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sailoryooons · 9 months

Note

fae au where human oc who doesn't know that she works in a normal looking restaurant but it's exclusive only for faeries to formally offer their human mates a lifetime in fae world also serves as common place for faes. possibly a fluffy soft fae yoongi? idk what to do with him but i trust you 😅

❀ Pairing: Fae!Yoongi x human!reader

❀ Summary: Every day, Yoongi works at the coffee shop in his little corner of the world. Every day, you come in and order the same thing, sitting in the same booth. The only problem is, Yoongi is pretty sure you don’t know that you’re one of the few humans in a faerie coffee shop.

❀ Word Count: 1,249

❀ Genre: Urban fantasy, secret crush, pining

❀ Rating: SFW

❀ Warnings: Light pining, Yoongi has an unspoken crush on reader, that’s really it

❀ Published: August 20, 2023

❀ A/N: Hi anon - I am so stupid and I did not realize until I finished your entire request that you asked for reader to work at the coffee shop and not Yoongi. Please accept my sincerest apologies, I got them switched around and wrote this entire thing with Yoongi as the worker and reader as the patron. I hope that this will work anyway, but please no I am so sorry for getting it wrong, I had to edit this author’s note because I did not realize I swapped it until I went to post this just now. AGGHHHH I’M SO MAD AT MYSELF LMAO.

❀ Disclaimer: All members of BTS are faces and name claims for this story. This is entirely a work of fiction and by no means is meant to be a projection, judgment or representation of real-life people. Any scenarios or representations of the people and places mentioned in works are not representative of real-life scenarios.

| Masterlist | Ask |Hali’s Happy Agust |

“Have you guys ever been sued by Coffee-Mate?”

Yoongi looks up when he hears your voice at the counter. He nearly spills the matcha latte in his hand, not expecting to see you, ready to order. Usually, Yoongi sees you come in. He’s always ready for it, looking up as you enter the room like clockwork. The times that you catch him off guard are few and far between, his senses always alerting him to your presence before you do.

Today, though, he’s a little bit busy. With Hoseok out on vacation, it’s just Yoongi and Jungkook manning the shop and Jungkook is better behind the scenes baking than up front taking orders. It’s left to Yoongi to make all the coffees this morning, and of course, everyone in the world seems to be at Coffee Mates on an early Saturday.

“Uh,” he tries to put together a sentence, thoughts pulling together sluggishly at the sight of your pretty smile and vanilla perfume. He swears when he goes home to fall asleep at night, he smells vanilla. “Not that I’m aware of. I’d have to ask Jin.”

“Hmm, seems like a conflict of interest.”

Yoongi’s mouth quirks a bit as he fastens the top to the matcha in his hand and slides it on the serving counter to Namjoon. The gentry fae nods in thanks at Yoongi and shoots you a raised brow before looking back to Yoongi, a silent question. Yoongi gives the tiniest shake no before turning back to you as Namjoon sighs and retreats.

Namjoon has been trying to get Yoongi to ask you out on a date for the better half of a few months. Every day you come to Coffee Mates at the same time, with the same order. You always sit in the same booth, which Yoongi might have put a glamor on to keep it open for you, and you always pop open your book to read for hours, coffee in hand.

Yoongi supposes he could ask you out. You’re friendly enough and you seem to enjoy what few interactions you have. He’s caught you looking at him at least once or twice, though he worries it’s because his glamor has dropped in your presence or you’re seeing a waver in the magic that hides the nature of most of the shop.

Because unlike most patrons at Coffee Mates, you are blissfully unaware of all the magic that surrounds you.

At first, Yoongi thought it was a joke. Humans don’t just come to this coffee shop without knowing what it is. A bridge between worlds, a little haven for faerie suitors to offer their human counterparts an invitation to Faerie. Or for fae like Namjoon and Jimin, a place to hangout among other creatures of their kind.

Coffee Mates welcomes all fae creatures and their human counterparts, which is why you’re unusual. You have no faerie partner, no knowledge of magic. You don’t notice the floating lights in the shop or the pointed ears hidden behind Yoongi’s dark hair. A steaming cup of hot chocolate levitates just a few feet away from where you stand now as Taehyung draws on a napkin, and you’re none the wiser.

It makes little sense. But it doesn’t have to. The patrons and the workers of the cafe have accepted you all in some unspoken agreement. Watching you curiously, making eyes at Yoongi whenever you laugh particularly hard at something he says.

“Almond latte?” Yoongi asks, already typing in your order on the screen. You hum and nod, handing over cash. Yoongi goes through the motions of putting it in the register, but unknown to you, the money always appears in your wallet once more. He’s been pretending to accept it for weeks now, unable to bring himself to charge you. “Give me ten.”

“Hmm, I think I’ll only give you nine.”

He smiles. “Challenge accepted.”

You leave the counter and sit in your booth. Yoongi watches you from the corner of his eye as he makes your drink, hands memorizing every ingredient and heating it just the way you like it. Normally when Yoongi makes the drinks, he uses magic to help him. He gets much more done that way, but with yours, he always does it by hand. Takes his time to froth the cream for the design on top, always careful when he pours in the cream to make a leaf, or a heart, or something else cute on the top of your coffee.

Yoongi likes to personally bring it to your table. Every time that he does, you chide him and insist that you can come to the counter. He doesn’t mind, though. It gives him a moment to stretch his legs and escape the heavy hum of machinery and the buzzing energy of magic.

Today, you’re leaned against the window, an open book in your hands when he approaches. You sense him and look up, smiling and shaking your head as you snap the book shut. “Eight minutes exactly.”

He smirks. “When have I ever let you down?”

“You couldn’t possibly, Yoongi. You are singularly gifted in making my day.”

Yoongi gestures to your book to hide the fact that he’s blushing from the tip of his ears to his cheeks. “What are you reading today?”

“It’s a romance book about soulmates.” That throws him for a loop. If you notice the way he blinks in surprise, you don’t show it. “It’s a really fun read. Do you believe in soulmates?”

He swears half the cafe turns to look at the two of you. Namjoon leans a little out of his booth, tilting his head to eavesdrop. Taehyung has dropped his pen and placed his chin in his hand, watching with a goofy grin on his face.

Of course the entire cafe full of sharp-hearing creatures is listening now, interested in your mention of soulmates. Yoongi clears his throat awkwardly, pulling on his apron. “I guess?”

“You guess?”

“I don’t see why not?”

“Hmm.” You look him up and down and for a second, he swears you see right through his glamor. See down into the core of him, heartbeat thumping a two-syllable rhythm: soulmate soulmate soulmate. “I hope to find mine one day.”

“I think you will.”

“Yeah?”

Yoongi feels his cheeks warm. Chews on his lower lip a little as he nods. “I definitely think you will.”

“Thanks, Yoongi.”

Everyone watches him return to the counter. He hides from their gazes by busying himself with wiping down one of the machines even though he could flick his fingers and be done with it. He needs the distraction to steady his hands and breathing.

Yoongi certainly believes in soulmates. The fact that you believe in soulmates sets him on fire. Ignites something in him that is nervous and excited. Something like hope, softley burning. For faeries, soulmates are quite common. It’s why Jin made the cafe in the first place, a haven for faeries to help bridge the world between the fae and their sometimes human mates.

When Yoongi looks up at you, rain splattering on the window, crowning your head, he thinks maybe he will take Namjoon’s advice, finally. Maybe he will ask you out on that date he’s been dreaming about. Because if you believe in soulmates, maybe you can believe in magic.

And maybe you can believe that the reason you’ve found this little invisible coffee shop is because your soulmate makes you almond lattes every morning.

#yoongi fanfic #suga fanfic #bts fanfic #yoongi fic #suga fic #yoongi x you #yoongi x reader #yoongi imagines #halis happy agust

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joseline-woodhouse · 7 months

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Okay I have to say it.

Will, Ada and Montresor did something way worse than Annabel Lee.

Why? Because motive matters. Now don't get me wrong, a good motive cannot justify an inherently evil action, it however matters more and more when going deeper into more morally grey areas.

Annabel has made it very clear she understands these people, including Duke to be damned regardless of her actions and basically sees herself confronted with a trolley problem that goes: "You, your wife and like X other people are bound to rails. A trolly will run over all but one of you. However if you pull just the right levers, both you end your wife will survive. The first lever you must pull is on Duke." While this doesn't make her actions noble, it gives them a noble cause and one could argue in several ways that she's acting within a moral grey area if we take the situation to be as unshakable as it seems. To make to examples, one could argue in an utalitarian way (this saves more lives than the other option) or in a very human way (this saves a loved one at the cost of a soon to be dead man, who could blame her?). There are also concepts of morality that would condemn her, like for example the categoric imperative or Jewish or Christian (and I think Muslim) religion, in which it is inherently bad to kill a single person even to safe thousands of others.

Annabel considers killing Duke a necessary evil.

Montresor however is acting out of pure sadism and spite and he puts on quite a show to make this clear. He had done so even if he believed everyone would get a happy end and he is having the time of his life killing Duke. That is picture book chaotic evil behaviour right there and by no means redeemable.

Will and Ada? Arguably worse than Montresor, at least not a bit better. This is the kind of stuff that makes large scale modern genocides possible. Hannah Ahrendt (great woman, you should look her up) argues in her book "Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil" that evil at its worst is not some kind of demonic evil like it has been preached in medieval times, but lays within the sheer banality of an office worker casually doing the phone calls and paper work necessary to send thousands to their certain death, while the office worker goes back home, eats dinner with his family and thinks "I'm just doing my job. It's my supervisors moral responsibility, not mine."

Ada and Will tried to kill for no other reason than because they have been told to do so and the lack of willingness to accept responsibility really shows in their actions afterwards. So I am a bit confused when I see people arguing how terrible Annabel Lee is while defending the "poor boy Will".

So, controversial opinion: in this very specific case, even though Annabel Lee either started this or at the very least didn't stop it when she clearly could have, she hasn't committed anything as immoral as her henchmen committed, who did not even need a motive to kill.

Also I would every day prefer an Annabel Lee willing to kill Duke to safe her wife in the long run over an Annabel Lee that prefers to not be a controversial female character. Let's not forget these people don't actually exist.

#nevermore webtoon #annabel lee whitlock #montresor nevermore #will nevermore #ada nevermore #annabel lee #annabel lee nevermore #annabel nevermore #nevermore

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the-crimson · 8 months

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I was thinking about this while falling asleep last night so I want to try and untangle the web Bad has been spinning to better understand what he’s doing cuz in some aspects it seems completely random and disconnected

Bad’s plan rn is to disseminate a bunch of different - at times contradictory- information across the island and watch how it spreads. The goal of this is two fold; to discover who is trustworthy and to find the (probably unknowing) federation spy.

His plan began way back with the magma cube prank. At the time he said he wanted to pin the prank on the fed to turn everyone against them but… the way he went about it didn’t make sense? Giving a cube to everyone at once pretty much confirmed it was a prank - fit recognized that immediately - as well as writing the books in French and Portuguese. Not to mention Tina would clock him immediately since he pulled this prank on her before. So what was the point?

So Bad could watch/listen to the islanders as they tried to figure out who it was. Many of them immediately clocked bbh for a number of different reasons and he confessed to several different people (mainly the French) that it was indeed him. He could watch the web of information spread to discover who talked to who and who could keep secrets.

Over the last few weeks Bad’s been much more subtle with this. He’s told conflicting information about various things to a bunch of people - telling some people he is the one responsible for the mines at spawn and others that he isn’t - and the web has just gotten more and more complex.

Then on top of all of this, he’s testing people with very specific and unique obstacles.

Bagi’s test was the first one I noticed several days ago and is what got me paying closure attention. Bad pretty much explained it yesterday but I’ll recap. He knew Bagi was worried about him so he told her he was seeing a ghost (which was true) and asked her to keep it a secret. She did not - as Bad predicted - and you can tell in the conversation that Bad knew she didn’t and was giving her the opportunity to come clean - which she did. He praised her and thanked her out of no where for keeping this secret (I thought this was weird at the time, the way he was talking, and this is why) and she told him that she didn’t. This proved to Bad that Bagi was more interested in being honest then trusted which meant that she passed the test.

The next obvious one is Baghera. Bad is testing Baghera’s resolve and trust. He showed her Ron knowing full well that Baghera could have turned on him and tried to interfere but he trusted that her sense of justice and care for him would balance out and that she’d find a solution where they both would be happy. He knows he is hurting her but it’s necessary in his eyes.

Then is Forever. This one is a bit more tricky. I don’t think Bad has really started testing Forever before the gun theft. This felt like an improvised test to see how far Bad could gaslight and push Forever before Forever gave up on their relationship. The gun was returned before we reached that point but there was another immediate point of contention that - again - was out of Bad’s control. Tubbo. Forever correctly believing Tubbo that bbh kidnapped the worker was the pay off for Bad’s previous abuse. Forever doesn’t believe a thing that comes out of Bad’s mouth anymore. The nail in the coffin for this test is Forever thinking that Bad is ill and needs to be saved, which means Bad is probably never going to bring Forever into his plans like he did Baghera. Forever wants to save him but Bad doesn’t want to be saved. He walked into this hell with eyes wide open and it’s far too late to turn back.

Aypierre’s test began yesterday. Not only did Bad “confess” to having a fed worker in his custody, he also tasked Aypierre with spying on Tubbo. Bad trusts the French as a whole more than anyone on the island (I’ll come back to foolish in a minute) and he knows that Aypierre, Antoine, and Etoiles would either be ambivalent or positive about the man in Bad’s basement. Bad would never straight up confess to this crime “I would never touch the federation” but he’s willing to confirm their suspicions. He also told Aypierre to be wary because someone is protecting Forever and… I’m pretty sure this is a lie. A lie to test what Aypierre does. Who does he tell. If the feds find out and start snooping. I think Aypierre’s test is to prove without a doubt if he can be trusted/who he trusts and that he isn’t a fed plant/hasn’t been bugged.

Lastly, and most interestingly, we have Foolish. Foolish is the only one Bad has told everything to. Sure, it’s through three layers of obscurity and metaphor but these two only know how to communicate through mind games. Bad knows how intelligent Foolish is and he knows what Foolish wants. Yes Foolish is a snitch but he has no loyalties to the fed, only to his family and himself. Foolish would be the obvious spy but Bad knows Foolish is just chasing the rush of excitement and entertainment and that watching Bad stop holding back is prime time entertainment. He knows Foolish will eventually turn him over to the feds but that’s what Bad wants. Foolish will be up front about it and will want a front row seat so if Bad gets arrested without the fan fair, then it proves that someone else is the puppet (if bad gets arrested at all)

Lastly lastly, I think Bad has caught onto the fact that the federation doesn’t want to touch him. First giving him a slap on the wrist for griefing the presidential office then warning workers to stay away from him instead of removing him as a threat. Bad wants to push them. Ever since Tubbo spilled the beans about the worker going missing, Bad has been acting so much more suspicious and threatening than before. He’s intentionally making himself look more guilty without out right stating that he is guilty. The federation has to know it’s him right? They have all the pieces they had to have been able to put it together so why? Why haven’t they acted?

Well, Foolish promised Bad he’d be getting arrested soon and Bad keeps making himself look more sus to Tubbo who has a friend in the fed - who resembles the exact person Bad wants to nab - so Bad is also probably keeping an eye on Tubbo if he snitches (which he did lol). If the federation continues to do nothing that’ll give Bad massive leverage over them while also giving him another mystery to solve.

Bad said his plan is almost complete, he just needs a few more pieces to fall into place before he can find the puppet and follow its strings back to its master. I have no idea what’s going to happen or what pieces need to fall into place but i am so curious to see what he does next. Is capturing Fred still part of his plans? Is he still banking on getting put in jail? How is he going to narrow down who is the puppet when he hasn’t tested more than half of the server? Hopefully we’ll get some answers today.

#qsmp #crimson speaks #badboyhalo #I am eppy #because I was think about this all night #XD #there’s probably things I missed #but that’s fine #I’m excited for today #this web he’s spinning is so fascinating #he’s a spider trying to catch a specific fly #but he doesn’t know which fly is the correct one #and he isn’t afraid of trapping/hurting innocent flies in the process #he’s so messed up #and I want him to keep getting worse #lmao

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glitch-karma · 1 year

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Hi there! If requests are still opened, i'd love to make one :o (although it's a bit lengthy, so if you don't want to do it I understand!!)

TW for s**cide mentions from here forward btw! (common with any dazai fic, lolz)

I'd love to request a dazai x reader (fem or gn will work!) where he asks reader to commit double suicide with him, and to literally everyone's shock, they agree! So the agency (mainly kunikida and atsushi) have to repeatedly sabatoge their attempts, and during that time, the two start to get to know eachother better and grow closer whilst they aren't plotting their own demises. Eventually dazai starts to fall for them, but one day reader tries to attempt on their own life solo due to being unable to handle the pains and pressures of life anymore. Ofc they were rescued just in time, but it made him realize that he wants to see reader safe and happy, and that he had finally found his reason to live through his love for them. Extra points if he confesses his love at some point and reader accepts!!

