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miraculouscontent · 3 years

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Didn’t Need Burrow (April 11th-16th)

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: After the Truth episode occurs, Luka will either not appear nor be talked about(not even by Marinette, Juleka, Sass, or Anarka) at all, or, if he does appear, he'll avoid Marinette like the Black Plague. Guess who's fault it'll be(Kagami will still appear and be on good terms with Adrien, though, since anything that makes Marinette happy needs to be either ruined or gotten rid of, while anything that makes her miserable needs to stay around just to be rubbed into her face.).

I s2g if they have Adrien and Kagami patch things up immediately just to make Marinette feel awkward--

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: The idea that Nino's hat is a keepsake from his late brother comes up during an episode where it inevitably gets damaged and/or destroyed. Marinette is somehow responsible/blamed for this, and/or is forced to try and repair it regardless of feasibility, while being guilt-tripped/ridden every inch of the way. Bonus points for Adrien making some clueless comment about buying a replacement and STILL being treated as more empathetic to Nino's feelings even while ignoring them.

“Bonus” if everyone pressures her over the hat, which eventually leads to Marinette realizes that it can’t be fixed to be the exact same way, so she hides it and lies about it, leading to the episode blaming her for hiding things from her “totally understanding friends” (who are suddenly “totally understanding” and are only upset that she lied to them/”thought so lowly of them”) instead of her friends for making her feel like she had to be perfect.

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: A Sleeping Beauty-inspired akuma will ensnare Ladybug, 'forcing' Chat Noir to kiss her awake. While Adrien/Chat naturally claims that he would 'never take advantage of his lady', he is openly gleeful at the prospect and taunts her afterwards, complete with a call back to Oblivio as he tells her to 'check the LadyBlog' to find out what happened. Her dismay over this is played entirely for laughs.

*flashbacks to the “jokes” in “Prime Queen”*

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: Just like in countless Salt Fics, Alya will get upset at Ladybug for claiming that it's 'too dangerous' for her to be Rena Rouge anymore after Miracle Queen. Regardless of what she does/how she lashes out, Marinette will be held 100% responsible for the fallout, with Su-Han criticizing her for selecting Alya/the others in the first place AND for 'allowing' their identities to be exposed.

That’s what you get for trusting people, Marinette (apparently).

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: Alya will expose more Miraculous-related secrets on the LadyBlog, such as posting the identities of the heroes who were 'already outed' by Miracle Queen. Marinette will be blamed for this, with Su-Han reading her the riot act for every single choice she's made.

And also, Alya will get no flack for this because “she’s a journalist!! she’s just doing what she’s supposed to do!”

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: After spending most of the season taking the piss out of Marinette at every available opportunity, Su-Han will start warming up to her just in time to be taken out of the equation by something like Alya posting another 'big scoop' on her blog revealing his existence to the villains. Marinette will be left with even less support and all of the guilt, while Alya learns absolutely nothing from the experience because why would she?

Considering “Truth,” I just automatically presume that characters who support Marinette lovingly/unconditionally will either be abused or kicked to the curb.

Anonymous said:

Don't need Burrow: "Queen Banana" will be like typical episode with Chloe akumatization. 90% Chloe drama and angst, 10% akumatized Chloe (and probably 0% sense)

Show, I’m begging you, just let this character’s focus die already. We are SO tired...

Anonymous said:

didnt need burrow: the show ends with hawkmoth (now shadowmoth i guess) being defeated, heavy implications that the LS will be canon, but no solid proof, any other plot holes disappear in the cheery end music and all fans are left annoyed at the open ending filled with plot holes (bonus: That Guy says smin like "you would know if you watched carefully" to anyone that asks wtf happened)

Fun for us love square salters at least so there’s that? :P

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: Trixx wants to return to Alya despite the danger/her past exposure, and ignores Marinette's concerns, leaving/reuniting with Alya over her protests. This is either played as 'It's fine, and Marinette should have trusted Alya more' or 'It's not fine, and it's all Marinette's fault for trusting Alya in the first place and letting Trixx get so attached'. Or both.

Astruc would totally use the opportunity to brag about the whole, “She’s already taken!” line in “Truth” being foreshadowing.

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: Bunnix reveals that there is an alternate, 'better' future in which Lila never worked with Hawkmoth and became a heroine instead. The turning point was, naturally, that Ladybug never called her out for lying/stealing from Adrien. (Possibly because Adrien never snooped in the safe in this timeline, yet it's still depicted as Marinette's fault.) May couple with confirming she's the future Hawkmoth and that it's all Mari's fault the heroes are still fighting her years later.

Which means that Chat makes the “reversible” mistakes (i.e: Cataclysming Bunnyx’s miraculous) while Ladybug makes the “permanent” ones.

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: Marinette/Ladybug will get accused of being a selfish glory hound who needs to learn how to share the credit and 'be a team player'... after Adrien/Chat slacks off during a fight and refuses to help. Bonus points if this is tied into the exposed heroes' predicament somehow, implying that the REAL reason she won't give them 'their' Miraculi back is that she's selfish/short-sighted/not good at working with others/insert other bullshit excuse here.

T_T

I’m so tired.

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: Marinette will do something unbelievably selfless and self-sacrificing, only to promptly be slammed by the narrative and treated as though her decision was incredibly selfish.

Honestly you could just ad lib that.

“Marinette will do [something positive], only to promptly be slammed by the narrative and treated as though her decision was [negative].”

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: Su-Han will pressure, belittle and berate Marinette until she breaks and agrees to give up being Ladybug/the Guardian. This is naturally treated as the worst thing she could possibly do, with everyone (including Su-Han) ripping into her for it. There is no equivalent of Plagg's 'I've had many holders, but nobody can replace you, Adrien' shilling, beyond Marinette being informed that she MUST continue and deal with her many inadequacies by becoming BETTER. She has no choice.

“You’re the worst Ladybug!”

“Okay I’ll stop being Ladybug.”

“HOW DARE YOU”

“?!?!?!”

Anonymous said:

Don’t need Burrow to know that the writers will retcon Marinette allowing Adrien to BORROW her lucky charm so that Marinette actually GAVE it to him instead.

Bonus: of course, the birthday scarf issue/secret is never addressed. RIP in piece, Marinette gift number xxx0

Technically, this has already happened even back in “Befana,” so I don’t count it. Adrien has said that Marinette gave him that lucky charm forever.

Definitely adding that scarf one though.

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: We get Love Square scenes (shipping fuel) in the next episode (even though Maribug and Adrichat just broke up with Luka and Kagami).

I mean, we got love square shipping fuel in the Adrimi and Lukanette episodes, so :|

I’ve just come to expect inappropriate timing at this point.

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: In a future episode Chat Noir will be even worse than he was in Lies and still be portrayed sympathetically. I don't know how you can get that low, but I have faith that the writers will be able to pull it off and that's not a good thing

“I don't know how you can get that low“

they’ll find a way, I’m sure

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: Kagami will become an antagonist/team up with Shadow Moth post-Adrimi breakup for the plot twist "the main villain has been in the show all along." ((This is based on the end card for Lies. I really hope they don't do this because Kagami is one of the only reasons I'm still watching the show.))

I’d only be here for that if her endgoal is getting Luka and Marinette as far away from the plot as possible.

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: We STILL don't know how the Peacock Miraculous got damaged and how Emilie Agreste fell sick. Bonus points, we find out in the season/series finale or on social media.

Double bonus if Astruc claims that the decision is good and they did it on purpose (probably to keep people talking).

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: Zoe debuts as the new Bee holder on the same episode Chloé is akumatized.

I’m 100% expecting Chloe to be salty at all the adoration that Zoe gets.

Anonymous said:

Didn't Need Burrow: if Adrien is ever in the wrong about something, it will only be for about five minutes and it will ultimately be blamed on Marinette.

Marinette: *breathes*

writers: Yes! Something we can blame on her!

Anonymous said:

Didn't need burrow: The relationship between the Couffaines and Jagged will not be explored. They might perform a song together and that's all, Luka forgives Jagged for abandoning him (his daddy issues just magically disappear so he doesn't bring it up anymore) while Juleka doesn't interact with Jagged at all

I’m torn between, “Luka will basically never appear again,” and, “Luka will suddenly appear much more often now that he’s no longer a ‘threat’ to the love square (Marinette didn’t break up with him because of Adrien but sure).”

Anonymous said:

Didn't need Burrow: "Gabriel Agreste" will be all about how he's not really evil just misunderstood. He had a lonely childhood or some garbage and we should feel totally sad for him you guys.

wow i hate it

#Didn't Need Burrow

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ao3bronte · 4 years

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🐞Little Lady Paws🐾

1 | 2 | 3

Ladybug gets into a “hairy” predicament when an akuma capture goes wrong.

A collaboration between @ao3bronte and @yamina20-blog 💕

Carefully clinging to Chat’s wrist with all her strength, Chat flies passed the buildings and rooftops of the 4ème arrondissement on his way over to Master Fu’s. Ladybug tries her best to stay focused on the skyline but she soon gives up and just closes her eyes in an attempt to keep herself from getting sick to her stomach. How did Chat get around the city like this? The jarring ups and downs of his baton on the concrete below made her head spin!

Finally, Chat slows his momentum and lands in a crouch. Feeling safe enough to open her eyes, Ladybug watches from behind his thumb as Chat crawls through Master Fu’s kitchen window and somersaults over a small pile of dishes.

“Back for more tips in Mandarin, Chat Noir?”

“Not exactly,” Chat replies, setting his baton in its holster as Master Fu walks through the threshold of the room, “We have a problem.”

“I can see that,” Master Fu says, peering outside the window at the menagerie of animals blocking traffic on the streets, “I presume Ladybug has found herself in a hairy situation?”

Chat snickers, unfurling his fingers, “She's a hamster.”

“Oh deer,” Master Fu responds with a wry smile of his own, stroking his beard, “There's not much we can do about this, to be perfectly honest.”

Nothing we can do?!

Master Fu glances down at Ladybug and offers up his palm, “I'm afraid not, although we should all be very lucky you didn't turn into an actual Ladybug. That would have been much worse.”

Ladybug pads over to Master Fu’s palm and sits gingerly, her little shoulders slumping forwards. How is she going to cure the damage done by the akuma if she couldn��t be changed back? How is she going to save Paris when she’s stuck like this?

Chat nods in agreement and follows Master Fu into the main parlour, “Is there any way I can cure the damage? There’s got to be something I could do.”

“The Black Cat Miraculous is capable of many things, but Ladybug’s Cure isn’t one of them,” Master Fu sits down on the bamboo mat and invites Chat to follow suit, “The fact that her yoyo let you capture the akuma is a miracle unto itself. It goes to show that you trust each other enough to allow each other to use your weapons intrinsically, which isn’t always the case with each pairing. However, I’m afraid that’s where the sharing ends.”

“So I can’t purify the city?”

“No, and neither can she,” Master Fu sets Ladybug down onto the mat and waits for her to situate herself, “She’s far too small to hold the crowbar herself. If she had been turned into an ape maybe, or a tiger…”

Chat grimaces, “So we need to find a way to make her bigger?”

“I don’t think that’s even possible,” Master Fu says with a sigh, glancing down at Ladybug’s frowning eyes. “Your best bet is to keep her close and hope that Le Papillon creates another akuma that can help you in some way.”

“I can’t say that we’ve ever found an akuma helpful,” he shrugs, drawing a claw across the bamboo mat, “But I guess we don't have a choice.”

“No, we don't,” Master Fu reaches out and lightly rubs the pad of his finger between Ladybug’s little ears. It's a strange sensation, but not a bad one, and she leans into his touch, “These things have a way of solving themselves sometimes. This is hardly the first time a Ladybug has found herself in a bind.”

Ladybug chirps, drawing his attention to her paws as she rolls them in a circle, “You want to hear more?”

Ladybug nods eagerly and Master Fu smiles, “Before my time, I heard of a Ladybug who was turned into a stone statue. It took the entire team to find a solution, but they did in the end. The Peacock Miraculous is particularly good at bringing a person's needs to light if they’re in a tough situation and using her feathers, she and the other Miraculous that were active at the time brought her back to life.”

“It’s nice to know that the Peacock wasn’t always used for evil,” Chat says with a frown, fiddling idly with the cuffs of his boots, “But I guess we don’t have that luxury now. Are you sure you don’t have a potion or something that could help us?”

Master Fu shakes his head, “I’m sorry to the both of you. As I said, you simply have to be patient and hope Le Papillon takes advantage of all of the strife taking place in the city.”

Ladybug sighs and it comes out as a squeak. How am I going to tell my parents?

Master Fu gives her another scritch between the ears, “We’re going to have to find a way to communicate with you. Any ideas Chat Noir?”

“A mobile phone or an iPad?” he suggests as Ladybug turns to face him. She glances down at her paws and nods, “Alright. I’ll find you one to talk on once we get you somewhere safe.”

“You won’t be able to go back to your parent’s home looking like this,” Master Fu says, pointing to the red and black earrings still adorning her ears, “It’s a risk letting anyone see you with your Miraculous still active.”

Chat Noir continues to fidget, “Will she detransform at some point?”

“I doubt it, but you never know,” he responds, “Which is why we need to keep her someplace where she can stay out of harm’s way.”

Chat looks just as puzzled as she feels, “跟我一起吗?” [Gēn wǒ yī qǐ ma? - With me?]

Rubbing her ears, Ladybug spins around and glances between the two of them with wide eyes. Did she just lose the ability to understand French all of the sudden? Or did they just…

“我觉那最好.” [Wǒ jué nà zuì hǎo - I think that would be best.]

HEY! She stomps her foot and chirps up at the two of them, heedless to their guilty expressions. Speak in a language I can understand!

“Chat Noir is going to bring you to a trustworthy friend of his for safekeeping,” Master Fu explains, clasping his hands together, “You’ll be safe with him and Chat Noir will retrieve you when the time is right.”

Ladybug cheeps indignantly, What about school? And I don’t want to stay with Chat Noir’s friend! I want to go home!

“I’m sorry Ladybug, I really am,” Chat Noir’s lips twist into a grimace, “But I promise, my friend is really nice. You’ll be safe there, I know it.”

Facing no other feasible option, Ladybug slumps onto her haunches. How long would she be stuck like this? And why did this have to happen to her?

“Keep in touch,” Master Fu says to Chat Noir over her head and Ladybug has never felt so small, “I will be keeping an eye on things in the meantime. If you need any help, do not hesitate to call.”

“Yes Master,” Chat Noir climbs back onto his feet and scoops her up into his palms once again, “See you soon.”

They’re back out under the setting Parisian sun before she knows it and she clings desperately to him, drawing on all of her rodent strength as he zips through alleys and cantilevers over rooftops. He senses her distress after a minute or two and deposits her onto his shoulder, “Would it be easier for you to hold onto my collar?”

Ladybug hopes her newly acquired fur covers her blush of embarrassment as she settles against the warmth of his neck, blinking as she gets her bearings. She digs into his mardarin collar with her paws and maneuvers herself until she’s more or less straddling his zipper, her haunches resting on the top of his bell.

“Comfy?” he laughs nervously and Ladybug shivers as his voice rumbles through his chest and Adam’s apple, the sound tickling her fur. She squeaks a reluctant affirmative and he's off once again, at a slightly less breakneck pace, much to her relief.

His untamed hair grazes her own from time to time and Ladybug finds it easier to just bury her face in the notch between his collarbones and hold on for dear life. She'd be thoroughly embarrassed at the closeness of her position but she's already so out of her element that she just can't handle another blow to her ego and simply prays that Chat Noir's friend is a nice enough person and will treat her kindly while she's forced to stay with him.

"We're almost there," Chat Noir cradles her for a moment and Ladybug peeks out from behind his collar, spotting a familiar mansion on the horizon.

Where are we going?

"See that big home to the left, Ladybug? That's where my friend lives."

WHAT?!

"He's a really big animal lover," Chat Noir chuckles, hovering on the cusp on his baton so she can get a better view, "But his father would never let him get a pet so I think he'll be really happy to see you."

BUT THAT'S—

"You already know who he is, you've saved him a hundred times from akumas. And he's a really big fan of yours too so you'll have lots of things to talk about."

CHAT NOIR , I DEMAND YOU PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!

"I promise you're going to have a great time. Adrien Agreste has wanted a hamster ever since he was little."

They land with a gentle thud on a familiar eave beside a wall of floor to ceiling windows and Ladybug feels the breath leave her lungs.

"He's not home right now, but I'm going to leave you here anyway. When I find him, I'm going to explain everything that happened so you won't have to worry! And I promise that I'll come by to visit everyday to let you know what's going on."

Slipping in through an open window, Chat somersaults inside and walks towards the bed at the far end of the room. Ladybug's heart begins to patter in earnest, the realisation on whose bed she's about to be dropped on dawning before her eyes.

"And here you are. This will be home for the next couple of days...I'm sure it won't take any longer than that for Le Papillon to make the next move," Chat looks around for a moment before bending down to her level, his elbows making little divots on the mattress before her, "Take it easy on Adrien, okay? I know you're not happy, but like Master Fu said, it could have been worse!"

He smiles and it's so genuine that Ladybug's indignance melts, if only a little.

"I better get going," Chat straightens and waves at her one last time, "Adrien will be back before you know it! À plus!"

Chat Noir disappears and suddenly Ladybug finds herself alone.

In Adrien's bed.

As a hamster.

ಠ_ಠ

#miraculous ladybug #ladynoir #lovesquare #master fu #ml fic

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flightfoot · 4 years

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Whatever happens at the end of Miraculous Ladybug, I REALLY hope that Adrien is removed from the Agreste household - or at least that Nathalie and Gabriel are removed from it. It’s at least feasible that Emilie was a decent person, so MAYBE he could stay with her if she wakes up (which at this point, with how the show is now treating it more like she died, I have my doubts about) but he NEEDS to get away from Gabriel and Nathalie.

Even if they do go through some manner of redemption arc, which I have my doubts about, the Agreste household is not a healthy one. Gabriel claims to himself to value Adrien’s safety, but puts him in harm’s way with his akumas, especially when he akumatizes people who have it out for Adrien. He doesn’t care much about Adrien’s emotional state beyond using it to justify his own schemes and he never makes an effort to see things from his point of view. He actively hurts the people around Adrien, both with his akumas and socially. He was even complicit in Lila getting Marinette kicked out of school in Ladybug, and he set up Lila on a photoshoot with Adrien, forcing him to spend time with her, even with Gabriel knowing exactly what type of person she is.

Maybe he’ll try to change in-show. Maybe he’ll focus more on the present and make some sort of effort to be a good parent. But given his other short-lived stints at putting the people he cares about first, like at the end of Style Queen with giving up being Hawkmoth or at the end of Ladybug when he forbids Nathalie from using the Peacock Miraculous, I don’t expect it to last.

Just... even not counting that he should go to prison, he’s been a horrible parent, and even if he makes an effort to change and Adrien is willing to give him a chance, Adrien really needs to be placed with another family, especially since Gabriel can’t be trusted not to backslide. Not when it’s implied that Gabriel has always been neglectful and distant (seriously, forgetting your son’s own birthday three years in a row? Or at least not caring enough to just like, order a gift?)

And it’s not like Nathalie’s much better. She sees no problem with Gabriel’s actions and has been actively helping him. Plus her coming up with the scheme to use Felix’s video to akumatize Adrien’s friends, putting him in their line of fire, and on the day he lost Emilie no less? She’s really not much better, however much she tells herself that she’s grown to care for him. And she never DID care much about letting Adrien build bonds with others, considering her willingness to steal one of his friend’s presents and pretend it was from Gabriel because she forgot to get one. Which honestly I might cut her more slack for since she was kinda panicky at the time, if she showed a smidgen of guilt for doing so. But she doesn’t. Seriously, rewatching that scene where she scrambles for a present, gives a sigh of relief at seeing it, then looks almost contemptuously at the note Marinette left and crumples it up, throwing it away with a dismissive “Hmmph!” ...Yeah. At best she’ll allow Adrien to be with his friends if she doesn’t have a specific reason to deny him, but she doesn’t really go beyond that in trying to help his emotionally or care for him.

Just... neither of them have shown much willingness or concern for Adrien’s ACTUAL emotional state, or seen the value in allowing him to form bonds with others beyond furthering their own goals, even from the beginning of the show. I just CANNOT see a happy ending with Adrien staying with them, even if Paris just like, magically forgave Hawkmoth and Mayura for being magical terrorists. Even if ADRIEN forgave them for that.

