#yes the original stories are all about animals. shut up

[luminecho]

5, 10, and 20!

5 answered here!

10. Will you keep a record of all the fics you write and/or post this year?

what does this question mean... I have all of my fics saved in google docs? if that's what it means? otherwise no I don't really need to like. keep a record of it all because ao3 kinda does that automatically, i can just check my statistics lol

20. Any plans to work on original fiction this year?

Actually writing it? Definitely not. But i have a few OC stories that i adore working on in my free time just as far as worldbuilding and characters and plot beats go. i think Blackbird is the one that i'm farthest along in because I kind of have a story arc figured out, and I'd like to figure out more details of that one! But I don't plan on actually WRITING any into any novels just yet. Don't feel ready, yknow? Plus who knows, I might decide to make a story or two into something animated someday instead or smth. but I do want to figure out the vague details of Blackbird, The Red Tide, and Starsong this year. Starsong especially because that one needs a COMPLETE renovation from head to toe. yikes

(Fanfic asks for the new year)

[sxljcel]

Difficult night...🩸(Hungry!Rory Keaner x Reader)

First of all, let me know that this is my first one-shot, and in another language that is not my original one! I apologize in advance for spelling mistakes, discomfort to the reader and errors in the plot of the history. Thank you for reading! 🦒

Context: Rory comes to your house after wasting his energy in a fight and without having eaten anything. Without any choice, you must do your part to save your vampire boyfriend.

Warnings: Blood streak, swearing, addiction, Rory herself.

To begin with, that day had not been normal. As your boyfriend Rory had told you, that day he and his friends had a big fight with a group of foreign vampires who had gone to cause trouble in the village. Luckily, they managed to eliminate them in time, but Rory had ended up spending more energy than necessary helping in the fight...

Now, after that big confrontation, Rory decided to call you on the phone to ask if she could come and rest with you that night, since she wasn't feeling well at all. Since you thought it was a simple whim of your boyfriend, you said yes, as long as his mother knew.

In a matter of seconds he was already knocking on your bedroom window. He seemed really agitated, although you were aware that that wasn't possible.

Rory shuffled towards you and wrapped you in a tight hug as he inhaled your delicious scent. Then, you both talked about your days and just lay down together in your bed, you to sleep and him to try to clear his mind of what happened...

In the middle of the night you woke up suddenly, to the grunting and movements that Rory kept making next to you. When you turned around, he had his back to you, squirming with concern. You asked him if he was okay, and he answered:

"I'm so hungry... My stomach is bothering me more than usual!"

You tried to find the logical solution, but you didn't know what your boyfriend was really going through. "And why don't you go hunt something outside? I'll wait for you here."

"That's the problem. I already went hunting for all the squirrels and rats I found out there but nothing seems to be working. This is seriously starting to hurt."

You thought as you saw your boyfriend still with his back to you. Remembering how I had told you the story of that afternoon with the vampires, the only idea that came to mind was that Rory's hunger She was more serious than a couple of small animals. Maybe something bigger could help him... Something more applied to his «needs».

"Rory, look at me."

He refused, shaking his head. You knew him too well to know that he had his eyes closed.

"Rory, look at me now! Please"

De la manera más lenta y abrupta de la historia, Rory se giró con los ojos cerrados y las manos hundidas en el pecho. Parecía estar sufriendo mucho. Dudaste antes de proponerle tu idea, ya que sabías que era arriesgada, pero ya no podías ver a tu novio así sin hacer nada al respecto.

"Rory, I want you to bite me."

Your boyfriend opened his eyes wide, almost looking into your soul, as he frowned and sat on the bed, moving away from you.

"What!? Are you crazy? No! I'm not going to touch you even a hair"

"Rory, you're starving! And I have the blood you need." You got up to sit next to him, but he walked away almost instantly, crashing his back against your window next to the bed.

"Don't say it! Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Rory covered her ears and closed her eyes tightly again.

"Rory, don't be childish." You removed your hands from his ears and stared into his eyes until he opened his. He looked scared, you could see it in his face.

"I don't want to kill you, I don't care how hungry I am, I'm not going to touch you!"

"You're going to have to do it if you don't want to starve yourself, although I don't know if that's possible..."

Rory looked at you suspiciously, because he knew that he didn't have good self-control when it came to human blood, much less one that smelled so good and was in abundance for him.

"But if I leave you dry and I can't save you? I would never forgive myself."

"Rory, let's be honest, you have fallen in love with a different girl every day of your life before we met. If something happens to me, you'll most likely forget it within a week." Rory made the most offended face she could muster at that moment, scowling like an angry grandfather.

"No! How can you think that about me? I love you!"

"I love you too Rory, so stop make this harder than it already is and suck my fucking blood!" Without thinking twice you took Rory's face in your hands and brought his mouth closer to your exposed neck, letting all your scent hit Rory's nose like a bullet, stimulating him immediately pulling his sharp fangs out of his mouth and rubbing them against your bare skin.

"Ah... Don't make me do this!" He moaned as his hand intentionally landed on the other side of your neck, squeezing just enough to leave a mark. His voice trembled like his entire body, and it sounded deeper than usual.

"Hurry before I regret it, Rory."

They remained silent like that, you waiting and him undecided about what to do. He breathed deeply into your neck, inhaling as much as he could of your lovely scent that was so hypnotizing to him.

"Do you promise that if anything goes wrong... Your spirit will torment me for the rest of eternity until I am killed?" Rory murmured, reaching your ears as a final surrender.

You smiled silently, tilting your head further to the opposite side, giving him more space to bite. "I promise you"

The silence stretched before Rory pulled away from your neck roughly. You pulled away from him disappointed.

"Wait, I better bite you somewhere else, I don't want to sink my teeth into your jugular by accident..." Rory took your bare arm and caressed it as if it were a soft cloth. He brought his nose close to the veins in your wrist and sniffed deeply at their aroma, sighing heavily as if he were getting high with your smell. "Have I told you how delicious you smell? You're like my personal brand of kryptonite..." Rory left the long kiss on your hand, leaving a small path towards your knuckles and then returning to your wrist.

"You couldn't last a minute without saying something nerdy, right?"

"I'm sorry, I had to take advantage of the opportunity..." He smiled at you with his glistening fangs out and his eyes locked with yours before returning to your forearm.

Rory licked her lips before opening her mouth wide near your forearm just below your marked veins on your wrist. You closed your eyes with sneakers and waited for the pain. "Promise me you'll scream if it hurts."

"Yes Rory, I get it!"

"Okay...Anxious"

You felt Rory's teeth graze your skin, making it crawl completely. Suddenly the stinging pain began to spread through your forearm, as if a large wasp were stinging you. Then he began to suck the blood like a syringe. Rory grunted in pleasure as he increased the pressure on his hands on your arm, deepening his bite at the same time. You weren't going to lie to yourself, it hurt, it hurt so much, but you knew that your boyfriend's life depended on this and your joy at being able to help him outweighed your pain.

Rory for her part seemed to be enjoying the moment now, starting to let strings of saliva fall from your forearm onto your sheets as she swallowed drop by drop of your precious nectar.

You began to feel dizziness that intensified until you began to see blurry. With all your strength you raised your other arm towards your boyfriend's blonde hair and pulled him in the opposite direction to your forearm. Rory seemed to object for a moment, growling like a cat with a steak in its mouth, the feeling inside your veins unsettling. You hit his hair a couple of times and pulled his hair until ripping out a few strands of his hair, that's when he stopped and released your arm from his teeth.

"Ouch! Why did you do that? I told you to scream if it hurt." Rory rubbed his head where you had pulled out the small strands of hair. His bloody teeth gave you a bit of an impression, although you always thought your boyfriend looked sexy in blood. running down his lips and chin.

You had trouble speaking, your eyes felt heavy, and the bite continued to bleed. You tried to speak but nothing but incomprehensible moans came out of your mouth. Finally your head fell into your hands of Rory.

"Oh no! No, no, no, no. Wake up, don't close your eyes, talk to me darling, tell me you're okay!" Rory patted your cheek as she opened her eyes and shook you, she was panicking. She ran out and came back a second and a half later with a bottle of water and a bag of chips.

"Here! Drink it all" Rory held the bottle for you since you were too weak to hold it yourself. You spit out the water when you almost drowned and wet his entire sheet, again.

"Don't worry, do not worry everything will be fine" You smiled at the thought that Rory was giving you words of support. "Pretend you know what you're doing, don't panic Rory" Your face couldn't show all your disappointment at all.

The rest of the night passed with Rory bandaging your wound, leaving kisses on it and all over your body while you tried to regain strength with the food that he brought you from time to time. You knew he still wasn't completely satisfied since vampires always thirst for blood, but at least the pain was no longer present in either of you.

"Precious, thank you for saving my life. I swear that your blood is the most delicious I have ever tasted after Ethan's blood."

"At what moment did you-?"

"Shh, don't waste your little energy on stupid questions. Better rest, sweetheart."

Rory covered you with the warm sheets of your bed as he cradled you in his chest and caressed your cheek gently. From that moment you knew that he was not capable of killing you even by accident.

[dsknsk]

Mountain and references to The Moon above the Mountains

This is a repost of the article that was previously on Gamepress. I am the original writer of it and decided to put it somewhere again that isn't Gamepress seeing its dead state.

First off, to react on some...less than nice comments...which I still remember being on Gamepress :)

Yes, I know that there are many Asian stories about tigers. This was just the one that came to mind directly and the one that seems to fit the most, as well as the one that seems to fit the most. I think it's also the most publicly known one.

I did not write the story's name wrong, shut the fuck up. I know that 山月記 is also sometimes translated as "Stories/Records of the Mountain/Mountains and (the) Moon" but "The Moon above the Mountains" is the most common.

Without further ado.

At first, Mountain’s codename struck me as strange. ‘Mountain’, such a simple yet slightly unusual codename. However, when Mr. Nothing was released - whose name refers to literature - I realized that Mountain’s codename may as well refer to a certain piece of literature, one named The Moon above the Mountains.

What is The Moon above the Mountains about?

The Moon above the Mountains is written by Nakajima Atsushi, a Japanese author, but the short story takes place in China.

The main character is Li Zheng, a government official, albeit a low-ranking one. Despite his job and his talented reputation, he is not satisfied by it. He wants to make a name and be remembered as a poet. Thus, he resigns from his job and fully devotes his life to poetry. However, this proves harder than he thought. Since quitting his job, he lives in poverty, and he ignores the signs his tired body gives him. Soon, he grows emaciated and irritable. 

He lives like this for a year, and then leaves. One day, he goes mad and no one hears from him after that. The year after that, a man named Yuan Can prepares to set out on one of his official business travels and is warned about a man-eating tiger he might encounter on the way to his destination.

That night, Yuan Can indeed meets the tiger. It attempts to attack them, before suddenly stopping in its tracks and talking like a human. Yuan Can is shocked, because he recognizes that voice as from Li Zheng, his old friend. The tiger confirms that he is indeed Li Zheng, and Yuan Can talks to the tiger, no longer afraid but rather confused.

Then, Li Zheng continues to recap what happened. From the moment that he transformed into a tiger, he has felt the inner instincts of the beast driving him to kill other animals. At certain moments, his human consciousness returns, but these moments become fewer and fewer. He knows that, eventually, he will entirely cease to think and talk like he used to, and be overtaken by the animalistic mind.

As such, he asks Yuan Can a favor. Li Zheng had written several poems, and he shares them with Yuan Can, at least, those he remembers. He writes them down, as Li Zheng asked him to. Li Zheng then talks about how his disconnection from the world and selfishness caused him to go mad. Quoting directly from the story itself (translated):

‘We are all of us trainers of wild beasts, and the beasts in question are our own inner selves. In my case, my beast was my self-important sense of shame. That was my tiger, and it damaged me, brought sorrow to my wife and children, wounded my friends, and, in the end, changed my outward form into this animal that befits my inner state.’

At the end, Li Zheng says he must leave, as he feels his human consciousness fading. The two part ways, with Yuan Can crying as he does so. The last sentence of the story is as follows (and it is one of the only full sentences from literature I know like the back of my hand):

‘The tiger gazed up at the moon, already pale, having lost its brilliance, and roared mightily two times, three times, then jumped back into the brush. They never saw the tiger again.’

Mountain and The Moon above the Mountains

So how does this story relate to Mountain exactly? Well, his codename aside (the Japanese title of the story is 山月記, and 山 is Mountain’s codename in Chinese), and him quite literally being a tiger acting like a human, I did not know until Mansfield Break actually was released in the Global server. While reading the story attached to the event, I found some very familiar themes that also return in The Moon above the Mountains.

Mountain is a very imposing figure, almost 2 meters tall (195 cm, which puts him at 76.7717 inch to be exact), with a rough voice and being really good, both in-universe and in-game, at defeating enemy after enemy all by himself with little to no outside help. It is very easy to think of him as a brute at first sight, similar to how Yuan Can was warned about the ‘man eating’ tiger at first in the story. His codename as well indicates toughness and strength.

However, his character is kind and gentleman-like, to the point that Barton points at him as a model prisoner. Quoting from the character himself (using my own way of wording the original Chinese version):

'Y'all should learn from Anthony here! Block C inmate, but composed and never sees violence as the answer. He spends his day reading, writing, and listening to music. Truly a role model y'all should follow!'

Barton outright says that Mountain is an example everyone should take as a role model, which by the way, comes from the mouth of a lousy guard that only seems to have his own best interests in mind. Even on such a person, he has made a good, solid impression. This is to the point that, during the cleaning shifts, they will always end up cleaning his cell no matter what.

Speaking about names, in the story, Mountain does not use his codename yet. This is because this story is set before he joined Rhodes and gained said codename. This also makes him more ‘human’ during the story.

Later on, after Mountain foils another assassination attempt from HydeBro, the other characters comment on this as well:

Kafka: 'You...ugh, you're an inmate, but you're a lot more composed than the others.'

Domma: 'That's him. Always polite to everyone may as well be his signature.'

Kafka: 'Ah, right. He's not only good in beating people up, but he's not bloodthirsty or anythin'.'

Mountain is really a good, nice person, who has been locked up in prison to protect him instead of him being truly guilty of a heinous crime. (Then again, it has been implied that this is not uncommon in Mansfield). Even his theme song is a calm and jazzy tune and shows him relaxing as opposed to something that befits raw, ruthless strength.

