#you are both weak . the weakest link

[twentyfivemiceinatrenchcoat]

Do you love Kenjaku more than Suguru?

OF COURSE NOT 😔😔😔😔😔😔😔 suguru and satoru are my most beloveds always but kenjaku is right there with them …… can i not love two bad bitches at the same time . is love a crime

[organic-bloodbath]

Could you do a Dae ho fic? Maybe the reader being stuck with thanos' group and isn't treated with much respect (either treated as weak or just eye candy) but dae ho comes in and helps her + shows her care and respect. Thank you <3

Safe with me

Dae-ho x Reader

Summary: As above.

A/N: I want to marry this man right NOW. I'm begging on my knees.

☆☆☆

You had never felt like you belonged anywhere. You had barely any friends and for the few friends you did have, you were only the spare friend.

You knew that you were beautiful. Guys had been flirting with you dozens of times but you knew they only wanted to get into your pants. They only cared about your looks and wouldn't care to get to know you for who you really were. You had gotten used to the fact that nobody truly wanted you, they only wanted to use you for a while and then toss aside.

It was all the same now here, in this game. You always had a hard time to approach new people, complete strangers to you, and waited for someone to speak to you, to take you in. Nobody did on the first day.

When the second game started, the players needed to form a group of five. You were starting to panic. Most of the players already had atleast one partner who they could start finding more players with.

You had nobody. What if you were left alone when everyone had formed their groups and you'd end up in the weakest one who nobody else wanted to have either?

"Señorita, excuse me," a man said behind you, startling you from your thoughts. "Want to join our group?"

Your heart started hammering harder against your chest, a new sprinkle of hope rising. You weren't chosen the last this time after all.

The man speaking had purple hair and was supposedly the 'famous rapper' Thanos who many players had been thirsting over before the first game. Personally, you didn't get the hype. The man next to him was player 124, you didn't know his name, but you could see him looking at you from head to toe, hunger in his eyes and a smirk spreading on his lips.

"Yeah, you'd make a great addition to our team," player 124 said and winked, creeping you out instantly.

What choice did you have anyway? If the game was about strength, atleast you wouldn't have to worry about it as much because you had men in your group.

"Sure, i'll join you," you agreed and followed them.

Before the game started, all the players' legs were linked to each other with chains and you were squeezed between Thanos and player 124, who had introduced himself as Nam-gyu. You felt uncomfortable having both men around you, especially having their arms around your waist. You could tell that it was all intentional and they could have easily kept their hands higher and not so low.

When it was your turn to play, you were so nervous that you failed your attempt three times and was becoming frustrated and soon panicking, the time seemed to be running down faster the more times you failed.

"Focus, sweetheart," Thanos breathed right into your ear. "You can do it."

"Don't you dare to make us die today," Nam-gyu spat which was the complete opposite of helpful. Thanos gave him a look to shut it and let you concentrate but you didn't notice it.

Finally, you succeeded and your group eventually ended up passing the challenge and was let to live for one more day.

☆☆☆

It was time to vote and you gathered into the crowd to wait for your turn like everyone else.

"And you're going to press 'O' now, right?" Nam-Gyu asked. "Because if you don't, there will be consequences."

You were relieved when it was his turn to vote. He left you alone with Thanos, he wasn't much better option, but atleast now there was only one of them eyeing you down. There was still many players before it would be your turn. You took a deep breath in and tried to calm your nerves down.

"Relax," Thanos said and put his arm around your waist, pulling you tightly against him. Almost too tightly. "As long as you keep your blue patch," he pressed the patch with his tattooed finger, a little too deep into your breast, "you have nothing to worry about. Okay, señorita?"

"Yeah, of course," you mumbled and tried to avoid eye contact with him, but he put his free hand on your cheek, making you to look at him in the eyes.

"You're not gonna betray us, you hear me?" Thanos said with a low and threatening voice.

"I'll press 'O'," you promised, trying to sound convincing.

"Good girl," Thanos said and smiled. He turned away from you to look at the scores, the blue was winning but the red wasn't far behind, but didn't let go of you, his hand still gripping your waist a little too low.

When his number was announced, he immediately rushed to the front and didn't hesitate even a second to press the blue button.

"You okay?" a man next to you asked. You turned your head to look at him and saw his concerned look. You had no idea if he had stood there the entire time or just appeared there a second ago.

"Yeah, i'm fine," you mumbled but you knew you didn't sound very convincing.

"I'm going to press 'X'," he admitted.

You furrowed your brows, looking at the blue 'O' on his jacket. "You're going to change your vote?"

"Yep, i'm done with this place and i'd rather go home, no matter how much money i would be able to earn here if i stayed," he explained. "It's not worth putting everyone else's lives in danger."

A small smile found its way on your face but it was gone too soon that he would have noticed.

"If you change your vote too, you're welcome to join my team over there," he said and smiled. "I've seen you with those guys and i don't like them, not one bit."

You did want to get out of there as soon as possible, but Nam-gyu's threats were still lingering hot in your ear.

"I'll think about it," you said quietly.

He would welcome you to his group? You had seen him with a few guys, all older than him, and one small girl who seemed to be pregnant, atleast by the looks of it. Oh, how much you wished to have another girl by your side.

Player 390.

It was now your turn and you walk to the front to stand in front of the two large buttons. In your mind, instead of red X and blue O, you saw two faces instead - player 388 and player 124.

You took a deep, shaky breath in, and pressed the red button. The pink guard offered you a red 'X' patch to attach on your jacket to replace the blue one.

You walked to the red side where all the other people wanting to go home were. You glanced at Thanos and Nam-gyu who were looking at you with a cold stare. You wouldn't feel safe tonight if you wanted to fall asleep. You wouldn't doubt a moment that they wouldn't do anything to you in your sleep.

You found the same guy who had talked with you just a moment before, trusting him to take you in with open arms. He smiled and put his hand on your shoulder, leading you to his friends, the ones who had already voted.

"My name is Dae-ho," the man introduced himself.

"I'm Gi-hun and this is Young-il," an older guy said. You had heard of him being here for the second time and how he had won all his games a few years ago. It was possible to eventually get back home.

"Hi, i'm Y/N," you said. "Thank you for letting me join you."

"Of course," Gi-hun said and smiled.

That night, you weren't able to sleep and only feared that one of your former group members were going to come after you because you had voted to leave and changed sides, even though the 'O' was a clear winner and would have won anyway, no matter which color you pressed. Now there was no going back to them even if you wanted to – and you didn't.

You sat up and hugged your legs, bringing them close to you and tried to comfort yourself when there was nobody else to do that.

"Not able to sleep, hm?" a whisper came behind you and someone tapped your shoulder to get your attention. You hadn't heard anyone approaching your bed and was terrified to turn around and look at this person. You knew it was Nam-gyu.

"Not really," you said, trying to keep your cool and not seem weak.

"You did a big mistake for voting 'X'. I told you there would be consequences."

He grabbed your face with his hand, pressing on your cheeks so hard it started to hurt.

"Oi, leave her alone," another voice came nearby.

"Or what?" Nam-gyu scoffed. "You'll fight me over this bitch?"

"If i have to, i will," Dae-ho challenged Nam-gyu and stood now right in front of him. Nam-gyu had let go off you. "I'd prefer we'd do it elsewhere though, i wouldn't want to wake up all the people here and have guards shoot us both."

Nam-gyu narrowed his eyes and looked for any signs of bluffing on Dae-ho's face, not finding any. He only stood there like a stone statue, the expression on his face not faltering for even a second.

"Whatever, keep that bitch for yourself. She's not worth it," Nam-gyu mumbled and left, intentionally pushing Dae-ho's shoulder with his when he walked by.

Dae-ho ignored it with a mere roll of his eyes until he looked at you.

"You okay?" he said and cupped your face with his hand, brushing your cheek with his finger on the spot where Nam-gyu's fingers had just been, but Dae-ho's touch felt like a feather.

You only nodded your head.

"Good. You don't have to worry about them anymore, you deserve to be respected and treated like a woman is supposed to be treated," Dae-ho said and his words made your stomach to be filled with butterflies.

Men had never treated you very well, you were used to getting treated poorly, and now having someone show you some respect felt strange. Almost too good to be true. You would have thought you were dreaming if it weren't for his touch on your cheek.

"Try to get some sleep," he said and was about to get up, until he sat down again. "Do you want me to stay?"

You raised your eyebrows, not expecting to hear that. Did he want to have a go with you after all? Now?

"I mean, i can sleep on the floor," he hurried to say. "If it would make you feel safer and sleep better. I don't mind to take the floor."

"Would you really do that for me?"

"Of course. I'll go grab my pillow, be back in a second."

☆☆☆

You slept well all the way to the morning when they woke you up to a new day. You would have gladly slept an hour or two more but you forced yourself to get up. You looked over your bed and saw Dae-ho hugging his pillow on the floor, opening his eyes.

How much sleep did he really get? You felt bad for him but you were thankful that he stayed with you.

"Good morning," Dae-ho said with a tired smile.

"Morning," you replied with a yawn.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"I did, yes," you answered. "Thank you, Dae-ho. I hope it wasn't too uncomfortable for you."

"Oh, it's all fine," he said, standing up, stretching his back and legs a little bit. "I've slept in worse places. Now, let's start to get ready for the next game."

☆☆☆

During the Mingle game, you were felt much safer with Dae-ho to protect you than what you would have felt with Nam-gyu. You were sure that if they had to kick someone out, it would have definitely been you.

Dae-ho made sure to hold your hand every round so you wouldn't accidentally get lost and separated from him, seeing how brutally people were pulling and pushing each other to get into rooms first with enough people.

When it came down to two people, Dae-ho immediately ran with you to a free room and when you were inside, he leaned on the door so nobody would come there and kick you out and claim the room for themselves.

When the time ran out and the door was locked, Dae-ho fell down to sit on the floor, his back sliding agains the door until he hit the ground. He was panting loudly, as were you too.

"Tell me that was the last round," you breathed loudly and leaned your head on the wall.

"It must be," he wished.

"I hope the rest of our group found a partner too," you said, worried that some of them were left alone and were shot.

"I'm sure they're fine," Dae-ho said and came to sit next to you, putting his arm around your shoulder and pulling you closer to him.

"What if they didn't find a room? There wasn't room for everyone," you pointed out.

"We'll see them alive on the other side, okay?" Dae-ho assured you, his hand on your cheek, making you to look at him. You hesitantly nodded, taking his word for it. "Right now, let's just be relieved that we found a room too."

"I know, i know," you said and leaned your head on Dae-ho's shoulder, not even thinking about how the act made Dae-ho's heart skip a beat. You just found his presence around you comforting and how safe you felt with him.

"You know, i saw you before the second game started and we were supposed to form groups," he said. "We needed to find more person into ours and i saw you standing in the middle of the room alone."

You furrowed your eyebrows, pulling your head back now to look at him.

"I was about to walk towards you, but those other guys managed to get to you first," he explained.

"Oh," you let out a breath. Dae-ho was quiet for a moment and you didn't know what to say to that.

"I'm sorry i didn't get to you sooner," he apologized. "I hated to see how they treated you."

"It's okay, i'm used to it," you mumbled and gave him a sad smile. He furrowed his eyebrows and lifted your chin with his fingers. His heart broke for your words.

"Listen. No woman should be used to that," Dae-ho said seriously. "Don't ever let a guy treat you like that, okay?"

