#do you seriously think wiping history and faith can be done?

[randomnameless]

"Like, Miss “I already sent my troops to conquer your lands even if you are not the one harbouring the evil lizard lady I’m trying to get rid off” would really stop her war of conquest if the evil lizard lady dies?" You could say Clout's reasoning smacks of naivete.

Clout? Reasoning?

lol

Imo, in GW, Clout is playing on levels after levels of PR (like an onion!), and this "let's kill Rhea so the war will stop" is imo a PR excuse to justify invading Faerghus and getting Rhea out of the board.

Now, why the hateboner for Rhea herself, your guess is as good as mine (at least Supreme Leader has her "negative views based on Rhea's race", but I don't know it that's any better...).

(ramblings about Claude/Clout under the cut)

Claude isn't stupid (uh...) and knows Fodlan created the locket and the Officers Academy to fight back invasions of Almyra, and yet he seems to really believe (in FE16 at least) that Rhea is the reason why Fodlan apparently doesn't like foreigners, before discovering water is wet.

Worst reading, but one I can get behind, is Claude doesn't understand and resents the fact that Rhea, who is not a head of state, is listened to and loved by the randoms in Fodlan, she can influence them (only when they want to be infuenced though!) and the CoS, as an institution, is part of Fodlan's history and DNA/backbone.

If Claude wants to shatter everything to bring a "new age" where Fodlan will welcome with open arms their very friendly Almyran neighbours, Rhea has to be "shattered" too.

Take VW's ending :

Country, faith, history... All that had once formed the order of the world was wiped clean. The heroes whose very hands saved Fódlan from a dark fate commenced with the building of a new society. The leaders of this new, unified Fódlan began their walk down a seemingly endless path—one towards a world that would cherish differences in race and belief, one where all life would be valued equally. Those leaders clung to the hope that their path would not end with Fódlan, that it would someday span the seas to Dagda, and beyond the Throat to Almyra...

You get rid of the old and existing society/structure, to build a new one, based on lofty ideals, sure, and yet, again, how can you cherish differences in beliefs in you wipe Fodlan's faith, aka the thing people believed in? What about their history and individualities/differences ? It's wiped clean too?

A bit like Tru Piss's mistranslated ending where people thought it will erase retroactively Faerghus from history books, are we supposed to understand , from this ending, that Claude will erase Adrestia, Faerghus and Leicester from memory?

And the ominous last paragraph, what does it mean, they hope to export their path of "wiping clean" the world of "country, faith, history" too?

If we take this reading, Rhea and the CoS are inherent parts of Fodlan's identity and History. If Claude wants a blank chessboard to play "melting pot" with and ultimately add it to his future pot including Almyra, Dagda and whoever else, Rhea and the CoS, but also, the different states from Fodlan, had to disappear. Supreme Leader helped him with the "get rid of 3 states" and arguably with Rhea's death, so in a way, Claude reaps what Supreme Leader started.

But not to MAGA, to create a new land encompassing everyone (whether they want it or not!) and being one of its heads.

This is, imo, the darkest take/reading on Claude's situation and plans, but bear in mind yellow units in FE Jugdral (the game tool inspiration from Jugdral per the devs!) are antagonists, add to that Nopes and even FE16's Claude who, albeit not on the level of Supreme Leader, keeps his plans to himself - and always mentions tearing down the "walls" that separate Fodlan from the outside world, without ever mentionning the fact those walls were built for some reason.

It's not important anyways, and if you think otherwise, it's because you were led to think otherwise, we should all be friends.

Sure, interacting with outsiders doesn't contradicts Seiros's tenets, but in the end, what is Claude saying?

If I can realize my dream, Fódlan will be reborn. The old age will end and we'll welcome a new dawn.

The current Fodlan, that is supposed to follow Seiros's tenets will... end? Seiros' tenets says something, but they still need to be ignored to build a new world that will promote the same thing those tenets preached.

Hm.

The issue, imo, isn't about what is being preached, but with the "Seiros tenets" in themselves.

#replies #anon #character rant #character salt #in a way the layers of PR and knowing when he's being true to his feelings makes him an interesting character #which is closer to Supreme Leader indeed #but just like her the fact no one challenges him is infuriating #just like the realisation he never trusts anyone #bar Billy and even this is very light #do you seriously think wiping history and faith can be done? #there's reason why Seiros the Warrior and the end of the WoH had to paint Nemesis and the Relic users as #not the people they were #tbh the ending mural made me reconsider a lot of stuff about VW and Claude's character in general #but maybe i'm off #fe16

[carinyms]

(I don’t know if anyone who follows me even watches Loki, but if you do and feel compelled to analyze it with someone please hmu, because no one I personally know cares about this show and listen I care SO MUCH)

Anyway, here’s an extremely disjointed thought dump on episode three, it’s a lot :)

1. I got so much serotonin from them playing that Hayley Kiyoko song over the opening credits, oh my god.

2. I love Sylvie, I LOVE her. Just an iconic badass—so snarky, so powerful. 10/10. (When she took that cape off?? That outfit?? This whole show is just Bi Panic for me) I’m sure they’re setting her up to be very sympathetic and then she will inevitably stab Loki in the back at some point, and you know what that’s fine.

3. Their screen chemistry and banter is incredible, nearly on the same level as the scenes with Mobius and Loki. (Which is good bc speaking of which, I miss Owen Wilson). I can’t wait till we get a scene with all three of them working together, it will be fantastic.

4. God, I want to see Loki truly in full power just annihilate someone in a fight just once. I do think it’s purposeful that we’re not seeing that right now — the writers can’t seriously think the audience collectively forgot that this guy took down 5 (6?) dark elves with his hands bound and now he can’t throw a knife and hit a target that's not even moving?? There has to be a reason. I’m choosing to have faith in Kate Herron here. (But I’m tired of seeing him getting tossed around like a sack of potatoes :( )

5. I think Sylvie explaining how to enchant someone has to be foreshadowing, right? By the end of the series, either Loki will have puzzled out how to do it and tap into Sylvie’s mind, or vise versa, Sylvie will get into Loki’s head an unearth something nasty (This is SO dumb of me to hope for, I’m setting myself up for disappointment, but maybe Thanos memories here?? I’m really going full fanfic narrative with this one lol but wow can you imagine.)

6. Or, Loki will use this tactic to get into Mobius’ head and wake him up to the truth. (Also, can we talk about how concerned he was when he was like, ‘But the TVA workers don’t know they’re variants!!” Loki you little SOFTIE. Headcanon that he’s now not gonna want to hurt any of the TVA workers because they’re all brainwashed and our guy knows a thing or two about that?? BEGGING the show to acknowledge this. (Please, could we have a little bit of recognition of trauma Marvel? As a treat?)

(I will be let down lol)

7. Speaking of the brainwashed TVA workers, I have questions about how this works. Mobius remembers jet skis, but Casey didn’t know what a fish was? Is it just because Casey doesn’t work in the field? Does Mobius just have a stronger mind that Ravonna has to keep continuously wiping because he remembers snippets? That would explain the multiple water rings on her table they drew attention to— but why would the TVA let him have that magazine if they didn’t want their agents remembering anything??

8. Also, uhh…Is Ravonna a timekeeper? This is a theory that keeps popping up for me.

9. Loki and Sylvie’s conversation on the train was wonderful.

10. We LOVE a confirmed Bicon.

11. Him talking about and remembering Frigga, and his viewpoint on love feels like lines out of a fanfic come to life and I love it. Part of me is like “this level of vulnerability feels OOC” (and don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of other things that felt truly OOC) but this particular aspect feels more like we’re seeing a more apathetic, carefree, nihilistic version of Loki than we’ve ever seen, so maybe he’s just given up on the masks? Anyhow, I love this side of his character we’re seeing.

12. Loki singing in Norwegian. That is all.

12.2 Actually no, that’s not all. It had such ‘Aragorn singing at his coronation vibes’, in that it both caught me extremely off-guard and got me very emotional. Apparently the lyrics (someone translated) are all about missing home, and wow he’s really just missing his family and a sense of belonging *so much* that he’s chosen to recreate what I’d imagine an Asgardian party was like — getting drunk (although he clearly wasn’t drunk, just acting drunk), singing asgardian songs, smashing the glass on the ground and saying “Another!” (Which we can now assume was just an asgardian custom at parties bc how would he have known Thor did that?) Someone pointed out the planet that they’re on is called Lamentis, and dang this whole episode is all about Loki grieving and longing for what he’s lost? and I’m so hyped for when they end up in Asgard again. I don’t know what will happen but there will be Angst and tears, perfect recipe for a good time.

13. Speaking of Thor, is he going to tell Sylvie about him at some point? Because I will cry. Like, I guarantee it.

14. My only gripe here is that drunk Loki was giving me big Jack Sparrow energy towards the very end and I am Not About That

15. Why does Sylvie understand Norwegian?? This song meant something to her too, clearly, she was getting teary eyed, like it was something she was familiar with and I just have so many questions about how her timeline was different/similar.

16. And going off that, I’m just going to say it—I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW VARIANTS WORK. Because if a variant is created by someone branching from their ‘true path’, wouldn’t every variant have the same base-story? Thus all look the same, have a similar past? (The same parents, the same origin?) I know the TVA’s sacred-timeline thing is all BS, that much is obvious—and Sylvie’s history is making me wonder (that is, if she truly IS a Loki ‘variant’), is the TVA’s description of branched timelines really accurate at all, or are some variants from a fully alternate reality overlapping with this one? I’m trusting they will make this make more sense.

17. I love the moments of humanity we’re getting from Loki, but especially the one where he’s surveying all those people in the town and goes “they’re gonna let these people die…” Like, what a great comparison to Loki in Ragnarok, who goes back and rescues his people because he couldn’t let them die in good conscious when he could do something about it. I like to think that being raised as a prince, there is an inherent feeling of ‘rulers should look after their people” buried under everything, and that what was going through his head was “how could they abandon these people without thought?” I love that even though that was a different Loki, they’re showing (not just telling) that the core of him truly does care about people, and the person he developed into in the original franchise is still there.

18. Also that line perfectly sets up what I’m sure is going to happen in the next episode—that they’ll find a way to escape the planet and save the people (or some of them), which will create a branch and alert the TVA to where they are, thus Loki getting brought back in.

19. the Rolled Up Sleeves look is. mhmm. It’s Good.

20. LOKI CATCHING THAT WHOLE BUILDING WITH HIS MAGIC???? BYE

Alright I’m done now, this was so chaotic, but also I really just wanted to document my thoughts on the show for myself so it's fine

#really shouting into the void with this one #but you know what I spent like an hour trying to organize my thoughts (with mild success) so I'm gonna post it dammit #today is the day I stop being afraid of interacting with anyone on this website #(is it tho) #loki spoilers #loki series spoilers #my disaster son has a show

[hunterinabrowncoat]

1) hey, i was wondering how you personally make sense of the passages in the bible that are often used to justify homophobia. i'm trying to read them now + having a hard time both w/ conservative interpretations (that i don't agree w/) but also more progressive readings because some of them, to me, make just as little sense, not so much in their conclusion that queer ppl aren't to be condemned but more in that i don't see the text supporting this without sometimes extensive cherry picking. is

2) that something you ever struggle w/, and if so, how do you reconcile those passages w/ your faith and trust in god? have you found an interpretation that works for you? when i read those parts (and many others that include violence etc) or i think of the history of the church as an institution, all i can think is "how can i support this, how can this be my faith, i don't want to listen to this". have you found a way to own those things and make them yours, especially as a queer person, in

3) a way that still makes you feel confident and comfortable to say you're a christian? (genuine question!)

Hi anon,

It sounds like you’re well on your way in a deconstruction journey. For many people that starts with questioning Biblical interpretations of things that affect them very personally like passages about sexuality.

I understand your fears about cherry-picking. I was so terrified when I started my deconstruction journey because all the conservative people seemed to have these really deep theological arguments for why everything had to be the way it is, but people who were more left-leaning and had more liberal interpretations of the texts always seemed so much more relaxed about it. It seemed as though the conservatives were really serious about Biblical interpretation, and left-leaning people didn’t take the Bible seriously. And yet as a queer, trans person I couldn’t ignore the reality that I just could not believe God would condemn me for being me.

But this is all based on the idea that taking the Bible seriously means taking it literally. If you’re anything like me the faith tradition you’re coming from probably tells you that taking the Bible literally is how you take it seriously. But that’s blatantly untrue.

And so is the whole idea of Biblical Literalism. For starters there are lots of contradictions in the Bible itself. One book will tell you there were x amount of people there, another book will tell you there was y amount of people there. Genesis 1 gives one account of the timeline of creation, and Genesis 2 gives another.

There’s also no getting around what are often referred to as the ‘Texts of Terror’ – passages like the ones you’ve described that portray God as seemingly violent and tyrannical. Whole nations are wiped out on his command. Salves are taken, people are raped, people are slaughtered, and countless other horrors – seemingly all in God’s name.

Either we believe that God is love, and also everything in the Bible is literally true, in which case the embodiment of love itself involves punishing people with violence and wiping out entire nations and torturing your own children forever.

Or we believe that God isn’t very loving and is a violent tyrant.

…Or we can accept that the Bible is not a historical textbook. It’s full of poetry and imagery and literary devices that were common at the time and in the culture those texts were written. It’s a bunch of texts written by countless different people, all trying to make sense of life and its messiness and who and what God is and what that means for them. And understanding that doesn’t mean that you don’t take it seriously. It just means you aren’t expecting things from it that it was never meant to deliver.

Maybe the people who wrote those homophobic passages were just… homophobic. Or maybe those passages have been grossly mistranslated or misinterpreted over time. I’m not a scholar. I’m just a queer person who knows that God loves all of me, and God delights in my queerness.

If you’re interested in reading further about the subject, I’d highly recommend the book ‘Inspired’ by Rachel Held Evans. There are lots of other books about Biblical interpretation and deconstruction of Evangelicalism or conservative Christianity, but that’s one of the few that I’ve actually got around to reading, and I found it really helpful.

I would also recommend the book ‘Religious Refugees’ by ***. I haven’t finished it yet, but it’s a pretty solid guide for someone going through the deconstruction journey and coming to terms with a loss of faith in some way or another. You might also find the #Exvangelical hashtag on twitter quite useful if you use twitter much. There’s a whole community of people out there just like you and I who have done or are doing a lot of questioning and leaving behind conservative and fundamentalist faith traditions.

In all honesty, I’m not sure ifI can say I’m a Christian anymore. I guess that depends how you define it. My 14-year-old feverent Evangelical self would be absolutely horrified to see what I believe and how I’m behaving now and probably would say I’m not a Christian at all.

I wrote a blog post about it a while ago. You might find it helpful, idk.

https://dreamsandimaginations.wordpress.com/2020/10/25/on-the-other-side-of-deconstruction/?fbclid=IwAR3nKUaOm6r8bkXphtCAelwcFhdEclx0mYUVI0vik7C-LGjh3hjeRsYQs6Q

#ask #anon #reply #christianity #queer issues #lgbt stuff #religion #faith tag

[rwbyvein]

Firen Lhain: Chapter 007: Dark

Jaune pointed at a hole in the ground. "This is the sump for any grey water."

"And... that is?.." Weiss nervously asked.

"Any water you use other than for the washroom," Jaune replied, "which is over there. So, cooking and cleaning and stuff."

"And... the um... washroom... I am guess... it's not polished porceline?.."

"It's a hole in the ground." Jauned stated, and Weiss sighed.

"Of course it is..." she grumbled, "but... I chose to be a huntress... We do... um... have... toilet paper... yes?.."

"Oh, good god, yes." Jaune replied. "That's not something you want to be without." Weiss looked at him nervously. "We do have a bucket of water and some soap by the latrine."

Weiss briefly smiled, and Jaune smiled brightly in reply. "What?" Weiss asked, and Jaune simply looked away. "What!" she said more firmly, and Jaune looked back at her.

"You... just... have a beautiful smile... but everything about you is beautiful, so why should your smile be special? Uh... hehe... I mean... um... the perimeter? Yes, we should talk about the perimeter."

"The first thing I've understood." Weiss said, and smiled, and her smile stayed this time.

"Me and Ruby will have the night watch." Jaune said, and Weiss nodded.

"And that is because of your eyes?"

"Eyeshine." Jaune stated. "We can see almost as well at night as Humans can during the day."

"And you will be quite alright, all alone?"

"Like I said..." he voiced, and looked away.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Weiss asked him.

"I don't know... coffee, maybe?.." Jaune asked her.

"That is something I can help you with." she said with a smile.

"The most important thing is to be able to stand-to when called."

"And what do you recommend?" Weiss asked.

"Sleep with your sword in it's scabbard with you." Jaune stated, "Wrapped around your arm or your shoulder. The tough part, if you are anxious, is going to be getting asleep at all. Just relax, breathe, and have faith in yourself."

Nora jumped on Jaune's back, grabbing onto his antlers, "AAAAND your friends!" With this, Jaune nodded, causing Nora to move with his antlers. Jaune then drew his sword and held it towards Weiss.

"Your turn." Nora added, still hanging from his antlers.

Weiss drew Myrtenaster and paused a moment before crossing swords with him.

"Our swords is all we have." Jaune stated, and Nora saw Pyrrha nervously standing in the background.

"I think Pyrrha wants to join in." Nora whispered to Jaune. Jaune looked at Pyrrha and waved her over. She drew her sword, crossed it with the other two, and giggled audibly.

* * *

Weiss watched Jaune dig a shallow pit, place rocks about the pit, and then stack the logs inside it. He then pulled out his flint and tinder and started to strike embers. He blew into the embers, and the logs eventually caught fire. He looked over at Weiss who looked at him nervously.

"The pit is so it doesn't escape, the rocks hold the heat, even after the fire is put out..." Jaune said.

"And the blowing?" Weiss asked.

"Fire needs air..." Jaune quietly said. He then looked around and grabbed a grill, putting over the fire.

"And that turns it into a stove?" Weiss asked, and he smiled.

"Okay, I take it you are not one for camping, but... you've never cooked around a bonfire?" Jaune asked.

"It... would be... unbecoming..." Weiss mumbled.

"Cooking around a bonfire?" Jaune asked.

"Such... a large fire... would be unbecoming... in of itself..."

"Wait, fires?" Jaune asked.

"Cooking with dust is much cleaner..." Weiss voiced.

"Okay, yeah..." Jaune said to her, "but... you've literally never sat around a bonfire?"

"I'm afraid not..." Weiss voiced, and Ruby appeared next to her with marshmallows, wagging her tail.

"Is everyone done?" Jaune asked, and Ruby looked down sadly.

"I'm good." Yang said, and put down the axe. Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren quickly appeared. Blake appeared out of nowhere with a book in her hand.

* * *

Weiss nearly panicked as her marshmallow caught on fire. Jaune quickly grabbed it from her, blowing it out. Weiss sheepishly looked down.

"It's still good." Jaune said to her, and Weiss just scoffed. In reply Jaune blew on the marshmallow for a moment before eating it, Weiss just staring at him. Ruby then handed Weiss a stick with her marshmallows on it.

"Is that burnt?" Weiss asked.

"It's fine, Ice Queen." Yang said to her, and she bit into her own somewhat burnt marshmallow. Weiss closed her eyes and bit into it. Her eyes grew wide as she wiped her face with a handkerchief.

"Indeed. Hardly nutritionally appropriate, though." Weiss quipped

"It's not camping without marshmallows." Yang stated.

"It's not?" Weiss asked.

"Have you seriously not gone camping?" Yang asked.

"Until Beacon, I've never lived anywhere without waitstaff." Weiss replied.

"Rough..." Yang stated, and Weiss looked forelornly at her.

"There is a reason... I opted for Beacon..." Weiss voiced. "I did not want to follow in my sister's footsteps..."

"Which were?" Yang asked.

"She is a Special Operative in Atlas."

"Uh... huh?.." Jaune asked.

"Huntsmen..." Blake voiced, looking up from her book, "attached to the military."

"I thought huntsmen were independant?" Jaune asked.

"It is..." Blake voiced, "controversial..."

"To say the least." Weiss stated. "Huntsmen were never meant to be at the beck-and-call of the military. History has shown that kingdoms that use huntsmen as pawns... always... abuse the priviledge..."

"And Atlas certainly knows something about abuse..." Blake added.

With this Weiss looked down and flushed dark blue. She breathed in deeply to stop it from happening.

"Why do you always do that?" Jaune asked, and Weiss looked up at him fearfully. Jaune dropped the subject, looking at the others surrounding the campfire.

* * *

Jaune found himself being shook awake. He grabbed whoever it was and pulled them in. It turned out to be Ren. Jaune let him go and pulled out of the sleeping bag. He looked at his scroll and it was 22 hours. He put his scroll away and started to put on his armour.

* * *

Jaune sat on a rock with a great vantage point of the surrounding area.

* * *

"Stand to!" Jaune shouted as loud as he could. "Stand to!"

* * *

RWBY and JNPR had gathered around, backs to each other in large circle, weapons in their hands. "So?" Weiss asked, "For those of us without... er... eyeshine?, what exactly are we facing?"

"Gorillas." Jaune said.

"Beringels." Weiss corrected.

Jaune then pointed his sword up-hill. "Large one over here."

"Silverback." Weiss stated.

Jaune then pointed his sword around, "A lot of smaller ones around."

Ruby was extremely eager to get fighting, stepped forward, and stopped. "Okay, we didn't really think about this? I mean, fighting at night."

"Since when have you thought about fighting?" Weiss asked.

"Why start now?" Yang asked.

"Leader?" Nora asked.

"I'll try to watch over you guys."

"And... Ruby?.." Nora asked, causing Ruby to snicker.

"Okay... alright... I might get a little... carried away..." Ruby stated.

"Let's make sure we talk to each other." Blake added.

"No need to hold back." Jaune stated, and Ruby turned into rose petals dashing away.

"Two in front of you." Jaune said to Weiss, and Weiss switched Myrtenaster to lightning dust. She saluted and then launched out a bolt of lightning, giving her a momentary glimpse of the Beringels approaching her.

"Yang's got the big one." Jaune stated, and Yang cracked her knuckles.

"Of course I do." Yang said with glee, her brown scales flushing orange.

"Ren and Nora have one." Jaune said, with gunshots from Crescent Rose heard from the background. Blake swung out to join her and Jaune looked around again. He was looking for more Grimm, but for the moment didn't find any. He then ran to Weiss, who was striking one of the Beringels with what looked like a bolt of lightning. She then stepped back to adopt her usual ready stance, before using her Glyph to launch her at the other Beringel. Jaune ran to the one she had just struck with lightning, trying to swing at it. His sword hit the arm, which the Beringel used to push off to the side. He pulled up his shield to block the incoming punch, but it still knocked him back.

Weiss dodged the attack from her Beringel, spinning Myrtenaster to ice. She began making light jabs at the Grimm as she moved around, looking for the moment to bury her rapier up to the hilt.