I hope that the pattern here is visible: despite his outward appearance and his admittedly good ability to punch the tar out of his enemies, his character does not immediately match this outright. He’s not a brute through-and-through. He could potentially lose himself by going ham on an enemy, but chooses not to. Even during the final fight, he remains calculated to a certain extent.

This duality is very obviously touched upon by Jesselton/Jayston, and he points it out during said final fight:

'You know, Anthony. From the moment you came in here, there was something...not right. You're constantly acting polite, but you're strength incarnate. And secretly, I have longed to see this. The facade shattering, and finally seeing what lies beneath...'

He encapsulates the duality of Mountain in this one line. Furthermore, Mountain’s fourth archive file and his second promotion quote also talk about this:

‘Doctor, take a good look. That mask of composure, calm, and politeness is off. This is the truest you'll ever find me. Bloodthirsty, violent, and destructive. Look at me and be my friend.’

The tiger in The Moon above the Mountains, or rather, Li Zheng, struggles with a similar issue. His moments of thinking and acting like a human become more and more intersected by the ‘bloodthirsty, violent and destructive’ nature of the tiger that Mountain mentions in his promotion voiceline. At first, Yuan Can was scared by the tiger, until he heard his friend. The story may end on a sad note, but it avoids a possible drama of Li Zheng not recognizing Yuan Can anymore when he’s gone full tiger, which he’s implied to have done at the end of the story.

Luckily, our Mountain doesn’t go down the deep end entirely. He seems to acknowledge what’s below the mask in his second promotion voiceline, in contrast to Li Zheng who only became aware of it when it already took him over (by transforming him into a tiger). As a bonus, Mountain is interested in literature, much like Li Zheng.

I am not entirely sure why Mountain is specifically a white tiger and not just a normal orange tiger, but I think it is to highlight how unusual this specific tiger (Li Zheng) is from all other tigers, having been human before.

The Moon above the Mountains and The Metamorphosis

If the gist of The Moon above the Mountains seems familiar to you, that might be right. The story has been compared to The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. It’s logical why the two are compared, as both of them have their protagonist transform into a creature at the beginning, with the rest of the story dealing with what happens afterwards. Both of them are eventually relegated to give up and resign to their new life as a creature after desperate moments to still act human.

Despite transforming, however, they are still aware. Gregor can still understand what people say. Li Zheng also does so, and converses with Yuan Can as if he was human. The ‘incompleteness’ of both transformations is what shapes both stories, as it’s paradoxical in a way: they’re an animal, but at the same time, they’re not. Gregor dies at the end, and Li Zheng fully loses his humanity when his story ends.

I think that this connection is what inspired HyperGryph to make Kafka and Mountain interact. Nonetheless, I’m happy that both characters are in Arknights as I see them as a homage, to the writer Kafka and to The Moon above the Mountains, to keep them from being forgotten.

References:

- The Moon above the Mountains by Nakajima Atsushi, translated by Nobuko Ochner and Paul McCarthy. The original version in Japanese is here and here on Aozora in public.

- Initial fan translation of Mansfield Break

[momtaku]

Thoughts on the Attack on Titan Musical

tl:dr; It's been two weeks but I am still not over it.

When I posted the photo of myself holding the playbill of the Attack on Titan musical the most common reaction was "WHAT???", so I guess some background might be good to start with.

Yes, the Attack on Musical is a thing. It was first performed in Japan in January 2023 with shows in Osaka and Tokyo. When it was announced that a second run of the musical would include New York City, I pounced on tickets.

See, it's real! This is my video of the closing number. We were allowed to record this.

The New York run was at the New York City Center which seats about 2200 people. There were a total of 4 shows the weekend of Oct 12. I attended the Saturday matinee. The style of this production is known 2.5D, and is incredibly popular in Japan. I did some checking and this is the first time a 2.5D anime adaptation has appeared outside of Asia. Did Attack on Titan work as a musical?

Surprisingly yes, although I think anyone who wandered in off the streets would've been thoroughly confused. The themes that attracted most of us to the series translate wonderfully to the stage, and despite knowing the story well, they managed to make it feel fresh. Carla's death, for instance. When she realized she was trapped and facing certain death, her song to Eren and Mikasa was a children's lullaby about survival. That portion of the manga always hit me hard, but the desperation, horror and love set to a lullaby? Damn it musical, you made me cry.

The original scene of Hange leading a Titan Biology class might be my favorite of the entire show. The actor who played Hange was the perfect amount of unhinged and delightful as they dance across the table while the 104th answered a pop quiz. (And yes to "they" since the playbill specifically mentions that the actor in the role was known for her portrayal of nonbinary characters.) It was genuinely hilarious.

The musical covers the first 11 chapters of the manga, stopping in the "Struggle for Trost" arc, where the plan for Eren to plug the hole in the wall was conceived but not yet executed. I remember reading that portion of the manga years ago and feeling that same sense of optimism. So the musical ends on a high. Humans finally have a way to win against the titans, It felt like a strange place to end, knowing what ultimately happens in the story, so I wondered if the intention is for a part 2 musical adaptation.

(btw, the staging of "can you plug the hole" had Eren and Levi kneeling closely on the floor together with a manly shoulder clasp looking earnestly at each other. It had me looking at my very ereri friend with raised eyebrows. It was for sure her favorite moment.) What was the performance like?

The short run 2.5D musicals don't have the polish or production budget of a true broadway musical, but it was still wildly entertaining. Since the director is known for breakdance and hiphop, there was plenty of that. The dance numbers were fun. The songs were catchy.

Rather than try to describe it, here's a TikTok review that shows off the 3dmg, the titans, and that two minute head spin that no one could shut up about.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by mixed feelings (@mixed.feelings)

Also, the cast could not have been for perfect. I mean LOOK AT THEM!

From this tweet

Who was in attendance?

As I mentioned before, this was a first in many ways so it attracted people from all over the world. While I was opening my blind box items, I met a group older women from Japan who'd travelled to New York from Tokyo and had purchased tickets to every single NY performance. Their English wasn't great, and my Japanese is nonexistent, but what surprised me the most wasn't their dedication to the show, but that they seemed genuinely surprised to see me. I don't know if that was because I too am an older fan like them, or if they weren't expecting equally passionate westerners at the show but I tend to think it was both. I suspect the Japanese fandom has no idea how big this series is outside of Japan, or that it attracts such a diverse audience.

My podcast partner Luna was sitting next to two women who'd flown in from California. They knew nothing about Attack on Titan but were fans of the actor who played Eren. Since it was his first time performing outside of Japan, they came solely to see him.

On my flight home was a 22 year old wearing an Attack on Titan musical t-shirt. We started talking and I learned it was his first time in New York, his first time seeing a broadway musical, and his first time traveling alone. He just loves the series that much.

In general the audience was much younger than what you'd normally see at a broadway show and 100% more excited. Plenty of people were in cosplay or else wearing Attack on Titan clothing. The atmosphere was insane.

My merch haul

The mug and t-shirt sold out before the second show so I was glad I was there early to snag them. The playbill is selling on Mercari for almost $50. Sadly my poster didn't survive the trip home. It cracked in about 50 places.

Did you do anything else in NYC

Aside from hanging out with so many of my favorite people, the Kodansha Popup House was going on. It was incredibly cool.

We met up with James from the Titan Teatime podcast. I think the plan is do a joint podcast in a few weeks to get everyone's thoughts . I'll post more about that if it actually happens.

Final Thoughts

Rumor has it that the show's successful New York run could mean it will branch out further. If it goes to London, nothing will stop me from being there. It was that much fun, and I can't wait to share the experience with my European friends.

[cat3ch1sm]

💚~ hi!! this is my first fic in so long, im so sorry for disappearing for almost two months ... idk I've been at a loss for motivation for a while. happy new years i guess😭. but it's a story based off of @a-hazbin-reader recent headcanons about alastor (first hazbin hotel writing!! exciting !!) i happened to come across it and immediately saw a fic idea finally. all credits to them and the person who requested the original writing (hope they see this too lololol) !!! also yes my anime writings will also return so yayy im officially back!!

heads up this is super long it's like 15 pages cause ya girl got a little carried away 😅 i hope you all enjoy and reqs are open for all!

🌲❦(๑˙❥˙๑)~ mentions of violence , abuse, bit of blood, alcohol, language, lewd language a little bit at the start, fem!reader

alastor x fem!reader

"Angel. Are you able to draw absolutely anything else?"

The aforementioned spider demon stared straight at Charlie with his brow arched and a shit-eating smirk on his lips. Beside his face he haughtily held up a sheet of paper with one of four hands, a drawing depicting nothing other than a giant penis.

"Nope." He popped the "p."

The hotel residents and employees, including Angel, Husk, Vaggie, Nifty, you, and Alastor were doing Charlie's usual scheduled feel-good activity. The devil's daughter had given out paper and pencils, gathered everyone in a circle and told everyone to draw something that made them happy. And of course Angel Dust, lewd as always, had spent a frankly concerning amount of time drawing the member currently on display on his paper.

Everyone just stared at the drawing in silence. Examining it while Angel continued to hold it up with not an ounce of shame on his face.

"Why is it... anatomically correct?" you finally questioned, tilting your head and squinting at the piece.

Vaggie, sitting beside her girlfriend, let out an exasperated groan, looking from the drawing to Angel with undisguised revulsion. "Angel Dust. First you drew pills, then you drew a liquor bottle, and for the last three goddamn turns we've given you, you've drawn a dick. Come on. Are you even trying-"

"Whadd'ya mean?" Angel asked innocently. "Charlie said to draw somethin' that makes me happy. Dicks make me happy. And as a worker here, you shouldn't be judgin' me," the porn star added smugly, making Vaggie let out an impatient growl.

Business as usual in the Hazbin Hotel.

"Well, I mean, you can't really say he didn't try," Husk deadpanned in a gravelly voice. "I mean, look at the vein-"

Ding dong!

"Oh, wow, hey, someone's at the door!" You'd never seen anyone move as fast as Charlie in that moment, and Vaggie was in close pursuit. In a split second, Nifty's tiny frame was flying after them both.

"Someone's at the door!" Nifty repeated in a high-pitched voice.

"Right. While they're distracted, I need a damn dick- fuck. Drink," Husk snapped, rising from his place on the floor. Angel immediately started laughing while Husk wasted no time lighting into him. "Shut up. You and your fucking anatomically correct dick got into my head," you could hear Husk snarl while Angel's taunting laughs never ceased as they headed off to the bar.

With those two gone, it was just you sitting in the circle, blinking. "Right," you murmured, standing up and dusting yourself off.

"Well, my dear? What did you draw?" came the oh-so-familiar drone of the Radio Demon's voice from the corner of the room. You couldn't help the smile that spread across your lips at the sound of it, and glanced up to see Alastor standing with his trusty mic stand, beckoning you to come closer. Of course, you obliged.

You scoffed a little, smile turned slightly sarcastic. "Well... I was going to draw you, but Angel suddenly became the Picasso of Penises and I didn't get around to it."

Alastor laughed good-naturedly, wrapping an arm around your waist and planting a gentle kiss on your head. "Ah, always the sentimental one, aren't you, my dear? Well, no matter. It's the thought that counts."

Your smile turned genuine again at his gesture and Alastor noticed. "There's that smile, sweetheart. Now, if you'd just keep it on your face at all times without fail, we could be quite the formidable pair."

You kissed your teeth with mock exasperation and lightly shoved Alastor away. "Oh, here you go again. And I thought we were having a moment. Alastor, my face just cannot stay like yours for that long-"

Before you could finish your sentence, Charlie came rushing back into the room, her sudden entrance startling you a little. She made her way up to you and Alastor. "Hey, um, Y/N? There's a woman at the door who says she's looking for you. She seems really upset."

Your face wrinkled in confusion. Someone looking for you? You weren't friends with anyone really outside the Hotel and those affiliated with it, so you had no clue who would be searching for you. You glanced at Charlie with a "What's going on?" look and with some reluctance pulled away from your boyfriend's grip to follow her.

As you neared the lobby, you heard a distressed-sounding voice in the door, and confusion growing you walked a little faster to the entrance. But before you could even register who the visitor was, she'd thrown her arms around you, fingernails digging painfully into your skin. But the stench of her familiar perfume wafting unwelcomed into your nose, into your mouth, smothering you and strangling you let you know the identity of this woman without even having to see her face.

You instantly stiffened, limbs suddenly like metal rods, not at all softening into her embrace. Your eyes went wide and you could feel your pulse speeding up.

"Mother?"

"My love! Oh, my precious girl!" she cried, pulling out of that suffocating hug for a moment to cup your cheeks in her cold hands, hands that no matter how gently they touched you their touch would always sting. She peered into your eyes with watery ones of her own, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I missed you so, my dear. This is where you've been hiding? I was so dreadfully worried!" Her eyes, always scrutinizing, ran up and down your figure in the way that made you want to tear the flesh from your bones.

"Oh, and I was worried you were starving somewhere. You were such a frail, skinny thing before on Earth. It's a great relief to see you've put some weight on your bones."

And the first stone was thrown.

"Mother." It was the only word you could seem to utter, fighting the urge to throw up, bile collecting in your throat. Her voice was like a slap to the face, and it was only your mother's grip that kept you from actually staggering backward. And how the others were just staring, awed, at the scene, Charlie's eyes sparkling with tears, Vaggie with a hand on her shoulder and a knowing smile, Angel and Husk watching contentedly from a distance, and Nifty clinging to Alastor who was smiling as usual. God, if you didn't vomit right fucking now, you'd be surprised. But you knew what they all saw in their clouded vision- a heartfelt reunion between mother and daughter. But really? It more closely resembled a predator at last capturing its prey.

You really couldn't hear what she was saying over the pounding in your head, but somehow you were in her arms again, and she was fawning and cooing over you like you were a child, showering you with kisses that burned like molten iron and rocking you back and forth. Always she loved to put on a show, loved being the center of attention.

It made you sick.

You managed to come out of your stupor long enough to shove your wailing mother away, unfazed by her crocodile tears. It was like waking up from a haze. She stumbled back slightly, and you backed away, your entire demeanor hardening. Your tone was flat when you spoke.

"What are you doing here?"

