#and that technically i don't even own him because i haven't adopted him

[karamazovposting]

On Ivan and bipolar disorder (part three)

This is my favorite part of this whole thing. I haven't written it yet, that's literally the opening line, but here I'll be talking about one of the most interesting (to me) aspects of Ivan's character: how the other characters perceive him; I already know I'll be having a blast writing this. Internal vs external perception is probably my favorite topic when it comes to character study, so I was thinking of doing something similar for Dmitri as well in the future because I noticed some things that I want to talk about. I'll think about it.

For once I don't have to make an introduction where I explain what I'll be going over in this because there's none to be made, so let's start from the beginning. The first time we see Ivan is when they're all waiting for Dmitri at the beginning of the book, and what does he do? He takes the piss out of everyone, of course. And I think that in everything that happens there and in the following passages (I was particularly struck by Father Zosima's words about him, which I've already mentioned in here) we pretty much have the key to Ivan's character, and he doesn't even give it to us himself (very fitting indeed). The first thing we find out is that Alyosha is afraid Ivan will be condescending towards the monks and while Ivan technically isn't, he still adopts a subtly mocking tone with them, which checks out considering that Miusov says Ivan feigns arrogance to mask his own insecurity. Also it's very telling that Ivan's demeanor changes when it comes to Zosima, I feel like he actually does respect him and to some extent appreciates his words. Funnily enough I've found myself in a similar situation in the past (atheist surrounded by nuns, my family was there, they told me some things I appreciated; I wasn't making fun of anyone though I swear) so I get it.

Speaking of words, there are many used for him in those chapters, and there are even more as the novel goes on, brushstroke after brushstroke painting a rather confusing and contradictory picture of this young man: he's bright yet insecure and "a tomb", he's weird and a misunderstood outcast in his own family yet he's charming (said by multiple characters in multiple occasions, I think it's the word that's used the most to describe him) and refined, yet again eccentric. He's paradoxical and a riddle (another word used multiple times), and his own father fears him more than he fears the son who almost beat him to death and at first I couldn't understand why, considering everyone else's opinion of Ivan and the fact that Ivan actually helped get Dmitri off of their father when he was beating him, but then I went back to Book Two and stumbled upon a line that managed to completely go over my head in the past (how could that happen? God, the horror!) that does explain a lot and looking back now, to me feels like one of the most important lines (about Ivan) of the whole novel:

What seemed to [Aleksej] strangest of all was that his brother Ivan, [...] who alone had such influence on his father that he could have stopped him [...]

I don't think I need to explain why I think this line (that you can find in The old buffoon for context) is crucial so I won't say much about it, but it also explains why Ivan's presence in the Karamazov household is seen as a guarantee for quiet and order (as stated during Dmitri's trial, and we also see it in the fact that both Dmitri and Pavel had in mind to murder Fyodor only if Ivan had been out of the picture, though for different reasons), and honestly it surprised me: I mean, Ivan's influence over other people plays a very important role in the story, but him having influence over his father? Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov? Wow. Also I have something else to say about the quiet and order thing but it belongs in part four.

The rest of that line is also interesting in my opinion:

[...] [Ivan] sat now quite unmoved, with downcast eyes, apparently waiting with interest to see how it would end, as though he had nothing to do with it.

This, maybe trivial, line never really left my head, which means it must mean something to me. Maybe because that behaviour fits Ivan's character so well and I always like when he gets to act like a normal, unbothered, and even childish at times, twenty-three year old (he's not even angry there, what a rare occurrence) and because according to how the other characters speak of him, it feels unexpected (and turned out to be useful for this post).

Back to how others speak of him, someone (Fyodor I think) goes as far as saying that maybe Ivan deliberately seeks torment, which honestly feels a little too familiar to me and that's why that's another line I can't seem to get out of my head; when people have such a high opinion of you they do tend to blame your own struggle on you, at least in my experience, as it's their only way of rationalizing it. You should be better than that, you should be smarter than that. But you're not, so maybe you actually want it; why would such a brilliant person be like that otherwise? You're not allowed to be "weak" and I think Ivan is a perfect example of this as he has internalized this concept, but I'll go over it in part four.

But what does all this have to do with bipolar disorder? I'm getting there, but you'll have to bear with me because this whole thing gets quite intricated at this point and I have to be as clear as I can (and I can't, ever), so let's take a seemingly nonsensical step back to see the bigger picture.

None of the brothers are stupid: Dmitri is naive, impulsive and uneducated, sure, but the narrator does describe him as a fairly intelligent man in spite of it, Pavel was basically a child prodigy and a very smart young adult (and maybe I should talk about it sometime because everyone in the novel considers him to be capable but stupid and there's only one person who explicitly recognizes his intelligence in a genuine way apart from the narrator, guess who), and Aleksej, while also uneducated, isn't stupid either. But there is a particular emphasis put on Ivan's intelligence and it's hard to find a paragraph where he is present or where someone else is talking about him that doesn't mention it. Ivan is bright, Ivan is educated, Ivan is an academic. It's pretty much the first thing the other characters think of when thinking about him, it's almost some sort of morbid fixation. And it's not a positive thing either as it does nothing but feed into his insecurities and Pavel even uses it against him by telling him how intelligent he is over and over until he officially loses it. Ivan is smart to the point of being charming and admired, but that turns out to be a double-edged sword (of course) because everyone puts him on a pedestral and higher the pedestral, deadlier the fall, as we see in the second half of the novel. In my opinion the only one who seems to view him as a human being and not as some sort of ghost or higher, detached entity (apart from Zosima) is Alyosha; Dmitri considers Ivan to be better than everyone else including himself, Smerdyakov is...well, Smerdyakov, his father's attitude towards him is basically I don't understand what's up with him and I don't really care (in addition to what I said a few paragraphs ago) and even Katya is charmed by him more than she loves him, at least at first. Everyone else doesn't even really know him and that's partially his own fault, but I can't blame him.

Why do I consider this bipolar coding? To make it short, intelligent people are often considered charismatic and many psychiatric studies suggest that there's a link between bipolar disorder and high intelligence (which to me personally kind of feels like a consolation prize, like nature saying hey, you'll hate being alive but at least you're not an idiot!, thanks a lot I guess) and it's also worth mentioning that bipolar disorder is linked to creativity as well since Ivan has come up with multiple poems over the years, which means he must be a creative person to a certain degree. I haven't been citing my sources because this is not an academic paper and I'm just some guy on Tumblr who doesn't even study psychiatry and just happens to be basically cursed, but there's a book about this topic that I want to mention: Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament by American psychiatrist Kay Redfield Jamison; I've also read her (very relatable) autobiography and I'm a big fan of hers since she knows what she's talking about even more than the average psychiatrist because she has bipolar disorder herself. For anecdotal evidence, I keep a mental list of historical figures and artists (including contemporaries/celebrities who are still alive) diagnosed with bipolar disorder (so if you ever want to know if someone has/had it hit me up I guess) that I won't include here for obvious reasons, but let me just say that the doctors who did the aforementioned studies do seem to have a point (and I'm an artist myself). I want to make clear that I'm not trying to play into the overused, boring, inaccurate, and generally uncomfortable (for me at least) mentally ill tormented genius trope/stereotype and that it's obviously not what Dostoevsky was going for either; it's just that I've personally had people fixate on my intellect my whole life (not to mention the general weird fascination the average person has for mental illness and mentally ill people as well) and seeing Ivan go through that same experience combined with the studies I just mentioned made this association inevitable for me. Also people seem to find you more fun and charming when you're manic/hypomanic (only when you're the "right" kind of manic/hypomanic of course, when you're experiencing dysphoric mania/hypomania people just become ableist because that's the "wrong" kind of mania/hypomania, duh) which is...uhm...I don't really know how to feel about it honestly, but it's a fact so I'm mentioning it.

But what came first, Ivan's self-isolation or people's misunderstanding of him as a person? Is it the former that caused the latter or the other way around? To me this feels like having to talk about the good old chicken and egg dilemma and I still haven't figured it out in relation to myself, so I guess this will remain unanswered for now (or forever). But what I do know is that bipolar disorder is a lonely experience, no matter how hard someone tries to not make it lonely; people just don't get it even if you explain yourself a thousand times over and over. It doesn't mean you don't have relationships with others, it just means you know you have to keep some things to yourself sometimes and you get used to it, which seems to be Ivan's case too; to me the best example of it is when he's just about to tell Alyosha about the devil but stops himself from doing so and decides to push him away instead. In my opinion it's also connected to his inability to show "weakness" that I already mentioned and that is often one of the core experiences of living with bipolar disorder, but I won't go over that now. I'll just say the problem when it comes to Ivan is that everyone (the readers, the other characters, even himself) gets tangled in a net of performance; living with bipolar disorder feels like having to constantly keep up a certain kind of act (that I wouldn't even know how to explain) in front of others due to the stigma, and I'm pretty sure that's the case with every neurodivergence and invisible disability (bipolar disorder is in fact a disability and I'm legally disabled, that's why I mentioned ableism earlier). Ivan knows what people think and expect of him (we've seen it in his first real interaction with Alyosha and I've already talked about it in part two) and we see few moments when he goes mask off, and apart from those moments his facial expressions are always described as being forced or "off" in some other way. One thing that struck me is the significant contrast between what Mrs. Khokhlakova in particular says about him and how we actually see him behave when he doesn't bother with his forced coldness and collectedness (usually by himself or around his family): she talks about how refined and chivalrious he is multiple times because that's the side of him she sees (and almost everyone else sees), yet he's the character who swears the most (I don't know if "swearing" is the right term as in the novel there are no actual curse words in the modern sense but he doesn't really speak kindly does he); his language is even worse than Dmitri's. I'm not saying that being polite in public/formal settings and swearing like a sailor in private/informal settings is something unusual because I'm also like that (as I'm afraid you might have noticed, sorry for all the swearing!), I just wanted to point that out because to me it seems important in general and relevant for this post.

This doesn't mean I think of Ivan as a fake person because I would have to have that same opinion of myself and I don't, it's quite hard to explain if you haven't lived the bipolar experience first-hand or don't really know what masking is and I hope you'll understand what I'm trying to say here; it's just that he hides and polishes some parts of himself due to a combination of childhood emotional neglect, mental illness, and a personality that's difficult on its own (but really, when you have a disorder like this one it's quite hard to tell what's personality and what's mental illness, especially because at times they're one and the same; it shapes you and sometimes you can't even do anything about it and to me it's no surprise Ivan's sense of self is as warped as it is), all factors that contribute to his partially self-inflicted isolation. I mean, he does say himself to Alyosha that at first he kept him at a distance on purpose and you can also find a glimpse of that in his own philosophy: he openly says that he loves humanity but dislikes humans. He can only show affection from afar and I think that also reflects in the situation with Pavel and in Ivan's own guilt: I don't think Ivan lacks empathy (quite the opposite), he just doesn't have the tools to do anything with it. Could he really have done something? He says he would have if Pavel had explicitly told him to stay in their father's house (here the conversation shifts on the physical aspect of things as Ivan now feels guilty for also being physically distant from his family and not only emotionally), but Ivan's words are never really reliable. How can we expect someone who's incapable of getting close to people to help them? Even when trying to help Dmitri escape prison he's still rough with him. There's a reason why his thing with Katya is a mess as well and he refuses to admit that he loves her (he even says to Alyosha that he doesn't like her and he's with her only to prevent a catastrophe at Mitya's trial, which are later stated to be lies by the narrator): he always tries to convert his feelings into reason, otherwise his whole façade crumbles.

I also want to mention Ippolit Kirillovič's words about him at the trial because they seem very important to me, but only very briefly because first, many things he says have already been talked about in my other posts and second, it seems a little unfair to leave the other members of the family out because Ippolit Kirillovič says many interesting things about all of them; maybe I'll make a post about that in the future. Basically, Ippolit Kirillovič doesn't particularly like Ivan because he got the better of him in a couple public arguments they had in the past (very funny to me by the way), but he still prefaces his criticism of him by talking about his positive qualities (once again, his vigorous intellect and brilliant education) and saying he was welcome in their community (but not in the same way Dmitri was). This is yet another case of me not knowing where I'm going with this, but this particular instance stood out to me so it was worth mentioning; I think it summarizes the other characters' attitude towards Ivan quite well, but I can't really explain it.