You looked at him for a moment until nodded, a little unconvinced but the look in his eyes was so sincere it made you feel much calmer than before.

"Thank you, Dae-ho," you said with a shy smile. "You're a really great man."

Then, the doors were unlocked and you were allowed to leave.

Walking out and scanning the area to see who had survived the game, you let out a breath of relief, seeing Gi-hun and the rest of them safe.

You had all survived through one more game.

☆☆☆

"You know, i think Dae-ho really likes you," Jun-hee said to you quietly when you were in the bathroom.

"Oh, he's just being nice to me," you chuckled nervously and turned off the faucet, starting to dry your hands with paper towels.

"Nice?" she chuckled. "If we get out of here alive, he's definitely going to ask you for a date. He looks at you like a lost puppy."

You felt your cheeks warming up and tried to fight the smile appearing on your lips.

"For real?" you asked and felt butterflies in your stomach.

"For real."

☆☆☆

You were sitting with Jun-Hee and chatting together, laughing about something she said to you. You covered your mouth with your hand. Dae-ho wished you would have kept your hand on your lap, so he would have seen your beautiful smile.

He would have wanted to ask you if you'd go out with him when this would all be over, but he was afraid he was moving too fast and scare you away. You had seemed to be uncomfortable around men, even though you had relaxed in his arms during the Mingle game, when it was just the two of us, and let him hold your hand the entire time you were standing on the carousel.

He missed your touch and wanted to take you into his arms again, but he had to respect your space and get closer to you when you seemed comfortable enough around him.

You having fun and looking happy made Dae-ho smile. Suddenly, you looked towards him, and Dae-ho hadn't even realized that he had kept staring at you for such a long time. He quickly turned his head away to look at Gi-hun, who wasn't sitting far from him, starting a short conversation to seem busy.

"Hello," you said, startling Dae-ho. You walked so quietly that he hadn't heard you arriving near him. You sat right next to him.

"Hello," he greeted.

"We'll have to go sleep again soon," you said. Dae-ho hadn't even realised there was only 10 minutes until the lights were going down.

"Oh, it's that late huh," Dae-ho said.

"I don't want to be weird, but..."

"Yes?" he encouraged, when you didn't finish your sentence. You bit your lip, and Dae-ho saw your cheeks turn slightly red.

"Would you mind to sleep with me again tonight?" you asked nervously. "I get it if you don't want to, it's okay but i just-"

"Yes, of course," Dae-ho interrupted you. "I mean, if you want to and feel safer, i'd be happy to." Dae-ho's heart was beating faster and a smile spread on his face. "I'll just grab my pillow and-"

"No," you said and grabbed his wrist, looking at him in the eyes. "I meant, in the bed with me."

Dae-ho's eyes widened.

"Oh," he quietly gasped. "Sure, yeah."

You could see his cheeks turn red and a smile on his lips.

You went towards your bed and both of you laid on it, your head resting on his chest.

"Your heart is beating very fast," you pointed out and turned your head upwards to look at him. "Am i making you uncomfortable?"

"It's the opposite of uncomfortable," he reassured you and brushed his fingers through your hair.

Right then, the lights went out and you were fully clinging on Dae-ho's body, your left leg over his.

"Goodnight, Y/N."

"Goodnight, Dae-ho

[melliae]

Refraction Railway Line #5 Abnormalities Part 2 (Analysis)

It's so much fun leaving reality behind

“I bet that fellow had their beloved. Yup, I'm talking about the one whose head I just blew up. They might have remembered what I don't. That makes this just too exhilarating. Killing people who remember their loved ones, I mean.” - Abnormality Encounter.

So, Der Freischütz, or The Freeshooter. Everyone knows the tale by now, right? A classical “Deal with the Devil” type of story where a hunter or gunner procures magical bullets through less than orthodox methods, such as black magic or from the Devil himself. The Lobotomy Corporation Abnormality, Der Freischütz, conserves the most important plot point while putting its own spin on the story, for what tale is a better symbol of the City than the one that speaks about the true price of its so-called “pragmatism”? When the only thing you are seeking is results, the true price isn’t someone else—it is your own heart.

“My beloved, huh…. Did I ever have people I held that dearly? I couldn't be sure anymore.” - Abnormality Encounter.

Der Fluchschütze’s story is very much the same: the Devil appeared to “him” one day and offered it a weapon that will always hit its targets but whose last shell will blow up the heads of the Shooter’s loved ones. Instead of killing them like its LC counterpart did, however, Fluchschütze simply decided to forget them so as to not cause them harm, obscuring and forsaking the reason it joined the war in the first place.

Yet, that very aptitude sets this “Aberration” from Freischütz, for it puts it in a context we all know pretty well: the (Smoke) War. In such a situation, how does one survive? How does one carry on despite all the committed atrocities and slaughters beyond simply drowning in the pleasure of violence? At that point, any anger directed at it or desperate attempt at surviving just are part of the show the Abnormality enjoys, especially because it doesn’t have to move from its pleasant position.

“Now that I think about it, this bastard went for the closest one to him first when choosing his target.” - Heathcliff, Abnormality’s Observation Log #3

Quite the opportunistic individual, right? The “Designated Target” and “Summon Target” passives further show how Fluchschütze always goes for the weakest link as it comfortably lies at the back of the formation. “Rear Line Fire” and “Front Line Fire” keep the joke running thanks to the affinities, as it truly hates going into the front lines despite shotguns being made for that exact niche. Though, that doesn’t mean it’s bad at melee combat, as the remaining passives hint at how nasty the Abnormality can get at “close quarters” if it already gathered Poise and thus momentum.

So a machine of war and violence. That’s what Abnormality is in every sense, how it presents and thinks of itself. The summons it invokes and kills without a second thought? Its Pride skills that never miss? Its gloating about blowing up the heads of “those who remember”? They are all expressions of Fluchschütze's tale: the devil who only looks back when its magic bullets somehow miss (see “Targeting Settings” status) or it is forced to retreat (“See Through Defense” is Gloom for a reason).

…

Okay, let’s be honest: who actually believes that story? A demon whose bullets always hit? Laughing and reveling in death? C’mon, that’s like a shady wagon with a colorful “Free Candy” message written on it! It is like seeing Spiral of Contempt V2.0!

“'No! I don't want to remember them! I don't… I don't want to remember the ones I love!' 'Oh… please… stop smiling. I said, stop smiling!' 'Get away from me! Shut up!' The shooter pulls the trigger, his voice tainted by anguish… But the force behind the bullets had already become much weaker.” - Mid-Combat Event (Check passed).

The Abnormality is weak to both Pride and Gloom because, below its carefully crafted mask of arrogance, it only holds despair and regret over what the war and the Devil caused it to lose, a gaping wound in its heart that it refuses to treat as it blindly exposes it to everyone, fully convinced that it has forgotten it. Even in the beginning, when the Abnormality was first added to the game during Season 2, it was evident how fragile the bravado of the famed “bloodthirsty gunman” was when confronted with the truth, unable to keep on denying its miserable and visceral heart once you forced everything to fall into place.

The manner in which Fluchschütze presents itself is nothing but a way to cope with its new reality, the hellish war from which one can only escape through sweet death. But surprisingly, it doesn’t deny that; the Abnormality is well aware that it is better for your loved ones if you die as another victim (or innocent man, if possible)... According to its lines when you fail the “tell the shooter that you’re on its side” check, that is, with said option suspiciously having the Shooter’s weaknesses as Sin advantages.

The Shooter only forgives you because it thinks you are like it—that you are it, having the same despair and delicate hubris born from thinking your loved ones deserve better than a bloody murderer. Yet, that action itself is quite self-serving, isn’t it? Abandoning the ones it loves because it doesn’t want to confront their judgment, yet clinging to the shame that drives it to even worse atrocities. Its characteristic Pride then acquires a new light, doesn’t it? Der Fluchschütze likely didn’t forget its loved ones because of the Devil’s contract; it accepted the deal because it wanted to forget them. It was easier to find an excuse instead of confronting what it became in the first place, for a “bullet” to pierce its “head.”

“Oh-oh Round and round we go Holding on to pain Driven by our egos”

Oh, yea baby, it came back.

Heathcliff is no doubt the biggest example of this kind of tale: he refused to wait and listen to Catherine’s true feelings because he couldn’t think of himself as someone worthy of being loved, unconsciously believing he was a mere beast (or devil). Yi Sang fell into a similar abyss after getting rolled in N Corp., focusing entirely on the Mirror’s research instead of confronting Gubo because he thought his “wings” were crippled and could not find a home ever again.

“That is untrue. The one Gubo cares for the most… would be himself.” - Yi Sang, N Corp. Cubic Room I (Reminisced League of Nine), Canto IV.

The heart is a fickle thing. It’s completely understandable that, when hurt, it retreats into itself in order to heal. But such a strategy only works when paired with the promise of going out of the shell one day, ready to confront whatever judgement comes—frightful, severe judgment. In such a situation, wouldn't it just be simpler to forget that something ever happened? To be all by yourself without those voices that care for you, want you to be better, and you don’t want to hurt?

At the end of the day, the contract is really tempting: no matter what you do, you will finally be free of fear and anxiety to do as you wish. Just beware that the Devil, like you, will get what he wants.

The bullet is forever destined to pierce your loved ones, no matter the distance you put.

Nothing can be done by yearning for sympathy for myself

“This flower was once a rose that could have been tiny and beautiful. But now, the blood it holds gives off a cruel smell. Drinking and growing giant, it sucked in blood that overflowed from a spring. Without an end. It greedily gobbles up the stream of blood with its branched roots.” - Abnormality Encounter.

From my perspective, Drifting Fox, Sign of Roses, Headless Ichthys, and My Form Empties have been the densest Abnormalities I have analyzed up to now. And now, I’m delighted to put Four-Hundred Roses in that list as well, all thanks to its rich source material: Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. While it’s possible to give an analysis without knowing the novel, the categorization of the Abnormality as a “Fairy Tale” one already discards the notion.

Pitifully, for as much as I wanted to read the book, my current schedule and studies didn't (and still doesn’t) allow me to do that. Instead, I listened to an audiobook I found on Youtube, since it was the easiest way to know the story and quickly understand it. So if you find some misconceptions about the facts of the novel, blame them on that.

And as a last thing before the analysis proper: Don’t take my comments about the character of Carmilla as if they were about her sexuality. I’m not speaking about that, but about her psychology and particular need for Laura.

Now… Where to begin? I suppose with the self-evident facts: Four-Hundred Roses is a very hungry plant, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that its stem and vines—the “lowest” body parts, devoid of any mental faculty—have all the Gluttony skills, incarnating the all-consuming need for blood proper of all vampire-like creatures. This is in contrast to the “flower’s” more ample emotional spectrum, varying from frustration at the inability to satisfy its hunger to a certain kind of reticence over its situation, longing for just blood and nothing else.

“It desires not to slay, nor does it to harm. That creature… it merely yearns for blood. I don’t suppose that flower was always such a beastly thing.” - Don Quixote, Abnormality’s Observation Log #1

Four-Hundred Roses’ seeming emotional instability is seen in many aspects of its battle, such as the recurring Mid-Combat Event and, more than anything, battle themes: Me Relinque and Ne Me Relinque, or in English, Leave Me and Do Not Leave Me, a solemn, almost funerary song that soon becomes a frenetic tango-like melody when the Abnormality loses its “sweetness” and succumbs to its hunger. And as Reddit user chairamel pointed out months ago, such a behavior may have its origin in a small excerpt of Carmilla, near the end:

“The vampire is prone to be fascinated with an engrossing vehemence, resembling the passion of love, by particular persons. [...] In these cases it seems to yearn for something like sympathy and consent. In ordinary ones it goes direct to its object, overpowers with violence, and strangles and exhausts often at a single feast.” - Chapter XVI: Conclusion.

