always answers the toy phone when given

-Whenever you go to the park or beach together, he loves looking at kids play

-Might even help a kid build a sandcastle

-But also would be upset if the kid build a better sandcastle than him

-The type of person to pull faces at a baby if they’re in front of you at a queue

His kids -Always cuddling and kissing them, kind of needy -Absolutely always wanting to hold his kids’ hand -Tells them he loves them on a daily -Loves taking care of his kids, giving them baths or feeding them -Will complain to them about how stinky they are if he changes a diaper -Loves laying with his face on/against your belly when you’re pregnant -Because he’s so insecure, he’d hate for his kids to be insecure too so he tells them any chance he gets that they are incredible, unique, and can achieve anything

Kit Walker

-Holds their hands and spins them around

-Picks them up and throws them all the time

-Ruffles the kids’ hair

-If you go over to a friend’s house who has kids, he doesn’t mind if the kid wants to follow him around

-Kids overall love Kit, because he’s a big kid himself

His kids -Overall, the best dad ever -Cuddles them every night before bed -On a regular, he gets them ready for bed in pyjamas with teeth brushed, and then holds them on his lap on the sofa until they fall asleep, before carrying them to their own bed -The kids come crawl in bed with you and Kit in the mornings -Loves dancing and singing and being active with his kids -The most loving and protective dad ever if the kids are sick -Will drive or walk in the storm hail and snow to get your kids medicine if they need it, or even McDonalds to cheer them up

Franken Kyle

-Doesn’t like sharing his things

-Isn’t particularly patient either

-Not that bad at playing with kids every so often, but can’t take care of them since he’s a kid himself

-Silently sits with the kid of your friend and plays trains with them, making little choo choos together

-However, if the kid just gets up and walks away, Kyle will stay and play by himself fine

His kids -If you were to have kids with Franken Kyle, you would have to accept that Kyle wouldn’t be much of a help -Kyle in himself is a big toddler who has to be taken care of -You were especially scared of Kyle being aggressive and flip out around the child or that he would accidentally hurt them -But when you were giving birth (in the academy, because you couldn’t make it to the hospital since Kyle can’t drive and you’re in labour), Kyle was actually helpful -He may have not completely understood what was happening or why you were screaming and crying, but he knew you were in pain and he didn’t like it -He held your hand and stroked your hair through the whole labour, whether you wanted it or not -You held the baby first and Kyle sat by your side and just looked at them, intrigued but slightly confused -Overtime he warmed up to the baby and helped you whenever he could, going downstairs to get a bottle for you, picking up toys after the baby, eventually learning how to change a diaper with you or bottle feed them -If you breast feed, Kyle definitely wants a sippy sip too -They’re his boobs, he cannot understand why he can’t get a sippy sip of your milk -Eventually you sat him down very carefully and calmly, and got him to hold the baby -Once he starts holding and carrying the baby, you’ll have to pry that cuddle buddy out of Kyle’s hands

Jimmy Darling

-When there’s kids at the circus, he asks them if they’re strong enough to pull his fingers apart

-Picks them up and throws them up in the air just to see their parents be scared

-Never wants to scare or intimidate children, so he’ll squat when talking to them

-Will avoid showing his hands if he can, to make sure they don’t get scared

-Loves to show kids magic tricks

-Probably has sweets in his pocket just in case a kid comes to the circus

His kids -When you’re pregnant, even if you sneeze, Jimmy is full alert -Nervous as hell when you’re giving birth -Scared for you, the baby, and the baby’s hands -Relieved if they have normal hands -Apologises to you if they don’t, so you have to console him and tell him how much you love his hands regardless -Incredibly protective of his kids, wouldn’t let anybody make them feel inferior for anything different about them -His kids would be athletic like he was when he was a child -Would cling onto his leg and he’d walk around with them, pretending he’s looking for them and doesn’t see them -Puts them on his shoulders and runs around so they feel tall -But holds them extra tight -Makes lots of dad jokes and laughs at them, making his kids groan

James March

-Doesn’t really have a ‘baby voice’

-Occasionally looks after Holden or Scarlett, so they play card games and do more mature things together

-Uncle James has definitely taken Scarlett and Holden out trick or treating

His kids -Mine and James’ daughter is called April -No I do not take constructive criticism -I think he’d only want one child so they can be his whole world -Their designated place is on his hip -That type of stereotypical dad who doesn’t let his little girl near any boys whatsoever -Kills the boy who takes his teen daughter’s virginity -Reads with his kids a lot -Has dinner with them and talks to them about all sorts of things -Wants them to be wise and inquisitive -Their birthday parties take up the whole hotel

Edward Mott

-Utterly disgusted at children

-Doesn’t want them

-Doesn’t want them in his house

-Doesn’t want them near him or his incredible and sophisticated art

Kai Anderson

-Treats them like small people, so he will not talk to any child in a baby voice, though he will alter his voice a little bit and use words they can understand

-Prefers 4+ year olds so you can have an actual conversation with them

-He’d never sit and talk about how cute a baby is, but does find them very cute

-Think about when he quoted Tolstoy and Oz thought he said Toy Story, he exhaled and clearly found it cute

His kids -Likes watching Disney films and then talking to his kid about it, curious to know which character they liked, what they should’ve done instead etc -Like being sporty with his kids -In a lot of ways, he would treat his girls similarly to the way he’d treat his sons, because he’d want his girls to be strong and manly in a way -All play football together -When playing games, Kai would never let his kids win on purpose -Definitely teaches his kids how to play chess -Incredibly strict -Lies to his kids a lot and makes sure they think that everything that Kai says is the holy grail -Makes up stories and reasons as to why they have to do what he says - “Daddy why do I have to go to bed alreadyyy?��� “Because it’s 8pm” “Sooooo” “Didn��t you know? It’s illegal for people under 15 to stay up past 8pm, let’s get you in pyjamas before the police comes” -Might even call Samuels to make his point stronger -The kids always fall asleep before 8 -Kai’s Preganant S/O Headcannons

Pietro

-Similarly to Kit, he likes kids and kids like him

-Probably because they’re both big kids

-Teaches them swear words and helps them to cause mischief

-Fun uncle obviously

His kids -He was probably a little scared about having a baby, but got more and more excited over time -Talks to the baby all the time and has lots of little nicknames for them -Wants them to walk ASAP -Once they’re not a newborn anymore, takes them everywhere with him -Very specific but, whenever he’s walking down the street with them, holds their hand as they walk on a wall -They’re his new little best friend so he wants to do everything with them -They help pack their own lunch and he gives them twinkies and other things they shouldn’t eat

--

@milly-louise  @amourtentiaa  @kitwalker02  @tatestripedsweater  @therenlover  @maria-akira         @tatesimper  @thxc0untessesgl0ve  @mossybank  @ahsxual  @mxlti-fand0m-imaginess  @mrs-march-ahs-biggest-fan  @kitwalkerangel  @kitisagoldenretrieverboy @darlingkitt  @blackbat2020

Comment or message me if you want to be added or removed from the taglist, I wont be offended! :)

[cuntycassandra]

Discussing Omega’s childhood on Kamino

Maybe I’m one of the only people curious about this as we’re all very hung up on Crosshair right now (understandable, I want our king back too), but I would really like a conversation between Omega and preferably Hunter, but anybody works fine, to delve into what her life was truly like on Kamino. How she was treated, raised, reprimanded, and how this all reflects on her relationship with the bad batch, and specifically in moments where their actions have fatherly intent behind them.

So, here’s what we know so far:

She was essentially raised by Nala Se.

She’s a first gen/holds unmodified Jango Fett DNA. Whether she was created at the same time as Boba, we don’t know, although it is unlikely.

Due to the fact she was unaltered, she must’ve been raised from infancy on Kamino.

She wasn’t allowed her own bedroom, so I speculate she either slept in the medical wing or had some sort of shared quarters with Nala Se.

She was frequently tested and experimented on, quite often against her will.

She was perceived to be property and nothing more than an evaluative source to help further Kaminoan research by everybody excluding Nala Se (potentially)

Her title role was a ‘medical assistant’.

She didn’t have a very warm relationship with the other clones, as we’ve seen they labelled her a “lab scrapper”.

She made friends with the existing medical staff, who were all droids.

And that is essentially it. Of course, we can make speculations, (a few of mine are: she must’ve been tormented by the other cadets for not being like them, she knew 99 and he kept her company whenever Nala Se left her alone, and that although she was educated accordingly for her medical training and basic education, she was very sheltered from things without ‘purpose’ to her life (as we all know, the Kaminoans don’t do anything without purpose) but we don’t actually know anything else about her time on Kamino!

First of all I really want to know WHY she was created. Taking into account she isn’t the same age as Boba (it’s very much suggested she isn’t, I mean she acts, looks, sounds and is treated significantly younger than Boba ever was), and Jango also didn’t request two unaltered clones, she must’ve been created a few years after Boba. Therefore, was Jango aware of her existence? And if he was, did he want her? Again, if so, what did Boba think of her? (We don’t actually see Omega’s reaction to being told she’s different, so although she might not have known of their exact relations to her, it’s very likely she could’ve potentially met Jango and Boba at some point.) So many questionsssss.

Moving on, I’d love to know more about her relationship with Nala Se. We’ve seen that the doctor has a soft spot for Omega, most definitely because she raised and grew to love her instead of deeming her a piece of property (not excusing Nala Se’s vile actions with the other clones, she can still rot, Omega has better parental figures now.), but was it always like that? Did she neglect smaller Omega for being just another clone? Before ‘Mega could show personality and differentiate herself, did Se still view her as nothing more then a test subject? How did that affect her relationship with Omega as a young child.

Speaking of which, what was Omega then like as a smaller child (hard to believe, she’s still so smol lmao), but I’m talking toddler age here. She is basically a regular person, going through regular human changes due to the fact she isn’t altered, which means she would’ve had all of those wretched toddler phases that parents dread. We can most likely assess that she was playful and curious, she still is now, bless her, but how was it received? Smaller children don’t have the complexity to understand the level of technicality that the Kaminoans work at, she wouldn’t have understood the necessity of sitting still and behaving, would she have been severely reprimanded? Was Nala Se nice to her about it? How was she raised to interpret mannerisms of other people in regards to this?

Furthermore, I want to know what tests they were performing on her too. She’s clearly important due to her first hand DNA, but before that was an asset, before the Kaminoans needed that, what were they doing to her? Why were they testing on her? How much pain was she in? Did she receive any comfort afterwards or was she expected to dry her eyes and get on with it? (I’m speculating it was the latter.) I need to know what they were doing and why. What was the purpose!

Her entire previous life is a huge mystery to us and I want to know more! And I hope I’m not the only one!

Just looking at her precious little face hurts because we know she didn’t receive the ideal childhood, if anything it was borderline abusive (I mean, not just testing on her, but the mind games the Kaminoans played with this poor kid, the fact she was well aware she was just an asset to their research and yet she constantly received mixed messages. It’s no wonder she idolised the bad batch so much; they seemed to be the only people who hadn’t either treated her like garbage at some point up until then, or died. Honestly despite the few slip ups, props to them for actually taking her in and being decent towards her.

I mean, this isn’t the purpose of this post, but just look at the comparisons.

She finally receives her own bedroom.

Said bedroom isn’t even a proper room, but they made do with what they could. She even acknowledges this and she still absolutely loves it. It’s decked out just for her with fairy lights, blankets and toys.

As said, she actually owns toys now, we don’t know if she ever did on Kamino, but I’m speculating it was most likely very few if any at all.

She has her own weaponry and equipment, she’s actually being assisted to defend herself and her squad, she’s gaining knowledge the Kaminoans wouldn’t have ever dreamed of giving her.

As we’ve seen with the amount of times she runs to Hunter for protection, she trusts them immensely. They’re doing everything right to gain her apprehensive trust so quickly.

And of course it isn’t just with Hunter (I’m a stan so pardon my consistency with bringing him up) but she’s the same with the entire batch, even Cross to a very mild extent! She trusts Wrecker with her life, she forgave him so easily after the Bracca incident because she knows the difference between someone purposefully trying to hurt her and them having no control over their actions.

We see she’s been patient with Echo and Tech, she loves to listen to them, she’s picked up on Tech’s dialect (as seen in episode seven) and she trusts him to help her whenever necessary, she has such a touching bond with Echo too, their little interactions melt my heart.

I could rant for hours about her bond with Hunter, so maybe that should be it’s own post at some point, but honestly just how she always seeks him out specifically for comfort, protection and reassurance. It’s so beautiful.

The way she’s addressed Crosshair over their few co-existent moments too. She’s tried to reassure him it isn’t his fault, because she knows it isn’t, she trusts him because she has no reason not too, everything he’s done and said to her hasn’t been within his control.

These are all severely different reactions to how she responds to both the Kaminoans on planet, whenever they’re mentioned, and from what we know in regards to how they treated her.

I’m repeating myself from a previous post here but honestly petition to give Megs all the hugs in the universe. She deserves ‘em. 💛

[michaels-reality]

jsaghka whats wrong with ok ko?