Another thing that I noticed is that no one ever calls him by a nickname, not even Alyosha. I wrote a post about the use of names and nicknames in The Brothers Karamazov months ago but I hated the way it turned out because I felt like I wasn't making any sense so I decided to throw the whole thing away and I don't even know if I should try writing it again. Anyway, it's very interesting to me that pretty much everyone is referred to by a nickname (even Rakitin of all people) except for Ivan; not even Alyosha calls him anything other than his name (and if I remember correctly not even Katya, who talks to Ivan using the informal you, does). Actually, there are a couple instances where this does happen and that drives me even more insane because the first one happens at the beginning of the novel, when his father calls him Vanya a few times only to never do it again (and honestly Ivan didn't seem to like that either), and the second one is Rakitin mockingly referring to him as Vanechka when talking about him to Aleksej (because of course he'd never call Ivan that to his face and I also have a feeling he'd get decked if he tried). I don't really know where I'm going with this (again) but I wanted to throw it in anyway because it always stood out to me considering the only main characters that are never referred to like that are Fyodor, Ivan, and Smerdyakov and well, there seem to be implications here. In the aforementioned deleted post I wrote about this topic I mentioned sense of belonging (Mitya belongs there after all) and affection/connection (everyone loves Alyosha) in opposition to being excluded (Smerdyakov is not a legitimate son) and being unable to connect with others (Ivan is an outcast due to the multiple reasons I went over in the previous paragraphs). Maybe I really should try writing it again.

Well, I think I'm done for now. I found it a little hard to separate the themes of part three from the ones of part four, because the latter will focus on Ivan's self-perception (among what happens from Book Eleven to the epilogue and other, more "medical", things) but we see how he perceives himself through the devil but the devil is not an actual real person in the book so I couldn't really include that here and in my mind the themes of these two parts kind of blended together so I had to to figure out where to break them apart.

This took longer than usual (which bothers me but oh well) because I had to take a break from pretty much everything (which is why lately many posts have been queued) for a while due to the February-March period always being whacky for me bipolar-wise, mostly because of the seasonal change (something that plays a huge role in this shitshow of a disorder and something I'll go over in part four because surprise surprise) that always makes me mentally and physically tired. All of this, which can be summarized with bipolar disorder bipolar disordering, to say that I hope this part isn't as messy as it seems to me and that I hope you can't tell I wrote it during a time I wasn't getting enough sleep (I swear I did my best given the circumstances), and if I "disappear" or interact less from time to time it's usually because of this kind of stuff. I'm still not getting enough sleep by the way so I might take a break from serious posts again, I love that daylight savings time happens during one of the worst seasonal changes of the whole year for me every year and it doesn't mess with my disorder at all.

It sure didn't help that I chose to make part three more complicated than the others thinking it wouldn't go in a completely different direction than I had originally planned and wouldn't therefore have to reorganize my thoughts during a period I simply couldn't do so; I will obviously be punished for my hubris. But until then I'll be working on part four (and some other unfinished stuff I have in my drafts and have no idea when I'll post), which will be the last part of my bipolar Ivan Karamazov essay.

#I really hope you get what I mean sometimes I feel like I'm talking nonsense #also this is very long and I went a little on a tangent at some point but I mean y'all read Dostoevsky so you're used to it #and I've just noticed how often I use parenthesis I'm so sorry but I have a lot of thoughts #and I want to clarify that the part about hating being alive is a joke I'm okay now my humor is just a little uhm...questionable #the brothers karamazov #ivan karamazov #bipolar ivan karamazov agenda #thoughts #mine

[tanenigiri]

I wanted to make another post last week, but when I saw the preview for Episode 5, I figured that I should talk about Episodes 4 and 5 together since it looked like they were gonna be parallels (and I was right!). So continuing from my post about Episodes 1 and 2, here are my stray thoughts and ramblings about Our Dining Table's third, fourth, and fifth episodes.

(Once again, this has some spoilers for people who haven't read the manga, so proceed with caution.)

As much as I want to endlessly gush about Yutaka and Minoru and their 11/10 dynamic, my first bullet point goes to gushing about a fantastic new addition to the series who's (technically) show-exclusive: Ohata, one of Yutaka's co-workers. I said in my previous post that I was looking forward to seeing how they expound on Yutaka's work life with the show, and Episodes 3 and 5 were pretty much everything I could've asked for in that regard. As early as the first episode, we see Ohata as the one who makes the effort to include Yutaka in the conversation, even if he's closed himself off from the rest of his officemates. So it's nice to see that she's the one who first witnesses the changes in Yutaka's demeanor, and it's great to see how genuinely happy Ohata is to see her officemate break out of his shell.

I also want to emphasize that Yutaka's dynamic with Ohata was only made possible by his dynamic with the Ueda family. The show presents this pretty directly - Yutaka asking for help from Ohata was because he wanted to impress Tane and Minoru with his nonexistent bento-making skills, after all - but Ohata herself brings up that not only is this the first time Yutaka's asked anyone in the office for help, but also how Yutaka really cares about the person he's making this bento for.

That last part becomes especially more poignant once we get to Episode 4 and it's revealed just how scarring Yutaka's childhood was, especially when it came to sharing meals. No wonder he volunteers to make a bento for Tane even if he didn't know how to make one - Yutaka's now in a position to make sure that this child he cares about gets to experience meals in the best way possible. In other words, he wants to make sure that Tane never experiences what he did in his childhood, and if that means pain-stakingly perfecting how to turn sausages into octopi over the course of several weeks, then so be it.

I'll reserve my comments for how messed up Yutaka's adoptive family is in a later episode, as I'm pretty sure that there'll be a scene that goes even deeper into this (assuming they follow the manga), but let me just say: Wow what a horrible family. I don't blame Yutaka for closing himself up to the world at all, and it makes his breakthroughs with the Uedas all the more impressive.

Yutaka isn't the only one experiencing these breakthroughs - we see in Episode 5 that Minoru is also healing from his past thanks to his meals with Yutaka. That scene with his old college classmate was repurposed from how it was presented in the manga - it was part of a flashback in a much later chapter in the manga but was brought forward here - but it makes a lot of sense to do so as, like I said in my previous post, they're bringing Minoru's conflict to the spotlight a lot earlier, and I think that's a very good decision for the narrative. He is clearly still dealing with a lot of baggage from losing his mom and having to take on the mantle of being a second parent to Tane, and I'm sure how that old college classmate reacted to Tane's antics was par for the course for him. So to see Yutaka not only take these antics in stride, but also prioritize Tane's well-being over his own feelings about the situation - I'm sure Minoru feels overwhelmed.

And that's not even taking into account Minoru's attraction to Yutaka - which, yes, it is a major factor, and the actor is doing a fantastic job in conveying this pining. But, really, with how Yutaka already treats Tane like his own little brother, how could Minoru not fall in love with him?

That shot in Episode 2 with the shoes is still my favorite (it's become a wallpaper lol), but that sequence in Episode 5 with Minoru making ramen fried rice and being paralleled with a memory with his mom is definitely up there. What an absolutely heartbreaking sequence.

I get how frustrating it seems that Minoru and Yutaka don't seem to be getting the opportunity to talk about the latter's encounter with his brother, but if they're doing what I think they're doing, I really think the build-up to this conversation is worth it. The manga had a similar build-up to this reveal (though it was slightly shorter) so I'm hoping it pays off in a future episode.

We were robbed of Minoru saying that Yutaka's brother was a looker but wasn't his type. Absolutely my biggest complaint about the show so far as that line is Top 3 for the manga. (I have a tiny sliver of hope that it'll come up in a later episode in a different context but I might as well say this now lol.)

(Okay but my actual biggest complaint about the show so far is how there's a pretty heavy use of flashbacks to previous scenes already seen in the show. I'm told that this is actually normal for dramas, but still, there are so many interesting extra scenes they could use to fill the space instead. Give me more of the Minoru-and-his-boss-in-the-ramen-shop dynamic or the Yutaka-and-his-officemates dynamic instead please and thank you)

To those who have read the manga: On a scale of 1 to Minoru at the park in Episode 4, how excited are you for next week's Christmas episode? That is by far my favorite chapter of the manga and I am so, so looking forward to seeing how they tackle it here.

I admit that I was initially worried about the adaptation as I love the manga so much so I had sky-high expectations, but it is such a delight to watch every time. Everything they've added to the story so far makes a lot of sense and only elevates the narrative. And since we're getting into the meat of the story, I can only see it getting better from here.

#our dining table #bokura no shokutaku

[ciaossu-imagines]

Hello! For the mini event: Mairimashita! Iruma-kun & AU number 17

Of course, anon dear! Thank you so much for the request and I hope you enjoy the headcanons, as late as they are getting to you!

Okay, so I will admit that, other than House and a couple episodes of both The Resident and The Good Doctor, I haven't really watched many medical dramas and aren't really familiar with the various tropes and such normally used in them…am I familiar with the actual medical field? Yes, yes, I am. Did that actually help any with this AU? Nope, not really. But I did finally settle on an idea? Yes! Does the idea require you to suspend a large amount of disbelief and require you to ignore how much of this would actually be very, very illegal? Also yes!

Anyway, so this AU I imagined up does very much take place in a hospital. It's not only the largest hospital in the area but the one with the most prestige and a sterling reputation. It's also a teaching hospital, an important thing to know, but also houses a lot of the specialists and such that people are literally on wait lists for over a year to get into. This hospital is actually owned by Sullivan, who also does have a hand in the running of it and is Head of the Board of Directors, with the most say as to how the hospital itself actively operates, much to the displeasure of some of its staff, as Sullivan is something of an eccentric…no, that's going to be putting it too lightly. Sullivan is most definitely eccentric.

His eccentricities are most definitely on display when almost fourteen year old Iruma Suzuki is brought into the hospital after a vicious beating at the hands of his latest employer. The boy is held at the hospital to be treated but because there's just so much evidence of repeated injuries and neglect, social services is called in. Social Services investigation into Iruma's parents discover a staggering amount of neglect for their son and that they have been forcing him to work at various jobs to support their own gambling habits and pay the bills. The boy has never even been to school.

Anyway, in the end, they don't really care if their parental rights might get lost. Iruma's parents willingly relinquish their parental rights to him and it looks like Iruma is going to be held, after he has healed and been released from the hospital, in a group home until a suitable foster family can be found for him. But Sullivan had taken an interest in Iruma, no doubt helped along by the fact that Iruma's initial doctor and the one in charge of his treatment plan was Dr. Opera, Sullivan's adopted son. And Sullivan's interest in the boy led to Iruma Suzuki becoming the second son Sullivan would adopt and spoil, despite being in his sixties at this point…something about Opera never settling down and giving him grandchildren so Sullivan would have to adopt his own.

While Iruma is technically his adopted son, Sullivan very much treats him as his precious grandchild and Iruma finds a fatherly figure in Sullivan, who spoils Iruma rotten. Opera, meanwhile, also takes an interest and welcomes Iruma into the family, becoming someone Iruma both looks up to and aspires to be like.

Sullivan decides and, after discussing the matter with Opera himself, that Iruma shall join the family business and when Sullivan passes will be the one to not only inherit the business (and make no mistake, a hospital is very much a business) and Sullivan's spot on the Board of Directors. He'll not only be expected to learn academically, and learn quickly, but Iruma becomes a volunteer candy-striper at the hospital as soon as he's healed and shadows Opera and Sullivan throughout the years.

Which leads to present day, when Iruma has gone through enough schooling and grueling training and studying to become a resident. The story really becomes his daily life as a resident doctor at this teaching hospital, him meeting the other residents and interacting with the doctors, nurses, and other staff members at the hospital, along with the weird, zany, sometimes sad patients he interacts with and treats, along with exploring some of the pressure he feels, knowing he's expected to run this hospital someday, along with cute family moments between Iruma and his adopted 'grand'father and adopted brother.

Now, to get into some of the wide and crazy cast of characters that Iruma does have to learn how to deal with and manage, because like, isn't that half the fun, having all these secondary characters to add to the overall plot, all while having fun little plotlines of their own?

So, first off, when Iruma arrives for his residency, Sullivan really entrusts Iruma to an actual doctor who really is supposed to mentor and help teach Iruma. Iruma had been hoping to do his residency in the pediatric ward under Opera, but for some reason Sullivan refused to allow it. Instead, Iruma is doing his residency under the watchful (and spiteful, because this doctor most certainly does not want to have to put up with being a mentor to anyone, and considers the time he has to waste teaching Iruma as time he could be spending elsewhere) eye of Dr. Kalego Naberius, Head of the ER Department. The ER at this particular hospital is always insanely busy, with the doctors, residents, and nurses getting to see a little bit of everything, honestly, so Kalego does get Sullivan's insistence that Iruma do his residency solely there. Every resident has to do at least a shift a week in the ER, since there is never enough staff there, but Iruma's residency is done solely in the ER Department and solely under the eye of Dr. Kalego. The two don't always get along, honestly, but I do see them growing to at least strongly respect each other.

The various teachers are, of course, doctors in various wings and departments throughout the hospital, except for Balam, who I do see as Head of the Pharmacy Department, since a hospital that size does, of course, need it's own pharmacy. A pharmacist himself, Balam has an encyclopedic knowledge of all pharmaceuticals, both medicinal and holistic. Now Balam looks really scary, especially because a childhood accident left him with some noticeable facial scarring, but the man is a gentle giant and after Iruma stopped being so frightened of him, I could see him and Balam getting along fantastic, even back before Iruma became a resident. Throughout his schooling years, before going to university, I think Balam took Iruma under his wing and the boy spent a lot of time in the pharmacy, learning a lot from Balam. Iruma still makes it a point to stop by to see Balam as often as he possibly can, and honestly, Balam shows up to the ER quite often anyway, because he and Dr. Kalego are childhood best friends who take lunch breaks together so he's another important 'teacher and mentor' figure to Iruma overall.

