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tsukiyouyuis · 9 months

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Snow Light

Hi everyone:) I finally decided to post the one and only writing I did for Genshin! This was an old work I did back in January 2022 to commemorate one of my most valuable game experiences. (I started Genshin in December 2021)

Character: Diluc Ragnvindr

Pov: You = The traveler/Player self-inserted

Synopsis: You have always wanted to explore Dragonspine ever since you first arrived in Mondstadt, but the cold was too much for you to handle, unless you can go with someone who is warm enough…

Premise: Both you and Diluc are secretly having a crush on each other.

Timeline: Liyue archon quest. Post-Mondstadt archon quest + Diluc’s story quest.

Tags: SFW, fluff, confession, adventure, Diluc is sweet and caring

Please note:

This is a translated work. Please note that English is not my first language and I’ve never written a fic in English before. I tried my best for the translation and please bear with me if you find any mistakes.

No gender specific pronouns were used. However, “you” was implied to be a female at some point since it was written on my POV based on my true game experience.

The title of this work came from the song “Snow Light” by Kensho Ono (Diluc’s JP VA). For me, those lyrics are Diluc's words of confession. I put the translations at the end and you are very welcome to check out how I think Diluc confesses his love specifically in this context :)

I hope you enjoy reading this long story ^_^

After destroying another hilichurl’s camp, you suddenly feel tired of everything.

You silently put those materials into your bag and walk to the highest spot of the mountain. The sun at noon is quite dazzling and it is hurting your eyes a bit, but it does not prevent you from having a great view of the entire Liyue Harbor. No matter what happens, those bustling streets and crowds will always be there.

It has been a while since you left the city of freedom and came to this land of geo. You are having a lot of fun admiring the beautiful yet different scenery and cultural heritage. Meanwhile, you have also met a lot of weird people, which…did not really surprise you right after leaving Mondstadt. The most typical example would be the man who is accompanying you in your journey -- Zhongli, the consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, who is extremely knowledgeable on almost everything, yet being totally clueless about money. Thanks to him, you always have to keep an eye on your mora to ensure that you and Paimon can still pay for your meals…

But this did not prevent you from growing interests for Liyue. In order to get to know this nation better, you have decided to do your daily commissions only here.

You haven’t been active in Mondstadt for quite a while.

Even so, you can easily to go back thanks to the teleport waypoints. Mondstadt is like a home for you. You know you can never actually leave there, especially after you have already crossed paths with too many people.

But there is only one main reason for you to keep going back and forth in two nations.

Every day, you would teleport back to Dawn Winery after finishing your activities. You would stroll around the statue of the seven, pick up a few windwheel asters, and look at the windmills of the city in distance. You would then go sit on the bench, enjoy the scent of grapes and wine. At the end, you would go inside the manor, and wait for the next day to begin.

The winery is open to the public all year round, but the maids and Elzer have basically acquiesced in you being there. Adelinde remembered all the books you like to read, and she would even prepare them for you beforehand. Almost every day, you would leave in the morning and come back in the evening, which made you feel like you are treating this place as a home more than the owner does.

However, you haven't seen Diluc since you worked together to resolve the stormterror issue. He seems rarely comes home. Sometimes he did come back, but you either happened to be away or have already fallen asleep in one of the guest rooms. You heard that he would occasionally work at the Angel’s Share as a bartender, so whenever you completed your commissions quickly enough, allowing you to come back earlier, you would always drop by. But only archons would know why you were unlucky enough to miss the redhead every single time. Instead, you did encounter that cavalry captain quite often. It always turned out that you were teased by him and had to ran away from the tavern with flushed cheeks.

Well known by everyone in Mondstadt, Diluc Ragnvindr is a handsome and wealthy gentleman, the highly respected young master of Dawn Winery. However, only a few know that he is also the “Darknight Hero” who protects the city every night. No matter using which identity, he will not be distracted by anything and always gets everything done perfectly. As far as you can remember, Diluc's expression has never changed dramatically, and coupled with his calm demeanor, it is not surprising if people say that he is grumpy or lacking emotion.

But that is not the case, you know it. When Paimon called him "Captain Pyro", he let out a disapproval grunt, but then acquiesced in this more nonsensical name after the tasteless title of "Darknight Hero". You spent quite a lot of time working with him during the stormterror attacks. Every night when you left the winery and said good night to him, he would look straight into your eyes and say "Alright, see you next time, I’ll make sure you get home safely." His soothing voice, his gentle tones, the tint of smile in his eyes…How can you ever forget those moments?

Yes, unknowingly, like many girls in Mondstadt, you have secretly fell in love with this prince of the dark night. Every day, you would spend quite a long time in Dawn Winery, scanning through the rows of books on the bookshelf with your fingertips, and then randomly pick one, sit down and read it carefully. Diluc is in charge of basically the entire alcohol industry in Mondstadt and probably half of Teyvat, the contents of his book collections are naturally about alcohol. You have heard from Conner saying that “Master Diluc has never read books in the winery, not even once…” But even so, your day-to-day habits have not changed, despite you don’t really understand the content by heart.

After all, this is the only way you can get close to Diluc without being able to meet him.

The dazzling sunshine pulls you out of your memories. You blink, and your eyes drift involuntarily to another direction – the direction of Dragonspine, which is the only place you haven’t explored in Mondstadt. Of course, it's not that you haven't tried, but the sheer cold was really beyond your ability to bear. Probably you will try again after you become stronger, or being able to master the pyro element, just like Diluc…

You can’t help but think of him again. Being a wielder of a pyro vision, he surely won’t be bothered by such coldness. He himself is as warm and bright as the morning sun, otherwise how can he dispel the shadow covering Mondstadt?

You sigh and open the map, trying to figure out how to kill the rest of the afternoon and hopefully, this will pull you out from all those fantasies about the redhead…

But a second later, you hear something behind you. Fear builds up in your chest instantly and you almost fall down. Thanks to the person who made the sound grabbed your arm, you did not fall off the cliff.

"I see…It seems like you are more easily to get nervous after gaining more experience."

That familiar voice makes you turn your head swiftly, and you see the face you have been thinking about all day and night. You can see the reflection of your flustered self in those ruby-like eyes.

"Oh! D-Diluc—uh, sir," you dodge his gaze, feeling the scorching heat spread from the back of your ears, "Ah...why you happen to be here?"

Diluc frowns slightly after hearing the honorific you deliberately added, but his tone is as calm as usual, "It doesn't matter where I am, right? This is nothing to be surprised about."

"But…we are in Liyue?" And on the top of a mountain with nothing but monsters and trees.

Anyone would find it strange that Master Diluc, who is dedicated to protecting Mondstadt day and night, appears in a place other than Mondstadt for no obvious reasons.

"..." Diluc freezes for a short moment, he then lets go of your arm, "This is not something you should worry about." Under your curious yet confused gaze, he slowly looks away and clears his throat, "…Please don't look at me like that."

"Ah, yes, I'm sorry!" You apologize in a panic, quickly adjusting your facial expression. But you accidentally see the blush of his ears. Before you had time to think about it, Diluc speaks again.

"There's no need to apologize.” He said, the slight embarrassment that was previously on his face is gone as if you were hallucinating, “How are you doing recently?"

"Eh? Um, well…" you are a little caught off guard, but still answer him with a smile, "I'm doing good, and I haven't been too busy with commissions recently. Thank you, Master Diluc, for your concern."

Diluc does not respond immediately, but his eyes soften, which is captured by you. A faint happiness fills your heart. You know that he is not simply being polite, but is genuinely caring about you.

"It's been a while since you and I have seen each other." After a short pause, he continued, "I heard from Adelinde that you would visit the winery every day. Did you encounter any difficulties?"

"Well...um...not really." You keep your gaze down, attempting to hide your embarrassment by fiddling with your own fingers. What are you supposed to tell him? Of course you can't just say that you want to stay at the house of your crush for… a little longer.

Diluc sighs, "It's alright if you don't want to tell me, but if you encounter any problems or have any needs, you can always come to me."

Ah, yes…He had said the same to you after the darknight hero incident. You did encounter a lot of problems when you first started your adventure, but you didn’t want to bother Diluc for such personal matters. After all, he is known as a busy person. So in the end you would always find a way to solve everything by yourself, even if you ended up getting yourself into more troubles, failing everything, or getting injured. After all, you dare not rely on others easily after parting from your sibling.

But these are actually excuses, you know that. After realizing that you had fell for Diluc, you didn’t know how to deal with your feeling, because you know it will never work out. You are an outlander, a traveler. After you find your sibling and reach the end of the journey, you will leave Teyvat, and you will leave him, probably forever.

You had tried to avoid him, thinking that in this way, your feelings would fade away as the time goes by.

But unfortunately, the effects were completely opposite. Your feelings towards him grew day by day until you couldn’t suppress them in any possible way. You couldn’t help but wanting to meet him. You want to stay with him, to talk with him, to travel with him, to rely on him…

You feel your face starts to burn as you are thinking about it, and you are so flustered that you don't know where to look. Diluc is standing right in front of you, and as you keep avoiding making eye contacts with him, your attention is caught by the vision attached to his belt. The pyro element glimmers in the glass bead, and that beautiful crimson color resembles the wielder’s eyes and hairs.

"Traveler?"

Diluc's puzzled voice is heard overhead, and you finally decide to look up and meet his eyes. At that moment, you suddenly accept the fact that no matter how hard you try to supress your feelings, it is useless, so there is no point to torture yourself like this. You already knew that it will never work out, so now you might as well follow your own inner thoughts.

"A-Actually, I have a matter that you could probably help me, Master Diluc." You try to calm yourself down, but you seem have lost your voice, "If it's possible..."

Diluc didn’t respond, and his expression stays the same, but obviously he is waiting for your next words.

"Could you…um, accompany me to Dragonspine...?"

You can’t help but to start panicking right after saying it. What if he rejects you? Once again, you find it is too hard to look him into the eyes, but it will be strange to lower your head suddenly. So you lock your eyes on the red gem on his bow tie and meanwhile, clasping your hands tightly behind your back, feeling that your palms are starting to sweat.

"Yes," Diluc agrees immediately, without even a hesitation. You look at him again in surprise, but you can see that he is confused. "But what are you going to do in Dragonspine? If you need any materials, I can find them for you directly."

"Ah, it has nothing to do with materials! It's just because I haven't really been there yet." Your respond excitedly, temporarily forgetting the shyness and embarrassment when facing Diluc. "I can’t master the pyro element at the moment, and it's just too cold there..."

Diluc looks into your shining eyes, the corners of his mouth are slightly raised, "I see, you are right. After all, you are an adventurer, and the joy of adventure always comes first."

His smile makes you lose your mind once again. Those feelings that have just been left behind came back to you in the blink of an eye.

A gentle gust of wind blows, Diluc looks at the blue sky, and you look at him. His crimson hairs is so beautiful under the sunshine, just as dazzling as the dawn.

“Let’s go.”

Dragonspine is still as beautiful as in your memory. The white snow covers every inch of the land, yet that’s not the only colour. The most conspicuous one is undoubtedly the red beam of the statue of the seven, which will be your destination today.

You follow Diluc silently. The sound of your boots stepping on the snow seems to be amplified many times. Even though you two had left the teleport waypoint for not even a minute, you already start to feel the sheer cold is devouring you.

"Here, take this," Diluc, who had been silent all this time, suddenly speaks. You are startled, while he hands over a red ore, "This is called the scarlet quartz, which can keep you warm temporarily."

The moment you take the scarlet quartz, it disappears as if melted by your body temperature. You suddenly feel a nice and warm aura surrounding you.

"Wow, this is amazing!" You look at your hands in surprise, "Thank you, Master Diluc!"

"No need. The effect of the quartz can only last for a while. So if you are still cold, just let me know any time." He responds, followed by a hesitant expression.

"... Diluc,” he speaks after a brief pause, “just...call me Diluc is fine."

His words make you stop everything you were doing and thinking but only to look at him. At your first glance, Diluc's face is still as unamazed as usual, but obviously he is trying you avoid your eyes. And probably your vision is not too well due to the snow, but you are pretty sure that you see a suspicious faint blush on his cheeks. Could it be because he was just too cold as well……?

"B-But..." You stammer, feeling the heat gradually creeping up your entire face. But before you can say anything else, a group of hilichuirls, those who have ice shields in their hands, appears out of nowhere.

Immediately, Diluc gushes forward. Crimson flames burst out along with his movements. Even you, who is a distance away from the battle, can feel that extreme heat mediating from him. The moment when you come back to your senses and get ready to help, the battle is over, leaving only the melted snow and fallen materials.

You stand there awkwardly. Of course, the main reason that you invited Diluc, who masters the pyro element, to accompany you to Dragonspine was because you wanted to rely on him a little. Something like this shouldn’t be surprising, but when it actually happens, you still feel really bad about your incapability.

Diluc puts away his claymore and turns to you. And as if he had seen through your mind, his expression softens, "It’s nothing."

Seeing that you are still standing in a daze, he hesitates for a moment, and then comes closer to you. He lightly pokes your forehead with his gloved fingertips, "Come on, just take the materials, and we'll move on, okay?"

"……Thank you." You whisper your gratitude, blushing, and trying your best to let your heart calm down from his touch and his words. Diluc's voice is still as gentle and soothing as ever, making you feel like you are floating on top of the cloud. His flames seem to have lingered onto the skin touched by him, It’s not a burning heat, but a warmth that flows into your heart.

Fortunately, there are not too many enemies popping out as you two are getting closer and closer to the statue. Or maybe, all kinds of hilichuirls are buried under Diluc's flames when you are too busy enjoying the scenery or collecting materials.

You have never stayed this close to him for such a long time. His flying red hairs, flames brought out by his claymore, all perfectly complement with the whiteness of the snow. You always stare at him subconsciously and have to spend at least few seconds to bring your mind back.

He is just like a tint of fire that keeps you warm in the snow, makes you feel incredibly safe, makes you can’t feel the cold seeping into your body.

And it isn't until you hadn't been close to any fire or the minerals of the scarlet quartz for quite a while that you realized that you were already freezing.

Unfortunately, this is a bad timing. Diluc is not by your side now. He asked you to wait for him a bit and then left. You look at the surroundings, the beautiful snow you were seeing before is now somehow shrouded in a layer of dark mist.

An inexplicable fear surges into your heart like a tide. The wind is freezing cold, whistling in your ears. You tightly wrap all of your clothes around your body, but still can’t stop the biting chill from pouring into your collar. It is not that you have never felt cold before, but you still get scared after seeing your breath condensed into visible white particles floating around you.

Your vision has started to blur, and your legs seem to have lost all the strength…You are about to fall down—

The wet and cold feeling of the snow does not come as you expected. Instead, you feel soft fabrics, surrounded by a faint aroma of grapes and firewood. It is so familiar and reassuring, it is your favorite smell...

"Careful!"

You are still cold, but the fear in your heart fades away instantly, just like ice being melted by fire. And as you gradually catch your breath, you slowly open your eyes, and find yourself leaning on Diluc's chest, with him gently encircling your waist.

Oh archons, this is way too close, and he is holding you in his arms. Normally, you surely would immediately jump away, flustering like a mass and wanting to die. But now you can’t even stand properly, and your brain is just not functioning. Diluc's clothes are as cold as the surrounding environment, but strangely, his embrace is so warm, warm enough to make you, a person who is cold and longing for warmth instinctively, want to stay like this forever.

But after you recover a little bit and feeling able to stand still, the unbelievable idea of "being held by Diluc in his arms" brings you back to reality again. Diluc obviously notices the change in you. He lets go of his hand, but then immediately takes off his coat and wraps it around you, almost covering your whole body.

"I’m sorry," he looks at you, obviously worried, "I shouldn't have left you alone."

"I was just looking for a place where we can rest. I should’ve taken you with me."

You shake your head, "No…no, please don’t apologize, Master Diluc. I know you will come back." But to be honest, you almost let your fear won after realizing that you couldn’t feel any other human being but yourself in this cold, empty, and completely silent place.

"..." Diluc does not answer directly but looks at you deeply. Something is in his eyes, but you can’t really tell what it is. He then holds your hand, "...Come with me."

He takes you to a spot with cooking ware and fire, which seems to be lightened just now. The whole area is surrounded by tall rocks that block most of the wind. Almost immediately, you start to feel your hand and face again as the warmth seeping into your frozen bones. Diluc makes sure you sit down near the fire, then he started to set up the cooking pot.

You stand up again as a reflex. You’ve already done this on your own so many times, even when you were injured badly enough that you could barely move. And besides, no matter what is happening, it is still hard to let the master of Dawn Winery to cook for you.

"Sit down and rest."

His slightly commanding tone makes you unable to disobey. You can only sit down again, obediently.

