#and just in general I assume people find their way to him (plenty of crossovers) and end up asking a few burning questions | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

maxwell-grant · 3 years

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Cass wouldn’t even begrudingly tolerate [the Black Bat], because she’s even less lenient than Bruce on killing and far more willing to throw down.' - THANK YOU for remembering that.

Cass is my favorite Batfam member, the only one really that I have an active interest in reading about. I'd be incredibly ignorant to not bring bring up such a crucial aspect of her characterization. And even if I didn't personally care for her, well, last thing I'd want is to be another source of frustration for Cass fans. Lord knows there's enough of those to go around.

mousebrass also asked: On that note, how do you imagine a meeting between Cass and the Shadow going?

Fair warning: This one took me 6 hours to write, and it became a hell of a lot longer than I imagined. I liked Cass a lot, but I never quite realized I had this many feelings regarding her until I was tasked with writing this, and a lot of things clicked for me regarding my plans for The Shadow thanks to this ask. @mousebrass, thank you. I mean it. I think I may have found something here I've spent years looking for. Hope you enjoy the post.

I'm thankful that this scenario is only really taking place in a hypothetical fanon where both characters can get a fair shot, because I wouldn't trust DC with this premise. I don't trust DC with either of them as is.

There's a lot of ways that this crossover could go on about taking place naturally, initially because Cass is already connected to some of Batman's pulpier elements, due to her connections to Lady Shiva and the League of Assassins, and one could connect Cass to Myra Reldon (who really should just be race swapped if ever brought back so she can stand out as the cool character she is, without the yellowface gimmick holding her back). There's two things I think are crucial to making the most of this idea, and the first of which has to do with the subject of killing. I usually don't like to come up with hypothetical team-ups for The Shadow that focus too much on the fact that he kills, because it's far from the most significant aspect of his character to focus on, much of it is written from a wrong understanding of the character, and it never amounts to anything other than perfunctory. But here, not only is it completely unavoidable to discuss, here there is actually a very, very substantial grounding as to why this has to be such a big part of the story.

The first and foremost thing that's gotta be established to everyone reading that doesn't know already is this: Cassandra Cain, more so than Batman, more so than any other DCU hero, has a tolerance towards murder lower than zero, and this is completely non-negotiable. She will throw herself on the path of an assault rifle to stop men trying to kill her from accidentally killing each other. The defining moment of her incredibly grim backstory is that she was trained from birth to be the world's greatest murderer, and her first kill traumatized her so badly that she has pivoted as far away from that as possible. I stress a lot that the Shadow should not be written as the trigger-happy maniac comics made him into and that the pulp version killed mostly to defend himself and others, generally left criminals to the police if possible, offered plenty of second-chances, had stories dedicated to the rehabilitation of criminals and so on, but none of this would matter to Cass.

Cass has literally chosen suicide over the prospect of living with murder on her hands time and time again, and The Shadow kills. When he kills, he does so without remorse, with unshakeable certainty. He hates death, he doesn't want lives to be at risk in the first place. But people will die if he doesn't do anything, and what he can do, what he exists to do, is turn the tools of evil against evil, and murder is the oldest tool of evil there is. He doesn't kill because a war scarred him, he doesn't kill because he's got a demon in his soul, he doesn't kill because he's mentally off balance, he doesn't kill because he's evil or sadistic or arrogant or anything of the sort. He kills because the men he fights chose death when they sought to harm innocents and fire guns at him. He kills because he is Death itself.

Regardless of how compassionate he is or can be, regardless of the fact that he's motivated by a desire to protect people, regardless of how justified he is, he is still dropping corpses and laughing maniacally doing so. Cass's real arch-enemy isn't Shiva or David Cain, it's Death, it's the thing that she's fundamentally most opposed to. And guess what The Shadow gets compared to often enough? Literally the very first line of the very first book where we get to see him, this is how we are introduced to him:

So the premise here is that we are taking a character who is defined by her fundamental opposition to death with every fiber of her being, who understands death on a level no other human being does, who is traumatized and hard-wired to detest death at all costs and to choose suicide over it, and asking her to team up with The Grim Reaper.

Even if he received the most abject lesson conceivable on the sheer wrongness of murder, even if he does put down the guns around Cass out of respect for her, he cannot protect his agents and others if he cannot shoot or kill those who try to harm them, and the protection of the agents is absolutely non-negotiable and not at all something he's willing to fuck around with by trying out gadget kung fu superhero alternatives. The Shadow has chosen to throw his life away for their sake time and time again, and no matter how appaling or disgusting Cass finds his deeds, even if he concedes that she's right and should be right on all accounts and that he is fundamentally a monster who has no right to judge others, he would not concede on his mission and he would make it very clear she would have to put him down violently to stop him from protecting others this way, and death has not stopped him before.

And to be upfront in case there's anyone who doubts it, Cass would kick The Shadow's ass, if they had to fight. She is the strongest fighter in the DCU, she lives and breathes fighting and combat in a way no one else does. And The Shadow's not one of those characters who is supposed to be invincible and the best at everything all the time always, he can and does lose fights and scrapes to people far less adept at it than Cass. He's a great fighter, obviously, he hauls bigger men than him through doors and was disabling people with Vulcan neck pinches decades before Spock, and he would definitely have an edge in other areas, but he's out of his league here. Frankly, I don't see The Shadow raising a finger against Cass unless she's been brainwashed into killing people by bad writing. Not because she's a woman, that doesn't really stop him from dealing with evil. But because, for one, she's practically a child compared to him age-wise. Two, he'd obviously know beforehand of her capabilities and how futile it would be to fight or even provoke her. And three, the Shadow's whole thing is knowing. The Shadow Knows and all that. Knowing comes with understanding.

He'd understand very quickly that there is no way someone this young could grow so quickly into the world's greatest fighter without horrific treatment that no one should ever be subjected to. He'd see the movements too practiced and quick, the self-control, the strength and speed far beyond even the trained warriors he's seen, the places where she's been scarred and is good at covering it up. Assuming he doesn't already know about her life story, any meeting between the two would lead to him very quickly figuring out that there's something much deeper about her opposition to killing than just moral reservations, something deeper than Bruce's own gun trauma.

Denny O'Neil's 2nd Batman and Shadow story was about The Shadow secretly helping Bruce overcome gun trauma, and Bruce rejecting The Shadow's intentions to hand him a gun. And to make it clear, people tend to assume that The Shadow only helps people for utilitarian reasons, which is not true as I've tried to demonstrate many times now. I don't want to convey that he would want to help Cass overcome her trauma just so she could be more efficient or something, absolutely no, he'd help her because he helps people in any way he can. I think a story with The Shadow and Cass might involve a similar premise, The Shadow understanding that she has been traumatized very deeply by death and refuses to accept it on any terms, trying to help her overcome it, only to learn that she does not want to "learn" anything she doesn't already know, that she has weaponized her trauma into a source of strength, and wishes nothing more than to help others with it.

And here's where we get to the part that allows the two to be on less antagonistic terms, because one thing that also very strongly defines Cass, at least the Cass I like reading most, is her stubborn, almost desperate need to believe in the best of people, that people can and will change for the better. Like The Shadow, her strength too is knowing, it's perception, the things that she knows about people that words cannot convey. Just as there are many things The Shadow would grow to understand about her that others would not, there would be many things that The Shadow would not be able to conceal from her. Things that no one but her would figure out. Things that, despite her age and lack of experience compared to him, he would have to defer to her knowledge on, which reverses the usual dynamic The Shadow has with people. And perhaps one aspect of that reversal, it's that maybe it's she who winds up secretly manipulating The Shadow into overcoming a deeper issue.

Cass's perspective on killing is shaped not just through trauma, but from a painfully intimate understanding of not just what happens to someone at the time of death, but the cost of murder upon the human soul, the ways it warps people into things they never should have been. Killing is a deeply, deeply serious matter, much more so than fiction seems ever willing to go into. Of course we suspend disbelief for fiction, there's nothing wrong with that, but if a story starts asking questions, starts poking holes into fantasies, they should not be disregarded.

And so it begs a question: How has it affected The Shadow? Is he really as remorseless as he appears to be? Is the fact that he's only killing evil people really of that much use? What's the cost of living as someone who has to know so much about so much evil in so many hearts? Knowledge never comes without price, and knowing evil is his tagline. When he enlists Harry Vincent, he makes it very clear that he has lost lives as he has saved them. From when is that regret coming from? What lives did he lose then? Is he saving people by damning his soul or merely prolonging the inevitable by piling corpses on another end of the scale?

If there's a character that could meaningfully start bringing these questions forth, who could ever truly get The Shadow to stop and reveal things to the audience he never would otherwise, maybe Cass could be that character. A girl who was raised to be a monster, who is treated as a monster and an aberration in-universe (and even outside of it), and turned that into a strength she uses to help others, who cares about everyone and refuses to let others be dehumanized as she was. Who better to know what lurks in the Shadow's heart?

Sometimes when I get an ask, I bullshit my way through infodump walls of text until I can structure it into something vaguely resembling a point. And sometimes, and I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes I get a very, very clear word on my mind related to it before I start writing, that almost seems to be a beacon pointing where I need to get to, and I work my way into getting there. Once you sent me an ask about crossing over The Shadow with Cassandra Cain, the word that came to mind the very second was Language.

It's an interesting relation the two have with language. Language is of course a very substantial part of Cass's character, who does not process language and linguistic development the way most people do, and instead reads body language to the point of superpower. Many stories revolve around Cass's relation to the concept of language, the help she may require from others in getting around things beyond her upbringing, and ways in which she has mastered beyond anyone's scope. Though she is mute, language is her power, what makes her what she is, and she is someone that Batman freely admits could kick his ass if she ever felt like it.

For The Shadow, language is also his power. He speaks all languages and connects allies all over the world, he is an expert ventriloquist, he is able to project his voice beyond what's physically possible, he can imitate voices perfectly to the point of being able to conduct group conversations single-handedly well enough to fool even the people whose voices he's imitating, much of his presence and terror and manipulation are done through his voice, arguably the very reason he exists in the first place is entirely because a radio actor's voice performance was so good and captivating that it tricked people into thinking the character was a real star and not just a glorified narrator. The man you cannot see, but only hear, the perfect hero for radio. And then of course the laugh, which I have a whole separate post on and which, in many ways, acts as a substitute for language in the novels. He uses the laugh so often as a substitute for statements or words, even to himself, that it's pretty much his own personal language. And language is at the core of how he deals with people, as he knows the right language to use to manipulate and move and help them. He knows what to promise, what to reveal, what to omit. He knows what to say, how to say it, when to say it. Language is the strings by which he puppeteers the world around him (and he can talk to animals, at least of one kind).

The Shadow and Cassandra Cain have mastered two different types of Language as throughly as anyone can possibly master them. The Shadow can talk a group of hardened criminals into killing themselves, Cassandra can punch a heart into stopping without killing it. The Shadow echoes his voice "through everywhere and nowhere at once" to whip crowds of thugs into frenzies, Cassandra outraces missiles and was tanking bullets as a child. The Shadow can lie and usurp lives so masterfully to fool even the families of those he's passing off as, Cassandra is a living lie detector who gleams inner conversations from miniscule reactions. The Shadow can speak every language known, Cassandra is the greatest master of the world's most universal language other than music. The two are supposedly human, but every now and then, something comes along to call that into question because of the things they can achieve. They cannot hide secrets from each other the way they do to everyone else. They are driven by a deep desire to help others, to make something out of the circumstances of their lives. To weaponize that which dictates they should be evil and monstrous into a relentless force of good.

Language is the root of understanding. And if nothing else, as impossible as a conciliation of their approaches to crimefighting may be, I think there could be an unique understanding between the two. Perhaps, and this is a bit crazier a concept but one that seems to be where I might have been heading towards all along, even Cassandra Cain finding a calling away from the frayed dynamics of the Batfamily, away from the Bat's looming presence, to become The Shadow's successor, swearing to uphold a mission of justice through non-lethal tactics while he stays on the backseat guiding her. If The Shadow could trust the safety of his agents and the protection of the innocent at the hands of someone as capable and selfless and good-natured as Cassandra, I think he'd be all too happy to be able to trust someone in such a manner, to no longer be the Master of Darkness, but instead to serve the next generation that's weaponized darkness without submerging in it. To achieve, and perhaps return, to his strongest, highest self: A disembodied voice heard, but not seen. Once again the narrator, not the star.

It's a concept I've thought about very extensively for the years I've been a Shadow fan, but now it occurs to me that, if I had to appoint a successor of The Shadow, someone who could take up the mission but shine on their own right, even improve it with the right guidance and circumstances, it would be Cassandra Cain. The Orphan, The Shadow of the Batgirl. Daughter of the greatest assassins, meant to be the world's most lethal murderer, instead pivoted to being one of it's greatest heroes, but never allowed to shine as she should. But in the darker, less restrictive and wilder world of pulp heroes, in The Shadow's world, a beacon would shine all the harder. Perfect strengths attached to perfect opposites, joined together for a greater good, unstoppable after together having weaponized that which most take for granted: the power of language to move worlds.

#replies tag #pulp heroes #comic books #the shadow #cassandra cain #batgirl #i always had a feeling that a successor to the shadow should not be modeled on batman but someone within that range #i never quite found a character i would be happy with taking that role or a similar role #aw shit i just talked myself into a new favorite character #that just so happens to be another character brimming with potential that's denied them by corporate overlords #who could have seen that coming

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thanksjro · 4 years

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Dark Cybertron Chapter 1: Welcome to Comic Event Hell

You know what readers love? When the stories they’ve gotten invested in over the course of a couple years get interrupted for some pseudo-crossover bullshit.

And you know what writers love? When the story they’ve been crafting over the course of a couple years get interrupted for some pseudo-crossover bullshit.

Did I say love?

Because I didn’t mean it.

“Dark Cybertron” was penned by John Barber and James Roberts, with collaboration with comic writer and artist Phil Jimenez, and was published from early November, 2013 to late March, 2014. Atilio Rojo, James Raiz, and Livio Ramondelli did the art, each responsible for scenes in specific locations, with Robert Gill filling in as needed. Alex Milne, Andrew Griffith, and Brendan Cahill would also contribute pencils to the first issue and the back half of the series. It was a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the franchise, and the second birthday of Phase Two... which went on for over four months, but never mind that!

Both "Dark Cybertron” and its preliminary materials were made to go alongside the Transformers: Generations toy-line, each issue being included as a toy pack-in with whatever character was being featured… or, at least, that was the plan. Sometimes it didn’t work out. Regardless, this storyline was created to sell toys directly, as opposed to the MTMTE/RID series being made to sell toys more through the power of suggestion. It’s a small distinction, but important, because it will help explain any lack of soul one may perceive while they read “Dark Cybertron”.

“But Hannz!” you cry out, reaching to grab me by the throat and shake me like a rag doll, because to you I’m merely a faceless voice on the internet. “Surely by calling this specific storyline soulless, you’re completely ignoring the very nature of this franchise that you’re almost uncomfortably invested in!”

To which I’ll say this: look, I’m pretty realistic about where my giant space robots came from; Transformers as a franchise would not exist the way it does without Ronald Reagan introducing the Free Market to literal children and fucking up how we interact with media for the rest of time. There is no ethical consumption under capitalism, and that rings especially true when I’ve got a Spinister on my bookshelf staring me down as I write this, that was likely made out of plastics which either involved blood oil or unethical labor practices, if not both.

However!

The choices of a company to have their comic license holders to cook up an entire plot that derails what they’ve already got planned out for toy tie-in comics is a completely different animal than what IDW had had going on up to this point. Phase Two had been about exploring different ideas that hadn’t been able to be explored during the war, and seeing what happens when you take away a third of the logline for Transformers G1 as a whole. Being a part of a brand of toys was almost inconsequential to how the stories were being told; even the Spotlights, which were also toy tie-in comics, had plenty of charm to them, if only because there weren’t quite as many constraints placed on the writers, and they were stand-alone issues.