Okay so I will spoil the whole main plot of the series with it but there are 3 main problems I’m gonna get into with this series and it’s problems with character design, jokes on child neglect, and ableism with system caricatures. And this is coming from someone who enjoys the show before anyone thinks I’m just hating to hate on it. But again, these issues are so big for me that I would not recommend this show to anyone skjhskjf.

1. Issues with character design

Alright, so first off, please look at this picture of the majority of the women of the show and tell me what’s wrong with it?

Yeah! Almost all of them have the exact same body type! I’ve seen people praise ok ko with its diverse character design but if you boil it down, almost all the women have the same cinched waist and big hips. And for the characters the characters that do have different body types, it's almost unfair to compare them to the rest of the characters, like you can’t compare Carol to Rippy Roo because Rippy Roo is an actual animal. And you can’t compare Dendy to Enid, because Dendy is a child and Enid is a teenager. And for the Ladies that have an actual difference in body type, that’s like 6 characters out of how many? And to those characters that have different body types, the Hue Troops only show up for 2 episodes and even then the main focus isn’t on them so they barely get any screen time, Punching Trudy shows up for one episode to fight Punching Judy, Pheobe shows up for 7 episodes but she’s a background character and I don’t ever remember her speaking, and then there’s Foxtail. Foxtail is probably the only female character that has a different body type that has an important role in the story and shows up for more than just background appearances.

Compared to the men in the show, there is way more diversity but even then, there is a lot of making the upper half of them bigger and giving them tiny hips and legs. 

There is also the issue that kinda pisses me off is the racial ambiguity of everyone. Like most of the characters aren’t even human so whatever, but there are characters like enid that have darker skin but she has straight purple hair so what are we supposed to get from that? I mean, I guess there is some wiggle room for anyone that isn’t white to claim her but then you start to see that all these darker skinned characters seem to always have straight hair and that’s also a problem. The only character I can confidently say is black is foxtail and she has straight hair. And the only character that is said to have curls and an afro is RADICLES who is BLUE and an ALIEN! Like it makes me mad that our curly haired and black coded character is designed like this. Like, I get it, he’s an alien, he’s blue, he’s not human, BUT WHY DID HE HAVE TO BE THE ONLY ONE? WHY CAN’T THERE BE ANOTHER CHARACTER WHO IS DARKER SKINNED AND CURLY HAIRED? 

It’s so ironic given that ok ko has one of the BEST racism metaphors I’ve ever seen in episode 28. Dendy says kappas don’t need pow cards to be heros but it feels nice to be appreciated but this show is not making me feel very appreciated right now sjglksjgds.

2. Jokes about child neglect/abuse

OKAY! BOXMAN! I LOVE BOXMAN BUT WHAT THE FUCK?

Okay, so in the show, Lord Boxman has robot minions that he is constantly annoyed with the performance of and punishes them and yells at them. AND I WOULDN’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS IF BOXMAN DIDN’T REFER TO THEM AS HIS CHILDREN! It’s shown in the show that Boxman raised them as baby robots and they call him daddy and they have a very familial relationship. But it’s constantly joked about with Boxman saying how they never make him proud not taken seriously in the show. Like, in the second episode, one of the first things we see Boxman do is put Darrel in the furnace and Darrel says “I deserve this” BUT DON’T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY CUS DARREL IS A ROBOT AND HE’S BACK 2 SECONDS LATER! The robots get emotional over any sense of approval, like at the end of “Villains Night In” Darrel and Shannon literally fall apart after Boxman gives them shirts and says to “keep up the good work”, and the end of Plazalypmics, Darrel, Shannon, and Raymond get participation trophies and are really happy with that. Like, this isn’t normal.

The whole relationship between the robots and Boxman is actually pretty toxic and kind of bothers me sometimes. The robots seem to have a very intense sibling rivalry but it’s over the affection of Boxman, which is unhealthy but most of the time it’s just played off as funny joke for the tv. And it becomes even more apparent because episodes without Boxman, like Rad likes robots, it shows them getting along fine and even worrying about each other. And in season 2, Boxman comes back from the sun and Darrel stands up to him and says he doesn’t need him anymore, but one “I’m proud of you” from Boxman and Darrel is back to wanting his approval. LIKE ITS ALMOST NEVER FRAMED AS A BAD THING OR TAKEN SERIOUSLY! I AM NOT A FAN OF HOW THEY TREAT THIS! Like, I can admit it gets better after Venomous comes into the picture and Boxman has that realization of “oh I should be proud of my kids achievements” but to me it looks like this whole forgiving your abuser plot line and I fucking hate it! And Boxman still admits to incinerating his robots after the company switches over to his and Venomous’ ownership when discussing what to do to punish them and he says “I usually see improvement in my robots after I incinerate them.” 

And even if it got better, it’s still played off as a joke in all of season one and normalizes terrible behavior. Child neglect in tv shows, especially in children’s media, played off jokes and funny are never good and can be insensitive to children who are in these situations seeing it played up for laughs. You can argue that being on the villain’s side frames it as a bad thing but that kinda loses meaning in a show like ok ko where you start to see the villains as regular people and not necessarily bad, just “evil”. I just feel like this could have been treated so much better and not trivialized like this.

3. System Caricatures and ableism

Let me start off by saying, I am a singlet and I don’t have as much authority on this type of thing so feel free to correct me on anything I get wrong or add on in anyway. 

With that said, KO and TKO along with Shadowy Figure and Professor Venomous are terrible system caricatures. KO is 6-11 years old is prime age to develop a system, so when shadowy figure comes into KO’s life and traumatizes him, he splits. And so we begin our little “evil alter ego”(quoting the show! using this phrasing is terrible and should never describe a system like that) stereotype.

I’ve talked about OK KO with my friends who are systems and it makes them mad that this show had so many moments to be good system rep and then it turns around and fucks everything up! Like TKO could have been written well. TKO is very clear on stating he isn’t KO and is his own person but everyone still refers to him KO and treats him like a bad thing because he isn’t KO. And when TKO acts out due to being referred to as KO and rightfully being upset, they act like it is some evil act against them and they need KO back! Like, the show misses its own point so much!!! If they treated TKO like a person (which he is!!!!!) then half the problems they have wouldn’t be a problem in the first place. And TKO has done nothing wrong other than wanting to front! KO even talks about TKO as another person but they address him as such! 

The way people talk about TKO in this show makes me so mad, like when Dendy does tests on KO in “Mystery Science Fair 201X” to bring out TKO, TKO finally comes out to deal with the feelings KO can’t deal with and then they almost do it right when Dendy realizes she was the one that fucked up and then SHE APOLOGIZES TO KO INSTEAD OF TKO FSDGHSDFJ!!! And they always treat TKO as a threat as if he’s a danger! Like TKO’s a kid just like KO and acted out when the people around him upset him! Like a kid! And the last time TKO shows up in season one in the finale, TKO actually SAVES everyone in the plaza and leads the battle away from the plaza but because “oh but TKO is the evil” they go and try to stop him from saving them? Like yeah he got a little reckless but he only ended up hurting people in the plaza when Rad and Enid interfered. They treat him like a problem because they MAKE him a problem! 

Also, the moments where everyone tries to bring KO back by saying “you are loved” and all that, that’s actually really manipulative! Like, they’re using positive triggers to kick TKO out of front and that’s actually a really rude thing to do. They’re trying to bring to front who THEY want to see and it’s not fair to TKO who is fronting. It also goes the other way around when Dendy is experimenting on TKO to try and get him to front.

And then even KO treats him terribly, locking him in a cage, then keeping him in his head all the time, and then when he finally lets TKO out and TKO acts out from being locked in his own head for so long, KO then traps TKO in his subconscious. Which is terrible! TKO should be allowed to front and should be treated like his own person! It’s so weird how the show almost gets it right but then does shit like this that makes it terrible again. Like KO has a headspace and he creates things in his headspace and he talks to TKO like another person and they communicate their feelings but then the show turns this all on their head when KO locks TKO away and blames him for destroying everything when he’s the one trapping him in his brain. 

There is also the problem with TKO being the one with all the power and changing his appearance cus that all contributes to the system caricature. Also, TKO and KO integrating at the end of the series? ALSO VERY BAD AND HARMFUL CARICATURE! Alters are different people and they should be treated as different people and KO is not TKO all along THEY ARE DIFFERENT PEOPLE! And integration is possible but it’s usually not by choice. And even then, integration being the end goal of a story is a very ableist narrative and shouldn’t be written.

And it confuses me, why does shadowy figure have his own pow card but TKO doesn’t. Like, KO and TKO are established more as being different people than Shadowy Figure and Venomous so why doesn’t he get his own pow card? Like the end of season one, TKO fought the fight at the plaza and used his power to defeat Boxman jr but at the end KO ends up leveling up instead. And on the topic of TKO’s power, again, that shouldn’t be a thing. TKO and KO should both have access to the same power because they use the same body because that's how systems work! They use the same body!

And I know what the show was trying to do like “oh TKO is a manifestation of all the bad feelings that KO has!” but there are so many ways to do that without making a caricature of systems. Like if you didn’t make TKO a person then this would have been fine. Like if other people didn’t see TKO this could have been fine. There are ways to make a manifestation of your negative emotions without doing it like this. And the way this show did it is such bad writing, because you are meant to think TKO is this terrible manifestation of emotions but all you see is this scared kid who doesn’t know where he is and lashes out when he gets rightfully upset. BECAUSE LET ME REMIND YOU! TKO AND KO ARE BOTH 6-11 YEARS OLD! THEY ARE KIDS! THEY’RE SITUATION SHOULDN’T BE TREATED THIS WAY

And my guy shadowy figure...... bad. Shadowy Figure and Venomous’ is not only a terrible caricature but also very inaccurate. With KO and TKO, their system developed at the correct time as a child, but with Shadowy Figure and Venomous, they developed after Venomous got his snake disease. And, Venomous doesn’t even know about Shadowy Figure and that can be a result of dissociative amnesia but it’s really unfortunate. And again! the end of the series! Shadowy Figure and Venomous integrate into one entity and it’s terrible! Because they aren’t the same person and shouldn’t be treated as the same person! And again with the whole “evil alter ego”. Like Shadowy figure only exists to traumatize KO and make him split and create TKO. And the fact that they turn out to be KO’s dad??? Yikes??? Like again, these are terrible caricatures and are harmful to systems and should’ve been treated better in the show.

---

Like, I love OK KO, I used to hold this show very close to my heart and made me very happy to see this show with the amount of LGBT rep but looking back it was very bad in many ways. Like that racism episode I mentioned, that shit resonates with me! And I appreciate characters like Dendy and KO and I still love the boxbots and venomous, I just wished this show lived up to the potential that it had.

TL;DR: OK KO has a problem with misogynistic character design and colorism, normalizes child neglect, and has put out an ableist narrative with system caricatures.

[quicksilversquared]

The Substitute Ladybug: Chapter 1

After Lila takes things too far and Marinette ends up with a broken leg, Paris is going to have to deal with a different superhero arrangement for a bit. Having to share her superhero identity with her parents before Hawkmoth can be defeated isn't something that Marinette had planned on doing, but- well, it might end up being a bit of a blessing in disguise.

links in the reblog

This was a disaster.

Marinette stared at the doctor as he gestured at the x-ray on the screen, the one that showed in detail what her leg looked like right now. She had hoped against hope that the pain that she was feeling was just a sprain or a strained muscle or a really bad bruise, but instead-

"-the break isn't terrible, and it won't need surgery, but Marinette will need a cast and will have to be on crutches for several weeks to keep her weight off of her leg while it heals. Physical activity should be limited as to not aggravate the fracture-"

-her leg was broken.

She wanted to curse Lila to hell and back. Hissing threats at her when they were alone in the bathroom or the hallway was one thing, but pushing Marinette down the stairs was another. Now Marinette was physically injured, and as if that wasn't bad enough, she was pretty sure that this would make being Ladybug pretty difficult if not outright impossible.

At least this time, there had been witnesses. Four of them, all adults, and none that Lila had noticed when she had shoved Marinette down the stairs in front of the school when they both arrived late for school. One had called up the police at once, and all of them had given the officer who showed up their names and testified that the push had been deliberate and that Lila had looked entirely pleased with herself when she saw Marinette curled up in pain. There would be a report and charges filed as soon as Dr. Fernand finished checking up on Marinette, and at the very least a restraining order to keep Lila far, far away from Marinette.

But that was all in the future, and didn't change the fact that Marinette's leg was broken and she was going to be spending probably a month in a cast. Over a month, even.

"At least you don't need surgery, Marinette!" Tikki whispered to her as the doctor conferred with her parents about how to best deal with the many, many stairs in their house. "As far as broken bones go, yours should heal relatively quickly! My powers will help."

Marinette only frowned more. Relatively quickly, when speaking of broken bones healing, still wasn't fast enough. Hawkmoth rarely went for more than a couple days without akumatizing someone, after all. Unless the Miraculous magic allowed her to heal overnight, there would be problems.