Sorry if this was rant-y, i'm a huge sucker for angst to comfort :P either way tho, i hope you have a lovely rest of your day/night!

THIS RIGHT HERE IS A BEAUTIFUL STORY OH MY!!!!

-F!Y/n

-Y/n is a new worker at the Cafe under the ADA

-MAJOR SUICIDE WARNING!! (Including but not limited to: Blood, pills, self-harm, etc..) I am a sucker for graphic detail so you have been warned

-Also warning for puke

-Reader is kinda based off of Mafuyu from Project Sekai cause I said so (Btw pjsk simps gonna open up reqs for them when they become open again‼️)

-also reader has dull eyes cause anime logic

I did probably a concerning amount of research on suicide, (Plus looked for so long for Dazai's stupid lil book) for this so I hope you enjoy!

_____

Break time at the Armed detective agency usually means having some coffee at their favorite cafe. As the group sat down Dazai was glancing around when his eyes caught the sight of the new waitress waiting next to a barista Dazai frequently flirted with. The girl had semi-messy h/c colored hair, her eyes a dull e/c. Her features framed her face so beautifully. Dazai's mouth curled into a smirk as he stared at her. Kunikida caught wind and immediately irked. "Dazai.."

As the waitress approached the table, Dazai read the name stage reading "Y/n". He smiled as she stopped at their table. Before she could get a word out Dazai grabbed her hand in his. "Such soft hands.. And beautiful eyes as well. Would you, Belladona, do me the honors of accompanying me to a double suicide?"

WHACK

Dazai was now lying on the floor, as Kunikida brushed himself off. "I'm so sorry Ma'am, he's always like this-" Atsushi apologized as Y/n leaned down to the man on the floor. "I'd gladly join a double suicide." She smiled down at him.

. . .

"WHAT!?!"

"Really!?!" Dazai yelled as he stood up, grabbing Y/n's hand again. Y/n chuckled as she nodded at him. "I get off at 6. You work in this building correct? I'll meet you on the roof." "Yes yes, that sounds wonderful~!"

Everyone at the table stared shell-shocked as Y/n takes their order normally like nothing just happened. As dazai kicked his legs in his own little world, Kunikida Atsushi and Junichiro all stared at each other in concern. Kunikida pulled them behind a menu quickly.

"As much as I'd love to let that dimwitt meet his end, we need him and that girl to stay alive. It isn't right letting a young lady with so much life in her die with that blasted Dazai." Kunikida sighed. Atsushi and Junichiro nodded in sync.

"Once Dazai leaves to meet her we should follow them," Atsushi whispered. Junichiro hummed in agreement. "It's decided then." Junichiro finished. The three quickly separated from the menu as Y/n walked over and set down their drinks. As she walked away dazai starstruck-ingly called out; "See you tonight Madameeee~". Y/n peeked over her shoulder, smiling at him. Dazai felt his heart flutter a bit at those beautifully dull eyes.. They seemed to draw him in for more.

...

As Dazai whipped open the doors to the building roof, he caught sight of the lady ready to accompany him with his final dance. Her hair was gently blowing in the warm Yokohama breeze as she stared off into the sky. What was she looking at? Dazai didn't know. But her eyes looked so sickeningly dull in that moment. But still, so beautiful..

"I'm pleasantly surprised to see you here! I was concerned you agreed simply to make me leave you alone." The dark-eyed man said, leaning next to her. "I'd never joke about suicide. Such a beautiful ending to a sick existence." Y/n spoke lowly. In the cafe, she had a sort of customer voice, but there was no trace of it here. Dazai smirked a bit at this.

"I should let you know now, I'm not interested in pain. I don't know exactly what you're into though.." Dazai teased her. "Pain is not something I'm looking for either. Just a quick ending."

Dazai chuckled, quickly whipping out his little red book. "Suffocation, Hanging, Poisoning, Shooting, Jumping," He read off as Y/n stared at him. Only blinking in response. "All the ideas you could storm up are right here in this very book."

"Ah! What a glorious book,, if I wasn't planning on dying I'd buy a copy.." Y/n smiled lightly. "But.." she continued, grabbing the book and shutting it quickly. "I'd like to try jumping first."

With a quick grab of Dazai's shirt, the two were suddenly falling off the roof of the building. Y/n shut her eyes, waiting for the end of it all.

Poof.

The two landed on a bunch of garbage bags stacked up on each other. Y/n quickly sat up in disappointment as Dazai lay on the ground is fear and confusion. "Dang."

Dazai suddenly bursted into laughter. Y/n hummed, turning to him. "What's so funny?" Dazai wiped a tear from his eye as he sat up too. "You're the most forward suicidal girl I've ever met, my dear Y/n." He chuckled. Y/n blushed lightly before standing up.

"No matter.. We'll try again. Tomorrow. You can choose the method." She smiled at him. Dazai chuckled as he stood, lending her a hand up as he did so. "It's a date." He joked.

. .

"GAHHHH I THOUGHT WE WEREN'T GONNA MAKE IT." "Oh be quiet Atsushi, my Ideals were almost perfect."

There were the secret team, two sweaty messes, and one writing vigorously in his notebook. The three had watched Dazai enter the roof before running down to prepare in case they jumped, finishing just before they did.

"This might be a long couple of days.." Junichiro said quietly.

...

Day 2

"Oiiiii! Y/n dear!" Dazai yelled as he entered the roof. "Ah, hello Dazai." the girl lightly smiled. "What will we be doing today?"

Time after time,

Day 3

"Oh, Y/n you're here late! Well? Shall we begin?"

Attempt after attempt,

Week 3

"Dazai! Hurry we'll miss the train!" "Yes yes, my dear!"

The two met almost every day.

Month 2

The two had been testing the faith of this world as they attempted suicide again and again. Slowly, Dazai started to see something he hadn't before. Something fluttered in his chest..

The way she gets so distracted, the way she turned to yell at him when he took a joke too far, the way her nose scrunched up in such a way, those eyes.. Those beautifully dull eyes.

What was this feeling in Dazai's chest?

As Dazai thought intensely at his desk the others in the office grew worried. "What's up with Dazai today?" Atsushi mumbled. "I'm not sure.. I've never seen him think this much before."

"It's so clear what his problem is." Ranpo mumbled as he sucked on a loli. Dazai's head shot up immediately. "You know what this feeling is in my chest!? Please, explain Ranpo! Have I been poisoned? Is it fatal? Will I finally die? I can't die without Y/n."

Ranpo sighed as he bit off the lollipop. "No nothing of the sort, you're simply in love with that cafe waitress."

...

"Did he really just say that in front of us all!?"

Everyone at the agency thought in shock. Dazai's eyes were wide as he stared at Ranpo. His cheeks were flushed as he pondered the idea. The great Dazai? In love?

"This feeling in my chest.." He thought in shock. "That's a heart by the way," Ranpo smirked at the flustered Dazai. Dazai looked down for a moment, before springing up. He slammed his fist down loudly."This is..."

"Truly wonderful!!"

Dazai yelled as he pranced around the office. The majority of the group stared in dismay as he did so. "Ah, how perfect! I'm in love with the person I plan to meet my end with! We can plan a lovelier more passionate suicide now! How beautiful!"

"I should go confess right away! We can begin planning for our end together!" Dazai screamed with giddy as he threw his jacket on quickly. Ranpo's eyes scrunched together lightly as he thought. "You should go quickly, Dazai." He said as Dazai flung open the door.

"Will do!" Dazai yelled, running down the stairs to the cafe. As he opened the doors, he inhaled the lovely aroma of coffee before calling out. "Y/n my dear! I need to tell you something import-"

To Dazai's dismay, Y/n was nowhere to be seen in the cafe. He blinked a few times before walking towards one of the other workers. "Is Y/n here?" He asked with a hand covering his face.

"Ah, I'm sorry Dazai she didn't come in for her shift this morning.." The barista explained. Dazai's head popped up in surprise. "Uh, really?"

"Mhm, She didn't call in either. It's unlike her. She usually at least gives a call if she's gonna be late." The girl explained. Dazai's eyes furrowed as he thought.

"You should go quickly, Dazai."

Dazai's eyes shot open as he stared at the ground for a moment. "No.."

"Uh, Dazai?" The barista asked him. Dazai turned quickly, running out of the cafe in a hurry. His breath grew ragged as he ran quickly. He stopped in front of a familiar apartment complex to breathe. He then quickly ran in, ignoring the calls from a front desk worker. He sprinted and sprinted as he burst into Y/n's bedroom. "Y/n!" He screamed.

His eyes quickly scanned the room, finding it neatly tidied instead of the mess it was when he first visited her here. He then noticed the bathroom door shut tightly, while steam lightly flowed out of it. He ran to the door, trying the handle only to find it locked.

"Y/n!" He yelled, banging on the door. No answer. Dazai backed up quickly, before slamming his shoulder into the door, causing it to fly off its hinges. He looked up from the floor, seeing the sight he wanted to stop.

(Last major TW before we continue.)

Y/n laid in the bathtub fully clothed. The water from the faucet flowed continually, causing the room to fill with steam. A bottle of some unmarked pills laid on the bathroom floor, followed by a knife of which she'd used to make her wrist bleed. The fresh red liquid had been used to fill a small vile next to her.

Dazai quickly stood up, stopping the water before reaching his hands into the hot water. He wrapped his arms around Y/n's figure, lifting her up into his arms before placing her on the floor gently. He quickly ran to the medicine cabinet, grabbing a cotton swab and a roll of bandages.

He ran back to her fast, checking her pulse before sticking the cotton swab deep into her throat repeatedly until a steady stream of fresh puke left her lips. He pulled her into his arms as she came to, putting pressure on her wrist. Y/n's head felt fuzzy as she looked up at him. "Dazai.."

"Ah, you're conscious. Please stay awake, and don't move too much." Dazai whispered lowly. Y/n's head fog cleared as she came to. Realizing she'd been saved.

"No.." She mumbled as hot tears began to form. She suddenly became enraged. "Why you of all people.." "Y/n?"

"I thought you understood.. I just want to disappear from this world. Don't you get it?"

"I want to save you. I want to live with you, even if it's only for a bit before we depart together. There's still so much I don't know about you. Y/n, I-"

"Stop it!!" Y/n screamed, kicking Dazai away. "Don't you dare say it! What can you do? You may save me for a bit, you may make me feel happy for a short while, but then what!? One day it won't work anymore! And I'll want to die again!"

She was shouting.

"That's why this is all too much! Just let me have a clean death alone! You're so selfish for even coming here and spouting that bull shit!"

Without even realizing it, Y/n was shouting.

"I'm tired..! I'm so tired of thinking there's hope! Tired of waiting, finding something close, then watching it disappear! I'll never find what I'm looking for! I'll... I'll never truly be saved! Don't you see Dazai!?"

Dazai's eyes stayed still as he watched the girl scream.

"I'm so tired.. So tired.! Don't let me despair anymore.. Just let me rot."

The silence in the room was sickening. No one dared move.

Until Dazai broke the silence by cackling. Y/n sniffled confused as she stared at him. "I just keep seeing new sides of you Y/n.. You really are sickeningly complicated." He smirked at her as he inched closer.

Dazai's lips suddenly slammed into Y/n's. The girl's eyes opened wide as she stared at him. After a few seconds, dazai pulled away, a small string of saliva trailing behind. He licked his lips lightly before speaking:

"You called me selfish for saving you.." Dazai spoke before leaning close to Y/n's ear. "But I'm an incredibly greedy man my dear.."

Y/n's face flushed more as Dazai grabbed her wrist, wrapping her wound up tightly. "Even if it takes me saving you a thousand times, I'll do it all over again. So we can have the perfect suicide together."

Y/n breathes in shakily as Dazai kisses her hand gently.

"So, let's try this again. Y/n, my dear. I'm in love with you. Will you join me, in living and dying in this life?"

Dazai's words brought more tears into Y/n's eyes as she nodded lightly.

"Yes."

-Fin-

#bsd x reader #bungo stray dogs #bungou stray dogs x reader #bungou stray dogs #bsd #bsd fanfic #bungo stray dogs x reader #dazai x reader #dazai osamu #osamu dazai #dazai osamu x reader #glitchs✧works

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defectivehero · 11 months

Text

setting

Setting the scene is one of the best tools a writer can have, as it allows for the reader to truly feel immersed in the story. But... how can an author set the scene? Is there a foolproof way to immerse the reader? (hint: the answer is no, lol.) Here are some things that help me build background and establish the setting. [as always, there’s no pressure to use any of these tips; writing is a unique process and there’s no “one size fits all” formula for it.]

Ordinary does not have to equal boring. Sometimes, it can be hard to escape the pressure of an interesting, entirely unique setting to provoke a reader’s interest. However, it can be hard to fulfill lofty expectations like those! Furthermore, there is absolutely nothing wrong with ordinary settings. In fact, embracing normality can really enhance a story. Office buildings, schools, grocery stores, gas stations... All of these places may seem ordinary, but that doesn’t mean they're uneventful. In fact, each place comes with its own unique challenges and occurrences, which is really useful for writing! Mundane activities such as purchasing groceries, walking out of a movie theater, and visiting a library for books can all create additional outlets for interaction and occurrence.

Look to the details. This one is pretty self explanatory and probably something everyone already knew, but I figure it can’t be overstressed. The details really do make a difference! Little things like the way an office worker’s desk looks can reveal a lot about their character. For example, is their workspace cluttered with scattered papers? Or perhaps it’s pristine and looks nearly untouched? Those kinds of mundane things can be utilized to further establish your character’s desires, motivations, personality, etc.! Exploring a character in small, seemingly unimportant ways is pretty enjoyable and a fun exercise to further develop your character-building abilities.

Utilize weather and climate conditions to add effect. This is another simple way to add some character to a scene! Weather can add symbolism—if a character is feeling melancholy, it may appear gloomy outside—but it can also simply add more detail and further flesh out the scene. Even better, the scene doesn't even have to occur outside! Weather conditions can still be noticeable from inside a building—think of the sound of precipitation, the presence/absence of sunlight, and the way light reflects off of different surfaces!

Embrace change. Sometimes, a story necessitates a return to a setting that already has been introduced. In these moments, it can be helpful to think of any potential changes that may have occurred since the last time the setting was visited. This can manifest in large-scale ways—such as a banker returning to their place of work, only to find that the building has caught fire and is now just a pile of rubble—or small-scale ways—think of a graduated student returning to their elementary school, only to find that it feels much smaller. Simple things can represent far bigger elements of a story—for example, a missing chair can represent a person’s death or foreshadow their future absence... a previously tidied area turning messy can hint at a future conflict... After all, most settings do not remain entirely unchanged. As people come and go, things are left behind, objects are moved/altered, and more!

Think about noise. Different settings will come with different levels of noise, which can also affect character interactions and conversations. If the characters are standing in a library, their voices may shift to hushed whispers. If there’s potential for eavesdropping (aka they're in a public space), there may be different gestures and means of communication.

sigh. how’s it going, everyone? hope you’re all doing well.

somehow i got the inspiration to write this... let me know if y’all like this kind of content! i'd be happy to write more “writing tips” and things like that (you can send an ask if there’s something specific you’d like to see, too!)