#miraculous ladybug #felix #ml spoilers #gabriel agreste #nathalie sanceour

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quickspinner · 4 years

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MLHolidays2k19 30. Endings

I really wanted to post this on the thirtieth and I just couldn’t quite get it figured out in time, but you might as well have it, even though it’s kinda mopey and maybe not my best. Sorry. I tried to make a happy version and it just didn’t work out.

The good part of the whole city being paralyzed during Miracle Queen’s attack was that there were no cameras. No news crews to record everything that went down. Even the heroes under Miracle Queen’s control remembered nothing, having woken up after the cure in the exact same place they’d been when they left.

For the sake of the secrets of the Miraculous, that was a good thing. But it did make things difficult for Ladybug.

Then again...what else was new.

Ladybug looked around slowly at the gathered heroes. Chat stood beside her, as always. The rest stood in a half-circle around her, faces solemn. She’d made the rounds this morning, handing out the Miraculous, and directed everyone to meet here at this time. It had taken her some work to find a location that would be both private, and close enough to public transit to let them get home as their civilian selves. Because her mission today was to stand there and tell them that their days as heroes were over.

She felt she owed them this moment, this explanation. A chance to be angry.

This chance to say goodbye.

She took a deep breath. “So that’s the situation,” Ladybug finished. “Hawkmoth knows your identities, which means he can find your families, your loved ones. For your own safety and the safety of everyone you care about...this will be the last time you wear the Miraculous.”

Ladybug flinched as the protests erupted. She looked at the ground for a moment, and then back up. Only Viperion stood silent, arms folded. He met her gaze when she looked at him, and the look in his eyes was so familiar that she half thought they were blue for an instant.

She looked away and swallowed hard. “I’m sorry,” Ladybug said, loud enough to interrupt all the others, who all silenced to look at her. “I want you to know this is my failure, not any of yours. You’ve all served admirably and I’m very grateful.” Ladybug took a deep breath. “I wanted to give you all this opportunity to reveal yourselves if you choose, so that you can have the support of each other. I won’t force anyone, though. You can detransform now, or you can go back home and I’ll come to retrieve the Miraculous later.” She chewed her lip for a second, and Chat put a hand on her shoulder. “I hope and believe it’s completely unnecessary to say this, but...please don’t make me take it back by force,” she said quietly. “I know this is upsetting and a shock, but I believe this to be the only feasible course of action.”

The protests started up again, when suddenly Viperion’s voice cut across them all, calm as always, but strong. “Sass, scales rest.”

All the heroes turned to look dumbfounded at him as the light engulfed him, changing his colors from teal and gold to blue and black. “Luka!” Rena gasped.

“Sass,” Luka said, cupping his hands to let the kwami rest in them. “It seems our time is up, my friend.”

“It hasss been an honor, Luka Couffaine,” Sass said solemnly. “None know what the future holdsss, not even sssuch as we. But if this is the last time we are fated to meet--then I am glad to have known you.” Luka lowered his head and touched his forehead to the little snakes. Sass gave him a little pat. Then Luka let Sass take off, and slipped the bracelet off his wrist. The little kwami disappeared in a flash, and Luka blew out a slow, slightly shaky breath. Then he made a little noise through his nose, almost like a chuckle, and turned his gaze on Ladybug.

She straightened as he approached her, tensing, though there was nothing but compassion in his face. Luka picked up her hand and placed the bangle in her palm, closing her fingers over it and holding her hand a moment between both of his. “Thank you for trusting me,” he said, holding her gaze. “You’ve given everything to serve this city, and we’ve always trusted you to do the right thing, to do what is necessary. If you think this is best, then I trust you in that as well. Please take care of him.”

Ladybug brought her hand up to cover his. “Thank you, Luka.”

He nodded, gave her hands one more squeeze, and let them slide out of his, and then walked back to his place in the semicircle. “If anyone wants to talk,” Luka shrugged, “The gang plank’s always open.” He smiled at Ladybug. “That includes you and Chat too, Ladybug.”

Carapace gave a heavy sigh. “Wayzz, shell off.” Distantly Ladybug heard Chat suck in his breath in surprise.

“Carapace, no!” Rena hissed, but Carapace, now Nino, shook his head.

“Luka’s right, dudes.” He looked at Wayzz. “Isn’t he.”

Wayzz nodded. “It is unfortunate, but as long as the threat of Hawkmoth remains, this is for the best. It has been my honor to serve.” He bowed his head, and then lifted his little flipper to meet Nino’s offered fistbump. Nino slipped off his bracelet, and took it to Ladybug.

One by one, the others stepped forth. Kim gave a heavy sigh as he returned Xuppu’s headband; as the newest hero, his service had been the shortest. But he gave the Miraculous up with a smile, and then shoved his hands in his pockets as he went back to stand beside Max.

“Thank you all,” Ladybug smiled. “And I’m sorry that I let you down.”

“You didn’t,” Luka spoke up. “Never. You’ve always done your best for us, Ladybug. Anyone can hand out a Miraculous. Chloe proved that. But what she didn’t have was your mindset. Your selflessness and your strategy. She gave commands, but she didn’t lead, and that’s why she failed. The ones responsible for that are Hawkmoth and Chloe. You’ve already done more than anyone could have asked of you. It pains me that now you have to face him alone.” He tilted his head slightly and smiled. “But you’re never really alone, are you?” He turned his eyes to Chat. “Take care of her for us, Chat Noir. Take care of each other.” Luka looked back at the group of former heroes. “And we’ll do the same, right?”

They all nodded.

Ladybug looked at Alya. “I know it’s tempting to publish all of this now that it’s all over, but I really think it would be best if your identities continue to remain a secret outside this group.”

Alya sighed, shoulders slumping, and then straightened, folding her arms. “I understand, Ladybug.” She leaned on Nino. “Probably nobody would believe me anyway,” she muttered.

“Well,” Ladybug looked at Chat, who nodded. “Chat and I will leave you now.” She hesitated. “I don’t want to say goodbye so...let me say instead, I’ll see you around.” She threw the yoyo, and heard Chat’s baton hit the ground behind her just as she lifted off. They paused on a rooftop some distance away.

“You handled that well,” Chat said, touching her shoulder. “I know it wasn’t easy.”

“Thanks,” Ladybug sighed. “No offense, Chat but--I think I just want to go home now.”

“Sure,” he gave a gentle smile. “Get some rest. You look tired, Ladybug.”

Ladybug mustered one more smile for him, and then swung away.

When Marinette dropped through her skylight. She went to the Miracle Box and put the Miraculous carefully away. Then she curled up on her chaise and let her head rest on her knees. “Do you think they’ll be okay? The thought that one of them might be akumatized over this makes me ill.”

“I think they’ll be all right,” Tikki said, patting Marinette’s cheek lightly. “That was gently done, and they have each other now. But if it happens, we’ll just have to deal with it. Hopefully Hawkmoth is still licking his wounds.”

“Like we are?” Marinette grunted, sighing. Tikki cuddled up to her neck with a matching sigh.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d been there when there was a knock on her trapdoor.

“Come in,” she called listlessly, and she hadn’t thought about it hard enough to have an expectation as to who would come through, but she was surprised anyway.

“Luka?”

“Hi,” he smiled. “May I come up?”

“Of course,” she said, straightening up and putting her feet on the floor. “What do you need?”

The question made him hunch his shoulders as if embarrassed. “Just company. I had some hard choices to make today, and I could just...use somewhere quiet to sit. Maybe with somebody else that had a rough day?”

“How’d you know?” Marinette asked ruefully, scooting over just a little and patting the chaise.

“Lucky guess,” Luka replied, coming over to sit down next to her. “Though it seems like the odds were in my favor. You’ve been having a lot of rough days lately.”

Marinette chose not to answer that, and instead tilted her head. “You don’t have your guitar.”

“Yeah, I left it at home,” Luka sighed, spreading his empty hands. “I had, uh...something else to do, and it would have been awkward to take it.”

“Are you going to be okay without it?” Marinette teased.

“I will, as long as you’re here,” he said simply, and Marinette found herself blushing. “Besides,” he added, nudging her with his shoulder. “I’m not completely dependent on it. I always have my voice.”

“You don’t use it much,” Marinette said, giving into temptation and leaning her head on his shoulder. He put his arm around her shoulders immediately and leaned into her, like he had just been waiting for her to make the first move.

She kind of hated herself for moving closer, cuddling up to his side and putting her arms around his waist. Every time she did this she told herself she wasn’t being fair to him, yet he always welcomed her, and never said a word about it afterwards. He always accepted exactly as much as she was willing to give him.

Except today. Today he wrapped his arms around her too and curled up around her, pressing his face into her hair.

“Luka?” she said wonderingly.

“Sorry,” he whispered. “I just...I think I need this today. Is that okay?”

“Of course,” Marinette said, snuggling closer. “Of course, Luka. You’re always here for me. I’m here for you too.”

He sighed. “I don’t want to make things harder on you. You have so much to deal with already.”

“So do you.”

He made a little noise that wasn’t agreement, and let it drop.

“Can I ask what you’re thinking about?” Marinette asked.

Luka’s thoughtful hum came from his chest; she felt it through her whole body. “Endings,” he said at last. “How some things end and you wish they wouldn’t; and some things you wish would be over with just never seem to end.”

“Tell me about it,” sighed Marinette.

He made that same hum again. “If you could end one thing, what would it be?”

Marinette thought about all the things weighing on her mind; Lila and Hawkmoth and Chat and the Miraculous wielders and Chloe. There were so many things weighing her down. If she could only stop one…

“Secrets,” she whispered. “I wish I could stop having to keep secrets.”

“I can see how that would be hard,” Luka murmured. He squeezed her a little tighter. “I can keep your secrets safe, Marinette. If you ever need me to.”

“I know,” Marinette let herself smile, a little. “Some of them you already do.”

He sighed, and his breath on her neck made her shiver. “I wish I could do more. I’m always afraid you’ll need me and I won’t be there. I’d be sick if anything happened to you.”

Marinette blinked, and snuggled closer. “I’m okay, Luka.”

“Yeah,” he said, and his voice was heavy. “I know. I know, Marinette. You’re strong and brilliant and you can do this. I just hate that I can’t be there for you.”

Marinette frowned and pulled back a little to look at him. “Luka, are you...are you leaving? Are you going somewhere?”

He smiled at her, unfolding just enough to cradle her cheek in his hand. “No. Even if I can’t be there for you the way I want to, I’ll always be here for you however you want me to. I’ll be okay, I promise, I just...need to work some stuff out, I guess. Is it okay if I stay a little longer?”

Marinette nodded, and his fingers slipped back to guide her head back down to his shoulder. He curled back around her and held her, and didn’t say anything more.

#mlholidays2k19 #quickspins #luka knoooooows #lukanette #luka couffaine #i am lukanette trash i admit it #marinette dupain-cheng #ml season 3 spoilers #miracle queen #miracle queen spoilers #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug #promptfic

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sd1970x · 5 years

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Someone suggested I try posting my fics to tumbler

So... here goes! Summary: Marinette is certain she finally has things mostly figured out: Whether it's having a secret life as a miraculous-holding superheroine, saving Paris together with her trusty partner or standing up to Chloe. Whether it's by herself, as a part of a pair or even a team, she knows it through and through. Then one day, Gecko appears, and nothing is ever going to be the same again. She might need to cast aside everything she thought about teamwork, relationships and what it means to be a miraculous holder. What's going to happen between her and her partner now? What's that strange new superheroine hiding behind her mask? Chapter 1: Yamori. It was just a regular workday. That’s exactly what it was. He was a normal boy with a normal life, even if other people have their kind of a normal life. His simply involved working in construction at high height. Hamad still went with that pointless, mock helmet-placing gesture. It helped him feel better for some reason, despite having no real helmet to go with it. The strapping point part, that he couldn’t even play-pretend. At least he knew one was supposed to exist, just like the railings that were meant to prevent him from falling. While these actually did exist occasionally, their reliability has left him wondering more than once. Would they stop him if a moment of truth came? He’d rather not think about that one at all. The other thing he would have rather not thought about, but couldn’t get out of his head, was that he finally knew why all of that was happening. That day when he saw the money change hands, out in the clear… and they didn’t even care he saw it!

No one would have believed him or any of his co-workers. That much felt almost like a universal truth. He was in a foul mood just thinking about it, and thus escapism drew its lure again. His favorite choice of escapism? Taking a sneak peek at the view of Paris from the 20th floor he’s working at. The clear sky and the look of the Eiffel tower brought about some comfort. He imagined the smell of a home-cooked meal on the stove, the warmth of a family that would definitely dwell here in two or three years, with someone living a perfectly happy normal life here. “Hey, get back to work!” He heard the voice of his superintendent, as the smell of soup made way in favor of the acrid smell of cement that needed mixing, of dust particles filling the air, of planks lying about and steel rebar being welded. The view was not his to enjoy, he remembered now. He quickly tucked the smell of soup into a deep corner of his heart before returning to mixing the cement again in numbing, repetitive motions, a blank look on his face. --- Light shone on Hawk Moth’s lair as its window expanded, triggering a fluttering of the numerous butterflies waiting for their turn. An almost inaudible flap, like bristling of leaves, mixed with the pacing of shoe soles against a concrete floor. He stopped and relished that negative feeling he was picking up. At first, it tasted like apathy of the bland and boring kind. But upon further inspection, a lacing of venom appeared. At first a trace, and then a mouthful. Like popping a caviar egg to salty goodness. And he, Hawk Moth, would be the one to help that spread its wings in the most spectacular fashion. A piece of art, indeed. “Those who are numb of fearing for their lives may yet hold the most emotions of all, simply waiting to be unleashed.” His voice intoned it as if an onlooker was there. Occasionally Nathalie would be there to listen to him. Not this time, though. He kept the habit nonetheless as it greatly entertained him. “Go forth, my Akuma, and help him realize his burning desire for justice.” He called his power as he infused the butterfly with dark energy and sent it off towards its target, A look of appreciation following its trail. He turned around and rubbed his hands together, anxious for the butterfly to make rapport again, small shivers of delight passing through his body in anticipation of the conversation he was about to hold. --- Hamad noted his superintendent was missing again. He always felt short-changed for his hard work, so stealing yet another glimpse of the view made him feel no remorse. He couldn’t see the Akuma butterfly casually making the slow ascent towards him, as his foot hit the smallest of bumps on the concrete floor. Losing balance, he quickly grabbed at the railing, only for the thing to crack. Looks like it couldn't hold him after all. He felt the acceleration, the rush of wind as he spun downwards, the resistance of air building up against his momentum. He dreamed this would happen one day, and that day now came. He closed his eyes and braced for the impact. But then, a firm grip caught him and he heard the ‘twang’ sound of a yo-yo string. That wasn’t a part of his dream, but from that day onward he’d embrace that and never let go. He felt his descent slowing down gently as he opened his eyes to find himself in the hands of a certain red-clad superheroine. But then, he felt another thing. A pair of greyish-blue eyes prying into his very soul. A warm male voice soothed into his mind.“ Mixalot, I am Hawk Moth. Isn’t it time someone mixed the cruel reality of construction safety with the serene reality of otherwise blissful Parisians?” He uttered a soft, barely audible “yes” before he felt a rush of power, and then nothing. --- Ladybug watched in horror as the person she was holding quickly got engulfed in black-purple mist and sent an indiscernible appendage towards her earrings, before even completing the transformation. She cocked her head to evade his grab and tried to push herself away. Her yo-yo got tangled and she barely made it, a few meters above ground, only to fall a second later. Only lightly beaten, Ladybug found herself facing an unharmed Akumatized victim at a disadvantaged reclined position. Her mind tried to assess the situation as quickly as feasible. The thing in front of her was similar to Stoneheart to an extent but made more of concrete plates and protruding steel rebar. His shoulder was composed of a steel beam and his second hand was now a jet hole spouting cement mixture. The ground shook a little with every step he took, combined with earth-shattering noise and the smell of wet cement. The iron scaffolding around her looked like that creature’s preferred home turf to pick a fight on. She felt two quick bursts of viscous cement hitting both of her arms, pinning her to the ground. Given enough time she would have been able to move her joints and recover, but this was time she simply didn’t have, as Mixalot charged for a much larger shot of cement, one aimed straight at her face. He’s going to choke me and knock me out. Ladybug braced herself for the impact as much as she could given her situation. “Ladybug, watch out!” A female voice called at her. The source of the voice suddenly appeared between her and Mixalot. Not slowly or gradually, but as if she had always been there. As if she materialized or decloaked at this exact point in space, by a feat of magic or miracle. She was rapidly rotating what looked to be some sorts of a hoop, with four spokes completing a cross form inside. Ladybug could only see her back, clad in a bright cyan bodysuit, a long and wavy honey-colored hair running up until the waist. Is she… a new superheroine? The cement shot sprayed in all directions as it encountered the rapidly spinning hoop. The smell of cement intensified considerably as she felt the touch of a few errant mixture drops collecting at her suit. “Quick, run away!” that same voice quickly returned her to the reality on ground. An Akuma battle was not a good time to properly reconcile such news. Instinctively responding to the cry she took advantage of the opening to dart to safety, and only then allowed herself a moment of composed thought. How can there be a new superheroine? Any more than that would probably take a lot more focus out of the problem at hand. Ladybug watched the cyan-clad superheroine engaging Mixalot, trying an attack by rotating her hoop angled above her head and extending it. So her hoop extends and contracts, similar to Chat’s baton. That’s an odd weapon to wield. Being experienced, she could foresee the inefficiency of that move and indeed, all it took Mixalot was a plain crouch to evade the attack. She could also guess what would come next, Mixalot firing a shot of cement towards her leg. While a short hop backward saved that girl from being hit by the first one, the second one hit her other leg. Now it was Ladybug’s turn to return the favor from a moment ago. She grabbed her by the yo-yo and pulled as hard as she could to get her out of harm’s way. She now had a quick frontal view, noting green eyes which mismatched her bright cyan mask and garb. The miniature hexagon pattern on both her mask and bodysuit confirmed her to be a superheroine. Otherwise, her figure was pretty much similar to Ladybug’s own, somewhat short and relatively thin. She watched with concern as the new superheroine ran tried to redo her hoop extending maneuver again, charging forward then jumping backward. Quickly noting her own safety was at risk, she tried to evade the move, but eventually, the only thing stopping her from being hit was the hoop being contracted. This isn’t going well. At all. The sound of her partner’s voice gave her hope that this tide would now turn, having little confidence in her ability to work in sync with the newcomer without getting hurt. “Chat Noir! Thanks for dropping!” “Hey, blockhead, why don’t you set for a bit? I wouldn’t want to cement our relationship just yet.” She heard the taunt aimed at Mixalot and for once, the puns were significantly appreciated. It was easy for her to see just how displeased Mixalot was at being taunted like that, charging towards Chat with careless fury. This should make him easy prey for her competent partner. A nimble flip and a baton strike later, her prediction became true. The concrete spade was pinged out of the akumatized victim’s belt, right towards the new superheroine. Come on… break it! The confused look on the newcomer’s face wasn’t boding well, evoking in Ladybug memories of her own early career. “Break it!” She cried, only to see Mixalot grab it from the newcomer’s hands. The girl’s face twitched as she crouched and lunged forward while spinning her hoop, aiming for the center of mass. Again this resulted in little more than forcing Mixalot to jump and evade it with ease. She’s letting her emotions get the better of her… is this her first real fight? That hoop is also one heck of a weird weapon. I wonder if there are better ways to use it. She watched Mixalot respond by sending two shots in opposite directions, one towards Chat Noir and the other towards the cyan superheroine. Chat evaded the one aimed at him with ease, while the other shot crashed against the rapidly spinning hoop. At that moment, the realization that she wasn’t being targeted dawned upon Ladybug. Such a rare event did not occur much when fighting as a duo, but having three targets did make for this difference. Not being under any pressure, there was ample opportunity for her to summon an item. “LUCKY CHARM” She called, presented with an oversized four-way rotating water sprinkler. A water sprinkler? What am I going to do with that? As she surveyed her surroundings, she saw her own yo-yo, the construction scaffolding, the extendable hoop, the cement mixture jet hole and the sprinkler. Maybe I can construct something here... “Keep him busy! Cyan-girl, On my mark, make sure he can’t touch the ground!” Now that would be good use of the hoop, creating a dead-zone which he has to avoid. She began running around the area, practically weaving a net with her yo-yo’s string amongst the scaffolding, as she tossed the sprinkler towards Chat. “Now!” She cried. Chat lunged towards Mixalot, fitting the sprinkler on the mixture jet hole. At the same time, the cyan superheroine crouched and began to spin her hoop, forcing everyone else above the ground. Mixalot jumped to avoid it and attempted to shoot another cement ball. The sprinkler rotated very quickly, spraying his eyes and the entire surrounding with cement but more importantly, giving him rotational acceleration which entirely threw off his balance. As she planned, Mixalot now had to choose between landing into the fast-rotating hoop on the ground and clearing the yo-yo string trap, with barely any maneuverability or eyesight available. Such a feat was beyond his ability and soon enough he found the sprinkler tangling with the yo-yo string, slamming him to the ground and dislodging the concrete spade. This time, it was Chat that grabbed and broke it, releasing the Akuma for Ladybug to capture. Ladybug whipped her yo-yo and swiftly captured the black butterfly before it could get too far. --- "Bye bye little butterfly!” Ladybug and Chat Noir fist-bumped each other while the new superheroine panted for air. Relieved, she finally turned to address the newcomer. “Hey… thanks for the save. That was very brave of you. But you really took a great risk appearing out of nowhere like this.” Her gratitude was inherently mixed with the difficulties the unexpected fight posed. This certainly wasn’t the preferred way to make an acquaintanceship. “Th-thanks.”She noted the girl was still panting for air, placing her hoop on her back and having it just fit there, as if by magic. She asked Chat to tend to the poor overwhelmed construction worker so she could exchange a few words with the newcomer. “I have to tell you that we are used to fighting in tandem and we change our tactics when there’s a third superhero.״ She paused to observe how the newcomer would react. However, that girl appeared to be still busy reorienting herself. “You’d have to get some training and match the tactics. Um. How should we call you?” She wanted to have a name, at least. “Call me… Yamori. or Gecko, if you prefer that name.” “Okay, Gecko, so… um…” Yeah, now what exactly? She stood there thinking where all this was leading. Then Gecko spoke. “Well, since that happened… shouldn’t I be joining you?” She stared at Gecko and suddenly she felt disoriented by the upheaval these simple words caused. It’s simple, isn’t it? And yet it’s anything but simple! I mean, we don’t work with Rena or Carapace or Queen Bee on a regular basis. We don’t need to! And if we did have such a need… I’d like to have Alya as my partner, wouldn’t I? And then again… she is here. How could we not make use of a new superheroine offering her help? But… don’t the people of Paris deserve the most efficient combination to safeguard them? And who’s to say what that would be? Or that my own personal preferences aren’t interfering with my thoughts regarding it? Her head spun, she opted to consult with her partner. “Ok, Gecko. before we rush into this, or anything of kind… I’d like to have a moment with Chat in private. There are decisions us two need to make.” She and chat stepped aside to discuss as Gecko nodded her approval. “So, what do you think, Chat?” she whispered to her partner, hoping to get him involved and perhaps mitigate what seemed to be a growing burden on her. “I say, We already have a yo-yo and a baton. Do we really need a third wheel -” No no no. keep your humor to other times! He deserved a good stepping on his leg for that one, and he yelped as she did. His face twisted in pain. “Chat, That was terrible! Akumatize-her-terrible! She didn’t appear here just to have us mock her like that, she clearly looks up to us!” She chided him, then paused and sighed, deflated. “You’re right though, Chat. We don’t actually have a need for someone else, much less a rookie. Then again, if we don’t train her, she will forever be a rookie. We also can’t call her on demand as we do with Rena and Carapace.” A quick glance at Chat showed him having a more serious and contemplative look. She finally got him where she needed him to be at this moment. “Sorry about the pun. for what it’s worth, I felt almost as bad making it. With regards to Gecko, you call it. I’m actually happy to be second in command right now.” So, payback for that comment at the puppeteer incident, huh? But he did apologize for the pun. And he does trust me. She noted his smile and loosened up a bit. The thought he trusted her judgment on this very big question with important ramifications, made her feel a bit more at ease. “I guess honesty would be the right thing with… wait, what did you just say? That I’m her commander?” She balked at the suggestion, but the Cat went on. “Looks like you got yourself a trainee. I’m sure you can handle it.” She felt a pat on her back and couldn’t tell if it’s out of support, out of gloating at her predicament or a bit of both. Either way, her sense of responsibility made the distinction moot as she focused on making progress towards a decision. Sincerity is key. I will not lie to her. For it to have any chance of working out, I must trust her and she must trust me. She and Chat turned back to her, looking at Gecko who caught up her breath by now and seemed to be anticipating what they had to say. Ladybug broke the silence. “Here’s the situation, Gecko. Me and Chat Noir are a team. Other miraculous holders serve as backup. That’s how it has been so far and I just don’t see it changing.” She paused for a moment to check how Gecko responded to that, but she couldn’t quite discern it yet, so she went on. “But… we would really appreciate a reduction of the workload. You will patrol alone while one of us will be on standby. once a week your patrol will be with me and once with Chat Noir, as we can’t have you stay a rookie forever. I’ll also supervise your training. Let’s meet here in two hours to check out your skills, as I need to recharge. We have a lot more talking to do, too.” There was an awkward silence. She eyed Gecko, trying to guess her thoughts from her expression yet again. How is she going to take it? Will she be disappointed? She then noted a small smile slowly crept to Gecko’s face as she heard her answer. “I would expect nothing less than such wise words from you.” Gecko bowed her head and followed it with a hand motion. “I’m happy to serve under your guidance.” Wait… Serve under my guidance? Oh my god, what exactly have I gotten myself into?