"At least you have strong arms, young lady," Dr. Fernand told Marinette cheerfully, apparently finally done with talking to her parents. "Some people find themselves stuck in chairs and not moving much when they have a broken leg because they find that their arms get tired with crutches, but I don't think that you'll have that problem. Don't be tempted to overdo it, though- you do want to spend a fair bit of time resting."

Marinette's frown didn't lessen. Her doctor didn't appear surprised. After all, she was in pain, and apparently going to be hugely inconvenienced for the next month and a half thanks to a schoolyard bully. There was really no way to put a positive spin on that.

"Well, let's go ahead now with setting the bone and putting the cast on," Dr. Fernand said after a pause, glancing from Marinette to her parents. "And then we can make sure that you don't have any other injuries that need to be treated before you go."

  "This is a disaster, Tikki, what am I supposed to do?" Marinette groaned as soon as she had gotten home and was alone. Her parents had fussed over her the entire trip from the hospital to the police station (Lila had been expelled already, apparently, the four witnesses'' accounts plus a urgent and very enlightening meeting with Mrs. Rossi enough to make Mr. Damocles decide that he didn't want Lila at his school) and then home, where they had then spent a fair amount of time moving Marinette's bedding, school things, and several changes of clothes down to the guest room for her to stay there, so she would have less stairs to deal with. She appreciated the support, but she also had to figure out what she could and couldn't do as Ladybug right now, in case an akuma popped up. "Transforming won't take away my broken leg, will it?"

"Previously existing injuries aren't healed by transforming, no." Tikki flitted around Marinette, giving blankets little tugs here and there to settle them more comfortably around Marinette. "So you can't transform and go out."

Marinette groaned some more.

"Normally in these situations, the Guardian would assign a few temporary holders to take your place," Tikki told Marinette, giving a blanket one final tug before landing next to her on the pillow. "They would hold on to their miraculous until you were well enough to go out again. But you're the Guardian, and you can't exactly go sneaking around handing out Miraculous with a broken leg. And if you go out with any sort of crutches or anything as Ladybug, then Hawkmoth will know to look for someone who recently broke their leg and he could find out your secret identity!"

"Freaking Lila," Marinette grumbled. This was all her fault, but at least everything had fallen apart for Lila because of it, too. Then she sighed, because harping on it would only attract negative emotions and she was not in the mood to find out if being akumatized and running around on her leg would injure it further or not. "Okay. So do you have any ideas? The best I can come up with would be to transform, call up Chat Noir, and reveal my identity to him so that he can come get more Miraculous to assign to backups."

Tikki hummed in thought. "That is a possibility, but- well, I think that that might be more of a last resort. We don't know who he would pick for backup holders, and all of the ones we had before- well, they can't be used again, not for something like this."

"Because Hawkmoth might suspect them first, even if they got a different Miraculous," Marinette finished. She sighed. "Right."

"And we do still need the Ladybug Miraculous in play, but I don't feel comfortable with it getting assigned to just anyone," Tikki finished. "Since you've had temporary holders get possessed and turned against you before. You've always managed to escape, but not everyone could."

Marinette looked away that time. It wasn't as though she had done anything better than anyone else to avoid possession, necessarily. People just tended to sacrifice themselves for her so that Ladybug could keep going. Maybe some of it was skill, but luck and other people's sacrifices accounted for the rest.

"I have an idea, but I don't know if you're necessarily going to like it," Tikki said after a moment's pause. "I know that Master Fu told you to tell no one about your alter ego, but I think that you should tell your parents."

"What?" Marinette exclaimed, sitting bolt upright in bed and then immediately hissing at the jolt of pain that shot through her leg at that. Tikki shot off the pillow and flitted about, concerned, but Marinette forced her attention off of the pain and back to her kwami. "What do you mean, tell my parents? Isn't that more dangerous than telling Chat Noir?"

"We need a Ladybug," Tikki pointed out. "A temporary Ladybug that we can rely on. And didn't you tell me that your mom took gymnastics and martial arts as a kid? She's got a jump-start on what she needs to be able to do as Ladybug. And if she has any questions, then she knows who the regular Ladybug is to consult you, and I can be nearby." When Marinette still hesitated, she added, "And you'll know that she won't be tempted to keep the Miraculous after you've healed and are ready to go out again, because she knows you and won't want to betray your trust."

That was true. Marinette worried her lip, thinking it over. Tikki made some good points, but Marinette was so used to holding her secret tight to her chest and not letting anyone know. Even knowing that Master Fu knew had felt strange at first. Chat Noir finding out... well, it wasn't quite as strange of a thought. It sort of felt like they had been heading in that direction ever since their partnership first started. Maybe the timing wasn't perfect, but Marinette had always thought that her partner would be the first one to know who was behind her mask.

But her parents would be on her list of people to tell, too, once it was safe. Marinette had been close to them ever since she was a child, and her being Ladybug- well, it was a part of a life that she couldn't tell them about, something that sometimes caused conflict when she couldn't explain why she hadn't been where she had been meant to be. Once it was safe- once Hawkmoth was gone- then she had thought that maybe she could tell them and they could get back some of the closeness that they had lost over the past year and a half.

And now Tikki was suggesting that she could tell them now.

"I- I can see your point," Marinette said slowly, even though everything in her- well, she just didn't want to. But she didn't have much of a choice. Her mom would probably be a good Ladybug, and Marinette could keep in contact with her and with Tikki. Her mind was already whirring, trying to come up with contingency plans, just in case things went wrong. Some ideas were already emerging, safeguards that would make sure that if something went wrong and her parents were akumatized or hit by a mind-controlling akuma, the damage wouldn't be nearly as bad as it might be otherwise. "And I guess I don't really have a choice, or better options. I'll do it."

Tikki beamed. "Okay! And this might be a blessing in disguise, Marinette. I know that your absences and exhaustion have been worrying your parents, so maybe having to share the Ladybug side of your life with them will help take some of the stress off."

"Yeah." Marinette took one deep, calming breath, and then another and another, until her parents entered her room again. They were carrying a few more of her school supplies and her cat pillow this time, apparently serious about transforming the guest room into something more familiar while she was staying there. As much as she wanted to put telling her parents off, to try to find another option, a better one, she couldn't afford to wait until it was too late and there was an akuma attacking and no time to properly explain things. So Marinette steadied herself as much as she could and opened her mouth.

"Mama? Papa? There's something that I need to tell you about..."

  Marinette muffled a yawn after her parents had bid her good-night and headed down to their own bedroom. Her talk with them had gone better than she had worried it might, and things were all set up so that her mom would take the Ladybug Miraculous during the day, while Marinette took her earrings back at night to speed up her healing. The chest of dormant Miraculous had been pulled out and moved down to the guest room so that Marinette could reach it, and then tucked away in a new hiding spot. Everything was ready for her mom to take up the substitute Ladybug role, and yet...

No, that was a lie. There was still one thing that Marinette had to do.

"How much do you think I should tell Chat Noir, Tikki?" Marinette asked, tugging one last tangle out of her hair before tugging it back into pigtails for the night. "I mean, he knows Marinette. If I tell him that I broke my leg and he finds out that Marinette also broke her leg on the same day, he could figure me out. And if you were still hoping to avoid that..."

"You both have some growing to do before I would recommend a reveal," Tikki agreed. She frowned, thinking hard. "Well, the last akuma attack that you had was two days ago, and it was in the morning. You can say that you broke your leg right afterwards, so there's some distance between the two. He might still be suspicious, but there won't be any solid confirmation that it's you."

"And then he shouldn't say anything about broken legs when reporters ask," Marinette finished. "He can just say that I was involved in an unfortunate accident and need to take a short break while I recover or something. Short might not be the thing to call it, I know!" she hastily added before Tikki could scold her about trying to go back out before her leg was ready. "But we don't want Hawkmoth to know how long I'll be out. If he's always guessing, then hopefully he won't be as likely to try to take quite as much advantage of my absence."

Tikki spun in an excited circle. "That's a good thought! And Chat Noir is transformed now," she added. "I told Plagg that you needed to call him. Are you ready?"

Marinette gave that a few seconds' thought, then nodded. She knew what she wanted to say, and since it wasn't her normal room behind her, she should be fine. "Yeah. Tikki, transform me!"

As soon as the last of the sparkles faded, Ladybug's yo-yo rang. She answered at once, her partner's concerned face filling the screen at once.

"Is there something going on?" Chat Noir asked anxiously, before Ladybug had a chance to say anything. "Plagg's seemed worried since earlier this afternoon, and you've never contacted me like this before-"

"I've broken my leg."

Chat Noir's mouth promptly snapped shut, and his eyes grew huge.

"It happened a couple days ago, after we wrapped up with the akuma," Ladybug said, launching into the story that she and Tikki had decided on. "And- well, the doctor said that it was a pretty clean break- pretty straightforward, I mean, one break instead of a shatter or anything. And Tikki said that being a Miraculous holder would speed the process along a little, too. But it's still going to be a few weeks before I can fight again."

"A few weeks," Chat Noir echoed, clearly falling back on his butt. Behind him, Ladybug could see the familiar scene of the rooftops. Already, she ached to be able to go back out and run over the rooftops next to him. How she was going to survive weeks without going out- well, that was going to be torture. "Weeks. How- what are we going to do?"

"Well, good news is that I've arranged a replacement Ladybug," she told him, adjusting herself on the bed with a small hiss. She had held off on taking her pain meds for a bit so that she could be more clear-headed while talking to her partner, and- well, she was looking forward to being able to take her meds and having them kick in again. "It was Tikki's suggestion, really. My mom will be taking over for me until I've been cleared to have the cast removed and do physical activity again."

Chat Noir perked up at that. "I'll get to meet your mom? That's so cool! What's she like? I mean, I guess I'll find out," he added quickly. "But I bet she's great, just like you! She must be, if your kwami suggested her to be your substitute."

Ladybug nodded. She was super lucky.

"I hope I never get taken out of commission," Chat Noir said after a moment. "I wouldn't ever trust my father with my secret, and the other adults around... well, either I wouldn't trust them with it, or I would worry that they would return it afterwards. They would just, like, confiscate it, then make sure I never went out of their sight again."

Ladybug cringed. That wasn't good. It was something she had briefly worried about before she told her parents, but it wasn't- it wasn't a serious worry, not really. She trusted her parents more than that. "That's hard. And- well, fair warning, my dad might join you guys for a battle sometime. I had to tell both of them, and he- well, he was really enthusiastic about the idea of possibly getting to be a superhero."

Chat Noir laughed hard at that. "I can't wait! It sounds fun." Then he got more serious. "I still worry, though. Being Ladybug is hard. Managing for more than one battle? And if we get a really difficult battle?"

"I've already thought about that, and I have an idea." Ladybug resisted the urge to shift in her seat again. "I have all of the other Miraculous, so I can still slip away and transform, and then monitor the battle from a distance- I'm still figuring out how, but I should be able to jump from newsfeed to newsfeed, Tikki said. If I use Sass, then if something goes wrong- well, then I can reset, as long as I got Second Chance activated in time. And I'll use an earpiece so that I can tell my mom what to do differently, and she can tell me what's going on."

"Ooh, I like that!" Chat Noir said appreciatively. "Hopefully it'll work."

"Hopefully," Ladybug agreed. She tried and failed to keep herself from yawning. "And we can adjust as we go, but I think it's a good place to be in right now. As good as it can be, at least. I'd rather be out there myself."

"Well, rest and take care of yourself," Chat Noir told her. "Don't push too hard, or you can get set back again. And once you've been cleared, it might be a good idea to ease yourself back in, instead of just jumping back to full-time. Just to be sure."

Ladybug nodded. In theory, it was easy enough to say that. In reality, she knew that she was going to be itching to just go again as soon as the cast was off. "Right."

"Go to bed, my Lady," Chat Noir told her, smiling gently at her. "Thanks for letting me know."

"Of course." She smothered another yawn. "G'night, Chat Noir."

"Good night, Ladybug."

Their call ended, and Ladybug slumped back against her pillows with a sigh. That was done, and- oh, she had forgotten to tell him what to say when reporters asked about Coccinelle being there instead of Ladybug. She quickly messaged him with that bit of information, then released her transformation with a sigh.

Now everything was set up for her mom and Chat Noir to continue forward until her leg had healed up and Marinette could go back out again.

Maybe it wasn't ideal, but- well, Marinette hoped that things would go to plan. That was really all she could do.

[theyellmanfan]

Random hizashi headcanon??

hell yeah, here’s some off the top of my head!

under the cut bc I went absolutely hog wild.

- his radio show tends to get a lot of calls from villains and people in dangerous/bad situations, so there is a hired team of people to vet calls before they are allowed to air, and will redirect them when necessary. there is a team of crisis workers there to help people who are calling because they are in a hard place or at risk of hurting themselves, a team with the equipment necessary to trace calls in the case of villains, and his show is paired up with many local hero agencies and the police so that details about emergency situations can be sent to the right people as quickly as possible!