Jaune stumbled back. His Beringel barreled down on him with another punch. He instinctively moved his head so his antlers would intercept it... forgetting to surround them with aura. Once again, his antler broke, and he was staggered backwards Luckily for him, Miló as a spear came flying over his shoulder, impaling the Beringel. Pyrrha landed beside him, Miló returning her as a sword while Akoúo flew at it, knocking it backwards.

Weiss dodged backwards from her Beringel, spinning around and touching her rapier to the ground, summoning spikes of ice pointed at the Grimm. It was staggered by the sting of the ice, only to be impaled by Pyrrha's spear. The Beringel that had been attacking Jaune was now distracted by her, giving Jaune a chance to hack at it. Both Beringels disappeared.

Both Weiss and Pyrrha looked at Jaune with concern. He put on an awkward smile, tried to shrug, and ended up being pulled to the side with the remaining antler. The two rushed over to help him right himself.

"Maybe you should have a seat?" Pyrrha said him.

"You've certainly done your part for tonight." Weiss added.

Jaune fell onto his butt and slowly laid back.

"You just going to let him sleep there?" Blake asked, and both Pyrrha and Weiss looked about nervously. At him, at ground behind him, over to his sleeping bag. Jaune tried to stand up, wobbling as he did so.

"You don't need to..." Weiss tried to say.

"This isn't my first time losing my antler." Jaune stated. "It's just tricky to balance until I molt."

"I'm sorry." Pyrrha said to him, "Can we help you?"

Jaune silently nodded. Pyrrha moved under his broken side, Weiss under his good side, and the two helped him to his sleeping bag.

"I guess it's my turn." Ruby said as she appeared, looking at Jaune forelornly.

"I'm pretty sure two nurse-maids are good enough." Blake stated. She then turned to Yang, "How did your fight go?"

"Better than Ladykiller's." Yang stated. "Nora and Ren came to help me out."

#rwby #firen lhain #faunus au #pollinated knight ending

[fuwafuwamedb]

Dodging Death Pt 9 (Hakuno, Caster Gilgamesh)

Previously: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 , 6, 7, 8

___

I had to bathe you…

I had to bathe you…

The phrase alone had her mind running haywire. She couldn’t breathe, especially after realizing that she was in his arms and she was having him help her eat. This guy was still just as cuddly as before. He still made small sounds here and there, nuzzling against her neck.

Gods, but she could almost picture the man actually bathing her like a cat.

He was already holding her so close. She could already feel his breath on her neck and shoulders. The nightgown, a gag gift from Rani, was slipping off her shoulders since she had thin lace holding the golden fabric up.

This is too much!

Far too much.

She wasn’t betrothed, she was bewildered.

Telling him anything was impossible at the moment though.

The fact that he was upright and holding her as a man was enough to have her stilled. The fact that the man, whom had just recently been the fluffiest golden feline that she’d ever seen, was telling her that her kiss, which she could faintly remember, was the cause of his being human again was enough to make her head spin.

True love’s kiss.

She looked up at him after another spoonful of the soup, seeing the king pull back enough to meet her gaze.

“You’ve barely eaten.”

Yeah, but Rin couldn’t cook. This soup was lukewarm at best and the ingredients left a bit to be desired. More than that, she wanted to understand what exactly she was in for.

“W-what are you going to do now?”

The soft chuckle did nothing for her.

“What?”

His finger wiped at her cheek, pulling back with some soup residue on it. He pressed that finger to his lips, lapping it off as those red eyes remained focused on hers.

“…I’m too young to marry.”

The man raised a brow.

It was true. She was in her early twenties. That meant she was still in the phase of making bad decisions and roaming around afterwards with her head held high and a handful of sleepless nights to think back on all those poor choices. She was still in that stage of life where she could stay up all night and go out to parties with Cu Chulainn without a second thought.

Responsibility was paying for things and that was already enough of a headache.

Marriage, and to someone like the great king here, was not on the table.

“In my kingdom, you would already be round with your second child,” Gilgamesh told her simply. “I did inform you that I would work slowly though. I will get you comfortable with-“

“I’m too plain.”

The man paused.

“…You’re a king, aren’t you?” Hakuno stared up at him, remembering bits of his speech from before.

“I am. Again, I am King Gilgamesh from Uruk.” He seemed to enjoy introducing himself.

“Shouldn’t you be finding some doe-y eyed, soft-spoken lady who is princess of some far off kingdom? Someone who is so pretty it literally hurts your eyes to look at her?”

That was how fairytales worked.

The king- or rather- the prince because princesses always married princes, would wander out and find the fairest lady of them all. They would safe the woman from danger and the woman would fall blindly and madly in love. She’d shit out some kids and the kids would do the same thing while the princess and the prince would grow old together in some musty castle.

Then again, this was an Uruk king…

Did they have castles in Uruk?

I should have really paid more attention to my books.

She’d gotten distracted by the Ishtar insults. That and the king’s insults to Humbaba.

Speaking of that…

This guy had more wives than all of Fuyuki. What did he need another wife for? Again, her becoming betrothed to him was becoming more and more farfetched.

“Do you think so poorly of yourself then?”

The man tilted her chin up, running his thumb over her lips once more.

She was still transfixed by that gaze.

“I’m not naïve,” she told him, meeting that gaze seriously. “I’m nothing like a goddess or a model. I am passable.”

“Passable.”

“I’m sure you had wives that were also passable. They were nice enough looking, but you wouldn’t seek them out for anything. That’s how I am.”

“That is nonsense.”

“And you have how many wives?” Hakuno shook her head, dispelling his bewitchment of her and standing up. She held the fabric of her nightgown tighter around herself. “I’m not a wife. I’m hardly even human with how much I work. You’ve seen me. Dawn ‘til dusk, always typing at my computer or working or studying. Even when I watch TV, I’m still studying during commercial breaks.”

He reached out, but she took a step further away.

True love or not, that didn’t mean anything.

His hand caught her own.

“Hakuno, sit and speak with me.”

“I can’t.”

She needed to be dressed. She needed to figure out what had happened while she’d been passed out. She’d already slept with this king and that was something that was going to earn her a one way ticket to the doctor’s office for a checkup and a good two minute test.

However, to her surprise, he released her hand and stood up. The bowl that she’d abandoned was pulled into hand before he was walking passed her.

“You’re being stubborn. I will assume that you’re not shamefully hiding from someone that you willingly slept with and shared magic with. You’re better than that. Fate would not chose someone weak at heart to stand at my side.”

“You’d be surprised.”

He threw a look her way.

Those eyes said nothing less than shut up.

“You saved my life.” He kept his voice level, but the tone was clear enough, authoritative enough. “You went out of your way for a creature in this world that you knew nothing about. I could have bitten you and you could have become injured. You could have died yourself. Instead, you put your faith in something and you cared for me. You showed your love to me, holding me to your chest while you slumbered and bringing me into your baths and to your meals to join you.”

She hadn’t known he was human.

“You think that I want some naïve chit that will wilt at the mere sound of my voice, but I have had many of those given to me. I’ve accepted many of those for the sake of treaties and peace. I’ve seen them into the homes of soldiers and nobles as well. They enjoy the comforts of Uruk, pledging their loyalty to Uruk and enjoying the benefits of their decisions.”

They…

That wasn’t something in the history books.

Hakuno found the man moving forward, setting the bowl down nearby. His hands went to her shoulders, wrapping around her to pull her in close to his heat once again.

The very nearness of him was like laying near a fire. And perhaps there was no better description for someone like this man, with ember colored eyes that burned you to the core.

“You, Hakuno,” Gilgamesh told her. “You’re defiant. You are interesting. Plain, of course, but there is something unique to the way you look to another. You show wit when the time calls for it. You show softness at times when I would appreciate it most.”

He slid the straps of her nightgown from her shoulders, holding it up with his hands alone.

“I intend to court you.”

That voice of his didn’t make it a goal or a desire. He said it like the courting was already done, like she would be stripping her body of all its coverings right here and now for his gaze to partake in.

“I intend to make you see what I have come to find in you. When you do ask me to take you again, because I will prove myself to you, you will find that you feel quite like those goddesses and models that you think yourself on uneven level with.”

The nightgown slipped.

His gaze remained on her face.

“Is this your necklace?”

“It is,” he told her.

She reached behind her neck, letting the thing fall to the floor with her nightgown.

“Are you inviting me to touch you or declining my courtship?”

“How expensive was that?”

He shrugged, “Perhaps the price of one of those car collections in the small showings on the television.”

She dove down immediately.

“YOU HAD ME DROP SOMETHING THAT EXPENSIVE?!”

“You chose to drop it, Hakuno!”

She picked it up, checking it and stammering away at an apology. The thing was heavy gold. Thick, heavy gold with jeweled accents here and there; she could almost hear the sounds of appraisers weeping at the sight of her treatment.

And then touching it with her hands.

Gods!

She wrapped it in her nightgown, glaring at him.

“You should have told me!”

He could have not put it on her!

Oh no, but Rin and Cu Chulainn had seen her in it. She must have looked like some bought off rich housewife to them.

She’d be stuck hanging out with Shinji in her classes.

This was it, the end of it all.

The man’s arms wrapped around her, earning another squeak as he touched her sides.

“STOP!”

“What’s wrong?”

“I need to put this in a safe or something!”

“Hmm?”

A certain softness pressed against her neck, a set of short hairs brushing against her skin. With that touch, she could feel chills run through her veins. Another press. Another.

She wasn’t even sure what had happened, but the feel of his lips made her whole body feel lighter. The light fluttering of what felt like wings were in her stomach as a warmth spread in her chest. Over and over, she could feel that rubbing and those fleeting presses of softness. The mewl that left her lips came a moment before she found them both on the floor.

“This… is too expensive,” she breathed, exposing more of her neck as she spoke.

There was a prickling to her eyes. She wanted to just lean in and get more but she wasn’t sure how to do this.

She wasn’t sure if she was even strong enough or wise enough to know how to ask.

“You need more of them,” he murmured. “I want to hear your wrists and your ankles jingle when you walk, Hakuno. That is something more I can give you.”

“I don’t need it.”

“And that makes me want to all the more,” he insisted, his voice becoming more upbeat by the minute. “You will become a great magician by my hand.”

“…I thought you were courting me?”

A soft chuckle came, she could feel him nip at her lightly.

Why did she have to be this affected by him?

“I am, but you can be both. You show great promise by being able to speak Sumerian fluently already. You don’t seem to realize how often you speak it, but your lilt to the tongue suits you.”

She needed ice cream.

The whole bucket. She was going to devour the whole thing and then take the coldest shower known to mankind. She’d freeze away what this warmth was doing to her brain. She wasn’t being foolish enough to turn slightly, looking up at him.

And he wasn’t brushing a hand through her hair, leading her back to lay against the floor.

And she definitely wasn’t pulling him in by the robes he had on, her eyes falling to those lips.

I’m not a romantic.

I don’t even read that kind of cheesy garbage.

“You look like you want me to touch you,” he murmured, brushing his cheek to hers in order to murmur into her ear. “Say that you want me and I will do what your body is asking. Do not tell me that I’m alone in feeling this heat between us.”

He’s too good.

Hakuno found herself holding him there, pressed against her chest. His body was pinning her down. His mouth was doing more of those soft kisses just under her ear. She was sure she was going to have some face burn or something from all of his rubbing.

Her chest would feel good with that…

“Gilgamesh,” she found herself almost moaning.

“You are the most breathtaking woman I have ever seen,” the man dared to tell her.

“Just do it,” she replied.

She held his shoulders as he carried her back to her room. She found herself stretched out across her bed and her hips lifted, that mouth of his with the small start to facial hair rubbing against the space between her legs.

Time failed to mean anything.

She could only perceive time in how many times the man seemed to get her to cry his name with that mouth of his. Words had been sweet, but the way he could devour her was far, far more dangerous to her senses.

He found her mouth when she cried out for him to come to her.

His fingers wreaked havoc then.

She could feel him clean her up later, tenderly moving his mouth along her body as she thought uselessly about holding onto the sheets.

First, she needed to have any energy at all.

He brought a cloth to clean her up with. Wiping her off and murmuring. So much murmuring. His voice was a permanent echo in her head as she lay underneath him.

“You can have this when you please,” he promised.

This was far too good, too perfect for asking to have whenever she wanted. They would never leave this bedroom. They’d never survive more than a week. The two of them would simply stop existing after that.

Even as it were, Hakuno wasn’t sure if she was going to live through this.

Was it all that bad?

She really didn’t need anyone else. She looked after herself well enough and she had her friends in times of need. 

A soft sound met her ears. 

It sounded like a light pounding noise.

Her neighbors must have forgotten their key. 

A louder sound cam now. 

Hakuno opened her eyes, staring up at the ceiling as she felt Gilgamesh stir next to her. He was moving to sit up, frowning as he stared towards her bedroom door. 

In the second few seconds, chaos. 

What sounded like splintering came from outside her room. The sound of glass, most likely from her living room, came next. 

“The door!”

She shifted, aching too much to move much as Gilgamesh leaped out of bed.

“Cover the door! Don’t open-”

The axe that wooshed by Gil’s face was enough to make her blood run cold. She could see him slam the door shut immediately, grabbing the dresser nearby and sliding it into place.

Her phone... 

Looking around, Hakuno all but crawled to where it was.

Hakuno dialed without a second thought. She could hear the operator, rattling out her address as reasonably as she could as she heard the sounds of someone moving through the house. Repeatedly, she shook her head at Gilgamesh.

They needed to stay.

Sirens could be heard. 

Lights flashed outside their room.

Hakuno could hear the sounds of several feet clambering along the outside of the house, moving around before she heard someone bang on the door to her room.

“Police!”

“We’re in here,” Hakuno called. “We’re okay!”

Well-

Gilgamesh opened one of the drawers of the dresser he’d moved, tossing her a shirt and pants. The task of dressing was impossible without him coming over to help her, telling the police they’d be a moment.

Her eyes were on him, but he was moving fast. He didn’t take any time for granted, nor did he bother with trying to allow her to move. 

That, of all things, was clearly pointless. 

There were a series of police outside her bedroom as the dresser was pushed aside and Gilgamesh carried her into the hall. 

She could see sparks coming from the light fixtures, books and items torn and chopped and shattered all over the place. 

In a matter of a few minutes, with them hiding in her room; her entire world had been sliced down to nothing. She had been reduced to an owner of very, very few things. 

Her arms tightened on Gilgamesh.

“We need to leave.”

She couldn’t agree more. 

#drabble #drabbles

[velvyy]

Hey, Rad... Alex... Alexlememe? I know that's the name you used to go by and I know you've kinda disconnected yourself from Viv's fanbase after ZP ended, and I remember your memes and such but I kinda just wanted to get your take on the Hazbin drama since you reblogged the headcanon blog's post on the subject. More or less regarding the issue of her being uncharitable to fans and non-fans alike, plus that one callout post on twitter?

So this is weird. I wasn’t expecting to get asks on the subject since like you said, I’ve generally been disconnected from the fanbase aside from the few reblogs here and there retaining to Hazbin and its more recent developments. But yeah I guess I could give my take on this since I mean.. old fans still follow me. Idk why, but they do!So, really. In regards to that callout post (which is now deleted) I really, really don’t care that much. For one thing, Initially I did because I really hated to see someone be slandered so viciously with inaccurate and uncharitable attacks, but I kinda just stopped because even when I linked the addresses from both Viv, and the Ken dude regarding all the drama mentioned, it was either ignored and resulting in me being called a “pedo sympathizer” or “It wasn’t even an apologyyyyy weh” and like, whatever. I stopped giving a shit.

Terms of the traced animation thing... Lol, ok. I mean homages do exist, and her animation thingy was based on a meme so whatevs.

Anyways,I knew from the very start that the whole “tracing” and “stealing designs” stuff was nonsense since there was an entire like, tumblr drama arc on the issue, and albeit Viv’s post is gone, there’s evidence of legal contracts regarding Jiji and that whole nonsense that was years ago. In regards to her drawing pictures of Blaire White and Shoe… Eh. I mean, yeah, fuck em, but she’s made it clear that she doesn’t support those views anymore, and she wasn’t even really aware of the other things they’d done at that point, and I see no real reason not to believe her because what does lying about that gain her? Yeah her comment on the “blackface” thing if you wanna call it that was dumb as shit, but considering 2016 was a rough year for her in terms of trying to find where she fell in the political sphere, I can relate because I was in the same boat. A lot of sjw cringe comps, shaming feminists, and purposely misgendering transpeople… Not a good time for me either! Course I’ve changed. I went from being a reactionary alt-centrist to an anarchist so. Whether that’s an improvement is up to you.

As for the whole pedo/zoo shit, I really don’t see it. I mean like, look, obviously porn art portraying people fucking feral animals is disgusting right. Not saying it isn’t problematic or anything, but to be fair, she did draw this shit like 8 years ago. I’ve seen worse from even more well-established artists and I don’t see people trying to cancel them? Also, the art was suggestive for one thing and not necessarily 100% porn. I mean it’s still creepy and gross, and I’d understand scolding them if they continued to do so but a lot worse, but I haven’t seen anything like that from Viv past those 2 drawings. As for the pedo shit… The relationship between a 17 year old and a 19 year old is… hardly creepy and reminiscent of pedo shit. So yeah no fuck that. Now with the drawing of Mirage and Kestrel and the tag that said something jokingly like “Mirage and her pedo tendencies” or whatever… Yeah idk, I can’t defend that lmfao. Again, Viv said she disapproves of those drawings and doesn’t care to think about them, but that one piece of artwork definitely had some baggage to it that made me feel uncomfortable after reading the tags.Only issue I took in terms of her addressing that, is that she was very adamant about it being an inside joke… Which if that’s true, you must’ve had some fucked up friends like damn.

I would also like to state that cub art is legitimately disgusting and I am of the belief that it can cause harm depending on the context since I assume the consumption of cub art can reinforce the urge for pedophiles to act on their desires instead of finding healthy coping mechanisms for it through therapy. There have been stories from younger users on the internet that older people have tried to groom them and have the notion of pedos preying on them be normalized by sending them art depicting kids in sexual acts with adults. Of course in isolation cub art isn’t as harmful as the actual act of raping a child, and I would argue that people have their priorities kind of messed up since the illustration being acknowledged should be part of combating pedophiles preying on children. However, people, typically twitter wokescolds tend to focus on the art solely and I don’t know why. There’s a lot of MAPS trying to find their way into LGBT spaces and it’s fucking gross.

Now with Hazbin itself… It’s meh. Initially I watched it with rose-tinted glasses and loved it. After watching it for like… the 3rd, 4th, 5th time? It’s alright. I don’t hate it, but it’s far from perfect. Now ofc I know it’s a pilot but a very lengthy pilot I’ll say. My biggest gripe with the pilot is that the editing is really fucking weird. Like the editing where Angel tells Alastor “I can suck yah dick!” and the scene that followed was really off. It seemed like too many cuts were made in that instance and seemed very cluttered. It also feels that way during Charlie singing “Inside Every Demon is a Rainbow” and how many little animated bits were like almost wiped off the screen by how fast it came by, and ntm there was just so much happening all at once on screen as well. I had to pause at points just to process everything that was happening. The palette is also very, very, verrrry red. There’s so much red going on and like… I get it, it’s in hell. But lemme rest my eyes on something else besides red, please. The palette they use needs to be better diversified, and the same goes for the characters too. Every character seems to have red on them. Whenever Baxter shows up later he’s gonna look really out of place. Some of the jokes were ok, and others seemed non-clever. I didn’t think Angel’s joke about sucking Al’s dick was funny. I did like the joke with Pentious and Angel though. “SON??” Some of it could’ve been written better too.

Regarding the drama with the show itself… Personally I don’t get it. Like, I don’t feel as if Angel is homophobic as a character since his queerness isn’t at the face of the jokes he makes? He just happens to be sex worker which… sex workers are fine? Support sex workers y’all, seriously. There’s also nothing intrinsically wrong with being sexually active either? As long as it’s within reason and you’re being trustworthy.The issue lies in the fact that people viewed the things I just mentioned as negative, and associate it with gay people as said negatively portrayed thing to push the sentiment of “Gay man do sex a lot therefore the gays bad” or that sort of thing. Also there’s a bit where it shows there’s more emotional depth to him and I’m hoping they’ll expand on that later. Honestly though, the criticisms in regards to that have been pretty uncharitable. Same with the criticisms for Vaggie. Apparently Vaggie is racist because… she’s loud and angry? Again, this is a case where people assume those traits are negative, and because it’s assumed to be negative, the negatively portrayed thing pushes the sentiment of “Being a loud fiery woman made, and latina women are that, therefore latina women bad” or some shit.  There are stereotypes that are bad no matter what the context is like sambo-esque caricatures of black people. Then there are tropes that are applied to certain demographics that have the capability to be written well into characters without it being offensive or disrespectful. Vaggie is literally angry because she’s protective of her gf. Like. C’mon.

So, I think that settles what I think about that? It honestly seems like superficial shit to me tbh, and I’m saying this as an sjw-y beta cuck anarchist.

The only REAL gripe I have, is with what the mod from @zpheadcanons posted. Because I know this is probably true as much as it hurts me to say it. Faust def has a history of being pretty petty and bully-like to people she deems undesirable, and Viv harbors it by not criticizing it, and if anyone else within their friend group does it then you’re scolded vehemently and treated like garbage. Her attitude also stretches to harboring an audience full of white knights that I personally don’t approve of.

There’s also this

Faust has hurt distant people I personally know and… yeah. Maybe I’m biased but I can’t vibe with that. Sorry. If you don’t make an effort to criticize abusive behavior within your own friend circles then that makes you just as bad, because then you’re just a bystander to things you could have prevented.

This isn’t to say Viv herself hasn’t dealt with bad faith actors, or people who had the intention to hurt her, or very uncharitable criticism. Particularly from the badwebcomics forums which is honestly 4chan like in how they operate. It’s vicious as hell, and a lot of their criticisms boil down to insults and personal attacks, which serve to be nonconstructive. That’s not to say Viv has been kind to even the more charitable criticism though. I know because when I happened to send an ask to the zoophobia criticism blog (where did it go???) regarding something relatively minor and superficial, she blocked me from her blog. I’m still blocked lmfao. I’m not blocked on twitter though! (not yet anyways). Faust has me blocked there though, and I have no idea why. She’s had me blocked for years even though I haven’t spoken out against her till recently. So, there’s that.

As for her apology itself, I feel like it was fine. I think it could’ve been worded better? The take I disagree with in terms of that is like… If I made a mistake in the past, and I make it clear that I don’t care for what I did, I don’t feel as if me explaining why I felt compelled to do certain things negate me from still not caring for my past actions? That’s just me providing context. That’s a really weird take, but I guess that could be viewed as an excuse idk. Personally I think people are holding the bar super high to a state of irrationality.

*sigh* So yeah there’s that. I miss the old days where honestly I could be ignorant about this, but at the same time I look at my old obsessive posts and I kinda just… cringe. I was such an irrational stan I almost hate myself for it. Fuck XD

Edit: I’d also like to point out that I’m not saying Viv or Faust are totally awful or totally good people, and I know they’re capable of being better. It’s a matter of whether or not they wanna be better.