Of course, being tie-in comics isn’t the only reason that “Dark Cybertron” is a bit of a slog, considering everything IDW itself was trying to get done within this storyline, but we’ll cover the publishing company’s/Simon Furman’s/Transformers’ tumultuous relationship with the concept of gender identity and expression later on, when it becomes relevant to the story proper. This point also ties into the interesting origin of Windblade, who we’ll meet in a few issues, and what happens when you let your fanbase have a taste of power and forget that people might like to see themselves represented in the media they consume.

“Dark Cybertron” is what ended up making me stop reading MTMTE the first time I tried it in 2015. A big part of it was because it forced the reader to need so much information from RID and even events prior to Phase Two, it wasn’t very fun to try to parse what was going on, on top of the writing beginning to flag because of obvious constraints to what Barber and Roberts could actually do, both within their deadlines and the rules put in place by their higher ups for the event.

“Dark Cybertron” is the result of the sort of executive meddling that kills reader enjoyment by requiring writers to cram their two worlds together as quickly as possible, without the option to go for nuance because there simply isn’t time. The reason we have four separate artists for the front half of this story is because Milne and Griffith didn’t have time to draw both their current workload and “Dark Cybertron” at the same time... but sales probably went up due to the nature of how the story was published, so I’m sure they didn’t really see a problem with it.

That’s a general “they”, not a Milne and Griffith “they”.

In short, we’ve got license contract obligations, fan-poll obligations, and gender stuff fighting for space within the next 12 issues, which will be published in the span of roughly four months. Things are probably going to be a little bloated and sloppy.

Regardless of any of these points, this is what we’ve got. It’s not like it’s all bad- “Dark Cybertron” has the benefit of being written by two people who had been working closely before it had even been conceptualized. Barber was the senior editor for MTMTE, and IDW as a whole until he left in 2016. It also isn’t a proper crossover- y’know, where two completely separate titles get mashed together for a bit. MTMTE and RID exist in the same universe, just have their own things going on, so a decent amount of things still carry over without you needing to have read every single thing in both. The writing, while not quite up to par with pieces that had more creative freedom and breathing room between scenes, is still recognizable as being Barber and Roberts’. Their voices are still here, they’re just strained under the weight of everything that has to be said inside of 12 issues.

With all THAT out of the way, let’s dive in to Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1.

We get a quick rundown of the most basic information you’ll need for this entire story to make sense, as we reintroduce the fact that Shockwave is an ecoterrorist with more agendas than a daily planner factory on meth, and also that he grows magic crystals. I don’t care what he says, the Ores are fucking space-magic. If you don’t want to read through all of RID for everything else, please see Robots in Disguise (2012), #1-22- A Recap, For Reference Purposes. We also get a quick rundown of the Lost Lighters’ deal, as Swerve potentially has a meta-episode.

Be careful what you fucking wish for, bucko.

Our story proper starts with a flashback to the shittiest road trip Cyclonus ever went on, as the Ark 1 finds itself at the edge of a mysterious portal. This is likely why he wasn’t super thrilled when the portal to Luna 1 showed up- portals are probably a touchy subject for him.

Jhiaxus doesn’t know what this portal is- surely this means that science has failed us, and it’s time to call in the religious crowd to try and suss out what’s going on here.

It’s moments like this that make me wonder what exactly happened in the Dead Universe that made Cyclonus’ cheek meat just pack up and leave.

Now, we know that Cyclonus is correct here, because we as readers have more knowledge than the characters at this point, but Jhiaxus tries to write off this theory as hogwash, because he is a man of rationality and science. This is a slight removal from his character in the present, whose most notable traits seem to be a lack of ethics and screaming.

Everyone here seems to be slightly different from their current iterations, actually; Galvatron doesn’t say a word as he steps between Jhiaxus and Cyclonus, only using his body to communicate that the scientist might want to back off. Cyclonus himself is certainly the wordiest we’ve ever seen him to be, droning on through his actual thought process before he comes to a conclusion on what exactly they’ve found. Compare this to the Cyclonus of today, who only deigns to grace everyone with his voice if they outright threaten him, have something he wants, or are Tailgate. If he were to ever pull this verbal meandering on board the Lost Light, people would probably assume he’s having a stroke.

Nova Prime- you remember him, don’t you?- gives not a fuck about the Dead Universe, only what it means for him personally. And what it means for him is more locations to subjugate, because he is cartoonishly evil. His character is the least removed from his present-day iteration out of everyone. He tells the crew they’ll be getting a little closer, only for the portal to do the work for them, by way of dark energy tentacles.

Wow, the pilot for the Ark 1 really is just straight-up named Butt, isn’t he? And what the fuck is that face you’re making, Cyclonus? Are you- oh my god, are you emoting? Oh my god, he’s emoting.

As the Ark 1 is pulled to its doom, Jhiaxus makes a quick phone call to Shockwave to tell him he’s his favorite, and to keep up the good work.

In the present, Shockwave reflects on just how friggin’ long this whole ordeal has taken. Fortunately, Waspinator and the Titan are almost here, and he can hardly wait.

Not, uh, that he’s got emotions or anything. It’s been established that he doesn’t have those anymore. Is impatience an emotion? Does that count?

Shockwave seems like he’d be really frustrating to write for.

Anyway, the Titan shows up, the Ore inside him and the Ore in the underground Crystal City combine, and the Titan starts screaming because everything hurts. Shockwave’s about as thrilled as he can be about the situation, given his lack of emotions.

Above Crystal City, we finally get back to that nonsense about the early sunrise, as someone- maybe Starscream, given the color of the narration box- waxes poetic on the planet of Cybertron, wartorn and wild in its rebirth, ruled by paranoia that has nothing to bounce off of, and so creates its own walls.

Then we get a detailed shot of Rattrap’s mug, and the moment is broken.

Rattrap’s character is a lot of fun in everything he gets tossed into, but you’re a goddamn liar if you think he’s pretty to look at. You are lying to yourself, and I won’t apologize for saying it.

Starscream walks out of his room in his hot new body, feeling fine and ready to take on the world. We’ll check in on him later in the day to see how that positive mentality is working out for him.

So, the sun hasn’t moved, and it’s way too early for the sun to even be up right now. That’s weird. Because I guess he didn’t know how the sun works, Starscream’s only just realized that this is perhaps a problem. He does some computer work and realizes that this is indeed a very bad thing, and asks that Rattrap call the Autobots. Not the ones who fucked off into the wilderness, the other ones. The gay, space ones.

Up in space, Orion Pax and his pals have found themselves in dire straits, the collapsing Gorlam Prime sucking their ship back down as the Death Ore consumes everything.

That’s not how engines work! And I think it really says something about the “Prelude” issues that I completely forgot why Wheelie was down an arm for a solid five seconds.

It turns out that Orion was the narrator the entire time, which I should have known- since when is the once and future Optimus Prime not the primary voice in any media he appears in?

It’s looking rough for the fellas, but luckily we’ve got to get the plot rolling, so the Lost Light VZZZZTs into existence and picks up the Skyroller to place it gently into its belly.

Orion isn’t exactly jazzed about the fact that Rodimus didn’t listen to what he told him, not even bothering to thank the guy for saving his life. I say y’all keep going on your Thunderclash Quest and leave this ungrateful loser behind. No space yachting for you, Orion.

The rest of the Pax Posse enter the Lost Light proper, and Hardhead reveals that he nearly joined the Quest, before he saw who all would be coming with, while Garnak has a tearful reunion with Rodimus. The fact that he’s calling him Sir- which I don’t recall him doing in Transformers (2009), at least not in a way that seems reminiscent of an unfortunate Antebellum Period Romance- feels rather weird, but I’m glad someone’s fucking happy to see Rodimus at least. Ultra Magnus asks Orion if he’ll be assuming command of the vessel, as Rodimus tries not to look horrified by the thought alone, but fortunately Orion’s not going to pull his “I’m Optimus Prime and I Can Do What I Want” Card just yet.

Smash cut to the bridge, as Rodimus tries to make himself sound competent, when Starscream calls. Orion doesn’t like that Starscream has their number, Perceptor almost reveals the fact that this ship technically doesn’t belong to a faction, likely due to being purchased after the war, and Cyclonus gets brought in for his professional opinion.

As it turns out, that early sunrise isn’t a sunrise at all, but a portal to the Dead Universe. This is a problem, because the Dead Universe really sucks, and you don’t want to go there, especially if you enjoy being alive. Orion seems more concerned about the fact that Starscream is ruling the planet, and Bumblebee is nowhere to be found.

Speaking of Bumblebee, he and all his camp buddies are psyching themselves up for a confrontation.

Swoop, please, this is hardly the time for crudeness.

The Dinobots, sick of Bumblebee’s dithering about, decide they’re going to fight the fucking sun and gear up. Prowl, though generally disliking their brand of problem-solving, does share his begrudging respect of their can-do attitude.

Their can-do attitude over fighting the fucking sun.

Then an earthquake happens and the ground rips open to reveal that Titan that Waspinator showed up with.

Shockwave takes over the narration at this point, and we get artsy, as we see events that haven’t transpired yet over musings on the nature of... time? Maybe? It would be in line with Roberts’ go-to topics, but honestly the whole thing’s kind of vague so I couldn’t give you a solid answer. Shockwave gets awfully introspective for a guy who shouldn’t care, I know that much. The point is, he is inevitable and is super good at logic and science.

Also, Nova Prime and Galvatron are back, which is cool, I guess. Not sure where Galvatron had gotten to exactly after the events of “Chaos”, but he’s back now, so it doesn’t matter too terribly much. Shockwave serves them, which we’ll probably get an explanation for at some point.

God, you can practically taste the desperation to pin all these plot points together before the entire thing implodes on itself.

#transformers #jro #dark cybertron #issue 1 #maccadam #Hannzreads #overthinking about robots #incoming analysis #text post #long post #comic script writing

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kokichi-and-co-imagine-blog · 4 years

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Because I Finished Binging Persona 4 Golden About A Month Ago And I’m Still Not Over It:

So hi everyone. Yes, I still exist. No, I’ve not become Cryptid 2.0 just yet. (If we’re being perfectly honest I probably should have put that on the last Mod answer I did. Oh well.)

Anyway, this year has been... well you all know. However, there was at least one golden ray of hope amidst the sea of despair.

As the title suggest, I’m of course referring to Persona 4 Golden’s port to Steam.

I LOVED this game. Absolutely adored it. And it clearly wasn’t just me; the response this port got has seemed to catch Sega’s attention. We can only hope, but I think this may mean more ports in the future. About time.

Now, obviously after playing this game I got to thinking a bit. Specifically, what if the Persona users ended up in Hope’s Peak? What would their ultimate titles be? How would they interact with other members of the DR cast (not including DRV3. Still haven’t played it, know all about the plot but not enough about the characters to figure out interactions here)? So, I’m going to go over that right here, in the first of a... okay a many many part post.

Yeah, I know, kinda a let down that I can’t have it all at once but as I was writing it up I realized that this was going to end up being huge. I couldn’t do it all in one post. I thought that maybe I could then divide it by game and have three posts, but as I finished doing just two members of SEES I realized that wouldn’t work either. There’s just too much to write about. So, due to this, I’ll be doing a single post per character and when it comes to relationships with canon characetrs I’m going to try and limit the amounts of characters to just 3 to 5, depending on how much there is to say.

Anyway, without further ado,

Presenting: SEES, the Investigation Team and the Phantom Thieves as SHSLs/Ultimates!

(The title isn’t exactly amazing I know.)

Group 1: SEES

Part 1: The Protagonist(s)

Makoto Yuki/Minato Arisato/Hamuko Yuki/Minako Arisato:

SHSL Luck/Ultimate Lucky Student: I figure this makes sense for all the Wildcards. In Makoto’s/Hamuko’s case specifically, we got the fact that they survived the car crash that killed their parents, we got the fact that they were ‘lucky’ enough to end up in the Velvet Room and be a Wildcard and ‘lucky’ enough (or unlucky) to be caught up in the Dark Hour insanity. Plus the ‘luck’ of being able to find meaning to life again with SEES.

Alternative SHSL/Ultimate: -While I was hoping to do this for all the Wildcards, we happen to run into a major issue from the start. Simply put, it is VERY difficult to think up an alternative talent for these two due to how their Social Links and personality choices are. None of the clubs they join can really be argued is ‘their’ amazing talent and unlike Yu they aren’t exactly the most... sociable/friendly of the Wildcards. At least Makoto isn’t given his portrayal in spin-offs and other media that give him his own voice and just general dialogue options (I’m pretty sure there are more harsh ones for him than there are for Yu). I can only assume similar for Hamuko. And as much as I kinda want to, SHSL/Ultimate Savior only works if they aren’t actually around and are busy being a door. Plus the people who decide on that wouldn’t know that they’re busy being a door. So yeah, gonna have to leave this one empty sadly.

Unlike Makoto’s hilarious stream of Lucky/Unlucky incidents and Nagito’s own INSANE cases, Makoto and Hamuko are rather... ‘normal’ for Lucky Students. In fact, one would think they’d be reserve course students. The truth is very few people besides themselves even realize the full ‘depth’ to their luckiness. If anyone else even. I have no doubt the Steering Committee is quite annoyed about this and questions if the raffle messed up somehow this year. In addition, this means that there is a LOT of enmity from all sides towards these two. The Reserve Course despises them because these two are basically just them just having been lucky enough to win the raffle AND NOTHING ELSE. On the other side, there are plenty in the Talent Course who look down on them even more than a typical lucky student. And it doesn’t help that at least in Makoto’s case he would likely not bother going to far out of his way to try and bridge any gaps with these people.

Major relationships within the DR cast: From the get-go we know that as Wildcards these two are potentially limitless in ideas for interaction with characters and forming relationships. Bearing that in mind, I think there are a few very specific characters they’d have some connection to: -Hajime Hinata: As stated above, the ‘luck’ that Makoto and Hamuko have is very different from the typical lucky student’s and they don’t even seem to fit the ‘ultimate’ moniker. As such, I could seem them gravitating towards Hajime due to simply feeling like they really don’t belong here, even more than Makoto (Naegi) and unlike a lot of the reserve course, Hajime just doesn’t seem like the type of guy to really fault them for winning the raffle. Bonus in Makoto’s (Yuki) case as he just drips sarcasm and bit of apathy and I imagine he’d get along well with Hajime’s own personality. -Sonia Nevermind and Gundham Tanaka: Assuming a full crossover with personas, the full collective unconscious and such, both Sonia and Gundham would have a very similar fascination with these two. Sonia’s interest in the occult would make her very interested in any Wildcard and the tarots that they inevitably would have her draw if she tried (like Igor). While that may be slightly interesting to Gundham though there is a far more pressing matter for him. Because if he does have some supernatural connection there is no doubt in my mind he’d somehow catch on to these two harboring death and be very interested in it. -Junko Enoshima: Junko is... difficult to figure out here. On the plain surface (or in a crossover without the supernatural bits of Persona) there’s no reason Junko should have any special interest in these two over anyone else without having very special knowledge that not even freaking Itkutski seemed to have. On the other hand, should Junko find out about their wildcard and how it works she would be keeping a VERY close eye on them, realizing that she cannot leave them be since their S.Links would be far too dangerous against despair. And then there’s the giant elephant in the room. Should Junko discover that the two are harboring the literal manifestation of humanity’s desire for death there is no way in hell Junko would ever ignore that. And considering the BS Junko is able to pull, I could conceive it possible that she would somehow find out. As such, I would put it like this. If Junko never finds out about their ‘gifts’ she wouldn’t care. If she found out about the Wildcard somehow and what it meant (I don’t know, Nyarlothep decides to be a bit more involved in his bet with Philemon and pushes Junko in the right direction) she’d be very on top of them, perhaps even actively sabotaging their abilities to form S.Link or trying to break them, thereby inflicting a decent bit of psychological damage to them and thinking that could drive them to despair (which I don’t think it could since Makoto at least would be far too apathetic to really be in despair but that’s a bit up to interpretation how such things would affect a wildcard). Should she find out about Death, then all hell breaks loose as she would try and probably team up with someone like Ikutski to make The Fall occur for the ultimate final despair. Because not even the Tragedy was the absolute end of the world. The Fall though? That’s game over. -Nagito Komaeda: Nagito is yet another difficult option. If he knew what was really going on with them he would probably worship the ground the step on, even moreso than most ‘Ultimates’. However, he doesn’t have a reason to (though with his BS luck who knows, he may accidentally stumble onto all the secrets). Without knowing, we get into a problem. Nagito already looks down on himself as not being a ‘real’ ultimate. So, how does he look at other lucky students? I need to sit down and watch DR3 and see if there are any major interactions between him and Makoto before Makoto becomes the Ultimate Hope and see how he treats him. Even if he does treat him well though, Makoto at least has very obvious cases of good/bad luck even if it isn’t on the level of Nagito’s. These two though? It would be near non-existent. And that maybe enough to cause Nagito to despise them, perhaps even more than his disgust towards the Reserve Course. These two won the raffle and yet show as much ‘talent’ as a reserve course student? I could see him looking at it as a bigger mockery than the reserve course itself. As such, there would for sure be something there with Nagito but I can’t be certain if it would be a decent relationship with another lucky student or an animosity that’s the worst we’d ever seen from him.