TAG LIST: @lateuplight @wit-is-wisdom @greengableswriting @whump-me-all-night-long @noawhite @rekhyt-of-arcadia @the-blind-one-speaks @sufferfictionalcharacters @basically-psyduck @alexkolax @subval01 @emerald-blade @felicia609 @surplus-of-sarcasm @ilickedanenvelopeandilikedit @a-chaotic-gremlin @unknownogre @prompt-fills-and-writing-spills @whatwhumpcomments @excusemeasibangmyheadonawall @agayprince

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#defectivehero #writing #writing tips #writers on tumblr #spilled ink #creative writing #writing inspiration #writing advice #other stuff #sighhhhhhh

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champi8n · 7 months

Text

witch in love | kit walker

sypnosis: kit walker’s girlfriend is… a witch!

warnings: none it’s just happy!

you knew you were different to other people from a very young age, of course, you weren’t exactly sure what made you different until you turned 16 and after an argument with your dad you made everything in your room float for a split second before everything fell down and broke, causing your mother to sit down with you and have the talk

no, not the talk about sex, the talk about witches and how you were a direct descendant to one of the witches of salem or something like that, you weren’t paying much attention since you got stuck on the part where said “you’re a witch” but you kind of got an idea of what she explained

however, your mother had the option to send you away to learn more about those arts but she refused it, deciding it was better to homeschool you and teach you herself to control and expand your abilities

you didn’t complain, you quite liked it at home and you loved being the only student, apart from that you led some sort of double life, witch in secret and a normal student on the outside

you knew you couldn’t go around showing your abilities and screaming to everyone “i’m a witch, i’m a witch” but you also were good at hiding your little impulses

no, you weren’t a bad person and you totally wouldn’t use your powers to get your own way, but you couldn’t stand seeing injustice and bad things happening in front of you without being able to do something about it

so you began to act, you first made some boys who went to your school and bothered a poor girl in your english class with mean comments pay for their rudeness, you hated the way they made that girl cry by laughing at her hairstyles and her shoes, so after learning how to control people you made those boys slap themselves every time they opened their mouth towards that girl

you giggled in the back of the class as they looked at each-other confused, wondering what was happening as they felt the burn of their own slap on their cheek every time they tried to talk

that was the beginning of a new period of your life and boy, anyone who thought they could mess with you without any consequences were in for a complete ride

as you got older you graduated with top grades which came from pulling all nighters to study, not from using your abilities, and you decided to pursue a career in fashion

many people laughed at you for that choice, saying you should go for a career in healthcare or look for a job as a book keeper, but you were ambitious, you wanted more than the typical jobs women could get at the time

you managed to find an intern position in a small fashion magazine, however, you were treated poorly by your male co workers and it drove you mad, how thought multiple times about casting a spell to make their lives miserable yet you stopped yourself, knowing better than to waste your skills for those dumb boys

every time you had a hard day you would go to a diner that was near your work and would order yourself a chocolate milkshake with extra cream and unfortunately for you, today was one of those days

the cling of the bells as you opened the door of the diner and the sound of your thigh high boots as you walked to your usual table resonated in the place, catching some attention but that wasn’t unusual for you

you were very pretty and you knew it so you weren’t exactly surprised at heads turning to look at you when you go out, however you’ve rarely been out on dates as nobody has caught your attention

you twirled your hair as you looked through the menu even though you were gonna order your usual you still wanted to roam through the food in case you get hungry later

but you were surprised when one of the waiters in the place came over to your table and placed your pleasure chocolate milkshake in front of you even though you haven’t even ordered yet

“you must be mistaken, i didn’t order anything” you said, batting your eyelashes as you smiled to the person serving you

“we know miss, this is from the guy over there” they pointed over to a man sitting in the counter having a sip of what seemed to be a strawberry milkshake

his brown eyes met yours and he smiled at you, giving you a small wave with his hand to then look away and keep minding his business

you had no idea how he knew that was your favourite milkshake and you also had zero clue who he was as you haven’t noticed him before in the place yet the gesture did make you a little bit happy

but you didn’t want to make the guy pay for your order, you weren’t that type of person so you stood up with your milkshake in hand and walked towards the mystery man

you tapped on his shoulder to get his attention and you saw the way his expression went from surprise to a smile “yes?” he said

“did you send me this?” i looked at the milkshake in my hand and he nodded “thank you but i couldn’t possibly accept this, let me pay you back” you reached for your wallet but he immediately stopped you

“please, there is no need for that, pardon me m’am but you just looked like you were in a bad mood and i wanted to be nice” the man replied, brushing his hand through his hair as he continued to smile at you with courtesy

you blinked, amused at the stranger’s nice action “well, thank you…” you paused, your eyes wandered off to the man’s shirt, he seemed to be wearing a uniform and you managed to spot a name tag “thank you, kit” you smiled, taking a sip of your paradise on earth aka your milkshake

he smiled back at you and said nothing back, you sat down next to him expecting him to try and initiate a conversation with you yet you were surprised by how he kept minding his business, letting you enjoy your milkshake in peace except you weren’t exactly in peace, you were bothered as you wondered why he isn’t speaking to you

you glanced at kit multiple times and every time he would look back at you, you quickly turned away until he would go back to drinking his strawberry milkshake

after doing that for a few times you heard him laugh, making you wonder what he found so funny “what is it?” you said, frowning at him

“i’m sorry, you’re just funny ma’am” he replied, looking at you as he tried to regain his composure

his response left you even more confused and slightly offended, what exactly did he mean by that you didn’t know “excuse me?” you said, sounding mildly angry

“do ya think i don’t notice you keep glancing at me?” he said, a big smile on his face as he seemed to find the whole situation funny “if you wanna tell me something just do it” he said, looking at your blank expression as you’ve been caught

you didn’t know what to say exactly, you were slightly embarrassed but you didn’t want to make that obvious “well, that’s what i should be asking you!” you replied, deciding to be honest

kit raised an eyebrow as it was clear to you he had no idea what you were trying to say “i mean, you buy me a milkshake, you obviously wanna ask me out so i’m waiting for you to speak” you say bluntly and also realising how self cantered you sounded

this time both of kit’s eyebrows were raised as his face was filled with surprise, he chuckled for a second to himself as he was completely gagged by your words “wow, big ego there…” he said looking away from you, making you even more flustered

“no! i didn’t mean it that way it’s just-“ he interrupted you

“it’s just acts of pure kindness don’t exist anymore, i guess” he said, taking a big sip of his milkshake as you felt slightly bad

“well, i don’t know!” you replied, you didn’t know what to say, you were blushing as you felt helpless and then suddenly you said it “go out with me… on a date”

kit began to choke a little bit as he didn’t expect the words that came out of your mouth “excuse me?” he said, a small playful smile on his face

“you know you wanted to ask me first don’t act coy” you rolled your eyes, smiling a little bit

he sighed, feeling defeated “yeah you’re right i did…” kit admitted

“fine so, tomorrow 8pm this diner?” you asked, finishing your milkshake

“o-okay, but what’s your name?” he said a bit desperately as he realised you were getting ready to leave

“you’ll figure it out tomorrow” you winked at him before deciding to head out, swaying your hips as you walked away from him and turning your head for a last smile as you opened the door and left

kit was left flustered and charmed as his eyes were frozen on the door, he smiled to himself as he began to count how many hours until tomorrow

…

the next day you got off work and decided to head straight home for a shower, you then chose to wear a white miniskirt with a black fitted turtle neck, an outfit perfect to match your favourite white high heeled boots

you then sat in front of your mirror and did your eyeliner the way you liked it, applied your lipstick and fixed your hair, being ready to go

you were unsure why you were so nervous about this date, you told yourself it was gonna be just another boring one multiple times yet something inside you kind of hoped it wasn’t

as you got to the diner, you found kit waiting outside the door and you smiled at him as you walked

he looked at you up and down as his mouth slowly opened in surprise “you look gorgeous” he said, making you blush a little

he opened the door for you and you both sat down opposite each other at one of the tables

to your own surprise it wasn’t uncomfortable at all and in fact you discovered you quite enjoy kit’s company, you learned he works as a gas station attendant and how he loves to dance and he listened to you talk about your ambitions and even supported it, saying you should start your own brand

as it got late it was soon time to say goodbye but not before you decided to break the obvious rule and do the most impulsive thing a girl can do, you kissed him

“good night, kit” you said as you walked away, leaving him frozen in his spot completely shocked at the fact that you had given him a kiss

when you got home you replayed the events of the date and you wished that everything would continue to go great with kit and lucky for you, your wish came true

you and kit went out on a few more dates as time went by and they were perfect, you used to believe boys were stupid and untrustworthy but with kit it was different, you liked him and you sure did hope he liked you too

soon, kit’s relationship with you took the next step as he asked you to be his girlfriend on the prettiest night of september and you didn’t hesitate to say yes

you wanted to be with kit forever, you would do anything to have him by your side always and so it was no surprise when you began to have worries about kit finding out the fact that you’re a witch

the last thing you wanted to do was to scare him off and you were sure telling him who you were would definitely do that but you also felt bad as you believed shouldn’t be hiding that part of you to the man you love

you were keeping that detail to yourself until suddenly the world caught you by surprise and decided to stop being in your favour

kit had mentioned to you that he has been struggling with his energy at work and how he feels extremely overworked by his boss, you suggested to him to confront his boss about the unfair amount of hours he has to work for how little he gets paid but he refused to do so, making you have the great idea to cast a spell for kit to make him be less tired and remove his fatigue

you gathered all the materials you needed and you lit a few candles in front of you placing them in a circle, you then followed what the spell book which you had opened in front of you said and focused a little bit too hard since you didn’t realise that kit had gotten off work earlier and now he was home, looking for you

you had given kit a spare key to your home and it wasn’t a surprise for him to come see you after work so it was stupid of you to not lock the door of your room

“baby, where are ya?” it was too late when you heard him because a moment later he had opened the door of your bedroom, revealing yourself in a very sketchy and hard to explain situation

he frowned as you were frozen in your spot, his eyes staring deep into yours as you blinked twice, blowing the candles off slowly

“what are you doing…?” he asked, walking towards you slowly

“nothing” you replied almost immediately, standing off the floor and giving him an awkward smile

“it doesn’t seem like nothing” he said “what were you doing?” he asked again, standing in front of you

you sighed, the time for the truth had come and you were scared shitless, you’ve never told anyone besides your mother about your abilities and the thoughts of kit leaving and exposing you were lingering in your mind, however, you knew you had to trust him

and you also knew there had to be some sort of erasing memory spell

but besides that, you took kit’s hand and sat him down next to you on the edge of the bed “you’ve gotta promise you’re not gonna freak out, okay?”

“what?” he said, still not catching on completely on what you were saying.

“kit… i’m a witch” you said… staring deep into his eyes searching for a hint of any negative emotion behind his eyes but on the contrary all he did was frown.

“um… okay…” he said in a whisper, his face being completely blank “sure, whatever you say suga’” he said, slowly caressing your elbows and giving you a reassuring smile

it wasn’t hard to tell that kit didn’t believe you but you had no clue what to do now, you already had told him so what now?

“kit…” you spoke slowly “did you understand what i said?” you asked

“um… kind of” he replied, making you sigh “you’re trying to tell me you’re high, right?” he spoke cautiously slow, almost as if he’s speaking to a toddler as he didn’t know how to act

you broke into a smile, you couldn’t help but think he was adorable “no!” you lightly hit his arm as you giggled “i’m not high you dummy! i’m a witch!”

his expression was still confused but he began laughing with you, causing you to laugh even harder as you didn’t understand why he was laughing with you

“kit, why are you laughing!?” you asked between giggles

“i don’t know, why are you laughing!?” he replied, you both looked so stupid laughing at nothing but you loved it, he was way too sweet

you obviously knew kit was never going to believe you were a witch so you had no other choice but to attempt to do a demonstration when you and kit managed to calm down the laughs

“okay, kit, i’m a witch and i’m gonna prove it but you can’t freak out… okay?” you said as you began to use telekinesis to slowly lift kit off the bed, almost too slow making it hard for him to realise what was happening

“honey, don’t call yourself a witch, you’re just a stressed lady okay, there’s no need to… woah wait” his attempt at comforting you or whatever was interrupted as he realised he wasn’t sitting down on the bed anymore, instead he was floating above it

you smiled at him with reassurance as you kept making him float higher and higher above the bed, he looked at you in utter shock as he muttered some surprises noises yet all you could do is smile in hopes he wouldn’t panic too much

kit had no idea what was going on, all he knew is that he kept going up and he muttered an “ouch” when he felt his head boink against the bedroom roof

you immediately panicked as you completely forgot about the fact he was going to hit his head and in your moment of worry you accidentally dropped him, making you scream as you forgot he was going to land on the bed and thought he could get badly injured

“are you okay?! kit?!” you asked, climbing more towards the centre of the bed where his head was resting and slowly caressing his head

he had his eyes shut as he was obviously afraid of the landing and still didn’t quite piece together that he didn’t fall on the floor “i’m good, baby” he replied, opening his eyes a little and looking at your face over him, you’re worried expression making him want to kiss you

you helped him sit up on the bed and after a few moments of silence, you decided to ask the question that was eating you up on the inside “so… do you hate me?”

“what?! no!” his response was almost instant as the last thing he wanted to do was to make you feel bad “i don’t completely understand what’s going on but something like this would never make me hate you! hell… i don’t think anything would ever make me hate you…” his hand reached for your face as he tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear “i thought stuff like that only existed in movies but hey it’s kind of cool… my girlfriend is a witch!” he chucked to himself

your eyes were slightly teary as you felt relieved and also moved by his words, you felt thankful to have someone that cared about you so much and the feeling of being accepted by kit made you wanna break down and cry for love

you felt kit’s lips press against you in a soft kiss, you could feel his lips curving into a smile, making you do the same, the only thing you could think of as your kisses escalated was how grateful you were to have him in your life

…

“so what type of thing were you doing down there… you know with the candles and stuff” you felt the vibrations of kit’s voice as your head was resting on his chest, his shirt was off (like yours) after the make out session you guys were having turned into something more

you looked up at him through your eyelashes and you bit your lip, your fingers tracing meaningless patterns on his skin “a spell…” you said in a cheeky manner

kit frowned slightly, his hands caressing your hair as he gave you a confused look “what kind of spell?” he asked, curiosity killing the cat

“a spell for you…” you replied, aware of how bad it sounded as he could obviously misunderstand what you were saying and he could take it the wrong way “but it wasn’t a bad spell, i just, i wanted to help you” you added

“oh baby, like a love spell? cause if it was then i think it’s pretty clear you don’t need to do one of those on me” he said with a small smirk resting on his face “unless you’ve already done one of me and i just haven’t realised…” he said in a playful tone, obviously kidding

you rolled your eyes at him “very funny, kit, ha ha ha” you said sarcastically “it was a spell to help you have more energy at work… you told me you were feeling burnt out and i wanted to help” you looked away from him, suddenly feeling shy

he went quiet for a few seconds making you doubtful of what he could be thinking, but you knew it was fine when all of a sudden one of his hands went to your chin in order to lift your face and give you a soft kiss

“you’re the sweetest girl i know” he said in a whisper, making you blush slightly “so can you fly?” he changed the tone of the conversation swiftly, making you giggle at how dumb he sounded to you

“you’re so stupid sometimes kit…” you replied, a bright smile on your face as you rolled your eyes

…

ever since you told kit the truth about you being a witch he’s insisted on trying to learn as much as he can about it in order to help you and support you, you’ve told him plenty of times it wasn’t necessary for him to burden himself with all that knowledge but he won’t listen

you didn’t hate it though, if you were being truthful, it was nice to have someone you can talk about that stuff that isn’t your mother and not feel judged

however, ever since kit learned about the horrible things people have tried to do to witches such as burn and murder them even if they aren’t causing harm, he’s began to be slightly more protective of you and you haven’t failed to notice

you thought it was cute so it didn’t bother you, plus you knew he really is just trying to do what he can to be there for you when it comes to stuff related to your abilities

but when you were surprised today in the middle of your at home date night with kit by one of your neighbours that’s where you really noticed how much you liked it

the lady that lived next door from you was a very religious woman, you had no issue with that whatsoever since even though you didn’t agree with her beliefs you still respected it, yet you didn’t fail to notice how she’s been acting odd towards you throughout the past month

you were used to saying good morning and maybe stop for small talk when you left for work early yet recently she’s been giving you a strange look when she does, and she also used to bake you pies often since she insisted she must take care of you since she was in her 40s and you’re just a “baby dove in your 20s” according to her, but lately she has failed to do so and so you could clearly tell something was wrong

you liked to pretend like you had no idea what could’ve affected her perspective of you but unfortunately, you do

on a late tuesday around a month ago you were almost by your place when she spotted you since she was sitting in her porch sewing, you cordially said hello to eachother and she iniated small talk when suddenly she accidentally stabbed herself with the her sewing needle

when you heard her complain about the pain in her finger you went up to her and checked it, making the dumb decision to use some of your abilities to heal it quick as it broke your soul to see the poor lady suffering, you brushed a hand past the stab and suddenly it was gone

after that you arrived home and since then the havoc started upon her demeanour towards you

“may i help you, miss thornhill?” you asked after opening the door, smiling kindly to the woman in front of you

suddenly the woman invited herself into your home and pulled some garlic out of her purse, pointing it at you “this must stop now! what are you creature?!” she screamed erratically, loud enough for kit who was waiting in the kitchen with a glass of wine for you to come running towards you

“what’s going on?” he asked, observing the scene in front of you

you sighed, you hated this “miss thornhill, i don’t understand what’s going on….” you replied, backing off from her a little bit

“you are not god’s creature, you must disappear!” the woman once again screamed, making kit get in front of you, worried about you

“garlic, really? does she look like a vampire?!” he said, slightly joking around but immediately regretting after realising it wasn’t the time “ma’am you need to leave” he said

“son, you don’t know her, she’s not what she looks like!” the woman said this time to kit, almost as if you weren’t even in the room “she’s different from you and me” she whispered to kit, making you want to roll your eyes “the devil…” she continued

kit sighed “lady, you need to leave immediately” he asked in a gentle manner, trying to avoid a bigger issue

the woman however seemed to take it the wrong way, getting offended “fine! i will leave, but i will accuse you with the church and with all the ladies in this town and expose what you really are!” she screamed, raising her finger at you

“which is?” you asked, regretting it instantly but you couldn’t help but be carried away a little bit by your emotions

