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butterflydm · 8 months

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wot rewatch (book spoilers edition): 2x3

And here are my additional thoughts that contain spoilers through all the teasers and the books through book 13: A Memory of Light.

I was watching show-only reviews to try to figure out if it's safe to call Ishy 'Ishamael' yet but reaction seems mixed on whether or not Moiraine's words clued people in on the situation, so I'm going to stay ambiguous about him in my book spoiler-free posts for now.

I loved the changes that the show made to all Nynaeve's tests. They all make sense in context of the show and Nynaeve's character, they all tell us something about her, and there's also some great connective threads between them. We've known for a while (or guessed) that her first test would take place when she was a kid because her mom appeared in the casting lists... quite a few months ago. Ages ago. But I definitely prefer this one to the book version. It was so heartrending and touching.

2. The crimsonthorn strand throughout the tests is very interesting to me. I talked about this in the other post, but on a more spoilerly note, I like that the show is not defaulting to "all the Wondergirls feel a draw towards Green because They Like Men" and that Nynaeve is actually getting tugged between Yellow and Red in these last two episodes, as Liandrin tries to influence her. It makes me wonder if maybe they'll have Elayne incline towards maybe Brown ("I like to tinker with things") instead of Green. Though Nynaeve did put Egwene in the Green Ajah in her personal AU (which did such a good job in only using elements that Nynaeve was aware of when she went into the arches! No Elayne in Nynaeve's AU; and no Rand because she believes him to be dead).

4. Side note: thrilled that Nynaeve does not have to be naked for the test. The amount of times that women have to strip down for rituals in the books gets pretty ridiculous (especially when men doing the same kind of ritual -- ex. going to Rhuidean -- does not require them to strip). Stripping down to her shift makes the point well enough.

5. A thought I had about the people attacking the Two Rivers -- could this have been happening during the Andoran Succession Crisis that led to Morgase being Queen? And so the Queen's Guard, instead of keeping the roads clear of bandits, were busy with the civil war among the nobility, which let bandits get even as far as the Mountains of Mist. That could actually serve as a really good reason for the Two Rivers to basically nope out of being part of Andor -- "you were so busy squabbling amongst yourself that you let bandits rove the lands and kill innocent people". I'm not certain if the timeline matches up, but I will put it out there as a theory.

6. Her second test is based on the same worries that she had in the books -- that she's abandoned the Two Rivers and she won't be there when they need her and someone who isn't a good Wisdom will have taken over for her -- but shifted the details to hit harder in the show version, and to use characters that the show viewers are already familiar with. It really worked for me. I also liked them essentially using Perrin's lies about Rand to Tam in the books for Nynaeve here instead, where it makes a lot more sense -- she doesn't want to steal the only comfort that she can give a dying man by telling him that his son is dead.

7. Liandrin genuinely got herself invested in Nynaeve! I liked seeing that. I really like that the show is giving more emotional depth to our Darkfriends. Both Sheriam and Liandrin come across as very genuinely upset that Nynaeve hasn't returned through the arches. Because they both think of themselves as the good guys! Liandrin's motives in the show seems to be along the lines of "You need to have power so that others can't have power over you" while Sheriam's in the books were about being Black Ajah essentially to get ahead in the Tower but never expecting that she would actually need to do anything TOO terribly bad in exchange. Neither of them wanted Nynaeve to die or get hurt (they were both probably hoping to turn her to the Black Ajah). It's also really funny that it's entirely possible that they do not know that the other one is also Black Ajah.

8. Theory: being able to sense latent channelers may be a Talent rather than something either everyone or no one can do. Because it's one specific damane who comes out to point out the individual women to get dragged off to be damane, rather than it being the two women who were used to attack the village.

They are hitting the dehumanization angle hard. Egwene's 'training' is going to be so hard to watch.

9. Ishamael doesn't seem like he was expecting to find Perrin here, so I don't think Ingtar has been in regular contact with him. I really do wonder where exactly the Darkfriend social happened, timeline-wise, to the rest of the season thus far.

10. Ah, goodbye, Uno. I'll miss you, but you went out like a boss. Given the changes that were made to the plot, this does make a ton of sense -- Uno is not a man who backs down easily and he's also not a plot-relevant character really... ever, at any point. He's a fun character for flavor but someone who can be sacrificed to illustrate a narrative point without needing to change any of the story in the future.

11. Changing Logain to being able to see men who can channel as opposed to ta'veren makes a lot of sense on a practical level -- Mat was sitting right next to Rand, so if he saw ta'veren, then he would have seen both of them glowing; making it about Rand being a channeling focuses Logain's attention and memory in on Rand specifically.

12. Rand being kept out of the knowledge loop here kinda cracks me up because "Rand is on an information diet" is something that kept coming up in the books and it frustrated me so much because, in the books, it was consistently a result of his allies just never being willing to tell him a fucking thing ever unless he bullied them into it or spied on them. It makes a lot more sense here that he doesn't know what's going on with anyone else's plotlines! Taking something frustrating from the books and making it make sense is a really good habit that the show has been doing.

13. Lanfear continues to be the funniest girl in the world. She is just on cloud nine so far in s2, cruising along living her best life. Also, we see that her inn cheekily has her personal symbols as their sign.

14. Given how much Rand is experiencing the class divide in Cairhien and how much he's seen the poor get mistreated and looked down on by the rich and titled, I almost wonder if he isn't going to get a bit of Mat's arc from the books when he finds out that Elayne is a noble and needs to realize that she's not like the Cairhienin nobles.

15. Mat escaping from one abusive situation only to land right into another one definitely reminds me of the Tylin->Tuon pipeline in the books, of course. The main difference being is that we're dealing with mother figures in the show and not 'romances' (please take that word with a very large grain of salt). Possibly the biggest way that they can set Mat x Tuon up for success is actually showing us her relationship with her mother and how toxic and cruel the environment that she grew up in is. I feel like not killing off the old Empress at all and instead having Tuon take over a faction of the people and split off them off from the Empire would give us a sense that she really IS Not Like The Other Seanchan, instead of just wanting people to believe Mat when he says it despite there being no evidence in Tuon's actual behavior (I'm trying to remember who originally suggested that idea, but it was a while ago, so I have forgotten; I'm sorry!).

16. Liandrin grinding in to Mat how worthless and what an awful friend he is will, presumably, be some pretty good setup for him to show himself to be both loyal and vital in the final episode, though there will probably be more pain for him in the upcoming episodes (maybe involving what happens with Min's viewing about him stabbing Rand).

17. Lanfear is buzzing on such a high of getting show off of her Personal Dragon to a fancy group of lords and ladies at the start of this party.

18. Rand's conversation with Moiraine's sister is particularly fascinating! There's a queen of Cairhien but I suspect that it's not a Damodred (maybe I'll be wrong and Anvaere is the queen! We'll see!). That Anvaere reaches out to the mysterious ~outlander lord~ and shares so much with him is very intriguing, especially if we end up seeing her again later in the season (once Moiraine arrives in Cairhien?).

18. Here is where the cracks in Lanfear's illusion of perfect happiness with her New Lews Therin are beginning to show: he's keeping secrets from her, he's doubting her, and then he just leaves her behind. She is probably getting some very unhappy flashbacks right about now.

19. I wonder if Rand's bad experience with Logain here will inform his choices in the future. In the books, there isn't really a good reason for him to give Taim free rein over the school, but if it's more of a "Taim vs Logain" situation and he already doesn't trust Logain (and Taim appears less affected by the madness), then him trusting Taim might make more sense.

20. Mat being released from a prison cell and not knowing where to go and then (temporarily in this case) returning to his prison gives me echoes of "Mat inexplicably appears by magic in Ebou fucking Dar, a place that treated him like shit for months" from A Memory of Light, lol.

21. Perrin feeling wary about getting too wolfy because of his encounter with Ishamael feels like a much better reason that we got in the books... though I wonder if we'll follow it up by having him meet... shit, the guy who lost himself to the wolf; do not remember his name. But I'm thrilled to have him hanging out with Elyas and the wolves (Hopper?) for now.

22. Liandrin calling Mat Cauthon, agent of chaos, "nothing if not predictable" feels like it needs to bite her in the ass at some point.

23. Yeah, on rewatch, the sex dream is definitely Lanfear feeling like she can finally show her possessiveness and anger in Rand's dream. She is MAD at him for keeping secrets and leaving without her, but she can't show it when he's awake because it doesn't fit her carefully crafted persona. She does NOT like her men with an air of mystery -- she wants to know every tiny thing that he's thinking and feeling. I wonder if Rand actually did light the roof on fire or if Lanfear helped it along -- she's definitely taking advantage of his vulnerability in the aftermath of the fire. "If you ever leave me like that again, I will kill you." Yeah, that's absolutely Lanfear.

And, you know, her inn burning down does mean that she doesn't have to worry about dealing with it anymore. Now that she's had a taste of Rand in fancy coats, I think she probably wants to try to figure out a way to make it happen again.

24. Nynaeve's dream does have a couple of painful easter eggs in it -- Mat gets a wound over his eye; Perrin gets killed by an axe.

Nynaeve does forcibly bring back the arches in the books too, just without so much happening in the illusionary life. But I liked this a lot because of how much it gave us from the other characters who believed that Nynaeve was dead.

25. So, my theories about what we might get in episode four. Wow.

Rand's trajectory... I don't think he's done with Logain. But I feel like ep4 is going to be a big one for him, based on the title (Daughter of the Night). Rand may find out the truth about Selene in this episode, which would be a. be a pretty big betrayal but also b. might make him realize that it's not likely that the Dark One is actually dead.

Moiraine is presumably on her way to Cairhien right now, but it doesn't seem like she thinks Rand himself is there, but more that she's investigating the poem situation, so they may run across each other by accident.

Everyone is going to get to react to Nynaeve powering her way out of the arches (like a boss). I am very curious if Lan is going to spend an episode in the Tower before going after Moiraine... but if Actual Lan goes to the Tower... hard to imagine he wouldn't tell Nynaeve, at least, that Rand is still alive. He knows how deeply Nynaeve cares about the Two Rivers kids.

Unless Liandrin tricks Nynaeve, Elayne, and Egwene into leaving the Tower before Lan arrives there?

Where are Mat and Min going! Mat can't be going after Egwene & co to save them because... nothing to save them from at the moment. Where would Liandrin want him to be led? Falme? I mean, maybe, but he can't channel, so it's not a secure prison for Mat like it would be for the girls.

Perrin's storyline is going to teach us more about the Seanchan and wolfbrothering, I imagine. Maybe some scouting. He can truthfully tell any Seanchan soldiers (if he runs across any) that he's taken the oaths.

Will we follow right on from episode 3 or is there going to be a timeskip to give the characters some time to travel to new locations?

#butterfly watches wot #wot #wheel of time #wot on prime #wot show spoilers #wot prime spoilers #wot s2 spoilers #wheel of time s2 spoilers #wot 2x3 spoilers #wot book spoilers #a memory of light

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olderthannetfic · 2 months

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Okay so I feel weird about this but at the same time I kinda feel like it's necessary but idk. Maybe I'm overthinking, hence why I'm talking about it here.