- he doesn’t actually do patrols due to the destructive nature of his quirk, it’s part of how he is able to balance 3 jobs, his hero work isn’t a part of his regular schedule. he’s just on call for more serious situations.

- he would be a high ranking hero if he didn’t spread himself so thin. he focuses so much on building the foundations of a more unified, better world for people to live in that things that would bring up his statistics tend to fall to the way side. he honestly doesn’t care as long as he’s popular enough for people to be interested in hearing his voice.

- he’s vegan! and before anyone says anything about his hero costume, environmentally friendly vegan leathers exist sdlfjsdf. idk I just see him as the type of person who is so passionate about wanting everything (people, society, the planet) to be better than it is presently that I can’t picture his values not bleeding into his personal life. I wouldn’t be surprised if every decision he makes has others or the greater good in mind, thus his decision to live a vegan lifestyle.

- he can’t cook for shit. he just doesn’t come across as someone who would have the patience/self control to follow a recipe. he would just randomly come across a spice while looking for the one the recipe called for and be like hM I love this flavour, I think I’ll add it! or, oh shoot the measuring cup is in the dishwasher... hmm this mug is probably about the same size, I’ll use it to measure this ingredient instead! and he ends up with an inedible dish by the end of it after all his little tweaks and mistakes.

- he hosts, makes appearances at, and contributes to charity events regularly. at least once a month, though he makes announcements for them and non profit organizations practically every show and over his social media pages daily.

- he was a gen ed transfer alongside Aizawa, as he didn’t have access to the equipment/facilities necessary to train his quirk before being admitted to UA and wasn’t able to destroy any robots without risking hurting other examinees. after getting in, as a student he had access to UA’s training grounds and honed his quirk with the help of Aizawa.

- his quirk doesn’t actually give him the ability to amplify sound waves, nor is it a mutation of the human vocal chords. theoretically, if he were producing sound waves that destructive, the vibrations would damage his body (not just his ears). instead, his quirk gives him the ability to manipulate the chemical composition of the atmosphere around him. depending on the medium you are in, sound travels differently, so he has been unknowingly just altering the atmosphere around him when using his quirk. if he knew this is what he was doing, his quirk would be a lot more powerful, as he could focus on increasing or decreasing the concentration of certain molecules to do much more (ex. increasing the atmospheric water content to produce and shoot water out of seemingly no where, lowering water content when underwater to produce a breathable bubble around his head, increasing the carbon dioxide content around a villain temporarily until they pass out for easy capture, lowering the content of toxic gases and other dangerous materials from the air, ect).

- he was raised as an only child by his grandmother.

- said grandmother was his biggest ally growing up, supporting him through everything unconditionally and with so much love. when he came out as bi/pan and nonbinary, she was the type of guardian to get one of those shirts that say I love my lgbt+ grandchild! her influence is part of the reason Hizashi conducts his hero work as he does, largely through advocacy and support, since he knows how much his own grandmother’s support helped him.

- he is the most outwardly spoken hero about social issues in japan, and is always the first to contribute and bring attention to causes. he will often use his radio show as a way to educate and inform the general public, bringing in actual experts on topics and those with experience to let their voices be heard.

- loves watching cartoons!

- he hates it when people make assumptions about who he is as a person and assume they know who he is and what he wants/thinks. and an extension of this, he hates when people treat him like a one-dimensional caricature instead of a person. though he has definitely used it to his advantage in his hero work, it still hurts him. think class clown stereotype amped up. he initially presented himself as the goofy, ditsy guy who would always be happy despite everything because he wanted more than anything to make people smile and make the world a better place, but when he was younger he didn’t know how he was supposed to do that. he resorted to allowing himself to be the person everyone laughed at, going out of his way to be ridiculous, and though it hurt, it was worth it to put a smile on their faces. as he got older, he didn’t know how to stop even after he had the presence and resources to make a positive difference through his careers, so the reputation kind of just stuck with him. Aizawa was the first person he figured out how to be himself around.

I feel like this all says a lot about how I see Hizashi’s character haha.

If people are just going to make fun of him for being loud and annoying, he’ll own it and be loud and annoying in a way that helps others!!

he’s a good boy and he’s only so angry and feral bc he’s sick of all the awful things in the world.

[scribbling-stiks]

Puppets Extras - Just a Bit of World Building

-Giving a creature a name gives it more power, hence why many of the creatures go unnamed

-Everyone's face is the flag of the country or state they are a resident of or were a resident of.

-If someone is not a resident of any country, they are blank until they become residents. ie. if they are born on a plane.

-If a person has dual citizenship, their flag will change based on which country they are in or stayed in most recently.

-The main visual difference between personifications and citizens is the eyes. Personifications have eyes that have a slight yellow glow, and the citizen's eyes are plain white.

-A second visual difference is that, for personifications, their flag's design can extend past their face.

-Simpler, color-based flags show up more vividly than the more complicated, picture-based ones.

-First-generation immigrants often, but don't always, keep their original flag. Second generations have fewer ethnic flags and third generations are completely based on their current citizenship.

-English is the language of international policies, hence why countries without a large  population of English speakers can still communicate in fluent English

-Personifications and citizens alike can have the ability to do magic. The ability is not common.

-Personifications have stronger magic/more potential strength than citizens

-The states all have their own homes in their respective state. They only stay at the main house together during holidays or emergencies.

-The nickname "Mass-hole" came about during Thanksgiving when Massachusetts insisted on calling Pennsylvania "Penny." Eventually, Penn had enough and he shouted, "Shut the f*** up, Mass-hole!" It stuck and the states have used it ever since.

-All states know how to cook their regional food, and America knows how to cook any American based dish or popular dish that the states make.

-Some states are fluent in more than one language and America is as well. This is based on two reasons

               >The current languages spoken by their citizens

               >Any past mass immigration of foreign people

-Australia and New Zealand have met the states, but because of distance, they do not visit much

-The states call Australia "Spider-Man"

-Most countries have scars from a history of violence in their land. Russia keeps his arms covered because the scars on them are sensitive to touch. Most of the time, long sleeves are good enough, but if unavailable, he'll wrap them in dry, clean bandages.

-New York has a prosthetic leg. He lost his right leg and nearly lost the other during the events of 9/11/2001. His leg ends just below the knee and both legs are heavily scared. His prosthetic is life-like, and you wouldn't notice it was a prosthetic unless he exposes his legs.

-America made sure that all the states know how to swim. Hawaii is the best, closely followed by California and Florida.

-The monsters seen attacking Russia are not necessarily doing it for the same reasons.

-While America is gone, Dixie has attempted to take over his duties. Unfortunately, New York often has to get involved because of the arguments Dixie's involvement has caused with some of the other countries.

-Monsters can not perfectly imitate a person. The ones that are the most accurate at copying faces can not do it for long, and the mimicking cries of others always have strange distortions. Most of the monsters are imitating things to lure people toward them, but only have the intelligence of a wild animal.

-Most of the monsters that roam the North American continent are monitored by the personifications representing the different Native American tribes recognized by the Federal Government. These personifications do not typically interact with America or the states, but if worse comes to worst, they are willing to help.

-New York and New Jersey have the strangest relationship out of the states. The two are opposites but act as best friends. They will go from insulting each other to defending each other if anyone else tried to insult one of them. Jersey's more obnoxious tendencies are only tolerated by New York because he's New Jersey. If any of the other states tried blasting music into New York's office or room when he was on the phone, they would get a much larger reaction than just an annoyed look.

-Wisconsin is in charge of getting cheese, end of story.

-Most midwestern states know how to ride horses, and the southern states know how to grow produce and hunt.

-If someone finds a snake in the Big House, its Florida's problem to get rid of it.

                   >Alligators go to either Louisiana or Florida.

-During Hurricane season, the states that are heavily hit(Like Louisiana) get sick and are often bedridden until the damages begin to be fixed.

-New York handles most of the logistical things for his family.

-Florida was terrified the world was ending the first time he saw snow.

AND SOME MORE

America's magic runs on the same logic as Massachusetts, just to a lesser extent.

Nations heal the fastest, followed by states, and regular people heal the slowest.        Sidenote: Texas, California, and Hawaii heal faster than the other states.

Alabama owns and modifies old cars. Most end up with rocket boosters attached. Indiana occasionally helps.

Countries(and states) all have at least one home in their country, but many have family homes centered between relatives. The larger the country, the more homes they own.

The idea that the USSR crumbled because of new freedoms giving to citizens is where I get my interpretation of Soviet. I read it as he was controlling when his kids were little, but once he realized his kids weren't happy, he backed off, and the USSR fell apart.

America was severely neglected as a child, so when he started finding states(small children) as a young teenager, he wanted to get rid of them. He didn't want them. But when he turns his back on Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, their cries draw him back. They sounded so much like his own.

-"Daddy! Come back! Please." -"Where are you going? Why can't I come with you!" -"Daddy, wait!"

He vowed from then on to raise these kids as best as possible, and he made it a goal to do better than UK or England ever had. He likes to think he succeeded.

If a personification dies, their country crumbles. If the country crumbles, but the personification is still alive, they will become less powerful, but still amortal(meaning unable to die of disease or age).

Nevada and New Mexico are NEVER to be left alone together. Chaos ensues.

Florida has several pet alligators that live in a moat around his house in FL. His siblings don't visit often.

Georgia and North Carolina make Moonshine and fight over whose is better.

California is the worst driver.

New York has an attitude that demands respect, even if he's in pjs.

Colorado, Florida, and California do parkour. Texas won't admit that he does too because he doesn't want to have anything in common with Florida and California.

New York and New Jersey like to race each other across rooftops in NYC. New York normally wins, even with his prosthetic. Jersey always demands a rematch.

Louisiana and Georgia can tap dance. New Jersey can breakdance.

Florida can play the grand piano, but his siblings say he can't play any "good music." Even still, he insists that "Never Gonna Give You Up" and "All Star" are perfectly reasonable choices of music.

West Virginia always has a few marbles in his pocket. Always.

Instead of faces, different people have different face shapes, eye sizes, and slight alterations to their flags, mostly colors. Flags keep the same shape.

Extra Facts:

-Had a horrible childhood full of neglect. He was left to fend for himself in brutal winters of the northeast or the brutal heat and humidity in the south east. UK does not know how to be a parent and didn't want to learn.

-America doesn't ever want any of the states to feel the same kind of doubt about themselves he felt, so he showers them with affection as much as he can. Unconditional love.

-The states, though they are a big group, are one of the most functional family units. They can work as a (sometimes) well-oiled machine.

-Philippines was taken in and treated like a state for a while, so he fits right in.

-America allows his states to do as they please, but insists that they have nothing to do with international affairs.

-He knows the states can handle themselves, but if they need help, he'll run in behind them, guns blazing, no questions asked. And he knows the rest of the states will follow him in the same fashion.

-He doesn't really remember birthdays. Instead he will just randomly mail them gifts that remind him of them. So it's like surprise birthday presents.

-The states love him, and will support him no matter what. His asking is the only reason they haven't mobbed a nations' meeting to beat the crap out of the people making fun of their dad.

-America is hyperactive and forgetful. New York took on the logistics early on because he saw that though his dad wouldn't mean to, America would often forget important meetings and dates in time.

-Texas was scared to join another family, but found himself in a group that looked up to him and laughed with him and he was happy. He doesn't care that he was a country(unless it's to tease his siblings), his is one of the states and will deal with anyone who messes with his family.

~

Table of Contents

[ears-awake-eyes-opened]

The mirror

(Hayffie ❤️. Exploring Effie in this one. Writing this really touched me.)

***

Iridescent euphoria enveloped her like the bubbles she blew as a child with soapy hands, a wand, and her face turned toward the sun. She touched his forehead, tracing each line that time and worry had etched into his skin.

“I met a palm reader years ago at a party. She said every line on my body tells a story of my life.”

He slung his arm over her hip and slid a fingertip along her tailbone. “Hmm... Every line?”

Effie rolled her eyes. “She didn’t specifically mention my ass.”

“Maybe that’s because your ass didn’t show up in her crystal ball.”

“Haymitch! Stop teasing.”

He got quiet and continued to caress the base of her spine. “...So, what did Miss Palm Reader tell you about your future?”

Effie glanced from his eyes to his chest. His body was weathered there too, tanned by late summer and peppered with scars left long ago by staying alive. She touched him with intention. “She said my love line is long and unbroken...”

Love was a subject Haymitch didn’t like to linger on, regardless of the intensity of his feelings for her.

“...She said I was going to love one person my whole life.”

“It’s good she didn’t give you a voodoo doll of the poor guy and a sack of pins to stab him with.”

She stroked his forehead with the backs of her nails. “...Who says she didn’t?”

Her grin lit him up. “What do the lines on me tell you about my future?”

She kissed along each one, pressing her lips to the deep furrow between his eyebrows. “These tell about your past, honey.”

The lines dug in deeper as his memories dreged up pain.