The surprising twist here, but one I really liked and just made sense to me. A child prodigy, Ameri Azazel graduated high school ridiculously early and I see her being the same age, at most a year older, than all the residents. However, she's actually Dr. Azazel, though still a fairly new doctor, only a year out of her own residency. She most often works in the pediatric wing with Opera, but does do shifts in the ER as needed.

I'm sure you're wondering…are the other residents Iruma's classmates in canon? Mostly, yes! How could I not? But there's still a few surprise twists, haha.

One of those surprise twists is that I really don't see Clara as an actual resident. Nope, I see her as being a fairly significant member of the hospital's kitchen staff. Though she doesn't do all the planning and overseeing of the hospital's meal plans and such, because the Head of Food Services does that, I see her being at least a sous chef in the kitchen itself, but she often shirks her duties here and there to actually go and deliver the meals to patients, which really should be left to a lower ranking member of the kitchen staff. She just finds it really fun to get to go and explore the hospital and see all the different staff members (and patients, though giving the patients their meals is actually supposed to be left to the nurses) and despite the many write-up's she's had over it, Sullivan and even Clara's own superior refuse to fire her or make her stop it. After all, she clearly means no harm and really just is a kind of nuisance at worst.

Another person I don't see as being a resident is Elizabetta. I actually see her as being a new nurse in the hospital. She works in different departments as needed, and honestly, though she's good enough at her job and does have a really good heart, with a lot of compassion for the patients, it's obvious she's really not that interested in making a huge career out of nursing. She actually just really wants to marry a handsome doctor who's wealthy enough so that she can become a stay at home wife and then mother and live a picture perfect, happily married life.

The last person I don't see as being a resident doctor is Kamui Caim. Instead he's an intern pharmacist under Balam. An odd, weird-looking little duck, the boy's honestly a little bit of an incel and definitely a huge pervert, who becomes known for being a little inappropriate with both the female nurses, doctors, and patients. However, when it comes to his actual area of expertise, Kamui is actually a brilliant pharmacist and really helps not only fill the astounding amount of prescriptions that come through each day, but is able to help prescribe and treat the various small ailments of people sent to the pharmacy for help instead of an actual doctor needing to waste their time treating them.

So, that leaves us with the other residents. The most important two are Alice Asmodeus and Sabro Sabnock. Both men have relatives who sit on the Board of Directors for the hospital. Sabro's uncle, in particular, raised the boy to believe that, when Sullivan was gone, Sabro's uncle would run the hospital and then pass it on to Sabro, so the boy was pushed to prepare for that from a young age. Brash and arrogant but actually really good-hearted, Sabro would like to specialize in sports medicine but was pushed by his family to follow in his uncle's footsteps and become a surgeon and his residency is done in that department.

Alice, meanwhile, is prim and proper and determined to make the most of every second of his residency. He also has quite the ego, but deservedly so, as he is brilliant and everyone has very high hopes for him as a practicing doctor. Due to an accident during childhood that had left his sister badly burnt, and witnessing her recovery and various surgeries and skin grafts afterwards, Alice does his residency primarily in the hospital's Burn Wing and hopes to specialize in that field of reconstructive surgery.

Another resident hoping to become a surgeon is Goemon Garp. Goemon was born with a rather extreme form of facial deformity and because of that, he was badly bullied growing up. It wasn't until after many medically necessary surgeries and then some extensive plastic surgery, finished by mid-high school, that Goemon grew to look relatively normal, though he's still not the most handsome man out there. However, he's finally happy with the way he looks and he wants everyone to have that opportunity, so he would, after his residency, like to specialize in cosmetic surgery.

Picero Agares, however, was well known to those in the hospital even before he becomes a hospital. Picero has suffered from narcolepsy from the time he was a child and was treated at the hospital. He hopes to become a doctor working in the hospital, specializing in sleep disorders…though everyone is a little shocked, as Picero has always been anything but friendly, even as a child, and probably has the worst bedside manner out of any of the residents.

The last of those residents who know what they want to specialize in, Soi Purson was born severely hearing impaired. He received cochlear implants in both ears by the time he entered middle school, which opened up a whole new world for him, really. Because of that experience, he really decided that he wanted to become an audiologist and is doing his residency primarily in the hospital's Audiology Department.

Schneider Allocer is an absolute genius, even rivalling Ameri. While he is a resident doctor, he's actually not sure what he would like to specialize in. There's too many opportunities, too many possibilities, too many areas to learn and grow his expertise in with hands on experience. He bounces around the various departments, along with the other three residents who have not figured out what they would like to specialize in.

Keroli Crocell is one of those three. Her family has always put a lot of pressure on her to go into medicine, to become a doctor so that she could have 'the best life', be financially secure, and bring honor to the family name. So she's gone to school, always done well, always brought honor to her family, and is doing her residency. But honestly, she'd rather be doing anything else, but especially she'd rather be playing with her band, like she does in secret on weekends, doing gigs at clubs around the city.

That leaves the other two undecided residents as Lied Shax and Jazz M. Andro. To be honest, though neither of them has decided on a specialty, Lied actually becomes a hit in the pediatric wing, while Jazz is noted to have the best bedside manner out of all the residents.

#replies #welcome to demon school iruma kun #mairimashita! iruma kun #headcanons #au headcanons #hospital au

[feralmoonlight]

can you tell us more about your Krampus Eclipse? I can't find anything about him (them? idk what pronouns they use) on your blog

Had to think about this for a bit! Pronoun wise, probably would be a they/them/it/he in that order? Though as far as he's concerned most people don't encounter them long enough to really sort out what they saw past 'holy shit what was that thing???' Though I probably am gonna default to he/they since most of my other 'clips use he. LORE wise, there's sort of a 'legend' side and a 'truth' side, like with most mythical entities. Legend wise, he'd follow the basic 'takes away naughty children never to be seen again' and all the bells and whistles. A spooky holiday boogeyman intending to make children behave at threat of punishment instead of the rewards St.Nick might bring. One night of the year where danger is high, and then you're safe until it comes around again. The truth side is a bit different. TECHNICALLY he's not your average cryptid creature. A one of a kind entity more like an elemental spirit born from thousands upon thousands of human consciousness and morality, back in primal times, weaving into a monster of mortal fears, outwardly bearing features of prey while inside, underneath, a predator. A wolf in sheep's clothing, to an extent. Over millennia it's grown into the massive hulking creature it is now, feasting on those that break ancient laws that keep an ancient balance between what is just and what is emphatically wrong. Ideas that have not changed since the early days when man ran through the forests along side the wild beasts. Not putting away your toys when you're done would not get its attention. Keying your neighbors car for being an asshole, while rude, would not get its attention. Killing to protect oneself, or for food, would also not draw him near, because you can't fault a lion for killing a zebra. Killing for sport, however, would, if done in excess. The strength of ones soul, their convictions, their core, is what draws him initially. Children almost always are too new, too fresh, unripe and still learning and thus inherently innocent in his eyes. They haven't developed past the moral grey area that comes from a lack of experience, a void of empathy that must be taught and adopted into adulthood. Though only through touch can he pass his judgements. The ones that do catch his attention are usually an even split, those deemed naughty and those deemed nice. The 'nice' ones will be left alone, occasionally with a small token, though usually with nothing more than the fright his presences may cause. The 'naughty' ones, though... Well, the legend of being dragged off, the mystery of what happens to them after that is better left to the imagination. Though it isn't impossible to survive the encounter if a creatures transgressions are mild enough, just crossing the borderline where a souls path might be corrected for the better. Rare, but not impossible. Moments where this may be the case could stem from someone else's influence, misinformation, coercion, deceit. Not entirely the naughty ones own intention, though their actions are still their own. And a price must still be paid. There are souls, too, where their judgement is too borderline, walking in the grey where it hasn't teetered from one side to the other. Sometimes the encounter itself will lead to his decision, though it may leave him with confusion instead, and he will simply pass by. A rare second encounter may follow, months or even years on, when he returns to that area. Since he is one of a kind, and he has the whole world to travel.

#there's a little more rolling around in my head but I'm not sure how to actually phrase it yet? #krampus eclipse #beast eclipse #this guy

[kayhi808]

Billy Mine - Act 2.10

I return to my parents and Adam. A part of me wants to chase Billy down to leave with him. As I reach them, we're being lead to our table. Mom takes Dad's arm and that leaves me awkwardly with Adam. Logically, I know this isn't Adam's fault. He's my mother's pawn. She always wanted Adam and I to work out. Mentally, I get it. Emotionally, I want to flip this fucking table!

Dinner was actually very nice. I behaved and stayed pleasant yet not encouraging towards Adam. The topic of the Fundraiser came up. Mom wanted me to stay the night with them so we could go down together. "Oh, that won't be necessary. Bill and I will drive down together." I felt like it was now or never.

Dad looked confused. "Bill Russo?" She didn't tell him.

Acting like it's not a big deal, "Your detail was covering security that night so Bill was free to be my date. Didn't mom tell you? I called her on Monday."

"This week has been so busy. There might not be room on the guest list."

Laughing to cover my anger, "Sure there is! Adam and his folk were added on this afternoon, what's one more?"

Everyone at the table knows me too well to believe my laughter. This is a standoff against my mother. Adam sees my white knuckled fist clenched in my lap. "I'm sure it'll be fine. I haven't had a chance to check in with my folks." He reaches under the table to rest his hand on my fist. "They could have plans scheduled already." I relax my hand and Adam pats it before removing his. He's such a good man...but for some other lucky girl.

After dinner, I shot off a text to Billy and he said he's on his way. Adam declined a ride with my folks and grabbed an Uber home saying he'll see us on Saturday. I gave him a hug and thanked him for earlier. Once Adam leaves, "Whats going on with you and Russo?"

"Nothing, but not for my lack of trying."

"Juliet!" The Senator gives his daughter an exasperated look.

I laugh at my Dad, "I really like him. He's an amazing man. You know this. You had him and Anvil vetted. He understands where I came from. He was at Ray of Hope, too. He wasn't fortunate enough to get adopted. You get nothing when you age out if the system. All his success was done on his own. You have to admire a man for that." Dad nods in agreement. "I want him to join us on Saturday but he won't without your 'ok', since you hired him and I'm still technically his job."

Mother decides to chime in and she only angers me more. "It seems opportunistic. You're vulnerable and depend on him to keep you safe."

"What?! What exactly is the opportunity?"

"Jules. Chris."

I see Bill walk in and he stands to the side when he sees I'm still talking with my family. He's casually dressed in t-shirt, jeans and leather jacket. He blends back with the rest of security.

I fling my bag over my shoulder, "And that stunt you pulled with Adam tonight? Don't you ever do that to me again."

I walk over towards Bill, "Hey, all set?" He looks over my shoulder and straighten, "Senator Ellis. Mrs. Ellis. Good Evening."

Dad has his hand out & Billy shakes it, "Thank you for handling everything at the Precinct for Jules earlier this week."

"Of course, sir."

"Juliet tells me you'll be joining us this Saturday?"

Billy's eyes dart to me quickly, "Yes, sir."

"Great. I appreciate the support." Dad leans in to kiss me on the cheek but I go in for a hug to convey my thanks. "Get her home safe." Bill smiles and nods.

Dad ushers Mom outside where their driver is waiting. I look for Bill's driver but he leads me over to his fancy sports car. "Look at you & your sexy car."

Shaking his head, "Shut up and get in." He makes sure I'm belted in before shutting the door and getting into the drivers seat.

"How'd dinner go?"

"Dinner went well. Adam caught on pretty quick that mom was playing games. He's a good guy. It was nice catching up with him."

"If he was so great, why did you break up with him?" Bill doesn't look at me. Whether on purpose or because he's concentrating on driving, I don't know.

"Because I liked him. I didn't want him." I notice a small smirk appear, "He wasn't you, Billy Mine."

******

Bill gets me home and does a quick sweep of the apartment, making sure I'm safe. I know I'm supposed to stay by the door until he's done but I follow him into my bedroom. He rolls his eyes and before he can lecture me I pull the sweater I'm wearing over my head and toss it on a chair, "You're off the clock."

"Juliet." My name comes out a little strained, which makes me smile. I watch him swallow, his adams apple bobbing. I slowly unbutton my slacks and let them fall to the floor. He hasn't stoped me and he continues to stare. I'm left in matching black lace bra and thong. His eyes meet mine and he narrows his eyes at me. "Come. Here."

How does he do that with his voice? I have to fight the urge to obey. Instead I crook my finger at him. He grins and gives in to a soft chuckle. "It will not go well for you if you make me come to you, sweet girl."

