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#appeared on recommended & since the art
kerink · 1 year
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in light of people's confusion over cecil's longevity in @sexymanotd i wanted to document a bit of his history for those unfamiliar or nostalgic
welcome to night vale is a podcast written by joseph fink and jeffrey cranor. cecil gerschwin palmer is the main character and voiced by cecil baldwin.
it debuted on june 15, 2012 it reached its peak in popularity in 2013-2014
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despite this, wtnv has been one of tumblr's top fandoms since staff started tracking fandom-related data in 2014
for the longest time the only thing we knew about cecil's appearance was: "He is wearing a tie. He is not tall or short. Not thin or fat." and that wasn't until episode 19 which aired march 15, 2013. for almost a full year we had no idea what cecil looked like. so tumblr's collective unconscious kicked into high gear and we did what we do best
we created a tumblr sexyman
from know your meme: "Defining traits of the archetype include skinny body type, trickster or villain role and dapper clothing."
know your meme identifies wheatley (portal 2, 2011) and the onceler (the lorax, 2012) as being likely tumblr's first sexymen. and the onceler fandom was at its peak in 2012-2013, the same time as wtnv. in addition to this, the hannibal fandom has been cited as one of the contributing factors to wtnv's success on tumblr.
so tumblr had created an archetype that worked and the wtnv fandom was made up of mostly hannibal fans - the foundation for putting cecil in a suit was there. and honestly? cecil's at work in the show, why wouldn't he be well dressed?
however, while this explains his attire it doesn't explain some of cecil's more unique sexyman features, namely the tentacles. for this we have to return to the 2014 fandom review analysis where you can see the most popular fandom at the time: homestuck
haven't you ever wondered why almost a quarter (189/923 at time of writing) of E rated wtnv fics on ao3 are tagged tentacles or tentacle sex? why cecil having tentacles for a dick is such a seemingly popular headcanon? well look no further then homestuck cultural hold over.
throughout all of this, the development of the sexyman archetype on tumblr and the rise of homestuck, one creator really stands out: kinomatika
kino was one of the most popular homestuck artists on tumblr at the time, popular for their eridan fanart. if you google image search "welcome to night vale" kino's art is still one of the first results you'll get
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their design was so popular in fact it was featured in wtnv related articles from the time
and yes there were absolutely other artists giving cecil tentacles and moving tattoos at the time, but it can't be understated the reach kino had and the influence their homestuck roots had on their design choices
i recommend going through the archive of @nightvaleartclub to see how cecil used to be portrayed back in the early days. unfortunately the earliest fanart i've been able to find is july 2013 and i find it hard to believe it took tumblr a year to draw him. although, i started listening at episode 5 and didn't start drawing him until then myself so who knows...
cecil has had tumblr's heart in a vice grip since episode 1, with "20,000 posts, 183,000 blogs and 680,000 notes using the #Night Vale tag" during its first week. tumblr's love for wtnv has always been fairly genuine, from the impact the writing has had on tumblr humor and future story telling, to how wtnv paved the way for lgbt+ representation in indi media, to how it popularized podcasts as a medium for story telling, to the little comforts some of cecil's quotes still bring people today
cecil is not only a founding father of tumblr culture, but also a blorbo of the people. cecil the character in canon has a tumblr account where he posts his art and slash fanfiction.
although cecil's character has developed over time and we've come to see what a ditzy, eccentric, brat he really is, changing his status from sexyman to babygirl, cecil is absolutely a character you should embrace. and you know what... despite what i've said in the past
#cecilsweep
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[ID: Images one and two are Google analytic graphs for the search terms "welcome to night vale" and "wtnv" between June 15, 2015 and January 27, 2023. They both depict very sharp spikes around 2013-2014 until the lines decrease greatly over time.
Image three is a drawing of Cecil from Welcome To Nightvale. He is white, with white hair, glasses, a third eye on his forehead, and he is wearing a suit. In the background is the silhouette of a neighborhood from the WTNV official art, a galaxy, and a moon. It is tinted purple. Image four is the always has been meme. Instead of the earth is the tumblr logo, and the text is: “a wtnv fansite?” “Always has been”. End ID] id thanks to @princess-of-purple-prose
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glitchedember · 1 month
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Hiya!
So we all know that AI generators like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DALL.E, Sora.AI, etc. have stolen the work from artists online to train their AI and since AI is starting to get quite scary, I've decided I'm going to start protecting my work via Nightshade, but I want to also talk about it with you and link to the official sites to Glaze and Nightshade, so you can get either of these programs to try.
First off, we'll start with Glaze AI.
What Glaze aims to do is to act on the defensive against AI. Glaze will scramble their generators by placing a “protective glaze” over your work, and what this will do, is when your work is fed into the AI, it'll trick the AI into thinking your work is something entirely different from what it is, simply by making small changes that only the AI will pick up on
To quote the official site “Glaze is a system designed to protect human artists by disrupting style mimicry. At a high level, Glaze works by understanding the AI models that are training on human art, and using machine learning algorithms, computing a set of minimal changes to artworks, such that it appears unchanged to human eyes, but appears to AI models like a dramatically different art style.”
I've tried using Glaze, but it's a very big program and my computer can't handle that, but I do highly recommend trying it out if you have the space for it.
If you wanna try it out, the link to the site can be found here.
Second is Nightshade.
Nightshade is aimed to “attack” the AI your work is being fed into. Like Glaze, Nightshade puts a protective “glaze” over your work, but it poisons your work and tricks the AI into messing up the user's prompt.
To quote the official site “Nightshade works similarly as Glaze, but instead of a defense against style mimicry, it is designed as an offense tool to distort feature representations inside generative AI image models. Like Glaze, Nightshade is computed as a multi-objective optimization that minimizes visible changes to the original image. While human eyes see a shaded image that is largely unchanged from the original, the AI model sees a dramatically different composition in the image.”
This program is also pretty big, but it's what my laptop is able to handle, so from here on out I'll be protecting my work with this. I'll also go back and protect my older works even if it's not as appealing as my newer works.
If you wanna try it out, the link to the site can be found here.
Keep in mind, these are only temporary solutions while we wait for more permanent ones.
But even if it's temporary, it's better than having no protection against the AI bros.
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charmedreincarnation · 4 months
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Hey, guys! I've been receiving a ton of messages in response to my last post. It's reminding me of how I first discovered shifting. I feel like doing a little story time since Ive just passed the three-year mark of my discovery, and I've been reminiscing with friends about it.
I remember being in a very dark place when I stumbled upon shifting. I was depressed, and very suicidal. Yet, there was this unshakeable optimism inside me that I was meant for an extraordinary life. Despite my mental state, I had a lot of knowledge of subliminals and the law of attraction (-_-). These gave me hope, but they weren't enough tbh. I didn't want to attract my dream life through practicing gratitude or becoming a magnet for my desires or whatever. Nor did I want to have to listen to subliminals for years on end to achieve my goals. My list of desires was so long, and I needed everything to change that going step by step and waiting years for each one to manifest just wasn't feasible.
But I refused to give up. One day, after a particularly hard day of being sad per usual, I searched on Quora for something like "fastest most powerful subliminals on YouTube ever" (Y’all 😭😭). Among the recommended sub creators, I found a video called "Desired Life: Reality Shifting". The description promised everything I had ever wanted: waking up with all your desires fulfilled permanently in short. It piqued my curiosity so much. Could I really just wake up with my dream life, family, house, wealth, all based on my scripts and imagination?
Growing up, I was a heavy maladaptive daydreamer. From ages 10-17, I created alternate lives in my head, telling myself I would go there someday. I was always doing SATs (State Akin to Sleep), and I think that's what kept me from ending it all. I was constantly in the wish fulfilled state, even though I didn't know what that was at the time.
Back to my story, I went into the comments of that video and came across a guy who claimed that after a week of using this subliminal, he woke up with a new life as a multi-millionaire living in his dream penthouse. I messaged him, and he gave me his Instagram which showcased his luxurious life. He had what seemed like a perfect relationship, he was very attractive, had so many cars, and travelled 24/7 while having a six figures amount of followers. He was living proof that this wasn't just scripting. Also the law of attraction community is known for their mad expensive coaching.. like hundreds of dollars per hour for questions and he was answering it all for free something I didn’t see the law of attraction community. And I talked to him for hours! He never got mad, he had proof, and he was kind, proof and the behavior of someone who really had mastered the art of life.
After our conversation, I spent the next couple of months doing research. I found numerous stories about glitches in the matrix, accidental shifting, people entering parallel realities, and eventually, shifting communities on platforms like Amino and Reddit. It was stuff I already believed in and did in my imagination; I just didn’t know there was a term for it.
Then I got reminded of a memory that I had seriously repressed bc it was so fucking weird. When I was 6 and my brother was 3, we were absolutely obsessed with dodo birds. One day, we were outside playing, and on god time seemed to stop. Out of nowhere, a dodo bird appeared. I know you’re probably like “maya be so fr rn you were a kid” but no, This wasn't just our young imaginations running wild - there was a bird that was huge, dinosaur-like, exactly how dodos are described in books and pictures we had.
Then things got weirder. Suddenly it started raining eggs. Big, large eggs everywhere it was so gross and my brother and I were a mess. We were young, sure, but not stupid. We knew this wasn't normal. My brother and I rushed inside to tell our dad. When I managed to drag him outside, he was furious, accusing me of throwing eggs everywhere. To this day, he tells the story of the time I "trashed the backyard with eggs." And every time, I'm like, "Dad, where would I get that many eggs?" We didn’t have eggs but so he assumed I stole them and we went inside for hours and it was magically cleaned. So he also tells the story of how responsible I am and how I took accountability for my actions even as a child. I didn’t clean that shit bro and I tell him that too and he just laughs it makes me so mad.
My brother, who knows I'm into reality shifting (though he doesn’t really believe in it), can't explain that day either. He often shrugs it off as a "glitch in the matrix," which honestly, well no duh it is a shift dummie. He does believe in manifesting but only bc he has seen me use it and he experiences the good things I manifest as well. They’re the same thing anyways but that isn’t the point
The reason I'm bringing up this bizarre childhood memory is because during my months of research into shifting, I found countless stories of accidental shifts, people entering the void, entering parallel universes, time glitches, examples of the Mandela effect first hand, glitches in the matrix and etc. It was like uncovering a myriad of experiences that confirmed what I already believed: we can change and choose our reality. I just didn’t know the phenomena had a name. Obviously in the future I came across other things like the law of assumption, the void state, etc etc but this was where it started.
I wish I had saved all those fascinating stories, posts, and blogs. I might go back and compile everything I found because they were so real and enlightening. It will probably take forever tho if I do choose to do that, but I think it's worth sharing.
In the meantime, check out this accounts of accidental shifts that my friend shared with me this account https://instagram.com/tessicavision?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== based off the Glitch in the Matrix subreddit which is also a goldmine of people experiencing similar phenomena. It helped me make sense of my own experiences and might do the same for you.
I don’t want this to be too long and I already got to the point I think! but regardless stay curious and realize you’re really not that special. I mean ofc you are, i mean this is not some tumblr thing teens girls discovered or created and isn’t even limited to “spiritually/manifesting inclined people” I think at the beginning of my journey people talking about accidental shifts and such, inspired me more than purposeful success stories because they really have no reason to lie and they were looking for answers just like I was.
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nnon0 · 7 days
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J.Jaehyun Fic Recommendations
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For all the Jae lovers :)
🫀- favorites
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(🫀) Stars, moons and other celestial bodies @kiachiako
WC: 26.7k Brother!Taeyong Retro-themed AU
With your fizzy drinks and vinyls in tow, you’re determined to make the most of your summer before the start of your first year at university. Everything’s seemingly perfect; humid afternoons with your closest friends, late-night mixers at your local alumnis' estates, and sleeping in to ungodly hours. What you didn’t predict, however, was your brother making the early trip home to surprise you with a certain someone — namely, his best friend since childhood — following closely behind. His unexpected appearance throws you off, and suddenly, your summer is filled to the brim with his presence. You’re finally able to taste the idea of mature love, but is it really all that it’s made out to be?
FIVE PLUS ONE @ppangjae
WC: 28.8k+ Chef!Jaehyun, enemies to lovers
Five times world-renowned chef Jeong Jaehyun tried to end your journey to be a chef  because you weren’t ‘qualified enough to be a chef’ and that one time you proved him wrong. 
(🫀) King Of the Streets @anashins
WC: 28k Streetracer!jaehyun x Journalist!reader
The moment you find yourself hiding in the backseat of a sports car that's illegally racing through the city, you just know this story will finally catapult you to the top of your journalism career. But there are a few things you haven't reckoned: How personal this story will eventually turn - and the driver's sheer insatiable craving for lollipops. And for you.
The V Week Spy @smileysuh
WC: 20.1k Frat!au Jaehyun x afab!reader
Every year, seven days before Valentines day, sororities and frats are paired together, and eligible himbos, hoes, bimbos and fuckboys alike volunteer to be raffled for a chance to become the year’s V Week Spy. V Week is open season, with outings and parties tailored to be the perfect excuse for sexscapades, with the knowledge than 1 boy and 1 girl are undercover, grading sexual performances. Once the week is over, at the annual Valentines Day Party, the evaluations are presented- It’s a bad time to be unsure about someone’s feelings towards you, and an even worse time to fall in love.
