#I thought the original graphic was inaccurate

[eternalistic]

DailyMail article: "The University of Boston [...] adding that the research was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Boston Public Health Commission.

Original study abstract: "We generated chimeric recombinant SARS-CoV-2 encoding the [spike protein] S gene of Omicron in the backbone of an ancestral SARS-CoV-2..."

#sars #covid #pandemic #biowarfare #research #virology #virus #corona virus #sars-cov-2 #omicron #boston #biosafety #boston university #public health #bioweapons #covid-19 #infectious diseases #gain of function #the gif image edit is by me #I thought the original graphic was inaccurate

[joannechocolat]

Content Warning: contains scenes of graphic kindness; wokery; tolerance; profanity.

A few days ago, I posted a little Twitter poll, asking readers (and authors) what they thought of trigger warnings. I followed this up with a short thread, outlining my own thoughts on this, and how they have changed over the years.

The Daily Mail immediately seized the idea, and without contacting me, or asking for further clarification, published an article quoting my words, under a headline that was both inflammatory and untrue: Trigger warnings should be put on EVERY book to make readers feel 'safe', Chocolat author Joanne Harris says.

Predictably, this caused a frenzy of reaction from Daily Mail readers and Twitter trolls, including accusations of censorship and “pandering to moronic snowflakes”. Several people (who I suspect, have never even picked up one of my books) swore never to read them. One charmer wrote: “Fucking pathetic. What a dick the author must be.”

I don’t blame the writer of the article; most clickbait headlines are added by someone else - in this case, by someone who couldn’t even be bothered to read the article, let alone my original thread. It has since been quietly changed, presumably in response to my comments, although once again, without any communication with me. But as a result of these comments (and some more polite ones from people asking about the poll), I think it’s time I made it clear, both where I stand on trigger warnings, and why the public perception of them, fuelled by culture wars debates, is both skewed and inaccurate.

First, the result of my poll: about 35% of the people who answered were in favour of some kind of content warning. About 30% were against, and the rest were undecided, curious about the result. To me this suggests that most people are generally positive or undecided on the subject. From the comments, it seemed to me that many of the people who were against trigger warnings were afraid they might lead to censorship, or spoilers, or editing of the classics, or stopping people from reading the classics, or authors losing the right to free speech.

But here's the thing. Trigger warnings are nothing to do with those things. Here’s why people have been misled, and why it matters to put things straight.

First, this expression; “triggered.” Like “woke” and “snowflake” it has been weaponized to mean something like “upsetting the libs.” Reader, that's not what it means. The concept of triggering only applies to someone with PTSD or some kind of serious psychological trauma. That makes it irrelevant to politics. Anyone can have trauma. Anyone is potentially vulnerable to mental illness. And that’s why trigger warnings exist; to warn people who might suffer a relapse, or some other kind of serious harm, if exposed without warning to certain images, scenes or narrative strands. Some of the obvious ones might be sexual violence; graphic images; mental illness; eating disorders; suicide. I’m sure there are lots more. But we’ve had content warnings (if you prefer) on films for decades without any resistance, and TV shows routinely flag up scenes with flashing images, etc. that might trigger (that word again) an epileptic seizure in anyone susceptible.  

And yes, it makes sense. I mean, why would you want someone to have a seizure if you could just warn them against it? Who but a sadist would argue that people with epilepsy should be forced to have seizures, or that having regular seizures will make them more resilient somehow, or that people afraid to have seizures should just stop watching films and TV altogether, or that warnings against flashing lights would somehow spoil other people’s enjoyment of the show? And yet those are all things that people have said to me recently about content warnings.

To me content warnings in books are like content warnings on packaged food. Most people don’t read them, unless they have a special interest or need to know. Why do they need to know? There might be any number of reasons. Maybe they’re vegan, and want to avoid eating animal products. Maybe they have a religious dietary restriction. Maybe they have a mild allergy to peanuts or to shellfish. Or maybe it’s a more a serious allergy that could even result in their death. Either way, details are useful. Content warnings in books are the same, except that instead of triggering a physical attack, certain things trigger a mental one.

I'm not talking here about things that might simply cause offence. I sometimes use profanity in my books; I sometimes write about topics that people may find challenging. That's not going to change. I won't add content warnings for swearing, or nudity, or paganism, or LGBT issues. None of those things cause trauma, though I'm willing to believe they may in some cases cause offence.

But mental trauma is just as real as any physical injury. It’s not just “in your head”. It requires adjustments in the same way that any other condition may require adjustments - whether that's a wheelchair ramp, or subtitles on TV, or studs on the pavement to help the blind.

And yet, the culture wars narrative – led by a right-wing media - is leaning increasingly towards a “survival of the fittest” mentality; repeatedly encouraging able-bodied people to question disability, white people to question racism, rich people to question poverty, and urging those who have never experienced mental trauma to dismiss the needs of those who struggle with it daily. Empathy and kindness are presented as political gestures, earning “woke points” (whatever they are), rather than the elements of basic human decency. And of course, people who talk about “decency” in the context of nudity, LGBT issues and profanity often see no problem in labelling themselves “anti-woke”, or sneering at the “Be Kind brigade”, or making dismissive judgments about the lives of people they will never know. Somewhere along the line, somehow, basic human kindness has been reframed as a tool of the left, and those who hold right-wing opinions are encouraged to reject it.

Well, fuck that. People are better than this. Some people need content warnings, and it’s not up to you or me to decide whether their need is valid or not. That’s why, from now on, I’ll be adding including content warnings to my books, and to my author website. Ignore them or not, as you choose.

But to those who are offended by the concept of inclusion, here’s a trigger warning just for you: Contains tolerance; scenes of moderate kindness; depictions of graphic wokery. Read my books at your peril. Or don’t. Isn’t freedom marvellous?

#writing #trigger warnings

[goldensugarywaffles]

Curiosity Killed the Cat (7)

Hello everyone, I'm back! Sorry for the long wait to those of you that stuck around. I am currently working on getting my bachelor's, I made a crappy short film for class, and I got a job! So much to do so little time...T-T. Your favorite waffle is suffering from burnout lol. I am proud of this chapter, even though it took so long. Hopefully, you guys will like it as well. PLEASE READ THE WARNINGS! This chapter is far more graphic than the previous ones, and I want to ensure everyone is okay. Sorry for the grammar issues and over usage of words. I'm not the best editor.

WARNINGS: Graphic Violence, Blood, Gun Usage, Stabbing, Implied Death, Inaccurate Depictions of Mental health Issues and Treatment, Possessive Behavior, Stalking, Kidnapping, Implied Abuse.

Taglist: @tito-the-mermaid​ @hangsang-jh @thedarkwinterrose​ @juju-227592​ 

@zahraaelamira

The boys’ patience was long gone. Warehouses, apartments, companies, and even secret locations that the police forces didn’t even know about all came up empty. You were nowhere to be found. Even Soohyun didn't know where you were; the elderly woman was so overwhelmed with panic that she surrendered all the information she could, begging the men to find you. Whoever had taken you, had covered their tracks. It was a plan that was clearly years in the making, and Namjoon had no doubt that the mole was behind your sudden disappearance. The seven men were becoming more and more desperate each day. Were you okay? Were you safe? Did you manage to escape? Were you even still alive? The thought of your lifeless body being dumped in a random ditch made Namjoon sick.

None of the men were faring well. The hyungs of the group spent countless nights monitoring any security camera they could get their hands on while the maknaes wandered the streets, sometimes disappearing for days at a time. But they refused to stop searching. You were their angel, their soulmate, their entire world. No one was going to lay a finger on their princess and get away with it.

Currently, the men were combing through the evidence of the kidnapping, hoping they had missed something. Namjoon stares at the empty gas canister for what feels like the hundredth time. Engraved on the side of the can was you're calling card, a bloody rose. It was strange, though. When did you start making sedative gas? Namjoon knew every single product you produced and distributed, but this type of gas was never one of them. Someone was clearly trying to throw them off, and the men hated to admit that it was working.

“Maybe it was someone from the outside? Her kidnapper must have known we were following Y/n’s every move and wanted to send us on a wild goose chase?" Jimin felt like his suggestion was a reach, but he was desperate for any solution. Taehyung nods in agreement; it’s plausible that the mole was nothing more than an extravagant ploy. Yoongi doesn't say anything, but it's clear as day that he disagrees. The evidence they had gathered when discovering the mole was too real. No one would be that thorough if it was supposed to be a simple distraction.

Rubbing his thumb over the lighter he had managed to steal back from you (though it was yours originally), Seokjin merely hums acknowledgment. He couldn't bring himself to care who took you or how they managed to do so. He only hoped that his angel was alright. He had spent many nights combing over the same evidence they were looking at now and had long given up on finding anything new. Jungkook was no better, the youngest currently lying on the eldest lap, your leather jacket held tight in his arms. He had given up on investigating and searching for evidence. Instead, he spent his time looking for you by brute force. He burst into buildings, interrogated anyone he found, and beat the answers out of them.

With a frustrated huff, Namjoon tosses the canister back onto the table. "So, what is it? Was it a mole or not? Because if we can’t even figure that out, we’ll never find Y/n.” The room is silent, the concept of living without you slowly starting to sink in.

“What if it was both?”

All the heads in the room snap to Hoseok. The detective had long ago drunk himself into a stupor, and no one expected him to be much help. Namjoon didn't care, he needed a lead, and Hoseok was a great detective, sober or not. Raising an eyebrow, the commander silently urges Hoseok to keep talking. Slowly lifting his head up, Hoseok forces the words out as best he can and manages to slur only slightly. “Clearly, whoever kidnapped Y/n had to have constant access to her. The only people who’ve had access to her are those who worked for her and us. Maybe someone wanted her behind bars, and one of her underlings was all too willing.”

Seokjin nods, suddenly understanding Hoseok's thoughts. "Y/n may not have produced or used sedative gas, but the police force uses it all the time. They could have gotten some from the police and placed her calling card on it to throw us off.”

“But only her high-level subordinates get the privilege of using her calling cards. Why would anyone so close to Y/n want to betray her? It makes no sense.” Taehyung was ready to dismiss this theory as drunk ramblings from Hoseok and move on.

“Maybe the two rats in question are siblings and have been plotting this for much longer than we thought.” Everyone turns to Yoongi; his theory seemed too far a stretch to make sense. Turning the laptop in front of him around, he presents his findings to the rest of the men.

Patient Name: Donghyun Lee

Symptoms: Obsessive, Violent, with Narcissistic Tendencies

Commitment Reason: Stalking, Threatening, and Kidnapping Y/n L/n (female)

Notes: The patient has become increasingly violent since being taken into custody after removing him from Miss L/n's residence. Stronger treatment methods, including medication, are recommended.

Emergency Contact: Haeun Lee

Relationship to Patient: Sister

An eerie silence settles over the room. None of the men took their eyes off the screen. The puzzle pieces were all starting to fall into place. Soon they'd find you, and you would be safe and sound in their arms.

“I can’t wait to kill that pig.”

__________________________________________________

Six months. It had been six months since you had gone missing, and no one had come for you. You had lost weight, your feet were blistered from the heels, and the chains had rubbed your skin raw. You had stopped talking long ago, knowing your mouth would only get you into more trouble. The only human interaction you had was provided by Haeun and Donghyun. The latter would spend hours upon hours talking to you and his dolls, meticulously cleaning each case like it was his life’s purpose. Haeun, on the other hand, would only stop by to bring you your meals, never speaking. Not that you had much to say to her anyway.

In your moments alone, you had plenty of time to think and reflect. Often wondering what would happen to your syndicate while you were gone or what would have happened if you hadn’t started a syndicate in the first place. Maybe you could have gone to the police and had Donghyun arrested again. Maybe you would have never met Haeun. You probably wouldn’t have met the men on the task force, seeing as how it was only created to take you down. In the dead of night, when you let your thoughts wander, you think about the seven men who claimed they’d never leave you alone (even at your own request). Perhaps your lack of presence has given them time to reflect as well, possibly even overcome their obsession with you. Though deep down you hoped not, you wanted them to still be obsessed with you. No, you needed them to still be obsessed with you. Because if they truly are as madly in love as they claim to be, then maybe there’s a chance they’ll find you. They’re your ticket to freedom. Or maybe you just liked their attention. You shudder at the thought. Get it together, Y/n. You’re only using them to your benefit.

“Doll, I understand that you’re not happy with the current arrangements but honestly, would it kill you to smile?”

You don’t even bother acknowledging Donghyun’s sudden appearance. He no longer scared you like he used to, becoming nothing more than a mild annoyance. The gangly man enters the room with a tray of food, stopping in front of your case. The confusion on your face must have been clear as he continues to speak. “I sent Haeun out for errands. Afterall, we must keep your syndicate running or else people will start to get suspicious. So, it is just you and I for today.”

Fumbling with the keypad, he manages to punch in the code that opens a slot on the case. It was large enough to fit the tray but too small for you to even attempt to escape from (though you did try). Donghyun slides the tray into the slot, presenting you with some indiscernible food that tastes even more unappealing than it looks. You scrunch your face in disgust, and Donghyun chuckles at the expression while placing a fork on the tray. He turned to leave, knowing you preferred to eat alone, and it was the one thing he would allow you.

Wait…he gave me a fork.

Haeun never gave you any utensils to eat with after you tried to stab her in the eyes with chopsticks. She was well aware that whatever you got your hands on immediately became a weapon, and she wasn’t going to give you a second chance to kill her. Donghyun either didn’t know about that incident or didn’t care. You could tell by the look in his eyes that he sometimes truly believed you were a doll.

Gripping the fork in your hand, you cautiously make your move, "Wait, Oppa, don't leave!"

Donghyun whips around so quickly that you flinch. A splotchy blush taints his face, creeping up on his neck and ears. While you hated those moments alone with Donghyun, they did provide you with some benefits.

His weaknesses.

Donghyun immediately rushes back to you, getting himself as close to the glass as he can without smudging the freshly cleaned glass. “Yes doll? What is it? What do you want? Just keep calling me that and I’ll give you anything you want.”

Reaching out your free hand through the slot of the case, you caress Donghyun's face. His skin is rough and oily under your fingertips, and the skin-to-skin contact makes you want to vomit. Slowly you trail your hand down to his chest and grip the collar of his shirt. His breath hitches at the contact.

SLAM!

Fighting against you, Donghyun breaks away from your grip, panting. Blood drips from his nose and mouth. His chest is covered in small punctures and scratches from where you managed to stab him with the fork. Grinning Donghyun spits, the blood hitting a nearby doll case.

Yanking him forward, you slam Donghyun’s face into the glass case while simultaneously stabbing him anywhere you can reach with the fork. Slam. Slam. Slam. Over and over until there’s blood dripping down the case.

“You’re going to pay for that one doll.”

BANG!

With a yelp, Donghyun collapses to the ground clutching his shoulder.

Seven familiar faces barge into the room, and you can’t help but burst into tears. All of the anger, fear, and resentment was too much to handle, and no matter how strong you were, you were bound to break down after all that you had been through.

Seokjin Immediately rushes to your aide while the other six restrain Donghyun. “Y/n thank god you’re alive. Jesus Christ, look at you. What did that sick fuck do to you? I swear I’ll tear him limb from limb.”

You ignore the hypocrisy of Seokjin calling another person sick, choosing to focus on getting out of the case you've been trapped in. "Jin, I can’t deal with your yandere bullshit right now! Get me out of this case. Get me out! Get me out, get me out, get me the fuck out!” Panicking, Jin scans the room for something to break you out with. Stumbling upon a crowbar, he picks it up and runs back to you.