Furthermore, at the beginning of the novel, Carmilla’s “mother” described her as a nervous and chronically ill girl, which was enough for Laura, her father, and their entourage to gloss over the vampire’s strange behavior. Considering how Carmilla killed Bertha and moved on without waiting, quickly going for Laura, it is obvious her “nervousness” was just another excuse to gather sympathy and compassion for herself, a pat on her back not unlike Four-Hundred Roses’ attitude when it silently pleads for the Sinners’ blood, driven by its Endless Yearning—and God have mercy if you refuse to give any.

At this point, it should be obvious that Abnormality is Carmilla’s analogue here. It imitates her character perfectly, how their shallow charm serves only to hide the true core of their existence, as marked by the complete absence of any other Sin affinity beyond Lust and Gluttony (and Wrath, but I already touched on that). Even Four-Hundred Roses’ resistances mirror that, since it doesn’t have any weakness or resistance at all: it simply doesn’t care what others think about it, just like Carmilla herself.

“You will think me cruel, very selfish, but love is always selfish; the more ardent the more selfish. [...] You must come with me, loving me, to death; or else hate me and still come with me, and hating me through death and after. There is no such word as indifference in my apathetic nature.” - Carmilla, Chapter VI: A Very Strange Agony.

Anything and everything was “received” by Mircalla, as long as it came from Laura—but so it had been with Bertha as well. Choosing them from childhood, stalking their families (see her strategy with Spielsdorf), and delaying the deed for as long as she could… Carmilla is a monster that didn’t doubt in killing dozens of women to satisfy her thirst, both in the story and previous to it, so why? Why did she put so much work into those 2 girls and the countless that came before them? The answer, thankfully, lies in the figure that Laura represented to both her father and Carmilla: the Kore, the innocent and helpless maiden who holds a “magical” (i.e., non-existent beyond the projection itself) allurement over people.

Needless to say, Laura is anything but a Kore; she’s just a plain, naive, and isolated teenager whose sole parent couldn’t bring himself to “release” her (until the last chapter, with their tour through Italy) but tried to coddle her with anything she wished for. In that sense, inside Laura remained a primitive something, a certain level of innocence connected to nature itself, which proved irresistible to the undead, who, by definition, lives apart from nature, alienated from her very soul and the touch of divinity. The same applies to Bertha and her uncle, who lived “lonely evenings at home.”

“The ‘Kore’ has her psychological counterpart in those archetypes which I have called the self or supraordinate personality on the one hand, and the anima on the other.” - Carl Jung, Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious.

Yes, Jung is at it again.

Thus, from a psychoanalytic point of view, Laura lived the tragedy of being an image-bearer to those close to her, someone by whom they felt psychologically fulfilled. Curiously, this feminine duality is also seen at some level in the Divine Comedy through Beatrice, as she is Dante’s Anima (contrasexual psychic archetype) and a Christ-like figure, with Christ naturally being a symbol of the Self, the whole nature of man that embraces nature and divinity. And what does Christ offer?

“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’” - John 3:3.

Rebirth. Resurrection. Rest for the spirit and redemption—such a thing is what Mircalla, through her constant choosing of girls like Bertha and Laura, wanted to achieve. Yet, baptism is union with God and thus nature, which, as I wrote, is antithetical to vampires: they cling to life with everything they have, despite death being a needed part of it. Even Carmilla knew that, as she proclaimed that “everyone must die; and all are happier when they do” during her fit when listening to and watching the funerary procession, and people are generally more honest with their thoughts when they are driven by their emotions.

Furthermore, there’s that scene near the end in which the group of men opened the tomb of Mircalla and found her body floating in a “pool” of blood at least 7 inches deep. Considering that blood is the gross version of water, the baptism imagery becomes obvious, as well as Mircalla’s desire to die and be reborn through Laura’s “warm life” (as the poor girl dies for the vampire’s, of course). More important, however, is how this is reflected in the Four-Hundred Roses and its Mirror Dungeon Encounter.

(The transformation from “Millarca,” Bertha’s assassin, to “Carmilla”).

The “Plug the spring” option is easy to understand, as it falls into the unstable behavior of the Abnormality (just like the “Bloodthirsty Stench” passive), so I’ll skip it. The other 2 are much more interesting due to their EGO gifts: feeding it the Sinners’ blood causes it to bloom into Millarca, a healthy-looking rose, likely due to how hydrated the Abnormality is; meanwhile, breaking the spring’s entryway causes Four-Hundred Roses to submerge and drown in the blood, to be reborn in Camilla, a… withered, pale, and ugly rose—a far cry from the “tiny and beautiful” thing it was in the past.

Baptism is rebirth. It should have redeemed the Abnormality. So what went wrong? To be precise, absolutely nothing. The blood baptism showed who Four-Hundred Roses truly is and the course it should follow. But just as Mircalla was unable to give up on life and thus clung to the innocence of certain kinds of girls, “Carmilla” is unable to give up on its primitive desire for life, wishing by all means to recover its lost vitality instead of living with things as they are (see the EGO gift’s effect of draining the enemies’ HP). Basically, both entities refused to confront their desires, abandoning the idea of conquering their lives so they could/can “live” them through others, wanting their pity, acceptance, and “you did your best.” It’s not a coincidence that the section of Canto VII’s dungeon where you fight the corroded Bloodbags, Bloodfiends, and Fixers is called “An Internment For Those Who Could Not Abandon Their Desire.”

In many of my previous posts, I have commented that roses are a symbol of individuality in Project Moon’s work, and this case isn’t different: The “Four Hundred” of the Abnormality’s name comes from the countless identities and shapes it has acquired through being “reborn,” similar to Mircalla’s amassing of “baptismal” names… Buuut, just as the vampire’s identities were always tied to her original one, the Abnormality’s nature is always the same, no matter what it does. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” right?

Fundamentally speaking, then, Four-Hundred Roses longs for life more than anything else, with blood being a symbol for it in the same way it is for Bloodfiends. It wishes to gorge itself in the ecstasy of nature—of the sun, air, and vitalizing waters—and feel in touch with it, finally happy and content with itself once more, not tied to the pity of others. Yet, blood is not only life but connection as well, therefore binding the Abnormality forever to said others, not unlike Mircalla’s search for redemption through innocent girls, the “children” who are life and nature embodied. And unfortunately for them, there’s only 1 answer for their “moral” conundrum of knowing the harm they have to cause to keep “living”:

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” - Matthew 10:39

To be alive is to follow life’s journey, its becoming and decaying. It is impossible to return to that state of innocence and freedom, filled with childlike wonder at every step. If you try, you will be forever smothered by feelings of shame and inadequacy, for you are refusing to follow what life prepared for you—you are stunting your own progress! Thus, the only path forward is to accept and live that fearsome descent instead of just acknowledging it from a distance like Mircalla did during the procession.

Now, what I wrote above surely must sound cruel when applied to the Bloodfiends, but there is no other option if they want to be truly happy with their existences and move beyond the desperate hunger and self-pity that is so common across their kin. To do such a thing—to sacrifice one’s desires in order to change—is no easy task, yes, though not impossible, as Don Quixote and Sancho demonstrated. After all, victories are very much like life, right? They never come easily and thus don’t have a place for lamenting one’s lot beyond mere venting.

As always, you are free to make a choice at the end: you can live your life, become weary and marred as everyone else, or you can take it from others, never owning it and forever dependent. Either way, remember: no matter the time it takes and the devils that may appear during the journey, one’s Self will remain the same.

I know successful or not, I am who I am

Finally, the last part of Railway 5! And just for Resurrection Sunda to boot! Well, at least to me and my country; different timezones and all. Still, a curious thing considering the themes Four-Hundred Roses touches upon, and speaking about it... Yeah, it's the only one I have something to comment xD Fluchschütze is quite straightforward with its meaning.

Now, I'm aware that 400 Roses' section is more like a weird analysis of Carmilla. I won't deny that. But I was forced to do it because, well, that's the point of the Abnormality: it's Carmila/Mircalla through and through, and I just simply could not do a psychoanalytic reading considering the nature of all the other rose-related Abnormalities. Besides, there's a little detail that I want to highlight as well:

"This corresponds to the psychological fact that the anima always stands in the relationship of a daughter to the wise old man" - Carl Jung, Symbols of Transformation.

While Bertha and Laura aren't an Anima-figure for Mircalla, they fulfill the role with their respective guardians, don't they? A curious coincidence, but interesting nonetheless.

In similar questionable conclusions, I only have a few theories about why Project Moon choose the "400" number for the name:

At the beginning of the novel, Laura said that 800 or 900 pounds do wonders in Styria, so by halving the quantity PM is possibly saying that whatever the Abnormality does isn’t enough.

There are approximately 200 years of separation between Mircalla’s approximate death and the story proper. So maybe the “400” is a reference to how many names Mircalla acquired (2 per year?).

Finally, according to Hebrew gematria, the letter Tau (ת) has a value of 400, with the letter being commonly associated by western mysticism to the maiden figure (see Aleister Crowley’s comments about the Universe/World card).

None of them really convinces me, so if you have any idea, feel free to comment it!

Now, moving into something more likely, during the write-up I thought how Meursault related to the Abnormality, and I remember Nagel und Hammer's Singularity: canned experiences extracted through Nails, which are reminiscent of thorns. Maybe during his search for "life's joys," our dear Frenchman used (or even abused) them.

And that basically concludes my observations about the post as such, since the rest of things (i.e., the passives) don't really need an explanation. Even Don's relation to Abnormality should be somewhat obvious already. But I still need to comment something that, pitifully, is bad: I won't be able to analyze the non-RR Abnormalities (and the RR6 Abnos too) anytime soon due to my schedule, especially thanks to my practical subjects and soon-to-be internship next semester. That doesn't mean I won't do them, just that they will be on hold due to university.

So with that said... the usual disclaimers: feel free to comment your own interpretation about Abnormalities and to point out spelling mistakes! Until the next post!

[withalittlesorcery]

"Alastor would use Angel to manipulate Husk" is fun and all but have you considered the other way around? Alastor would absolutely 100% use Husk to manipulate Angel

Alastor's ultimate goal is power - gaining as much control as he possibly can. It stands to reason that part of this is gaining control of as many of the people around him as possible. He already has control of Husk, he owns his soul and we know for a fact that Husk is scared enough of him to stand down when told to. He doesn't actually need to use Angel to gain control of Husk. Why waste effort on something you already have?