#miraculous ladybug #fanfiction #fanfic #slow burn #wait for it #this is going to sport the entire lovesquare #happening at the same time #shipper on deck #shipper with an agenda #and rena rouge as never seen before #and a kwami swap #but not the one you think

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cloudchaserandflitterexplain · 6 years

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Gyro and Berry Dreams Explain: Points

Indeed. My win record is above 80%, which puts me amongst the top echelon of players of our fine game.

Let’s not gloat, hun.

Very well. I suppose this is neither the time nor the place. Shall we delve right into our chosen topic of discussion for the day?

Let’s! Today we’re talking about points.

Which is admittedly a rather broad subject, so let’s break that down a bit.

Our battle plan will cover four different fronts. First we’ll talk about the value of points. Then we’ll use that knowledge to establish how to optimize our scoring. Third we’ll discuss stopping the opponent from scoring points. And then we’ll wrap up with something we like to call “points on board.”

It is possible, perhaps even probable, that you are questioning why we would discuss such a base and obvious portion of the game.

Well that is because, as usual, most ponies do not grasp the full picture. There is a substantial quantity of subtlety and nuance that the average laypony simply is unable to grasp initially. But fortunately you can rely on us to educate you in what you’re missing.

That was probably a little too arrogant, hun.

I am not being arrogant, I am simply stating the facts as I observe them to be true.

What he’s trying to say is that while most ponies obviously understand that points are important and how to get then, they might misunderstand exactly how valuable they are. Which can lead to mistakes when forging your plan of attack.

It’s one of those easy to learn, difficult to master kind of things.

Perhaps for some, but my skills on the matter are top rate.

I thought you were going to stop boasting, hun.

But yes, I suppose the reason we’re talking about this is that we do understand the subject rather well.

Anyway, let’s talk about the value of points! Care to kick us off, Hun?

Certainly. Having witnessed a multitude of games as both a player and an observer, I’ve discovered that most ponies overestimate the value of points. While it is true that they are integral to the game, as you require them to be victorious, they are not as precious as one might originally believe.

Aside from the 15th one, of course. That one is priceless.

The actual value of a point is tricky to place exactly, and actually fluctuates as the game goes on.

When you’re behind, you need to be as efficient as possible in order to have a chance at catching up.

But if you’re ahead, you might be willing to spend a little more to extend your lead.

Of course, desperation due to the time limit waning or trying to recover from a bad board position might change the value even further… but ideally that doesn’t apply to you much.

Aptly summarized, my dear, and a fact that I’d wager many are not aware of.

However if I were to place a precise value on a point, I would say it is worth roughly one and three quarters AT at most stages of the game. Or if you prefer, slightly less than two AT.

Where did you get that number?

Observation, my dear, observation.

I have noted that paying 2 AT per point acquired feels overpriced. On the other hoof, paying only 1 per point is a miraculous steal. Thus the value should fall somewhere between the two.

And as 2 AT feels closer to the value of a single point than just 1 AT, I decided a reasonable estimation would be one and three quarters. Though I admit I may be off an iota or three.

I suppose it does feel about right. 2 is definitely more than I’d want to pay, but only a little.

You see? It may not be a perfect value, but it is a good enough estimate to base the remainder of our advice on.

So now that we know about how much AT a point is worth, it’s time to use this knowledge to give us the advantage in battle. But how?

Simple! It allows us to figure out if spending AT on points is a good investment or not right now.

A simple calculation can do wonders for guaranteeing you’re making the right play.

If you’re spending 2 or more AT per point you’re getting, it’s probably not a great deal and there may be better lines of play...

But if you’re spending less? It’s worth at least considering since you’re getting a good rate of return on your investment!

I would think an example would help illustrate the point nicely. Let us say that for some reason you are not playing a combo deck and—

Most ponies don’t play combo, hun.

Well, it’s hardly my fault that so many ponies don’t acknowledge the glory and majesty that is a well built—

I’m just saying be a little less condescending, kay?

My apologies. I suppose I did get a little carried away.

A little bit, sure.

Now as I was saying, you are playing an aggro deck with a boosted Princess Luna: Dream Warrior as your Mane at home. Each problem is just 5 wild for you to confront and you have a pair of Princess Cadance: Best Foal Sitters in hand. Bonus value for each problem is 1, lets say.

So you could just play one Cadance to a problem, moving Luna for free, and confronting for one point. But since Cadance costs 2, that’s not an especially great deal. It’s hardly horrible, but it’s not great either.

But you manage to do a lot more damage if you play the second Cadance via Hasty to the other problem to move Luna to start a DFO. If you win the DFO, now you scored 3 points for 4 AT, a much better deal!

One and one third AT per point is a perfectly reasonable rate of exchange, if you ask me. Not the best, but adequate for most performances.

The example’s a bit simple, but it just goes to show why aggro decks like such low to confront problems, even if the bonus isn’t always great. They want to spend as little AT as possible to score some big points.

A rule I see many aggro players utilize when building decks is to aim for being able to DFO every turn using no more than 4 AT. Assuming nothing goes wrong, of course.

Which does happen since the opponent isn’t always going to just let you do as you please. Maybe the opponent’s problem is just too big for you to confront no matter what you do. Or there’s a Troublemaker in the way. Or whatever.

Stuff like this can lead to some harder decisions. Do you try for a single confront anyway? Or do you just try and save up for a double?

Believe it or not, our guideline still applies here! Just maybe not in the way you expected.

Indeed. After all, we never stipulated that you had to be scoring all those points in the same turn, now did we?

Moving to confront one turn in anticipation of being able to confront the same problem again on the following turn can be quite worth it as well, as now you have scored that problem twice for the price of once.

Especially if on that second turn you manage to confront multiple problems and start a multi-problem faceoff.

Very worth the investment, if it works!

Though there is risk here that the opponent might confront the same problem and start a single problem facceoff. Which can be worth it if you win, but set you back significantly if you lose.

You can waste a lot of AT that way, so be careful with single confronts.

Indeed. That is an excellent example paying too much for your point. Especially as not only did you only score 1 point, you allowed your opponent to score an extra point as well.

Now this isn’t a principle only aggro decks should use. It applies to all sorts decks.

Though the rule is a bit weird for combo decks…

Indeed. In that case, it doesn’t matter how much AT you wind up spending in the long run so long as you make it to 15.

But anyway, let’s look at control and how they might want use this rule.

I doubt any of you would be surprised to learn that Photo Finish: Say "Käse!" is a staple in many control decks. To the point that some decks will even splash into white for the sole purpose of playing her.

Now why is that? She doesn’t help control players maintain control. She doesn’t give you any resources or help you find the tools you need. All she does is score you points, and even those are conditional.

Well, it’s simple! It’s because she’s a very cost efficient way of scoring points. Very frequently Photo will score the control player several points over the course of the game. Sometimes as many as five, or even more!

And even those without my astonishingly massive intellect can tell that 5 points for a mere 3 AT investment is an extraordinarily good deal.

Another common tactic for control players is to build up a troublemaker wall, then start confronting a single problem a turn behind it.

Indeed. You’ve likely spent a large quantity of AT to set up this situation, but as long as you are able to maintain it, you will be scoring a point every turn for the rest of the game thanks to that large investment.

Efficient command of your troops in such a manner is a great way to come out victorious in the end!

And I suppose it is briefly worth mentioning that Farming decks also use this principle, trying to score multiple points for a very small AT investment. Frequently they can score 2 points a turn with just 1 AT investment, as they play an epic, uncover it, and defeat it immediately.

Honestly they’re probably a little too efficient if you ask me...

But that’s a topic for another day! For now, it’s good enough to know that every deck archetype strives to follow this rule, even if not always in the same way. After all, points are what determine the winner at the end.

All too right, Berry.

Of course, even I must admit, that even the finest of plans go wrong on occasion. And while it is a good idea to adhere to this guideline where possible, it is not always feasible.

Sometimes you need to pay more to score than you would normally, and there’s just no getting around it no matter how clever you are. Especially if you’re playing aggro and there’s a troublemaker in the way.

It’s up to you to figure out when you should be sticking to the rule and when you should be breaking it.

After all, a clever general knows when to change her plan of attack.

Now that we have sufficiently gone over the strategy of scoring points, I believe it is time to tap our reservoir of knowledge on a different, though related, topic.

Preventing the opponent from scoring points. A tool all control players rely on.

Not just control players, you know. It’s an essential skill for everypony.

Though admittedly, control uses it the most.

True enough, my dear. I’ll concede that point gladly.

So we all know how important it is to score points, since getting to fifteen first means you’re the winner, but your opponent is trying to do that too.

So it’s not always enough to get as many points as possible yourself, sometimes you’ve got to prioritize stopping the opponent from scoring them.

And like with scoring points, you want to be efficient at it.

While it’s true that you could simply Napcakes their Friend to prevent the opponent from single confronting, that is typically going to be a waste of very important resources. You are spending 1 AT to stop 1 point.

Now we learned earlier that a point is worth a little less than 2 AT, so why is this a bad deal?

Well, it’s because that’s AT you could have been spending to score points of your own, but now you can’t. So it actually wound up costing you more than you thought!

Indeed, you should save that Napcakes for when it would be most effective. Such as preventing a DFO, or to protect a troublemaker. By successfully protecting the troublemaker, you’ve denied them not only the confront, but likely the ability to DFO. Possibly extending into future turns as well.

And by stopping the DFO, that’s at least two points you denied. One for the extra confront, and one or more from the bonus point they were likely to score. Far more efficient.

And as an added bonus, you might cause a single faceoff to happen instead, which you probably have a better chance of winning.

Not only did you thwart the opponent’s plans by denying them multiple points, but you managed to advance your own agenda by scoring a few yourself.

Bringing yourself much closer to winning the battle.

The AT value of denying points is a little harder to define than it was for scoring points, especially since it’s likely you only have so many way of doing so in any given deck. I would wager it is probably closer to only one and a quarter AT per point denied, rather than one and three quarters.

Of course, you do get extra value out of delaying the opponent’s plans, so sometimes that can make up for the AT cose.

Though things are a little different if it’s the opponent’s 15th point. In that case, if they can score at all you’ll lose, so your entire battle plan needs to be devoted to finding a way to score without letting them do so themselves.

Quite right. As I said before, the fifteenth point is priceless. As such, all rules about efficiency are off the table when it comes to keeping it away from your opponent.

Or securing it for yourself, of course.

Now there is one last topic we should address before bringing this discussion to a close. Something that, as my lovely companion alluded to before, we have taken to calling “points on board.”

Points on board is pretty simple! It refers to how many points a pony can score on their turn with the current problems. It also counts anything in play that increases that number, like Nightglider: Overpowering or troublemakers worth points.

As a simple example, if the problems are both Under Lock and Tree, then the points on board is 3, as the opponent can only score a maximum of 3 points with what is currently available.

Now if one of the problems was Tough Call instead, points on board would be 4. If you also had a Changeling Mimics in play, then it would be 4 for you and 5 for the opponent.

So why does this matter? Well, it can help you predict what scores might look like a turn from now. If you scored every point possible this turn, what would your point total be? What if the opponent scored every point available to her?

This can be particularly important to take note of during the end game. If your opponent is at 11 with 4 points on board, you better take measures to ensure the opponent can score, at most, 3 of those points lest you find yourself defeated.

And in a situation where the roles are reversed, it would behoove you to do everything in your power to score all four points. After all, that 15th point is priceless.

Of course for most of the game, there aren’t enough points on board for you to finish the game. But it’s still something to be aware of.

Indeed. It might factor into decisions like whether or not to pass two, six, or eleven points. Occasionally it is better to delay passing those thresholds for a turn, to keep the opponent’s AT gain lower.

But by far, the most important time to be aware of this is at the endgame. Especially when you can’t close out the game.

Let’s try a different example. Both players are at 11 points and there are only 3 points on board. You have the ability to DFO and score 3 points, bringing you just one point away from victory so you do.

But then a 2 point problem is flipped after problems are replaced and now there are 4 points on board. If your opponent has the ability to DFO and claim them all, you’ll have lost the war despite victory being within your grasp.

So what went wrong here?

Ah, a simple trap has been sprung here. Despite there only being 3 points on board now, you failed to account for the fact that problems being replaced allows for the possibility of the number of points on board for the opponent shifting.

You would have been fine had you not gotten greedy, my dear.

That was just an example, hun, not something that happened recently.

But yes, that’s exactly what I was getting at. Before your DFO, you had a good idea of how many points the opponent could possibly score on their turn, and it wasn’t enough for them to win.

Instead of going for a DFO, you could have just gone for a single confront since you knew it was unlikely the opponent could win next turn. Now you’re at 12 points with 3 points on board, enough to win next turn!

But by replacing problems, you gave up your safety and allowed the tides of battle to change. A mistake that has caused many a good pony to lose a fight that seemed like a decisive victory until the very last moment.

You are still talking about the game, right?

Sure, that too!

What my esteemed colleague is trying to convey is that one must not only think about the points on board now, but the points that may be on board. Think a turn ahead, lest it cost you the game.

After all, were you to face me and failed to plan accordingly, I would be more than willing to capitalize on your error and come out triumphant.

They get it, hun.

But that was everything on the battle plan, so I think we’re done here!

Yet another masterful execution, my dear. I think we can leave with the knowledge that we are making the world a better place for those who play this favourite game of ours.

Ah-hah, you were right, Cici!

Told you they were up here.

Oh, uh… we were just.

Trespassing in Cici’s home? Again?

I still don’t get how you guys even get up here. You’re earth ponies.

Ah, well, there’s a very simple explanation for this. You see...

Now!

You got it, hun.

What the? Where’d all this smoke come from?

Anyway, what are you all—

They’re gone, Cici.

Wah?

I didn’t think smoke bombs actually worked.

Eh, whatever. They’re gone now. And it doesn’t look like they did anything.

Yeah, well, I’d still like to know what they’re up to. This is, what, the third time they’ve done this?

I think it’s the fourth. Remember that one time we found open envelopes addressed to them at my place last year?

Oh yeah, that was weird. But they never seem to do anything. Wonder what they’re up to...

Maybe they just wonder what it’s like to live as pegasi so they researched a cloudwalking spell and visit!

Yeah, that’d make sense. Being a pegasus is pretty awesome. I can’t imagine not having wings.

Still weird that they do it when we’re not here, though.

Maybe they’re shy about it.

Well, whatever they’re doing, it certainly seems harmless enough.

Weird…

But harmless.

Well, looks like they didn’t do anything so I’m off. Bye Cici! Let me know if they come back.

Later, Flits. Will do.

#Gyro and Berry Dreams Explain #gyro #berry dreams #belated april fools #mlp #mlpccg #mlp:fim

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frogeyedape · 6 years

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Infinity War Spoiler/Theory

Please skip this if you've somehow miraculously avoided spoilers up to now.

So. Half of everybody died. I've heard that Marvel/etc say it's permanent: no screwy time magic to hit "undo," no magic resurrections, etc. The thing is, I'm not buying it.

Reason one: sheer emotion. Not logical, but hey. Actually, though, it might be more accurate to say "lack of emotion," because I was super hyper/detached while watching the film and from the moment Loki "died" (that one I have genuine reason to doubt; it's *Loki*, god of tricksters, and he was being waaaaay too obvious), I just sat back and...watched it happen...