While fixing your gaze on Diluc, you let yourself completely immersed into his coat. The smell of firewood mixed with the faint aroma of grapes and wine is now surrounding you once again. You take a deep breath, recalling this smell from Dawn Winery, from the vineyard, from the books he read, pages he touched… At that moment, you feel like you are at home.

You observe Diluc once again. This is the first time you see clearly what are under his coat. A black shirt with a white vest, the belt that goes from his shoulder and connected to his waist… He has such a nice shape…If you look further downwards-

You are startled by what you are doing and immediately turn your head aside, squeezing your eyes shut.

Now you are really warmed up……

After having some warm soup, you feel much better. The snow seems to be lighter than before as you two set out on the road again. You can see that red beam of light is getting closer and closer to you.

Snow falls on Diluc's hairs and shoulders. His shirt is slightly disheveled by the wind. You suddenly remember his coat is still on you.

"Master Diluc, " You speak hesitantly, about to take it off, "Um… you must be cold, I'll give this back to-"

"You can wear it." He replies, "The pyro vision can minimize the impact of the coldness on my body." He puts the coat back on you, carefully feeling your body temperature, "You need to keep warm more than I do. If you fall down again, I will be very troubled."

Thus you get the following: A redhead wearing only a shirt and vest, walking in the heavy snow, followed by a small figure wrapped in a big black coat, which does not seem too inappropriate considered you are in Dragonspine, one of the most mysterious regions in Teyvat.

Fortunately, you two successfully end up arriving in front of the statue of the seven, and the last obstacle is a layer of ancient rime piled up at the bottom. You are just about to clear it with your normal attack as usual, but before you can do it, Diluc stops you, "Wait."

"You need to have the scarlet quartz to clear them." He explains, "The subzero climate here in Dragonspine makes normal attacks useless, even with pyro elemental infusion."

"I see…" You look around, trying to find the redness in the surrounding, "There it is!"

A minute later, you come back with the effect of scarlet quartz. The rime was successfully cleared away by your charged attack. The red glowing statue makes the surroundings extremely warm. You look up at the anemo archon, memories flooding back into your mind. Venti, Dvalin, the Holy Lyre, Stormterror’s Lair, Jean, and Diluc, who is standing right behind you at this moment…

You close your eyes and stretch out your hand, the last statue of the seven in the Mondstadt area will be lightened up soon—

...

Nothing happened?

You open your eyes, confused. Normally the statue should have been lit by your touch, yet it is still glowing red at this time. You also can't feel the anemo element at all...

"As what I expected…" Diluc sighs, and you turn to face him, "It’s probably because I am here. I think that our humble anemo archon can't tolerate other people disturbing you."

"What? No, it shouldn’t, it can’t be…" You stand there helplessly, with your hand still on the statue. After months, you are finally here, and the journey to here with the accompany of Diluc is an absolute treasure to you. And now everything will go wasted?

You feel like your tears are about to fall, "…I need to go back to square one and do everything all over again…?"

"No." Diluc says, "You have already reached this point successfully, there is no need to start over."

Through the flying snowflakes, you can still clearly see him. His eyes are soft, he is smiling at you…

The snow seems to become heavy again. Diluc’s red hairs are flying in the cold wind. You are trembling slightly, but your feet can’t move as if they have rooted in the ground. You can only stand there, letting a thin layer of wind and snow separate you and him.

"I believe you can do well on your own from now on." Diluc continues, his crimson eyes met yours, and he smiles again, obvious enough for you to see it clearly, "Today's journey was quite delightful, traveler."

"Wait, Di—" You shout his name, but is blinded by the sudden strong wind. However, after only a few seconds, the wind stops, and you are facing an empty space, just like nobody was there before.

You look around anxiously, but you can’t feel any other human being. At the same time, the statue emits a dazzling blue light. The anemo element pours into your palm. You look up at this last statue in Mondstadt, but without any excitement and joy as you have imagined.

You sit down leaning against the statue and letting the wind whistling in your ears. Diluc's sudden departure gave you a feeling of waking up from a dream. However, the aroma lingering around reminds you that what happened today was not a dream. You look down at the black coat you are still wearing, those luxurious golden patterns are slightly deformed in your hands.

You didn’t even get a chance to say thank you...

Suddenly, you no longer have any interest in staying in Dragonspine, at least for today. You open the map, and in the next second you are standing under the identical statue, but at Dawn Winery.

Night has fallen. The wind gently blows your hair. Unlike the ones in Dragonspine, it feels warm.

You take off the coat and hold it in your hand, start walking towards the winery. You mind hasn’t come back yet, but your legs just automatically bring you right to the front of the manor.

"Welcome back, Miss." As soon as you enter the main entrance, you are greeted by Adelinde. Her eyes then fall on the thing in your hand, and she smiles, "Looks like you finally met Master Diluc today."

"Well, that’s true..." You reply in a low voice. You are embarrassed. During all this time, Adelinde has not only allowed you to live here, but she would even prepare the breakfast for you, send you out every morning, and welcome you back in the evening. Obviously, her attitude towards you is no longer as simple as a "guest".

You want to give the coat to the head housemaid, but she says that you can put it directly in Diluc's room.

Your eyes widen in surprise. Although you two have already known each other very well, and you have lived here for so long, you are still, well, a guest, after all. It is definitely not appropriate to go directly into the room of the master.

"Master ordered a long time ago that you, Miss, is allowed to enter any room in the winery."

Well then in that case…

Diluc's room is next to his study on the second floor. You have passed by countless times, but now you are a little nervous about going in. After a moment of hesitation, you carefully open the door.

The lights in the room have already been turned on. In addition to that comfortable king-size bed, there is also a desk that is similar to his study but without many things on top, surrounded by tall bookshelves. The curtains are half drawn, and the night outside could be seen. The luxurious furnishing of the room resembles the entire manor, but you can see the owner reserved a style exclusive for himself. A few wax-sealed letters are sitting on the desk, waiting to be mailed. You stare at Diluc's beautiful handwriting, an image of him sitting there and signing his name appears in front of you. Gosh, he must be as elegant as usual…

After looking around the room, you realize that there is only one place to leave his coat without opening the closet. You approach the bed, hands resting on those soft sheets. You don’t know if you are just tired or still too excited from having a trip with Diluc, but ever since you entered his room, there has been a warmth surrounding you, which is the same feeling he gave you when you were in Dragonspine today. It feels like he is still with you…

And he would sleep on this bed…by himself, after calling a day.

You swiftly cover your burning cheeks, "Stop! What the hell am I thinking?"

However……

Looking at those neat beddings, a sadness comes into you. On top of running a huge business that brings so much work and responsibilities, Diluc is only a young man who is not even older than you. How many nights can he sleep on this bed without being exhausted or stressed out…?

It is already very late, and he hasn't come back yet. Seems like the darknight hero is working hard again. Your feel like your eyelids are becoming heavier and heavier, and your mind is full of the redhead when your eyes are shut completely…

You don’t know how long it has passed, but you smell the aroma of grapes and firewood again. It is so close to you, and you can’t help but want to get closer, and closer... You feel like you have returned to Dragonspine, with Diluc is standing in front of you. Snowflakes are flying around, but it is not cold at all, it is warm, as if you two are the only light in the snow.

"Just…call me Diluc is fine."

You know you are dreaming, but his voice, and his eyes looking at you, are still so realistic and gentle. Your feelings flood out of your heart like a tide, and you can’t hold them back anymore—

It is very late.

Right after the clock strikes the third time, the door of the manor is opened and closed silently. The darknight hero rests wearily against the wall for a while, and then he slowly goes upstairs.

When Diluc enters the room, the first thing he sees is you, who is sleeping soundly against the bed while still holding the coat for dear life. He is startled, but then quietly comes to your side.

The redhead chuckles silently, observing your sleeping face lovingly. If ever you are awake, you would definitely suspect that the Diluc in front of you is a counterfeit as he would never make a face like this.

Diluc takes off his gloves, carefully pulls out the crumpled coat in your arms, then gently carries you and puts you into his own bed. You are asleep during the whole process, completely unaware of what is happening.

The moonlight shines through the gap in the curtains and falls on the two of you. Diluc, who is now supposed to take a shower and rest, sits down on the edge of the bed and looks at you without a word.

The Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius is now active in Liyue. Such a well-known fact can no longer be a part of his “intelligence network”.

He knows, as a traveler, you will never stop your journey until you reach the final destination and find your sibling. You will not stay in one place because of a person, an event, or a difficult task. Diluc himself had the same type of goal as you, and had traveled all over the seven nations alone, so he naturally understands your convictions and perseverance better than anyone else.

But it is precisely this kind of him, who has always been walking alone in the darkness, that he has unknowingly gotten used to and fell in love with the feeling of having you by his side. Only after you left Mondstadt, Diluc realized that even the most ordinary things, like seeing you around or saying goodbye to you, could make him miss you. Before being totally aware of the reason behind it, he had already started to take the initiative to obtain your information and your daily commissions.

Of course, that was very easy for him to do. But over time, this feeling of him, so called "missing you", gradually became a little more different than what he expected, and he couldn’t really tell what it is.

But it feels just like those few sporadic fire lights in the cold and heavy snow, which look so insignificant considering those random fire sources in the entire Dragonspine. However, the scorching heat those fire brought could not be ignored.

Because it is the heat that can make people alive. It is the warmth that he would love to approach and embrace. It is the light that he has been fighting to reach.

He wants to see you. He is going to see you.

Clouds are covering the moon. Diluc continues fixing his gaze on your face. His eyes are flickering slightly in the darkness. He can’t help but to get closer to you—

"…hm……"

Your suddenly let out a light hum. Diluc’s hand stops in mid-air instantly, fingertips are only half an inch away from your face, but you don’t seem to be bothered by anything and just move your body a bit, still asleep. Some vague syllables are coming out from your parted lips, but for some reason, it seemed like you are really trying to speak properly.

Diluc leans down to you, trying to hear your little sleep talks—

"...Diluc..."

Your voice is like a whisper, yet the pronunciation is so clear and accurate that it doesn't seem to be any kind of sleep talks.

Diluc’s eyes widen slightly, obviously in shock. He stares at you as if he is going to drill a hole on your face. He was not expecting you would say his name, and finally, without the title.

Meanwhile, clouds fades away in the exact right timing. Your cheeks are pink under the moonlight, but there is still no sign of you waking up.

......

"Yes."

Although Diluc knows you can’t hear him, he still responds in his most soft voice ever.

"Diluc..."

"Yes, I'm here."

His hand moves again. He strokes your cheek, eyes full of affection for you.

"......"

You unconsciously rub your chin against his skin, pressing your lips against his wrist.

"I…love you."

"......!"

Diluc looks at you in disbelief, feeling his whole body starts to tremble. Your warm breath sprayed on his skin reminds him that you did actually say that.

At this moment, all of his feelings in his heart are transformed into the same feeling that you have towards him. How silly of him kept telling himself that he was “missing you”, but it has been completely different since archon knows how long ago. The throbbing emotions in his chest seemed to have thawed the ice surrounds his heart, and that heat and love is spread all over his body.

"I love...Diluc..."

Your voice fades, and you fall into a deep sleep again after a while, but the redhead in front of you is surely not able to fall asleep today, in any case.

While attempting to control the heart that is about to jump out of his chest, Diluc kisses your forehead, this time, without any hesitation.

"Me too."

The moon is once again covered by clouds, but the light that can penetrate the coldness and illuminate the night will never disappear again.

The end.

——————————❄️———————————

「Snow Light」

—— Diluc Ragnvindr (CV: Kensho Ono)

Disclaimer: This translation is credited to this blog. I made adjustments based on my own understanding of the Japanese language, and I tried to make the lyrics sound more colloquial and complete.

The townscape of where you live is on the other side of the blurry window. It is flickering in seven colors. It is sparkling hazily.

Every time when I run in a hurry, chilled to the bone, I always want to hug you tightly.

Snow light, snow breath, snow flakes...

Right now, like that snow, my feelings towards you cannot be hidden.

They are falling and piling up for you, in a sparkling white.

It is only to you whom I want to give warmth. I want to hold you more than anything else.

Imagine us sitting close together, smiling, and I'm taking you by the hand…

I won’t let you go, I want to protect you. This brand new feeling is gradually growing upon me.

You are purely white. You are just my Snow Light.

Where you are you right now? What are the scenery in your eyes?

I wish to know more. This is the first time I’m having this thought.

My monochrome world is being repainted by you. That is like a miracle.

Snow shade, snow drop, snow dome...

Even if like that snow being melted away right now, this feeling of me will never disappear.

I just want to tell you, I’m always missing you.

Imagine us sitting close together, bashfully, I'm ascertaining your existence with my hand, while we staring at each other with sincere eyes.

I won’t let you go, my heart won’t change. My feelings toward you are never enough.

It is falling and piling up non stop, you’re just my Snow Light.

Although I can’t shine as beautifully as you, if I could become your light, that alone would make me able to overcome everything.

No matter how long the night is, I will never let you feel cold.

Surely tomorrow there will be a silvery morning light. It will be dazzling, it will be lovely...

It is only to you whom I want to give warmth. I want to hold you more than anything else.

Imagine, us sitting close together, smiling, and I'm taking you by the hand…

I won’t let you go, I want to protect you. This brand new feeling gradually growing upon me.

You are purely white. You are my Snow Light

Forever, you are just my Snow Light.

Thank you for reading.

#genshin impact #genshin #genshin fluff #genshin x reader #diluc #diluc ragnvindr #diluc x reader #diluc ragnivindr x reader #translation #self insert

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kunikiiida-kuuun · 1 year

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BSD Anime vs. Manga

S4 Episode 7 & Chapters 59-61

This is mostly going to be a compilation of the ADA moments, focused on Kunikida in particular, since Bones seems to freely pluck out parts from his characterization that takes away a lot from his personal arc. They have done it before, but in this arc, where each detail sensitive to his entire arc, I find it is quite a shame they were excluded.

Here are some moments that didn't make it to the anime, or simply didn't translate well into the episode because of a number of reasons.

A short disclaimer: I've never written any kind of analysis posts or even theories so I'd say this is more of my personal thoughts rather than a very objective comparison, since I hold Kunikida and the ADA very close to my heart. Buckle up for a really long post because oh boy, I have a lot of thoughts.

1. First signs of despair

(BSD Chapter 59)

Quite contrary to how Kunikida is perceived as emotionless, among all the characters in the room, we get a close up into his mind and thoughts first. They have been just declared as national criminals, and Ranpo, the most vital pillar of their agency was just shot and presumably out of commission. The all-knowing Ranpo who has gotten them out of trouble numerous times has been cut off. They sit there in shock as the realisation sinks in. They have no way out. Kunikida looks at his notebook, pondering out loud, "Is this where...my ideals come to an end?"

2. Kunikida retaliates back

(BSD Chapter 59)

This is one of the sides of Kunikida we may rarely get to see. While he is a character with a strong moral compass compared to the other BSD characters, there are moments when he prioritizes to protect himself and would go to any lengths to to prevent harm to his comrades, sometimes at the cost of his own well being. He wouldn't kill anyone, but should the circumstances call for it, he wouldn't hesitate to remove that obstacle. This is similar to how he shoots a little kid who was firing at him and Atsushi in the cannibalism arc. However the circumstances are entirely different in both scenarios. At that time, his inner conflict was more evident, since the children had been lied to, and instructed to shoot and didn't know any better. He had to protect himself and Atsushi. Over here, he is more or less wrongly being accused, which would explain his actions.

Before this, there's also a gentle look that passes over his eyes, as he reminisces about working along with them, and the fact that they see him as an enemy now.

I do however, appreciate that in the anime, his voice is softer, and not rude or mean to the soldiers they just defeated.

3. Remorse

(BSD Chapter 60)

Just as they are able to escape and catch their breaths, Kunikida is immediately filled with remorse for his actions. There is the special emphasis on the "light in the eyes" that Kunikida refers to, something which is very important to a character in Harukawa sensei's art style. He struck down a person, who was someone just like him, someone who was simply holding up his own ideals for the "good" of the nation, something Kunikida himself resonates with. He questions the justness of his own actions, and is in an inner dilemma about everything he stands for. Despite his "tough" exterior, Kunikida is inherently a person who is deeply vulnerable. He puts up his walls, but these walls even seem to break too easily, caused by his own self doubt.

This internal conflict is completely missing in the anime, and while it may seem inconsequential to the overall plot, it takes away a lot of impact that comes ahead. There is a lack of a dramatic pause that this scene gives, as the horror sinks in not just for us, but our characters as well.

4. Ray of hope

(BSD Chapter 60)

Before everyone, especially Kunikida sinks into complete despair, Kenji speaks up, starting on a completely unrelated and seemingly pointless note. He offers everyone some rice balls, surprising everyone.