Realistically, Alastor doesn't actually have much leverage over Angel. Sure, he could make a deal, but Angel doesn't have a soul to gamble. He's self destructive, has very little attachment to his own autonomy (seeing as he's barely remembers having any autonomy in the first place), and honestly doesn't seem to have much regard for his personal safety (see: keeping Charlie and Nifty from Valentino). Angel doesn't seem to have an awful lot of hope that things can/will get better, which makes him hard to manipulate because he doesn't really feel like he has anything to protect

But Angel has Husk

And we know that (even pre-relationship) Husk means A Lot to Angel. He's the only character who seems to actually understand him on a fundamental level, the only character who genuinely puts Angel ahead of himself, and honestly possibly the first person to ever give Angel unconditional love and support. He is Angel's biggest weakness, and he is under Alastor's complete control

He is also one of the only people in the hotel that Alastor doesn't have a grip on. He's got Husk's soul, potentially Nifty's as well but honestly idk what's going on with that, Charlie's got blind faith in him and Vaggie's glaring weakness is Charlie (who Alastor already has some degree of control over), Sir Pentious is dead (rip to a real one) and the egg boys are either dead or very happy to follow Alastor's commands. Lucifer is preoccupied with his reverse daddy issues and dick measuring contest with Alastor. Angel is kind of the weakest link as far as Alastor is concerned

Angel is also an in with the Vees! He is up close and personal with at least one of them on a regular basis - the one who seems to have the most confidence in his own power and therefore the one who is most likely to be careless with what he says around Angel. He is in the perfect position to get information etc for Alastor, and he sure as hell does not care about his own personal safety so threatening someone he cares about is the best way for Alastor to make Angel do is bidding. I've seen people talk about Alastor getting Angel out to piss Vox off, but to be honest I think Angel being on the inside serves Alastor's purpose better (and lbr Vox wants Angel GONE)

So yeah, Alastor using Husk to manipulate Angel and all the angst that comes with it. Husk and Angel both realising it's happening, and both being powerless to stop it because yeah sure they could break up but that's not going to change the fact that Alastor could threaten Husk and Angel would do anything to stop it.

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - I'm Late, I know

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

Feb 2024 Wk 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

The Sign (Sat YT) ep 12fin - we waiting 2 weeks I guess? Bah.

Pit Babe (Fri iQIYI) ep 13fin - I wasn't impressed by the last ep at all. Trash watch happened here.

My final thoughts:

Based on alittlebixth's omegaverse novel #พิษเบ๊บ’ set in the world of car racing omegaverse. Thailand brought us the world's first omegaverse BL but then failed to lean into the courage of its a/b/o convictions by not emphasizing the difference between our world & theirs, adding & subtracting characters & allegiances + a weak ending. With earnest performances, enthusiastic sex scenes, a fantastic side couple, and some delightful scenery chewing - the actors tried… poor things. It's just the story failed both them and their parent genre. Frankly? I just wanted it to be more outrageous and trashy, since I never expected it to be good. Instead, it was just… meh. 7/10

(Imma remind all the newbies that this is not unprecedented from me with hugely popular BL.)

Cooking Crush (Sun YT) ep 10 of 12 - I like it but there’s a high % of this show that doesn’t interest me. Anything to do with the side couple, or the friend group, or the cooking competition drives me into a comatose state of UGH. That means that in this episode, I paid attention to about 5 minutes worth. 

For Him (Thurs iQIYI) ep 11 of 12 - I'm ready for this to be done. I think they were trying to be this year's Big Dragon, but they just aren't good enough. I really didn’t need a third couple.

City of Stars (Fri iQIYI) ep 2 of 12 - I'm warming up to FueangKrom a bit. It’s cute. I am finding the pacing interesting. That pacing might be bad, but right now it’s simply different. 

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Love For Love's Sake (Korea Weds iQIYI) 5-6 of 8 - I still love this show a lot, but this 2 ep installment felt a little disjointed. I’m not sure if that’s the narrative structure or the subs. The captions are shockingly bad for a KBL and I don’t have enough Korean to make up for their clear failings. 

Although I Love You and You AKA Sukiyanen Kedo Do Yaro ka (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - Oh the return of the manic pixie dream ex. This is all very high school drama for purportedly grown-up adults. But them both being jealous and then kissing was sweet.  

AntiReset (Taiwan Fri Viki/Gaga) ep 3 of 10 - They remain adorable and the sunshine robot is very sweet. But it is a little slow. 

Perfect Propose (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 3 of 6 - I prefer the episodes when we get more of them onscreen together. But this was fine. 

Happy Ending (Korea Tues YT) 3fin - The ending disappointed me (are you surprised?). What can I say, not Strongberry's best as far as I’m concerned. High school besties that many could be sweethearts. I don’t like an ending that’s left up in the air. 6/10

It's Done but...

What Did You Eat Yesterday Season 2 AKA Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2 (Japan Gaga) 10 eps - will binge when I have any spare time. 2024 is crazy busy for me so far.

The Servant and the Young Master - from Vietnam, it's on YouTube. I will give it a try when I have a window of time.

Began Beginning (Myanmar YouTube) - A Burmese BL? @heretherebedork vouched for it, so I will give it a watch.

It's Airing But...

[NO INTERNATIONAL] Cherry Magic (Sat YouTube) ep 3 of 12 - yeah Japan put the smack down on our boys. Sadness. You can use a VPN if you like. Read all about it here.

Ossans Love Season 2 (Japan Gaga) - 5 years later, will anything have changed? This is Japan so… probubly not. I won't be watching this. I disliked Season one and actively hated the follow ups. No thank you.

Playboyy (Thurs Gaga) 14 eps - Dear Playboyy, it's not you, it’s me… I hate you. You’re about as deep (and as palatable) as a shot glass of cum. While I'm sure you’re someone’s kink, you're my weakest link. Goodbye. I DNFed this at ep 5. Frankly I'm impressed with myself for getting that far.

7 Days Before Valentine (Weds WeTV) 12 eps - Gave me Luminous Solution vibes. It finished, is it worth it?

Dead Friend Forever (Thai Sat iQIYI) 12 eps - finished, horror, supposed to be very philosophical, I think I'll give it a go.

Time the series (Tue Gaga/YT) 10 eps - dropped it at ep 4.

Next Week Looks Like This:

Starting Up

2/16 My Strawberry Film (Japan Gaga) - not quite sure how much BL this one is, because... Japan, but we shall see.

2/17 A Secretly Love (Thai WeTV) - Khonprot, a third-year head hazer of the engineering faculty, has a secret crush on Pluem, a tsundere fourth-year head hazer. Over the years, he's seen Pluem cycle through many girlfriends. Recently, after a public breakup, however, Khonprot thinks maybe a boy has a chance. Unless this is really good I probably won't I hate the WeTV interface...

Still Coming in Feb

2/24 Unknown (Taiwan Youku) 12 eps - Older brother tough guy criminal breadwinner looks after his sister and defacto adopted little brother. Little bother falls in love with him and is sent away after a stolen kiss. But when he comes back…

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

We gotta talk about LFLS this week. Look at Korea go!

Talking about a dead fish kiss, how meta! This will end up on one of my best of the year moments. I could not have been more gobsmacked.

Also something rarely directly addressed, particularly for same-sex firsts.

And then, a claiming trope, a personal favorite of mine.

Thank you Korea!

I just love them. (Pit Babe)

(Last week)

[trulybetty]

Sick Day

Pairing: Marcus Pike x F!Reader (no use of Y/N) Word Count: 1,581 Warnings: Pure fluff, talk of not feeling well, cooking, caretaking, and on brand Marcus Pike. Summary: Marcus never cancels dates, and if he does it usually comes with his own brand of romantic gestures to make up for it. So when he doesn't, you know something isn't quite right. AO3: Linked

A/N: It's been a week - but this had been sitting in my WIP folder unfinished for a while and this prompted me to finish this piece of pure fluff.

Sick Day.

Marcus was not accustomed to feeling helpless. Being weak or vulnerable was not part of his persona, not part of what made Marcus Pike who he was.

His sickness had come on suddenly, a relentless fever accompanied by a deep, hacking cough. Marcus was not one to fall ill often, and when he did, he had always soldiered through, never allowing weakness to dictate his schedule. But this was different; this was not something he could ignore. His body was not cooperating, and all his attempts to carry on were futile.

The fever alone had struck with a vengeance. His body ached, his throat was on fire, and even the faintest hint of light sent his head spinning into oblivion. A normally robust Marcus was reduced to a shivering mess, tangled in sweat-soaked sheets, his mind clouded by the relentless throb of a migraine.

And yet, the real disquiet lay not in his physical discomfort but in a new and unexpected vulnerability. The one person he sought to impress, care for, and be strong for, was now seeing him at his weakest.

You.

From the early days of your relationship, Marcus had been the one to shower you with romantic gestures, much to your chagrin at times. Breakfasts in bed, spontaneous day trips, surprise gifts — he'd done it all. It was how he'd always been, it was how past relationships had dictated how he should operate to ensure that his love interest remained enamoured, entranced and with him.

But you were different.

You didn't expect anything from him. You didn't need grand gestures or elaborate displays of affection. Your love was calm, steady, and unconditional. It was a love that sought no repayment, demanded no proof, and required no theatrics. 

And it was something Marcus had never experienced before.

He had sent you a text message that he had to skip your date night and you’d looked at your phone warily. The two of you had been together for quite some time now and this was not his usual MO. Marcus Pike didn’t just cancel dates, you had cancelled dates sure, but never Marcus without a flurry of rearranged reservations or a bouquet of flowers at your door.

So when you showed up at his doorstep on your way to work, your eyes wide with concern with a bag full of remedies, Marcus was utterly unprepared. Especially when you said you were going to call in to work and take the day off when you realized how sick he was. The truth was, no one had ever taken a day off work to care for him. No one had ever put him first in quite the same way.

Once inside Marcus's apartment, the evidence of his illness was palpable. The usually immaculate space was in mild disarray, evidence of his discomfort. Marcus was bundled on the couch, looking both vulnerable and endearing, his face flushed and his eyes glazed. 

He had tried to protest, to insist that he was fine, that you didn't need to trouble yourself. But the words had come out slurred, his voice weak and barely above a whisper.

“You look awful,” you'd said, your intention sympathetic, as you brushed a damp lock of hair from his forehead. 

Your hand had felt cool and soothing against his fevered skin and he leant into it, his eyes closed.

“It’s okay.” he tried to assure you.

You laughed at his failed attempt to convince you, “It’s not okay, for starters your voice sounds terrible.”

“Sounds worse than it is.” he gave you what he thought was an unabashed smile, but came out crooked and tired. 

You just stared at him incredulously, “You just almost coughed up a lung.”

“I’m fine.” he tried to sit up but the sudden movement caused him to double over in a fit of coughing.

You placed the back of your hand against his forehead, “Case in point. You’re not fine Marcus, you’re burning up.”

“It’s just a cold,” he insisted.

“Marcus, you need to rest,” you'd chided, your tone gentle but firm as you led him to his bedroom. “I'm here now. Let me take care of you, please.”

And so you did.

The hours turned into a day, and then another, your presence a constant. You sat at his kitchen table, replying to emails and calls between checking his fever and ensuring he took his medication. When he asked you to stay overnight that first night you’d obliged his ask in his vulnerable state. So you’d watched movies with him, choosing his favourites, even though he’d drifted in and out of sleep throughout.

It was three days longer than the original one you planned on staying when he was looking and feeling more like himself. You were both in the kitchen, you preparing dinner, while he watched on.

“So where did you learn how to make this?” Marcus asked, fatigue still lingering as he leaned on the countertop to rest his head in his hand. He watched diligently as you added ingredients to the ceramic pot atop the stovetop. The smell of the simmering food was already permeating the apartment making your mouth water.