So. I have a fic I'm working on, and the context is that it's a ship fic and one of the characters has Dissociative Identity Disorder (not canonically, I'm giving him this because I think it'd be a fun alternate universe idea to explore and because I have DID and I want to write my fave to be like me). There are two alters, one of whom (A) is in love with the other member of the ship (C), and the other of whom (B) hates him and thinks he's bad for A.

So. Now that y'all have context. Eventually, B starts to warm up to C, and there's a particular scene I'm thinking of where he flirts with him and kisses him, and C is under the impression that he's talking to A. Obviously that part is dubiously consesnual but it's not the part I'm worried about, it gets cleared up pretty quickly, that part I'm worried about after that is when C knowingly has sex with B even though technically at this point the only alter who he's dating is A, again, this is obviously not great but in universe it ends up fine and that's more the part I'm concerned about.

Basically, long story short is this: Would it be condescending to put a note saying "Hey, this part is undernegotiated and would not be okay in real life"? I feel like someone could reasonably end up copying this in the real world if they end up dating a member of a system, in part because system etiquette isn't common knowledge and also because a lot of people for some reason have way too much difficulty with the concept that someone can have more than one person in their head and have all of them be separate and distinct from each other (the real life example I can think of was someone who was being intentionally obtuse about the whole situation, but I know that genuinely confused people do exist in this area). It also doesn't help that the particular fandom this is for is one that has very little if any familiarity with systemhood.

I don't know. I don't want to be condescending (gods know I have trouble enough avoiding that), but at the same time, I really, really, really don't want someone to get the idea that just because you're dating one member of a system means that you're dating the entire system from my fic just because I wanted to ship both blorbos with the other blorbo in an OT3 situation and think dubcon is hot. I guess what I'm saying is that under the circumstances I don't trust that people, and in particular singlets, will immediately recognize that the situation is dubiously consensual the way that I do since systemhood is not a very widely known or understood concept outside of innacurate and even stigmatizing depictions in mainstream media.

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agent-toast · 2 months

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@dopey-dragon @bewithdagays

ieytd reincarnation au (name under works - do give suggestions) practice fic! not sure if this will be canon or not. also hope it's ok to tag!

my writing is pretty rusty but oh well

link to au context (if it doesn't work please tell me!) but if you want a quick summary, this au is agent phoenix actually reincarnates kind of like doctor who, and each version of agent phoenix is inspired by one of my irl friends and they all have different personalities. but all of them love annoying john juniper

[note: this lil practice fic takes place after ieytd3. zinc, persimmon, mayflower, midnight and crimson phoenix have all returned to their old office after a very eventful evening with the whole Operation: KBOOM thingy. just to be clear, only zinc left for the mission but something something then he came back with the others. fun! additionally, none of the characters are really described because the description is planned to come earlier before the time this fic takes place.]

Phoenix's old office used to be littered with dozens of trinkets stolen collected from their missions - champagne taken straight from Doctor Zor's car, small shiny crystals that tinkled when you hit them on Phoenix's desk (they definitely hadn't done that a million times before their handler came specially to their office just to scold them), a few books from Zor's winter cabin (they were unsuccessful in resisting the urge to burn them), and many more things Phoenix would have definitely gotten in trouble for keeping in their office, if their handler hadn't argued their case.

Now, though, the room was eerily bare, save for their now empty desk and bookshelves.

Support Agent Reginald Crane sat at the desk, one hand rhythmically tapping the wooden surface, and stared round at the room.

Why had he come here? He wasn't sure.

(Oh yes he was; he was worried for Phoenix. There was no point in denying it.)

The office door opened without warning, interrupting the silence. Startled, Crane rushed towards it.

If Agent Phoenix isn't standing in the doorway, I will actually break something.

Thankfully for all nearby breakable objects, Zinc was standing there, a slightly sheepish, heady grin on his face. He looked tired, but alive. Oh-so-thankfully alive.

"Hi. Uh. I kinda have something to explain-"

"Agent, my god!" Crane exclaimed. "You don't know how much you scared me, when your feed cut out I thought you'd- you know, pulled a stunt like that peace summit incident again, but this time there was no way I could see you surviving at all, and-"

He was cut off by the sight of someone very familiar walking behind Zinc through the doorway.

"Damn, handler, what have you been doing with my office, it's turned into a fucking IKEA showroom-" Persimmon stopped, turned and waved at a slightly singed fake potted plant. "Oh, long time no see, you stupid plastic abomination. Good to see you're still flammable as ever."

Crane blinked. "...Agent? Is that-"

"Yeah, uh-" Zinc piped up, "I was going to explain that but you-"

Three more familiar faces walked into the office, and Crane did a double take. "What- how the hell did this happen-"

"If you would just let me explain, handler-" Zinc was close to throwing something out the open window.

"If you want, Zinc," Mayflower stage-whispered into his ear, "I can take it from here."

Zinc immediately stepped back and gestured for her to take his place. "Please do that. Please. I have had enough of this shit for one week." He sunk gratefully into the desk chair nearby, looking ready to pass out.

Mayflower smiled at Crane. "It's been a wild three hours, handler. Not just because I had to babysit these four kids during the taxi ride here." She side-eyed Midnight, who was trying to balance a stuffed shark on Crimson's head.

"...Mayflower. It's certainly been a while since I last saw your face." Crane, thankfully, seemed to have calmed down.

She cleared her throat. "From what Zinc told me, || ||||| ||| | |||| || ||| || ||||. ||| |||||||| ||| |||||, || ||| |||| ||| || ||||||||| || || ||||| ||| ||| |||||||| ||||||||| ||||..." [nuh uh spoilers >:) you dont get this]

"I myself am starting to question whether that was a good idea or not. But hey, we're here now, aren't we?"

Perched on the windowsill, Persimmon called out, "Hey! Handler! Do you know where a girl can get food in this place? Even that old agency van I was stuck in for a week had food. It had oranges, handler, oranges. Though, now that I think about it, it didn't have cheese sticks. Remind me to fax the heads of EOD and tell them to stock their agency fridges with more cheese sticks. Oh, and get air fryers. Do we have enough money for air fryers?"

Everyone stared in silence at her.

"What? I like cheese sticks. And you can't eat cheese sticks cold. Hence the air fryers."

In the corner of the room, Crimson was silently nodding, a serious look on their face.

"SEE?? SOMEONE agrees with me."

Zinc - very muffled, with his blahaj smooshed over his face - mumbled, "Kinda hungry now that Persimmon's been going on about cheese sticks. Let's go eat something." He lifted the shark just high enough for his voice to sound clearer, and continued, "then I should probably go to the hospital. I'm pretty sure I've broken at least more than two bones. Oh, shit, wait, I'm caring about my physical health. That's a first."

"As you can see, Zinc, it's working out very well. Do that more often." Mayflower replied encouragingly.

criticsm highly encouraged as long as it's respectful!

#maintag? maintag.#ieytd #i expect you to die #ieytd au #ieytd reincarnation au #<- placeholder tag #agent phoenix #agent phoenix ieytd #ieytd oc #ieytd2 #ieytd2 spoilers #ieytd spoilers #ieytd fic #fanfic #tw swearing #if you see this hi weny #ieytd3 spoilers

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srarizard · 8 days

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More human Rayman AU stuff. Betilla got pregnant with Rayman too young, and it's hard on her because she regrets the timing, but she could never regret having him. She was young and foolish, charmed by money and fame, and she wasn't old enough to understand the consequences of her actions. Years later, when she finally realizes that she doesn't love the person she's with, she has the burden of telling little Ray what's happening to their family. Of course, sunshine boy that he is, his instinct is to comfort her, and as she hugs him she realizes it was all worth it because she did find someone she loves after all.

This starts Ray's streak of protecting people, because he saw how much it meant to his mom, and he wants to do that for everyone else, too. He makes a lot of friends by fighting off attackers, but he makes a lot of enemies that way too. He becomes a bit of a jailbird, and it worries his mom sick, but he never seems to leave any different than when he went in. He's an absolute anomaly, seeming to have found some secret code that allows him to be the lunatic he is without getting any reality checks.

I'm also thinking of having the villains be leaders of crime syndicates, or maybe just guys that are trapped there forever for their crimes. More on that when I work it out. Reflux, though, is so interesting to me that I think about him about as much as I think about Rayman. I'm going to give him vitiligo so that it looks similar to his original design without looking, uh, bad. And it gives me a talking point for his character!

Reflux is less a villain in this story and more a victim of his social class. He wants desperately to prove he has as much worth as anyone else, but the world has pushed him down enough that he thinks he won't be recognized just for being who he is. With that mindset, it's hard not to give up. He tries not to, but it leads him to some dark things to cope with it, and Ray judges him based on his current actions, ignoring the context and the pain Reflux has been through. This makes things a lot more personal between them. Reflux becomes obsessed with tearing down the pretty boy image, seeing Ray as a symbol of everything he hates about society.

I'm not going to set this in stone but I think the part where they start to let their guard down MIGHT be a time when they both land themselves in prison. Ray overhears Reflux griping about the fact that he's going to have to rush an important paper when he gets out of jail, and then Rayman keeps him out of trouble so he won't get another charge for fighting and miss his deadline. That's when Reflux realizes that Ray hasn't just randomly decided he's a bad person. They disagree, and they get on each other's nerves, but Ray doesn't think he's irredeemable or a burden to society. The image Reflux was obsessed over shatters, and, well... he hates that he's still obsessed. Time for therapy!

I gotta think of stuff for Ly next. She's a blank slate, so I can do whatever I want with her, I just need to choose something that will jive well with the setting. Obviously, she's going to be into yoga, but in the way that someone practices it religiously. Iirc both Hindu and Buddhist practices do yoga, so I'll peek into Buddhism since, ironically, I'm less familiar with that.

#rayman #rayman human au #we are now tagging this because it is important

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imagineanime2022 · 1 year

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Delinquent Manager

Shiratorizawa and Inarizaki

Requested: Anon

Request: Hi!! Can you do headcannons for shiratorizawa and inarizaki with a manager kind of the delinquent type? For more context: manager is the type of person to have fights with random thugs on the street at night so her knuckles are always bandaged, they're also the type of person to hang out with other delinquents too

Warning: Fighting, Delinquent behaviour???

Shiratorizawa

🦅 You were one of the few students who lived close enough that you didn’t need to live on campus, though the team did realise that you didn’t seem to have any friends apart from them. 🦅 They had no idea until you were late for morning practice for the first time, you came in with bandaged fists and if they could see your body they’d see bruises littering it. 🦅 You never actually had a fight on the school grounds so they were all a little confused but Semi was the only one to voice that.

“There you are! Where have you been?” Tendo asked as you walked into the gym, you waved your hand at him as Semi who was standing next to you caught your wrist. “Why are your hands all bandaged up?” Semi asked. “Someone ran into my fist.” You mumbled as you got out the stuff that you needed to talk them through their next couple of practice matches. “Someone ran into your fist?” Semi asked. “Did they not see you?” Ushijima asked, the fact that you knew he wasn’t joking was what ultimately broke you, you laughed as you looked at all of them. “Don’t worry it was just an altercation on the way home yesterday after practice, I had to teach someone a lesson.” “Teach someone a lesson?” Goshiki was the one to ask this time. “I punched someone in the face.” You finally said and they all looked at you with varying degrees of shock and pride. “Wow, didn't know you had it in you.” Tendo wrapped an arm around your shoulder as he turned both of you to look at the rest of the team. “Yeah, yeah now let's get back to training.” You ordered them all off.