(🫀)HEARTS ARE WON AT PRACTICE @angelwonie
WC:21.2k Football player!Jaehyun , Enemies to friends to lovers
jung jaehyun is an obnoxious, way too handsome footballer whom you have no intention of getting to know. at least until a series of coincidences forces you to spend time with him, and you realize there might be more to him than what meets the eye.
Try Again @gimmehyuck
WC: 19.8k Idol!jaehyun x Teacher!reader
jaehyun remembers the night he met you, and even after that one night he often thought of you and wished things would have been different, but by a weird twist of fate he gets to see you again, except this time... you're not alone.
Runway @wincore
WC: 18.7k Model!jaehyun x Fashion designer!reader
there are some things that come with dedicating your life to fashion: a taste for finer fabrics, a splash of love for art, and an appreciation of the human body. none of these are supposed to include the hottest model you have ever laid eyes on, or the fact that you completely, utterly hate his guts. 
Christmas Puppy @smileysuh
WC: 11k Best friends brother/boy next door Jaehyun
“God, you’re so jealous,” you laugh. Your best friend’s brother doesn’t usually act this way, at his frat, everyone knows you’re his, no one would dare come near you- but here, in your hometown, surrounded by past crushes and would be romancables, it’s open season, and it’s clear that it’s making Jaehyun uncomfortable.
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mimzy-writing-online · 7 months
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Since you've mentioned that blind eyes look like normal eyes, would it be offensive to draw a character's eye in another color to indicate blindness (even if it is to differentiate between a blind eye and non-blind eye in a character with partial blindness)?
From an artistic and character design perspective, I think it'd be best to first focus on what causes the character's blindness and if the cause fits the backstory you want to give them. Then, you should draw their eyes to as closely resemble the condition as is realistically possible.
If your character is elderly, then cataracts is a perfectly reasonable cause for their blindness. In which case, I would recommend giving them a normal eye color and then adding white-grey-blue blurred spots that only partially obscure their eyes. Cataracts rarely cover the entire eye, let alone both. However glaucoma and macular degeneration are also super common causes of blindness, and their eyes would not appear any different from a sighted person's, so you would need to be more creative with visually indicating they're blind.
If the character is a warrior who lost their vision in battle, then scars around the eyes are the most straightforward and appropriate indicator of their backstory.
One thing I don't often see in blind characters is characters who are cross eyed or have a lazy eye. The medical term for "lazy eye" is amblyopia and it's very common, especially in people who have been blind for many years and in children and teens. I think that's partly to blame on ableism teaching us to feel uncomfortable at visible differences--which is why villains/antagonists were sometimes made disabled to other them to the audience. Whereas protagonists were described/drawn to be beautiful as a way to tell the audience they should like the character.
Nystagmus is another visible difference but that's very difficult to convey in art unfortunately.
Outside of what a character's eyes look like, there are design choices you can make to indicate/remind the audiences that the character is blind-
For example:
including a cane or guide dog in character design
having the character wear sunglasses but only sometimes, usually in brightly lit places or perhaps in situations where they're tired from recent story events and their eyes might ache
having a character rub their eyes when they're tired. This isn't something I expect sighted people to get, but it's relatable.
having the character hold things close to their eyes to better see, turn their ear to a sound instead of their eyes (especially of there are sighted characters on page looking towards the sound) and touch objects of interest
I hope that helps
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canisalbus · 10 months
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a few quick questions on Machete, what breed is he? I love the angles of his snout and the proportions remind me of a borzoi though I don't think he is one. Also, does he have a set age for when he's a cardinal? I picture him to be around mid-30s or so. Wonderful art! love your stuff and find you an inspiration :)
He's a fictional breed called Podenco Siciliano, which is closely related to modern day Ibizan Hound (pictured below) and other Mediterranean rabbit-hunting podencos. I usually just default to calling him a sighthound since he's somewhat of a provincial mongrel and not meant to be purebred anyway.
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As for the age, mid-30s sounds about right. I think the current timeline goes something like this:
0 - Born to a lower-middle class family in Sicily, father is a tradesman, has three older brothers. Generally considered a runt, is weak and sick all the time, parents suspicious of his unusual colors.
3 - Gets left at a monastery and raised by monks as a foundling. Nervous and meek kid, but the monks think he's endearing and do their best to support him. Is taught to read and write, which is a massive advantage at that day and age, and learns rudimentary Latin through exposure.
9 - Apprenticed to a Neapolitan priest, moves to southern part of mainland Italy (or Kingdom of Naples as it was called, it was ruled by Spain actually). Does chores and runs errands in exchange for education and experience.
15 - The priest gets elevated to a bishop and decides to sponsor Machete's further studies at an acclaimed university in Venice (in Northern Italy). There he studies theology, medicine, arts, law, philosophy and gets fluent in Latin and adequate in Greek. Befriends Vasco but their relationship is short-lived.
21 - Ordained a priest. Leads a parish somewhere in Papal States (Central Italy). Is generally well liked but doubts his career choice from time to time.
26 - Becomes a part of the Papal Court in Vatican, mostly because of the recommendations of his former mentor and professors, good reputation, excellent track record and sheer luck. Still a priest but assists bishops, cardinals and the pope himself directly. Moves to Rome. Becomes pope's unofficial confidant due to his obedient and hardworking nature and because of his lack of prestigious family connections that would render him a threat. Slowly starts to gain wealth.
30 - Created a cardinal (which is the second highest position in the church after the pope, and it's at the sole discretion of the pope who becomes one). Is also a bishop as a technicality. Handles administrative jobs, tons of paperwork, at some point he's in charge of a lot of the political correspondence and diplomatic missions. Still the old pope's trusted advisor but disliked by the majority of the cardinals, who see him as an outsider, sycophant and a potential disruptor of the status quo.
34 - Meets Vasco again. Vasco has become a succesful politician in Florence, he's married with three children.
38 - The pope dies and Machete's status falters. He starts to work with the Roman inquisition more. Oversees trials, torture, excommunications and executions of heretics, witches and most of all, protestants (since we're reaching Counter Reformation times and the Vatican is Very Worried about the spread of Luther's ideas). Isn't having a good time at all but keeps up the appearances. Gets infamous. The beginning of the true villain era.
40 - Grows increasingly more disillusioned with life and his ideals, as well as the corruption of the Curia. Burned out, paranoid and desperate. Uses scare tactics, extortion and legal trickery to expose and undermine his enemies, but gains them faster than he can keep up. Employs spies, thugs and assassins. Feared and loathed.
43 - Gets assassinated and dies in disgrace.
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theresattrpgforthat · 2 months
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I was wondering if you had recommendations for a game that evokes the vibe of like The Thing (or Among Us) from the social angle - there is something here passing itself off as human, as *one of us*, and we need to find out who it is. Maybe with hidden roles? It seems like there's a lot of interesting space to explore there.
Thank you!!
Theme: Hidden Role Games
Friend, I've got more games for you than I thought I was initially going to find, and each one is in a different setting! Enjoy!
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What We Thought We Knew, by Mouse.
You play as a group of friends who have known each other for many years- at the very least since highschool, and have gone through many transitional phases with each other.
It has recently been revealed to you that someone in your friend group has not actually been there for all of these events- they have been implanted in the group for whatever reason and all your memories modified to fit them into the narrative. None of you know who it is -- not even the fake.
In order to find out who the fake is, you must experience some of your core memories together again, moving through them like you are those versions of yourselves again, to try and spot the mistakes in the memories, the distortions that don’t quite make sense in the context of everything else happening.
The hidden role in this game is as determined by the GM, and the fake will not know that they are the imposter at the beginning of the game. The setting for this game appears to be relatively agnostic, so you could make this a fantasy setting, a futuristic setting, or even a modern setting. Characters have four stats: Head, Heart, Flesh and Beyond. The game is designed off of Caltrop Core, so when you roll your dice according to stat, there’s graded successes/failures. Players will also get chances to identify a distortion, which helps the group figure out what pieces of information don’t add up. If you want a game with mystery for almost everyone a the table, you might want to check out this game.
Jackrabbit Parole, by Willow Willis.
Well, you screwed up. Whatever you did, it was bad enough to land your ass in prison. Not just your average state-of-the-art correctional institution, either. This place is Bad News.
Parole? Don’t make me laugh. This is your life now. There’s no help coming for you and your fellow unfortunates. You’ll shit, sleep, work and eat when and where they tell you to for the rest of your miserable existence. If you want out, there’s only three paths:
Execution. Suicide. Or escape.
And since the first two don’t sound too promising, all you’re left with is jackrabbit parole.
Jackrabbit Parole is a game about prison escapees, one of which is a Snitch. The exact setting of the prison is up to you - the only thing that matters is that you’re stuck here unless you find a way to get yourselves out. You’ll roll to determine what your characters’ relationships are, and draw cards determine your roles.
There are two special roles: the Ringleader and the Snitch. The Ringleader has access to everywhere in the prison; the Snitch wants to get as much information as possible and pass it on to the guards. The Snitch profits by keeping everyone here, which means that players cannot communicate openly about their plans. The game plays over three acts, so I think it’s pretty easy to contain inside a single session, and it comes with some suggested settings if you’re not sure where to start.
Conspire, by Cherry Picked Games.
Conspire is a hidden-role storytelling game. Players delve into any moment of conflict, real or fake, and populate the scene with shady figures. They secretly assign objectives to these in-world characters and shuffle the roles amongst themselves. Everyone draws a role to inhabit and acts them out, not knowing who any of the others are or what they are trying to accomplish. What follows is an intense tale of bluffing, brokering deals, and shaping the very universe to your whims.
This feels like a GM-Less game, with all of the roles and motives of each character determined according to the setting and people created by the group at the table. Each piece of the puzzle is created collaboratively, so you’ll know what’s going on with one or two people, but not the whole picture. If you want a game that gives everyone the same responsibilities and has the flexibility to fit the settings in your head, this might be the game for you.
Eulogy of a Fool, by Kate.
In Eulogy of a Fool, all players are attending the funeral of a Fool. However, the Fool is in this crowd, having faked her own death to collect on a life insurance policy.  Everyone in attendance must give a eulogy while the Fool tries to blend in and everyone else is trying to single out any suspicious persons.
This game consists of a series of cards, 20 of which are Identity cards, and 30 of which are relation cards. There will only be about as many cards in play as there are players for any given game, so I think having so many options allows for a different game every time you play. Each player will also have to give a eulogy about the deceased, using information given to all non-imposters, while the Fool will have to improvise as best as they can. Looking at the instructions and prep for this game, I think this game would be very easy to learn. There’s a script for the GM to follow while running the game, and the cards make it easy to generate characters on the fly. If you want a game that’s part ttrpg, part card game, this might be the game for you.
EUREKA, by @anim-ttrpgs
Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy is an original, fully fledged, 200-page 2d6 TTRPG from The Agency of Narrative Intrigue and Mystery inspired by The X-Files, Kolchak: The Nightstalker, and much more!
Eureka features investigation mechanics that let players take initiative, use their characters’ unique strengths to find clues, and deduce conclusions themselves rather than to just walking into a room and roll Investigate.
EUREKA’s main focus is on solving mysteries, but the way character creation is meant to be set up means that it is very likely that characters will have a lot of secrets, purposefully hidden from the rest of the group at game start. If you are playing a supernatural creature of some kind, your character will have plenty of reasons to keep their identity a secret. While the group is trying to solve whatever mystery there is, your characters will have to decide just how much they trust each—other, with dramatic reveals possibly prompting some thrilling and suspenseful moments. This game isn’t quite in it’s final form, but there’s a robust community currently play-testing it, and the folks behind the development are very eager to answer questions and help you get a game to the table.
Loyalty, by jackdawfactories.
You are the crew of a deep-space mining vessel who have just been awoken from stasis. You are coming in to land on a previously uncharted planet, and must investigate the nearby cave system for its utility to you - but of course, there’s more to it than that…
Loyalty is a game based on Ridley Scott’s Alien, and combines standard RPG mechanics with a hidden role aspect. Survive the horror you have unleashed while working out who - anyone - is the traitor in your midst.
This is a game in which more than one person could have a secret role. You draw a card from a regular deck of playing cards, and based on what kind of face you have, you are either an android infiltrator, or a human. Because the character creation is randomized, it’s totally possible to have an entirely human crew - but the players won’t know this, and thus the paranoia will still be present.
On top of this paranoia, you’ll be facing off against an alien, and the more you come up against it, the stronger it gets. There’s a win condition, a lose condition, and the possibility to eject a suspect out of an airlock. If you like heightened stakes and no good endings, this might be the game for you.
The Warmest Place to Hide, by Rosie.
The Warmest Place To Hide is a TTRPG homage to John Carpenter's The Thing. 
It is the longest night in Antarctica, and something has made its way inside the research station at which you work. You and your teammates must work together to protect yourselves from assimilation - but when the creature can make itself look like anyone and anything, who can you really trust?
Create a base, populate it with crew, then see if you can survive an alien invasion.
This is the game for folks who want a direct re-creation of The Thing. As this is a Caltrop Core game, the rules are fairly minimal and use dice pools of d4’s. You can roll randomly for your character’s background, and choose an archetype that will give you specific skills and special abilities. You’ll also receive a random assignment of “Human” or “Something Else”. If you are Something Else, you always have to opportunity to take over any dead characters.