You apparently weren't doing that clean a job of masking your emotions, because the venom in your voice caught even you off guard. Your mother looked hurt- that act wasn't new to you, either- and your friends and partner surrounding you shot you disapproving and mildly disgusted looks that clearly wondered why you were being so cold to your own mother. You dropped your eyes to avoid the accusing stares, unable to slow your breathing and fighting the desire to lash out. Charlie looked bewildered and hurt, Angel Dust arched a brow, Husk appeared disapproving and Vaggie’s venomous expression said everything she wanted it to. How dare they look at you like you were the bad guy without knowing shit! She couldn't care less if you lived or died. She was here because she wanted something, and nothing more. Perhaps she heard about your role in the extermination of the Extermination and wanted a piece of the popularity you'd recently found yourself gaining. Or she came because she was probably destitute, the frivolous bitch, and wanted to suck up to either you or the powerful people you were now associated with. Whatever it was, you didn't care. You wanted her gone.

But it was clear she had no intention of leaving.

"All this time, and not one visit. And she never calls," your mother moaned in anguish, now addressing her new audience. "Perhaps I wouldn't have to track you down like a bloodhound if you would just come see your poor mother every once in a while." Her voice was overflowing with hurt and heartbreak you just could feel wasn't genuine. Before you knew it, she had broken down into sobs again, and you could only stand there stiffly, rage boiling, while the always empathetic Charlie moved to comfort the woman, rubbing her back soothingly while she sent Nifty off to get her tissues for her tears. The dirty look Vaggie shot you- "How cruel of you to do this to your innocent mother,” it said- sent heat rushing straight to your chest. Jesus fucking Christ, how could they fall for this shit? Your stomach twisted again, and this time you actually did nearly puke, suppressing a dry heave.

You did not pay any mind to your mother's display- you refused to give her the satisfaction. You turned in the opposite direction, arms folded, nails digging into your skin hard. You felt nothing seeing her cry but bitterness and icy detachment.

"I don't want to see you-"

"Well, now- who do we have here?"

Alastor appeared from the shadows with his sharp-toothed grin, glancing at you first and then your weeping mother. Before you could stifle it, a rush of hope surged through you- if anybody could get this infernal woman to leave, it would be Alastor. You turned towards him, hoping he would see how distressed you were- he was typically fairly perceptive when it came to you and your feelings. But alas, your mother caught his attention first, peering up at the Radio Demon standing over her with teary eyes and wet cheeks, a piteous expression on her face.

"The Radio Demon? Oh, well, a being like you mustn't worry about who I am. I'm just- a poor mother come to visit her daughter. But she... doesn't seem to want to see me." She sighed in a melancholy manner and slowly unburied her face from the tissue she'd been holding. "I suppose I will simply see myself out."

"Oh, nonsense. Y/N's mother, are you? I absolutely cannot allow you to remain on the streets. I insist that you stay." Alastor extended a hand out to your mother, his maniacal smile gone suspiciously gentle. It was disgustingly familiar; it was the smile he reserved normally just for you. "As... abrasive as your daughter may seem at the moment"- you felt him cast a look over at your back turned to him- "I'm sure she wouldn't want you suffering like this. Please, you're welcome to remain here."

You wanted to cry when he said this- could he really not see who this woman was? Did he really think you were just being testy? And when your mother took his hand and held it for much too long, you could take it no longer. And as everyone crowded your mother, showering her with welcomes and greetings and kindness, you pushed past everybody and walked straight out of the hotel doors, the last thing you saw being the tauntingly smug smirk on your mother's face before you slammed the doors behind you.

When you returned to the hotel, drunk, night had fallen. You hadn't seen any of your hotel mates since you'd left, and as far as you knew nobody went after you after your abrupt exit. Who the hell cared about that now, though? You'd talk to them about your deranged mother when you got inside, without her presence. Perhaps Alastor had just been being nice when he told her she could stay, and they hadn't actually been blind to why you were acting the way you were. Maybe they were just being supportive of a guest when they saw you acting out of the ordinary, knowing you usually were never snappy and stony, and still took her side. Maybe so.

You wished you hadn't had so much to drink.The pounding in your head was worse than when your mother had shown up earlier and your eyelids felt heavy. You had tripped a minimum of ten times on the way back and almost let two thugs take you in their car with them. You hated being drunk, but your mother you hated more.

With unsteady hands you pushed open the doors of the Hazbin Hotel, vision blurring a little. You weren't amazing with alcohol, and again, being drunk wasn't your favorite thing. But the moment you entered, you realized you weren't nearly drunk enough.

In the lobby sat your boyfriend, Alastor, enjoying a cup of tea with none other than your mother. The two were laughing together, which incensed you enough, but what made you wish you'd just blacked out at that bar was when you caught sight of your mother's hand on top of Alastor's as they shared a laugh over God knows what.

It didn't take long for the two to notice you in the doorway, a turbulent, unreadable expression on your face, standing as still as a statue as you took in the scene. Your mother turned to you and smiled, waving the hand with the cup of tea in it.

"Why, darling, we hadn't realized you left! Alastor is quite a charming gentleman. We were just having a moment." She slipped her hand from on top of his with a slightly mischievous smile.

Oh, she knew exactly what she was doing. You had no fucking clue how, but somehow your mother had discovered that Alastor and you were an item. She wasn't sitting here with anyone else but Alastor, drinking tea with him, laughing with him, holding his hand. And she was wearing makeup she hadn’t had on when she’d first come in the hotel- red painted on her lips, blush dotted on her cheeks and glitter on her eyelids in a display clearly meant to make an impression on Alastor and Alastor alone. It wouldn’t be the first time she'd gone after one of your partners, but it angered you no less- it was like the woman wanted to take your place somehow.

Alastor turned to you as well with a smile, but when he saw the look in your eyes, his brow furrowed ever so slightly. However, he made no comment at your slightly disheveled appearance and picked up his expression once more. 

“Why, hello, my dear. Your lovely mother was just telling me about her life before you,” Alastor enthused. “A lively woman she was! I’ve heard story after exciting story. Quite a wild one, indeed- rather unlike you, sweetheart.”

You gave Alastor what could only be described as what is called ‘the thousand-yard stare,’ expression flat, not knowing really what to say to that. Despite the fact that you were in a bit of a daze still, either from the alcohol or the fact that your mother was on a date with your boyfriend, the haughty, self-superior expression on your mother’s face was not lost on you. Nor were the cow eyes she was giving him, or how when Alastor reached for the teapot to refill his cup her hand was conveniently already on the dish, lingering beneath his for what felt like hours.

She turned to Alastor, looking up at him with that sickly sweet, beaming grin of hers that she always plastered on her face when she was really about to lay it on. “I’m still wild if you ever care to find out,” she purred, batting her lashes at Alastor with an unmistakable air of seduction. 

Before you could even register it, you heard yourself saying, “Get out.”

Both your mother and Alastor turned to face you, your mother’s face having dropped and Alastor’s eyes piercing into yours. 

“What?” your mother asked, looking at you with wide, glassy eyes. You truly saw red for a moment, knowing damn well those tears were as false as Angel’s lashes, and the twitching in your muscles to just lash out was almost painfully difficult to stifle. Alastor’s smile wavered a little as his eyes darted from you to your blubbering mother, who had already started her shit.

You advanced forward, your stride making your mother jump and Alastor stand, and without hesitation tore her hand from Alastor’s, yanking her arm with force that momentarily startled even you. She was pulled from her chair and forced to stand up. 

Her voice full of anguish, she pleaded, “Baby girl, what did I do wrong?” However, unmoved by her over-the-top performance, you’d already started dragging her out, not bothering to respond to her or explain why you were throwing her out. She already knew; you could see past the tears and wails and her struggles to pull away from you. Fueled by fury, distress and the afterbuzz of the alcohol, you hauled your protesting mother out of the hotel, pitilessly leaving her outside in the dark, and forcefully slammed the doors behind her. There were muffled screams of your name coming from the other side, her fists pounding on the door, but after a bit they faded away.

The moment she was gone you instantly felt as if a weight had been lifted off of your chest, slumping against the door with a breath of exertion and relief. But that relief quickly dissipated when you locked eyes with Alastor, who was advancing on you, his smile obviously strained. The way he spat your name at you made you shrink back slightly, realizing that he was actually not pleased.

“You cannot just throw your own mother out like that. Into the streets? My dear, that is no way to treat your mother. And frankly, it’s rude.”

You felt anger rising once more, but you didn’t want to start anything with Alastor despite the fact that he had no idea what he was talking about. Of course it looked simply like bad etiquette from his standpoint; he had no idea who your mother was. And somehow you didn’t feel it was proper to tell him- you knew how much he valued his own mother and mothers in general, and as sweet as you had always thought that was, you knew he and his rosy view of maternal relationships wouldn’t understand and perhaps not allow for your turbulent relationship with your own mother. And you didn’t want to be the one to tarnish his otherwise endearing perspective by explaining how abhorrent of a person your mother was. So despite how much you just wanted to scream at him, to tell him he had no clue what was really going on, you kept your composure, inhaling shakily.

“Alastor, please. You- you don’t know what you’re talking about. So just stay out of it, alright?”

“She’s your mother, not the devil, dear.” Alastor’s tone was back to normal, and he was speaking in his usual radio voice as if he was talking to just anyone, and it made your stomach churn. 

“She’s not innocent, Alastor, she’s in Hell-”

“Ah, but so are you and I, sweetheart.”

Your face crumpled, and you found yourself coming up short for a rebuttal. Before you could stop them, tears started to well in your eyes, frustrated that you couldn’t get through to him. Out of spite and pride, you blinked them back harshly. Alastor tilted his head and started to come towards you, his mic stand clacking on the ground as he walked, and for a moment you felt a glimmer of hope, thinking that he truly wanted to talk and get to the bottom of your animosity towards your mother. 

But the Radio Demon breezed right past you and, before you could stop him, opened the door, and your mother whom you’d thought had given up at last and left waltzed right back in, suddenly no longer the aggrieved mother you’d thrown out and back to beaming a mile a minute. The self-assured smirk she sent your way had your blood boiling with rage, and you felt powerless to act. You wanted to slap that smirk off of her face, but why wouldn’t she smirk? She had Alastor exactly where she wanted him, and both of you knew it. 

“I apologize sincerely for the earlier… incident,” Alastor told your mother with a note olf sympathy in his voice, and again he took her hand; you had to tear your eyes away, back to the scene.

“Aren’t you charming!” your mother exclaimed, voice pleasant and upbeat. ‘Don’t even think of it, I’ve already forgotten.”

“You’re too kind, miss. But in order to make up for it, I’d like to offer you to spend the night. I would hate to send a lovely woman such as yourself out on the streets of Hell after sundown. I implore you.”

Fucking Christ. You didn’t even have to see her to know the way she was grinning at you. Your shoulders tensed, rising to your ears, and the tears burned hot in your eyes. Not wanting to give her the satisfaction, you bit your inner cheek hard enough to draw blood so as to not make the slightest sound alerting her to your tears.

“What a kind invitation. It’s nice to know at least somebody wants me here.” An icy silence from you. “It’d be rather rude not to accept; I would be happy to spend the night.”

“Lovely!” Alastor praised. 

You couldn’t take any more. Unable to stifle your sobs, hot tears falling down your cheeks, you tossed back a cracked “I’m going to bed,” and stormed out of the lobby with your head down, rushing upstairs as fast as you could and ignoring Alastor’s calls of your name. Just as you slammed the door to your room, you heard your mother say, “Oh, don’t worry about her. Let her cool off for a bit, and then I’ll go after her. A mother always knows how to cheer up her child.”

It was quiet now. Hours ago Angel Dust had returned from his work and Charlie and Vaggie had locked up for the night. Nifty had been, though with much effort, put to bed by Husk who had then closed up the bar and retired himself. You didn’t know where your mother or Alastor were, and you didn’t want to. 

You were the only one up now, and you had finally run out of tears. Your head was stuffy, your eyes were sore and bloodshot, and you could feel the beginnings of a hangover coming on. It felt like days you’d spent just crying in your bed, unable to suppress the emotion you’d felt since your mother reappeared that morning. Charlie had actually come to check on you earlier, worried, along with Vaggie, but Alastor had told them to let you be for now. You’d heard their muffled conversation from outside your door.

You just wished Alastor would understand, that they all would understand. Your mother wasn’t a mother. She didn’t nurture, she didn’t love, all she did was belittle you, bully you, and take from you. Yet never once had you been able to figure out what you’d ever done to her. You had tried so hard to help and to please her as a living child, then teenager, then adult- tending to your siblings when she was out on the town, working multiple jobs to take care of the house while she spent the day blackout drunk and the nights in the city, and still desperately believing she would change, you sent her portions of your salary when you grew older and begged her to utilize the money, but she always blew it on material shit. And as if it wasn’t enough that you had to be the mother to yourself and your siblings, she beat you too, mostly when she was drunk but sometimes you felt it was just for her amusement or to make you feel small and worthless. As a teenager she did nothing but sabotage you- you couldn’t ever have friends over because she was always passed out on the couch or acting erratic and stinking of cheap liquor, and you had to fight like hell to get your siblings out of there after you left home for school. And yet you had still had hope for her.

That all changed when you came to Hell. It was the end of the road for real now, and you figured there was no point trying to reconcile with your mother anymore. So you’d left her in the past, thinking it was over, finally allowing yourself a little peace. But you hadn’t realized the extent of the resent you’d been harboring until she showed up at the doorstep of the Hazbin Hotel. All those feelings just came rushing back.

Another hour or so passed and your swollen eyes were dried out and heavy-lidded. Exhausted from fretting about your mother and regretting the amount you'd had to drink, you turned over in your bed with a stifled groan and closed your eyes, hoping that sleep would finally find you and you could escape the events of the day at least for a little while. But just as you were drifting off, you were startled by the sound of your bedroom door opening.

You let out a moan that was half confusion and half sleepiness, and rolled over just a little to glance at the door through hazy eyes. “Alastor?” you mumbled questioningly, rubbing your eyes groggily.

But the voice that responded woke you right up.

“Not a chance, pet.”

You sat up instantly, knocking the bedcovers off. In the doorway, a shadowy silhouette in the dimly lit hallway, was your mother. A discordant note of exasperation sounded in your head; the woman couldn't let you be even at this hour? For the moment at least, you were more mildly annoyed than pissed like you were earlier, just wondering what in the hell she could possibly want now.