"Stand back, Angel; I don't want you to get hurt," swinging as hard as he can, Seokjin shatters the case. Quickly undoing your chains, he gathers you up in his arms. "Shit, Jin, I can't feel my legs. I can’t feel my legs!” Gently shushing you, Seokjin sits on the floor with you in his lap. He rocks you back and forth, slowly instructing you to breathe to prevent you from having a panic attack.

From your spot on the floor, you watch as the six others beat Donghyun into a bloody pulp. In your panicked state, you didn't realize it, but now you can hear the psychopath's screams and wails. Using Seokjin as support, you push yourself back on your feet. Grabbing the discarded crowbar, you stagger towards Donghyun. Hoseok calls your name, but you don’t hear him focusing on the man in front of you.

“D-d-doll help me,” Donghyun croaks. He reaches a shaky hand toward you as if you were his guardian angel. Raising the crowbar above your head, you steel your resolve, images of the hell he had put you through since the day you locked eyes. Thwack. You bring the crowbar down with full force, adrenaline and rage fueling you. Over and over. Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. Donghyun screams and cries, but you don’t stop. Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. No one was going to save him anyways. Or so you thought.

BANG! BANG!

You don’t feel the first bullet striking you. But by the time the second one hits you’re already falling to the floor. Namjoon catches you calling your name. Your vision is starting to blur but in the distance you see a familiar female figure running away. Groaning you move to chase after her but the searing pain in your abdomen keeps you from moving.

"Angel? Shit, there's so much blood. Angel, focus on me and stay awake okay?” Turning your head, you look at Namjoon, your vision going in and out. There's pressure on your stomach as one of the boys tries to stop your bleeding. You think it's Jimin from the voice, but you can't tell. To your left, you hear the sound of strangled whimpers. Despite the beating he took from you and the boys, he's still alive. How unfortunate, you muse. But you weren’t worried. Whether you died or not, Donghyun's death was certain.

“Y/n look at us. Stay with me princess,” you hear Yoongi’s voice, but you can’t pinpoint where it is coming from.

“Hyung, is she going to be alright?”

“Don’t worry Jungkook. She’ll be alright. She has to be alright,” Hoseok watches as your body slowly starts to shut down. His face gave away no expression, but his heart was pounding in his chest.

“And if she isn’t alright? If she dies?” Taehyung questions the other men angrily. Despite the panic in the air, the other men were far too calm for his tastes.

“Donghyun and Haeun will pay,” Jimin responds, desperately pressing his jacket against your wound.

“And even that will never be enough,” Seokjin adds.

You were fading fast, and at this point, you had resolved that you wouldn't be making it. Pointing a shaking hand at Donghyun, you try to get the boys’ attention. “G-guys, D-Donghyun…s-still alive," your voice is barely a whisper, but all the boys hear it anyway.

"Hush, angel, you need to save your strength. He won't be alive much longer,” Namjoon reassures you, cupping your face so that you focus on him. You nod the best you can, but you still feel it isn’t enough. Gripping the collar of Namjoon's shirt, you whisper your last command.

“Make it hurt.”

Your grip loosens, the hand that was once gripping Namjoon falling to the floor. Your shaky breaths are now quiet. The expression on your face was peaceful, and the men would almost find it endearing if it wasn't for the fact that you were unresponsive to the world around you.

“Y/n. Y/n you need to wake up. Just open your eyes for me, sweetheart. You don't have to talk or do anything you don't want to just open your eyes for me,” Namjoon gently tries to rouse you to no avail. Taehyung drops to his knees next to you shaking your shoulder harshly, "Angel, you need to wake up right now. You need to wake up so I can see those pretty eyes of yours. So, you can glare at us and cuss us out. Just wake up please!”

Yoongi pulls Taehyung away, “Careful Taehyung, you’ll hurt her.”

“You can’t hurt a dead woman.”

The voice is ragged and scratchy, but the malice and insanity it holds is crystal clear. Wheezing, Donghyun sits up, his eyes scanning your body. "Oh, my sweet doll. What have they done to you?”

Jungkook snaps; grabbing the fallen crowbar, he hits Donghyun across the face. Donghyun only laughs in response, pissing off Jungkook more. Again and again, Jungkook beats him until his face is unrecognizable. But it wasn’t enough. For hours the men took turns beating the pathetic excuse of a man while one would sit with your body, whispering reassurances that no one would ever hurt you again. Soon Donghyun's laughs turn into cries when he realizes Haeun isn't coming to save him a second time. His pleas to spare his life went unheard, and the beatings continued. But true to their word to you, they made sure he felt pain unlike any other. They were cruel enough to keep him alive and even give him time to recover. His death was going to be slow and painful.

“You pathetic slug. If you truly loved her, you’d be begging for us to end your life so you could see her in the next life,” Jimin throws a swift kick into Donghyun's stomach, and the man only whimpers in response.

“Not that we’d ever let that happen though. Y/n is ours in this life and the next. She ours for all eternity,” Taehyung taunts from the older officer’s side.

Taehyung’s words must have triggered something in Donghyun as, for the first time in hours, he protests. "No! She was my doll! My precious doll to take care of! And you bastards killed her!” He drags his beaten body toward yours, Hoseok pulling you even closer to his chest. As if he’d let him touch you.

Seokjin slams his foot down on Donghyun's spine, a satisfying crack resounding throughout the room. Crouching down in front of your kidnapper Namjoon slaps him across the face before speaking, “You know what her final wish was? She wanted you to hurt. She wanted your death to be as painful as possible." Donghyun shakes his head vigorously at Namjoon's words. The commander continues anyway, "Now, I'm not a cruel man. If she was still alive right now, you’d be put out of your misery this instant.”

Standing up, Namjoon walks around as if admiring the many dolls Donghyun has collected, "Unfortunately, your sister ruined that for you. Now we’ll drag your death out for as long as we can.”

“Namjoon!”

The commander quickly turns around at the frantic tone in Hoseok’s voice. The detective has his finger pressed against your neck right on your pulse point.

“I have a pulse! Oh my god Joon she’s alive!”

The room immediately springs into action with the boys rushing to get you to the hospital, leaving Donghyun on the floor in a pool of his own blood. He grunts trying to crawl after you. Reaching out his hand, he grips Namjoon's pant leg. "G-give me my doll back, you fucker,"  his voice is laced with venom, but it wavers.

With a chuckle, Namjoon pulls out his gun and gestures around the room, “I think you have plenty.”

He pulls the trigger without waiting for a response.

BANG!

#sorry for the wait #please forgive me #I kinda like this chapter though #bts #bts fanfiction #bts fic #mafia au #bts mafia au #MAFIA BTS #bts mafia #bts police au #Police AU #non idol au #kpop yandere #bts yandere #yandere #kim seokjin #kim namjoon #min yoongi #jung hoseok #park jimin #kim taehyung #jeon jungkook #bts ot7 #bts ot7 x reader #bangtan army

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

With Entropy Effect's Early Access version releasing in just a few hours, I wanted to go over some of what we've learned from trailers, reviews, and sneak peaks that hasn't come up while I was analyzing the character spotlights.

Of course, do take time to note that I am writing this before even the early access version has dropped. What I discuss here may prove inaccurate to the game we'll get tonight, or the full release we'll see in the future.

Let's just have a little fun with some last minute speculation and analysis!

The gameplay visuals that we've seen so far have looked absolutely gorgeous. I love the character models and the way that battles turn into a light show. I'm a very simple creature, I can always be pleased with some colored lights. The environments and battle effects also look great- this game has very strong art direction. I mean, look at this!

Which really surprised me, and still confuses me, when compared to the artwork they've chosen to use as the face of the game.

Yeah, unfortunately we're gonna start this post with a little negativity, but it should be the last of it, so please be patient.

Or feel free to skip this rant, if you'd like to keep your coverage positive, or just read about what we know about the gameplay itself.

But seriously. What is this key visual. This is just the Central Fiction character select artwork!

Okay, correction; it's the Central Fiction artwork for most of the characters. Poor Hibiki doesn't even get his character select artwork, he's left as the odd man out with his CF story mode battle sprite.

And then there's Es! What did they do to Es!? I don't know enough about graphic design to be able to tell what happened here, but something about her face looks like they tossed her art, and only hers, through some kind of AI filter. She's been weirdly smoothed out and she looks way paler, and more gray, than the rest of the line up. This straight up hurts to look at.

For the first few months after Entropy Effect's announcement, I thought the game was fanmade, because all the key visuals they were pumping out were (and, thus far, still are) made up of the basic official art that appears as the first images when you do a google search of the characters.

How did this get greenlit? They really couldn't afford to pay an artist? I can't even say "they couldn't afford to hire and artist" because, looking at the gameplay, clearly they did! They hired some very good artists! Why not write one more paycheck to get some cover art out of the incredible talent they already have on board?

Okay, okay, SaltFest is over. Coping and seething have been reigned in. Let's get into the fun stuff.

Trailers so far have indicated that the story of Entropy Effect is original, with no clear connection to that of the BlazBlue series- although it seems to share a significant amount of thematic elements with BlazBlue.

The story looks kind of cyberpunk, revolving around a world filled with these little robot guys. Our main character seems to be called "ACER," though whether that's their name, a descriptor, or a title, there's no way to tell- at least, for a few more hours. Sources claim that, similar to BlazBlue's story, there are themes of a looping existence, looming destruction, and fighting to ensure the very existence of a future.

Something that stood out to me in trailers, but I haven't seen spoken about anywhere, are these things called "Phenomena Fragments." They seem to showcase scenes from the lives of human figures in this gray dust-like particle effect.

If I had to make any guesses, I'd say this looks like a post-humanity story, with our ACER using the BlazBlue cast within some kind of simulation.

One thing we do know is that the word 'Entropy' in the title will be integral to the plot, as some cutscene dialogue warns of an "Entropy Shoreline" that may threaten to bring an end to the world our protagonist lives in. The robotic inhabitants of this world also seem to have some kind of god figure, though not all of them believe in it.

Those who have played the game say that Entropy works as a mechanic in the game that increases the difficulty of the run as it builds. I'm interested to see how it plays into the story...!

The full truth of the story will remain a mystery, at least for another hour, but all reviews that have spoken of it so far have been very positive.

Now let's move on to take a look at some of the gameplay!

I saw this screen a while back, with what looks to be 30 available places for characters. At first, I assumed this meant that the game would have 30 different playable characters- I mistook this for a character select screen. Keyword being mistook.

Instead, it looks like the 30 slots on this screen are to save up to 30 builds from previous runs. We see the same screen again here, with two different versions of Lambda saved on it, and the other characters in different positions than the one above. As I'll discuss later in the post, previous runs of the game will be used to pass on certain skills to your next character at the start of a new run. So this screen will probably end up looking different for all players!

The real character selection screen loops, so there's no way to know how many characters will appear in the final version. However, the company has confirmed that there will be more than the seven we'll see in the Early Access version.

The seven characters playable in early access Entropy Effect are Ragna, Noel, Hakumen, Lambda, Kokonoe, Hibiki, and Mai. The games animated trailer (which also looks great, I don't know what happened with the damn key visual) also shows us Jin and Taokaka, who will likely be made playable with the full version of the game. Considering Naoto is the face of the game's Twitter and YouTube accounts, I expect to see him in the final version as well.

As for characters appearing as enemies, Bang's NPC subordinates from BlazBlue's story mode have been shown to appear as generic enemies in certain stages, and both Arakune and Susano'o have appeared as bosses!

After selecting which character you want to play as, you're taken to the screen I mistook for character selection, where you can select two characters you've played as in previous runs, called "Evotypes" in the game. You can have your new character inherit abilities from them- the number of abilities you can inherit from your chosen characters seems to depend on how well you've been doing in your runs, as each run earns some kind of grade. This explains how we've been seeing characters using one another's abilities, such as Hibiki using Hakumen's lightning, in the trailers!

While playing, you earn points called "Potential," which can be used between stages to purchase new abilities. This seems to be where characters unlock their movesets from the BlazBlue fighting games.

There's also a second type of choice players can make as they develop their run. These are called "Tactics." Unlike the abilities unlocked by Potential that seem to be exclusive to characters unless chosen as inherited Evotypes, Tactics are universal and can be purchased for and used by any character.

In a video on his experience playing the game early, Twitch streamer Veedotme says the game rewards you for selecting Tactics you haven't used before, so consider trying out everything before you start picking favorites! Veedotme's review also clarified a lot of what I comment on in this post, so please check out his work!

Interviews claim that the game's early access version will have roughly 100 Potentials and roughly 200 Tactics to choose from, though there could be even more in the final version of the game.

It seems that the early access version will include 10 different stages, with 13 levels each, along with a few other modes of gameplay such as a challenge mode were the stage bosses become even more difficult. I've mentioned it already in other posts, but I like this 10 and 13 number theming, as both numbers have been pretty important to the BlazBlue franchise. It's another sign of serious attention to detail from the developers.

And, well, if I want to get this post out in time to be able to watch some of the first streams go live, I'll have to wrap it up now. Thank you for reading, and if you're interested, please share your own experience with the game in the coming days!

#blazblue #blazblue entropy effect #bbee #entropy effect early access #about one more hour I think??? #ao no imakagami #bb meta #bb official #arakune #mai natsume #hakumen #jin kisaragi #taokaka #hibiki kohaku #ragna the bloodedge #noel vermillion #kokonoe mercury #lambda 11 #takehaya susanoo

[persephoneflowerpetals]

You know in some versions Bacchus/Dionysus is Demeter's son.

That’s true! I’ve seen that! In fact, I think in the (kinda inaccurate) Disney Hercules wiki it says that Persephone and Bacchus are Demeter’s children. However, Persephone never shows up or is mentioned in the series and it’s never stated that Bacchus is Demeter’s son (and it’s not hinted either).

The wiki also says that Hera, Hestia, and Demeter are sisters which could be true in that universe but I’m not completely sure tbh. There were some hints in the show that suggested Hestia and Hera were sisters (mainly in the Tiff on Olympus episode) and in the Horn of Plenty graphic novel. But, there was hardly anything that suggested Demeter was also their sister in the series since Demeter only had 1 featured episode and no other god really interacted with her except Nemesis. There was a scene in Horn of Plenty (which at this point I’m pretty sure is based off of the series but kinda not, because I think Hades is the eldest in that book, but he’s mentioned he’s the youngest in the series quite a few times so idk) that could have possibly suggested they were her sisters when Hera invites Demeter over for dinner because she’s so upset that Amalthea is missing, but that could’ve just been a friendly gesture to make her feel better. I mean, it kinda makes sense since in original Greek mythology Hera, Hestia, Demeter, Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon were all siblings, so having Hera, Hestia, and Demeter as sisters and Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades as brothers makes sense. So, even if that were true in the series if Persephone existed (and wasn’t made to be the daughter of Hades and Demeter like they had planned at one point) then it would’ve been pretty weird for Hades to marry, let alone, fall in love with his sister-in-law’s niece. It’s just…yikes lol. But yeah, the Disney Hercules wiki is fan made and isn’t super reliable for canon lore. Personally, I like to think that Hera and Hestia are sisters and Demeter’s not related to them. She does have Persephone though lol. That’s my personal headcanon and how it works in my movie/series au lol.

Anyways, I know most of that wasn’t about Bacchus/Dionysus, but I just thought I’d mention it because I saw it on the Disney Hercules wiki once and I was like “Oh? So…Bacchus is Persephone’s brother?? When did that happen???” 😂

#ask #anon ask #hades #zeus #poseidon #hera #hestia #demeter #persephone #bacchus #greek mythology #rambles #long ramble #disney

[doubleddenden]

Decided to try something different with a schedule I make for my friends in a discord server I'm in.

Going forward, I'll be posting my Toonami Schedules on my blog as well, and my DD ScheDDules too. That's just a little silly schedule I make.