I’m not entirely sure how you communicate to players that they are Something Else without alerting the whole table; I’m assuming that this is the sort of game that involves passing a lot of notes. I think it might also be interesting if the GM introduces other threats that could kill players so that the Thing can approach and assimilate them without the players necessarily knowing who’s doing it.
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lazyjellyfish300 · 3 months
Text
~Lazy Jellyfish Writings~
Welcome
REMINDER: UNDER 18 DNI AS MOST OF MY WORK IS NSFW. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT YOU CONSUME. PLEASE DON'T PLAGIARISE/TRANSLATE MY WORK. REBLOGS/RECOMMENDING MY WORK IS MUCH APPRECIATED. REPOSTING IS OKAY AS LONG AS YOU CREDIT ME PROPERLY. 😄 IF YOU GET INSPIRED BY SOMETHING OF MINE PRETTY PLEASE TAG ME IN IT BECAUSE I'D LOVE TO SEE IT.
🪼🖤
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Hello! I'm Jellyfish! ♎🇹🇴 I like to write for fun and started this blog in Nov 2023 thanks to my Miguel O'Hara fixation.
I love to gush/talk about him and I mainly write for him at the moment and for the unforeseeable future 🤧. I'm happy to become moots and love to support fellow writers. 🖤 I don't take requests at this time due to personal nerves about meeting expectations and also due to time constraints, I'm sorry!
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Miguel O'Hara(Reader x Miguel)
Most of my reader POVS are fem or AFAB, sorry. Since I am a cis female that is the pov I feel I can write the most accurately. I try to exclude reader's appearance as much as possible except clothing. I describe curvy body parts. You might have superficial things like tattoos or piercings once in a while but that's it. I try to do gender neutral every once in a while where I can.) My rating system is my humble opinion & might not be totally correct, read at your own risk.
🌶️-suggestive 🌶️🌶️-moderate smut
🌶️🌶️🌶️-very smutty 💖-fluff 💔-angst 🔥-slow burn/smut doesn't happen right away
-DD series🌶️🌶️🌶️🔥💔💖 (ongoing-9 chapters/11-links for the chapters will be in each post, Miguel is your Uber Driver with a twist on the og Miguel O'Hara comic) DD series art I have commissioned from the artist @ejpuki on insta
-As you slept 🌶️💔💖(Twilight AU with Miguel Cullen. He visits you while you sleep, TW: STALKERISH)
-Have I found You?- 💔💖Twilight AU Miguel Cullen, inspired by ending prom scene of the first Twilight movie (contains a piece of art I commissioned from @momosfroggies)
-In Between the Bookshelves-💖🔥🌶️🌶️🌶️ Librarian!Miguel AU, a trip to the library has a spicy conclusion
-In a Vial around your pretty little neck 🌶️🌶️💖(you & Miguel wear vials of each other's blood)
-The Stuffed Rabbit- 🌶️💖you go to Build-A-Bear and plan a Valentine's Day surprise for Miguel(same universe as in a vial around your pretty little neck)
-With New Eyes, Every Time-🌶️💖 with Miguel about your date to the aquarium, inspired by one of my moots.
-Books and Puzzles -🌶️💖 Bookstore, coffee and puzzle building date with Miguel
-Miguel Parenting Headcanons🌶️💖 (two parts which are linked in the post)
-Mom and Dad are Fighting on Christmas🌶️🌶️💔💖 (Jerry Maguire inspired, angsty piece with Miguel) also a Valentines spinoff: Mom and Dad are Fighting on Valentine's Day 🌶️🌶️💔💖
-Blurred Lines -🌶️🌶️💔💖, (2 parts)you become his fwb reluctantly in hopes he'll eventually fall in love with you too, but it's not that simple.
-Relationship Weight🌶️🌶️💖soft Miguel reassuring insecure reader
-Bedtime Giggles- 💖short fluffy blurb with Mig
-Breakfast for dinner 💖🌶️-short fluffy blurb with Mig
-Fortune Cookies💖-fluffy blurb with Mig sharing takeout & fortune cookies
-I'm Here -💖🌶️fluffy blurb with Mig, helping you with your back pain, inspired by another Tumblr user.
-A Day Off At Miguel's💖 -longer fluffy blurb where your boyfriend cheats & Miguel's there to cheer you up.
-Long Distance 🌶️🌶️🌶️-naughty dialogue on the phone with him
-Silent - 🌶️🌶️💖 smutty short blurb exploring Miguel's quiet side in the bedroom
-Love Across Dimensions💖💔-fluffy angsty headcanon outline of your relationship. A spinoff from Long Distance. Along with smutty pt 2.🌶️🌶️🌶️💖💔
-Still and All -angsty, heavier piece(lots of TW in description). You have a lifelong STI and you need to tell Miguel when you start dating him. 🌶️🌶️💔💖🔥
-The Woman He Didn't Choose -mini series ongoing 4 chapters/?-angsty Bachelor AU where you made the final two but he chose the other woman. 🌶️🌶️💔🔥
-Traitor- angsty blurb about your breakup with Miguel inspired by some break up songs. 🌶️🌶️💔
-Just A Little Carried Away -NSFW Mig blurb 🌶️🌶️🌶️
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Ben Reilly
Dating Headcanons-reader x Ben 🌶️💖
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Carlisle Cullen
Random Headcanons 🌶️💖
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Gallery (art I've commissioned from artists to accompany my fics/just for fun)
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Art by the amazing ejpuki on Instagram based on Part 1 of my Miguel series DD in which he meets you as your Uber Driver after a drunken night out, and your relationship grows based on the og Miguel O'Hara comic with a twist. Please check out ejpuki on insta and support 🖤
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Art by the amazing ejpuki on Instagram based on Part 3 of my Miguel series DD in which he meets you as your Uber Driver after a drunken night out, and your relationship grows based on the og Miguel O'Hara comic with a twist. Please check out ejpuki on insta and support 🖤
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It is finally finished!! I am done and is so happy!!!
This is an AU exploring the concept of Sūn Wùkōng/Dàshèng as a Yaksha and Tu Di Gong, rather than being a Yaoguai Warlord during his later years reigning as the Monkey King.
This AU follows the beginning (with some changes here and there) up until Wùkōng's shenanigans with Ao Guang, then he went on a separate path from Wu Cheng'en's novel.
In this iteration our favourite Monkey explored the realms as he burned up time, but then he took a particular interest in the humans' ways of producing food. Since Dàshèng was so used to the grandeur and bounties of Huagoushan (being surrounded by such lush forests and mountains that never withered nor died) he sort of took pity on them before deciding to help them grow their crops much better.
But this is just the very much shortened summary of the beginning of this AU, and I have compiled some research and even more lore in my Google Documents just to expand on this idea more.
This— Westward To Tathāgatagarbha Lore Google Documents
This is the Google Document of my AU, which I highly recommend for you to read! It explains all the other details and such on this story! I did my best on making them but there would be still mistakes that I have yet to find, but it should be decent!!
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This is a more casual look for Dàshèng/Wùkōng for this AU as well as some brief pointers! I made this before the portrait so some things might have changed.
(Don't mind him holding a cup of beer it's fine.)
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Taken from the server (with some hints for the next half of the archives/docs) which instantly kickstarted this whole thing haahahjjjss, but it really was so fun talking about it to others! They gave me more inspiration that I can handle.
And what is Tathāgatagarbha you ask? (Brief)
In Buddhist philosophy, Buddha-nature is the potential for all sentient beings to become a Buddha or the fact that all beings already have a pure buddha-essence within. "Buddha-nature" is the common English translation for several related Mahayana Buddhist terms, most notably tathāgatagarbha and buddhadhātu, but also sugatagarbha, and buddhagarbha. Tathāgatagarbha can mean "the womb" or "embryo" (garbha) of the "thus-gone one" (tathāgata), and can also mean "containing a tathāgata". Buddhadhātu can mean "buddha-element," "buddha-realm" or "buddha-substrate"
The Chinese translated the term tathāgatagarbha as rúláizàng (如来藏), or "Tathāgata's (rúlái) storehouse" (zàng). According to Brown, "storehouse" may indicate both "that which enfolds or contains something", or "that which is itself enfolded, hidden or contained by another." The Tibetan translation is de bzhin gshegs pa'i snying po, which cannot be translated as "womb" (mngal or lhums), but as "embryonic essence", "kernel" or "heart".
The term tathagatagarbha first appears in the Tathāgatagarbha sūtras, which date to the 2nd and third centuries CE.
There will be more to this in the future when I'm finished researching more about it.
Also, speaking of people that inspire me, I'm calling my dear friends here who I think might like this: @digitalagepulao @kaijufluffs @sketching-shark @lavaflowe @sixteenthchapel @jttw-monkeybusiness and @hcdragoncat !!
Special thanks to Pardal and Grandpa Sun for getting me to write more of this too :D I had such great fun!
I have so much more to add to the docs and here but this is all for now :) and honestly this is one of the greatest projects I've started aside from the older ones. I'll come back again soon with more additions and art! And lore (And maybe some interactions with a few West Heaven occupants??)!!!
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sitp-recs · 3 months
Note
hi, can you by any chance recommend any drarry fics where they're both professors?
Absolutely, anon! I hope you enjoy:
Professor Potter and his Magical Menagerie by @dracogotgame (T, 7.5k)
Harry Potter descends on Hogwarts with a horde of magical beasts. Professor Malfoy is not amused.
More Than That by joosetta (E, 11k)
This is a story about two 52 year old men who refuse to age gracefully.
Homecoming by November Snowflake (E, 27k)
Harry thinks spending two weeks as a guest lecturer at Hogwarts will offer the perfect chance to get away from his troubles. Then he meets his assigned faculty guide: Potions Master Draco Malfoy.
Phoenix in the Fire by @lqtraintracks (E, 28k)
Harry never expected to have a hot summer fling with Draco Malfoy when he agreed to mind the castle with him. He also never expected that it would all have to end on August thirty-first. What happens when casual sex with Harry’s ex-enemy turns not casual after all? And how the hell is he going to stop Draco from making one of the biggest mistakes of his life?
Boom Clap (The Sound of My Heart) by Femme and noeon (E, 39k)
Post-war Hogwarts has been energized by its new teaching fellows program. Where once bitter enmity divided the wizarding community, Malfoy and Potter chummily patrol hallways together whilst Granger and Zabini seek lost parts of the castle at McGonagall’s behest and Chang supervises Quidditch when not lecturing in Charms.
Of Roses and Dragonfire by xErised (E, 53k)
Years after That Kiss, Potter (and his new pet snake) appears again, this time as Hogwarts's Quidditch and Muggle Games instructor (what are Muggle Games anyway? Is this why Potter is swimming in the Great Lake wearing such a tiny pair of pants?), disrupting Draco's peaceful life as Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.
A Lick and a Promise by @tackytigerfic (E, 55k)
Something sinister stirs in Hogwarts! When magical creatures and students at the school are hit with a debilitating blood curse, Minerva McGonagall approaches the Ministry for help. Star Auror Harry Potter seems to be the obvious choice to go undercover—as DADA Professor, naturally. He’s going to need the help of the Ministry’s foremost expert in blood magic to get to the bottom of the mystery, though, and he’s not entirely convinced that going back to Hogwarts with Draco Malfoy is a good idea.
Finely Drawn Lines by @the-sinking-ship (E, 61k)
Draco doesn’t consider himself an artist (though the dozens of sketchbooks lining his shelves might suggest differently). Yet ever since Potter returned to Hogwarts, accepting a teaching position alongside Draco, his drawings have taken on a rather singular focus.
Transfigurations by Resonant (E, 71k)
Five years after Voldemort's defeat, Harry returns to England to help re-open Hogwarts.
Lessons in Humility by playout (E, 86k)
After the dissolution of his marriage and a good bit of soul-searching, Harry returns to Hogwarts as the new Defense teacher. Go figure, it happens to be the same year Draco takes over the role of Potions Master. Neither man is happy about this turn of events. Will they be able to set aside their differences and learn a thing or two about trust and humility on the way?
All Life is Yours to Miss by Saras_Girl (M, 114k)
Professor Malfoy's world is contained, controlled, and as solitary as he can make it, but when an act of petty revenge goes horribly awry, he and his trusty six-legged friend are thrown into Hogwarts life at the deep end and must learn to live, love and let go.
A Secondary Education by Thunderbird587 (E, 234k)
Fleeing the aftermath of his recent divorce, Draco Malfoy takes up a post as the new Potions Master at Hogwarts. At first he believes his hopes for a fresh start are dashed when he sees that a certain boyhood rival is on staff there as well. But Harry Potter is being weirdly nice to him, leaving Draco no choice but to play along.
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It's finally here!!!
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Graphic design is my passion LMFAO but as i said i would do a while back,i've created a masterpost of all the Jason Todd content that's worth your time!This is rather long but he's existed since 1983 so!!
Base edit is my little sister @mayameanderings and tagging @coffeemilkcatz and @nanaonmars since they said yes when i asked if they wanted me to!Let's dive in then!