“Why are you even-”

You cut yourself off and immediately jumped out of the bed just as your mother lunged at you like a pouncing tigress; you'd sensed the attack in the way she had been moving and acted accordingly before she could maul you. It didn't mean it didn't still catch you off guard, though.

Your voice rising, you snapped, “What the hell are you-”

Again you were interrupted when she sprung off the bed and snatched your wrists in her iron grip before you could dodge again; her clasp was tight and bruising and you winced painfully. You caught a glimpse of her eyes in the faint light, and they were inflamed, wild with fury she'd probably been suppressing this whole time. It wasn't a new expression.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” she snarled, voice trembling with fury. 

“What the fuck are you talking about?” you demanded, tearing your wrists from her grasp and moving a distance away from her so she was on one side of the bed and you were on the other. By the bewildered look on her face, she was clearly not expecting you to break away so effortlessly; maybe thinking she could just abuse you like she did when you were a defenseless child.

Like hell.

“What the hell are you even mad at me for?”

Your mother, seething, launched more accusations at you. “You think you're better than me, now, is it? Saw your sorry ass on the news after that damn Extermination rebellion. Bet it took your ego up a few notches killing those Exorcists, huh? And now that you're in some fancy hotel, dating some powerful boytoy and hiding behind hell's princess, you think you can just get rid of me?”

“Apparently fucking not, because here you are. And I'm not hiding. I'm trying to get away from you.”

Your mother let out a bitter, droll laugh. “Oh, you think that's how this works?” she hissed in an icy manner, and even though you were already a good distance away you backed up further still. “Think again, whore. I'm the one who deserves to be here, not some ungrateful little cunt who just happened to fall out of me. If I have to live destitute in the back alleys of Hell, so do you.”

The heartless insults and vulgarities she hurled your way would have shattered the living version of you. But it was about time your mother learned that you were no longer the pleading daughter you’d been on Earth, and instead of piercing your heart the names merely bounced off of you.

“You might recall I spent my whole damn life trying to help you,” you answered with equal coldness. “And for nothing, too, because here the hell we both are. Don't blame me because you turned out to be the nothing you always were.”

Without warning, she lunged at you, rushing forward like a charging bull, and though you tried to dodge she managed to snatch a handful of your hair and slam your head into the wall. You let out a cry of shock and pain and spots exploded in front of your vision before you reached up, tore her hand from your head and shoved her forward. You advanced again, teeth bared and fists balled, unwilling to let her get up- but before you could swing, there was a crackle in the air- and what followed was a cacophony of static, crackling, and microphone feedback that would've deafened an elephant. But the sound wasn't new to you, and you weren't surprised in the least when you lifted your eyes to see Alastor, smile maniacal and glowing red eyes wild as he entered the room. The sudden explosion of sound made your mother flinch and clap her hands over her ears, and seeing your opening, you kicked her to the ground; her head hit the wall rather roughly and she lost consciousness, her body going limp. You were breathing heavily, staring at her body sprawled on the ground without pity.

Alastor's eyes lost their luminescence and his smile softened; and he came over to you, attempting to touch you, but you shied away. You weren't necessarily ready to forgive him; if he'd just done a little more pushing and hadn't invited your mother here with you, this could have been avoided. You dropped your eyes to the floor.

“I'm sorry, my dear,” Alastor offered in a voice that was sufficiently staticky. “I wasn't too kind to you today.”

You wanted to say, no shit, but held your tongue, back to him still. Feelings of resent still swirled within you, but admittedly, hearing his apology did make them dissipate a little.

“Why is it you didn't simply tell me she was like this?”

Now you were silent not out of spite but more because…you simply didn't know what to say? Where were you to even begin? How would you explain that you didn't want to somehow tarnish his view of mothers by explaining your history with your own? And that you didn't want him to feel guilty about having a good relationship with his mother while yours was knocked out on the floor in front of you? And that you didn't want him to lose his love of mothers because you were unfortunate enough to have a shitty one? 

Somehow you managed to splutter all of that into something coherent, because Alastor gathered you in his arms without waiting for your approval, which you didn't mind, finally feeling somewhat okay since your mother had first shown up. You felt his hands in your hair, taming the out of place strands, and he lifted your wrists to his eyes, tutting in disapproval when he saw the bruises beginning to form. He settled for wordlessly kissing the deepening marks gently, but when he spotted the gash on your head where your mother had slammed you into the wall, his smile turned positively venomous. His head did a full 180 on his neck, which always made you cringe, to glare at your groggily awakening mother, who froze in her position on the floor when she caught his alarming gaze.

Alastor turned back to you, static popping in the air, and his smile grew- if that was even possible. “Well, sweetheart? What would you like me to do with her?”

You were frankly tired now of fighting your mother, who had staggered from the ground, rage still evident in her visage but with Alastor present she wasn’t about to act. So with a weary sigh, slumping into Alastor’s chest, you muttered, “I just want her gone.”

“Anything you wish.” And within the next few minutes, Alastor had summoned Nifty, who was more than eager to take out the trash, and had the tiny janitor drag your mother from your room by her hair. You lost sight of the two after they left, but by the way Nifty was giggling the entire time she was hauling your mother, you had a feeling the next several hours wouldn’t be too enjoyable for her.

You’d been on edge the whole day, but you didn’t quite realize the sheer amount of tension your mother’s presence had placed on you until it was only you and Alastor inside the room. His hand traced soothing circles around your back, and you finally felt like you could breathe.

The morning, after what seemed like centuries, finally did arrive. You were already up although day had barely broken, and that was because the earlier commotion had disturbed the hotel residents and they had literally gotten you and Alastor (who had evidently felt bad enough to spend the rest of the night with you, which he didn’t often do for posterity reasons, kissing the side of your head where it was wounded and apologizing once more) up out of bed to barrage you both with an onslaught of questions (and Nifty remaining suspiciously silent save the occasional maniacal giggle). With some reluctance you gave the group a brief explanation of everything that had gone down, Alastor standing beside you with a protective hand on your shoulder. Long story short, everyone basically grasped that they’d fucked up by allowing your mother in and judging you harshly about it, and before long Charlie was in tears and begging for you to forgive her, Vaggie had admitted her remorse over it, Angel Dust was shifty-eyed and sheepish, and Husk apologized to you formally. You dismissed the apologies with a grateful look, and that seemed to satisfy them all except Charlie, who you had to tell straight out you truly did forgive her at least five times and that only set her off bawling again to the point Vaggie had to carry the girl out.

Alastor, although one couldn’t tell by his face, apparently did feel guilty about his involvement in the whole fiasco because he took you out for breakfast and spent the rest of the day with you, and by the time night fell once more your cheeks hurt from smiling so much and your spirits were significantly lifted. It wasn’t until the two of you were in bed together (again, your lucky day, you didn’t even have to convince him) that he broke the long, contented silence you two had been sharing to inform you curtly:

“You didn’t ruin my opinion of mothers, you know.”

You sat up at this, eyes wide with hope and relief. He rose along with you to meet your gaze.

“I didn’t?”

“Oh, no. My dear, I love my own mother dearly, but don’t think I’m not aware that others may not have the same relationship with their own mothers. I did admire your resilience, though, and though it really wasn’t necessary, I do appreciate your attempt to spare my feelings. If I do say so myself”- his hand came to rest on your lower belly- “you seem like you’d make quite a stellar mother yourself.”

“Alastor.”

“Merely a thought.”

[signor-signor]

This month, it will have been 10 years (one decade) since Craig McCracken made a pitch for Season 3 of Wander Over Yonder, several months before Disney turned it down. While we wait for Craig to finish up whatever he’s been working on since he left Netflix (specifically, Foster’s Funtime for Imaginary Friends), let’s ask ourselves:

How do we get SaveWOY and other related material back on track in an effort to convince Disney to give WOY proper closure?

In other words…

How do we renew interest in reviving WOY?

Thanks to a user on a SaveWOY Facebook group, we have the information to explain it all…

Remember that Securing Disney’s approval is just Step 1, but to truly make a Wander Over Yonder revival work, we need Craig McCracken and the original creative team on board. Without them, the show risks losing what made it special in the first place.

STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL WOY REVIVAL

STEP 1: CONVINCE DISNEY TO GREENLIGHT THE PROJECT

• Show Disney that WOY still has a passionate fanbase and potential for success.

• Push for Disney+ as the ideal home, where revivals like The Clone Wars and The Proud Family have thrived.

• Emphasize the unfinished story—Disney knows that fan outcry for closure (Gravity Falls, The Owl House) can influence decisions.

STEP 2: ENSURE CRAIG MCCRACKEN & KEY CREATORS ARE INVOLVED

• Craig McCracken’s Approval is Crucial. WOY is his vision—without him, it wouldn't be the same. His presence ensures consistency in tone, characters, and storytelling.

• Other Key Members Needed - Jack McBrayer (Wander): His voice defines Wander’s character—recasting him would be a mistake.

Andy Bean (Composer): His music shaped WOY’s energy and emotional moments.

Other Writers & Animators: The humor, heart, and art style need the original team’s touch.

STEP 3: CAMPAIGN FOR THEIR RETURN

• If Disney says yes to a revival, the next step is getting Craig and his team excited about returning.

• Make it clear to Disney that a WOY revival must have the original team to succeed.

BOTTOM LINE

Getting Disney’s approval is the first major hurdle, but without Craig McCracken and his team, a third season wouldn’t be the same. Fans need to push for WOY’s return with the original creative team intact to preserve its heart and magic!

But that’s not all.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR GAINING MORE SUPPORT

1. Clarifying That WOY Wasn’t Meant to End at Season 2 - Some potential supporters might think WOY had a proper ending, so they don’t see the need for a revival.

The campaign needs to spread awareness that Craig McCracken had a full third season planned and that the final episode wasn’t a real conclusion.

2. Attracting Fans of Other Shows That Got Proper Closures - Fans of shows like Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, or The Owl House—all of which got finales—might not feel the urgency to fight for WOY unless they understand that it was left unfinished.

Making the case that WOY deserves the same closure as those shows can help gain their support.

3. Using Other Fan Revivals as Inspiration - Campaigns like Young Justice and The Clone Wars proved that strong fan demand can bring back shows, even years later.

Showing that WOY has unfinished business makes the case even stronger—this isn’t just nostalgia, it’s about completing the story.

WHAT FANS CAN DO NOW

• Emphasize the Cliffhanger: Social media campaigns should highlight that WOY never got its intended ending.

Posts, videos, and petitions should stress that Season 2 was not a real finale.

• Engage Fans of Other Shows: Get Gravity Falls, Owl House, and Amphibia fans interested by framing WOY as the next show that needs proper closure.

Many of those fans already fought for extended content and could help boost the movement.

• Create Buzz Around Craig’s Original Plan: More people need to know that a fully planned Season 3 existed, but Disney shut it down.

Spreading concept art, old interviews, and Craig’s vision for Lord Dominator’s arc could build more excitement.

BOTTOM LINE

The more people understand that WOY wasn’t actually completed, the easier it will be to get broader fan support. The campaign needs to educate people on the cliffhanger and show why a Season 3 or TV movie is necessary to give the series the ending it deserves!

I couldn’t have said it all better myself.

[thedinosapien]

I was thinking about the theory of Brooklynn being Ben's girlfriend. I know it isn't that strong anymore, but I once made a very long comment refuting this theory bc someone thought it makes sense and was kind worried. So why not post it here? Have fun:

> User afraid of the theory bc Ben and Brooklynn were very close in CT

>

I'm sorry, but you talked about Ben's girlfriend, so I CAN'T shut up.

Your points are valid, as is your concern. But I'm 98% sure his girlfriend exists, and if it's not too much trouble, I'll present the reasons why I think she's an original character and not Brooklynn:

Although it's not stated in the animation, Ben is more specific about his girlfriend's location in the novelization. He specifies where in Europe: his girl is Italian. As much as Brooklynn travels a lot, I highly doubt she would have imagined that her investigation would take her outside of the US, let alone Italy!

Still following the idea of ​​his girlfriend being Italian, I would like to bring up the point that it has never been shown that any of the campers know this language. But we have confirmation that one of them is learning it: yes, Ben Pincus! In episode 7 of the first season, when he loses his precious Van, he says in Italian "Ciao, cara mia". This suggests that Ben is learning to impress the woman he fell for, as well as reinforcing that what he said in the novel is canon!

Ben most likely talked to Brooklynn about his girlfriend in the flashback in S1. Remember the girl who got her homework eaten by a Pterodon? Yes, besides being a funny parallel to his character in S1 of JWCC (which could indicate that the girl and Pincus have something in common), it's also something that Ben takes very personally. Ben told the story to B and she laughed. But he didn't like her reaction, it almost felt personal because he started justifying it "that wasn't funny for her!" or something like that. His reaction suggests that the student wasn't a random person, but someone he considers, a friend or maybe something more.

Even if Brooklynn was his girlfriend, Ben wouldn't be able to hide it for long. We know how bad he is at lying or keeping a secret. Furthermore, considering Brooklynn's reaction to Darius' confession, we are shown how extremely unlikely it is for her to get into a relationship any time soon. And despite her being a gray character these days, she values ​​her friends very much and would never play with their feelings - this is even more obvious when we consider the letter Brooklynn was going to write to Kenji and the campers (but decided against it because she realized she was in a very dangerous situation), wanting both Kenji and her friends to know about her status.

This would be too adult for the show. Not in the sense that it would be immoral, but in the sense that it would be confusing for kids. Brooklynn used to date Kenji, but broke up with him. Darius likes Brooklynn, but she ambiguously rejects his feelings. Now she's dating Ben? That would be a very dangerous move on the part of the writers and would please absolutely no one.

about the lack of mention of his girlfriend in S2... I can't suggest anything other than "script convenience" or "it's too much information for a single season, let's cut some things". Let's face it, everything happens too fast in this second arc. There's no way to put >another< relationship problem (like, why aren't you answering my messages? Where are you, Ben? or things like that), the poor guy was already suffering and having panic attacks in the jungle. His character arc would be too constricted and perhaps unnatural. But again, this last part is just my guess and not a valid argument like the top 5 things I said.