Oh, the "meDDia" section is something I usually do when there's a rerun. In our server, I kinda have free reign over this part, so usually I'll look up a funny video that kinda fits the theming. This go around, since I'm feeling the love for DBZ again, I thought it'd be fun to try some fresh DB content we haven't gotten on the actual Toonami block. I decided to post ep 1 and 2 here since this is my first blog post of the schedule.

The graphic is definitely new for me. I found a font matching the Toonami font online, found the old Toonami emblem/logo, and from there I googled space pictures and did renders and edits in paint.net to get the result you see above. Thinking about changing the colors and doing a little more editing, but not too bad for my first attempt at one of these, right?

Some QA and disclaimers below:

"Why do this?"

I'm not really sure tbh. This kinda became my role in the server I'm in. I try to keep on top of the schedule and changes so everyone else can be informed or make other plans if they like. I wasn't the first to do this in my server, nor am I the only one able to do this, I just... I dunno, kinda did it so the others can catch a break? Life's tough and I like being relied on. I'm the schedule guy now

"Tf is the DD Schedule?"

Well, I am DD. The DD Schedule kinda started just as a little joke a year or two ago, again, I just kinda joke and shoot the shit. Some of my friends get upset with me if I forget or don't do the silly schedule, so I reckon if it makes them happy, I do it.

Sometimes it's good for recap. Sometimes not. Depends on the mood. It's just harmless fun and I like being silly.

"Why the inaccurate Japanese?"

Since Ninja Kamui is subbed, I basically just run my original Ninja Kamui bit through Deepl since I was told it is slightly more accurate than Google translate. No harm was meant if it comes off wrong. In other words, Sub is basically the same as Dub but slight differences.

"What are the numbers and projected end dates?"

Something different I decided to do with this schedule is to keep count of episodes and a possible end date for the season or series on Toonami. The Projected End Dates- PED- is subject to change for marathons that may happen. In fact, I'm pretty sure we're due for a Ninja Kamui marathon or 2 for when the series ends its current run, as they tend to do other originals.

"Why the graphics?"

Dunno, thought it'd be fun to try something different for a change. The schedule I post in our server is usually just text, so I figure this would spice things up.

"Why no time listed?"

Because I live in Central, some if my friends don't. Just assume the schedule starts as normal unless stated otherwise. For me that's 11:00pm central.

"Tf is Nart?"

It's Naruto, that's just my pet name for it.

Couple disclaimers

1. I am not a toonami employee. Just a fan. I have limited data per month and can't watch anime as much as I'd like, so Toonami is a great way for me to watch new things I haven't seen that I can't find on youtube or something.

2. I'm not a mod or admin of this server, more like a town crier or janitor.

If you have questions, feel free to message me and I'll answer whatever

3. Our server is a psuedo fan server, not official, and it's really more of a "whatever" server depending on the mood we're in, from Toonami to streamers to games and shows, etc. None of us are affiliated with Toonami in any official capacity and it's mostly us goofing off about whatever or watching Toonami on Saturdays. It is an 18+ server, fair warning- we try to keep that stuff in the designated channels, but *some* people are gremlins, so it can scare some off.

#toonami #dd scheddule #ninja kamui #zom 100 #lycoris recoil #one piece #nart #naruto #dbz kai

[ao3feed-irondadspiderson]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/40316349

Proverbs of Gods for the Nonbelievers by GlammyWammy Alexandra Theodoros thought everything was looking up. She got into a great new school, got a new harness for Kota, and finally got the paint for her Chevy El Camino. Of course now she had to deal with these pesky little Avengers that can’t seem to let go of anything, stupid godly powers she never asked for, and the inquisitive eye of the girl next door who she may or may not have a crush on. Also now there’s a weird lion… monster… thing because why not! -------- “Wrong, we know where she’s going…” Natasha said with a smirk. The grainy video showed the girl confidently boarding the plane, scanning a fake boarding pass, with a shaggy wolf dog, strapped in a service dog vest, walking directly under the brightly lit sign proclaiming ‘JFK’. “She wanted to explore the big apple.” “So we have a trained genius assassin with unknown motives walking around New York with a wolf.” Tony corrected with a rueful smile to Nat. “It’s like a deadly game of where’s Waldo!” Clint proclaimed standing up quickly just as Bucky kicked his legs out from under him, sending him toppling to the ground once more. Words: 6300, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel) - All Media Types, The Avengers (Marvel Movies), Spider-Man (Tom Holland Movies) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: Multi Characters: Tony Stark, Original Female Character(s), Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes, Pepper Potts, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Peter Parker, Michelle Jones, Michelle Jones's Father, Ned Leeds, Harley Keener, James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Wanda Maximoff, Hydra Agents, Madame B. (Marvel), Nick Fury, Artemis (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore), Ares (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore), Hades (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore), Selene (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore), Amphitrite (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore), Nyx (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore), Hecate (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore), Rio Morales, Miles Morales, Stan Lee Relationships: Avengers Team & Original Female Character(s), Tony Stark & Original Female Character(s), Pepper Potts/Tony Stark, James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers/Sam Wilson, Peter Parker & Tony Stark Additional Tags: Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Lesbian Michelle Jones, Ned Leeds is a Good Bro, Bisexual Peter Parker, Gay Harley Keener, poly bc i love those bois so much and they love each other, Tony Stark Acting as Peter Parker's Parental Figure, Natasha Romanov Is Not A Robot, Protective Michelle Jones, BAMF Michelle Jones, Original Female Character(s) - Freeform, POV Original Female Character, Canon-Typical Violence, Torture, Psychological Torture, Therapy, Fluff and Angst, Magical Tattoos, Scars, Inaccurate Ancient Greek Religion & Lore, Crack, Field Trip, Stark Industries, Hydra (Marvel), Red Room (Marvel), Service Animals, Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Not Captain America: Civil War (Movie) Compliant, Not Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 (Movie) Compliant, Not Avengers: Endgame (Movie) Compliant, Avengers Family, Domestic Avengers

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #iron dad and spider son #spider son #iron dad #peter parker #tony stark

[ramp-it-up]

Origin

1. The Center of Intelligence

Pairing: Young Nick Fowler x CIA officer! Reader

Summary: Gaining information for your country is the path you’ve chosen. Nick Fowler is the one bump in the road.

Warnings: 18+ Only, Minors DNI. Read at your own risk. Google translated Spanish, ANGST! SMUT! Enemies to Lovers. Yes, Young Nick is a dick, naïveté, training in deception, lying, manipulation, voyeurism, dirty talk, semi-public sex acts, imprisonment, mention of virginity, implied oral (male receiving). Not Beta’d, any errors are my own.

A/N: This is Nick’s origin story in my mind. Hope you like it. I’ve been greatly influenced by the movie The Recruit, where all the accents are hilarious and there is a little (probably inaccurate) insight into CIA officer training. I also found that the correct term is not Agents, but Officers. Read the previous part, the Teaser HERE.

I no longer operate a taglist. Please follow @rampitupandread and turn on notifications to learn when I post! 😘

Graphics by @maysdigitalarts

2022, Equatorial Guinea

“¿Cómo hiciste para que se enamorara de ti?

Nick almost tripped over his own feet when Tomás asked him the question. Tomás had been his recreation hour guard for over a year and had listened to him talk about you over and over in English. Nick assumed that his guard only spoke Spanish at the beginning, so he just rambled on, needing to get it out in order to hold on to whatever sanity he had left.

Nick had noticed however, that the small reactions to what he was saying increased, the eye movements, a twitch of the mouth when he said something funny, signs that Tomás may have been beginning to understand English. But he never spoke up, just walked alongside Nick, gun drawn, at the ready to shoot him dead if he tried anything.

Nick smiled at the idea that he wasn’t completely alone in this after all. He replied in English, to further Tomás’ education.

“Well, if she were here, she could probably answer that question better than I could. Of all the information I’ve gathered over the years, I don’t know why she chose me. I am quite unloveable.”

Nick continued walking and talking in English while Tomás deciphered what he said, and listened eagerly for any clues into this great historia de amor.

Houston, TX, 2007

You were an information junkie, first coming upon how to gather it electronically while trying to fashion your own VPNs while traveling with your mother. Her life as an educator overseas, especially in countries where the free flow of information was restricted, motivated you to see what they were hiding behind the curtain.

After your mother was killed, using information to protect your country and its citizens living abroad was your mission, although some said you were too idealistic in this goal. They thought you had a vendetta.

You did not engage them in the vendetta conversation, because that was between you, your dead mother, and God, but you did counter it with the phrase “Information is more important than anything,” and most people thought you were just a little bit nuts. Most people except the CIA recruiter who showed up at the job fair at your alma mater, Rice University, Selene Mason, that is.

You knew Mason was a CIA officer, because she was advertised that her department was the United States Directorate of Science and Technology, or the DST. You knew exactly who you were talking to, but you still had an air of naivete and devotion to serving your country was a definite plus in a recruit.

It could serve The Company well.

Selene perused the resume that you handed her and when you said that bit about information, she gave you another look, taking in your compact, athletic form and your determined nature. Your double-major in Computer Science and International Studies was an ideal, and you could speak French, Farsi, and Arabic, which was icing on the cake, but did you have the tenacity to stick and stay?

One good look in your eyes and your unwavering, open stare back gave her all the information she needed to know about you.

“Officer Mason, I want to be in the Center of Intelligence. Put me anywhere you need me. But you need me in the DST.”

Over dinner at Ninfa’s and a walk in Market Square Park, you impressed Selene enough to give you an invitation to Langley, and to the screening round of tests for the CIA. Over the next month, you graduated from Rice, with no family to speak of attending, just close friends you’d earned over your four years there, and moved to Virginia, confident that you would pass all the tests they would throw at you.

2008, James County, VA

You didn’t need a CIA personality test to tell you what you already knew.

Nick Fowler was an asshole.

He was brash, abrasive, cocky, and did not demonstrate one ounce of human decency, except when he wanted something. He was going to make the perfect NOC. Even at the age of 26, you could tell that he would be an asshole for life. He was nice to look at, but damn, was he annoying.

After six weeks at the farm, you’d read everyone like a book. Most recruits in your class were gunning for ‘Non Official Cover Officer,” a NOC. Too bad that a third of them would wash out. And you could predict almost perfectly who would. There was never any warning, Officer Mason would just pull them aside and the next thing anyone knew, they were packing up and being escorted out. It happened during class, on trainings, during lunch, and in the middle of the night. But you could predict within 72 hours of who would be next.

You and your roommate, Mace, had a board as to who would wash out when, and you were 89% accurate. NOC was the dream for most recruits, and that involved human intel. And that didn’t appeal to you. Technological information was your specialty, and it avoided potentially messy situations, with soulless individuals such as Nick Fowler.

You and he had minimal conversations, and he always seemed to be sizing you up, as if you were competition. They were several times that you looked up and he was scowling in your direction. You didn’t have time to worry about what he thought, but something about his attitude bothered you.

You pushed down your feelings and carried on, not letting him intimidate you. You just rolled your eyes as Mace periodically stated that she wanted to fuck him. You would admire him, his wavy dark hair, his sea blue eyes, his body. You allowed yourself to go there for a few seconds, then busted your bestie’s balls about it.

All of you had basically seen each other practically naked due to various states of matter that you’d conducted trainings in, and you knew the man was definitely packing. And your expressed disgust didn’t stop the erotic dreams you had about him. You decided that you needed to brush up on your Psychology of Clandestine Affairs materials to see how to stop those.

The Bug House was your favorite training activity. You and a team of recruits were to go into a dummy house and remove all of the surveillance devices within, but also had to dodge various perils inside. There were guns rigged to go off, alarms to silence, and traps to avoid. People were injured, and many came out bloody. One person, Morgan Camp, who you didn’t predict to wash out, was escorted out in a body bag.

This was not for the faint of heart.

Nick always had something to say to you after Bug House ops, because you always came out unscathed and having not broken a sweat. You didn’t let him get to you, just flipped him off, which earned a grin from him. Which didn’t affect you at all. Not at all.

One course, Covert Operations, sought to teach officers that they were capable of manipulating humans for their own agendas: information. The central training activity for this training began six months into your residency at The Farm. Recruits were given a recurring mission to go into a random bar and acquire a target who intended to sleep with them that night. It was conducted almost every weekend, and sometimes twice a week. Most recruits had done things like this before, being young, virile human beings, but they needed to become totally desensitized to using their bodies to get what they wanted.

Your body wasn’t yours; it was in service to your country.

This group had done it several times before. There was Fowler, Destry, Samson, Cooper, Neal, and Kennedy on your team. And most times, Nick usually scored before anyone else. He could be charming and sexy as hell. Once, he even had a girl give it up in the alley behind the bar.

Lucky you, you were treated to quite the show as a tech in the reconnaissance van. It was one more clue for you that you would never be a NOC, and it gave you great comfort. You were comfortable, until you listened to Nick spitting dirty talk into the young woman’s ear.

“I saw how you looked at me. Like you wanted to devour me.”

Nick’s voice had a soft lilt to it. Almost like music.

The girl whimpered something.

“You pretend too hard that I don’t affect you; that’s how I know that I do.”

You turned up the volume in your ears as your pulse quickened.

“What do you want me to do to you? What’s in that beautiful brain of yours? I know you’re thinking about me.”

You took a sip from your water bottle and scanned the van, the other two recruits were non plussed, one taking notes and the other on their phone.

“All you have to do. Is tell me what. You. Want.”

The girl was non committal, but she didn’t move from his embrace.

“You want me to take control? Yeah. You’re a control freak. Always the best at everything and you can’t let me top you in public…”

Your eyes widened, as if he was speaking straight to you.

“….That’s why we’re in this alley, yeah?”

You breathed a sigh of relief that you turned into a yawn as Cooper side eyed you.

“I mean, in private, you’ll let me top you all night long, right. I can handle you, make you feel pleasure like you’ve never known. Want my hands here?”

You peered into the screen, the camera’s vantage point only giving a dim view of what he was doing. You managed to discern that Nick’s hands were on her breasts and your nipples immediately hardened.

“Or, do you want them here?”

You saw Nick’s arms move down, one hand on her ass and one in front, possibly going down her pants.

“Shit…You’re so wound up, I know you’ll be tight.”

You wanted to rewind that, to see if you changed the verb tense in your mind or…

“But I think I’ll get you wet enough. Wanna taste that wet pussy and stretch it out with my tongue, fuck and suck you with my mouth. Want that? I know you want that…”

The girl was moaning now, responding to the wickedness of Nick Fowler.

You squirmed in your seat, your underwear getting a bit soaked.

“Wanna make that clit mine. I know you haven’t been with anyone in a while. My little button will be so responsive to me when I get my hands on it.”

This girl didn’t notice that Nick wasn’t talking to her. But you were aroused and angered all at once. You looked around again to notice that Neal and Cooper were both paying attention and smirking at each other now. They’d noticed it too, and they knew he wasn’t talking to him since everyone knew they screwed each other on the regular.

The girl moaned, louder now.

“And I’ll bet you’ll be so tight. Barely able to fit my fingers in you. But don’t worry, I’ll stretch you good so you can take it. Like the good girl I know you want to be for me.”

You heard the the poor girl grunt as Nick fingered her. And it was appalling and erotic at the same time. But still, you listened.

“You know you want to take it, my little cock slut. So smart, but I’ll fuck you dumb and then make you come on my cock.”

You cleared your throat to stop yourself from yelling for him to stop in his comms. Nick heard you and laughed.

“Can’t speak? Just let me hear you come then.”

“3…” The girl’s moans got more frequent “2…” and louder as your heart rate increased, “1..”