Batman 408-426,Detective comics 568-582,Superman annual 11,New Teen Titans 18-31,Blue Devil 19,Action comics 556 and 594,Batman Annuals 10-12 and Batman(The cult)for pre-reboot Robin!Jason my beloved
Nightwing Year One 101-106,New Teen Titans 55,Nightwing 10(1997)and Legends of the Dark Knight 100 for Dick and Jason siblinghood,Gotham Knights 34 for the short story of him and Alfred and Detective comics 790 for Bruce telling Cass about him as it takes place on Jason's birthday
Lost Days aka the Red Hood prologue
Under The Red Hood(2010)-The original comic is good in it's own right but the movie is leagues better written(Rare comic book adaption exception lmao)
Robin 177 and 182-183 for tha actual Tim and Jason beef instead of 'replacement' and 'enemy to caretaker' bs
Azreal:Death's Dark Knight 3(Can't give commentary on this one since i don't know Azreal like that,sorry)
Red Hood and The Outlaws(2016).Unlike the Utrh comic vs the Utrh movie,the original Rhato has nothing positive like the reboot
Not TECHNICALLY Jason BUT Duke is his favorite brother and Stephanie's the only Batfam girl he's truly close to so you should also stan them since he'd want you to /lh
Red Hood:Outlaw for the confirmation that Red Hood loves black women from infinity to infinityyyyy(meaning his love interest Dana Harlowe is introduced and featured as an mc in this run)
Urban Legends 1-6 for his return to the Batfam-Messy tbh but i do enjoy parts of it!
Task Force Z for him and Stephanie being a vigilante team and it has a prelude,that being Detective comics 1041-1043
Unkillables and Joker:The Man Who Stopped Laughing for Jayrose goodies and more of the above
Gotham War if you feel like turning off your brain to look at good art and laugh at dogshit writing
Red Hood:The Hill is his current run and when our queen Dana comes home from comics limbo!!!
The following is a misc list that's not required to include in your Jason knowledge but HIGHLY recommended you do just for fun!
Tiny Titans 23,29,33,39,45 and 47,Bombshells 46,60 and 62,Bombshells United 18-24,Lego Batman:Family Matters,A Death In The Family 2020,Batman:The Adventures Continue,Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 5-6,The Doom That Came to Gotham 2023 and The Teen Titans Go episode 'The Best Robin'(Pre-Reboot Robin Jason rights!!!).Also look up 'Nobody cares about Tim Drake' if you don't know what that is,you'll love it
Jason also appears in the Lego DC Super Villains games that i highly recommend as well especially because my girlfriend is a mega fan of it and i don't know much about Lego Batman 3:Beyond Gotham but please avoid the aformentioned original Rhato,Red Hood:Outlaws and the Gotham Knights game as they feature extremely problematic writing not limited to but including racialized misogyny and ableism and do disservice to Jason himself anyway so you wouldn't want to consume them to begin with if you want to like him.I have mixed feelings on the Arkham Knight and Injustice games series' but they are objectively fairly good so i wouldn't say no to giving them a shot to see if you like them
And for the finale we have Wayne Family Adventures-Definitely a good read but to be totally honest it does Duke DIRTY and it sucks so much of DC to have marketed as his series to not only not follow through at all and make it an ensemble cast instead but ALSO deprive him of his actual characterization and story to make him a demure weak black boy stereotype.I won't judge you at all for liking it if you decided to read it or have already but kindly keep this in mind and consider joining me and my mutuals in our rewrite of it to give our Signal of Hope and Chaos the writing he deserves or at least support us through likes and reblogs!Happy Jason readings and have a good day💕
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argoscity · 7 months
Text
ULTIMATE SUPERGIRL READING GUIDE
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since i've been asked a few times in the past for various reading guides for kara, i thought i'd compile them all into one post for the sake of convenience!
this guide has reading orders for supergirl comics in PRE-CRISIS (1959-1985), POST-CRISIS (2004-2011), NEW 52 (2011-2016), REBIRTH (2016-2021), and INFINITE FRONTIER (2021-present).
if you have any questions at all don't be afraid to shoot me an ask!
for each section bolded comics are required, italicized comics are recommended, and everything else is optional!
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[PRE-CRISIS]
ORIGIN AND MIDVALE ERA (NOTE: you'll have to flip to the back of each issue to get to kara's section!) action comics (1938) #252, 258, 267, 276, 278-282, 285, 295, 309-310, 313, 317
STANHOPE COLLEGE action comics (1938) #318, 366-368, 372, 374 world’s finest (1941) #169 adventure comics (1938) #381, 386, 391, 395, 397
K-SFTV REPORTER — SAN FRANCISCO adventure comics (1938) #406-407, 410-415, 419-424
VANDYRE UNIVERSITY supergirl (1974) #1-10
STUDENT ADVISOR — FLORIDA (NOTE: every member of the superfamily has a story in the superman family (1974), so you'll have to flip through to find kara's section!) the superman family (1974) #165, 168, 171, 177 justice league of america (1960) #132-134 the superman family #183, 184-186, 187-189, 191-193, 196-198, 201-202, 203, 204-205
ACTRESS — NEW YORK the superman family (1974) 208-210, 211-214, 215-216, 217, 218 superman (1939) #373 (second story titled “an eye (and ear) on the world!”) detective comics (1937) #508-510 the superman family #219-222
LAKE SHORE UNIVERSITY supergirl (1982) #1-12 (cw: nazi imagery in the brief interlude in #12)  supergirl (1982) #13-15 (cw: antisemitism, nazi imagery, depictions of the holocaust.) supergirl (1982) #16-23
LAST APPEARANCES AND DEATH legion of superheroes (1980) #300-303 tales of the legion (1985) #4-7 crisis on infinite earths (1985) #4-7
BONUS POST-COIE APPEARANCES christmas with the super-heroes (1988) #2 (last story titled “should auld acquaintance be forgot”) supergirl (1996) #49, 75-80 solo (2004) #1 (third story titled “young love”) convergence: adventures of superman (2015) #1-2
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[POST-CRISIS]
ORIGIN superman/batman (2003) #8-13  (or you can watch superman/batman: apocalypse (2010) instead which I recommend! the art is a lot more tasteful and it's a very faithful adaptation of the comic so you won’t be missing out on anything.)
KARA WITH THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES supergirl and the legion of super-heroes (2006) #16-36
LOEB AND KELLY HELL ERA supergirl (2005) #1-5, 9-10, 19 (you don’t have to read any of this since it gets retconned anyway, but if you’re interested in kara’s early characterization, the beginnings of her friendship with cassie sandsmark, or her difficulty fitting in on earth then you’re welcome to read what i’ve provided.)
KELLEY PUCKETT ERA Amazons Attack! teen titans (2003) #47-48  amazons attack! (2007) #3  supergirl (2005) #20  amazons attack! (2007) #4  teen titans (2003) #49
supergirl (2005) #21-22  teen titans (2003) #50, 51-55  supergirl (2005) #25-33
Superman: Brainiac  action comics (1938) #866-870
GATES AND IGLE HEAVEN ERA supergirl (2005) #34
New Krypton (new krypton is one of my favorite events and i recommend it in its entirety, but for the sake of brevity I’ll only be listing the issues relevant to kara.) superman: new krypton special #1  superman (1939) #681  adventure comics special featuring guardian #1  action comics (1938) #871  supergirl (2005) #35  superman (1939) #682  action comics (1938) #872  supergirl (2005) #36  superman (1939) #683  action comics (1938) #873
teen titans (2003) #66  supergirl (2005) #37-42
Friends and Fugitives superman: secret Files 2009 #1  supergirl (2005) #43  action comics (1938) #881  supergirl (2005) #45  action comics (1938) #882  supergirl (2005) #46-47
supergirl (2005) annual 1, #48-50
Last Stand of New Krypton  adventure comics (2009) #8  superman: last stand of new krypton #1  supergirl (2005) #51  superman (1938) #698  adventure comics (2009) #9  superman: last stand of new krypton #2  adventure comics (2009) #10  supergirl (2005) #52  superman (1938) #699  superman: last stand of new krypton #3 superman: war of the supermen (2010) #0, 1-4 
supergirl (2005) #53-57, annual 2, 58-59
END OF SUPERGIRL VOL 5 supergirl (2005) #60-64 supergirl (2005) #65-67
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[NEW 52]
ORIGIN and SUPERGIRL VS THE WORLDKILLERS supergirl (2011) #1-7
SUPERGIRL and SILVER BANSHEE supergirl (2011) #8-11
SUPERGIRL and SUPERBOY superboy (2011) #6
SANCTUARY supergirl (2011) #12, 0, 13
H’EL ON EARTH superman (2011) #13 supergirl (2011) #14 superman (2011) #14 superboy (2011) #15 supergirl (2011) #15 superboy (2011) #16 superboy (2011) Annual #1 supergirl (2011) #16 superman (2011) #16 superboy (2011) #17 supergirl (2011) #17 superman (2011) #17
SUPERGIRL and POWERGIRL supergirl (2011) #18-20
CYBORG SUPERMAN supergirl (2011) #21-23 action comics (2011) #23.1 supergirl (2011) #24
KRYPTON RETURNS action comics (2011) annual #2 superboy (2011) #25 supergirl (2011) #25 superman (2011) #25
SUPERGIRL VS LOBO supergirl (2011) #26-27
RED DAUGHTER OF KRYPTON supergirl (2011) #28-29 red lanterns (2011) #28-29 supergirl (2011) #30 red lanterns (2011) #30 supergirl (2011) #31 red lanterns (2011) #31-32 supergirl (2011) #32-33
SUPERMAN: DOOMED (this is a whole storyline but I'll only be listing the issues that kara appears in!) superman/wonder woman (2013) #9 action comics (2011) #33 supergirl (2011) #34 superman: doomed (2014) #2 action comics (2011) #35 supergirl (2011) #35
FUTURES END supergirl: futures end (2014) #1
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED justice league united (2014) #1-5 justice league united (2014) annual #1 justice league united (2014) #6-10
CRUCIBLE supergirl (2011) #36-40
FINAL DAYS OF SUPERMAN (kara only appears in the issues i've italicized and bolded, but i put all the relevant issues if you wanted to read the full storyline!) superman (2011) #51 batman/superman (2013) #31 action comics (2011) #51 superman/wonder woman (2013) #28 batman/superman (2013) #32 action comics (2011) #52 superman/wonder woman (2013) #29 superman (2011) #52
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[REBIRTH]
KARA IN NATIONAL CITY supergirl: rebirth #1
supergirl (2016) #1-8 batgirl (2016) annual 1 supergirl #9-12
supergirl (2016) annual 1 supergirl #13-20
world's finest: batwoman and supergirl #1-2
ROGOL ZAAR and THE SINS OF THE CIRCLE the man of steel #1-2, 3-6 supergirl #21-33, #34-36
LEVIATHAN and BATMAN WHO LAUGHS superman: leviathan rising special #1 supergirl #34-36 supergirl (2016) annual 2 supergirl #37-42
HOUSE OF KENT action comics (2016) #1022-1023 action comics (2016) #1024-1028
FUTURE STATE superman of metropolis (2021) #1-2 kara zor el, superwoman (2021) #1-2
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[INFINITE FRONTIER]
action comics 2021 annual
WOMAN OF TOMORROW supergirl: woman of tomorrow (2021) #1-8
WORLD'S FINEST batman/superman: world's finest (2022) #2-6, 8, 12
A WORLD WITHOUT CLARK KENT and RED MOON (kara is featured in the back-up story! if you want the full context of this plot i recommend reading the full warworld arc in action comics [action comics #1030-1046, superman: warworld apocalypse #1]!) action comics (2016) #1044-1046, 1047-1049
DAWN OF DC action comics (2016) #1051-1053, 1055-1056 superman (2023) #1-3 power girl special #1 steelworks (2023) #1-3
KNIGHT TERRORS knight terrors: superman (2023) #1-2
DAWN OF DC (continued) action comics: doomsday special (2023) superman (2023) #7 hawkgirl (2023) #4 action comics (2016) #1058 supergirl special (2023) action comics (2016) #1059-1060 action comics 2023 annual
power girl (2023) #6
UPCOMING IN 2024 power girl (2023) #7 [out march 26] action comics (2016) #1065 [out may 14]
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the-monkey-ruler · 16 days
Note
Which translation/adaptation of JTTW is best for beginners? Besides maybe Dragon Ball (doubt it counts)
Heh yeah I mean it’s a great anime but I don’t think you would have a good Xiyouji experience per se. Usually, I see Dragon Ball used as a gateway for people to THEN read/watch Xiyouji content but like it doesn’t really have much Xiyouji plot wise even if the characters are homages.
I would say that if you want an ACCURATE Xiyouji experience then you can choose between three shows. That being the classic 1986 which is many people's first Xiyouji experience as the cast is so iconic you see these designs in dozens of movies and their influence in future performances. The second is more family-friendly but still one of the most charming and fairly accurate portrayals is the 1999 Xiyouji animation, I would say far more younger people's first piece of media and without a doubt the best Xiyouji animation series thus far personally. That last I would suggest is 2011 Xiyouji series which is one of the more newer shows and I would say I would that if you want more modern effects and humor than this might be a preferance to the 1986 version. They both have their own charm but just depends on what you are looking for!
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Now while these are the most accurate there are some Xiyouji media I would still recommend even if they take far more liberties.