#vivziepop #hazbin hotel

[icequeenoriginal]

New Super Sarcastic Bros.

Pairings: Logicality and Prinxiety

Note: Me? Still obsessed with @sugarglider9603‘s Mario Au? More likely than you think. This was so fun to write so I did get a bit carried away. I hope you still enjoy it

Trigger Warnings: Deceit, kidnapping, tied up and gagged, knocked out, unconscious, hurt/comfort, manipulation, slight panic attack, fighting, swearing (I’m trying to get better at tagging triggers)

“You saved me, Lo!”

“It’s what I do.”

“You did awesome Virgil!”

“T-Thanks Ro. Let’s get you home.”

Bowceit rolled his eyes as he sat under the rumble of his once grand castle. He waited for the plumbers and the princes to leave before he got up and wiped the dirt off of him. Another plan had failed. He had lost to Logan and Virgil yet again and had neither Patton nor Roman as his husband.

Bowceit walked around, picking up the unconscious danger noodles from their various spots in the debris. He instructed the magikoopas that were still alive (and trying to flee) to rebuild the castle. He flopped into his throne as he watched the walls rise up once again around him. His decorations and lava were put back into their proper place. Slowly, his children woke up and choose to wait outside their rooms for them to be rebuilt. Leaving their father to sulk in his chair.

Once the castle was completely rebuilt, Bowceit made his way over to the kitchen. Pulling his favorite mug down, he turned to see one of his faithful Koopas making him a big pot of coffee. It was his tradition that after he lost to the Sarcastic Bros., he would drown his sorrows in coffee. His daughter had banned him from eating ramen noodles out of the coffee cup anymore.

Bowceit sighed as he took a sip. He was so exhausted. Every week he’d kidnap one of the princes, only to be defeated by the pesky plumbers. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how many different plans he came up with, nothing worked.

He silently contemplated giving up. He could continue being a single dad to his eight wonderful children. He could focus on running his kingdom instead of fighting. His stuff wouldn’t be broken as often as it was. Maybe, just maybe, he should stop.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the castle’s door. Finding that odd, Bowceit walked over. Upon opening it, he was greeted by a young woman. She was wearing a red dress and a red hat. Her eyes and hair were chocolate brown.

Bowceit would have found her beautiful if he wasn’t gay.

She smiled at him sweetly. “Hello there!”

“Hello” he replied deadpanned. He had noticed that in one of her hands was a red suitcase. He figured she was there to sell him something. He hoped the danger noodles would stay in their rooms or he’d lose a lot of coins fast.

“I hope I’m not bothering you but I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of the Mushroom Kingdom.”

Bowceit raised an eyebrow and raised the coffee to his mouth. “The Mushroom Kingdom? What business do you have there? Visiting the prince?”

The woman smile fondly “Oh nothing like that. I’m visiting two friends of mine. I doubt you know them.”

“Try me. I have a lot of...business...in the Mushroom Kingdom.” Bowceit took a sip of his coffee.

“Their names are Logan and Virgil” Bowceit immediately spat out his coffee and had a coughing fit.

The woman jumped and patted his back “Are you alright?!” She patted his back in an attempt to help him.

Suddenly, Bowceit straightened up “Yes, yes, I’m alright. What-What did you say your name was?”

“Oh, my name is Valerie. Do you know Logan and Virgil?”

Bowceit suddenly smiled and his confident demeanor returned. He straightens up and even fixed his leather jacket with his free hand. “I do. They’ve…done some work for me. How do you know them?”

The woman now known as Valerie replied “Oh we go way back! We’re longtime friends. Plus they…Oh, you probably don’t want to hear me ramble.”

“No please, I need to draw up a map anyway for you. Come in, come in.” Valerie was impressed by this man’s kindness and followed him into the castle.

“Would you like something to drink or eat as we talk?”

Valerie shook her head, wanting this visit to be short. She told Bowceit the basics, figuring the boys wouldn’t want a random stranger to know. This was more than enough for the villain. He concluded that the brothers have enough history with this woman to care about her wellbeing. Care enough that they would definitely come and try to rescue her.

Valerie tugged on his arm to pull him back into reality. “So, may I have that map now?”

“Map? Oh yes, the map! Excuse me for a moment!” Bowceit walked off and rubbed his hands together maniacally. Oh, how perfect this was! This was a sign that he mustn’t stop being a villain. He is one level pull away from trapping this woman. She will make perfect bait for the Sarcastic Bros while he can marry any prince of his choosing.

Bowceit suddenly stopped walking. A thought crossed his mind.

The princes.

The same princes who make no secret of how jealous they can get. Roman was more outward and Patton was inward but it was still apparent.

The princes who have never met this woman.

The princes who he wants to punish for helping to ruin his plans.

Bowceit smirked and quickly drew up a map. He walked over to her, forming his new plan with every step. “Here you are, my dear.”

Valerie popped up happily and took the map. “Oh thank you! It was nice meeting you.” Bowceit waved as she left.

Oh, this is going to be fun.

~

Prince Patton groaned as he rubbed his face. This was the worst week of the year. It was nothing but non-stop work and meetings. Usually, he would go as slowly as he could so he wouldn’t fry his brain. But now that he had Logan, Patton wanted to get it out of the way as soon as he possibly could. That didn’t make it easier.

Logan was a god’s sent for the past few days. He constantly checked on Patton, gives him neck and back messages and makes sure he sleeps and eats. Patton was currently distracted by Logan making him tea, so much so that he nearly fell out of his throne.

Logan walked in, carefully holding a  teacup. “Here you go dear, take a quick break. I’ll look over some of those papers.”

Patton stood up and took the drink gratefully. He was clearly exhausted. “Thank you, love. You’re amazing.” Patton took a sip and felt the peace run down his throat to calm him down. Logan sat on the throne and began looking over the plans Patton had for building stronger houses for the Thomases and Talyns in the event of a Bowceit attack.

Patton smirked and sat innocently on Logan’s lap. Logan didn’t look up from his work, only wrapping his free arm around Patton. Patton leaned into the embrace and began to gently kiss Logan’s ear, cheek, and neck. Logan’s face progressively got redder by the minute and his focus figuratively jumped out the window. He turned his head slowly to captured Patton’s traveling lips.

They were interrupted by a sudden squeal. They both turned to see a very delighted Valerie. “Omg, Logan!”

Logan was shocked to see his old friend but no less happy to see her “Valerie!” He quickly picked up Patton and put the prince in his throne before running off to hug her.

“It’s been so long!”

“My, have you’ve grown!”

“I can’t believe you’re here!”

Patton felt his heart shatter as he witnessed the exchange. Who was this beautiful woman hugging his boyfriend? Logan has certainly never mentioned her before. Was she his ex…? No…Logan told him he never dated anyone before. He wouldn’t lie...right…?

Patton took a deep breath and walked over with the most genuine smile he could. “Hello there.”

Valerie curtsied “Hello your majesty.”

“Please, call me Patton.” She talks his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. “And you are?”

The woman smiled “My name is Valerie.”

Logan patted her shoulder and spoke proudly “She is a dear friend of mine. We go way back!”

“Dear friend? Honey, I’m your best friend! Virgil’s too!”

Patton’s heart began to break as he watched the exchange between the two. They were so close, in a whole different world. A world Patton wasn’t allowed in.

Valerie tugged on Logan’s arm “Come on! You must show me around.”

Logan didn’t hesitate “Of course!” They ran out of the castle, leaving the prince with nothing but his work and a slowly growing pain in his chest.

~

Virgil sat bored outside Roman’s meeting hall. He started hitting his legs to create a beat. He figured he could start writing a new song. One for Roman so he wouldn’t stab himself out of frustration. He felt so sorry for his boyfriend. Virgil could barely handle the small amount of paper required for when he was a plumber, he could never imagine what mountains Roman has to climb as a leader of a kingdom.

A Talyn ran up to his with a newly acquired cell phone. The plumbers had them installed mainly so that the princes could communicate easily or if the plumbers needed the other’s help.

“It’s your brother.” Virgil nodded and took the phone, a silent thank you.

“Hell? Hey Lo, what’s up? Seriously? No way! I’ll be right there!” Virgil put the phone down and went to knock on the door that separates him and Roman. He shook his head, he couldn’t possibly bother Roman while he was doing serious business. He didn’t want to get in the way. Smiling to himself, Virgil took off. He figured Roman wouldn’t mind.

~

An hour later, Roman exited the room, feeling accomplished. He got a good amount of work taken care of which met he could spend time with Virgil. As Roman began to fantasize about what they could do, he saw that the chair that Virgil was occupying was empty. He had to ask several different Talyns and Thomases before finding the one who gave Virgil the phone.

“His brother called, your majesty, and then he took off.”

“Thank you.” Roman went to his room and scooped up all the documents he could and placed them in a bag. He figured Patton had been kidnapped again and Logan called Virgil for his help. He hopped into his carriage and hoped the Mushroom Kingdom was alright. Upon seeing everything too peaceful in the kingdom though, Roman began to wonder if there was another reason Virgil left.

As Roman walked into the castle, he barely dodged the flying bowl thrown his way. A few Talyns and Thomases were worried as they clean up after their angry prince. They practically pushed him into the kitchen, begging him to calm Patton down.

Roman could almost laugh at what he was seeing. Patton and his kitchen were covered in flour and dough as Patton angrily stirred in his bowl, sending the ingredients all around the room. Roman grabbed a cookie before stealing the bowl from Patton with a smirk.

“Yo Pat! What did the bowl do to you?” Roman’s smirk dropped when he saw Patton look down at ground instead of reply. Roman gently lifted his chin and saw that tears were forming in his eyes “What’s wrong?”

Patton tried to blink away his tears. “A woman…”

“A woman?”

Patton nodded “A woman came by…she said she’s Logan’s best friend…he never told me about her.”   

Roman was shocked, Logan was so open with Patton, and a sinking feeling developed in his stomach “Best friend?” “Yeah, Virgil’s too…”

“WHAT?!”

Patton pointed to the window and revealed to Roman the woman hugging Virgil.

Who the hell does she think she is, hugging his man?! Roman balled up his fists and was ready to march right over there and deck her if Patton hadn’t physically restrained him. Roman didn’t fight it, opting to give Patton a hug. He rubbed circles into Patton back and Patton let himself cry.

Roman gave him a soft smile “Let’s get you cleaned up.” Roman grabbed a rag and began to wipe the food and tears off of Patton’s face. This allowed Patton to catch his breath and let more tears fall.

Roman got to Patton’s arms when they noticed their boyfriends and that woman were headed towards the entrance of the castle. Patton abruptly turned and began to wipe his eyes roughly to stop himself from crying. He grabbed the closest sponge and tossed it to Roman. “Start cleaning, please.”

Roman nodded and started wiping the wall. He imagined himself running at Virgil and tackling him to the ground. Not to attack him, just to aggressively make out with him to show the woman needed to back off. He never got the chance though, Logan called out for Patton and Patton shouted back that he was in the kitchen.

Logan and Virgil walked in with big grins on their faces as their boyfriend scrubbed away their sorrows.

“Hey honey, I’m back!”

“Ro! I didn’t know you were here!” Roman nearly threw the sponge at his head. He really wanted to yell at Virgil for leaving without telling him but Roman also wanted to yell at Logan for making Patton cry.

Logan gave Patton a side hug, oblivious to the pained expression of the prince’s face. “Since we’re all here, how about the five of us talk over tea?”

Roman turned his head to him bewildered as Patton hide his expression behind his bangs. “Five?”

Virgil gently took Roman’s arms “Yeah! We want to introduce you guys to Valerie!”

Roman looked at Virgil and his heart ached. Virgil looked so excited to introduce him, how could he say no to that?

Both Princes nodded their heads. Patton even told them to take Valerie to the common room so the princes could make the tea. That allowed the princes to regain their composure, however fake, especially after the punch to the gut of their boyfriends running off too quickly for their tastes.

Roman gripped the sink as Patton started up the kettle “We’re going to join them, aren’t we?”

Patton sucked in his breath “Yup.”

“Wonderful.”

~

Patton’s teacup was shaking in his hands “S-So, h-how did you guys met?” Patton took a sip to calm himself down. Tea always helped.

If anyone noticed that the prince was acting strangely, no one voiced it. Virgil decided to start the tale “Lo and I used to live in New Donk City, where Valerie is from.”

“Thanks for telling me about that.” Roman thought bitterly.

Logan continued “But we didn’t know each other. The day we really met was when we rescued Valerie from this crazy monkey who climbed up the tallest building in the city, the one we happened to be working in.”

Patton felt like he was going to throw up “I thought I was your first rescue…”

“It was nothing Valerie,” Logan replied

“Nothing?! Without you two, my city wouldn’t have its mayor.”

Both Roman nearly choked on his tea while Patton’s cookie missed his mouth. Patton gently put the cookie down and whipped his face before answering “Y-You’re the mayor?”

“Oh yes! I forgot to mention that.” The princes sighed. Great, she was basically like them. There was nothing to top it.

Roman wasn’t going to give in that easily “So what happened next? Did you two date or something?” He gestured between Logan and Valerie, not wanting to even think that Virgil was a possibility. The three city folk erupted in laughter. Valerie regained her composer first. “No, no! One of them would have to be attracted to women for me to date them. No, we’re just great friends.” Valerie smiled and leaned over the table, taking a hand from each of the princes. “I’m so happy my boys found such great guys like you.”

Once she let go, the princes exchanged a look that screamed: “She’s a keeper.”

And yet, that didn’t make it hurt less. The princes had never seen their boyfriends smile like this. They seemed so happy spending time with her. They weren’t bogged down with the responsibility of protecting her, they could be normal adults with her. They looked so relaxed, a calmness neither prince could ever remember providing.

It didn’t help that the princes weren’t being included in the conversations.

Roman gave up right away, watching the tea leaf float in his teacup. He couldn’t look at Virgil. He couldn’t watch someone else light up his eyes. He couldn’t accept the fact that someone else made Virgil happy before Roman ever met him and continues to. Roman felt so unneeded, he just wanted to lock himself in his castle so that he didn’t have to face the fact Virgil loved someone else.

Patton tried to jump into the conversations, but it involved inside jokes and memories Patton would never know about. Patton’s eyes fell on Logan. Logan…who is forced to save Patton every week while he only had to save Valerie once. Was that why Logan ran off so eagerly? To have a taste of life without having to put up with him? Patton’s heart shattered. Maybe Logan secretly hated him and was only still with Patton because he was a prince.

Valerie sudden straighten up with a look of realization on her face, snapping the princes’ out of their depressing thoughts. “I almost forgot! I wanted to visit the cafe Talent! .I’ve been told it’s a must do when you visit here”

Roman interjected before either plumber could speak, “O-Oh, you could go to that, or y-you could come and watch the tennis game Pat and I were about to put on!”

Both Virgil’s and Logan’s faces became red fast. A tennis game meant their boyfriends were going to wear their sports outfits. The brothers were not ready for that. They each grabbed Valerie’s arms and lifted her up at out of her chair. “We’ll see you guys after the game!” They ran off quickly, telling Valerie stories of their adventures to block out their fantasies.

“O-Oh okay…” Patton tried to stay positive as he watched them leave. “You kiddos enjoy yourselves while we have fun…playing tennis…right Roman?” He got no reply. He turned to see Roman walking off. “Roman?”  

Roman walked over to the lake, eyes closed and hands folded. Once he made it to the edge, he abruptly opened his eyes and blurted out a huge scream of pure anger. The scream was so powerful that his people all the way in Sarasaland could hear him. Thankfully, (or unfortunately, if you are Roman) Virgil was walking in the other direction and lost in the conversation so he was unable to hear Roman.

Thomas and Talyn hide fearfully behind their equally terrified prince. Roman walked back over to Patton and smiled “Shall we?”

Patton just nodded his head and followed Roman back into his castle to get changed. In the distance, Bowceit was happily enjoying the spectacle. He threw his head back, almost choking from the laughter. He quickly realized he had finished his popcorn.

“Well, time to get this party started.”

~ They never made it to the tennis courts.

Once they arrived in Patton’s room the change, the princes flopped onto Patton’s bed. They are on different sides of the bed, heads meeting in the middle. Roman gently taps his feet against the headboard before kicking it in anger. He kicked it so hard that he moved so that their shoulders were next to each other.

“Who does she think she is?! Being all perfect and taking all their attention?! She’s hasn’t been around them like we are!” As Roman continued to rant, he waved his arms to strengthen his point. Patton listens intently to avoid giving attention to the aching feeling in his chest.

“And how can Virgil be so comfortable around her! He’s barely comfortable around me and we’re dating! Not to mention living together!” Roman covered his face with his hands “And I can’t even banish her since Virgil likes her so much.” Patton chuckled as Roman turned his head to him “We could kill her.”

Patton hit his arm playfully “Roman Marigold of Sarasaland! What would your mother say?”

“She would say” Roman straighten up and make his voice sound snooty “Roman, as a prince, you must be a host and you must be kind to all. We do not wish ill will onto someone.” His voice changed back to normal “And then she’d tell me to sit up straight or something.”

Patton laughed, that made him feel better. It’s been a while since the two of them were able to have a happy moment like this. They were children again, with no fear of Bowceit and no jealousy plaguing them.

Roman sighed “I can’t blame her though. It’s all me. I’m insecure about our relationship and I’m so afraid of losing him that I act like this but it’ll only result in me pushing him away.”

Patton did a double taken. “Woah, where did that come from?”

“...I’ve been hanging out with Picani too much.”

Patton smiled and gently bumped their heads together “Don’t worry about it, it’s not just you.”

“You?! But you and Logan are perfect together!”

Patton looked away “Perfect? I never heard of a perfect relationship that involves needing weekly rescues?” Patton shook his head and curled up into a ball “I’m so scared he’s going to become sick of rescuing me and he’ll just leave and I’ll be forced to marry Bowceit--”

“Hey, hey.” Roman caught his attention “That’s never going to happen. Sarcastic bros or not, you’re never going to have to be forced to marry that snake. I’ll make sure of it.”

Patton smiled “Thanks, Ro. You’re the best.”

Roman shrugged “It’s what I do.”

They laid there a little while longer, finishing off the cookies made by a stressed Patton. They continued to gossip and complain, just to past the time. Eventually, Patton tapped Roman and said: “Come on, we have work to do.”

Roman whined “No! I don’t want to!”

Patton pulled on his arm “We have to. We both have a bunch of individual work, plus we have to re-establish our alliance.”

Roman sat up. “Fineee. Hey Pat? Are we still each other’s best friend?”

Patton let out an offended noise “Of course we are! Why would you even need to ask?”

Roman dodged the question by continuing with: “So, because we are best friends, we would want our kingdoms to be allies?”

“Yes.”

Roman clapped his hands together “Great! Meeting’s over, let’s go back to complaining about our boyfriends.” Roman flopped back onto the bed.

Patton pulled him off the bed “Get up Roman, I know you don’t want to do this but we have to.”

Roman laid on the floor in protest “No, what I have to be doing is cuddling with Virgil in my bed with the door lock, keeping all my problems outside.”

Patton dropped the papers on him “Up, now.”

Roman sighed and gave in. They both sat on Patton’s bed as they read through the different files. Both of them let out a groan once they got through one packet in half an hour.

Roman looked up at the window and shouted “Hey Bowceit! If you’re planning on kidnapping me, now would be a great time!” Both princes began to laugh until they heard the sudden sound of running feet.

Patton suddenly became terrified “Could it be?!”

Roman shook his head but moved so that he was between Patton and the door “No way. He’s not that stupid to a) stalk us and b) actually listen to anything I say.” Still, Roman had a bad feeling and he reached down for his sword.”

The door bursts open, revealing an out of breath Logan and Virgil with a slightly frustrated Talyn. For a second, Roman wonder if they heard him and he was about to get yelled at.

Talyn pointed at the princes “See? I told you they were fine.” That didn’t seem to be enough for the plumber. They practically threw themselves at their boyfriends. Patton melted into the touch as if he had never been held before even though he was in Logan's arms hours before. He needed this so badly.

Roman was just very confused. He still returned the hug though.

Logan kissed Patton’s head before speaking “Thank god you’re alright.”

Despite all that, Patton was the first one to pull away. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

Logan looked down, ashamed “We were taking Valerie to the cafe…”

Patton grabbed his hands so he would continue

“And then Bowceit showed up in his gigantic ship and attacked the town. We fought him off but once the smoke cleared, Valerie was gone. We looked everywhere.”

Patton frowned and Roman shook his head, that villain would never give up.

Virgil continued “We were going to go straight to Bowceit’s castle but we stopped to check on you guys.”

The princes' heads snapped towards him as Logan nodded: “Yes, and when we saw that you guys weren’t at the tennis courts, we feared the worse.”

The princes exchanged a look. Did he say what I think he said?

~

Valerie woke up with a headache and with no idea where she was. She looked around the dark room and saw nothing. Her arms were tied to the arms of a chair and her legs were tied to the legs of the chair. She swore she could see a shadow watching her but when she called out, no one replied. She pulled on the restraints but it was no use.

Suddenly, the shadow moved into the light and she saw the man with the strange face from before. She needed answers now. “What’s going on? Why am I here?”

Bowceit smiled “Pardon my rudeness my dear but I did tell you a bit of a lie. Several actually. I felt bad so I brought you here. Let me start over. My name is King Bowceit.”

Valerie tilted her head “King Bowceit? Wait a minute, I know who you are! You’re always kidnapping princes!”

Bowceit scoffed “That’s what everyone one says now thanks to those two jerks you call friends. What really happened was I was supposed to marry one of the princes but those pesky plumbers got in the way. That forced me to use…different methods.”

“So kidnapping princes.”

“You say kidnapping, I say proposing.” “You’re insane!”

“Thank you.” Bowceit walked back into the darkness and flipped on the lights “But really, that’s beside the point, I brought you here to thank you.”

“Thank me?” Valerie was flabbergasted.

Bowceit smirked, “Yes, because, by the time those idiots are done saving you, I’ll be a married man.”

~

Logan turned to Virgil “We should get going.” He looked back at Roman and Patton “you two stay here.”

Virgil nodded “We should get some of the power-ups we have stored here, to make the trip faster.” The twins ran out of the room and to their makeshift armory. Roman got up from his spot on the bed. Roman stood up and his eyebrows pressed together.

“We were an afterthought.”

“Roman…” Patton didn’t want the fighting to continue. Even if he felt the same way as Roman. He gripped his chest, his way of trying to physically stop his heart from breaking.

“We were an afterthought Patton, they were just going to leave. And you know it too. I can tell by the way your holding your chest.” Patton didn’t reply, Roman knew him too well.

Roman groaned “These are our heroes, why can’t someone else save her…?”. Patton looked at the door before verbally agreeing with Roman. He didn’t want Logan to know he felt this way, not yet anyway.

Unbeknownst to Patton; Logan and Virgil had already returned and heard what was said. Logan sighed “They’re angry with us, but we really must go. We should fix this now.”  