(BSD Chapter 60)

Kenji is just such a precious boy. Kenji's logic is eating = happiness so by offering the rice balls, he's literally saying "please don't feel dejected!! I want you all to stay healthy and be happy!!"

Kunikida tries to reason, initially feeling that Kenji was making light of the situation. But Kenji is clearly having none of it and stops him immediately. We unfortunately missed this absolutely hilarious scene of Kenji shutting up Kunikida by shoving a rice ball into his mouth LMAO.

In hindsight, as I rewatch the anime, Kenji's speech is a nice optimistic boost in very Kenji fashion, but it comes across as a touch too happy go lucky in the anime and you can't deny how much more impactful it is when instead of just a random speech, he's purposefully uplifting everyone's spirits.

He isn't just being optimistic and is aware of the grim situation. He understands that he would need to use his ability for the obstacles they may face ahead and forgoes eating the rice balls (as Kenji cannot use his skill if his stomach is full). That's when even Kunikida realises that he is being serious. He understands how everyone feels, and reassures them, essentially saying that the agency will get through, rebuild, and continue on their path no matter how many difficulties come their way.

I have to say, this moment here is even more touching with his backstory that was recently revealed a few chapters ago. Kenji actually comes across as very mature for his age with his outlook on life and his kind and humble nature.

There is an immediate change in Kunikida's demeanor after this. He acknowledges Kenji's words and bites into the rice ball, accepting his 'unique' way of encouraging them with gratitude. And hereforth emerges the leader within Kunikida. I'm working on another post related to Kunikida and his role as the future ADA leader, but Kunikida is truly a people's leader. He spurs into action when he has the trust and support of his comrades and is the most confident when backed and reassured by the ones near him.

Unfortunately I find that this moment completely fell flat in the anime. They included Tanizaki's line about being criminals and it's in response to that that Kenji gives his speech which isn't bad per se....but doesn't give the same impact as the manga. They added some sparkles ✨ as he was speaking which made it a tad bit animated whereas in the manga it seems like the sun is shining on him...which makes me wonder how the anime would've looked if they actually showed a progression of time instead of just sticking to twilight hues...

5. Just your friendly neighborhood terrorist gang...

(BSD manga chapter 61)

And here is the most iconic and probably the greatest scene of all times, which was only partly animated. I'll let this one slide, but imagine how much funnier it would have been if they did include the first part. The fact that they are being pursued right now as the most wanted criminals, and how every second is extremely precious to them if they want to escape safely, and yet, Kunikida would steal someone's vehicle only after confirming they have an insurance for it (and letting them go if they don't).

Even him choosing to take a private vehicle rather than public transport to avoid jeopardizing other's lives...Kunikida is just so good. I love him so much you don't understand 🥹💕

6. Comprehensive personality analysis by Jouno Saigiku (Kunikida edition)

Okay sorry this is just me being salty but like....did they seriously give us an extended fish eye cut for this entire scene??!! I was so shocked I couldn't even focus on the weight and symbolism of the dialogue. I get the fish eye potential of this scene but like why....just why.

It's such a pivotal revelation about Kunikida, not just to us, the audience, but even to Kunikida himself, his deepest and innermost thoughts and fears laid out in the open like that. Jouno tears him down effectively, making him question himself and his ideals.

This part makes me crazy emotional in the manga, because the whole thing about Kunikida's ideals is that it actually weighs so heavily on him that he doesn't really realise that he is crumbling under the pressure of it. Deep inside, he is aware about the futility of pursuing them, as seen from how he admits it himself in Chapter 40 to Katsura, but instead of letting go, he keeps pushing himself. His ideals are not for others to follow, but something he demands of himself, in order to create a better world. And if the people whom he wants to protect are taken away, his ideals would come to an end, hence he'll be "free" from the heavy burden of his ideals.

Reducing all of this into a mere fish eye moment....bones I will remember this 😭😤

However, I do appreciate that they added a scene of Kunikida shielding Yosano from Tecchou, a nice parallel to when Yosano takes a bullet for Kunikida. It was just very heart warming to see all of them protect each other. There's also a small panel that was not animated, one where Jouno kicks Kenji out of the moving car and asks Kunikida and the others to go ahead, and there's a look of uncertainty and despair that passes on Kunikida's face, another instance of his internal conflict not included.

(also what is with all of Kunikida's enemies reading up on him and studying him?? Like I'm no different from these guys tbh I get it, I'm obsessed with him too but back off will ya...🙄)

I'm only considering this fan-made video by cocoa as the true anime scene because wth were they thinking 😭

Additional thoughts Episode 8

Kunikida's final answer

I would recommend going and reading the full manga for better reading experience, but in case you're feeling too lazy, I included the screenshots. I'm mostly satisfied with how this part was animated, but here are some of my thoughts about it anyways. Looking back to this chapter in the manga, it's definitely much more dramatic than its counterpart.

There's a panel where they just show him with his back hunched all alone as he ponders over what Jouno said which is really neat. The look of horror that passes over his face as he sees Kenji being stabbed is much more dramatic. In the anime, Kenji being stabbed was even more horrifying, and obviously more realistic of a reaction than him just going "huh?" as if it was nothing much.

There's even a panel of Kunikida gritting his teeth, until he realises what he needs to do. I loved the way he swung off the helicopter in the anime, it kinda lives rent free in my brain ngl. When Kunikida jumps off and kicks Tecchou, there's a close up of his face, full of determination and light in his eyes... it's just so beautiful because he's no longer hindered by self doubt. This light in his eyes remains the brightest in all the three panels.

While originally I was under the impression that this would be a very sad scene, the anime and the choice of music made it seem more of a heroic moment instead, which the more I think about, the more I feel was a good choice. After a series of unfortunate events and near death situations, Kunikida is faced with the choice to either give up or save everyone. His choice to sacrifice himself was one stemming from his role as a leader and also, most importantly to protect anyone else from getting hurt. This is also his firm answer back to Jouno's words, that he would continue striving for his ideals, even when sacrificing his own life.

And also, spoilers alert: he doesn't exactly die, so I think it was alright if they didn't make it too dramatic or melancholic. Still made me cry buckets nevertheless lol.

I'm not very good at character analyses so I would recommend reading this one over here. It's one of the best character breakdown I've ever seen for Kunikida and they have covered this part of the manga as well!

Of course, another amazing explanation of this scene is by Asagiri-sensei themselves, which you can find here.

Yet another deleted scene...

Kyouka decides to go save Atsushi

(BSD Chapter 63)

If you're curious about when Kyouka decided to go and save Atsushi instead and how they concealed themselves so well in that hole, here's an extended explanation in a flashback that was skipped in the anime. It's no surprise this was deleted, and I was pretty much expecting it as it's not that important of a detail. The most significant part of this scene of course would be the sheer determination in Kyouka's eyes to save Atsushi. I think it is a neat parallel to Atsushi back in s1 who insisted on saving Kyouka, even after Kunikida told him not to. In both instances, Kunikida tries to protest, but eventually relents and acknowledges their will and determination, lending them his aid. The anime also kinda missed giving us a cool render of that page in which Kyouka stands heroically before the military when she comes to save Atsushi (unfortunately I'm unable to add the image because of Tumblr's ten image limit...sigh).

Final thoughts

I've said this before, but I understand that anime has time constraints and other production matters that I'm unaware about, but the number of details that were removed while not surprising, was surely disappointing. My major problem was mostly with episode 7 with how rushed it was. By removing the build up, there's a certain lack of emotional depth in a number of scenes. There are many who did not find the episodes fast paced and rather consider it quite alright considering the theme of the arc, which is totally valid. However it's natural for manga readers to go into the anime with preconceived ideas about how they think the scene will go down. I'm personally just a little sad because firstly, Kunikida is my favourite character and secondly, I think he's one of the best written characters in all of BSD. He is one of the core characters in BSD, so I'm obviously disappointed that many of his parts just get removed since he's not one of the greater "fan favourites".

Of course, I have to give the anime credit where it's due. The animation is amazing this season and the voice acting is simply phenomenal. The OST is also pretty good and I desperately want that track they played for the hunting dogs introduction. They've truly given their heart and soul for this season, and I couldn't be happier as a BSD fan!! I'm super excited for the upcoming episodes!

Welp that's all from me! Thank you for coming to my ted talk! This was initially going to be just a simple compilation, until I started talking and couldn't shut up. I'm really grateful for anyone who reads this. Thank you very much!! If you've come this far, please do drop a comment because I'd love to hear your thoughts!!

Lastly, please go read the manga if you haven't already! Who knows, maybe you'll find some other missing detail of your favourite character!

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infraaa · 2 years

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The blood turns… pure and warm…

…Who will take the vial on this night?

Twisted Wonderland - SFW Matchup (Golden Star)

Commissioned to @chaotic-mercury — thank you for your purchase!

»»» Idia Shroud

Let’s get something out the way: Idia doesn’t like people. He doesn’t like socializing even to save his life and often doesn’t leave his own bedroom if he can help it, leaving poor Ortho to try and lead him out. Like a dog sniffing out food, Ortho gives him nerd stuff to try and get him out of his room so he can get at least an ounce of sunlight on his paper pale skin.

The only instance where you two would probably meet is in class together, or if you’re a part of the board gaming club, there’s another opportunity. You both radiate the same energy, despite you being a slight ambivert. The fact that you shorthand sometimes when you can’t think of the proper word is a banger for him, and it rings a bell in his head that you could be cool. So he takes a small chance on you, pessimistically analyzing you like a third party protagonist.

He sees that you have social anxiety, just like him, and poor self esteem, kind of like him. If you manage to befriend him, and you come in from classes looking down or feeling bad about a test you took, Idia will more than happily try to indulge you whilst gaming or coding. Since you like to learn, if you take an interest on any of these things, and if you persuade him enough, he may introduce you to some of his favorite games or some basic coding techniques to start, like working with JavaScript or writing simple commands.

He likes the fact you’re patient, since it takes a number to try and open him up. He’s like a walnut, needing to be close to people and hard to crack. One could say he’s demiromantic too! I’m respect, and basic social mimicry, he allows you time to come out of your coffin as well. He may see you reading manga and he’ll make one of those cute ass otaku noises and jump in on the manga train and talk you down on his favorite manga and anime. He’s a 90’s guy— inuyasha, sailor moon, the classics. However he’ll gladly indulge in newer content if you recommend it to him.

Now, since you also self deprecate, Idia does the same thing, but when he sees you do this his big brother light goes off and he’ll say “mm-mm, nope.” He doesn’t want to influence you to not take care of yourself. If he seems to care, he’s the type to put people before himself, ignoring himself in the process. He’s selfless to your needs, especially if you’re sick, and his trauma with Ortho and that natural big brother instinct he has will surely quell your distress.

You’re small. Good for the huggin’! Good for the cuddlin’! Good for the cute lol’s and rofl’s while watching a good anime move and drinking something warm with sweets sitting at your side under a warm blanket. But watch it— Idia is like a natural heater. His body is very warm, and can heat you up very quickly. (We wonder why… head full of fire perhaps? Human furnace? Human fireplace?) So if you get a little too hot, tell him. He’ll sadly understand. He often likes to pull his hair up when you all cuddle or get close anyways as to cool you off a little bit and give you some relief.

You’ve been traveling? He’s wanted to travel, he just doesn’t know if he could handle the societal pressure of being in an unknown environment. He’d ask if you’ve been to Asia, Japan, Korea, the countries where his fave music comes from, and he may ask you if you know respective languages. He himself like many of us, doesn’t know these languages, so he uses subtitles if they’re available or watches translations, so if you could teach him, he’d be a singing angel. This way, he could know what his favorite K-Pop groups are saying and he won’t have to look like an idiot.

Your sarcasm and cynic are gold to him because he’s also the same way. He’ll often throw out these quips that may unintentionally piss people off because he’s not in the mood. Like he may give you one of his sweatshirts and someone may be like, not knowing it’s not yours, “did you seriously get that sweatshirt like four sizes bigger?” To which you say something like “oh yeah, I like sweatshirts that look like dresses on me. No I didn’t get this sweatshirt it’s not even mine.” And Idia’s eating the shit up like breakfast. Sometimes he’ll team up with you on the sarcasm if he’s feeling up to it, if he’s feeling a little more brazen than normal. Call you both Team Rocket.

If things actually manage to get romantic however, you will have to A, initiate the relationship, and B, rear end and “mama bear” his ass. Basically be the protective one to get his rear in gear. Once he gets the hang of his bearings, the roles will switch and he will be more protective. You just gotta teach him what to do, or at least try to. He’s not good at the whole relationship thing. The only things he’s learned about relationships and women are through otome games he’s played. Those Ikemen ones. Remember— baby steps.

He’s not a fighter. He’s not going to go out of his way to fight someone who tears you down, he’s easily gonna get his ass beat. So what does he do? He cyberattacks. Ruthlessly. Almost like a soldier 76 kinda attacking. Or an anonymous threat going around magicam. Once you see your bullies likes staring at their phones in disbelief and people talking badly about them, you gotta know that Idia is protecting you. He may not have street smarts or social skills, but he has a reputation as Ignihyde’s dorm head. You’d think people would actually respect him for that and they do, combined with the fact that he is an upperclassman. So he’s kinda at the top of the food chain. Trust me, he’s a completely different person online because he’s not stressing about what to say and do every three seconds.

Not really into art but will give it a shot. He may step out of his shell to take you to a museum you wanna go to. Maybe to an art event perhaps? He’ll want to see what you’re into and see if maybe he’ll like it so you’ll have more in common. However this is like him taking a leap of faith. He won’t step out of his comfort zone ever if he doesn’t have to. But if it makes you happy, what is there to lose? Ortho may encourage the hell out of him to get out and have fun. It’s good for you and it may relax your always working brain.

But even if you all don’t click like that, you all would still make good friends. Call him the James to your Jessie, the Brock to your Misty, the Ash to your Pikachu! A pea in a pod and a seed in a watermelon. Whether comrades or partners, Idia is that one chicken nugget you gotta spare. You can’t eat it. You gotta appreciate it first. Now, before you go, just know that no matter what game you lose, or no matter what anime leaves you on a cliff hanger, he’ll always be there to get some ihop later. And to close, I’ll leave you with a note of my own… がんばれ！

#infrawrites #infradelivers #twisted wonderland commissions #twst wonderland #twisted wonderland #twst idia #idia shroud twst #idia shroud #twst ignihyde #ignihyde #idia x reader #idia x mc #twst matchup #matchups #twst commissions #x reader #twst x reader

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inkrabbit · 1 year

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This blog is 18+! Minors: DNI! I check all blogs that follow me and will block anyone under 18. This is for my safety and for yours. I post and reblog some content that's not suitable for minors

Commissions are closed! Thank you to everyone who bought a commission!

If you're looking for requests, please check here!

Ever had questions about Papa Nihil, his ghouls, or even how the ministry used to be? Ask Silvanus

AO3 | Ko-fi | Instagram

Below the cut is general information

Notes for Ghost!

Occasionally, I will reblog the ghouls (Era 5) unmasked! However, I will always tag it with "#unmasked ghoul" or "#unmasked ghouls". If you don't want to see the people behind the mask, please block these tags!

Just so we're clear: I call Era 5's lead guitarist "Sodo" instead of "Dewdrop"! I've seen a few people on tumblr upset about people calling him something different. Understand that this is my preference and I will not be changing it. And no, I will not respond to any questions asking about this.

When writing for the Papas, I try to swap between the masculine and feminine versions of terms of endearment. Italian is very unforgiving and I try to swap between both versions as a way to stay "gender neutral". No, it doesn't always work and I've been trying to find ways around it, such as pet names being something the Papa likes, such as Primo using "griasole" (sunflower) while Secondo uses "uccello canoro" (songbird).

I do occasionally use American-Italian slang, especially if I'm writing for Ares or Secondo. I try to always translate these since you can't use google translate for them, but sometimes I forget or skip over a word. If you're curious to know what the word is, feel free to let me know!

Most of my requests have been uploaded to AO3! The Papa's Favorite for all of your Papa needs, and Into the Ghoul's Den for the boys! Note: Not all of my requests have made it over from Tumblr to AO3, but I'm hoping they will one day.

Notes for Bully!

As stated in the request section, I will NOT accept any asks or DMs regarding student/teacher relationship. I don't care if it's hinted ingame, I don't care if it's what you want to see. It will NOT be tolerated on this blog.

When making fics for Bully, I try to incorporate actual dialogue from the characters. This helps me keep them more in character, and also gives me a good opportunity to use any cut beta dialogue or actual interactions.

On the topic of cut beta content: The Boy's Dorm in my fics will always be the beta version. This is really just the same layout as the Girl's Dorm, but with a more masculine color palette (brown/tan walls with blue carpet).

If you want to now more about my own personal headcanons for any character or clique, feel free to ask!