🦅 Tendo would often ask you to bandage his fingers for him, mostly because he didn’t want to do it himself. 🦅 You always had a heat pack or cool pack in your bag for any injury. 🦅 As you got to know the team more you stood up for them more people who said anything about Tendo usually ended up on the ass. 🦅 You hyped up Goshiki, calmed down Shirabu and Semi on a number of different occasions and when insults went straight over Ushijima’s head you got angry for him. 🦅 They’ve had to hold you back on a few times when they played matches at other schools however there was one time that they were all blind sided and it was at a match with Aoba Josai.

“What the hell are you doing here?” You recognised that voice, the grumpy hostility was familiar to you. Kyotani. “What’s it to you?” You asked as you turned to look at him. Your team was on edge the moment that you started talking to him. “You don’t own this place.” “Excuse me?” He asked, they all noticed the way that his hand curl into fists. “Oh if it isn’t Shiratorizawa’s manager.” Oikawa teased as he walked over. “You answer to this idiot now?” You asked. “Not really.” Kyotani answered. “I didn’t think so.” You smirked and he rolled his eyes, both of you lifting your fists and bumping your arms together in greeting before finally letting a smile grace your features. “Let's make this a little more interesting, yeah?” “What are you thinking?” He asked. “Well all you have to do is stop Ushijima’s serve and you can have whatever you want.” You suggested. “And if I lose?” He asked. “If you lose then you’ll be my partner in my next fight.” You said and he smirked as he looked at the court where Ushijima was warming up. “Deal.” He said putting his hand out for you to shake, you shook his hand. “Why would you give the kid such an impossible task?” Tendo asked and you looked at him and rolled his eyes. “It’s not impossible, he’s just not going to do it today.” You mumbled as you stretched your arms “not go and warm up, you’ve got physic powers to use.” “Yes ma’am.” He smirked. “Don’t call me that!” You called after him. “Fine, how does little delinquent sound?” He asked. “Better now get going.” You ordered.

🦅 Overall you were pretty good at hiding what you got up to outside of school because you’d be thrown out if anyone found out. 🦅 The boys were on the most part good at keeping your secret though sometimes even you let it slip.

Inarizaki

🦊 The signs were there from the moment you joined as their manager but they all messed them, they were either to dumb to figure it out (Atsumu) or honestly didn’t care (Suna, Osamu). 🦊 Kita was rarely there when things happened but he would always see the best in you no matter what he saw you do. You were just a young trouble maker to him. 🦊 Aran might have been the only one that actually figured out what was going on with you but he never asked though. 🦊 You would often be one of the most common reasons for the twins fighting because most of the time they had managed to get on your nerves beforehand, you would tell one of them that the other had said something about them and fighting would ensue.

Atsumu had decided to be particularly annoying that day and argue with literally everything that you said so that was why you were sitting next to Osamu who was tying his shoes “you know I heard you brother saying somethings, you better go sort him out otherwise people are going to start thinking he’s the better twin.” You teased, you saw Osamu’s hands freeze before he looked at you. “What are you talking about?” Osamu asked. “I think he’s claiming to be the best cook around or something. Some girl saw his lunch. I assume you must have made it.” You watched him stand and walked over to his brother who was in fact talking to some girl, the fighting that followed was loud and Kita eventually came over to stop them.

🦊 Suna recorded the fight which you watched later and then gave them both pointers on how to fight better, you had to literally teach Atsumu how to punch properly. 🦊 Honestly don’t know how they didn’t get it from that alone. 🦊 One day at practice Suna ended up getting hit in the fact pretty bad and his eyebrow split but you were the one that patched him up, they were all confused as to why you were able to do all of that. 🦊 They asked how you knew how to do that and you told them life experience and still none of them connected the dots. 🦊 You tried to keep you personal life away from them but there were times when it crossed over, mostly when you met other schools in practice matches or actual games and Aran would almost always be pulling you away from whatever fight someone else had started. 🦊 There was however one time that you were all walking back from a restaurant when you were cornered by some thugs.

“There you are! We thought that you were avoiding us or something.” He smirked as you looked at him and you rolled your eyes, you dropped your bag to the floor before tying your hair up, next to go was your blazer. “Hey (Y/N) what’cha doin’?” Atsumu asked. “Don’t worry about it.” You answered, taking the knuckle dusters out of your jacket pocket before dropping it to the floor. “How have we never found those in there?” You heard Atsumu whisper and you just chuckle before diving forward and attacking the guy closest to you. They watched as you effortlessly took out the first guy who seemed too big for you to take down on your own. They watched as the men fell one by one, you didn’t come away unscathed but everytime they stepped forward to help, you told them not to so they waited for you to be done and when you were they rushed over checking you over properly. “Are you okay?” Kita asked as he turned your head to get a better look at the injury there, he seemed to relax when he saw that all the injuries were relatively simple fixes. “Nothing too bad, we just need to wrap your knuckles and put a plaster over your eyebrow.” “Oh don’t worry about that, I can do that when I get home.” You waved them off but Atsumu was the one to catch your wrists and swiftly wrap your hands while Kita put a plaster on your forehead. They all insisted on walking you home that night before going home themselves but demanded an explanation as they did and honestly they all wondered how they had managed to let it slip past them for so long.

Request Here!!

#haikyuu oneshot #haikyuu imagine #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu #shiratorizawa #shiratorizawa imagine #shiratorizawa oneshot #inarizaki #inarizaki imagine #inarizaki oneshot #imagine #oneshot #one shot #reader insert #x reader

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awktalk · 2 years

Note

Hello! It's the same anon as before! I absolutely LOVED what you did with my req, it was absolutely amazing and EXCEEDED my expectations! Corey killing for the reader gave me the idea of what would happen if the Reader killed for Corey! Especially if it happened right in front of him, maybe the reader snaps after someone attacks physically assaults Corey? Once again, please feel free to delete if this makes you uncomfortable or you're just not interested, and also feel free to take any kind of creative liberties you'd like! I won't mind at all! =D

So I sorta-definitely cheated with this one, and adapted it from my Allyson x corey ficlet? Anyways all you need to know for context is that you take Allyson's place in the movie and this is after the halloween party! It's probably less gory and more accidental murder than you were expecting, but I hope you like it!

cws for death and murder fantasy!

Crash the Party

"I've got enough to take you back to your place, but I'd rather not have to get gas later. Do you mind if I fill up real quick?" you asked Corey.

Corey smiled and waved a hand, muttering about how he didn't mind at all. You started pulling into a familiar gas station. You looked over to Corey and frowned, seeing the way he had suddenly tensed up and sunk into his seat.

"What's wrong, are you cold or…" you trailed off. you followed Corey's line of sight and frowned when you saw a teen with a fancy-looking car also filling his tank.

You squinted and glanced between Corey and the guy before you quietly asked if that was one of the teens that messed up Corey's hand earlier.

"You know about that?” Corey asked lowly, embarrassed. You smiled softly and gave a conspiratorial look.

"People like to gossip," you explained.

"Yeah, uh, he's trouble so be careful. Do you want me to fill up the gas?" Corey offered. You drove into a lane, your hands tight on the wheel.

"No, it's alright. If he tries anything I can handle myself," you assured him before you parked.

You got out, slammed your car door a tad more harshly than you knew you should, and headed over to pull out a gas nozzle. The teen startled at the noise and chewed up some gum before spitting it out onto the concrete towards you. He had a phone in his hand, but it's not like you had any reason to care about who the kid was talking to.

"…yeah so I'll be there in maybe ten minutes to pick all you guys up, I swear to god you better be ready. And tell Margo that it's your turn to give me gas money. I need it if I'm going to be driving y'all around with all these fuckin' freaks roaming the town," the teen said into the phone, eyeing you, before he hung up.

You sighed and shifted the gas nozzle to sit securely in your car before meeting the bully's eyes head-on.

"Y'know, it's not cool to be throwing words like that around," you said with annoyance.

The bully openly scowled at you.

"What, you want me to compliment you? I bet you were very pretty when you sobbed over Michael Myers stabbing your parents to death. Huh, I think I know what my Halloween costume is going to be this year, sweetheart," the bully said, faux-flirty, before he collapsed in on himself in laughter.

You rolled your eyes, taking a deep breath and letting it out. You turned back to your car and smiled at Corey, who stared back through the window with worry. Glancing at the gas counter and pausing for a moment before clicking off and unplugging the nozzle, you got ready to go back into your car and leave. Before you could, the teen hollered something at you.

"Hey! You have that psycho in your car! You plan on fucking him? Like Laurie wanted with Myers?”

You scowled, your hand flattening against the car as you turned around to bark back.

"Actually yeah, right after we fucking murder your ass and leave you in a ditch," you shouted threateningly, not really meaning it.

Your eyes widened when you realized the teen had his phone pointing at you. Incredulous, you took a step away from your car and towards him in anger.

"Are you seriously recording us?”

Behind you, Corey opened and stumbled out of the car, walking around the front to stand a little behind you. He looked shaken but concerned. He tugged at your sleeve.

“Let’s just go, I should probably be home by now, my mom’s probably worried,” Corey whispered to you. You huffed and took another step towards the teen, who continued to record them.

“This isn’t highschool, “ you says aloud, speaking to both Corey and the teen, “You don’t get to pick on us as a fucking hobby,”

“Oooh,” the teen said, wavering his voice like a cartoon ghost, “I’m so scared,”

The teen rolled his eyes. He waved his phone before clicking it off and stopping the recording. He eyed the expression on your face and put two hands up mockingly.

“Hey, maybe we got off on the wrong foot. You can apologize by helping me get some drinks for me and my friends, how about that?” the teen asked, gesturing towards the gas station store. The cashier inside was visibly sleeping.

You scowled further and stomped forward to push at the teen’s shoulders. He stumbled back onto his car hood and laughed. He whistled, looked you up and down then over you shoulder at Corey.

“You got more dignity than that pedo at least, why don’t you try me out for a ride instead?” the teen flirted. you reared back in disgust.

The teen scoffed and straightened up before he flinch-checked you. He reared his shoulders up and made a short, threatening movement in your direction. When you flinched back, he laughed in your face. Corey took a step further, asking him to stop.

The teen rolled his eyes again and tilted his head towards Corey.

"What, you gonna defend your little partner?" the teen asked, incredulous. "You can't even defend yourself,"

Corey took out a knife, brandishing it toward the kid. You stepped forward in a panic, telling Corey to not do something stupid. The teen repeated you.

"Yeah, Corey," he said, rolling the name, "Don't do anything dumb as fuck,"

You bit your lip, scowling. Then the kid stepped into Corey's space, whacking the knife away and staring him down.

"Can't even hold a fucking knife right, huh? No wonder you had to kill a kid to get your fix, nothing else would've been easy enough for you," he taunted.

The teen pulled a fist back and struck Corey across the face. Corey's head whipped back, and he looked up stunned. Anger coursed through you, and you reached out to pull at the teen's varsity jacket.

"What the fuck was that for?" you shouted, overpowering the teen's immediate reaction to push you off.