She touched the circles below his eyes and stroked his jaw. “If I could wave a wand and take away that pain, I would... though I wouldn’t change a single thing about this face.”

Haymitch was unnerved to love her like this. He pulled her against him and let his body express the feelings that stuck in his throat.

***

When Effie was a child, an oval-shaped makeup mirror had been the most irresistible aspect of her great-grandmother’s vanity table. The frame was glittering bronze, standing on four legs and decorated with cherubs. The mirror pivoted between a regular view and a magnified one.

“Effie dear, did you wash those bubbles from your hands?”

“Of course, Nana.” Effie treated the mirror with reverence, pivoting it with care for her great-grandmother as the old woman applied makeup to her crinkled face and styled her silver hair.

When the tasks were finished, Effie climbed into her lap and gazed into the mirror at her own sun kissed cheeks beside her great-grandmother’s painted ones. “Nana, there’s nobody as colorful as you.”

“Oh, Baby Doll, you’re so dear. When gifted with beauty, you must remember that every mirror has two faces.”

“Your face and mine??”

Nana chuckled and hugged her tight, “Yours and mine for now, but look deeper into yourself.”

Effie squinted and peered in the mirror as hard as she could.

Her great-grandmother continued, “In every mirror there is the face looking in and the face looking out. A person can be beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside. Or there may be moments when you think you’re ugly on the outside, but you always have the capacity for a beautiful heart. What do you see about yourself, and does it reflect what you believe?”

“I see a girl. And when I grow up, I want my outside face and my inside face to be as pretty as yours are.”

“Ah, they are, dear one. They already are.”

A few years later Effie had inherited the bronze mirror, and it sat henceforth on the table of her own modern vanity bordered in bright lights. She’d looked into that mirror nearly every day of her life. Including the day she accepted the job of escort. Including the day Snow announced the third Quarter Quell and her veils began to fall.

In the mirror she’d caught glimpses of what was happening in the depths of her heart, and she started to question the nature of beauty and ugliness. She’d watched the incipient unraveling of her entire world.

When she was reunited with the mirror after the revolution, the face looking in and the face looking out were both altered — unadorned with facades, and vacant. She’d squinted and peered then as hard as she could to find herself. But self-discovery can take a long time — forever even — because just when you think you know yourself, you change again.

***

By the time the mirror moved with her to District 12, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes, which used to appear only when she smiled, deepened and stayed. Despite a lifetime of foundation with sunscreen, parasols, wide brimmed hats, topical serums to encourage cellular repair, gentle exfoliating cleansers, moisturizers, and antioxidants, her skin had betrayed her. In her efforts to achieve beauty, she hadn’t accounted for the wear and tear of years of exaggerated and false smiles. After a night of poor sleep, Effie saw in her reflection unmistakable wrinkles. Makeup refused to conceal them. Another betrayal. Her heart sank.

She lingered upstairs awhile in mourning, trying to decide what to do. She needed coffee, but she didn’t want to be seen looking like this. She packed a bag for a trip to the Capitol and put on a fashionable hat with black netting which covered her eyes.

When she showed up downstairs, Haymitch was discomfited by her appearance. The bag and the hat felt ominous. “What are you doing?”

She set the suitcase at the bottom of the stairs. “A train departs at 10. I’m getting on it.”

“Why? ...What is this?”

Mortified, she refused to look at him. “I really don’t want to talk about it.”

His stomach churned, and he took a deep breath to keep from throwing up his breakfast of coffee and bourbon. “Are you leaving me?”

“What?! Goodness, no! Of course not.” She glanced at him then moved toward the counter to pour herself a cup of coffee. She needed an excuse to look away again.

“Then what’s going on?” He thought more about her hat and wondered if somebody died. “Is it your family?”

She could hear anxiousness in his voice. It wasn’t fair of her to say nothing, but embarrassment kept her silent. She didn’t want to be evasive or make up an excuse. Their connection had been good lately, really good, and she wanted to keep them good.

“My family is fine.” She sat with him at the table, keeping her eyes on the mug in her hands. “I’m going to see a... specialist.”

He was growing agitated, imagining alarming scenarios, and he was pissed that she was being vague. “What kind of specialist?”

She didn’t answer.

“Effie, you can’t just pack a suitcase, tell me you’re going 2000 miles away to see some kind of specialist, and then just leave!”

She knew if the situation were reversed, she wouldn’t allow that to stand either. She’d be terrified. She looked up at him. His face was pale. Perhaps she’d terrified him too, which only added to her shame about it all.

She confessed in defeat, “A plastic surgeon.”

Confused, he glanced at her chest.

“What for?” He didn’t like where this was going. Her body was familiar — how she looked, the way she felt. He didn’t want her to be cut into or changed.

She hesitated before answering. “My eyes.”

“Your eyes?! What’s wrong with them?”

“They’re wrinkled! My skin around them is cavernous!”

“Cavernous?! No, it’s not. What’s wrong with some wrinkles? Stay alive long enough, and everybody’s got ‘em.” Relief washed over him, and the color returned to his face. “All this over a handful of wrinkles? Shit, Effie, someday your drama is gonna be the death of me.”

“This matters to me! I look dreadful.”

Dreadful? He stared at her in incredulity then reached for her wrist. “Leave your coffee. I need to show you something.”

“But the train...”

“Don’t worry about it. Just come here.” He stood up, and his grip on her wrist was persistent.

Being touched eased some of the turmoil she’d been feeling, as if she wasn’t so alone with this. She let him hold on as tight as he wanted, and she followed him back upstairs.

In their bedroom he sat on the stool in front of her vanity. The tension within her melted further at the sight of him on the pink velvet cushion. She almost smiled, then remembered that would only accentuate the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. He pulled her into his lap and swiveled to face the bronze mirror.

“Haymitch, I’ve already looked. I don’t need to see this.”

“I want to see this.” He pulled the pin that held her hat in place, took the hat off, and set it on the vanity table.

She closed her eyes as he ran his fingers through her hair.

“Look.”

She looked, and focused on his reflection instead of hers.

“What do you see?” His words stired up memories that were inside her even before he was.

Her tone was wistful. “I see two faces. Yours and mine.”

“What else?”

Old grief welled up in her. Sun kissed and painted cheeks... belief... beauty... unraveling... fear... self-discovery... “Our hearts,” she said.

He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I heard somewhere that every line on your body tells a story.”

“I think I’ve heard that too.” She couldn’t help but smile, regardless of the consequences.

“Tell me the story, sweetheart. The story of these lines.” He brushed his fingertips along the corners of her eyes. Her skin there was damp now from grief spilled over.

“I smiled. For probably 25 years straight through. I hardly ever stopped. I couldn’t stop. Because if I did, then what would have become of me?”

What we do to stay alive is unique for each person. Forcing a smile through pain can cut as deeply as a knife.

“If I could take away that pain, I would,” he said, “Though I wouldn’t change a single thing about your face.”

She shifted in his lap and laced her fingers behind his neck. “That sounds familiar.”

“I heard it from a girl. The longer I know her, the more beautiful she gets. She’s the prettiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.”

“She’s getting older.”

“That’s what staying alive means, honey. ...I want your stories, even the ones that’ll be the death of me.”

Her story with him was certainly long and unbroken. She’d expected that much. She’d expected pleasure in agitation, in kisses laced with bourbon and coffee, in bubbles popping along her skin and leaving her a mess.

God knows she’d expected to love him with madness. She just hadn’t expected him to feel it too. In such a mess, she hadn’t expected to experience this kind of beauty.

[universe-n-3276]

Carrying the Moon

Chapter 13

Robbe was the first of the gang to finish his exams. It wasn’t a surprise, since he had always been the nerd of the group. He hadn't skipped a day in high school and had never been late, even when Sander tried hard to get him to stay in bed for just another five minutes.

He finally had more free time and could focus on Hero. He wanted to make up for the months they hadn’t spend together, somehow.

Now that the weather had become milder, they stayed outside most of their time. Robbe liked going to the park, pushing Hero on the swing, and hearing him laugh out loud every time.

He had started to make him try new foods, and he loved to take pictures of all of the baby’s reactions. The kid was curious and tasted everything without thinking twice, sometimes being pleasantly satisfied, other times regretting it immediately, making such funny faces that made Sander and Robbe laugh until they were out of breath.

He was having the most beautiful experience of his life, and sharing it with Sander made everything incredibly more wonderful.

It was the night before Sander's last exam. An art history exam that made him worried, because he had failed it twice already. He had a hard time remembering dates and names, plus his professor was terribly meticulous (he was “a bitch who needs to get laid, for fuck’s sake” to use Sander’s own words). Robbe had tried to make things easier for him by taking Hero out of the house and leaving him alone to study.

That afternoon, after returning from their walk, Robbe had feed Hero, bathed, and put him to sleep a little earlier, to help his boyfriend to revise.

Sander had answered all of Robbe’s questions without even thinking about it for a second, and when they were done it was almost midnight, so Robbe decided to go to bed, and wait for his boyfriend, while he checked the last pages of his notes.

Unfortunately taking care of a baby was pretty tiring, and Robbe fell asleep a few minutes after laying his head on the pillow. When the boy opened his eyes again, he didn't think he had slept for long because the other side of the bed was still empty and uncomfortably cold. He picked up the phone to check the time and was shocked to discover it was already 1:57 am. Robbe decided to get up, thinking that the stupid routine of going around the house at the most unlikely times, to look for his boyfriend, who should have been asleep next to him instead, was starting to get on his nerves.

The hallway lights were still on, so it wasn't hard to spot Sander right away, still in the room where he left him a few hours earlier. His head was bent over his books, with notes in hands.

"What are you still doing here? It's 2 am!"

"Couldn't sleep."

"Have you at least tried? Are you still revising for your exam?"

"I just can't remember all these stupid dates and names!"

“Sander, you do! You know everything!"

"I don't!"

Sander replied in an altered and frustrated tone, regretting it immediately, and Robbe could see the emotions change quickly on his face. He approached his boyfriend and placed his hands on his shoulders, massaging them to try to relax him. He was tense, tired, almost on the verge of exhaustion and all this wouldn’t have helped him the next morning. Sander needed to rest immediately.

"Baby, did you take your sleeping pill?"

"No."

"Why?"

"What if I’ll fall asleep during my exam because of it?"

"You won’t, you’re taking the minimum dosage just to help you fall asleep when you are supposed to. You know that."

"Yes, but what if this time my brain reacts differently and I do fall asleep in class? Or what if I oversleep because I don't hear the alarm?"

"You sleep next to me, I’ll wake you up, I promise."

Robbe reached down to kiss Sander's shoulder and wrapped his arms around her neck, tilting his head to rest it against his boyfriend's. He was tired and wanted to drag Sander to bed without much explanation, just like you do with a child, but he knew that those weren't whims and that his boyfriend was struggling to look at things rationally. Sometimes being with him was hard, but the moments of pure joy far outweighed those of despair. Sander was worth everything.

"Sander, talk to me."

"I'm so scared to fail once again. I'll let everyone down."

There you go. There was always something deeper under the surface. He just needed to be patient to find it out.

“Hear me out. You won’t fail again, and if you do it’s okay, you’ll try again in a few months, none of us will be disappointed! The school doesn't define who you are."

"I know, but-"

"Baby, you're giving yourself a panic attack. You trust me, right? "

"Yes."

"So breathe normally. Take that pill and come to bed with me, so I can make you relax a bit."

"I like this plan."

"I know you do. And I'll put an alarm on my phone as well."

"I love you."

“I love you too.”

Sander had struggled with his sleeping schedule since he was a teenager. Robbe had known this from the first few times they had slept together. He had always been the last to fall asleep and the first to wake up. When he started taking anxiety meds, his therapist also prescribed him sleeping pills, but then when Hero arrived, he had begged his doctor to reduced the dosage, because he was afraid not to hear the baby cry during the night.

He just needed something to help calm his thoughts enough to make him fall asleep. The problems arose when he was particularly restless. Such a low dosage was no longer able to help him.

Robbe knew very well the only way to relax Sander.

Physical contact and intimacy, in his best days, had managed to make him fall asleep without meds, so at that moment, they were both naked, Robbe was lying on his tummy, while Sander was resting his head on his boyfriend’s back, drawing invisible lines, dragging his index finger on Robbe’s porcelain skin. His breathing had become slower and more regular, and although Robbe couldn't see them, due to his position, he was sure his eyes were almost closed.

"You have such a nice butt. It's perfect."

His voice was low and deep, but that comment made Robbe giggle. You never knew what to expect from Sander when he was like that. His mouth-brain filter was completely gone and he’d say aloud anything that jumped into his mind.

"Thanks, babe."

Robbe smiled, turning onto his back and taking Sander's hand to pull him closer. He promptly snuggled to his chest. He was adorable. Robbe could have cuddled him for hours, but they were both sleepy now, thankfully. He kissed Sander’s temple and slipped his hands through his hair, twisting the dark locks around his fingers absentmindedly.

"I'm so happy you're mine."

"Me too, angel."