This without a doubt being the 1996 tv series. This is portrayed as more of a drama but between the characters and the pure HEART AND LOVE that is in this show that you will be falling in love with the characters. It vaguely follows the Xiyouji monster of the weak formula but taking far more time to humanize each enemy and having our main cast overcome not only physical obstacles but also their own emotional obstacles as well. Fantastic show. Another is Chinese Odessey (please note this is a two part movie)! This does NOT follow the journey at all instead more of an introspective of the character Wukong. This is more of comedy but this is a cult classic as one of the first romance films with Wukong to show him as more of a complex hero which was a deviation from how he was portrayed in media for years as this point. This movie is silly but it is actually very heartfelt and makes you feel for these characters's plights. If you don't know Xiyouji I would say you will be confused, but you can fall in love with these characters anyway! Whil I can't suggest Dragon Ball I can suggest another Son Goku from My Son Goku! This is a Japanese production but the animation is so fluid and the characters are not only charming but there are some heart reaching scenes in this very cute art style! I would say give this a watch if you enjoy anime but also can appreciate angst even in a cute style.
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If you are looking for more just great Xiyouji movies that you can pop in and a fantastic one is the 2015 Hero is Back! This was the Wukong come back animation-wise since 1999 and a lot of people first Wukong in the big screens! Does take liberties story wise as we don't see Sha Wujing or any of the journey really, but the HEART and soul of Sun Wukong is there. Another great one is just watching the first and classic 1961 Havoc in Heaven! This was the staple of Wukong iconics for decades and even now you see this Wukong in commercials! This is just a beautiful art style and without a doubt charming and feel good vibes. This one is surprising but actually Nezha Reborn where Sun Wukong actually makes a cameo appearance, but I hear so many people got into Xiyouji just cause how much they love him. So while it's not Xiyouji I would say give it a watch if you are a die hard Sun Wukong fan.
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There is also Monkey King Reborn which while less known I still think is wonderfully popular and shows both great animation and also how all three characters of Wukong, Bajie, and Wujing interact in a movie. There is also Monkey King 2 which I know that usually I would say which the first movie but honestly the second movie is my personal fav. You don't miss much without watching the first as the second starts right at the begging of the journey and we are introduced to some of the best designs for these characters in my opinion. This last one is kinda of a hit-or-miss but Conquering the Demon! This one follows Sanzang as a demon hunter in a loosely based story of him finding his disciples, each more monstrous than the last in a dark-comedy! If you enjoy Stephen Chow films then you know what kind of humor you are going to get but it is new take on Xiyouji films in a unique but still entertaining manner! They really make you feel for Sanzang as a character and one of the best humanizations of him really as a man still learning about the world himself.
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There some other that are great but I would suggest more on a second watch or if you know the story more! Saiyuki / The Great Alakazam was the first eng dub saiyuki piece of media that came to the USA and still had a lasting influence with the beloved character Rinrin! There is also Monkey King 2009 that only looks at the story BEFORE the journey, adding so many elements to Wukong's childhood and his relationship with the Six Eared Macaque. I would also suggest the Monkey King Netflix Movie as while it is fast-paced it really makes you understand how dangerous but also how complex Sun Wukong is. I think it was a charming movie so give it a watch!. Last is Immortal Demon Slayer! This movie was based on a web novel that was extremely popular in the early 2000s which was based off Chinese Odessey funny enough! This is a movie I would suggest if you know Xiyouji already but it such a tragedy I have to share if you love angst.
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If anyone wants to share their what was their first Xiyouji or their favorite Xioyuji please let me know!
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v0idim · 3 months
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Idk where the art is someone drop the art credit in the comments 🙌😜
Small Encounters
Itadori Yuji x Reader
!Basketball College AU!
After accidentally running into Nobaras Friend, a small interest
sparks between the two college students.
1/?
☆*:.。. o(First Small Encounter)o .。.:*☆
10:47 AM
Nobara : Y/nnnnnnnnn
Y/n : ?
Nobara : Come to the basketball game with me pleaseee I don’t wanna come alone☹️☹️
Y/n : What time and where
Nobara : Girl. Literally it’s been promoted everywhere. literallt where all the games happen duhhh and it’s at 7. Be ready at 6
Y/n : Dude i never even said yes but okay text me when ur on ur way. my classes end at 4 so i could’ve have time to get ready
Nobara : Okay i’ll see u then love u 😘😘
You place your phone down on your nightstand, sluggishly rolling your body out of bed. You put on you slippers and walk to the bathroom to do your morning routine. Classes didn’t start till 1:30 so you had some time to get ready and eat.
^Itadori POV^
“Nobara did you ask her” Itadori had the same morning class as Kugisaki. He whined to her as he laid his head down onto her desk.
“Yes now give me money.” Itadori had always thought you was pretty. They had attended some of the same parties this year since he had mutual friends with you. After finding out Kugisaki is close friend with you, he used it to his advantage. Using every chance he got to try seeing you more often.
^Y/n POV^
After putting on a decent outfit you headed to the front door of your apartment and slipped on your shoes. Looking at the time in your phone. It was exactly 12. Still an hour and a half till your class started, you went to the nearest cafe to get a snack and some Drink before heading to class.
You walked to the cafe, not driving since the cafe was only a couple minutes away. Passing some clothing stores, taking a glance inside you see your friend shopping.
“Nobara I thought you had class” You Walked into the store and approaching the brown haired girl.
“I did but i left early, I couldn’t deal with my friend, He’s such a headache.” Kugisaki massaged her temples. Linking her arm with yours before walking out of the store. “That store has no cute clothes, it’s all old lady clothes.”
“That’s not nice, I thought some of the shirts were cute.” She eyed you before continuing to walk. “I’m gonna go grab a coffee, wanna come with?”
“Sure! You’re paying though.I paid last time we went out and I’m broke right now”
You opened the door to the cafe for her. All tall figure comes behind you grabbing the door, their arm above your head, now holding the door open for you. You thanked them before walking in, already seeing Nobara looking at the menu. She turned around, her facial expression turning into an annoyed look.
“Yuji what are you doing here.” Looking up at the pink haired boy. You watched them interact then looking at the menu to decide what you wanted to get.
“I was just walking by and I saw you and your gorgeous friend and yea. What are you guys getting? Have any recommendations?” Itadori was now standing right next to you. Standing way too close. Ignoring his presence and the conversation he was having with you friend, you kept on looking at the menu before getting your body yanked to the side by Nobara.
“Leave us alone Yu, she doesn’t wanna give you a “recommendation” you don’t even drink this type of stuff. You only like energy drinks” Nobara seemed annoyed by his sudden appearance. You noticed Nobara getting protective over you, questioning it.
“You’re such a meanie Nobara, I just wanted to try something new.” The pink haired guy walked towards you, standing in front of you. “Hey my name is Itadori Yuji.”
“Hello, I’m L/n F/n” He extended his hand to shake yours. Which you hesitantly shook. “Is he the “headache” from your class?” You turned over to Kugisaki, rolling her eyes at Yuji.
“Yes that’s him. Now you see why he’s a headache?” Yuji clutched his sweater, pretending to be overly offended by her words.
“Such a meanie, this is why no guy likes you.” Itadori said teasingly, he averted his gaze back to you. “She’s so mean to me for no reason. I’m so cool in my opinion, I have cool hair, I do cool stuff, and I’m funny. Right?” He stared at you, waiting for a response.
“I mean I don’t even know you but yea?” You didn’t know what to say, you haven’t even had a conversation with him before but he does seem like a cool person to you. You walked to the register and ordered your drink.Kugisaki ordered hers and right after Itadori ordered his. Catching you off guard, knowing you had to pay for his drink now too. You let it slide since you didn’t want to seem rude.
Grabbing your wallet out of your bag, you look up to see Itadori had already paid for it. ‘what a gentleman’
The three of you waited for your drinks, stand in to the side as Itadori and Kugisaki argued about anything and everything. Hearing your order be called, you all grabbed your drinks before heading out the doors.
“Hey L/n what time does your class start at? It’s 1:18, we should go do something.” Itadori glanced at you, watching your expression change.
“Oh shit, class starts in 12 minutes. And the walk is pretty far. Bye guys It was nice meeting you Itadori!” You quickened your pace. Saying your goodbye and thanking Itadori for paying for the drinks.
“Hold up! My car is right over there, I’ll just drive you to campus.” He jogged to you, matching the same pace as you. Leaving Kugisaki all alone. She turned around and went in her own direction, towards all the clothing stores.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a burden to you. I can just walk it’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. Going late is bad L/n, and don’t call yourself a burden. Don’t worry I’ll just take you.”
He grabbed the keys out of his pocket before leading the way to his car. You arrived to the parking garage where he stationed his car. An all black 2015 GT Ford Mustang, he opened the passenger door for you, you dipped into the car. The interior was mostly black leather with some red accents.
"Your car is sick Itadori." You watch him get into the drivers side, putting on the seat belt before starting the car. A low pur coming out of the engine. You smiled to yourself, you were never a car girl but you did enjoy cars, especially going fast.
"Thanks, if we take the long way, we can get onto the highway and I'll show you how fast it goes." Itadori changes the gears of the car before rolling out of the parking garage.
"I'm so down but maybe another day, my class is almost starting. Thank you though." You glance down at your phone to check the time you had 7 minutes till class started. You might be a little late but that wasn't a big issue.
You arrive to the school campus 4 minutes. The car ride over to the campus was pleasant, you held a small conversation with the pink haired boy and got to know more about him. He told you about his dreams and ambitions, how he wanted to become an all star basketball player some day, moving to the states to pursue his career after he finished college.
"Thank you so much Itadori, it was a pleasure meeting you!" You hoped out of the car, slightly bowing your head in a form of gratitude towards the man. You left some money in the console of his car, he did pay for the coffee and gave you a ride to school.
"No problem seriously, what time does your class end at by the way?" A few cars that were behind him started honking their horn since he was blocking the way.
"It ends at 4. People are honking at you, you should get going." You laugh a little at him as you closed the door, Itadori lowered the window of the door down. He rolls his eye playfully at you as he begins to put his car in first gear.
"Alright, I'll pick you up. Just meet me near the music building." His car started move slowly, you quickly started following the cars pace. Placing your hand on the ledge of the door. You glare your eyes at him.
"You are not picking me up, you already done so much for me, bye Itadori." You walk away from the car, waving at him over your shoulder and start walking to your class.
"We'll see about that!" He yells out of the car window before speeding off. You walk up the stairs to your first class, arriving a couple minutes late. Taking a seat in the back next to an acquaintance, Ogami Hinata.
"So, you and Itadori a thing?" Your eyes pop out your head as you face the black haired girl.
"Excuse me?" You're extremely taken aback from this comment. You had just met the guy and people already assume your dating! You thought to yourself he relationship with Itadori. Maybe she was a crazy ex girlfriend.
"I mean he dropped you off and you guys were laughing and smiling. Do you like him." She glared at you, "Many girls would kill to be in your position, including me! Just imagine Itadori driving me to school." She covered her face and blush tainted her ivory cheeks. "You're so lucky!"
You don't respond to her, not knowing what to say you leave the conversation as is, letting silence take over.
Class came to an end faster than you expected. You step out of the music building and to your surprise you see Itaadori's all back Mustang parked.
Notes - Sorry this was so rushed, should i continue this small ff?😜
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solarisensun · 2 years
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Broken Loyalties (2)
Yandere! Thoma + Ayato x f!reader 
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- thank you for your patience with me as i wrote this. its one of my longer fics and i drew alot of inspiration from ayato’s character teaser when i wrote this. enjoy <33 it is highly recommended that you read p1 before reading this and NO there will not be a p3
After your little stunt, Ayato makes his final decision 
Warnings: smut, yandere themes (as usual), dubcon (intoxicated reader), implied voureyism ig
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On the outside, Kamisato Ayato appears perfect.
He smiles at the right moments, puts in a good word or two whenever the conversation beckons towards him. It was an art that he’d perfected over the years ever since he became the head of the Kamisato clan at such a young age. Although it allowed him to solidify his position amidst the hungry crowd vying for his clan’s power, to properly beat the greedy crowd vying for his position, Kamisato Ayato has done one of many despicable things. Though he’s not proud of it, there was no denying that he’d grabbed his position with his own hungry hands and shaped it into the status he had right now.
Nevertheless, he likes to comfort himself that he did it not for himself. But instead, he’d done it for the clan. Their family would be in shambles if he turned a blind eye. How could he abandon the position that his family had held for generations? And as another cold body is flung into the ocean just outside of the Kamisato manor, he tells himself: It’s for the clan.
The Fontaine merchant in front of him guffaws at a neat little joke he’d just slid into their conversation. Another potential ally in his pocket. Now that things in Inazuma have become more stable with the traveler’s help, Ayato doesn’t have to always draw his blade to get the things that he wants. Usually, all it now takes is a little convincing to have things going smooth sailing.
In the worst case scenario, he can always send in the Shumaatsuban instead of stepping in himself. Investing heavily into the Shumaatsuban when it was still in its early roots had certainly been one of Ayato’s best choices.
Over the rim of his glass, Ayato shoots the merchant’s blushing daughter a well-practiced smirk. One that makes her avert her eyes as the blush across her cheeks burn crimson red. Earlier, he’d caught her staring at him across the room. Seeing how deep her father’s pockets ran, it wouldn’t hurt to charm her. Fortunately, she doesn’t seem to notice how hollow his perfect smile is.
The clink of glass draws his gaze to the corner. And like a moth drawn to a flame, Ayato’s gaze falls upon your figure again.
He’d met you many years ago, back when he was still navigating the turbulent waters of being the Kamisato head. Ayato had always been a selfish man who had to control his desires. He was thrusted into this position and robbed of his childhood. Nonetheless, you make him feel alive again. Like he isn’t just existing instead of living. So how could you tell him that you were leaving back to Mondstadt? All this time, he thought that the two of you had built a bond. And when you told him that a boat agreed to smuggle you back to Mondstadt, Ayato acts before his brain can fully comprehend the fact that you’re leaving him.