It was one of, if not your number one comfort meal. You’d experienced it at a tiny restaurant years ago in a quiet city off the main drag of flashy restaurants and bars. The only good things to come of a past failed date, one whose name now you couldn’t recall even if you tried. While the relationship hadn’t gone anywhere you’d gone back repeatedly to the small establishment time and time again and learned how to make it yourself.

“Want a taste?” you asked him, offering a spoon laden with a sample to taste. He watched in amusement as you blew on it to cool it down, “Here you go, try.”

Marcus tentatively tasted the food and felt a sting on his tongue from the heat, but smiled at the ability to finally be able to taste something, “My taste buds may not be quite back up to par,” he said, “but this, this is delicious.”

You grinned, “Good, it means you’re getting better.”

Marcus pulled himself away from the counter and stepped up behind you. His arms wrapped around your waist as he rested his chin on your shoulder.  Even now, while he was slowly recovering, this simple embrace made your heart swell with affection.

“You've really been incredible these past few days,” Marcus murmured, his voice still hoarse. “I can't even begin to express how grateful I am. I'm not used to... this, you know? Being taken care of.”

You gave him a gentle smile, as you dried your hands off with a kitchen towel and lowered the heat on the pot. 

You twisted around in his arms to face him, tucking a stray lock of hair back from his forehead.  “It was my pleasure, Marcus,” you said with a smile. 

He was silent for a moment, taking in what you said. That one sentence soothing to years of a self-imposed belief that he should always be the caretaker, the provider. “Thank you,” he spoke softly.

“Since you're feeling much better now, I’d better think about getting back to my place,” you said, puncturing the comfortable quiet of the room. You were trying to sound casual, but it was obvious that your presence wasn’t intended to be a long-term thing; Marcus understood this, yet he still felt a twinge of sadness.

“But it's Friday,” he retorted, his voice carrying the softest note of protest. “Maybe you could stay for the weekend? Now that I'm feeling better, I can find a way to thank you properly.” A mischievous glint shone in Marcus's eyes as he smiled slowly. “Since you’ve been playing nurse so well, maybe it’s time for the patient to return the favour and take care of you?” he finished, his voice dropping into a suggestive tone, making the implication all but transparent.

But before he could elaborate, his words were interrupted by a sudden coughing fit. The rough, barking sound filled the apartment, and Marcus grimaced as he cleared his throat. Covering his mouth with his forearm, he tried to suppress another cough as he failed to stop the onslaught of another fit.

You let out a loud and throaty laugh as you filled Marcus a glass of water. “Okay, maybe we'll hold off on the whole nurse-and-patient role-play for now.” 

Marcus joined in, his laughter tinged with a hint of self-deprecation once he’d finished with the water you'd poured him. “Maybe you're right. But the offer to stay the weekend still stands.”

These days, such as now, in small moments of reflection Marcus was able to step back and see his previous relationships a little more clearly. They had felt solid at the time, and had seemed like they were built on a foundation of mutual understanding and love, but looking back he could tell that the foundation was merely a house of cards. Meaning one wrong move or unmet expectation and it all would have come crashing down on unrealistic standards he’d set himself. 

But with you, it was different. 

While Marcus was off in his own world, you returned your attention to the meal cooking on the stove. “Dinner will be ready soon.  What do you think about watching a movie while we eat? You choose,” you asked..

Marcus, snapping out of his thoughts, smiled warmly. “I think that sounds perfect,” he replied.

[themurdochmemesteries]

Some surprise Malcoshi for @deadheaddaisy It's angsty, because that's what I do, but I hope you like it.

Also on ao3.

She finds him in the armoury, alone, picking apart a phase pistol. Exactly where she suspected he’d be. He has his back to her and doesn’t seem to hear her come in. Hoshi frowns. It’s not often one can catch the ever-perceptive Lieutenant Reed off guard, so she ensures her footsteps are loud as she walks closer. When he still doesn’t lift his head, she clears her throat.

He whirls around so suddenly he almost teeters off balance. Seeing her, he relaxes ever so subtly. “Hoshi,” he breathes.

“Hey, Malcolm.” For all her extensive vocabulary, Hoshi is, for once, at a loss for words. A dozen or so different things she could say crowd at the tip of her tongue—questions, apologies—but none of them feel right. So instead her eyes flick to the phase pistol lying in pieces on the desk. “What are you working on?”

Malcolm glances back, running his fingers through his hair. “Erm, replacing a power pack.”

“I see.”

He turns back around to face her. “Was there something you needed?”

“I just came to see if you were alright,” Hoshi says, and even as the words leave her lips, she notices Malcolm stiffen almost imperceptibly.

“I’m fine,” he says immediately.

Hoshi’s expression softens. “What you went through-”

“Was nothing.” And there’s another uncharacteristic moment, for Malcolm hardly ever interrupts anyone. “I’m fine,” he says again.

“Sure. But… it’s okay to not be, you know.”

“I know.”

They stare at each other for a few seconds.

Hoshi takes a deep breath. “Captain Archer told me. About your fear.”

And Malcolm stiffens again, his spine ramrod straight, jaw set, shoulders tense. “Is that so,” he bites out.

“The aliens… What they did was inexcusable. Regardless of whether or not ‘tests of strength’ are their tradition.”

“It was the only way to get them to talk to us.”

Hoshi frowns. “But we didn’t have to.”

“We needed the dilithium.” Malcolm turns back to the worktable, but Hoshi is nothing if not persistent—and stubborn.

“Someone else could have gone. But you volunteered. Why?”

Malcolm doesn’t answer.

Hoshi takes a step closer. “Why, Malcolm?”

Still not a word.

Hoshi grits her teeth, anger flooding through her—but not directed at the man she’s held secret affections for for the past two years. Towards the aliens who returned him to sickbay two days ago, sopping wet and borderline catatonic. “They locked you in a box and left you to drown!” she exclaims.

“I know that!” Malcolm hisses.

Hoshi grabs his shoulders and spins him around. “So why did you do it?”

He shuts his eyes.

She shakes him. “Why, Malcolm?”

He purses his lips, once again not responding.

“Do you know how difficult it was seeing you like that?” Hoshi whispers hoarsely.

He glances away. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” she says. “Tell me why.”

He’s silent for a moment, and Hoshi worries he’s not going to answer again, but then he opens his mouth.

“They told us, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” he says in a quiet voice. “If I couldn’t face my fears…” He swallows thickly, tears crowding at his eyes.

“You’re not weak,” Hoshi assures him. “It’s their system that’s bullshit.”

He shakes his head, hands coming up to rest on her own, which still grip his shoulders loosely. He hangs his head. “I cried for help,” he whispers. “When the water got too high. I cried out for someone to save me. I couldn’t handle it.”

“I’d do the same, if I was suddenly stuck in a shrinking box,” Hoshi points out.

“You’re not the security officer.”

“But we are both human.” She reaches up, cupping his face, and to her surprise he leans into it and closes his eyes. “We can’t help that.”

He draws in a shuddering breath. “I was scared…”

“I know,” she says.

And then suddenly he’s leaning forward, burying his face in the crook of her neck and soon Hoshi feels hot tears against her skin, dampening her uniform, and before she knows it her arms are wrapped around him. “It’s alright,” she murmurs, “no one can hurt you anymore,” and she holds him as he slumps in her arms and breaks down.

[omega-puppy]

I have been teetering on the edge of making this post, until a post by @pin3-vin3 (go check them out!!) made me sigh and realise I had to sit down and do this.

I’m putting a nsft warning on this, because I can’t really comment in depth about it omegaverse without at least touching on the sexual aspects. So buckle up.

Alphas

Alphas have higher social status and prestige compared to the other two secondary sexes. Similar to men within the patriarchy, alphas have an easier time getting a job, making liveable wages, and generally have much more respect within medical, law and social service systems. (For example a doctor is more likely to actually listen to and accept what an alpha is saying as a symptom or sickness rather than an omega, more on that later).

Alphas however, have a caveat to this respect. They are respected even more, when part of a pack. (More on packs later). Alphas are respected more when part of a pack because they are then seen as more dependable and successful than an alpha without a pack. An alpha with just one partner is respected more than an alpha without as well. Alpha on alpha relationships are hit and miss, some elitist alphas may see this as settling, others may see it as a strong representation of an alphas ability to accept and care for people they love.

Which brings me to my next point. Alphas and emotion. While alphas are seen as strong and protective, there is nothing inherently wrong within society with an alpha setting that aside to be what someone needs. If they need a strong and aggressive protector, an alpha will be that. An alpha might be firm with their partner, similar to a parent trying to get kids to eat vegetables, but again, that’s based on what the situation requires. If their partner responds better to gentle nurturing, alphas gain a lot of respect and reverence from adapting to that.

Scent wise, I really hate this idea that alpha scents can’t be flowery and sweet. Scents as a whole can range and are similar to a cutie mark or something, they represent the person as a whole, what they’re good at, the things they like, the scent might represent a memory or key ideal. (I.e. smelling like gunpowder and mist might be linked to watching fireworks as a kid). That being said, these scents are accompanied by undertones that alter the general vibe around them, hence the requirement for alphas to have a sense of emotional control.

An aggressive or pissed off alpha, will emit spicy or heated undertones to their scent. An alpha that’s sad will have slightly muggy undertones. An alpha trying to calm their partner may emit soothing scents like chamomile undertones. This is from alphas evolving to serve an omega as a grounding technique, but it extends to alpha on alpha too. (More on why betas are unaffected later.)

Alphas can be affected by omegas scents. A distressed omega lets out the most foul and potent odour known to man. It’s a natural deterrent. Similarly an omega in heat releases a very specific scent that attracts alphas, but not how you’d think. It makes alphas weak in the knees and all they want to do is help. This means, if an omega is aggressively against being knotted for a heat, the Alpha can’t encroach on that unless it’s incredibly necessary (like if the omega is going to die, omegas safety is paramount, similar to like, medically necessary procedures).

Scent glands are located on both sides of the neck, the wrists and the inner thighs. When scenting items, the weakest spot is the wrists, it’s generally just for a temporary mark that lasts about a week or so. The neck lasts much longer and is much stronger, it also has a more affectionate meaning, to mark something with the glands on the neck. The inner thigh is the most intimate, and gifting an item that is marked by the inner thigh is like sending a nude. It’s a very private and intimate scent that you only really see on extremely personal items like particularly important pushes or treasures.

Alphas can growl and have a command tone. This is a tone that alphas can use to convey commands that must be followed. It’s taboo and in the eyes of the court, overly aggressive (not illegal to do, but is similar to a high stakes threat) outside of bond-marked couples (more later). This command tone rings in the back of an omegas mind until it is actioned, it becomes like their own impulsive thought, and it grows stronger the longer it’s resisted. This is most often used within mate-bonded couples to get omegas to eat during their heat (which is often forgotten). But as mentioned before, can be misused and in the eyes of the law, is not illegal, but is not aligned with social morality.

Marks! An alpha can bite down on the neck gland of an omega to attempt a mark. However, this mark is only temporary, and becomes permanent when an omega does it back to the alpha. Only then can the omega actually be able to have that alpha’s pups, and that alpha alone. Marks are shared between pack mates, so yes multiple marks can be made but they myst be entirely mutual. That is, is alpha A and omega B are marked to one another, and they want to introduce Alpha C into their pack, Alpha C must mark and be marked by alpha A and omega B.

Marks that are mutual are permanent and are referred to as Bond Marks. Bond marks create a permanent bond between alphas and omegas that can only be broken on agreement of both parties, and cannot be overwritten. These bonds work at an emotional level. If a bonded marked omega gets upset, the alpha will feel a portion of that sadness. This can also translate medically and is a common part of the diagnostic process when treating bonded pairs.