Sander had his eyes completely closed now, but he was smiling blissfully. Robbe just wanted to take his face in his hands and kiss him until he was out of breath. Every day he loved his boyfriend a little more. Sander pressed his lips against Robbe's neck, letting out a relaxed sigh, before resting the head on the other’s chest again and closing his eyes.

"Good night, Robin."

"Good night, Sander."

Now that Sander no longer had platinum blonde hair, it was slightly more difficult to spot him among the students who were hanging out in front of the Academie. Hero was whimpering because he was getting tired of waiting in the stroller, so Robbe picked him up and kissed his cheek, trying to wipe the adorable pout off of his face.

"I know you're bored, but this is an important day for papa and we have to support him."

"Papa."

Hero repeated, raising his hand and pointing in front of himself. Robbe looked in the same direction, just to see his boyfriend leaving the building along with Noor, his ex. They seemed to be very close, by the way, they behaved around each other. She was stroking his shoulder and he seemed comfortable with that gesture.

Robbe knew he didn't have to be jealous, since he and Sander were raising Hero together, however, he couldn’t help but let that feeling arise within himself.

"Look, it's Hero! He grew up so much! You never bring him here anymore."

Sander took the baby from Robbe's arms, gave him a small smile, and turned back to Noor.

"Yeah, now I have someone who takes care of him when I can’t."

"He's so cute, though. Just like his papa!"

The girl took Hero's hand and he shyly hid his face in Sander's chest, while Robbe watched the scene like a passer-by.

That looked like a real picture of a happy family.

There was something about it that made it seem deeply right in his eyes. Perhaps the fact that Noor and Sander were both breathtakingly beautiful, or perhaps the fact that they had the same interests and style. They seemed made for each other.

Robbe pondered for a second to leave, but Sander and the girl kissed each other goodbye on the cheek, and she crossed the street to get into the art supplies shop opposite to the Academie.

“Hey. I didn’t know you guys were coming."

"Am I your fucking babysitter?"

"Don't swear in front of the baby."

"I have someone who takes care of him? Seriously? You didn’t even say hello to me. You just took your son and went back to talk to her. Fuck you, Sander."

“Robbe. I told you not to swear in front of our baby.”

Sander repeated, raising his voice, and putting particular emphasis on the word our.

Hero, seeing his parents arguing like that, began to cry and Robbe's first instinct was to comfort him, but seeing the furious look on Sander's face, only made him feel angrier and angrier. He had no right to look at him like that, not after treating him as if he wasn't Hero's father as well.

He began to walk away when he heard the baby calling him in tears, and at that moment he realized that the relationship between him and Sander had nothing to do with the one he had with Hero.

He turned and saw the child wriggling in Sander's arms, leaning in his direction. Robbe walked over to them and took Hero in his arms, starting to slowly stroke his back to calm him down.

Sander and Robbe rarely argued, but when they did it was always like that. Both of them were convinced they were right and the conversation heated up very quickly.

"Why are you acting like this?"

Sander said quietly, in a much softer voice than he before, partly to avoid scaring Hero again, partly because seeing Robbe hurt made him feel bad.

"You treated me like sh- like poop."

They both smiled at that word, immediately starting to calm down. Sander lightly caressed Robbe's cheek and Hero did the same, copying his papa's gesture.

"I'm sorry, I was just embarrassed, I guess."

"Of me?"

“No, no! I just never mentioned to you, that Noor and I got closer when you and I broke up."

"Did you guys kissed, or?"

"I told you I didn't sleep with anyone. We were just friends, we went out a couple of times but nothing happened."

"But if that day I didn’t- Look, no, sorry. Just drop it. I don't wanna know. It's you and me now, and of course our little bean here."

“Our little bean that just broke my heart. Am I just a babysitter to you?"

He asked Hero, pretending to be on the verge of tears, mimicking what Robbe had said five minutes earlier. They both laughed, even though Robbe was trying to look offended. Sander took Hero's stroller and together, they started walking home.

"So, your exam?"

"What exam?"

Sander was having fun keeping him on his toes, even though from his sly look and the smirk on his lips, Robbe could already imagine what was the outcome.

“Sanderrrr!”

“Ok, ok! I'm graduating in three weeks!"

“Oh my god! I'm so proud of you!"

“Thanks! I feel so carefree! It's new!"

Robbe approached his boyfriend, pulling him by the arm to make him stop and pressed his lips against his, as he wanted to do since he had seen him walking out of the Academie. When they parted, Sander pulled him back to kiss him again.

He had a relaxed smile, on his face and Robbe was happy to see him that way, after the last few weeks. He couldn't wait to see this new version of Sander, he couldn't wait to see all the versions of Sander for the rest of his life.

[previous] / [next]

[softlygentlymine]

Compersion & Spirals

Compersion. I’ve understood its definition for a while, and even felt it at times. Being confronted with it at the happiest moment of a friend's life is absolutely wonderful. This weekend I attended a Birthday party for Shifter’s long-term partner, we’ll call her Macaron, who we haved played with in a foursome. It’s the first time we had been introduced to their respective families, which was really special. What was more significant, was the advance notice that this wouldn’t just be a Birthday party, it was also going to be a surprise wedding.

～

About a week ago, or so, I had been messaging Shifter, explaining that Firestorm and I had been discussing polyamory more seriously. I explained to Shifter about wanting to explore that option with him, to ask if the door was open. He did say it was, but I didn’t get the impression it was a discussion that he’d been able to fully explore with Macaron. Ethical Non-Monogamy is one thing, Polyamory - feelings - is a lot messier in its nature, which not everyone can understand. It didn’t come to much of a surprise to receive the following message:

“[Macaron] and I have been chatting on the poly subject again. And she has cold feet about it and would like to keep it just sexy time fun for the time being. I’m sorry to have gotten your hopes up. But when the reality of it set in to [Macaron]. She questioned her ability to manage it. And I will always side with what she says.  Again. I’m so sorry”

It’s more than disappointing, and I tried my best not to feel too let down by the outcome. I tried to explain the feelings I am processing to Firestorm, to keep communicating how I am feeling, and to help him understand my reaction to other relationships as the bloom and wither.

“That's perfectly fine, I totally respect her concerns and am happy to oblige. There's no issues from me on that ”

“Yay.

I feel bad.”

“It's more important to love your wife in a way that respects her. I enjoy our time, and am open if she changes her mind, but respect her decision and will treat it as final ”

I think I handled the rejection well, and although I was not in love, it still hurts to cut short any potential romantic relationship.*

～

Cut back to the surprise wedding, we arrived as per the invitation, which was quite early as far as the festivities went. This meant that we arrived and met the Bride and Groom before most of their own friends and family had a chance to turn up. Seeing him in person after 2 months apart, it was amazing how the electricity returned, I couldn’t keep my eyes off him. It’s odd, because objectively he isn’t the most handsome man around, neither is he the fittest. There is a sweetness to his smile, and a depth of honesty in his eyes.**

Knowing this was a special day for the happy couple, I had already resolved to be demure, polite, and interact in a way that suited their introduction of us. I did not want to bring dishonour to their union in front of their families, what we share as consenting adults is none of their business. Just because I would like to behave differently with those I build a relationship with, doesn’t mean they would.

The afternoon passed somewhat quietly, being isolated with Firestorm and his children from the rest of the attendees, it taught me a lot of lessons around guest seating and structure of the event for keeping their interest. I am extremely grateful for the privilege of attending, as it means there are key elements I will try harder to ensure are completed for our wedding.

Keeping with their intent to break tradition, the bride and groom pulled up to the seating area in the same car, a lot of sentimental value attached to the ‘chariot’. The happiness was evident on both their faces, and I felt support, cherishment and love towards them as they walked down the ‘aisle’ together.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it was meaningful. Seeing the culmination of 15 years of life together, 14 years of engagement, was something so incredibly special to be a part of. It made me yearn for my own day later this year. It helped affirm my desire for meaningful connections, with my fiancé, and others who will come into my life.

Seeing Shifter and Macaron in their little bubble of disbelief that they actually completed their intention to marry from so many years ago was interesting. I’ve thought often about the significance of marriage, and that whilst it might not be necessary in the modern era to make the legal commitment, there is a declarative nature to it that I want to take part in. I also think through the injustice of the system itself, restricting the nature of marriage to only two people. The historical frame of monogamous culture restricting the rights and societal recognition of non-monogamous relationship structures is so wrong in my view, I wish there was more I could do to change this.

We left early due to Firestorm wanting to keep a regular bedtime for his children, but I dearly wish we had stayed longer, if only to gaze across the room and celebrate the happy couple. I am looking forward to the shoe being on the other foot, and shining as a bride in my own stead. Before my engagement, I had never fantasized about the big wedding scenario, and yet the closer I get to mine, the more I look forward to it.

～

We are looking at purchasing our first home together. I’ll skip the financial rabbit-hole, and instead focus on how weird it is that this might actually happen. Our personal debts are not perfect, but there is hope that we might be approved and can begin the purchasing process. I’ve been filled with such a nervous energy. Firestorm has been calling the people who can make this happen. Hoping that the outcome of judgement is favourable to making our future a reality.

The location is interesting, as we have chosen to purchase significantly far away from the locations at which we both work. For the compromise in location, we succeed in value of the actual property offering. Better conditions of building, land size and keeping the price well within our budget. There is also the benefit of being nearer to Shifter and Macaron, just the other side of town.

I’m a little conflicted, because I have such a strong attraction to Shifter, and whilst that makes me more comfortable with the decision to purchase a property so far away, it’s not a factor I can rely on to guide my rational decision making. I will enjoy their friendship, but am unable to expect more emotional commitment.

The property comes at a time where we need our own privacy, our own space. We have spoken about it for some time now, and I really think that in the next twelve months we will start trying to fall pregnant. That’s a super intimidating challenge, partially for the life altering, no take-backs consequence of bringing a child into the relationship, and partially because it’s been a discussion for a number of years that I wasn’t ready. I didn’t even know if I wanted children for such a long time. It has absolutely helped having a partner who is so domestically inclined, I feel a sense of safety, that I will have someone who cares enough to be completely hands on with child rearing.

～

*Spiral: This feels like all I’m good for some days, a quick lust, a fuck, and sent on my way because I’m not valuable enough to want more from. The difference between Shifter and Crowns (the married man who has pursued me at work) is that I can sense there is a reciprocal emotion with Shifter, and that he’s honouring the commitment to his wife, Macaron, to value her before all others. We still have an open door to playtime as well. I feel sad, but respectful of the decision he has made, and the promise he is keeping to her.

With Crowns...there has been a blatant sexual interest, a retraction and then lust that disobeyed his wife’s requests. I have reason to doubt that there was ever any discussion with her. I could never totally regret my interactions with Crown, as challenging monogamy with Firestorm has led to enough self-awareness and recognition that my desire for established romantic relationships is not unreasonable. It has led to more self-love and actually asking for the kinds of relationships I want, rather than taking the meager offering they wanted to give me. It doesn’t mean that I will accept his advances when honesty is not his first motivation.

Crowns has been frustrating to manage expectations with. A lot of the initial expectation was crushed quickly, and I had thought that would be the end of the discussion. Then, he didn’t let go so easily. I felt caught between leading him on, and genuinely enjoying the company he presented. Conversation always lulled if I didn’t continue the expectation of sexual interest. I felt disappointed that I didn’t warrant more respect. The shadow of interest hadn’t dissipated, but he never crossed the line between wanting me, and actually getting to know me. It left me sad after interactions, and devalued my self-worth. I have come through those emotions to recognize I am worth more than that. I want more than that.

～

**Spiral 2: Shifter is out of my reach emotionally, but the look I received from him at the wedding was so heated, I was filled with want. It was a promise of more, a promise of sexual satisfaction, and the honour of his genuine desire for my interaction. I may not be able to enjoy the significance of a romantic relationship, but there is a kindness, a caring and an ethical component to his non-monogamous practice. It also helps that he identifies as polyamorous, so I feel a kinship of understanding.

And even going through my own thoughts, there remains an undercurrent of sadness that he is removed from my potential romantic partners. I really thought there might be something there worth exploring. It’s scary putting yourself out there to people, hoping that they’ll be able to love you. It’s also difficult recognizing kin, and having the frame of romantic monogamy limit your natural inclination to fall in love. I want to fall in love and be loved. I don’t need to spend every day in their pocket, but to acknowledge that the time we spend together will be valuable and sacred.

[critgemhero]

If you really think about it, and I mean really think about it, how is what Cassandra did THAT much different than what Rapunzel did when she ran away from Gothel? Burning that bridge, finally gaining the self-confidence and agency she's craved her whole life? No longer waiting to see what the world's wonders are like, but jumping out that window and taking a chance to escape her reality to grasp the unknown she's always craved? Not being in someone's shadow, someone who's existence has drastically altered and dictated her own life? You see what I'm getting at here, right?