Notes for Repugnant!

Similar to their music, my Repugnant fics and/or headcanons can get incredibly dark. Please be sure to read the warnings first if the fic or headcanons have them!

Because we don't have much content for the band (such as no interviews to display character personality or interactions and we're only given a glimpse of personality for Mary), my interpretations of the band members might be different from others.

I will not sit here and debate what is "right" or "wrong" for each band member. Yes, I have seen some other headcanons and fics. No, I personally do not agree with all of them. But that's why it's a headcanon and not actual canon. If someone likes my headcanons and uses them, great. If they hate them, that's great, too.

Sometimes I will let the musicians and characters overlap. For example, I headcanon that Jimmy Hopkins from Bully has a passion for music just like his VA. I headcanon that Sodo from Ghost has a more soft-spoken/shy persona when off stage just like his musician. Repugnant will be no different.

If there are any questions regarding my own personal headcanons for these four, again, feel free to ask.

And that's everything! Thank you for stopping by and checking out my blog! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an ask or a DM!

#updated: Dec 09

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raven-at-the-writing-desk · 2 years

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Miss Raven, you don't know what I would give and sacrifice to have you review my twst OC's because your judgement is one of the best I know and your constructive criticism is always so well thought-out 😭 (It can be a Twst OC's Got Talent show and you'll get an infinite pass to be our one and only Simon Cowell at the judge table ✨ /j)

To be honest, I think that the concept of making OC's a very broad outlet to express creativity, especially since we're provided with unused/underrated Disney inspirations that don't have an official design in the game (although this does cause discourse among certain people who like to 'place dibs' on Disney inspirations and attack others because of it 😓). It's always so cool to see how everyone has different takes and their own imagination when creating OC's, even if they are based on the same Disney inspiration as someone else's — it just goes to show how truly wide and unique our minds are and it amazes me all the time!

Also, I'm taking this opportunity to say that Miss Raven (the OC) is in the process of being adopted by me, I'm now negotiating with Crowley about the adoption papers 😂😇 But seriously, I am in awe with her lore and she just fits so, so, so well and naturally in the settings of the game??? Oui, absolutely magnifique! 🙏

I'd love to have my silly little OC's interact with her jfkskdkkdj But before that, what are your thoughts on OC interactions, Miss Raven? Is it open all of the time or is there a specific time when we can interact with our beloved somewhat emo Shakespeare-like nerd birb? I am praying for the state of your inbox right now, thank you for your hard work! 🤧

… Isn’t Simon Cowell notoriously the asshole judge??? 😂 But thank you for the compliment! I’ve actually been asked to review/give my thoughts on an OC before as part of a proofreading commission I took on! Besides commissions, I’ll sometimes comment on a friend or a mutual’s OC—but I’m only comfortable doing that because it’s someone that I know 😅 I generally don’t give OC critique outside of these contexts because I figure if people are having fun with it, it’s none of my business to get involved (and it’s not like I’m any particular authority on OCs anyway).

OCs can be really personal, so I think it’s more important that you, the maker, be happy and have fun with your creations rather than seek my approval. Of course, if you’re actively seeking ways to improve your OCs, then there’s nothing wrong with asking around for advice or direction. It’s a very situational thing—but at the end of the day, it’s you that has the final decision on what changes! Others’ opinions can influence and guide you, but don’t let them rule your creativity! Just do what feels best to you~

Yes, the way TWST is set up definitely opens up a lot of possibilities, whether its OCs twisted from Disney properties or not. There will inevitably be OCs that take the inspiration from the same characters and/or concepts, but I don’t think that should be a reason to get upset and be nasty to each other 😔 I personally really enjoy seeing different people’s interpretations of the same Disney character, or how those interpretations end up comparing to the canon versions that TWST character (such as Snow White-based OCs vs Neige Leblanche). It’s interesting seeing how differently everyone processes and translates traits of the original into their own versions, and it’s just as fun seeing what kinds of completely original works come from people’s minds too!

I once again apologize for going by the same name as my OC 💦 It makes things confusing at times cksvwuevxkwmsk Nuuuuu, I wouldn’t give my birb dotter up for adoption 😭 I’m happy you like her lore though!! It’s something I’ve been planning for a long time, but it actually never occurred to me how well (or not well, I guess?) her lore would actually “fit” in the world of Twisted Wonderland. Now that I think about it, she’s… kind of written like an OB boy??? Like, Raven has the sad backstory, obvious negative traits on display that have been unregulated and left to fester, too much pride to seek help from friends or family… Yup, sounds like a recipe for a potential Overblot to me 🤔 OB Raven… with an outfit made of shredded pages and globs of ink, hair all twisted, a birdcage locking her head inside of it, a hovering crown of feathers, a monstrous Phantom raven looming behind her… Hey, if she can’t get a “happy ending”, then she’ll decide that no one gets a happy ending 💕/j dndbsvJbeksw ANYWAY I definitely wanted to write her as the type of character that slowly changes and grows over time—just like the TWST boys! I’m really proud of myself for being able to nail that feeling.

I don’t mind if like... you, the reader/Anon, want to say something to or interact with, Miss Raven. I’m also fine if people roleplay canon TWST characters interacting with her just to see how she’d react! It gets kind of complicated when people want their OCs to do the same though 💦 The TWST fandom has a LOT of OCs, meaning that I’d have to go hunting for information or research into every OC that wants to engage (and I don’t always have the time nor the energy for that). OC-OC interactions also have a tendency to turn into lengthy reblog chains, and I try to avoid those as much as possible since it makes blog navigation difficult. I guess I generally judge on a case-by-case basis? I’m fine with my close friends’ OCs interacting with Miss Raven, but I’d like anyone else considering it to first reach out and get my permission! ^^

#twst oc #twisted wonderland oc #Raven Crowley #Neige Leblanche #notes from the writing raven #feedback for the writing raven

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teknewsworld · 27 days

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Rakeback Meaning in Online Poker

If you’re delving into the world of online poker, you may have come across the term “rakeback.” But what exactly does it mean, and why is it important? In this article, we’ll explore the concept of rakeback, how it works, its benefits, and much more.

Please contact us email: [email protected]

Rakeback

What is Rakeback?

In essence, rakeback is a mechanism designed to give players a portion of the rake they contribute to the poker room back to them. Rake is the commission fee taken by the poker room for hosting the game. Rakeback allows players to recoup some of these fees, thereby reducing their overall expenses.

Importance of Rakeback in Online Poker

Rakeback plays a significant role in the financial aspect of playing online poker. For many players, it can make a substantial difference in their profitability over time. By receiving a percentage of the rake they generate, players can effectively lower their costs and increase their potential earnings.

How Rakeback Works

Explanation of How Rakeback is Calculated

Rakeback is typically calculated based on a percentage of the rake contributed by the player. This percentage can vary depending on the poker room and the specific rakeback deal the player has.

Different Types of Rakeback Deals

There are several types of rakeback deals available to players, including flat rakeback, tiered rakeback, and contributory rakeback. Each type has its own structure and benefits, catering to different player preferences and playing styles.

Benefits of Rakeback

Saving Money on Poker Expenses

One of the primary benefits of rakeback is the potential to save money on poker expenses. Since rake can constitute a significant portion of a player’s overall expenses, receiving a portion of it back through rakeback can lead to substantial savings in the long run.

Increasing Overall Profitability

By reducing expenses, rakeback effectively increases a player’s overall profitability. Even a modest percentage of rakeback can translate into significant savings over time, especially for players who put in a high volume of hands.

Rakeback vs. Bonuses

Differentiating Between Rakeback and Bonuses

While rakeback and bonuses both offer benefits to players, they operate in different ways. Rakeback is based on the rake generated by the player, while bonuses are typically based on factors such as deposit amounts or player activity.

Pros and Cons of Each

Rakeback provides a more consistent and predictable source of value for players, whereas bonuses often come with terms and conditions that must be met before they can be redeemed. However, bonuses can sometimes offer higher value than rakeback in certain circumstances.

Rakeback in Different Poker Rooms

Overview of Popular Poker Rooms Offering Rakeback

Many online poker rooms offer rakeback to their players as a way to incentivize loyalty and attract new customers. Some of the most popular poker rooms known for their rakeback deals include…

Comparison of Rakeback Percentages

Rakeback percentages can vary widely from one poker room to another, as well as within different rakeback deals offered by the same room. It’s essential for players to compare rakeback percentages carefully to ensure they’re getting the best possible deal.

Maximizing Rakeback Earnings

Strategies for Maximizing Rakeback

There are several strategies players can employ to maximize their rakeback earnings, including…

Tips for Choosing the Best Rakeback Deal

When selecting a rakeback deal, players should consider factors such as…

Rakeback and Player Loyalty

Impact of Rakeback on Player Loyalty

Rakeback can play a significant role in fostering player loyalty to a particular poker room. By offering rakeback, poker rooms can incentivize players to continue playing on their platform rather than switching to a competitor.

Building Long-term Relationships with Poker Rooms

For players, building a long-term relationship with a poker room can have several benefits beyond rakeback, including…

Common Misconceptions About Rakeback

Addressing Myths and Misunderstandings

There are several common misconceptions about rakeback that deserve clarification, including…

Clarifying the Benefits of Rakeback

By dispelling myths and misunderstandings, players can better understand the true benefits of rakeback and how it can positively impact their bottom line.

Rakeback as a Marketing Tool

How Poker Rooms Use Rakeback as a Marketing Strategy

Poker rooms often use rakeback as a marketing tool to attract new players and retain existing ones. By offering competitive rakeback deals, poker rooms can differentiate themselves from their competitors and appeal to a broader audience.

Attracting and Retaining Players Through Rakeback Offers

Rakeback offers can be a powerful incentive for players to choose one poker room over another, especially when combined with other promotions and incentives.

Rakeback Ethics

Ethical Considerations of Using Rakeback

While rakeback itself is not inherently unethical, there are ethical considerations to keep in mind when using rakeback deals. Players should ensure that they’re abiding by the terms and conditions set forth by the poker room and engaging in fair play at all times.

Ensuring Fair Play and Integrity in Online Poker

Maintaining fair play and integrity is essential in online poker, regardless of whether players are receiving rakeback or not. Upholding these principles not only promotes a positive playing environment but also contributes to the overall health of the online poker ecosystem.

Rakeback Regulations

Overview of Regulations Governing Rakeback

Rakeback is subject to regulations imposed by regulatory bodies and licensing authorities. These regulations aim to ensure fairness and transparency in the distribution of rakeback to players.

Legal Implications for Players and Poker Rooms

Players and poker rooms alike must comply with these regulations to avoid potential legal repercussions. Failure to do so can result in penalties ranging from fines to the suspension or revocation of gaming licenses.

Rakeback in Professional Poker

Impact of Rakeback on Professional Players

For professional poker players, rakeback can represent a significant source of income. Maximizing rakeback earnings is often a priority for professional players looking to maximize their profitability in the long term.

Incorporating Rakeback into Poker Strategy

Professional players often incorporate rakeback considerations into their overall poker strategy, seeking out the most lucrative rakeback deals and adjusting their play accordingly.

Rakeback Trends

Current Trends in the Rakeback Industry

The rakeback industry is constantly evolving, with new trends and developments emerging regularly. Some current trends in the rakeback industry include…

Predictions for the Future of Rakeback

Looking ahead, the future of rakeback remains uncertain, with factors such as regulatory changes, technological advancements, and shifts in player preferences influencing its trajectory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, rakeback plays a crucial role in the world of online poker, offering players the opportunity to recoup a portion of the rake they contribute to the poker room. By reducing expenses and increasing profitability, rakeback can have a significant impact on a player’s bottom line. Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned pro, exploring rakeback opportunities can lead to improved financial outcomes and a more enjoyable overall poker experience.

Please contact us email: [email protected]

#poker #Online Poker

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sfbaymurals1a · 10 months

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Mural Painter

I. A Brief Introduction to Mural Artists

Mural painters are creatives that use enormous surfaces and walls as their canvases to produce spectacular and engrossing works of art. Murals are paintings that are part of the centuries-old tradition of human expression. They act as a potent means of story-telling, message-delivery, and aesthetic enhancement of our environment.

Murals are incredibly important in society since they stand in for a community's beliefs, history, and collective culture. The art of mural painting has developed over time, influencing cultures from prehistoric times to contemporary street art.

The Historical Importance of Mural Painters

The history of mural painting begins with the cave dwellers who decorated their homes with depictions of daily life and hunting scenes. Murals covered the walls of temples, cathedrals, and palaces as civilizations advanced; they frequently depicted historical events and religious narratives.

Mural Painter went through a Renaissance of its own at this time. With their stunning frescoes, artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci gave walls life and permanently etched their names into the annals of art. Murals have also been employed as social criticism and political instruments, speaking for the general populace. III. Mural Painter's Skills and Attributes

Mural painters are equipped with a special set of abilities that let them turn plain walls into eye-catching works of art. They can make compositions that are pleasing to the eye thanks to their artistic skills, which include drawing, shading, and color blending. When working on large-scale projects, it's especially important to pay attention to detail and be precise.

For mural painters to ensure that their work harmoniously fits the intended space, they must have a solid understanding of composition and size. The mural painter must think about the surroundings and its effects on the finished piece whether they are creating an inside mural for a gallery or an outdoor masterpiece for a city wall. IV. Getting into Mural Painting

Talent, education, and real-world experience are all necessary to become a mural painter. Many mural painters begin by obtaining formal training in the fine arts or a related subject. As a result, they are given a firm foundation in artistic methods, color theory, and art history.

To demonstrate their abilities and draw in potential customers, mural painters must develop a portfolio. To gather experience and create your own style, it's best to start with smaller assignments and move up to larger commissions over time. Opportunities for mural painting might also arise by participating in shows and establishing contacts within the neighborhood art scene. V. Obstacles Mural Artists Must Overcome

Over the course of their artistic careers, mural artists encounter numerous obstacles. The erratic nature of the weather and other environmental factors is a considerable obstacle. A careful selection of materials and protective coatings are necessary for outdoor murals because they are exposed to environmental factors like rain, sun, and pollution.

It can be difficult to manage client expectations. Clients' visions must be understood by mural painters in order to translate them into powerful works of art. Sometimes, striking a delicate balance between customer needs and artistic freedom requires dialogue and compromise. Six. Notable Mural Artists and Their Works

With their innovative works, certain mural painters have irrevocably changed the face of art. Mexican muralist Diego Rivera is known for using murals to address social and political themes. Unknown graffiti artist Banksy has painted provocative murals all around the world that highlight significant issues and subvert social standards.

David Alfaro Siqueiros, whose murals focused on social realism, and Keith Haring, who is renowned for his famous street art murals, are two more notable muralists. Each mural painter has left behind a rich legacy and made significant contributions to the field. The Effect of Murals on Local Communities, Part VII

Communities can be changed by murals, which infuse public places with beauty, vibrancy, and identity. They act as a type of beautification, reviving run-down neighborhoods and inspiring pride among locals. Murals frequently serve as visual tales that bring people together by sharing information about a community's history, customs, and cultural heritage.

Murals have effects on society and politics that go beyond beauty. They can elicit discussion about significant topics, start conversations, and motivate constructive change. Murals promote a sense of cohesion and belonging by portraying the character of a community. VIII. Tourism and Murals

Tourists from all over the world are increasingly drawn to murals. Visitors flock to cities with thriving street art communities, like Berlin, London, and Buenos Aires, to take in the breathtaking murals that grace their walls. Festivals and events dedicated to murals have grown in prominence, exhibiting the skills of regional and international artists and promoting cross-cultural interaction.

Mural tourism generates revenue for local economies since tourists spend money on lodging, dining, and other amenities. Travelers are drawn to explore the colorful street art scenes of various locations by murals because they offer distinctive photo possibilities and social media buzz. IX. The Prognosis for Mural Painting

Exciting possibilities lie in the future of mural painting. Digital murals and the integration of augmented reality are just two examples of how technology and techniques have advanced, opening up new creative possibilities. Pushing the limits of conventional mural painting, artists can experiment with cutting-edge materials and techniques.

Mural trends are always changing, reflecting societal changes and cultural influences. Mural painting has evolved to attract audiences with everything from realistic representations to abstract and conceptual artwork. Mural painters will be crucial in determining the direction that public art takes as it develops. Finally, X.

Mural painters are talented artists that give walls life and produce stunning works of art that enhance the environment. Through their talent and commitment, they support community beautification, cultural preservation, conversational stimulation, and social transformation. The practice of mural painting is still developing, leaving a lasting impression on our cities and our souls.

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nightlilly0110 · 10 months

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Fic Writer Questions (Round 2)

Two years ago, I was tagged in an ask game, and I stumbled upon it again so I decided now would be a good time to update it. This is for my own personal enjoyment, so if anyone wants to take it, it’s up for grabs. Q+A under cut because it’s a bit long.