It is a cool ship and all, but I don't see how it could ever be true ���. I really love the ideia of she being a new character and not someone we already know. I kind of know a lot about her bc she's truly interesting

1 min to 2025 yipeee

[paperclip-skz]

Hyunjin's Love and Leashes (part 3)

First Session

fem*Reader x Hyunjin

*WARNING*

contains: mentions of sexual content, and BDSM references, pet play, second hand embarrassment, this is going to be a lot of parts and little parts to it (there is a cliffhanger at the end)

Also note: This story is HEAVLY influenced by the Netflix movie Love and Leashes. This is just "my" version of it, you could say. I am writing to write and I recommend you watch Love and Leashes. *** This is not an original idea, this IS INSPIRED BY A MOVIE/ANIME**

WC: 3k part 1 part 2

*****

Hyunjin, As we have both confirmed the terms outlined in the contract, I have scheduled our upcoming "Play." Below is the address and your required attire. It is imperative that you arrive fully prepared; failure to do so will result in consequences. Keep your safe words in mind, and do not overthink our agreement. You have the power to end the play at any moment if you choose. Y/N L/N

You sent the email using his contact information from the work database, which included both his personal and work email addresses.

You thought it sounded right—both assertive and lighthearted. God, you were nervous. You set the scene to take place in a hotel. You had paid for a single room on an upper floor, so it was safe to assume that no one would be within earshot of the two of you.

But what would they hear? 

You read online the best way to introduce play is something as simple as instructing the sub into submission. Of course, they were talking about it in more of a sexual sense however you could play this into something innocent…you think.

As you settle into the plush seat of Hyunjin's car, a sense of exhilaration washes over you, and you grip your bag tightly in your lap. The cool leather feels reassuring against your fingers, but it doesn't fully quell the flutter of anticipation swirling in your stomach. The city streets whiz by outside the window, each neon sign and vibrant storefront a blur of color, mirroring the excitement bubbling up inside you.

Hyunjin glances over, his eyes sparkling with a mix of enthusiasm and determination. You can't help but notice the way his knuckles turn white against the steering wheel, a testament to both his focus on the road and the energy he carries with him. Every so often, he steals a glance at you, a broad smile breaking across his face, and you feel that contagious energy draw you in even more. The air is thick with an anticipating buzz that radiates off both of you. 

Your beat is erratic; you can’t possibly imagine what Hyunjin is feeling. The fact that this is his first play also makes this all the more nerve-racking. 

As soon as you both arrive at the hotel, the atmosphere shifts. You step out of the car, the cool air hitting your face, but it does little to soothe the whirlwind of emotions inside you. Every step toward the elevator feels like a mile; your legs tremble slightly as if they might buckle under the weight of your nervousness. With each passing moment, you can feel a buzz of anxiety coursing through your entire body, making your heart race and your palms sweat. You glance at Hyunjin, searching for reassurance, but your mind is racing with a flood of worries and doubts, amplifying the intensity of the moment. The elevator doors slide shut, enclosing you both in a small space, and time seems to stretch as you prepare for what lies ahead.

You both step into the cozy one-bedroom suite. The room has a TV mounted to the wall and a small living area with a pull-out couch folded to the side of the bed. You walk in first, trying to emulate confidence. 

You stride to the bed, where you sit and cross your legs. Your eyes scan over Hyunjin's tensed features, he’s walked in and leaned his body on the side wall, staring at every action you make. 

“Did you bring what I asked?” 

“Yes Ma’am” his body straightens and he squirms to be close to you. He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out the collar and the matching leach you both know all too well. He hands it to you in shaky hands and you take it. You set it on the bed next to you. 

He stays silent, just watching you….what do you do? What exactly are you supposed to do?

You try your hardest to remember what the video said….but then you remember your encounter in the closet. How he reacted when you were clear and stern. “Sit down, Hyunjin” 

His eyes glimmer from your voice, and he begins to find a place on the bed next to you, but you are quick to stop him, “not on the bed” You both hold eye contact, his breath holding. Your eyes dart to the floor, right before you cross your legs. 

The dress you’re wearing fits your body like a glove, perfectly sculpting your silhouette and highlighting your natural shape. The length of the dress falls elegantly just above your knees, making it both professional and sexy for any occasion. 

Hyunjins falls to his knees slowly, his eyes scanning their way up your legs. Your eyes dart to the side where the collar sits, your fingers trace the cool rim of the leather. 

“Have you worn it yet?” you ask bluntly. 

“I haven’t. Just looking at it brings me satisfaction,” he says, his eyes shimmering. 

“But things are meant to be used.” his body reacts by your choice of words. You can see the wave of electricity course through him at the thought of you using him. 

He leans forward so you can securely attach the collar around his neck, and you click the leach into place. You give it an experimental tug that sends him slightly barrelling toward your legs.

A small gasp escapes your lips as he leans in, bracing himself on your knee for support. His sudden movement catches you off guard, and you can feel the warmth radiating from his touch. He quickly glances up at you, his eyes wide with a hint of embarrassment, and stammers out an apology. Despite his words, you can't help but notice the flush that creeps across his cheeks, a deep crimson spreading like wildfire, betraying the vulnerability he tries to mask. The moment hangs in the air, charged with an unexpected intimacy, leaving you both acutely aware of the closeness between you.

Suddenly, a part of the video becomes clear as day in your mind, “simple instruction is the best way to start off” 

Your heart raced wildly in your chest, adrenaline surging through your veins as the moment hung in the air. You took a steadying breath and commanded, “Sit. " Your voice was firm and unwavering, masking the whirlwind of emotions inside you.

For a brief heartbeat, his eyes widened in disbelief, but the surprise quickly melted away as he instinctively fell to his knees, his posture radiating a mix of submission and eager anticipation. 

“Hand,” you instructed, watching intently as he extended his hand toward you. The sound of his palm meeting yours was sharp and clear. 

“Speak” you say again and Hyunjin lets out a broken bark. 

“Good boy,” you cooed, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips as you felt him shiver at your praise.

You pause and think for a moment. You planned this whole night in your head, but when the moment came all ideas left your mind. Until you remembered what you brought. 

You reach behind you and grab the small bag of treats you packed with you, which was actually just a bag of chocolate cookies. "Good boys get treats," you say as you hold out your hand with a single cookie resting in the middle.

He begins to reach for it with his hand but stops when he sees your eyes raised. Then he leans into your hand and takes the treat from your palm, kissing your palm before moving away. 

He’s so gentle, his touch a soft whisper against your skin, every action infused with a sensual energy that ignites your senses. You never imagined it would make you feel this way, so needy, yet completely in cotnrol. He gazes up into your eyes, his chin cradled delicately in the warmth of your palm, and his intense stare seems to penetrate the very depths of your soul, unveiling the unspoken longing within you. Then, with a tender smile, he leans down, brushing his lips against your hand, planting tiny, lingering kisses that send breathtaking shivers along your skin. Each kiss feels like an unhurried promise, drawing you even closer to him.

You are both so caught up in the moment, with barely a whisper to break the thick tension…until you hear something…almost like moaning?

Both you and Hyunjin break away from each other, listening to your assumed neihbors….going at it like rabbits. 

Hyunjin scrunches his face in exaggerated disgust, his playful demeanor taking an unexpectedly wild turn as he starts barking like a genuine dog! Completely immersed in his role, he directs his attention to the couple next door, barking furiously as if warning them of an impending threat. 

Desperately trying to redirect his enthusiasm, you quickly fill your palm with a handful of tasty treats, holding them out like a lifeline while chanting, “Here, here!” in a sing-song voice, hoping to catch his attention.

His gaze flickers back and forth, torn between the intriguing couple and the enticing morsels in your hand. Just as you think you might succeed, a sudden yelp escapes him; he’s accidentally knelt on one of the treats, the sharp discomfort making him whimper in surprise and pain.

( the next day ) 

Haunted by the events of your last “play,” could you even call it that? You were more than embarrassed. You were devastated. 

You were about to call the whole thing off, screw the contract, you were in way over your head. What the hell were you doing? All of this was too much….. 

Y/N,  I hope you're doing well! I wanted to chat about what happened during our session last night. Being a new dom can definitely be a bit tricky, especially if you feel like you didn’t have all the info you needed going in.  I really don’t want you to feel embarrassed or nervous about trying again. If you're up for it, I’d love to set up our next meeting! Just a reminder—our contract is still in place, and you’re in charge; I’ll just pick the setting this time. I can’t wait to hear back from you! Your,  Pretty Boy

 You can’t help but smile at his cheery tone. You write back to him, saying that you are willing to give it another go, but deep down, your stomach twists—either from excitement or discomfort; you're not quite sure which.

(that night)

Hyunjin contacted you the place and time of where to meet. He told you to dress the same as your first play, so you did. That same fitted dress with black heels to compliment it.

It's strange to have a session here. He sent you the address to an elegant restaurant. You walk in and see the doorman nodding to let you in.. the glass floor shines underneath you and the place lights up with a warm hue.  

“Y/Ninne,” you snap to the call of your name, seeing Hyunjin approaching you. 

Your breath is knocked out of you. He’s stunning. He’s wearing a silver-toned suite with a white shirt, making him both elegant and untouchable. He walks with such confidence anyone could be mistaken for what he truly is, for what only you get to see. 

The air escapes your lungs in a gasp as you take in the sight before you. He’s breathtakingly handsome, exuding an aura that commands attention. Clad in a sleek silver-toned suit that glimmers under the light, paired flawlessly with a crisp white shirt, he exudes an aura of elegance that feels almost otherworldly. Every step he takes carries with it an undeniable confidence, demanding attention. To the casual observer, he might appear simple, sophisticated, and dominant. But only you are utterly aware of his deeper truth, to the hidden layers only he has allowed you to see. 

You both share your hellos before Hyunjin, and a waiter guides you out of the central part of the restaurant. You realize you didn’t hear the usual buzz of people eating and talking; in fact, you didn’t hear a single soul. Hyunjin and the waiter guide you around the corner to a separate room, where a table and candles have been set up. 

“I made sure we had the whole place to ourselves,” Hyunjin says, his gaze locking onto yours, filled with a mix of mischief and tenderness. The soft glow of candlelight dances across his features, accentuating those expressive eyes that hold your attention completely.

****

“Can I get you both anything else?” the waiter inquires, interrupting the infectious laughter that had been bubbling between you two. His voice drifts into the cozy atmosphere like an uninvited guest, pulling you momentarily away from your shared joy.

“No, no. I think we may have had a bit too much,” you reply, still smiling. Your voice is laced with playful laughter as you hold your wine glass to your lips, its crimson liquid shimmering in the warm light. 

Hyunjin simply smiles, a soft, understanding grin spreading across his face as he nods to the waiter. The door clicks shut behind him. 

You both pause, waiting for the other to break the silence. “I got you something,” Hyunjin says. 

“Huh?” your eyes go wide; I thought I was supposed to be assigning the gifts. 

Hyunjin reaches under the table to retrieve a box. It is crystal white, shining in the dim lighting, as he places it on the table. He slightly pushes it towards you, and you can see the anticipation bubbling out of him; it makes you smile at just how cute he actually is. 

You take the box carefully and set it in your lap. Once you open the box, your eyes sparkle at the sleek red material of the shoes. The black soles make the red shine and scream at anyone who sees them. The pointed square heel makes your breath hitch.

You trace your heel up to his shoulder, pressing it to leave a mark. He closes his eyes at the pain, but you can see the hint of his smile creeping up. You press enough into his shoulder to leave the faint line of a mark into the fabric of his shirt. “Pl-please”. Your confidence breaks at his weak plea. 

Oh god did I actually hurt him? 

“Jinnie?” your voice laced with worry. 

“Please let me touch you,” he pleas, tears brimming his eyes. 

Your eyes shoot out of your skull. “Uuhh”

“I just want to kiss your skin,” he pauses, “please. let me make you feel just as good as you make me feel,” he cries. 

Dark shadows of doubt whisper seductively in your ear, trying to pull you under. Yet, beneath this seductive chaos, a fiery desire ignites within you, bold and insistent. It’s a sultry voice that commands you to surrender, a tempting “yes” that beckons you closer to the edge of your fantasies. 

You nod your head slowly, putting your leg back against his shoulder. His hand traces the outline of your calf. His head tilts and his lips press against your skin. 

He feels like a delicate flower petal, soft and inviting against your skin, igniting a sensual thrill. Each caress is like a whisper, tantalizing and teasing as it glides over your body. The petal, with its velvety texture and intoxicating fragrance, wraps around you, drawing you into a world of intimate pleasure. 

 He’s just as gentle as he was when he was kissing your palm, but this time, there are no distractions. You lean all the way back against the chair, letting your body relax. You let his kisses trail along your leg, not leading too far. 

He lifts his head slightly to make eye contact with you. You watch him carefully, “kiss me properly,” you dare. 

His eyes grow darker, and his smirk grows. He reattaches his lips to your skin, this time not being as gentle as before. His tongue flicks out to touch your skin, and his teeth gently graze it.

You gently close your eyes, letting the warmth of his presence envelop you. As you savor the moment, the sensation of him lingering just below your thigh sends a shiver of anticipation coursing through you. Hyunjin’s touch is both tender and cautious as if he senses the fragility of this intimate space between you. Each moment stretches, filled with unspoken words and a shared connection, leaving you to wonder how long he will dare to stay at this intoxicating threshold, more tempting than the last.

That shared moment stayed with you for days after, but before that memory could taint you dreams; you took the heels home and said your goodbyes. The second you lay in your bed, you couldn’t fall asleep that night. You kept thinking about how he touched you, how gentle he was, and how his teeth felt against your calf. 