You were transfixed when she came on command, her lustful cries pornographic, and breaking something inside you. You listened intently to her breathing patterns as she came down.

“You liked that?”

You listened to the girl give her assent.

“If you liked it so much, show me. Suck my dick.”

You watched on the screen as the girl got on her knees, and you noticed that Nick looked toward the camera and not the young woman on the ground.

You stood up and threw your headset on the counter.

“I need some air.”

And you didn’t wait for a reaction from either of your co-workers. You went down the street to another bar, had a drink, trying to obliterate Nick’s voice from your head. One drink didn’t work, so you ordered another, and by the time you went back to the van, Nick and another recruit, Kate, were already back in the van. Nick smirked as you came in, winking when you looked his way. You just rolled your eyes as he teased.

“You only had time for a couple of drinks. Tonight has been really unsatisfying hasn’t it?”

“Fuck you, Fowler.”

Nick flashed a smile at you, and you knew what it meant, but you just shut your mouth and put your comms back on, trying to ignore him, but failing miserably.

——

You were never assigned to complete the mission in Covert Ops, and only you and Officer Mason knew why. Everyone else rotated in and out of the van, but never you. Selene said it was that you were one of the best at tech, but there was a much more innocuous reason: You were a virgin. You thought she was trying to protect your innocence. In fact, she was saving your body to leverage for real information.

One night, three months into the weekly smash and dash operations, after the team left the van for the bar, Mason texted you to step out of the van. You did, not knowing that she’d be there that night, but Destry and Kennedy could handle the surveillance. You were nervous, thinking that you’d missed the signs of you blowing it so badly that you would be washed out. You felt the dread of failure. It must have been your reaction to the Nick op last week. You steeled yourself for the cut as you stood in the night air.

Mason showed up to deliver the blow, but it wasn’t quite what you were expecting.

——

You sat in the bar down from the one that Nick had gone into, emptying drink after drink. Your makeup was ruined with tears and you were acting as if you had no fucks left to give. There was a large, beefy dude to your left that you let paw your leg, and you were smiling up into his face. He was mighty familiar, and getting mighty close.

“Hey, Pete, I heard that Billy needed help with his truck. Looks like it’s the alternator again.”

Your companion looked up, confused as to how Nick knew his best friend, but too drunk to figure out that he didn’t. He didn’t say two words to you as he left. You pouted over at Nick, and drunkenly poked your finger into his chest.

“Fucking killjoy. You destroyed any happiness that I was going to have tonight. Gotdamn prick!”

You drunkenly got up from the barstool leaving Nick to pay for your drink. He caught up to you easily, maneuvering your shaky legs into a booth.

“What the fuck do you want, Fowler. What!?!”

You glared at him, rage in your voice.

Nick took you in, messed up face, but still beautiful, chest heaving with emotion. He looked into your eyes and did not see anger, but tears, held back by your frequent blinks.

“What’s wrong, Hope?”

“Hunh? That’s not my name.”

You acted confused. Nick just shook his head.

“Nevermind. Why are you acting like this? Out of control is not your thing.”

You raised your hand to signal a waiter and ordered another drink as Nick glared at you.

“What? I’m grown?”

He kept staring and you slumped back in your seat.

“I washed out tonight. It was never a pleasure working with you Fowler.”

You were served your drink and raised it in a toast to him.

Nick’s face fell. Despite his whoreish, despicable ways, he cared about you. He didn’t want to admit it, but you were a challenge for him to conquer and bend to his will. But this.. .wasn’t a scenario that played out as to how that was going to go. You were one of the best recruits in the class and now you had to leave.

“Shit, kid. That… that’s bullshit. You weren’t terrible at this.”

“Fuck you Nick. I’m not a kid. I’m a full grown woman.”

Nick appraised you, agreeing to himself that you were indeed, fully grown.

“I’m only two years younger than you. 24. So Fuck YOU!”

He smirked and this time said what he was thinking.

“You wish.”

You looked as if you were going to throw your drink at him. For a hot second, then you gave him a tipsy smile.

“What if I did? What are you going to do about it?”

You took a drink and peered at him over your glass. You watched his face carefully, and although he tried to hide it, he was down.

“We might have to talk about it later, after lights out. I’ll meet you at that motel down the street from the farm.”

“Say less, Nick.”

You leaned forward as if you kiss him, but stopped your forward motion, causing him to pause as well. You stayed in each other’s magnetic pull for half a minute, then you pulled back. Nick cleared his throat and shifted, because you’d made him hard with a near-kiss experience.

You scraped your fingernails along his jeans, noticing but never touching the hard on lodged on his thigh.

“You’ve got a van to catch. I’ve got to clean out my room. I will text you when I check in.”

Nick leaned toward you again.

“I can’t wait.”

You scooted away from him and out of the other side of the booth.

Nick got out and followed you out of the bar, eyes on your ass, all the way out to the sidewalk until the van’s high beams shined on the both of you.

Six pairs of hands started clapping and you straightened up as Mason congratulated you.

“Well done, Recruit!”

You took a bow.

“Aw, shit!”

Nick figured it out in an instant and glared at you.

“You didn’t wash out, did you?”

“No,” you smirked. “I just fulfilled my mission.”

Nick’s face was an entertaining mixture of surprise, anger, admiration, and something else you couldn’t name. It was odd seeing any emotion at all there. Finally, the mask fell down again, he flipped everyone a double bird and climbed into the van.

Everyone celebrated and patted you on the back, but for some reason, there was a strange feeling in the pit of your stomach. Maybe it was the realization that in the Center of Intelligence, there was no room for a heart.

2022, Equatorial Guinea

“El corazón se rompe cuando se ha hinchado demasiado en el cálido aliento de la esperanza, y luego se encuentra encerrado en la fría realidad, Tomás.”

Tomas just nodded as he led Nick back to his cell, and for the first time smiled at him as he locked the door.

Let me know what you think! Like, comment AND Reblog!

#Origin: a Nick Fowler series #nick fowler x black!reader #nick fowler x female reader #nick fowler imagine #nick fowler fanfiction #nick fowler x reader #nick fowler #Sebastian Stan #sebastian stan fan fiction #sebastian stan smut #sebastian stan x black!reader #enemies to lovers

[boatslibrary]

✧*When we collide✧•

Featuring : Hades!Tony Stark/fem!reader

Summary : He had truly thought he had lost you. Until he realised that he hadn't.

Warnings : Mentions of death, future dub-con? Thought of kidnapping, angst, non consensual voyeurism (he stares at her while bathing but not too much. Warning given just to be safe), one sided Hermes x reader, a bit of possessiveness, allusions to sex. 18+. Flashback in italics. Everything is consensual in the past. Reincarnation. Slightly mythologically inaccurate. Proof read by myself. Sorry for mistakes if any.

Word count : 1393

A/n : ah my first long one shot. This was written for @thanatosfic's 1k writing challenge. Please do let me know if there's any mistake. I changed the real story slightly for my needs. Please let me know what you think of this ✧°•◦. Dividers by @firefly-graphics.

The reader is the past lover of Hades, also known as Leuce, daughter of Oceanus.

Please don't copy or translate this content into any other sites without my permission.

Leaves of the white poplar fluttered gently in the warm air as he watched the souls drift by, eyes blank and unyielding. Gently he rested his head on the bark of the tree, his posture defeated as he slowly slid down against the aspen.

Phantom fingers brushed through his hair, the murmur of the leaves indistinguishable from the memory of her dead sweet melody. His hands fingered the deceased leaves as gentle sobs rocked his chest, tears breaking the carefully constructed visage of a king. 

Perhaps it had been her eyes, plain at first sight, yet containing all the mysteries of the world, that led to his fall. Mischievous and playful, they drew him to her like how a siren calls out to a sailor, the latter sunken in the sweet music, approaching his doom unaware. Sir Anthony, as he had been known then, was a gentle and sincere man as contrasted to his dark and cruel image as the Hades. She was quick to be trapped in his grasp, as he was in hers, his handsome countenance only helping his bearing as the nymph fell, deeper and deeper into the abyss of his love. 

He stood up slowly and stroked the pale smooth trunk of the tree, lovingly bidding her farewell and blinked his eyes to clear them of tears. He may be a king, lord of the underworld and the dead, but before that he is a man, destroyed by the loss of his love, so utterly obliterated that he feared he may not love again. Strolling down to the banks of the Nyx, he absent mindedly motioned towards Charon, the ferryman to bring the boat closer. Charon stared, eyes unblinking as he pushed off the edge of the land. The silence and the gentle sway of the boat bringing him back to the time he had seduced her to his world, the beauty of it diminishing in her proximity.

Stepping off the boat, he glided through the entrance towards the land of life, fondly brushing off Cerberus as he lolled around him happily. Perhaps some time in her birth realm would cure his pain.

Annoyance flickered through him as he heard the giggles of several nymphs speared into his ears. A voice in his mind that he dubbed as the dummy nagged him to summon Cerberus to frighten them. Snorting slightly at the image formed, he opened his eyes and made himself invisible to ward off unwanted pursuers and strolled towards the origin of the voice. 

Shock was perhaps the first feeling that overcame him when he saw the maiden kneeling in the stream, nimble fingers playing around with the riverside turf. The thin robe she wore was translucent, the gentle gust of wind visibly making her shiver. Gone was the weight in his chest, a weight born out of loneliness, a weight whose existence he was entirely unaware of, as a fire, as boiling as the flames in the maws of the deepest pits in his world, burned through him, paving a way through his nous to his loins. 

Deep soulful eyes peered flickered around, passing over his invisible form, igniting a shiver in him. The annoying nymphs fluttered around her, the cacophony of their giggles echoing harshly in his sensitive ears; ears that were eagerly waiting to lap up the symphony that he was sure the damsel would emit. 

Oh how he wanted her in his greedy grasp, to watch her naivety and trust in the world ebbing away in the darkness of his chambers. To have her lust-driven, whining and moaning in his arms; trust becoming something she gave him and only him. Willingly. 

He would burn the world for her.

Reining himself in, he stared longingly at the maiden from his place amongst the crowds. Oceanus' daughters were not particularly known for mingling with humans. But you were and he was not here to disappoint. 

He twiddled with the cloth belt and looked down at the typical garment of the merchants. The voice in his brain yet again invited itself to chime in about the inappropriateness of lying to a lady, a beautiful one at that, when they first met. A destined meeting.

His breath hitched. You were looking at him. He forced his lips to form a smile that he was sure made him look like a threatening chimp. 

Amusement was perhaps the most evident expression one could decipher from your face, succeeded by curiosity and perhaps a pinch of lust. The voice was now muttering on how ego clouds the eye. Bright eyes yet again ran over his countenance, pausing over his torso. He was neither the God of lust, nor desire, yet he would have had to be blind to not notice her hunger. She was hooked. 

He was on familiar ground now. 

Slow fingers tracked the waves of his hair, their practiced movement drawing him away from his slumber. Feathery kisses rained upon his face, their familiarity making him sigh and nuzzle closer into the warmth. She hummed mindlessly, eyes endearingly peering at him. He rose on his elbows and kissed her passionately, still unable to believe that this amazing creature was his. Loving whispers echoed throughout the manor, until it was all that could be heard.

I love you 

I love you

I love you.

He sat on the bank of the stream, staring aimlessly. The forest was quiet, acknowledging his mourning. The playful burble of the stream lulling him back to his memories, a time when he thought anything, everything would be possible with you. Yet here he is, lamenting the loss of his heart, punishing himself for falling for a light so bright but brief. 

A sudden prickle brought him out of his thoughts, the hairs on his neck rising as he sensed someone nearby. He forced himself to stay silent as his ears caught the sound of small flaps of wings and moved stealthily towards the origin of the sound. 

Hermes.

The son of Zeus stood in the shadows of the trees that surrounded a large meadow, bright blue eyes fondly focusing on something out of sight. Curiosity rose in him, pondering on the fact that Steven was clearly hiding himself from the latter's subject of attention. He melted back into the shadows as Steve rose into the air, his hesitancy to leave obvious, and vanished from sight even before he reached the tree line. 

Moving along the shadows cautiously with trepidation, he paused to make sure the God was really gone. Surprise bloomed in him when he heard gay feminine laughter, the symphony making him furrow his brows in Deja Vu. He lingered near the borders of the meadow, hoping to catch a glimpse of Hermes' object of affection. 

His knees buckled and he slumped into a nearby tree as he caught sight of the maiden, his mind blank. All movement around them ceased, voices of the accompanying nymphs deadening, the edges of his vision blurring slightly until all that remained was you. 

Reincarnation, or the Metempsychosis, the idea of transmigration of the soul after the death of the body was something he liked, a little chance for the good souls of the Elysian fields to have a chance to live again. Even if it was a reincarnated soul, the fact that they wouldn't retain their memories made them good as a new soul, the sins of their past life, if any, redeemed before their birth. 

You were the same as before, eyes perhaps a little brighter, voice perhaps a little more melodious, face perhaps more beautiful than in the past, putting Aphrodite's to shame. Oh how he yearned to pull you into his arms, to reduce the distance between the two of you until nothing remained. 

He was brought back from his musings when you and your gaggle of nymphs rose to leave, his lips widening to say something, anything to prevent you from leaving. Had you been alone, he would have taken you, deep into his world in a moment. But having no idea who the nymphs would run to, he restrained himself. 

Patience, he told himself. If he was yours in your last life, he would have you in all of yours. And that was a promise he intended to keep, no matter which God had planned to take you.

A/n : thank you for reading.

#Tony stark x reader #Tony Stark #iron man #Hades!tony stark x reader #marvel

[fowlblue]

A few thoughts:

Now, I know we, as a Fowldom, have a tendency to pick on the original graphic novels. And to start, before I actually sat down and looked through any, I almost thought it was excessive.

I know better now.

After being lent a copy of TEC: Graphic Novel edition by a dear friend (thank you, again, for that), I was pretty surprised by just how... bad it was. About halfway through, I identified what I would say are the two main culprits- style, and character design. Since this is at least a bit what I would consider my ‘wheelhouse’, I thought I’d go over what I think is wrong with some of the character designs in this adaption, as well as discuss a bit of character design in general.

(A few notes: 1. This is obviously a matter of opinion, so keep that in mind. 2. I will be focusing on characters that appear in TEC, as that is the graphic novel I have. 3. Feel free to add on any additional opinions- I just implore you to be nice about it.)

To start and get this out of the way, I’m going to be ignoring any designs that I think the issues with lie obviously in the style, like Butler. I will also be ignoring the design of Artemis, as while I don’t quite like how it looks (I prefer the newer design), I don’t think there is anything wrong with it, per se. There are also some designs that are simply innacurate- Fowl Senior, for example, is missing his facial scars (and this isn’t a matter of simplicity for ease’s sake- Briar Cudgeon appears in the same book)- I won’t be covering those here.

Also, the criteria with which I judge a character’s design is based upon three questions I feel are important: Does this design reflect the character? Is this design well-balanced? Is it visually unappealing, or appealing? These are important parts of designing a character- one must make sure the audience enjoys seeing them on the page.

I’m going to begin, actually, by showing some of the designs I actually liked, to start out on a positive note.

I actually love Mulch’s designs in these adaptions. I like the fairies looking far from human, and his design communicates to me that he is scruffy, mischievous, and perhaps a little gross. However, it isn’t visually unappealing- that’s something we’ll get to in a bit. Also, Arno surprised me! I dislike the style, but his colors are balanced, and again, it communicates to me his personality and the fact that he is a villain, without going out of it’s way to make him ‘ugly’.

Also, Loafers:

Honestly, there’s no major reason here- I just find this design fun! I love his little freckles.