How many works do you have on AO3?

72, with a 32 increase from last time, and so many more in my list of stuff to write. I am a slow bitch.

What's your total AO3 wordcount?

557,570, about a 200k increase from the last time.

How many fandoms have you written for and what are they?

BNHA, RWBY, Arcane/LOL, and Persona 5.

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

1. Inko Midoriya’s Home for Lost Children (3,344) 2. Mother Tongue (2,338) 3. A Bowl of Oatmeal (1,065) 4. Tied Up With Strings (746 - this was my first smut fic!) 5. But He Loves You So (720)

Do you respond to comments, why or why not?

I don’t respond to every single one. I mostly respond to people who ask me questions about the fic or how I portrayed one character or another. I also respond to people who say something that wasn’t really on point with what I was trying to write (so small corrections here and there). I like talking to people about my writing but sometimes there’s just nothing to say.

What's the fic you've written with the angstiest ending?

I don’t do unhappy endings, same as last time, however I will say my angstiest fic has changed from Luck Be a Fickle Thing (RWBY) to i’ve carved out a place in this world for two (Persona 5). How do you contend with the fact that someone you care about, possibly even fell in love with, is going to die and you know the exact time limit? You make a bucket list, of course. (I copped out though so he doesn’t actually die, but it’s still full of the sense of dread and impending doom of death approaching).

Do you write crossovers? If so what is the craziest one you've ever written?

The Quirk Archives is a BNHA/TMA crossover series and I wrote a RWBY one-shot that takes place in the Avatar The Last Airbender universe. Quirk Archives is definitely bonkers because of all the shit going on and I mostly forget about it until I look at my rotation. My answer hasn’t changed from last time and somehow I’m only halfway done with quirk archives.

Have you ever received hate on a fic?

Thankfully, (still) no. But I have had people asking me to take fics in specific directions and have had to politely decline. Stop doing this. You want something in a fic, either you commission me real money or write it yourself.

Do you write smut? If so what kind?

Yes I have! You know what that’s called? Growth!

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

No.

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Me and @palpalbuddypal are in the process of making one!

What’s your all time favorite ship?

All the ships I write for hold places in my heart and I will love all of them no matter how much time has passed. That being said, shuake persona 5 has had me in a vice grip since I’ve finished playing royal so that’s my favourite right now. Qrow/Clover from RWBY also has a place in my heart because I love Qrow’s character so much and I wish he has good things by the end of the show.

What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

I make the promise to get through all of my posted AUs. So I try not to post things I don’t intend to finish. If I really want to see it through, I will post it as kind of a reminder that the fic isn’t just for me but the people who follow it. So I don’t have anything here. That being said, Inko’s Home is a pain in the ass for me to write.

What are your writing strengths?

I’ve been told I’m very good at “describing sensations.”

What are your writing weaknesses?

I’m stubborn and get through things quickly just to get through my rotation and then get frustrated when I can’t do anything better. I try to meet my word counts but sometimes it’s hard, especially for a fic you don’t like anymore.

What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

If you’ve read my Arcane stuff, I love having Viktor use Russian words as nicknames for Jayce. Moye serdtse (my heart) is one I commonly use, as well as stuff like Vitya and Viten’ka. I’m also partial to the headcanon of Persona-users being able to speak different languages depending on the origins of their Persona’s names, but I haven’t toyed with it yet.

What was the first fandom you ever wrote for?

.......Supernatural. I don’t want to talk about it. It was when I started writing and it was terrible.

What’s your favorite fic you’ve written?

It depends on my mood. Sometimes I re-read my one shots and I love them. Sometimes I’m editing older chapters of my long fics and I remember what I liked about them in the first place. Sometimes I come up with a new idea and get stuck on that for a while. Dear Fellow Traveller and Bound to You are up there (I will get around to updating them, I swear!) and are comforting when I do write them. Completed-wise, I’ll have to say both my Persona fics at the moment (Eat Your Heart Out and i’ve carved out a place in this world for two) because they’re my two newest and the ones on my brain. As I’ve said, I love going back to read my work. I write it for me, so just because I’m not currently thinking of something doesn’t mean I’ve hated it (except maybe Inko’s Home it drives me mad).

#crow grumbles #crow's aus #my writing #ask game #long post #bnha #mha #rwby #arcane #league of legends #persona 5 #p5 #persona 5 royal #p5r

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stormgardenscurse · 2 years

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Hello!! ^^

I hope I'm not bothering you but

May I request headcanons for Riddle, Vil, Rook and Malleus brushing their fem! S/O hair

A/N: There's no bother! I'm so sorry for how slow I am, but hope you'll like these! 💌

Characters: Riddle, Vil, Rook, Malleus

CW: Mentions of marriage in Malleus’ part. I didn’t use any pronouns here, but Reader is implied to have hair long enough to style/braid!

Commissions Open!

Riddle

Riddle’s careful and tentative as he helps you prepare for the entrance ceremony. He’s gentle with your hair and always asks to check if he’s tied it too tight or not.

Does the last touches on your makeup with a practiced hand, making sure to have it perfect. It’s at moments like these when he forgets about how close you are, focused on the task at hand.

When he’s done he looks at you proudly, and you can’t help but feel that having to stay still for him earlier was more than worth it.

Only able to do simple styles, considering how he didn't need to do much for his own hair. But like everything else he does, Riddle’s dedicated some time to study the topic (especially since it’s for you).

Brushing your hair is a subtle show of intimacy, and Riddle likes the activity since it allows him to care for you. Sometimes he just plays with it, like twirling it between his fingers or straightening out any tangles, before smoothing it back properly when you have to leave.

Vil

Vil likes how he can just relax with you, enjoying a quiet moment as he works with practiced movements.

You’re sleepy after having showered, so he’s helping you dry your hair - don’t fall asleep on him though! He’ll chide at you to stay upright so that he can finish, though it’s kind of endearing how your replies are already getting drowsy. You really are comfortable enough around him to fall asleep like that, huh? He can imagine you’ve had a long day.

Vil can do things efficiently but just takes his time instead when styling your hair. Tends to like doing braids that look similar to his usual style, but if you ask he just denies it and says he doesn't know what you’re talking about.

Yes, he likes seeing you with his hairstyle, it’s like a little way of saying that you’re his <3 and he likes how it looks on you.

His favorite thing is when you see yourself in the mirror afterwards - Vil wants you to feel beautiful, after all, and enhancing your features is something he certainly knows how to do.

Rook

He would do this casually if you were hanging out; notices a knot and brushes it out, before braiding your hair for fun as he hums to himself. Rook tends to like doing tiny ones, since it lets him busy his hands for longer.

Imagine laying in his lap under the shade of a tree as he plays with your hair. Rook would also allow you to do the same if you wanted - he’d be quite delighted actually, since any attention from you is good in his book. And, well… feeling cared for like that is a soft thing, like the feeling of gentle sunlight on your skin.

When he works on this he’s usually quieter than usual, and if he speaks it's in a soft tone that only you can hear (reminding you of just how close he was)

When his hand brushes against your hair or skin it's always a tender caress, as if his love for you translates even in little actions like these. When he’s done he likes to place a chaste kiss on your temple or knuckles, whispering to you a question or endearment.

Malleus

When Malleus first did your hair, he used a spell as it came easiest to him; a brilliant green trail of magic styled it into an elegant design, and he was happy with the results.

It was only a while later when you were tying up your hair that something occurred to him: it would be nice to try it with his own hands. It’s certainly a learning process, seeing as he hasn’t had to do this for himself before, but when Malleus successfully secures the braid with a band, pride is glimmering in his eyes.

His hands tend to be slow, wanting to be precise with his movements. Once he was done he liked to decorate it further with accessories, but his favorite by far were flowers.

At one point he’s sneaky in tying your hair into a style that was commonly used for fae weddings, and you can easily sense affection in the way his hand lingers to cup your cheek, holding it like it was the most delicate thing.

Malleus brushes your hair aside to see your face better, grateful for everything that was you.

#twisted wonderland imagines #twst headcanons #twst x reader #twst x you #twst reader insert #malleus draconia x reader #twst malleus #riddle rosehearts x reader #twst riddle #rook hunt x reader #twst rook #vil schoenheit x reader #twst vil #storm writings

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finn-writes-stuff · 2 years

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I wanna be friends with Isabella after the events of Encanto where she's chaotic and even more of a badass

.....any headcannons por favor, I am but a poor boy /j

I can't choose a favourite character but she's definitely up there.

Isabella Madrigal x Reader

Fandom: Encanto

Format: Headcanons

Warnings: Nothing too big!

Gender-Neutral Reader

Encanto Masterlist

Commission Info

Isabella is a someone with a lot of thoughts and opinions that she is just now realising she is allowed to express.

This translates into her constantly telling you what she thinks of things. She indulges in feeling like a real living person without the constraints of her perfectionism on her shoulders.

She'd love to go on little adventures with you, running off to play in the woods with nothing to worry about.

She still enjoys creating flowers, but she especially delights in making everything else. It's not uncommon for fruits and vines to appear where you two hang out.

You cannot be Isabella's best friend without interacting with her family. They're a lot to deal with, but they're glad to see Isabella with a real friend. She hasn't really had one since she was a small child.

Isa makes you little plants to bring home on a regular basis. Her favourite are cacti.

Sometimes she will get a little caught up in her perfectionism again, to the point of obsessing over her work. You don't fix almost two decades of perfectionism with one song.

It can take a little bit to pull her out of it, but she appreciates your help alot.

All the grandchildren have a tendency to mess with each other, so expect to be pulled into Isabella's plans to get back at them.

#encanto #encanto x reader #isabella madrigal #isabella madrigal x reader #isabella x reader #headcanons #finnwrites

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mochinek0 · 3 years

Text

Childhood Friends Part 2

So sorry for the wait! Enjoy!

Part 1

The class watched from afar as Marinette walked at the front of the group with Damian. Damian had told them that the tour guide was named Richard and would translate what he was saying to them.

As Damian translated, Dick slipped his phone out and texted the family that Damian possibly had a secret girlfriend that he called Angel. She was part of the French tour group and that she apparently knew about Talia.

The class noticed him whispering to Marinette and pointing in different direction then their tour guide. It made them feel weird every time she giggled, every time they saw her smile, especially since she had made Lila so miserable.

The only thing was that Damian claimed not to even know her. Damian also claimed that his father was there in the city, while Lila had said he was in Metropolis. It didn't make sense. Damian, apparently, hadn't seen Mari in years. She look surprised to see him so she couldn't have asked him to lie for her. That left one option, but…why would Lila lie to them? What about Marinette's love for Adrien?

Several of them glanced at him, but he seemed to be smiling at Marinette's interaction with her long-lost friend. If anything, he seemed happy for them.

Lila remained silent throughout the tour.

At lunch, Dick led them to the cafeteria where a miniature buffet was set up.

"Help yourselves." Damian announced, as he pulled Marinette out of the room.

"Where are we going?" Marinette asked.

"I told you earlier, I wanted you to meet my father." Damian stated as they arrived to a pair of double doors. Without a thought, he opened the doors and announced, "Father, there is someone I'd like you to meet."

Marinette could instantly tell that Damian got his looks from his father, but she could also see what he got from Talia.

"Who is this, Damian?" questioned Bruce.

"This is Marinette Dupain-Cheng." Damian stated, "I met her when I was nine and traveled with Mother."

Bruce was instantly put on alert. Did she know about the League and who he was? Was she sent to lure Damian back?

Bruce remained composed and extended his hand, "It's very nice to meet one of his son's friends."

Marinette smiled brightly in return and said, "It's very nice to meet you as well, Mr. Wayne. I'm happy to have found him again. Talia said his grandfather was very traditional, so we couldn't keep in touch. My grandfather is like that, too. Only recently, did we start getting him to be more accepting of some modern day things."

Bruce smiled back. She didn't seem a threat. She seemed good for him, but quickly noticed her smile turn to a frown.

"Marinette?" he asked, gaining Damian's attention.

"Did Miss Talia really try to….she seemed so nice when I met her." Marinette whispered softly.

Damian placed his hand on her shoulder, getting her attention. "One of the last things she wore was the red dress you made her." he spoke, "She wore it when she introduced me to Father."

"You made that dress?" Bruce questioned, shocked.

"Miss Talia commissioned me to make three dresses while I was there." Marinette admitted.

Bruce nodded, "Why don't you go get lunch and if it's alright with you, I'd like to meet you again for dinner sometime during your stay."

Marinette nodded happily.

"May I contact your parents to make sure they are okay with it?" he asked.

"Yes." Mari spoke, as Damian began to pull her out the door, "It was nice to meet you again, Mr. Wayne!"

As the entered the cafeteria, Mari could feel her classmates eyes on her. When they grabbed lunch, she noticed Damian had picked up a vegetarian option and decided to do the same. Damian led them to a secluded table and took up sitting next to her

"Are you still designing, Angel?" Damian asked, suddenly.

"Yes." Marinette answered, still getting use to the nickname.

"Maybe I can have you make me something this time." Damian stated.

"Really?" she shouted, excitedly.

"You didn't get to design anything for me last time." he smirked at her reaction.

Suddenly, she lightly smacked his chest.

"What's that for?" he chuckled.

"For paying me extra!" she cried out.

"You saying I couldn't tip you?" he asked.

"That was more then a tip." Mari glared at him.

"Oh, that wasn't for the dress. That was for spending the summer with me and keeping me sane." Damian replied, making her blush, "So, about my outfits."

"Modern or something related to that summer?" Marinette asked, pulling out a small notepad.

"Why not both?" Damian questioned, "I'm always stuck in a suit these days. Something to relax around the house would be nice. Something light and breezy. Possibly another suit, as well."

"Any specific colors you want to avoid?" she interrogated.

"Red." he answered immediately.

Marinette frowned as she took in his features, "It would look good on you."

"Todd wears it a lot." he quipped back.

"Okay. Hmmm." Marinette bit her pen in thought, "How about black and green?"

Damian thought for a moment before nodding at the color combination.

"Depending on the green, we could go gold or silver, for accents." Marinette continued.

"Gold." Damian insisted.

"Now, what about your lounging outfit? Anything you really want? Are you tastes more towards pajamas?" she questioned.

"Comfort." Damian stated.

"So something to lounge around in?" she questioned out loud.

"Maybe, pertaining to my heritage?" Damian spoke up.

"Talia was Arabic, correct?" Mari asked.

"Yes." he replied, "My aunt was Chinese."

"That certainly gives me a wide variety of options. I would have to research more about the style and cloth used." she mumbled.

Damian smirked and questioned, "Are you saying you would like to see me in less clothes?"

Marinette squeaked and quickly waved her hands in front of herself, claiming, "No, but I would have to get your measurements."

Damian chuckled as she hid behind her notebook. It may not have been smart but he liked seeing the affect he had over her.

"All you have to do is ask." Damian smirked, leaning in, amused as she turned red.

At that moment, Tim slammed his tray on their table and asked, "You're MDC?"

"Oh, so you've already started making a name for yourself, Habibiti." Damian smirked.

Marinette blushed. She still wasn't use to receiving praise over her designs.

"This is the 'Angel' Dick was telling everyone about?" Drake asked, happily.

Damian glared at his older sibling as he took a seat at the table.

"Is she designing stuff for you?" Tim questioned.

"Yes." Damian said, hesitantly.

"Design for me, too!" the young CEO shouted.

"Drake, she's mine!" Damian stated, pulling Marinette closer to him.

"Oh, come on! You can share her!" Tim cried out, "I'm not asking her out! I'm asking her to design for me!"

Damian glared as Marinette wiggled out of his embrace.

"It's okay, Dami. The most I can do on this trip is sketch anyways. I'd have to buy and create everything once I'm home in Paris." Marinette said, placing a hand on his, "What would you like?"

"A whole new collection." Tim smiled, leaving the young designer shocked.

"I only asked her for two things!" Damian stated, glaring at Tim, "Don't overwork her! I don't need her staying up late again!"

"Dami-" Mari intervened.

"No!" he shouted, "You're the female version of him! You're gonna work yourself past the point of exhaustion, again. You stayed awake for three days because of Mother. You passed out for twenty-nine hours!"

Marinette shrank in her seat as she was scolded by her old friend. She didn't think it was such a big deal at the time. She never realized he felt responsible for her lack of sleep.

"Two things, Drake!" Damian commanded.

"I'm only drawing them." Mari explained.

"And when you get home?" the young Wayne questioned, staring her down.

Marinette turned red, knowing full well she would lose sleep over the designs.

Tim laughed at their "lover's quarrel".

"Okay, okay." he smiled, as he thought briefly about what he wanted first, "A suit and a T-shirt."

"Doable." Marinette smiled.