Reason two: the Soul Stone and Gamora. Ok, disclaimer, never read the comic books, so my knowledge here is based entirely off of the movies and some facts gleaned from what the Internet says about the comics. So: 1) Gamora keeps showing up in that weird place Thanos went to after he killed her and got the Soul Stone. Sure, it's kid her, but she exists in a meaningful way, even if only to Thanos.

Does he have to keep holding the Soul Stone for her to keep existing in it? Because, like, she's part of *his* soul? Or does everyone killed using the Soul Stone get "copied" as she did? I don't know. But there's a chance, re: Internet knowledge:

"The Soul Stone. In the comics, it has the power to control the souls of living beings and traps the souls it consumes in a weird pocket dimension." (https://nerdist.com/avengers-infinity-war-soul-stone-theories-where-is-it/ see under the Gamora Theory)

So, if the movies follow this piece of comic lore, it is entirely feasible that the Soul Stone hasn't "killed" half of everyone per se, so much as transported them to some pocket dimension. Which, possibly, they might be retrieved from.

But was the Soul Stone destroyed by Thanos' use of it? I couldn't see the gauntlet terribly well in that last scene, but it looked damaged. Are the stones intact? If yes, point towards "everyone's not really dead." If no...chances get much better that they're really gone forever (in *this* parallel universe). But! What if you could simulate another Big Bang? Recreate the kind of universe-starting power that created the Infinity Stones in the first place? Gather enough matter together, make a singularity, prompt it to explode... I'm not saying it's practical, but my point is, maybe all hope is not lost.

Anyway, excited to see/learn about Capt Marvel amd why she's never shown up before. Busy saving other planets???

#infinity war spoilers #infinity war #spoilers #soul stone #everybody lives theory #they live inside the soul stone #i really hope the stones weren't destroyed #or that they're reparable #or something

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pyrewriter · 4 years

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Magic and History

Plagg rubbed his neck "The history of the Ring huh, well it's shorter than one would think and yet somehow at the same time darker than you'd expect". Adrien had been curious about the history of the Miraculous and the Kwami bound to them for some time but now it was at the forefront of his mind. "Well I don't think you want to hear the life story of each of your precursors so I'll tell you the short version which goes a little something like this. And let me preface by saying Kwami and other magical beings have existed long before the creation of the Miraculous. The Ring was one of the first to be created but it was the first to be wielded, the original Noir and first ever wielder was the same man who created all Miraculous 'The Sorcerer' as he is known to us. Since him there have only been fourteen other designated wielders, however only about half of them have ever worked alongside a Ladybug. You are the fifteenth wielder and the seventh to ever work with a Ladybug, not even the Sorcerer worked with one so you're lucky kid. Noirs were more often than not wielders that I alone had chosen because I saw things in them that the Guardians couldn't or just to spite them".

Adrien raised his hand like he was in class "What do you know of the Guardians?".

"Shortly after the Sorcerer's passing the Miraculous were seized by the 'Order the Guardians' and placed in what is now known as the Miraculous box. The intent of the Order was to use the Miraculous and their power to protect and benefit humanity, the Order would bestow the power to those deemed worthy by it's clergy and the Kwami in question. If a Kwami was not being wielded they were probably helping with more practical tasks like studying, developing and attuning magic. I spent many millennia in the box alone, because my power was deemed too dangerous to be used by anyone. So whenever they slipped up I slipped out and picked my own wielder or just went and had some fun but usually I went to talk with the other Kwami and their wielders. Sometimes I would get lucky though and the acting guardian would let me out ,much to the chagrin of the clergy of course, so it wasn't all bad".

"So what happened to the Order, I know they're gone now but how can an organization that powerful just disappear?" Adrien asked leaning closer with a sleeping Belial on his shoulder.

"At one point the Order had spread across the world but with the rise of other religions and their fanatical spreading of faith the Order was forced into shadow and became nomadic. Despite being so wide spread they were more scholars than fighters and they had no way of defending themselves if a large enough force decided they were hoarding gifts of their god. Over time the order became smaller and smaller until it resembled a gypsy cult, giving power to those the Kwami chose. Infighting between survivors resulted in Miraculous being bestowed on impulse or stolen, which is how all of the Chat and Ladybug teams occurred".

Adrien held his hand up "Stolen?" he asked nervously.

Plagg smiled "Shinobi tend to take advantage of discourse among groups, and not all tribes or warrior cultures were closed minded, even religious kingdoms can surprise you. Though some wishes were made despite the warnings of the Guardians".

"Wishes?"

Plagg chuckled "A guy doesn't just wake up after being dead for three days" Adrien put his head in his hands, "Shall I continue?".

"I think I get the gist of what the other guardians did before what Master Fu has told me" Adrien said shaking his head. After a moment he moved to his next question "What about previous wielders what happened to them?".

Plagg paused for a moment rubbing his chin "How do I explain this" he thought aloud "I can't speak for non wielders but for all previous and current wielders there is a sort-of afterlife. Your soul is taken from your body at the moment of death and becomes part of the first Kwami you were chosen by even if you wielded more than one Miraculous. Meaning when a wielder dies in combat or long after having retired from disease or age they join the ranks of the precursors". Adrien leaned back slumping into the couch his mind raced as he pieced together a timeline of major events and legends that shaped the world. "I think that's enough history for now" Plagg said before flying over to a pillow and curling up to sleep. He wanted to tell him about his most predecessor but that could wait. For now Plagg wanted to give the kid time to enjoy his much-earned freedom and to let the knowledge of where he will ultimately go settle in.

Adrien pulled out his phone and began researching myths that ,with this new knowledge, had begun to sound more and more feasible. After School Fe' entered the apartment to see Adrien sitting with his hair a mess and staring at Plagg "Adrien you look a meme format what happened?" she asked casually.

Adrien turned slowly to look at her, his expression unchanging "I think I've been sharing drinks with the guy that broke Pangea into contents".

"You wanna run that by me again" Fe' replied now mirroring his expression, Adrien proceeded to take the next few hours to explain what Plagg had told him and his theories to Fe'.

Across the street Marinette had returned from their regular search for Adrien, Tikki was trying to get her to study. "Mari, Chat said he was fine and you have to study for that math quiz next week" Tikki told her after she had asked about what happened during Chat's fight with Private Eye.

"Tikki he wasn't himself in that fight, when it was Kaleidotherapist he was just mad, but this was something else, he didn't have the Ring how did he transform?" Marinette asked.

Sighing Tikki relented "He wasn't transformed ,not really, Plagg used a forbidden technique, it was reckless and ,if you hadn't been there, fatal".

Marinette was intrigued now, she wanted to know more "What was it and who 'forbade' it in the first place?" she asked.

"It was forbidden by the Order of the Guardians after some 'unfortunate incidents' occurred to too many wielders, as for what Plagg did" Tikki sighed heavily remembering the 'incidents' vividly. "Plagg became Chat's heart ,literally replacing it, allowing his wielder to use pure magic, un-channeled and uncontrolled, doing so allows nearly unrivaled amounts of power. But the human body was never meant to use pure magic, with the Miraculous the magic is channeled and safe to use while transformed, kind of like a fail-safe. But that technique negates that and the cost is the life and mental stability of the one using the un-channeled magic. The user is driven insane or goes on a rampage to some degree and after five minutes they are left with an empty cavity in their chest, their heart disappears. There are numerous magics and techniques that were dubbed too dangerous to be used by the Order" Tikki explained.

Marinette took a moment to let that information sink in but she was still curious "Who were the 'The Order of the Guardians' Master Fu mentioned them but he said they were destroyed". Tikki indulged Marinette's curiosity explaining the history and origin of the Miraculous and of the Order as she too got lost in a history lesson. Compared to Plagg's description Tikki made the order sound necessary rather than a religion and it's downfall as a tragedy instead of an inevitability. Tikki had been outside of the box for the grand majority of the time that the Order had existed so her and Plagg's purview of the Order were far from the same. She had more incite on how the Order had operated and how it had spread across the world. This combined with her near constant involvement in the process of magic attunement and creation Tikki was able to give a more detailed explanation of the Order's purpose. She explained that there had been dozens of Ladybugs and scores of wielders of the other Miraculous, all together they numbered over one thousand. She purposefully never mentioned the number of Noirs or any of the previous Ladybug and Chat Noir duos. Tikki felt that Mari was not yet ready to hear of her precursors, the one she was succeeding in particular.

"Oh no, we're gonna be late for patrol" Marinette said having glanced at the clock, she quickly transformed "Tikki, Spots On" and left through her skylight.

When Plagg had awoken expecting to be called to go on patrol he was greeted by both Fe' and Adrien staring at him, "You started doing research didn't you?" he asked in a knowing tone.

"Pangea, splitting the Red Sea, Pompeii" Adrien listed.

Plagg smiled wide replying with a list of his own "I sneezed, it was a wish, and I wanted fondue" Adrien and Fe's looked at each other then back to him without a word. "So are we going on patrol or what, Adrien?" he asked wanting the silence that had filled the room to end.

Adrien stood and left the room, when he returned he had switched into a pair of jeans and a maroon zip-up hoodie, throwing up his hood he transformed "Plagg, Claws Out". Chat looked at the Ring "You've got some more history to tell but that can wait" he turned to Fe' "I'll be at the tavern, if you need me give me a call". Patrol was boring as usual but his rendezvous with Ladybug had him feeling like he was visiting a therapist.

"Are you sure you're feeling ok, you had gaping holes in your body. Do you have any unusual cat-like urges? Is your heart beating at a normal rate?" Ladybug was far too concerned.

"LB, I'm paw-stivly fine, there's nothing furr you to worry about" Chat said trying to get his partner to come down. He knew why she was asking, in truth he was wondering about the specifics of what Plagg had done and he knew there was one way to find out. "Plagg, Claws In" Ladybug was shocked at how Chat openly de-transformed in front of her but was quickly disappointed to see him completely covered. "Hey Plagg, you mind explaining what it was you did during the Private Eye fight" he said looking over the city, Ladybug listened despite already having already heard an explanation from Tikki.

"I replaced your heart and let you use magic without the need to channel it through a miraculous, it only grants a partial transformation however. When it wears off your heart is gone and ordinarily you die seconds later from internal bleeding" Plagg explained.

"What about losing his mind, what about how he could have leveled Paris" Ladybug blurted out covering her mouth when she realized what she'd said. Plagg turned to Ladybug with a questioning look that bore down on her "I asked my Kwami about it too and that's what she told me" she explained. "Tikki told me that Plagg used a forbidden technique and it would have killed you had I not been there".

"I would have been dead even if Plagg didn't use the 'forbidden technique' and Plagg wasn't exactly in the know on a lot of things during the time of the Order's reign" Adren argued. Then looking to Ladybug meeting her gaze "I'm also assuming your Kwami told of the Order, correct?".

She nodded "Yes it is a shame that so much was lost when it fell".

Adrien shrugged turning his gaze back to the city "With how the balance of power was shifting in the world, perhaps it was for the better that the Order disappeared". He could feel the intense seething stare of Ladybug through his hood "Think about it, how different would major historical events be had the order still been present throughout recorded history. The paradigm of the world would be changed forever". Ladybug malled over her partners words, she hadn't thought about it that way and as much as she didn't like it she knew he was right. If the Order were to be revived and it's knowledge restored, the effects on the world today could be catastrophic.

"Damn this kid is about as hardcore as it gets isn't he "

"Did you say something, Plagg?" Adrien asked looking around.

Plagg shook his head "I didn't say anything kid".

"Wait did he hear me?"

"LB is that you?" he asked again.

She too shook her head "No I didn't say anything".

"Oh my- GUYS COME HERE"

Voices came from all around him, some male others female all blending together, he began to have flashbacks of when he got jumped in the hoods and of paparazzi. Hitting himself in the head Adrien began muttering to himself "Ugh get out of my head already, why can I hear them now, shut up already" he closed his eyes and hummed a lullaby. The voices faded and after a moment they were gone, when he opened his eyes Ladybug was kneeling next to him reaching for him, Plagg floated next to her looking concerned.

Ladybug placed a hand on his shoulder "Hey, are you ok?" she asked in a low voice rubbing his arm.

Adrien nodded "Yeah, I just had a bad flashback for some reason".

"Do you want to talk about it?" Plagg asked.

"Not right now, something tells me a relapse on the Eiffel Tower is a bad idea" Adrien smiled but then he remembered "You can't see it but I'm smiling, and thank you for caring but I'm fine". He stood and changed the subject "Plagg, let's get to work before we're late, Plagg, Claws Out".

"I didn't think there would be anyone with a deep enough connection to any Kwami, not since the fall that is" The voices had returned louder now.

"I'm surprised that the Guardian let another Lady-Noir team happen after-"

"HEY, we agreed not to talk about that unless it was to the new guy"

"Sorry, sorry you're right"

Chat stopped on a roof headbutting a nearby wall "If you don't shut up I'm going to rip my ears off" the voices stopped, he looked around searching for the sound but saw nothing "Plagg, Claws In".

"Adrien, I think we need to talk about another magic" Plagg said seeming to try and calm him down.

"Yeah I think we do, Plagg" Adrien plopped down looking like an aggressive 'The Thinker'. "So tell me Plagg, why am I hearing voices of people who very clearly-".

"Your connection with me is deep Adrien, and you are beginning to make contact with your precursors even if you're not meaning to" Plagg said cutting Adrien off. He took a deep breath before explaining further "You and I have become close ,like brothers, and the way you trust me with your secrets, your understanding of me, everything-".

Adrien finished the sentence relaxing "-Has formed a bond deep enough to trigger something".

Plagg chuckled "Yes, if you focus hard enough on the voices I think you'll be surprised at what you see" Adrien gave him a look "Just listen" he encouraged. Adrien did as he said and closed his eyes to focus, listening for the voices.

"Oh now he wants to listen" one said annoyed.

Another sounded purposefully ghost-like "Burn the orphanage".

"Hey guys who wants to flash the new guy" a female voice called.

Adrien put his head in his hand "Are all of you just overgrown children?" he asked.

A different female voice spoke whispering in his ear, she sounded younger "Don't worry Plagg is ,as you say, a man of culture".

Adrien couldn't help but let out a genuine laugh "Ooohh this is going to an interesting introduction" he stated before opening his eyes, fourteen translucent figures stood before him. Nine were male and five were female all of varying age from what looked like seventeen to mid thirties, each was garbed in the Chat Noir color pallet with splashes of other colors. They all were fully clothed to his relief.

The oldest and most plain looking of them stepped forward "It is nice to finally speak with you young one, and it is nice to see you again as well, Plagg".

"Plagg, a-are you crying?" Adrien asked.

"NO! YOU'RE CRYING" Plagg retorted wiping his tears.

Adrien chuckled "Suuurrree" he replied sarcastically before Plagg poked him in the eyes "AUGH ow you little cheese goblin". Everyone laughed but while rubbing his eyes Adrien remembered where he had been going before "Oh sh-Plagg, we're gonna be late, sorry to cut this short everyone". The other Noirs nodded in understanding before disappearing.

"I'm ready when you are" Plagg said as he sniffled and wiped his tears again.

Adrien sighed " I don’t know who that was but you'll see him again I promise but I need to get to work. Plagg, Claws Out”.

Back at the Tower Ladybug was still worrying about her partner, he was getting back to how he was but something was still different from how he was. He used to flirt whenever he got the chance and be ecstatic if she touched him in a caring manner, now he simply brushed off his problems thanking her for her concern. The dynamic between them had shifted and Ladybug wasn't quite sure how to feel about it. "Chat does seem to be more mature, on the one hand that makes him less of a flirt but on the other I almost miss the atmosphere he brought with him. He does seem to be going back to his old punny self ,at least a little, I just hope that everything's ok in his civilian life" Ladybug thought to herself on her way home.

Chat de-transformed as he entered the Square choosing to use the streets waving hello to the few late-bedders who kept an eye out for trouble makers late at night. Adrien burst through the tavern doors, gave Milo a passing "Hello" and sprinted into the back, throwing his sweater and shirt into his locker to change into his work shirt. When he emerged he was winded but ready to work but he couldn't wait until he was off to speak with the precursors.

Almost two weeks went by without any action ,not even a petty theft or mugging, and the second weekend was coming, Marinette and the others had continued to look for Adrien. Luka joined them regularly and was a great help in coordinating with volunteers and rotating groups to keep morale high. Nino had stopped joining them saying that he wanted to honor his friend’s wishes which the others respected, he used his extra time to help with the tavern's remaining renovations. The group had decided they would take weekends off in the future to give everyone some time to be with loved ones and relax. The girls had another sleep over to talk and relax, they had even invited Chloe' who had changed greatly in the past few weeks becoming good friends with everyone. As messed up as it was to say she had to admit, Adrien's disappearance had somehow brought out the best in her.

Nino had been Adrien's link to the class via lunchtime emails, every time the phone dinged the class held its breath hoping for an update. Every time they met Nino would remind his brother that he still needed to get those signal beanies he mentioned during the Cheshire meeting. Adrien would always say he was getting to it and eventually he would but for the time being he was occupied with other matters. Using time between patrols and lulls at work Adrien practiced talking with the other wielders, It had become almost second nature to him, now he could choose to block them out entirely, passively listen, or let them manifest at will. He had yet to tell anyone of them but late night renovation sessions provided ample time for him to chat with them without looking mentally insane. The other wielders had better explained how their conversation worked since Plagg had little experience with a wielder whom he shared a deep enough connection.

Paksis the second wielder, was especially knowledgeable since he was one of the few that had managed to make a deep connection with Plagg. "Previous wielders are not always watching though we are always capable of watching regardless of whether or not we can speak with or be seen by the current wielder. Precursors can only watch the wielder of their Miraculous so we can't watch the current wielder. At least one of us must also be present for the connection to work, if you were to try and manifest us when no one was present nothing would happen".

Nalma the youngest of the previous wielders and fourth wielder, was much more enthusiastic than the others, she knew a lot about how much they could see about him. "It's kind of like a constant group call that we all join and leave at will, you can even let anyone see and hear us so long as they're in contact with the Ring or it's wielder. Though I get bored real easy and while most of the others are content with watching you in the here and now ,I like to go deeper, the present isn't the only thing we can watch of the current wielder. No, no, no we can see your past too ,even before your time as a wielder, I'm the only one who's looked that deep of course, the others don't do it out of respect for your privacy. But I gotta hand it to you kid, I think out of all of us you take the cake for most hardcore origin story". Adrien talked to her the most both passively and manifested but liked to keep his head clear unless he was really bored and Plagg was sleeping or talking with Ladybug and Tikki elsewhere.

His most important history lesson however came one morning as the sun was preparing to peer over the horizon. As his eyes opened he was greeted by a pair of giant blue eyes that belonged to none other than Tikki who had been chatting with Plagg the night before.

"What have they told you?" she asked, Adrien jolted back not expecting someone other than Plagg to be so close. The sudden movement made both Belial and Plagg stir in their sleep, the two of them had been curled up together in Adriens lap all night. "What have they told you?" Tikki repeated.

"About what?" Adrien replied confused as to what exactly she was referring to.

Tikki flew closer ,Adrien leaned back, "Your Precursors, what have they told you and how long have you been in contact with them?".

Adrien feigned being groggy as he focused to manifest whoever was watching but there was no one, he didn't know what to say or how much she knew so he improvised. "I started hearing them a while ago, since then I've been listening and speaking with them. All they've told me is how to talk with them and what they can see" he explained.

Tikki backed off with a sigh "Good then they haven't told you".

As if summoned by her words Xylon the fourteenth wielder Adrien's predecessor, manifested "Tikki seems to be giving you an ear-full about talking to us I see" he said looking smug.

Adrien didn't look at him but he needed to let Xylon know what was going on, making a confused expression he asked "What, what haven't they told me?". Xylon's smug smile disappeared at his question replaced by one of somber remembrances, he left shortly after with his arms wrapped around himself.

Gasped then covered her mouth "I've said too much" without another word she flew through him.

Adrien sat confused and curious "Plagg, what was she talking about?".

Plagg rubbed his eyes and yawned "You're gonna have to be more specific kid, I was pretty out of it, all I heard was voices".

"Tikki was asking me 'what did they tell you' and something about 'they haven't told you yet', got any idea what she was talking about?" Adrien elaborated.

Plagg shot to full alertness "I uh, I don't know what she was talking about no" he stammered.

Adrien leveled him with a look "Plagg, what aren't you telling me, it seems like everyone knows something that neither I or Ladybug do". Xylon manifested once more with Nalma at his side, she was comforting him with a hand on his back. Adrien was concerned now "What grenade did I just pull the pin on".