However, not every design can be a winner, and unfortunately many of these are not winners. First off- a major issue I see in this adaption’s designs is that they are intentionally designed to emphasize shapes, and to be strange- and I can think of no greater example than Foaly.

Nothing about this design screams ‘centaur’. Nothing about this design screams ‘Foaly’. He is missing many, many iconic aspects of his design in this adaption, such as his tin-foil hat, and his design doesn’t communicate his personality. Nothing about this says ‘paranoid’ or ‘scientific’- out of context, one can hardly tell he is Foaly, save for the fact that he is the only centaur. It is simply strange, and out-of-place, more at home on an alien than a centaur- this design seems made to be shocking, inhuman, nothing more. It isn’t bad... but it really isn’t Foaly, either.

To elaborate on the shapes, I mentioned- in character design, you learn a lot by the ‘shapes’ a character is constructed of. Blocky = sturdy, round = soft and gentle, triangular = sharp, fast, or dangerous. Butler, for example, would be very square, to reflect his protective nature- Holly would be sharp but not excessively so, to reflect her flyboy attitude.

The designs of this graphic novel, however, rely far, far too much on a character’s shape language, to the point that it is often unappealing, and inaccurate. Take Holly, for example.

This isn’t Holly. The skin tone is incorrect (no excuses for that), and her design is far too curvy and... strange. She doesn’t have her hooked nose, or wild hair- her eyes aren’t even hazel! This design looks far, far too, for lack of a better word, ‘fairy-like’, to properly reflect Holly. Nothing here says anything about her courage, her kindness, or her energy. The eyes and ears are too large. and the chin too small, to make the design seem balanced.

And finally- the matter of visually appealing designs.

For this, I’ll be using Spiro, as his graphic novel design is, I think, a perfect example of when it isn’t taken into account.

Now, I know my design of Spiro is, admittedly, not very accurate. This is intentional (I may go over why in a later post, as I’m proud of the thought I put into it), but nevertheless, I am aware. Spiro is a character I like- I was almost excited to see what this take would be. Imagine my shock to find this.

This design is, to put it simply, unappealing. The shape language is odd and the proportions are off- everything from his eyebrows to hairstyle to the exaggerated joints of his fingers is strange. His skin is greenish, which is a shame, as otherwise the colors are rather balanced. He doesn’t look dangerous or cunning or even Mob-like. He doesn’t even have his spectacles!

I believe this design is meant to appear ‘ugly’ and frightening, understandably, because Spiro is a villain and that can help reflect that. However, a villain’s design can still be strange and frightening without being unappealing. To explain this better, as it is easier shown than said, allow me to reference the graphic novels of another, similar franchise:

Dr. Grief of Alex Rider, of course.

This is an excellent villain design- it is balanced and not too cluttered, it reflects his evil and cunning nature well, and it is strange and frightening without being unappealing. His narrow face and smile show he is dangerous- the red glasses add a pop of color and an interesting point to draw the eye to his uncanny stare.

All in all, I just find these designs underwhelming, and lacking much thought. They aren’t fun to look at, even. I feel like a lot more effort could have been put into them, as there’s a reason that these graphic novels aren’t all that popular. Perhaps, at a later date, I’ll take some of these designs and see if I can redraw them to be a bit more fun! But for now, that’s about it.

In the meantime, check out some of these fantastic artists- they have an excellent grasp of AF character design and style, and they deserve some love for it: @iesnoth @jei-rifni @orangerosebush @hop-a-lot .

#artemis fowl #fowldom #ramblings #the eternity code #this isn’t as in-depth as I’d like but it’ll do for now. hope you enjoyed it!

[phoenixrisesoncemore]

MDZS/CQL RPG mechanics

I was inspired by this awesome post from @wangxian-patriarch with additions by @moonwaif. Go check it out! And assume all those clever details and mechanics mentioned there.

This would work SO WELL for a late 90s PS1-style RPG, where graphics were improving and storylines/character arcs were becoming crazy complex but it was still kind of the Wild West/anything goes/take all the risks you want. And the best games (IMO) are those that mix genres in an episodic fashion and MDZS/CQL totally fits the bill for that! CQL even does it, itself.

This got so long that I hated to clog up their post with a reblog. Bear with me here. Batshit crazy thoughts coming at a million miles per hour. In addition to all the above wonderful stuff: picture this structured like a 75%/25% split of MDZS/CQL (because I think the interspersed flashbacks work better for a game where you get to see your past choices affect the present in chunks) but with 75% of the character expansions from CQL. AKA, more Shijie, meet WQ and WN in Cloud Recesses, interact with them at the Wen Indoctrination. Your choices determine at what pace the relationship with LWJ proceeds (see below)? The POV is always WWX.

Intro/tutorial: Mo Manor. WWX is your main character, obv. The main present story arc is a mostly linear action/adventure RPG. Mo Manor is your tutorial/training ground where you’re introduced to the main game mechanics, learn a bit about the world via NPC interaction and MXY’s notes, and get handed the first mystery/what appears to be the main game goal: who did MXY want you to get revenge on? Melodies keeps popping into WWX’s head. Begin mini game where you are introduced to the game’s musical mechanics as WWX tries to remember melodies. Most are eerie and harsh, but there is one WWX finds “strangely soothing” even though he can’t remember where it is from. Remember these songs, especially that soothing one, because it’s going to be important soon! Introduction of basic sword-based cultivation battle mechanics via an impromptu party forming with the ducklings against the corpse arm (WWX can join in with talismans or something relatively innocuous for now). Eventually WWX goes secret solo battle using flute-less demonic cultivation battle mechanics. Can you remember how to play some of those tunes to summon fierce corpses? Then LWJ appears and it’s time for you to get the Hell out of Dodge before there are questions about what you just did. Cue short sequence of getting out of Mo Village before you’re caught. Begin Little Apple game mechanics.

Dafan Mountain Quest. First big mission. Gather info and piece together the mystery while avoiding too much attention from the Jiang sect cultivators or Game Over. Solve the mystery and begin the first boss fight alongside the ducklings! But talismans and whistling isn’t cutting it any longer. Flute-based demonic cultivation mechanics activate! Remember those songs WWX has had going through his head. You’re going to need all of them now. Game Over if Jin Ling is killed by the goddess! Also: surprise! the goddess can only be defeated by a finishing move which requires summoning a high level fierce corpse. Which song is it? Succeed and summon Wen Ning, but oh no! he’s in berserk mode. Hmmm, what about that soothing song? Better remember how to play it fast or Wen Ning will kill the other cultivators and Game Over.

FLASHBACK: Cloud Recesses. I need this to somehow incorporate and deconstruct the school dating sim genre. I don’t know how, but I need that. Sharing loquats and Emperor’s Smile and causing trouble will sure make you popular. The rooftop fight seems like a standard fighting setup. Is there a way to mix those two genres? A fighting mini game inside a dating sim? Because there needs to be! Is Biling Lake a mini action-platformer segment? Also agree: Jiang Cheng interaction and combo learning here—sneak out to explore the back hill and learn pair fighting dynamics. Use WWX’s original sword-based cultivation skills. Rabbit-catching mini game. Decide what colors you want to gift to increasingly grumpy Lan Zhan. Get to know Mianmian and she’ll be more active in helping you later. Befriend NHS and change dialog trees with him in present arc.

Present day Cloud Recesses: your home base. Sandbox. Your actions in the flashback effect the present day Cloud Recesses. Did you hide some Emperor’s smile somewhere 16 years ago? Home of rabbit-raising mini game and various troublemaking side quests. You get points for every Lan Clan rule you break (and how deeply you corrupt the ducklings). The challenge is in figuring out how to break them. Break enough rules and gain early access to the library’s restricted section where you can learn all kinds of new unorthodox cultivation techniques. Break all of them and get a super awesome power-up. Up to a certain point you can return here with LWJ on Bichen once he joins your party. Duckling night hunts are initiated here?

Lan WangJi Joins the Party. The main body of the game commences as you begin the quest to solve the Mo Manor mystery and figure out who MXY wanted you to get revenge on. Your choices/skill in the flashbacks as they occur will alter (somewhat) the events of this, the game’s main “spine.” Each town/city encountered on the road trip has its own aesthetic and NPC populace from which you have to collect clues and learn what your next moves should be. Lots of immersive qualities and learning about the current political/social situation. Fierce corpse and ghost fights along the way. Collect (offensively inaccurate) YLLZ and Sunshot memorabilia. Slowly grow your affinity with LWJ in battle and use the skills for pair fighting you learned with Jiang Cheng to build towards those awesome battle-couple combos. LWJ will remain in your party for the rest of the main game (excluding flashbacks) except for short bits like Yi City. You can play WWX’s dizi along the road for practice and to up your skill level. Depending on how often and in what circumstances you play Wangxian and how you interact with LWJ you’ll start to get different (but still evasive) answers if you ask him how he knew it was you. Remember to play Rest so NMJ’s pieces don’t get out of hand.

Because this is long: more below the cut

The Man-eating castle. Logic puzzle dungeon. Try to outclever NHS in dialog trees to get him to spill information.

Chang Manor. Mystery dungeon with final grave robber boss fight. Learn about the story of XXC, SL, and XY as you explore Chang manor, looking for clues as to what happened. Avoid traps set by XY.

Yi City. I mean: THE FOG. It’s Silent Hill. It’s Fatal Frame. It’s a survival horror dungeon. How long and involved should the Empathy section be? How does the gameplay change there?

Explore Jin Lin Tai. Stealth dungeon. Sneak around Jin Lin Tai as first “MXY” and later as Paperman WWX (AH! Sudden scale/mechanics change), gathering clues and looking for NMJ’s head. Empathy cutscenes.

Escape Jin Lin Tai. Action segment/beat em up. A place to really show off those growing battle-couple mechanics with LWJ.

FLASHBACK: Happy Times at Lotus Pier. The closest we’ve been to the light-hearted gameplay of the first Cloud Recesses flashback. WWX. JC, and JYL involved in shenanigans at Lotus Pier. Maybe we even get the Lotus Seed Pod Extra content of stealing lotuses from the old man. Get a chance to use those Jiang Cheng combos you learned in the CR flashback. Last chance to use those sword cultivation techniques. Nostalgia galore.

FLASHBACK (cont): Indoctrination/Xuanwu Cave. WWX/JC party using non-sword techniques. Eventually morphs into a WWX/LWJ party. This would be the first time chronologically that they would have fought together.

FLASHBACK (cont): Lotus Pier Attack and Escape. I totally agree with the above that this will ultimately work out to stealth escort missions as you work to get JC to safety with WN’s help.

FLASHBACK (cont): Thrown into Burial Mounds. This could be super expressionistic. Wandering through Burial Mounds trying to stay alive, but with crazy nightmare-like elements. Think of the way Eternal Darkness messed with player perceptions and even broke the 4th wall when it came to game mechanics. Maybe this even bleeds seamlessly into the supervisory office deaths and Wen Chao’s chase and death.

Return to Cloud Recesses. More areas to explore are unlocked. Dialog trees with LWJ. Feelings.

Journey to Burial Mounds. This is your chance to really grind and refine those battle couple combos. Side-quests? How far has word spread that the YLLZ is back? How will that effect the way you can or can’t interact with NPCs. I also like the idea of interspersing the flashbacks from Sunshot and up through the building of the Burial Mounds settlement in here, so as to have the player get to interact with and design the settlement in the past before the ruins of it are seen in the present.

FLASHBACK: Sunshot. mashup of beat em up/strategy tactics using demonic cultivation with chenqing and the tiger seal to clear a path for the army of cultivators. WWX is a party of one for this.

FLASHBACK (cont): Post Sunshot. More deconstructed social sim mechanics. Use chenqing to help JC bag prey on Phoenix Mountain. Social decision trees at that really uncomfortable conference scene. Qiongqi Path rescue of the Wen Refugees. The LWJ in the rain confrontation either does or does not happen (or happens somewhat differently) depending on how your relationship has progressed thus far in the past.

FLASHBACK (cont): Building Burial Mounds Settlement. Settlement/Survival Sim elements. Choose where and how to build and what to grow. Play with and protect a-Yuan. Work to revive WN. Make demonic cultivation tools. Whatever you make will still exist in future and can be gathered/used for the Second Siege battle. JC duel (ouch, there’s those moves you learned together being used against you). Play around in YiLing with LWJ and a-Yuan. Spend the day as a family. Feelings.

Arrive at Burial Mounds. Explore the ruins of the place you built. Feelings. Gather items. Release the Juniors. Fight with the Cultivators.

FLASHBACK: Death of JZX/Nightless City. Beat em up using Wen Ning at Qiongqi Path. At Nightless City this time you’re solo sending hordes towards the cultivators. Heart breaking solo battle against LWJ, as with JC, he now knows and can anticipate your moves based on your previous flashback interactions. HORRIBLE TRAGEDY AND MASSIVE DEATH.

Second Seige of Burial Mounds. Massive beat em up where you finally get to utilize the full extent of your battle-couple skills along with Wen Ning in a series of brawls to end all brawls, eventually the ducklings join your party for brawl wave 3. You know that really big battle that happens near the turning point of video games that’s inevitably the second or third biggest battle of the game (and sometimes more difficult than the actual final boss battles)? That’s this one.

Return to Lotus Pier. Here’s where you get memories of WWX’s first night at Lotus Pier and YanLi saving him from the tree are interspersed as you explore the heartbreakingly different present day Lotus Pier. As with the other locations that you experience in both past and present, some choices in the past effect the location in the present. FEELINGS.

YunPing City: Final major location. Explore and gather info. Prep for the final battle. Drunk LWJ mini game shenanigans. (Sexy time? I mean, Indigo Prophecy did it...) Stealth your way into Guanyin Temple.

Guanyin Temple Climax: Dialog trees with JGY determine how difficult he is to defeat here in battle. Final boss fight against NMJ’s fierce corpse: poignant party/combo with both JC and LWJ.

Denouement. Maybe the Sizhui revelation happens differently depending on how you interact with him throughout the game. Obv NOT getting the revelation is considered the BAD ending.

Ultimately, how the relationship between WWX and LWJ unfolds in CQL and MDZS is influenced by the plot structure (or at least is better served in each medium by how it makes use of the plot structure). The character of that relashionship journey is so different between the mediums, but each has wonderful aspects. How that plays out here is kind of up in the air without nailing more things down. Is it possible your actions could determine the timing and expression of the ship such that you end up with something more distinctly MDZS or something more distinctly CQL? (And by that I don’t mean one is overtly sexual and one isn’t, but rather whether the revelation of their feelings comes all at once near the end or rather more gradually, shifting in intensity and character as the plot goes along). That would be quite a thing to pull off without breaking the central narrative. I don’t even want to think about how complex that decision tree would be, but it could potentially be kind of amazing!

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #grandmaster of demonic cultivation #cql #the untamed #chen qing ling #this is A LOT but i don’t care i am having a great time #i’ve only dipped my toes into game design previously but man this makes me wish I had done more #Because this is so fun #game design #rpgs #mdzs rpg?

[the--sad--hatter]

No Survivors - Chapter Two

Fandom: None, this is an original work of fiction.

Genre: Sci-fi, fantasy, space opera

Rating and warnings: 18+ ONLY. Contains scenes of graphic violence, death, gore, cursing, and scenes of a sexual nature.

Disclaimer: All content and characters are created and owned by me, and my work is NOT to be reposted anywhere else without my explicit permission. Reblogs are fine, and very much appreciated.

The No Survivors Tumblr Blog | Masterlist 

Blurb:

6000 years into the future and humanity is thriving, having made their home in The Emerald Galaxy, lightyears away from their home planet. They’ve come a long way since the days of Earth. Lifespans have tripled, interstellar travel is a daily occurrence and humans have successfully integrated with alien species. All is well.