“a witch!” she shouted

“hey! my girlfriend is not a witch!” kit replied, lying obviously but trying to do what he can, “how dare you even think of accusing my girlfriend of that…” he pretended to be mortified by the woman’s blabbering

it was a serious moment but you couldn’t help but to find it a little bit amusing, you never took kit for being an actor or at least a good one at least but boy, you were wrong

he gave you a quick glance obviously signalling to you he needed your slight support “yes, exactly, how dare you say that about me, ms thornhill! i’m shattered” you acted hurt, leading a hand into your chest and closing your eyes

kit stood next to you as he gasped, pretending to be in distress about your pain as he held you “oh, suga’ are you okay?” he asked, looking at you with worried eyes

the woman just stood there, here eyes following every action you both did

“look at what you’ve done! she’s sick and you’ve made her worse” kit said as the woman’s mouth opened in disbelief, obviously falling for the trick

“oh, lord, i’m so sorry i didn’t mean to-” she struggled to find the words to say, obviously being conflicted wether on to carry on her point or not and that’s when you got the perfect opening for a little… trick

“you’re going to leave now and forget every single speculation you have about me, including the accusations of sorcery” you spoke in a confident tone, staring deep into the lady’s eyes as you felt kit looking at you unsure of what was going on but still not saying anything

not even a minute later the woman was looking around as if she was lost, you immediately approached her, a sudden worried expression painted your face

“miss thornhill, are you alright?” you said, doe eyes looking at the lady with care, kit still stood in his place wondering why your demeanour was changing

you gave him a quick glance, widening your eyes and mouthing to him to act like nothing happened

he didn’t get exactly what you were meaning to say at first but he attempted to, walking towards you while running a hand through his hair

“oh my… what am i doing here?” the poor woman asked, clearly confused

“you slept walked all the way here and began knocking on the door, i was extremely worried but i think you’re awake now” you replied, sounding way too believable “right, kit?” you gave him a tense smile

“oh, uhm, yeah, we thought something was going on” he said, quickly frowning at you before going back to acting coy

“christ… i’m so sorry about this, darling, please don’t tell me i interrupted anything with you two” she said, genuinely worried

you quickly gave her a reassuring smile “don’t worry about that, miss thornhill, please, let me walk you home next door” you replied, holding her arm and guiding her towards the door

she kept apologising as you were leaving but right as you were exiting the door you turned back and winked at kit, making him smile

he was still not sure what just happened, kit felt proud of how you handled the situation and managed to defend yourself and he could assume you used some sort of magic but if he was being honest, he did get particularly scared at the thought of that lady trying to hurt you

but all of those worries disappeared when he saw you wink with a cheeky smile on your face, reassuring him that you were fine

kit walker’s girlfriend was a witch but he knows it isn’t a bad thing, ignorant people will try and tell him it is but he knows he wouldn’t trade it for any normal thing in the world.

#kit walker x you #kit walker #kit asylum #ahs asylum #american horror story #american horror story asylum #evan peters #evan peters imagine #evan peters x you #evan peters ff #kit walker ff #kit walker imagine #evan #asylum #idk what else #evan peters supremacy #evan peters fanfic

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moregraceful · 2 months

Text

firebirds don't do a thing but sing // roads in the desert, take me home

;;

Ron Francis signs a Czech goalie midway through the Pacific Division semis. Chris can see the writing on the wall and it gives him a headache through June.

Even before training camp in the fall, even when they’re still in the fucking valley, everyone knows: Joey’s getting the call-up next year, not Chris. Philipp is guaranteed a spot, if not the starter position. Bylsma doesn’t have to say it, but he does anyway, because he’s a good man: “we need you down here. The boys need you down here.”

He says it firmly, but gently, a couple days after their loss to Hershey.

Chris doesn’t drink to excess anymore and is done with drugs completely, so mostly what he’s rocking in that meeting is minor league fatigue. Bylsma looks exhausted, but he’s kind throughout it. “Take the summer,” says Bylsma. “Train, work hard, but take some time for yourself too.”

Chris’s fiancee broke up with him and took the dogs with her right around the time the doctors said he’d be out for the season last year. He’d been nurturing some grief about it, but maybe it’s good that he doesn’t have anyone else to worry about, if he’s staying in the minor leagues another year.

Actually, it’s starting to look like both franchises want him in the desert full time. That gives him a headache too.

Campbell’s way less gentle than Bylsma when they go out for drinks before the team splits from town. But she’s only two years older than him, so she can get away with being kind of a jackass to him. “Yeah, it fuckin’ sucks,” she says, over her beer. “I know it does. Don’t—” she says, when Chris makes a face at her. “I know it does, Chris. But you have a lot to teach whoever comes next.”

Chris says, flatly, “who’s next, Jessica?”

The Czech goalie Francis signed in May is 26 years old. That’s a vet. That’s a signing because Francis can’t find anyone better to back Chris up.

Campbell cringes.

There’s no one else in the pipeline. All two of their teenage goalie prospects are abroad, not ready for North America, too young. The Kraken’s goalie prospect pipeline was Joey. At least Chris will be the starter in Palm Desert, provided the Czech goalie isn’t taller, hotter, with a reliable body and a clean history, a good work ethic and propensity for joy that feels increasingly out of reach for Chris.

Maybe he’s feeling some kinda way about it. He hates it when he gets bitter. Nothing good ever came from him being bitter.

He wishes he could drink all this shit away, wishes drugs didn’t fuck with his head, books a two-week-long trip to a hot spring in the Northwest Territories for his achy joints and bad attitude instead and leaves his phone off the whole time. Alone. All alone. Turns his phone back on when he gets to Winnipeg and finds himself in a new Kraken goalie groupchat with Philipp, Joey, and Aleš Stekza, courtesy of Joey, who never knows when to stop.

Aleš Stekza is a charmer. His written English is careful and precise, but when Chris meets him at rookie camp, he’s intense and effusive, slapping Chris on the back like they’ve been friends for years in the first 30 seconds, bumping shoulders with him in the locker room, grinning at Chris like Chris means anything more than another vet he’s fighting with for a roster spot.

Joey’s great at making guys feel at home in the organization, Chris thinks, but when he says as much to Joey, Joey says he learned that from Chris in his first year with the org. Aleš gets a training camp invite after rookie camp, which makes all three of them pretty happy, because Aleš has a steady attitude, and he’s a hard worker, and a good culture fit.

He’s also very, very good. It makes Chris restless about whether he’s a back-up in Coachella again, or it’s going to be a 1A-1B thing. He looks up Aleš to see his stats from his play in Czechia, and immediately wishes he hadn’t. Why a guy goes from being voted Czechia’s best goaltender to wanting to play in the AHL, he’s not sure. At least in Extraliga, they house you.

Philipp has all the goalies, rookies, rostered, invites, all, over to his house for a barbecue that he has catered. Chris makes merciless fun of him when he gets there early to help Philipp set up; Philipp smiles at him like he wants something from Chris, and Chris can kind of guess what, but then the doorbell starts ringing.

Aleš spends a lot of time badgering Chris about Coachella at the party. Is it warm, what is the food like, where does he live, what is the team like, what size are the cars, how are the fans, what is California like, how far away are they from Seattle, what is it like, how does it all fit together, where does Christ fit in, where will he. Philipp watches from the other side of the yard, drink in hand, and even though he’s surrounded by kids destined for the ECHL, he still raises his glass to Chris. Good luck, he mouths.

Chris and Aleš get sent down shortly after, surprising absolutely no one. Joey looks hurt, somehow, when Briere tells them all in a meeting, all the goalies left at the end of camp, who is getting sent down and where. Like Joey really thought he could keep Chris with him. Chris wonders where the kid gets it. Joey’s too old to think that he can play with his friends if he’s good enough to the world around him.

Aleš and Chris go to the desert. Philipp and Joey stay in Seattle. Chris drives Aleš and Marian down from Seattle to Palm Desert in his SUV and learns 50 new swear Czech and Slovak insults in a day and half. They don��t stop anywhere for the night; no time. Him and Marian switch off driving, since Aleš doesn’t have an American driver’s license, and Marian is a trooper, doesn’t complain at all.

Late night driving through some fuck ass part of the Central Valley, when the car is quiet except for a playlist Philipp made for Chris in the background and Marian snoring in the backseat, Chris glances at Aleš. Aleš had tasked himself with keeping the two of them awake at night, but he’d been silent for so long that Chris wondered if he’d fallen asleep.

Aleš has his face pressed to the window. Chris clicks his tongue to get his attention. Aleš looks over. He looks fascinated.

“I have never seen so many cows in one pen,” he says.

Chris pulls off at a rest stop to stretch his legs; four hours left in the drive and Marian is passed the fuck out in the third row. He gets out of the car and Aleš follows him to a picnic table under fluorescent lights.

He’s wearing a Kraken hoodie Chris lent him for the drive. It has Chris’s number on it. Chris feels something curl tight in his chest at the sight.

He sits across from Aleš at the picnic table. Aleš hands him some weird Pacific Northwest stimulant drink that’s supposed to fuck with your gut less than Red Bull. It tastes like flat carbonated water, but Chris has to admit it has not yet given him stomach upset.

Chris takes it and cracks it open. He drinks half of it, making a face, before handing it back to Aleš.

Aleš actually likes that kind of PNW granola shit, is the problem. He’s a good culture fit. Philipp had whispered it in Chris’s ear when he hugged him goodbye; take care of the guy, he’s a good fit for the franchise, just like you.

Chris sits across from Aleš. He studies Aleš: the laugh lines around his eyes, his strong jaw, his thinning hair that he doesn’t gel outside of game days, sticking out from under Chris’s hoodie. He looks at Aleš’s hands, his strong fingers, his thick wrists. His knees bump against Chris’s because the picnic table is small.

Aleš looks back. Whatever he sees in Chris makes him smile.

#i decided this was simply no longer any of my business and wish to set it free not on ao3 #unfortunate birdcage fanfictions #the ahler poster is coming through...

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helianskies · 6 months

Note

6 + romespa :))

oh anon. happy holidays hun 🍪

Company

The work day is over. Antonio waves off the last of his co-workers—one of only three other people who usually sit in the same room as he does, as the company’s central marketing team—and his eyes fall back to his computer. He, too, should be shutting down, calling it a day, and going home for the next two weeks of holiday like everyone else.

But there is one last thing he has to check off his to-do list for the day. And to do so, he needs to hang around just a little bit longer.

After about half an hour (a slow thirty minutes that he painstakingly passes with final email replies and some scrolling on his phone), Antonio peeks out into the corridor. The lights are off as far as he can see down the hall. He can’t hear anyone. He knows the cleaners were due the day after for a deep clean of the building, so would not be showing up any time soon. And that means…

He goes back to his desk and shuts down his computer. He checks his phone—a new message has appeared and he doesn’t need to open it to know what it says—and he hurries to pack away everything he needs for the holiday.

Only, he doesn’t head for the building exit once he gathers his things and puts on his coat. Instead, he heads up—up a single floor, to where the executive offices lurk.

It is room C27 that he goes to. He has to pass through a completely empty room of vacated desks, and is glad his instincts have been right. No one is around. The lights are one, but there's no one home. Almost.

When he arrives where he needs to, he knocks gently against the wood. He feels anticipation when he hears footsteps—he has been waiting all week for this—and when the door opens, he can’t help but smile, elated, relieved.

“Not working too hard, I hope,” he says.

“Just finishing off,” Marco assures him, before inviting him inside his private office.

When the door closes, however, Marco does not immediately return to his work. Instead, now that they truly have privacy, he gives Antonio a quick kiss, soft and warm against his lips, and unwittingly reaffirms exactly why Antonio is happy the day is finally over.

“Ready for this evening?” Marco then asks him, heading back to his desk. He sets his hands down, one on the desk and the other on the mouse, and leans as he begins to click away (closing a million tabs, probably!).

“Of course,” Antonio replies. “Believe me, I’ve been ready all day .”

A smile blooms on Marco’s face. He continues whatever it is he’s doing, but Antonio knows: he’s ready, too.

To encourage him along, perhaps, Antonio decides to step around to the other side of Marco’s desk, coming to stand next to him. Strictly speaking he isn’t supposed to, but Marco had always had a bit of a soft spot for him, which helps. That, and Antonio is hardly there to read his emails!

Rather, he’s next to Marco so that he can close that distance between them. He’s dying for a hug. So he starts by knocking arms, leaning not-very-subtly both towards the other’s desk to match, but also against him. His head finds Marco’s shoulder. He slips a hand on top of the other’s. Marco knows what he’s doing—he lets him get away with it for a moment as he continues closing down different systems on his computer—and then, soon enough, he gives in.

Marco stands back up and, a moth to flame, Antonio takes his opportunity and slides on in. He gives (and in turn receives) the hug he has been waiting for. It feels like home.

“You’re so toasty!” he says, wanting as much of that warmth as he would be allowed.

“And you’re quite cold. Are you feeling alright?”

“Absolutely,” Antonio replies. “Better, now I’m with you.”

Soon, they will go out for dinner, and the warmth will only grow. They’ve had it booked for a while—some cosy, hearty Italian place a few blocks away, actually, from where Antonio lives—and Marco has been going on about it for just as long. Making sure Antonio won’t forget (as if he ever would!). It is just the beginning, so he’s told, of things that Marco has planned for the Christmas break.

A few minutes later, they are back at the office door. Marco takes his coat off the stand and folds it over his arm, not feeling a need for it perhaps, and then he takes his scarf and gently sets it around Antonio’s neck.

He wraps it around twice, in fact, and asks him, “Snug?” to which Antonio assures him he is very snug. “Good,” Marco smiles.

So he opens the door, and his hand briefly makes contact with Antonio’s back as the other accepts the invitation to leave first.

When they leave the office, though, just in case, things are kept amicable. They walk towards the building exit together and have an ordinary conversation as two colleagues simply catching up before the holidays begin. They do pass a handful of faces along the way—the reason for the pretence—but then they reach reception—so close to the car park, where they can relax again—and—

“I hope you two have a lovely Christmas.”

Antonio finds Francis, a lingering soul (that he rarely sees linger, to be honest), doing some idle filing at the desk. He knows what his words suggest and eyes imply, but if there’s only one other person he feels he can trust around here with that sort of information, surprisingly, it is him.

He’ll have to fill Francis in when they come back in January—he won’t have a choice. For now, though, Antonio's attention is needed elsewhere, so he gives Francis a smile as Marco seeks out his pass card in his wallet to get them out of the building, and says, “You, too,” before Marco holds the door open, and they step out together into a cool, yet also rather warm December night.

[ ficlet collection is on ao3! ] [ winter prompts here! ]

#romespa #helia writes #hws spain #hws rome #ive used the name marco for rome bc modern au dont mind me pls ty #you may still send in ficlet requests :3c

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echantedtoon · 7 months

Text

Demon Bride Ch22 The Doctor Returns

(Warning: Enmu IS his own warning. Some innuendos, reader gets her finger pricked again, blood being drawn a bit, reader slamming Enmu into a wall when she's had enough of his bull, mentions of abuse, neglect, and abandonment and illnesses concerning Rui. Mentioning of death.

I was asked if Rui was vile. No. Rui has more of his human personality from the show, although the treatment from his family in story had made him touch starved with a tendency to act out sometimes. This also goes over somethings that happen before sone of the events in Ch20. If you haven't read Ch21 I have fixed the uploading issue and that chapter is now up for reading.)

There was a new shift in the air. Everyone in the mansion could feel it. And see it very much as well if they happened to peek inside one study. It wasn't a tense feeling, in fact it was actually quite calm and..if they may dare say so. Happy even. Like a long time stress no one knew was hanging over them to begin with was suddenly risen from Tsuzumi Mansion. But now all felt at ease, or at least most everything. Everyone was highly aware of the sudden heavy surveillance ordered around all the windows and the sudden unused of the garden. Now only a few select workers were allowed out there to quickly tend the growing crops that was kept out there. However it wasn't a too difficult task and no one had the heart to go against the orders. Not that it really bothered them, all they were required to do was keep an eye on the windows and keep from the garden.

In the meantime there was another change. No one else seemed to notice but herself and one other person. That's right. Nagi had noticed it very well. The silent witness to it all. Oh yes. She knew what it was the moment she first saw his eyes look at the human with adoration. Love. Yes, yes. Not just a small crush or a fleeting infatuation that'd die down soon. Oh no no no. It was a much stronger emotion. She could tell from the way she's seen Kyogai stared at the human. It was a look of longing he gave no one else before, and even now as appointed to the human woman personally, there was no denying it. The way he'd work only to pause and glance over at the human, who curled up in her corner of the room with that child clinging to her side listening to the many tales spoken out loud. Before she would also pause and look up at him, and then the two would look away red faced avoiding eye contact for the next few hours. Of course Nagi just remained silent and just smiled away. She wouldn't interfere, she couldn't, but the main reason was because she liked seeing her Lord happy this much. Even if it was for a short while. But he was not the only one who she saw have such a feeling towards this human. Not by a long shot.