I smile at his challenge and notch my chin up a bit. "Do your worst, Russo". That may have been a mistake.

The speed in which Billy came at me, made my heart jump. He barreled into me, grabbing me by the base of my skull forcing me up on tiptoes & against the wall. Pinned by his body, I stare at Billy losing myself in his dark gaze. "Fuck." His strength and power excited me. This was not my sweet protective Billy. He kisses me, tongue teasing mine. He parts my legs with his thigh, pressed up against me and I moan. I didn't mean to, but the feel of him against me was too sweet.

I push his jacket off his shoulders & he releases me for a second to rid himself of his jacket, his weapons & tshirt, tossing them on the chair. His hands return to cradle my face. My lips feel bee-stung from his kisses and his beard. His hands bury themselves in my hair, fingers tightening, keeping me still while he trails small kiss from my forehead to my temple. The scruff from his beard tickles my cheek as he whispers, "Breathe, sweetheart."

I released a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. I nervously laugh and Billy gives me a cocky smile. With my palms on his chest, I nudge him back towards my bed. I shyly look up at him through my lashes & his smile widens. As we get closer to my bed, I hook my ankle around his, swiping his ankle in & across his body, making him lose his balance. I shove, but angle him so he's sure to fall on my bed. I enjoy the look of surprise on his handsome face. He props himself up on his elbows looking up at me, shaking his head.

"May I?" He smiles and tilts his head at me. I lean over him, working his belt buckle loose, unbuttoning his jeans & lowering his zipper. I can't help but drop kisses on his belly. There's a scar on his hip that looks like a bullet wound, I kiss it. Hating the thought that Billy was shot. I kneel on the floor to remove his boots & Bill sits up to watch me. I know he likes seeing me kneel before him. I didn't think his eyes could get any darker but they do. Again, I feel his hand on my head, stroking my hair. I look up at him, nervously biting my lip. Billy reaches out & brushes my lip with his thumb. I reach out with my tongue to lick at it & capture it in my mouth. I suck hard on it & I hear Billy hiss. I release his thumb & tug on his jeans. "Off....please."

He obeys without question. He jeans & boxers get thrown on the floor. Everything about this man is beautiful. I cup his balls in one hand as I let my tongue follow the vein on the underside of his cock. His groan gives me all the power I needed to open my mouth.

As his cock fills my mouth, I close my eyes and relish the taste of him. Smooth like velvet. I cup his balls and roll them in my hand, sucking gently to give him as much pleasure as I possibly can. I hear his breath come in pants & it encourages me to be bolder & suck harder, moving him in and out of my mouth. Back & forth, sucking, licking and teasing. "Jules, if you don't stop, this is going to end much quicker than we'd like."

I pull off him with a pop. I smile, while pumping his cock with my hands. "We have all night, Billy Mine."

I continue to tease & pleasure him. He fists his hand in my hair, guiding my head, thrusting into my throat. I moan around his cock & his fist tightens. He moans low, " Fuck" & comes hard. I suck and swallow, finishing him with perfection, sucking every last drop.

He pulls me up to straddle his lap. His arms wrap around me keeping my body flushed against him, as he kisses me, his tongue delving into my mouth, teasing me. Making me grind down on his lap. I feel so needy for him. "So fucking perfect, baby." He unclasps my bra, bending to flick my hardened nipple with his tongue. He sucks hard while fondling my other breast in his hand. He turns, rolling me beneath him on the bed and I welcome his weight. He starts to kiss down my body, leaving an occasional mark. He removes my thong, placing kisses on my inner thigh, spreading my legs.

His mouth hits my pussy, ripping a scream from my lips. He sucks and nips at me. Sliding his fingers into me, preparing me for his cock. He reaches deep and curls his fingers, rubbing hard against my g-spot. My fingers fist into my bedsheets. He sucks hard on my clit, teasing me with his tongue & torturing me with his fingers. His other arm is braced against my hips keeping me still for him. I cry out to him, "Please, Billy."

"You beg so prettily, baby." He eases up the bed to kiss me, his fingers still working their magic. This thumb working my clit. I can taste myself on his lips.

"Please, I need you inside me." HIs fingers slow to a leisurely pace & I sink my nails into his shoulders. "Bill, no." He laughs at me.

"Condom?"

I squeeze out from under him to slide over the drawer of my nightstand. Once I have the foil packet, I feel Bill's hands around my ankles jerking me back to him. He captures my mouth in a kiss, my hands sinking into his hair tilting his head to deepen my kiss. He rolls the condom on, pushing into the kiss until my back is on the bed again.

Bill reaches between our bodies to line up his cock with my pussy & sinks into me. "Billy." The fullness and the stretch of him has me tearing up. I've love this man for as long as i can remember and he's finally mine. I'm overwhelmed. I wrap my arms around him holding him to me.

"Aw fuck, sweetheart." Bill's face is buried in the crook of my neck, nibbling and sucking. His hands stroking my hips, soothing me, keeping himself still, giving me time to adjust to the feel of him. He pulls almost completely out & thrusts back into me, bracing himself on his elbows, he notices my tears. I feel him ready to pull out so I bring my hands down to his lower back & hold him there. "Did I hurt you?"

"No, this is perfect. I've wanted you for...so long." He leans down & kisses my tears, taking the salty bits of my pain. He kisses my mouth & I can taste my tears on him. I lift my hips impatiently & I feel a smile in his kiss. I push & he lets me roll him over so I can have him beneath me. Riding him feels so good and my hips start moving of their own accord, rocking over his huge, hard cock. I tip my pelvis forward so my clit grinds on him, rubbing harder & faster.

His lips peel back from his teeth, eyes squeezed shut. I watch him pant, breath in and out. I love knowing I affect him this much. I slide up and down faster, my tits bouncing over his chest, taking him deeper. "Fuck, baby. FUCK," he roars. His face contorts, he yanks me over his cock, up & down, and then he shouts, his hips lifting off the bed, carrying me with him, even as he holds me to angle deeper than i thought possible.

I cry out, too, muscles contracting around his cock, milking him for all its worth in a pumping motion beyond my control. Out of breath, trembling, I fall down over him, molding my body to his, nuzzling his neck.

He wraps his arms around me, holding me to him tightly. "Kiss me, baby." I turn my head and he captures my mouth, kissing me aggressively, letting me feel teeth & tongue, owning me.

@idaofinfinity @imagine-a-fictional-boyfriend @e-dubbc11 @jvanilly @russosafehaven @snowkestrel @celestialams @bustlingcrowdsxorxsilentsleepers @terry2227

#billy russo #billy russo fanfic #billy russo imagine #billy mine x bunny girl #billy mine #billy russo fanfiction #billy russo smut

[nicksolemnlyswears]

Hii there, I just want to share some toughts with someone who is equally delighted with Han as I am. Here I was rewatching Tokyo Drift since I have such a soft spot for this movie, specially Han in it, and I think besides his likeable cool and collected persona, there is a dark side of him that is often unnoticed by many, I mean, the man turned Tokyo into his own personal playground and laughted at the face of the Yakuza and playing it and Takashi like a violin, it requeries a HUGE amount of balls and boldness to do this (we can also credit that to the "all or nothing" posture/mentality as a reflex to Gisele's "death"), and he can also be very egoisticaly manipulative and keep secrets (lies), you can see by the way Takashi was so angry with him, bc he believed Han was his friend and he could trust him, he is a "chamaleon", and the fact that he decieved and lied about his death for all those years to Dom and the crew, yeah he had a legitimate reason to do it (protect his adoptive daughter) but still show he can do it even to the people that loves him, ALSO, lets not forget in the 6th movie when Giseles "dies", he gets so angry that he mauls the face of a goon untill he is bloody red and literally throws his entire body in the turbine of a plane, which shows that when if comes to the extreme that man can go WILD (even physically), and damn, it shows how rich his character can be and I wish he was more fully explored before, can you imagine an spin off from his Tokyo days or early years?! Ok, end of my rant 😅

i took your rant to another level. please enjoy my deep dive.

you are completely right. han does have a super dark side and i often fall victim of ignoring it. his character is structured in a way that both the people in the movies and the audience fall for his calm and collected persona.

if we go all the way back to the beginning han's character comes from the movie 'better luck tomorrow' where he's essentially a little thug from california who had a smoking problem and stole computer parts to sell. in the end of the movie he and his friends took part in killing a kid and end up burying him in a backyard.

that aside he was a teenager when this happens, shit happens when you are a teenager and usually you learn from it and move on. except next time we see han is in tokyo drift (with about 4 f&f movies that haven't been released). i think it's safe to say he did not move on from it but evolved.

now technically speaking this evolving happened because to adapt this character to the f&f franchise he had to be more likable and chill and not seem like an amateur in order for him to blend in with the toretto crew. in other words he had to have useful qualities and a 'heart of gold'. i'm pretty sure had he been the same as 'blt' he wouldn't have been as well received in the gang.

that gap of him evolving is hidden from us because of the time jump from 'blt' and the dominican republic (which is where he makes his first appearance chronologically). i'm guessing he kept being a thug, jumped from place to place, grew and learned his chameleon ways, (it would be so interesting to see if it's something he developed himself or if someone taught him) and committed a crime that made him run from the country.

it's like you said he's a chameleon and he does it too well. he gets along well with the toretto crew but he also had a whole lot of fun in tokyo with takashi and the yakusa. for fucks sake he owned a club.

'you make choices and you don't look back' is his motto. that's something that someone who's fucked up many times in the past would say.

his chameleon persona is the reason he and gisele got along so well. they are the same. she uses her assets to win and get her way much like he does. in fast five and that other movie with shaw's brother we see gisele using her flirtiness to get info and han doesn't mind one bit because he understand. (not to mention it benefits him in f5 because of the $ in the other one to get his freedom back). which leads to my other point.

he is egotistical! he lives in a world where he needs to constantly watch out for himself and he takes it a step further by putting himself in dangerous situations. purposely! with most of the toretto missions he has something to gain. yes, those are his friends but most importantly they are partners in crime.

gisele and han. they loved each other. i'm not taking that away from them. it's completely reasonable for han to mourn her and beat the guy to death. but also he's so upset because he lost the other person that understood him in that deeper level. we don't know much about their relationship but if he was going to show his true colors to anyone, his whole self, it would've been gisele.

i agree with you that the reason he adapted that 'all or nothing' mentality was due to gisele's death. people react different to a loved ones death. it can explain this regression he did to more dangerous endeavors in tokyo drift. even though gisele didn't even exist in the creators mind. im taking creative liberty here to give han more depth lol.

while he did lie about his death lets not forget he let dom know he was alive with the postcard. i want to believe the whole elle deal kinda gave him a wake up call for all he did in tokyo. he remembered he once wanted to settle down with gisele and maybe taking care of elle made that dream a version of his reality. just because gisele is gone doesn't mean he can't slow down and take it easy.

bottom line, han is not the saint he appears to be. he's dangerous and impulsive and manipulative and egotistical. but it doesn't necessarily mean he's a bad guy. he also shows a lot of good qualities throughout the movies but i'm not getting into them or i'll be here forever.

han lue (seoul-oh) is one of the best well developed and interesting characters in F&F whether is was on purpose or not. i quite like there's mystery behind him.

they always say to watch out for the quiet ones and i agree.

#han lue #fast and furious #fast & furious #han seoul oh

[artistcaptainbendy]

I see that you have alot of Captain Underpants aus, so if you don't mind, can you tell me about all of them and the differences between them and canon.

Hey sorry for taking a while to reply.

I can't really remember everything AU I made but I'll try my best.

Let's start with what I think was the first one, smartypants Au. It's basically what happens when instead of the boys making krupp, the captain, it was Melvin. Of course the biggest difference here is that krupp is the silly one and the captain is the smart one. Melvin was tried of how dumb krupp was and so taught him a lot of info to try and make him smart (by editing the boys comics), when that didn't work he hypothesis him and made him captain smartypants. Now at first I was going to have SP!Krupp's chaotic nature just be something he does, but later on I decided to have it be his part cosmic chaos demon because it sounds funny, so now he has a reason to be chaotic he needs it to live. Now I believe almost everything I've drawn is technically Canon, sp can travel to other Aus and interact with other krupps so stuff like that happens.

Now let's go to Bendypants au. Just what happens when I take a horror game and blend it with the CU universe. George and Harold being joey and Henry, Melvin is sammy, krupp is boris, edith is Alice, of the star of the show himself! Captain underpants is bendy. Now some relationships I had to change for the characters but the story is basically the same. Now what I say isn't Canon is of course any of the funny side things I draw like them celebrating holidays together or when they all went to space or anything that happens with Beetlejuice. Its more of its own side au where it's the same characters but different vibes. AU BP is different from persona BP with is me even if I use some of the same story beats. Now I'm realizing I've drawn more things for the silly side au then the official one hahaha.