Alphas have knots, when they get into a rut, knotting is at the forefront of their mind and it becomes something they are going to need. Blood pressure rises, pupils dilate and heart rate speeds up. It’s an adrenaline storm essentially, and it can lead to medical complications if not placated by knotting.

Betas

Unfortunately, in my headcannon, betas are very similar to normal humans. They can reproduce with alphas or omegas as well as each other, they don’t carry scents nor are they affected by them (they can still smell scents, they just don’t really react to them)

However, it’s incredibly common for a pack to consist of an Alpha and Omega pair with a beta third partner. These betas will wear a mark which will need to be renewed. (Because they don’t have scent glands the mark doesn’t take the same way it does for an alpha or omega). These marks are usually symbolic rather than a deep rooted bond as it is with Alphas and Omegas marking each other or others within their secondary sex.

Betas often help alphas and omegas get things done during heats and ruts. Because they’re not affected by the heavy scent of heat and rut, they can still function and get things done around the house. However, say an alpha and omega are having their rut/heat, and the alpha for whatever reason, has to leave for a time. The beta can take over for a time, comforting or using a toy or themselves (depending on the situation) to help the omega feel like they’re being rutted. (However betas don’t have the capacity to knot. So they cannot provide that sensation to an omega)

Betas are incredibly talented at being able to support their partners, and with such a large majority of the population being betas, it’s very easy to find materials and resources that help betas work out how to best support their partners or friends that need help.

Omegas

Omegas are incredibly similar to alphas in many ways, but are different in many too.

Omegas have the lowest amount of social prestige, however notably, they are not treated as *lesser*. Omegas are not considered weak or inferior. They are considered to be better suited to different roles. For example. An omega might go for a job in construction, but be perceived to be better at making coffee. This is not something that is laughed off and is a comment that’s thrown in an omegas face to put them down. It would be more of a gentle suggestion that they should take it easy and not push themselves too much.

Single omegas (un-bonded, un-packed, un-mated) are at higher risk within society, because as is the way of society, there are many who see them as easy or weak targets. So it’s not unlikely that omegas will live within apartment blocks full of omegas or even a few alpha neighbours so their scent is lingering on them when they’re out and about.

Emotionally, omegas are definitely more in touch with their emotions (note: not emotional!!! But in touch, meaning they have a greater understanding of what they feel and when). This can be misconstrued to be that they are more emotional or sensitive but that’s not necessarily true.

Omegas build nests within their homes. This isn’t always a bed, but it can be. It can be on the floor on a futon, or on a couch, sometimes even just in the corner of a room. There are slick-resistant mats you can get for the bottom of the nest, otherwise the nests are mostly constructed with blankets, soft toys, items that are sentimental and important. Omegas nests are sacred spaces, often where an omega retreats during heat. Alphas are expected to present themselves, hands behind their back, chin in the air exposing their neck glands, and receive permission before entering a nest. Not doing so can cause extreme distress for the omega, and can even cause a drop (more later).

Scent wise, of course omegas can smell hardy, Smokey, like a tree. Similar to alphas omegas also emit undertones to their scent that correspond to emotional states. Omegas in high distress emit scents that are repulsive, omegas in heat emit scents that are more attractive. Omegas can emit calming scents that help relax alphas. (This is mostly just the flip side of what alphas can do to omegas which I already went though above.

Omegas do have a need to be marked. When in heat they may beg and plead for a mark. And they may have to fight the instinct to mark an alpha back during these times. In legal cases, the responsibility lies on the Alpha, as they are viewed to be more in control during heats or ruts.

Scent glands are located on both sides of the neck, the wrists and the inner thighs. When scenting items, the weakest spot is the wrists, it’s generally just for a temporary mark that lasts about a week or so. The neck lasts much longer and is much stronger, it also has a more affectionate meaning, to mark something with the glands on the neck. The inner thigh is the most intimate, and gifting an item that is marked by the inner thigh is like sending a nude. It’s a very private and intimate scent that you only really see on extremely personal items like particularly important pushes or treasures.

Omegas can purr which calms alphas around them similar to a calming scent. Omegas can also trill, but this is an act that is similar to chastising a child. It’s an easy way of saying stop, or be punished. Alphas do get a twinge to the back of their neck after hearing this sound, like being scruffed.

When an omega senses a rut, one of two things is the most common response. They either go into a pseudo heat, which is similar to their regular heat but instead of lasting a few days, it lasts maybe one day at most, more commonly it lasts about 3 or so hours. The other option is they are like the same sides of a magnet to the rutting alpha, just something in them makes them unable to get too close, and the alpha will usually pick up on a scent of rejection. In some cases neither of these things happen. It’s not considered abnormal or anything to worry about, it’s just rare.

Omegas in heat produce slick, helps alphas out. The slick is produced by a pair of glands in the upper area of the inside canal. Prolonged or overexposure to suppressant medication can cause complications where these glands get blocked or clotted, and it can cause intense pain and discomfort, as well as mental health problems like nest rejection and anxiety.

omegas have muscles that are designed to be pressed against, like pressure points, that can only be pressed on by knots. They line the walls just inside the opening, and require to all be pressed with enough consistent pressure, at the same time. There are aids that help achieve this to relieve the stress for omegas without an alpha or who do not want an alpha.

If on suppressant medication in a way that is not medically appropriate, if encroached on by an alpha without permission, if their nest is invaded, if their mark is damaged and in rare cases, if rejected by an alpha they particularly like, an omega can enter a drop. This can present as fever, hysteria, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and even psychosis. It takes an alpha or a group of well loved and well trusted friends, providing long term (a week at minimum) support to bring an omega out of this, through calming scents, gentle comfort and allowing rest (bringing food, cleaning the house, letting the omega stay in their nest).

Look there’s probably plenty of shit I haven’t said, I’ve been spending all day typing this out. This is just my personal idea of how this works, and like all individual ideas, it’ll probably shift and change over time. But there you go. That’s my thoughts on it, I’m gonna crawl into my nest now.

[loud-kid2]

@peaches2217 KB headcanon time since it's all I've been able to do today (I have no clue what's going on, I just feel like crap for no reason)

So I HC that there are three King Boos, nobody knew that for a while since they collectively decided to fuck with everyone by pretending to be the same person. They're also triplets (based on my HC about how Boos are born, I'll share that at some point). They also have a mild Irish accent that they got from the Boo that raised them, they also all have a unique power that only they have. They have different names but share the same title, their names are Alexander, Henry and King.

This is Alex, the eldest of the three

He's the smallest and nobody knows why exactly, he's just kinda like that. His unique ability is the manipulation of sound and sonic screams, he's ok at controlling his powers but because of his extremely condensed power it's not easy to do so, when he's extremely upset or frustrated there is a very high chance his powers will act up. His job is external affairs, things like trade, alliances, and publicity stunts (kart races and sporting events mostly). Alexander is the most energetic of his brothers by far, he often needs to be reigned in either by Boo-Hoo (the guy who raised them and their advisor) or his wife Rosemarie.

The second one is Henry

The friendliest of the three, his unique ability is the manipulation of disease, he uses it on people who don't respect the dead and/or dying. Henry's got a severe fear of the dark and being confined because of a very traumatic experience where some amateur ghost hunters captured him and kept him someplace dark, Henry also hated it when his younger brother got himslef captured because he'd become extremely paranoid for a while after, he's never told anyone about what caused his fear of the dark and fear of confinement mostly because he's not ready to confront that trauma quite yet. His job is mostly internal affairs but he does have one external affairs job and that's going to political parties, mostly because he's the friendliest but also because Alex can't be trusted with alcohol, he also sometimes helps new ghosts adjust to being undead. A little fun fact about Henry is that if he is confined in a dark place for too long he will physically regress to look how he did when his trauma happened (due to a shape-shifting ability all three of them have)

The youngest is King

His unique power is contol over illusions. He's the most temperamental of his brothers, often snapping at people when he's upset, frustrated or things aren't going his way. His job is literally just managing their alliance with Bowser, other than that he spends most of his time listening to opera music (all three are fans but King's the most obsessed), restoring paintings or turning people into paintings. Before he got that gem in his crown he was actually the weakest of his brothers, any and all abilities he had weren't what they should have been, the gem put him on par with Henry, he's always been insecure about being "the weak link" of his brothers so after he got his power boost he's been over compensating by being way to overconfident and extremely aggressive.

All three of them are classically trained in a different instrument, Alexander is a violinist, Henry's a flautist and King plays a pipe organ.

The triplets are also extremely close, despite not spending much time together anymore they do keep in regular contact. When they were young they were practically inseparable, and when they were babies they'd cry when one of them had to be taken out of the other two's line of sight. They were also commonly found sleeping in a little cuddle puddle (Henry and King often found unintentionally crushing poor little Alex) as both kids and babies, despite having their own rooms as kids

@silly-inky I'm tagging you here too because of new info I haven't shared with you yet

[ask-miss-marshmallow]

(Oh My Gosh, one billion ty 's for answering both of my questions, I love Marshmallow, and you're posts are awesome! And I love Porky X Marshmallow ever since the Fanfic, [the one in the link] showed how beautiful it was. Huge Fan btw.)

Question: JEFF! STOOOOOOOP HURTING 'ELLIE' MARSHMALLOW, LEAVE HER ALONE! He's just one guy, the weakest link of the Chosen 4 actually, you can take him, knock him down! Or do you think you can persuade him with your sweet personality?

He... has family trouble? This man has a FAMILY?

Okay. Keep it together, Marshmallow. This is good. He is very clearly the stronger combatant here, but whatever THIS is, it has stopped him for the moment. You have time to think.

He is Jeffrey Andonuts. He blasted through all of G̷̗̐̕ỉ̵̻͝y̷͓̰̯̑̋̐̚g̶̣͚̰̔͛́̿ą̵̖̈̐̑̉s̵̠͔̯̒͜' forces and then slayed the destroyer himself, and he has only gotten stronger in the intervening years... however many he has lived. It is impossible to tell with a Phase Distorter user. This "family" is a weakness. Exploit it while you can. You can still save your friend, you can still save Kye... if he is still breathing there in that lab.

I am... what is this? Have I truly become something more than I was programmed to be? I MUST save Master Porky, I MUST. I absolutely will not be swayed, but... but still. Friendship. I have discovered it, and I cannot let it go... Priority One: Rescue Friend.

I do not know who I am anymore.

Please, someone help me.

[tohwitchesduels]

WILD CARD OF WITCHES DUELS - Battle 53: Amity Blight vs Viney

Disclaimer: This is not a popularity contest or which character you prefer, in this tournament, you decide who is stronger/better/smarter/etc. opponent.

information for both opponents under the cut to those who don't know what they can do in their battle:

Viney:

Viney specializes in both Beast-Keeping magic and Healing Magic. She doesn't show spells of other kinds. For the purposes of this tournament, I allow Viney to have a powerset established by MoringMark's comics due to him fleshing out her capabilities in the "A Hint of Blue" comic storyline and his comics being beloved by the fan base.

Viney and Amity never really interacted with one another directly but both of them have mutual friends in Willow, Luz, Gus, and Hunter, so overall they're on friendly terms. However, both of them are to an extent competition freaks going all out, bloodthirsty hands down. Viney is not giving up her spot and will fight anyone that will come her way (she's especially rolled up as she's pretty much the weakest of the finalist and it does bug her a bit).