It lead your fingers to trace along the rim of your panties, sliding in every so carefully….you fell asleep easily after that. 😉

~~~~~

Hyunjin couldn’t sleep that night either. Roses, he thought, you smelt like roses. Freshly cut roses that reminded him of the garden he loved when he was a child. He loved that smell. He could easily get addicted to it, but that could be a problem. 

The last thing he needs is to complicate the contract. The last thing YOU need is more pressure on your shoulders. 

But God, those roses drive him nuts. He can feel his heart pounding as he lies in his silk sheets, thinking endlessly about that night in the restaurant. It wasn’t just your smell or the way your skin felt against his lips, or even the dress you were wearing. It was the way you looked at him. Dominating yet tender, that look possesed a gentleness that can send a thrilling chill down anyone's spine.

He could feel his boxers getting tighter, he told himself he would wait. Wait for your permission, for your first order to let him release, but he’s too pent up, too caught up in his own head. All he can see are your eyes, your beautiful eyes….

….oh no…

*****

A.N/

I really hope you guys are liking this little series as much as I am. It's honestly been a blast writing this :🤭 if yall have any suggestions on what you want to see next please don't be shy to leave a comment or ask me in my profile. And I can’t wait to show u want more this little series will bring 😝!

p.s you guys have no idea how excited I get when I see yalls comments!!!!☺

[kimberlyannharts]

At this point Power Rangers has done a few crossover comics, and they've all been some pretty logical and big name choices - the Justice League, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Godzilla. So today's crossover comic is one that definitely took people by surprise - Usagi Yojimbo, the long-running story of a wandering rōnin having adventures in feudal Japan (who also happens to be a bunny rabbit), written and illustrated by Stan Sakai since 1984. While an icon in his own right - funnily enough, he's a regular guest in TMNT properties - I don't think ANYONE really had HIM in mind as a contender for a crossover with Power Rangers compared to more conventional properties like Transformers or even My Little Pony.

After all, what do they know about samurai in Power Rangers?

It's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Usagi Yojimbo!

= So I know I've gone on and on about Shawn Daley's art but I really just need you to look at them again. It just makes me so happy to see a more stylized take on the MMPRs - basically if you took Daniele di Nicuolo's art and ramped up the anime influence by 100. It gives the book that much extra charm

= who the hell is THIS I'm here for the FURRIES not another random boring human!!!!!! it's like I'm playing Animal Crossing

= Jason's attitude in this book annoys me but at the same time it wouldn't be a Ryan book if he wasn't writing Jason in a way that annoys me.

= (also, they knew about the Morphin Masters this early in their Ranger career? I guess Zordon did mention them in an early episode, but.........what have they done that's similar to this that Jason would know about kjkjdkf

= I still think it's very weird that they didn't give the whole "maybe it would be easier if I was fighting alone" to uh.....you know.....Tommy, the loner? Who's so used to fighting alone that he struggled to adjust to a team? But I guess he has a girlfriend and Jason doesn't so.

= Is this a safe space. because the rabbit is pretty hot.

= HAHAHAAAA TOKEN EVIL HUMAN I KNEW IT

= YFIP: THE MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS - assisting the villain, thievery of a powerful artifact, assault against civilians, racism against furries

= Like I've said before Jason's characterization here irritates me a bit but I'll give the book props that someone's actually allowed to call him out on it for once. Like man I wish Tommy in the main series was allowed to tell Jason to shut up once in a while like Usagi does here

= Kim: Tommy, it's 4 pm! Time to go help our friends!

Tommy: yes honey

= Wow, look at these guys! They're like......Shogun Rangers! ............wait a minute

= But seriously, though, I gotta say these are one of the best alternate MMPR designs we've gotten in ages - I LOVE how they apply all of MMPR's little details into each individual user. And the altered weapons are awesome, too. Between these and the Kaiju Rangers we've really been cooking with the alternate forms lately

= And as I said, they did manage to resist the urge to give Usagi a Ranger form. I did like my old "maybe he'll find a Samuraizer" idea, though

= They both nearly died via crystal explosion a few hours ago but all they care about is their cool new outfits, just otp things <3

= I was about to say "well yeah, duh, that's why the Dragonzord doesn't have wings" but then I remembered. oh yeah. technically the Zords aren't Japanese in origin in-universe, are they

= It's nice to see Dragonzord Battle Mode! That was a form that didn't get a lot of spotlight in the comics - I think the only time we really saw it in the main series was Shattered Grid, and not for very long before it got destroyed by Serpentera

= Kim and Usagi only get one real onscreen exchange but she also catches him in the Pterodactyl and they have matching bangs. I'll take this as a win, though Splinter is still her #1 rodent dad

= they are so fucking sad

= I think future books should bring Usagi back or just crossover with him again with no explanation. Make people think he's a PR character just like how people assume he's a TMNT character

[horror-beeings-artandwriting]

Pinned post please read!!!

Quick thanks to @cafekitsune for the dividers and @adornedwithlight for the support banner

Hi hello, not like I’ve done this 3 million fucking times!

I’m Bee! I’m a 18 year old girl! I use she/her pronouns, and am straight! I’m a writer and artist!

My asks are always open so u can just send me anything ya want as long as it ain’t nsfw lol

Here’s my cool persona >:3 I'm multifandom so my fandoms i write for change a LOT

Boundaries

Basic Dni criteria

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This blog is made for mature audiences! plz don’t interact with any of my posts if ur uncomfortable with mature topics!! <3 (also like…13+ duh- cuz TOS)

DNI ANTI LGBTQ U GUYS SUCK BUTT.

Just because you follow me or send me a request doesn’t mean we’re friends don’t treat me as such.

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Now onto request stuff!

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How to request:

Writing request: send in an ask, saying what character you want, if it’s x reader or canon x canon, if it’s platonic, romantic or familial, the pronouns of the reader if there is one! Along side if you want, headcanons, one shot, Drabbles etc.

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Fandoms I write and draw for!

If this emoji 🎨 that means I only am doing art for the fandom rn!

Phighting(including ocs)

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My ocs/original stories

Ultrakill

Blocktales(including ocs)

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What I will write/draw:

Fluff

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Cheating

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I WILL NOT DRAW UR OCS IF I DONT KNOW U!!!

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Extra info

I have adhd, and dyslexia so if I misspell or things take longer I’m sorry!

I have depression so sometimes I post about my feelings on here! Please block #bee should shut up if you don’t wanna see that shit.

F/O List I have extremely low empathy to no empathy due to childhood trauma! (also some genetic stuff) So sorry if I come off as rude I'm trying to get better!

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Anyways hope you enjoy my blog! :3

[asomaton]

In light of the news that Nimona got an Oscars nomination I feel I need to talk about the original Graphic Novel, which I love dearly. It started as a webcomic in 2012 and got published in 2015.

Now the GN got picked up by a Fox animation studio Blue Sky in 2015 but Fox was bought up by Disney who later tore down that studio. Perhaps the story of an estranged knight turned to villain because of image branding and dark ambitions of the empire didn’t sit well? At least the story with overt trans and queer-issues didn’t. I WAS surprised when I heard that Disney picked it up and for a time they did work on it. It was 3/4 part done when they shut it down in 2021.

Now that’s a lot of animation work. In comes Netflix (some good animations there) and Annapurna Studios (some good films, GREAT video games) and saves the day. I was happy but cautious. Didn’t like the trailer or the style, but hey it’s happening right?

Now don’t get me wrong. Nimona is not a bad film. It’s quite good and the way it handles gender and HBTQ issues is refreshing but the movie isn’t you know, amazing. (For everyone who thinks it is, good for you but hear me out).

The graphic novel is about two villains, not two misunderstood pure-hearted persons against the world. Blackheart (Boldheart in the movie 😐) is bitter and cold, Nimona is ferral and violent and people who get in their way DIE. They are hunted by the institute, a faceless dictatorship who do inhumane experiments. The King is never seen, a mere media puppet for the institute. It’s the best villain story I’ve read (and yes, I have read Worm)

The character Nimona is the unacceptable other. An anomaly that must be tamed or destroyed. While not as obvious as in the movie Nimona in the GN is of course a symbol for transgenderism. They transform their looks and form all through the book and at times sees themselves as a monster.

Am I sure of this? Well, the author Nate Diana Steveson went from nonbinary to transmasc/bigender and produced She-Ra so my guess is as good as yours.

Now, reading Nimona makes the movie look VERY tame. Was it the rewrite or the short stay at Disney that changed it? How did Stevenson react to it?

Either way, hurray for movie Nimona. Now, please go read the graphic novel Nimona by ND Stevenson.

[piracytheorist]

Spy x Family Code: White thoughts!

Alright, time to write down my thoughts about the film! I liked it a lot, and for this anime only it was a HUGE satisfactory dose after not having had anything new since December 🥲 there were a few parts that I found meh, and I will mention them here too, but overall I got a very positive view of it!

Related to this, my mom was in the next room where I was sitting watching the film, and when I finished and passed by to get some water, she asked me what film I watched that made me laugh so much. So I think that speaks for itself 😂

Anyway, on to the film!

Having seen the trailer where Twilight rips off the disguise of a woman with long, curly blonde hair, as soon as I saw her here I was like is that her? But then that guy appeared and I recognized his voice and, dare I say I was confused XD

Damn, isn't that past their rating? XD

And then the music started! STRIX theme with a new twist for the film!

I think by this point we've already shrugged away Twilight's ability to make disguises. It gets even crazier near the end, so it should be of no surprise that he just disguised himself as that woman. Lucky she happened to wear a choker, too, good cover for his Adam's apple.

The way they showed the woman wrapped in a blanket underneath the desk, though 😳 that's the kind of visual you'd use to show a character died. What am I supposed to infer from this, guys?!

Then we cut to Yor!

There's a review on letterboxd saying how easy the film is to watch and follow for someone who hasn't watched the original, and I'm happy to hear that because as someone who already knows these characters and their dynamics, it didn't feel like it dragged on too much on that.

Yor, ever being the sweetheart, will call a guy a traitorous scumbag yes but she will be kind as ever when she kills him 🥰

The way she dodged the bullets! Queen! And also a set up to later show her dodge all the ammunition thrown from the shooters and Type F!

This. Was. Amazing. I actually gasped out loud. The animators understood the assignment, 10/10.

Right after that, we see Loid reach his door, and for the first time we see him go to use keys. A few other times I remember anyone opening the door they just... opened it. You'd think an apartment where a spy and an assassin live would have better security! XD

I love how they kinda showed it like Yor was going to attack Loid, and then Loid just turned and went like "Oh hey beautiful wife, welcome home! :D" It must have looked funny for anyone who hasn't seen the anime/manga before XD

Yor wants to cook! Everybody hide!

That... is a horror of an omelet. Yor's cooking is always for the "congrats lil buddy that’s the worst anyone’s ever done it" meme. She does try, though, bless her heart.

Anya evades the horror. And Loid wants to make... peanut butter pizza???? Is that even a thing??? WITH MEAT ON TOP???

What does it say about this film that this isn't the weirdest thing to happen in it

TITLE CARD WITH THE THEME ENDING AND THE ORCHESTRA GOING WILD <3333

Damian, shut the fuck up

... I mean, with a mother like that... I'll give this to him XD

Did Anya call him an asshole? Serves him right, tbh XD

Knowing that the story can't veer a lot far from the anime/manga canon, I already knew Anya wouldn't earn a Stella in that competition. But it was a good set-up for the rest of the film to move on from.

Twilight read Henderson's lips through a window and through the latter's thick moustache, and lip reading is already hard to do accurately, if not nearly impossible. Boy's nuts. But I think it only prepared us for a fucking falcon to fly above him and throw him the message from WISE. Show-offs XD

A rare view of Berlint!

DAAAAMN the higher animation budget is really doing those characters such good favour 🥰

Bro actually read a book by flipping through it. Get outta town.

The idea of having another guy take over Operation Strix from Twilight feels a little shallow. It's already a very delicate and long-term operation, it feels that it wouldn't make sense to replace their best agent with just a dude just because said dude has connections.

Twilight meets with Nightfall outside, and Yor sees them across all those streets (I mean, she is an assassin with a deadly aim) and... she doesn't recognize Nightfall? Is this supposed to take place before Nightfall visits the Forger household?

I mean, at the current time in the anime, Yor is supposed to be over her fear of getting replaced, but I get why they retreated back a little, so they could explain the later scene of Loid taking her hand and reminding her of his vows.

Very conveniently, Yor's coworkers are chatting about cheating men, and Yor, being inexperienced with relationships, immediately believes everything, her suspicions even taking root with what she just saw.

Back home, Twilight thinks about how, since he's dismissed from Operation Strix, he'll have to move out, and the camera shows their happy family picture 🥺 he's not ready to admit his feelings to himself but the narrative is.

Making the dessert that's the favourite of the judge and in particular the one he grew up with feels kinda cheating, no? XD

Come on, Loid. A child filling her bag with toys does not deserve that murder glare 😂

That train looked a little too modern for the supposed 60s/70s aesthetic. I know Germany has some top trains (as does Japan) but like, still XD it's very different from the train we see on the very first episode when Twilight boards one for Berlint.

Lovely visuals, though!

I wonder if there's any system as to how Bond's powers work. He has the vision of Anya finding the suitcase and opening it... but that's creating a sort of paradox because without the vision coming to him and without Anya seeing it, it wouldn't have been made true. I mean, I get why it was put there, but still.

Again, the story needed a little backtracking in order for Yor's doubts to make sense. I'm not sure how much they contributed to the whole story, but at least there it was funny. The small awkward laugh she throws at the end before she exits their booth to go look for Anya was hilarious XD

Gremlin Anya is best Anya <3

LMAO at least she enjoyed the chocolate XD

The following part was intense! I found myself saying "Run Anya run!" even though I knew from trailers that they'd eventually catch her anyway.

So the microfilm hides intelligence about a research lab in Westalis. Hmm.

I think it was at this point I noticed that they had Anya react to people's thoughts way too little. I get that it can get repetitive but with her curiosity she would have tried to look for more information through the guys' thoughts.

"Chocolate thieves" is actually perfect to describe those two. They were conveniently - and hilariously - incompetent.

But it did get intense. It's always like that when a bad guy threatens to hurt, let alone kill, a child.

I love how Yor asked Anya to close her eyes while she was beating up the guys but then told her she can open them when they were down and fully expected her to believe her lie that they just passed out XD