Virgil nodded “Right and we have to do this delicately.” Virgil walked up to the princes “You know, Valerie was our first rescue, so she kinda deserves it more than you guys.”

Patton once again had to physically restrain Roman.

“Excellent job Virgil,” Logan stated sarcastically.

“Oh like you could do better”

“I can, and will.” Logan went to cup Patton’s face but Patton moved away from the touch, he did not like being spied on.

“Why does it always have to be you? Why can’t you let anyone else do it?” Patton’s voice dripped with venom. He wasn’t angry at Valerie nor was he angry at Logan, he just had so much pent up emotions that were fighting to escape him.

Logan pulled back. The only other time Patton was ever this hostile was when he was possessed by the Shadow Queen. That’s a time Logan never wanted to revisit. He turned around, his eyes dark “Let’s go, Virgil. We’re wasting time.”

“We’re coming with you.”

~

Bowceit walked out of the room, satisfied with himself when he ran into the danger noodles. “Kids? Is something wrong?”

“Is she going to be our new mother?” Roy asked curiously, the other danger noodles nodded to indicate that’s what they all wanted to ask.

Bowceit smiled sympathetically “Sorry kiddos but no, she’s only the bait.”

Wendy perked up “What, you’re doing something different!”

Bowceit pressed his lips together for a moment “Okay, first, rude. And second, I guess so?”

Wendy started to bounce happily “Can we have a new castle?”

Bowceit was taken back “A new castle? Why do you want a new castle?”

Larry nodded “You’re doing something different, therefore we should have a new castle or at least a new theme.”

“This castle’s look is a bit boring anyway,” Iggy commented

“...I clearly spoil you, children, too much. BUT! You have caught my attention. Did you have any ideas in mind?”

“CASINO CASTLE!” They all scream in unison.

“Casino castle?” Bowceit smiled “I like it. MAGIKOOPAS! COME HERE NOW!”  

~

Logan swirled around, clearly frustrated “What did you say?”

Roman’s arms were crossed by his chest was puffed out “I said, we’re coming with you. Patton and I.”

Logan pinched the bridge of his nose “And why do you want to come?”

“As the prince of a country, I don’t have to answer that.” Roman step forward and got in Logan’s face. As much as he could since Logan was the tallest.

Logan glared down at him, frustration taking over. There was so tension in the room that Patton found himself holding his breath.  “No,” Logan uttered simply.

Patton winced, Logan sounded so angry. Roman would not back down, he grabbed Patton’s hand and walked out of the room.

Roman and Patton gave off one emotion each as they walked to Roman’s carriage. Anger and Sadness. Hot and Cold. Two opposites, yet they gave off the same amount of energy. An energy that terrified the people to not even blink at them. Though the Talyn who drove Roman’s carriage had to force themselves to ask where the princes want to go, not questioning why they both said ‘Bowceit’s castle’ simultaneously.

It petrified all. All except the plumber who could control it.

The plumbers jumped into the carriage directly after the princes. The couples sat separately from one another. Roman stared out the window, arms and legs crossed. Virgil, who was sitting across from him, looked down. He wanted to look into Roman’s soft eyes. He didn’t mean to snap. Patton looked directly at Logan, longing for forgiveness that wasn’t needed. Logan’s eyes were shut, he was hoping when he opened them, he would be in bed and the day would reset so he could make up for his mistakes.

Patton and Virgil locked eyes and silently agreed to end this fighting. Patton figured the best approach would be to switch spots. Not because he was planning to throw himself onto Logan, don’t be preposterous. Patton pointed at himself with one hand and Virgil with the other then switch them, hoping that it would convey his thought process. He got a confused look in return. Patton looked around before gesturing to Roman then Virgil. Virgil made an “oh!” face and nodded. Patton sighed of relief, Virgil knew exactly what Patton meant--

“Hey Ro!” Patton facepalmed, Virgil understood nothing.

Roman said nothing, he didn’t even turn. The only motion he made was to lift up his umbrella and pull down a curtain that cut the carriage in half with the handle. Mission failed.

Virgil sighed “Lo, my boyfriend’s mad at me and I don’t know what to do.” Virgil didn’t care who heard him, he just missed Roman. He looked at the unmoving curtain. If the princes were listening, there was no indication. Roman was but he was still staring out the window. He was lost in anger.

Logan shook his head “Roman is acting irrationally and is an overall stubborn person. This will eventually pass and everything will be fine.”

Both Patton and Virgil waited for Roman to stab Logan through. He didn’t. The curtain stayed still. Patton didn’t even have to hold him back. He didn’t move, he didn’t blink, the prince was quiet. The prince was quiet. That wasn’t a good sign.

Virgil began to panic “Great, just great. Roman is now never going to forgive me, I’m going to be banished from his kingdom and lose the best thing that has ever happened to me!” Logan rubbed his back and instructed Virgil to breathe. He didn’t notice though. He was focused on a certain sound. A familiar sound. A pleasant sound. It was faint, nearly a whisper. It was Roman’s singing. Roman sang to help Virgil calm down from a panic attack. Virgil was sure he was just imagining it.

He had no time to find out because the carriage suddenly stopped and sent the princes flying forward.

The sudden weight caused the curtain to rip off the ceiling of the carriage, involuntary catching the princes. Roman immediately sat up and fixed his hair. He then turned to check on Patton. “You good Pat?”

Patton nodded and tried catching his breath “Yes, I landed on something.” Patton patted the ground and his eyes suddenly widen when he felt it was uneven. He jumped back, he knew what he landed on. Logan got up from under the curtain and rubbed his head. He looked over Patton for any injuries but when he came upon Patton’s eyes. They were filled with fear and staring back at them. Was Patton afraid of him? He pulled the hand he had reached out to touch Patton back and looked away. He didn’t want to frighten him more.

Patton’s heart shattered. He made Logan upset. Logan thought he was being irrational in his jealousy, he had only said Roman’s name but Patton knew Logan was talking about him too. He was so scared that he would make Logan hate him. Now he didn’t even want to touch Patton. Patton was crushed.

Roman pulled Virgil up and even fixed his hat. Virgil smiled softly but Roman looked away. He was still angry, he wasn’t going to be the one to apologize again. Roman let out a “Hmph!” and made his way to the door.

Logan grabbed his arm and pulled him towards Patton “Stay. Here.” Logan grabbed Virgil and left before Roman could protest. The now damaged carriage was surrounded by Bowceit’s minions. The twins saw this as an opportunity to get their anger out. The enemies were dealt with very quickly, to say the least.

Roman glared at the shut door, he wasn’t planning on sitting around. He grabbed his umbrella and Patton’s hand and they walked out. He didn’t even have to drag Patton this time. Patton wanted to prove to Logan that he was worthy and to win his love back.

They spoke to the Talyn and informed them to keep the carriage there. The princes instructed Talyn that they should call some other Talyns to help fix the carriage but do not wait for the princes. They were going to finish the journey on foot.

The Sarcastic Bros actually didn’t notice the princes were following them until Roman jumped over Logan to get the flag at the end of the world. For Roman and Virgil, it became a race. A race for Virgil to close the distance between them and Roman to lengthen it. Roman wasn’t ready to talk yet. For Logan and Patton, it was like a game of ‘Hide and Seek’, where Patton did the hiding and Logan did the seeking. Patton wasn’t necessarily trying to hide from Logan, it was just that Patton wanted to show off his strength without any help

Despite all that, they actually made very good progress on getting to Bowceit. It was shocking how well they worked together, even when they were this emotional.

~

A Hammer Bro. sheepishly walked over to Bowceit. Bowceit was being fitted for a silver glitter suit with matching silver top hat. He looked happy. Crap.

“M-Master!”

Bowciet turn to it. “Yes? What is it?”

“Patton…was not in his castle…”  

“What?!” The hammer bro jumped back, brought its hands up as if it was praying.

“W-We check the entire castle. We even attacked the kingdom, but he wasn’t there.”

Bowceit rubbed his temples “So why would you come here instead of going to get Prince Roman?”

The Hammer Bro. bite its lip “W-We did, also nothing.”

Bowceit clenched his teeth. Those plumbers weren’t smart enough to hide the princes, were they? “Find them. Now. I have a wedding chapel and no prince to get married in it!” The Hammer Bro ran off as Bowceit Jr. slithered in.

“Dad! Dad! You’ll never guess what I saw when I was in Ice Zone!” The danger noodle was practically dancing as he spoke.

Bowceit smiled and rubbed his son’s head “What did you see?”

“Mr. Roman and Patton were there! They were fighting and everything!”

Bowceit raised his eyebrows. This certainly was a different day. He sent Bowceit Jr. to join his siblings in the playroom. Bowceit pondered on what to do. If the princes were fighting, then they weren’t as affected by jealousy as Bowceit previously thought. Or maybe they were.

He wanted to find out.

~

Patton was exhausted. He was drained physically and especially emotionally. He wouldn’t stop, Logan was too important to him. Logan took notice of the prince’s slumped shoulder and yawns and forced the group to stop. “We should make camp.”

Everyone looked at him, bewilder. “Camp? Since when do we make camp?” Virgil asked

“Since we have two monarchs with us.” Patton looked down and hugged himself. Logan was frowning. Logan had his back turned to Patton. Logan was angry at him. Patton walked off and sat on a rock. Only Roman seemed to notice.

Logan used the mostly intact curtain and an array of sticks to craft a makeshift tent. “It can fit about two people maybe. Roman, Patton, you two take the tent. Virgil and I will be fine out here.” Logan was facing the tent, hands on his hips. Oblivious to the situation unfolding.

Roman stormed up to him, stared straight into Logan’s eyes and threw his sword into the tent. “Congratulations, you are now one of the only two people to ever make Patton cry. You should be so proud.” Roman walked off but in the opposite direction of Patton.

Logan's stomach flipped as he slowly turned to face Patton’s spot. To his horror, Patton was curled up into a ball, shaking. Logan couldn’t hear him but he knew Patton was crying. Logan slowly walked over and wrapped his arms around Patton. Patton’s head shot up but he otherwise didn’t move. Logan buried his head into Patton’s shoulder and pulled the prince close. Patton action turned Patton into butter.

“I’m so sorry for upsetting you, my love. The thought of you crying makes my mind go dark but to be the cause of it, there’s no greater crime. Getting your cold shoulder worse than frostbite. Your scorn is worse than the heat of any star. To earn your wrath, I must have done some heinous. I don’t know what I did to make you angry but I apologize for it. I hope you will forgive me.” Logan said softly, muffled by the prince’s garment. That didn’t make them any less perfect. It was exactly what Patton needed to hear. He only had one question.

“Oh, Lo…who said I was mad at you? I thought you were mad at me!” Patton exclaimed

Logan picked his head up, looking into Patton’s eyes to see if he’s joking “Darling, why on Earth would I ever be mad at you?”

Patton looked down, fixating his gaze on Logan’s lips. “It didn’t seem like you wanted me here or around, generally…”

Logan frowned “Patton, the day I don’t want you around is the day I’m dying so I won’t see you mourn.”

Patton bit his lip doubtfully “It didn’t seem like it, especially after Valerie arrived. You looked so happy spending time with her and you never asked me to come, so what was I supposed to think? You never told me she even existed!”

Logan cupped Patton’s face. “Patton-cake, were you jealous?” Patton nodded and moved closer to Logan. Logan smiled softly. “Oh my love, I’m sorry you felt that way. You have nothing to fear though, my love for you is unending. I apologize for not asking you to come, I didn’t want to distract you from your work.” The kiss they shared was as magical as their first one.

Once they pulled away, Patton yawned. Logan kissed his head and smiled “Get some rest love, you need it.”

Patton nodded and kissed Logan’s cheek. He walked into the tent as Logan used the spot Patton was occupying to sketch the stars. Patton climbed into the tent carefully to avoid knocking over what Logan had made for him.

He noticed that on top of Roman’s sword, there was a small ball shaped object on it. Knowing how much Roman cared about his sword, Patton flicked it away. Suddenly it started to let out a gas that was trapped inside it. Patton felt his eyelids become heavy and he passed out almost instantly.

For a few seconds, there seemed to be no explanation to what had happened to the prince. That is until two Buzzy Beetles crawled into the tent and shoved themselves between Patton and the ground. They slowly carried Patton out of the tent, making sure to go unnoticed. It was slow and painful for the minions, one wrong mistake and Logan would be crushing them. As soon as Patton was inches away from the Flying Koopas, they picked him up and flew away as quickly as they could.

Once again, Logan didn’t notice.

~

Virgil watched Logan embrace Patton for a few moments, he was proud of his brother. He turned and gulped, ready to face Roman. He planned on doing the same as his brother since it seemed to work.

Keyword being planned to.

Once he got a few feet from Roman, the prince turned his head sharply. Roman was wearing a glare. It was enough to make Virgil raise his hands and slowly back away.

Roman turned his head back “I thought you were Logan…”

Virgil sighed of relief “Sorry to disappoint you.”

Roman looked up at the stars. “Not disappointed”

Virgil stepped closer “Then what?”

“Frustrated, angry, a little bit sad.” Roman slowly turn to face Virgil.

“But why?” Virgil took another step towards Roman.

Roman frowned “You left.” Roman stood up “You left and didn’t tell me you were leaving.” Both Roman and Virgil took a step forward. “You did all that to spend time with someone who you are very close to. Someone you’ve never told me about.” Roman took another step forward.

A million sentences ran Virgil’s head. A million apologizes. A million ‘I love you’s. A million explanations. A million cynical remarks. A million jokes.

But all that could come out was: “You’re jealous.”

Roman rolled his eyes. He couldn’t tell if that was a statement or question but he was too stubborn to ask. The couple turned their backs to one another. Roman slumped his shoulders, he really didn’t want to keep fighting, but he couldn't’. It was his nature to just fight, fight, fight until the bitter end. It was who he was. It was who he had to be.

Virgil rubbed his arm absently, that didn’t work. He needed to choose his words carefully. He took a deep breath before he spoke. “Roman, you always get jealous…with other guys…and I…can’t take it anymore.” Roman whipped around, ready to plead with Virgil when a hammer hit him directly in the back of the head and rendered him unconscious. Before Roman could hit the ground, a Magikoopa used its magic to not only muffle the sound of the hammer but also to catch Roman. Virgil didn’t turn, he was working on what to say next. “I can’t take seeing you sad and suffering. I want to fix it, I want to help you.” Virgil smiled “So what do you say?” Virgil turned to see nothing.

Roman was gone.

Virgil sucked in his breath. Had Roman left before he finished? Did Roman think he was mad at him? Did Roman misinterpret what he said? Did Roman not want to accept his apology? Had he pushed Roman to run away?

Virgil ran to the camp, frantic. “Logan! I fucked up!”

Logan arched an eyebrow. “In what way?”

Virgil paced back and forth as he spoke “I was trying to make up with Roman and now he’s gone and I think he’s mad and now I don’t know what to do and now you’re giving me a look and…” Virgil began to pant, he had run out of words and energy.

Logan pulled him into a hug and rubbed gentle circles into his back. “Breathe Virgil. Remember, 4-7-8.” Virgil nodded and eventually calmed down. Logan gave him a small smile “Let’s wake Patton and find Roman, okay?”

Virgil smiled and nodded, he liked the sound of that. Logan poked his head into the tent slowly so he wouldn’t startle Patton. He frowned when he saw nothing but Roman’s sword. “That’s odd.”

Virgil tilted he head “What’s wrong?”

Logan stood up straight and pulled out Roman’s sword “Patton is missing as well.”

Virgil sighed of relief “Oh thank god. He’s not mad at me, just kidnapped.” It took a moment before Virgil processed his own words “Oh crap, Roman’s been kidnapped.”

Logan groaned “Most likely along with Patton. Wonderful, now we have three people to worry about.”

Virgil began to hyperventilate “Make that four.”

~

“...Ro…Rom...Roman!” Roman’s head jerk forward suddenly, a big mistake as it worsen the splitting headache he had he had. Roman attempted to get up and groaned when he found himself chained. Not this again…

Patton felt the relief wash over when he felt Roman stir behind him. He was shocked when he awoke to see he was no longer in his tent and it only grew worse as he slowly realized what had happened. He just hoped no one was hurt.

Roman wanted to ask Patton if he was alright, but the words died as the reached his tongue. Roman’s head was still blaring, but not from the injury. The argument with Virgil kept playing over and over, make Roman sick to his stomach. The guilt consumed Roman. He had truly screwed up, and there was nothing he could do about it now. Patton

Suddenly, spotlights turn on, blinding Patton and Roman. They now could see that they were chained to the wheelhead of a gigantic roulette wheel. The pockets were pink and orange, the princes could only imagine what it meant. Looking up at the balcony, they could Valerie trapped in large prize ball, looking terrified. Bowceit stood beside her, in his shiny silver sequin suit and holding a cane.

Roman burst out laughing “HAHAHA!! YOU LOOK RIDICULOUS!!”

Bowceit groaned “Oh great, Roman’s awake. Wonderful. Just what I needed.”

Roman smiled proudly “I live to serve.”  That made Patton giggle.

Bowceit groaned and did something so extra, it even impressed Roman. He climbed off his balcony, climbed into the roulette wheel, and climbed up the wheelhead, all to slap Roman across the face.

Bowceit walked back to his spot, his wicked smile returning. “Now I’ve heard from a little birdy that you two think I’m not very fair.”

Roman narrowed his eyes “No you didn’t. You heard it from us, to your face, said among other things.”

“Roman, I swear to god, I will slap you again.”

Roman smirked “By all means, do it. Take your time even.”

“I’m not falling for that again.” Bowceit mumbled

Roman leaned forward “What was that?”

Bowceit groaned but took a deep breath, ignoring Roman to continue his speech. “Well, I want to let you both know that I am going to fix this. Instead of me picking who I marry, this handy-dandy roulette wheel will.” Photos of the princes appeared on screens behind the pockets. “And to show just how good I can be, I’ll let Valerie go with the prince who isn’t picked. Now, isn’t that just so nice of me?”

All three hostages voted no.

“WELL I DON’T CARE, LET’S START!” Bowceit pulled a lever and a large white ball appeared. There was a pause as a giant plunger,  a thing you would normally find on a pinball machine, pulled back like on a pinball machine and sent the ball flying, round and round the roulette wheel.

Roman began working his way out of the chains, noticing what a sloppy job Bowceit had done this time. As Roman pulled his leg up to stand, he noticed that his photo slowly turned into Patton’s. Roman immediately sat back down and the picture turned back to Roman.

Patton’s eyes widen “Ro, did you see that?”

“Yup…”

Patton bit his lip “What should we do?”

Roman looked up, the ball was getting closer and closer to the pockets by the second, they needed to act quickly. “I have an idea pat. On three, we get up at the same time.”

“Got it.”

“One, two, three.” the princes both hopped up, keeping the same weight on the sensors. Per Roman’s instructions, they managed to get themselves out of the chains, each movement perfectly timed to be done at the same time. However, there was one more challenge, Bowceit had them chained  on a small platform attached near the top of the wheelhead, it was very high up. The ladder was small enough for only one of them to go down, meaning whoever went first was dooming the other. Not to mention Patton was terrified of heights and didn’t seem to be moving now.

The ball was very close to the pockets now, they were trapped.

Virgil wants to break up with you because of how jealous you get. He never told you about this important person in his life. Does he really love you? Roman shook his head, he wasn’t going to let his panic thoughts takeover now.

Patton began to hyperventilate, he had no idea how they were going to escape now.

An idea popped into Roman’s head and he gulped. He turned his head to Patton “Patton?”

“Yeah Ro?”

“Forgive me”

“Why would I--” Patton was cut off by his own screaming. Roman kicked him off the ledge and sent him flying to the ground. Once Patton was in the air, Roman immediately jumped off the ledge. He hope that because neither man was on a sensor, the pictures would go back to blank.

Roman’s plan almost worked.

The only problem was that he waited a second to make sure Patton was off the ledge, that secure his picture on every pocket. It didn’t matter that he jumped, it didn’t matter that he was currently climbing out of the roulette wheel with Patton.

The ball landed on a pocket with his picture. He was chosen to be Bowceit’s husband.

Bowceit’s booming voice sent a shiver down his spine “Congratulations Roman! You are tonight’s winner!” A claw suddenly grabbed Roman and dragged him to Bowceit. Patton grabbed Roman’s hand and tried to pull him away but it was no use. Patton went tumbling backwards and Roman was struggling against Bowceit’s grip. Bowceit Jr. used his tail to press a button and the ball that held Valerie went tumbling towards Patton. It open once it was right in front of the prince and open. Patton quickly helped her out of it.

Bowceit chuckled “It has been a pleasure playing with you but we must be going!” Bowceit paused and exchanged a smirk with  “Oh what the heck, one more game.” Wendy pulled a level and the roulette wheel disappeared. Suddenly, three walls appeared around Patton and Valerie. The walls got close enough that the prince and the mayor were touching shoulders. The walls began to move and pushed them towards the edge. Patton ran to the edge to see what their doom was only to jump back.

Apparently Bowceit decided that they would be trapped on a mechanical floating island, high above the ground.

Patton pressed his back against the wall, panic swelling up in him again. This was his worst nightmare come true.

~

Bowceit dragged Roman to the chapel, Roman noticed that it definitely had been moved. Bowceit placed him in the back of the church where there were chains waited for Roman.

Roman rolled his eyes ‘You sure had everything planned out, didn’t you?”

Bowceit laughed “Of course I did! I had a partner. Lady Luck was the integral part to my plan.”

Roman raised an eyebrow “And what does that mean?”

Bowceit locked the chains around Roman’s limbs “You see, I was expecting you to escape as quickly as possible and Patton would be chosen. But, I should have expected that you would sacrifice yourself. It was a 50/50 chance really.”

Roman was shocked “Y-You really didn’t know…?” Bowceit smirked “It’s called a gamble my dear.” Bowceit ran to the front, extending Roman’s chains so that they reached the other end of the chapel. He pulled out a pair of dice “I lied before, this is the final game.”

~

Logan and Virgil arrived at Bowceit’s castle as there was only about three feet of flooring under Patton and Valerie.

Logan was horrified “PATTON! VALERIE!”

“LOGAN! VIRGIL!”

“YOU TWO ARE GOING TO HAVE TO JUMP!”

Patton shook his head “Jump?! Are you crazy?!” There was two feet left when Patton patted his his sides out of nervousness. It was then he felt his umbrella was, after everything that happened, still attached to belt. Feeling it in his hands, his confidence returned. Opening it, Patton took Valerie’s hand and jumped. The umbrella caused them to float down slowly. Patton locked eyes with Logan and suddenly got an absolutely crazy idea in him mind.

Patton spoke softly “Valerie, could you please take the umbrella?”

Valerie nodded. Once she got one hand securely on the umbrella, Patton let go entirely. He found himself smiling. He wasn’t scared, he was excited. Within seconds, he was safely in Logan’s arms, like he knew he would land.

Logan pressed his forehead against Patton and whispered “That was crazy.”