No, Rapunzel is NOT Gothel! Rapunzel is not an abusive horrible mother, but in terms of the narrative, they do parallel a similar role in how they affected the entire course of one’s life. Really think about this. Cassandra's own mother, who already severely emotionally neglected her, put the nail in the coffin by abandoning her for a princess her own age. She lived in a kingdom that only ever wished for this princess’s return, where during that time she mentally blocked out that her own mother was the reason for this. Her adopted father was captain of the guard, which likely made him too busy to pay attention to her all the time, even if he tried. The guards probably always talked about the lost princess as well, since they probably made regular searches to find her, always looking for this other girl over spending some time with her. So naturally, she wanted to be closer to him and the guards by learning to fight and become one. She wanted the freedom to stand up for herself and fight for her home, yet she was denied this her whole life as well, out of the fear her father had of her being taken, just like the princess was. Once again, the princess being a block for her. Then when the princess finally returns, she is forced to become her servant, continuing to be in her shadow. To make matters worse, even AFTER forming a bond with her, this princess would have a lot of times where she didn't trust her or acted combatant with her. One day to the point of hurting her arm severely, a tool she values as a warrior. Once again, a crucial life path carved by the princess, and this time by the connection she made to her.

The moment she realized Rapunzel's existence warped her entire life, of course she wouldn't want to be her a friend. Of course she would take back what was taken from her, her own destiny. She truly believes Rapunzel is the reason for her life's suffering, not being able to cope with the fact that it was really a horrible mother who didn't care for her before she left her, and one who didn't care for Rapunzel after she left either.

I sympathize with Cassandra 100%, truly. Where the evil aspect comes in is that this desire to break free and be her own person now costs the safety of everyone around her because of her newfound power of the moonstone. Being so bitter and broken down, she no longer cares for anyone's life but her own. You can see her mentally battling the regret she has and the care she feels for others, but if she caves and gives up now, she's just stuck waiting under Rapunzel's wings again. She feels like she will always be her shadow unless she does this, and how can you not be utterly elated and ecstatic to finally be set free? To fight back? To say no, your choices will NOT be my choices?

So to those saying Cassandra is being ridiculous because of how she thinks Rapunzel's had it easy when she was also abused in the exact same way she was as a child? Just remember that Rapunzel eventually got to be saved and treated like royalty, while she was stuck waiting for a rescue that would never come unless she took her life into her own hands. Remember when Cassandra said Rapunzel was being nothing but condescending to her this whole time? How would it feel to have the woman who changed the course of your whole life, overshadowing it completely, constantly say you're amazing and jealous of YOU? To have your relationship with this person who had become your best friend (a friendship not entirely made by your own choices, but made by those above you which also includes said friend) be recontextualized like that in an instant of traumatic memories?

Yes, Rapunzel suffered severely and she never has to apologize to Cassandra, but Cassandra not being able to see Rapunzel's suffering over her own is completely understandable. I do not think the show is saying Rapunzel needs to apologize to Cassandra, or that Cassandra is 100% evil forever now, but that Rapunzel needs to talk to her about how Gothel did this to them, and that she needs to understand that the role she played in Cassandra's life was a negative one. A role that they can take control of the narrative of, and heal it together. To overcome Gothel's abuse, and look at the similarities they share from this experience. To not see what was taken from them, but what was given. The reason this is so hard for Cassandra is because, as of right now, she sees Rapunzel as Gothel in the way that Gothel was to Rapunzel. Remember what Rapunzel said to Gothel when she made the realization she was the lost princess? That she would never stop trying to get away from her. Yeah.

Cassandra and Rapunzel are shockingly similar from a shared experience, and we see that more than ever here with Cassandra breaking free from the factors that oppress her. However, they end up having nearly opposite personalities as a result of being on opposite ends of that bridge. They are quite literally two sides of the same coin. The Sun and the Moon. So instead of praising the Sun as perfect and the Moon as awful, maybe remember that both are necessary to keep the sky bright.

[thunder-the-ranger-wolf]

Code Name Icarus Outline pt 1

Summary

Inko meets Toshi. Inko and Toshi fall in love. Plot Twist: Toshi was a Hero on a temporary vacation and now Japan needs him again. Second Plot Twist: Inko gets pregnant before Toshi gets called back into service.

Of course, the happy couple was more than ready to throw themselves into being parents when they find out, so Toshi goes back to work and Inko is essentially a single parent who sees her husband through phone calls and the occasional extremely monitored video chat.

This is how Izuku grows up until a threat from Inko’s past throws the small family back into each other’s paths. Good thing Inko’s Alma Mater has offered to shelter them.

Good thing she still has friends in the Hero community. And who could possibly be teaching the new Foundational Heroics class but the man she fell for in the first place? 

Inko’s in for a hell of a time, Izuku’s in for a world of confusion, and we’re all in for a wild ride.

Canon Toshi with a little more weight is Toshi’s “default state.” That’s to give him more of a disconnect between All Might and Yagi Toshinori and also because let’s be honest, Izuku wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut if he knew he was talking to All Might on a sort of regular basis.

Also, did people in canon who knew Toshi before the first AFO fight not tell him on a regular basis “hey, you look a lot like All Might!”

Inko is AFO’s daughter.

AFO has, like, ten kids because he wanted to see if the Quirks he could make were as strong as the ones he already had and could give/take away. 

Basically a “combine my Quirk with one of my choosing and study the results. Having kids was just one way to do that. 

The kids’ existence laid the groundwork for nomous because none of them wanted anything to do with him but he actually figured some things out while observing them.

He approaches them when they’ve graduated high school or reached the age of majority. All of them have turned him down at some point. 

They all hate him for not really being in their lives and then even more when they find out he’s the ultimate supervillain. 

Most of them are part of the effort to take him down, usually by keeping tabs on him and being aware of his movements. 

That’s as much a matter of safety as it is wanting the guy gone. It’s easy to tell when the villain’s resurfaced because his kids go underground. 

There was a nice stretch of peace where Inko allowed herself to put down roots and for about eight years of Izuku’s life, things were peaceful. Or as peaceful as they can be when your husband is a Hero. 

Inko goes into their relationship knowing that Toshi is a Hero on vacation (and on the edge of retirement) but she doesn’t find out his alter-ego until Kamino Ward because he’s literally that much of a different person as Toshi. Like there’s such a disconnect between him and All Might that you’d have to really dig to figure out All Might’s secret identity. Toshi didn’t mean for that to apply to his wife but looking back it’s probably better for it to happen like that.

Toshi deals with a lot of self-loathing and complicated feelings so basically the theme song for this entire fic is “Icarus by EDEN”.

Most of Toshi’s self-loathing is about how much being a Hero was able to take from him. He starts to waver from the time he finds out Inko is pregnant and she honestly has to talk him out of hanging up the cape. He settles for retiring slowly, starting by scaling back his appearances and taking a job at UA when Izuku is eight. 

Depending on when Izuku and Toshi meet, Toshi will have been working for either six months or six years when he first meets Izuku in person.

When we get to the last battle with AFO, Inko and all her siblings aid the Heroes that are already there. Some of them are part of the task force that rescues Bakugo. Some are evacuating the area as much as they can. 

Potential Canon Plot Points: 

Izuku applies for and gets into the Hero Course. His Quirk really does come in late. At the Hero Entrance Exam, actually, because it only activates when he’s in mortal danger. It’s the only reason he was able to last against the sludge monster and help Bakugo later on. He can freeze/stun a threat long enough to extract himself from it. So far it has to be a direct threat.

I’m debating having it be one of Toshi’s abilities from OFA but that and minor power boosts to extract himself from a threat are the only parts of OFA he gets.  

He could also have inherited OFA and been deemed Quirkless because it manifested in stages as he grew up/his body got stronger.

Izuku studying his Quirk more leads to an unhealthy habit of treating everything around him as a serious threat in order to activate his Quirk. It comes in handy at USJ, though. 

USJ goes about the same as canon, but since All Might is not teaching there and Yagi is the Quirkless Heroics Foundational Studies teacher, Aizawa gets either Mic, Snipe, or Ectoplasm with him as well. 

The first time Izuku sees Toshi face-to-face is his first day of the Heroics Foundation class and he struggles to keep a straight face through the entire thing. So does Bakugo, because he’s been around for a birthday video chat before and heard the codename but never really saw Toshi. He puts two and two together when Izuku blurts out “Icarus?” and Toshi freezes for a second. 

Izuku books it to the teacher’s lounge after school and finds Toshi at his desk and just… stands in front of the desk. He’s sizing Toshi up and Toshi is sizing him up (not really, he’s also in shock) and eventually Toshi blinks and says “I forgot how fluffy your mother’s hair is. Looks like you came by that mop honestly.” 

Of course Aizawa is like “how do you know the Problem Child?” 

“Remember how a while ago I had to cut off all contact with my at-the-time pregnant wife because one of my enemies had resurfaced?” 

“Vividly.” Aizawa says, doing his best not to recall how much of a mess Yagi was “when he first came to be under UA’s protection”. “So that’s your boy?” 

“This is my boy.” Yagi chirped proudly. “Izuku Midoriya.” 

“I’m familiar.” Aizawa deadpanned with a laugh. “Have fun with that one, Yagi-san. He comes by your terrible luck honestly as well.” 

“Kami help us, that’s going to take some adjusting.” Yagi groaned.

[hollenka99]

Khenir and Minarv

Summary: When the gods choose to target you, life will never be the same.