Because she was there when she saw it happen. When all three Lords Kyogai, Akaza, and Kaigaku fell in love. No one ever noticed her silently watching in the hallway, in fact a lot of the time people couldn't tell she was watching. But just because she didn't have eyes, doesn't mean she couldn't see. And she saw many things. The way Akaza held the humans hand softly to him and how flustered he was. Akaza was an intimidating man even with him being known for being the kindest of the Upper Moons. But she had caught his attention by not only standing up to him when others wouldn't but doing it in such a kind way. Kaigaku used to be oh so demanding but...ever since the night she started wearing his necklace, the tempered man had mellowed out a surprising bit. Not a lot but CERTAINLY enough to be noticed. Especially when he didn't literally yell when he demanded things now and even seemed to be in a much better mood. As for Lord Kyogai...He paused for a moment to glance at the human and to which she looked up..And bashfully smiled at him. Kyogai went red again but before he could turn back around someone spoke up-

"What happened next?" Rui had edged closer to your side blinking at the book, but nudged your side when you stopped in the middle of the current story. "Does Demorella ever marry the emperor or not? The glass hairpin was supposed to only fit her hair so does it fit her hair or not? Tell me!"

"Ok, ok. Calm down. I'll finish it in just a moment." Rui then pouted but didn't do anything else besides that. You learnt he was much more bolder than his other siblings. While his brothers stayed hidden in their room, and his sisters stayed glued to their mother silently, Rui didn't seem to have any trouble talking about things or getting close to you or demanding things he wants. Mostly food, water, or stories but you turned back to Kyogai with a smile. "You mentioned you'd try to speak to the others. Have you heard back from them yet?"

...he sighed and shook his head. "I'm afraid I haven't. I've tried to contact both Akaza and Kaigaku but Akaza refuses to speak to me, and Kokushibo has banned any contact except from the Master in order to fully focus on training Kaigaku. And I couldn't contact Hantengu even if I tried."

"How come?"

"Once a member of the Twelve Kizuki retires, Master severes any connection to the Moons wavelengths. So Hantengu hasn't been in my contact ever since he retired last year." He grumbled more rubbing his face. "And none of his sons have gone through the initiation ceremony yet to become an official moon, so none of them would be in the wavelength system either. So...I am unable to contact any of them."

That made you frown. That wasn't good. You were hoping it'd be all resolved by now. Rui used a hand to pull on your kimono. Oh yes. That reminded you. "Have you decided on what to do about the new situation?" He rose a brow. "You know..." Your eyes motioned to Rui as he frowned and tugged on you again.

"Oh. ..Hm. Well yes. I figured I'd solve that problem while I tried to fix the others," he explained, "While I wasn't able to contact anyone I wanted, I was able to contact Douma concerning this matter."

"Oh. What'd he say?"

He scowled as if speaking about Douma angered him. "*Sigh* He said he would ask the boy's mother if she wished to have him moved over there to live with them, and that he would contact me before the day was over. He could call me any moment now."

"Oh! That's good!" You smiled. "I'm sure she'll be happy to see him again." Speaking of Rui-

He tugged hard enough to move your arm and make you look at his pout. "Finish the story!" He whined tugging your arm. "I wanna know what happens."

"Ok, ok. One moment now. I'm talking to Kyogai... Kyogai?" You blinked up at him but was shocked when you just saw him sitting there. He had completely shut down. His body lightly slumping forward as he sat crosslegged and his face silent, eyes closed as if he were asleep. "Kyogai?!"

You nearly sprang up to try and shake him awake when Nagi swiftly held an arm up to stop you in your tracks. "Please do not be alarmed. He is simply in contact with another Lord. Please remain calm and wait until he comes back to us."

You opened your mouth...but closed it. "It'd be better to listen to Nagi and not bother him. Another tug. "Y/n. The story!"

"Oh alright, alright." With a sigh you looked back to the pages. Now where were you? "...There standing in the doorway was none other other than the Emperor himself and in his broad hands was the delicate glasswork of a hair pin. Shimmering delicately and flashing beautiful colors whenever the sunlight hit it. She knew without a doubt that he had come there, for her no less."

It took an entire half hour waiting for Kyogai to come back out of his trance, and eventually he did. Slowly blinking his eyes and raising his head with a soft sigh of relief. But he didn't say anything about it. Just silently looked to you, then to Rui, then just silently turned back to whatever he was currently working on. You wanted to ask him what was wrong, but something told you this was not the right time. You'd ask Kyogai about it tomorrow when Rui was having breakfast, but you'd find out that it wasn't going to be that easy either. It started when you went to sleep that night. Nagi had long since left and did not come back. So there you were, dead asleep at two in the morning, curled up in your futon and alone. You didn't hear the small footsteps coming along outside your room or the sliding door opening or the sliding door closing or the small footsteps coming up to you. ...But you DID feel two two hands grab ahold of your shoulder and shake you hard until with a snort your eyes blinked open and stared out into the dark.

"Wha-"

"Y/n. I can't sleep. Will you read me another story?"Y ...Y.You...lowly blinked in the darkness up at the small figure staring down at you before it pushed your shoulder again. "Is that a yes or no?"

..You blinked again and seemed to finally get who it was. "Rui?..*yyyyasaawwwnnn*" A hand reached up to rub at your eyes. What was Rui doing in your room? "W-What are you doing here? You're supposed to be asleep. Eri said you were running a fever. You should be resting."

"I can't sleep," he repeated again. By now your eyes adjusted to the dark enough to see that he had a blanket wrapped around himself. "Can you read me another story? I like your stories."

You groaned rubbing your face in your hand. Great. Guess you had to deal with this. With a sigh, you pushed yourself up into a sitting position with your hand still rubbing your face. "Rui, I can't see in the dark. *Yawn* And I don't have any candles or lanterns to see by."

"Then go get one." He spoke innocently but also like he expected you to get up.

"Rui, I'm not roaming the dark for a light just to read to you."

He tilted his head. "Why?"

"Because you can't expect everyone to just do what you want all the time. That's not how the real world works."

"Really?", He seemed genuinely confused at this. Hasn't anyone ever told him no before? "My mother and siblings always did whatever I said."

Good grief. Did that spider demon spoil her son that much? "Why would they do that?"

"Because Father told them to. If they didn't he would punish them harshly." You froze on the spot from what he just casually said. "That went for the rest of our clan as well."

"What?!" You just looked at the confused child...Did he just say what you think he just said? Then Eri's voice rang in your head. She had mentioned before that the spider family Kyogai took in were survivors of a bad home situation. ...Was THIS what she had been talking about?! "R-Rui... that's awful! Why would your father do that?!"

He tilted his head and blinked. "Because I was his heir. Ever since I was born I had been different like him. My family always said it was because of my eyes." Unconsciously be reached a hand up to rub said eyes. "It meant when I was older I would be more powerful than all the rest of my family with special abilities...But there's something wrong with my body."

"I-...What do you mean by that?"

"Oh? I thought you already knew. I'm sick, but I've always been sick. It's my body. I was born very weak, there's been times I've almost passed away actually. My family was made to treat me very nicely because of that too."...He looked down. "Maybe that's...why some of them even hated me."

"Hated you? What are you talking about?"

"Well...being made to treat me so well while they were treated so terrible would possibly do that to someone. I thought maybe after Father died things could be different but I guess not."

"..Rui.."In the dark your hand reached out and grabbed his arm making him jump and blink in surprise at you. "What happened to you?"

"Oh...You really want to know?"

"Of course! Just tell me...Maybe I'll be able to help you."

He was silent just staring at you for a long long moment before speaking again. "Well...It started last year. My family was attacked by Mantis."

"Mantis?"

"Another clan from the mountains. They wanted our lands and decided to take it. It was very brutal. My older brother died in that fight, so did our father. He was the main problem I think..." He seemed to pause thinking for a moment before shaking his head. "Ayways, I thought maybe they would be nicer to me if he was gone but...They weren't. Once my mother and siblings disappeared and my father died, what was left of my family turned on me. Many of my aunts and uncles chased me away and said if I ever came back, I would be doomed."

"And.. that's when you came down from the mountains." You slowly pieced it together from what he mentioned when you first met him.

He nodded. "Yes. I could smell where my mother went. I-...I wanted my mother. But...m-many things went wrong." You could barely see in the dark, but you heard him shuffling his feet together. "Im weaker than them..It took me longer to travel. Then this strange man started hunting me."

"What?!"

"He was like a hawk! With huge wings and talons!" He threw up his arms makings you let go and the blanket fall off his shoulders. "H-H-He kept laughing at me. He kept saying someone important wanted me but I didn't trust him. I don't want him! I want my mother! I don't want to go with them!"

"H-Hey!" You grabbed his arms to make him still. "Hey..Be still. No one is going to take you away. Ok? I promise no one will be taking you anywhere. Not if I can help it."

You heard a sniffle in the dark and that's what probably hurt you the most. "Do you p-promise?"

"I promise. As long as I'm here, you're not going to be taken anywhere. But how did you even come here?"

"*Sniff* I lost my w-way and ended up finding that small man, but he wouldn't help me no matter how much I told him."

"....Come here." He blinked as you pulled him over and a second later he was laying down and a blanket was being pulled over him. Beside him you yawned again. "It's too late for me to read to you, but wait until tomorrow and I read you more then. Ok?"

He didn't reply but you reached over to tuck him in before letting sleep claim you again. Next to you, red and green eyes stared up at the ceiling in silence before their sight glanced over the snug blanket wrapped around him before looking over the form of the woman dead asleep next to him. Her chest slowly rising and falling in her sleep...And in his mind he made a choice.

"Good night, Mother."

You were surprised when you woke up the next morning and found Rui was still there shaking your shoulder, a smile on his face when you hadn't seen him have one before. Behind him, Nagi looked surprised from the doorway. She must've just gotten there just as you woke up.

"Good morning, Mother. Let's go get breakfast. I'm hungry."

....You blinked. "What?"

Kyogai was also surprised to see you walking into the study with Rui holding your hand, and Nagi right behind you both before Rui looked at him. "I'm hungry. Make the servant go get Mother and I some breakfast."

... Kyogai looked at your tired face for an explanation and you sighed. "Don't ask. I've tried to get him to stop calling me that but he won't." You then looked at Rui. "Rui, you should wait until your actual mother comes to get you and stop calling me Mother."

"Oh. But that woman doesn't want me back." He looked at Kyogais shocked face oddly calm. "Doesn't she?"

"What? Of course she does! Isn't she right Kyogai?... Kyogai?"

You looked up at the demon who just stared surprised...before sighing and looked at you. "I think we need to talk."

You only received worse news that day, with Rui clinging to your side and demanding food from Nagi no less. Rui's mother didn't want him back. In fact she was disappointed he was found. She was angry he tried to follow her. And she had begged to Douma to not bring him around her when he mentioned Rui to her. In Kyogai's own words-

"She doesn't want anything to do with him, but Douma says he's still willing to take Rui off my hands into his cult and he'll send some of his followers to pick him up if I wished it. I simply told him I hadn't made up my mind yet."

"That's awful!! How could she just abandon her own child?! He's not even a teenager yet!" Rui just seemed so... oddly unbothered by the whole situation. Sitting with a book on his lap and stuffing his face with the third plate of food he asked you for. You though he would cry like he did a bit last night. But no..He just went about his business.

"*Sigh* I don't know. Trauma affects others differently and if what the boy told you last night is true, then being around the boy would just bring more trouble than it's worth. But that's not the problem right now. We have another one staring at us in the face."

"What?"

"The boy's imprinted on you."

"...I don't understand."

"There's careful laws concerning the upbringing of my kinds' children. It's because they can imprint easily on someone they see as a parental figure. Especially if they're under the age of thirteen! And his situation makes for a perfect concoction for him to be desperate for a parent. He's lost his family, and what was left of it either chased him away or outright abandoned him all together. Then here you are taking him in, feeding him, and treating him motherly. ...*sigh* He's imprinted on you and accepted you as his new mother."

"...say what?"

"Mother?" Rui looked up at you with a worried look. "I don't think my fever's gone yet. I want some cold water...Please?"

Kyogai facepalmed. "Why me?...WHY do these things always happen to me?!"

"...Is that a no, Mother? The drum man is confusing me."

Yes. You had a new problem that again Kyogai had to figure out before you left in a short amount of time. You weren't sure what you were going to do now, but Kyogai said he would research any children's homes that could possibly take him off everyone's hands and be a better alternative for a sickly child. That sounded like the best course of action to you, but you just had to remain calm. Sure things were building up one problem after another but it would be alright in the end. After all what's the worst that could happen?

Time was ticking down.

You only had a week and three days until Enmu was about to come back and then you'd be able to leave. You knew you'd be able to leave, after all your leg was all healed and you felt perfectly fine, so there shouldn't be any reason for you to stay. If anything was to happen surely it already would've happened by now. But that left a few problems. What was going to happen when you left? Was Kyogai just going to be stuck fixing everything for you? You didn't like that idea. And what about Rui? Was he just going to be thrown into the nearest children's home? You'd feel so bad about that... Perhaps he could come with you? No. That was out of the question. He was a sickly child. He shouldn't have to travel anymore. You wouldn't force him to strain his little body just for your sake.

So you tried to think of a solution for your problems to help Kyogai. Perhaps you could stay for another week to explain to Akaza and Kaigaku about your misunderstandings. Yes. That way Kyogai wouldn't have the burdon of doing that himself. You could also explain it to Rui that you weren't his mother and that he wouldn't be able to stay with you but he didn't seem to understand.

"You are my mother. You do everything a mother does." Or he'd say things like- "That's ok. When I feel better, I can go with you! May I have more food now?"

And he'd still cling to you, holding your hand and refused to be put back in Mayla's care. He nearly bit the servant trying to take him to here kicking and screaming until Kyogai allowed him to stay with you for now. Even at this moment he was huddled up leaning against yourself listening to you telling him stories Kyogai wrote when it happened. A servant approached the door before sliding it open making everything look up at her, she bowed and addressed Kyogai.

"My Lord, my apologies for interrupting you but you have a visitor."

He rose a brow. "Has Kaigaku returned early from training?"

"No, Sir. Lord Enmu has arrived to see you."

That made his brows shoot up very quickly. "Enmu? What's he doing here? He's not due back for another week or so."

"Shall I bring him here?"

"....*sigh* Yes." The feathered quill he was once holding was abandoned as he stood up. Any good mood he had souring immediately. "But make sure he keeps both hands attached to him this time! "

She disappeared in a flash and deadpanned you turned to Kyogai. "This isn't going to be like last time is it?"

"Definitely not! He knows I won't tolerate another visit of his torment...but perhaps it's good he arrived earlier than expected. That means he was able to examine your blood faster than expected which leads to the conclusion that there shouldn't be anything wrong with you."

"Couldn't he just save everyone the trouble of coming here and just call you to let you know?"

"Yes, and that is what worries me."

This interested and worried you slightly to the point you closed the book you were reading to Rui's whining not to stop reading to pay attention to the doorway that was still open. Sure enough, five minutes later footsteps approached and a second later two figures appeared in the doorway. One was the servant, and the other-

"Hmm. It looks as if we have met again, Sweet Human.~"

Aaaaannd here we go again.

In a deadpanned tone and look, you stared up at the man. "Hello, Mr. Enmu. Has your hand recovered from it's beating?"

Enmu blinked in surprise for a moment at your statement before just smiling again. "Naturally! In truth I've been healed for quite some time! But enough about me!" He was quick to step in past Kyogai and you noticed that he had the same suitcase he had with him the last time he visited. The man was quick to sit on his knees in front of you with a wide smile that ... seemed a bit too interested in you. "So how has my dear patient been? Have you been experiencing anymore pain from the tibia bone?"

You supposed he meant your ankle. "No. It stopped hurting a few days after your visit."

He looked surprised again but still held that smile. "How very interesting. You seem to be recovering fast for a human. I don't suppose you're able to walk now too?"

"Yes. I've been walking around for a while now actually."

"Have you been experiencing any difficulties walking or experiencing any limps? Bone cracking unintentionally or any weird feeling in your ankle?~"

"No. I've been fine. How about we talk about my blood?"

"Ah. Straight to the gorey bits I see.~ Hmhmhn.~" he held up a hand and pulled his bag in front of him, with one hand he clicked it open. "As a doctor I'm at liberty to do a full physical first to be sure everything has gone accordingly. Now may I see the ankle that was injured? I promise it'll be quick and simple.~"

You scowled...but relented with a groan pushing your leg out. "Fine. But you better keep your hands where I see them or I'll kick your face off!"

Nagi looked at you horrified suddenly as you blatantly threatened a LORD no less, and Enmu also seem taken aback a bit but soon smiled again. "Fiesty! I like that in my patients! Don't you worry. I have no intention of games today. I have more... urgent orders from someone."

You weren't sure what he meant by that but you just wanted to get this over with. So you took off your boot to allow Enmu to prod and poke the flesh like he had done last time he visited before nodding and telling you that your leg had been completely healed. Well that was a good thing. But then he insisted on wrapping a firm hand around your wrist. Which caught you off guard.