Side timeline au time. Criminal SP krupp, if what happened to sp in high school made him a worse person instead of better and he became a Criminal. He uses his chaotic powers to steal and rob places, one day after saving two teens, they wanted to join him. At first he wanted nothing to do with them but after a while he finally let them be his crew. Now I haven't drawn much for this one but most of it is Canon. Even the silly.

Imaginary friend AU. Again not much drawn for this one so all is Canon. But it's what if the OG, PP, and SP captains were Imaginary friends to their krupps who are kids. I still have no explanation as to how there are three krupps but eh.

Sp jekyll and hyde AU. Same story as the play version but with some changes, so I guess not that similar. But instead of murder it's pranks, and smarty doesn't cheat on edith. George and Harold are two orphans who hyde SP took and smarty decided to adopt. Now I'm not sure what to have not Canon so that's up in the air.

Vampire SP. Gosh there are lot of sp krupps. Ok it's sp but Vampire and smarty is his twin brother who somehow is a werewolf. Sp doesn't want to drink blood but has to so he doesn't go crazy, so his former caretaker works at a blood bank and sneaks him some "food". He had a girlfriend 100s of years ago and now has found a woman who looks a lot like her, this being Edtih. Hmm everything Canon, even when helped fight Beetlejuice.

And lastly (because I might of forgotten the other aus I might have) is the lumberjack Au! Krupp is a lumberjack......that is all (jk). His a lumberjack that lives in the woods in a small cabin, people thought he was some odd creature till the boys found him and saw he was just a lumberjack who might have been in the woods for too long. They befriend him and now once in while hang out with him. Now this more of a cozy au nothing too crazy happens in it, there might be sometimes when it does, like when krupp upsets the sprite of the woods, but hey who doesn't do that. Not much art for it yet but mostly all Canon, and the side horror thing with him as the protagonist is separated. But I'll leave you with a fun fact.....in this universe lumberjack krupp's parents are actually the smartest people in the world, like world class scientists levels, and he doesn't like talking about them and hopes no one realizes his their son.

What? I can't make a krupp who doesn't have issues it's impossible! Make a character who's just happy with life and has no worries ? Never!

#captain underpants #smartypants au #bendypants au #jekyll and hyde au #vampire au #imaginary au #lumberjack krupp #criminal sp krupp

[youngjustus]

raven’s name has technically been rachel roth for 20 years too but im not fucking calling her that lmao…idk for me it’s partially 1) fuck johns and the way he sought to completely change kon’s character and spit in the face of all his prior development just to make his stupid fan theory canon 2) having a character go from going by kon to conner is like going from tim to timothy. why make it longer, yfeel? and 3) 50% of the people who call him conner misspell it as connor, which would be fine (annoying, but ultimately harmless) except dc already has a connor, and i’m vehemently against dc’s inability to come up with an original name for any of their characters. hashtag team jon should’ve been given literally any other name bc there’s already like 6 jonathan kents

i know there is a lot to criticize about johns's run, but i honestly don't find a lot of things with what he did with conner leading up to his death in infinite crisis in terms of characterization to be out of character. although, full disclosure, i haven't revisited teen titans vol. 3 in [checks calendar] 7 years, so there might be some gaps in my memory.

i like that he's getting used to having an actual structured life with going to school and living in a house with parents that care about him. he's also still dealing with the aftermath of the finale of his solo series and graduation day! he's adjusting! it would be normal for him to feel weird and off. this is a post that i made a few years ago with a good addition from another user that puts this well.

however, i do generally dislike the luthor reveal because of how many stories that came after for conner have so heavily focused on it, when a) we already did something similar in the 90's with his original backstory and b) it contributes to one of the most annoying fan discourses i've had to see for my entire comics reading experience regarding superman being a 'dead beat dad'. unfortunately, at this point, it is a part of canon that is ingrained in too many fans and writers' heads, and is tied into too many plot lines for them to go away with it. such is the nature of a shared intellectual property! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

i think i'm probably misreading what you're saying, but kon isn't short for conner, and i don't think tim's full name is a good comparison. they’re two separate names. i've posted about the origin's of the name kon-el a few times over the years, and i even have the issue where he receives it in my personal comic collection. it is a very important part of the character's history, and a good thing to point to when people doubt the positive relationship between conner and superman. the name is one with real history, and it is a gift!

this is where my own headcanons and speculation comes in: it makes the most amount of sense to me that conner is a name that he specifically chose himself when he was adopted by the kents.

if somehow i missed a random issue of superman or action comics from between when his superboy series was canceled to him showing up in teen titans that gives an origin to the civilian name conner kent, or even just an interview with the creatives discussing the issue the name first shows up in, please send it my way!

if such a comic or interview does not exist, and if i ever had the chance to write the character, this is 100% something i'd like to explore. i have my own ideas that i've thought about a lot over the years (and even a middle name picked, too).

i also think that there are much bigger problems with dc comics than a few characters sharing a first name. like a lot more problems.

conner is his name as much as it is kon, and it's not wrong to call him it in the way that it's not wrong to refer to superman as clark or kal. the comparison at the start of this ask to raven is interesting, but i think the key difference there is that rachel roth feels like a regression (she's deaged and put in high school) and to me conner kent is further growth (being with the family that wants him in their lives).

#asks #super posting #conner kent #kon el

[elliewiltarwyn]

21!!

"21. Are there any raid storylines (Ivalice, Coil of Bahamut, Werlyt, etc.) you consider to be canon for your WoL? Which ones don't you consider canon?"

oh i love this one, thank you :D The raids are some of my favorite FFXIV content so I love figuring out which ones my three WoLs would connect with and what personal twists they have.

My technical answer is that I think all the raids are canon for my three WoLs in some way, but only particular ones are personally meaningful for them (...most of them the later-game ones because I haven't figured out the earlier ones yet >.>). Because, as expected, this got long, the rest is down below:

Ellie largely does Coils of Bahamut on her own, growing close with Alisaie and developing their nascent friendship slash rivalry in the process. It's seeing how much Louisoix meant to the two of them and what the Leveilleurs have already sacrificed for Eorzea that convinces Ellie to go a little easier on Alphinaud and start accepting Alisaie as a friend despite her original standoffishness. In Alphinaud's case, she held a relatively dim view of him before, having dealt with his smug know-it-all attitude during ARR MSQ, and watching him dig his own grave with the Crystal Braves; if it weren't for this raid and realizing he was aiming to live up to Louisoix, she might have blamed him entirely for the bloody banquet instead of realizing how much it devastated him too. With Alisaie... Ellie hates the rivalry she shared with Mia during the events of ARR, seeing it as stupid and ultimately pointless, only aggravating their connections before events like the bloody banquet forced them to get closer and understand each other. That being said, she relishes the opportunity to develop a friendly rivalry based on competitiveness with Alisaie, and discovering that this girl who was so standoffish that she ignored the Scions for all over ARR is up to that task is delightful. (I realize, awkwardly, this doesn't really tie into the events of Coils themselves, oops >.> This is more about how Ellie becomes part of the "you two are my siblings now and if anything happens to you I'll kill everyone in this room and then myself" club for the Leveilleur twins, hehe)

I'm not sure what particular meaning Alexander might hold for them yet, but I do think Ellie, Mia, and Lily are all severely freaked out when they realize that during the final battle they closed a time loop and saved their past selves from getting blasted by Quickthinx, and Lily can be heard for weeks afterward muttering "time is flat roundshape" to herself.

Mia, as a former Garlean citizen whose parents threw her out when her sympathies for Eorzean "savages" was discovered...ends up very pissed off by the events of Sorrow of Werlyt, at least initially. On some level, she accepts that Gaius isn't remotely the same man that threatened the new home she had made back in ARR; however, the apparent leniency with which the Alliance treats him, especially as it grows clearer and clearer how his adoptive children are piloting the Weapons and are throwing themselves on the pyre for what used to be his ideals, infuriates her more and more. It comes to a head when he's granted a commander role of the Werlyt militia; she rails and tears into him, furious that he's been rewarded even as his past crimes caught up with him and everyone else, that he receives prestige and respect even as his children die fruitlessly because of him...while she was cast out, rejected, and forced to work her way back up, despite also turning her back on Garlemald and having steadfastly never stood at the head of a colonizing legion. All the rage drains out of her when Gaius just takes in everything she says and completely agrees with her, that he himself is ashamed and disgusted by what he's done and feels he has no right to everything the Alliance has given him, and she finally recognizes how much he has changed; he swears to her that he'll work to atone for everything he's done from invasion to the ideals impressed upon his children, and asks her to hold him accountable for such; she begrudgingly agrees, while slowly coming to terms with how their situations are different, even though they're both expatriates from Garlemald. (She sort of went through a similar thing with Cid way back when they first met, but then, as far as she knew, Cid wasn't responsible for massive war crimes.)

Eden is vastly important to both Ellie and Lily; Ellie has wrestled with grief over losing Minfilia for years, and thus was initially extremely cold to Ryne. She slowly defrosted over the course of their journey through Il Mheg and realized she had to separate the two in her mind, that she (and Thancred) were treating her unfairly; following that reversal, she almost slightly overcompensates in showering Ryne with affection. So when a cute goth girl suddenly interrupts their mission with Eden and Ryne both wishes to push forward with said mission and get closer with said cute goth girl, Ellie is in the front seat waving the banner of the Ryne/Gaia ship. Maybe a little too hard, and a small rift opens between her and Ryne; she ends up needing to learn to step back and let them fall for each other naturally, and more importantly to simply trust Ryne on her own terms.

Lily is also a big cheerleader for the ship, but from an entirely different angle, and she can't initially explain why she feels so strongly about it. It's not until Mitron reveals himself when she realizes: she feels the exact same way towards Gaia that he does. except she knows what it's like to be with an abusive and controlling partner, and so she hopes that were she in Mitron's position, she'd realize how easy it'd be for those feelings to turn toxic, hateful, and dangerous, and how important it is to move on and process those feelings safely without hurting the ones you care about. She does realize she has a bit of an unfair advantage on him...because their souls resonate, and she notices she's a more complete part of their original soul than he is. It's here that she figures out that she is the original Mitron (or rather Artemis)'s shard of the Source, as the one they face is of the First. She leads the charge for the Eden's Promise tier, because she not only fights to free Gaia from Mitron's abusiveness; she wants to come to terms with her/himself and teach the other version of her how to move on. She might end up recombining with him as Ellie does with Ardbert but I'm not sure yet.

#long post #ffxiv #wol questions #ask games #uhhh i feel like i should put some more tags. ummm #ffxiv spoilers #sorrow of werlyt #ffxiv eden #...maybe hot takes about certain optional questlines in ffxiv? idk lol #apologies for the long read but well these are definitely things i have thought long and hard about lol #thanks for the ask! #...also I feel like I may have actually already posted about Lily's connection to Mitron. or at least put it in the tags somewhere. #but oh well slightly expanding on that and maybe pushing me to actually WRITE IT some day lol

[shop-cailey]