"How much will I owe you?" he asked.

"You're family to Dami so no charge." Marinette replied.

"I'm paying, Angel." Damian stated.

"No, you don't have to." she said, shaking her head.

"How much does Jagged Stone pay for his shirts?" Tim asked, suddenly.

"You know about that?" Mari asked, surprised.

"I'm a fan of you both. Of course, I'm going to know you're his personal designer." the young CEO smiled, "So?"

"Um, $800 for a suit and $300 for the T-shirt designs." Marinette admitted.

"Perfect! So $1,100." Tim smiled, bringing up his PayPal.

"750, since you know Dami." Marinette interrupted.

"$1,500." Damian declared.

"What? No!" she shrieked.

"$2000." Tim joined in to the debate, gaining the attention of the class.

Damian smirked and grabbed her face, stared into her eyes and whispered, "$5,000."

"Okay!" Marinette shouted, "I give."

"So, $1,100?" Tim asked.

"Yes." she said with a sigh.

"You know," Tim stated, "most designers try to up the price; not put the price down."

Marinette pouted, "No fair."

Damian chuckled.

Tim quickly took a picture of the soft look he was giving her.

"We'll talk to Father about having you over." Damian spoke.

"And you can bet that Dick will also ask for stuff!" Tim announced, "We're gonna have to buy you some sketchbooks."

Marinette paled at the though of trying to get these guys to listen to reason.

"Family discount?" she pleaded.

"$2,000 a design." Tim said.

"Damn, you rich people." she growled, "I'll make a price list, okay!"

"If you're not fair in your prices, I can guarantee we'll overcharge." Damian smirked.

"Dammit." Mari frowned.

Tim got up and left the table, quickly sending the picture to everyone in the family chat.

Damian brought her close once more and kissed her head. Marinette pouted, but leaned into his embrace.

Bruce brought up Marinette's information on his computer as the background check finished in the background. She was fifteen, same age as Damian. She was born in Paris to Sabine Cheng and Thomas Dupain. They both ran an affluential bakery together out of their home. This was the second time she had left Paris. The first time was when she was nine and went to Saudi Arabia with her grandmother. They stayed for the summer and it seems it was that trip that they met on. Marinette had mentioned they hadn't kept in touch, but he'd have to get the whole story from Damian later.

Marinette was one of the top in her year, class president, she was in the art club at school and was an upcoming fashion designer in the making. She knew many celebrities already and had her work evaluated by Gabriel Agreste and Style Queen, both prominent fashion figures. She obviously didn't need anything from his family. He'd take precautions for now.

"Hello, Tom and Sabine's Bakery!" the voice chimed, "This is Sabine speaking. How can I help you?"

"Hello, Mrs. Cheng, this is Bruce Wayne from Gotham. It has come to my knowledge that our children know each other." he explained, "Damian brought Marinette to see me earlier today. He said they met in Saudi Arabia when she traveled with her grandmother."

"Oh!" Sabine commented, a bit startled, "I was unaware she knew anyone in Gotham."

"Too be fair, Damian only moved here five years ago and they said they were unable to keep in contact. They said something about their grandfathers being against modern technology?" Bruce spoke.

Sabine let out a small chuckle, "Yes. I'm afraid Tom's father fears technology is advancing too fast. He is a bit stuck in his old ways."

"The reason I called was that I wanted to get to know her a bit more. I wanted to invite her to dinner so her and Damian could interact more, but I am aware she is on a fieldtrip here and would most likely need verification from you and the school for even two hours away from her class." Bruce admitted.

The silence on the phone was deafening.

"Give me one moment." Sabine spoke, before leaving to speak her husband.

They seemed cautious, which he was glad for.

"We will allow Marinette to visit, if she wishes, but she has to call us at dinner." Tom explained, "We can talk with her principal about any paperwork she might need signed for the dinner invitation."

"Please, call me back at this number. You will be patched directly to my line. I will take the utmost care of your daughter while she is with my family, like she was one of my own." Bruce stated as he ended the call.

"Come on, Marinette!" shouted Alya, "You can tell us!"

"What's Damian Wayne like?" asked Sabrina.

"Is he as sweet as Lila says?" questioned Rose.

Marinette proceeded to ignore all their questions as she made her way to her hotel room.

"Hey!" shouted Kim, "We're talking to you!"

"Why would I tell any of you anything?" Marinette retorted, "You are all bullies to me."

"We don't bully you." replied Juleka.

"Oh, so I imagined you tearing up my homework, tripping me in he hallways, spilling drinks on me, leaving me with bills to pay after calling me to go out to eat." Marinette sneered at them, "I can go on. My friends know me; you don't." as she closed the door in their shocked faces.

The class looked at each other before quietly leaving to their rooms out of guilt.

Lila proceeded to take over the shower the moment Alya returned. The reporter had brushed off her fake tears by putting headphones on and continued to look through her phone. As Lila ran the hot water, she could feel the cracks in her kingdom walls. No one was listening to her anymore, all because she made the mistake of saying she knew Damian Wayne. As if it wasn't bad enough, he flirted with Marinette the whole time, claiming they were 'old friends'. They weren't even dating!

Adrien and Alix smirked before knocking on her door. She opened the door immediately, already expecting them.

"So." Adrien smirked, as they entered.

"Are you going to give us the full rundown?" Alix asked, jumping on the bed.

Marinette closed the door and sighed, "We met a couple years ago and he lived with his mom. I was on a trip with my nona, but we couldn't keep in touch. I was actually shocked to see him here."

"And what about all that giggling and possessiveness?" Adrien asked.

"There was no possessiveness!" Marinette quipped.

"Oh, so he didn't shout out that you were his during lunch, said he would pay $5000 for your clothes and kiss your head." Adrien smiled cattishly.

Marinette blushed as she got her pajamas out.

"And it’s not like you leaned into his arms as he did that." Alix spoke sarcastically.

"I don’t know, okay! We had one summer!" Mari exclaimed, "I'd like to get to know him more, that's for sure."

"He seemed really happy to see you." Alix suggested, as Adrien nodded happily.

"I'm not going to get my hopes up just because you two think you see something, right now, Damian Al-Damian Wayne is my friend." Mari stated, firmly.

Adrien and Alix looked at each other smugly.

"Damian." Bruce called, "We need to talk."

Damian followed silently to his father's office.

As Bruce took his seat, he thought of the soft look that Tim had captured on his youngest son's face.

"I'd like to ask you more about Marinette." the eldest Wayne admitted, "How did you meet?"

"Mother had me accompany her on a mission. I'm not sure if the mission changed, but she made Marinette my mission. It was Mother's way of training me, I suppose." Damian began, "I was to act like an ordinary child. I was to report to her every night what I had learned about her. My goal was to learn her secret."

Bruce saw this as a good thing. Maybe Talia was trying to get him to see life outside of the League.

"I was her tour guide all summer." Damian continued, "Her 'secret' was that she wanted to be a fashion designer. She showed me some designs and saw she was talented for her age. I made the mistake of telling Mother. Mother asked her to make her three dresses and Mari was very efficient. She's much like Drake in that aspect. I don't think she ever slept. Her fingers were littered with puncture marks from sewing the clothes by hand."

"Did Talia try and enlist her?" Bruce questioned.

"Marinette never showed any other skills that would be necessary for the League. I don't know how she would have reacted to blood, so it's possible Mother could have wanted her as a doctor or seamstress. To my knowledge, Mother never pursued her." the young Wayne concluded.

Bruce was convinced that Marinette Dupain-Cheng was nothing but an innocent civilian and had merely befriended Damian in his youth. With a nod of his head, Damian left and Bruce brought up the number to the Dupain-Cheng bakery again.

"Hello?" answered a deep voice.

"Mr. Dupain, this is Bruce Wayne." he stated.

"Oh, Mr. Wayne, have you spoken to Marinette?" Tom asked.

"No, not yet." he answered, "I wanted to extend and invitation for her to stay here at our Manor."

"Does Marinette know about this?" asked Sabine, joining the conversation.

"My sons are watching over the class and have noticed a hostility towards her. One of her classmates seems to tell anything but the truth. When they arrived, my son told me that she claimed to be dating him. He called her out right away, but I fear she might retaliate against your daughter. If this liar continues, I believe her lies could get herself or the class kidnapped." Bruce continued.

"We know who you are talking about." Tom spoke.

"Marinette use to be on good terms with her whole class." Sabine explained, "Ever since that liar showed up, they turned against her for the girl promising them many things."

"Like knowing my son." concluded the eldest Wayne.

"Yes." Marinette's mother answered.

"I think it'll be for the best." Tom interrupted, "Marinette could use the break and would be able to relax. I think she needs this more then we think."

"I can send over the necessary paperwork in just a moment." Bruce smiled over the phone.

He couldn't wait to see Damian's reaction.

Damian ran up to Marinette the next day of the tour and hugged her. Dick watched from the sidelines and chuckled, seeing his youngest brother act his age and all for a girl he knew years ago.

"Marinette, my father informed me this morning that you will be able to spend the trip with us at the manor!" he announced.

"Really?" Mari asked, shocked.

Adrien and Alix high-fived each other, as the class watched the announcement in disbelief.

"What about my class? The tour?" Marinette questioned.

"We'll still have to do the tour with Dick because I'm translating and technically, you are still are in school, but then you get to come home with me." Damian replied.

"I'm sorry, but I'm her guardian and-" Caline interrupted.

"Actually, you're not." Damian glared at the teacher.

Obviously, no one had the gall to ever speak back to her. She looked like she had just been punched in the face that someone younger then her had spoken back to her. With great joy, Damian handed her a paper.

"That is a copy for your purpose and you are being recorded so you cannot say you never got it." the young Wayne spoke, taking command of the room, "We called her parents who were more then happy to sign temporary guardianship over to my father."

"They did?" Mari asked.

"Yes, Angel." Damian answered, placing an arm around her waist, "This time, I'm making sure you sleep at night."

"But-" Marinette tried to speak up.

"No. You need sleep and working on your projects are not a reason to sleep during the day. I get enough of that from Drake!" he exclaimed.

"Drake?" she asked.

He sighed, replying, "My brother that asked you for clothes. He never sleeps and lives off of coffee."

"I should probably make him pj's then." Mari announced, happily.

"I don't think he would even wear them." Damian spoke, "He rarely makes it to his bed."

"He'll wear mine." she spoke, confidently.

No one was ever able to get a word alone with Marinette with her bodyguard around. As soon as the tour was over, Damian pulled her outside, let her in a car, and drove off.

No one spoke to Lila the whole way back to the hotel.

Adrien and Alix made sure to text her. The wanted to know if she knew she was leaving the class and if she liked her new room.

In a matter of seconds she informed them that Bruce had gotten her a sewing machine and she had gone fabric shopping.

Oh no.

Damian is adamant about giving me a forced sleep schedule.

He doesn't know what he's in for.

LOL

Lila could feel her kingdom of lies were crumbling. She hadn't expected Marinette to actually know Damian Wayne. He had even moved her safely away from the class into his manor! Not only that, but he had no quarrels about outing her to everyone. Adrien even helped! He had translated that the tour guide had stated that Damian only moved to Gotham five years ago. She knew Damian was very well known in the aspects of high-society, she hadn't expected to well know throughout Gotham.

"Damian is just shy. You know, he was very sad after his older brother Tom Grayson died. His parents were drug addicts and old Bruce took him in. He had seen him wandering around Gotham and felt so bad for him." Lila whispered to the class.

Damian stopped walking, turned and glared at her.

He turned to the tour guide and whispered something in his ear. Dick immediately left the class.

'Did he hear me?'

"Excuse me, are we stopping the tour?" asked Caline.

"No. I was just translating to my oldest brother, Richard Grayson-Wayne, what the liar in your class was saying about him." as Dick walked away, "He is obviously not deceased and he didn't grow up in Gotham. Not to mention, his parents weren't drug addicts. They were murdered before an audience of people. My father witnessed it and as my father witnessed his own parents murder, as a child, he took him in of his own accord."

Lila paled at the confrontation.

Dick walked back with Bruce by his side. It was very obvious that he was related to Damian. Their bone structure was the same. The only difference between them was their skin tone, eye color, and the way Damian styled his hair. Lila had claimed he was old, but Bruce Wayne looked young. There wasn't a grey hair in sight and he seemed very fit.

"Miss Rossi," Bruce declared in perfect French, "if you tell one more lie about my family, I will not only kick you off of this trip, but you will be sued for slander and defamation. With a lawsuit, I can guarantee that it is very unlikely for you to get a job in anything run by my family."

"Mr. Wayne, do you really not know her?" asked Sabrina.

"No, I don't." he answered, "Damian told me already about her lying about them being in a relationship. My son moved here when he was ten. Before that, I had no clue about his existence. Marinette met him when he lived with his mother. Damian doesn't go to any galas and my son's lives are not a stepping stone. Is that understood, Miss Rossi?"

Lila nodded her head in shame.

"How old were you when you adopted Mr. Grayson?" asked Nino.

"I was in my early twenties when I adopted Dick. He was eight." Bruce answered.

"Lila didn't mean any harm." Bustier interjected.

"Madam, with all due respect, this is not a joke! I will take legal action against her! She could easily be kidnapped and held for ransom because someone in Gotham will believe her. I am not liable for a ransom. That would be on you. Would you be able to come up with millions of dollars for her? Her parents? Would they get here in time to save her?" Bruce stated, leaving the French teacher stunned, "Well?"

"N-No, Sir." Caline spoke, dejectedly.

"Then her death would be on your hands, not mine. All I'd have to say is that she is a visiting student with dreams of grandeur. Then, she's be dead." the eldest Wayne continued.

Lila could feel tears pool in her eyes.

"I suggest you speak with your student and her parents about her lying habits, if she wants to keep her life." he stated, before walking away.

Dick, Damian, and Marinette smiled brightly at the class.

"We'll be taking a small break for lunch." Dick declared and led them to the cafeteria.

As everyone took their seat, Lila sat by herself. It seemed the looming threat of death, hanging over her head, was enough to keep everyone away permanently. Caline took a seat next to her and gently reminded her that her 'lying habit' was a disease and she couldn't help herself. Lila merely nodded her head as she silently ate her food.

The trip had been a huge mistake. She had tried to get one of the world's billionaire's sons in her grasp, but Marinette had him ensnared for years without her knowledge. Not only had she been reprimanded for her lying in front of everyone, but it had been made abundantly clear that she would be kidnapped in Gotham for her lies. It had never occurred to her that she could be held for ransom, that no one would come to save her. She could die and no one would be to blame. She wasn't sure how her week could get any worse.

"Can I talk to you in private?" Marinette whispered to Damian, as everyone ate.

With a nod, he pulled them away into a secluded area.

As he closed the door behind them, Marinette mustered her courage, got on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. Damian blushed as she mumbled a thank you.

"For what?" he asked.

"For a long time, that liar was bullying me and just about everyone in my class believed her." she answered honestly, not seeing the fury in behind his eyes, "You helped me, even if you didn't mean to."

Damian looked into her eyes, before leaning down and placing featherlike kiss upon them. He was a bit surprised when Marinette kissed back.

"You're mine, Angel. I'll bring hell on Earth if she tries something again. Just say the word." Damian spoke, when he pulled away.

Marinette smiled up at him and nodded.

"We should get lunch." Damian stated, "Anyone you want to bring to the table?"

"Alix and Adrien." Marinette smiled, confidently.

As they grabbed their lunch, she beckoned them over. Eagerly, they left their table and went to sit with their friend.

"So, " Adrien spoke, taking a bite of his fries, "when are you two gonna start dating?"

"Adrien!" Marinette cried out, embarrassed.

"What?" he shrugged, "Everyone can see it."

Marinette blushed in response.

"I suppose a date or two wouldn't hurt." Damian stated.

"What?" Marinette blushed, turning to face Damian.

Adrien and Alix laughed at their friend's reaction.

"Did you think that me kissing you meant nothing?" the young Wayne questioned.

"You kissed!" Adrien and Alix shouted, "Why didn't you tell us?"

The class and everyone in the cafeteria looked in their direction.

Damian shot them down with a glare and they quickly silenced their eagerness.

"Teach me how to do that and I'll date you right now." Marinette replied. She definitely need to learn that trick!

Dick and Tim approached the table, laughing.

"Only the Demon Spawn would win someone over with his glare." Drake laughed as Dick texted everyone in the group chat Marinette's reaction to the 'Demon Stare'.

"I can teach you back at home." Damian answered, eyeing his family.

"Oh, so it's 'home' now and not the 'manor'?" teased Alix.

Marinette turned red and glared at her laughing friends. They instantly tightened their lips and looked away. Dick and Tim cackled.

"Maybe you are the one who should be feared, Habibiti." Damian smirked.