Viney is an absolutely fierce and intimidating competitor who will stop at nothing to win. She can get even more ruthless and petty when facing her friends claiming them to be traitors. Her magic is also quite impressive if not prodigious. The girl is absolutely skilled and at times quite chaotic. Viney's in it to win. She can be however a bit hasty in her approach. Viney has plenty of physical strength to back up her punch.

Viney does possess a Palisman and is quite a proficient flyer. With her fighting spirit, she is capable to rush at her opponents furiously and knock them out with her physical strength. However, at the same time, she gets tunnel vision due to this and her attack can still be blocked knocking her out in the process.

Quick Heal - Viney is capable of very quickly healing wounds of hers or others (only available during Battle Royale when it comes to other people, no way she's healing her opponents unless it's after the battle but that's debatable due to her personality). According to Viney, the only scars she has are emotional making her quite a proficient healer who can leave the battle without a single scratch on her.

Healing Shield - Viney is capable of creating a shield-shaped hand to block any attacks coming her way. From simple bullets to even raging streams.

Medical Knowledge - Viney has enough experience to come up with remedies on the fly while also understanding both the strong and weak spots of the body of any witch/demon, meaning Viney knows where it hurts the most and you bet she will use that knowledge to her advantage.

Griffin Companion - Viney can summon Puddles to aid her in battles. Puddles can at times be wilder even than Viney herself, but Viney is still his master and he listens to her commands. Puddles is both strong and smart, a large griffin that can give Viney's opponent just as much of a hard time and is even more fierce than Viney, dealing huge damage. Also much like other griffins he probably possesses spider breath, which Viney can use to attack her opponents with an army of crawling spiders. Viney can ride him naturally.

Muscle Growth - power-up which came from MoringMark's comic. Viney can enhance her muscle to enhance her own strength to a superhuman level when attacking her opponents. (I will not post screenshots of Mark's comics but I will leave parts of the comics where he demonstrated this ability so you can support HIS art).

Equipment attack - power-up which came from MoringMark's comic. Thanks to her medical knowledge, Viney can throw medical equipment at her opponents using this or get her hands on a weapon of said equipment.

The comics of Moringmark in question

Link to more of Viney's capabilities here

Amity Blight:

Amity Blight naturally specializes in Abomination Magic the most, but she does so capacity in knowing spells of other tracks like Plants and Illusion, but it's very limited.

I will mention Amity's moves just by name to not make this post too cramped, and in the title, there's a link to Amity's main character profile debunking all her moves.

Amity and Viney never really interacted with one another on-screen, but both of them have mutual friends in the form of Hexsquad, so they themselves are on friendly terms. Granted, both of them can be a bit of competition freaks and go all out and bloodthirsty during this battle. In the end, Viney is the only thing that currently stands between Amity's battle with Luz, and they promised to each other that they would get to fight in the finals and Amity absolutely intends to keep this promise and will crush anyone who will try to take hat away.

Amity is a very skilled, talented, cool-headed, and pragmatic fighter. Hardly does she lose composure when battling even strong opponents, displaying plenty of agility and athleticism (as shown in her battle with Hunter and Grom, which is also given considering she was a former captain of the grudgby team at Hexside), and can be both a powerhouse using plenty of strength or a mastermind coming up with tricks on the fly while outsmarting her opponents with her skillset. Very dangerous, and even more so once she puts more passion into her battle. Hardly there are any weak spots or flaws in her battling style, but she can still be overpowered. Abomination Magic in particular feels to be weaker than Construction Magic for example, and it can be rendered useless when dealing in an environment with no mud. Granted Amity holds abomination goo with her so at most, she's going to be weakened. Amity is capable of controlling any slime or mud she comes in contact with.

Amity does wield a Palisman named Ghost and according to herself, she's a "safe flyer". This means she's overall pretty proficient and skilled in her flying capabilities, but at the same time, it means she's not a real aerial ace like Luz or Hunter for example. She's skilled enough to not easily fall off by herself, but as proven in her battles with Hunter (both EL and TTT), she's not fast enough to necessarily avoid being hit in midair. Granted she can still be faster than average and have better reflexes than average, but still not enough to beat some real aerial aces. She is proficient in staff-wielding, being capable of using it to enhance her own spells.

Light Spell

Projection Spell

Voice Change - Amity is capable of briefly changing her voice to sound whoever she wants like to sound. Her real voice however can still be heard through, but it could be used as a brief distraction during Battle Royale or maybe to mess up some verbal spells of other casters (like beast-keepers, though it's hard to tell if it would actually work, or Alador's Abomatons as proven in Reaching Out).

Oath Spell

Thorn Bolt

Shield Spell

Barrier Spell

Fire Ball

Abomination Golem

Abomination Bullet

Abomination Block

Abomination Shield

Abomination Slide

Abomination Root Attack

Abomination Arms

Giant Abomination Arm

Abomination Lasso

Abomination Bind

Abomination Bubble

Abomination Blade

Abomination Gauntlet

Abomination Wave

Abomination Construct

Abomination Multiple Hands

Abomination Tendrils

Abomination Hand Block

Abomination Arm Attack

Abomination Arm Stream

Abomination Hand Wave

Return to Masterpost

[goron-king-darunia]

Annon-Guy: Got a favorite Version of the theme Dreams Dreams from the NiGHTS Series?

https://www.tumblr.com/annon-guy2/777553195594661888/nights-dreams-dreams-theme-poll?source=share

I do. The original Dream Dreams Adult version is a classic. A baseline if you will. It's hard to say anything about it because, like "That's it. That's the song, that's what it sounds like." It's soft and warm but peppy. The love song aspect comes through a lot more in the adults' version across the series and the vocal performance sells it.

The original kids version is probably the weakest performance. Child vocalists can have unpredictable voices and have a hard time hitting certain notes. Unfortunately I think the female performance in both Kids versions is a little weak because the high notes feel much more like a falsetto with them than the boys. But they're trying their best damn it, and the kid versions in each game really sell the friendship side. The first NiGHTS game is told to us rather than shown for the most part so the songs are actually a lot more important in the first game, I think. Both games have a lot more of a subtle arc for the characters, but I think the growth between Claris and Elliot is a lot more subtle.

The A-Capella cover is definitely the most unique of all the different versions. The vocals are rich and the soul and choir styling are just completely different to everything else. Absolutely stellar performances but the lack of music actually makes me miss the piano parts and the flute riff a lot. Apart from that, the only other weakness to the song is that it... comes from outside the characters. I would buy it as something that could be sung in their universe since the original NiGHTS had a Christmas version and its lyrics are vague enough that it could definitely be seen as love toward a higher being if you squint. But in my opinion, Dream Dreams exists in both games as a song between the two dreamers who got to experience an incredible amount of emotional intimacy by sharing a dream and fighting evil together. While I could see an argument to be made that the third version is to include NiGHTS themself, and while I love NiGHTS as a character, NiGHTS seems more to be a sort of facilitator for the dreamers. NiGHTS isn't exactly the main character in either game. NiGHTS just gives the dreamers the power to battle against Wiseman and face their fears but he doesn't really change or grow that much because his main problem is that if Wiseman gets his way, NiGHTS can't stay free. NiGHTS is a deuteragonist in their own games. The kids are the protagonists. And the A-Capella cover isn't diegetic becaise there's no real way for it to be from them or about them because the performance is so different.

Sweet Mix and the guitar synth is just stellar. It somehow manages to be Christmas-y without sleigh bells?! It has those classic "winter song" bell beats but with synth? The only nitpick is that super-aggressive "WOO" in the cheering track they used. The returning adult vocals set it back firmly as an in-universe thing, and I would argue that the "call" in the background that is also found in Cruising Together and Growing Wings in Journey of Dreams is specifically there to include NiGHTS. In some ways I almost prefer Cruising Together over Dream Dreams even though they're the same melody in a different arrangement because it includes that call.

Journey of Dreams is just... better in my opinion? The vocal performances are improved across the board for me. Child Helen's vocals are still the weakest link but they selected voice actors that could compliment that sort of warble, squeaky voice she can have when she sings from her head and not her chest. Still a big improvement over the original female child vocals for Clarice.

It's hard to talk about the first four versions individually, since they're all written to relate to and segue into each other. I will say that the individual kids' versions have the amazing benefit of getting to hear the adult and child counterparts duet which not only sells the unspoken narrative that Helen and Will are going to stay friends (or maybe become more) and will grow into people who still care for and appreciate each other, but it lets you hear the vocalists mesh together with each other in unique ways and honestly I think the adult vocal performances shine here more than in the adult version of the song. The songs exist to be blended together into one in various ways. Two Dreamers, two timelines, the now and the future, combining, but never quite one, a duet across the years. It's just a beautiful song about friendship, love, teamwork, and the Journey of Dreams version of the song just sells that across the board with the first four.

The Located Link version is just so bouncy with the synth and music box sound. The track has a sort of "starting a skype call" quality with those ring jingles you get to indicate that you're waiting for someone on the other end to pick up. I was a kid with bad internet and no gamer friends in the same time zone so I never got to hear this version in regular gameplay but I presume it was there when trying to connect with another player across the internet. I remember the Nightopian garden was meant to have a feature like the chao garden where you could interact with other players and their Nightopians. Song fits that very well. (Also, SilvaGunna is known for this, but for real, the remix of the song he made has no right to slap so hard but it does. As with every song parodied and remixed. XD)

Sweet Snow has got to be my favorite version of all though. Once again, winter-y without bells. Like. The bells come in and just make it extra wintery, but it already has that with just the chimes and synth. It's just extra slow and dreamy. Exceptionally tender. The only issue I have is that I do miss the duet with the male vocals. If there was an arrangement of the sweet snow version that kept the adult duet aspect, it would be perfect.