Also, her snowman jgvllublftlulbj

Chekhov's military airplane! I didn't expect it would actually work by the end, though XD

I love the music in the restaurant. Poor Bond being left alone outside where it's snowing, though 🥲 at least they brought him food!

Yor notices that it's rare for Loid to wear turtlenecks, and that's actually true. Too bad, though, they fit him so nicely :)

I actually laughed out loud at the guys jumping on Yuri to stop him. They were prepared. They knew who they were dealing with XD

"Rubble and Bonds"... the chef is very wholesome but he literally named his restaurant after his trauma and like... dude. Therapy exists. And then he starts laying out his trauma thick while Twilight is sitting there like yup this doesn't affect me at all

I don't think he was prepared for that when he asked about the restaurant's name. I was kinda disappointed they showed the exact same footage of him as a kid from the first episode. I think they could have afforded making a few seconds of new footage of the same imagery. But maybe that's just my anime-only ass who has been waiting for a certain manga arc to be animated for nearly two years now 😶

Snidel appears! And he has the absolute nerve to just... steal the meremere plate from someone else's table. Perfect way to make us hate him.

And... I'm sorry. I have to say it. When Snidel challenges Loid to a game and the camera focuses on Loid... that zoom-in and fade to black was SO CRINGEY. Sorry XD

The music there was nice, though. I think I notice a tiny bit of James Bond music influence.

Fucking Snidel shifting the goalposts with the amounts of sugar. That's not being detailed, that's not explaining the rules of the game properly. They really wanted us to hate the guy.

Twilight looks really stricken by the fact that he lost. And we know it's not because of despair - since he immediately says they can have meremere the next day - and it's not because his pride was hurt... so you can't take it out of my mind that it was because he was disgusted by how a grown-ass man practically stole a piece of cake from a little child, and Twilight was unable to stop him.

But then XD Loid has the absolute gall to ask a chef for his recipe, and then reprimand Anya for calling him stingy. Like mah dude it was already a far-fetched request to have the guy give you the recipe XD

Twilight being totally not suspicious and bolting through the market to buy all the ingredients. Cause that's what normal people do.

The way Twilight tries to cheer Yor up and he only manages to make her feel worse never disappoints XD

Right, I forgot this film was released in December in Japan. It feels weird for it to have a winter-y, almost Christmas-y feeling while I have my A/C on XD

I like how Twilight actually cared enough to expose the guy at the shooting gallery, and advise him to run an honest business. You'd think this would be low on his priorities... but having a child will expand your sensitivities. It feels similar to how he encouraged Carroll Campbell into playing tennis more fairly and to depend on his own strengths.

And then he wonders why a little child has fun on a train ride XD

I... am not sure how I feel about Yor's outburst there. It feels directly inspired by the Disastrous Date, if not a copy of it, and I'm not sure it helps Yor's character develop in any way. I mean, again, I get that the film can't allow the characters to develop a lot since it can't veer from canon, but still, it felt a little forced just to give Yor more screentime and to have a very subtle twiyor tease.

Anya finding out about divorce through Becky's soap-opera filter, though XD

They feel too confident leaving Anya all alone (even if she's with Bond) in a strange town. I know they can keep an eye on her from the ferris wheel cabin, but still.

Now that's a character development moment you can have without veering from canon: having Yor feel guilty for allowing Anya to notice her dark mood, and then feeling happy that Anya pushed her and Loid to having a moment together to talk things out.

Also, beautiful visuals!

Twilight, best™ spy™ of Westalis™, being unable to read the room whenever his wife is involved.

MAH DUDE. THERE'S ONE THING TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND THAT'S BEING TOO DIRECT

That's a phrase you don't wanna hear from your little kid, especially when you're fake married XD

Handler: Go and help Twilight. Nightfall: Yes ma'am! Handler: Not you. Nightfall: SENPAI WILL NOTICE ME SENPAI WILL NOTICE ME Handler: jfc

It was really sweet seeing Anya and Bond play, and then Yor joining in. That makes it more plausible that the film is set earlier on in the story, since it looks like Yor isn't used to playing with Anya.

No, really, what did that woman who was at Franky's kiosk want to ask him when she would come by with her friend??? 😳

One day the way Twilight abuses Franky's services will come bite him in the ass, I'm calling it now.

Yet another scene where character/relationship dynamic can happen without veering from canon: Loid comes back to the hotel and says he'll go out again, Anya says she wants to come too, and Loid tells her she has to stay in the hotel. Anya goes back to the bedroom dejected, but Yor reminds him it's a family trip and they're supposed to spend this time together, connecting that to her memories of Yuri being happy whenever he spent time with her.

And I think that speaks to another level of distance Twilight has kept from his emotions; he denies himself that he loves his family, but that also leads him to forget that his family won't like missing out on quality time with him.

I especially noticed his surprised reaction at Yor saying that being away from loved ones can make one feel lonely. I don't think Twilight has allowed himself to grasp just how lonely he's felt all these years, it was just the norm for him to have no-one. He's forgotten what it's like to have loved ones and to miss them when you don't get to spend enough time with them, and he's also forgotten that for most people, this is how everyday life is like. We love people, we like spending time with them, we miss them when we haven't seen them in a while. A master of disguises he may be, but this role forces him to face the thing he understands the least: human relationships.

And so, he realizes that Anya's motivation here wasn't petulance or restlessness. It was her need to have fun with him. He considered it easier to sneak around to find the liqueur if they weren't with him, but he failed to consider that casting them aside would actually impact them. Give yourself some credit, dude 🥺

Nightfall: I will surprise Twilight with my effectiveness!

Twilight when he sees her unexpectedly:

I did love however how he looked so sternly at her when they were outside. Like lady, first, bad timing, second, this is why Handler didn't want you to be the one to help Twilight XD

Once again, Bond's power works in a form of paradox. He saw the shop where the liqueur was, and Anya went there because she saw it. If she hadn't seen it, she wouldn't have gone, and Bond wouldn't have had the vision.

I love how the military guys get a rough sketch of Anya and go like "Nah no-one can actually look like this" XD

Anya must have swiped some dalcs as she ran off. That liqueur wasn't gonna be cheap!

Poor Bond!

Endo has surrounded Anya with two physically exceptional parents and a big strong dog to protect her, so it's hard to make a case of her getting kidnapped believable. Realistically, I think Bond would have fought harder to keep her safe, but to achieve the kidnapping the bad guys would have had to get more violent with him. That would make for a sadder scene and also take away from the humor of those guys' incompetence, so the most violence against an animal they could resort to was a conveniently falling beer can.

And thus, the "Anya Has to Poop" side plot starts! With the amount of fear she went through in those scenes, I'm surprised she didn't just... accidentally let go 😶

I just realized when Loid was checking the plane's radio they were also refuelling it. Again, kind of a surprise the whole system worked XD They were a little too chill about the fact that Anya was with the military, though? Maybe I got the wrong vibe off of their acting, lol.

The way that Yor decides at the last moment to join Loid and just... runs and jumps into a plane that's right on takeoff. Madwoman. I love her.

Meanwhile, at least Nightfall is funny XD

They really went on and made an entire sequence in a different animation style for a poop joke. Respect where it's due 👏

Someone: So how did you save world peace this time? Anya: I refused to take a shit.

The incompetent duo have a bedpan that's shaped like a duck and, funny thing... in Greek the word for "bedpan" can also be called, colloquially, with the same word that we use for "duck". So. There's that random connection I found funny XD

Twilight tries to ask for permission to land on the airship and they immediately turn their guns on him and damn, that must be terrifying.

And damn, again, that's a huge risk he took just to get Anya back. My man was prepared to do anything. And he walked out of the plane crashing into the airship without a single scratch like GET OUT OF HERE. I wanted my whump and I only got a single drip of blood near the end 😞 when will I have my whump.

And then Yor just... ran on the top of the airship, fully exposed to the freezing weather of not only outside but also a few hundred (thousand?) feet off the ground. My girl runs on hot steam. AND THEN SHE ALSO FUCKING TOOK HER COAT OFF.

Meanwhile, Anya finally finds a private moment to take a shit. And that marks the end of the wackiest plotline in this movie XD

Okay now, look. I can maybe imagine Twilight quickly making up a mask of Snidel's face from earlier in the day (though he wasn't shown to have any time to do that), and he somehow had it ready when the time came for their duel. But making a mask of that random military guy? Yeah, my suspension of disbelief is stronger for that than for freaking time travel XD

Yor also has her moment of going like "Excuse me, may I ask a question" and immediately getting guns aimed at her.

Damn. What the actual fuck is Type F even. At first I thought it was a full-on robot, but apparently it's a modified human? The fuck. Also. Just how many fucking bullets does he have???!

For real, though, Snidel isn't fucking around. He not only is fine with murdering a kid in cold blood, he also finds it entertaining to make her terrified as well. Like, even that guy from the Doggy Crisis arc said "Nothing personal, kid," when Keith commanded him to kill her.

And then Twilight overhears the incompetent dudes mention Anya... and mighty spy Twilight's emotions get the best of him and he beats up those guys for no other reason than getting back at them? More likely than you think.

Fuck, that scared me. That bullet was literally millimeters from piercing his brain. Cool visual, though, with his real hair popping from beneath the mask.

Anya worrying about her papa :(

Okay, I don't care about the logistics. This was fucking awesome.

AND THEN THIS???

10/10. They understood the assignment.

AND THEN THE OTHER THING???

QUEEN SHIT.

No, but really, their fight was going in circles because Type F has a shit ton of bullets and Yor has great stamina and ability to dodge bullets. She can't win with her strength, so she has to use her brain and her environment. AND SHE SLAYS 👏👏👏

My dude why are you still surprised 😭😭 what did you expect your kidnapped daughter to do once she saw you came to her rescue 😭 HUG YOUR DAUGHTER BACK I BEG 😭

Nah, I know he can't yet, this guy's got the emotional type of constipation. He'll get there.

So we'll never know what he thought about her sneaking out to get him the liqueur, and why that made her smile, eh? Okay 🥲

I love how Yor and Loid just both buy each other's lies. Oh yeah I just decided to jump on your plane while you were taking off, no biggie! Yeah this military ship was totally run by chocolate thieves! And also, I was flying part-time as a student :D

(I also love how high his voice went there. It's full-on "nice sweet Dr. Forger" voice XD)

And then :)

My crops are watered :)

With the action part over, I gotta say that they handled it all of it awesomely! I felt that the whole film was a little slow at first, but I didn't really mind. The climax was great, I got my whump, I got my fake family working together with all of them pretending that oh it was just chocolate thieves and not an actual threat of war breaking out.

My question is... didn't Anya just gulp the chocolate down?

... how did the microfilm get stuck in her teeth?

... you know what, never mind XD

Aw, Twilight got Handler a bottle of wine! And she actually looked thankful for it!

... was she the one who went in disguise to trap Depple into cheating on his wife??

*squealing*

Yor offering to help with the dessert and everyone going "Naaaaah you don't have to 😁"

Damian, shut the fuck up.

It is funny, however, how Anya can say one (1) thing and unintentionally leave him a blubbering mess. Girl is not even trying for that, lmao.

And then, another trip! Buddy who has the time and money--

Oh, wait. Yeah they're going on vacation on WISE budget lmao XD

It's kinda funny to see this with me having the Cruise arc as the "last" I saw of them, as an anime only, cause it was "trip to the ocean!" then "trip to the north!" and now it's "trip to the beach!"

Aw!

Meanwhile, after the credits...

Hang in there buddy. Your time will come to get Twilight back XD

Overall, definitely recommended, it did have its weak parts and its parts that you had to happily kick your logic out the window, but it was great fun, with awesome action, character depth, and even angsty parts that I adored. This will keep my anime-only ass satisfied for a little while, hopefully we also get news about Season 3 soon!

[logicalabsurdity]

I have the power of Stud.io and anime on my side, and what do I do? Make sad dioramas about the origin story of my OCs.

###

Several hundred years before the Great Cataclysm, Lhilari was a Matoran of Ice living on the Southern Continent. Her Ko-Koro was a relatively isolated village, nestled in the crags of a western mountain range, and Lhilari was one of the traders, sent down to the warm foothills to barter for news and supplies.

Lhilari's duty brought her to cross paths many times with one of the local wandering Toa, a Toa of the Green called Garenix. They did not often spend much time together, but they became familiar faces to each other; Garenix always had a brief smile for her, even as he seemed to draw away from everyone and spent more time on the move. He particularly enjoyed when Lhilari brought him samples of hardy mountain mosses, and when Garenix did stop for a rare rest in one of the villages, he told Lhilari all he knew of local plants' beneficial or dangerous properties.

Perhaps it was that mentorship, as inconstant as it was, that was why Lhilari found him on the mountain path.

#

It was the harsh breathing that caught her attention. Harsh, but shallow; someone trying desperately to avoid notice, but in too much pain to succeed.

Lhilari's hand tensed around the handle of her spear. Toa Garenix had come through only last month, following up on the unusually aggressive Rahi and confirming they had calmed; the road was supposed to be safe again, especially this close to home. Had he missed something? Had something been hiding, waiting to pounce once enough silent nights had gone by that the Matoran grew calm again?

She crept forward up the path, eyeing every rock and tree, ready to lunge at the first sign of movement. It was early for a nocturnal Rahi to strike, the sky still shading down from blue to black, but...

It wasn't a Rahi she found, and it wasn't a victim of one. Hidden crouched behind a boulder she found Toa Garenix, one hand pressing heavily on his leaf-bladed broadsword as if it was the only thing keeping him from collapsing fully to the packed earth. A thick hilt protruded from his chest above his heartlight, and blood pooled by his knees and other hand.

Lhilari dropped her spear and rushed forward. "Toa! Toa Garenix, what happened--"

He raised his head to meet her eyes, and his bleak expression stopped her cold. "Little sister," he sighed. His face twitched in a faint smile.

"Toa-- Toa, you're--"

Toa Garenix glanced down at the shortsword in his chest. "Yes," he said. "I am sorry."

The blade was the only thing keeping him from bleeding out entirely. Lhilari twitched forward, then brought her hands to her head instead. "I can get help. Ko-Koro is only--"

"No," he said, and coughed wetly. "No. There is-- no time. I am out of time."

"The Turaga can-- can freeze it shut, I know he can, anything for our Toa--"

Toa Garenix shook his head. "Poison," he said. "I am beyond help, little sister."

Lhilari pressed her hands to her Matatu and shook her head. "No, no, there must be something-- you can't die, you're our Toa, you're everyone's Toa--" She pointed desperately at a berry bush that she knew did something but couldn't remember what. "Can that--?"