#mod makoto

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htbthomas · 4 years

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Het Swap Letter 2020

(sign up here - signups end on July 24!)

Hi! I’m htbthomas on AO3 as everywhere. I've never done Het Swap before, but I'm looking forward to it!

GENERAL LIKES AND DISLIKES:

I have a few bulletproof story kinks. Use them if you like!

Secret Identity - I love characters with secrets. Ones they’re keeping from their friends, from their family, from their coworkers, from the world-at-large. I like it when one or two inner circle people know, but not everyone they know.

Powers - I especially like when it’s a power that the character is hiding. If they’re using it for heroism, even better. I love discovering new powers, using powers to help or get ahead in a sneaky way.

Reveals - despite everything I just said, my favorite thing ever is someone finding out the secret. I always want the love interest to find out, or the enemy, or the neighbor, or the random acquaintance or stranger. Okay, pretty much anyone. I still don’t want EVERYONE to know, but I ache for the stories of when the select few learn the truth like burning.

Humor - I like everything mixed with humor. Even the darkest fandoms need a little, sometimes a lot. Make me laugh and I’ll pick out all my favorite moments. I particularly like absurdist and meta humor.

Fake/Pretend Relationships - Fake dating, engagement, marriage, whatever, you name it, I’m into it. I love the oh-no-I’m-getting-real-feelings moments, or the I-have-real-feelings-but-I-can’t-let-them-know moments, too.

Canon-Typical - Unless I say otherwise, I like the humor, violence, sexual content and language of the source material to stay similar in fic.

Ship-Content - I like anything from G-rated kissing to E-rated smut.

Other things I like: crossovers/fusions are fun, tropey fics rock, getting together, first times (of all kinds) and family/group bonding are my jam.

DNWS:

no mundane AUs, like high school or coffee shop. I like the canon secrets/powers to stay in any AUs.

REQUESTS:

I would like Fanfiction for all my requests.

Lucifer (TV): Chloe Decker/Lucifer Morningstar (Lucifer TV)

I have been lowkey shipping these two since I caught up with the show a couple years ago. The new season coming soon has shot this into overdrive. I love that even though she's in the know now, there are powers she hasn't seen and things about his background she doesn't know. I also love when they play with Lucifer's vulnerability when Chloe is near and when she isn't. I’ve also recently discovered a fondness for wing kink re: these two. 😁 I'm fine with anything based in S4 or before, and anything based on the S5 trailer. If you want to wait out the release of Season 5A and write then as well, I'm all for it! Totally up to you.

Prompts:

Their reunion when Lucifer returns (your own take or missing moment versions are great!)

Him showing her what he can do, or using his abilities to help her - which she finds out about later

How Chloe realizes that Michael is not Lucifer (I assume the show will do that, but I love alternate takes)

Go AU before he returns to Hell, but after she knows. I'd love to see a version where they talk more in depth and do more than kiss.

Original Work: Superhero(ine) secret identity/Superfoe secret identity, Female Supervillain/Male Superhero, Male Supervillain/Superheroine (OW)

I didn't nominate this, but whoo, I'm glad someone else did. Come at me with all your secret identity tropes, I will EAT THEM UP. You can go either way with the gender of the superhero/superfoe. Though I lean toward the female superhero, there are plenty of female supervillains I'm intrigued by. I'm especially there for the reveal, particularly after there are FEELINGS. The civilian IDs of the two can meet anywhere, doesn't really matter to me - at civilian work, socially, randomly - but there's something that draws them to each other. I also would love scenes of their superbattles/struggles, though actiony or non-actiony is fine.

Prompts:

Something said or done during a battle makes one of them suspect the truth.

One of them gets hurt and the other realizes the truth.

During a civilian interaction, one uses their powers accidentally.

I'd also enjoy seeing this pairing mixed with friends (childhood or adult) to lovers, enemies to lovers or fake relationship.

Palm Springs (2020): Nyles/Sarah (Palm Springs)

I LOVED this movie. I'm a big fan of time loops, and both Andy Samberg and Cristin Millioti are charming as hell. I also loved Nyles and Sarah being stuck together (along with Roy), but at different points in the experience - one discovering it, one long resigned. Major 😍 at Nyles not caring if they never get out, he loves her through it all. And the fact that Sarah breaks the loop is the BEST. ♥

Prompts:

A missing scene from the days when they're getting to know each other

If you're scientifically inclined - how did Sarah figure out how to break the loop (the movie zoomed through that)

Where do they go next after the loop is broken? What things do they still need to learn about each other? What things can they now experience together outside of Palm Springs?

Single Parents (TV): Will Cooper/Angie D'Amato

This show getting cancelled hurt my heart so much, especially with that cliffhanger of an ending. I've written a version of what might come next, and I've read pretty much all of them on AO3 as well. What do YOU think might happen?

Prompts:

I'm good with any possibility after Angie smells the candle and remembers Will's love confession. She goes to Barstow anyway, she turns around, she keeps what she knows secret, she tells someone in the group, she tells Will, etc.

Something Will smells (or any other memory trigger) causes him to remember what he said as well. What does he do with that info?

The kids get tired of their parents pining for each other and decide to do something

The friend group traps them together to make them admit feelings.

Stargirl (TV 2020): Henry King Jr./Yolanda Montez

Out of the various possible ships in this show, this is the pairing capturing me right now. Henry wasn't really responsible for sending Yolanda's photo out to the school, but he's certainly culpable in even showing it to his friends and never making things right. Now that his powers are coming in, what can he learn about Yolanda and Cindy and the whole truth? Because the show is currently ongoing, I will update my letter if needed.

Prompts:

An AU take of Yolanda's reveal to Henry that she is Wildcat. I'd love a version where he finds out a different way, especially one that is more drawn out. EDIT 7/20: And an AU where he doesn’t die! 💔 EDIT 8/13: Or where it really was Henry still alive and not his father in disguise. They take Henry Sr. down together! Or something.

At school, he telepathically hears things the junior JSA are thinking that make him realize something is different about Yolanda now.

Henry finds out that Cindy was responsible for the photo leak - what does he do? Does he confront Cindy and defend Yolanda? Does he telepathically hear her hurt and what a mess Yolanda's family is, and want to make it right?

Henry starts to hear more of people's good thoughts instead of their evil ones. Yolanda the most of all. How does that change him?

If any of the prompts I’ve given don’t resonate with you, feel free to go in another direction. I will update this post throughout the writing period if new developments in canon affect my requests.

#het swap #het swap 2020 #lucifer tv #palm springs 2020 #single parents tv #stargirl tv

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anistarrose · 5 years

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Fateful Detours - Ch. 1 (Gravity Falls x Infinity Train)

Summary: Ford misses his bus to Backupsmore, and tries to catch a ride on a train instead.

Warnings: none for this chapter

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20331070/chapters/48205837

(The Middle) (The End)

I’ve been craving a Gravity Falls/Infinity Train crossover for weeks now, so several late-night bursts of inspiration later, here we are! (Expected to be a 3-chapter fic, probably slightly under 10k words. I’m notoriously bad at word count estimates, but I’m pretty confident about the chapter count.)

(Big Infinity Train spoilers, by the way! In case that wasn't obvious.)

***

Ford’s room looked emptier than he could ever remember it being, and he was eager to leave it as soon as he could.

Carefully, he folded one last dress shirt and laid it down in his suitcase, which took some effort to zip closed. Most of his books, and a few bare-bones pieces of furniture, had already been taken to his Backupsmore dorm room, but his mother had insisted that he wait until the day before freshman orientation to move out of the house in Glass Shard Beach. And Ford had obliged, reluctantly.

He took a quick look under the bunk bed to make sure he wasn’t missing anything, but found nothing but dust bunnies. The bunk bed was a big part of why he was in such a rush to leave — sleeping in it every night still stung, a reminder of all the upheavals and betrayals and dashed hopes from last spring that had redirected his whole life and ruined his future.

And there was plenty of time to dwell on all that each night, because Ford still wasn’t used to falling asleep without someone else in the room.

He tried to slip out the front door without anyone noticing, but Caryn caught him.

“Hold it right there, Stanford!” she called. “You’re not seriously about to leave for college without giving your dear old Ma a hug first, are you?”

“Mom, I’m going to miss the bus at this rate,” Ford grumbled, but he gave her a quick hug as she kissed his forehead.

Filbrick watched from the stairs, looking neither proud nor disappointed.

“Did you pack your suit and tie?” he asked.

“Yes, Dad. They’re already in the dorm room.”

“Good. Now, go impress some smart people.”

“In Backupsmore, I’m not sure how many other smart people there’ll be to impress,” Ford muttered under his breath. Then, raising his voice, he added: “Well… goodbye, I guess. I’ll call you when I get there, Mom.”

The bus stop was about halfway across town, and if the last bus of the day was actually running on time for once, Ford suspected he’d be cutting it close, so he walked down the street at a brisk pace.

I’ve got everything I need, right? No more textbooks to bring along, no one else to say goodbye to…

He paused as he passed the sidewalk offshoot that led to the beach. His suitcase kept rolling, its extendable handle jabbing into his back.

Had he left anything on the Stan O’ War? He hadn’t been there since… well, since the argument…

He rubbed his back, took a look at his watch and did some quick mental math, and started to head for the beach.

Just a quick detour. The bus will probably be late anyways.

***

The boat wasn’t quite as much of a wreck as he’d feared, but enough of a wreck that he still couldn’t help but feel guilty.

Splotches of seagull poop dotted the deck, and something reeked like some small animal had gotten stuck under the planks and died. Pools of off-color water from last week’s rainstorms welled up in corners, and worst of all, the flag had evidently been stolen.

Ford shooed away a few gulls as he boarded the boat and examined the contents of the cabin: a cheap compass, a slightly water-damaged vexillology book, and an unopened bag of toffee peanuts.

“What am I doing?” He shook his head. “Why did I think I’d find anything useful here?!”

As he stormed off the boat, he could’ve sworn that the creaking of the planks beneath his feet sounded… disappointed. And lonely.

“No!” he muttered to himself, surely confusing anyone who might’ve been watching. “I’m not going to get guilted into missing my bus by an inanimate object! It is perfectly normal for me to feel nostalgic, against my better judgement, for a project I poured hours of work into, but it is also perfectly logical to leave it behind now. This was an unrealistic dream, and now I’m finally moving on to a more realistic one!”

He checked his watch, and sped up his pace. Assuming the last bus to Backupsmore was running late again, he should’ve still been able to make it…

He rounded the corner just in time to see the bus pulling away — slightly behind schedule, but not nearly as much as usual. Not quite as much as Ford had needed.

“Wait!” he yelled, breaking into a sprint and waving frantically in an attempt to catch the driver’s attention, but the wheels of his suitcase hit a bump in the side walk and he lost his grip on the handle. By the time he’d picked it up again, the bus was long gone.

“Well, fuck my whole life, I guess!” Ford muttered. He had half a mind to just lie down on the sidewalk and stay there until someone decided he was being too much of a nuisance and dragged him away. Why had he thought checking on the boat would be a worthwhile use of his time? Why had he ever thought the boat would be worth anything?

He pulled out his Backupsmore brochure and double-checked the orientation schedule — it didn’t start until ten the next morning. That was more than enough time to take a series of taxis, or hitchhike, or something — because spending another night in his parents’ house just wasn’t an option. Not with Caryn doting on her one remaining son with an enthusiasm meant for two, not with Filbrick constantly grilling Ford on how he planned to first make a good impression and later make a fortune, and certainly not with that empty, empty room and that goddamn bunk bed.

So Ford took a moment to stretch his already-sore arms, and then set off in the general direction of the road to Backupsmore.

***

Hitchhiking wasn’t as easy as Ford had hoped it would be, and the storm brewing overhead didn’t seem to do much to make drivers feel more sympathetic towards his plight.

“At least it’s not actually raining yet,” Ford said to himself, and was immediately met with a droplet of water striking his glasses. “Damn it.”

As he dried them off with his shirt, he heard a ear-grating ringing sound coming from ahead, and looked up to see the arms of the railroad gate closing. “Damn it!”

For a second, he seriously considered making a mad dash for it, trying to duck under the gate and get across the tracks before the train could block them — but that moment of hesitation was all the train needed to speed into view.

And then, as if to to add insult to injury, it ground to a halt, blocking the road and stretching as far as the eye could see in either direction.

“Oh, come on!” Ford groaned as a few more raindrops struck his glasses. “Has the whole universe collectively decided not to cut me a single break today?!”

He took a deep breath. “Okay, calm down. I can probably sneak between the cars and get across…”

He blinked a few times as he approached the tracks, vision blurred by his wet glasses. Strangely, it looked less like the freight trains Ford was used to and more like a passenger train, with windows illuminated by a neon green light that stood out in the stormy August afternoon.

He took a step towards the stairs near the back of a car, and to his surprise, the destination sign lit up to read Backupsmore University.

Which was weird, because this railroad crossing in the middle of nowhere didn’t seem like a train station, but Ford wasn’t about to let his good fortune go to waste. Lifting up his suitcase, he cautiously placed a foot on the first step…

A vortex of shimmering green and gold lit up the staircase, and before Ford could even react, everything went white.

***

Something poked Ford in the face, and he groaned, rolling to the side. “Five more minutes…”

He was met with a hissing noise that absolutely did not belong in his bedroom, and he instinctively swatted at the source of the sound. He opened his eyes just in time to see a bright orange praying mantis the size of his hand go flying.

“Ugh! What kind of dorm room is —”

His voice cut off as his eyes adjusted, and he took in his surroundings. Trees as tall as skyscrapers with leaves colored like bursts of flames surrounded him, and the sky overhead was a deep emerald green.

“Oh,” Ford muttered. “So I’m concussed and hallucinating. Wonderful.”

He heard the hissing sound again, and looked down to see the mantis approaching his foot, almost perfectly camouflaged atop the blanket of orange and crimson leaves that covered the forest floor. The only feature that stood out were its large blue-gray eyes, which showed more emotion than Ford had ever seen in an insect, looking almost… apologetic?

It chirped, and darted off between the trees, doubling back a moment later when it realized Ford wasn’t following it. It waved a scythe-like arm in the air, as if beckoning him.