The rest of the class shifted uncomfortably realizing they had been singled out of Marinette's life. No matter how much they asked, she never told them anything about Damian. They tried to ask Alix and Adrien, but Alix would just glare at them and Adrien would just shake his head and walk away.

Nino shifted uncomfortably in front of Adrien as he waited to hear any news about Marinette.

Adrien sighed, "Nino, we're friends, but none of you deserve to know anything about Mari after everything you've done to her. Why do you care now?"

"Look, we messed up." Nino admitted.

"Yeah and Mari gets to decide whether she forgives you or not, and so far, it's not. If you're only talking with me, to get to her, forget it." Adrien spoke before walking back to his hotel room.

Nino left back to the class, without another word.

"Anything?" asked Nathaniel.

Nino shook his head.

"But you two are friends, best friends!" Alya cried out.

"I don't think we are….not anymore." Nino spoke, "He respects Marinette's decision to be mad at us and that she needs to make the first move, if she forgives us or not."

"But that's not fair!" Mylene frowned.

"And neither were we." stressed Rose.

"Huh?" Kim questioned.

"Marinette is right." Juleka confirmed, "We were bullies to her."

"We tore up her homework and pushed her." Max stated.

"You dumped drinks on her." Sabrina commented.

"You threw food at her." Ivan pointed out.

"You stopped inviting her to places." Nathaniel sighed.

"But that's because Lila said-" Alya began to explain.

"And why should we have believed Lila in the first place!" Ivan shouted.

Alya frowned.

"Most of us have known Marinette forever and the fact that we believed Lila, probably hurt her very much." Kim continued.

Several classmates nodded.

"Honestly, I don't think she should ever forgives us, I just want her to know I'm sorry." Juleka expressed.

The class filtered back to their rooms one by one until only Alya and Nino were left.

"What do you think?" Alya questioned, wrapping her arms around herself.

"I agree with them." Nino answered.

"You do?" she asked.

"I've known Mari for years. I….I just sided with you." Nino spoke.

"What?" Alya replied, confused.

"You said Lila wouldn't lie, but I never thought, 'would Mari'? After all those years…..I never thought 'what about Marinette'? I don't deserve to be her friend or Adrien's." Nino answered.

"So, you just sided with me because, what, I'm your girlfriend?" Alya asked.

"Yeah." Nino replied.

Alya quickly left to her room. She hated that she had believed in Lila so much and now was stuck with her. No one had wanted to switch with her. Alya quickly gathered her stuff and went into the bathroom to shower.

As she sat in the shower, she kept her sobs silent.

'Why does Nino get to say that? Why did he have to make it feel like it was all her fault?'

It was all answered when she heard herself ask Marinette for proof of Lila lying. That was all it took to realize that Marinette was right; they weren't friends.

The next day, Alya gathered up everyone, but Marinette, Adrien, Alix and Lila.

"I did some thinking and you all were right. I think we should write Marinette a letter of apology, individually, so she knows it's personal. She has every right to do anything she wants with them, once we hand them over. That includes…never reading them." Alya suggested, "If you agree, we should do it when we get home."

As the class got ready for their flight, they could sense the tension between the two lingering behind. Marinette was dragging her feet as they were getting ready to head back to Paris. She had just found Damian again and she wasn't ready to say bye.

Marinette wiped her tears away and sighed.

"At least this time, we have a way to communicate." Damian stated, pulling her into his arms, "I definitely want to see you again; maybe in the summer."

"I don't know if Maman and Papa will let me come to Gotham over the summer." Mari whimpered.

"Who said anything about you coming here?" he smirked, "I can visit you."

"Really?" she asked, her first smile all day.

Damian merely leaned down and captured her lips.

"I'll see you in a couple months, Habibiti." he whispered, "I figured you could use a nice treat so I upgraded you, Alix and Adrien to first class. Relax and enjoy your flight and we'll talk once you are safely home."

"As soon as I am home, I will text you." she said as Adrien called her name.

Damian kissed her quickly before she rushed beyond the boarding zone. With a wave, he headed back home.

Alix and Adrien were quickly on edge as they noticed the class was eerily quiet. As they made their way to Marinette, many of them stood up. Fearing it was another one of Lila's quarrels, they immediately stood in front of Marinette for protection.

Alya took the first step forward.

"We, as a class," she began, "talked it over and realized we were unfair to you. We don't expect you to forgive us, but we did, individually, write you a letter. We know you might even throw them in the trash and that's okay, too."

Alya placed her envelope on Marinette's desk and silently, went back to her seat. Everyone followed Alya's lead and avoided looking back at the girl they had once called friend.

Adrien and Alix glanced at Marinette. She had lowered her head and was biting her lip to keep from sobbing.

Alix quickly placed the envelopes in Marinette's bag. It was only right that Marinette decide their fate. Adrien took the seat next to her and pulled her into a hug.

As the bell rang, Caline walked in with Lila, in tow. Lila wordlessly took her seat. Before Bustier could start the class, Alya stood up, gaining the attention of the class.

"We have all written Marinette a note and we, as a class, believe that Lila should also write her a letter of apology." Alya stated.

"What?" Lila questioned, looking at her classmates.

'Surely, they were joking!'

"You told us she bullied you!" shouted Sabrina.

"We tore up her homework for you!" cried Kim.

"Statistically, that would result in her grades dropping in percentage." Max quipped.

"You told us she pushed you down the stairs so we tripped her." shouted Ivan.

"We turned into bullies because we believed you!" cried Rose.

"If anyone has something to say to her, it's you!" Alya declared.

"Yeah!" they cried out, collectively.

"Class-" Bustier tried to rein them in.

"Why did you hate Marinette, so much, that you made us turn against her?" questioned Nathaniel.

"Is it because she's nice?" asked Mylene.

"Is it because she could do thing you couldn't?" smirked Chloe.

"Class-" Bustier attempted once more.

"Why would you turn us against her?" cried out Nino.

"Because she knew right away I was lying, okay! She knew and Adrien knew!" Lila shouted.

"I knew." Chloe imputed, as she filed her nails.

"But they tried to expose me!" Lila continued.

"Well, you're the dumbass who lied!" shouted Alix.

Lila turned to Marinette and saw her wrapped in Adrien's arms.

"You're just a baker's daughter! Why do you get two boyfriends? Why do you have Adrien Agreste and Damian Wayne wrapped around your finger?" Lila exploded, "You're nothing special! You're some nobody who thinks being nice will get her to high places! I'm the daughter of an ambassador; I deserve better! They should be groveling at my feet and you just…smile?"

The room was stunned. Lila Rossi was finally showing them her true colors and they weren't pretty.

Adrien slowly unwrapped his arms from Marinette and stood up.

"Marinette and I are not dating, but she is my best friend. That is something you will never understand because you don't have friends." Adrien responded, "I told you, Lila, to stop lying and you could've had friends. You could have had real friends."

"You mean like these losers, who dropped her faster than a magic act?" she questioned, rolling her eyes, "Yeah; some friends."

"You never even tried to get to know us! Marinette is my best friend because she treats me like everyone else! I hate being that stupid poster boy; if I could swap lives with anyone, it would be Marinette! Alix is my friend, who I can talk history and sports with. Kagami is a friend who shares my joy of trying new things. We talk with Luka about music and clothes." Adrien continued, "You may have separated Marinette from this class, but it is her kind personality that draws people in. You tried the same thing, didn't you? You told them you would get them celebrity meets and things because you were so nice?"

Lila glared at him, remaining silent.

"And you're wrong about Marinette being a nobody. Marinette Dupain-Cheng is hardworking, kind, sweet, and an honest person. She wowed my father with one of her designs and I wore it on the runway. She was selected by Style Queen for an apprenticeship! She was kind enough to help someone when they fell and she was given a spot in a music video and turned it down because she didn't want to be in the spotlight. Her parents are the best bakers in Paris and her uncle is a world-renowned chef! She was selected to be a gopher in Chloe's hotel and instead created something unique and it is something that Jagged Stone wears every time he comes to Paris! He did a special at her house! He's gotten her to design his CD covers, posters, t-shirts! Hell, I asked her for an autograph! All of these were done before we even met you." Adrien stated, glaring back at her.

Marinette quickly stood up next to him.

"Mari?" he questioned, "Did I go too far?"

Without a word, she grabbed his hand. Adrien picked up their bags and led her out of the room, glaring at Lila.

Caline sat in her seat, unsure of how she had handled everything. She was suddenly very aware that she had no control over her students and that she never did. The class began to cheer as Alix started the applause.

Adrien quickly led Marinette into the bakery through the side door.

"Hello?" Tom called.

Adrien waved as he led Marinette upstairs. He could hear her parent's whispers of concern about her being back so soon. He led her to her chaise and she finally let out the sob she was holding in.

Adrien got her phone as she tried to bury her sobs with her pillow. He went up to the balcony and dialed Damian's number.

"Angel? Why are you calling me so early?" Damian questioned.

"It's Adrien, actually." the young Agreste replied.

"Where's Marinette?" Damian demanded.

"I brought her back home before school even started." he answered.

"Is she okay?" the young Wayne asked.

"She's okay, but overwhelmed. The class gave her individual letters of apologizes. They even said she could throw them away, if she wanted to, but that they were sorry." Adrien spoke, "They tried to get Lila to apologize, too."

"Did she hurt My Angel?" Damian asked.

"If anything, I think she revealed that she was jealous of Marinette. That she wants to be like her, just without the effort." Adrien replied.

"There's only one of My Angel." Damian spoke.

"Yeah." Adrien smiles, looking into the room, "Looks like she fell asleep. I just figured you should know, in case she didn't tell you."

"Thanks, Agreste." Damian stated, hanging up the call.

Adrien placed her phone back in her bag and kissed her head.

"You're amazing, Bug. Don't ever let them forget it." he whispered, before heading back to class.

Marinette looked down at the scrapbook filled with photos from her wedding. The first page held their wedding invitation. The next couple pages were littered with photos from the wedding. She smiled at every page.

There was a picture of her with all the Waynes; her new family. Underneath was her with her parents, grandparents, and her uncle. Finally there was a photo of them altogether.

Alix was sticking her tongue out in the next one. Under the photo it read: This is my wedding gift to you! She always smiled at seeing Alix in the pine green bridesmaid dress.

Next, was a picture of Adrien and Jon smiling, labeled Man of Honor and Best Man. After that was a picture someone had taken of them kissing in the garden. That photos had caused quite the stir.

There were pictures of her individually dancing with each Wayne and her parents. Her mother had managed to rope in one dance with her son-in-law. She even had one of her dancing with Adrien. They had joked the whole time about dancing at Chloe's party years ago.

There were pictures of the cake and it being cut. The look on Damian's face when she placed a smear of frosting on his nose reminded her of Alfred the cat's startled face. She had laughed so hard.

There were photos that were later published from all the celebrities and her clients that had attended. The media had been a bit of a storm after the found out the had missed the 'Wedding of the Century'.

"Mommy!" Amaya cried out, opening the door to her mother's study.

"Hey, Am-" Marinette began.

"I want a princess dress for my birthday party next month!" Amaya announced.

"Is that right?" Mrs. Wayne smiled, "What kind of princess?"

"Princess Jasmine!" the little girl shouted.

Marinette smiled. It had become her favorite movie to watch ever since Dick had showed it to her and let it slip that her father was also Arabic. She had become adamant in having her father teach her Arabic so she could be a real princess.

"Okay. Let me put this away." Marinette chuckled.

Amaya rushed to help her mother up from her chair and pulled her arm. Once on her feet, Amaya hugged Marinette's stomach.

"Hello, in there, Little Prince." Amaya whispered.

Marinette patted her daughter on her head and placed the scrapbook, back on the shelf. Next to it, was a scrapbook filled with all the letters from her old class. She ran her hand gently along the spine. She knew they meant well and she had eventually forgiven them, but things were never the same after Lila. They were acquaintances, at best. She wished it hadn't ended the way it did, but she wouldn't trade her life for anything; not even them.

"Mommy!" Amaya cried out, once more.

"I'm coming." Marinette smiled, "Let me get my sketchbook and we can design you a dress worthy of a Sultana."

#daminette #maridami #maribat #damian x marinette #marinette x damian #daminettedecember #class redemption #lila salt #childhood friends

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system-of-a-feather · 2 years

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I know you do digital art, but do you ever do traditional? what would you consider the pros/cons of digital vs traditional? (luca)

We used to do a bit of traditional, and technically we do still occasionally do traditional on our like... notebooks instead of taking notes, but for the most part at this point in our art career, we don't really do traditional much at all. We have a number of colored pencils that we don't really touch much either anymore which is kinda an interesting place to be in

We started in traditional very briefly and once we got into the habit and established that drawing was something really helpful for coping and something we'd stick to, we decided to switch over to digital where we did sketches on traditional and then everything else digital, and eventually just started doing sketches on digital.

I have limited experience in traditional so I can't really clearly do the pros and cons of traditional too well but focusing on digital I assume the opposite of the pros for digital art are cons for traditional and vice versa

PROS for Digital Art:

Easier to share with people online and share on social media, easier to get a clearer reference, generally more appealing for commissions

Minimal ongoing expenses (not needing to buy new pencils / paints / paper / sketch books regularly; often if you do it is the breaking of your drawing tool or the wearing down of your pen)

Access to a large number of tools and brushes that give a lot of explorative flexibility and "short cuts" to make really interesting art

Community tools that can be shared and found

The ability to not have to erase and the ability to undo your lines and art moves

CONS for Digital Art:

Typically higher initial investment cost (a decent plug in tablet being like MINIMUM $40, an iPad or drawing tablet being EASILY over $200 up all the way to like $2000)

Digital art skills don't always translate much to traditional - especially as you get more used to the tools digital art gives you; this results in sometimes being unable to draw anywhere as good as you do digitally when you might want to traditionally

General stigma against some asshats that think its "cheating" or "not real art" which for some reason is a thing

Less ability to rotate and move the "canvas" as you like, less tactile contact in most drawing tablets, not being able to draw and manipulate the canvas like a paper

Occasional glitches, software crashing, issues with layers, other technical issues that can make you loose progress or mess up your art if you aren't careful

Dependency on technology in general working right - if your pen breaks or your tablet breaks you cant use it

IN GENERAL:

Digital art has a lot of different techniques and mechanics than traditional art; how you handle color and how you select and plan your art will be pretty different usually. A lot of digital art in my experience you can figure out as you go since you are able to easily manipulate your colors and layers where as traditional you often build up from a base layer and the order in which you do things matter so you often want to plan ahead

Traditional art gives you a lot more genuine and "real" variation in materials and canvas types where as digital art gives you a lot more imitated materials (but in the end you are really just using pixels on a screen)

Digital gives you A LOT of options for everything, which some find to be a massive positive but others might find overwhelming, too much, and sometimes distracting

Digital makes it a lot more easier to make your art look really really clean if you want to. This sounds like a straight forward win, but often a lot of people can struggle with making art that is so clean it doesn't look good or like it was actually drawn well and thus looses its fluidity where as traditional naturally has a more of a natural level of cleanliness and thus makes it easier to make depth

At first traditional sketching is 100% easier in my experience, but digital art gives you a lot more tools to work with your sketches

Really I don't think either is particularly BETTER necessarily and I think when it comes down to it, its a question of 1) who do you want to share your art with, what do you want to do with your art 2) how much do you care about tactile / motion / physical feelings of drawing 3) what do you feel about limitations in tools and resources to art / how do you feel about having an overabundance of options 4) how much money are you willing to invest up front into art versus over time

As a digital artist, I do always say though that when you start art, its probably good to pick which one you plan to "main" early on because a lot of traditional art skills and digital art skills do not translate after the fundamentals involved with sketching as the methods of doing lineart and coloring and all other forms of "finishing" the art vary GREATLY between digital and traditional art. Like I personally can do alright traditional art, but it makes a lot less sense than digital and as a result my skill drops massively when I do (usually for social event like group painting or something similar)

Also if you ARE interested in digital art, I know a number of people who just get a like... simple stylus and use their phone. Its harder to do than if you get a tablet or something, but for those that have a smart phone and don't want to invest much at all into digital and are stubborn and willing enough to work on a smaller screen with a less precise pen, it is 100% viable and I've seen amazing art come out of it.

To be honest at some point I might try it solely for the challenge XD

-Riku (Host)

#alter: riku #art #digital art #ask #asks

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oumakokichi · 3 years

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hello! could you talk a bit more about the original (as in jp, not localization) ouma's personality and speech patterns? you've mentioned that he tends to trail off or speak more softly when it is implied he is speaking the truth, etc. and how he is not so loud/intentionally obnoxious. //btw when does he call himself a fairy? that's so cute

I got a couple of questions asking about the fairy line Ouma has, so I don’t mind sort of rolling them both into one! And I’m more than happy to talk a little more in-depth about Ouma’s speech patterns and personality in the original game, too!