"And why would you need to do that?," Kyogai asked suspiciously. He had been leaning over Enmu's smaller form watching carefully the entire time he had been here.

"I want to check her heart rate and blood pressure! I can't do that if I can't feel a pulse point. Now please. I'm only doing what I must."

You just allowed him to squeeze your wrist to stop any fights from breaking out. After three minutes of that he moved on to want to see your throat, and wanted to feel how your lungs expanded which he could only do if you stood up and let him hold your ribs as you breathed. Kyogai now looked about ready to commit murder but he didn't say anything as you allowed him to take measurements of your lungs. After which he nodded and thankfully pulled his hands back to himself but then...Looked you over with a hum as a hand grabbed his chin. For once looking not smug but genuinely thinking. He then had you walk back and forth across the room in order to see how well you could walk. All the while asking numerous questions.

"Have you been eating a balanced diet of food?" Yes. "Have you been getting plenty of sleep?" Yes unless Kaugaku was around. "Do you feel any pain anywhere?" Other than being annoyed by this? No. "Have your emotional state been good lately?" You had mentioned you'd been stressed these last few days but he seemed disinterested in that. "Have you been keeping up your hygiene? You're not letting old perfume remain on your body by chance are you?"

You ended up staring at him..before frowning. "No! I don't even where perfume!"

Again he looked surprised then genuinely confused. "Really? Do you drink perfume by chance? Or maybe eat something containing flowers? Or maybe your sleep close to flower scented incense?"

"No to all of those things." You rose a brow. "What's your obsession with asking about scents?"

Enmu didn't answer at first before shrugging and smiling. "I guess the cat's out of the he bag as they say. You caught me." He smiled wider. "The reason I'm asking is because Ive discovered something quite unusual about your blood.~"

You froze you a long moment... before raising a brow. "And .. what exactly is that?"

"To put it bluntly, your blood heavily smells of flowers."

There was silence for a long moment.

"...What?"

"You heard me. Your blood smells exactly like flowers. It hit me like a punch to the face when I tried to first examine it. I couldn't stop coughing. Which is why I asked you so many questions."

"...Well is there anything wrong?"

"Oh absolutely not. I found nothing bad within the sample I had, other than the powerful oder, but it made me wonder what is causing it. You're perfectly healthy so I'm also sure it's not anything concerning your health..At least not yet. I admit the reason Im here is because I wanted another blood sample. You could be infected with plant toxins from the demon who first fractured your leg."

Realization hit you like a ton of bricks. "Wait...YOU MEAN I HAVE TO STAY HERE LONGER?!"

"Just until I double-check to make sure it's indeed not anything that could harm you."

"Do you really need another blood sample?"

"I would've just examined the corpse of the demon who hurt you to see if he contained the toxins, but unfortunately Kyogai had all his victims burnt to nothing but dust." Behind him Kyogai gave a blink before looking off slightly guiltily. "Now then." He hummed as he reached into his open bag and leaned back up pulling a glass vile with a cork top from the small bag like last time. "Would you please allow me to gain another sample from you?~ I promise you the wait will be worth it all."

You instantly deflated arms flopping to your sides. You'd have to stay here? For LONGER!? You were going to go CRAZY AT THIS POINT!! YOU COULDN'T JUST SIT AROUND IN THE SAME ROOM FOREVER AND EVER?! ...But maybe this could be a good thing. It'd give you a chance to settle your problems, even if it meant staying for a little while longer. There was o getting around this anyways was there? No. No there wasn't. So with a sigh, you just held out your hand-

"Ow!"

And immediately jumped when a quick and sharp pain went off from a sharp nail belonging to Enmu pricked the tip of your index finger, and blood came from the small paper cut like cut. Enmu paid no mind to your frown as he just hummed and went a out his business, pulling the cork and pressing the vile too your finger. Again red filled the side of the glass but he seemed to be taking his time. Collect more than last time until you pulled your hand away from him.

"There we go. That sho-"

"Lord Kyogai." You all were interrupted as a servant called from the doorway. She bowed as Kyogai turned to look at her. "I'm sorry to bother you but Lord Akaza is here to see you."

Silence again.

"...What?!"

"He wants to talk to you in person. Now. If you don't come he said he'll drag you outside himself."

"What?! I-..." He looked back between you and Enmu as he smiled at him. "He can't wait?!"

"Just go Kyogai." You waved him off defeatedly. "I'll be fine. I won't have Akaza start another fight. I'll be fine. I can take care of myself."

Kyogai looked like he wanted to object..but snarled like a dog at Enmu after a second. It was such a 180 turn from him it had you jumping. "Fine. But if I find out you did something, I swear you'll regret it."

"Yes I agree. I only want to ask a few more questions anyway then I'm leaving. I only came here for one purpose and I've nearly finished that."

He growled again but turned to leave and stomped his way out. He'd be right back anyways. Once Akaza heard Enmu was here...All hell might break loose. And for once he didn't mind the thought of that. As soon as Kyogai left the room Enmu looked at you. Once Kyogai's footsteps faded away he spoke.

"You know you have a strange scent about your blood to me."

You jumped in surprise at Enmu suddenly speaking and blinked. "W-What?"

"Your blood," he said putting the cork back in the vile giving it an interested look. "It smells just like a specific flower to me. In fact...It smells just like the same flower when I first took a sample from you."

"..Oh. And what flower is that?" You rose a skeptical brow.

" Begonias." He smiled wider as you looked surprised. "Which is interesting I since it's the only thing I smell from you. Your blood doesn't even smell like blood." He lightly shook the vile as if to make s point. "No coppery fibers or human essence. Just ripe Begonias...Hmhm. which is fitting since begonias are a universal symbol of warning or caution. Which many seem to think of me."

"The flower also means 'deep thinking'." He looked back to you with a hum as you pointed. "Which could be taken as an insult, but it describes you pretty well."

"Oh!" Enmu's smile wider looking you over before taking a step closer. "And why would you say that about me?~"

"Because you're always looking like you're thinking about something. Even if someone's talking to you, you're thinking about something else, but you're able to also pay attention to whatever is being said to you. Like earlier. I don't think I've seen someone with a mind that can multitask like that." Purple eyes blinked when suddenly was in front of you, and you leaned back as he hummed again interested.

"You know... I've never had someone say something that nice about me before. I'm flattered someone would take notice.~"

Your body tensed when a hand brushed against your side as he smiled. Your pupils dilated. Hands balling into fists. He hummed. Well, well. The black of her pupils now resembled a snake's. How intriguing. Well he guessed he had his answer for his mast- ?! You know it's funny how someones brain couldn't register things when it happened so fast. Because one moment he was standing in front of her, and then the next he found himself back slammed against the wall and there she was above him staring down with so much venom that he could've evaporated into dust then and there. And for once...he was stunned. A firm arm was pressed to the front of his body keeping him pinned back to the wall, another hand gripping the front of his coat, and a hiss escaping a woman's throat.

"Don't. Touch. Me. Don't you EVER do something like that around me. You may be the one helping me but that doesn't mean you have any right to thank. I am not tolerate of that. If you EVER do that again I will rip your hands off before shoving them down your throat and watch you try to speak with your wind pipe clogged by the same filthy hands that caused that problem."

He stood there wide eyed as a WOMAN stood there threatening him. ..No woman had EVER dared to threaten him before let alone physically shove him around. Especially one a foot smaller than himself.

...BU- .... BU-BUMP-

A shaky exhale escaped his lungs and a shiver coursed through his body. "R-Really?~ D-D-Do you promise?~"

earth was a beautiful "Don't push it! You're an insufferable pervert who thinks that you can get away with these disgusting things. I swear I'll rip your whole arm off if you... don't..."

Purple eyes blinked the more he shook and smiled.

"....Why are you blushing?"

"Y-Y-Y/n-chaaaann.~" He shook red faced as you stared at him blankly. His hands suddenly reaching up to hold your hands. "P-Please threaten me again.~ You're beautiful so fierce.~ I think I love you.~"

BU-BUMP BU-BUMP BU-BUMP

...Rui stood up.

"I am glad you understand that this was just a misunderstanding."

Two tall and heavy set demons walked down the hallway quickly back towards the study, many servants bowing and scurrying out out there way. Kyogai was thankful that he was able to speak with Akaza and explain the entire situation to him. Akaza seemed surprised and... disappointed but he was an understanding demon, especially concerning matters involving women. However there was still one problem he had on his hands-

"That still doesn't change how I feel about her." Akaza didn't even look back at Kyogai as he quickened his pace. "I want to speak with her more, and if she understands now..." He swallowed as he walked. "I w-want to see if she'll have me."

Something akin to rage bubbled up from Kyogai's guts but held it down in order to keep things civil. They turned and was approaching the study now. "Well whatever happens, I'm sure she'll understand."

"I see. Is there any more problems I should know about-"

SLAM!

They stopped when suddenly the door to the study flew open and something flew out with such force that it left a crack in one of Kyogai's walls as it hit it before dropping to the floor.

"HMPH!!! DH TEOWM MHWA OG!!" Enmu shouted out squirming on the ground where he was bound, tied up head to toe in what looked like white silk threads.

Rui stared dangerously from the doorway, tossing out the small suitcase he came with. "Stay out. Or I'll simply make you regret coming back."

The door was slammed back shut.

...... Kyogai looked at Akaza.

"Well...there might be two others."

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miss0atae · 9 months

Text

The Jungle - 10th Episode Review

We are in episode 10 and I had just as much fun today as I had yesterday.

So we first get again this little spinet of wildlife documentary where we learn that flamingos are a symbol of love because they are honest, loyal and faithful with their mate. Wow it's not very promising for you Florence because you are the flamingo of this series. It's going to be hard to make Nathee become your mate. Back to Pine who almost saw Hack with Irin but Hunter came to save the day. He had to clean the restroom. What is this excuse?! Hack and Irin of course stop kissing when they hear them talking. She leaves first and Hunter saw her. She gives him bullshit excuse to explain why she is here but that’s not necessary because he knows the truth! Hunter is the master of this place so nothing gets past him. Hack is not happy because of his meddling. Again Hunter is being the therapist of everyone here.

In the next scene we are at Nathee’s workplace and he is still sleeping. If he was going less to the RV and sleeps more maybe he wouldn’t need have a nap! Florence don't understand him and we neither can. So we also learn that she does really work in this company. She is not only the daughter of the owner. Cool! She create an excuse for Nathee to talk to her at work. He is an IT support worker at the company. She is not subtle checking him out while he has to repair her computer. She is also aggressively flirting with him. Long stares and everything. He definitely knows what she wants. Omg she thought he would do what? He is just going to plug her computer back. Sis you're dreaming! She must get laid quickly xD. I really like her character. She is confident and knows what she wants. It is refreshing.

Irin is with her sister. I forgot that HHack's real name is Tul. I'll keep calling him Hack because it's easier. Well, Baby Sister has a meeting with him. Remember he was her law professor. Why is Irin telling her sister to avoid Hack? He wouldn't be stupid enough to flirt with his students. That would be a very dumb move for any person who is teaching. He may be a playboy but he is supposed to know what to do. Plus he clearly said he wanted Irin... Not her sister. Irin doesn't know what she wants. Take some notes from your friend Florence.

At the next scene we are in the RV where Florence is talking to Irin and Hunter, complaining that Hunter/Nathee is being picky and not seduced by her. Poor Florence she can’t get him. Again we learn that he hates rich people. We knew that already. Why should she be punished for being born rich? She is also working. When Irin asks her why she wants him so badly we get a new flashback from her schooldays. One thing I noticed is that the teachers are so mean to them for no reasons. Florence arrived late in class and the teacher shamed her in front of everyone. This is really crazy because they are teenagers. What the teacher is doing is just going to create insecurities. So because she has a driver she can't be late? This is dumb reasoning. They may get piano lessons in this universe at school but the teachers don't learn to be empathetic. Sorry it really annoys me. Florence has period cramps and that's why she was late. The teacher is a woman she should know better (and even if it was a man, he should know too). In addition, she forgot her book. Nathee saw everything and gave her his, preventing her from another humiliation and basically it explains why she felt for him. However, now she just wanst him for sex. She explains that she had a crush on him and that it should make the sex better. Irin says she could love him more after and she is not wrong but I’m not sure Florence really thought about that. Hunter, still being here, gives her the magic drink again. I don’t know why he calls it this way, does it have aphrodisiac in it? At the same time, Nathee is punishing a bad guy again and Florence is loving it. She really has it hard for him.

She goes to find him and he still rejects her. She is so extra. She wanted several nights with him at first but she is willing to settle for just one night. This girl is so funny! I love her. He has trouble following her because he wasn't expecting that. While they are talking the bad guy is trying to escape. Hunter weren't you next to him two minutes ago? Where did you go? Nathee really doesn't want to be with her. The bad guy escapes and runs after Florence but she is not another damsel in distress and she saved herself. She has moves. She knows how to defend herself. My favorite girl among all the group. Yes I'm raving about her but truly I love this actress and her character. She is just disappointed that she ruined her skirt by saving herself Nathee asks her how she could do what she did and it’s because she did some judo. She really wants him. She is so funny. They should have introduced her before because she makes the show much more entertaining. Hunter is also having fun in the back watching them. We learn that Nathee’s mom died of cancer and of course our sweet girl is compassionate. They have a deep conversation about money and goals in life but he rejects her ideas just because she has money. She is so much better than him... He clearly doesn't deserve her. She tries again to have a one night with him but faced another rejection before he leave.

In the next scene we find again Irin’s baby sister still crushing after her teacher... Basically her sister’ lover too. Don't fancy your teacher! Seriously it's not worth it. He helps her after she strained her ankle and of course Irin caught them at this moment. It’s goind to be a repeated action trhough this episode. Irin and Hack have their misunderstanding number 10000 and they even get Naam as a witness their umpteenth argument. Hack is disappointed about her reaction and the sister saw them. The sisters are in Irin’s car and they are talking about Hack. Irin wants to prevent them to get closer but I think it’s a lost cause.

We leave them to find the Jungle again with only Nathee, Phethai, Naanfah and Hack. Naannam is not here because he is with his girlfriend and Pine is again nowhere to be found. Hack complains about those with girlfriend but it only shows that he is freaking jealous. He would also prefer to be with a girlfriend. Stop pretending you don't! Nathee suddenly stops walking and everyone can see that Florence is sitting at their place. This girl! She is so proactive. He is so down with her. At the same time Naannam saw a girl trying to come in and It's Irin's baby sister. I already can’t stand her anymore. She is getting on my nerves. But anyway we don’t care about those two because we get back to poor Florence. She chose the only one who doesn't want her. She introduce herself to the rest of the group. Everyone feels the tension between her and Nathee. My baby Naanfah is the only one who tries something. They all suggests to play a game. Hack propose a strip bottle game but Nathee is not ready for that. They finally settle for Truth of dare which is not better. Florence is bold. The bottle stops in front of Nathee and she doesn't shy away and asks him what she has to do to have him. Naanfah tries again to help but it's not working with Florence. Since Nathee refuse to answer she asks him to take one piece of his clothes off. Again Naanfah has the best reaction. Nathee takes off his jacket and again she stares hungrily at him.

Can we skip all the scenes between Irin and any character who is not Florence? Because they are so boring. Even Pladao and her idiocy wasn't boring me that much. Pine came to see her and she thought at first that it was Hack. The atmosphere is always so depressing when these two are in the same room. I read somewhere on Tumblr that Off played the boyfriend with all the actresses who are in this series in others shows. I found that funny. Sigh! Their conversation is so boring. They don't even feel like good friends. Girl need a real therapist. Go find Hunter he is doing it as a side job. Back to the funny place where Nathee is losing most of his clothes because the bottle lands on him all the time and he apparently gets the same dare each time. The others have fun. This time, the bottle lands on Florence and she chose to get a dare. Hack dares her to kiss Nathee for one min. It's not a dare! She freaking loves this idea. Nathee is not really thrilled. But… What happened Why did she faint? It was just starting to get interesting. This show never delivers. The boys are panicking. Hack received a text message to go to the jungle room and Irin is there waiting for him. She is drunk and wants to have sex with him but he doesn't want. She hasn't forgotten Pine and wants him to help her. Babt sister witnesses them with Naannam. How to break the heart of two people, a book written by Irin.

In the next scene Florence is at work not feeling well but she received a ginger tea from Nathee. Sweet! He arrives at the meeting and they just exchange glances instead of working. Florence is trying to defend the IT idea in front of her father. Nathee is flirting with her in front of her father, isn’t it? Am I imagining things? Florence’s father is stupid enough not to invest in something reasonable and Nathee is disappointed because Florence hasn't pushed more the idea. Again the father is treating her daughter like a child. This man can't be successful at business with this mentality. He is still pushing his daughter to go to his matchmaking meeting. By the way, Nathee and Florence are really flirting.