But for Captain Ice, nothing has been well for a long time. The once distinguished Captain is now a disgrace and a liability, carrying the weight of the cost of war on her shoulders. All Ice wants to do is carry on drinking herself into an early grave pod, but the Emerald Empire has a use for her yet.

Deep in The Emerald Galaxy lies Sector 12, or The Empires armpit as it’s referred to in polite company. When Sector 12’s Captain retires, General Felicity Hart decided to rid herself of a nuisance and instructs Ice to form a new crew and take over the job of glorified janitor.

Humanity survived the annihilation of its home planet and a journey across the universe, but can it survive the adventures of a disgraced Captain and her mismatched crew, or will there be… No Survivors?

The tall towers of the citadel were dark and imposing, carved from the black obsidian that was abundant in the mine shafts of Heart. Inside the looming spires the same darkness was copious, dark marble and stone as far as the eye could see, onyx around every corner that J`ess`inca ‘Jess’ Crowley had turned on her way to the laboratory she spent every day in, though she’d come to see it more as a self-imposed prison. She idly pretended to be diligently taking notes as her boss talked very quickly and very inaccurately about cell stabilisation until she couldn’t take it anymore.  

“Doctor Marx it’s impossible, even if you were able to create a shield around each individual cell, the rapid shrinking would damage them inside it and that’s before you displace them and then resize. Teleportation just isn’t possible” She interrupted.

He paused and looked up from his screen, putting extra effort into his sneer so his lowly assistant knew how little he thought of her.

“You’re my assistant, you’re here to take notes not give your opinion.” He snorted derisively, the white wispy hairs of his unkempt moustache fluttering from the breath.

She didn’t know his exact age, but the wrinkles and grey hair indicated he had to be at least 260 years old. How someone could live for two and a half centuries and be so tactless and obstinate, she would never understand.  

“It’s not my opinion, it’s the facts.” She argued calmly.

Doctor Marx could look down on her all he liked, she would never let the opinion of someone she didn’t respect have any effect on her. Before Doctor Marx could foolishly rebut the logic, a sharp rap on the labs open door had the two doctors turning around.

“Yes? What do you want?” Marx demanded impatiently.

He was more than used to having to provide his services to the Empire’s army so he wasn’t overly concerned, though admittedly most Captains didn’t bother to come to him directly. He might have been disinterested with the woman standing impassively by the door, cutting an imposing figure but Jess was intrigued. Captains were not a rare sight in the Citadel, in fact the base was crawling with them, but none like this. She was clad in the standard garb, the leather Captains coat they were all identified by, but she didn’t wear it the same way every other Captain did. It was loose, worn and battered and ill-fitting and yet the woman wore it more naturally than any of the stuffy uptight Captains that roamed around.

“I’m recruiting for my new team and I need a scientist.” The woman shrugged.

Jess felt a little jolt of jealousy run through her. All crews required a scientist and a medical doctor to to accompany the teams across the galaxy and partake in their adventures. It was the kind of adventurous life she had dreamed of, but as bright as her future once seemed, she knew better now. Her life was never going to be more than surviving, never living.

“Well we’re busy. Go away.” Marx snapped.

He clearly thought his research was too valuable to be abandoned in favour of running around the galaxy with a group of trigger-happy goons but that was no excuse for being so disrespectful, especially to someone who outranked him. Jess sighed and walked over to her, extending her hand with an apologetic look.

“I’m Jess Crowley, Doctor Marx is in the middle of something. He doesn’t mean to be so rude.”

The Captain smirked knowingly and took Jess’s hand in her own, grasping it firmly.

“Pleasure to meet you, Doctor Crowley. I’m Captain Ice.” She introduced herself, watching carefully for the inevitable reaction.

Jess felt her own eyes widen as Marx looked back up from his screen in shock and awe. Captain Ice was more than legendary, she was iconic. Jess was too young to remember The War properly, the one that had taken her father from her, but she had heard the stories. Hidden away from the sharp ears of the Empire the truth was whispered reverently, ‘The Empire didn’t win the war, Captain Ice did’. Enough people had seen the Captain for her existence to be confirmed but she was so elusive that she had become something of a folktale. Nobody knew the truth about The War, who it had been with or why, all they knew was billions of people had died, an entire sector of the Galaxy had been destroyed and that when it was all over, Captain Ice had been the only person The Empress had personally thanked. Legend had it that The Empress had decreed that Ice was the only subject in The Empire who would never kneel for her, and that The Empress had herself knelt for Ice.

“Captain Ice, I’m so sorry, I had no idea. Please accept my apologies. Recruitment you say? By Ice herself? What an honour. I would of course be happy to accept.” He stammered.

Even Marx wasn’t immune to the reputation of the Captain.

“You can go away, I’m here for her.” Ice dismissed him, not taking her eyes off of Jess’s.

Jess physically recoiled, trying to stuff away the spark of hope that flamed to life in her heart, even as she protested.

 “Me? Oh, but I’m Marx’s assistant I can’t…”

“Doctor J`ess`inca Crowley, you received highest honours in your graduating class from the Empire Academy. In all fourteen of your subjects. You are most definitely the smartest person in the Galaxy and yet here you are, taking notes for a crackpot.” Ice interrupted.

“I beg your pardon?” Marx spluttered.

“Get out.” Ice ordered with all the care of swatting a bug.

“This is my laboratory!”

“Now.” Ice snapped in a tone that brokered no argument, fixing him with a chilling glare that had him looking terrified and hurrying away.

As soon as he scarpered from the room, practically tripping over his own feet in the process, Ice turned back to the young Doctor with an expectant look. Jess inhaled shakily before she straightened her shoulders and stood tall.

“I’m flattered, really I am, but I’m staying here.” She said resolutely, hiding her disappointment in having to pass up the chance to live out her wildest dreams.  

Ice hummed thoughtfully and nodded, wandering around the lab, peering at the screens with scant interest. She found a large model of the Galaxy in the centre of the lab and reached into the centre of it to snap the model of Planet Heart from the display and tossed it in the air like a ball as she regarded Jess thoughtfully.  

“Humanity cracked the secrets of space travel, broke the light and sound barriers, invented gravitational force fields and synthetic atmospheres. We have eradicated most of the diseases that threaten us, slowed the aging process, tripled our lifespans and we did it all six thousand years ago. We still haven’t got teleportation right, which means we probably never will. Even if we did, Marx isn’t going to be the man behind it, which means you can’t steal the technology from him.” She announced, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Jess swallowed her heart back down as it jumped into her throat. If Ice knew the truth then she was done for. The Captain wasn’t here to recruit her, but to arrest her.

“Steal it? I wouldn’t, that’s not what... I mean why would you think that?” She asked thickly.

“Because that’s what you are being paid to do, so you can pay off your brothers considerable gambling debts.” Ice explained.

Jess’s shoulders dropped. It was over, she had been discovered.  

“You’re here to take me in.” She whispered.

“No.” Ice corrected.

Jess frowned. For one of the first times in her life she didn’t understand.

“I told you, I’m recruiting you. I’ve paid your brothers debts. You’re free, so is he. Welcome to the crew Doctor Crowley.”

Ice tossed the model planet through the air one last time before she held it out to Jess with an expectant look. Jess reached out, her fingers tentatively closing around the miniature replica of the planet they were standing on, the rich green sphere pressing into the palm of her hand.

“Why?” She asked softly, squeezing the planet in her hand.

“I have a new assignment and I need a crew for it, which means I need a scientist and a doctor. You tick both categories because you really are the smartest person in the known worlds. And because Captain or not, I don’t particularly care about the law.” Ice scoffed, pulling a small tablet from under her coat and passing it to Jess.

“Now, according to The Code, I still need at least one cadet, a first lieutenant and a mechanic. Let’s get going.” Ice finished briskly, making a beeline for the door.

Jess stood there for a moment longer, tablet in one hand and… the whole world in the other. She laughed softly in disbelief as it all started to sink in. Her brother was safe from the thugs who threatened him, she was free from Doctor Marx and a living legend was walking down the hallway after literally just handing her the whole world. Slipping the model planet into her pocket she hurried after the her Captain.

 ~~~

He knew that most of Earth’s history had been lost, or twisted beyond recognition, but believed that the old tales of warriors who fought for the spectators were true. Standing before the cheering crowds with sweat dripping down his face and his opponent groaning on the floor beneath him, he knew it had to be true. The allure of adoration, the thrill of victory, the burn of exertion, it was addictive.

“You have a long way to go before you’re ready to rise up the ranks, Corporal.” He scoffed, stepping over the bleeding person he’d defeated.

When he’d made lieutenant he hadn’t for a second imagined that he’d end up here, stuck on the same planet he’d spent his childhood, stowed away in the training rooms so he couldn’t embarrass his family any further. He’d made the best of it, acting like it was a choice, using the opportunity to show off his combat skills. He spent his days preparing men and women for a future he couldn’t achieve and his nights in the arms of whatever adoring fan took his fancy, all the while trying to convince himself that it made him happy. So what if he never made it to First Lieutenant, never advanced up the ranks, never achieved the same glory his sister had effortlessly snatched from her competitors? He had everything he needed here, in the training pits below the citadel.

He eyed the crowd of cadets and citizens, eyes drifting over them until he found one that stood out to him. Someone he could wrap himself around, bury himself inside, a distraction for the night. Beautiful men and gorgeous women alike were considered and discarded until his gaze fell on two anomalies. Two women, standing together, one in a lab coat and the other in a Captains. That wasn’t what caught his attention about them though, it was the lack of interest in him that had him walking over to them. The lab coat didn’t even glance up at him as he approached, her eyes glued to the tablet in her hand. The Captain just stared at him impassively.

“Captain. Doctor?” He greeted them, slamming his fist into his chest as he was expected to do in the company of a Captain.

“Lieutenant Hart.” The Captain responded, stating his name blankly.

“I see my reputation precedes me, but I don’t know you two. Which is strange because I know most of the Captains, especially the beautiful ones.” He tried, turning on the charm that always had people warming to him.

“I’m Doctor Crowley, we actually have met. You tried to buy me a drink once.” The lab coat informed him, finally looking up at him.

“Tried?” He pressed, bemused.

“Tried.” She confirmed, firmly no less.

He nodded respectfully, accepting the unspoken terms of their interaction she had set out for him. The Captain cocked her head at the Doc, amused or confused he couldn’t be sure.

“I’m Captain…”

“Ice.” He interrupted her introduction. “The whole citadel’s talking about you. More than usual that is. The legend has finally returned and she’s taking over Sector Twelve. I’ve heard about your little recruitment drive and as soon as the doctor introduced herself I knew who you were. I thought you’d look more intimidating.” He noted.

The same day she’d been made into a legend was the same day he’d been branded a failure, and yet he had never crossed paths with the woman before. He knew all about her of course, well, as much as anybody knew. Probably a little more than most, though not much. The woman was shrouded in so myth and mystery that to see she was just flesh and bone, and not very tall, was anticlimactic.

“I’m not the only one with a reputation.” Ice reminded him.

He dropped the friendly grin and clenched his jaw at her vicious remark.

“You should be nicer to the people you are trying to recruit.” He snapped.

He knew why she was here, there was no other reason for her to seek him out.

“Trying to recruit? I’m a Captain, you’re just a lieutenant. I can draft you to my crew if I want.” She pointed out, far too smugly for his liking.

“My sister is the General, you can’t force me to do anything.” He spat, furious at having to bring up Felicity.

“I don’t see any other Captains offering you the chance to add First to your Lieutenant title and it was your sister who said I could have anyone in the Citadel for my crew, and look where you happen to be standing.” Ice told him, looking pointedly at the ground.

“I have no interest in patrolling the Armpit of the Galaxy for a washed up has-been of a Captain. If you want me, you have to fight for me.” He sneered, his lip curling back over his teeth.

He issued the challenge hoping to get a reaction of some kind, but she disappointed him, slipping off her coat without blinking. The Doc held her arm out for it, already so obedient for her new master. Ice stepped forward, rolling her shoulders to loosen them up.

“Terms?” She asked, raising her hands defensively and placing her left foot back.

“First person whose back hits the ground loses.” He suggested, a little shocked he’d been goaded into issuing the challenge and that she had accepted so easily.

Ice was unreadable, nothing tangible or recognisable behind her eyes. He wasn’t stupid, he knew that someone who could wear a mask that effectively only showed emotion if they wanted it to be seen, so he had a sick feeling in his gut that he was being played. She had reminded him of his reputation and put him down just to get his hackles up. Most likely so she could humiliate him, break him down and prove she was his superior.

He clenched his hand into a fist and struck out, aiming below her raised arms for her ribs. His fist never connected, she moved back and trapped his wrist between her forearms, twisting his arm between hers and pulling him forward, off balance. He let himself stumble forwards, falling to his knees and twisting his upper body so he could slam his elbow into the soft flesh of her waist. She didn’t even grace him with a grunt of pain, but it clearly hurt her because he was able to free his trapped arm and spin away, getting to his feet and facing off against her again.

“You’ve got a lot more fire than your name implies.” He snarled at her.

“Ice can burn you just as badly as fire can.” She smirked, waving him forward to try again.

He feinted left, like he was going for the bruise he’d likely already left and she didn’t flinch, reading his body expertly. He felt a flicker of begrudging respect. He opened his mouth to ask her if she was frozen in place but before he could get the words out she stepped forwards, faster than he had ever seen another human being move. He never stood a chance, the impact of her fist slammed into his ribs, knocking the breath out of his lungs. She wasn’t overly strong, but she was strong enough. It was her speed and dexterity that made her deadly, because as soon as her knuckles left his ribs she fluidly turned her back to him and stepped into his body, wrapping her arm behind her - around his waist. It all happened in a split second, too fast for him to realise what had happened, never mind defend himself against it as she leant forward, pulling him with her so he was flipped over her shoulder.

As his back slammed towards the ground something twisted inside his heart and it was only decades of Empire training that saved him. He got his feet on the ground first and threw his hands underneath his body, holding his back centimetres off the ground. He saw her raise an eyebrow at his gambled manoeuvre, and her nod of approval sent a wave of anger blazing through him.

He neither wanted nor needed her approval. She was the darling of the Empire, respected by every person residing within it. A life that should have been his, had he not fucked it up. He was the first son of the first family of The Emerald Empire, in the days before the democracy that ruled The Empire now, he would have been a Prince. She was a nobody who had risen through the ranks on nothing more than her own ability, earning what should have been his birthright. She was better than him in every way, and they both knew it. He didn’t want her approval, because it was just thinly veiled pity.

He used his upper body to flip to his feet, holding back the snarl inside his chest as he attacked, raining blow after blow down on her. Most of them were blocked with ease, but a few landed. The seconds ticked away as they engaged in a violent dance, spinning across the floor in a macabre and dangerous waltz. For every blow he managed to land on her, she retaliated with two more. They were far from evenly matched but though she was faster and nimbler, he was stronger and built to take more damage, thus neither of them achieved the upper hand. He realised it was going to be stamina that won the fight, and there was barely a sheen of sweat on her skin. If he wanted to win he wasn’t going to do it by playing to his strengths, he had to play to his weakness.

He waited for an opening, a chance to step forward and leave his face unprotected, steeling himself for the hit that would be coming as a result of it. He’d known it was inevitable, he’d opened himself up to it, and yet he still didn’t see her move. It was only after the side of her fist slammed into the space between his neck and his shoulder that he knew she’d done it, by the pain shooting through him. Agonizing as it was, it was what he needed. He stumbled back, wincing in pain. Ice almost casually followed and kicked his legs out from under him, letting him fall to the ground. At the last possible second he grabbed her wrist and pulled her body into his, cradling her against his chest.

The dull thud of them hitting the ground signalled the end of the fight, the silence that followed only broken by his laboured breathing.

“You lose.” He whispered, pushing himself upright until he was kneeling on the ground.

Ice lay on her back, stunned. He’d used his own fall to bring about hers, pushing her under him in a move she couldn’t have foreseen. After all, she was a warrior and in a real fight, he’d have just gotten himself killed.

He stood up and held his hand out to help her up, but was unceremoniously shoved out of the way.

“Are you alright? Did your head connect with the ground?” The Doc demanded, clucking worriedly and looking over her slightly bemused Captain.

“No, it didn’t. His hand was cradling my head, because he didn’t stumble at all. It was a manoeuvre wasn’t it?” Ice deduced, looking up at him with more of that respect he hated.

He forced a smirk onto his face to mask the ire, glancing around as he only just registered that they’d had an audience. They were clapping for him. For the first time in his life he turned away from the adoration and watched as Ice climbed to her feet, gently swatting away the Docs attempts to help.

“Well done, nobody’s bested me in a long time. A deals a deal, I won’t recruit you.” Ice declared, tugging her coat out of the Docs arms and slipping it back on.

“Seems you’re not washed up after all, you are as good as people think you are,” He admitted, “It just so happens that I’m better.” He added, unable to help himself.

She just nodded, seemingly agreeing with him and walked away. Apparently she meant it, she wouldn’t be trying to recruit him after all, and that meant she had no further use for him. Shaking off the gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach he turned back to the crowds and held out his arms.

“Who’s next?”