“Hallucinating, and anthropomorphizing the emotions of a non-sapient insect,” Ford muttered to himself. “Unless I got… transported to another dimension, but how could that possibly —”

He looked down at his hands, expecting to see a clear indicator that he was dreaming like an incorrect number of fingers, but all six — and no more — were present on each hand. But that wasn’t all.

On his right palm was a number, green and glowing and unchanging:

166

“This — this is just some kind of cruel joke! Would I hallucinate this?” He waved his hand in the air, wiped it on his shirt, spat on it and rubbed it with his thumb — but nothing even caused the glow to fade, much less wash off. “What the hell?”

The mantis hissed again, then began to scuttle off, and Ford got the distinct impression that it was getting impatient, and wouldn’t wait around for him another time. So he followed it, weaving between trees and listening to leaves crunch beneath his feet as he stepped over twisted roots and gurgling streams.

It was a genuinely beautiful scene, he had to admit. Under different circumstances, he might’ve stopped to do a sketch — though he struggled to imagine a scenario in which he’d be so unfazed by alien worlds that he’d feel comfortable just sitting down and taking a moment to draw.

As he walked, he checked the contents of his backpack — it contained everything he’d packed in it earlier that afternoon, as far as he could remember — but realized his suitcase was nowhere in sight. Which wasn’t a unfixable, since there hadn’t been anything in it that he couldn’t replace, but sure wasn’t great news either. He didn’t have the money to buy books whenever he felt like it, especially with classes starting in the fall. (Assuming he even had a chance to get out of whatever this place was and back to Backupsmore, that was.)

The mantis came to a halt, and Ford, lost in thought, only barely avoided stepping on it. It faced the largest tree Ford had seen yet, easily fifteen feet in diameter — but strangest of all was the door carved into the trunk, one lone sign of human involvement in what otherwise appeared to be an untouched wilderness.

The mantis turned back to Ford, chirped twice, and then sprung into a nearby bush, disappearing from sight. Not having any better plans, Ford shrugged and twisted the golden handle of the door. It swung open with a metallic creaking noise, but little resistance, to reveal…

Finally, the memory of boarding the train at the railroad crossing returned to Ford as he found himself staring at the bridge between two colossal train cars. As he stepped through the door, a gust of dry air instantly hit him, and he realized the train was speeding through a barren wasteland, devoid of any signs of civilization as far as he could see.

And he was pretty sure of two things: first, that this didn’t resemble any environment in the northeastern United States, and second, that he hadn’t been unconscious long enough for the train to leave that region.

“This is another dimension? Or maybe a series of pocket dimensions? Unless…” He ducked back inside the forest car, and on a hunch, attempted to walk past the door’s tree. Sure enough, his face smacked into a wall, and the hyper-realistic image of the continuing forest path flickered for a moment.

“Not so much pocket dimensions as sophisticated simulations, then,” Ford concluded, readjusting his glasses and rubbing his sore nose. He was probably going to wind up with a bruise. “Assuming the other cars work under the same rules…”

He hurried across the bridge between cars, grimacing as he looked down. Trying to jump down to the wasteland would be a reckless decision even by his standards, given the massive height drop as well as the lack of shelter or resources as far as the eye could see. Besides, it was the train that held so many unanswered mysteries and potentially infinite environments to explore…

Ready to experience the discovery of a lifetime, Ford opened the next door, and found himself facing a classroom of screaming beavers.

There were about two dozen of them, and they made an unbearable racket as they threw themselves across the room, hurling school supplies at each other and gnawing on the wooden legs of their own desks and chairs. None of the students stood any taller than Ford’s knees, but their sheer numbers made it impossible for the teacher to control them. He was the lone anthropomorphic animal out of the bunch, appearing to be a perfectly normal human man except for his beaver head and tail, and he kept trying to smack the unruly students on their heads with a yardstick — only for one of them to snatch it out of his hands, and gnaw it in half in a matter of seconds.

The teacher stared at Ford with wide, pleading beaver eyes. Ford stared back.

“Why the fuck,” he asked, “did you give them desks made of wood?!”

A single tear ran down the beaver teacher’s cheek.

“What else were you expecting to happen?!” Ford shouted.

The teacher crumpled to the floor, curling into the fetal position as he began to softly weep. Ford started to cautiously make his way through the classroom, carefully stepping over beavers while holding his sleeve over his face to avoid inhaling any sawdust.

He nearly lost his balance and toppled to the ground when one beaver sprang past him, grabbing ahold of the handle at the bottom of the pull-down map hanging in the front of the classroom. The map immediately rolled back up, yanking the beaver to the top of the now-exposed blackboard. Grinning as evilly as a beaver could grin, it popped in a pair of earplugs, and then raked its claws across the blackboard’s surface.

Ford clapped his hands over his ears, concerns about sawdust abandoned, and sprinted for the exit. The other beavers charged after him, frothing at the mouth and wailing in agony from the sound, but he slammed the door behind him, and breathed a sigh of relief that their tiny little beaver hands weren’t quite dextrous enough to maneuver the door handle.

“On to the next… car… then,” he panted as he crossed the next bridge. “Let’s see how much more of this… my eardrums can take…”

***

One pizzeria car, one dance battle car (which Ford was initially skeptical about, but ended up absolutely rocking), and one literal train murder mystery car later, Ford found himself exploring an underground cavern.

“Please refrain from touching the stalactites and stalagmites,” the bat tour guide cheerily informed him, “as the oils from your greasy human skin can damage them. But you’ll see that we’re approaching a small lake, and you will need to use the natural rock formations as stepping stones at that point, unless you want to go for a swim — which I wouldn’t recommend, since the water is only about fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit.”

“Do you get a lot of visitors here?” Ford asked it. “And do any of them prefer actually reasonable temperature systems, like Celsius?”

“Maybe one visitor a week, if I’m lucky,” the bat replied. “The train has plenty of passengers, but also a lot of other attractions besides this humble cave, so they’re spread fairly thin.”

Ford gestured to the number on his hand. “Do all the passengers have numbers like these?”

“Sure do. Not always the same number, though.”

“Do you know what it means?”

“Not a clue. I can tell you all about the geology of this place, though! Lots of famous caves are made of limestone, but this one is actually made of dolomite!”

Crossing the lake wasn’t too difficult, though Ford’s shoes were splashed a few times as he stepped between columns of stone that stood about even with the water level and resembled particularly sturdy lily pads. Even with ice-cold feet, he found that he couldn’t help but smile.

Aside from the beaver car, this train really hadn’t been so bad. He’d much rather spend years learning from supernaturally smart animals than from underpaid professors at Backupsmore — not to mention the breathtaking environments he kept finding himself in, like the crimson forest and this massive cave system. The only thing keeping him from wanting to stay forever was the lack of companionship, with all the train’s inhabitants staying behind in their own cars…

“The door is right up ahead,” the bat chirped in his ear. “Can’t miss it. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay on the train!”

“Do you know how I get off the train?” Ford asked.

“Well, when you reach your destination, of course! Just don’t ask me what yours is, because I don’t know either.”

“Okay. Thanks for the cave facts, this was fun.”

“Anytime!”

As Ford crossed over to the next car, he happened to glance at his right palm:

163

“Wait, it was 166 before! When did it change?”

He rushed back to the cave car, and poked his head back inside. “Hey! Uh, Batty? I didn’t catch your name — but anyways, did you see when my number changed? It dropped three whole points!”

The bat fluttered back towards him. “Hmm. It was definitely 166 back on the other side of the lake. I’m not sure beyond that.”

“Well, I guess that’s better than nothing. Thanks again.”

Ford sighed, as he began walking towards the next car for the second time. “Why wasn’t I paying more attention? That could’ve been a vital clue, but now I only have a vague time interval to go off of…”

He kept rambling to himself as he opened the next door and entered, hardly even paying attention to the contents of the new car. “Was it a vocal trigger? A physical trigger? Either of those I could’ve tested and tried to replicate, if only I was actually recording what I was doing when —”

“No fucking way,” he heard a familiar voice mutter.

Halfway across the car, leaning up against a jagged cliff face, was Stanley.

***

(Endnotes:

Thanks for reading, feedback/reblogs are appreciated as always! The cave car Ford visits is highly inspired by Onondaga Cave in Missouri - look up that cave's "Lily Pad Room," and you'll get a good idea of how Ford crossed that lake.

I have a pretty detailed outline for the remaining chapters, so ideally there won't be any long gaps between updates. It's just a matter of how often I have the time available to transform outline into prose.)

#gravity falls #infinity train #infinity train spoilers #stanford pines #stanley pines #filbrick pines #ma pines #fic: fateful detours #rosalia writes fic

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greed-the-dorkalicious · 5 years

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Actually, you know what? I’m gonna come right out and say it. The FMA fandom is blatantly arophobic, and I’m tired of it. No, maybe it’s not as bad as some other fandoms (particularly the one that starts with a V and ends in Oltron), but enough to piss me off. Let me explain why.

The FMA fandom is deeply entrenched in shipping as being the default. It’s generally assumed that if you’re not into pairing A, you must be into pairing B, and vice versa. I’ve even seen posts along the lines of “Why would anyone be into FMA if not for (insert pairing here)?”, which, while generally innocent jokes not meant to be taken 100% seriously, are still hurtful to aros (particularly those of us who are romance repulsed).

Of the 14,332 FMA fics on AO3 as of writing this post, 4,813 of them are tagged as gen. If you filter out fics that are also tagged with M/F, M/M, F/F, multi, or other, that number drops to 3685. This means that of all the FMA fics currently on AO3, only about 25% are accessible to people not interested in romance- And that’s not even accounting for improperly tagged fics, or filtering out crossovers for those who aren’t interested in those either.

I pretty much never see aro headcanons (or any sort of aspec headcanon, for that matter) from anyone other than me, or other aros. When I talk about my aro headcanons, while they’re not always outright rejected, they’re not particularly enthusiastically welcomed either. Usually, the only followers of mine who reblog such posts are people who are already in some way aspec themselves, or have been at some point questioning aspec. My alloromantic, allosexual followers don’t like to acknowledge my identity.

Al, the only main character to not have a love interest from early on in FMA history (May didn’t start showing interest in Al until about halfway through the series, and most major pairings have been around since the 03 days) is often overlooked. Despite being a protagonist and the initial driving force of the plot, he’s rarely the center of fandom discussion or content. When he does appear, he’s often pushed into the role of wingman for other characters, or the focus is on his relationship with May- Despite the fact that in canon, he’s at best been shown to sort of ignore her romantic advances, and at worst been pretty uncomfortable with them. I am sincerely not trying to hate on May here, nor people who ship her with Al. I don’t think it’s necessarily wrong to ship them, and I do think May is a genuinely really cool and badass character aside from her relationship with Al. But am I really the only one made uncomfortable by how much people ship them, given the way she treats him in canon? She’s very pushy, often refers to him as “her” Alphonse, and has even gone so far as to get angry at him for “cheating” on her just by hanging out with a close friend who’s also a girl. I am not trying to demonize May, I really do like her, but... I mean, imagine if Al were a girl and May were a boy. Would this be remotely acceptable? No. By the way, there are currently 4261 fics on AO3 tagged with Alphonse Elric. This means that less than 30% of all FMA fics on AO3 feature Al, THE GODDAMN DEUTERAGONIST OF THE SERIES. If you only include gen fics, that number drops to 1,817, or a mere 12% of all FMA fics on AO3. That’s right, only about 12% of FMA fics on AO3 feature Al, one of the series protagonists, without including a romantic pairing. Sure, maybe people just don’t like Al- But I definitely find it suspicious that the main character who isn’t involved in a popular pairing is the one to get this treatment.

Many of my FMA mutuals (and I’m not going to name any specific names, because I’m not trying to single out any individual and I do genuinely love all my FMA mutuals and I believe they don’t mean any harm, and also because there’s just too many to list at this point) continue to reblog or even produce aphobic dogwhistles, such as posts that include lots of different LGBTQ+ identities but specifically and deliberately do not include aros and aces (or worse, posts that only talk about L, G, B, T specifically), posts that use aspec identities or issues as a punchline, or posts made by aphobic bloggers. A lot of FMA fans also seem to identify as “neutral on the discourse”, which... While I can see why they might think that’s the best way to avoid hurting anyone, it’s really not. Saying that you’re “neutral on the discourse” does not signify to aspecs that you mean us no harm. In fact, it usually makes us distrust you. Exclusionists have done a huge amount of harm to aspecs; They deliberately try to erase us, harass us, belittle us, and for those of us who do have some other LGBTQ+ identity (such as me, a bisexual aro), they make us feel extremely unwelcome in our own community and like we’re not LGBTQ+ “enough”. Saying that you’re “neutral” on the discourse is saying that you do not feel a need to condemn such behavior, or to extend a welcoming hand to your aspec siblings. In the wise words of They Might Be Giants, can’t shake the devil’s hand and say you’re only kidding. While I understand that many of you may be afraid of receiving hate for supporting aspecs... I mean, come on. Those of us who are aspec cannot choose to be “neutral” on our own existence- We have to either repress our own identities, or deal with the consequences. If an allo gets anon hate for supporting aspecs, they’re still not attacking you directly. If aspecs get anon hate, they’re saying they want us, specifically, gone. Are you really so afraid to take one or two hits that you’re willing to sit by and let us get mistreated?

Oh also, this is just talking about the FMA bloggers I’ve seen who are not blatantly aphobic. God only knows how many people I’ve blocked for outright posting shit about how much they hate aspecs, or trying to tell me that the discrimination, erasure, alienation, dehumanization, and harassment I face aren’t real. I’m only addressing the parts of the fandom at this point that try to pretend they’re not aphobic/arophobic. There are plenty of FMA fans who are very clearly, deliberately, and outwardly aphobic.

I realize this post may piss people off. It may make me sound whiny, or accusatory. But you know what? FMA means more to me than any other story. FMA is what got me through everything when I was a young teen struggling with feeling inhuman and alone for being aromantic (though I didn’t have a word for it at the time- I simply thought I was broken). I’ve poured my heart and soul into FMA-Facts since 2015, and been involved in the fandom since 2009. Isn’t it time I start getting something in return?

Why should I continue to lie down and let other members of a community that’s supposed to be my safe space just walk all over me? Why should I have to sit down and shut up and bite my tongue rather than be so demanding as to ask for basic respect? I’m tired of being treated like this. I’m tired of seeing my community get treated like this. I’m tired of remembering the misery I went through as a young aro in the FMA fandom who didn’t have a support system, and knowing that little has changed since then, and knowing that there are likely still aros in the FMA fandom going through what I did.

Stop silencing me. Stop perpetuating this shit. Start treating aros like human beings who are worth celebrating.

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hcrofraid · 5 years

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Rules:

HALLO THERE! Here’s my rules! They’re a bit long, but hopefully you can push through ‘em and we can get a chance at interaction!

1. Themes might vary with this blog. Although I’m typically SFW, I might touch upon dark topics here and there.

Things will be tagged! I’ll try my best, anyways. If you want something in particular tagged, please let me know. The format I use for tagging is, for example, tw: swearing.

I don’t have any triggers but I do ask you tag all of your NSFW content.

That said, I won’t do anything NSFW - gore is okay, though.

I’m of age.

2. I‘m a little selective, but otherwise - I’m open to canon, au, crossover, and original characters! As long as their muns rp literately/write para.

If it’s a crossover, I have to know the fandom and be at least a little bit confident with it. This is so I’m able to work with you, our thread and have muse for it.

Absolutely no godmodding. It ain’t fun, fam. If you’re not sure what this term means, do look it up. This includes powerplaying, metagaming, and other things of that nature. This applies especially in fights if they happen (I’m chance-based and hope that you are too).

I can be picky with OCs. But rest assured, if you’ve followed me/interacted with my promo, I’ll always give your pages a read.

Please don’t be offended if I don’t want to interact with you (and please don’t try to guilt me into doing so!).