Patton giggled “people do crazy things when they’re in love.”

Logan gently placed Patton on his own two feet. “I hope this means we are, as the kids say, ‘officially gucci’?”

Patton laughed and kissed Logan’s cheek. “Of course.”

Virgil made sure Valerie was securely on the ground before running around, looking for Roman. Patton moved away from logan and spoke sadly ‘Roman was taken by Bowceit.”

Virgil paused his pacing. ‘What direction?”

Patton pointed to the balcony and that was all Virgil needed. He used the flying Koopas as makeshift stairs that lead him straight to the chapel.

Logan found a hiding spot for Patton and Valerie before following Virgil. Patton and Valerie only had to exchange a look before they ran after the brothers to help them save Roman.

~

Roman was truly in hell. Bowceit didn’t even let him go down the aisle on his own accord. With each roll of the dice, Roman was pulled forcefully towards the altar, the chains digging into his wrists. It took Bowceit rolling an 11, a 15 and a 5 to get him to the altar. Clearly the dices had been rigged.

The Koopa who was being the priest began to speak. “Dearly beloveds, we are gathered today in the presence of these witnesses to join this king and this prince in Holy Matrimony. If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Both Bowceit and Roman looked at the door. They waited a few moments but nothing happened.

Bowceit threw his head back in joy “Ha! Looks like your little hero isn’t coming! Looks like he really like that girl more than you.”

Roman growled but looked down, he wasn’t going to allow himself to be tricked by Bowceit’s words once again. Though, he couldn’t just ignore than aching feeling in his chest. It was so loud, he could barely hear what the Koopa was saying.

“And now for the rings.”

Virgil kicked open the chapel down “RING, RING! GET AWAY FROM MY MAN BITCH!”

Roman sighed happily, hearts practically forming around him as he cupped his own face. Bowceit rolled his eyes “THAT DIDN’T EVEN RHYME!”

Needless to say, the fight ended just as Valerie and Patton appeared at the chapel.

Virgil undid the chains and looked at Roman, slightly unsure of what to say or do. “A-Are you okay?” Roman responding by tackling Virgil and kissing him passionately repeatedly.

~

Once Roman released Virgil from the onslaught of kisses and apologizes, Valerie embraced the princes.

“I’m so glad you two are alright, I can’t believe you guys go through that on the weekly.”

The princes happily hugged her back. “It’s nothing, we’re sorry you got dragged into it.” Roman spoke confidently.

Patton nodded “And if it’s any consolation, we would like to spend some time with you, to get to know you truly.”

Valerie wrapped her arms around each of their shoulders “I would love that. In fact, I have plenty of embarrassing stories to tell you two about your heroes.”

Patton and Roman exchanged smirks much to their boyfriends’ dismay. She truly was a keeper.

~

Tag list:

@corkeecoderyt @Per-seph-o-nee @Ohshrekmyheck @3milystuff  @Asymmetricalgarbage8888   @fairytailtwists  @sanders-sides-rebloger  @sanderssidesfluffyangst  @unikornavenger @0callmevirge0 @gloomingwitch @roxiefox24 @ijustreallylovesanderssides @unisaurioamorfo

#thomas sanders #sanders sides #logicality #prinxiety #mario au #long post #roman sanders #virgil sanders #logan sanders #patton sanders #deceit sanders

[platonicone]

Devotion - Story of the Oracle and her Shield

Chapter 19 - Faith

Without faith, what do you believe in? I wonder…

Their last car ride together was peaceful and enjoyable. They made small talks and recollected some of their fond memories in this car. Before they realized they were already by the Wiz Chocobo outpost.

“This is it,” he announced, turning off the ignition.

“For better or worse, this is it,” she affirmed, unbuckling her seatbelt.

“Let’s go meet Mr. Wiz Chocobo,” he stated, getting out of the car.

“Why don’t you go ahead? There is something I need to do,” she requested, looking slightly distracted.

Leon wondered what it was but decided not to ask. ‘She needs to have her space too,’ his mind rationalized.

“Okay, fine. Join me at that table when you are done. We will grab something to eat before we venture out for Ramuh,” he proposed. She nodded in response.

They had consolidated all their stuff in two bags, which Leon carried with him as he headed for the Chocobo ranch.

Leon handed over the car keys to Wiz and rented two Chocobos.

After taking care of all his chores, he sat at the dining table to look at the menu. “Hmm, this Green Smoothie looks nice. Lightning Resistance +90%, this is perfect for the upcoming battle.”

He waited for Luna for 10 minutes or so, but she did not come. Fearing for her safety, he decided to go look for her.

Just a little distance further from the car, he saw Luna sitting on the ground with some sort of book in her hand. He noticed that dogs were back by her side.

‘Seriously? Reading a book? Now?’ he couldn’t help but give a facepalm.

As he approached her, Umbra saw him and pounced on him. “Hey there, I’ve missed you too buddy,” he said, playing with Umbra.

Luna suddenly looked up when she heard his voice. She quickly wiped off her tears with the back of her hand, hoping he won’t see it. Unfortunately for her, Leon saw it. He sat in front of her. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything is fine,” she replied with a forced smile. However, Leon saw right through her fake smile.

“So why were you crying?” he cut to the chase.

“No, I wasn’t,” she denied it.

Leon just rolled his eyes, and she knew that he was on to her. Leon saw the book in her hand and it was unlike anything he had seen before, so his curiosity got the best of him. “What is this book?”

Luna closed the book quickly and brought it close to her chest defensively. “It’s mine.”

Leon was taken aback by her reaction.

“I am sorry,” she apologized, realizing her mistake.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell if you don’t want,” he suggested.

“It’s fine. This is the diary I share with Prince Noctis,” she spoke softly, slowly extending her hands towards Leon offering him the diary.

‘Hell no. I don’t want to read a diary between the girl I love and her lover.’ A voice yelled in his mind.

Leon gently pushed back to the diary. “No, it is your private diary. I don’t want to see it.”

Luna nodded and appreciated his sincerity. “I usually send him some pictures and flowers and he sends me stickers. It is silly, I know.”

“Everything we do looks silly to someone else,” he commented while standing up, and she followed the suit. She tucked the notebook around Umbra’s collar and instructed him, “Wait for him here. When he comes here, give it to him.” Umbra seemed to understand what she said and ran away in the woods. Pryna too followed Umbra and disappeared behind him.

“I had sent Prince Noctis a message when I left Tenebrae. He had replied saying he couldn’t wait to see me,” she revealed, as they made their way to their table. Leon looked at her from the corner of her eye and saw how happy she was talking about it.

“Since we are at the cusp of awakening Ramuh, I thought I should leave him another message here,” she added.

‘Ask her what she wrote,’ urged his mind. ‘No, that is a stupid idea, DO NOT ask her,’ warned his heart.

‘Dude, you gotta know everything about your competitor. What’s wrong in that?’ Argued his mind. ‘Stop it. I don’t want to know. The more I know the more it hurts,’ countered his heart.

Luna noticed that Leon was distracted and was back to his emotionless face. Just to keep the conversation alive, she added, “I wrote to him that my prayers are with him.”

‘She didn’t write that she loves him! That’s a win for us. Woo-hoo. Party time!’ Screamed his mind. ‘Shut up.’

“I left a little leaf symbol too,” she mentioned, hoping for some sort of response from Leon.

“Why?”

“It is like a nature stamp. It’s our code to let him know that I am okay,” she conveyed, taking her seat at the dining table.

“Still doesn't explain why you were crying?” he stated, matter-of-factly with no emotions in his voice, as he took the opposite seat to her.

“It’s just that,” she paused slightly before continuing. “Some old memories resurfaced, that’s all,” she whispered, hoping that would be the end of this topic.

Luckily for her, the waiter came just as Leon had opened his mouth to say something. “What can I get ya?” asked the waiter.

“Gysahl Chips and two Green Smoothie please,” Leon ordered.

“Good choice, Sir. I’ll be right back with your order,” said the waiter courteously and left.

Luna gave him a quizzical look for not even asking her what she wanted. Leon understood that look and responded, “I had already checked the menu. Those are only two things we can eat here.”

They finished their meal in awkward silence. They seem to have a pattern of swinging between intense closeness and extreme avoidance.

“How do we get to Ramuh from here?” Leon asked, getting up from their table.

“To awaken the Stormsender, we must locate and gather three runestones scattered across Duscae. The first runestone is up north from here across the forest in a canyon.”

“All right, let’s do this,” Leon said, as he pulled out Chocobo whistle from his pocket. Two Chocobos came running to where they were. One Chocobo was white and another was of sky-blue color.

“Oh. My. God. They are so cute,” Luna spoke with palpable excitement. Leon couldn’t help but smile seeing her child-like enthusiasm.

“Which one is mine?” she asked eagerly.

“Whichever one you like,” he replied with a shrug.

“I want the white one. No, wait, I want sky-blue one. Oh, this is so exciting. I get to ride a Chocobo,” she gabbed, tightly grabbing Leon’s hand.

“Okay, I’ll take the white one then,” he affirmed. Luna nodded in approval. “Shall we go now?”

“Wait! We haven’t named them yet,” she said enthusiastically.

“Luna, they are rental Chocobos. Why would we name them?” he argued.

“Why wouldn’t we?” she countered as if it was the most obvious thing to do.

“They are rental Chocobos and they probably already have names. We can just ask Wiz,” he proposed.

“Leon, they are not just some rental property. They are like our pets. We share a bond with them,” she pleaded her case.

“But--” he tried to say something, but she cut him off. “No,” she declared without giving any further explanation or rationale. “We are naming them and that’s final.”

“Fine. Go ahead,” he surrendered.

“No, I am going to name my Chocobo and you name yours,” she proposed, petting her Chocobo. “Let me think, what should I call her?”

After a few moments her face and her eyes lit up, “I got it. I am going to call her Sant' Angelo di Roma.”

“That’s a long name,” he noted.

“What are you going to name yours?” she asked eagerly.

“I am going to call him Boko.”

It was her turn to facepalm now. “That’s it? Just Boko?”

“Yeah, back in my world, I had a Chocobo named Boko,” he revealed.

“You never said that you owned a Chocobo in your world. All you said that they were rare. There is a lot you need to tell me about your world, mister,” she said in a mockingly threatening way, wagging her finger.

“Yes, I will tell you all about it on our way to Ramuh. Now, can we go?” he asked.

“Mhm,” she nods.

“Good, I’ll go grab our bags.”

“I’ll feed the Chocobos meanwhile.”

Once everything was in place, they were ready to being their journey.

“Here we go,” he said, mounting on Boko. “Do you need some help?” he asked, looking back at her.

“No, I got this,” she said while mounting on her Sant' Angelo di Roma.

“Let’s ride,” he declared, adjusting the bridle of his Chocobo. “North from here, through the forest and into the canyon, correct?”

“100%” she affirmed. “Keep up with me rookie,” she taunted as she rode ahead of him.

“Trash talking from Luna. Did not see that one coming,” he admitted, and followed her.

He quickly caught up with her as they entered the forest.

“You are good at this. Where did you learn how to ride Chocobos?” he asked.

“Ravus and I used to ride Chocobos every day in Tenebrae when we were little,” she revealed, recollecting fond memories.

“You talk a lot about Tenebrae. How come you have never taken me there?” he asked.

“Because it is so far away from here. You can only get there by train or an airship. I would love to take you there,” she said, looking at him with a smile.

“I would love to see the place where you grew up. Meet all the people there and find out all embracing stories about you,” he said with a straight face.

“Hey, not cool,” she gave him the look. He just laughed in response. “Now tell me about Chocobos in your world.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Everything.”

Leon was still giving her history lesson when they had passed through the forest. As they rode along, they noticed the Digythe Haven campground on the other side of the road. After crossing the road, they continued through the woods.

They continued making small talks as they rode towards their destination. Leon couldn’t help but wonder how Luna can find so many things to talk about. He was certain that he had spoken more in the past few days with Luna than he had spoken in last one entire year.

As the woods cleared, they could see the canyon now.

“Where do we go now?” he asked, looking around.

“Gentiana said that there should be a large boulder with a path next to it,” she stated.

After exploring the area for a few minutes, Leon found the said landmark. They continued down the path through the small canyon until they spotted a large tree-like object being electrified.

“What is that?” he asked, pointing at the tree which seemed to burst with electricity.

“That’s our first runestone,” she replied with a smile.

They both go off from their Chocobos and carefully approached the lightning tree. “Do you think it is safe to touch it?” he asked, eyeing it carefully runestone.

“For Oracle, it should be,” Luna said confidently.

“But what if it’s not safe?” he asked concerned.

She grabbed Leon’s hand reassuringly, “Leon, I cannot let the fear of ‘what if’ hold me back. The only thing I am truly afraid of is doing nothing and losing everything.”

“The only thing I am afraid of is losing you. Let me try first,” he insisted.

“No, this is my calling and I must do it,” she replied calmly.

“Fine. I’ll be right next to you.” He was still reluctant to let go of her hand.

“You always are,” she replied with a reassuring smile and then tugged him along, still holding his hand.

With the trident in one hand, she offered a silent prayer to Ramuh and dared to touch the runestone. The electricity started flying all around her, but it faded just before it would touch her. The runestone seems to concentrate all the energy into itself as lightning danced around it and eventually exploded in a brilliant flash. The release of energy caused a thundering roar that could be heard for miles.

“Luna!” screamed Leon.

“I am okay. Just blinded by this lightning,” she reported, still covering her eyes.

“Thank God you are okay. I was worried for a second,” he stated, placing his hand around her shoulders.

“You worry too much, Leon. No wonder that frown never leaves your face,” she said with a smile.

‘Silly girl, you are all I have in this world,’ his heart confessed. ‘Eww, that sounds so cheesy,’ retorted his mind.

“Whatever,” he said, folding his hand and looking away, which always made her laugh.

They both made their way back to their Chocobos to continue their journey. “Where do we go now?” he inquired.

“The second runestone should be north of Alstor Slough and the nearby Coernix Station,” she recollected instructions from Gentiana.

They ventured out of the canyon and followed the dirt road. They could see the lights from Coernix Station from a distance.

“What was that thundering sound at the runestone?” Leon asked riding his Chocobo.

“It must be a sign from Ramuh. He is God of thunder and rain after all,” she noted, riding next to him.

“Speaking of that, look there,” he pointed at the sky.

“Cumulonimbus clouds,” she remarked, looking at the sky.

“Just a few minutes ago, there was not a cloud in the sky, but now there are cumulonimbus clouds everywhere,” he observed.

“Yes, this type of cloud is thunderstorm clouds. This must be Ramuh’s doing. Interacting with runestone must have caused this reaction.”

“The Astrals in your world are a lot more powerful than mine,” he admitted, still trying to comprehend how one Astral can change the entire weather with its power.

“How so?” she asked with curiosity.

“Maybe we should discuss this at some other time. Looking at the clouds, it's only a matter of time before thunder starts. Also, the wind has picked up too.”

“Yes, let's keep moving,” she affirmed.

Once closer to Coernix Station they crossed the road and continued to ride along the northern wall until they came across a chain-link fence.

“Where do we go now?” he asked.

“I think we need to go further west from here,” she suggested, navigating her Chocobo in that direction.

Eventually they came across a small opening in another canyon.

They dismounted and made their way inside the opening on foot. Based on their previous experience, they were at ease approaching the tree. Luna touched the second runestone and electricity started emanating from it. Sparks of electricity engulfed Luna, but it did not touch her. It looked as if there was some invisible barrier that kept it from touching her. The intensity of the sparks picked up and reached its crescendo before exploding in a blinding light. The resulting thunder echoed all around.

Once everything was settled, he asked, “You okay?”

She nodded and said, “One finally runestone before the Fulgurian reveals himself. Deep within the heart of rock lies the runestone, the portal to power.”

“Location?”

“The third runestone is located in a dungeon called Fociaugh Hollow above the Malacchi hills back to the east of Wiz Chocobo Post.”

As they were making their way to their Chocobos, Leon’s ears picked up on a familiar sound. His eyes shot up towards the sky and it was as he feared, “Damn, it’s the Empire.” Empire’s airship was coming towards the runestone. Leon noticed that it was hovering at a low altitude, which meant they were ready to deploy soldiers.

Leon grabbed Luna’s hand and said just one word, “Run.”

Hand in hand, they ran away from the Empire and towards their Chocobos. “What are they doing here?” she complained.

“Probably investigating. Two thundering noises and a sudden shift in temperature would certainly raise some flags,” he presumed, while running.

They were barely a few feet away from Chocobos when Leon suddenly stopped in his track, causing Luna, who was running behind him, to bump into him. “What happened?” she asked.

“Do you hear that?” he asked her.

“Damn. Another airship!” she noticed an airship coming towards them from the direction they were running towards.

“Come on, we need to move quickly,” he urged, getting on his Chocobo.

Leon quickly assessed their situation. There were airships on either side of them so he had to come up with a new way. “That way,” he pointed towards the dense forest. “We will go through the forest; trees should reduce our visibility.”

Once Luna was properly seated on her Chocobo he asked, “Ready to ride?” he asked.

“Always,” she promptly replied.

They dashed through the forest all the way back to Wiz Chocobo Post. The street lights whizzed past them as they made their way past Killiam Haven towards the mountain slopes. They dismounted from their Chocobos and tried to figure out where to go next.

“Where do we go now?” he asked.

“There should be a cave here somewhere,” she said, looking around.

Everything looked ordinary with no cave or any sign of Ramuh in sight.

“Hey, look at the sky,” Leon pointed out.

“Nimbostratus clouds,” she observed the clouds above. Nimbostratus clouds cover the sky in a dark gray layer. The layer of clouds was thick enough to block out the sun.

“Ramuh is certainly reacting to the runestone,” he commented, walking away from her, looking for this mythical cave.

“It looks like the sky is about to tear open and engulf all in a torrent,” she predicted, still fixated on the sky.

“Then we’d better find this cave soon. I don’t see any entrance around here,” he stated, inspecting the area.

“I guess prayer is the only remedy now,” having said that, she closed her eyes and communicated to the Astral being.

‘Oh, the wise Fulgurian, I entreat you to grant me an audience with thee. I, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, the blood of the Oracle, aspire to assist the chosen King to restore light to this world. Without your blessings, such aspirations are but a fickle dream. Aid me, oh the merciful one.’

Her prayers were immediately answered with a crackling lightning bolt splitting the earth.

“And thus, Ramuh revealed the Fociaugh Hollow to have an audience with him,” she said with a smile looking at bewildered Leon, who was only a few feet away from where the lightning struck.

“So, Gods do hear your prayers.”

“Not just mine, everyone’s prayers heard equally,” she assured, making her way towards Leon.

“Then how come some prayers are answered and some don’t?” Leon asked the Oracle, giving her hand so she could climb on the ledge he was standing at.

She grabbed Leon’s hand and pulled herself forward. “All the prayers are heard, but only prayers meant for uplifting our souls are answered. Let me ask you this, if a small child wants to touch the fire, do you think parents would allow that?”

“No, the fire will burn the child.”

“What if the child cries and throws a tantrum to touch the fire?”

“Parents still won’t allow it. A small child might not know the dangers of the fire, but parents do.”

“Similarly, our desires are like that fire. If our desires can be detrimental to our soul in a long run, then the gods would not answer those prayers. Like a good parent, they will protect us from that fire, even if we cry or throw a tantrum.” She narrated as they made their way towards the entrance.

“Why do gods get to decide what’s good for me and what’s not?” Leon suddenly realized that their backpacks were still on their Chocobos. He jumped off the ledge and made his way to Chocobos.

“We humans can be very short-sighted. We can only see what’s in front of us. We can’t see the butterfly effect of our actions in the future. Gods can see past, present and future. Hence, they are best equipped to judge which wish to fulfill and which to avoid. We can pray and let our desires be known, and then trust God to fulfill it or not as they please. To trust that every situation God puts me through is for my own benefit; that is all faith is about.” She explained while Leon retrieved their backpacks from Chocobos.

Leon often forgets that the girl he is speaking to is the spiritual leader of the whole Eos. “It’s hard to keep faith when your prayers don’t get answered.”

“Any prayer done with pure hearts or intent is always answered. In my travels, I have learned that often our prayers are selfish, materialistic, or for a quick fix solution to our struggles. But it is in our struggles that we grow the most, but ironically, it is that struggle which we want to avoid the most.”

“What’s the point of praying if we are going to struggle anyway?” It just dawned to Leon that this is perhaps the first time she has spoken to him like an Oracle rather than Luna.

“Gods have mysterious ways of working. Our prayers are often answered, just not in the way we desire. A wise man one said that if you pray for patience, then God does not zap them with patience, but instead put them in a situation which requires them cultivate patience. If one prays for courage, then they are presented with an opportunity to be courageous. If one prays for closeness with the family, then God does not zap them with warm fuzzy feelings; Instead, the God give them opportunities to cultivate that bond. In looking for instant miracles, we often miss these opportunities presented to us. Unfortunately, it’s the lack of this understanding which turns people away from the God.” They were already by the entrance while chatting.

“Ready?” he asked, looking at her. She nodded in response.

They ventured into the pitch-dark cave, thankfully their flashlights lit up illuminating the way further. It took a few seconds for their eyes to adjust in this ambience.

“Let’s walk slowly. We don’t know what danger lurks here,” he offered, leading the way.

Leon was careful with every step he took. His eyes constantly scanning the surroundings for any threat. They walked through a long straight corridor before coming to a more open area.

“It feels odd that we haven’t encountered any enemies so far. Perhaps it’s Ramuh’s doing?” he asked, but got no response from Luna. He quickly glanced at her, but she did not make an eye contact. He decided not to probe it further and rather focus on the task at hand, so he continued further.

As they went deeper into the first chamber of the cave, suddenly they were greeted by a colony of bats. The horde of bats flew over them as they instinctively ducked.

“First rule of exploring caves, stay in the center and avoid corners,” he said.

Walking further eventually, they came to a dead end. “Dead end so soon? I thought this cave went deep. There has to be a way around.” Yet again, he elicited no response from Luna.

He touched the wall of the cave and the stone was solid and cold. Looking at the condition of the cave, he figured it must have been years since humans set foot in here. Even in his time at Hunter’s there was no knowledge of this cave’s existence. He looked around for an alternative path and eventually saw a narrow passage in the rock wall.

“I think we should be able to slip through this gap,” he suggested, looking at Luna who did not respond.

“Are you okay?”

“Mhm”

“Okay then, follow me,” he offered, and made his way through the narrow gap. The opening was so small that they had to go in sideways and move like that until they came out on the other side.

“Wait. Do you hear that?” Leon asked. Before Luna could reply, several Imps ambushed them. As Leon fought with the Imps, more joined the party. One of the Imps managed to attack Leon from the back and poison him.

Leon quickly glanced at Luna, who was supposed to be watching his back. She stood there motionless. “Luna, heal me,” he yelled, but she seemed frozen.

Creating some distance from the Imps, he quickly used the antidote and continued the fight. An Imp was about to attack Luna but was slashed in half by a mighty strike form Leon. He cleared out all Imps and checked on Luna. “Luna, are you okay?”