MY - REGISTERED - USA - BIRTHDAY - LIKE - 'CINDERELLA' -

ENGLISH - ACTRESS - 05 APRIL - ANTHONY - KOREAN - OF -

ASIAN-MART - HIS - BRO - DECIDES - WHO - WORKS THERE -

ANTHONY - VERY - TALL - 6'3 FT - NOW - MORNINGS - FAT -

UGLY - SPANISH - SPEAKING - LONG - HAIR - REALLY - FAT -

HEADS - NIGHT - UNTIL - 9P EDT - NOW - DIDN'T - BUY -

ANYTHING - FR - HER - LOST - MY - APETITE - WHEN U -

NEED - POOP - 4 - YOUR - FAMILY - DOCTOR - 2 - PUT -

IN - PAPER - USING - THEIR - USA - CHOPSTICK - JUST -

A - LITTLE - FR - JUST - HEAD - 2 - LITTLE - HAVANA's -

ASIAN-MART - THE - ( - ) - MAKES - THEM - KOREANS -

LIKE - NAIL - SALONS - OLDER - BRO - OWNS - THIS -

STORE - UNEVEN - FLOORS - QUITE - TECHNICALLY -

ILLEGAL - MORE - EXPENSIVE - THAN - PUBLIX - ITS -

SAD - NEXT - DAY - POOP - COMES - IN - MORNING -

PRODUCT - OF - USA

ASSI - BEEF - DUMPLINGS

ESTIMATING - 7 MIN - MAYBE 6.5 MIN - MICROWAVE -

THAT's - BAR - $0.50 - U - GET - FREE - CHOPSTICKS -

DIDN'T - WANT - 2 - GIVE - $0.75 - NON-MICROWAVE -

ABLE - MEDIUM - TUB - BECAUSE - PHILIPPINES -

USES - THEIR - HANDS - USE - IT - GET - FOOD FR -

BAG - OPEN - BAG - IN - MICROWAVE - TOLD HIM -

THOUGHT - IT - WAS - ANTHONY - BUT - SHORTER -

HAIR - WHO - HAS - PERM - ON - HEAD - BUT - AS -

PARTIALLY - BLIND - HE - BECAME - SHORTER -

THEN - I - TOLD - DUDE - THAT - I - DON'T NEED -

TUB - 4 - MICROWAVE - I - PUT - WHAT - I - YES -

HEATED - THEN - TRANSFER - THERE - THEN - I -

PUT - SOY - SAUCE - AND - MARUKAN - ORGANIC -

APPLE - CIDER - VINEGAR - $7.99 - REFRIGERATE -

NOT - NEEDED - (BROUGHT - GARLIC SALT 0 CAL) -

NEVER - GOING - BACK - THERE - ANYMORE FOR -

I'M - NOT - RENEWING - PLANET - FITNESS SINCE -

I - STARTED - LAST - YEAR - ON - MAY - 2022 - YES -

GOING - BACK - 2 - WHERE - I - WAS - SLEEPING -

SW 7 AVE - AND - SW 8 ST - 2 MALE - CATS - AS 1 -

RETURNED - TWICE - SAW - 12:04A - 12:40A EDT -

2A - YELLOWISH - CAT - 2:23A - SAW - BOTH AND -

MAYBE - SOMEONE - ADOPTED - LITTLE - MALE -

KITTEN - WHO - I - MET - FIRST - SLEPT - IN - YES -

FRONT - TOP - OF - MY - CALVIN KLEIN - DUFFLE -

BAG - WITH - WHEELS - BUT - AFTER - NEEDED 2 -

POOP - OR - NO 1 - SLEPT - ON - GRASS - NEAR -

ME - WOKE UP - AFTER - HEARING MY WHEELS -

5:35A - HAVEN'T - SEEN - SINCE - SAW - 2 DAYS -

NOT - CONSECUTIVE - MISS - LITTLE - CUTIE -

MEOW - MIX - SMALL - CONTAINERS - SAUCE -

GRAVY - SEAFOOD - SELECTION - THEIR YES -

BEST - DON'T FEED - CATS - HENS - EVER -

CHICKEN - THEY'LL - GRAB - HENS - TRUE -

ON THE - NECK - 2 - HAVE CHICKEN SUSHI -

EVEN - RACHEL RAY - HAS - CHICKEN -

BAD - BAD - BAD

YES - ON - BEEF - FROM - CATTLE

THEY - WOULDN'T - DARE - EAT XO

EVEN - 1 CATTLE - ALIVE & - MEAN

TRIP.com - SHERATON WAIKIKI - OUTSTANDING

SHOPS - BELOW - AND - NEAR - HONOLULU's

WAIKIKI - SHOPPING - PLAZA - TANAKA - OF

TOKYO - THEIR - BEST - 3 CHOICES - SO - I'M

GOING - SHERATON - NO - FREE BREAKFAST

SINCE - WALT DISNEY WORLD - NEW ILLEGAL

POLICY - EVERY - 24 HRS - INSPECTING YOUR

ROOM - WHILE - SLEEPING - SHOWERING - AS

THEY - BANG - ON - YOUR - DOOR - KEEP THE

BATHROOMS - OPEN - AS - U - SHOWER - FOR

BIBLE - 'WEALTH - DESTROYS - A - FOOL' - SO -

DISNEY - CRUISES - INSTEAD - CRUISES - AND -

OAHU - HAWAII - HOTELS - OTHER - US STATES -

HONOLULU - 4.5 % - TAXES - LARGEST - NO OF -

RESIDENTS - OF - HAWAII - AVOID - THE - BIG -

ISLAND - OF - HAWAII - THEY'RE - DEPRESSED -

NOT - QUALIFIED - 4 - TOURISM - AND - DO XO -

GO - 4 - TAHITIAN - DANCE - FR - TAHITI - THE -

HAWAIIAN - DANCE - WHEN - U - WANT - 2 YES -

SLEEP - CHEAP - LUAU's - ALL - U - CAN - EAT -

AND - TAHITIAN - THEY - ASK - U 2 - NET YES -

LOTS - OF - SMALL - BEAUTIFUL - FISHES - 2 -

MURDER - THEM - WHEN - BUFFET - ALREADY -

HAS - MEATS - BEEF - SUSHI - FISH AND MORE -

BAD - LUAU's - YOU - ARE - ASKED - 2 - MURDER -

SMALL - BEAUTIFUL - FISHES - OR - TOLD - DO -

NOT - EAT - JUST - LEAVE - AND - GET - A - YES -

LYFT - NOT - UBER - OR - WALK - 2 - HOTEL - AT -

CONCIERGE - ASK - 4 - MONEY - BACK - WELL -

MY - AGE 59 - BIRTHDAY - CELEBRATING - YES -

IN - HAWAII - OAHU - INSTEAD - LEARNING - TO -

SCUBA - DIVE - AGAIN - AND - BASIC - SURFING

[princess-of-the-corner]

Any OC Pro-Heroes you have planned for the Sports Festivel Chapter?

lmao love how I got questions on the OCs immediately!

I don't have any Pro-Hero OCs planned. I tend to end up making OCs based on need for the story rather than 'just for kicks'(even if I get too attached for the ones that I do make), and so far I haven't needed a situation where there wasn't Canon Pro Hero that could it my needs.

I do plan on having a post-Sports Festival chapter that features Sky High, Nyoom, and Lunacy a bit more! Because I love them.

As for other new OCs....

In CC directly there is one.... /technically/ Canon but also an OC? Eh fuck being vague. I'm going with my 'what if Dark Shadow is an actual person' plotline. So while Dark Shadow is Canon, her personality as a character in her own right is pretty blank slate for me to do whatever I want with and she becomes an OC.

Now. For 'not quite directly Chaos Children but within the same continuity' OCs:

I keep having vague plans about the 'Todoroki Protection Program' thing. There's a OC I have similarly vague thoughts about which can be summed up with 'local man just wants to finish med school, but will do a lot of things if his crush asks him to(even if he quickly realizes he is in way over his head)'.

Next, I was joking about the nextgen stuff so I may be planning some of that. I'm still hammering out the ships other than my main quintet, so I've only focused on their kids. I have two adopted kids planned for them, and one bio kid so far.

The adopted kids are a pair of twins named Umi and Miku. Umi's Quirk is 'Mermaid' which gives her some fishy features. Miku's is currently unnamed but it is going to be Time Travel. Yeah it's. It's complicated. Does tie into that other plot idea with Time Travel though.

I don't have solid plans for the bio kid because I need to plan out which of the others are the 'father' in this situation. Because unless the child is just a copy of Ochako, then the other parent will factor in to their features and Quirk.

[song-of-the-rune]

Since I am presently waiting on laundry, here's Xylluna's relationships with various NPCs, in no particular order.

Ancients

Hades: Extremely conflicted. Their love was strong enough to be burned into both of their aether and last across lifetimes... But at the same time, this is late emperor Solus. He also worked to destroy the reflections. He did a lot of heinous things, and especially with the Lopprrits' explanation of tempering, Xylluna won't ever quite be able to forgive him despite their attraction to him. They occasionally seek him out in secret, but there's a good deal of guilt mixed in.

Hyth: Mostly amicable, but they find it hard to understand how Hyth can forgive Hades so easily. This prevents them from being able to be genuinely close with him, but Xylluna does mostly enjoy his presence as long as the conversation stays casual or purely intellectual.

Scions (Living)

Hydaelyn: "I appreciate your blessing, and you did what you had to do," but Hydaelyn is otherwise too... unapproachable. They're more likely to ask the Twelve for guidance, truth be told.

Krile: She's cool. Would like to spend more time befriending her. They haven't spent much time together as Krile is typically playing a support role.

Urianger: Put them in a room together and no one else will get a word in. Urianger has you covered on the flowery speech, and Xylluna can fill in all the technical details. They get along like a house on fire, except the house is a library, the books are all audiobooks, and they're all playing at once. When no one else is around, they have no trouble diving into deep conversations about pretty much anything. Xylluna has some unrequited, low-lying attraction for him, but it doesn't result in any real tension.

Thancred: Very close friends, sometimes with benefits. Coordinate a lot on research tasks. If Xylluna is isolating themself, Thancred is usually the first to check in on them and make sure they haven't been stuck in their own headspace for too long. He's one of their main confidants.

Y'shtola: They work together really well professionally and are pretty friendly. Xylluna has a bit of a crush on her, but she sees them more as a family-type figure, so it never goes anywhere. Xylluna often sends letters back to Runar on Shtola's behalf.

Alisaie & Alphinaud: Adopted them informally the moment they joined the Scions (or perhaps even a bit before). Would die for either of them.

"Yda"/Lyse: Fought side-by-side too many times to count and always look forward to having her there next time it has to happen. They're that certain kind of friend who you don't talk to much, but they'll travel halfway across the world for you. As long as the solution involves punching things. (It will somehow involve punching things -- just perhaps those things will be training dummies.)

Tataru: Let's be real, Tataru is the mother hen of all the Scions. You can't not be friends with Tataru. Xylluna is constantly getting little handmade things from her, and has trouble reciprocating -- not for lack of trying, but because if you try make Tataru some tea she will have you sit down and make it herself.

Estinien: You ever had a close friend you would just silently hang out with for hours? Who didn't need a constant update on what you're doing or how you're feeling, but that was why you felt like you could talk about anything? That's these two.

G'raha Tia: Xylluna is only casually interested in dating him -- does not live up to returning poor Raha's feelings. They've agreed that they are, formally, not dating (to keep Raha from getting his hopes up), but outsiders sometimes think they are as they go on adventures together and are both okay with lots of physical contact (a result of both being Miqo, mostly).

Scions (Deceased)

Papalymo: Xylluna always looked up to Papalymo, and he's ultimately the reason they chose to join the Scions. They spent a lot of time together chatting over food or on cart rides or the like. They were good friends, and his death is never going to stop stinging, even if it's gotten easier.

Minfilia: They were, surprisingly, not all that close. They often only really saw each other in passing, when Minfilia was passing along the next plan for Xylluna to enact.

Ala Mhigo

Fordola: A lot like Xylluna's relationship with Lyse, they're surprisingly close with Fordola. Yes, she's done a lot of bad things, but in Xylluna's eyes she was pressured into that situation and is trying to move past it. They also appreciate that they can ask her for advice on something and know they're going to get a real answer. And Fordola's a fun sparring partner.

Arenvald: Friends. Since he became disabled, he's leaned a lot on Xylluna for emotional support in learning to cope with his disability and some internalized pre-conceptions. They've started meeting regularly for lunch.

The First

Giott: Let's be real, half the time, Giott's just looking for a reason to beat something up, but she will do anything for Xylluna and they'll do anything for her, too. They still grab drinks with some frequency -- and some magnitude. Xylluna's one of the few people Giott can't easily drink under the table.

Ryne: Adopted instantly. Leaving her behind was a difficult decision. Xylluna will drop anything to go take care of Ryne.

Gaia: She can be a little irritating, but she's Ryne's girlfriend so you gotta take care of her too, y'know? And she's a good kid.

Runar: They're fairly friendly, but lately all Runar wants to talk about is Master Matoya, which makes it hard to talk about much.

The Ironworks

Biggs & Wedge: These three have spent way too many nights forgetting to sleep because they were busy with some project. Xylluna isn't quite as inseparable from Biggs and Wedge as they are from each other, but it can get close sometimes. If Xyll has an idea, they're sure to bring it up with these two.

Nero: "What are you doing in my house at 3 a.m. and since when was this thing magitek", but it goes both ways. Nero is the unexpected close friend of my dear warrior of light, and he has seen things none of the Scions will ever know about. This is due in part to both of them lacking the decency to announce their arrival. They both just drop by whenever they need help or to chat about something, and they have a friendly competition going about who can make the most ridiculous, but still useful, magitek contraptions. Nero is, naturally, usually winning.

#ffxiv spoilers #ocposting #ocs.xylluna runesong #ff #ff:xiv

[bitimdrake]

I just want to through my two cents in about calling Steph and Duke (and Babs) Bruce's kids because I feel strongly on the topic. I call them his mentees. Or his students. To me, those designation can signify a strong intergenerational relationship without the implications of friendship or family. I hate when people call Steph and Babs his kids because I think it massively undercuts their canonical relationships with their actual parents. Duke I'm more nebulous on, but I think mentee works best

Yeah that's very valid! Like I said, I have mixed feelings about it, but they do lean more towards the negative.

I'm not going to comment on Duke, since I haven't read his stuff quite yet. (I'm so cloooose. Technically I actually have now read one issue with kid!Duke, but I don't think that really counts for knowing his character.) But for the other two--

Definitely a big part of my problem with it is the way it undercuts Babs' and Steph's actual parents in Jim and Crystal. And considering Crystal especially is so often just forgotten in general...yeah, don't like that.