As for following back, I usually take a week tops to do so - but if you’ve hit up my promo, I go through that eventually.

As I’ve said, I’m selective and as a result mutuals do take priority - but I don’t have to be following you for you to interact with me. It just means I’m more likely to interact with you if you’re a mutual.

3. Please don’t rush me for starters or responses.

PLEASE understand that I have blogs galore and my muse tends to fluctuate; this can mean I’m everywhere at once and can end up neglecting a blog or two. It’s nothing personal; you know how muses are! Additionally, life happens to be a thing.

Please note the mun deals with anxiety and depression - this might affect how frequently she roleplays.

Chances are, I’ve probably has seen that bit of interactivity and just haven’t gotten around to responding yet.

My roleplaying style being para/multi-para, I may take a while to respond. I hoard drafts like a dragon - it’s really just the motivation to write and ship those out.

Just a reminder I hoard all your asks too, even weeks later. If I don’t respond to it, I’m either keeping it for a rainy day, or just can’t find the muse/interest for it currently. If it’s been a month or two though, just assume it wasn’t working for me unless I’ve informed you otherwise.

4. Shippings? Heck yeah I’m down for the fluffy content, as long as they’re of similar age to my boio.

If I don’t happen to be interested, don’t force anything on my character.

I do not ship incestuous ships. Do NOT follow/interact if you do.

Sontails will not be happening on this blog either, sorry.

The ship has to have chemistry; I’m generally shipping trash, but if they don’t click, they don’t click, sorry.

This is a multi-ship blog, meaning there will be more than one ship without them conflicting with eachother.

If you want to ship and I already have a ship of your choosing going with a duplicate, please don’t hesitate to hmu! My ships aren’t exclusive and each character/relationship portrayal is unique to me!

Relationships are eternal until you deem otherwise.

5. Whilst I am of age, I’m not aiming for sexual content on this blog (and will not be dealing with fetishes). That stuff makes me uncomfortable, and I typically don’t recommend pulling it with my character if you’re interacting with me. Nonetheless, should it arise, I will tag it appropriately. Also, Tails is a child. So no.

6. About reblogs…

I am not a meme source, and reblogs clog up my activity. Please reblog any memes you find on this blog from their SOURCE. The exception to this rule is if there is no source; go ahead.

I don’t feel comfortable with Personals reblogging my IC or OOC posts, so please don’t do that. If I put something in the fandom tags for whatever reason (bar promos), you’re free to, though.

Please don’t reblog my art unless I’ve drawn it specifically for you or said you can. I either have that as do not reblog for a reason, or I am planning to post it on my art blog at some point.

A few times is fine, as it happens, but repeatedly breaking these rules will result in me soft blocking you.

I try to participate in reblog karma as much as I can, but always reblog from the source/a meme source.

If a post or ask is for you, you’re free to reblog it to save it though - but only if you’re an rp blog!

7. I’m a para / multi-para blog, novella if I’m adventurous and have time. Whilst I may roleplay crack threads with shorter responses, this does not apply to all threads I write. This means:

I write my replies as detailed as I can muster.

Short responses (such as one-liners) in more serious threads where I’ve written a decent deal can instantly kill my muse for that thread.

Whilst I’d prefer for partners to at least somewhat match my length, it’s entirely up to you - just try your best and make sure you give me enough to work with. ♡

If my muse happens to go nuts out of nowhere - like, overboard - don’t stress too much about matching them.

If para roleplays aren’t your alley, I’m unlikely to roleplay with you. It’s nothing personal; it’s just finding muse for one-liner threads is incredibly difficult unless it’s dash shenanigans. Anything else outside that is fine, though - we can still have fun outside of proper threads.

If you need further context on the AU, the link to it’s tag is here! Otherwise just ask me!

Tails’ AU is one I’m very proud of and very attached to, so please don’t force your headcanons about him on me. If you’re unsure how certain events play out in the context of his universe, don’t hesitate to ask me about them!

That said, anything that might take place on this blog obviously isn’t canon to the AU itself; I just like writing for this boio and it helps me develop his character. It’s all hypothetical.

Additionally! Don’t worry too much if the headcanoned relationships between Tails and other muses don’t match yours. Those are mostly just guidelines for how Tails would USUALLY interact with your muse. I’m open to altering these relationships to better fit our threads! Don’t ever feel restricted to what I put down; it’s mostly just for context purposes because, well, Tails is absent. I’m an IM away for plotting.

8. Threads typically happen naturally with me, but if you’re looking for interaction opportunities:

I’ll have a permanent starter call somewhere for you to hit up; honestly though, if you’re a mutual? Pls feel free to hit it up.

Starter memes are the BEST way to interact me because they just yeet a prompt at my face and really help me write starters. If you see me reblog one, send one!

If there’s a verse you’re interested in, please specify.

If you want to turn an ask into a thread, go ahead!

I may not roleplay with every starter I am given - I’ll do a ‘background check’ if you’re a new blog on the block. If I don’t feel your writing style/length works with mine, I might not respond. Apologies. ;__;

Please don’t write para / novella starters up for me unless we’ve discussed something, sent something, or I’ve liked a starter call. I really don’t want to leave people hanging if I’m not interested.

IMs are open to mutuals, if you want to do any in-depth plotting.

I also have Discord! If you’re mutuals with me, feel free to ask for it!

9. Guidelines on mains and relationships:

If we’re mutuals and we interact a lot, you’re welcome to ask me if I’d like to be your main!

Please note that MAINS fall into two categories; one pertaining to Tails’ initial universe, and those pertaining to alternates. Although the latter is plenty, for clarity’s sake, there would be one alternate Tails might default to.

Please don’t be offended if I deny, though; I typically want to pick those I trust to be my mains as well as people I can comfortably write with.

Not limited to them! I roleplay with duplicates galore so don’t be afraid to hit me up if you want to interact!

Pre-established relationships are a-okay in my book; if you have an idea for a relationship between our muses we can work towards, hit me up! I reblog those pre-established relationship memes every so often too. Romantic relationships link back to the shipping guidelines.

Also, friendship/family/rivalry relationships are EXTREMELY valid to me. GIMME’ ALL THE PRECIOUS BONDING CONTENT PLS. THIS BOY NEEDS FRIENDS.

10. If you have any issues, please let me know and hopefully we can resolve it!

Mun is actually super nice, so don’t be afraid to hit her up!

I am absolutely terrible with IMs and sometimes even Discord. I either respond quickly or days later, depends on my mood. Social anxiety tends to interfere with this - but honestly, if you’ve sent something, I’ve likely read it and just haven’t gotten around to it yet! It’s nothing personal; trust me! I just need a social breather every now and again.

Please leave me out of drama; I’m here to have a good time, as is everyone else, and it pains me to see people arguing.

11. It’s easier with a clean dash for me, so I’m more likely to follow people who:

Trim their posts.

Have rules and about pages! I always read those before interacting or following!

If you don’t have either of those, I’m likely not to follow you - so make sure that you do!

12. On threads…

If you’re not interested in a thread anymore, and would like to drop it, please let me know! I’d feel terrible if we’re both not having fun with it or if partners feel overwhelmed with the amount of threads we have.

Honestly, unless I let you know, our threads have no expiry date - so no need to worry about me dropping them without telling you. I can just be quite slow sometimes.

13. Mun does not equal muse! Anything Tails might say does not reflect on how I think unless I explicitly say so.

14. Know that if I follow you, I WANT to interact with you.

I literally couldn’t care less about follower counts. I care about YOU guys and our interactions.

15. If you’re OKAY with threads being set in Tails’ universe (and acting as his inverse counterparts), please like / reply to this post! It just lets me know I’m A-OK to shoot you asks pertaining to it, rather than the usual alternate shenanigans.

16. These rules may be subject to change.

Please like this post if you’ve read the rules! You don’t have to, but it’s of personal reassurance to me if you have.

#|| rules.

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trophyeve · 4 years

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A General Rundown of Permissions for the ‘Eve of the Sakamaki Household’ Verse

Can we ship with Yui? Yes, but she’s singleship per verse for now unless myself and the people shipping with me decide otherwise.

Can we send shippy memes / etc.? Sure, we can still explore what-ifs, drabbles and oneshot threads, but the main focus will be on the storyline here!

Can we know Yui has Cordelia’s heart, is possibly turning into a vampire, is surrounded by vampires, etc.? On a case-by-case basis. It should be discovered organically if it’s not something your character would be able to know already. There’s plenty of situations where this would make sense.

Can we have characters comment on the events of the timeline? Yes, if they “catch sight of”, “overhear a rumor”, “a familiar saw X”, or any other sensible reason, then characters can be aware of and comment on events. I wholly encourage characters participate in Yui’s life!

Can we rescue Yui Komori from the Sakamaki household? Unlikely. At best, if you succeed in the first place, it’s entirely likely that they will find you, they will take Yui back, and they will kill one or both of you for this. Or the Mukamis might take advantage of the situation! Yui is playing a dangerous game as it is even entertaining ways of potentially escaping, but she’s desperate to feel like she’s doing something to survive outside of relying on the Sakamaki’s goodwill.

Can another Yui come and interact with this Yui? What about characters that aren’t on the ‘dedicated castmates’ list? Yes - another Yui will be treated as though they’d somehow wandered into one’s world or the other via some enchanted, strange object or doorway in the Sakamaki household. This allows them to interact, but prevents either Yui from being able to 'escape’ their situation. The same excuse can be used as appropriate if other duplicate muses desire to participate and engage, but none will ever be regarded as a 'fake’. They are genuine characters, parallel universes of their own right. Exceptions can be made if discussed. This likely will never even be addressed, and Yui will respond appropriately to any Ayato, etc.

Biography Differences

Any notable differences from the default bio will be pointed here as appropriate.

Additional Verse Information

Tag: #v // eve of the sakamaki household

Any extra bonus info links will go here as needed.

Background

Assumes a version of the events of Diabolik Lovers - Haunted Dark Bridal & Diabolik Lovers - More Blood took place. Some information may be plucked from other source materials as appropriate/necessary, but the focus is on HDB first, MB second.

Summaries: Haunted Dark Bridal | More Blood (Coming Soon)

Dedicated Castmates

Anyone who interacts frequently and wants to be considered a regular piece of the timeline can be added here, within reason!

Sakamaki Household

Mukami Household

Ruki | Kou | Yuma | Azusa

Additional Friends, Enemies, Etc.

OCs, crossovers, etc. that become important and of note.

Dez (@lachrymosestorm) - “I don’t know her very well, but she’s been helping make the forgeries of Ayato’s signature! She doesn’t know why I want it, but she’s been really helpful and willing to keep it quiet. A nice girl.”

Basil (@monstrisanguine at first, then moved to <placeholder, searching>) - “He transferred in recently! He wants to call me his friend already, which makes me happy. I’d love to be his friend. He has a very mature air about him…I wonder if I’ll be able to learn more about him soon?”

Yui Komori (@immolatusagnus) - “She’s me. Another version of me that’s just as real as I am. I don’t really understand it, but at least we can help each other out sometimes.”

'Til Now / Story So Far...

Yui Komori knows her father and his group won’t accept her back. She knows Cordelia’s heart is the one that beats within her chest and that, somehow, Ayato, Laito and Kanato 'took care of her’ once upon a time. She lived with the six brothers in a questionable peace while trying to survive. She was relatively successful despite the challenges of frequent anemia, the occasional mind games, torment and torture, and forced nocturnal lifestyle. To some extent, she’s even learned to appreciate the Sakamakis. She almost forgot that she wanted to escape in the first place.

Unfortunately, during this complacency, the Mukamis showed up. Making their intentions to obtain “Eve” clear, the Sakamakis determine that Yui sticks to one or more of them at all times to ensure the sacrificial bride is not stolen away. Yui has, so far, successfully avoided becoming any particular person’s “sacrificial bride” or “Eve”. So far.

Still, staying with the Sakamakis is changing her. Afraid of many of these changes and sometimes distressed by her situation all over again, like waking from a trance, Yui has begun hoarding ideas to escape the Sakamaki household. She herself isn’t even sure if she just wants the option to learn if she’d really do it, if she wants someone to stop her, just needs the fantasy of an escape, or if she’d really risk her life and the Sakamaki’s ire in leaving.

She’s obtained a copy of Ayato’s signature and so far, working with a classmate in printing additional forgeries has proven successful. She has to be slow and quiet about it, but she’s making a small amount of money to hoard and hide. She just needs to make sure she isn’t caught. Checking to make sure that Shuu wouldn’t be willing to sign a permanent permission slip to leave didn’t meet with any success - not that she expected any. Checking with Subaru to find out if anyone would listen to him has proven unsuccessful so far as well.

To Be Continued…

#v // eve of the sakamaki household #long post #sorry making verse page organization stuff #if you suddenly get @ed it's probably because I fixed a name goof or two on here apologies I HOPE IT DOESN"T ALERT YOUR ACTIVITY ON EDIT

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bigskydreaming · 5 years

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dude, the cw is literally trash. that’s just an objective fact. and who cares if the cw ditched posey? i’m actually happy he is not involved in some shitty cw show or in some equally shitty annual cw crossover event tbh. i am just mad they dragged tom welling into that cheap crap ‘cause tom deserves better

LOL don’t mind my friendly neighborhood TW stalker. They don’t really do “objectivity.”

And yeah, like, personally I would’ve been down to see Posey’s take on playing a vampire and I have a soft spot for the original Lost Boys movie, but tbh I’m not a Rob Thomas fan and so was never gonna be that invested in that anyway. And hey, no longer being committed to that project feasibly means he might be available to audition for the part of Kyle Rayner if his solo show continues to pick up steam....gosh, its almost like there’s something to that thing I frequently say on here....to not read too much into actors being signed to projects or cut loose from projects, because it happens for a variety of reasons and there’s been plenty of occasions when actors got booted from one project because of whatever reason, only to land a much better project they wouldn’t have been available for if the previous one had gone through.

Like, I’ve mentioned before that I was in a pilot years ago for CBS, that they were hoping would be the launchpoint of an entire new franchise, similar to what CSI had been for them, since that franchise was winding down at the time. They went all out on the pilot, spent 5 million on it, the name cast was Gina Torres, Teri Polo, Eddie Cibrian, Matt King, Cole Hauser....like, a pretty good lineup, all things considered. The pilot being picked up for series was as close to a sure thing as people in this town are generally ever willing to bet on, that’s how good the buzz everyone was hearing from the studio was.....and then at the last second, CBS just switched gears entirely and passed on it without so much as an explanation (at least as far as I was ever given). We went from having massive studio support to being in the rear view mirror, in the span of a single day and ptttthb, that was it for Washington Field. Nothing ever came of that project, and the whole cast was released to go on and do whatever else we landed.

Anyone who wanted to make a thing of that project’s failure and try and read implications into any one of the cast from the studio passing on the project, after being vocally in support of it just a week prior....like, they could certainly do that, with let’s say Gina Torres for example. Course, they’d be pretty dumb to try and read those implications or make those assertions, because if Washington Field HAD been picked up, it would have debuted in the 2010 television season, and taken up so much of her time, she would have had very little availability for other projects on the side. There’s a reason you rarely see the stars of CBS shows moonlighting on other shows or films during the run of their CBS show, and it has very little to do with their pay and lack of interest in taking on other projects - its more because CBS works the fuck out of their franchises and the stars of their bigger shows tend to have very little time left over for anything else.

And meanwhile, by not being locked into Washington Field in 2010 and potentially beyond, Gina was available to be cast in Suits as Jessica Pearson, that same year....a role spanning years and multiple seasons, and that she’s received critical acclaim for and led to her eventually starring and executive producing her own spinoff, Pearson....while at the same time, being a cable series with a much shorter and more flexible season, left her free to do other projects on the side, including a number of very well known roles on a number of very well known primetime and HBO shows, like Revenge, Westworld, Hannibal and more. Not to mention done a few movies over the past years as well.