Nalma looked to him "We should go somewhere more private".

Adrien nodded "Plagg?".

"I'm ready, Kid"

"Claw Out" Chat headed toward the Louvre with Belial on his shoulder like always, taking a seat atop the decorative railing that spanned the roof. The museum was closed for maintenance and the cleaning crews were inside, it was as secluded as it was he could get without Ladybug finding him. Xylon and Nalma were silent during the trip and only reappeared together again when he stopped.

"Do you know why there hasn't been a Black Cat since Xylon?" Nalma asked

Adrien shook his head "No, I just assumed that no suitable wielder had been chosen or there was no need for another, not until Hawkmoth appeared that is". He had never thought about the history of the other wielders, he also hadn't noticed until now that Xylon's voice was the one that mentioned something they agreed not to speak of.

Xylon sat down leveling himself with Adrien "I lived during the European Witch trial of the 1400's, for most of my time as a wielder I worked alone. I protected those who had been wrongly accused of witchcraft and even those who were in fact dabbling in the arcane arts. I was hated and hunted by the Church, eventually I was granted the Ladybug Earrings and told to choose the one that would wield it. I made my choice and she was amazing, beautiful, and driven by a sense of duty to protect everyone she could. We had worked together for only a few months but we saved many lives" he choked on his words.

Nalma embraced and whispered to him, after a moment of sobbing softly into her shoulder he lifted his head and began again picking up where he left off still in Nalma's arms. "I, I am unsure of the specifics of how it happened but one day she stopped showing up, it wasn't until weeks later that Tikki found me and informed me her wielder had been seen. She told me that she was taken and the miraculous were taken from her, I knew I needed to find her and I knew where they would have taken her. After fighting my way into the prison and stealing prisoner documents I learned of everything they had done to her. They kept detailed records of everything that they did to her, they tortured her, starved her, raped her, beat her, and sent her to the cathedral. I rode by horse back for days but I was too late, by the time I got there all I could do was watch her writhe and scream as she was burned at the stake, I was powerless. I retreated into myself refusing to leave the attic I hid in for what felt like a lifetime while they celebrated and relished her agony and death".

Adrien was seething, his jaw was clenched so hard it hurt, he slammed his fist down creating large cracks in the stone. "Tell me they died screaming" he uttered through gritted teeth, Nalma’s head shot up looking to him, "ALL OF THEM" he added.

Xylon wiped the tears from his eyes before continuing once more "I slaughtered every single one of them, those that were at her burning or involved in her torment. I killed indiscriminately, Men, Women, the Children who threw stones at her while she burned, and those that partook in the celebration they all died by my hand. When the perpetrators were gone I set my sights on the Clergy, I cut a bloody swath through Italy to the Vatican, I wish they would have let me string those up pigs by their own-".

"I think you should go calm down, I'll tell him the rest" Nalma interrupted, Xylon looked at her before giving her a nod and dissipating. "Long story short, Xylon was responsible for putting an end to the Witch trails in Europe and changing the course of history. He retired shortly after, returning both the Earrings and returned the Ring to the nomads. After witnessing his trail of carnage he had created using the Ring's power they decided that the Ring should not be used unless all other options had been exhausted". Nalma bit her lip before telling him "I need to go make sure that he doesn't have a mental breakdown, do us a favor and don't tell Tikki or the Ladybug about what we told you". Chat sat there for a few minutes, his blood still boiling at the thought of what had happened to the last Ladybug, a meow from Belial snapped him back to reality. Keeping secrets wasn't exactly new to him but he found that this one in particular left a foul taste in his mouth, Chat hoped that his partner never learned of her predecessor's fate.

Plagg had apologized for not telling him sooner but Adrien waved it off like always "I'm not mad or disappointed Plagg ,I hate that stereotype, you warned me after all". Adrien had expected dark but Xylon's story was exceptionally grim but he did wonder what the long version of the story was, he felt like they weren’t telling him everything. "Who's 'they' and why would the end of a story be long?" these questions echoed in his head during patrol but he knew that neither the wielders or Plagg would tell him more. For the time being Adrien pushed those questions to the back of his mind, filing them under "To be answered" in his mental vault. He also decided to honor that favor Nalma asked of him and didn't tell a soul of what he knew about his predecessor.

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#Bare Your Teeth #Chapter 13 #miraculous fanfic

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lovehotelreservation · 7 years

Text

Someday the Prince Will Come - Transparent

Summary: Though he preferred to wear his Askrian armor, Alfonse never questioned your decision to wear your robe to battle. However, when said garment becomes wet and turns sheer, there’s not a piece of protection that could spare him from the lascivious fantasies that immediately seize hold of him.

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: Reader/Alfonse

IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING BUT WE’RE HERE NOW BECAUSE ALFONSE NEEDS MORE LOVE GDI

Also I know that this week is supposed to be themeless, but between today’s one-shot and tomorrow’s, I couldn’t resist!!!

ANYWAY I HOPE YOU ENJOY!

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Even while carrying the title of Prince, Alfonse often didn't adhere to it that much.

Joining the Order of Heroes brought about the ire of Askr's royal advisors, who incessantly nagged at him to reconsider his and Sharena's decision. Why meddle in the affairs of the other worlds when they should be at home, preparing for their eventual ascension to King and Queen?

Though his sister was more playful in response, she at least tried to quell the frustrations expressed by the royal court, whereas he simply shunned them out.

The fates of the other worlds, the meddling of Veronica, the disappearance of Zacharias, they were all matters that could not be ignored--a sentiment, thankfully, shared by the Heroes that he, Sharena, and Anna recruited amidst their journey.

However, their ability to create a fearsome retaliation against Veronica's vengeance couldn't have been done with the most mystifying addition to them all: you, the Summoner.

The circumstances of when you both met for the first time, the unfathomable power you possessed with Breidablik, the intriguing mystery of the world you hailed from--there was always something about you that never failed to fascinate him.

Or make him yearn to be closer to you.

As the trauma of Zacharias's disappearance seemed to forever leave its lasting effect on him, Alfonse made it an outright point to you that he had no intentions of forming any relationship beyond teammate. While Sharena chided and pouted at him for being so standoff-ish to a new friend, he couldn't find it within himself to get attached to you in any way. You appeared out of nowhere in some miraculous way. What could stop the opposite from happening, much like with Zacharias?

Though really, he should've known that the battlefield was the best place to create and strengthen relationships.

Despite you lacking the ability to draw a sword and fight, you more than made up for it with your ability to summon and composing impeccable strategies. Alfonse only saw you as a leader, one who he can trust to seek victory, which in turn lead to peace, and, ideally, would eventually lead to uncovering the mystery behind Zacharias. With each successful battle however, he felt a surge of pride and accomplishment, especially when you always made it a point to praise him for his efforts.

Suddenly, he found more reason to give it his all on the battlefield.

While above all, the mission was what was to take top priority, Alfonse eventually found himself wanting to impress you, whether by how many enemies he could defeat, or landing the finishing blow that would seize victory for you all. Sharena was quick to pick up on this, thereby teasing him with a smug grin and a coy, "What was that about not wanting to be friends~?"

Though Alfonse waved it off as his sister's imagination simply running wild, it came to the point where he just couldn't deny it.

Whenever camp was set up after battle, he always found himself drawn to your side, wishing to talk to you about anything that would allow him to bask in your presence a little longer. He was especially interested in what your world was like, mystified by all that you had to say, about these unique metal carriages that needed no horse to move, or how you had these lightning-infused devices that made communicating by letter and carrier owl obsolete--to which a nearby Feh huffed its chest and turned away with disgust.

The time spent with you, whether alone by the campfire before bed, or doing an early morning patrol together while the rest of camp was asleep, eventually added another priority that he was determined to uphold:

Protecting you.

Not merely to preserve the stability of the Order of Heroes--even though that was, without question, vital. But for his own wishes, his own desires--

His own love.

It was why that he--at this moment--couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt, shame, embarrassment for indulging in an act that was doubtlessly unbecoming of a prince.

Since Camilla, the Nohrian princess who hailed from the World of Conquest, was summoned, she immediately insisted that a bathhouse was to be installed at the Order of Heroes’ castle headquarters. While Alfonse saw her request as much too frivolous and indulgent, the idea was widely and agreed upon by those who also hailed from the princess's world, and that of Birthright.

Unsurprisingly, when you were in favor of the bathhouse--noting the benefits to having a place where everyone can unwind before or after battle--Alfonse changed his tune.

And was he ever thankful for it.

Sitting upon the smooth stone edge of one of the many baths in the area, he--surrounded by inescapable steaminess, both physically and in fantasy--was succumbing to his own desire and lust for you. His legs submerged in the enticingly warm water, he was stripped down save for the small towel he had nudged aside, offering him access to wrap his hand around his erect cock while he stroked himself furiously . Biting down on his lip, he still took great effort to keep himself from being too noisy--even with the sound of bathwater constantly streaming in and the ruckus outside with some sort of welcoming celebration hosted by Izana, the most recent Hero to be summoned. Though, really his restraint was more out of shame than anything else.

He had been at this for minutes now, somehow finding snatches of relief while dragged further along the edge of his release. Though, how could he find relief after what happened today?

As per his own personal allegiance to protect you, Alfonse didn't hesitate to object to any strategies of yours that could draw any harm your way. Your role was to give commands, not enact them. Usually this came about when their enemies were on the defensive side, hiding amidst the natural environment while waiting to strike.

In other words, they had to be lured out.

While it wasn't too much of a hassle to do so with whichever Heroes had been brought in for a fight, there were some instances when your strategy called for you to be the decoy. You draw out the enemy, your Heroes--in position--strike and commence the attack.

Today's battle called for such a plan. Heavy thickets and vast forests were nothing new to you at this point, and neither were enemies lurking within the trees in wait. Considering the opposition, there was no way you could try luring them out with a Hero without that person being completely overwhelmed.

A point that Alfonse immediately interjected with, his fists clenched tightly and his eyebrows furrowed.

However, you assured him that luring out the enemies would be a success, given that there happened to be a ledge that loomed over a lake. The height that the leap would require was feasible for a person to make, even one who wasn't battle hardened like yourself.

While concern was expressed by the likes of Anna and Sharena, the agreement for you to play decoy was near unanimous, save for Alfonse. Though, seeing the fierce determination in your eyes, he gave in soon enough--but not before insisting that he be the one to ensure that you made a clean getaway, volunteering to take the position by the lake and keep it clear of any enemies that would come forth as the battle begun.

Anxious didn't even begin to describe the wait for you to show up.

Still, losing faith in you was out of the question--he should trust you in the same way you to him while he carried out your strategies. But now, under this newfound stupor of vulnerability and affectionate wishes, he was tense as he remained hidden amidst the pine trees that grew around the lake, which remained thankfully clear of new enemies. Nothing made him yearn for that lightning-infused communication device to see how you were doing--

Suddenly, Alfonse's eyes grew wide open, his jaw becoming slack for a moment before it tightened.

Wearing your white robe, you leapt from the ledge and into the lake.

Sure enough, there were enemies behind you. Some soldiers hung back upon coming across the ledge, while one was bold enough to leap after you.

Only to be greeted by the swing of Camilla's axe as she zoomed by on her wyvern.

His body moved faster than his mind could process.

Leaving Fólkvangr, his shield, his cape along with the heaviest pieces of his armor on the shore, he quickly dove into the lake to swim towards where you landed, making sure that he wasn't weighed down. His focus unwavering, he felt even lighter when he saw you emerge from the depths with a sputtered gasp. With near rapture, he called out your name as he approached you, blessed relief sweeping over him.

"You did it again," he laughed gently while his eyes scanned over you to note any injuries you may have sustained--whether from your jump or while running away.

"It's just the prologue, more or less." You smiled in return before your eyes shifted back up to the cliff, where the cries of battle and the sound of weapons clashing could be heard overhead. "The real act begins now."

"And I'll see to it that everything sticks to the script," he assured before gesturing back to the shore with the slight flick of his head. "Come Summoner, your guidance is further needed.:

With this, the two of you made your way back to the shoreline. As Alfonse retrieved his armor, his posture was at ease, knowing that this dilemma of being so worked up over you was finished.

Or so he thought.

Embarrassing as it was, he found some issue with getting his cape to properly stick with his armor. Usually, he would ask for Sharena's help--which would earn some teasing from her end--but with her offering Anna support up on the battlefield, he had no choice to just ask you for assistance.

Then he looked your way.

And then...

"Maybe...I should start asking Robin for his robes..."

Wet.

Clinging.

Sheer.

Feeling heat rise to his face, Alfonse's eyes were flued to you as you stepped onto the shore, the soaked white fabric of your robe--practically see-through due to its light material--like that of a second skin to you. As your robe was a size bigger than you, he could make out every curve of your physique. Though, what truly left him speechless was watching your hands move to the front of your robe, pulling the flaps open.

He heard you sigh over not wanting to traverse through the forest with your robe weighing you down, but it was left unfathomed. While he wasn't treated to the sight of your underclothing--or even your naked skin--you were wearing a loose-fitting sleeveless top and a pair of shorts that hugged your hips that fulfilled and realized a good chunk of his imagination. Given that summer was here, he shouldn't have been too surprised by your attire.

Or excited.

With your robe completely off, you held it in your arm, sighing with relief from the freedom. Though, recalling how Anna's stern but well-meaning advice that you keep your identity hidden at all times--if just to avoid letting the likes of Veronica exploiting that information by any means--you looked back to your outerwear, wondering if you may as well slip it on again, discomfort and all.

"Ugh...this is gonna be a pain..."

Then you suddenly had a near face full of cape being held before you.

Curiously, you glanced at Alfonse, only to see that his gaze was directed away from you, the tips of his ears a noticeably blushing red.

"H-Here, just use this for now. Wear it as you like," he stammered before stiffly stepping over to where he left Fólkvangr and his shield. "We should be quick to get you to the lookout area too. We need our strategist after all!"

Though he did not turn back to face you as he spoke, he raised his hand to offer you a thumbs up.

So awkward yet so sweet.

You smiled.

That was your Alfonse.

And now your Alfonse was hidden away in his own personal hell of vices and desire. Though the battle was successful and there was even a celebration that followed after with Izana formally recruited into the Order of Heroes, the prince couldn't find it in himself to partake in the festivities.

Simply because he had so much he needed to release.

The baths were empty, thankfully, with everyone else was swept up in the party, yourself included.

He shuddered as you came to mind, thinking back to how you wrapped his cape around your damp form. What would be better--he wondered--to be intimate with you while you wore his clothing--fatigues, royal garb--or while you were naked, your skin pressed flush against his.

Already blushing and slick with bathwater and sweat, he gasped and bucked against his hand, squeezing around his cock at the thought while his eyes shut in pleasure. His rhythm quickened the more he thought about you clinging to his body, raking your nails along his shoulder blades as you begged to be fucked harder by him and--what made him quiver most--declared your love for him.

In turn, his hands being able to roam around your body, free to stroke and discover all the spots that made you gasp and arch your back most, it only fueled his hunger and intensified his need for release.

And yet, even in the privacy of the baths, Alfonse could only feel shame for what he was doing. Wishing to step beyond mere Heroes fighting alongside together was indulgent in itself. But now, going further with jerking himself off to the mere thought of your lips parting open to moan his name was utterly disgraceful for a prince.

On the same regard, for you to call out your name in a mix of a whimper and pant was pure defilement, a sullying of your character--

"Alfonse?"

Whatever heat that enveloped him turned frigid, fitting for the way he froze at the sound of a voice calling his name.

Your voice.

From the entrance to the baths itself, there was no real obstruction, save for the changing room, mainly for easy access. Thus, when it became apparent that you were standing right beside where he sat--clothed in nothing else but a towel--his current disheveled state of depravity was on full display.

Your eyes were as wide as could be, your jaw slack in complete shock.

Not only did you just walk in on Alfonse touching himself, but he was fantasizing about you while doing so.

For someone who was quick to action in battle, everything at this moment just felt so sluggish. Any excuse he could possibly think of were immediately rendered useless, for there was really no way of getting out of this, save for owning up to his shame and apologizing--though his guilt only deepened as he resisted from staring at you in your current attire (or lack thereof), even more of his imagination realized compared to earlier today.

He expected for you to curse his name and storm off. Instead however, you--while remaining understandably and completely flustered--stayed in place, even if your gaze proceeded to shift elsewhere. His hand reached for his towel to cover up his cock, right as his fingers clutched at the fabric while he stared down at the baths.

Nothing was said between you both, the only sound in the room being muffled chatter from outside and the continuous rush of bathwater.

When he couldn't take the shared silence, he gripped his towel tighter as his name tumbled from your lips. "I-I..."

"I came to rinse off since Izana thought a cake fight would liven things up at the party...! I'm so sorry, Alfonse!"

"'Sorry?'" Alfonse repeated with disbelief, his gaze immediately returning towards you. He saw that your head was lowered in apology and that--like him--you were gripping your towel as well. "For what?"

As though he couldn't feel even more remorse, you looked apologetic, even in your embarrassment.

"I-It's nothing!" You exclaimed in return, shaking your head before you took a step back, looking as though you were about to leave. Though, seeing his genuine confusion, you seemed to mirror his shameful feelings, given by how you winced by some seeming internal conflict. Your voice small, you confessed while shifting away even further. "I...really didn't mean to watch you...this whole time. I'm really sorry."

With nothing more to say, you moved to depart in shame. Truly, you did come to the baths to wash up, only to catch Alfonse alone, right as he pushed his towel aside to begin stroking himself. Entranced didn't even begin to describe how enamored you were by the sight, your need to rinse forgone in favor of watching your dear prince indulge in pleasure. It wasn't until that you heard him moan your name that you had to approach, to clarify what you heard.

However, you didn't make it a step more until you felt his hand reach for your arm.

Astonished, you turned around, expecting for him to be furious.

Instead, you were met with the most vulnerable that you've ever seen him, his expression longing with need.

Alfonse spoke your name, his voice breathless. "I don't want you to go," he gasped, proceeding to draw you into his arms. Hearing his words as you become wrapped in his embrace--with his bare skin pressed against your body--you shivered and did the same, your grip clinging.

He brought a hand to your face, cradling your cheek as gently as his thumb grazed over your skin. Earnestly and with need, he panted out, "I...never want you to go."

Staring up into his eyes, which reflected a desire for you that equally matched yours for him, what was next was clear. An opportunity for you both that--for someone who lead many victories as a strategist--would be foolish the two of you to not take.

Your arms moved up to slink around his neck as your head moved towards his, any gap between your lips soon to be closed and sealed--in this case, for the rest of time.

"And I never want to leave."

#alfonse (fire emblem)#fire emblem heroes #reader insert #summer of faffery #fic #super freaknasty writing #management will return in a queue minutes

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flightfoot · 5 years

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... But there hasn't been anything like that. The first act of defiance for Adrien was running off to go to school (probably). We didn't see him stealing or sneaking anything before that. Some of the theories say that his amoktised object lies with Emilie in her pod, and since she is unconscious/dormant, that grants Adrien the ability to have free will. But that is supposed to be limited at some point. There is nothing un-human about Adrien, except the fact that he is seemingly flawless...

hermionemonica asked:

... Adrien's being flawless might just have to do with building him up as a Mary Sue. And as Chat Noir, he does seem to show some flaws as seen in Siren, Frozer and Glaciator. Which brings me to: wouldn't Plagg or even Master Fu have noticed something about Adrien if he were a sentimonster. It is created by a Miraculous, so wouldn't someone knowledgeable about Miraculouses like a kwami or a guardian catch something?...

...About the perfection point. The Ladybug sentimonster was "perfect" because that was what she was made to be. That does not necessarily prove that all sentimonsters are perfect, it's just they have the capacity to be made so. And we know better. Adrien is made to look perfect in public. When he is with Plagg, or when he is Chat Noir, he has reasonable flaws. (And I've never been more glad of it.)...

...Adrien has considerable emotional and mental issues, even though they are not explicitly addressed in the show. He is loyal and devoted to a fault, he is insecure and has abandonment issues. That makes him as human as it gets.

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Ok, so several points here:

1. We don’t know that Adrien’s free will would be limited at some point. We don’t have enough data to draw that conclusion. I don’t think it necessarily would be. Or heck, maybe it’s limited in that he was given some vague orders about being a perfect child, but aside from some establishing characteristics that he was ordered to have as a baseline, having free will beyond that. We just don’t know.