Warnings: implied gore, blood, mentions of death

I'm sure you've heard the tale of Khenir and Minarv. I find it is a popular story that you enjoy passing on to the generations succeeding yours. You humans always did take a liking to tragedies with silver linings. If it is one of love and godly intervention, you consume it all the more enthusiastically. Let us clarify something first. There has always been one detail you seem to insist on getting wrong. Birds have existed as long as there have been nuts, berries and the like to sustain them. Khenir never created birds and other winged creatures. In fact, he often admired the birds that visited outside his home. Took a fancy to capturing their likeness of paper too. The only avian species which owe their existence to him are loons and horned owls. Being the god of birds does not necessarily imply you are the creator of all birds. With that irk of mine expressed, I believe I should begin. These were the days before the human population was to reach a million. We gods were acknowledged with a fierce intensity. You feared us. More than that, you feared what we could do to you or your loved ones when displeased. Don't worry. I should assure you it took effort to anger me back then. To this day, I continue to see no use in introducing you to my brother sooner than is required. It was also the time of great animosity between Keajic and Scyta. The skies and sea respectively. You got a lot more storms out at sea back then. Once, she sent a great tidal wave to devastate a town Keajic had deep admiration for. To spite her back, he had directed a gale to steer a fleet lead by one of her sons into rocks. That was the least of it. Suffice to say, anything could set them off. And the results would be disastrous for all those involved. Which is where Khenir and Minarv come in. As you may know, whenever one of you is born, it is my job to determine how long it is before you meet Tain. I have no real say in when you will die, you understand. All I do is find the likeliest timeline of your life and note it in my records. You don't call me the Chronicler for nothing, after all. But you see, if there is one thing I've always admired about humanity, it's the flexibility of your lives. All it takes is one occasion to cause your life's course to completely diverge. Khenir was going to be a farmer like his ancestors before him and potential descendants after him. He'd likely find a woman to marry and raise children with. A rather insignificant and mundane life spanning 72 years. As for Minarv, he'd be raised to be a fisherman by his father and the rest of the community. There was no conventional settling down in his most probable future. Waves stretching past the horizon would be a common backdrop of his adult life until he had the misfortune of being the victim of a poorly treated wound at the age of 38. Oh, stop pitying him. What is it with you humans and your belief the only type of life that will bring happiness and satisfaction is one ending in old age? He would have been perfectly happy doing what he loved for a living. Honestly, you come across as obsessed with watching loved ones slowly decay before you while they still breathe. You call that desirable? Either way, those were the most likely outcomes of their life. With how easily paths can branch off, nothing is guaranteed. The easiest way for your life's course to be altered is divine intervention. Should I detect a child has the chance to be someone whose life future generations will regale the story of, I pay them a visit. To tell you the truth, your reactions to my presence have always intrigued me. Some parents are ecstatic to know their child may have notoriety one day. It isn't uncommon for parents to weep or becoming protective as the gravity of their child's potential future dawns on them. Were I mortal, I would likely be amongst the horrified too. You, of course, ruined it slightly by transforming it into a tradition. You pick any elderly male neighbour and have him be part of the child's 1st birthday celebrations. No man can ever truly replicate my visitations. Your efforts are but a cheap imitation. What is all this about having them blessed over a sundial or clock? Believe me, if I wanted to bestow anything upon your child, I would do so in person. Nevertheless, I appeared in the countryside and spoke to Khenir's mother under the alias of a travelling merchant. Still an infant, Khenir was nonplussed by my being there. I doubt his mother realised the truth of my identity when I gently touched her son's head. The young Minarv I met, on the other hand, was a charming little boy when I made my way to the coast. With great excitement, he gestured to his father's ship which had been approaching the docks. Said father was none too pleased to have me be the disguised god blessing his firstborn. Apparently, he had hoped it would be Scyta, if any of us at all. Oh, if only he'd known. The years passed and the boys grew to be young men. They learned the respective trades of their families while also developing hobbies involving the flute and sketching. Their individual paths carried on leading them towards a life unaware of the other. The thing with Scyta is that she enjoys acquainting herself with mortal men. Fishermen and sailors in particular. If I had to name her favourite type of mortal, it was one who frequented her domain and respected her authority over it. You can probably see where this is going. Yes, she is the one who instigated this whole mess. Although, I doubt she was expecting the result it got. Even I can't accurately anticipate the whims of my kin all the time. Not for lack of effort, I assure you. Scyta subtly pursuing Minarv? That I could have foreseen without trying. Predicting her spouse's reaction took no effort either. Schea had always been jealous of their wife. It's understandable when your significant other has a habit of using the very thing you control to entice mortals. What better to prevent a relationship than ensure the target of the affections was unavailable. The main flaw in Schea's plan was that they naturally appear as the most attractive person in the eyes of whomever sees them. Therefore, the two men would be enamoured by the stranger attempting to unite them. The result is always achieved regardless. All Schea needs to do is ensure the pair meet eyes while they maintain physical contact with both members of the couple. A hand on each back, one look and that was that. By the docks, with a crisp ocean breeze blowing, Khenir and Minarv met. As the months progressed, they spent as much of Minarv's time on land together as they were able. The fisherman would play music while the farmer would sketch him. They were in love and deeply so. No amount of conversation with the mysterious woman supposedly living near the shore could reverse that. Naturally, Scyta refused to admit defeat and move on to her next target. More so than that, events were beginning to unfold. Minarv frequently prayed to her for the sake of safe trips. Being intrigued by birds and their ability to fly is what attracted Keajic's attention towards Khenir. Each had a mortal on their 'side'. And these mortals were lovers? No, that wouldn't do. Whether the two gods had been looking to trigger a fight between themselves or not, they'd still found a suitable reason to. Things were about to get problematic. Minarv became caught in the crossfire when his ship sunk, causing him to be the only survivor. The crops in Khenir's region failed after Sugan was to persuaded to become momentarily involved. Their livelihoods were being threatened purely because Minarv refused to concede. I recall Schea was pleased with themself, thrilled to see a match they'd created cause such conflict. Casquej had inevitably grown fond of them, given his specialty is the creative arts. I was witnessing paths be rapidly redirected as the two men's lives were thrown into turmoil. Even Tain became agitated by this mess. More humans had died than was necessary and the increasing work on his part to stay up to date with it all was enough to get him to join our cause. I know, I know, I never imagined involving myself in ridiculous spats either. Regardless, enough was enough. My brother and I were mostly ambivalent about their fate. Casquej, however, wished for there to be a happy ending to the whole ordeal. Whatever worked. We promised to co-operate in an effort to stop the madness before all our kin were dragged into it. The plan, as you may recall, was to offer them a secret paradise. A world detached from time as they had known it. Somewhere they could be safe from their torment. Khenir could admire the wildlife to his heart's content while there were enough bodies of water to satisfy Minarv. More importantly, there was no threat of death or misery. I appeared to them as a child. Claiming to be one of my own half-mortal offspring, I convinced the lovers to follow me to a mountain pass. Once we arrived, I showed them how to activate the entrance. A set of instructions later and I left them to it. I made it explicitly clear, they were not to spend longer than a month over there in one go. Those instructions were simple enough. If I were mortal, I would have disappeared for a month, returned to the regular world for two or three months then come back to the haven I knew had been made for me. Humans will be humans, I suppose. These types of stories usually have at least one moment that could have been easily avoided if the protagonist had thought things through in the moment. A month there was approximately a week outside of it. I made it so in an attempt to aid them. They followed my precautions in the beginning. A month became 6 weeks sometimes or they'd return slightly sooner than they should have. Gradually, they strayed further from my warnings. With all this deviation, it was inevitable really. Scyta and Keajic discovered why their pawns were absent. I admit it did not help that they revelled in their paradise for three months straight by regular standards. To make it worse, they had the intelligent idea to go their separate ways by the shore. Which was where the gods were waiting for them. We gods have a habit of being ridiculously petty. I have no need to tell you that which you are already aware. If a mortal stands in the way of what we hope to achieve, and we are bitter enough, we will discard of a life. What is one or two amongst thousands, millions or even billions? Both Keajic and Scyta were more than bitter enough. Even Tain showed up to witness it, albeit from a notable distance. There are very few mortals who have been personally reaped by him. Being in the company of four gods must be overwhelming enough for mortals. Even more so when Death and Time act as onlookers to your demise. Perhaps that is why they gripped each other's hands as if it would prevent their permanent separation. Being favoured by me will only buy you seconds on your deathbed. I'll make those seconds seem longer than they are, providing a chance to say your goodbyes if desired, but they are still only seconds. That amount of time sounds short to you? Imagine how trivial that duration is to me, a being who has lived for millennia and knows infinity. Keajic denied Minarv the very air he took for granted. In retaliation, Scyta commanded the ocean to make its home in Khenir's lungs. As they both asphyxiated, their fingers defiantly remained intertwined. Why it took me until this point to put my foot down, I am not sure. Possibly because I believed it was not my place to directly intervene. What was more important was that I was inserting myself in the midst of the conflict. Time stopped. I berated Keajic and Scyta for using the men for their games. Minarv had respected Scyta. The same could be said about Khenir and Keajic. Now however? It would be a miracle if either of them respected us at all. They were not made to be tormented relentlessly. Leave your opponent's favoured be and continue your squabbling somewhere more mortals wouldn't be endangered nor risk having the courses of their lives skewed. Could we agree to end this now? The rulers of sky and sea exchanged a glare. As much as they were enemies, they seemed to share the same unspoken idea in that moment. At the time, I was under the impression they were silently agreeing my pleas were rational. I had expected to continue time once more, them to walk away and the human lovers to carry on living until their appointments with Tain were scheduled. My mistake was trusting them to not slight me. I will spare you the goriest details. No doubt you've already come across versions of this story that don't shy away from it. As wings forced their way out from underneath Khenir's shoulder blades, his muscles formation shifted too in an attempt to accommodate them. Everything Minarv wouldn't need any longer became lost to him. His lungs ceased to be just in time for Scyta to drag him under the waves. You may have found the red traces mixing with the ocean in the aftermath of his legs fusing disturbing but I've seen worse. In most depictions of them, I'm sure you'll find Minarv with a black tail littered with white spots or Khenir with wings of yellow, red and a particularly light blue. That's all linked to the whole creation of loons and flagfin shiners ordeal. A bird which dives into the water to feed and a fish to keep it fed. I suppose you may find it sweet with your notions of romance. Know that they change forms as often as the rest of us gods so these visual depictions are not always accurate. All immortality has given them is more time to spend with each other. Neither is capable of human speech any longer but they seem to have developed their own method of communication. With all the chirping, whistling and whatever else they have at their disposal, I can vaguely understand them. Minarv is responsible for your stories of sirens as well. Despite having their anatomy transformed in an effort to permanently separate them, the pair still resisted their limitations. As such, they had to determine if the other happened to be nearby. Once a singer, always a singer. Humans would hear Minarv attempting to attract his beloved's attention and created tales of a creature that lured you into the water. You know, I never enquired what either of them thought about those myths. Perhaps I should, the next chance I get. Ah, speaking of which... Look at that. There is only one great horned owl whom I know would stray so far from its native homeland. Hello Khenir! Just returning from a visit, I presume? I dare say I should see him myself. Care to share with me how it went? After all, I have all the time in the world.

[beautymercurydragon]

Kara Lahiffe

YAY I WAS HOPING SOMEONE WOULD ASK ME ABOUT HER!! She’ll be really fun to write with, and she’s one of the most featured of the main seven.

Full name: Kara Christine Lahiffe (Christine is actually a French-used name, and since I hc Alya as being a Supergirl fan, I had to name her firstborn child/daughter that. Tho it’s pronounced as the ‘Cara’ part in Nino’s Carapace hero name, so it’s a blended nod to both.)

Gender: Cis female

Sexuality: Straight

Pronouns: She/Her

Ethnicity/species: Human, Moroccan, Martinique and French (50% French, 25% Moroccan and 25% Martinique, if my math is correct)

Birthplace: Paris, France (she was born in England, actually. Alya and Nino took the Startrain there for an event Alya was interviewing at and the night before, she went into labor a week-ish early. Kara was supposed to be born on the 25th of August lol. So technically, she’s always lived in France, but was born in England [tho Alya and Nino left there as soon as they got out of the hospital]. Either way, she still considers herself born in France.)

Birthday: August 19th, 2029 (she’s 15)

Guilty pleasures: Hmm… oranges? She only really likes extra-sweet fruit, so for her to like oranges is rare. Also lemonade, considering the regular-flavored is usually more sour than sweet. But she does prefer strawberry lemonade.

Phobias: Snakes. Which is funny, considering she was trained by Luka (who was the Snake holder, Viperion) as a musician and theater singer. Also lying, boredom, no fun etc., considering she’s more vibrant and energetic than one would usually expect of someone of her age group.

What they would be famous for: Definitely acting and theater/singing. She actually wins a contest for her school at one point and gets her own imagined story as a child turned into a TV show, called Codename: Scarlet Fox, and it’ll have a lot of importance to the story. As for doing theater, she’d likely be a West End star at some point in her life as a young adult (basically London’s version of Broadway, from my understanding. I live in the US lol), considering she could easily take the Startrain to England.

What they would be arrested for: Doing something to Brooke lol. She’s one of the ones who’s more fed up with her and treated worse, right up with Vivienne, considering Brooke’s racist and doesn’t consider dark-skinned French people real French citizens.

OC you ship them with: Her love interest Gino, who gets the Monkey Miraculous at some point. And even tho she’s straight, I think a relationship between her and Rebecca (who’s bi) would be interesting. They have the competitiveness in common, both dream of being on Broadway/sing and act, and are both great at baking. (Rebecca ends up with Emma though) If I didn’t have so many ideas in mind that would be a factor of developing their friendship and Kara wasn’t straight with a love interest, I would likely have put them together as a couple.

OC most likely to murder them: Despite how much Brooke hates Kara, I feel she wouldn’t try to harm her. Mainly because Kara knows how to fight (blame Nora lol), and she’s quick and witty and always has a response to her as well. Plus, she’s a superhero and has flexibility, so she could kick her in the face or elsewhere lmao.

So, I don’t really feel like anyone would. Not to mention, she could easily fool them with her Mirage and make a run for it as Scarlett Fox, considering nobody really hates her that much as a civilian to want her dead.

Favorite movie/book genre: Humor, adventure and action

Least favorite movie/book cliche: ‘Misunderstood’ high school clique. Lol she HATES that with a burning passion

Talents and/or powers: She’s good at bare-knuckle boxing, and is a harpist, flutist, theater/stage/TV-trained actress and theater singer.

As for her alter-ego, she gets the Fox Miraculous, and she has a more powered-up version of the Mirage considering Vivienne uses the Butterfly to permanently upgrade their powers at one point. Her upgraded version allows her illusions to actually become 3-D and realistic, so she can make her Mirage create fake versions of the other heroes to distract villains.

She’s also another one of the multilingual next-gen kids (well they all are really lmao), so she’s a speaker of French, English, Arabic (considering Nino is confirmed Moroccan and that’s Morocco’s official language they speak) (she’s faring nicely but is still a little rough in some points), and begins to take Japanese lessons from Kagami. Tho she’s awful at it at first, and it is her worst class at the start, but over time she improves vastly.

Why someone might love them: She cares for others, knows how to put a smile on one’s face when they’re sad, and is in general a fun and great person. She’s also rather loyal and knows how to help others, and is always up for a challenge.

Why someone might hate them: Hmm…. she’s really likable in general, but I feel her doing-before-thinking behavior she can have sometimes really can get the best of her. She’s also a bit loud, but not always.

Once she becomes famous because of her TV show, she also becomes really prideful about it and will sometimes use it to boast about herself, but she really doesn’t mean it and is just excited about her lifelong dream coming true, in reality, which is something only those who are close to her know is true.

How they change: She learns how to get a hold of herself when hard, be serious always, and how to work with others and expand her priority (and soon enough, gets a role in a movie and a West End summer camp for teens).

Why you love them: I honestly adore her sense of humor, wittiness, and how she’s always there for those she loves and is so chill about everything.

Another thing is that she’s actually really smart, despite her ‘party girl’ image and the promiscuous stereotype she gained over the years (because the media in next-gen AU is crappy except for Alya and Nadja lmao, with a few other exceptions), ever since she was thirteen. The media really hated her and applied that stereotype to her, considering her image as a ‘bad kid’ made them believe she’d be a bad role model for Maddie, who’s been a media darling since forever. She’s also rather good at memorizing things quickly and is able to think fast/on her feet, and while I consider myself highly intelligent, I really am not the best at thinking fast sometimes haha.

Thanks for the ask @jazzymarie1006! Sorry for taking a while to respond lol.