And she didn’t even have to end up playing a Fed to get all that acclaim and work! (LOL Washington Field was about an FBI task force).

So like....it just doesn’t work to try and assume things about actors based on whether they get passed on for a role, or their series gets passed on, or there’s scheduling conflicts or behind the scenes drama, or whatever you hear. Base your opinions on their talent and their careers on what YOU actually SEE onscreen. Nobody in the general public is in the room with the people making the decisions, hearing WHY they make those decisions, and its a good rule of thumb not to put too much stock in any claim to know why this actor or that actor got passed over for a role, or why this or that series didn’t get greenlit.

WE, the actors ourselves, or the people involved in the projects, cast and crew alike....very rarely even know WHY they make the decisions they make....but I can tell you, based on the reasoning I’ve heard or been given for some of the more inexplicable decisions I’ve been privy to....some of those reasonings are dumb and subjective as heeeeeeeell, lol.

Because like...that’s studio execs in a nutshell, lol. Hollywood egos are NOTORIOUS for screwing up otherwise sound business decisions, because a lot of these suits have money to burn....and the money being burnt usually isn’t even theirs!

I mean, just personally, there was one role that I thought I was PERFECT for, thought I absolutely nailed my audition, callbacks, screentests....and at pretty much the last possible stage, one of the producers that had been pretty enthusiastic about my performances throughout the whole process just seemed to reverse his mood towards me on a dime, I was told they were gonna go another way, no more explanation than that given, and they went back to auditions again. I had NO clue where I’d gone wrong or how I’d screwed it up that late in the game, where my performance or take on the character had fallen apart and led to them losing confidence in me......until two or three years later, I wound up in front of the same casting director on an unrelated project, and the subject came up at one point and she offhandedly told me not to beat myself up over it, cuz there was nothing I could’ve done differently.

Turns out, between one of my last screen tests and being told they were going to go in another direction, that producer that had been pushing for me all along found out that his wife was having an affair, and the guy she was having the affair with looked JUST enough like me that in the immediate aftermath of him finding this out, that producer didn’t want me anywhere near the project just because being in the same room as someone who looked like me (or that other guy, basically) got him so heated. In fact, according to the casting director, much later, the producer supposedly mentioned that they’d made a mistake with that role and should have gone with me all along.

ahlhfalksfhklagshlkahalhfl

So......studios are dumb, and staffed by dumb people, and this is Known and Proven, so like.....studio-based decisions should never be taken as proof of ANYTHING regarding an actor’s talent or career, or the viability of any given project.

#oops i did it again #i played with your ask #got lost in my brain #oh baby baby #oops youd think id....mumble mumble #when Im sent these...mumble mumble #I'm not #that #good at this #(damn I was so close to being on to something there)

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sammyhale · 6 years

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J2M SPN UK 2018 Panel

At the start of the J2M panel, they made Misha introduce J2 and Jensen is laughing at him lol.

They gave Misha a short chair like at SDCC next to Jared (they changed it back right after lol). Jensen: “Ah, it’s the little things.”

Misha “What’s your normal routine up here... do you guys do acrobatics?”

Jared explains to Misha that they play strip question on stage. If you get the question wrong, you have to take off an article of clothing.

Jared: “I guess my dream job has always been no job... but I would have liked to have been a teacher!” Jensen to Jared: “I learn from you daily, you are a teacher!” Jared put his head on Jensen’s shoulder :)

Jensen: “Sometimes I feel like the right answer would be a Chippendales dancer!”

Misha: “I thought I was gonna be a politician when I grew up!”

Wrong answer: Misha strips off his jacket lol.

Jared: “Jet lag has not been nice to Mr. Misha.”

Jensen earlier about J2M trio op: “We’re doing a crossover. Jensen, Jared & Gollum.” Jared to Misha: “Had I known you looked like this, I wouldn’t have taken a shower.”

Jensen: “There’s another crossover photo later. Supernatural and The Walking Dead.”

J2M just got offered food and now they're totally fighting over those gummy bears.

Jared nudging Misha to grab gummy bears from a fan: “Misha, Scooby dooby doo!”

Mishalecki are fighting over Misha’s jacket

Jensen: “Jared keeps translating English to English, but he breaks it up and it’s actually worse!”

Jared got the question wrong so he strips and now Jared’s jacket is off!

Jensen would consider a Supernatural tattoo after the show ends because it’s a huge part of his life.

Jensen and Jared both say they would consider getting an SPN tattoo after the show ends.

Jensen took a picture of Jared stripping.

Misha: I wish I’d worn my good socks today. Jared: I’m surprised you have socks on! Jensen, cracking up: Things are looking up Mish, you left the house with socks on!

J2M trying to stump the fans to get the audience to strip.

Fan asks if when Dean and Cas do intense stares if it’s written in the script. Jensen says yes, that in the script it’ll be like a serious moment and then it will say “eye f-u-c-k.” They explain that in general all staring scenes between characters are written like that lol. They say that there’ll be a scene where everyone is eye-fucking. They mention another example in a recent episode between Rich and a female character (I’m assuming the Gabriel and Rowena scene from the last ep lol).

If they could go back & further explore a storyline? Jensen: Demon Dean & purgatory. Jared: Soulless Sam and Sully. Misha: Human Cas & a new storyline with “cool Cas.”

Misha’s sock is off.

Misha: “I’m wearing one shoe and no sock... this is starting to feel like a walk of shame right now!”

Jensen on his cell phone contact that’s famous and is not from SPN is Corey Taylor. Jared’s is JJ from Kaleo, and Misha’s is the Queen lol.

Misha is happy about his two degrees of separation to Neil Gaiman on Twitter through Kim.

Fan: If your character could swap character arcs who would you swap with? Jared: You know what, I’m gonna say it. I wouldn’t fuckin’ change it. “Sam’s my boy, I wouldn’t change anything.”

Jensen would have swapped with the storyline with Gabriel when he went to Monaco. Jared whispers in Jensen’s ear. Jensen: or Monte Carlo. Jensen loses his overshirt lol.

Misha: I'm hard on Cas. Jared: Woah!!

Jensen Iced Misha (for those who don’t know, Icing someone means the person has to drink a little bottle of Smirnoff Ice - brand of vodka - while kneeling down on one knee lol).

Misha refuses to drink it on stage so he goes backstage and Jared follows, giving a play by play of Misha drinking the Smirnoff with plenty of innuendos, cracking Jensen up who stayed on stage.

Misha: “I'm not agreeing to a trio panel again!”

Fan asks if after seeing Jack use his powers without being evil, do you think it’s changed Sam’s perception of his own powers? Jared says that Sam took Jack under his wing and so far, he thinks it’s been successful that Jack hasn’t turned evil and feels reassured about his own.

Jared took his shoe off. “There, I lost my shoe.”

Jared: “When you sweat in the snow you get used to sweat proof socks!”

Asked about important changes SPN gave them. Jared: I met the mother of my children on the show and a couple of my best friends! Jensen *points to self* Jared nods and puts his head on Jensen’s shoulder and Jensen touches his head <3

Jensen says he has a lot of relationships now and the show made it so he can live and raise a family where he wants.

Misha: Having families. The only reason why my wife has sex with me is because I’m on the show lmao.

Fan asks about the boys going on a hunt in Amsterdam. Jared says he wants to go to Anne Frank’s house and dig up some Nazi ghosts and kill them! Jensen: I killed Hitler.

Jensen says that in Amsterdam Dean would get lost in the red light district, Cas would be stoned in a cafe somewhere, and Sam would be on an architectural tour.

Misha gets called out on his old answer last year & has to take off his belt.

Fan: I have ten princess dresses. Jared, pointing at Jensen: So does he!

Jared: Come on Misha get it right. I don’t want to see you naked. Again. Jensen: Today.

Who would you meet and pay an autograph for? Jared: I paid for Richard Kiel’s autograph. Jensen: Robert Plant. Misha: Bob Garfield. Jared also mentions that he would have loved to meet Carrie Fisher.

Fan: I’ve been watching you since I was two. I’m 16 now. J2M are devastated lol.

Fan: So in your group, is there a mother hen figure who stops you from getting into trouble? J2M in unison: NOPE. Jensen: “The problem is, we don’t have one!”

Jared: "You know when they say the inmates are running the asylum? That's us."

Jared: “I still find a freedom and a source of creativity in what I do.” Jared says you get to learn from the characters you play and the people you work with.

Jared doesn’t care if he never wins an Oscar. He’s motivated by love in the craft of acting. “I know y’all love me and I love y’all back legitimately and I don’t care if I don’t get an Oscar or if I’m on a billboard or anything.”

Jared: When they call “action” I’m free. I still find a freedom of expression in what I do, that’s why I keep doing it. Jared said he’s not an A-list actor. Jensen: I know you.

Jensen says to learn as much about the technical aspect of filming as you can. He also viewed every audition as a final performance because it helped him deal with rejection.

Fan: Sorry I’m really nervous. Jared: Don’t be nervous, you’re surrounded by family.

Jared is removing Misha’s boot when Misha refuses to answer a question about his favorite trenchcoat lol.

Misha talks about how Jensen gave him some hand-me-down shirts that Jensen wore a lot at cons. Jensen says it happened because he was mortified when a fan called him out on wearing the same shirt twice at a couple of different cons. So he asked Misha if he wanted any of his shirts.

Misha said it apparently got fans talking and Jared yells in a high-pitched voice: They slept together! Jared says he wants to see “who wore it better memes” of Jensen and Misha wearing the same clothes.

J2 talk about how Jensen shared underwear with Jared at a con before. Jensen: Where were we? Seattle. Jared: Yeah. Jensen: Did you just not have enough? Jared: Yeah... another time (to tell the story lol). Jensen to the audience: I’m sure you can figure it out! Jensen: Look, I care, I want to make sure my boys are covered! Jared: They say some people give you the shirt off their back, some people give you the *** off their ***. Jensen: The chocolate gonch. Jared whispers and laughs and Jensen falls over.

Jared likes Sam’s red flannel. Maybe because his marker is red, or it makes up 60% of his name :P

Jared: “I think Sam has a fondness for his red flannels!”

Jensen likes his grey flannel.

Jensen removes his belt lol.

Richard Ices J2. They both take a knee and drink on stage.

Rich to Jared: “You know, you saying you’re gonna screw with us is like saying the sun rose!”

Richard apparently turned the lights off on Jensen in the bathroom earlier. When Rich left and Jensen wasn’t done lol.

The guys are all surrounding the poor last question girl and teasing her with the mics. Boys are cracking up.

Jared hopes s14 isn’t the last. Still feels they should go out in a blaze of glory. Jensen’s had several variations of how the show might end and none of them know how it’s going to end. Misha: Cas is gonna sacrifice himself somehow.

Jensen had a dream about the end of the show and when he shared it with Jared and Misha they both teared up.

Jensen has told that dream many times where he’s lost his brother, he’s done with the hunting life and he doesn’t want Baby anymore because he doesn’t have Sam, so he drives off on a stranger’s motorcycle. Audience: NOOOO. Jensen: You can’t control my dreams!

J2M putting their random clothing items back on. Jared helps with Misha’s shoe lol.

At some point earlier in the panel Misha leaned on Jared’s shoulder right in his face and Jared was just like “Hi!” :)

Jared Iced Rob. Jensen tries to Ice Richard, but Richard jumps out of the way successfully.

Panel ends with the usual J2 fist bumps!

Info via: Maisie, Jenn, Kelli, Bubbs, Natasha, Stevie, Sil’s livetweet list

#jared padalecki #jensen ackles #misha collins #spnuk #ukcon #panel sum #long post #j2m #shpost

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apple-pie-totally-worth-it · 5 years

Text

J2M SPN UK 2018 Panel

At the start of the J2M panel, they made Misha introduce J2 and Jensen is laughing at him lol.

They gave Misha a short chair like at SDCC next to Jared (they changed it back right after lol). Jensen: “Ah, it’s the little things.”

Misha “What’s your normal routine up here… do you guys do acrobatics?”

Jared explains to Misha that they play strip question on stage. If you get the question wrong, you have to take off an article of clothing.

Jared: “I guess my dream job has always been no job… but I would have liked to have been a teacher!” Jensen to Jared: “I learn from you daily, you are a teacher!” Jared put his head on Jensen’s shoulder :)

Jensen: “Sometimes I feel like the right answer would be a Chippendales dancer!”

Misha: “I thought I was gonna be a politician when I grew up!”

Wrong answer: Misha strips off his jacket lol.

Jared: “Jet lag has not been nice to Mr. Misha.”

Jensen earlier about J2M trio op: “We’re doing a crossover. Jensen, Jared & Gollum.” Jared to Misha: “Had I known you looked like this, I wouldn’t have taken a shower.”

Jensen: “There’s another crossover photo later. Supernatural and The Walking Dead.”

J2M just got offered food and now they’re totally fighting over those gummy bears.

Jared nudging Misha to grab gummy bears from a fan: “Misha, Scooby dooby doo!”

Mishalecki are fighting over Misha’s jacket

Jensen: “Jared keeps translating English to English, but he breaks it up and it’s actually worse!”

Jared got the question wrong so he strips and now Jared’s jacket is off!

Jensen would consider a Supernatural tattoo after the show ends because it’s a huge part of his life.

Jensen and Jared both say they would consider getting an SPN tattoo after the show ends.

Jensen took a picture of Jared stripping.

Misha: I wish I’d worn my good socks today. Jared: I’m surprised you have socks on! Jensen, cracking up: Things are looking up Mish, you left the house with socks on!

J2M trying to stump the fans to get the audience to strip.

If they could go back & further explore a storyline? Jensen: Demon Dean & purgatory. Jared: Soulless Sam and Sully. Misha: Human Cas & a new storyline with “cool Cas.”

Misha’s sock is off.

Misha: “I’m wearing one shoe and no sock… this is starting to feel like a walk of shame right now!”

Jensen on his cell phone contact that’s famous and is not from SPN is Corey Taylor. Jared’s is JJ from Kaleo, and Misha’s is the Queen lol.

Misha is happy about his two degrees of separation to Neil Gaiman on Twitter through Kim.

Jensen would have swapped with the storyline with Gabriel when he went to Monaco. Jared whispers in Jensen’s ear. Jensen: or Monte Carlo. Jensen loses his overshirt lol.

Misha: I’m hard on Cas. Jared: Woah!!

Jensen Iced Misha (for those who don’t know, Icing someone means the person has to drink a little bottle of Smirnoff Ice - a brand of vodka - while kneeling down on one knee lol).

Misha refuses to drink it on stage so he goes backstage and Jared follows, giving a play by play of Misha drinking the Smirnoff with plenty of innuendos, cracking Jensen up who stayed on stage.

Misha: “I’m not agreeing to a trio panel again!”

Jared took his shoe off. “There, I lost my shoe.”

Jared: “When you sweat in the snow you get used to sweat proof socks!”

Jensen says he has a lot of relationships now and the show made it so he can live and raise a family where he wants.

Misha: Having families. The only reason why my wife has sex with me is that I’m on the show lmao.

Fan asks about the boys going on a hunt in Amsterdam. Jared says he wants to go to Anne Frank’s house and dig up some Nazi ghosts and kill them! Jensen: I killed Hitler.

Jensen says that in Amsterdam Dean would get lost in the red light district, Cas would be stoned in a cafe somewhere, and Sam would be on an architectural tour.

Misha gets called out on his old answer last year & has to take off his belt.

Fan: I have ten princess dresses. Jared, pointing at Jensen: So does he!

Jared: Come on Misha get it right. I don’t want to see you naked. Again. Jensen: Today.

Fan: I’ve been watching you since I was two. I’m 16 now. J2M are devastated lol.

Fan: So in your group, is there a mother hen figure who stops you from getting into trouble? J2M in unison: NOPE. Jensen: “The problem is, we don’t have one!”