2. As for Plagg and Master Fu not noticing that he’s a sentimonster, well we don’t know whether they can sense that kind of thing or not. Heck, even if they could, we don’t know whether it depends on how advanced the sentimonster is. It’s feasible that a normal sentimonster has a more obvious presence than one that was specifically created to be as human as possible. And Plagg hasn’t exactly been great at sensing Miraculous in the past. I still can’t believe he sat an INCH away from the peacock Miraculous and didn’t notice!

3. The perfection point is just kinda weird. Like, why did Ladybug talk about her not being nearly as perfect as Sentibug when Sentibug hadn’t actually gotten a chance to even DO much of anything? It felt like the writers were trying to fit in some foreshadowing but didn’t get enough episode to work with to really back up that point (seriously, Ladybug should’ve been a two-parter). It felt pretty deliberate, especially with how in-universe, Adrien is referred to as “perfect” a lot, especially by Gabriel and Marinette. Yeah, he actually isn’t, but he’s PERCEIVED to be, and may have been created to be whatever Emilie thought of as perfection. That would help explain why Gabriel is so insistent on using that language to describe Adrien, even though he actually gets frustrated at Adrien a lot. Because he was specifically created to BE perfect. But it’s not like perfection is clearly defined anyway. And what Gabriel thinks of as perfect may not be what Emilie thought of as perfect.

4. Ok, this is a big one. I think there’s a misunderstanding about why I, and I suspect many other proponents of the “Adrien is a sentimonster” theory, LIKE the theory, and what we think of Adrien. For me at least, it’s not about actually believing that Adrien’s perfect or that he acts inhuman. He does have flaws. He IS very much a person. I don’t think he’s any less of a person if he just happens to have been created differently. You can be a person without being human.

But the theory DOES give some good angst potential, with Adrien questioning how much of a person he is, wondering how much free will he has, how much of himself is due to his own thoughts and decisions, and how much was mandated at his creation. Him having an Amok also gives him another potential weakness, since whoever holds the Amok could control him, so that’s some good angst fuel there ripe for the picking.

It can also could have him growing beyond his parameters, beyond what he was pictured to be, to truly be his own person, and not just what his parents wanted him to be.

The point being, yes, he IS a person. He IS a kid. And he IS real. But the theory gives some good angst and hurt/comfort material with characters thinking that he isn’t, and other characters reassuring him that even if he was created differently than they thought, that he’s still a person, and still their friend. That they don’t care whether he’s a human or a sentimonster, because that’s not what’s important. What’s important is that he’s Adrien. That he’s Chat Noir. That he’s himself.

I just love this kind of trope in general. I loved Roxas and Xion in Kingdom Hearts, how most people THOUGHT they didn’t have hearts, some saying that Xion isn’t even real, yet they grew beyond anyone’s expectations and were their own people, had their own hearts, their own selves, even when they weren’t supposed to. I loved the Big Reveal with Lena in Ducktales, with her being a creation by Magica DeSpell, who didn’t even really consider her a person. But she grew beyond what she’d been told was her purpose, beyond what she’d been told she WAS, to be her own person, to defy Magica.

#Miraculous ladybug #adrien is a sentimonster #ml spoilers #ask

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hellostarlight20 · 7 years

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I Will...6/10

Ten x Rose Rated T Telepathy (telepathic marriage bond) Angst Fluffy laughter Not exactly a rewrite Dimension Hopping Rose JE fixit Happy ending! Beta’d by the ever fabulous MrsBertucci, without whom this chapter wouldn’t exist AO3 and TSP and on Tumblr Chapter 1 (the corrected!) 2, 3, 4, 5 Part of the The Adventures of Bad Wolf and the TARDIS…and their Doctor series

…find a way

“Mum and Pete are taking little Tony to Broadchurch this weekend,” Rose told him.

“You’re not going?” The Doctor asked, looking at her askance. “Where’s Broadchurch?”

“Little beach town in West Bay, Dorset.” Rose paused then rushed on. “I…I might go. There’s not much left to do at Torchwood with the canon, and Mickey—well, Micks convinced me that spending time with them while I can might be the best thing.”

The Doctor did his very best not to let his jealousy bleed through their link. He tried, really. He gave his success rate as maybe 68%. Rose didn’t hit him but she didn’t look at him, either. No, she kept her head on his chest, fingers running lightly through the hairs covering it.

“How’s his Gran?” He didn’t want to talk about Mickey Smith in their bedroom as they lay in bed, drowsy and content and naked, but they promised never to hold back, not to keep secrets while they were separated.

More than that, he knew something bothered Rose. The Doctor didn’t know if it was their separation, the lack of progress on the cannon, or loneliness.

The same loneliness that choked him and made him contemplate desperate things—like dismantling the dead Daleks in a 1930 New York sewer and using whatever he could from them to punch through the Void. They did it, they broke through and with a few tweaks he could as well. After all, he was far smarter than a Dalek.

He hadn’t. Well, all right, he had dismantled them. He’d taken them apart with cold precision and destroyed the cavern they’d used for their hideous experiments.

But he hadn’t punched through the Void.

The TARDIS somehow alerted Martha who lectured him on destroying the universe and demanded to speak to Rose. Not the first or last time that had happened. And Rose. His beloved, his hearts…

He held her tighter, his own grief and loneliness swelling through him.

Or maybe it was hers.

If asking after a beach trip or Mickey’s Gran helped Rose, then that’s what he’d do. He had to be there for her, even if it was to talk about vacation plans with the family and her best mate. Plans he couldn’t participate in.

“They moved into the mansion. Rita-Ann wasn’t too sure of that, she remembered this world’s Pete and Jackie and, of course, heard all the gossip. Everyone heard about Jackie’s death.” She paused and sighed, and the Doctor ran his fingers through her hair, hoping that small movement, the slight press of his fingers on her scalp, soothed her. “But Mickey convinced her. Best place for her. Best place for all of us. And it’s nice, having Mickey around.”

“So, Broadchurch, eh? Nice place?”

“So I hear. Sleepy little town, but it’ll be nice to get away.”

The Doctor kissed her and tugged her closer to him. He loved telepathic sex with Rose, but he missed touching her physical body as badly as he missed sharing their adventures.

“We’re heading to Cardiff,” the Doctor told her.

Rose rubbed her leg over his, head on his chest, and kissed the spot between his hearts. “Going to refill the TARDIS?”

“She deserves it. Doesn’t need it often, but after being powered down for the three months I hid from the Family and then being caught by the Angels when we were separated...” The Doctor shuddered and tightened his hold on her.

“Almost had to take out a mortgage,” Rose teased. But she kissed him gently and cupped his face. “Whatever would you have done?”

The Doctor caught her gaze and held her hand to his cheek. “Bad enough that flat had curtains.”

“Didn’t have carpets at least.” Rose lay her head back on his chest and held him tight. “And you had Martha. I’m glad she was with you—she’s good.”

“She’s a star, Martha Jones is.”

“Shame we can’t communicate through the watch anymore.” Rose sighed, though he didn’t feel her soft breath on his chest. The loss cut through him. “I miss being a part of your life.”

“You are my life.”

The Doctor swallowed and shuddered, pushing his loneliness and fear as far back into the screaming pit of darkness he carried with him. She didn’t need that. She needed him. His support, his love, his telling her of how he spent his day even if it was wandering through marketplaces with Martha looking for elusive TARDIS parts.

“I don’t need you two ganging up on me again!” He pulled her even closer. He’d give a regeneration for Rose to be in the same universe, galaxy, planet, TARDIS, room with him, she and Martha teasing him.

They were both right when they told him that his plan to evade the family wasn’t his best. Being with Rose in the watch greyed out a portion of their link; in a way it was fantastic, being with her all the time. As if they hadn’t been separated.

However it wasn’t the same, and him being John Smith had killed a lot of people and ruined an entire village. Not to mention how he’d hurt Joan Redfern. And Martha.

“It’s impossible now, without my mind in there. No way to connect the two of you.”

“No, I know. Still, it was nice having a friend…” Rose trailed off and the Doctor looked down at her.

She never talked about it, but then the Doctor knew everything that went on in Rose’s mind. She was lonely in the other universe. Achingly so. Not only because she missed him but because that world treated her like an interloper.

Half of Torchwood thought she was a vacuous daddy’s girl bleeding money from Pete—of course half of the UK thought she was a vacuous daddy’s girl who resurfaced as Pete Tyler’s daughter to bleed him of money.

It didn’t matter how smart she was or how uninterested in money she was. It didn’t matter she donated her Torchwood salary to President Harriet Jones’s charity, Feed the United Kingdom. It also didn’t matter that Jackie made a miraculous return from the dead and that she completely embraced Rose as their daughter. (A convoluted story the Vitex PR department had a hell of a time spinning.)

Other than the handful of dimension canon scientists and technicians assigned to work with her, ostensibly to study the feasibility of interdimensional travel and the impact on the environment, both Earth’s and the universe’s, Rose only spoke with Mickey and Jake. At least she had them, and for that the Doctor had never been more grateful to Mr. Mickey.

“How go the jumper calculations?” He asked, changing the subject.

Rose shrugged. “Still at a standstill. Not because it won’t work,” she amended and kissed where his right heart beat beneath her touch. “You and Mickey both agree on the calculations, which—” she raised her head and glared at him—“I never want to go through again. Had a migraine for a week, I did, having the pair of ya go back and forth on dimensional coordinates verses galactical verses Earth Prime.” She shuddered and scowled. “No, those pinpricks in the Void walls aren’t big enough.”

Neither said those pinpricks might never be big enough for her to jump through. Neither had to. They both knew the risks. For now, it didn’t matter. She’d been trapped a year there, already.

Not enough time for anyone to notice the changes in her. Not yet. But then he hadn’t even realized Bad Wolf changed her to begin with. It’d taken months and months; only after she and the TARDIS merged again to fly the ship to pre-Revolutionary France had either of them realized anything had changed in Rose.

“The TARDIS is still scanning,” he promised. And his amazing ship hummed insistently in his head, promising she was, in fact, looking hard for any way to reunite the three of them.

“I know.” Rose sniffed back tears and the Doctor moved just enough to cradle her face in his hands. To show her, as tenderly as possible, the depth of his love for her.

“Don’t cry, my hearts,” he begged. “Please don’t cry.”

“I miss you.” She looked up and grinned at the ceiling. “I miss you, too, darling.”

The TARDIS preened, but Rose’s voice broke and the Doctor couldn’t even roll his eyes at the pair of them. All he could do was blink back his own tears, his own grief, and hold his wife close.

Clung to her might’ve been a better descriptor.

“We won’t be in Cardiff long,” he told her, kissing her gently. “Any suggestions for our next trip?”

“Have you taken Martha to that asteroid bazar?” Rose wound her arms around his neck and slid her leg over his hip. The Doctor couldn’t feel her tears on his chest and hate that more than he loathed the fact she cried. Unable to say anything around the lump in his own throat, he held her closer. “The one with the eight-foot-tall troubadours in that anti-gravity well?”

“Herschel Asteroid.” He nodded in agreement.

“The one discovered by the first English female astronomer, yeah?”

“Yup!”

“Take her there. I think she’ll like it. Lots to see, good ice cream, too.”

They never made it to Herschel Asteroid. They didn’t even last long in Cardiff. The Doctor tried to joke about no one ever expecting Jack Harkness, but it fell flat.

“Hello again.” The Doctor frowned down at the body as Martha raced inside the TARDIS for the medical kit she insisted on keeping handy after a small (very slight) problem with Daivander Stinger Bugs which most definitely was not his fault! “Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Here we go.” Martha pushed him out of the way and knelt beside Jack. “Get out of the way. It’s a bit odd, though. Not very hundred trillion. That coat’s more like World War Two.”

“I think he came with us,” he said and wondered how he could keep this from Rose.

She slept now, he had carefully calculated his and Martha’s trips so he could spend the maximum amount of time with Rose in their telepathic world. Rose needed her sleep, she pushed herself to develop the dimension cannon, and he was loathed to deprive her because he was lonely.

“How do you mean, from Earth?” Martha squinted up at him.

“Friend of mine,” the Doctor was forced to admit. Martha frowned. “Used to travel with me, back in the old days.”

“With Rose?” Martha asked softly.

His gaze jerked from Jack’s body to her, though he really didn’t see Martha. He didn’t see this planet or Jack or even care. He saw the three of them, Team TARDIS Rose had called them. “Yeah. We—before. The other me—we traveled together.”

“Oh.” Martha nodded and the Doctor was suddenly relieved he’d told her about regeneration. Especially since Jack might or might not know about it, and either way this barren land wasn’t the place to describe what happened.

“But he’s—I’m sorry,” Martha whispered. “There’s no heartbeat. There’s nothing. He’s dead.”

Of course Jack wasn’t and when he woke up, he scared ten years off Martha. The Doctor, uncomfortable, sad, and desperately trying to figure out how to tell Rose, couldn’t even grin.

“Nice to meet you, Martha Jones.” Jack winked. The Doctor did roll his eyes then.

“Doctor.” Jack stood and helped Martha up as well.

“Captain.”

He tried not to watch Martha as he and Jack exchanged what could only be called forced polite hellos. Not even all that polite.

“Just got to ask. The Battle of Canary Wharf. I saw the list of the dead. It said Rose Tyler.”

His hearts squeezed and for a moment his world stopped. The Doctor frantically reached out for Rose, despite her slumber, and for a moment—a lifetime—held her close. “Oh, no! Sorry, she’s alive.”

Stunned, Jack’s façade fell and his smile bloomed. “You’re kidding!”

“Parallel world.” The words cut through him as surely as any sword. “Safe and sound. And Mickey, and her mother.”

“Oh, yes!” Jack hugged him and the Doctor let him. And for a moment, reveled in the lie. That he could find Rose any time he wanted to. That he could see her whenever the fancy took hold of him—

As simple as crossing a bridge.

“Wait a minute.” Jack pulled back and squinted at him.

“Yes,” Martha said and stood between them, allowing the Doctor distance and he seriously wanted to fall to her feet in gratitude. “Great reunion and all,” she interrupted. “But we’re a hundred trillion years in the future. Let’s explore, eh?”

It wasn’t until they were in the silo, with Jack in the radiation chamber that the Doctor admitted what he knew Jack wanted to know.

“You married her,” Jack said, stunned. “Even knowing—?”

“I—yeah.” He and Rose had only told Jackie about what Bad Wolf had done to her, how opening the Heart of the TARDIS and looking into the Vortex fundamentally altered her, increasing her longevity, her healing, her overall health.

Once it became clear to both of them he couldn’t pilot the TARDIS through the remaining gaps in the Void, Rose finally told Mickey who just nodded and shrugged. “Yeah, that don’t surprise me none,” he’d said and they returned to their cannon work.

“She’s not just in the other universe, Jack.” Each word chipped at what little composure he maintained outside his and Rose’s telepathic bedroom. He hadn’t been in their real, physical, bedroom since losing her. “I can’t reach her. The walls closed after the Time War and it was only because the Cybermen punched through that the gaps opened in the first place. She’s trapped there.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah.” Yeah. He was, too.

“What happened?” Jack asked, and his tone caught the Doctor. Lived through the entirety of the 20th century—yeah, Jack knew all about loss and loneliness. Grief. Even waiting a hundred years to see Rose again, Jack mourned her as if they met for tea only yesterday.

So, the Doctor told him—Bad Wolf, merging with the TARDIS, flying back to save him. Them.

“If you’re married…” Jack let the sentence trail off. “Oh. I’m sorry,” he said again.

“Yeah.” He repeated. “How could I say no to her?” the Doctor whispered. “She was everything to me.” He sniffed, looked away from Jack. “Still is.”

And then all hell broke loose.

The Doctor grabbed Jack’s wrist and flicked through the sonic’s settings as quickly as possible. They needed to leave this place before either the riot reached them, the atmospheric shell dissolved, or the Master decided not to take any chances and return to kill him anyway. Freezing the TARDIS’s controls wouldn’t last long, not on another Time Lord, but the Doctor knew his beloved ship wouldn’t let someone like the Master break into her systems.

They landed hard, with Rose screaming in his head and that sickening feeling of transporting through the Vortex minus a TARDIS making him dizzy. Rose railed at him, fists beating against his chest for not only lying to her about Jack but about her part in his change.

“My hearts.” He grabbed her hands and held her close as she spat at him, tears streaking her beautiful face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t—I couldn’t—”

“There’s no excuse, Doctor,” she said, hard and flat and too silent for anything other than furious anger. “You lied to me after promising me never to do so. After telling me that sharing a bond opened up everything you were to another.”

“I—yes. I did. You’re right, there’s no excuse.” He took a breath, though that did nothing but allow him to taste the air. “I buried it deep, far too deep for you to find, and I did it on purpose.” Jaw clenched, he met her gaze. “And I did it because I’m a coward. I ran from Jack because he’s wrong, time-wise, yes, but you’re right. I could’ve returned.”

“Why didn’t you?” she demanded. “Any time you could’ve said, we traveled for months together before we found out about Bad Wolf—and then for a year or so after that! WHY?”

He ran his hand through is hair—now wasn’t the time for this conversation and he knew it, but he’d lied to his wife, his bond mate.

“I was afraid!” he shouted, more at himself than her. “I’d kept it from you for so long and then I didn’t know how to tell you. I was terrified you’d—” he cut himself off.

Rose crossed her arms over her chest. “That I’d what?”

“That you wouldn’t forgive me for being more concerned over you, over keeping you safe. I was regenerating, Rose, and you’d just looked into the Heart of the TARDIS. Forgive me for being more concerned for you than Jack.”

“And later?”

He swallowed and closed his eyes, the weight of his lies caving his chest inward. “I didn’t know how to tell you. Even when I promised never to keep anything from you, you believed me because it was the truth. By then—by then,” he said softer, “I’d buried Jack and what happened to him so far back I meant every word.”

“The TARDIS is chiming in my head.” She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight. Pulling back, Rose kissed him fiercely, hungrily. “We are by no means finished with his, mister.” She pecked his lips and stepped out of his arms. “But do what you need to do to stop the Master.”

“I love you, my hearts.”

Rose nodded. “I know. I love you, too, Doctor, even when I’m furious with you.”

The Doctor opened his eyes and found himself on a street with Jack and Martha—no. Martha wasn’t there.

“Where is she?” he demanded.

“I don’t know,” Jack admitted, looking pale and worried. “The Vortex Manipulators work on multiple people when everyone is holding on, and I know she was.”

The Doctor felt sick—if Martha let go, she could be floating in the Vortex. He had no way of tracking her, no way of finding her if she was lost.

“She’s all right, Doctor.”

“Rose?”

“She’s in the TARDIS. We’ll look after her.”

��Rose says Martha is in the TARDIS.” He looked at Jack, who looked confusedly intrigued, and shrugged. “At least she’s safe.”

#ficandchips #Ten x Rose #telepathy #romance #Martha Jones #Jack Harkness

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coreapologetics · 5 years

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Why I agree with an agnostic (with atheist leanings) concerning the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

by Ron Davis

I sat in my office reading the latest book by Bart Ehrman, a former evangelical turned agnostic with atheist leanings, and I kept thinking, “I agree with almost everything he is presenting in this book concerning the historical evidence for the existence of Christ.” The book was entitled, Did Jesus Exist? The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth. The year was 2014, and I was preparing for a Ph.D level course on the Historical Jesus. I kept scratching my head wondering why had so much common ground with Ehrman on this subject. Then I realized, as a historian and scholar, he is laying the foundation for the obvious: Jesus Christ was a real man who walked on this earth, had a great following of people, was condemned to death, and died according to Roman crucifixion.

Ehrman has rejected the teachings of Scripture as being reliable; God as being someone who has either so hidden himself from man that we can’t know him (his claim of agnosticism) or doesn’t exist at all (his atheist leanings); Jesus Christ as being nothing more than an apocalyptic prophet who died (no resurrection); and his followers somehow took his teachings, which had been turned into a forbidden religion, and swept the ancient world by claiming a miraculous bodily resurrection of Christ. Why would he make such an effort to prove that Jesus of Nazareth was a real man who lived and died by Roman crucifixion? He claims to have no agenda but to look at the evidence, honor the past, and dispassionately show that “there was a Jesus of Nazareth” (p.7). While I take great issue with his claim to being “dispassionate” about the data, I do agree with his assessment: the evidence is so compelling that to deny the existence and death of Christ by Roman crucifixion is to do nothing less that ignore the data.