We also get a small scene between Irin and her baby sister when where she just gives her the cold shoulder. No one care so back to the real couple of this episode. Nathee and Florence are talking again. She explains she can't choose what she wants and she understands in some ways that her father acts this way because he loves her. His love is a bit toxic if you ask me. Nathee asks her why did she go to RV and she answers that she wants new experiences. Nathee thinks she is not happy with her current life. He gave her the password for tonight but she said she can't come. He is a bit manipulative with her because she explains her reasons for not coming but he knows she also wants him. I have one question, why is Naam helping the little sister? Don't you have a girlfriend to take care of? He is becomming the most annoying between the twins. I called him Nice Naam before but I totally changed my mind. His new name is Annoying Naam now. At least he doesn"t support her idea. He just opens the door for her.

Florence is getting bored at her date. She is not into this guy. Why can't he sees it? Besides he is a parasite of the society who thinks money solve everything. Clearly he is not meant for her. The father can't choose them. He should give up. She leaves to go to the RV. Hack sees the little sister and he is shocked. Coincidence, my foot. You knew! Okay baby sister is rebelling because she wants to bang her teacher. He doesn't want you! Hack is clearly uncomfortable. Obviously there would be no drama if Irin didn’t come. It is going to be crazy. She thinks Hack has booked the room for her and him but he is already in it with Baby sister who wants to get a piece of him. Even though he is not interested, she doesn't give a shit. Baby sister is dumb! He said no! Don't you understand the concept of consent? Of course Irin sees them and she is clearly annoyed. She doesn't listen to Hack because yes she has a bad opinion of him and prefers to imagine the worst instead of listening to him. At the bar, Naannam and Nathee are talking about Irin and Hack because they both know but they don't reveal their names and Phethai is between them clearly not following. Florence also is here and wants the room to have a sexy time with Nathee.

In another place in the bar, Baby sister and Irin have a fight about Hack. Baby sister is clearly the jealous one but is trying to manipulate Irin by making her thinks she is the one jealous of her. I don't like Baby sister. Irin is upset and her first answer to everything is slapping the other one. It's her secret signature move. Baby sister is so ungrateful for everything. I can't.

Finally the series end with Hack and Pine on the roof and Hack just reveals to Pine that he slept with Irin. What is going to happen? The answer in the next episode, next week. I saw the preview and I don't understand why Phethai was fighting with Nathee? But on the other hand, Naanam is saying the real truth of this entire series: the Jungle has to much secrets and it’s so weird that they are supposed to be friends! I also feel like Pine is becoming a side character at this point.

#thai series #gmmtv series #the jungle the series #my review #My favorite characters are Naanfah and Florence at this point

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softquietsteadylove · 1 year

Note

Maybe this has a new AU potential? :)

Photographer Gil and Model Thena. But it’s Thena who falls in love first!

Gil is the best photographer and very popular so Thenas agency got lucky and managed to book an photoshooting for 2 days!

I really enjoy your work so a big thank you! ❤️

Thena flipped her hair in the other direction as the flashes continued to bombard and surround her. She angled this way, angled that, pursed her lips, lidded her eyes slightly--everything they always asked of her.

"That's perfect, Thena," the photographer - not even clicking the shutter, just letting it roll - drawled at her. His praise was as empty as her interest in this shoot. "You're doing amazing, sweetie."

"Ahhh, I've seen you do better."

Thena's eyes sparked at the increasingly familiar voice. She had only worked with him a few times by this point, but she had to admit that he was at least better than the hack currently at the helm. "This is a closed set, you know."

"I do know," he walked forward, out of the shadows and towards the blinding lights focused on her. "I'm taking over."

Thena just barely bit back her excitement at that.

"That may be, but we're not exactly done here," the current photographer stated, pulling his camera - and the photos he'd taken thus far - into him defensively.

"Oh, I think you are," Gilgamesh shrugged his stupidly wide shoulders as he dropped off his own camera bag. "You're doing her an injustice--is what you're doing. If I saw these proofs I'd ask for my money back, man."

"Excuse m-?!"

"Come on," he rolled his eyes as he started adjusting his lens and settings. He waved vaguely at the current set up, "you're washing her out, you spent no time thinking about how to light her properly, you're not even showcasing the product well."

"She is the product!"

"She's not for sale," Gilgamesh snapped back at the other photographer. "She may be the canvas, but you're doing a terrible job as the artist, so beat it."

Thena dropped her arms to her sides, letting her hair fall as it pleased around her shoulders. She was stiff from holding herself in the same three poses for the last hour. The previous photographer left in a huff, barely packing up the equipment he'd brought with him. If he hadn't been so boring and annoying, maybe she would feel bad.

Gilgamesh tilted his head at her as he walked into the lit space to move things around. "You've had a fun morning, huh?"

Thena shrugged, watching as he picked up entire light stands - sandbags and all - and moved them back. At least she wouldn't be roasting alive anymore. "Not everyone has your charm, Gil. He's just doing what's familiar to him, which is taking pictures of stationary objects."

Gil paused in his rearranging to give her a grin, "you think I'm charming?"

Thena paused just a second in their banter. One agonising second. "I said you had charm, not that it worked on me."

"Sure thing," he chuckled, opening up the barn doors on a few of the stronger lights to spread out their spill. "And that's his own fault if he's going to lie on his portfolio. Product photography doesn't mean you're ready for model stuff, even if you do take your friends' instagram pics."

Thena was happy to watch him work, adjusting the dress - one of many she would be wearing over the span of the weekend - spilling around her. "I have no problem being a stationary object if it means I get to sit down."

Gil found it funny that she often suggested she was lazy, even though she was one of the most booked models in their line of work. He would know; he was also highly sought after. "Thena."

She looked at him, although the way he was looking at her made her want to look away again. She was a model--she was used to being looked at. It was her job to be beautiful, and to be admired for that beauty. But something about Gilgamesh was different.

"You are not an object," he said softly, and in a way that was more honest than anything her co-workers could ever even attempt. He walked over to her again, sorting out some of her tousled hair, "stationary or not."

He stepped back to his camera, but that gave her the opportunity to try not to look flustered.

He sat down and pulled his camera into his lap, although not up to his eye. Gil preferred a very natural method of capturing his photos. Whether she had meant to say it or not, he was charming, and he was good at using that to encourage his subjects into a more relaxed rhythm.

"What have you been up to?" Thena began, having learned since her first few times working with Gil that he always started off his shoots with some light and easy conversation. She had fought it tooth and nail the first time, but there was something so personable about him.

"Mm, a lot of company work," he mumbled as he clicked through his camera settings, looking up at her and down again repeatedly. "Some food shoots."

"Do you get to eat the food?"

"No, a lot of it is faked to make it actually look good."

"That seems like a rip off."

Gil laughed, and damn if it didn't make her want to laugh too. It was so infectious.

Thena smiled. "I saw the stuff you did for Vanity. It was good."

"You think so?" he grinned, snapping a picture in the middle of their conversation.

She nodded. She was still just sitting the way she naturally would, folded up slightly over herself, legs crossed and hunching her shoulders. But he hadn't corrected her posture yet.

"It was kinda boring, though," he lamented, snapping another picture.

"Oh?"

He shrugged, stretching his legs out in front of him. "They're not as fun to talk to."

"As fun as...?" Thena lifted a carefully shaped eyebrow at him.

"As you."

"Lying to my face?"

"No lie," he denied, sitting back slightly in the chair next to the unused tripod. "I think our talks are fun."

"I feel a little puppeted when you say it like that," she murmured, looking down at her neutral painted toenails stretched out in front of her.

"Not a puppet," he laughed as he snapped another picture. "Maybe like a doll?--or one of those birds that can talk?"

Thena's jaw dropped at the playful jab, although she was undeniably smiling (it was pretty funny, she could admit). "I could demand a new photographer."

"I don't think so, they're paying me top dollar for the whole weekend," Gil grinned at her as he switched tactics, attaching his camera to the tripod and setting its auto timer. "You're stuck with me."

"Stuck with a photographer who thinks of me as a parrot?" Thena gave him another unimpressed glance as she stood as well, brushing the dress off and sorting out its layered and breezy skirts. She barely noticed the camera taking pictures at its timed intervals.

"A pretty one." Thena laughed at the lazy amendment. "There it is!"

"What?" she looked at him past the lights, tucking back one side of her hair, the way she liked.

"You have a great laugh," Gil said more gently, under the room's AC and the hum of the massive lights and the snap of his lens. He leaned to look at some of the pictures he was taking passively. "You can really feel it through the lens."

Thena rolled her eyes briefly. Gil never directed her on how to pose or stand or move in these shoots, leaving her somewhat idle. "Well, that is certainly part of the job--for people to feel my laugh?"

"It's my job, actually," he corrected her liberally, enjoying the way she looked annoyed with him for just a second. "I may be taking some pictures of a dress, but the actual point of photography is to capture the feeling of a moment. The vibe, or emotion, or whatever is happening in that split second."

"Poetic," she murmured, walking around the simple stand on which she had been seated before. If Gil wasn't going to tell her what to do then she would just pace around until he did.

"My job is capture the subject at its best, right?" he continued, even moving into the space to remove the stupid wooden block. "And I think your best is when you're relaxed, maybe even having a little fun?"

She had a regretful amount of fun when she was with him. It made the rest of her work grating and tiresome in his absence. "I thought you said I wasn't an object."

"You're not an object, or the product," he said softly, finally moving to direct her or position her or something. "But you are the subject. I don't think it would matter if you weren't; no one would be able to look at anything else anyway."

Thena kept her eyes on him as he held out his hand, letting her guide herself to him. He moved her gently, as if her were leading her in a dance. He watched the lights and shadows, testing where was the best position for them--for her.

Gil scrunched his mouth just a little, "they don't need to put this much makeup on you."

Thena shrugged, "part of the job."

Gil finally found the spot where he wanted her, somewhat at an angle to the camera, but not exactly in profile either. "The next dress has a totally different vibe to it. I'll tell them to give you the 'no makeup' look."

Which of course, still required makeup, just that it look like she didn't have any.

Thena's hand slipped out of his slowly, their fingers clinging to each other. She pulled her hand back to herself slowly until she could fold her hands together again. "Here?"

He shrugged, going back to the display screen on his camera. "It's not like you have a bad side."

Her smile grew again. "The dress might."

"I don't even like this dress."

Thena's laugh bubbled out of her before she could stop it. She looked somewhat over her shoulder at him again, "what?"

"Yeah, it's-" Gil waved his fingers in the air, "I dunno--silly."

She raised both brows at him, "it's silly?"

"No regular person would wear this," he gestured towards her.

"What's wrong with it?"

"It's impractical!"

"It's a dress!"

"Would you wear it?"

Thena pursed her lips; he had her there. "Maybe not in the everyday."

"The dress looks like it's half of one dress and then they forgot to make the bottom half," Gil moved his hands to gesture accordingly, making her laugh more. "And then they went, 'oh, we forgot, just take one square of all these other dresses and add them on the bottom' and that was that."

Thena dabbed at the corners of her eyes to make sure her makeup was undisturbed. She shook her head at him, "you're terrible."

"Better than that dress."

"Is that why you're photographing the back of it?" she asked back at him again until finally he nodded her back over to him. She fluffed the breezy fabric around her as she walked. He was right, it did look like a strip of the dress was missing and had been filled in with whatever curtains they had lying around.

"It's a 3/4 at most," he brushed off, clicking through his gallery to show her the photo on which he had decided. "This is the one."

It was a beautiful photo. It showcased the dress' best features while underplaying the odd structure of it. And she looked...she looked like she had never been happier.

"Well?" he looked at her almost eagerly, "what do you think?"

Thena found herself nearly nose to nose with him before taking a long step back. She tucked her hair back again, "I'm not the client, nor the one who hired you. I don't think it matters."

Gil shrugged blithely, uncaring of her dismissal. "It's a picture of you, I want to know what you think."

Thena sighed. It was a beautiful photo. The photograph made her feel beautiful. And he was right--she could practically hear her laughter in picture. She looked down at the dress as she smoothed down the bodice, "it's a lovely photograph, Gilgamesh."

"The first of many," he promised as he set aside his camera and stretched. He had achieved in twenty minutes what Tony hadn't been able to do in an hour straight of nonstop clicking. "I'm hungry--you?"

"Starved."

"I guess that's a given," Gil said mostly to himself, although Thena still heard him and slapped him on the arm for it. "Delivery lunch?"

"Anything," she let out in a sigh, her posture sagging again. She wandered out from under the lights. Once she didn't have actual thousands upon thousands of watts aimed at her it was a little chilly in the air conditioned loft space.

Gil laid her robe over her bare shoulders gently, "you get comfortable. We'll break for lunch and try the second dress on when hair and makeup comes in for the afternoon."

Thena could have thanked him, but he was already wandering to the other end of the open space, scrolling through various delivery apps for options.

#Thenamesh AU #I loved this prompt #I thought it was super cute #And do I know anything about what modelling is like? no #but I did work a little bit with film #and the point of both of those mediums to convey something #and I think Gil got one (1) picture of Thena's laugh #and decided then and there that he had never captured anything so beautiful #and now every picture that's not her is just okay in his opinion #he does the work pays his bills #but the agency invites him to work with her after their last shoot #very successful btw #and he jumps at the chance #like books a plane ticket before they've even written him back jumps #Thenamesh Photographer AU

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landofzero-archive · 1 year

Text

Nagisa Ran - Eternal Journey Chapter 2

Writer: Umeda Chitose

Season: Winter

(Location: Book room)

(That night)

Nagisa: (…… I’ve been staring at the designs Ibara gave me for so long, but…

…… This is difficult. I don’t understand the feeling of having a “Eureka moment,” as I’ve heard it referred to.

…… Although I’ve gotten more involved in Eden’s activities, I don’t know much when it comes to outfits.

…… I thought that by filling that gap I may be able to gain some sort of understanding, so I took to books and texts for answers.

…… But I can’t find a particular reason to say I like this one. I’m unable to find a basis for my feelings.)

…… Ibara put the design in a place where it would be the first one I see, so I suppose design A was also his preferred choice. I wonder why everyone preferred design A?

…… Perhaps it’s because they all have an image or ideal of what they want to see me wear and what appearance they want me to take on?

…… Then it seems everyone has an ideal for myself, except for me?

………

(…… I wonder if it’s better to decipher why everyone liked design A instead of choosing which costume I like.

…… Perhaps through everyone’s ideals I can better understand who I am as an idol.)

Ibara: …… Pardon me.

Nagisa: …… Ibara? What’s wrong? It’s already so late.

Ibara: I was searching for you, Your Excellency. I heard you were considering the exclusive outfits again so I wanted to hand you the updated designs for your consideration.

However, seeing the books piled high and the designs spread out on the table, I can’t help but notice His Excellency seems to be having difficulty.

If you have any concerns regarding the outfits, I can take the time and explain the reasoning for each detail and addition.

Nagisa: Fufu, I’m curious but now doesn’t seem to be the time for it. I’m pondering the reason for why everyone preferred design A.

…… Because you all think it’s the best, then that would mean it’s the design that suits me best, right?

…… However, I’m unable to understand the ideal everyone sees in this outfit. If I can sort the reason out, then perhaps it would deepen my understanding of myself.

…… Ibara wished to proceed with design A as well. Why?

Ibara: So you noticed… Well, the answer is quite simple.

Of course, any design should align with His Excellency’s image, drawing out your unique presence and charm.

However, I decided and worked on the concept for design A first, so I feel a greater fondness towards it than the other designs.

Nagisa: …… Fondness?

Ibara: In simple words, I prefer it.

With the revisions from his Highness, as well as some from myself, the design is better than before.

Please consider the improved design in your deliberation!

Nagisa: …… Of course, thank you.

(…… Hm. It’s more eye-catching than before.

…… It feels strange to be asked what I wish to wear when I stand on stage, but...

…… I like this design.)

Hiyori: Ahh~! So you two were here!

Jun: Hey, it’s the middle of the night so please quiet down.

Ibara: What’s wrong, both of you?

Hiyori: There’s nothing to do about it. Since Nagisa was considering his exclusive outfit I wanted to be right there to consult with him!

It’s such a shame Ibara beat me to it first…… Hmm?

What Nagisa-kun is looking at is… a little different from design A, correct? With my suggestions reflected in it, it’s looking so much better……♪

Jun: Ibara really is a fast worker isn’t he~. It feels like Nagi-senpai’s tough presence has increased.

Nagisa: …… Do you both like the design?

Hiyori: Yep♪ Has Nagisa-kun decided on this design too?

Nagisa: …… Just now, I honestly felt like this is the outfit I prefer the most.

…… I want to stand on stage with everyone in the exclusive outfit that you all picked for me. I’m sure that’s the “me” that I’d be most happy with.

…… No matter which costume I pick, the idol who stands on the stage will be me.

…… After all, the costume that suits and is befitting of me is different for each stage.

…… I wanted to explore my appearance, embodied by donning this exclusive outfit, on stage. Like an idol would.

Hiyori: Great, I completely agree!