~~~

“I want to ask if you let him win but I can’t think why you would let your ego take a beating like that.” Jess muttered, side eying Ice with lingering concern as they left the training bays.

Ice pulled the door open and held it for her, frowning slightly.

“I don’t have an ego.” She stated as Jess passed her.

It wasn’t a rebuttal or protest, just a simple irrefutable fact.

“But you’re….”

“I’m what?” Ice pressed when the doctor trailed off.

“Captain Ice.” She uttered, like it should be explanation enough.

“Putting that massive IQ to good use I see. See Daniel, he has an ego,” Ice said, waving her hand in the direction they’d come from, back towards Lieutenant Hart, “And people with ego’s are easy to manipulate. They either develop an ego because people inflate it for them or because they need to inflate it themselves as a shield. Either way, you bruise the ego and you’re an enemy. I need a First Lieutenant, not an enemy.”

“So you don’t have an ego because you don’t want to be weak?” Jess formulated, trying to make sense of her new superior who was more forthcoming than she had expected.

It occurred to her that Ice wasn’t really being all that talkative, she was just answering Jess’s questions, treating her like an equal, letting her work her brain. It was refreshing.

“I don’t have an ego because I am weak, and I know it. Most of the tales they’re telling about me these days aren’t true, and the ones that are have been embellished. Listen to me Doctor,” She demanded, stopping dead in the middle of the corridor and staring Jess down, “Better people than me died in The War… My reputation is fuelled by their bloodshed and built on a foundation of their bones. You’re a scientist so don’t put stock in fairytales, examine the evidence yourself and form your own opinion.”

It was said gently, she wasn’t being scolded, but still, she had to prove that Ice was right to seek her out for the job, to save her from monotony and crime.

“Who’s coat are you wearing?” She asked.

Ice quirked her eyebrow and tilted her head to the side slightly, curious about the sudden line of questioning.

“Captain’s coats end at mid thigh, yours ends mid-calf. There are creases in the leather around the elbows from the amount of times you’ve pushed the sleeves up. The coat wasn’t made for you, it was made for someone much taller.” She continued, pointing out her deductions calmly.

The corner of Ice’s lip twitched minutely in a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ motion.

“You’re right, I was someone else’s. It’s mine now though.” She validated, starting to walk onwards again.

She wanted to ask whose it was but it somehow didn’t seem kind to press the issue any further. After all, most Captain’s didn’t retire.

“Why Lieutenant Hart?” She asked, moving to what seemed like a safer question.

Apparently she’d assumed wrong because Ice just shot a blank look over her shoulder instead of actually answering.

“Why do you need a crew at all? What’s the assignment?” Surely Ice would answer that one, since Jess was going to find out sooner or later anyway.  

“I’ve been assigned to Captain a sector.”

“Which one?” Jess gushed, rushing to fall into step beside Ice again.

A new solar system, dozens of potential planets to explore. The things she could learn and discover, the adventures she could have. Her mind filled with visions of the acid rains of Tregelorth in Sector 3, the black diamond moons of Artemis in Sector 412, the iridescent hallucinogenic gas from the trees of Fairthorlia in Sector 77….

“12.” Ice announced as she swung open the outer doors and stepped outside.

“The armpit?” Jess asked somewhat dejectedly, her daydreams shattered.  

“You were raised here on Heart weren’t you?” Ice scoffed, glancing up at the teal skies above them.

“Yes?”

“Then the armpit is an upgrade considering you grew up in the Empire’s asshole.” Ice informed her.

“What?”

Ice held her arms out, gesturing to the expanse of the Planet.

“This is where all the Empires shit comes from.”

NS Taglist (OPEN) 

@cateyes315​ @severepienerdturkey @justellu​

I can’t explain how grateful I am to everyone who has read this. I’ve had this concept in my mind for years and I have wanted to tell this story for so long. 

Reblogs (especially reblogs), comments, likes, anything you’re willing to give is massively appreciated. 

#No Survivors #sci-fi #space opera #original story #original sci fi

[clockworkrosea]

911, what’s your emergency? (3)

→ summary: they were dangerous. she knew that, and yet, she continues to hunt them. and this? this is her retribution.

→ pairings: jeon jungkook/fem!reader, kim namjoon/oc

→ warnings: graphic depiction of torture, mentions of torture, a lot of mentions of blood, mentions of death, mentions of the mafia, mentions of arson, mentions of fire. graphic description of what the shankill butchers did at the end a/n. 

→ wc: 1.5k

→ a/n: alright sorry this took so long, i first was worried with the depiction of the police then i realized corrupt is not that inaccurate, and then i was trying to get a decent wc. please give me feedback! also if anyone wants to be tagged send me a message, comment or ask or smth. aLso i ended the chapter there bc i didn’t want to reveal who was who yet. y’all can guess tho 👀👀. enjoy the chapter! also i made exo bts’s enemies in the story just for convenience they aren’t actually enemies

→ disclaimer: this is not an accurate depiction of bts and anyone else mentioned in this fic. this is also not an accurate depiction of seoul’s police department, government, and any other institutions mentioned in this fic. 

series masterlist

When Y/N woke up, hours later, she quickly figured out what had happened. They'd laid a trap, and she had walked right into it. She tugged at her restraints, cringing as they chafed her skin roughly. Her head was pounding, and she felt exhausted, but she looked around and analyzed her situation. 

The room was bloodied and dirtied. The blood pooled  Y/N scrunched up her nose in disgust as the smell finally hit her. The coppery scent did nothing to help with her headache. Carefully, she kept her eyes off the ground, the grisly sight of dried and fresh blood enough to make anyone retch.

It felt like hours before someone walked into the room. Y/N groaned, tilting her head up slowly to glance at who it was. Hannah was in front of her, looking down with what seemed to be interest. Despite the gore around the room, she seemed to be calm, albeit slightly disgusted. 

“Well, well, well. I won’t lie, I expected better of you.” Hannah said, looking her up and down. 

"Getting kidnapped by the mafia isn't very high up on my list of dangers, unfortunately. Sorry to disappoint, though." Y/N snorted, staring at her kidnapper. Well, technically the orchestrator. Hannah didn’t look strong enough to drag her all the way to their car. Y/N waited for the pain that was surely to pay her back for her sassiness. 

Surprisingly, Hannah snickered. 

“I like you. Sassy. Unfortunately no one else that lives here would’ve taken that too kindly, so I’d be a little more careful.” She warned, although the effect was lost as a result of the smirk on her face. Hannah left the room, daintily stepping around the blood stains. 

“You’ll need to convince Namjoon to let you out. Although, I’m not totally sure you’d enjoy it out here.” Hannah said cheerily, shutting the heavy metal door. Y/N blinked in surprise, not actually expecting to get help. She nods slowly, careful to keep her head as stable as possible. 

It felt like hours had passed when another person finally entered. This was the other man that had been standing by Hannah during the ill-fated conversation. Ill-fated for Y/N, of course. She observed the man, assuming this was Namjoon. 

He was...different from what she'd expected. Realistically, neither of the leaders were what she’d expected. Both exuded power, yet they had none of the sadism she’d come to expect from mafia leaders. They were relaxed, yet they had the traditional personality type of a strong mob boss. 

Y/N had also talked to them for a grand total of 5 minutes. Namjoon stared at her, seemingly contemplating something. Y/N shifted nervously, running her tongue over her lips. Finally, he smirked and spoke.

"I think we'll let you go. No point in keeping you here." She nearly tipped the weak wooden chair over in her shock, barely managing to tip it back in time. When she looked back at Namjoon, he was smirking as he watched her struggle. 

“You’re smarter than Jungkook gives you credit for. I’d thank him, if I were you. Had he not been so annoying you’d be stuck in here, and, well, it's not exactly a great place to be." Namjoon motioned to the blood-covered walls. He stepped over to her seat carefully and slashed through the ties binding her legs and feet. 

Y/N stood up hesitantly, taking a couple steps forward. Namjoon followed behind her, with practiced grace, and he watched as she slipped. She looked at her hands, sticky with drying blood. It slowly dripped off of her hands as she carefully got up. Namjoon stepped past her, opening the door. 

She left the room hesitantly, slightly intimidated at the thought of staying in a house with 8 mafia members. Despite the bloodiness of the room, it had become familiar, and Y/N wasn’t particularly eager to leave it. 

“Down the hall, on the right.” Namjoon’s voice broke her out of her thoughts. When she looked at him, slight confusion evident, he motioned to her hands. She nodded, before making her way down the carpeted hallway. 

It was modest, yet subtly extravagant. They didn’t have many decorations, but it’d clearly been strategic. She could see there was thought behind the placement of plants, desks, and chairs in the hallway. Even while she’d been living in her home, her paranoia, similarly to many other members of the police force, had been through the roof. It was probably much worse for them, considering the design of one hallway reflected clear defenses against intruders. Feeling Namjoon’s eyes on her, she quickly stepped into the bathroom. 

It didn’t take long to wash the blood off. Once she’d stepped back out, Namjoon was waiting for her, face still impassive. He nodded to her, motioning for her to follow him. Y/N stumbled slightly as she rushed to catch up with his brisk pace.

“Where are we going?” She couldn’t help but ask him. He shot her a sharp glare, quickly shutting her up. It also surprised her, considering what she asked was an innocent question. To be fair, he’d also seemed significantly more tense after she’d finished washing her hands. Something probably happened in the five minutes, and she was on the receiving end of his annoyance.

It took a couple minutes, winding through�� halls and rooms, to find wherever Namjoon's destination was. When Y/N looked inside, all she does is sigh. This had been coming, she knew, but that didn’t make her any more eager to meet them. 

Namjoon cleared his throat, bringing the attention to the two standing in the archway. 

Y/N didn’t recognize anyone, as expected, but she matches faces to positions and positions to crimes. As with everyone else in the room, she was well aware she was at a major disadvantage. Namjoon guided her over to an empty couch, and Y/N sat down carefully.

First, she looked for the doctor. Y/N first figured out his existence in the early stages of her assignment, when the previous detective had quit. It was well known that there were 8 members of Bangtan, yet Y/N had only been able to find seven distinct signatures among the crimes. Originally, she’d assumed that the final member had been a drug dealer or enforcer, rather than participating in the murders. It’d taken a month and a small gang war for her to conclude that the last one had to be a doctor. There had been no increase in hospital admissions within Seoul, yet Y/N knew they’d been injured. 

The doctor takes the shape of a smiling man with sharp almond eyes. 

Next, she scanned for the arsonist. The previous detective, Suho, had tracked the string of fires supposedly in connection to BTS. 4 months later, Y/N had confirmed the Arson to be among the inner circle. EXO, a then-recent enemy of Bangtan, had had their temporary headquarters burned down. It was well known that Bangtan had orchestrated the attack, allowing them to uncover another member of the group.

The arsonist takes the shape of a glaring man with twitching hands. 

The interrogator, a terrifying force of death. He’d been the easiest to uncover, and Y/N’s team had tried to track most of his movements. Suho had told her about the first time they’d found one of his bodies. It’d been mutilated beyond recognition. The final cause of death had been a deep slash to the jugular, like the Shankill Butchers. Electrical burns decorated the poor man’s skin, and shallow slashes covered his entire body. The coroner’s report had specified that none of the cuts had been deep enough to kill. Y/N got through about half of the report before she’d had to put it down. 

The interrogator takes the shape of a man with doe eyes and scarred hands. 

Finally, the leaders. Some of their smaller, less experienced teams had tracked the movements of the kingpin early on. Suho’s team had been the one to uncover the other mob boss: a well-hidden daughter of a dead businessman. It hadn’t been a surprise no one had discovered her, considering the lack of information on the whole network. According to Suho’s informant, no one in the lower ranks had ever seen the other boss. Shortly after, they’d found his body, tortured and broken. 

The leaders are a man and a woman with angry eyes and bloodied hands. 

“So,” Hannah spoke, looking at her with hidden amusement. “I suppose we should introduce ourselves. After all, we already know so much about you.” 

“You know me. Kind of. I’m Hannah Zhang. Bangtan’s godmother, donna, leader, etc. If you hurt any of us, I will kill you.” She continued cheerfully. Then, Hannah motioned for another man to talk. Even before he began, Y/N identified him as their doctor. He seemed kind, she thought. Then again, he also was in the inner circles of a top mafia well-known for their ability to kill.

→ tagged: @btstxtgenre​

→ a/n: again i get this could be a little confusing, so feel free to send me any questions you have and i’ll answer them :) the shankill butchers were a group of loyalists who operated out of the shankill area in belfast, ireland. they were responsible for many violent sectarian attacks, in which they would slash their victims’ throats nearly through to their spines. basically they were violent and almost beheaded people but not quite 

#mafia au #MAFIA BTS #bts x reader #jeon jungkook x reader #jeon jungkook #exo #au #suho #oc #min yoongi #suga #agust d #kim taehyung #bts v #kim namjoon #rm #kim seokjin #jeon jungkook angst #jeon jungkook x you #kim namjoon x oc #bts seokjin #yandere bts x reader #yandere jk #yandere jungkook #yandere jeon jungkook #jeon jeongguk #min yoongi x reader #kim namjoon x reader #kim taehyung x reader #kim seokjin x reader

[whilereadingandwalking]

Carmen Maria Machado on the Gothic Genre, Craft, and Disgusting Giraffe Babies

Early this November, Carmen Maria Machado, author of Her Body and Other Parties, stopped at the Swedish American Museum on her book tour for In the Dream House. She discussed her gothic memoir with Emil Ferris, graphic novelist and author of My Favorite Thing is Monsters, at a conversation hosted by Women and Children First and cosponsored by Resilience Chicago. At the beginning of the conversation, Ferris said that she thought Machado might have been Mary Shelley in a past life, setting the tone for a conversation that would touch on ghost stories, craft, and the structure of the Bible.

On Horror & the Bible

When Machado first began writing In the Dream House, it didn’t yet flow; but then she thought of using the gothic and haunted house genre; and then she thought of using genre as an organizing principle, using it to evoke different things for the reader. “Once I figured that out,” Machado said, “it all kind of came out of me, like a disgusting giraffe baby.” 