So…I strongly agree with Ehrman about his claims in this area. It is truly one of the best defenses of the existence of Christ I have ever read, and I encourage anyone to read this book. He is to be commended for his use of the data and the way in which it is offered to the reader. He ties the mythicists (those who claim Jesus never existed) in knots, and leaves little room to disagree with what is so obvious: Jesus lived…and he died. And he didn’t just die, he died by Roman crucifixion…and his followers thought he could possibly be the Messiah (p.164). I say to Ehrman: thank you for an excellent book.

However, what Ehrman writes next is amazing and perplexing at the same time. He claims the disciples lost hope in Christ as Messiah after his death, and…there is great evidence to support this claim. After all, they did lose hope and scatter. This is where Ehrman gets so interesting, he states: “But then something else happened. Some of them began to say that God had intervened and brought him back form the dead” (p.164). He goes on to call this “a story” that many of his “closest followers came to think that in fact he had been raised.” Ehrman portrays these events in this way because the evidence is clear: Jesus died, his disciples lost hope, and then they immediately (even before Paul started persecuting Christians according to Ehrman) began claiming a resurrection and that Jesus was truly the Messiah. What makes this account so perplexing by Ehrman is the idea that this story was fabricated in order to create a “suffering messiah’ upon which this “new religion” could be build upon (pp.171-173).

I would like to say, “nice try,” Dr. Ehrman, but the evidence, and even the impetus of such a claim, does not support these conclusions. Unless, of course, there is an a priori assumption driving the conclusions (and I argue there is - he clearly does not see Christ as the Son of God, the true Messiah, and his conclusions are a priori and not a posteriori). There is no possible reason that is feasible enough to explain such an elaborate scheme by the followers of Christ who obviously thought his Kingdom had come to an end. As with most other Jews of the day, they did not understand the Kingdom of Messiah to be a spiritual Kingdom and not a political one. I do agree with Ehrman on one statement for sure: “But then something else happened.” I love this statement because it is so true, and it is not true because it is an intentional fabrication to give birth to a new religion. The “something else” he claims is best understood as the glorious resurrection of our Lord. No wonder Paul states, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14). If the resurrection is true, then it is all true…and it is upon this teaching that we have our faith and hope and sustenance in living for Christ in this world!

#Christisrisen

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breeeliss · 7 years

Text

[Miraculous Ladybug]: Think Alike

oh shit! update! whaaaaaaat?

so unfortunate side effect of having multiple multi-chapters is that you run the risk of forgetting about them......which admittedly happened with this one.....oops.....

so shoutout to @ladyserendipitous and others from the mlfanfiction server who reminded me that i had this, which encouraged me to update it (good thing too bc i forgot how much i loved this idea).

[Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3]

Link to Archive of Our Own: [AO3]

Title: Think Alike

Summary: Adrien never really considered himself an artist per se. He only ever considered what he did a hobby, something that he did for joy and not for obligation. But Marinette held his prints up to the light, smiled up at the glossy photos he’d spent hours shooting and editing, and looked at them like they were practically perfect. And how could Adrien not let his chest swell up at the sight of her pride?

Photographer!Adrien

Chapter 4: Shopping

“So wait, just to review. Why is this not a date again?”

Marinette threw her head back and whined. “It’s not a date because it’s not a date!” she repeated. “I didn’t ask him out, I invited him to go shopping with me because he was asking me questions about designing. That’s it!”

“Yes, but you also have a crush on him and you invited him to do an activity with just the two of you. I dunno, babe, that sounds like a date to me.”

Marinette glared at her. “By that definition, you asking Nino to help you babysit your sisters today is also a date. Boom. Deflected. Leave me alone.”

Alya rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Um, no. Not deflected. Do not twist this on me, I asked you first.”

“And I answered already!” Marinette complained.

Alya crossed her arms and smirked. “Okay no. You’re over here like ‘oh I’m not trying to get with him, I’m just helping him out like a good friend.’ Meanwhile you conveniently had to pick up your fabric orders today and you conveniently needed Adrien’s help to do it. Which yeah, ok, like this isn’t you trying to spend more alone time with him. And then, let’s please acknowledge that this happened all because you were totally starstruck after your darling sunshine prince sat with you and started showing you his camera.”

“It wasn’t a lie! Sure I was going to pick it up tomorrow, but I really do have a fabric order there waiting for me!”

“You are whipped as hell, Marinette.”

“You’re making me sound like a total creep,” Marinette complained. “Look, I honestly sat next to him because I wanted to compliment him on the shoot and see how it was going. That was totally my intention from the start. Completely platonic and friendly support.”

“Ah yes,” Alya said, rubbing her hands. “But then the plot thickens!”

Marinette winced. “And I actually wanted to know about how his camera worked because it seemed interesting! I just wanted to learn more, you know?”

Alya nodded and stroked her chin. “Yes, yes. Getting closer to the source of all this mess.”

“But he looked so cute explaining everything Alya,” Marinette admitted. “Like totally adorable. He was so thrilled and then he started asking me about my designing, and then I remembered how impressed he was with me when I showed him my ideas, and fine I’m a glutton, I’ll admit it! I wanted to spend more time with him because it’s been fun hanging out with him and talking about his photography and my designing. So I invited him to shop with me today.” Marinette pointed a finger in Alya’s face. “As friends! No ulterior motives. Not a date.”

Alya scoffed. “Don’t you even try that, girl. You are full of unadulterated crap. You are totally trying to hit on this boy right now.”

“I am not!”

“Oh yes you are!” Alya teased. She threw her arm dramatically over her forehead. “You find out he’s just as big an art freak as you are, and all of a sudden you’re trying to lure him into your home so you can lay across your sewing machine and let him ravage you!”

“You are embarrassingly dramatic. Seriously. Also, can we not pick out verbs that make me sound like the heroine of a romance novel?”

Alya shrugged. “Make fun of me all you want, but you’re pining after him like crazy. And because I care about your happiness, I will support your impressively sneaky attempts to squeeze in time with him. As always, I demand a full report on my desk by tomorrow morning.”

Marinette rolled her eyes and decided to relent the point. “Sir, yes, sir.”

“Detailed!” she commanded. “No corners cut! Thorough, my dear. Absolutely thorough.”

“I’ll write you a dissertation if you want, don’t worry. I’ll keep you updated.”

“Perfect,” Alya grinned. “It’s important I keep track of my investments.”

Marinette raised a brow. “...yeah, I’m ignoring you.”

Alya danced behind Marinette and planted her hands firmly on her shoulders, marching her at a quicker pace to the front doors of the school. “I’m getting good vibes from this,” Alya explained. “Something tells me this is the beginning of something grand.” She looked past Marinette’s shoulder and jumped excitedly. “Ah, there he is! Ready and waiting for you!”

They were at the top of the stairs outside and Marinette could see Adrien leaning into the window of one of the cars that usually came to pick him up at the end of the day, talking to the driver in the front seat. Alya grinned and muttered in Marinette’s ear. “Nino told me he was spending all of last class texting his father’s assistant and convincing her to let him stay out longer after school. Just for you~!”

Marinette grabbed Alya’s hands and gently pried them off of her shoulders. “Will you stop hovering? Aren’t you supposed to be helping Nino with his DJ equipment? He’s probably upstairs waiting for you.”

“Trying to get rid of me, eh?” Alya laughed. “I get it, that’s cool. Don’t want me to kill your groove.” She kissed both of Marinette’s cheeks. “Knock him dead, cutie, okay?”

Marinette smiled and pushed Alya back inside the building. “Will you go!?” She stuck her tongue at Alya as she watched her skip back down the hallway, grabbing her stomach and cackling at her own antics. Marinette needed to remember to give Alya a hard time later tonight when she asked how babysitting with Nino went. As much as the two of them liked to tease her about Adrien, they sure didn’t realize just how downright chummy the two of them looked in comparison. She’d definitely have to get back at them later.

She took a deep breath, did a quick couple of hops in place to psych herself up, and skipped down the stairs just as Adrien was waving off his driver who’d pulled away from the school.

“Are you all set?” Marinette asked.

“Yup!” Adrien said. “Took a bit of wheedling with Nathalie to get away with it, but I am yours for the next hour.”

“Oh perfect,” Marinette smiled. “I promise I won’t be too long. It’s just picking up a couple of things and buying some stuff I’m running out of.”

“Ah don’t worry about it,” Adrien assured. “This should be fun! I just wear the clothes my father makes, so I don’t really know what happens behind the scenes so to speak. Besides, I wanna know what you’re going to be working on next.”

“You’ll figure it out quick,” she promised. “Feel up for a walk? I go to the shop about fifteen minutes away from here.”

“Of course, lead the way!”

Marinette’s parents financially supported her designing up to a point. It wasn’t too much trouble for her mother to pass down her old sewing machine, and back when clothing design only really consisted of remaking clothing she already had, buying basic sewing kits and small swatches of fabric from the crafts store was enough for Marinette to survive. But eventually, she wanted to make things from scratch. She needed to learn how to embroider. She needed dressforms for more complicated designs. She needed books for help and reference. And, most importantly, she needed three times the amount of fabric, thread, and supplies than she’d ever needed back when she was just adding decals to her skirts and shirts.

As encouraging as her parents were, Marinette understood that it was far too much to expect them to go out and buy whatever she needed. It wasn’t exactly feasible to sacrifice lease payments in favor of bolts of fabric because Marinette wanted to try her hand at button downs that weekend. So Marinette asked to start working on the registers at the bakery in exchange for a small allowance, and learned how to be smart about how to get everything she needed for as cheap as possible.

The shop that she always went to wasn’t exactly high-end, but it was certainly affordable considering how well-stocked they were in comparison. Marinette even figured out to take advantage of all of their online-only sales and ask for large orders in advance instead of shopping in the store real time. Plus Marinette shopped there so often that the owner always liked to shave off a few euros from her purchases in order to give her a break, especially when Marinette left the store with literal handfuls of supplies. It wasn’t the type of place where she could get huge bolts of expensive chiffon and silk, as riveting as the thought was. But for a girl on a budget, Marinette thought she pretty much hit the gold mine.

She was sort of afraid of what Adrien would think of such a place. After all, she was sure his father only ever needed to dial a number in order for him to get unlimited access to some of the highest quality fabrics in the world. A little storefront like this probably wasn’t much. But the moment they walked through the doors, Adrien’s eyes immediately started darting everywhere they could, soaking up whatever he saw. “Woah! I’ve never been inside a fabric shop before!”

“Never?” Marinette asked.

“No way!” Adrien exclaimed. He immediately started moving down one of the aisles and running his hands along the shelves filled with bolts of all sorts of colorful fabrics made of dozens of different material. He started to look through a small case filled with rolls of fabric and marvelled at the size of them. “Gosh, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much fabric on one place.”

“Yeah, it’s got a lot to choose from,” she grinned. “It’s a bit pricy to buy them in bulk like this, but at least that means you’re pretty well stocked for a while before you have to start shopping again.”

Marinette couldn’t help but laugh when she saw how amazed he was at the entire wall devoted to yarn and wool. “Do you ever buy this stuff?” he asked.

“Occasionally,” she said. “Especially if I’m making things like scarves, hats, and leg warmers, it’s cheaper to just crochet it myself. I have to come back another time to get some knitting needles though. I just bought the books and I want to learn over the summer too.”

“God, how do you choose? There’s so much here, I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

“Come in knowing exactly what you want,” Marinette smirked. “Trust me, I know from experience. You walk in here without a clue what you want, and you either don’t buy anything or want to buy everything.”

“Is it just fabric and yarn that they sell? What else is here?” Adrien asked.

She shrugged. “Well, the back has more of what you would find in a craft store. So buttons, zippers, embroidery hoops, needles, stabilizers, smaller swatches of fabric, ribbons….I’m pretty sure they have a small section where you can get beads.”

Adrien twisted around and started walking backwards, occasionally bending over to steal glances at the lower shelves. “My father used to tell me how much he loved going to shops like this when he started out designing. I mean, it was years ago, but they look just like he described. Just walls and walls of almost anything you could ever want. This is awesome!”

“Yeah, I was pretty shocked my first time in here too,” she agreed. “I mean, it’s obviously not an endless treasure trove, but it’s a pretty decent place if you only have a little to spend.”

Adrien was standing on his toes and reading the labels of the highest shelves he could reach, laughing at himself all the while. “I’m so sorry, I’m supposed to be helping you shop.”

Marinette shook her head. “Ah, don’t worry about it. Roam around all you want. I might even find a couple of things for myself that I might need.”

He peeked around the aisle and let out a small gasp. “Oh my god there are like ten more shelves of fabric back here! And they’re all patterns!”

Marinette reached into her pocket for her wallet. “Have fun! I’ll be at the register up front if you wanna help me carry some stuff.”

“I’ll be two minutes I swear.”

Marinette wound up getting 6 meters of a black cotton/poly blend, 5 meters of dark blue jersey knit, a meter’s worth of four different colors of cotton, and a bundle of golden lace. One of the cashiers who had personally handled plenty of Marinette’s orders in the past didn’t even bat a lash when she gave her a 15 euro discount, asking only for pictures of all the finished products in exchange. It all wound up cheaper than she thought it would be, and she started to eye the back of the store where all the craft supplies were. Adrien finally came back up to the counter and started to help the cashier put Marinette’s orders into bags.

“Huh,” Adrien hummed. “Not sure what this stuff is for, but didn’t you have a dress with lace on it that you showed me?”

“Mmhm,” Marinette nodded. “You’re getting warm. Oh, come. I wanna grab a couple of things real quick from the back.”

Adrien followed behind her and rubbed the black fabric in between his fingers. “Uhhhh….wait! Your Eiffel Tower dress is black, right?”

Marinette grinned and Adrien’s eyes widened in excitement. “You’re gonna try for that dress first?”

“That’s the plan,” she confirmed. “I’m dreading it a little bit because of all the embroidery work that has to go into it, but I figured I’d do the more complicated thing first.”

“What’s the rest of this stuff for?”

“The lace is for the collar of the dress. The jersey knit is for this other dress I’m making. Nothing crazy, just something for some of the cooler summer days. And the cotton is for headbands! I ordered the hard plastic bands online already, so now all I have to do is put the fabric over it. I had a couple of spare pattern swatches at home that I was going to use, but I figured a couple more colors wouldn’t hurt.”

“Wow,” Adrien breathed out. “Sounds like a lot to do.”

“You underestimate my ability to perform killer all nighters,” she joked.

“I thought Alya was kidding about that.”

“I pride myself on doing my best to get eight hours of sleep every night during the school year. But during breaks? All bets are off.”

Adrien frowned. “I’m telling her you said that.”

“I have things to get done!”

“You have to sleep Marinette!”

“Oh there’s plenty of time for that afterwards,” she insisted. Adrien didn’t look pleased, but she laughed at his expression anyway and set her schoolbag down by her feet when they turned into one of the aisles at the back of the shop. “For now, if I’m really going to crack down on this embroidery, I need to stock up on a couple of things.”

Adrien set down his own bag and all of Marinette’s purchases as he scanned the shelves. “What are we looking for?”

“A new embroidery hoop. Some stabilizers. Carbon paper. Thread. Temporary adhesive. And I think that’s it.”

Adrien blinked. “Uh….well, the thread I get. What’s the other stuff for?”

Marinette let her hand hover over one of the rows of items before she plucked out an embroidery hoop from the shelves are started to scrutinize the size. “All things I need to hand embroider the dress. The hoop I have at home is too small for this dress and I’m out of everything else I need. I have some extra money left over so I figured I’d stock up.”

He hummed as he stood on his toes and looked at the row of stabilizers above his head. “What does all this stuff do? Can you explain it to me?”

“I mean, I don’t mind, but it can get a little confusing.”

“I’m sure I can keep up if I try,” he grinned. “I don’t know any of this stuff, so it’s really interesting.” He pointed to the hoop in Marinette’s hands. “So what’s that for?”

“An embroidery hoop,” she explained. “So when you’re doing embroidery, you want to make sure you’re keeping the fabric taut so that your stitches won’t look scrunched up or over stretched. So you open up the frame, slip the fabric inside, tighten it, and them you can start sewing.”

Adrien frowned and took the hoop from her and turned it over in his hands. “Hm, makes sense. There was some of that stabilizer stuff on that top shelf up there? You need that, right?”

“Yup,” Marinette said. She was reaching upwards to try to read the labels on the row of stabilizers Adrien had been looking at earlier. “Oh, could you do me a favor and grab that pack over there? Should say medium-weight cutaway stabilizers. Can’t reach it.”

“Uhhh, how long?”

“Ten meters ought to be fine.”

Adrien had to prop his foot up on the bottom shelf to reach the roll before he carefully handed it back down to her. “So stabilizers are…?”

“Well, I want the fabric taut, but I also don’t want the fabric to be damaged by the stitching I’m doing. So the stabilizer will keep that from happening. Because this is knit, stretchy fabric, the stabilizer is also gonna give the design some extra support. You put it on the back of the surface you’re embroidering, fit it into your hoop, and start.”

“So hoop keeps it taut, and stabilizers keep it from becoming damaged and offer support. Right?”

“Exactly!” Marinette smiled. She crouched down on the bottom shelf and plucked up a can of adhesive spray. “This is just to adhere it to the fabric when you’re ready to embroider.”

“So what does cutaway mean?” Adrien asked. “Or I guess what’s the difference between that and the others? There was a tear away up there somewhere.”

“Just depends on the fabric you’re using,” she told him. “So tear aways are better for tightly woven fabrics like cotton. When you’re done with your design, you just tear away the stabilizer from the back and you’re left with your design. Easy. Cutaways are better for fabrics that stretch more, like the one I just bought. So instead of tearing away the whole thing, you cut off the excess and leave the stabilizer on the back of the design. Offers more stability.”

Adrien scratched the back of his head. “I think that makes sense. Are there any others?”

“There are wash aways. You use that for really delicate fabrics, and they dissolve in water. Heat aways exist too, but I’ve never used them.”

Adrien whistled. “That’s so much to keep track of. Now I get what you mean about all this being complicated….”

“It’s a lot of trial and error,” Marinette said. “And looking up on the Internet which things to use for what. Good thing is that sometimes you can find handy charts online that tell you what materials to use for which fabrics. As you get more used to it, you just sort of know.”

He watched her as she looked through the different types of embroidery thread and picked out a couple of golden ones. “I get what you mean. I was pretty much using Google and YouTube videos when I was still figuring out some of the weirder settings on my camera.”

Marinette giggled. “Yeah, tell me about it. You should see all of my browser bookmarks. Pretty sure it’s all references for designing, and I have dozens of them.” She bit on her lip and turned to the shelves behind them. “Do you see any carbon paper?”

“What’s that for?”

“Transfer outlines of the designs to the fabric. So that I know where to sew and can keep my stitches straight.”

Adrien pointed at one of the shelves to Marinette’s left. “Is it that weird black looking paper?”

Marinette nodded and took the first pack she saw. “Yup, that’s the one. Oh, and they’re so cheap! Perfect! I think I might actually be under budget.”

“With all of this stuff!?”

Marinette snorted. “Oh please, this is nothing. You should see the days where I come and pick up bolts of fabric and have to refill my sewing kits.”

“And I was over here complaining about buying photo paper the other day….”

She picked up her backpack from the floor and nudged him in the side. “Does buying photo paper not get complicated?”

“Printing photos does not involve stabilizers, carbon paper, and adhesive spray. Just a printer.”

“Oh come on, even I know you’re simplifying that. Aren’t there different types of photography paper you can use?”

“I mean, yeah, you can get paper to give you a glossy, matte, luster, or metallic finish, but that’s easy stuff.”

“ Easy stuff. ”

“You just stick the paper in the printer! At least I don’t have to set my photos on fire to get them to come out. Wait that’s what heat away stabilizers are, right?”

“Oh my God, no , that’s not what they are. You just iron them.”

“Heat implies fire.”

“No it doesn’t?”

“Well I didn’t know that! This stuff isn’t intuitive. You’re wicked smart so this all just comes naturally to you.”

“You’re impressed because my knowing not to set my clothes on fire comes naturally to me?”

“You know what I mean….”

They checked out all of Marinette’s purchases at the counter and started walking back to her house, delving into rather long and useless conversation about how stylish fireproof clothing could totally hit the markets with a splash and that Marinette could pioneer the movement — “Think about it,” Adrien joked. “No one will ever see it coming!” — which didn’t accomplish anything other than make Marinette forget to turn down the right block to their street and make her gut hurt from laughing so hard. For some reason, she really underestimated how distracting Adrien’s silliness could be. Though to be fair, it wasn’t as if she was a stranger to it — after starting to hang out with him more regularly over the past year, it was hard not to notice that Adrien got into pun competitions with himself when he was bored.