It’s laughably easy to trap a lone foreigner like you in Inazuma. His title as the head of the Yashiro Commission comes in handy too. And the same way Ayato has always justified his own actions. He argues that forcing you into a marriage with him is for your sake. What happens if you get lost out at sea? What if one of the Raiden Shogun’s lightning strikes your boat? He’d never live with himself if that happens.
But deep deep down in his selfish, rotten heart, Ayato knows that keeping you right next to him had simply boiled down to his desire for you.
Pale eyes narrow when you stumble across your two feet. You’d never stumbled; after all, wielders of the anemo vision have always been known to be light on their feet. Even after he’d stolen your vision away and hid it in a locked metal box, Ayato has always been fearful that you’d drift away in the breeze if the wind blew a little too strongly.
He would bound you in chains before he’d allow that to happen.
Ayato’s gaze slides toward the man who’s holding your limp body upright. Thoma. As if sensing the weight of his glare, the young blonde glances up guiltily, his bottom lip caught between his teeth. Ayato’s gloved grip around his cup tightens when Thoma winds his arm around your waist. The conversation in front of him tunes out into nothing but incoherent white noise. A haze of blinding jealousy wells up in him; it’s so vicious that Ayato almost forgets how to speak. Nevertheless, he’d drawn this upon himself the moment he agreed to Thoma’s request.
He downs the rest of the sake with a neat flip of his wrist. “Please excuse me.” The young lord gives his guests a blinding smile. One that hides the sharp gleam in his pretty eyes. “It looks like my wife has had too much to drink. I should escort her to her room.” He finishes his sentence with an airy laugh. One that prompts everyone to chuckle along like sheep blindly following a shepherd. Although all Ayato wants is to rip you out of Thoma’s arms, he still keeps a steady grip over the reins of control. He still appears as the smooth young man that Kamisato Ayato is known for. After all, his position is also one of the reasons he can keep you here.
As the guests mingle amongst themselves, Ayato crosses the room towards you in large strides. “I’ll take it from here.” Without waiting for Thoma’s response, he sweeps you into his arms. A startled gasp falling off your lips as you wind your arms around Ayato’s neck for support. Something in him purrs its approval when he sees the disgruntled look on Thoma’s face.
“My lord-”
“ Step aside .” His words are clipped and brusque, a stark contrast to the amiable host he once was moments ago. “I told you to keep an eye on her.”
Thoma’s jaw tenses. It’s a tiny movement, any person less observant than Ayato would have missed it.
“I think it’d be best if I escorted Mrs. Kamisato to her room. You still have guests to attend to,” the stubborn look that flits across Thoma’s face is out of place. It’s one that catches Ayato by surprise. After all, the Mondstadt housekeeper had never been so direct to him before. Not until recently… Yet, Ayato schools his face into calamity, like the still surface of a pool of water.
Arched brows crept up his forehead. “When have you begun questioning my instructions?”
Thoma flinches. “I’m only trying to act in the best interests of Mrs. Kamisato.”
“Did you forget that I’m her husband?”
The word ‘husband’ seems to strike Thoma like a coiled whip. Dimly, Ayato is aware that his guests’ curious gazes have begun flickering over to the three of you. The young lord’s wife in a drunken state and his famous servant squaring against him. He couldn’t have people prying into the cracks like ravenous vultures. He couldn’t afford it.
“Step aside,” Ayato repeats with a smooth smile. “People are watching.”
Although Thoma holds his gaze for another fiery moment, and just when Ayato wonders if he has pushed him too far- Thoma steps aside, his entire body as stiff as a board.
Ayato casts him an imperious glance as he carries you out of prying eyes. In the end, Thoma’s blazing fires have never been able to triumph over tranquil waters. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that Ayato is any happier. In truth, he knew that this would happen eventually.
The careful balance he’d built with Thoma is tipping. Ever since your little stunt, Ayato can feel Thoma’s greedy gaze lingering longer, he creates more loopholes to spend more than you, and somehow , Thoma has managed to sweet talk your handmaidens to enlist him for help. No matter how hard Ayato tries to deny it, he brought this upon himself. He was the one who created that promise with Thoma. Ayato did keep his word, he assigned Thoma as your personal guard, let the two of you take more walks around the garden (where Ayato can strategically keep an eye), he even let Thoma bring you out on weekly trips to the market. A lesser man than Thoma would have lunged on you at the given chance. But Thoma is different. He’s smart, and perhaps the scariest part, Thoma knows how to hide it.
Ayato has worked with Thoma long enough to know that his charming grin and puppy dog demeanor is true… to some extent. Thoma’s connections around Inazuma is enough to rival Ayato’s, and he won’t hesitate to use them to his advantage. Ayato had never minded, as Thoma used them to help the Kamisato clan. But things are different now, Thoma wants more and more. He might not covet Ayato's position in power, but he’d probably take his place as your husband without a second thought. Such fickle things as walks and trips wouldn’t satiate his growing appetite. And now that the Sakoku Decree has been lifted, the only thing keeping you by Ayato’s side is his position as the Yashiro Commissioner.
Thoma’s waiting, waiting for Ayato to slip up and Ayato can’t afford to make a mistake when it comes to you.
It’s driving him up the walls.
Nonetheless, Ayato takes small comfort in the fact that you probably despise Thoma as much as you despise him.
Carefully, with a breathtaking gentleness that no one thought Ayato was capable of, he sets your limp body on the bed and detaches the ornate pins holding your hair up. He looks at you, your face bright under the flickering candlelight by the bed. He wonders if you are driving him mad. It’s moments like these when the splinters of his true personality shines through. The ghost of his true nature peeking out of the perfect painting he hides behind.
Even when the moon shines its silvery glow, Ayato dreams of you. Before he met you, he has never dreamed quite often. Most of his dreams are an endless sea of darkness. But even when he closes his eyes now, your face shines beneath his eyelids like a reminder of his obsession. A reminder of what he’s done to you. But in his blissful dreams, you don’t push him away. You smile at him like the first time he’s met you. You wind your arms around his neck and Ayato thinks he might drown in you.
Yet, he always wakes up with a bitter taste lingering on his tongue.
When Ayato brushes your hair out of your face, you stir. Groggy eyes fluttering open, your normally bright pupils are glazed over with a foggy layer of alcohol that murkens your senses. You laughed, giggled, in a tone that’s slightly higher than usual. “I want to drink more.” The blankets tangle around your legs as you nearly fall face flat to the floor before Ayato pushes you back to the bed again.
“You are wasted,” Ayato replies. He tucks the blanket around your squirming body again. “Stay in bed.”
The playful edge of your drunkenness is quickly replaced by the crueler side that Ayato has grown familiar with. “Don’t tell me what to do,” you retort with a glare directed at his shoulder. Another sign that you are thoroughly out of it. Your weak fist collides against his chest, rumpling up his carefully arranged clothes. “It’s so suffocating.”
“I know,” Ayato replies, his voice perfectly neutral. His cold fingers wrap around your wrists in a firm yet gentle grip.
“I hate you .”
“I know.” Carefully, he pries your fingers off the lapel of his jacket. His voice remains as calm as still water.
“Do you regret it?”
“What?” A ripple breaks across the pond.
“I don’t know.” Your voice shakes, from the alcohol or from your emotions, Ayato can’t quite tell. “Everything you’ve done to me. You said you loved me. Is that even true?” A tear trickles down your cheek.
“Shh, shh.” He wipes the tears away with a gloved thumb and presses a kiss against your forehead. “You know I do.” Ayato’s featherlight fingers smooth over your cheek. Your breath quivers with each skate of his touch against your feverishly warm skin.
“Then, let me go,” you say in a small voice.
Ayato’s chest tightens. “And what happens next? I never see you again?”
Just like that, the soft moment is shattered into tiny jagged pieces. You jerk your face out of his grip, glistening eyes fixating on him with a teary glare. “Get out,” you slur with a push against Ayato’s unmoving shoulders. All of a sudden, a cruel smile dances across the curve of your lips. “Better yet, why don’t you get Thoma to come here? It’s funny how you have no qualms of sharing me like I’m a brothel whore!”
You try to hit him again. A clumsy wobbly move that sends you falling into his arms. Your head falls against his chest as a sob wracks your shoulders.
“Get some sleep, my love,” he rasps. Even through your clothes, Ayato can feel the warm, tantalizing press of your body. A flicker of emotion that he’d fought so hard to suppress stirs in him.
“I told you,” you reply, your drowsy gaze holding him captive. In such close proximity, Ayato can count every crystal tear clinging to your lashes. There’s a sickening sense of satisfaction that he finds in making you cry, for him. “Stop telling me what to do. I want you to get out and leave me alone!”
“No, I can’t have you wandering out in front of the guests like this.”
“Why?” You sneer, your cheeks heating up with anger and frustration. “Afraid that they’ll find out how you kidnapped me and forced me-“
Something ugly rears its head in Ayato’s heart. It makes him lurch forward, makes him capture your face between his hands and claim your lips with his.
A soft whimper escapes your mouth as Ayato parts your lips with his. The sweetness of the alcohol explodes in his mouth when he pulls you closer, ignoring your half-hearted pushes against his shoulders to deepen the kiss. The weight of his body causes you to fall back to the bed, Ayato’s mouth still on yours as he kisses you so hard that it steals his breath away. Even when his entire body is draped on yours, Ayato feels like he’s burning up from the inside out. He wants to be closer , closer, closer . Maybe then, the hunger he feels for you will finally be quenched.
He wants you, he wants you so bad that it’s making him sick. Although he has you caged beside him, Ayato longs for more. He really is nothing but a selfish man.
The dark fan of your lashes sweeps across your cheeks when Ayato finally breaks away. Both of you are panting, your lips, shiny and swollen, seem to invite him for another tantalizing taste. Ayato exhales through his nose, shifts back a little to give you some space–
And then you slap him across the face, hard enough to split his lip.
For a second, the flaring pain seems to shake him out of his stupor. Ayato shakes his head a little as you glare at him, your chest is heaving heavily like you’d just ran several laps. It only serves to draw his attention to the delicious dip of your cleavage that was exposed when your kimono slipped down your shoulders.
He blinks, and his pupils are practically blown open so wide that there’s only a pale ring of violet around them. The rusty taste of blood stings his tongue, salty and hot. For a moment, the two of you glare at each other with nothing but the sound of harsh breathing echoing in the empty room. The tension between the two of your tensed bodies just millimeters apart seems to hum and crackle like snarling lightning in the air.
Despite the stinging sensation, Ayato refuses to give you the satisfaction of acknowledging it.
Instead, he swipes his tongue across the slow rivulet of blood down the side of his mouth. A deliberate move that has your gaze flickering down as you gulp.
“Stop it,” you say in a higher pitch than usual.
Ayato darts his tongue out to lick his lips again. A ravenous gaze burns in his eyes. “Do you really think that I can stop when you have such an expression on your face, my love?”
An uncharacteristic growl rumbles his throat. Without warning, Ayato kisses you again. It’s a little messier this time, your tongue fumbles awkwardly against his, but Ayato presses against your until he can see white stars of pleasure explode beneath his eyelids.Your stuttered breaths mingle together as his slender fingers unwind the obi that’s holding your kimono together.
The soft rustle of silk sliding off your skin seems to echo in his ears. With your unbound hair spread across the pillow and the glazed look of your eyes, Ayato wishes he could commission the famed painter of Mondstadt to capture the mesmerizing scene before his eyes on paper. Yet, the thought of someone else getting to see in such a state makes his blood run cold. The best he could do now was commit your beauty to memory. The touch of your fingers smoothing across his cheek alone has him hunching over, his mouth falling open in a silent gasp. It’s been so long since you last touched him like this, no more spiteful glares or flinching, just you, him, and the tender warmth of your soft body pressed against his.
More and more, the kimono slides off to reveal your beautiful skin. In his eyes, everything about you is so vividly perfect that it almost hurts to look at you.
When he caresses his fingers over your pebbled nipples, you let out a breathy little sigh
Each puff of breath against his damp skin makes his self-control unravel. He blames it on the fact that he hasn’t touched you ever since your attempted escape. To be exact, 2 months and 15 days. Not that he’s counting. But Archons , he doesn’t think he can stop now even if tried to. Ayato isn’t usually this reckless, he’s supposed to be composed and dignified. Yet, all of his mounting frustrations have piled up so high that Ayato can’t seem to bring himself to care for the fact that you are drunk out of your mind, or how you’d go back to hating him the very next morning. He doesn’t care if the alcohol is the one that’s driving you to accept him instead of your own free will.
Right now, all he cares about is the fact that you are kissing him back, you aren’t pushing him away. Gladly, he lets himself drown in your sweet white lies.
Carefully, he wraps his hand around the length of your hair and pulls your face backward so that you are forced to glare up at him. Even though there’s unadulterated lust and alcohol painted in your eyes, your lips are curled into a downward scowl. His pretty wife, still stubborn even after all this time.
“Despite everything that has happened, you are mine,” he says in a voice filled with rich, dark amusement. “Even if he spends hours with you, tends to you, touches you. You still belong to me. You know that, dear wife?” You both know who he’s referring to. In all honesty, Ayato isn’t sure if he’s saying it to you or reassuring himself. Nevertheless, it feels good to say it aloud. Thoma will never be the one you sleep next to every night. On paper and in name, you are Kamisato Ayato’s wife.