"Self-defense. Motherfucker was in my face, can you believe it?" the teen responded, smirking, "I know everybody else would,"

You tried to slap him, but he caught your hand and pushed you away condescendingly.

“I’ll see you later,” he said, ducking down to step into the driver’s seat. The hood was down. He didn’t even look around before starting his car and driving out too quickly to be polite.

You let out a frustrated shout and bent down, picking up a rock. You threw it hard in the direction of the little shit’s car, and let out a satisfied breath when you heard a thud and a clank. The sound of tires skidding reached you and Corey's ears. You straightened up and turned to Corey.

“I fucking hate this town,” you said, heading back. Corey followed and tried to ask if you were alright, to which you just asked the same thing back. Corey’s eyes kept squinting back, trying to see the teen’s car.

They get back into your car and you started up the engine, backing up with more care than your mood should indicate. He cleared his throat and watched as you calmed yourself down.

“I hate this town too,” Corey offered quietly.

You blinked back watery eyes and squared your jaw. Corey eyed the frame of your face, drinking in your fury. His eyes felt good on you, even if you were pissed to all nine levels of hell then.

“I want to leave this year, actually,” Corey confessed, suddenly, watching for your reaction.

You breathed in and out again and relaxed.

“I’d love to do that,” you said sardonically, not meaning to be rude. Corey didn’t take any offense.

“Why don’t you?”

You glanced over at Corey and your eyes flickered over him critically before softening.

“Let’s have a few more dates before you ask me to move in,” you said, teasing lightheartedly. You laughed suddenly, tense energy leaving your body for the second time that night.

You drove carefully around the corner, your turn signal clicking rhythmically. Corey said something under his breath nervously and you made a confused sound. You asked him to repeat himself.

“Your lights are off, you have to have them on,” Corey said. you blinked, realizing why the road ahead of you looked so dark. you flicked the lights on and the front illuminated.

Ahead of them, the teen’s recognizable car sat off the road at an odd angle. Only the back of it was really visible, with the front dipped down into, well, a ditch. As they drove closer, your heart beat faster again, your knuckles white on the wheel. Corey was silent, his hands fidgeted with each other as he also tried to look.

You slowed the car down next to the crash, but you didn’t leave the car. You gazed out of your side window and finally caught a clear view of the teen in his car. He was slumped over his own wheel, the back of his head glittering wetly under the limited light of the moon. The front of his car was totaled and a small amount of smoke drifted up into the air.

“I-I think I hit him,” you said, the words coming out as you realized them. Your body was twisted, your torso turned towards your car door as you stared at the teen’s slumped body. Behind you, Corey swallowed something thick in his throat.

He reached out and placed a cold hand on your warm shoulder.

“It’s just an accident,” Corey whispered, you continued to stare. Beyond your focus, Corey told you to take deep breaths like before.

"I need to, to call the cops or something—” you said, hands not moving towards your phone.

Corey tugged your away from the window, and his hand moved from your shoulder to your hand.

"He's probably just passed out or something. We could…" Corey trailed off and tore his eyes away from the mess behind you. You blinked, trying to focus.

"We could just. Drive off?" you whispered back, eyes wide.

Corey's thumb brushed over the back of your hand comfortingly.

"There's no way you threw that rock that hard, really. And it's not like people would even think something like that happened," Corey muttered, lip quirking up slightly.

"His phone," you said suddenly, jerking away from Corey and unlocking your car door.

Corey glanced around carefully as you, determined, left the car and stepped down the steep hill towards the teen. You took your phone out and showed the camera flash over the slumped teen.

You huffed—pulled your sleeve over your fingers—before you reached in and palmed around the teen's pockets, fruitlessly digging at pants pockets before your eyes caught the rectangular shape under his front jacket pocket. Iron filled your nose and mouth as you leaned forward to push him slightly, reaching into that pocket and pulling out the teen's phone.

With the phone in hand, you ran back up to the car and locked the door behind you. Dropping it in the cup holder between you and Corey, you put your car back into drive and started leaving.

Adrenaline shot through you and you tapped the tips of your fingers over your wheel sequentially. Beside you, Corey took in loud breaths.

Out of the corner of your eye, you watched Corey take the phone and fish out the sim card, before rolling down the window. When they drove over a short bridge, Corey threw the phone out.

“Snap it,” you said rushed.

Corey pressed on the thin sides of the sim card between his thumb and forefinger and a tiny snapping sound got lost in the rustling and clicking of your car over the gravelly street.

“He’s just passed out. Dumb teens like that get into accidents all the time,” you said softly. Your voice carried awkwardly off the plastic and glass around them. He deserved it anyway, you don’t say.

“It was an accident, ” Corey affirmed. His hands rubbed down over the front of his jeans. He wordlessly pressed on his side’s window button to have it roll back up.

"If only every other asshole had an accident as well," you remarked.

Another silent moment passed and he cleared his throat again, “Your turn signal is on,”

You smiled in response, just a small one, and turned it off.

#corey cunningham x reader #corey cunningham #I changed my fic into an x reader one okay #i know it's cheap but I liked the writing of it #halloween ends #corey content

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luchadorbard · 3 months

Text

Knowledge (A NSFW Swtor Oc Fic)

(A semi sequel to my first SWTOR fic you can read here . Highly recommend you read it for not only context but also a helpful visual aid. Set after Knights of the Eternal Thrones and around the time of Onslaught, so spoilers abound!)

The Barsen’thor slowly strode through the halls of the Alliance base. The low hum of panels, consoles and lights coupled with the low foot traffic added to the almost meditative calm. She used to walk among nature back on Tython; however Valkorian’s mind games he played in the wilds had sadly left a poor taste in her mouth. In hindsight, sharing a Sith Lord’s spirit in her body should have filled her with more dread than she’d ever let on while the Dark Lord of Many Faces still lived. Akin to an ever-changing parasite that gripped not only her body but her mind as well. Her connection to the force. Everything that made her what she was.

But such days were long behind her. Tenabrae. Vitiate. Valkorian. The Sith Emperor wore many masks but for all his plots and deceptions it availed him not. She could now walk around her base of operation with a new sense of freedom; free from his whispers of power and free from the games he worked so hard to force her to play. Her stroll took her to the Force Sanctum, as sparsely populated as the rest of the base at this late hour. The Voss Sana Rea was meditating with some Jedi Padawans; small rocks orbiting the group. Keshani’s skills in deception and stealth ensured her foot falls were barely heard. She paused to stop at near by holocron. A sad smile came to her face as she thought back to her days on the Jedi council. The memory being so clear to her as if it had happened yesterday.

---

She ran a gloved hand over the ornate chair in the Tython council room. Such a simple thing yet it conveyed so much to those who looked upon it. A symbol of the greatest of our order. The very best of the Jedi and she was now a part of it. It still didn’t feel real even after the Republic’s victory on Corellia.

“Still worried it might fly from you?” A familiar voice spoke to her as she turned to see her old master, Yuon Paar. It warmed her heart to see the old human walking about after all she had endured.

“I confess, Master Paar. I still don’t feel worthy even after saving you, even after saving Syo Bakern from the First Son and aiding the Rift Alliance. I still feel like I shouldn’t hold this seat.”

“And yet you do.” Paar’s feature softened. “None of us ever truly feel ready. Despite that we must have faith in ourselves as well those around us just as we trust in the Force. The paths we take are the right ones for us, even if we don’t feel ready. We must walk them all the same.”

The Barsen’thor couldn’t help but laugh. Even a Master on the council she can still teach me. Fitting.

“I just wanted to see you one last time before your first council meeting. I’m about to head out, Master Keshani.”

“In that case, May the Force be with you Master Paar.”

“And with you as well. ” She’d bowed her head as she left. Allowing the Barsen’thor to finally take her seat at the council table. Sitting within it didn’t make it any more real. But it did allow her time to get used to the feeling and perspective of looking at someone at the end of the table rather than looking to them.

The council chamber’s doors opened, revealing the other Masters of the Jedi Council to join their newest member. Bela Kiwiiks. The Torguta still attempted her best to hide her limp, however it was still clear that she was far from fully recovered from her injuries. Thank the Force Kira and the Hero of Tython moved quick enough to save her from the Shock Drum.

“Master Keshani.” She’d give a curt nod as she’d rush to take her seat as fast as she’d could, no doubt to give her body a rest. “You’re here early.”

“Master Kiwiiks.” The Barsen’thor bowed her head. “I wished to ensure I made the best first impression possible to my fellow Masters.”

The Torguta couldn’t help but smile and shake her head. “I think you saving more than half of our order nearly at the cost of your own life made impression enough.”

“Indeed.” Grand Master Satele Shan spoke as she entered the room as well. “All that remains for you is merely getting yourself acquainted with the day to day operations of the council. I can assure you; it won’t be as intimidating as you think it is.”

The holo-projectors in the center the room started to flicker to life, as the electronic chirps signal incoming projections.

“Ah I see the last of the masters are joining us. One moment.” The Grand Master quickly pressed buttons near the center of the table to project the images of those who could not join the session physically.

Master Kaedan, Gnost Dural, Oteg and Shol Bestros all having there holo-images projected into there chairs. Or hover chair in Oteg’s case.

“Hello again. I trust we’re coming through loud and clear?” The Qel Dor Master adjusting his mask somewhat, Master Dural’s image was somewhat weaker than the others, but his features were still clear enough.

Master Kaedan looked to the Barsen’thor a mild frown coming to his projected features. He was in one of his moods, as usual.

“Ah, the newest member of this council. I hope you will serve the Order well despite your youth when it comes to such things.”

“We have much to discuss.” Master Shan spoke quickly. “Events are unfolding all across the Galaxy and we must address them all as best we can; yet we can not neglect matters closer to home on Tython.”

Keshani clasped her hands and leaned forward in her seat to study the faces of her fellow Jedi Masters, trying her hardest to ensure she looked like she fit in.

“First things first, we’ve the testimony from a Padawan here on Tython regarding his fellow Jedi learners.” The Grand Master inputted some basic commands into the main projector in the center of the room to display some images of two Jedi in training. One male, one female. “A Padawan reported seeing two of his fellow Jedi engaging in romantic pursuits in the Gnarls. While still young they should be aware by now, the dangers of such things.”

“I agree!” Master Kaeden said, as his frown intensified his projection flickered and distorted somewhat. “A punishment should make it clear that such actions lead to the path of the Dark Side. Perhaps even expulsion.”

“While I don’t disagree with that, perhaps a less punitive approach might be best for us here.” Bela Kiwiiks spoke with a softer tone. “We risk pushing them closer together if we’re too harsh.”

“They are Jedi! Not school children. They must understand the discipline that it takes to become a Jedi, and if they can not grasp this notion…”

Keshani cleared her throat, working hard to divert her thoughts away from Tharen. Less the current subject of this council meeting turns to her. Let’s not get kicked off before I even fully sit a full session.

“If I may interject?” The Barsen’thor still kept the same reserved manner in speaking to them as if she were still a Knight, newly out of the service of her master.

“You are one of us now, my friend. There’s no need for such formalities. Speak your mind Barsen’thor.” Oteg smiled as his large radar ears twitched somewhat; his tone warm and welcoming.