Unlike when you visit ruins or geological strata, we all stand together on stage.

Nagisa: ………!

Hiyori: Whatever it is you’re after, we’ll help you find it together, Nagisa-kun.

Jun: I’ll join you on your quest too, Nagi-senpai~. We’re going to make your exclusive outfit event into a real blowout, right?

Ibara: Yes, we’ve secured quite the generous budget. I’ve waited quite some time, you know~, for this victory and business opportunity!

Now that that’s settled, please contact Anzu-san at dawn—

Nagisa: …… There it is.

Ibara: ? What is it– where did you get that from?

Nagisa: …… From my pocket. Ibara, hold out your hand.

Ibara: My hand……? Alright.

Nagisa: …… When I heard Hiyori-kun’s words–ruins and strata– something finally “clicked” in me. I want to entrust this stone to you, Ibara.

Ibara: It’s heavier than it looks. What is the name of the stone?

Nagisa: …… It’s just a nameless stone that I excavated from some ancient strata.

…… Could you incorporate this stone into my exclusive outfit? This time, I’ll leave it up to you on how to incorporate it.

Ibara: Understood! If it’s His Excellency’s wish, then this Saegusa Ibara will definitely live up to your expectations……☆

Jun: It’s rough, but it’s a pretty rock. Why do you want it in your exclusive outfit, Nagi-senpai?

Nagisa: …… The reason I went to the ruins was so I could learn about things I had yet to gain knowledge of.

…… By coming in contact with the unsolved mysteries of antiquity there, I hoped to answer the question, “What am I?”

…… So, by taking this stone I found during previous exploration with me as I head into exploration on the stage…

…… I thought I’d be able to pursue my “self” with even stronger resolve……

…… How’s that?

Hiyori: ……… (He holds Nagisa’s hand)

How wonderful! It was already the outfit that Nagisa-kun chose because he liked it, but now even your feelings can be felt through it!

I’m sure…… No– I know it will be an amazing exclusive outfit. Far beyond what we could ever imagine.

Jun: Haha, I’m getting excited too now~♪

When the four of us stand on stage together, even though it’s already done I feel like my outfit will naturally look even better.

Ibara: I’m sure we will feel a sense of completion as the stage comes together, and that it will refine how we view our outfits.

Oh, what kind of strategies will I devise for the unveiling and how will production be conducted? Ah, I can’t wait to begin☆

Nagisa: (…… Now that I’m thinking about it, whether or not there’s an exclusive outfit, I wonder if I would continue exploring on stage.

…… In any case, even more than before I want to stand up on stage in that exclusive outfit. I want to search and discover.

…… This is the first time I’ve felt such excitement in search of self-discovery. Ah, I want to know quickly. About the self that I’ve yet to discover—)

Previous | Directory

#ensemble stars #enstars #enstars translation #nagisa ran #ibara saegusa #hiyori tomoe #jun sazanami #era: !!#type: idol story

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6ad6ro · 3 months

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prob the most obvious statement ever, but you understand that college is just a way to force young adults into years of indentured servitude, just for the "privilege" of being allowed to work, right? the harder it is to get a good job, the more it costs to be able to work there. the easier to obtain jobs pay less, forcing people to fight tooth and nail over the high paying, harder to obtain jobs. forcing more money spent to get into more competitive colleges. to get more pieces of paper that say you're allowed to waste more of your life in order to repay what those pieces of paper originally cost. creating debt so that the victim is hopefully able to pay off that debt.

and big surprise, the government and "society" pushes an agenda where education is "the most important thing". but not just any education, rather one that is "accredited". which isn't education. because none of this has ever been about learning or bettering oneself or helping humanity. it's always been about locking more and more people into the capitalist machine. it's always been about creating new "workers", in the most consistent ways possible.

on top of that, the con is generational. because not only do you need to make enough money to get out of debt, you also need to "start a family" in order to live a "normal" life. which means you need to get out of debt faster. save more money to attempt to offset some of the astronomically higher cost your kids will have to pay to be able to have the same privilege you did to go into (even more) debt. men are told to be "providers" and women are told to be "moms", a system that normalizes having kids. which creates more artificial debt. which enslaves more and more people for longer and longer chunks of their lives. in case you ever wondered why the concept of "only two genders" is pushed so hard by people in power, where will they get their workers if people stop following "normal" gender roles?

we live in a society where art and music degrees are joked about as "worthless". where sports is more important than philosophy. where more and more books get regularly banned for young kids just because they might instil "radical thoughts" (aka perspectives that don't play nice with becoming a loyal worker bee). it was never about bettering ourselves. look at the way this country refused to shut unnecessary labor down even at the risk of propagating covid. money. is more important. than human survival. because money. equals. generational wage slaves.

capitalism cannot exist without wage slavery. the majority of people in this system suffer. and the people at the top live a life of stress and evil, doing everything they can to try and stay ahead of the curve. it's almost impossible to be safe, happy, or fulfilled. everyone loses. it is hell on earth. this is hell on earth. and it will continue until it is stopped dead. blown up. destroyed completely, with no chance of recovering. our suffering will not stop until people like you and i do something about it. if we don't, this hell will burn and burn until there isn't anything left to fuel it. leaving nothing but a charred, dead husk. there is no future if we are unwilling to change.

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grcndmaster · 1 year

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Character Deepdive

NAME: Robin

BODY

height: 152cm

strength ★★★☆☆ (above average, but not wildly so, can use a sword and possesses surprisingly decent martial prowess but he's a nerd at heart)

dexterity ★★☆☆☆ (not a klutz by any means but certainly far from graceful)

health ★★★★☆ (mild past possession doesn't count as an affliction of health, does it?)

energy ★★★☆☆ (can be lazy when he has the free time to be but is a hard worker at his core)

beauty ★★★☆☆ (would describe himself as average)

style ☆☆☆☆☆ (owns one coat. it is not a fashionable coat. he is not getting a second coat)

hygiene ★★★☆☆ (no slob, but does not bathe daily either, oops!)

SKILLS

perception ★★★★★ (literally his job to observe and understand what everyone is doing at all times, often with minimal verbal instruction)

communication ★★★☆☆ (see above--nonverbal commands are part of his role and he's excellent at communicating battle strategies! unfortunately off the battlefield he gets tongue-tied easily and is an embarrassing person to be around when that happens)

persuasion ★★★★☆ (people have a natural inclination toward listening to him! he can sell even overly cautious people on incredibly dangerous plans!)

mediation ★★★☆☆ (nothing to write home about. sometimes gets into the thrill of battle)

literacy ★★★★★ (and with the rich vocabulary to show for it... even if he can be very casual in his manner of speech)

creativity ★★★★★ (creative solutions to difficult problems are kind of his thing! outsmarting enemies via coming up with schemes they wouldn't think to counter)

cooking ★☆☆☆☆ (best he can do is 'edible')

tech savvy ★★★☆☆ (even in a modern au he'd be a little behind... guy who is so smart but clicks a scam link and gets his computer locked energy)

combat ★★★☆☆ (can more than hold his own! is not as good as others)

survival ★★★★☆ (above-average knowledge of how to live off the land, willingness to eat anything no matter how unconventional someone else might find it)

stealth ★★☆☆☆ (hm. no)

street smarts ★★★☆☆ (better than some, worse than others)

seduction ★★★☆☆ (he has a bizarre magnetism to him that entices the right sort of person... but he's not consciously doing anything)

luck ☆☆☆☆☆ (dump stat)

handling animals ★★☆☆☆ (not suited to a mounted class without extensive training)

pacifying children ★★★☆☆ (his kid, sure! other kids? uh, do you want a book to read?)

MIND

intelligence ★★★★★ (explanatory i suppose)

happiness ★★★☆☆ (and he's fought long and hard for this happiness! maybe one day it'll be full but it was worth the effort for what he has)

spirituality ★☆☆☆☆ (believes in naga in a 'yes i have seen literal proof if her existence' way but also has um. complex feelings toward the concept of faith esp. the naga-based ylissean religion at large. ha)

confidence ★★★☆☆ (but he acts much more confident than he is, because you can't convince others of something if it looks like you haven't convinced yourself)

humor ★★★☆☆ (sort of a dry, sarcastic, deadpan flavor)

anxiety ★★★☆☆ (call it 'healthy caution')

patience ★★★☆☆ (no, we do things fast or not at all)

passion ★★★★★ (love his his main motivator! he is passionate about his causes about his friends about his family! it's everything!)

nice ★★★☆☆ mean

brave ★☆☆☆☆ cowardly

pacifist ★★★☆☆ violent

thoughtful ★★☆☆☆ impulsive

agreeable ★★★★☆ contrary

idealistic ★★★☆☆ pragmatic

frugal ★★☆☆☆ big spender

extrovert ★★★★☆ introvert

collected ★★☆☆☆ wild

ambitious / possessive / stubborn / jealous / decisive / perfectionist

SOCIAL

charisma ★★★★☆ (has the kind of drive and soul you want to believe in)

empathy ★★★☆☆ (not very good at putting himself in others' shoes, but open to their viewpoints!)

generosity ★★★☆☆ (more than average, but the needs of his own come first)

wealth ☆☆☆☆☆ (bro they found him in a field with nothing to his name)

honest ★★★☆☆ deceptive (he tries! he really really tries)

leader ★☆☆☆☆ follower (follows only one person's orders, otherwise he gives orders)

polite ★★☆☆☆ rude (annoyingly informal but tries really hard to be polite!)

political ★★★☆☆ indifferent (by necessity)

BELIEFS

higher power ★★☆☆☆ (see above in the spirituality thing... something something 'gods are real but at what cost')

fate/destiny ★☆☆☆☆ (fate, yes, but it can always be changed)

magic ★★★★☆ (yes but it has limits!)

soulmates ★☆☆☆☆ (no, this too is a choice)

good and evil ★★☆☆☆ (but again you can choose! you need to be able to choose or else what point is there to any of this!)

luck ★★☆☆☆ (more so than fate, at least--some things just happen and it's horrible and i'm so sorry)

PRIORITIES

family ★★★★★ (not just blood family--the shepherds are his family too and they are his motivation!)

friends ★★★★★ (ties into the above, there's not a lot of difference between a close friend and a family member to him)

love ★★★★★ (it's all the same! it's all the same and if there's no love then what's the point! he was saved by love!)

home ★★★☆☆ (inasmuch as home is its own thing--a place and not people)

health ★★★☆☆ (tries to keep himself healthy to better help others)

praise ★★☆☆☆ (he doesn't need to hear it... but it can be nice...)

justice ★★★☆☆ (define justice! we can only try)

truth ★☆☆☆☆ (irrelevant)

power ★★☆☆☆ (a means to an end, so not totally irrelevant, but not a main motivator)

fame ☆☆☆☆☆ (he gets embarrassed even knowing people have heard of him)

wealth ☆☆☆☆☆ (this is nothing)

others' opinions ★★★☆☆ (only people he cares about, but their opinions rank high!!)

#⁺ . ✕ ◞ headcanon ⋅#⁺ . ✕ ◞ dash games ⋅#⁺ . ✕ ◞ out of character ⋅

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fincalinde · 2 years

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so i saw that ask about jgy and how he killed jin guangshan, and it reminded me of how i’m still not really sure what to make of that whole situation, even when i AM a jgy fan

it feels kind of like that scene in matilda where the kid stole a piece of cake, and the head lady, as punishment, had a gigantic cake made and forced him to eat it all—in mdzs, it’s kind of a fanservicey schadenfreude at jin guangshan getting his just desserts (heh, pun intended). except in the context of jgy and jin guangshan, the “cake” is actually like twenty otherwise uninvolved people who are forced to rape someone and then are killed.

at least with wen chao and wang lingjiao, wwx wanted revenge against both of them, but jgy didn’t know who the prostitutes were specifically, so that isn’t the case here

it just seems so incongruent with everything else we know about jgy. even if he was determined to have jgs raped to death, there are ways to achieve that without dragging in (and subsequently killing) uninvolved outsiders, or at the very least, so many outsiders. so why did he do it the way he did?

(please forgive the poor timing after that other ask: i’ve been dying to know what other jgy fans think about it since i finished the book, but i only recently felt confident enough to really start engaging with the fandom. I consider you a Trusted Jgy Source, so i was just curious what thoughts you had on the matter, if any. i hope you don’t mind me asking, and please don’t feel obligated to answer.)

I don't mind your asking at all! I'm always happy to answer good faith questions.

The way JGY has his father killed is certainly an exception to his normal mode of operation. Where I generally take issue however is fandom conflating that exception with the assertion that it is The Worst Thing Anyone In MDZS Ever Did. In a story where the nominal hero is desecrating thousands of corpses and forcing his enemies to autocannibalise, it's really not feasible to apply a modern real-world moral framework to the characters.

Take WWX for example, since he really is the most obvious comparison in terms of fandom reception. WWX does regret the extremity of his actions later on, but he seems to mostly feel embarrassed and awkward about it. Resolving not to commit similar acts in future (now he's in a situation where he doesn't need to!) is sufficient for him to move on. His most terrible acts are also generally disregarded or viewed in the broader context of his situation, his goals, and his other commendable qualities such as his attempts to save the Wen and his love for JC and JYL. Everyone is going to respond differently to different characters according to their own preferences and that's absolutely fine, but proclaiming that nothing WWX did is as bad as what JGY did to the sex workers is utterly baseless.

Yes WWX wanted revenge against WLJ, but does that mean what he did to WC and WLJ was proportionate or moral? Not if we're applying real world morality, and based on LWJ's reaction and WWX's later feelings of guilt, perhaps not within the confines of the setting either. I would be interested in seeing anyone argue that WLJ or even WC genuinely deserved their fates and how this reflects on WWX's supposed virtue—not because I'm personally interested in applying a modern moral framework to the text, but because I do think it exposes fatal inconsistencies in that approach.

If we assume that WWX was in some way justified in killing WC and WLJ in such a cruelly protracted manner, the rationale is probably that in light of everything they did to him and his clan it is if not perhaps entirely ethical then at least understandable. In that case I don't see much difference between what WWX did to WC and WLJ and what JGY did to JGS. JGY has struggled his entire life, and when he finally wins the entire war and attains legitimacy he is mistreated and misused and forced to commit repeated atrocities while his own ideas for the betterment of society are rejected again and again. His mother died because his father couldn't be bothered to save her. He ends up married to his own sister. It's really small wonder he finally snaps and lashes out.

It's also small wonder he chooses death by irony for JGS. This is JGY's lowest point: he's achieved everything he set out to do and yet his life is nothing but exhaustion and misery and physical and mental abuse. In terms of bringing in unrelated outside parties, JGY has absolutely no reason to feel any sense of solidarity with sex workers as a class, considering that with the exception of Sisi every single one of them ostracised him and his mother and subjected them to abuse and ridicule when he was growing up. It certainly is out of character for him to be flamboyantly vicious rather than simply efficient, but if there were ever a time to go big then this is it.

JGY makes it very clear he feels no allegiance to the social class he was raised in, and we're shown exactly why: that class rejected him and treated him just as badly as any other. To JGY there is no meaningful difference between the abuse he receives from cultivators and the abuse he receives from prostitutes. Why should he feel any sense of solidarity with a class of people who have never offered him the same courtesy?

I understand that people who engage in sex work are often in vulnerable positions and are subject to harassment and violence and other dangers. I understand that in the real world it's important to protect vulnerable groups.

However. It does also seem to me that an eagerness to signal support for sex workers can result in a reading of MDZS where the lives of sex workers are counted as being worth more than the lives of other characters. Why are the deaths of the prostitutes JGY uses to rape his father to death so much worse than the deaths of the inhabitants of the brothel he has XY burn to the ground with everyone inside? What about Baixue or the Yueyang Chang, or the cultivators NMJ hacked to death in the throes of a qi deviation he knew could happen at any time?

The characters do react strongly to the way JGS dies, so we know that it's considered a particularly shocking and awful thing to do. However the characters are more focused on what a horrible method of death it is for JGS rather than the suffering of the women who raped him to death and were executed for it. Therefore if you do consider it a manifestly 'worse' crime than the murder of children or enforced cannibalism, you should be just as appalled by the reactions of LXC, WWX, LWJ etc. and should therefore be rethinking your assessment of their moral standing rather than handwringing over the poor fictional sex workers and how this makes JGY the absolute worst ever of anyone in the cast.

To sum up:

1. Applying a modern moral framework to MDZS is impossible in light of the atrocities committed or tacitly endorsed by the entire cast. Violence and sexual violence is endemic to the setting and condemning JGY is only consistent if WWX and other characters are condemned for similarly appalling acts. I won't propose my own framework as that will vary from reader to reader, but if one intends to write fanfiction or meta then the most important thing to do is apply one's chosen framework consistently.

2. The way JGY kills his father is inconsistent with his typical behaviour but is consistent with what we know about him when taking into account the years of abuse he has endured and the fact that he has no reason to feel solidarity with or sympathy for sex workers as a class.

#ask #labyrynth #roquen meta

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