“Never,” you bite out.
When you try to half-heartedly shake his hand away, Ayato’s grip around your hair tightens and you whimper in response, forced to arch your throat in a perfect curve. A tremble skitters down your spine when he drags his tongue down the column of your neck to your collarbone. It’s probably killing you to be so exposed in front of the man you detest. But Archons, this rush of power that thrums through Ayato’s veins when you are utterly helpless before him is a high that gets him off like no other. For some reason, the taste of victory tonight is stronger than usual.
He kisses down the valley of your breasts, pushing you against the bed as he nestles himself between your legs. When he lets go of your hair, you quickly try to push him off, only to melt like putty when Ayato continues to drag his warm, wet mouth across your stomach. He hums into your skin, though the light sheen of sweat tastes salty, there’s that natural scent of just you that never failed to make his mouth water. A flick of your nipple earns him a sweet whimper and Ayato can’t help but groan in response.
By the time he reaches your thighs, the last of your fight has vanished into thin air. Instead, you press the back of your hand against your mouth with your other hand entangled amongst his pale locks. Another shudder ripples across your body when Ayato runs his nail teasingly against your inner thighs. Finally, your bare pussy is revealed to his greedy gaze. He swears that you look more tantalizing than usual, it might be the alcohol burning in your veins. The guilt Ayato first felt for forcing himself on you whilst you were intoxicated drains each time more and more of your skin is shown to his eyes.
You keen softly. “There you are, my lovely wife, all needy and whiny now that we are both in bed.” Ayato chuckles, blowing a puff of air on your glistening folds just to hear your whine once more. “As much as I love it when you give me another smart remark… I much prefer having you like this. Don’t you think that we communicate better with our bodies?”
That earns him a half hearted glare. “T-That doesn’t mean I don’t hate you.” You curl your fingers into his tousled hair and tug hard enough that Ayato can feel a blossom of soreness. “I hate you. I hate Thoma,” you breathe out, the edge of your sentence stuttering out weakly when Ayato flattens his tongue and laves it across your slit.
“You’ve stated that earlier,” he hums in response. Each syllable falling from his mouth has your back arching off the bed. “Ayato,” you cry out, flinching when his long, slender fingers dips inside you. He ignores your pleas, opting to instead take his time as his arms keep your thighs firmly spread open for his enjoyment. No one else matters in this space, and Ayato is determined to make you fall apart on his tongue. “You’re gorgeous, you know that?” he murmurs against your skin, nipping at your inner thighs playfully. “So fucking gorgeous that I can’t believe that every inch of your body-” He dips his tongue into your pussy and sucks, his eyes nearly rolling back when the taste of you explodes in his mouth and across his tongue.
Ayato may be a distinguished gentleman, but he eats you out like he’s been starving. There’s no grace or teasing when it comes to pleasuring you. He simply has the sole intent of making you come so hard that you can’t think. No matter how hard your hips buck, Ayato’s warm mouth remains latched over your pussy, determined to lick up all the arousal that’s already dripping down your thighs. Ayato chuckles in between the strokes of his tongue, making you feel each little throaty rumble through your body. When his nose bumps into your clit, your entire body twitches with a high and needy whine. At the same time, Ayato can feel your thighs closing around his face. Nonetheless, Ayato can’t help but feel a slight stab of regret. Maybe he should have forced you to sit on his face instead.
Out of nowhere, Ayato prodes his tongue into you again. But this time, his cool fingers follow suit. Whilst Ayato alternates between crooking his fingers in your soaked heat and lapping up your insides, your heady scent floods his senses as he angles his head deeper into your thighs. Even though your slick is already pouring out in an obscene amount, Ayato finds himself wishing for more, and more, and more. He could never get sick of the way you taste like the more intoxicating of liquors nor the way your folds feel like the soft brush of sakura petals against his tongue
Despite the fact that he hasn’t touched you in months, Ayato still remembers how to play your body like a skillful musician tuning his instrument to a crescendo. After all, he has always been a quick learner. And particularly passionate when it comes to the things that he adores. It doesn’t take long before you are teetering across the edge as the tension and pleasure snaps through your body, all while Ayato continues to rub the pads of his calloused fingers over your sensitive little nub.
There’s a gleam of dark satisfaction that flits across his violet eyes when you come all over his mouth. When your shaky gaze meets his, the corners of his lips upturn into a smirk as he runs his tongue over his slick stained lips. “Every inch of your body is mine , dear wife,” he purrs as he pushes himself from between your trembling thighs and leans forward to kiss you. The taste of your arousal within the kiss only serves to make the two of you groan. In stark contrast to how he ate you out, Ayato’s mouth on yours is far from gentle. Ayato kisses you to devour you, he wants to make everything in you submit to him. And then maybe finally, you won’t even think about anyone else but him. Maybe then, you’ll finally understand his obsession for you. The kiss is all teeth and tongue, with a single hand, he captures your cheeks and kisses you so hard that you melt even further into the bed. When the two of you finally break apart, Ayato breathes in and a tremble runs through his entire body.
“I did what I had to do with Thoma to keep you here,” he whispers, “You know I’ll burn down the entire world if it means keeping you with me, you know that? If he plans to steal your time, so be it. But your name belongs to me. Your body belongs to me. You belong to me .” When the warmth between your legs brushes against his stiff bulge, Ayato’s train of thought nearly shatters. A small smile upturns his lips when you don’t give him a smart answer. He really does love you when you are like this. All soft and malleable under his touch, it leaves him wondering just how far he can push you until you break.
Nonetheless, Ayato gets a response when he drags you forward - a little yelp of surprise, wrapping your legs around his hips as he slides his yukata off his shoulders. Under the muted moonlight, Ayato’s pale skin shines like the ripple of a silver koi fish reflected against the water. His sweeping lashes paint shadows down his cheekbones; though one might have confused his angelic features for innocence and elegance, the corrupt beauty that hid underneath Kamisato Ayato’s aristocratic features spoke of nothing but depravity.
Ayato hisses through his teeth when the tip of his throbbing shaft rubs against your entrance. He’s so hard that it’s a struggle for him to even think through the unadulterated lust that is clouding his usually sharp mind. You aren’t exactly making things easier for him too. With the stuttered gasps that tip out of your swollen lips each time his cock catches against your folds, Ayato inches a little closer.
Carefully, he teases your hole, dipping in a little just to give you a taste of what he had to offer before drawing back again. “Mmm.” He smirks at you with a click of his tongue, a roguish grin that wobbles at the edges when the velvety heat of your pussy tempts him to just sheath it in. “Do you think I can get myself off like this?” Ayato tightens his grip around your thighs. Though you try to pull him closer with your legs, Ayato’s strength, combined with the fact that your head is still woozy with alcohol, allows him to triumph over your pathetic attempts. He presses his cock into your entrance before pulling out again and slapping it against your clit, just to hear your whimpers. “I might just do this the entire night.” Ayato laughs softly. “You didn’t want this, right? As your husband, I have to respect your wishes.”
“A-Ayato…” you whimper. He knows what he’s doing, leaving you like this, all just so he can hear you beg.
“Yes, my love?” Ayato’s intense gaze is still fixated on your clenching hole. Archons, you are so wet. Slowly, he runs the entire length of his cock along your glossy slit, making him nearly as wet as you are. The sight of his cock on your stomach, his pre-cum dripping against your smooth skin, makes his cock twitch in response. It takes every trained effort in him not to break his patience. “All you have to do is ask… nicely. Ask me to fuck your little hole. Ask me to make love to you. Ask me to make you come until you can’t walk.”
He smiles at you, and for the first time of the long night, Ayato has finally gained the upper hand. He made you want him as much as he fucking wants you.
“Just ask me, alone .”
For a tense brief moment, Ayato wonders if you really are that stubborn. But then, you throw your head back against the pillows with a broken sob that is ripped from your throat. “Please, Ayato. Please! Y-You can have me. Please, Ayato, I need you.”
The smile on his face broadens to the point where it almost hurts. “You want me, my love? Only me?”
“Yes!” you cry out, your cheeks already wet with tears.
“Love, say my name. I want to hear you begging for me.”
“Ayato!” You wrap your arms around his neck, and Ayato nearly forgets how to breathe when he sees the want burning in your eyes. “Ayato, please. I want you.”
Without another word, Ayato snaps his hips forward until his entire cock is sheathed in you. Immediately, a sharp hiss is torn from both of your throats. “ Ahhh—” His eyes flutter close, and Ayato forces himself to breathe in through his nose. When you shudder, your velvety heat tightening around him, Ayato sinks his teeth into his bottom lip. Carefully, he slides out, making sure that you feel each vein dragging against your walls (which you do), before sliding it in, maddeningly slow. It’s a languid pace, one meant to make sure that you adjusted to his size but also to ensure that you feel empty when he slides out.
But when you let out a kittenish mewl, Ayato has to restrain the urge to rut into you just to hear you do that once more. Instead, he leans forward to inch himself deeper until his next slow thrust bumps against your cervix. His pace may not be fast, but Ayato is determined to make you feel each time his cock drags in your cunt.
“M-My love, does that feel good?” Ayato smiles at you almost condescendingly, as if he isn’t nearly about to lose his mind too. He presses himself against your body, hooking your legs over his shoulders until the both of you are so close that he can count every lash framing your glazed eyes. He loves to watch you when he’s fucking you senseless. Maybe then, he can pretend like you’re hopelessly in love with him.
The pressure of your pussy fluttering over every ridge on his cock feels insanely good. He could probably spend a whole lifetime buried between your legs if he could, maybe he should start making you sit on his lap while he goes through his paperwork. He’d ask Thoma to serve him tea on purpose, make Thoma watch as you cockwarm your husband’s cock right in front of him.
The idea makes him even harder than before. But even when he’s fucking the brains out of you, Ayato remains composed. He makes sure that every single bump and ridge drags painfully slowly against your walls each time he thrusts in. Besides, Ayato loves it too. He loves the way you moan so beautifully for him. Each little sensation seems to be amplified tenfold when he’s this slow. Ayato fucks you in deep, slow thursts, hissing between his teeth, and his hips nearly stutter when you clamp down around him so tight that he really has to put the effort to pull out and push forward again.
There is sort of a fragile intimacy when Ayato is fucking you so sensually. Each time he plunges forward at his unfaltering pace, Ayato presses your knees against your chest just so that he can angle his cock against your sweet, sensitive spot. When you stare at him in the eyes, your lips so close to his that it feels like you are both trading air, there is a sort of starry-eyed daze gleaming in them that Ayato can almost confuse for love.
“Ayato, I want more,” you tell him with a shaky gasp.
“Hmm?” Ayato punctuates his words with a particularly sharp thrust that knocks the breath out of your lungs. “Like this?” The slap of skin against skin echoes in the air. Aren’t you satisfied that I’m making love to you? You want more?”
A slow pressure has begun to build like flickering flames in Ayato’s gut. Your pussy sucks him in again when he rocks forward, making the lewd squelch of skin against skin vertebrates around the room. He nearly cums like a teenager when your walls clench around him again. Instead, he lets out a throaty groan as white hot sparks of pleasure explode in his stomach. Ayato lowers his head to your bare shoulder to sink his teeth in. It’s not hard enough to hurt, but certainly enough pressure to make sure that there would be a similar purplish mark there tomorrow.
“P-Please,” you say with a hitch in your breath each time Ayato’s cock nudges against your cervix to cause a mixture of pain and pleasure erupting across your frayed nerves. “Will you fuck me, please?”
He’d never been one to resist your words. Especially not when you beg him so nicely.
Ayato kisses you before pulling away. “Your wish is my command,” he says. And before you can blink, Ayato pounds into you so hard that it steals your breath away. Ayato’s breathing grows harsher each time he slams into your messy cunt. Already, your body is arching toward him like a moth drawn to the flame. “You like that?” Ayato pants into your ear, his fingers pet at your clit as he fucks you with a pace that sends your shared bed creaking against his weight. “You like it when I fuck you like this, my love?” He pairs his words with another cruel swirl at your sensitive little nub, making your mouth fall open in a silent cry. The shallow breaths puffing out of your throat matches the quick slap of his cock into your tight pussy, he’s going so savagely fast that it almost makes him light-headed with pleasure.
It’s utterly unlike his usual nature to be so reckless. But when he plays with your cunt for the third time, twirling your clit with his thumb, you come under him with a strained gasp. Your orgasm has your pussy clamping down around him like you are trying to milk him dry. “Ayato- hnngh . I-I’m cumming!” Your entire body convulses, almost making him lose his cool along with your high.
It doesn’t take long before Ayato has abandoned all pretense of his dignity and he’s leaning his entire body weight on you to angle himself deeper, to jackhammer into your battered cunt with the sole intent of chasing his own orgasm. Even when you cry out from the oversensitivity of his lengthy cock bruising your sensitive insides, Ayato holds you still to keep you pinned helplessly underneath him as he falls over the edge of pleasure himself. Ayato curses under his breath, the sparks of pleasure in his gut explodes into fireworks when your nipples brush against his chest, further edging him past the precipice of his orgasm.