Jared: “You know when they say the inmates are running the asylum? That’s us."

Jared: “I still find a freedom and a source of creativity in what I do.” Jared says you get to learn from the characters you play and the people you work with.

Jared: When they call “action” I’m free. I still find a freedom of expression in what I do, that’s why I keep doing it. Jared said he’s not an A-list actor. Jensen: I know you.

Jensen says to learn as much about the technical aspect of filming as you can. He also viewed every audition as a final performance because it helped him deal with rejection.

Fan: Sorry I’m really nervous. Jared: Don’t be nervous, you’re surrounded by family.

Jared is removing Misha’s boot when Misha refuses to answer a question about his favorite trenchcoat lol.

J2 talk about how Jensen shared underwear with Jared at a con before. Jensen: Where were we? Seattle. Jared: Yeah. Jensen: Did you just not have enough? Jared: Yeah… another time (to tell the story lol). Jensen to the audience: I’m sure you can figure it out! Jensen: Look, I care, I want to make sure my boys are covered! Jared: They say some people give you the shirt off their back, some people give you the *** off their ***. Jensen: The chocolate gonch. Jared whispers and laughs and Jensen falls over.

Jared likes Sam’s red flannel. Maybe because his marker is red, or it makes up 60% of his name :P

Jared: “I think Sam has a fondness for his red flannels!”

Jensen likes his grey flannel.

Jensen removes his belt lol.

Richard Ices J2. They both take a knee and drink on stage.

Rich to Jared: “You know, you saying you’re gonna screw with us is like saying the sun rose!”

Richard apparently turned the lights off on Jensen in the bathroom earlier. When Rich left and Jensen wasn’t done lol.

The guys are all surrounding the poor last question girl and teasing her with the mics. Boys are cracking up.

Jensen had a dream about the end of the show and when he shared it with Jared and Misha they both teared up.

J2M putting their random clothing items back on. Jared helps with Misha’s shoe lol.

At some point earlier in the panel Misha leaned on Jared’s shoulder right in his face and Jared was just like “Hi!” :)

Jared Iced Rob. Jensen tries to Ice Richard, but Richard jumps out of the way successfully.

Panel ends with the usual J2 fist bumps!

#Supernatural #spn convention #Jensen #Jensen Ackles #Jared #Jared Padalecki #Misha #Misha Collins #J2M SPN UK

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pixiedurango · 6 years

Text

Ursa - A Rogue’s Tale (part 3)

part 1 | part 2

Part 3: More camp fire conversation, Thorin still trying to recruit a new member to the company

Notes: I used the Dragon Age Inquisition character creator to give Ursa a face, ANYWAY THIS IS NOT A HOBBIT/DAI CROSSOVER Future events will loosely follow the movie version of the Hobbit, but story sets in a good part before the company meets at Bilbo’s house. Feedback, comments, reblogs and any kind of rambling about this is - like always - highly appreciated. Just drop by and start a convo.

@deepestfirefun @cd1242 @armitageadoration @fullvoidmoon @xxbyimm @patanghill17 @armitageadoration @sherala007 @shikin83 @sweeticedtea @evyiione @thorincuddlez @thorins-magnificent-ass @mynameisnoneya1991 @maybetomorrowgirl @brieflyhopefulluminary @tomssweetbouquet @niteowlnest @nowiloveandwilllove @abiwim @emrfangirl

The moment stretched into what seemed to be eternity. Of course she would have questions after such an offer. This woman knew nothing about him. Or dwarves in general. Mainly because no one ever had cared to teach her. Probably she was not even eager to learn, considering her own past. Thorin honestly could not blame her for not having reached out to her kin. Or maybe she had and had been rejected. Which would be even worse. Dwarves tend to be stubborn and very close minded about blood lines and having them watered. She was the last one who had any doing in her own heritage but he knew well enough his people would have given her next to no chance to become a part of their community.

Thorin suddenly was very aware that he had never been questioning such behavior before. But no matter what his general opinions were, as much as he never was able to forget treason and betrayal he also could never unsee good deeds. Or - as in her case - sensing the good, honorable spark one carried within. And if nothing, Thorin Oakenshield prouded himself being a hard but reasonable man. And he still owed her an answer.

“It's just a thought? A request? Or an offer if you want it to be? To go on an endeavor with me? And some of my... our kin?” Recognizing her sudden reluctance he phrased it all as a question. And really it was nothing more than that. A sudden idea which seemed only logical to him. He was rallying all the dwarves that would follow him on his quest and with what he already knew he would not have plenty of allies to expect. So why not offering her to come along? A scout could be of good use anyway and she offered her services for good coin. Coin would be the least of their problems if anything went as planned. Also, and that was something he came really hard to admit to himself, he kind of was curious about her and he had found already way too many things he could come to like about her. But of course this he would never admit. Instead he caught himself becoming a bit snarky at her. “Or do you have any appointments to hold? Ongoing contracts?” That was mean and he knew it. Well knowing that she practically was on his mercy as long as she was stealing his pouch to buy herself new gear and weapons. Or swiping his for a starter. Thorin almost humbly bowed his head when he realized he had been overstepping his boundaries and her face hardening upon his words. “My apologies. I did not intend to be rude. Or talk you into something you don't want to do. Just listen to me and if it's not for you I swear I'll take you to the next village tomorrow and see you equipped before we part ways. If that's what you desire.”

“It's alright. I'll listen. What you have in mind, Master dwarf?” Ursa asked hesitantly, still not ready to agree on anything before she knew more. But beside all her reluctance she felt somewhat calm over his generous offer. She was sure he would stick to no matter how she would decide.

“Thorin. Please. Name's Thorin” Was the first thing he offered. “You know not much about dwarven history, do you?” Was the second thing he added and when she slightly shook her head he quietly sighed but did not stop talking to her. “Let me put it simple then. We... me and my... people... were...” He paused and tried to find a new start. “Our kingdom has been stolen a long time ago. My grandfather was... the last ruling king under the mountain. If you decide to come with me... us... I will tell you more. As much as you wish to learn. But only know this. I... and a mighty group of brave dwarves will go on a quest to reclaim what is ours. Including to reclaim my legacy. And I'd offer you a place in that company if you want it. There will be a proper dwarven contract so you won't have to go on my word alone.”

She stared at him. All this sounded borderline weird to her. Especially the king thing but he was so serious about everything, she could not discard it as the words of a mad man either. Or laugh at him.

And she had nowhere to go. No one waited for her and actually she had no idea where to turn to and what to do to find herself decent clothing and weapons without stealing them. Still, she needed a few more details before she could give her final agreement.

“You talk of a company. I only see you.”

“I'm right on my way to meet them. To the Shire. Hobbiton to be precise.” At least she had not turned him down flat.

“Interesting place to meet dwarves...” Ursa looked doubtfully as she replied and he shrugged.

“Gandalf the Grey appointed us there. He'll be with us.” This was a dangerous addition to the fact because he had no idea how her views on wizzards were. Thorin realized he held his breath while he waited for her remark on that.

“Gandalf the Grey.” She clicked her tongue in some kind of sarcastic approval. “Important people are your acquaintances, Thorin... what was it? Acornshield?”

Thorin could not help but grin once more about her recklessness even though she had no clue what was going on.

“Oak... Oakenshield. It was an oaken branch.” He realized she probably had no idea what he was talking about and waved his hand dismissively. “I will tell you the story if you want while we're on the road to the Shire.” This was a big offer. Usually Thorin did not talk about the events that had earned him this honorable name under which he was known throughout the land. “If you decide to come... that is. Of course.”

“Can I tell tomorrow?” This was the most she could offer right now. She needed time to think. Even though it seemed not such a bad deal.

As long as they could agree on a price. But he had spoken about a proper dwarven contract so she assumed there would be payment for her services. And it could be a good opportunity to not having to be on her own for a while and be a part of a company. It seemed like not the baddest of ideas as long as she would be able to keep those disturbingly agile butterflies in check which were moving around in her stomach - It was not that she was hungry but the way his blue eyes were gazing at her and how he looked even more handsome when he gave her one of his rare smiles instead of looking all grumpy and broody.

Thorin made a welcoming gesture, it almost looked like he was offering his hand. “Come with me to the Shire! Meet the company! You don't have to decide anything until we actually start our journey. My good friend and confidant Balin will set up the contract for you and only if you agree on all our terms you shall bind yourself to the endeavor. How does that sound?”

“Sounds reasonable if nothing else.” She smirked. “And I'm known to be a strict reasonable person.” She could see how he tried to suppress a little grin on that but she continued without letting him know she had recognized and continued. “So... who takes the first watch?”

Thorin nodded towards the darker end of their natural shelter. He was more satisfied with the outcome of this talk than he would ever be ready to admit.

“I will. Go. Find some rest.” Ursa got up and half disappeared in one of the corners to curl up for some sleep while he remained close to the fire, trying to process the events of the day and to decide whether this was his best move to invite her to join – or his worst idea ever.

“You're still afraid, I rob you off butt naked if you go to sleep.” Her voice was carrying her grin from where she rested to him and he couldn't help but chuckle back. “Yes. Yes, I am.”

#thorin oakenshield #thorin #the hobbit #thorin oakenshield x ofc

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floatingpetals · 6 years

Text

Vanish in the Dark Pt 11

Pairings: None at the moment(Kind of)

Warnings: Language, nothing major

Word Count: 1500+

Summary: Assassin’s Creed AU and Marvel AU crossover. The Brotherhood has spent years hiding in the shadows keeping the Templars in line as the years pass on. When the Templars company Abstergo Industries strikes up a deal with Hydra, things have to change. The Brotherhood decides to step out of the shadows, reaching out for the help of the Avengers. What could go wrong?

A/N: It’s been a while hasn’t it! Sorry for taking so long with this part. I hit a road block, and the life crazy. This part is a bit of a filler and set up to the next part. Hopefully you guys enjoy it!!

Once again, the gifs are not mine, credit to the owners.

Part Ten | Part Eleven | Part Twelve *Coming Soon* | Series Masterlist

“Alright, everyone remembers the plan, but let’s go over it one last time- Heath, Clint stop that.”

Clint and Heath twisted around, staring wide-eyed at the back of Y/N’s head. Clint’s mouth fell open, blinking in confusion. Heath , however, was less than surprised. They were messing with the map's settings despite being told not to touch it, and Y/N did have eyes in the back of her head. Or perhaps she was part hawk.

“How did she do that?” Clint whispered in awe. Heath shrugged. None of them ever knew her secrets.

“Anyways,” Y/N cut the two off, turning back to the group in the quinjet. She pulled up the detailed hologram of the building's floor plans before beginning. “There’s only one way of getting into their hideout, and it’s through this little air vent on the side of one of these cliff walls. It’s too small for anybody but Aubree, Natasha and I. We’ll climb up and slip in. From there, wait for our signal, and we’ll open this gate to let the rest of you in. From there, we’ll split into two groups.”

She pulled up a diagram of the Animus and the locations of several machines. Besides the Animus diagram, there was a list of its weak points.

“Steve, Clint, Victoria, Aubree, and Natasha. Memorizes this map. I need the five of you to find each of the machines and disable them. Tear them apart if you must. I don’t care. Just make sure they can’t be rebuilt.”

“Shouldn’t that be something Barnes handles?” Sam snorted, eyeing Bucky’s metal arm. Bucky scowled but ignored his quip and turned back to Y/N who was glaring at Sam.

“Bucky might be the first assumption, but his arm is needed for something else.” Y/N flicked for another map. “We’ll need him to break into this vault. It’s where one of the databases are located. We can’t get in unless we have the eyeball of one of the Templar’s leaders, and the finger of another. Instead, he can rip it off its hinges here,” She pointed to a spot on the door of the vault. “And here.”

“Why would it be so easy to get into?” Wanda questioned.

“It’s not. That will activate the fail-safe lock system. Kind of like a glass re-locker. The whole system will shut down and freeze, giving our hacker Heath here, enough time to tell it to unlock and Bucky finishes the job of ripping it open.” Heath beamed from his spot beside the computer, already starting to tap away at the system.

“Wanda, Vision, Bruce, and Sam. I want you to stay behind and help cover him. During this, he’ll have a target on his back, and they’ll do anything and everything to stop him from breaking into the system. Wanda and Bruce stay close, while Sam and Vision; both of you cover the skies and keep anyone from slipping through. Trust me. They’re slippery.”

“And what about me?” Tony huffed, annoyed he was left out so far. Y/N had to bite her lip, finding it humorous that he really thought she assumed so little of him.

“You’re coming with Bucky and me. We’ll need you to transfer all the data over to F.R.I.D.A.Y. You know your system best. We’ll cover you until you’re finished and then we’re all booking it out of there.” Tony’s chest puffed out at that, his ego quickly returning to its usual level. Y/N smiled at the sight. She really did like Tony, even if he was slightly frustrating at times. She turned back to the rest, the grin slipping from her face.

“One thing I cannot stress enough. Before we get the files out of their system, you cannot be seen. If anyone knows that were there until after we break down the door, they’ll wipe everything and they have the site rigged to blow. If that happens, not only are we dead, the surrounding cities get to deal with an angry volcano.” Y/N leveled them all with a stare. This was important, they couldn’t screw this up. “Heath is going to take over the detonate code when he breaks into the system. Until then, stick to the shadows. It’s built-in a cave, there will be plenty of coverage.”

Y/N pulled up the map once more and motioned to Aubree, who stood on cue.

“Aubree’s the only one who successfully been able to break in and search around. She knows the quickest routes. I’ll let her explain them to you.” Aubree grinned and turned to the group already pulling up paths for certain groups. While she explained the routes to Steve and his group, Y/N let out a heavy sigh and turned to the cockpit.

Bucky watched her back hunch over as she settled in the pilot seat. He didn’t miss how she sagged in the seat, thinking she was safe from the others notice. The entire flight Y/N had a false bravo, outwardly showing strength that the team needed to see. But Bucky wasn’t blind. He saw behind her mask, could see the worry in her eyes. It took everything in him to not jump up and rush to her side. He chose to only sit and watch, chewing his lip with a death grip on his seat.

“You should go to her.” Bucky jumped at the soft voice in his ear. He turned to the woman beside him, Victoria. She smiled apologetically before looking back to Y/N. “She acts tough, but it’s all too much for her sometimes. You should go to her. Talk to her. She’d appreciate it.”

Bucky turned, his brows drawn in consideration. True, he did have more of a relationship with her than any of the other Assassins members, but he wasn’t sure it was that kind of relationship. Victoria rolled his eyes at his hesitation. Men. She gently shoved his shoulder, pushing him towards Y/N.

“Go.”

Grumbling something about pushy, mean trespassers under his breath, Bucky tiptoed his way over to the cockpit. He paused in the doorway, resting a hand on the metal door frame. He took a moment to take in her features, his heart clenching at the sight of the dark circles under her eyes. She looked exhausted, for the first time completely unguarded. Bucky cleared his throat, watching her mask slip back on and moved to the empty seat.

“Oh hey, Gladiolus.” She greeted him softly, smiling over her shoulder to him. He didn’t miss how it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Hey.” He paused. “You doin’ okay?”

“Yeah.” She shrugged, hardly convincing for Bucky. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Bucky snorted and rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. I know you’re not.” He glanced over his shoulder to the others who were still engrossed with Aubree and leaned closer to YN. “I’m asking because I care. You doing okay?”

Y/N blinked, her cheeks reddening at his tender tone and his pleading blue eyes. She swore she stopped breathing and her brain short-circuited just from looking at him. How can someone be so pretty?

“I-I-.” Y/N stuttered, eyes darting between Bucky and the rest of the cockpit. It wasn’t often she found herself pinned by a stare like his.

To Bucky, it was amusing watching her fumble. She didn’t seem like an all mighty leader, she was human and could be thrown off every once and a while. He decided to give her a break and leaned back in the seat. Y/N let out a sigh of relief and turned back to the windows.