She and Ferris discussed the moments in her life that Machado feels she may have felt a ghostly presence, and she referenced Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House as a perfect novel, which she reads once a year: “it is perfect and beautiful and very gay.” 

“I’ve always been really drawn to stuff that changes my emotional temperature,” said Machado—whether that be horror or religion, she is drawn to the idea of feeling something. When she was a teen, she was deeply into the evangelical faith, which appealed to her because she could tell the people in the community felt something. The Bible too is this beautiful, weird, sensual, imperfect document, using different modes and kinds of language to put words to something that’s so difficult to explain—which Machado feels may have been an influence on her memoir’s unique structure.

On Betrayal

At its core, Ferris saw In the Dream House as a story about betrayal. Particularly in the lesbian and queer female community, Machado said that there’s this idea of freedom from men’s bullshit—“I’ve dated men, and it’s like dealing with a low level cold for months.” So there’s this idea that queer women have escaped men, and are inherently lucky, and so there’s a betrayal to the feeling that you’re safe from abuse, from manipulation and fear, and then finding out that you aren’t.

It was important for her to highlight abuse and abusive relationships in the queer community, which too often aren’t discussed. She dug deep in her research on queer domestic violence in the 80s and 90s. Machado’s biggest fear is that she might be inaccurate, or wrong, or incomplete, in her writing, which Ferris said she understood—she wrote and drew 1960s Chicago, and was very afraid of anachronistic errors. In the end, Machado thought it was vital to write about abusive relationships in queer communities, especially because there aren’t enough books about it. When she was writing her dedication, she thought about her readers. “If I focus too much on my audience I’m going to spin myself in circles,” Machado said, “but I do think I want to say if this gives you some kind of context, then I wrote this in your general direction.” 

On Craft

Originally, the book flowed out of Machado in 2nd person, but her editor pushed her to make sure it was purposeful. When she attempted to change it to 1st, “the text was really resisting me. It didn’t sound right.” And so she split the text, allowing for both points of view to divide the story. “There’s the ‘I’ voice that’s me sitting in front of you that went on with her life and is doing all these things,” said Machado, “and there’s this ‘you’ that’s stuck in the present tense, but that’s this old version of myself that’s trapped in this constant cycle, and that’s there still in this very moment.”

To end the night, Machado gave her advice to the writers in the audience. “Read voraciously, and across genres, and across time periods, and outside of the normal stuff that you read in every direction,” she said. She encouraged them to give space for the ‘idea machine’: “honoring whatever your brain is kicking your way by giving it a little bit of space,” keeping notes, and allowing it to work its way through ideas as they go onto the page. And finally, she advised: “Writing the projects, or the essays, or the poems, or the stories that you don’t see, that you want to see.”

#carmen maria machado #emil ferris #in the dream house #her body and other parties #genre bending #all mine #book events #women and children first

[dafukdidiwatch]

U.S.S INDIANAPOLIS: MEN OF COURAGE

Nick Cage mixed with WW2 and sharks. What can possible go wrong?

Answer: Everything

Nick Cage has just an attraction to me. I have known him for so long since I was little, I can’t tell if he is a good actor or if it was nostalgia. All I know is if there is a Nick Cage film, it is going to have that Nick Cage charm. And BOY HOWDY, this movie has it.

Let’s go with backstory first.

This movie is based on the incredible and horrific events that happened to the U.S.S Indianapolis, a Naval Ship during World War 2. It was sent on a secret and dangerous mission to deliver parts for the construction of the Atomic Bomb. However, on their way back a Japanese Submarine sunk it with a torpedo, leaving the survivors stranded alone in the middle of the ocean for 4 days filled surrounded by sharks who would attack the dead, injured, and living. Out of the almost 12,000 sailors aboard, only 300 would survive, making this the worst naval tragedy in U.S. Navy history.

And they made this movie.

Not going to lie, I was stupidly judgy through this movie. I mean, I tried goddammit, to watch and enjoy it straight. But I couldn’t help it. I care about this history. I’m fasinated by this bit of history, the horror and pain the sailors when through. This is THE Greatest Shark Attack in history. I was judgy because I wanted this movie to respect the event and tragedy that had happened, to do the survivors justice. And they tried.

God did they tried.

The problem is that they didn’t do it well.

Let me start with the good things about this movie.

1) Nick Cage was pretty Good

He plays Captain Charles B. McVay of the Indianapolis. There is still a bit of hokiness that comes from Nick Cage being Nick Cage. One is him talking to himself while writing a letter to his wife in the weirdest way possible. Another is the fact that his sunglasses makes it look like his eyes are closer to his forehead. But he does the role well I think. He makes sure to show that Captain McVay cared for his men, put their safety ahead of his own, did everything he can to help. I thought he did a good job.

2) They were respectful in the representation of the Japanese Submarine Crew.

The movie could have just not even show the submarine until the ship sinks, but no, we actually get to see the crew. We see the Captain Hashimoto dealing with the struggles of fighting their side of the war. How he cares for his crew, and how they will lay down their lives for the fight. The ship was sunk by Kaiten Torpedoes, basically an underwater version of Kamakazi pilots. They were manned torpedoes, so you see the men loading themselves in to be launched. So while the main focus is on the Indianapolis, it is nice they tried to be empathetic to the Japanese crew as well.

3) The side-characters were interesting enough.

With a historical story like this, the best way is show the movie is to let the audience see all the possible people that were serving on the ship. You see two best friends fall in love with the same girl. Two guys who were enemies and in jail together. A guy with a gambling addiction. The lovable engineers that you see up above. The brand new green commander who is a bit of a dick. My favorite one is the writer sailor. He writes what he sees and tries to bolster people up with his stories. Like, there is a lot of characters so even if you don’t like one plot-line, there are others you can enjoy. They may act goofy/overly dramatic at times, but the actors did a good job for you to root for them.

With that out of the way, things I didn’t like.

A) The cgi was too basic and shit in places

I wish, I WISH I can find a better picture to show what I mean. When we were watching, even my sister were going back and forth on whether it was good or not. Everything that was cgi was just weirdly too smooth. Like really look at it. It looks more like graphics for a video game. Which, is passable. But you can’t have passable for a movie. This movie came out in 2016! We have the technology for a hell of a lot better images than template models. At that was the better cgi. Because when the cgi is bad, it is glaringly obvious bad.

B) The Editing Kills Me.

They have a weird sense of pacing in this movie. When you hit the middle part of the movie, it’s fine. Decent moments of the sailors goofing around, hving drmatic romance, fights, struggles. But there are some parts of the movie where someone in the editing room was like “Oh shit, the people watching this won’t understand. Quickly! Put out that exposition as fast as you can!!”

An Example: the first 3 minutes of the movie. Minute 1: BATTLE! Ok, good, see our historical men in action. Minute 2: We are in a war council room where the Indianapolis has been chosen for a secret mission. “You mean the atomic BOMB?!” -> Basically the line used. And this was BEFORE meeting ANY of our main cast. So it felt like the movie was putting more emphasis on the ship rather than the sailors. 

It also didn’t help the movie Felt like it ended when the survivors were rescued, but didn’t Actually end for another 20-30 minutes longer. I appreciate them going in for historical accuracy of showing the actual aftermath to Captain McVay, but by that point I was so done and bored that I didn’t really care.

Plus they keep using the same periscope tracking shot 7 times! Seven! In the same scene. TWICE!! When the Japanese were firing in daytime, we see the same daylight periscope 7 times before launch. Then when they fired a torpedo at night, LET’S DO THE SAME THING since it went so well the first time.

B) The ship sinks titanic style, the fuck is that?? 

Not going to lie, while I am facinated by the Indianapolis, I do not know everything about what exactly happened. One of them was how the ship sank. But I am pretty sure the ship did not sink in the Exact Same Way as the Titanic. Where one side is lifted up, then got cracked in the middle, and so it was split into two parts. It was, it was bad. Because this tied in to the whole repeating shots thing, because I saw the same man holding onto a pole trying not to drop 5 different times. The Same Exact Scene. No difference. And I’m sure he fell in the exact same way as in the Titanic Movie shots.

(Note:The jail cell sailors during this part were very good, but I still have No Idea how the hell they got out. Let me know if you figured it out)

C) The Sharks were S H I T!

This is basically where the whole meat of the story should have taken place, nd it was AWFUL! Trash! They were stupidly inaccurate, trying to go for Jaws Chomp factor instead of being anywhere near historical. The sharks were all Great Whites, which wasn’t a thing. Because the sharks that historically attacked were Oceanic Whitetips.

But ok, you could get pass. The sharks look similar enough at first glance so it would be an honest mistake. Except that sailors were specifically talking bout “Great White Sharks” with colored pictures of great whites, (which think about that for a minute) so that was bullshit. in making the audience think Great White.

But ok, so what, who cares, the sharks still does it’s things right? Why should we care if they got the type wrong or not?

^Because of Shit like This!! This movie decided to try and shittily mimic Jaws and the Jaws ripoffs by having crappy cgi sharks launch itself out of no where to stupidly chops on the nearest sailors. God you could make a drinking game out of it. Take a shot for every shark you see. Which won’t kill you, because there were NOT ENOUGH SHARKS!!

^The sharks should have been like this. The sailors literally should have been like waist deep in sharks. There were a lot of fucking sharks. And yet! There weren’t any. The sharks only decided to freaking rocket launch themselves out of the water when it’s time for a jump scare, on any old person they can fine. And maybe the reason they decide to throw themselves to the nearest pound of flesh instead of going for the closest dead body is because

D ) THERE WERE BARELY ANY SURVIVORS!!!

Seriously! When the ship sank there were 800 sailors left in the water, We only see 60. TOTAL! Not even random background sailors. It was just Nick Cage’s group, then a separate group of 30 people, and random boats here and there.  God how could they have fucked this up! I don’t know if it was just, not in the budged to hire more people or what, but you can still get somebody. Show the survivors dammit!

It pisses me off because this could have easily solved their shark problem. Because if there were more people, you can see the sharks eat/take the dead bodies. Then when there is a ton more sharks, see them go after the injured and dying. Like, having screams constantly while sharks pick people off left and right, even if it is just background characters, would build so much more tension than just “guys have a good laugh, talk, and support each other, send the shark for the jumpscare.”

I will give the movie this though: While I feel like the majority of the ending was unneeded, I do respect that they have little end-cards for what happened to the character’s historical counterparts, as well as come footage of some of the survivors describing the experience.

Overall: Don’t watch it. If you wanted to watch it for the actual historical event, watch something else. They made note of smaller historical facts while completely screwing up the actual main event with the sharks. You can find better documentaries Here, Here, Here, Here, and Here. The last one has a clip of the special that I I saw originally and while you do have to pay to see it (Here), it is very well done.

And If you want to watch a “so bad it’s good movie” then maybe it fits the bill, but I just honestly don’t think it’s worth it. The editing and pacing will give you whiplash. The CGI takes you out of the zone.  Nick Cage tried his best, but not even his enjoyable presence could save the film. They make for a great movie to rag on, but having it be on an actual historic event like this just leaves a bad taste in my mouth

#dafukblog #dafuking films #uss indianapolis #uss indianapolis: men of courage #men of courage #shark #sharks #navy #week 4 movie

[elliepassmore]

House of Salt and Sorrows Review

5/5 stars Recommended for people who like: fantasy, fairy tale retellings, horror/thriller, mystery I'm going to say right up front, this is definitely more horror/thriller than traditional fantasy. There's a lot of graphic imagery and creepy goings on throughout the book, as well as a murder-mystery element, so if you're not into that then this might not be the book for you. I, personally, don't generally read the genre, but by the time I got far enough in to realize the extent of the horror-factor, I was too invested to back out. The Twelve Dancing Princesses is one of my favorite fairy tales, and I remember reading it over and over again as a kid. It's not really one that a lot of authors focus on, so it's always nice to read when they do. In this case, I feel like 'twelve' is an inaccurate number to describe the sisters. There's 12 originally, but by the time they're dancing, there're only eight left. I liked the bit where the door they go through every night to dance brings them to a different country within the (from what I can tell) alternate!Europe, as opposed to the random magic space the girls in the original go to for dancing. I also thought what we discover about the portal and the dancing in the climax of the book was an awesome twist as well, it was definitely one that I didn't see coming (and honestly it was one of the few in the book that I didn't, at least somewhat, predict ahead of time). Craig drops hints that there's something off with the portal, magic, and dancing, but it really is one of those secrets that's kept well-enough hidden that I think it can be hard to guess. The other mysteries in the book were a little easy to predict, even if, like me, you don't read a whole ton of mystery books. I feel like there's some holes in the murder one, but that could just be that I haven't fully finished thinking it through or because I just missed something. Likewise, there's a scene toward the end of the book where accusations are being flung and one of the sisters, Camille, claims a character was the one to discover all the bodies but that character only found half the bodies, and that was only because they were found next to one another (and, in fact, Camille herself was the one who discovered the second one). I'm not sure if this is just a slip-up or if it's more intentional and has something to do with everything else going on. Annaleigh was an interesting enough character. I enjoyed her interactions with her sisters, especially since she has such a different relationship with each of them. I think her and Verity have some of my favorite interactions in the book, just because Annaleigh obviously cares a ton for her youngest sister and acts as both a protector and someone who allows her to go off on her kid-tangents. Annaleigh is also, though perhaps this is not entirely her fault, not that great at figuring things out. Like, for god's sake, she forgets she's trying to find her sister's killer after a week of dancing in different countries. She's also kind of slow on the uptake with both Fisher and Cassius, though I'll forgive her on the Fisher front since there was A Lot of tension between them after their first couple of chapters that resulted in them not being around one another too much. Camille was an ok character. She, like Annaleigh, loves her sisters, but she can also just be a stuck-up brat at times. Their stepmother is going through a bad pregnancy and, because she doesn't like the stepmom, she refuses to help her sisters prepare for a week-long holiday celebration and instead chooses to dance all night and sleep during the day...despite the fact that some of the others are also dancing for part of, if not the whole night, but they're getting up to help anyway. On the other hand, she is ready to throw handsif anyone threatens any of her sisters. The triplets had separate personalities, but as they were never really mentioned separately, it's kind of hard to remember which one had which personality. The lot of them were very obviously still in their teenage phase, giggling over erotic novels and poems and getting drunk on champagne. Honor and Mercy were there, but weren't really there, if that makes sense. They were part of the three youngest sisters, along with Verity, which meant they got put in the care of others when it came to dancing all night or solving a murder, with the exception of Verity, who might very well have had the creepiest role in the book. Verity is a sweet, charming child and likes to play and be involved in things and play dress up, as most 6-year-olds do. She is also, like most 6-year-olds in the horror genre, the one who draws creepy pictures and knows things she shouldn't. Shocker. I really like Verity, she's a well-written kid and comes across as super cute when she's not being super creepy. The adults in the story were all 'meh,' save Hanna, the girls'...nursemaid? Governess? Quasi-mother? Anyway, she's cared for the girls since the eldest was a child and is still caring for them throughout the duration of the book. Hanna helps them work through their grief, talks them through things, and even talks shit about people with them. Their father seems to care about them, but then he is the one who can go into fits of rage when he's drunk and is also the one who tells people at a dinner party the famous 12 Dancing Princesses task (whoever can find out why the girls' shoes are so worn out gets to marry one of their choosing, yech). Morella seems nice-ish. During some parts I don't like her, then in others I do, but overall I don't like her, for a variety of reasons. Like I've said, it's a good book, though it's got a few holes. Definitely not for the faint of heart in terms of horror.

#book #books #book review #book recommendations #house of salt and sorrows #12 dancing princesses #retelling #fairy tale #horror #fiction #ya fiction #ya horror #ya thriller