With Babs, there's also something about it that can feel...kind of infantalizing, I guess? Which is weird to say, because Bruce has multiple adult children, and them being his kids doesn't make them less of adults. But with Barbara, post-Crisis, as Oracle, she felt so much like Bruce's equal--in a way I'd argue even Dick couldn't, because for all Dick is just as good as if not better than Bruce, he is still fundamentally Bruce's son and that dynamic never fully goes away--that it just seems weird for even Bruce to think of her as a pseudo-daughter at that point. Add that to the way Babs has been continually de-aged and treated as ever younger ever since the new 52 and...yeah, Barbara being referred to as Bruce's kid is definitely the one that grates on me the most.

Steph, on the other hand, is the biggest reason my feelings are a little mixed. Because I don't want to see Crystal erased or ignored, and Steph for sure isn't literally Bruce's kid or part of the Wayne family. But there's also...idk, the way that she is a teen, and she was Robin for awhile. And at the best of Steph and Bruce's relationship--which, admittedly, was rare--it felt very similar to Tim and Bruce or Cass and Bruce. Recalling, ofc, that at the time Tim and Cass weren't Bruce's kids either.

Tim and Steph especially could hit real parallels in their relationships with Bruce--whichever one of them Bruce liked at the time would have such a close and important mentor/protege relationship with him, but then still have their own parents at home, and not remotely think of Bruce as their dad. Until, that is, Tim agreed to adoption and that relationship swapped over.

(I do wonder how much the hindsight of knowing they end up adopted makes people act like Tim and Cass were Bruce's kids from the start, because there was a time when there were only parental undertones to a non-parental relationship, if that! There was a time when Tim found the idea of Bruce being his dad hilarious! And if we're remembering that Steph and Babs aren't Bruce's kids--which we should--then we should also remember that there were many years when Tim and Cass weren't either, and it's okay for relationships to change over time. But I digress.)

The other source of mixed feelings is that even though I don't think Babs/Steph think of Bruce as a dad, I think it's feasible that Bruce sometimes thinks of them very close to his own kids. Like, we gotta be real here: this is not an expressive dude who does a lot of fatherly actions, and also this is a man who mostly relates to his kids via vigilante work. So I can see how, to Bruce, the relationships might tread very close to his real parent/child ones--though they don't have to. But either way, that doesn't mean they literally are parent/child.

imo the real biggest problem here is that DC just never has any nuance to it. If Steph/Babs are referred to as Bruce's kids, then they're listed right alongside his actual children, depicted hanging out at the manor, put in the family portraits, etc. And that's...not the relationship they have.

(And tbh goes hand in hand with DC's tendency to play it infuriatingly coy about whether the non-Damian kids have actually been adopted in any given post-Flashpoint continuity, and whether they're Bruce's kids or his "wards"/"proteges"/whatever "only blood relatives count" bullshit we're doing this week.)

If we could have thoughtful moments about how Bruce felt like Barbara was a surrogate daughter when he was training her as Batgirl, but still has a distance he can never get with his actual kids-- Or Bruce and Steph navigating how she (justifiably) kind of resents him and doesn't think of him as a dad and just wants her mom, but he sometimes catches himself lumping her in with his kids-- Or any other twist on that! allowing for some grey area without ignoring who is literal family.

Alas, we don't get that. And I like your phrasing, so mentee/protege/student sounds like the best encapsulation to me in lieu of a longer discussion.

They got their own parents.

#i rambled sorry. but i think there is such interesting story/character/relationship potential here #if only we could get that instead of flattening it to something so much more annoying #ask #anon #dc #* #*dc #batfam #bruce wayne #stephanie brown #barbara gordon #batgirl #robin #dc meta

[weirdoldmanhoho]

Ok my new offers for the character prompt are Greed's underlings (Dolcetto, Roa and Martel), Grandma Pinako and Buccaneer

Oooh more characters I haven't thought a ton about. I'm gonna group the 03 Greed squad together as one though, because I don't have enough thoughts about them individually.

0G Greed Squad

do I like them: they're all great! sometimes a family is a homunculus who ran away from home and 4 chimeras that share a single braincell

good qualities:

they clearly all care about each other

the military used them as human experiments and they ran away and found a way to rebuild their lives into something new and also stayed really positive about what happened to them, that's pretty admirable

they're all so utterly ridiculous. Greed is like hey Roa let me show this kid I'm a homunculus and Roa just BASHES HIS HEAD IN IN FRONT OF A 14 YEAR OLD (how many lives did Greed waste doing stupid stunts like that)

Martel tried to kill Bradley and I think that was very sexy of her

they're like, technically antagonists, but compared to a lot of the other villains they're actually good people, so when they misunderstand Al and think his brother is dead, they all get so concerned like "oh no this poor kid lost his brother, how should we comfort him" like they didn't just LITERALLY kidnap this child and tie him up

(If Ed WAS dead and Bradley hadn't shown up, I'd give them like 3 hours before they just decided to adopt Al into their crew.)

bad qualities:

they enable Greed too much lol. One, no one looked at Greed wanting to be immortal and went "hey, boss, aren't you like...already basically immortal?" or you know "hey, maybe we SHOULDN'T kidnap a 14 year old"

they died and it made me sad :(

favourite episode/etc: every part they're in is great honestly. Dolcetto getting his ass kicked by Al. Roa bashing Greed's face in without thinking. Martel trying to kill Bradley. The part where they tried to use hypnosis to get Al's memories back.

best quote:

Dolcetto: If they hadn't picked me, I would have died anyways. Human or chimera, it doesn't matter in the end. At least I'm alive.

Also

Alphonse: What animal did they combine you with? Dolcetto: Guess. Martel: Just watch. He raises one leg when he pees. Dolcetto: I DO NOT!

head canon:

They were gearing up to adopt Alphonse into the squad I just know it. They looked at this kid who was just like them, without a normal body, unable to live a normal life because of it, and were like yup, he's one of us. If Izumi, Ed, and Bradley hadn't shown up and everything gone to hell, you know we'd be reading about the continued adventures of the Greed squad and their new little brother, Alphonse lol

Pinako

do I like them: I love her a lot

good qualities:

Pinako lost her husband, her son and his wife, watched her good friend leave behind his family only for that family to fall apart, and despite all that loss and grief she stays strong and positive and a steady rock for her grandchild and the two boys she basically adopted as her own grandchildren

She's such a good, staple presence for Winry and Ed and Al and she cares about all of them so much.

The THINGS this woman has had to do because she didn't want children to be forced to do them or do them alone. She went back to the Elric house after the transmutation and cleaned it up and buried the horrifying thing they'd created ALONE so they didn't have to. She stood by Ed's side when he decided to exhume it even though she didn't have to.

She's a voice of reason when people really need it and a kick in the ass when they really need that too. But she also knows when her kids need to be comforted.

She was best friends with an immortal dumbass for roughly 30 years and never told anyone his secret.

bad qualities:

She can be a bit gruff and too harsh.

Not that we see it that much in the series, but I bet she was an absolutely chaotic hellion when she was younger lol. I think she was probably even gruffer and harsher before the years mellowed her out a bit.

favourite episode/etc: When she stands by Ed's side when he exhumes the grave of the thing they created and doesn't leave him no matter how horrifying what's happening is.

brotp: Hohenheim!! I want to know so much more about their friendship. His conscious literally appeared as Pinako in his dreams.

best quote: can't think of one off the top of my head or find a good one, but she's got some great ones

head canon:

She met Hohenheim in a bar fight. She's also definitely the one who latched onto him and started dragging him around because this man couldn't make a friend (outside of the 50000 souls) if his life depended on it.

Buccaneer

do I like them: I do! Don't have very strong feelings on him, but generally like him.

good qualities: he cares about his men a lot

bad qualities: shrugs

favourite episode/etc: when he risked his life to go down into the tunnel and get his men back despite not knowing what was down there and also knowing that he might be sealed in there

brotp: him and Armstrong

best quote: can't think of any

head canon: honestly can't think of any

#ask

[justice4harwin]

Light’s Corruption- Chapter VIII

Summary: With few friends at the Little Palace, Alina must work to win the favour of her fellow grisha and their commander, who makes her feel light headed every time she sees him.

After training in Os Alta for two years, the king grows tired of waiting and demands the Sun Summoner joins a western post near the Fjerdan border along with the rest of The Second Army to test her abilities.

Something happens. Suddenly, Alina wants blood to run down the rivers and those who stand in her and The Darkling’s way will be blinded by her light and swallowed by his shadows.

It won’t be pretty.

Pairing: The DarklingxAlina

Rating: 18+

Do I have a playlist for this story? Yeah

Do I also have a separate bff playlist for Genya and Alina? Duh

Click here for chapter 7 in case you missed it. 

Chapter 8: Alina the Baker

Grisha at the Little Palace had a day of the week off every other week, which meant that Alina could catch up on some precious sleep in the confines of her soft, warm bed filled with softer pillows. Even with the weak winter sun shining down on her, Alina could've slept all day and well into the night. In fact, it was even better, for she'd be warmer. There was no such thing as 'too much warmth' for her. The hotter, the better.

Curled up like a cat over the luxurious bed, the Sun Summoner intended to sleep all day and night.

Then there was a knock on her door.

She didn't hear it and rolled over in a most unnatural way.

The knocking got louder.

She began to stir.

"Get up, Starkov!" Genya yelled from the other side.

"Maybe if I don't make any sounds she'll leave." Alina thought, clutching her eyes tightly shut.

"You know I can go get the keys, but that'll only give me time to get angrier!"

Groaning, Alina threw herself onto the floor and made for the wretched door.

The redhead swung in with her usual grace, her kit in hand as she hummed a melody strange to Alina's ears.

Slowly, Alina followed her.

"Wash your face and come sit here." she instructed, pointing at the vanity.

After doing so, the Tailor began to work on her hair.

"Do I have somewhere to be?" Alina asked, yawning.

"No, but with the Winter Fete so close, I wanted to try some different styles for your hair and make-up, so we won't waste so much time on the actual day." she explained. "Besides, the Duke is still here, so the queen's daily naps have become longer, which only makes it harder for the Duke to talk whatever it is he wants to discuss with the king."

Alina made an odd face through the mirror; Genya smiled at her ingenuity.

"They've been fucking like ra-"

"Ah, ta-ta-ta, I get it." the Summoner closed her eyes and waved her hands, not wanting to picture any of it. "Does the king know?"

Genya snorted, joining two braids into one.

"Please, he's a dumb child."

Alina yawned again, loudly.

"Look, I don't think my hair matters too much for the Fete, so how about we take a nap?"

"Lazy."

"It's early."

"So?" a red, perfectly trimmed eyebrow rose softly. "Who would imagine the Sun Summoner herself wouldn't want to raise with the sun?"

"Technically, the sun is always out."

"I'm also using you as an excuse to get out of the Grand Palace."

"Can we do something else, then?"

"No!" she yanked Alina's hair once more and tied it. Leaning over her friend, she arranged the three mirrors which sat atop the vanity so the other woman could get a good look at it. "What do you think?"

Alina stared at her reflection. Two braids started at the top of her head and joined as one at the base of her neck.

"I like it."

Genya placed a slender finger to her lips.

"Too simple." With a flourish of her hand, Alina's hair was freed once more, falling in dark waves down her shoulders. "Turn."

When she did, her friend leaned over and took her face gently.

"I thought you were sleeping better." she mumbled as she ran her fingers underneath her eyes, ridding it of bags.

"I am, I think."

"Have you been summoning?"

"Yes, but, …"

"But?"

Genya leaned against the vanity, waiting patiently.

"I don't know." Alina said, looking down at her hands. "I know Baghra is horrible, and she still hasn't called back for me-"

"Then you go to her."

"I don't want to." Alina confessed, even though she probably should. Who else would teach her? The Darkling? He was always on and off the Little Palace grounds. "What if I mess up too bad and no-one's there to stop me?"

"So you haven't been summoning." Genya concluded.

"I have!" she fought back. "Just a little."

To prove her point, she closed her hand into a fist, opened up, and let a small orb of light fly up to Genya's face, not too close to make her uncomfortable. The Tailor watched the light with a small smile, and slowly reached out.

"I thought it might burn me."

"I think it would if I wanted to hurt you, or if I put more effort into it."

"But you love me too much."

"I tolerate you." she joked, moving the orb up and above her friend's head. "Now you look like a saint." she said, trying to turn the orb into a halo. It flickered and didn't exactly do as she commanded, only shone brighter over Genya's features.

The redhead shook her hand.

"Move. With this light, I can probably mask my age a bit more."

"Oh yeah," Alina said as she stood up, a playful smile on her face. "Because you're soooo old."

Alina didn't actually know how old Genya was, but she was sure they were about the same age.

"Tomorrow I will be a year closer to grey hair so," Genya's fingers went over her face, getting rid of imperfections Alina couldn't see. "One can never start too early."

"Tomorrow's your birthday?" Alina asked, starting to smile.

Genya didn't seem so excited. She merely shrugged.

"Yes."