“Mhm”

“You sure?”

“Mhm”

Leon facepalmed before speaking again, “What is going on? Ever since we entered the cave, you haven’t spoken a word.”

“I-I am-m scared of d-dark and c-close spaces,” she confessed. “I am sorry I wasn’t able to help in the battle.”

“It’s all right. You should have said something sooner.”

“I didn’t want to be a burden on you. I thought I would be able to brave it, but I was wrong.”

“Didn’t you tell me once that relying on others is not a sign of weakness, but it’s a sign of trust?”

“I am sorry.”

“It’s all right. Just stay close to me.” Without waiting another second, she grabbed onto Leon’s hand as they moved forward.

‘I think it might be a good idea to have a conversation with her. It would help take her mind off from her fears. But what can I talk about?’

“I wonder how come we have more Astrals in my realm than here,” he asked as they walked further into the cave.

“What do you mean?”

“We have 24 Astrals in our realm. 16 of them, we can summon directly. Six of them appear randomly during battles or are summoned with items. Two of them I have only encountered in possession of sorceresses.”

“24 Astrals!” The tone in her voice indicated that this was a subject she enjoyed discussing very much.

“But I think Astrals here are a lot more powerful. They can cause quakes or cause thunder and rain. Hell, they can even wipe out the whole town from the face of the map if they choose. At least the Astrals in my realm had no such power.”

“Then what kind of power do they wield there?”

“We mainly summon them in battle, but the execution of their power is limited to the foe.”

“Astrals with such limited power. There has to be more than that.”

“Perhaps. Astrals here are part of people’s lives and cultural lore. Their actions can affect people’s lives directly, which I find fascinating.”

“So, in your realm, Astrals are nothing more than tools of war?”

“Yes.”

“That is sad. Astrals are beings with will and intelligence beyond human wisdom. I wonder how they must feel to be just a tool for war.”

“I don’t know.”

“What about messengers? Do they not convey the will of gods to you?”

“As far as I can tell there are no messengers in our realm. At least not in the sense you guys have it here.”

“Then who conveys Gods will to the people?”

“No one. Now that I think about it, we don’t even worship any gods.”

“I find that very disheartening. I take it that you don’t have any Oracles either?”

“Yes, we don’t have any Oracles in our world. We have sorceresses, though. They are the only ones who can wield magic naturally.”

“So, in your world, I would be a sorceress?”

“Yes. However, a sorceress in our world is often frowned upon and people are scared of them.”

“So, if where to come to your world, I’ll be a sorceress. An enemy of the world.”

“Even if you end up as the world's enemy, I'll... I'll be your knight,” Leon said.

“That is very sweet of you,” she said. Thankfully, it was dark, so no one could she her blush.

“Strange,” he said, seeming lost in thought. “I feel like I have said these exact words before.”

Author's notes:

This was one of the harder chapters to write as Luna is a spiritual leader of Eos, so I wanted to highlight that side of her in this chapter. I had to read up a lot of theology for this chapter.

I am posting this chapter on 12/22/2019 - so Happy Holidays everyone :)

Please leave a comment if you have enjoyed the story so far. Would love to chat with some of my readers. Or at least say 'Hi' so I know someone is readying this. Thanks :)

#Squall #Luna #Lunafreya #Noctis #Prompto #Gladiolus #Ignis #Ardyn #Aranea #Gentiana #Bahamut #Rinoa #Zell #Irvine #Selphie #Quistis #Stella #FFXV #FFVIII #FanFiction #Crossover #Love #Tragedy #Adventure #Final Fantasy #Final Fantasy Versus #Squall x Rinoa #Squall x Luna #Noctis x Luna #Squall x Lunafreya

[regularlyfe]

you know, every once and a while I really get to thinking about the big plot details of the TAZ Balance arc and Lucretia’s whole thing really fucks me up.

Don’t get me wrong, I adore her, and no one is their best self in truly desperate situations, let alone something like what she was going through, but so many of the choices she made...

Like I’m not even going to cover the whole mind wipe thing because what happened to Davenport is literally my worst nightmare with not even a shred of hyperbole, I’m just gonna focus rn on the whole “cutting the planar system off from the Prime Material plane,” because that alone is a whole mountain plus some.

So like the details of her plan, if I recall correctly, were that she would cast an abjuration spell, powered by the Light of Creation, around the whole of the Prime Material plane in order to shield the Light from the Hunger’s scouts, and eventually starve the Hunger out.

That’s a fantastic plan if there aren’t any consequences, like all the logic is sound. You don’t have to figure out how to kill the giant vore monster, you don’t have to dump a bunch of incredibly powerful, incredibly dangerous, and guaranteed to be used artifacts on some unsuspecting inhabitants, it’s just a waiting game, and then you’re done.

But like immediately the consequences were recognized and pointed out. The bonds between the Prime Material plane and the rest of the planar system would be severed, and all the planes would starve, wasting away and dying.

The inhabitants of 12 planes of reality would die.

Now I know that DnD universes tend to be smaller in population than our particular world, but even if we reduce the population of each entire plane to that of a single planet, say earth-scale, that is a LOT of lifeforms.

Ignoring the current, generous, estimation of 8 billion humans, there are estimates ranging between 8.7 million to of 11.3 million with a few going upwards of a billion and to scales of a trillion in accounting for deep water microbial life in numbers of species.

So let’s be generous and assume a biodiversity count at around 10 million species, getting rid of the microbes and adding some of the magical creatures.

Did you know the online world atlas estimates about 900 million dogs exist on the planet today? 7.8 billion humans exist in our world. 1.5 billion cows. 2 million rats in New York City alone, and that’s 784 sq km out of all flat land on the planet being 148.94 million sq km. Mice, squirrels, and bats are considered to be on the same scale as the rats.

But let’s continue to ere on the conservative side here and go with the average population per species be somewhere around raccoon level. In North America, the estimated raccoon population is between 5 and 10 million, and the global population is estimated to be around 20 million and rising.

So let’s go with 15 million. Again, trying to be conservative with our numbers.

These assumptions brought together, we are saying each plane - note that the Prime Material plane encompasses and entire universe - only has one, sparsely inhabited, earth-sized planet’s (or equivalent) worth of population. And that population is broken down to approximately 10 million species with 15 million members per species.

Now a lot of this is incredibly hand-wavy and vague - I am definitely not an ecologist - but I feel like for estimating a fantasy planar system’s population while giving the Director the benefit of the doubt by assuming low, this has at least some grounding.

So we have 12 planes, with 10,000,000 species each, and 15,000,000 members per species.

This would ultimately be 12*10,000,000*15,000,000 lifeforms.

1,800,000,000,000,000 lifeforms.

1.8 million billion lifeforms.

Numbers like these tend to make more sense when translated into into terms of time, so say, if each lifeform equated a single second, then that would be over 57 million years.

And this is a generous estimate.

This is a possible number of lives that could be lost if Lucretia had succeeded in putting her plan into action.

**And, I just want to say as a quick aside here, I forgot about the ethereal plane, which a checked to make sure it did in fact have inhabitants (it does), which bumped this from 11 to 12 planes. That was an increase of 150,000,000,000,000 lifeforms, or ~4,700,000 years - remembering that each second of those years is a life - from the time translation. It’s hard to see that significance when the majority of the characters in a number are 0, so I just wanted to make that clear.

Now the relics definitely had incredibly high death counts. I’d say it’s reasonable to argue that those counts would be comparable to the counts of our wars, and not to rehash any specifics, but out all pre-history, midieval, and modern wars the highest estimates remained in the tens of millions, no higher than 85 million deaths.

Of course, without saying, that is an utterly horrifying number of lives lost. But that versus not just one people’s lives lost, but the entirety of a set of world’s existence?

That’s a scale difference in the realm of 10s of million, specifically around 21,176,470 times larger in size.

I know the ethical dilemma of arguing the value of one life versus the value of many is an age old debate, but when it comes to person-scale war versus the destruction of not one but eleven universes?

Literally the choice to allow people to fight each other with absurdly dangerous magic versus allowing all of this planar system’s existence to waste to nothingness?

Which, mind you, the destruction of entire planar systems is exactly what the Hunger was doing. The crew of the Starblaster was trying to stop all that.

This is not just a mass extinction event, it’s the end of everything to this planar system, changing it in a way such that it will never produce any semblance of life again. Like in Cycle 82 when the Plane of Magic vivisected the Prime Material Plane, life in the whole system was destroyed, as the system no longer functioned in a way that could sustain anything more meaningful than shells of what had been before.

Like optimistically, the Hunger starves before the Planar System does, and minimal casualties occur. But the Hunger has the energy of Many, Many, Many more planar systems, just like, in it. Because who knows how long it had been consuming these things before the crew showed up.

So really, the best case is that the planar system changes, and everything designed to function in the previous flow of the system dies, the Hunger dies, and eventually life that can function in this new, changed system comes into being after, I don’t know, another universe, that jives with the new flow, is made within the Prime Material Plane?

I feel like this is a case of preferring an semi-unknown to a clear known.

Because the crew has seen powerful artifacts, citing a 5 wizards out of 7 party. And they have a solid grasp on the power levels of the Light, citing both the time spent with it to build the Starblaster and the entirety of the Stolen Century. So it’s pretty clear what the consequences of supercharging some enchanted artifacts with the Light and dropping them on some unsuspecting planet will be.

Especially if these artifacts are 100% definitely going to be used due to Craveability.

They had to have seen, and likely fairly up close, the kind of damage that heavy-hitting magical artifacts plus the Light of Creation can do in the previous century, just not in the precise configuration of the artificing plan sets up.

Where as they haven’t ever actively cut off a Prime Material Plane from the rest of the system. Sure, they had spent years studying planar systems as members of the IPRE and they had the whole century to observe planar systems in many configurations. Enough to develop an incredibly solid hypothesis of what would happen, but they never really saw something similar in action.

But 6 out of the 7 members of the crew were able to see the possible consequence of “The whole planar system would slowly, painfully starve to death in literally every way possible,” and decided “yeah, fuck that,” save for Lucretia.

And I know we can get attached to our own ideas, but when you see violent wars versus the collapse of all of this planar system’s existence?

Like don’t get me wrong, the relics were pretty dang bad, but to not even trust the crew so far as to try to persuade an adjustment of the relic plan once the damage started getting truly awful?

Just jumping straight to, “I guess I should erase all of their memories of the people closest to them, and dropping them in a world where they now have LITERALLY no one”?

I digress on the memory thing, I did say I was gonna keep that out of this post, but seriously.

If she couldn’t trust the crew as her family to agree with her that the relics were bad, and maybe they should try something else because it was tearing their family apart as much as it was tearing apart the world down below; couldn’t she at least trust them (and herself) as a committee of literally All of Existence’s foremost experts on planar systems, the Light of Creation, and the Hunger, and if 6 out of 7 experts can conclude the catastrophic end of ta planar system from severing the bonds between its planes, maybe she should consider it too?

Like, they didn’t write her off out of spite or a lack of faith in her magic ability. They just said that they’d rather some wars ravage a particular plane until maybe they could find something better instead of initiating total planar collapse.

#taz: balance #lucretia #likely to be part one of a mini series #that i'd like to call #procrastination by detailed media analysis #the director #this is a very long post

[humansofhds]

Julia Hintlian, MTS ′18 and Harvard PhD Candidate

"I’ve spent time in the Republic of Armenia, and in 'Western Armenia' (now Eastern Turkey). A lot of our churches have been desecrated and destroyed, and those of us who are fortunate to survive have a responsibility not only to know what we’ve lost, but to know that what we have inherited is valuable."

Julia graduated in 2018 with an MTS from HDS. She is now a rising doctoral student in religion at Harvard. This past summer, she taught at the seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Formations of My Identity

My doctoral degree is in the history of Christianity, and I am working on the influences of Manichaeism and Zoroastrianism on Syriac and Armenian Christianity in Late Antiquity. My master’s degree is in Silk Road Religions, an individualized area of focus that included the same subjects I am studying now—as well as some other, lesser studied traditions like the religion of the Yazidis of Northern Iraq, and Ismailism, a sect of Shia Islam. During my undergraduate degree in religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania, I focused on Hinduism and Islam. So, I arrived at the history of Christianity by studying many other traditions through the lens of “world religions.”

My mom got an MTS when I was in high school, and she would come home from her classes and talk to my 14-and-15-year-old self about what she was learning. She encouraged me to ask questions that I was not taught to ask in school, like: Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? What have writers over millennia had to say in answer to these questions?

I am ethnically Armenian, baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Armenian Church is ancient, and we are an ancient people with a rich religious history, strongly identified by our Oriental Orthodoxy. The traditional date of our conversion is 301 AD, which we claim makes us the oldest Christian nation in the world. This legacy has also been a big factor in my identity and my decision to study religion. Prior to being Christian, the Armenians were Zoroastrian, and our Zoroastrianism was somewhat unique from Persian Zoroastrianism. So, I think I have a lot to be proud of in terms of Armenia’s long-term historical, religious legacy, which has “evolved” to reach me over the course of many generations.

I feel that I have a responsibility to all the people who came before me to take my scholarship seriously. Especially on the Armenian side, because two thirds of our population was wiped out one hundred years ago in the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Those of us who remain must carry this identity into the future. I’ve spent time in the Republic of Armenia, and in “Western Armenia” (now Eastern Turkey). A lot of our churches have been desecrated and destroyed, and those of us who are fortunate to survive have a responsibility not only to know what we’ve lost, but to know that what we have inherited is valuable.

Teaching at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

I have lived in Armenia on two separate occasions, and on a third occasion I traveled to Western Armenia. My family is Western Armenian. The Western Armenians lived under the Byzantine and later Ottoman Empires, and the Eastern Armenians lived under the Persian and later Russian Empires. The dialects are a bit different; they are mutually intelligible, but Western Armenian is more influenced by Arabic and Turkish, and Eastern Armenian is more influenced by Persian and Russian. Culturally, Eastern and Western Armenians are a bit different, too. It is a very complex history!

Last summer, I was teaching at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the center of the Armenian Church, which is located in Vagharshapat, half an hour outside of Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. I taught in the Gevorgian Seminary, which is where they train the next generation of clergy. I was mostly teaching deacons, and my courses were “English for Theological Reading” and “Introductory Syriac Language.” We read Irenaeus of Lyon’s second-century Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching in my English class, and we talked about the theology. I picked this text because it was basically lost to history for many centuries, and then it reappeared in Armenian translation (from the original Greek) in 1904.

In Communion

As Armenians, I think it is very important to know that we are in communion with the Syriac Orthodox Church. The Oriental Orthodox Churches, which are unfortunately very understudied in Western academia, are the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Churches, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India. We have been in communion for many centuries, and these communities are often located in places that are not (or historically have not been) safe, and yet we have kept our faith and traditions alive. I think it is important to have inter-community relations, and that is one reason I study Syriac. I still have much to learn from my advisor, Professor Charles Stang, but I thought that it was important for these deacons to have at least a taste of Syriac, so they might one day find common ground with Syriac priests. Common language encourages the exchange of ideas!

It was very meaningful for me a few years ago when our HDS Syriac lecturer took us to a service at the local Syriac church. When they discovered I was Armenian, they said, “Why didn’t you take communion with us? We would have been so happy to have you!” And they were speaking to me in Armenian and really making an effort to welcome me and to let me know they were happy to have me in their church.  

Each Oriental Orthodox Church has its own leaders and hierarchy, but the leaders of those churches are in contact with each other. The Armenian Church has a Catholicos for its spiritual leader (actually there are two Catholicoi, but that’s a complicated story!) and then two Patriarchs, in Jerusalem and Istanbul.

Shedding Light

Orthodox Christianity in general is understudied in America, but even when we do refer to Orthodox Christianity, we are usually talking about Eastern Orthodoxy, which has its own rich heritage and tradition and history. I think it would be good for more light to be shed on Oriental Orthodoxy.

In the History of Christianity track here, there are people who have had very limited exposure to Oriental Orthodox history and theology. Many scholars of Christianity know that the “Miaphysite” Oriental Orthodox Churches broke away from the fourth ecumenical Council of Chalcedon in 451, but they know little of our history after that. Christianity is such a massive tradition, with so many iterations all over the world, but the Oriental Orthodox Churches are very ancient, most of them have been around since the very early Christian period, and they have survived many trials and tribulations. Right now, the Coptic Church is facing significant persecution in Egypt, and my students in Armenia expressed concern over this situation. Armenians know what it is like to feel unsafe and to work to preserve our faith at all costs.

There are a few reasons these traditions are understudied in the West. The theological breaks are very old, and the churches are very small (especially compared to Catholic and Protestant denominations). Linguistically, they are difficult to access; there are few people who know Classical Armenian and can teach it—same with Classical Syriac, Coptic, and Ethiopic. These are obscure languages, and culturally foreign, which makes them more obscure and less accessible than languages like Greek or Latin.

It’s interesting to study Christianity right now, because some people seem to be saying it is a Eurocentric tradition of oppression and colonialism. When I hear that, I wonder how much people know about Christianity outside the West, and I feel compelled to say that this is a very diverse tradition, with a unifying theology and ideology that is manifest in many different cultural settings. But I do find in Protestantism and Catholicism a narrative that I believe in, and I look positively on these traditions because though there are linguistic and cultural differences, I think we are aspiring to the same truth.

The Catholic Church and the Armenian Church are two examples of churches that have been finding common ground recently, and I see beauty in that. In 2015, for the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, Pope Francis named one of the great Armenian theologians and spiritual fathers, Grigor Narekatsi/Gregory of Narek (10th/11th c.), as a Doctor of the Church, and erected a statue of him in the Vatican. The Armenian Catholicoi and Armenian political leaders were present for this special moment.

A Priceless Heritage

I spend a lot of time with my head in books from the fifth century, reading things that happened a long time ago. But it is also very important to me to care for the modern iterations of the traditions that I study. Their continuing survival and existence inspires me. To this end, I’ve done a little bit of work for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom in Washington D.C. as well.

Tur Abdin is a region in Turkey with a lot of Syriac monasteries. Unfortunately, the Turkish government has been trying to seize some of these properties, including the fourth-century Mar Gabriel monastery. Unless you can appreciate what happened at Mar Gabriel hundreds of years ago, the theology, spirituality, and history created there, you might say, “Why does it matter if the Turkish government takes it away?” But if you know its religious significance, you know why it is worth preserving.

I often contemplate what my ancestors would think of me, especially two of my great-grandmothers, Antaram and Sultan, who managed to escape Armenia with their children after their husbands were killed in the genocide. I hope they are proud of me, I hope they know that they passed a heritage to me that is priceless and beautiful, and I hope they know that I am doing everything I can to defend it.  

Interview and photos by Anais Garvanian

#armenia #Religion #Religious Studies #Harvard #Harvard Divinity School #syria #turkey #catholic #roman catholic #Christianity #Coptic Christians

[regular-lord-reckoner]

Alright so here’s what the fuck happened this time around 

First of all, the hospital itself sucks 

i really hate saying that because I know hospitals and everyone who works there gets shit, but I’ve had previous experience at this hospital and it was a Bad Time (aka the time they pulled a chest tube out of me without...giving me anything. No pain medicine, no nothin’. Not even a Tylenol or anything and it was...bad). 

But I figured hey, that was a few years ago and I’m sure things have probably changed since then but uh...nope! 

For starters, when I went in to registration they gave me my papers to take to Imaging and the lady told me where to go, but like...it’s a big hospital, it’s easy to get turned around and so when I was looking for where I needed to go one of the volunteers there offered to help, but when I handed them my papers all they saw was Quick Reg stamped on there so they took me over there and dropped my paper in this slot and told me to have a seat. (Mind you it said Quick Reg because it was the same paper from Friday when I came for pretesting, but that’s fine. I did say I was having lithotripsy so I figured they knew what they were doing.) 

But I’m sitting there thinking, “This isn’t right, they told me just to go to imaging...” but I thought someone would surely grab my papers and see the mistake and redirect us but we...sat there and sat there and sat there. 

Finally the volunteer came back around and went to check and was like, “This never happens, but there’s nobody back there, I’m not sure what’s going on,” so I tried to explain I didn’t even think I needed to be in quick registration but the volunteer insisted I wouldn’t be able to go any further until I did (plus my papers are now behind a locked door so I can’t just go get them) so I say okay and the volunteer manages to find someone and sure enough...guess who just needs to go to Imaging now!! 

So, I go there and hand my papers over and have a seat and a few minutes later someone comes to get me so they can do an X-Ray. 

They needed to see where the stone is so they know where to do the lithotripsy rather than just...aim blindly at my back or just shoot me all up and down my stent like...no thanks, so that’s fine.

But when I get finished with that they tell me to have a seat back out in the waiting room and then someone will come to get me so I’m like okay, cool. 

So we sit and sit and sit and finally my cell phone rings and I answer it and it’s...a nurse from surgery. Apparently they’ve been waiting on me. For like an hour by this point. So that’s cool. 

They get a volunteer to walk us down to where that’s at and so I get checked in there and get taken back pretty quickly. 

As soon as I get back there the nurse is handing me a cup to pee in so we can do a pregnancy test so I’m like okay cool, do that. 

But as soon as I come out the nurse is telling me there was something up with my urine when they last got a sample (on Friday) and I told her I was on my period then so maybe that was why? And she said maybe, so I go ahead and get my gown on and get in bed and shit but another nurse comes in and says my doctor wants to be sure it’s not something from the stone itself and in order to get a better sampling of my urine he wants them to do a catheter thing but like...they literally just let me go to the bathroom, I’m...empty. 

But I want this done so bad I say sure, let’s try, so both nurses take a turn sticking a catheter in me trying to get out any urine at all and there’s just...none 

(As a side note, one of these nurses when she was going over my history and whatnot sees that I’m taking Mestinon...I explain about having myasthenia... This lady asks me if it was just a “one time thing” and I’m like, “Well no...” ‘cause why would I still take medicine for it? I explain that I’ve had this since birth and she was like, “Oh, so you had all your vaccines and you get flu shots and everything? ‘Cause sometimes that can bring it about.” BITCH, WHAT???? SINCE FUCKING WHEN, SHOW ME ONE FUCKING ARTICLE THAT SAYS VACCINES CAUSE MYASTHENIA. SHOW ME. SHOW ME WHERE. WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, YOU’RE A GODDAMN NURSE??? Yeah. Wild. I’m very polite and nice the whole time but at this point I’m screaming in my head.) 

Eventually the doctor comes in and talks to me. Looking at the X-Ray it looks like the stone has dropped down to where he can’t really do anything with it with lithotripsy anyway, but especially with my questionable urine he says we won’t do it today so I just...y’know, burst into tears. 

He writes me a prescription for antibiotics so we can try to clear up any potential bullshit so that whenever he does get rid of this thing it doesn’t just blast shit into my system and make me real bad sick which I get it, I get he’s being cautious, I get we’re trying to do the right thing here by me and I understand but like...I’m so goddamn frustrated by this point. So utterly fucking done and over it all. 