[marsipaniscool]

Santana really did have a shit life. First, his family was massacred. Then he got kidnapped by the murderers and told to become a strong warrior, and when he failed, they just left him there for a minimum of 2000 years. And THEN he woke up to being experimented on, and I'm not sure if he then died or stayed alive but in pieces. Lowkey hope he died and has some peace

RIGHT. gonna talk abt both of the boys because I feel like they bounce off of each other really well, almost foils. under the cut because I love yapping <3

in my opinion, Wamuu and Santana internalised Kars' and Esidisi's actions very differently. Wamuu acknowledges it happened, but his loyalty to his masters runs so deep that he willingly turns a blind eye to it, even though it brings him a lot of turmoil. I think that's a part of the reason he doesn't like fighting women or children, he sees Kars ordering him to kill his mother, and even himself as a child. Something something if Wamuu had been a child instead of an actual baby, he realises Kars would have had him killed too more than likely. He copes with this by proving his worth time and time again on the battlefield, doing quite literally whatever Kars demands. This increased tenfold when Santana was left behind. Yeah Wamuu talks big game about having a code of honour and strong morals but alllllll of that goes out the window when daddy kars demands. Honestly, Wamuu won the genetic lottery in terms of being a fierce warrior, he ends up taller than Kars or Esidisi and appears more well built. I don't think it was the fact that Santana was weak, I think he was just comparatively weak to Wamuu, and ended up being perceived as the weakest link. Kars and Esidisi had milleniums of training and Wamuu was a fighting prodigy, so Santana, who was probably just an average, untrained, pillar person (see:child), was by default the weakest. Santana had to process the information of Kars and Esidisi killing his family in an entirely different way. While Wamuu came to his own conclusion, I can easily see Kars holding that information above Santana's head. Santana had to hear that Kars "saved him from a life of darkness and drab" and how Santana should be "thankful you (Santana) weren't slaughtered like everyone else/your parents/family." When physical punishments were given to Santana, I can see Kars and/or Esidisi telling him how he was just as worthless and weak as his mother. I talked about it in-depth before, so just to rehash my thoughts: Santana was abandoned in Mexico at least 5,000 years ago (K,E,+W went to Eurasia in search of the super aja.) Santana would have looked around 10 years old at his age of 5,000. Picking up here, Santana would very likely stick to the same general area for quite a while before branching out into the greater Central America. Honestly think he became an idol in these areas due to him being bored as fuck with a booming population of humans around him. I see him spending a few thousand years like this, until eventually he got bored/not enough nourishment/whatever happened, and he fell asleep for several thousand years. Really leaning towards lack of nourishment leading to his slumber, he holed himself up in the temple and only woke up to a copious blood sacrifice. He woke up, the events of the show happened, Santana is stone in the SWF again. I don't think Santana is dead, I think they woke him back up and experimented on him. Von Stroheims entire mechanical body is based off of Santana. They may have been able to study him to such a degree while he was asleep, but honestly I think homeboy was awake and just restrained in some fashion while the Nazis and SWF experimented on him. I really hope he passed by the events of part 4 at the latest, but maybe they studied him until they were satisfied, and then kept him turned to stone. Maybe they had Joseph swing by and kill him idk. I just hope he found a peaceful ending.

[skyward-floored]

Whenever you get to this -- it's not terribly important, but how would you describe each of the chain's personalities to be like?

You’ve found my writing weakness Ladye, I struggle immensely with looking at a character and writing out their personality XD

That’s an interesting question! One I think about a lot when I’m writing actually, because at their core? All the Links are made of the same stuff. It can be difficult to parse out what makes them individuals sometimes (especially writing it out 😂) but I did my best here!

Under a readmore because this is LONG

Time - stubborn, responsible, and serious, but not as much as you’d expect from his appearance. Most leader-y of the group, he’s stern yes, but mostly only when he’s trying to keep the other Links safe (the Like Like incident, when Twilight is injured and insists he’s well enough to fight, etc). His overall personality seems to me more lighthearted then you’d expect at first glance— after all, he enjoys teasing the other Links, and even pranks them now and then.

It seems like he’s largely moved past and healed from what happened during his adventures, (probably due to how it’s been longer since them unlike the other Links), and not much seems to bother him. He can even joke about them a little (“the moon”), though he stays mysterious about details. He seems a pretty private person as well, except around his wife and a few select others.

Twilight - protective and stubborn to a fault, he cares deeply for those he loves. Another leader of the group, but he doesn’t think of himself as the leader-type as much. He falls into the role though, since the others tend to look to him, and he manages it well.

He has a melancholic sense about him, one that he’s only partially-good at hiding. He’s still very much getting over his complicated feelings about Midna’s departure, and that sadness bleeds into his personality sometimes. Good with kids and animals, knows how to wrangle them both really well, but he can be a little overprotective on occasion, and forgets how age isn’t necessarily an indicator of how responsible and/or skilled you are, which the younger Links bristle at.

Warriors - polished, put together, and a bit prideful, but he’s well aware of what happens if he gets too cocky and keeps it in check. The other leader of the group, he seems to focus largely on making plans, and keeping up the overall morale of the Links. A charmer, good at saying what people want to hear, and also figuring out what makes people tick. His first impression of people is rarely incorrect.

Good at keeping the group organized, and one of the few Links good at working alongside others, he also seems to be the one to break up fights if they get to be less teasing and more serious. Has a strong sense of justice as well, he hates those who would betray their allies/beliefs.

Four - Calm and focused and very mature, so much that several of the others believe him to be much older than he is. He’s very good at keeping his emotions in check and staying collected, right up to the point where he... isn’t. Gets frustrated with himself if he gets to that point and lashes out, but this only happens rarely.

One of the quietest Links, he tends to keep to himself, but he’s one of the heroes most used to being in a group, and generally handles it very well. Very book-smart and eager to learn, but has a deep distrust of any sort of magic that’s even remotely dark. Also knows how to keep the peace, and generally smooth flaring tempers... unless he’s the one who’s upset.

Wind - the youngest but by no means the weakest Link, Wind is a skilled fighter for his age and the brightest personality among the group. Exuberant and cheerful, his happy attitude can sometimes be taken for frivolousness. But he’s able to take a situation just as seriously as the rest of them— he just tends to look on the bright side of it.

Tends to be underestimated due to his age, and he’s not afraid to call people out on it. He fights hard to be taken seriously, and greatly appreciates how Time treats him as just as capable as everyone else. He still has a childish side to him though, which can be both a strength and a weakness.

Wild - fond of exciting schemes, always willing to go along with what seems like a crazy idea, and deeply traumatized with an identity crisis on top. Tends to be very argumentative and quick to make jokes, but usually he knows when he’s going too far (...usually). Highly defensive of Zelda, and not afraid to argue against any conceived slight against her. She had enough bad things said about her when she couldn’t unlock her powers, and he takes his defense of her seriously.

Greatly insecure about how much of a hero he is due to how he failed— being around so many others who succeeded is difficult, especially when they rarely discuss how close they all came to failing sometimes. Has the greatest trouble working in a group, and it’s caused several issues in the time he’s been with the Links, especially with those that are used to it.

Legend - prickly exterior, soft all the way through. Quick to tease and throw jabs, but he doesn’t truly mean anything by it. It’s a defensive measure more then anything to keep people at arm’s length. Could be a leader, but he chooses not to be— he doesn’t like all that responsibility on his head, and will only step up if the others are truly out of commission.

Reliable and mature for his age due to all his adventures, he seems totally unbothered by what he went through (though Koholint especially weighs heavy on his heart). Seems aloof at times, but cares just as much as Twilight, even if he doesn’t outwardly show it. Is younger than he projects himself to be.

Hyrule - humble and kind, he’s also got a level of sass that sometimes rears it’s head and surprises people. Tends to downplay himself and his skills, doesn’t think he’s a true “hero” like the others, despite being skilled in almost anything he puts his mind to. Has incredible tenacity and refuses to give up no matter the odds against him— he’s made of stronger stuff then he thinks.

Very decisive, knows when to act, and would make a great leader someday if he ever managed to get past his poor view of himself. Has a mysterious side to him as well, similar to Time’s in a way. Not the best in a group, generally prefers to be in either a smaller group or by himself.

Sky - seemingly open with his emotions, kind and cheerful, Sky seems a bit airheaded at times. But he has a great strength of spirit, and is deadly on the battlefield— those who have underestimated him have not lived to tell the tale.

Has a mischievous side that isn’t immediately evident, but it’s there, and its quite a sight to behold when his sassiness comes up with it as well. Tends to keep his heavier thoughts and emotions close to his chest though, and prefers to push through and not dwell on them, which is bad news later when it gets to be too much for him.

[personaconcept]

Have you figured out anything new for this project

Also do you have an Explanation for why the arcanas fit the Characters

My goal while I was in a writing rut was to work on getting images of the Personas, following that some of the minor characters like Yuuki, Haruka, and Natsuki. However, financially I've not been doing well the last couple of years, so I haven't had the opportunity.

As for why I have each of the characters as the arcana they are, the team at least I based off the video I drew inspiration from. (Though that video has since been taken down, I've been told) I think I can explain some of them without the video's influence but by my own design. (I'm sorry if any of this comes out confusing, the longer I work at my current job, the worse my ability to talk or write coherently gets). Your other ask only asked about the party, so I'll focus on them, but let me know if you're interested in the rest of the cast as well.

Avis: The Priestess

Avis was not a character mentioned in the video, she is a character of my own creation. I choose the High Priestess for her in part due to the name of the card. The Priestess implies a connection to the mystical, which Avis is, being a phoenix and the guide to The Endless Forest. She is quite literally the MC's spirit guide, much as a holy figure is for people in the real world.

Sayaka: The Heirophant

If you'll remember from previous postings, the only one of the Persona titles I've played is the fifth ("Still!?" the masses cry, but I have watches P4 the anime which I'm told is pretty faithful). Dojima and Sojiro are, by all accounts, father figures to the MC. Why, then, would I chose the Hierophant for Sayaka? Unlike characters of the Chariot arcana, Sayaka is not necessarily a guide. She's a follower. Truthfully, once I get my vision through, she's barely an inciting incident. Sayaka believes, though. Believes in mysticism and magic and spiritual. She's not the magician though, because her story is about her struggling with being who she is, outside of conformity, and seeing she is good enough. Sayaka is the epitome of "reversed hierophant."

Shinju: The Strength

Shinju is consistently underestimated because of her perceived weakness. Unlike the others, what ails her is visible. But in all matters, she's meant to be a mirror of the MC, especially Hikari. It's why they look so similar and why I used similar sounding voice claims for them. The MC has to be strong, the leader. But while they fail the vocal, emotional part, Shinju excels. "The party is only as strong as its weakest link," and Shinju is pretty damn strong.

Masahiko: The Hanged Man

I like making mirror characters, and Masahiko is meant to mirror Miyako. They're both hanging from a noose of their own creation, but Miyako was both neither scared to kick the chair over nor to take the noose off. Masahiko stays where he is.

Miyako: The Death

I recently just watched the show "His Dark Materials." The episode "Lyra and Her Death" feels like something Miyako could relate to. She has accepted it, and so can see her Death. It will come to her when it does, and she will not fight it, but she's not going to run towards it either.

Jun: The Devil

There's so many reasons I could put for Jun being the Devil card. He's not evil, he's just not great. He hides a nasty truth under a princely facade. That's the simplest I can make it without running on and on about him.

Yudai: The Tower

He's largely here because of the video, but... when I think about a tower, I think of something like a lighthouse. A tall figure that someone can look to to guide their way. When things start getting out of hand, it's Yudai that remains steadfast.

Hoshiko: The Star

I'm fairly certain that Hoshiko was not in the video whatsoever (this part I remember because I thought there were too many white haired characters in the party so I decided to change her), and that the character in place of her was a different arcana. In part, my desicion to make Hoshiko the star was a whole "wishing on a star" thing and Hoshiko's big dreams, but also influenced by how she feels unable to achieve those dreams. Another classic reversed case.

I hope those were satisfactory! As I said, let me know if you want me to go into the other characters more. I definitely need to brush up on this stuff more.

[oddlyhale]

I used to think Weiss was the weakest character in the show, but all she really needs is better writing and a better handle on her range of powers. She could be her own team since she's the strongest - in my opinion. Hence why she needs to lose a lot.

But Blake is a weak link to the team. When it comes to her power and her abilities, she doesn't stand out or come off as unique. Anybody can do what she can. She barely uses her Semblance as well, which is still something that feels so weird to me. A cloning Semblance, barely utilized. You could replace Blake with someone else and the team would be fine.

Her arcs - the White Fang arc and the Adam arc - both ended, and now there's nothing else for Blake to do. She could've gone back home to reform the White Fang, but now she's stuck with the team. It's hard to put Blake in conversations because she delivers nothing. She didn't even have anybody to connect with in the JLxRWBY Part 2 film, the other girls did.

And with every installment, her outfits get worse.