It wasn’t until she was dramatically retelling the story of the time she left her iron on the ironing board and caused a teeny tiny fire in her room that she realized they’d been walking and looping around random blocks for the past twenty minutes. Adrien was wiping tears from his eyes as Marinette looked around and noticed that her house was well behind them, but Marinette didn’t feel like pointing the fact out. If Adrien had already noticed, then it didn’t seem like he was in any rush to get her home. Marinette certainly didn’t mind spending the extra time with him, especially since he made it sound like he could afford to stay out longer.

She was trying not to think about the smug look Alya would give her once she told her all of this when Adrien asked out of the blue, “Can I ask you one more designing question? I just had a random thought….”

“If you bring up your fireworks rant one more time….”

“No, no, not that,” he assured. “Although, that was a pretty creative idea if I do say so myself.”

She smirked up at him as they walked. “Your question?”

“Right, so….I’ve walked through father’s company before. And one time I was taking a peek at where all the sample makers work, and I saw them embroidering with a sewing machine. So can’t you just embroider that way?”

“If they’re sample makers at Gabriel they probably have fancy machines that are specifically made for doing really complex embroideries. It’d be nice to have one of those, but I don’t have the money for it right now. I’m hoping to save up for it little by little as a graduation present to myself. Besides, it’s harder than it looks. You have to have a really steady hand.”

Adrien winced. “How much?”

“A few hundred euros,” Marinette sighed. “Can’t get one any time soon. But hey! Maybe I can get a summer job and save up paychecks to buy one for myself. It’s not like I need it or anything, but it’s a cool thing to aspire to.”

“Wow, you’re saving up for it yourself?” Adrien asked. “No help from parents?”

“Nah, I can’t expect them to drop money for something like that for me. They’re supportive of my designing and everything — they love seeing what I’m working on, Maman lets me use her old sewing machine, and Papa got me those dress forms on sale at a thrift store. But a fancy embroidery machine is different. If I decide to take my hobby seriously, I should bear the burden of funding it. But it’s alright! I’ll get there eventually.”

Adrien hummed and looked down at the bags pinching around his wrists. “You said you wanted to be a designer when you grow up. Are you going to….go to school for that and stuff?”

“That’s the plan,” she nodded. “Get a job, work in a company, maybe open my own line. It’s all a little unclear right now, but my parents always say it’s a matter of just doing what makes sense to me and feels right. I’ve got plenty of time to think about a career.”

“I sort of forget you can go to school for that stuff.”

Marinette frowned. “Didn’t your father start out as a designer?”

“Yeah, but he went to school for business,” Adrien explained. “The designing was just a hobby for him. He happened to be really good at it and combined the business and designing to make Gabriel. He takes pride in what he does as a designer, but he always says he’s a businessman first and a visionary second. He doesn’t just know what looks good. He knows how to make what looks good sell , and he knows how to create success. Hobbies don’t mean much to him unless you can benefit from it.” He laughed at himself, but it sounded strained against Marinette’s ears. “I didn’t even know that designing was a thing you could go to school for until a couple of years ago.”

Marinette bit her lip and tilted her head so she could peek underneath Adrien’s bowed head to see his face. “Photography is something you could go to school for. There are a lot of good art schools in Paris. Or you could even travel somewhere else. Maybe go to America. Whatever you wanted, really.”

Adrien snorted. “It really isn’t a matter of what I want.”

She wrinkled her forehead. “Your future should always be a matter of what you want. That’s why it’s yours.”

“I mean, that does make sense,” he said. “But I guess it’s just never felt that way.”

It was too bitter a statement to come from Adrien’s mouth, and the tone was discordant enough to make Marinette curl a hand into the crook of his elbow and stop their walking. “Is there something on your mind?”

He shook his head adamantly. “No! No, no, I’m sorry. I got a little off topic. It’s honestly nothing.”

“It doesn’t sound like nothing.”

Adrien knocked the shopping bag against his shins and hesitated for a long moment before he answered. “I dunno, I guess….I guess I’ve been thinking about something Nino told me today.”

A young woman roughly clipped shoulders with Marinette and she realized with a jolt that they probably needed a different place to talk instead of the middle of the sidewalk. There was a small plaza with tables, chairs, and benches in front of a cafe that Marinette liked to sketch at on the weekends. She tugged on Adrien’s elbow until she followed him up the block and pulled out seats for them both. He looked a little reluctant to sit, almost anticipating the fact that Marinette would surely question him, so she tried to smile as reassuringly as she could to comfort him. It was very easy for Adrien to draw into himself when his father came up, and it didn’t feel right to just let the sentiment hang.

Adrien sat in the chair, nervously bobbing one of his legs while Marinette visibly struggled to find the point she wanted to make. “What do you want to do when you get older?”

Adrien blinked, not expecting the question. “Sorry?”

“I want to design when I get older,” Marinette explained. “So, what do you want to do? When you graduate and when you become an adult. What do you see yourself doing?”

He shrugged helplessly. “I never thought that far ahead,” he admitted. “I guess modelling? Or maybe helping father run the company.”

“That sounds a lot like what your father wants you to be doing.”

“Well,” he began. “Father always did want me to go into business like him. I always assumed that meant he wanted me to pick up his torch.”

“Forget what he thinks for a minute,” she instructed. “Forget what you’re supposed to be doing or what would make your father happiest. Is that what you want to do?”

His answer was almost immediate. “Not really. It’s always sounded rather dull the way he explained it to me.”

“So in a perfect world, what you want to keep doing?” she asked him. “The world’s open to you. You can do what makes you happy. You can do what excites you. You can do what you think will help you grow and learn as a person. What’s that thing?”

He smiled softly and stared at her through his bangs, as if he was already anticipating the answer she was trying to get him to give her. “I….I want to keep taking pictures.”

Marinette smiled brightly. “What else?”

He drummed his hands against his lap and stared off into space. “I dunno. I guess I just want more. I want to meet more photographers. I want to learn more about photography. I want to take more pictures. I want to do more with photography. I want….I want to make art . Nothing makes me happier than when I show people the things I can do and it affects the way they feel. It touches them, makes them pause, makes them walk away with something they didn’t have before. I can do that! And I want to keep doing that.”

“They call people like that artists, you know,” Marinette joked. “And you’re definitely an artist. You make magic with your hands. You create things that other people can’t immediately replicate. That’s art.”

“It seems so….intangible almost. Maybe that’s the wrong word,” he wondered. “I mean, I know there are artists in the world, but it never seemed like the sort of thing you could just do for the rest of your life.”

Marinette sighed. “I mean, your future’s a little more unclear. It’s not like being a doctor or a lawyer or a businessman. All those things lead you down a sure path. I don’t know what’ll happen to me or you five, ten years into the future. Being a creative person is messy, so it makes sense that your future will be a little messy too. But….I think it’s worth it! I want to give it a try and see where it can take me. What’s the fun in doing something if you know exactly where it’s going to lead you?”

Adrien winced. “I don’t know if my father would like that. He plans meticulously. Even my life, he planned. Everything I do has a purpose. Basketball and fencing to keep me fit. Chinese to keep me well-rounded. Tutoring to keep me ahead. Piano lessons to keep me cultured. He’s got all these building blocks and he knows exactly where they’re all supposed to go.”

“That’s great for him,” Marinette said, brushing off the comment. “And I’m sure it works for him. But what works for him doesn’t always work for you. You’re not supposed to be forcing yourself into a mold he makes for you. You’re your own person. He can’t dictate that for you forever.”

“Nino said the same thing.” He leaned his head against his knuckle, pressing a thumb into his temple. “And, don’t get me wrong, it makes sense. I agree. And I want to tell him, if only so that he could at least get excited about it and not call it a waste of time. But I don’t know how well that’ll go over with him. I don’t think he’d take it well.”

“Well, what does he have to say about it?”

Adrien nibbled on his bottom lip and traced the scratches on the metal tables. “I, uh….I don’t think he knows. About the photography.”

Her eyes widened. “You haven’t told him?”

“I don’t know how,” he replied helplessly. “He does what he does because he thinks it’s what’s best for me, and he’s really hesitant about me wasting my time with other things because he thinks it’s distracting. I just know that showing him a photo, showing him a new camera, or God forbid mentioning going to school for photography won’t just fall flat. It’ll go horribly. And….” He swallowed. “I don’t know how to deal with him being disappointed in me. I’ll always avoid it if I can.”

“You don’t know that for sure.”

“I’ve got a pretty good inkling.”

“Inklings are just that,” Marinette explained. “The only way you’ll know for sure is if you just say something.”

“It’s not that easy, Marinette….”

“Maybe, but how will you possibly know he’ll be disappointed in you if you don’t even give it a shot?”

The sentiment didn’t seem to cheer him up. His gaze was everywhere but on her, and she suddenly felt like she may have said something wrong. She didn’t know what it was like to have a parent who was unsupportive, or a parent who was absent in more ways than one. Adrien never really liked touching upon his family life much, and Marinette was harshly reminded why. It was jarring to think that Adrien could show so much reluctance in sharing part of himself with his own father. That kind of disconnect with her family wasn’t something she ever had to worry about. It made sense that just saying what was on her mind was something that she would do. But Adrien was clearly a different story.

It was frustrating because she wanted to help but wasn’t quite sure what he needed. It was times like these when Marinette realized how much her own nerves over her crush on him prevented her from learning more intimate things about him. They were supposed to be good friends. Surely she could think of something encouraging to tell him.

She felt horribly out of her element, but she didn’t want to let him stew in silence for too long. “If….” she muttered. “In a perfect world….what would need to happen? What would make you feel safe and supported?”

Adrien lifted his shoulders weakly. “What do you mean?”

Marinette huffed. She wasn’t saying this properly. “I mean….what has to happen to make you comfortable telling him? What would you need?”

He finally made eye contact with her, and she could see how the question made a small spark of vulnerability flash in his eyes, so quick she almost missed it. “I guess,” he said slowly. “Having someone in my corner. Father likes to think he’s right, or that he knows what’s best more than anyone else. More than me. It’s hard to get a word in edgewise to begin with. But for some reason where my future’s concerned, he’s especially adamant. It’d take more than just me to convince him.”

“Adamant about your future?”

Adrien looked up, desperately searching for the words. “He….he’s lost a lot.” The statement hung, and Marinette didn’t need him to elaborate to know exactly what he meant. “He’ll go through hell to make sure I’m safe and secured. Half of that is setting out a very specific path for me. I think me deviating from that….scares him? I don’t know.”

“You know,” she began quietly. “Your friends will go through hell to make sure you’re safe, too. We’ll also go through hell to make sure you’re happy.”

His smile slowly warmed his face, as if an entire slew of fond memories suddenly passed over him. “Yeah. I know.”

She gently knocked her knee against his. “I mean it. I can’t pretend to know what it’s like to deal with your father. I know that can be frustrating. But Alya, Nino, and I are always going to be here if you need help. And just speaking for myself, if you need someone in your corner to help get through to him, I’m just a phone call away.”

Marinette felt her heart whither when she saw him look genuinely surprised at what she’d said, as if that kind of sincerity still wasn’t something that he was used to. But it was quickly eclipsed when Adrien dropped all the bags to the floor, pushed his chair forward, and pulled Marinette into a fierce hug, letting his chin nestle comfortably against her shoulder. Her entire face was glowing, and she struggled with what to do with her hands for a long moment before she let them rest on his shoulders. “You’re a really great friend, Marinette. Thank you.”

Her nerves kicked in the moment her heart started racing. “I-It’s no big deal. Honest.”

Adrien leaned away from her and kept his hands on her shoulders. “It’s a big deal to me. I just wanted you to know that. I feel really lucky that you don’t mind spending all this time with me and helping me figure out what I want to do. No one’s ever really done this much for me before. I guess I’m just really grateful to you is all.”

She beamed at him so hard she could feel the ache in her cheeks. “I’m glad I could help.”

Their detour had to be cut short once Adrien looked at his phone and realized that he probably should start heading home before Nathalie or his father began to worry. Despite her assurances that the bags really weren’t a hassle, he insisted that he help her carry all of her supplies back to her house before he left. His phone was buzzing in his pocket periodically with phone calls and text messages, but he ignored it in favor of chatting with Marinette and giving her his full attention until they stopped in front of the bakery.

He passed off her things and helped her loop the straps around her wrists. “Got everything?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” she assured. “Please answer your phone! They sound worried.”

“I will right now, I promise.” He stuffed both of his hands in his pocket. “S-So, uh….any plans coming up?”

“Not strict ones. Why?”

Adrien bunched his shoulders up by his ears. “Just, uh….you know if you wanted company this summer while you’re designing. Or if you wanted to come with me to some shoots, you can just. I dunno. Text me, or something. It’d be cool to hang out more.”

“Y-Yeah,” she replied. “A-Absolutely! Um….I’ll have a better idea of when I’m free once school finishes, so, yeah! I’ll, uh. I’ll text you. Or you text me! Whatever you want.”

He let his head dip when he chuckled, his bangs falling into his eyes. “Cool, cool. Well, I. I guess I’ll head home. It was fun shopping with you.”

“Thanks for helping me,” Marinette said. “It’s always nice to have company.”

Adrien didn’t immediately move from his spot, still keeping his hands in his pockets and his shoulders pulled up high. It seemed like something was still on his mind, and she was about to ask him what was wrong before he suddenly moved in close, laid a hand on her shoulder, and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.

Marinette felt her entire body jump when his lips touched, and she was sure she let out a strange high-pitched noise to boot. It was such a short kiss, but when Adrien jerked back she could see his ears turning red. “A-Anyway,” he stuttered. “See you in class!”

He jogged down the block back to his house, leaving Marinette to stand in front of her house while her entire face grew hot. It felt like her entire brain had shut off and it took her a few seconds to come back to herself and force out a quick “Bye!” before he ran too far away. She waited until he was completely out of sight before she covered her face with both hands and let out a quiet scream.

Alya was never going to let her hear the end of this.

#miraculous ladybug #adrienette #adrinette #marinette dupain-cheng #adrien agreste #adrinette fanfiction #miraculous ladybug fanfiction #my writing #think alike

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hitachihanoi · 5 years

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My Aspiration Guy Out of cash My Heart-and Allowed Me to Find the Appreciate of My entire life

Reader’s Digest publishers asked the Reader’s Break up contributor networking to tell us their stories of fine people and places. The following piece was written reacting to that fast. To share your company’s own 100-word true tale for feasible inclusion inside magazine or perhaps on RD. com, click this link.

Back in my college times, I chop down very beautifully into the group girls who efficiently filled up a male need for an associate or a minor sister, but never to get a girlfriend. We were obsessed with sporting activities, by this point working the night shift and writing sporting activities for a daily newspaper, intensely independent, and a country mile from everything that one may define since hotness. Simply speaking, it looked like that I was a real hoot to hang with, but quite possibly not at the top of the scale of alluring adolescent females to date. It’s OKAY; a decade in the future I’ve obtained over it, I promise. Significantly.

I say so much so that you will have the background intended for the story I actually is going to tell. The idea involves the weirdest thing anyone offers ever thought to me plus the nicest matter anyone features ever carried out for me. Concurrently.

It was later part of the at night within a Starbucks building. At the very least , in my college years, Starbucks parking tons were types of the place where stuff went down. That it was hot in that thick summer time night means, the type of high temperature that you form of swim through, the type that catches within smells and magnifies these people. In this case, coffee hung uphill, sweet and nutty. Comments and fun came in dunes as the Starbucks’ door opened and closed. I just stood outside the house my car after a long evening of chatting with close friends and silently laid. (These summer time love tales will melt your heart. )

Observe, it was the past time I used to be meeting with a team of twenty-somethings the fact that was structured through a local church. People met regular at Starbucks but got summers away, which supposed that I would end up being unlikely to cross trails with some of the other associates until October. They were close friends, but solely in the sense that our friendships had been rooted in your weekly group meetings. The capture was, mainly because these things tend to go, there buy a wife online is “this person. ” This specific one was cute, had an accent, and was just the right volume of wacky to make my family think I would have a go with him. We got on great, i had started to get the tone that he may be right into me. This is where I just let you know the fact that my “vibes” at the time had been pretty undependable.

Right. So I was located at my automotive. He was not moving one position over, and now we stood now there semi-awkwardly as I tried to deliver him enough time to ask me personally out. If it was at any time going to happen, he and that i both knew it had to become now. People trickled via the last feasible stream of small talk, unlocked all of our cars, did start to climb into our driver’s seats, and when the common and literal door was closing, he turned to myself.

“Hey-”

“Yes? ”

“Kiss a lot of children this summer! ”

And he was gone. Door shut, engine started, building vacated. What precisely. Just. Happened.

I driven home within a moderate bear. What did he imply by that? Kiss loads of boys come july 1st? How have he imagine that was also remotely the proper thing to say? Whether or not he was not going to question me out, at the very least , he could not say that! The content his challenge? What was my very own for loving him to begin with?

I stewed on his separating words for your good very long time. But as the summer months heat rose, I gradually cooled down. Everyone knows that slipping in love involves a family, somehow miraculously sharing the same feelings regarding each other. Plainly, we could not. There was nothing I could carry out about that.

But some of us wonder what still irked me is the fact that I had spent a long period crushing on this guy. We may float to and from of each other peoples lives, each time we all reconnected, Outlined on our site think, might be . Still there was hardly ever a possibly on his end, not even close. I actually promised by myself that the when I attained a guy and started installing my thoughts in him, I didn’t waste years hoping he’d make a move.

August burned off and my additional friends arrived from college or university. I had graduated a . half-year earlier during the cold months, but now the full crew acquired caught up. Considered one of my good friends from high school came residence and asked me to attend a DISTINCT VARIATIONS . with her. That’s wherever I met Jim. My initial attractive force to him was purely physical. He was c-u-t-e. Then, the circle of friends suddenly began to meet constantly. The more I leaped into this Jim dude, the more I actually liked him. Maybe however ask me out. Probably . Delay. No . Simply no, no, not any, no .

The good news is moment in every area of your life when you have to assess if you’re going to leap off the high cliff. For some people, it means taking a risk at work, or quitting university, or switching cross country. My cliff was Jim, and once I dived cowardlessly, I produced myself really emotionally prone. These quotations perfectly take what it seems like to are in love.

John was quite shy and liked for you to do things the proper way. That designed taking his time just before he asked a girl away. That decided not to really fit in my eye-sight of our marriage, though, therefore i asked for his phone number a single night. The person obliged, are costly we started to text and got along great, he even now didn’t consult me away. A month passed. Then one night, we were getting together with friends and went through the usual dance of talking and flirting till we talked about goodbye. Yet not even a touch of a time invitation. So , I dived cowardlessly off the ledge. I owned to a Starbucks (a distinct one than back in August … just like I reported, a lot went down at Starbucks in the ones days), requested a espresso, and made up a wording.

“So, Now i am just wondering … are you thinking we’re friend materials or more than friend? micron

I continued to wait. And anxiously waited. An hour ticked by. Solely then did I realize I had no stick in the Starbucks and the communication had not also sent. Sleek operator. My spouse and i moved out of doors, the text directed, and an answer followed a short while later. The guy didn’t think this was one thing we should text message about. Could we meet up with sometime that week to talk?

I’ll keep it to themselves the extended beautiful love story that follows. In short, all of us met within a park and took an extended walk. The guy said the person thought we have to develop a stronger friendship prior to we went out with. I explained I was chock full of friends and had not been particularly considering climbing in the beloved friend-zone with him. He did not commit to anything that day, however the next day, this individual asked me away. He proposed less than a 12 months later. Six to eight years in our marriage, I emphasize him frequently that I on their dragged him into the most effective marriage often of us would have ever dreamed up. You aren’t welcome, Rick.

And that brings us back around to the best thing any person has previously done for me personally. Back in the Starbucks parking lot, as being a guy which has a cute accent told me to “kiss numerous boys come july 1st, ” that felt like lowest position of playing. Not considering that he designed to hurt me, but because he didn’t want me personally. What I didn’t realize was that in this moment, Outlined on our site develop the resolve Required to refuse anything less than a deep romance with my next smash.

I discovered an important class that night. That sometimes, for anyone who is not willing to take a associated risk, you don’t find the reward. Therefore , thanks, Starbucks guy. And the way, I did so kiss a single boy that summer. However kissing him today.

Keep reading for another history about how just one woman’s initially romantic devastation taught her an important appreciate lesson.

The post My Aspiration Guy Out of cash My Heart-and Allowed Me to Find the Appreciate of My entire life appeared first on Hitachi Hà Nội.

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