Keshani nodded. “I agree with Master Kiwiiks. Learners are very impressionable at that stage during there development. Perhaps we should have a private word with this pair of them to explain why their actions are so dangerous. Maybe a lesson of some sort to help illustrate our point. A Punishment that carries with it a lesson they can take away.”

“There is no shortage of tales within our very own archives that could help prove such a point but also help show them that they can still become Jedi. Provided they do there best to atone for there mistake.” Master Dural stroked part of his mask, no doubt thinking of many archive entries that could do as he claims.

“You would merely give them a slap on the wrist?! If anything, this proves that they do not have the fortitude to become Jedi if they give in to the first temptation offered!” Kaedan furrowed his brow.

Master Keshani looked around the table and considers for a moment. “Grand Master, is this the first infraction of these two learners?”

“Yes. They are both very skilled and capable for those of there age. Had this not happened I’d say their future among the order is assured.”

“Are we so overburden with numbers of our order we can afford to turn away such promising students? Even the strongest among us can falter in the path of the Light. Let us show them how to avoid such temptations in the future; that they can still have a place among the Jedi -and- takes steps to ensure this lesson takes.”

“You speak as if it can be done so easily, Barsen’thor.” Master Kaedan locked his gaze on to the newest member of the council. “A measure of caution must be used to guard against our students from being lured to the Dark Side.”

“With respect, Master Kaedan, not all of the issues of our order faces are solved so easily with confrontation. These learners could very well fall to offerings of the Dark Side if we -were- to punish them harshly. We must impart our lessons to them in a fair manner.”

“I concur with the young Master.” Kiwiiks smiles at the newest member as Keshani finally relaxed into her seat.

“I hope for all our sakes you’re right about this Barsen’thor.” Master Kaedan’s hologram reclined somewhat in his seat as their seemed to be quiet agreement among the council on this matter.

---

Hard to believe that was one of the last times I saw Master Kaedan alive. She sighed as she remembered hearing the news that the Champion of the Great Hunt slew him while he was defending Jedi artifacts on Illum. For all his faults, he meant well. And was one of the best the order. The Barsen’thor decided not to linger any longer within the Force sanctuary. There is no death, there is only the Force.

Her casual walk brought her towards the military hanger, her wrapped feet feeling the cold steel and earth on her soles as she quietly made her way across her base.

She sensed her beloved, Lana Beniko, near the operation control center. Calling upon the force she attempted further cloak her movements in her shadow and become fully unseen and unheard.

Her steps became even slower, cautious things. Like a predator very slowly tracking the scent of some distant prey. As she stalked through her home, she glanced at the Republic Banners that stood along side Imperial; a dream come true for her in almost any other circumstance; however the invasion of the Eternal Empire ensured that the days when the Alliance unity were at its strongest were the days of nightmare. How quickly old hatred arises once shared threats vanish. How quickly old allegiances surface when the shield we both used grows too cumbersome and heavy to hold. She steadied her breath as she thought of returning to the Republic. Returning to the Jedi.

---

Keshani drew her lightsaber back after her latest wounding blow to the arms of the Sith. Lord Vivicar dropped his saber, clutching his side. The deathly emanations of the ghost controlling him still wafting from his form like smoke. “Impressive, Jedi.” It was Vivicar’s mouth that moved but the echoing booming ghastly voice of the phantasm that possessed his body exited his lips. “You might even have triumphed, but my victory is already complete.”

Her friend and traveling companion Tharan Cedrax slowly stowed his blaster and was already readying some kolto packs for the wounded Jedi. Keshani kept her saber alight, ready to strike a lethal blow with a flick of her wrist should it come to that.

“My plague has spread farther than you can imagine. Jedi Masters across the galaxy are succumbing to it as I speak.”

The Twi’lek’s eyes grew wide as she searches through the force for the truth. Attempting to reach out and pierce any veil of lies or final trick. Her grip around her duel-saber started to tremble somewhat as her shortness of breath grew.

“The plague binds these masters to me. Hundreds of them-the heart and soul of your order.”

“Free those masters, Morrhage. Now!” She yelled as dizziness started to settle in. Her own wounds from the fight getting treated with basic med-packs yet still her body pulsed with pain.

A look of almost quizzical amusement came to the face of Lord Vivicar.

“And if we refuse, what then? Will you cut us down?”

This can’t be it. The plague lord must not win! He -cannot- win! Her thoughts raced back to all the trials and struggles that brought her here. Uncovering the nature of the Sith’s plague. The fallen Jedi that stood before her in Parkanas Tark and the final terrible revelation that he was nothing more than a puppet for an ancient Sith.

She had sacrificed too much for the Sith Lord to be victorious. Finding the lost knowledge of the Jedi shielding ritual among the Noetikons to inoculate those infected. A ritual that sacrificed a portion of her strength with each usage. A sacrifice she made gladly to save Jedi-Masters. Across the galaxy, planet to planet, getting weaker and weaker as Lord Vivicar’s minions hounded her and her companions every step of the way. She was so closed to ending this. If she stopped the plague at its source, then the part of her that she gave to the other masters would return to her! The close calls, the dizzy spells that gave way to fainting. The trembling hands and weakened limbs…All of it was needed to stop this threat! It can’t end like this. I’ve given too much. The Masters of the Order must be freed!

Lord Vivicar’s body looked up as the ghost puppeteered his twisted his features into a bloody smirk. “Kill me, and you shall kill every master I have ever infected. Everyone! Shielded or not, they are still bound to me.” He slowly returned to his vertical base.

Keshani kept her dual saber at the ready, its green colour burning brilliantly in the dark confines of the mostly abandoned Sith Cruiser. Even with most of her strength sapped from saving the other masters via the shielding technique, she pushed on, drawing on all she could to stay on her feet. I sense no lies in his words, no deception…No…It can not be!

In a flash her mind went to all the master’s she saved. All the Padawans who endured the pain of seeing their teachers twisted into something monstrous by Terrok Morrhage’s plague. She thought of her own master Yuon being the first of the infected. The paranoia, the fear, the greatest of her order’s mind warped by such vile Sith alchemy to do terrible deeds.

“But what choice do you have? You can not let me live, and I am deathless. Your shielding talent can not harm me. You’ve lost!”

Even after all the wounds inflicted on her, the venom in his words cut deeper, stung harder. She glanced to her saber as Vivicar simply stood there, as if daring her to strike him down. She looked to Tharan, her companion giving her a knowing glance as if he wordlessly attempting to persuade her not to do it. The heart and soul of our order. They can’t die, I cannot kill them! There must be some way. There must be! Her vision blurred somewhat before she shook her head as she grew short on breath. Time was short. She needed to act.

She stowed her lightsaber away and took as deep breath as she could, and she summoned the last of her strength she could muster. Then I take the only path open to me…

“No matter what, Parkanas shall be freed from you, Morrhage.” Keshani found her center and extended her hands, drawing upon the shielding ritual one last time. Lord Vivicar raised his hands in fear as he slowly backed away before his body started to violently convulse. If it is my destiny to become one with the Force, so be it. She prepared herself as best she could. Master Yuon, Master Syo. Qyzen, Tharan. Goodbye…

She could feel the last of any strength she had leave her body and shield the man before her. She could feel the Sith spirit fighting as hard as it could, trying to still hold sway over Parkanas. In a great rush of air and force Lord Vivicar flew back! Landing flat on the ground as the ghostly figure stood in his place, black as tar as red ethereal tendrils snaked around its form.

For a briefest of moments, everything slowed down, she braced herself upon her legs as she could feel it. The last of her strength had left her. She was spent. Her heart stopped; her vision was now blurred as she struggled to breath at all. All things simply fell still, as if time was frozen for her. It was akin to being in a speeder crash; one’s perception of seconds felt like minutes. Was this it? Was this her end? There is no death, there is only the Force.

Just as quickly, the moment passed. Her heartbeat returned as blood flowed through her veins and air returned fully to her lungs. She felt whole again

“No! This body is mine! Damn you Jedi!” The Ghost cursed as all the strength she had imparted to others over her travels slowly returned to her through the Force.

“When my strength returns, no matter the years-I will destroy you!” In an instant Terrok Morrhage’s ghost was gone. As if carried away from some unseen gust of wind. The shadowy tendrils that clung to his form lingered at first before they to eventually dissipated. He was gone. For now, at least…

“I’m…still alive. You spared me.” Lord Vivicar, or rather Parkanas Tark, got back to his feet.

“I have to admit. I’m a little puzzled on that score myself.” Tharan spoke up, his tone his usual heroic baritone with only the slightest bit of quizzical confusing underpinning it. She could tell, he was simply happy that such further blooded could be avoided.

“My mind is…clearer now. But-It was your duty to kill me and destroy Morrhage.”

Keshani took a fully deep breath of air for the first time in a long while. Even the dusty and stale air of the derelict Sith cruiser still felt like the freshest air of Tython. She looked to the confused and wounded former Sith Lord a tired look upon her features.

“Too many Jedi have been lost already. Including Parkanas Tark.”

Parkanas looked sadly to the side as he spoke. “Yes, Parkanas was lost. But Perhaps he deserves another chance. I can not return to the Order. But…Tython has its hidden places, Its forests. I could find peace there. I could…go home.”

“But first-Jedi, listen. Take this warning in exchange for my life.”

“You can’t trust the Order-or the Republic. You may be their heroine now, but they will abandon you to. Remember that.” And with that, the former Sith Lord slowly limped off the bridge and gave one last grateful look to Keshani before he finally turned his back on her and left. Leaving her alone with her medical doctor within the shadows of the Sith cruiser; when Parkanas finally left she fell to her knees, exhausted and looked to the ceiling as Tharan quickly saw to her remaining injuries.

---

He was right in a way. Keshani looked back on that memory with all the fondness of something precious. Even the darkest day of the past shining like a dream in the wake of all that’s happened. Still, abandoned or not, a Jedi’s duty is to serve. The slow partnership between her Alliance the Republic was a first step but she hoped that it would never have been needed. She wondered if she felt the same way the scattered and exiled order of the days of the Sith Triumvirate.

Did they feel they lost as she did? As anxious as she did? She contemplated what the future might hold Would there ever come a time where masters stand as I do? Lost? Alone? Scattered and rebuilding the order? She could hope that if this should ever happen again, the Order’s history and knowledge could be preserved in some manner, even if the Jedi themselves should fall. No knowledge deserves to be lost forever. In a moment she thought back to Master Gnost Dural and why it was so important to have a properly maintained archive. As dry as his work is, the library is the pillar in which the entire Order rests upon.

As she continued like a shadow through the carved rock of the Odessen she slowly approached operations centers and she saw her beloved, her better half, her dark advisor. She thought back to the first time she met Lana Beniko. The Sith Lord saving her life from a collapsing underwater lab on Mannan. She was thankful for any rescue in such a dire situation however she could never have predicted how her feelings for Lana would have developed from that first encounter. Teaming up with her to uncover the Revanite conspiracy and tracking the Sith Emperor to Ziost. The fact she broke her Code for her was something she could have never foreseen. I doubt Lana would have foreseen falling in love with a Jedi either.

She inched closer towards Lana who had her back to her, deeply focused on the console she was working at. She paused her work and sighed somewhat as she turned around to look at her partner.