"What are you planning on doing? Are you having a party? How many people will be there? Are presents mandatory? Cause I don't have permission to go to the city to get you one, and it doesn't really matter because I have no money and I don't have time enough to do something myself. What sort of ca-?

"Alina!" Genya had to raise her voice a little to get her overly excited friend to stop. "We don't celebrate birthdays here. It's just another day."

The Sun Summoner frowned.

"So, not even a cake? Or the day off?"

The Tailor huffed, amused.

"What for?"

"To celebrate." Alina was no longer bouncing on her heels.

"Trust me, the last thing anyone in these palaces would think of is to celebrate my silly birthday." she said as if it meant nothing.

Alina sat on the carpeted floor; legs crossed.

"That's depressing."

"If you say so." she remained indifferent.

She peered up at her friend and got an idea.

"Should we have some tea?"

"After I test how to work your face."

Later that night, standing outside the kitchens of the Little Palace, Alina ran her hands over her kefta and stood as straight as she could, putting on her best scowl. She hoped she had picked up a thing or two from Ana Kuya and Baghra

She entered the place like she owned it. At first, nobody took notice, too busy with their tasks. She cleared her throat.

Nothing.

She clapped her hands twice, like Genya did to call upon the attention of her miserable shrews -not that Alina considered the kitchen staff to fall into that category- and everyone in the kitchen turned to her, adopting various expressions at the sight of her.

No-one seemed to know what to do or what to say.

Trying to seem somewhat commanding, Alina cleared her throat once more.

"I need ingredients to make a cake." she stated.

One of the cooks swallowed hard before she began to speak.

"If you'd like a cake, Miss, I can make-"

"I want to do it myself, actually." she said, placing both hands behind her back and praying to all the saints she could remember -there weren't many- that they took her seriously.

Still, nobody moved.

Alina guessed that it wasn't every day that a Grisha showed up and demanded to cook something by themselves.

Not wanting the kitchen staff to feel offended, she spoke again:

"It's for a friend, you see, so I'd like to give her something I made with my own hands."

Slowly, the same woman who had spoken nodded, and then smiled tentatively.

"There's fresh eggs over there, Miss."

As it turned out, Alina did need some help after all. She knew how to make a basic cake, but as soon as she said it was a birthday cake, a middle-aged man jumped on her, offended on behalf of Genya.

"You can't just give your friend something so bland." he had said, his face red as he gestured widely at the cake, like it was a disgusting piece of work. One might have thought Alina had insulted his family. "You need to fill it with something, decorate it, give it life and flavour!"

Yes. That, she had no idea how to do.

He pushed her aside hastily.

"Saint can summon light but can't make a decent birthday cake." he muttered.

Alina's mouth hung open, offended, but she said nothing.

She hurried up the steps with a big cake held as if it were a precious new-born child when she heard him:

"Miss Starkov?"

"Holy Saints!"

She came to such a sudden halt, the cake moved precariously on its base.

"Yes, sir?" she called, tense, not daring to turn back.

"I am glad I came upon you;" The Darkling said, and she could hear him approaching.

It was so great to have him back, but why did he have to arrive at that time? Couldn't he have waited a few more minutes?

"Was there something you needed?" she asked.

"I can't believe myself, but please say 'no'"

"No, no, I just wanted to inform you that you shall start training with me tomorrow. I will see you at the entrance just before dawn."

"I thought you had no time for personal training." she was reminded of their conversation one season prior. "And that you didn't want to show favouritism."

It was probably stupid of her to say those things, to make him look like he couldn't make up his mind, but she find it hard to filter her thoughts when he was in the vicinity.

"I remember our conversation very well, Alina." he said, and she could hear his voice closer. It was so deep and smooth. Alina took a deep breath and tried to steady her heartbeat. "But some circumstances have changed, and I decided to make an exception."

Any other day, she would've melted at his feet at the way he spoke, as if it were almost a dirty, scandalous secret only meant for them.

But she had Genya's cake in her hands. It was big, and heavy, and he couldn't see it.

"That's great!" she said, and she meant it. "Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to go. Moi Soverennyi." she bowed, and then clutched her eyes shut, cursing herself silently. Nothing showed more respect for one's General than showing them their behind.

"Are you hiding something, Alina?" he asked, sounding far too amused to her liking.

"Nope."

"Right. And I am the Black Heretic." he almost snorted. Alina frowned; he sounded so…normal when he did that. She wanted to hear it more often, she realized.

She craned her neck so she could get a glimpse at him. His eyes shone with mirth; the corner of his mouth was tilted up. She wanted to freeze him like that forever.

"It's nothing bad or illegal."

He chuckled, and his nose crunched up a little. Alina found it adorable, and she wanted to kiss him again, cuddle next to a fire by him, and make him laugh until his sides hurt.

"Alright, then. I shall let you be on your way." he took a step back, and Alina took a few steps forward before stopping at the end of the stairs.

"It's good to have you back."

She climbed up the stairs so quickly one might've thought a Squaller was pushing her up, and didn't give him opportunity to say anything back.

Alina moved her tea table to the centre of her room, where she placed the cake and a few flowers she had stolen from the various vases around the Little Palace to give it more life.

Smiling like an idiot, she closed her eyes and called her light just as there was a knock on the door.

Her light answered and her hand shot up, leaving a thin layer of golden dust hovering near the ceiling, giving the space a lovely ambience.

Hastily, she made sure everything was in order. The tea was hot, and there was plenty of kvas and wine for at least ten people. The kitchen staff had been more than happy to provide for her when they found out who Alina wanted to celebrate. Apparently, Genya was well liked among the otkazat'sya who worked on the Little Palace.

She hurried to open the door.

Genya waited on the other side, standing straight, an eyebrow arched up.

"You called for me? Is it urgent?"

"Yes!" The Sun Summoner answered, taking her friend's hand and dragging her across the expansive room.

She turned abruptly and placed her hands on Genya's eyes, blocking her view.

"For all the Saints, Ali, I don't have time to play around." she complained as she was dragged some more. "Just because the queen is spending another afternoon with the Duke of Balakirev doesn't mean I don't have other things to do and-"

Alina uncovered her eyes.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" she squealed, taking a step to the side and extending her arms to showcase the cake.

It was rectangular, decorated with red, blue and yellow flowers all over it. No white. Nothing about that cake was white.

The Tailor stared at it.

'Happy Birthday, Genya!' it read, in black, messy letters. While the middle-aged man from the kitchen had done most of the decorating of the cake, Alina had insisted on writing the words herself.

Still, The Tailor stared at it, mouth agape.

Slowly, Alina's smiled dropped, and looking at her friend in the eyes, she was horrified to find them wet.

A tear fell down Genya's pale face, and Alina rushed over to remove it.

"Gen?" she asked, extremely concerned. "What is it?"

But Genya couldn't say anything. Her mouth opened, then it closed, and it opened again as a small cry left its confines, the tears falling freely now, like a turbulent river.

Alina hugged her, rubbing her stiff back in circles.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." she said over and over again. "I just thought you might like it. I'm so sorry. Do you want me to throw it away?"

She felt how her friend shook her head, clinging to her with a vice like grip.

Alina was the one who wanted to cry now, seeing her closest friend in such a state made her eyes tear, and, oh damn, she was crying now as well.

They stood like that for a few moments, weeping like idiots, the hug a bit awkward since Genya seemed to hover over smaller Alina.

Slowly, the Tailor disentangled herself from the Summoner, and her friend let her go.

Genya delicately passed a finger underneath her eyes and adverted her gaze, although Alina could see the red in her eyes.

"Thank you, Ali. Truly." she said, her voice slightly hoarse.

Alina was at a loss of words.

"It's just a cake, Gen." she shrugged. "I just thought, we could celebrate together, if you wanted. We can invite anyone you want." she suggested.

Smiling just a little, Genya looked down at her hands and played with her fingers.

"No, it's just…"she took a deep breath and let it out. Alina waited patiently. "No one ever really did this for me before." she said, raising her arm towards her cake.

"A birthday cake?" Alina asked slowly, her voice tremulous and trying not to sound sad. "Well, it's not a big deal!" she tried to shake it off, waving a hand with a forced smile. "Back in Keramzin there was only one plain cake per month for all the children so-"

"No, "Genya interrupted, her voice a mere whisper that cut through Alina's heart like a sharp blade. "I mean, celebrated. No one's ever done this much." her eyes were like crystal again. "Thank you."

Alina felt uncomfortable. She really did feel sad for her friend? Had no one ever truly celebrated her birthday? She knew she had been given to the queen at a young age, but even before that, had her parents ever made something for her? Or at least said anything on the day?

Alina didn't remember much of her parents, but she did remember once a year, her father coming up to her with a small, strawberry tart. He and mamma would hug her more than usual and kiss her cheeks and play with her all day until the sun went down and her eyes dropped closed of exhaustion.

"Chasing the waters." she thought, absentmindedly.

Even before the Little Palace, had Genya never had any of that?

"I'm just, sorry I couldn't do anything grander on such short notice." Alina tried to smile. "I have a present for you" she was now grinning, although so very nervous on the inside. She walked over to her desk and took the envelope. "I didn't have time to make something so… it was very last minute. She came back to stand before her friend and extended the envelope, which Genya took with a look in her eyes that resembled disbelief and wonder. Alina's cheek reddened. "It's nothing. Really. Open it."

Genya did as she was asked, and Alina bit her bottom lip, trembling as she recalled, word by word, what she had put down on the paper with her finest ink.

"I have a friend,

with bright, red hair.

She has a loudmouth,

and a brusque, yet marvellous touch.

 She and I have known each other,

for only a couple of months,

But I know that in my soul,

She's well settled for long.

 Some will say she's pretty

Others will say she's pricky,

and while those all ring through,

I know the person behind those needle-like replies.

 I have a friend,

with bright, red hair.

She's always there for me,

as I'll always be there for her."

It seemed as if an eternity had passed before the Tailor looked up, fresh tears in her eyes.

"Did you write this?" she asked, voice cracked. Alina nodded sheepishly, and Genya said: "This is the shittiest piece of poetry I have ever read."

The Summoner tried to not let her hurt show on her face, but a moment later she was being engulfed into another bear hug.

"I love it." Genya whispered almost fervently, clutching her tighter. "Thank you."

They spent the afternoon drinking tea, eating cake, talking and laughing. Genya had admired the piece for a long moment, as if trying to burn it into her memory, before she cut into the first two portions.

After a while, when there was no more tea and they grew tired of cutting, they sat themselves down on the carpeted floor, cake and all, and dug in directly from the base as they helped it pass through with kvas and wine.

"What do you mean?" Alina asked as they both laid on top of the soft, fur carpet of the floor, facing up, unable to move.

"Another rule of the General to keep his Grisha humble: no birthday parties." Genya answered, her speech slurred and the last part with a deeper tone, like she wanted to imitate Kirigan.

"That sucks!" Alina spat, just as drunk as her friend.

"Yeah!"

"Parties are…cool." she stated, raising her index finger as if to make a point. "There's cake,"

"Ugh." Genya's hand flew down to her stomach. "I can't move."

Alina ignored her.

"There's presents, if you're not an orphan." she giggled at her own misery. "There's more cake, and there's people."

"There's always p-people at the Tiny Palace." Genya reminded her, kicking off her boots.

Alina did the same, her hands blindly reaching up to the couch for the small pillows.

"Yeah;" one of the pillows hit Genya in the face, and the Tailor whined about it as she placed it underneath her head. "But there's no birthday cake, thanks to General Handsomest. And no birthday parties." She counted to three in her head, shot up, grabbed the blanket at the back of the couch, and let herself fall again on top of the rug.

Saints, how had she and Genya managed to eat that entire monstrosity?

She threw the blanket over her body and kicked until it covered her feet. Genya clumsily pulled at it so it'd cover her as well.

Alina frowned.

"There's people at parties."

"Yes, Alina." Genya closed her eyes.

Alina's frown deepened, some of the blurriness in her mind clearing.

"People talk at parties."

Genya opened one eye.

"Are you going to get us in trouble?"

Alina, who could barely put the dots together as she thought of how full of cake she was and how funny everything looked from where she was laying on the ground, and how handsome the General was, and how she wanted to kiss him again and slap him for leaving her like that, turned her face towards her friend.

"Only if General Handsome caught us." she said.

Genya sighed.

"Fine. But turn your head to the other side. I don't want your puke in my face."

Giggling at the disgusting image, Alina did as she was told.

Their hands found each other underneath the blanket in a soft hold.

"Happy birthday, Gen." Alina mumbled, the lack of sleep due to her preparations for the afternoon and all the alcohol catching up to her.

"Thank you, Ali."

A/N: Hope you liked it! This is probably the last sweet chapter before things gradually start to get darker *evil laugh*

Click here for chapter IX

#shadow and bone #shadow and bone fanfic #alina starkov #aleksander morozova #shadow & bone trilogy #alina x darkling #alina x aleksander #The darklingxAlina #Genya Safin #its a birthday party my dudes and dudettes #fanfic