“I’m fine, Buck. I’m just a little tired, that’s all.” She thought she was convincing enough, but his huff proved her otherwise.

“No, you’re not. I’m not blind.” Gently reaching across the small space, he took hold of her hand. Her head snapped to his gentle touch, eyes wide watching his thumb rub soft circle on the back of her hand. He kept his gaze lowered to her hand, thinking over his words. “Look. Right now, we don’t have to talk about this. But know that I see you're exhausted. Hide it all you want, but I see it. Steve sees it. We know this is a lot to handle all on your own. You’re not alone though. We’re all here for you, we're with you through this.”

Y/N didn’t know what to say. She knew she looked more exhausted than usual, but she figured as long as she kept herself looking busy no one would notice. She forgot how perceptive this group of people could be. Bucky squeezed her hand, leaning in close.

“If you need help, with anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. I want to help.”

Y/N couldn’t respond. She didn’t know how to respond if she was completely honest. Her entire life, she was generally alone when it came to leading people. She was used to it, accepting the weight that rested on her shoulders. It came with the territory, and she never expects anyone to notice. Or even offer to help. Tears started to well up in her eyes, truly touched.

“Thank you, Bucky.” She forced through the lump in her throat. She sniffed back the tears, gently pulling her hand from his grip. He wasn’t bothered by her retreat, letting her slip from his fingers. She needed some space, he understood.

“Just thought you should know.” He hummed softly with a delighted grin. He leaned back in his seat, casting a glance over towards Steve. Steve sat watching the two of them with a small upturned grin. He couldn’t hear them but saw enough to figure it out. He nodded at Bucky and turned his attention back to Aubree. After all this was said and done, when there wasn’t so much on the line, the three of them would talk. For now, they had to focus on the mission at hand.

Vanish in the Dark Tag List:*

@buckybabybaby @ccehrler @the-echo-of-insanity @aya-fay@kystarlight17 @evra-von-what@sassyandclassyx@alicethecactus@rebsniper @ymstmp-izzi@northscorpio@inumorph@therealwatermelon@locaaednaa@savannahingersoll14@arrowguyxx @stay-wokke@thehunterismine@nilssonelinnn@deanlovescassie@mirajanestrauss1999@38leticia @lex-ham@fandomsunitedtogetherforever@softwhispers @cookies186 @this-is-nonsense-phonies

(OPEN) Send me a message if you’d like to be added! Also, let me know if you’ve asked and I’ve missed you! I didn’t mean to miss you:)

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lothiriel84 · 6 years

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Psycho Killer (Qu'est-ce que c'est)

We are vain and we are blind I hate people when they're not polite

A The Bunker/MarsCorp crossover. (I’m sorry.)

“You mean you’ve got interdimensional travel?”

“Well, I do. None of those idiots back on Mars could even begin to understand my vision – ah, the things I have seen, you wouldn’t believe it.”

“Why don’t you try us,” David cut in abruptly, all but slamming a cup of freshly made coffee in front of the stranger. “We’ve got plenty of time.”

“Ah, David, my friend. One thing at a time,” the stranger winked, and he had to remind himself he shouldn’t be punching someone they had invited into the bunker in the first place. Not just yet, at any rate.

“I’m not your friend,” he muttered under his breath as he started searching through the cupboards for stale biscuits, making as much noise as physically possible. Tom shot him a nervous look from across the room, while Dave was so engrossed in the stranger’s boyish good looks and easy charm that he would have hardly noticed if David had straight up decided to set the entire bunker on fire.

“So, why don’t you take me to see those pictures of yours, buddy? I’m dying to know what your old world looked like.”

Dave was grinning like a moron now, and that was the final straw for David’s already strained patience. “I’ve got a better idea,” he announced, as calmly as he knew how, snapping the biscuit tin closed. “You said you’re a scientist, so I assume you know everything about turbine generators?”

“Actually, I do,” the stranger shrugged, noncommittally. “Well, I suppose your technology would be horribly outdated if compared to the standards I’m used to, but that’s the apocalypse for you, hey?”

“Excellent. Come with me.”

He led the way, pretending not to notice the disappointed look on his roommates’ faces. Interdimensional traveller or not, the man reminded him too closely of the late Robert Swinton, and he remembered only too well what kind of turn things had taken on that particular occasion; his companions might be too gullible to realise it just yet, but he was acting in their best interest, and he for one wasn’t afraid to take drastic measures when the situation required it.

“Shareholders, but those turbines look like an utter mess,” the stranger shook his head in mild amusement. “Though that’s hardly the reason why you wanted to get me all to yourself, hey, David?”

He paused, staring at the man in utter disbelief. Was the idiot trying to flirt with him? Well, that was a gross miscalculation on his part, as he would soon find out.

“Come on, buddy, no need to be coy,” the stranger added smoothly, taking a step closer, and placed his hand suggestively on David’s shoulder.

His own reaction was lightning-quick, and entirely instinctive. He was distantly aware of the faint crack under his fingers, though he could hardly miss the scream of agony that immediately followed.

“Listen to me, buddy. You go straight back through that portal of yours, and I will actually refrain from breaking the rest of your bones. How does that sound?”

The man cradled his injured hand to his chest, turned an involuntarily admiring look on his opponent. “Damn, I wish my David was half as much of bastard as you are.”

“I’m not going to repeat myself again,” he warned him, icily. The stranger appeared to be weighing his options for a moment, then slowly turned his back on David and walked away.

#The Bunker #MarsCorp #David (The Bunker)#Colin Denham #canon typical violence #I don't even know #I wrote a thing

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derangedsilence · 4 years

Text

Subaru Sakamaki

Permissions

Shipping? Yes. Singleship per verse with limited verses. Please note - as stated on the rules page, orientation is typically listed as what the muses think they are.

Duplicates? Multiple ‘Yuis’? What about character that aren’t on the dedicated castmates list? Yes. You can thrust Subaru at Subaru. There’s also no issue with duplicates of canon, crossover, etc. characters that Subaru is already interacting with. You want it, you got it. To prevent destroying the validity of duplicate muses, I will sometimes think of things as ‘A Kanato did this’ instead of ‘Kanato did this’, which is a very subtle difference but prevents another muse from having to deal with the blame of an event they were not responsible for. This will only be differentiated as necessary within writing. I repeat: all duplicate muses will be treated with respect, not as ‘fakes’. Any Sakamaki brother is a brother of his, regardless of how many Kanatos there are (for example). We’re just going to, uh, slide past that as often as possible (and occasionally make jokes).

Multiple Subarus will be treated as though they’d somehow wandered into one’s world or the other via some enchanted, strange object or doorway in the Sakamaki household. This allows them to interact, but prevents the concept that one is a ‘true’ Subaru over the other. You have been warned.

Fighting? A-Okay. I’ve done a lot of fighting roleplay but it was in the past and I’m way more interested in the storytelling of it. It’s better that we discuss the end result beforehand for smoother sailing, but we can improv it as well. I do this from a storytelling perspective.

Harming? A-Okay! Just be aware that this muse may harm or kill yours in turn!

Killing? A-Okay! Please be aware, however, that should the need or desire to continue the verse arise, the death scene will be considered a what-if. In addition, it is very difficult to kill this muse due to the pureblood resurrection abilities.

Can we send shippy memes / etc.? Sure, we can still explore what-ifs, drabbles and oneshot threads, but the main focus will be on the storyline here!

Can we know Yui has Cordelia’s heart, is possibly turning into a vampire, is surrounded by vampires, etc. and reference this to Subaru? On a case-by-case basis. It should be discovered organically if it’s not something your character would be able to know already. There’s plenty of situations where this would make sense.

Can we know about Subaru’s past before interacting? No, not unless you have genuine reasons for it like being one of his brothers.

Can we rescue Yui Komori from the Sakamaki household? Unlikely. At best, if you succeed in the first place, it’s entirely likely that they will find you, they will take Yui back, and they will kill one or both of you for this. Or the Mukamis might take advantage of the situation! Obviously, the exception here is the Mukamis, who are entirely expected to attempt this from time to time.

Can we reference interactions we’ve had with your Kanato, etc. to Subaru? I mean...sure? If you want? I’m fine with using my muses for plot and timeline advancements for myself and those I interact with (within limits) but I’d also prefer to not be my Ayato’s Kanato and vice versa, so this would probably be limited. You can still act like what’s happened has happened, though.

Biography / Stats

FULL NAME. Subaru Sakamaki ALIAS. Subaru-kun (Yui), Hermit/Shut-In (Ayato) AGE. Appears 16-17 || Actually significantly older BIRTHDAY. November 4 GENDER & PRONOUNS. Male, he/him ORIENTATION. Heterosexual...? SPECIES. Vampire OCCUPATION. High school student of the night school known as Ryoutei Academy. 1st year in HDB, 2nd year if assuming time has passed. RESIDENCE. Sakamaki residence, Japan

HAIR. White, silverish, lavender-ish, faintly reddish EYES. Red, reddish-pink BUILD. Athletic (mostly from all the street-fighting) HEIGHT. 5'10'' (178cm) TATTOOS. None PIERCINGS. None. ADDITIONAL MARKINGS. Wears a necklace twice-wrapped around his neck with a golden key hanging from it. OTHER. Left-handed

ZODIAC. Scorpio ALIGNMENT. Chaotic Good (kind of...) POSITIVE TRAITS. sincere, protective, sensitive NEGATIVE TRAITS. violent, foul-tempered, distrustful

BIRTH PLACE. Japan NATIONALITY. Japanese PARENTS. Karlheinz (Alive?), Christa (Alive?) SIBLINGS. Paternal Half-siblings: Shuu, Reiji, and the triplets (Ayato, Kanato, Laito) EXTENDED FAMILY. Karlheinz's other wives, Beatrix and Cordelia. Richter (Uncle). EDUCATION. High school (likely several times over) SPECIES. Vampire NOTABLE SKILLS. Hand-to-hand combat, swordfighting, knife-fighting, street fighting... LANGUAGES. Japanese, English FAVORITE FOOD. None

PUREBLOOD. Inhuman strength, increased speed, vision, hearing, and smell. Fast healing & healing saliva. TELEPORTATION. Can teleport instantaneously. FLYING. He can fly on a full moon. OTHER. If any additional skills unique to himself exist, it’s not elaborated on much. WEAKNESSES. Truly holy objects weaken him, but not by much. Has a hard time controlling himself when he’s thirsty for blood. DISLIKES. Himself, his mother’s episodes, people forcing someone into a position that resembles his mother’s situation

Appearance

[*Credit: Appearance section pulled directly from the Dialovers Wiki.]

Subaru has silverish light-lavender, whitish hair with reddish tones, making his hair color not too dissimilar from his brother Kanato’s far-less-pale “purple”. He has scarlet red eyes with a slight pinkish hue.

In HAUNTED DARK BRIDAL, he is usually seen wearing a black jacket with a red shirt underneath which has a brown belt around it. The ends of the red shirt appear to be ripped/shredded. He also wears black jeans and a necklace that is wrapped twice around his neck with a golden-colored key on it.

In MORE, BLOOD, he wears a black jacket with a black shirt underneath. He also wears black pants and has a black sweater around his waist. He wears the necklace with this outfit as well.

His school uniform consists of the black school blazer with the sleeves rolled up to his elbow and a black shirt underneath that is ripped near the bottom and a white shirt underneath it which is longer and is also ripped at the bottom. There is a small chain loop on the bottom left side of the jacket. He wears it with the standard uniform pants. He also wears white heeled boots. He wears a wrist band on his left arm. He wears the necklace with this as well.

Personality

A loner, Subaru sticks to himself and tries to avoid getting involved. He sees no point in getting involved in the mess that is his family and often attempts to avoid it until he cannot resist some kind of response.

A delinquent, Subaru is violent and loves getting into fights. He frequently breaks objects with little regard. In contrast, he is gentle, but it’s buried underneath considering himself filthy, ignorant, unwanted and generally awful. Rather than deliberately show his nicer traits, he spends most of his time trying to push anyone and everyone away and out of his life so he can remain alone.

He absolutely abhors his father and loves his mother very much, but his feelings with his mother are...complicated. His mother is prone to extreme episodes that intensely frame how she sees and responds to both Karlheinz, her brother and husband, as well as Subaru himself, their child. She would often ask him to kill her or attempt to harm him. Originally blaming only his father, when Subaru tried to protect her from Karlheinz she rejected him, slapped him hard and ran to his father’s arms. Subaru’s feelings towards women is...confused, at best. At worst, he finds them difficult to trust and believe in.

History

CHILDHOOD. The only child of Christa and Karlheinz and the youngest of the Sakamaki boys, much of his life was an early rollercoaster. His mother was extremely mentally unstable after realizing that Karlheinz never loved her and only wanted to use her to create an incest child for the sake of his experiments. She hated Subaru before he was even born because of this, considering him impure and filthy. Christa frequently begged Subaru to kill her or would try to harm him herself. Once Subaru realized that his mother truly loved Karlheinz to the point of being willing to harm Subaru for trying to protect her from him, Subaru was floored, unable to know what such a woman really wanted.

Eventually, he met his brothers at a dinner party where all three wives brought the children to. His first thoughts on the siblings were that he absolutely did not want to get involved with them.

NEAR CURRENT. Karlheinz manipulated circumstances to keep tossing experimental sacrificial brides at his children. None could endure the blood loss, physical and emotional torment. The sacrificial brides were too fragile and the Sakamakis broke their toys.

CURRENT. A single sacrificial bride is surviving and enduring: Yui Komori. Whichever brother obtains her will become the Sakamaki heir. Without directly entering into a “relationship” with any of the Sakamakis, she endures her stay there.

Verses

Brief summaries of the verses for Subaru along with potential links for those less familiar with Diabolik Lovers but still want to interact with him. For the sake of keeping things clean, encouraging community-wide and cooperative storytelling in roleplay, and not letting things get too crazy, verses will be limited. More may be made over time as needed.

Summaries:

VERSE - HAUNTED DARK BRIDAL

*This verse will be typically be the default, 'main verse'. In this, it is assumed that Yui Komori is staying at the Sakamaki household with some version of the first game having taken place. If the second game is included, it's with the idea that Yui stayed with the Sakamakis. Whether Subaru or one of his brothers winds up obtaining the Sacrificial Bride, Subaru’s life continues.

Verse Details | Tag: #V; SUBARU; HAUNTED DARK BRIDAL

VERSE - MORE BLOOD

If for some reason it's absolutely necessary to differentiate between the verse above and a verse where More Blood has certainly occured, but Yui did not (at least initially) stay with the Sakamakis and instead is currently living with the Mukamis or was, until recently, still living with the Mukamis. Rivalry abounds and attempts to procure Yui are likely.

Verse Details | Tag: #V; SUBARU; MORE BLOOD

VERSE - MISC.

Posts that could take place in the Sakamaki or Mukami verses but involve duplicates (whether Yui or others) in the same scene in a manner that would be hard to pass off as typical flow for those verses. Also includes nearly ANY time fellow characters are staying at the mansion, otherwise we’d end up with verses of 20+ additional characters hanging out in the Sakamaki villa.

Verse Details | Tag:#V; SUBARU; MISC

SITUATIONAL VERSE TAGS

#V; SUBARU; UNIVERSAL

Posts that can easily be assumed to have occured in either the Sakamaki or Mukami verses, typically answering asks, etc. that aren’t directly related to events unique to their timelines.

#V; SUBARU; WHAT IFS & #V; SUBARU; ONESHOTS

Likely reserved for one-off threads exploring a “what if”, a romantic meme that would otherwise be inappropriate, etc. If a meme doesn’t quite fit with one of the existing timelines, it’ll get one of these.

Trivia

Has no friends at school.

Has no favorite food or a favored hobby.

Shuu is his favorite brother and looks up to him somewhat.

He likes Kanato’s singing.