“I can still sense you, love. Stealth or not, the force opens your presence to me.” She said, clearly amused by the Barsen’thor. Keshani dismissed the force that shrouded over her.

“You can’t blame a Jedi for attempted self-improvement.” She said with a wry smile.

“We’re married. Our connection is going to make any attempt to sneak up on each other nigh impossible.” Lana approached the Alliance Commander, her frown with her sulfuric yellow eyes making her even cuter in the Twi’lek’s mind. Keshani slowly took Lana’s hands in her own and her disapproving glower slowly faded as their faces were now inches apart; the Barsen’thor’s voice dropping to a whisper.

“We need another night together. Just you and me. No work.” She could feel a blush come to her cheeks as Lana batted her eye lashes at the Jedi and quickly kissed her. “How about a sparring match?”

“I’ll hand my current assignments to Agent Shan, your quarters. Now.” The Sith lord’s voice was urgent but not desperately so. More than likely Lana could sense Keshani’s own growing need; the need they both shared to be with each other. They quickly exchanged another kiss before they let go. Lana composing herself in public as Keshani walked back into the hallways, giving one last glance over her shoulder to her beloved before she moved on. Eagerly awaiting her wife’s rendezvous.

---

Keshani finished the last of her stretching as Lana paced around in the Jedi’s quarters anxiously, tightly gripping her saber hilt and ready to spar. The Twi’lek looked to the furniture of her quarters that had been moved to the side to give the pair as much space as they can. I wonder if she’s eager to get started so that we can finish and enjoy what comes next? She dynamically stretched, focusing on her legs to ensure they were ready for the work out that was to come.

As she stood back up, she took out her saber-staff, the yellow light coming to life with a brilliant glow, akin to a miniature sun. “Try to keep up.” She said in a teasing manner as Lana’s facial expression shifted from impatience to something else.

Her life partner’s yellow eyes told all the reaction that was needed without any words being spoken. Sith seemed naturally driven to competition, and Lana was no different and that minor bit of taunting seemed to awaken that side of her in full. She ignited her saber, blood red like a Manka-cat’s eyes, giving the Makashi salute as she easily shifted into Form 2, holding the hilt in both hands. The Twi’lek flourished through the air with her weapon, opening with her Ataru ready stance.

In a sudden burst of energy, the Barsen’thor leapt into action by cartwheeling near her sparring partner; bringing a series of overhead strikes before trying to transition into vertical slashes. Lana’s form kept to it’s fencing strength, her red saber clashing with the yellow as she kept defensive movements to a minimum. Not a single wasted movement nor energy in her actions. The Barsen’thor did not relent in her assault, leaping in and around her opponent, using the chairs and tables around her for higher leverage or the briefest of pauses before leaping into position.

A common mistake for younger Jedi was always assuming that a Sith’s usage of a lightsaber might reflect their code of wild passions and rage but such assumptions could too easily lead into being exploited by a veteran duelist who could sense the expectation and adjust accordingly. As a Jedi Master, Keshani knew to try and study a foes movement as quickly as possible to discern strategy; however, her time spent with Lana as both an ally and lovers meant they knew each other too well at this point. No doubt Lana thinks much the same. Much like all their previous duels, Lana kept on the defensive awaiting for her opening.

Expending energy rapidly, Keshani attempted to deliver a skyward blow downward from another leap, resulting in a prolonged parrying clash between the two sabers. The Twi’lek attempted to use the two edges of her saber to her advantage by pushing the uncontested edge closer to end this spar.

In a moment, Lana’s rage came through as she summoned her almost preternatural strength to hold Jedi’s weapon at bay and then summoned a quick burst of Force lightning to block the advance of the second edge. Caught off guard the Barsen’thor was forced back and as she predicted Lana unleashed all that she had kept hidden for this duel. The precise strikes and lunges of her fencing style came all at once like a tempest of blade work. While prepared, Ataru’s weakness in prolonged battle was too pronounced as she was forced on the defensive. Blocking and parrying, taking away the range that her weapon granted her as Lana’s counterattack didn’t cease as she took more and more ground from her partner.

Keshani, running out of options, hurled one of the spare chairs to buy time however it did not avail her. Lana, with one simple upward cut, bisected the makeshift projectile and the two halves clattered behind her. Not a second wasted, the Sith pressed forward, one or two more powerful strikes came, and she promptly disarmed her Jedi opponent, pointing her lightsaber but a few inches from her throat.

“Had this been a real duel I’d have killed you a breath and a half a go.” She huffed as she deactivated her saber. “You’re not taking this seriously. You need to stop seeing me whenever we duel."

Failure was always an opportunity to learn, at least in Keshani’s mind. She had already made a note of ways to push harder through a fencer’s concentrated guard. Her frown only adds to her beauty…

Keshani got back to her feet as she Force pulled her lightsaber back to her as she stowed it away.

“Well, anything to say for yourself?” Lana folded her arms as she awaited a response only to be met with a kiss from Keshani, one she readily and eagerly returned. The pair of them paused as Lana chortled softly.

“Every time with us then?” She asked with a hint of blush coming to her cheeks.

“You did say that the taste of adrenaline suits me.” Keshani almost giggled as she turned Lana’s own words against her. The pair returned to kissing each other as their hands eagerly roamed over there respective robes as they slowly made there way over to her bed.

---

Any guilt, shame or regret that plagued Keshani about almost anything faded when she shared nights with her beloved. Her own Dark Advisor. The Galaxy, its troubles, all her ills and worries faded when she devoted herself to loving her. To worshiping her.

Lana moved her hand to the back of her neck to keep her firmly in place, using her strength just enough to illicit additional excitement from her Jedi lover but not to cause undo pain. The Jedi Master could not fully explain why it pleased her so; the little things during there nights together such as Lana overpowering her and leveraging her strength or sweet lustful nothings she’d whisper to her only made the Jedi crave her more. Her cravings are almost as strong mine. It’s been too long.

Lana’s muscled legs continued to wrap and lock firmly in place around the Twi’lek’s head as she continued her loving devotion to her. Not even with any of her previous lovers did she give herself so submissively to Lana. That was not to say she did not enjoy her trysts with Tharan Cedrax however those intimate moments came from equal footing. With Lana however, she’d gladly submit to her, pledge herself to her. Being overpowered by her, dominated, using her flexibility in any way she commanded was the only thing she could conceive when they were together.

A long breathy moan escaped the Sith lord’s mouth as she writhed and shuddered, her entire body tensing up around her lover. Keshani could sense her building anticipation as she increased her speed. Her legs tightened around her head and back as they both shuddered in there writhing embrace; waves of pleasure shock waving through both of them. They both lingered as they savored the sensation of climax with one another before Lana slowly untangled her legs from her lover and simply fell backwards onto the bed, drenched with sweat.

The Twi’lek sighed heavily as she simply laid there before she recomposed herself, and crawled up to gently wrap her arms around her Sith lover. They shared one last kiss and silently rested together, there bare chests slowly rising and falling as they held each other and drifted off to sleep.

Keshani’s dreams let her travel down her memories once again, however lacking the focus of her waking ruminations. Moments, people, events and places all blurred together. Her arrival on Tython, meeting her Master for the first time, her appointment to the Jedi Council, creating her own Holocron with Master Owa, debating the nature of the Force with Voss Mystics, first meeting her future Padawan with the rest of the Rift’s Alliance, her secret wedding ceremony with Lana officiated by a droid. All of them playing and replaying as they almost blurred together.

Then came dreams she had not seen before, not memories of any sort but something else. Dreams of some prospective student finding her holocron and studying with her teachings. A woman who looks much like Nadia but was no Padawan. A great Jedi Master with an emerald saber standing against enemy of the Republic and the Jedi. Visions of that same Master taking a Padawan and telling her of the Barsen’thor and her travels. Just as quick as the visions came so did more things not of her memory.

Visions of a hooded figure arguing with the Grand master of the Jedi order, visions of burning capital ships and great planetary battle fields between the Republic and the Sith Empire. This hooded figure striding through the great tombs of the planet of Korriban, as this figure’s lightsaber turned from yellow to blood red. Quicker and quicker the visions came, far too quick for the Jedi to perceive in her dream. The Jedi temple destroyed, Tython burning, her old companions dead and slain by this hooded figure, her breathing quickened as she tossed, turned and thrashed on her bed as she could feel the heat of the roaring fires and the smell of battlefields across her travels.

The visions ceased, only to linger one image. A Sith Lord clad in armor as black as night with her dual saber ignited. Standing upon the rubble of Coruscant, she turned to reveal it was…her. Her eyes were as red as her saber, but it was the Barsen’thor to be certain but corrupted, fallen.

She awoke, more like erupted, from her sleep; tumbling out of her bed and scrambling to her feet as she looked down at her trembling hands. She tried her best to steady her breathing but could feel her tears welling in her eyes and trailing down her cheeks. She heard Lana stirring, she turned to see the Sith lord, a look of grave concern on her face as she approached her.

“I saw…I saw visions.” Keshani started to babble as her mind was still racing from all she saw and felt. “They couldn’t have been dreams, I…”

She choked down a sob as Lana quickly approached her and pulled her into a hug, supporting her so she still stood on her feet.

“I saw myself…-fallen-. I saw myself as Sith. Corrupted. Killing all that I held dear, killing everything I…” Her words stopped as Lana pressed her forehead to hers, attempting to calm her.

“Promise me…Promise me you won’t let that happen, promise me that…” The Twi’lek’s words were cut short as she looked deep into Lana’s beautiful eyes. The sulfuric yellow, telltale signs of the Darkside.

How far have I fallen? How much do I drown in attachment that I ask a Sith to protect me from the Darkside? I ask all that the Jedi comes stand against to ensure I can remain a Jedi. What has become of me? I’ve failed. As a Master to Nadia, as the Warden of the Jedi Order and as a Jedi master…

Her tears continued to stream down her face as Lana hushed and cooed her beloved as she stroked her back to settle the Jedi’s nerves.

“I…I do not know if my words can offer any comfort.” Lana started to speak slowly, a soft, almost mournful expression on her face. “But you are the woman I fell in love with. And…and I will do everything I can to ensure you stay the woman I fell in love with. Now, and for as long as we share this galaxy together…”

She gently leans in for another kiss and wiped away tears with one of her thumbs.

“My love.” She whisperd as Keshani felt all was right just for the briefest of moments before her fear returned. She simply nestled her head on to her shoulder and returned the hug to her beloved, there bare bodies pressed together in the cold metal room they shared. Unsure of what the future held for them. But knowing they would face it together.

(I'm tempted to write some other stories about my other SWTOR characters and experiences in the presented story-line if I can find the time. Hope you enjoyed these two short stories!)

#my writing #oc writing #oc #short story #wlw #swtor #swtor fanfiction #swtor oc #swtor jedi consular #swtor fic #lana beniko #spicy writing #bisexual #sapphic love #star wars fanfiction

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tokiro07 · 7 months

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Undead Unluck ep.1 thoughts

[Four Years and an Anime, Baby!!!]

(Contents: Ch.1 comparison, pacing, animation)

Note: For the sake of this review series, I'm going to avoid any overt references to the later events of the manga. Anything I have to say on that topic will be relegated to their own posts, so anime-onlys can read these too if they're so inclined

And we're off to a great start!!!