The only good thing about today was that they hadn’t started an IV on me just yet. If I’d had that done and had to have it immediately taken out I would have probably cried the entire time out. Instead they left me alone for a few minutes and gave me a wet washcloth to wipe my face with and I settled down, but I had to fight the urge to start sobbing again the whole way out. 

And of course, my poor dad, bless his heart, has so much trouble breathing and this is a big hospital that it’s easy to get lost in so when they let me put my clothes back on and send me on my way we get turned around and he had to do so much walking I feel bad having to have him do that, but I didn’t have anyone else to take me. 

So now I’m home, I’ve got my antibiotics and the nurse just called to set up my next procedure. He’s going to try to do what he did the time before this and go in to get it out and hopefully with having had a stent in for this fucking long it might be easier this time? Idk? If it didn’t work last time I’m not sure how it’ll work this time and I have zero faith by this point anything’s going to work, they’ll probably have to just go in through my back and get it out that way but like...fuckin’ fine, I don’t care anymore. I’m just done. I’m utterly, utterly fucking done. 

Oh, and naturally my mom’s off Monday and Tuesday and would have been free to take me but nooooo, the only thing they have for next week is Thursday!! Of course!!! Of course it’s fucking Thursday!! And I asked if I could at least go back to the other hospital because I like it better, but I guess the scopes at the shitty hospital are what the doctor prefers so like...fine. I’ll deal with their incompetent asses again if it’ll raise my chances of getting this fucking stone taken out of me. 

So yeah. That’s my luck, baby!! This shit kicked off back in March, really, and it’s fucking May now and not only did I get another fucking X-Ray today but I took time off work and I dunno what else I’ll be billed for today but probably something!! 

And naturally I came home to have another bill waiting on me, so that’s neat!! LOVE that for me!! 

And I hate to be so negative and put out because I’ve tried so fucking hard to pull myself out of this fucking rut I’ve been in for...months because I wanted this to work so bad and I was so optimistic and trying my best and this absolutely just slam dunked me into the floor, through the ground, and I really just want to cry some more. 

I know this is all in my best interest and I get it, I do, so I’m not trying to blame anyone or say anyone’s done anything wrong (although today was just...a cluster fuck because this hospital seriously has no idea what it’s doing at any given time) but at this point it just feels like I’m being punished for something on a cosmic level. Probably for being a bitch, Idk. 

And the really shitty part is literally all I want to do right now is just get high and relax but I’m still waiting to hear about this summer employment thing at my previous job and since I dunno if they’re gonna drug test me or not I probably shouldn’t throw away three weeks now of not having any of that good green stuff in my system so I’m just like...great. Super great. Love having to be fully present for how I feel right now. 

I guess I’ll just cry a little more, paint my nails, and maybe do a face mask and just try to distract myself with shit. I wish I had something positive to end this on because I hate just bitching and moaning about shit but I don’t really have it in me right now. 

I just hope if you’re reading this you’re having a better day than I am. <3

[hellmersy]

Shedding Light (Minicat)

The trailer for the new Shadow of the Tomb Raider game hit today and I couldn't help myself. So have some archaeologist Craig and expedition captain Tyler.

It had been a quiet day of traveling, the sea was calm and the boat barely rocked with the small waves that sloshed at its side. Tyler was in his quarters checking the plotted course for the sixth time that day when Craig walked in.

He didn't even turn around as the man hovered behind him until finally. "Captain?" he said sarcastically, Tyler could almost hear the eye roll, and he sighed. "Yes, Craig." He turned around to face the archaeologist and folded his arms over his chest. Just glorified grave robbers, he thought to himself as he stared down at the shorter man.

Craig looked around him and saw the map and hummed in approval. "So you are faithful to the cause," he smirked, it was Tyler's turn to roll his eyes. "I am, that being said, it doesn't mean I'm going anywhere near this Tomb of yours, and that’s on the off chance this island you claim to exists is even there, to begin with. Either way, once we’re there my team is going to split off and do some real work charting the place for the maps."

Craig's eyebrows pinched together and his jaw ticked. "Excuse you?!" Craig all but gasped at his statement, "I'll have you know that if what I have gathered from five years of research, that this discovery could bring humanity one step closer to rediscovering some of the lost arts from the bloody dark ages!" he seethed, poking his finger at Tylers chest and the man scoffed.

"It's the dark ages, Mr. Thompson, what could they have known that has any use in modern day society?" he asked blankly and Craig only seemed to get madder at that.

"It’s not about what they knew Mister Wilde! It’s the history behind it; the when, where and w--" Craig was cut off when the ship shook unexpectedly, making Craig stumble forward and Tyler backward until the back of his knees hit the desk and he bit his tongue upon landing as Craig fell onto him, straddling him.

They stared at each other, wide-eyed until the door opened. "Hey Tyler you might wanna-- Oh..." Anthony trailed off when he saw them, "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt. Just wanted to say that we entered some rough waters so you might wanna hunker down somewhere until we're out."

Anthony closed the door and Craig quickly jumped off of him before promptly walking out of the room. Tyler could only stare, what the fuck just happened, he thought, standing back up and fixing the now crumpled up map before rechecking the plotted course for the seventh time that day.

-  -  -  -

Thirty minutes later, Tyler found himself following the savory aroma of shrimp and alfredo sauce to the kitchen where David and Brian were cooking. The pair of Irishman looked at each other and smiled smugly, Tyler sighed dreadfully.

"So," David started, still stirring the pot of sauce and shrimp, "Does our resident Archaeologist still have feeling in his legs--" Tyler groaned loudly "--Or do we have to anchor down for a day or two?"

Tyler let his head fall onto the table and shot up when pain spread throughout his forehead. "Fuck!" he yelled, and David turned down the oven temperature and turned to look at him with a brow raised. "Well?"

"We didn't do anything!"

"Who didn't do what?" Craig asked as he walked into the kitchen and David and Brian laughed as Tyler slowly dragged a hand down his face.

Once the food was done everyone was called down and they ate.

"I'm just saying," Jonathan held his hands up defensively, "I've looked at the satellite images a dozen times and I've seen nothing but rocks jutting up from the ocean like jagged teeth.” Jonathan turned his laptop around to show the others.

"Technology is unreliable!" Craig grumbled indignantly. "Says the guy who had to use the GPS on his phone to find the shopping mall that was only a block away for his loft," Evan said without looking up from his book and Jonathan kissed his temple with a smug smile.

"Touche," Craig glared and shook his head, "Look, I never said that my research was one-hundred percent positive about the exact location, no one actually knows where this supposed holy land is. Every text I've found or book I've read has always been vague but that's because this place had already been lost for decades before they were written."

Brian set his food down with a sigh and took a long look at the computer screen. “As long as it’s wet I can sail on it.”

“You can’t seriously be considering this!” Jonathan shouted.

“Enough!” Tyler shouted making everyone pause.”I’m the captain of this expedition and I say that if Brian says he can sail those waters then we’re going, there’s no point in turning around when we’re already so far out.”

Craig watched the group argue back and forth until eventually they were too tired to do it anymore and as soon as Craig's head hit the pillow he was asleep.

- - - -

Craig was ripped from his sleep by the sound of objects clattering to the floor of his quarters and as soon as he sat up the ship jolted violently, throwing him from his bed and to the floor. He winced when he hit his head on the locker across from where he was thrown from and as he was getting up the ship jolted again making him slide across the floor and into the hall.

He yelped in pain when his shoulder collided with the wall and he quickly picked himself up off the ground and started his way down the hall. But as soon as he turned the corner a wall of ocean water crashed into him, instantly sweeping him away and dragging him along until it hit a dead-ended hallway that he realized was close to Tyler's room.

Before he could even think he began swimming towards to the man’s room, fighting against the current pushing him back and filling the hallway until he had to dive down to reach the handel and open the door.

As soon as he did the water started rushing in and filled the room before Craig could get a second to breathe. He immediately spotted Tyler who was floating unconsciously in the water so Craig grabbed his arm and began swimming through the hallways to the hull.

Once he passed through the kitchen there was a break in the water and he burst through the surface with a coughing gasp as he dragged Tyler up as well. Once he caught his breath he realized that Tyler wasn't breathing and he began to panic.

"No no no, don't you dare fucking die of me you bastard!" he panted as he began CPR. He was just about to give him mouth to mouth when Tyler sprung forward with a cough, spewing water and bile and gasping for air.

"Fuck that burns!" Tyler heaved out and Craig laughed before hugging him on impulse. "Thank god!" he laughed as he wrapped his arms around Tyler's shoulders and then the man went stiff in his embrace.

Craig was about to pull away when an arm was laid across the small of his back and Tyler rested his forehead in the crook of his neck. "You saved my life," he said after a moment.

"Don't thank me yet," Craig huffed and pulled away, holding him by his shoulders, "Are you hurt?" he asked and Tyler shrugged.

"My head feels like I got pistol-wiped from behind but other than that I'm fine... You?"

Craig shrugged but winced because of his shoulder and he laughed when Tyler gave him a worried look. "I'm fine, really, I just banged into a wall after getting thrown out of bed," he then suddenly became very aware of the throbbing welt on the side of his skull from when he hit the locker the first time.

Tyler nodded and looked around. "We should probably get out of here," he said, and Craig nodded. It took some finesse to get out of the crooked room and they had to swim through most of the ship, but when they were able to manage to get to the hull Craig gasped at the sight.

"Holy shit," Tyler whispered.

The ship had been torn in half and in front of them the clear blue sky lit up a pearl-white sandy shore that blends off into a dense jungle, and from every other angle all Tyler could see was the ocean. He was about to say something else until Craig dashed past him and gracefully dived over the side of the ship.

"Craig!!" Tyler shouted running over and stopping at the railing and his knees buckled in relief when he saw Craig quickly paddling himself to the shoreline. Once the Brit wadded his way onto the beach he waved for Tyler and shouted for him to join him.

Tyler closed his eyes and took a deep breath before hefting himself over the railing. "Holy. Fucking. Shit!" He flailed wildly on the way down and hit the water with a painful sounding smack.

When he broke the surface and looked to the beach, Craig was gone.

Tyler furrowed his brows and swam onto the beach, looking around and was confused to not see the Archaeologist anywhere. He looked around at his feet for footprints and his stomach sank with dread when he saw the drag marks in the sand.

He noticed a shadow on the ground behind him and he wiped around with his fists extended, but the person ducked under his punch and drove their shoulder into his stomach, effectively knocking the wind from his lungs and bringing him down to his knees before a foot collided with his face and his vision went black.

-----------------------

Wanna read the next Chapter? Check out my book which this mini-series is included “H2OVanoss & Bitches: Volume Two!” on my wattpad which is also HEllmersy2001, and check in soon for the next chapter!

#Minicat #BBS #mini ladd #I AM WILDCAT #Survivor AU #shipwreck #tomb raider parody #major character injury #major character death #bigjigglypanda #vanossgaming #H2ODelirious #daithi de nogla #blood and gore #ritual sacrifice #BAMF Mini Ladd #BAMF Wildcat #Mini Ladd is Lara Croft

[sassy-skyler-rose-blog]

my oc skyler rose(hit me up if you would like to rp)

About Note The changes I made to skyler was not only to further develop skyler's character in figured I'd try something new for 2018

Side noteSkyler has been in delovpment since December 27th of 2016 and thanks to all my amazing Roleplay buddies and friends she's gone from just a name to a character I'm proud of thank you guys

╭─━━━━━ ☆ ━━━━━─╮

{skyler rose }

╰─━━━━━ ☆ ━━━━━─╯

«wounds may heal, but the scars will remain with you forever »

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀☆⠀⠀⠀              ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ☆⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀⠀☆

⠀⠀          ⠀⠀ ☆⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀                  ☆

ɪ - General

ɪɪ - Appearance

ɪɪɪ - Goals + Preferences

ɪᴠ - Allegiances

ᴠɪ - Personality

ᴠɪɪ - History

───── ☆ ─────

ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀʟ

───── ☆ ─────

☆ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ☆

➵ skyler rose

☆ ɴɪᴄᴋɴᴀᴍᴇ/ᴀʟɪᴀs ☆

➵ sky, little lamb,

☆ ɢᴇɴᴅᴇʀ ☆

ɪɴᴅᴇɴᴛɪғɪᴇs ➵ female

ʙɪᴏʟᴏɢɪᴄᴀʟ ➵ female

☆ sᴇxᴜᴀʟɪᴛʏ ☆

ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴛɪᴄ ➵ straight

sᴇxᴜᴀʟ ➵ straight

☆ ᴀɢᴇ ☆

ʟᴏᴏᴋs ➵ 15

ᴀᴄᴛᴜᴀʟ ➵ 20

started training to hunt vampires ➵ 15

☆ sᴘᴇᴄɪᴇs ☆

➵ human with elemental magic (the last of her kind)

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⋮

« I spent so much time wishing someone would come and save me then I realized I had to be strong and save my self because no one else was going to »

───── ☆ ─────

ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴀɴᴄᴇ

───── ☆ ─────

☆ ʀᴀᴄᴇ ☆

ᴇᴛʜɴɪᴄɪᴛʏ ➵ white

ɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ ➵ American

☆ ʜᴀɪʀ ☆

ᴄᴏʟᴏᴜʀ ➵ was originally black but was dyed white to symbolize the change from helpless prey to vampire hunting predator

ᴛʜɪᴄᴋɴᴇss ➵ thick

ʟᴇɴɢᴛʜ ➵ short

☆ sᴋɪɴ ☆

ᴄᴏʟᴏᴜʀ ➵ porcelain

sᴄᴀʀs ➵ bite marks up and down her arms and neck from being a blood bag

☆ ᴇʏᴇs ☆

ᴄᴏʟᴏᴜʀ ➵ pale blue

sʜᴀᴘᴇ ➵ oval

sɪᴢᴇ ➵ medium sized

☆ ʙᴏᴅʏ ☆

ᴛʏᴘᴇ ➵small, and lean

ᴡᴇɪɢʜᴛ ➵ 70 pounds

ʜᴇɪɢʜᴛ ➵ 5'2

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀☆⠀⠀⠀              ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ☆⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀⠀☆

«"That's what you think, there's nothing you can do to me that i haven't had done to me before " »

───── ☆ ─────

ɢᴏᴀʟs + ᴘʀᴇғᴇʀᴇɴᴄᴇs

───── ☆ ─────

☆ ɢᴏᴀʟs/ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍs ☆

➵ to save as many lives as possible and to find happiness once more in starting a family of her own without having to worry about losing them to a nuther vampire attack.

☆ ʟɪᴋᴇs ☆

➵helping others in any way possible, because she knows all to well what it's like to be helpless.

➵ writing she feels it helps her express her self and further put all events of her tragic passed to rest.

➵ sparing because she feels it helps her take out all the anger she feels inside

☆ ᴅɪsʟɪᴋᴇs ☆

➵ talking about her past,because it's something that is still difficult for her even after four years of working through it

➵ having to retreat from a battle And getting chased while doing so it makes her feel like weak prey.

➵ seeing others get hurt

☆ ғᴇᴀʀs ☆

➵ failing in her lives mission in saving innocent human children from vampires, becoming prey once more,the dark, being alone

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀☆⠀⠀⠀              ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ☆⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀⠀☆

⠀⠀          ⠀⠀ ☆⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀                  ☆

« that vampire wanted to make his prey, so I kicked his ass »

───── ☆ ─────

ᴀғғɪʟɪᴀᴛɪᴏɴs

───── ☆ ─────

☆ ᴍᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ☆

ɴᴀᴍᴇ ➵ Sarah rose

ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ᴏʀ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ➵ dead

ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴsʜɪᴘ ➵ skyler and her mother were very close and skyler could tell her pretty much anything

☆ ғᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ☆

ɴᴀᴍᴇ ➵James rose

ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ᴏʀ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ➵unknown

ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴsʜɪᴘ ➵ skyler and her father's relationship was strained because he wasn't around much when skyler was growing up and when he was home he often compared skyler to katherine telling her she needed to be strong like her to survive in the real world

☆ sɪʙʟɪɴɢs ☆

ɴᴀᴍᴇ ➵ katherine

ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ᴏʀ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ➵ dead

ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴsʜɪᴘ ➵ complicated to put it simply one moment they were fighting and the other they loved each other, they fought mostly because katherine held skyler to a higher standard then other people demanding only the best from her

————

☆ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅs ☆

ɴᴀᴍᴇ ➵ faith Anderson

status ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ

name: dylan jones

status unknown

————

ɴᴀᴍᴇ ➵ Victoria clare

ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ᴏʀ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ➵ undead

☆ mentor ☆

(ᴡʜᴏ ᴛrained ʏᴏᴜ)

ɴᴀᴍᴇ ➵ Jaden

ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ᴏʀ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ➵ alive

ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴsʜɪᴘ ➵

☆ ᴘᴇᴛ/ғᴀᴍɪʟɪᴀʀ ☆

ɴᴀᴍᴇ ➵ ethan

sᴘᴇᴄɪᴇs ➵vampire

ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ᴏʀ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ➵ undead

ᴘᴀsᴛ ᴏʀ ᴄᴜʀʀᴇɴᴛ ➵ current

☆ ɢʀᴏᴜᴘ/s ☆

➵ the midnight hunters

☆ ᴊᴏʙ/s ☆

➵ vampire huntress

☆ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ☆

➵ none she jumps to from place to place hunting vampires and trying not to be caught the wolf brothers or her former ferid bathory

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀☆⠀⠀⠀              ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ☆⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀⠀☆

⠀⠀          ⠀⠀ ☆⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀                  ☆

« how does it feel to know you just got your ass handed to you by your dinner »

───── ☆ ─────

ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ

───── ☆ ─────

ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ as a normal kid

before skyler was aware of the existence of vampires, she was trouble maker who often snuck out of the house at night to reck havic with her best friend faith.so it was almost impossible to get her out of bed in the morning so she often missed the buss and if she did manage to get her to school on time she would sneak out the back door after the first period with her best friend faith and they would spend the whole day in the woods behind the school.besides being a trouble maker skyler was over all was kind and caring always going out of her way to help her mother in anyway she could even if it ment stealing.

☆ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ as a vampires pet☆

after being taken in by ferid bathory, skyler fell into a depressed state often times blaming her self for the death of her entire family because she some how believed she could have prevented it.thanks to ferids mind games she also at one point believed that she deserved everything she got, however despite all this she stayed determined never full submitting to his will eventually realising she had to save her self

☆ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ vampire Hunter ☆

after four years of intense training skyler grown into a confident vampire huntress who has become known for her bravery and ruthless.she often times was seen as stoic and cold because she was tough from the very beginning to take vampire hunting very seriously because if she didn't she would die and all her hard work would be for nothing. She still struggles with the loss of her family and hates talking about it with others and can sometimes lose control of her powers and go insane if she pushes her self to hard but if you can get past that tough exterior of hers she still as caring and loveable as she was in the beginning

☆ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴛʀᴀɪᴛs ☆

➵ dependable if she promises something she will come through no matter what

➵ patient it takes alot to truly piss skyler off but if you do I'll I have to say is look out your in for one hell of a fight

➵ caring she loves looking out for others and keeping them safe

☆ ɴᴇᴜᴛʀᴀʟ ᴛʀᴀɪᴛs ☆

➵ stubborn when her mind is set on something it's almost impossible to change it

➵ sassy she has a big mouth and isn't afraid to speak her mind

➵ protective she will risk her live to make sure those around her are safe

☆ ʙᴀᴅ ᴛʀᴀɪᴛs ☆

➵ paranoid she is often afraid some is out to get her, or that she will lose a nuther person she cares about,or more likely something is gonna go wrong.

➵ stand of ish she oftentimes has trouble trusting others

➵ cold she for the part shows no mercy to those who try to harm her. Or people she cares about

☆ ʜᴀʙɪᴛs ☆

➵ bites her nails, forgets to bring weapons to a battle,messing up other people's hair

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

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⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀☆⠀⠀⠀              ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ☆⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⋮⠀⠀⠀⠀☆

⠀⠀          ⠀⠀ ☆⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⋮

⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀                  ☆

« I maybe a hunter now but I'm still me »

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ʜɪsᴛᴏʀʏ

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Skyler’s life took a turn for the worst, the day she witnessed her sister’s murder. At the hands of her supposed boyfriend Austin Wolf (whom never really loved Skyler, he was just toying with her for information about her mother's whereabouts so he could destroy the rose family once and for all. Also to make his hunt more entertaining.)

In raged like never before Skyler decided to strike back at Austin, and avenge her older sister’s death. Skyler of course couldn't complete such an impossible task alone, so against her better judgement she inquired help from her uncle Blade (an arrogant ammeter vampire hunter, with a short temper) They spent whole evenings carefully plotting the downfall of the wolf brothers, when Skyler finally came to her senses she started having doubts and questions if she really want to go through with it worried about the outcome if their plan failed. With some effort Blade somehow managed to put all Skyler’s fears to rest, somehow managing to convince her they could win all she needed was a little faith.

Unfortunately for Skyler, Blade’s arrogance and therefore lack of information on vampires was to be their downfall. Austin’s well informed younger Nolan wolf quickly learned of their plans, through nameless informants whom had been observing Skyler’s every move since her sister’s murder had occurred and was quick to put his own plans in place. Nolan ambushed Skyler and Blade while they were taking a midnight stroll through town, wanting to get Skyler alone Nolan snuck up behind Blade swiftly snapping his neck before he knew what happened. He took a moment to clear his throat drawing Skyler’s attention to him, before she could scream he had her pinned down onto the pavement enjoying the fact that she was at his mercy.

Nolan decided rather than take Skyler to his brothers like Austin had ordered him to, he decided to toy with her a  little bit then kill her.  After all Why should Austin be the only one to who gets to have all the fun it just wasn't fair to Nolan that is, so he sunk his razor sharp fangs into her neck listing to her cry for someone to come and save her as he drank her hot sweet rare blood. Just when things seemed bleak for Skyler, her feisty best friend faith sprang into action to save her. Faith gave Nolan a good in the back of the head with her baseball bat, foolishly thinking it would knock him out. Unfortunately   for Faith this was not the case, it just pissed him off, he dropped Skyler on the pavement quick wiping around to face the pink haired troublemaker who laughed in his face taking off running

Hoping the hot headed vampire would give chase, which he did without a second thought now wanting faith’s blood on his hands for ruining his meal. While this was going on Skyler’s other best friend Dylan came and

picked Skyler up off the ruff cracked pavement which now  was stained with her blood carrying her back to her house wedding style .Making small talk of the great adventures  they had together as children and all the trouble they had caused, along the way. To keep her awake because he figured she was probably a bit sluggish and fatigued from the shock of yet another death in her family not to mention the blood loss she had suffered at the hands

of Nolan wolf. When they reached the house, Sarah rose was waiting for them

on the front porch looking beyond frantic. Almost as if she already knew, what

had happened without any explanation from Skyler or Dylan,

practically out of nowhere Sarah rushed forward taking her daughter from Dylan’s

arms insisting that she could take it from here and Dylan needed to get as far

away from the house as humanly possible. Of course, Dylan being himself

protested refusing to leave his childhood best friend and the women whom had been like a second mother alone to fend off all manner of beast; however, Sarah ignored him rushing her daughter inside without another word leaving Dylan alone to his thoughts on the porch.