His cock twitches in your pillowy cunt when he cums so hard that Ayato swears he blacks out for a moment. Warm liquid gushes into your cunt as Ayato continues to remain balls deep inside you, letting you savor each jerk of his cock rubbing against your now white stained walls. “ Ahh– my love,” Ayato pants out, “I’m cumming in you, yeah? Y-Your going to take every last drop of my seed in that tight little pussy of yours. I’m going to fill you up.” His large hand splays over your soft stomach, pressing almost possessively against the slight bump of his cock underneath your skin.
Even when Ayato is done, he continues to thrust his sensitive cock inside of you, just so he can see the way his cum oozes out of your pretty cunt. Clearly, he has worn you out. Your eyelids are already fluttering shut when Ayato finally pulls out. The cold air feels almost stingingly painful against his sensitive cock, but when he sees how a strand of his cum is still connected from the tip of his cock to your pussy, Ayato has to take in a deep breath to regain his composure.
By the time he’s tucked his cock back into his yukata and smoothed his hair down, you are already fast asleep. The combined ministrations of his demands and the alcohol making you burrow deep into your pillow as your chest rises up and down slowly. Unable to help himself, Ayato scoops up his murky cum from in between your legs before sliding his index finger into your warm, fluttering hole. You whimper in response, your hips writhing weakly as Ayato chuckles.
Carefully, he pushes your hair back and plants a loving kiss on your forehead. You nuzzle into the warmth of his palm, making his heart skip a beat. Unable to help himself, his smiles curled upward. That face of yours . Truly, you are the reason his mind is so unnerved.
“I’ll have someone send you the morning after tea,” he murmurs softly to avoid rousing you from your slumber.
But in the blink of an eye, the affection in his pale gaze vanishes into thin air. All of a sudden, Ayato has retreated back into the hollow shell that is Lord Kamisato. With a final glance at your peacefully sleeping figure, Ayato pushes himself off the bed and places his bare feet against the hard wooden floors.
He simply pads silently to the shoji. Though he had left it ajar when he first carried you into the room, the gap has widened significantly. Without warning, Ayato slides it open to reveal a flushed faced Thoma, who falls onto his back with an ungraceful thump at the sudden intrusion.
Emerald green clashed with violet. Nonetheless, Thoma is the one who first breaks eye contact whilst Ayato continues to gaze down haughtily at his servant’s rumpled clothes and sticky hand.
“My lord,” Thoma mutters in response.
For a long moment, the silence between both men stretches to the point where it becomes almost stifling. Despite the hostility crackling in the air, you continue to slumber peacefully, utterly unaware of the splintering cracks in their once loyal, undying relationship.
Slowly, Thoma pushes himself back to his feet. Ayato’s jaw jumps a little when the blonde steps forward. Just as Thoma opens his mouth to say something, Ayato catches his angular jaw with his hand. The tips of his fingers are so frigidly cold that it feels like Ayato was searing each individual fingerprint onto Thoma’s skin. “M-My lord..?” Thoma splutters in surprise. Yet, Ayato remains eerily silent. He merely studies Thoma with a careful eye. Unbeknownst to Thoma, the war raging in his lord’s mind ever since the beginning of the night had returned to haunt him.
What is it that he truly desires?
In truth, Ayato had always valued loyalty above all else. And when he thinks of the way you're sleeping peacefully in his bed — an image that he wants to preserve forever, to keep you shackled to him, no matter what it takes— Ayato comes to a final decision.
“My dear Thoma.” Ayato smiles cruelly. It's a devastatingly beautiful smile that whispered of nothing but dark promises; a smile that causes Thoma’s knees to tremble in fear of what’s to come. “Perhaps it is time I be a little more… generous.”
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accio-victuuri · 26 days
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an analysis : Xiao Zhan + The Moon & Sixpence 🌖
as usual with xzs videos like the one just released, you can make an entire thesis into the possible meanings of every chapter and frame. add it’s relation to xz and if you’re a pro, go deep into the techniques they used in shooting and editing. this one tho is centered around the theme of “the moon and sixpence” which is a book xz recommended before. I saw a few articles linking this to the elements on the vlog and so i looked into it.
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i have lightly talked about some elements from the vlog yesterday but focused more on the quotes that appeared and the music chosen.
it’s been years since he mentioned this book and he didn’t even say that it’s his all-time-favorite. for example, the van gogh elements, we expect that already to be a recurring theme. as well as the moon, but this one has another connection to it. i am honestly curious where his headspace is at, and why, in this specific point in time he felt so close to the message of that book or some parts of it.
let me start with a synopsis and the book is available on googlebooks if you wanna try it out like i did. 🔖
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with the plot alone, you can get a sense of why he would like it. at the time he read it, he was not yet the superstar xiao zhan that we know now. and this is why i guess he related to it more now. especially the sacrifices he has to make for the path he has chosen. this was evident in his GQ cover story interview where he compares himself to his other friends and how they have normal lives. the books is written in the first person POV of narrator who is looking into the stockbroker turned artist Charles Strickland. you get to see the thoughts of the narrator and how he views the main character of his story. the way i see it, the narrator is “Xiao Zhan the person” and how he sees “Xiao Zhan the public personality”. this concept of two sides to him was opened up in his esquire cover story and i can’t help but think it relates to this story.
i will be heavily quoting passages from the book that attracted me and i personally thought relates to xz. this is my personal interpretation only.
The greatness of Charles Strickland was authentic. It may be that you do not like his art, but at all events you can hardly refuse it the tribute of your interest. He disturbs and arrests.
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the story starts of with this line and well isn’t this one way to describe xiao zhan? he has always been described as authentic and the “real deal” as far as idols and actors go. not many people are expected to like him or be part of his fan club and chase him — however, one thing is clear: he disturbs and arrests. his popularity is something that is unheard of and many artist and companies try to replicate. he is a disturbance to the norm in c-ent and why he is a constant target. it’s his biggest asset and liability. something like MFW and stepping out of his home is also expected to attract all kinds of attention. He is aware of that.
“His faults are accepted as the necessary complement to his merits. It is still possible to discuss his place in art, and the adulation of his admirers is perhaps no less capricious than the disparagement of his detractors; but one thing can never be doubtful, and that is that he had genius. To my mind the most interesting thing in art is the personality of the artist; and if that is singular, I am willing to excuse a thousand faults.”
this is in the POV of the narrator, describing the artist he is writing a book about, Charles Strickland. the message of this quote is similar to the one i mentioned above. xz is not perfect and people, specifically his fans should accept that. it’s what makes him more real. through his wins and losses, he is still xiao zhan.
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“It is a salutary discipline to consider the vast number of books that are written, the fair hopes with which their authors see them published, and the fate which awaits them. What chance is there that any book will make its way among that multitude? And the successful books are but the successes of a season. Heaven knows what pains the author has been at, what bitter experiences he has endured and what heartache suffered, to give some chance reader a few hours’ relaxation or to while away the tedium of a journey. And if I may judge from the reviews, many of these books are well and carefully written; much thought has gone to their composition; to some even has been given the anxious labour of a lifetime. The moral I draw is that the writer should seek his reward in the pleasure of his work and in release from the burden of his thoughts; and, indifferent to aught else, care nothing for praise or censure, failure or success.”
this next passage makes me think of the projects he has done and what it must feel like for him. there are a lot of dramas/movies that come out every year and what we repeatedly hear from xz is that he only wishes to bring good works. something people will enjoy and appreciate— never mind the popularity that comes with it. he just finished filming a big project LOCH which i can only imagine is so stressful to him. and now is working on another historical drama.
he is someone who immerses himself in the character and once it’s done, it must be a huge weight off his shoulder. like what is said — seek reward in the pleasure of work and in release from the burden of his thoughts.
“Then, what in God’s name have you left her for?’
‘I want to paint.’
I looked at him for quite a long time. I did not understand. I thought he was mad. It must be remembered that I was very young, and I looked upon him as a middle-aged man. I forgot everything but my own amazement.
‘But you’re forty.’
‘That’s what made me think it was high time to begin.’
i think this one is pretty self explanatory, how he started in the entertainment circle a little bit later in his life. compared to his peers. but the answer was simple to him as it was with Strickland, in his case, “i want to sing.”
‘I tell you I’ve got to paint. I can’t help myself. When a man falls into the water it doesn’t matter how he swims, well or badly: he’s got to get out or else he’ll drown.”
this message seems similar to the one quoted on the vlog about about the rivers and small streams. in this one, it emphasizes how one should not be afraid to take the small step of “swimming badly” in hopes that someday they will wade the waters more efficiently.
“But here was a man who sincerely did not mind what people thought of him, and so convention had no hold on him; he was like a wrestler whose body is oiled; you could not get a grip on him”
If there was something in this book the describes XZ so perfectly — it is this one. I think he is not devoid of over thinking about what people say or being a people pleaser. but in recent times, i am seeing a change in him and how he is more calm. a freedom in the way he speaks, the truths he is no longer holding back. he is not afraid to be different anymore.
which led to that GUCCI outfit. LOL! 🤣🤣🤣
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‘Look here, if everyone acted like you, the world couldn’t go on.’
‘That’s a damned silly thing to say. Everyone doesn’t want to act like me. The great majority are perfectly content to do the ordinary thing.”
so true. a great majority wouldn’t and couldn’t do what he does. just looking at the chapters in the vlog, from going to a distant place and dealing with the MGW chaos. after that, being only afforded a small time to decompress and sit. to enjoy the sunset. that’s what his life is.
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“I don’t pretend to be a great painter’, he said. ‘I’m not a Michael Angelo, no, but I have something. I sell. I bring romance into the homes of all sorts of people. Do you know, they buy my pictures not only in Holland, but in Norway and Sweden and Denmark? It’s mostly merchants who buy them, and rich tradesmen. You can’t imagine what the winters are like in those countries, so long and dark and cold. They like to think that Italy is like my pictures. That’s what they expect. That’s what I expected Italy to be before I came here.”
i would guess this is how he sees his work. he never claimed to be the best, you can see that with how he always mentions wanting to be better. he wants to give the people a positive view of life. which i can clearly see from the vlogs even, makes you wanna go where he visited.
“A man’s work reveals him. In social intercourse he gives you the surface that he wishes the world to accept, and you can only gain a true knowledge of him by inferences from little actions, of which he is unconscious, and from fleeting expressions, which cross his face unknown to him. Sometimes people carry to such perfection the mask they have assumed that in due course they actually become the person they seem.”
another one that i think describes xz. his little actions that we see reveal his true self —- the gentle, funny and dorky xiao zhan which is a contrast to the character he sometimes has to portray. it’s when we talk about his duality, the way he was posing and “game face on” for GUCCI but when he did the interview you can see the dorky xiao zhan 😂
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there are times that xiao zhan merges some of the qualities of his celebrity side and i think it’s perfectly person. it is a huge part of his life, and the way i see it, his experiences only make him a better person.
“I have an idea that some men are born out of their due place. Accident has cast them amid certain surroundings, but they have always a nostalgia for a home they know not. They are strangers in their birthplace, and the leafy lanes they have known from childhood or the populous streets in which they have played, remain but a place of passage.
They may spend their whole lives aliens among their kindred and remain aloof among the only scenes they have ever known.
Perhaps it is this sense of strangeness that sends men far and wide in the search for something permanent, to which they may attach themselves. Perhaps some deep-rooted atavism urges the wanderer back to lands which his ancestors left in the dim beginnings of history.
Sometimes a man hits upon a place to which he mysteriously feels that he belongs.
Here is the home he sought, and he will settle amid scenes that he has never seen before, among men he has never known, as though they were familiar to him from his birth.
Here at last he finds rest.”
read that again. it’s a lovely way to put into words what i imagine is something that not only xz goes through. we know what kind of environment and country he lives in, i’m not trying to get political but you get the point. being a celebrity or public personality like him is vastly different from how it is with the rest of the world. i have always admired how he handles it all with grace, how he he willingly accepts the responsibility and burden of being who he is. and that’s why i was also surprised by his answer when asked about a parallel world and he answers about a superpower where he can make it possible to have no disputes in the world. being in that place, with lots of people around, from different parts of the world probably made him think more about this topic. aside from eating pizza and being his usual beautiful self, he was thinking about some serious issues too.
chapter 1 was about going to a distant place but not really, there was something in that place and experience that feels like a home he longs for.
alternate explanation, this can also mean him living his life as a graphic designer, and then spreading his wings into a different industry — being the place he has sought. but considering the time this was released and where he is now at life, i’m thinking it’s more of the former.
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so busy yearning for the moon that he never saw the sixpence at his feet. 🪙
this imagery at the end of the vlog + the coin he holds + the quote fits so well together. the way i see it, XZ is doing both. he appreciates the moon, he looks up to it but he doesn’t miss to see and hold the sixpence. it’s why he is holding on to it, in some, it was even rolling on it’s own towards him. and it’s not just the proverbial sixpence. he is seeing and appreciating his surroundings —- the egg he ate, laundry, bike etc.
as a fan, this is actually comforting to me. the book itself is not the happiest, which makes sense cause xz prefers melodramatic to downright tragic stories. but it shows a realistic view of what some goes through to pursue their dreams. it’s not as glamorous as what we see on tv or the internet. but the end of the vlog, shows that xz is keeping a balance. he is not just busy looking up at the moon— he is also living his life.
-END.
I first knew about the connection of the vlog to the book via 辉夜姬不叽 and i got hooked into writing something about it and reading the source material. i also liked @resonancewitness interpretation of the vlog, particularly the lines in starry starry night.
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