Easily the thing that I'm most excited about is the new intro, expanding on To You, From Me (Fuuko's manga, for those who didn't catch the name), which we got basically no information on in the original. I do think it's a little odd that the scene we saw doesn't resemble the one Fuuko is seen reading pretty much at all, but I do like what David Production is going for with it

As a long-time fan, I thought that intro was really cool, and bodes well for how David plans to adapt the manga going forward, likely expanding on or adding scenes that weren't present in the manga to help build atmosphere or context. However, my roommate, who is completely unfamiliar, was strongly confused and taken aback by the strange animation and surreal imagery, so I worry that this addition may be offputting to newcomers. Fingers crossed everyone can overlook that

Aside from that, the beats of chapter 1 are pretty much intact, though a lot of it was sadly truncated or removed for the sake of streamlining to fit the half-hour timeframe, which is to be expected even if it is a bit of a shame. I really loved Andy testing the limits of Unluck, keeping careful track of the relative size of the debris based on how long he touched Fuuko, but in the interest of time, skipping that and keeping the note about how it works is serviceable I suppose

I also think it's a little weird to have Andy and Fuuko alone at the bridge rather than drawing a crowd, especially since they're in such a crowded city, though I'm sure it's more cost-effective to only use the characters who matter instead of animating a bunch of nobodies milling about and being voiced by however many extras would be required. It picks up the pace, and gives way to a very funny reinterpretation of the events of the manga with Andy simply rocketing his head back to where he started instead of Fuuko going to the ground to inspect what she'd done

The most important moments, being the meeting, the haircut, and the battle, were all executed spectacularly, so the connecting moments in between being less than stellar is perfectly acceptable. I don't have any trouble believing that people will enjoy themselves watching this and be engaged enough to continue on

Andy's animations were very fluid and imaginative, I particularly loved the touch of him floating the knife on a jet of his blood rather than just balancing it on his finger while letting himself bleed. The blood on Andy's teeth evaporating after Fuuko stabbed him was also a great way to indicate how Undead works, whereas in the manga his teeth are just mysteriously clean a few panels later, potentially misleading readers into thinking that it's a continuity error. Oh, and Andy's body vanishing after he tosses his head to Fuuko? It's so clear that someone on this team is familiar with the source material, adding details that would logically be present even if the author didn't portray them in the original, which is great because Tozuka is already extemely detail-oriented

I will admit, I am not the biggest fan of the voice actors. I've never really liked Yuichi Nakamura too much, and I just don't think he's the best fit for Andy specifically. Moe Kahara is a pretty new actress, I believe, and she just sounds kind of...unrefined, I guess? I'm sure she'll grow on me, or she'll get more experienced and give a stronger performance as she goes, so I'm not going to write her off, I just thought she sounded a bit generic here. Whether that's a matter of skill or direction is also debatable, so again, I'm not going to rag on her too much

The opening theme, though played without the visuals as per usual with first episodes, sounded rad, and I'm super excited to see the full thing next week. I'm sad that I have to wait for it, but I'm more than happy enough with the episode itself that I don't mind

Overall, though I obviously have to say that the corresponding manga chapter is better, I greatly enjoyed the first episode and highly recommend it both to newcomers because it does a solid job in and of itself and to manga fans because it provides a nice new perspective on the source material. I'm pretty hard to please with this sort of thing, or rather pretty easy to disappoint, so for me to walk away with a strongly positive attitude is a huge mark in this adaptation's favor

Not only am I still excited to see how this anime goes going forward, my confidence in how well it's going to present the story I love so much has only gone up, so I can't call this episode anything other than a rousing success for me. I hope you all enjoyed it too, and I can't wait for episode two!!!

#undead unluck #fouryearsandananime #uu anime #4y1a reviews

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frozenambiguity · 6 months

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Today's thoughts reside on the relationship between Kaeya and Varka.

There is little that we know about Varka, apart from a few mentions regarding his connections to a few characters and the fact that he has embarked on a journey and took all the cavalry with him. The overall impression that we get is that he is highly respected and looked upon by the community, and even idealized by some, be it the knights, the citizens of Mond, or outsiders ( take Childe's opinion, for example ).

We also know for a fact that Kaeya tends to act in a somewhat dissimulated // cold // calculative way in order to attain his goals and that he bears no shame in his controversial methods. He fraternizes with the enemy, he has dealings with the black market, and he puts other people in risky situations. So you might be asking: Cláudia, what does one thing have to do with another? Well. There is a certain voice line of Kaeya that has always stuck with me:

"There are a total of ten captains within the Knights of Favonius. But truth be told, not all of them have what it takes to be leaders."

I know Kaeya is talking about the captains and not the highest positions of Acting Grandmaster and Grandmaster, but this voice line has always made me question the exact qualities that Kaeya approves of when it comes to leadership. And how Varka, precisely, seems to suit that role in Kaeya's eyes.

We know for certain that Kaeya's views are not one hundred percent aligned with the idealistic, heroic ambitions many KoF possess. Due to his life experiences, you can even say that he has a certain disenchantment with the way the world works ( in the sense that he views the world in different shades of grey. Not everything is marvelous and not everything is catastrophic --- good and evil both coexist, as do light and shadow, and that is the natural order of things ).

But what is interesting to me is that Kaeya approves Varka's way of operating. We do not know the exact details so far. We do not even know what the intent of the expedition that made Varka depart with the cavalry really is. We only know that it must be something grand for it to be so secretive and require so many resources, and important enough for the highest person in charge to entrust Mondstadt to the care of others. But Varka's modus operandi is mentioned by Kaeya multiple times:

"Now that you mention him, it is a shame there is no one in the Knights of Favonius to inherit the Grand Master's approach to his work. *sigh* I must say I really do appreciate people like him."

This gives me the impression that, although ethical, Varka must be someone capable of understanding the way the world works and acting realistically on it. That is to say: he might approach situations as someone who is not afraid to dirty their hands when the circumstances demand it. And someone who is not afraid to be secretive about his carefully crafted plans. Sounds familiar?

Kaeya and Varka have had a somewhat philosophical discussion regarding justice and what exactly it entails, and I wish we had more context about it. A debate concerning a topic so heavy seems to imply that their relationship is not merely one of employer and employee. Kaeya freely exposes his way of thinking to Varka, who no doubt has noticed Kaeya's special way of dealing with things:

"Justice is not an absolute principle, but the result of striking that fine balance between strength and strategy. As for the details of how it's done... Don't worry yourself too much about that." Kaeya once said these words in front of Grand Master Varka.

It is interesting to notice that, although Kaeya's methods may be questioned, people like his comrades and Jean still decide to follow and support him. They trust his intuition. Varka must be no exception. Not that their relationship is necessarily 100% based on trust: Kaeya has dismissed Varka's worries regarding his past and arrival in Mondstadt --- something that, too, confirms that Varka might suspect people's true motives easily, much like Kaeya does.

Even when the Grand Master demanded information on his background, Kaeya skirted around the issue and gave only vague answers devoid of details.

I really wish we had more information about these two, because all in all, this got me wondering about Kaeya's and Varka's methods of operating and whether they are similar in nature, in general, and their way of understanding each other, in particular.

Could it be that the inner workings of these two characters are somewhat similar? Varka certainly seems to be more righteous than Kaeya is, perhaps because his position demands it. But he still trusted Kaeya enough to allow him into their ranks, although he had demanded clarity from Kaeya before and was not met with it.

Only time will reveal the true purpose of Varka's expedition, his true character, his objectives, and the role the KoF will play in the grand scheme of things.

#【 let me tell you a story | thoughts to be shared. 】#{{ i just think they might have an interesting chemistry if their relationship is properly developed }}#{{ what are your thoughts about varka and his schemes? 🤔 }}#{{ it is also extremely interesting how a character like diluc; who has long left the KoF; does not understand Varka's actions at all }}

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maximumcheese · 1 year

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Playing Cards - They Stand Shoulder to Shoulder 1

Location: ES

A few hours later

Aira: Alkaloid’s emergency meeting, start!

…Well, I announced it but. With Tattsun-senpai’s hectic driving, I’m still kinda dragging my feet.

Mayoi: Since we hurried to get back here, there’s no time to be thinking about a vacation.

Aira: I’m glad we could get back quickly, if only thanks to that Rapture Driving.

I had a talk with Tenshouin-senpai as soon as I arrived at ES, so I want a break for my heart too…

Tatsumi: Well then, let me continue our conversation. While we are talking, I’d also like to sort some things out.

Hiiro: Thank you, Tatsumi-senpai. I’ll also try to explain everything I know properly.

Tatsumi: You don’t have to get worked up about it. I was shocked at your statement in the rose garden but…

After my chat with Eichi-san, I was able to get the picture, albeit vaguely.

It was in some kind of ambiguous manner of speaking, but in short, Eichi-san is looking for a good result from Alkaloid for now, I suppose.

While participating in the nationwide idol festival SS despite being rookie idols—

I feel like they were making the sort of request where, by then, we would have enough accolades to make a name for ourselves amongst other units, and they hoped they would become a foil for us.

Aira: A newbie fresh off the farm participating in SS is kinda surprising, huh.

From an idol fan’s standpoint, they might wonder how an idol group without the least bit of familiarity could even be in SS.

That is, not the prelim rounds, but the main one.

…Well, I’ve also seen rumors online that ES is getting really fired up about this year’s SS. I don’t know what it’ll be like.

Mayoi: However, if it’s a demand specifically for Alkaloid, why didn’t they gather us to discuss it?

If you were to give orders to Alkaloid, wouldn’t it make more sense to gather the four of us to talk instead of messing around with just Hiiro-san…?

Hiiro: …We talked about this in the car, but I think it’s because my remark was the thing that lit the fuse.

Aira: The thing you told us about before in the cafeteria, right?

When the staff member asked Alkaloid in the office about what kind of work Alkaloid would like to do in the future.

Hiiro: Yes. I didn't tell you what I had said in response to their question.

I replied that I had no particular hopes…Apparently, the so-called “big-wig” of the office had heard my response.

Tatsumi: They said they were dissatisfied with Hiiro-san’s response, as he did not have the feeling of a strong spirit of both a rookie idol and a member of Starpro.

Since I’m sure the power to exert influence by those who hold authority in the agency is great, we know what’s going to happen to us, if only right now…

Hiiro: Yeah. Since the big-wig harbors a bad impression of me, it’s only natural that it’s my duty to eradicate it.

It’s also because I am Alkaloid’s leader.

The impressions of the monarch (leader) also become the impression of the unit that they govern.

I wonder if that’s why Tenshouin-senpai has been working on me to recover.

Tatsumi: This is nothing more than a guess, but I’m also of the same general opinion.

Mayoi: B-But! I was also there when the staff asked the question.

I didn’t think that what Hiiro-san was saying was a negative thing, and I even agreed with his point.

That is why I’m guilty of the same crime…I don’t think that Hiiro-san is the only one that should feel liable.

Hiiro: Mayoi-senpai…

Aira: I mean, even when Tattsun-senpai and I heard you talking about it in the cafeteria, I didn’t really think anything of it. There’s no reason to get too worried about it, Mayo-san.

Besides, we know what Hiro-kun was feeling when he answered that, right?