          Once inside Sarah gently laid her groggy daughter on her bed, frantically packing their things insisting they leave town immediately and that Skyler was their last hope refusing to let the wolf brother get her too. After Sarah had finished packing, she helped Skyler to her feet ready to make her escape like she had done eighteen years earlier with her oldest daughter Katherine whom had been but a newborn infant at the time. Unfortunately, for Sarah this time she would not be so lucky, just as Skyler and Sarah reached the bottom of the stairs their front door shattered into a million pieces like a thin sheet of glass.In its wake stood three smug hybrids, Sarah wa quick to react pushing her daughter behind  her with fists clenched at her sides looking rather dangerous she was ready to protect her daughter with her life.

Austin decide to distract her by making a grand speech full of empty threats and jabs, And while he was doing so riley slipped behind her at inhuman speed grabbing skyler by her shoulders and forcing her to what watch sarah struggle to fight both Austin and Nolan. Thought sarah gave her all it wasn't enough to save her from a slow and painful death,of course Riley didn't want to miss out on all the fun so he foolishly let go of skyler rushing to join his brothers. Skyler Got light headed collapsed on the hardwood floor luckily for her a blue haired of women in a shiney crimson cloak came and peeled her off the floor(note skyler sees faith laying limply blood and beaten with Dylan by her side on the pavement outside assumes they're both dead , victoria leaves  her alone in the middle forbidden forest hoping she would be safe there, however the forbidden forest was a place of many mysteries and dangers, will skylar be able to escape it before it's too late or die trying.

 she ended up running into a clever vampire by the name of ferid bathory he her gave her two choices   become his pet or he would make her into his meal. She unwilling became his pet and still is to this day hoping praying that someone will come and save her.

After several months of physical and emotional torture soul came to her rescue, taking her back to his own mansion conforming her and trying to no only restore her self confidence, but her heath she was very thin and filthy at first because ferid often didn't take care of her like he should have.when she was healthy enough she insisted that she wanted to go off and train with Jaden to become a vampire Hunter no longer wanting to be prey and save people from suffering the same ordeal . Soul reluctantly agreed to let her go.the night before she left Ferid came to her in her dreams and told her that she only had four years to get stronger then he'd come for her

So the next morning she went off with Jaden into his world to begin her training,though Jadan was hyper and a little strange at times. His training methods were effective,on of the things he taught her was rather then use brute force on Enemies she needed to use her wits and out smart them first and also that vampire hunting was very seriously business if she played around she'd end up dead.so after for years intense training she grew up into a ruthless and clever vampire Hunter, returned home to face what ever came her way next.

Theme songs

"Save Yourself" by Claire De Lune (feat. in "Mad Max: Fury Road" Trailer) [OFFICIAL]

"Not Alone" Lyrics - RED - Until We Have Faces

Shattered lyrics

The Light Behind Your Eyes

Adam Lambert - Runnin (lyrics)

Breaking Benjamin - I Will Not Bow (Lyrics)

╭─━━━ ☆ ━━━─╮

☆ Template By ᶠᴬᴰᴵᴺᴳ ᴱᶜᴴᴼᴱˢ ☆

☆ #EchoTemplate ☆

╰─━━━ ☆ ━━━─╯

[raisingsupergirl]

Childlike Faith: Addressing the Elephant in the Ark

Christians often complain that atheists never truly consider the possibility of God's existence. In a book I'm reading, the author writes, "Often I have discovered that those who so freely debunk the spiritual world have never taken ten minutes to investigate whether or not such a world really exists." And that's so true. But I'll propose that the opposite is also true. Christians never truly give atheism a chance. The Bible says that we should have the faith of a child. But faith isn't the same as ignorance. Or as complacency. Or as laziness. The other day, after a rare moment of silence, my daughter asked an unprompted question. "If God created trees and animals and everything, who created God?" She's five years old. I know fifty-year-old Christians who haven't ever asked that question. And it really makes me wonder how strong the foundation of their faith actually is.

Think about it, if you've lived your whole life "worshipping" an eternal, all-powerful God, but you've never really asked any questions about him, do you really believe in him? And these aren't dumb people, mind you. They're not naïve, either. They call their mechanics out on their lies, they learn the tricks and benefits of a bi-partisan government, and they do their own taxes. They all have their own specialties, most of which go far beyond my own understanding, but if I were to ask them how somewhere between 120 thousand and 20 million animals survived on a football field-sized boat for over a year, they'd look at me like I'd just tried to sell them a unicorn (which reminds me, did you hear the joke about the unicorn who threw away his invitation to the "cruise of the century" on Noah's ark?). I mean, I guess I get it. Not everyone loves research. Not everyone needs those questions answered. But… how? If you spend every Sunday morning in church, give 10% of your paycheck to said church, and wile away your years with the intention of becoming something more than worm food after your heart stops beating, wouldn't you take questions like these a little seriously? Or would you just close your eyes and hope for the best?

"But we're supposed to have the faith of a child," you say. Did you hear the question my daughter asked? And it's not like it was an anomaly, and she's not a prodigy. Kids everywhere are wondering about the universe. They're questioning literally everything. They're trying to figure out how things work and why their parents believe what they do. It's only until they become too distracted, too beaten down, or too afraid of the answers that they stop asking questions. The faith of a child? C'mon. If that were the case, Christianity would be full of mature, informed believers ready (and proud) to defend every facet of their faith. Instead, we have a bunch of sheep huddle together for warmth, casting furtive glances at the passing wolves who may ask them a faith-shattering question at any moment.

So, let's go back to the ark thing real quick. I'm not going to get too into the details since there's a wealth of research, articles, and debates out there that can be easily searched on the Interwebs, but basically, there's no way the story could have happened unless God pulled off a few miracles. I mean, where did the antediluvian ruins disappear to from all of those sinners that God wiped out? And what about the poor polar bears that had to swim from the Arctic Circle to the Ark in the Middle East? And how did all of those animals survive over a year without food or water? And the claims of Creationists that there were dinosaurs on the ark? Yowza. And I won't dare claim that a relatively small sampling of animals were taken in and then allowed to evolve into the millions of species that we have today (even though that's what most Creationists say, except they don't call it evolution, of course). But I will say that the second you start actually imagining the Noah's Ark story as a literal, science-based event and try to play it out in your head, you'll find more than enough holes to sink that version of the story. The crazy thing is, I'm not at all saying that the Flood and Noah's Ark didn't happen. In fact, I believe that it did happen.

I believe that God had his hand in a near-extinction-level event, and he miraculously spared a large sampling of animals (and a handful of humans) in order to give us a second chance to not suck (turns out, we needed way more than just two chances). I believe it because it's a cornerstone of Christianity's story, of mankind's history since his creation at God's hand. I believe it because I've sought earnestly, I've studied intently, and I've prayed deeply. Heck, I could be completely wrong. Maybe the Flood was actually a 1,000 B.C. interpretation of the Ice Age (which is never mentioned in the Bible). The thing is, it doesn't really matter if I'm right. What matters is that I have reasons to believe that I'm right. I have reasons to believe all of the crazy Bible stories about angels, demons, giants, and witches, and those are just the tips of the iceberg. I've read through the Bible half a dozen times, and I've spent countless hours dissecting passages and challenging their validity under the full spectrum of modern scientific and philosophical lenses. And do you know what all of that skepticism has done? It has deepened my faith. Not because it has proven anything unequivocally, but because it has constantly reminded me that I serve a God who created that skepticism within me.

God is a creator. He's an artist, an engineer, a comedian, and a philosopher. Every time I dig into a Bible story and see it as something real, something that actually happened, I see God there, smiling, teaching. Even when I come to the conclusion that a particular passage is allegory or fable, I marvel at God's creativity. I feel him as I imagine those first, nomadic men telling creation stories around a campfire. I imagine God there--the Holy Spirit burning like a flame within them--and I imagine the first one of those wide-eyed philosophers (the Yahwehist, as he is often called) writing those stories down with clarity in his mind and certainty in his heart.

Challenging my faith has made it real. It has made it a part of me, a part that I can hold onto, a part that I can defend. So, by all means, have the faith of a child, but don't think for a second that a child's faith is simple or ignorant. Remember, my little girl asked a question that I didn't have the courage to pursue until I was in college.

Then again, a week later, that same five year old asked, "How does pushing on the gas pedal make a car go faster?" And since I was still glowing with pride for my brilliant daughter, I proceeded to go into depth about the transfer of energy, fossil fuels, and combustion engines while she sat silently, absorbing my brilliance. And then, after another moment, she nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Are their mermaids in heaven?"

So, yeah, kids are curious. And they ask silly questions. But at least they have the courage to ask them. Do you?

#the flood story #noah's ark #creation stories #creationism #christianity #religion #faith #educated faith #momblr #mumblr #dadblr #the hard questions #apologetics

[theheavymetalmama]

Soooo...Jason Momoa told a little kid that Superman wasn't in Justice League because he was dead, DC is making a Superman Year One comic with Frank Miller as the author, they're making a two-part animated movie based on "the Death and Return of Superman," and rumors are flying around that Supergirl is going to be in Justice League. Oh, and the Justice League trailer dropped. Your thoughts?

That’s a lot to take it. Let’s start with the big one. New Justice League trailer!

Sorry guys, still don’t like it. Granted, it doesn’t look as bad as the previous trailer made it look, but it still looks massively underwhelming. Hell, the only character presented I even like is Wonder Woman, because she’s the only one who’s been established.

Well, established in a good movie, at least.

The rest consist of a Batman who belongs behind bars just as much as any of his villains and three other characters we’re meeting for the first time fighting a villain that nobody gives a shit about, which could be forgiven if the characters were interesting but again Batman’s an asshole and we don’t know anything about Aquaman, Flash, or Cyborg yet. And am I the only one who cringed at Cyborg’s line? Not the line itself, but the flat, robotic delivery. Good god, they took one of the most expressive and emotional live-wires in comic book history and turned him into Arnold from Terminator 2, but without the charm and charisma.

I’m also not looking forward the role the Amazons play, which appears to be them being in the movie for the sole purpose of Steppenwolf to kill/mop the floor with them. Yeah, take the place and characters everybody who watched Wonder Woman fell in love with and just wipe them off the face of the Earth in their second appearance. No way there’s going to be any backlash from that!

Honestly, I could write an essay’s worth of things in the trailer that irked me, but topping that list are these lines from Batman.

“Superman was a beacon for the world. He didn’t just save people, he made them see the best parts of themselves.”

Let’s forget for a moment that Superman has only been in two DCEU movies and you can count on one hand how many times he was shown in a heroic light. Let’s forget for a moment that Man of Steel and especially Batman v Superman spent more time hammering into audiences skulls that more people in this world are afraid of Superman than there are people who see him as a hero. And let’s forget for a moment that this Superman has spent more time feeling sorry for himself than he ever did being the symbol of hope the movies tried and failed miserably building him up to be.

Let’s instead take into account that these lines are coming from Batman. Oh yeah, Superman totally brought out the best in people. That’s why after the disaster in Metropolis, you took a deep breath, composed yourself, and reached out to him to see what he was really about before jumping to conclusions and-oh wait, no you didn’t, you obsessed over him for over a year and decided to straight-up murder his ass, you fucking hypocrite!

Seriously, what the fuck, WB? You spend two whole movies shitting on Superman, the people who love him, and his legacy, and now you’re trying to save face by saying that he brought out the best in people when you’ve only shown the BAD things that happened because he exists? Fuck off. No, seriously, fuck right off. You have to EARN that shit, which you fucking didn’t because you killed Superman before anybody could connect with him and threw the entirety of “The Death and Return of Superman” right under the bus in the last 20 minutes of a Batman movie! I honestly don’t know what’s worse. That Batman is being portrayed as a stupid and hypocritical murderous asshole, or that said stupid and hypocritical murderous asshole is leading the team that Superman is supposed to be the leader to!

Ugh, FUCK everything! But let’s move on, shall we? Frank Miller is writing Superman: Year One.

The very idea of Frank Miller writing any solo-Superman story makes my skin crawl. The fact that the same guy who turned Superman into Ronald Reagan’s personal attack dog who can’t read and raped Wonder Woman is retelling Superman’s origin story? Ugh. Just thinking about that makes me feel like I need to jump into a swimming pool filled with bleach and then get buried up to my neck in rock salt!

Let’s all just put aside that Frank Miller is a racist and misogynist scumbag who hasn’t written anything good since Robocop vs the Terminator. Let’s instead take into account that the man has been writing comic books for 40 years now and has written Superman several times, and every time he’s portrayed him as stupid, boorish, and incompetent while going out of his way to have Batman humiliate him in some way, shape, or form. Yes, I know, Miller has said that he actually likes Superman and only wrote him that way because the story was from Batman’s perspective and that he actually regrets writing him as a government tool, yeah, I don’t fucking believe him. He’s had dozens if not hundreds of opportunities to show Superman in a positive light and he’s never done it. He’s never done it before, so why would he now? The only time Superman has ever been portrayed with any semblance of who he actually is in a Frank Miller work was in Dark Knight III: the Master Race…you know, the one book in the series that Frank Miller didn’t write! Oh, but he wants to write part IV, so great, he’ll get to shit on Superman one more time before he either retires or his diseased liver and STD-ridden body do him in. “Oh, but Katie, he has cancer!” So? He’s still an asshole!

Well, that was grim. Let’s talk a little bit about Jason Mamoa telling a little kid that Superman was dead.

Okay, in the interest of fairness, I don’t think Mamoa had any malicious intent. I’m sure he was just caught up in the moment and wasn’t thinking straight, especially when he apologized to the same kid during an autograph signing that followed the panel. It was still a dick move on his part, but whether or not he gave it some thought, his fellow cast members told him “dude, that’s a little kid,” or his PR guy said “Look Mamoa, Warner has done a fine job of alienating Superman fans all on their own, they don’t need you helping. Now if you want to shrug off being typecast as an uncouth barbarian you’d better stop acting like one and say you’re sorry!” I’m glad he realized it was a dick move and took it back. I’m sure the fact that WB still wants to convince us that Superman is really dead wasn’t helping either. Speaking of which…

The Death of Superman and Reign of the Supermen are getting animated adaptations.

I have very mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, this was one of the stories I said deserved a faithful animated adaptation. Yes, some aspects don’t hold up anymore, but they can be worked around. This is also not the first time the story was adapted, as “Superman: Doomsday” was what kicked off the string of animated DC movies. But it was also very watered down and may as well have been called “Superman: the Clone Saga.” So the fact that they’re making a two-part animated adaptation should be good news…

Having said that, let’s get real. If they genuinely wanted to make a faithful adaptation of ‘The Death of Superman,’ they would have already. I can’t shake the feeling that the only reason it’s even being made is because Warner and DC realize that shoe-horning Doomsday into the end of BvS only succeeded in alienating Superman fans and they need to save face, not helped by the fact that the last animated solo-Superman movie they made, Superman Unbound, came out in 2013. Everything else since then has been either a Justice League movie or a Batman movie. Oh sure, Superman was in some of them, but the only one where he had anything resembling a leading role was in Justice League: Gods and Monsters…the alternate universe story where Wonder Woman is from space, Batman is a vampire, and Superman is the son of General Zod and his capsule lands on the US/Mexico border right as some refugees are crossing because apparently the writers felt that Superman being an alien just wasn’t quite on the nose enough.

Now I know what you might be thinking. “Okay, so maybe they didn’t make it as soon as you would have liked, but they’re making it anyway so what’s the problem?” The problem is the possibility that they’re making this not because they want to or feel that it’s a story worth adapting, but again just so they can save face for those of us Superman fans who felt alienated at the conclusion of Batman v Superman where the entirety of the story was boiled down to “Lex Zuckerburg creates Nuclear Man 2.0 and Superman gets stabbed to death at the end.” And a movie that nobody wants to make tends to be a movie that nobody wants to see.

That’s to say nothing of the fact that DC animated movies…well, they just haven’t been very good lately. Ever since their Flashpoint film, the movies have ranged from okay to outright bad. Justice League: War sucked, Son of Batman was obnoxious, Assault on Arkham was good but not great, Throne of Atlantis was a snooze-fest, Batman vs Robin sucked, Gods and Monsters was okay, Batman: Bad Blood had a good movie in it that was bogged down by the writers putting Batwoman’s story on the back-burner and insisting Dick and Damian arguing had to be on the forefront, Justice League vs Teen Titans could have been good if they didn’t put the least-interesting character Damian Wayne center-stage for no goddamn reason, Justice League Dark was hot garbage, Judas Contract was lame, and the less said about The Killing Joke the better.

In short…I hope it’s good, but given previous movies and the circumstance, I’m not holding my breath.

EDIT: Forgot about Supergirl apparently appearing in Justice League. I hope she kicks Batman’s ass. It’s long overdue somebody took Batman down a peg and I can think of worse motivations than “You got my cousin and only other member of my race killed,” as well as providing catharsis for Superman fans given he landed a grand total of two fucking punches in the title fight of Batman v Superman. Other than that, I don’t really care. Her inclusion can’t make the movie anymore troubled than it already is.

#Justice League #Superman #Wonder Woman #DC #Batman #Supergirl #DC animated universe #DC extended universe #DCAU #DCEU #Frank Miller #Comicon #movie #rant #please don't suck

[zenosanalytic]

HoXPoX Liveblog: House of X #5

And Now HoX#5! Here Is The Link

On to House of X #5! The cover's a Savage Land variant with a, to me, too skinny Rogue, though as always her Gloves and Boots are On Point. Emma Frost's also there, looking bored/annoyed, sitting on the head of an Apatosaurus 

Opening X Quote Summarized: Mutants were never given a chance, unlike them(humans presumably but we'll see given the trinary organization of man/machine/mutant[the consonance compels me to use a plural noun I dislikeX|])

Mag's summation of the switch to agriculture is a bit rose-colored; in most cases it was also associated with the explosive growth of disease, slavery, war, exploitation, gender stratification, so much else. Also misleading: society has ALWAYS existed... 

...at BEST you can draw a direct line btw ag and cities, but even there it's iffy, given new archaeology suggesting some early, pre-agricultural ritual-site-settlements. Of course he's propagandizing, and Mags rarely says anything that without it serves a purpose.

The quote, as always, seems to be the theme. Mags is talking abt a new gen of mutants not defined by being hunted but by social life/"civilization"(again these arent exclusive) Im thinking this might be a bit New Mutant focused we'll see. 

(oh yeah lots of golds and greens on those pages, so Beginnings/safety again) Ok the eggs WERENT something Krakoa did: they're the product of 5 combined mutant powers! They're Quick-Clone Eggs!! Neat!!! I was hoping to see some powers-derived technology.

Puts a different spin on the opening scene of HoX#1, though; kinda lame to give Xavier visual credit for the work of other mutants, even if it was done to preserve the reveal. They're the one's being "godly" here, not him.

ah ok cool, so Xavier uses Cerebro to copy their minds, then transfers them back into their bodies! HAHA; it really is a reverse of the Machine's concept of Ascension; technology and biological quirk used to preserve&resurrect individuality, rather than subsume it in "perfection"

Philosophically I really love this, as it's in so many way the OPPOSITE of the Platonic Idealism of their enemies(The Sents, The Genetic Puritans). The Mind/Spirit to be preserved is NOT the Perfect Pure One but the Unique Individual...

...and it's not done through the working of One Great Spirit or Machine, but through the Uniqueness of individuals working in Concert. They dont even reject a place for machines given Cerebro's role&Xavier's Cybernetic contribution. Its Full Luxury Mutant Cyborg Socialist Utopia!

and THAT'S just the introduction! The scene continues after the credit-page: Storm is giving a speech and there's some cool symbolism; the sun shining through the pale lavender leaves of the tree-entrance to the resurrection chamber beneath a green sky... 

...A new beginning, knowledge/power/safety, out of death/endings, a a cycle of death broken by a new cycle of death and returned-life. 

In, again, a refashioned echo of the X3 Phalanx scene, where the elder tested Phalanx to see if their knowledge was preserved to see if they were, Storm "tests" the resurrected, asking them personal questions...

...But there the preservation was judge only the individual & faith, here the Preserved speaks for itself; is judged by public witness of their words by those who know and love them best and acclaimed alive again by all. Here is Proof not Belief. Here is Validation not Doubt.

THEYRE GONNA FUCKING RESURRECT THEM ALL HELL YES!!! I love this not only out of a love for the Mutant backlog, but also for how this works on a meta-level: this is declaring Dawn of X, the larger Marvel project, to be an Undoing of Decimation and...

...in discourse with HoX 4, critiquing both Genoa, Decimation, and the corporate impulses behind them(ie, killing lots of mutant to "rationalize" the canon and for shock value) by treating them seriously as in-world traumas.

Nightcrawler is SO SHORT! I LOVE HIM!! Also everyone's touching their naked bodies so correction: Full Luxury Mutant Cyborg Socialist POLYAMOROUS Utopia uvu uvu uvu

and some Infopages recapping how the Resurrection works just to be clear about it(and suggest some interesting possibilities)

Cut to the UN, Xavier and Emma talking about the, Successful, Vote. Frost seems to have Compelled the Russian ambassador to abstain against her government's orders. This is followed by an infopage detailing nations that have rejected Krakoan treaties; Wakanda's a Big one

I wonder if they're going to touch on that in the next few books or if that's something they left for the Dawn of X series. Storm's got a long, friendly history with Wakanda(I think?) and I've never heard of Black Panther being hostile to mutants :?

Cut back to Krakoa; Apoc and his allied mutants are arriving(Marrows with them; I thought she was an XMen? Looking it up it seems there was a vers where the Morlocks were victims of Sinister's experimentation in Apoc's name). 

Building on that, Sinister was with Apoc's group. They have a long association but he was behind the "database" for the Ressurection protocol, so I wonder why he's showing up here? Is this just the arrival of "generic mutant villains"?

Final page is a splash of Xavier and Apoc shaking hands in welcome Xavier saying "Welcome Home". The sun is in the top left corner shining down through the trees in oranges and light purples. The fuschia "eyes" of Krakoa look on from the right. Apocs smiling abt as much as he can

There's something interesting to talk about here. Apoc identifies Krakoa as mutants "finally becoming what he always intended them to be", again this suggestion, present from the start, that Krakoa involves taking on a possibly corrupting nationalism&supremacism.

The dangers of those ideologies are obvs, but the context of the comics, where mutants have mostly been wiped out by repeated atrocities non-mutant humans refuse to prevent or help in stopping, & Moira's xp, I think explains why this would seem worth risking.

I do still feel like there's a deception going on here though. It cant be missed that Moira's Sixth life is hidden in the timeline charts, and that HoXPoX ends with their Sixth issues, and there's still the question of why X3 is included if its a "failed" tl.

Three issues left! I'll try to finish this up tomorrow. So far I've been liking it though I was expecting something a bit meatier from the reactions to it online.

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