His smile was almost pitying. "I am sorry."

She stared at him, fury and despair warring in her. "Please. There has to be something I can do. You're--" Her voice cracked. "You're the only Toa I've ever known."

He closed his eyes for a long moment. He seemed to sag, and Lhilari jerked forward, ready to catch him, before his resigned gaze caught her again. "Bring me a stone," he said. "The first fist-sized stone you find."

Lhilari nodded sharply and bolted. She snatched her spear from the ground and didn't bother to search for a rock of the right size, just swung at a nearby outcropping with all her helpless rage until a chunk came off. She'd have to apologize to the Captain of the Guard for such an abuse of a weapon, but-- that was later. Now, her Toa was dying.

Toa Garenix looked somehow even worse. The pool of blood had grown, perhaps because he had moved to reach for her with his left hand. "Give it to me," he said.

Lhilari clutched it to her chest instead. "Who did this to you?" she demanded.

"They are..." He took a shuddering breath and shook his head. "Do not seek them out. Do not... follow my path. Give me the stone."

"Was it Dark Hunters?"

"Sister," he said sternly. The stone grew heavy in her hands as he stared her down. "Please. Do as I ask."

The faint glow of his Garai was more obvious in the dying light. Lhilari huffed and stepped forward to hand over the stone. "Are they a danger to the villages?"

Toa Garenix didn't take the stone from her, just laid his hand over it. His breathing hitched unevenly, his chest heaving. "No. They got... what they... came for."

He shuddered, then, his hand clamping around the stone, as an energy buzzed through it that made Lhilari jerk her hand away. Then he collapsed, his sword falling hilt-first to land next to Lhilari, the stone glowing a verdant green through his fingers.

"Toa Garenix!" Lhilari dropped to her knees and reached for him. "No, no no no, please--"

"Your Turaga... will know.... what to do," he whispered. "Use... the power... well, sister. Do not... avenge..."

"Please, I can't-- you have to teach me--"

He met her eyes and smiled one last time. "Farewell... Toa... Lhilari..."

The light of his green eyes faded as his head dropped, leaving only the glow of the stone. Lhilari clutched her head and sobbed.

#

It was nearly full dark by the time she returned to the village. The leaf-bladed sword, taller than she was, scraped in the dirt no matter how she carried it, but it was the glowing stone that truly weighed on her.

The guard on duty stopped her when they saw the giant sword. "Where is Toa--"

"I must see the Turaga," Lhilari interrupted. "Now."

She couldn't say it. She had to explain, but she couldn't. The guard didn't try to make her, just waved her through, and Lhilari took her burden to the Turaga's hut.

He didn't say anything, just looked at her for a long moment. Then he took the broadsword from her, leaned it carefully against one wall, and took her free hand to squeeze it.

"He's--" The words caught in her throat. "I'm--"

Her Turaga touched her other hand, the one clutching the stone, and nodded. "Do you know what you must do?"

Lhilari shook her head. "You do. He. He said, you do."

"Where is he?"

Lhilari kept her eyes fixedly open, staring at the blue-white crystals in the ceiling of the hut. "Down the path. Not far."

He squeezed her hand again. "Come with me."

She went where her Turaga took her, through a secret door and down the hidden steps, cool white lightstones marking the way. He brought her to the door of a room holding nothing but a small shrine, then stopped, and lead her to a stone bench just outside it.

"Lhilari," he said softly. "Do you know what Toa Garenix asked you to do?"

She flinched. "No," she lied.

Her Turaga pressed her to sit down, then sat beside her. "You need not take up the mantle now. We have lived without a Toa before; we can again."

Lhilari stared at the green stone still in her hands. At the Toa Stone, that their Toa had given her instead of allowing her to even look at his wounds. She stared at it, and felt the power humming beneath its surface, and said nothing.

"Toa die so Matoran can live," her Turaga said softly. "If we live long enough, we cease to be Toa, but we never cease to be protectors."

"I couldn't do anything," she whispered. "He-- he wouldn't let me do anything. I-- I thought we were friends."

"Would he have entrusted you with this otherwise?"

She closed her eyes tightly. The bloody blade protruding from his back intruded on her mind, the pool that spread under him as she wept and he remained still. "He told me not to avenge him."

"That is not the way of a Toa," her Turaga murmured.

"I-- I can't-- what else am I supposed to do?" Her voice rose into a wail. "I'm not him! I can't be him!"

"Be you," her Turaga said. "Be you, and do what you can."

Later, she would. Later, with new strength in body and soul, she would lay their old Toa to rest. Later, she would learn how to be a Toa under the tutelage of her Turaga. Later, she would put the mystery of who had killed their Toa to the back of her mind, to be forgotten almost entirely over the next three centuries of wandering the continent. Later, she would mentor new Toa herself in a world gone mad.

Now, she curled around the Toa Stone Garenix had poured his life into and cried.

###

Also posted on AO3:

[rabbitprintart]

okay I need to get this outta my system because realistically I won't be able to draw this in a while but at least wanna write down my head cannons and au AND I'M DRIVING MYSELF INSANE EVERY NIGHT!!!

Anyways, I've been meaning to make/explore an au where Trigun takes place in my motherland of Tierra Caliente, yes I know it's incredibly self indulgent, but where I live, questions of climate change and agriculture are constant within the community, it's a weeeee bit lawless, and I can see so many opportunities of weaving those ideas together with those of the original Trigun series. I just think the reason Trigun speaks to so many of us Mexicans is for the same reason we have an insane clown culture, or the "laugh now, cry later" attitude. I have never seen 2 anime/characters that embody the Mexican spirit and struggle like fucking Vash the Stampede and Nicholas Wolfwood (if you ignore the DragobBall IP lol). So far the ideas that I have are:

Vash and Knives, and all the plant aliens, are representations of ancestral Mesoamerican culture of having intricate stories about twins, duality, and nature. Really wanna dig into the idea of Vash being some kind off shoot of Quetzalcoatl and Knives of Tezcatlipoca, probably even paint Knives in a more charismatic light because tbh my man has some points and I don't blame him lol. Knives does remind me a lot of the cynical Mexican who has been wronged so much in his life that he can not understand a world that isn't evil therefore sees the only solution the destruction of all, just pure nihilism. It's unfortunately more common than you think, especially in men :{

Really weave in Mesoamerican thought, art, and philosophy with Mexican Catholicism. It will be more obvious through Wolfwood, and it makes a lot of sense in my mind since a lot of Rancho people unknowingly hold onto our native thoughts and customs without realizing, even if it has been repackaged through Catholicism (ex: Dia de los Muertos)

Commentary on the insane chokehold the idea of Family as the supreme value in Mexican people through Knives

Ranchero Wolfwood, El Dark (Darks means Goth in Mexican Spanish slang lol) Vash

OKAY NOW FOR THE ONE THAT ABSOLUTELY IS KILLING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plants are seen as saints by the average Mexican even if the majority don't know about the plant angels inside, so much so that they are constantly offered milagros and have town celebrations for them, but they all have been slowly exploited and killed by the humans who were meant to protect them due to greed. Vash has a collection of the milagros he has salvaged from all his sister's graves and he ties them into his coat. Knives also does this, but they both do it for different motives, Knives mainly does this is as a reminder for his hatred of humanity, Vash mainly for his love for his people and endearment towards humans for thinking well of them, a reminder that he is not much of a monster as he has been made to believe. I literally made myself so emotional last night because I imagined Wolfwood making a milagro shaped in the Passionate Heart of Christ and offers it to Vash right before he dies LIKE SHUT UP! SHUT THE FUCK UP!!! SHUT UP ME!!!!!! ME VOY A MATAR !!!!! AAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

In conclusion : Nightow, you are more Mexican than you think, I'm giving you the beaner pass

*cultural context for the non-Mexicans: Milagros are these tiny, usually silver, metal charms that are sown into the velvet of Mexican Catholic statues/icons as a sign of gratitude, a commitment of lifetime devotion, and appreciation for the idol for helping the individual make their prayer come true. Basically, people go to a saint, angel, etc., pray for them to help them (Most common prayers are to physically heal wounds, help with addictions, grief, have children, etc), and if the prayer is answered (the person is healed, they get their dream partner, have kids, etc), then the figure will be offered a Milagro that takes shape of the miracle (a healed leg, breasts for breast cancer, eyes, hearts, etc) and the devotee will sow it into the idol's clothes or their altar as an affirmation of their power and existence.

[saysike-skedoodles]

Whoops...

[BTW- if you're an account that does NSFW/ Fetish content, I kindly ask for you to not interact with my work. Please don't take this the wrong way, I respect your interests, but I'm uncomfortable with that content and wish to not engage with it :] ] ---

After being told by the rabbit to go get his gloves or else he was going to be late (for what? Bex still didn't know), Bex made her way through the house into the rabbit's room. She still didn't understand why or how he would mistake her as someone named 'Mary-Ann', but nonetheless, if she could find these gloves, she could maybe ask the rabbit where he was off to. Upon walking in she noticed a small dish on a vanity table that had little cookies in it. Bex took one for herself, "Oh, don't mind if I do, I don't think he'll mind if I take one." Bex said. But once she got to the drawer with the rabbit's gloves, her head had hit the ceiling with a squeak sound and she's stuck in the rabbit's house.

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A DOUBLE POST WHAT???? YES INDEED- and they're both Wonderland related- WHAT ARE THE ODDS????? Very likely actually considering I don't ever shut up about Alice in Wonderland. (I'm pretty sure I did rant about it and how darker takes to a friend last night for about 30 minutes or something HAH.) I care a lot about the funny Wonderland story more than I should probably. But eh it's fiiiiiiine. Back to this art- for once it actually isn't based on a frame from the 1951 film but is INSTEAD a redraw of the Tenniel illustrations present in the original Alice's Adventures in Wonderland novel! I figured it would more of a fun challenge to undertake since I've been trying to push myself to draw more interesting poses as of recent. Of course I know when there's a limit to my artstyle and what I can and can't draw, but I'm still doing these to at least find some way to draw them in my own way. (And also a way to know how to do this scene if I ever get the chance to make Bex in Wonderland a real animated short.) This was a lot more fun than I thought it would be- out of all the scenes I didn't exactly know how I was going to approach this one cuz of the scaling and all that. But hey I somehow did it! Speaking of Alice in Wonderland I might go rewatch the film again. Been wanting to watch something a bit whimsical again recently.

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I dunno what else to say other than I've got the disclaimer at the top in bold for a reason and that's cuz for SOME REASON this is an interesting thing for some people so please don't go near me if that's the case cuz you'll make me uncomfortable and having to block you- and also Bex is 15 so that'll make things a bit worse too-

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[all content I post is automatically 13+ if not stated in the title or the content itself]

[idleglowingpixels]

I kinda realised that Mr Komos' song, True Monster Heart follows the same beat as the Monster High Fright song, but the lyrics are like the corrupted version of the original.

Monster High Fright is about accepting

True Monster Heart is about rejecting

Kinda interesting when you think about it

AHHHHHH WHEN I SAW I GOT AN ASK RELATED TO THIS I FREAKED OUT DFGHNBGVFDSF TY FOR GIVING ME SOMETHING TO RAMBLE SOME MORE ABOUT ANON FOR REAL! (Also sorry for the late response, this post has been developing in my drafts for like at least a week now dfgfhng)

I absolutely agree with the conflicting messages between the two songs! I know the song focuses on the story of this universe's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the main verses, but the main focus of the song is that message of rejection of anything and everything human.

Also, because of the Jekyll/Hyde bits, it could represent the duality of where the story starts and ends in its interpretation of a "true monster heart." Instead of Mr. Hyde's human-ness making his heart "untrue," it was his utter rejection of & research into ridding himself of his Jekyll, as well as his hiding of the truth in the first place that caused him to be found out and exiled.

His heart being "untrue" had nothing to do with the fact he was half-human, because if it were, then Clawdeen and Komos's presence in and of itself within the school would've triggered its self-destruction. That was proven as a false interpretation by the story in the movie, so it's self-explanatory. A true monster heart is one of self-acceptance, despite one's flaws or differences. That's what Mr. Hyde, and Mr. Komos thereafter, had neglected to realize before Clawdeen proved the point.

Though, I've listened to both True Monster Heart and Fright Song a few times back-to-back, to try and get where you're thinking as far as the beat, but I don't hear it unfortunately (unless you meant the tempo of the song, then yes they do follow the same 120 beats per minute!).

The closest thing I can think of as far as melodic parallels between the songs is the chanting sections. The Fright Song chant is much quicker in the way it's sung compared to the chant in True Monster Heart, however. The whole of Fright Song's chant goes in 16 beats/4 measures, whereas True Monster Heart's chant takes twice as long at 32 beats/8 measures (I was a band/choir kid lol). It's mainly due to how the song kinda drags out the point, and it definitely feels like a nod to Fright Song for sure. Fright Song's chant is only there because 4/5 of the main ghouls were fearleaders, so it was sort of characterizing the cast before actually showing their characters in the webisodes.

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Fun little headcanon/ramble that I forget if I ever mentioned about Fright Song, but with Holt Hyde being released in the 1st Signature wave with the rest of the the main ghouls and all, I think it was because he's intended to be the singer of the rap section before any subsequent content with the character was released (No offense but I don't think Holt DJs because he's a good singer sdfgbfds). This would line up with his current crush in canon with Frankie, as well as his former crush on Draculaura from either the diaries or books, maybe both? I forget. :'D Also I feel like Holt wouldn't hesitate to call Cleo vile immediately after saying she's charming either, he's very direct with his words. (I also interpret Jackson/Holt as bisexual because Deuce is included in the rap I DON'T CARE Y'ALL IT MAKES SENSE!)

Also I always interpreted the howl-like sound at the end of the rap as "Holt ran outta time/battery power for his music and transforms back to Jackson as it transitions to the rest of the song." It kinda works with how the beat kinda drops down with the howl, like a TV being shut off or something idk.

Ghoulia also debuted with Signature Wave 1 but she's only in like a second of the music video in the background, I figure it could've been budgetary reasons for the animation, to save on animating an extra character. Also I imagine flame-y hair wouldn't be very fun to animate in 2D, and Deuce's snakes moving on their own were bad enough I imagine to animate, so it begrudgingly checks out as to why Holt isn't in the animated bits with everyone else.

BUT I JUST WATCHED THE MUSIC VIDEO BECAUSE I WANTED TO FOR THE SAKE OF THIS POST AND THE GUY SINGING THE RAPPING BIT HAS, YOU GUESSED IT, A BRIGHT FRICKIN NEON RED LEATHER JACKET. He doesn't have the dual-toned shirt BUT IT'S WHITE AND THIS IS CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ME Y'ALL! XD

If any straws for these dumbasses can be found I SHALL GRASP THEM fr they're my blorbos :'D