So even when I listen to what Hiro-kun has to say now, it’s kinda like…I understand how someone could take what he said a different way.

Hiiro: Tenshouin-senpai also said that celebrities' comments can be taken out of context and circulated around.

Tatsumi: It is sad that a statement’s true meaning, in its correct form, isn’t what gets passed around. Now, let us consider the things we can do, and the things we should do.

Perhaps this is the only time that Eichi-san is able to sound an alarm that is easy to understand.

Because pain is an essential part of growth. To overcome this pain, to use it as nourishment. To hope for an even greater growth.

Hiiro: That’s right, I want to grow and become stronger. Enough that I can protect myself when I get caught in a real dilemma.

Aira: Maybe during a time like that, someone like Anzu-san will lend a hand. It’s not good to rely on others, though.

Mayoi: Even more, we need to do things like be able to sense or get out of a crisis all on our own. We have to gain our own strength as idols, huh…

Aira: Actually, I’d want the office to protect us from crises and threats, right? Isn’t that the point of an agency? Or at least that’s what I think it is.

But. Considering what happened to the other units, you just never know what the people of the office might do to you, huh…

Ah, I’m not bad mouthing the big-wigs or anything. I’m just talking about the cruelty of society!

Tatsumi: It’s fine. We’re the only ones here, and since no one else is listening, please have some peace of mind.

Hiiro: …Even though we are beings created by ES—

We cannot allow ES and Starpro to take control of the fate and initiative of Alkaloid forever.

Going forward, I don’t know what’s going to happen but—

To decide our own path. Perhaps we will be the ones able to determine that.

← previous

#english translation #enstars #ensemble stars #enstars spoilers #alkaloid #hiiro amagi #aira shiratori #tatsumi kazehaya #mayoi ayase #enstars cards event story

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perfectlyvalid49 · 2 months

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Hey, I don’t mean to come across as confrontational or rude at all. I am not Jewish or Palestinian, but I would like to know a bit more about what you mean by “I’m a Zionist depending on your definition” thing.

As far as I’m aware, the definition (or at least a piece of it) is someone who thinks Israel is a valid country and that we shouldn’t bring back Palestine as a country. I also am very aware that many Jews who aren’t Zionist have been accused of being so by people who are upset about the Jews defending themselves from antisemitism.

So, I wanted to know what your definition of Zionism is and if you are a Zionist by your own definition. Just because I’d like my context on what you’re trying to say.

Again, not trying to rude and I’m really sorry if I ever came off that way in this ask. I also know that some anon asks are often cowardly, so even tho I didn’t mean anything bad by this ask, I’m also not doing it anonymously.

I hope you have a wonderful day and please, don’t rush to answer this, I understand you probably have a lot on your plate right now between usual responsibilities and the antisemitism that’s been going on

This did not come across as rude or confrontational at all, so no worries there! And I’m always happy to share information with people, so I like answering things like this.

There are a few problems with defining the word Zionism. The first, as you alluded to, is that some people will use the word “Zionist” to mean either, “Jew I don’t like,” “Jew who disagrees with me,” or “Jew who complains about antisemitism.” This is not what the word actually means, and I want to be clear, when it is used in this way it is absolutely a slur.

The other is that Zionism is a political ideology with a lot of sub-branches. Different branches hold different beliefs, so some Zionists are in favor of a two state (Israel AND Palestine) solution and some are not. It’s kinda like leftism that way – you can be an anti-capitalist leftist, a post-colonial leftist, an anarchist leftist, etc. People ascribing to those different types of leftism will disagree on a lot, but they’re all still leftists.

But that doesn’t give an actual definition of Zionism. I would say that to start, we should look at the origins of the political movement. You say that you are not Jewish, so I’m going to get into some history here that you may or may not be familiar with. I apologize if you know this already, but I don’t want to assume. I’ll keep it high level and you can google or ask me if you need more info.

Antisemitism has historically ALWAYS been a problem for the Jewish people. Sometimes it meant that Jews were treated as second class citizens, and sometimes it meant that Jews would be rounded up and killed. Back in the late 1800s things were getting particularly bad across Europe. In particular there were a series of pogroms against Jews in Russia, and there was the Dreyfus affair (basically a Jewish army officer was convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, and when evidence came to light that he was innocent, he was re-tried and *checks notes* found guilty again. Don’t worry, he was declared innocent 12 years after the original trial) in France.

Jewish intellectuals in Europe responded to all this by forming some new political ideologies. One was Bundism, which basically said that if we assimilate hard enough into the culture of the countries we live in, then they will stop bothering us. It was a very popular movement in Russia, Poland and Germany, but lost steam for some reason in the 1930s.

The other major Jewish political ideology formed at that time was Zionism. In its original form, Zionism was simply the belief that Jews should have their own state – a place where Jews could live with a guarantee that there would be no state sanctioned violence against them for being Jewish. And if you look at all the different sects of Zionism, that’s the one idea that they all have in common. Originally the Jewish state being in what is now Israel was not included in the definition of the movement, but it was added not too long after.

As for my definition of Zionism? I would say it goes something like, “The right for Jewish self-determination in their ancestral homeland.” And by that definition, yes, I am a Zionist. Having said that, I also believe that the Palestinian people also should have the right for self-determination in their homeland. The fact that these homelands overlap means that these two peoples will have to find a way to share the space – that’s the only way for a real, meaningful peace to be achieved.

#zionism #history #asks and answers #please let me know if you want me to clarify anything here - I was trying to keep it short(ish)#also I couldn't make this fit into the flow of the response but #fuck netanyahu #seriously - fuck that guy #zionism supports the idea of the state of Israel but not necessarily its current leader #or its current actions #to give a comparison #most people who hate Trump did not think that the united states should cease to exist because he was president #or because of the things that his administration did

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froggydafroggy · 2 years

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Artistic Movements in Arcane: Punk

This is part three of a series of analysis’s of the influence of real life art movements in arcane (part one). The first analysis focused on Art Deco, which is pretty much Piltover™ (but don’t worry, there’s more). The second analysis took place in Zaun, with its swirls of Art Nouveau. This is now the third analysis. We’ll be staying down in Zaun to take a look at:

PUNK

Most people are familiar with or have at least seen the punk art movement. If not, where have you been in the past 50 years? But, to recap, punk was a music scene that evolved in the 70s rejecting the excess of previous rock and roll bands. Songs were short, fast, loud, and angry. A core of punk was the anti-establishment and political sentiments.

Punk music inspired a whole new subculture of fashion and visual art as well. The visual side of punk mirrors the feel of the musical and ideological side: sharp, antiestablishment, and do-it-yourself. Blacks, reds, bold lines, and bold colours are hallmark features of punk art. Common materials are leather, metal studs, and more industrialised cloths. Hair, tatoos, and piercings are often on the adventurous side. Punk art and fashion is also intentionally loud and doing its best to not be “refined” and “proper”.

Even though this series is more focused on visual art, specifically character design, and some narrative decisions, punk is so rooted in music that I’ll also be paying some extra attention to the musical scores of Arcane as well.

BACKGROUND CHARACTER DESIGN

Because punk has a heavy fashion scene, Arcane mainly uses it in a visual context during Zaunite character design. Here are a few background/side characters:

Take a good look at their hair, tats, leather, and studs. These background characters are from many different parts of Zaun. Some work for Silco, some are Firelights, and some just frick around and have no possible indications of who they are loyal to. But they all dress very punk. Not all background characters in Zaun dress punk, but quite a few have at least elements of it.

Punk has historically been a product of the British, and later the American, working class. It has been their struggles and frustrations poured out into music and dress. The hard, angry music and explicit political dissent from being fucked over resonated with these people. And Zaun resonates with that too. Piltover and the ruling elite have failed them. Stupid corruption and corporate greed has gotten in the way of just getting access to clean water and having enough to eat. There is literally no reason for them not to be angry. Piltovan culture is not something they can latch onto, so they have created their own Zaunite culture that pushes against everything Piltover stands for.

MAIN CHARACTER DESIGN

Obviously, our three main Zaunite characters will probably have some punk influence.

JINX

Let’s start with Jinx. She is someone who has not just been hurt by the system, but has actually lost her sanity because of it. She’d need intensive trauma therapy to piece herself back together, at least at this point of the story. Not that she’d be able to afford it, deal with classist Piltovan psychologists, or escape a feeling of stigma for getting help, if therapy even exists in Runeterra. Maybe I’m projecting. But literally everyone needs therapy in this show. It’s depressing.

Jinx has had hints of punk in her since the Powder days, though I would classify her at this stage as emo/scene than punk. Emo does derive from punk though, so let’s analyse. A quick little background on emo might be apt, in case you don’t already know. Emo originated from hardcore punk around the 90s and 2000s. Emo is a lot more about inner feelings and a bit less political. Themes that feature depression, sadness, being outcast, and shyness are common. Definitely in tune for Jinx. Powder is definitely very 2000′s in some manner. The layering, stripes, and leggings feature very prominently on her. The colour palette is somewhat toned down, but it gives her a more moody, introspective look.

Here’s something to compare her to:

As Powder becomes a teen, she becomes Jinx. Her fashion has changed, as does most people’s when they hit that weird mess of hormones.

Her colour palette has stayed pretty similar, but the emphasis has changed. And it looks the short pants, arm warmers, and worn boots were her old childhood clothes, but modified to a) fit her, and b) look edgy, because no teen enjoys dressing like they’re eight. There are a lot more jagged, hard edges with her. She could still be considered an emo, but she is more in line with punk. Her hate of the establishment and status quo has only grown with time, she is filled with rage, and she loves pushing the boundaries. Jinx is not the shy little Powder anymore. Her punk vibes in contrast to her emo vibes are really symbolic of how she’s changed and who she is now.

The delicate irony is that now she works for Silco, who is a firm, hard authority in Zaun. Silco is a man who claims to fight the authority, but just becomes a tyrant in his own right. Many subsets of punk rock are anarchist, but there are such this as fascist punks (though most punks do not accept them) who really fit that irony. These fascists call themselves punk, but punk is about freedom, and fascism is about controlling the masses. I would put Jinx in a fascist punk category. Sure, Piltover sucks, but Silco’s reign of terror is just as bad, if not worse. A lot of people turn towards an authoritarian regime or authoritarian ideals because these ideals make them feel special. They are usually lacking structure in their lives, whether it is not having a loving figure at home, mental health, financial ills, or trauma such as grief. Jinx is hugely at risk. When these dictators and ideals come up, they appeal to someone. They promise power while systematically taking it away. They hold you on a pedestal. Their ideals are your new support system, reason to cling on. This is what Silco did with Jinx. He gave her power and support through his regime. And not only that, Silco took her in as a daughter. When a parent is entrenched in these ideals, you are more at risk to take them on. Silco genuinely loves Jinx and does his best as a parent, and there is a lot of care in their relationship. But that doesn’t mean it is anything near a healthy relationship, or that there aren’t toxic bits.

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There is more coming up about Vi, Ekko, the music, and some other bits of art. Punk is the longest one yet, as it’s the movement I am the most familiar with. I was also super busy with APs and going on holiday, so now that I am back, I will release this part instead of waiting for ages to post the entire thing at once.

#punk #arcane #art #fashion #analysis #zaun #jinx

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