Since I’ll be covering some late-game spoilers, I’ll put the bulk of this under the cut, so be careful when reading!

First off, I cannot stress how much I recommed playing ndrv3 with the Japanese voices enabled. If you’ve already played through the English dub but never experiened the original voice acting cast, I promise you won’t be disappointed. The Japanese cast are all fantastic, incredibly talented VAs who, unlike the dub, were hired specifically for these roles and not just re-casted from previous DR games.

Hiro Shimono as Ouma gives an absolutely incredible performance. The localization might still have many flaws in its translation and omission of certain lines or punctuation, but you can still very much get a feel for how Ouma’s character was intended by listening to Shimono’s performance. Re-playing the game with the Japanese voices will definitely let you hear how soft and tonally different Shimono’s performance is in places from the English dub, and compare it to the way in which many lines are written and punctuated as if Ouma’s yelling at everyone.

That isn’t to say that Shimono’s Ouma is never loud or excited: Ouma is a character whose moods and façades are all over the place, and therefore his performance requires a voice actor who can similarly change moods and intonation on a dime. Ouma is very much loud and haughty and deliberately annoying when he’s supposed to be, but his voice is also low and ominous at other points when he’s trying to be scary. And again, it’s soft and hesitant in places where he’s considering divulging some of his information, or when he’s insisting that all the things he does are for everyone’s sake, because he cares about them and doesn’t want anyone to die.

These moments feel so much more genuine in the Japanese version of the game--because they’re meant to be. As fantastic of a liar as Ouma is, it’s much easier for us, the player, to tell when he’s lying on a re-play, knowing the information from chapters 5 and 6 that we do, and looking at cues like his sprites (often his blank-faced ones) and, yes, his delivery of certain lines.

This probably sounds like me just gushing about what a fantastic voice actor Hiro Shimono is, and in part that’s exactly what it is, but I want to stress that pretty much every single voice actor in the Japanese cast is just as fantastic and that they all do their jobs incredibly well. With all that gushing out of the way, I’ll move on to talking about some of Ouma’s actual speech tics and the way he refers to other characters.

Like most things about him, Ouma’s speech patterns are sort of an interesting mix and even seem a little contradictory at times. He uses the very masculine pronoun “ore” (オレ), but he also refers to nearly everyone (with only a handful of exceptions) by their surnames and the much more childish honorific “-chan” (i.e. “Saihara-chan,” “Akamatsu-chan,” “Amami-chan,” etc.)

The use of “-chan” is very interesting. Honorifics in Japan are extremely complicated and tend to mean different things depending on who is using them. Typically, “-chan” is seen as a very feminine way to refer to someone else, commonly used in close-knit friend groups among school girls.

There are, of course, a few notable exceptions to this however: often times, middle-aged or elderly people will call a child “-chan” regardless of gender, as a way of showing they find them cute and endearing. And sometimes, people will use “-chan” to refer to other things they find cute, such as pets, or even to refer to themselves in a sort of informal, tongue-in-cheek way.

The fact that Ouma uses “-chan” as an honorific to refer to nearly everyone in the game stands out quite a lot: by and large, boys don’t use this term to refer to other boys. Using “-chan” to refer to anyone you’ve just met or don’t know very well is already somewhat frowned upon, but a boy using it to refer to other boys is especially rare. This helps set Ouma’s character up as someone who is both incredibly casual and informal with others (not to mention, you know, quite coded). Considering childishness and lightheartedness are traits Ouma values, and how much emphasis is put on him having “a very innocent, childish streak that’s hard to hate,” it makes sense then that he would talk like this.

Not counting Monokuma and the Monokubs, the only characters who Ouma doesn’t refer to with “-chan” are Gonta and Kiibo, who he simply calls by name. This also says some interesting things about his character.

Gonta is easily the character who Ouma interacts with the most often, as well as the charater he hurts the most in the end. Ouma’s choice to exclude Gonta from his usual way of calling people is, I think, a testament to how much Gonta really wanted to be friends with him, even if their friendship was never exactly on equal footing.

Meanwhile with Kiibo, I feel the choice to exclude him from his usual way of addressing others is indicative of how much Ouma tried to remind himself that Kiibo “wasn’t human,” and therefore how suspicious he found his presence in the killing game. We know Ouma suspected Kiibo and likely even had an inkling of his role as the audience proxy/camera in the game, due to how Kiibo’s picture is one of the only others set aside on his whiteboard besides Saihara’s, with the word “weird” written next to it (he also clearly guessed about the cameras after Gonta’s line in chapter 2, as we see from how he commissioned Miu for the bug-vac).

Ouma clearly enjoys teasing Kiibo a lot, and their banter reads very much like a manzai comedy duo; I feel like Ouma often tried pushing himself to remember that Kiibo “wasn’t human” on purpose in order to not get too attached to him or too distracted from his goal of ending the killing game. I don’t think Ouma’s decision to exclude Kiibo from the way that he very particularly referred to most of the rest of the group was just an accident or a coincidence.

Honorifics aside, Ouma also refers to several characters in interesting ways. He often uses “daisuki na ___-chan” (大好きな) to refer to some of the other characters, a phrase which more or less equates to “my beloved.” He uses this phrase with Saihara more than any other character of the game, but there are a few other instances where he does use it with Amami, Momota, and (if I’m remembering correctly) Kaede. Pretty much every single instance where the localization put, “because I love you” or “because you’re my favorite” whenever Ouma was talking to Saihara was usually a point where he would specifically call him “my beloved Saihara-chan.”

In chapter 4 during the scene where Ouma is alone in the parlor of the VR world, he also specifically, exclusively refers to Saihara as “suki ni natta hito” (好きになった人), literally: “the person I fell in love with.” This line was changed in the localization to, “when there’s a person I like,” which is more or less literally correct--however, the phrase “suki ni natta” is much heavier and more loaded with explicitly romantic implications than “suki” would be on its own, as it’s often used in Japanese love songs and shoujo manga love confessions.

Worth noting in my opinion is the fact that this is the exact same phrasing Maki uses to describe her romantic feelings for Momota. Since Maki’s feelings for Momota are considered canonically confirmed because of this, Ouma’s feelings should be considered equally canon, but a lot of people don’t know this because, well, it’s sort of been lost in translation.

And now, on to the fairy line! Ouma calls himself a fairy in chapter 3, when he pops up in the middle of Saihara and Korekiyo’s discussion of the katana in Korekiyo’s lab. Full of enthusiasm, he decides to touch the sword and examine it for himself; Korekiyo starts to object, but Ouma interrupts and says:

“Come on, it’s not a big deal! I’m like a fairy, so it’ll be fine!”

I’ve always really loved this line and thought it was super adorable, both as a nod to how fairies aren’t supposed to be able to touch steel in most fae mythos, as well as the fact that fairies tend to also have a love for mischief and pranks and lies. The localization apparently didn’t like it so much though, because this line is simply changed to, “Come on, would I lie to you?” instead.

One final thing I can think of as far as Ouma’s speech tics go is that his laugh in Japanese is romanized as “nishishi” instead of “neeheehee,” as this is closer to the Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound horses make--but I actually don’t mind this localization change at all! “Neeheehee” definitely looks a lot closer to the word “neigh” and helps capture that horse joke in a way that I feel like western players can more easily understand.

All in all, while I still definitely feel people can like and enjoy Ouma’s character from playing the localization alone, I still stand by my opinion that listening to the original Japanese voices helps give a much better picture of how the character was intended to come across, and really shows how much depth Hiro Shimono put into his performance. He’s quoted in the official ndrv3 artbook as saying that he believes Ouma is someone who’s actually “really meek if you take away his strong wish to outwit everyone” (credit to @kaibutsushidousha for the art book translation), and I think this interpretation of Ouma really shows through in so many of his lines.

Thank you both for the really fun questions! I hope I could provide some more interesting information about Ouma and the translation!

#danganronpa #kokichi ouma #ouma kokichi #new danganronpa v3 #ndrv3 #ndrv3 spoilers //#ask #my meta

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steve0discusses · 3 years

Text

Yugioh S5 Ep 20: Pharaoh’s Cool New Trick

Digging my way through quite a pile of commission work (funny how these things only come all at once or not at all), nearing the light at the end of the tunnel, was looking forward to some free time to catch up on my many little side projects when I was asked to take off for a weekend to do some cat-sitting to which I would NEVER say no to a cat, so like...Rip this blog I guess, we only update like once a week nowadays, but what do you do?

That’s right, play Puzzles and Dragons! The only phone game worth paying any attention to! Where they just released Pegasus on their Yugioh Collab and he looks pretty great!

So I’m just gonna take a second for some art appreciation, because the Puzzles and Dragons art team is just A++++ honestly, and yes, I did pull 13 times to get a Pegasus in my monster box, and yes, he is a completely insane team leader that is absolutely broken when paired with Yugi (the numbers are so satisfying) but...look at him. He looks so good!

(also I finally got Joey Wheeler, and so now my gatcha cravings are settled. And, don’t worry, I play this game so much that I was there during Christmas when they offered like a bajillion stones for free so I didn’t actually use real money on this.)

Now PAD also released a Weevil and Rex, and I don’t know why, and neither does the art team because they still look pretty good but in comparison to all the mains, they sure do looks like just some shorty guys in some casuals.

though I gotta admit, I want to learn how the hell this art team does swooshy effects, because man, that would make my art so much better to just have flames violently exploding out of all my art. Why am I not doing that more often? I have the technology.

anyway, I didn’t bother trying to pull them. Maybe I’ll accidentally pull them when they eventually release a Duke Devlin. (also, RIP to the fact that Roland will probably never be in Puzzles and Dragons but like...I can only send them so many polite letters covered in stickers pretending I’m some 10 year old child and writing in my broken Hiragana “Roland in PAD?”. Thems the breaks. (They also might not remember who Roland is.))

Shoutouts to the card that Weevil is holding that is censoring this nipple on the booby spider, PS.

So because this is not actually a Puzzles and Dragons blog, and it’s been ten eons since I regularly updated so I could remember episode to episode...where the hell were we?

That’s right, we’re on an island now. This show’s wonderful obsession with evil islands (and spoiler, this is one of the few Yugioh Islands that doesn’t explode at the end. Mostly because Kaiba isn’t here to do it or this place would be cinder)

(read more island stuff under the cut)

Anyway, after announcing “hey guys! Screw islands!” Yugi immediately collapses and without any warning.

Apparently the armor is a big ol parasite, which is something that Yugi is so used to at this point that he refuses to admit that this is a problem. Just normal Muto stuff, refusing to tell anyone that he has a serious illness going on underneath that giant mass of hair.

(the sailor moon vibes coming off this weird orb energy)

Sort of feels like a call back to S1 when Yugi was clearly possessed and everyone else was like “He acting weird to you?” except it’s S5 and everyone has learned to never trust Yugi when he says he’s fine and they are responding like he is about to die. Which is correct.

Outside of the cave falls this scroll that is...glowing, I guess. So they open it up and get a bunch of hieroglyphs that give them the “riddle of light” and like youknow...it’s riddle stuff.

They’re doing this riddle for “wings.” And it’s like...everyone’s monster here has a set of wings or an ability to fly. Every single monster except for I dunno, flaming swordsman? Hell, Yugi himself had two sets of wings when he fused with Dark Magician (which was weird, and I still don’t like to think about what technically was going on there.) But we have to go and get ourselves even more wings.

Weirdly, Joey turns to Tea and does something that in any other show would be completely normal. He was like “you want to stay here with Yugi, don’t you?” and it was the first time Joey has ever actually addressed the fact that Tea and Yugi are close. Uncharted territory. I was amazed at the amount of casual shipping that is happening here. It’s almost like a normal ass relationship.

So the boys decide to go off, and be boys and tackle this themselves. And they shouldn’t have, because Tea is smart for this group, and also has the only healing spell.

Like if you’re playing D+D you wouldn’t typically leave your only healer behind. Just saying.

Also like...Grandpa Muto went with them? I guess he’d have to since he’s the translator but also...kind of weird to leave your grandson dying in a cave, but maybe that’s just the Muto lifestyle.

Do not be fooled by my caps, no one has addressed the Bakura in the puzzle for 3 seasons. I’m starting to think this show will never address the Bakura in the puzzle. Which honestly, that would be hilarious if they made a big deal out of that plot point and then couldn’t use it in the end.

And speaking of plot points that kind of come out of nowhere and don’t make full sense with the continuity of the show--Joey has regressed back to the 4th grade.

Hey show? What?

So like if you love Joey, this is not the arc for you, because this arc he is reduced to a Himbo and nothing else. Straight up didn’t know what an echo is, but is very strong and pretty, I guess.

This inevitably happens with any TV show becuase different people make different parts, and I’ve brought up before that sometimes it feels like some teams only have loose post-it notes of what any character should be like at any given point (ESPECIALLY with Seto Kaiba’s timeline) but like...

...Personally I’m mot so fond of this interpretation of Joey, kind of ignores Joey’s best traits, and makes Tristan look way too smart in comparison (and like I always pinned Tristan to be the Himbo of the group, but maybe it’s because they give Tristan so little else to do?)

And like don’t get me wrong, Joey’s a dumbass a lot of the time and needs to get corrected by his pals...but...to the point he doesn’t know what an echo is? He’s a dumbass in a High School student sort of way, youknow?

Anyway, they get down to this big ravine, and they have to destroy this stone while the light passes over it. Kind of feels like a Breath of the Wild shrine quest, actually. In fact, I think Breath of the Wild recycled the shadow/sunlight pathing quest like 4 or 5 times. (I love Breath of the Wild to death but boy did they run out of ideas at the end there.)

They have to fight a glass monster and it’s kind of like...do you know the game Balls 3D? probably not, but it looked like a bunch of random shapes stuck together like a 90′s animation. They basically went to war with shapes.

Pure Himbo energy, has several pokemon, but punches for his pokemon instead of using them. A power move if I ever saw one.

Youknow that would make pokemon a lot more interesting if you could like throw out your pikachu, and then choose to just physically run up to your opponents Eevee and sock it in the jaw. Raise of hands--I know you all would love a version of pokemon like that. Let Ash Ketchum punch a Ratata.

Bro has informed me that Ash does do something like this in the anime. But I’m not talking about the anime, I’m talking about the video game. Give me the option to physically combat my rival. This is what I want, Pokemon.

They discover a way to break the monolith, and the show thinks we’re like actually 7 years old (because the show is Y7, although I forget because it deals with so many dark themes) so the show is going to hold on to this puzzle for a while...just to fill time. And it’s fine because we gotta switch over to Pharaoh anyway.

Yami has this dream again. He attempts to fuse with Dark magician to overcome the dream, but alas, he is still not strong enough.

Yugi wakes up in this murky cave while Tea is out washing out like...some rag? (he’s also still got a rag, so I guess multiple rags were required for how sweaty Yugi is.)

Yugi says “I feel like I’m a new man!” a lot in this episode, and every time he calls himself a man like he’s some sort of adult it’s very funny to me.

And then this plot lore dropped.

I mean I guess inevitably it had to happen...

But man, end of an era. It was freakin hilarious while it lasted: that Pharaoh refused to read ancient Egyptian because it’s like 2002 and he is a High Schooler living in Japan and he actually doesn’t WANT to resolve the mystery of the puzzle. Maybe the people who made this arc don’t know about how in S2 and S3, the fact Pharaoh couldn’t read Marik’s back tatt was like...a really big issue. He couldn’t read the God card, he couldn’t even read that massive tablet that read “HEY PHARAOH THIS IS LITERALLY YOU”. KAIBA had to tell him how to read the God card for him. Freakin Seto “Magic is a lie” Kaiba had to tell him how to use the God Card because Pharaoh couldn’t read it.

But like...Pharaoh finally gave in at some point after the world was devoured by the Leviathan, and before Kaiba finished building Kaibaland (which was already built in S1 but wtv)

The timelines on this show have always been a mishmash...but this one is just like...

...show are you trying to convince me that at any point in this show after season Zero, Pharaoh had any idea what he was doing? Did he sap that brain energy straight out of Joey Wheeler so he could do this?

Wow.

(secretly hoping he forgets how to read Egyptian after this arc is over and the show goes back to the other development team)

Pharaohs reasoning is that, if this is the riddle of the light.....

....then where is the riddle of darkness????????????

and when Tea was like “Pharaoh that is not even remotely logic. Omg it’s so bright outside, lets go back to gross cave.” and Pharaoh was like “Tea! You got it!” and she was like “What the hell are you talking about?”

Not gonna lie, I saw the Orichalcos green, and I got concerned.

Anyway, Yugi gets very frustrated and was like “ugh, lets go save em. They’re gonna die (again.)” and marches down there as if he didn’t pass out an hour ago.

And he fuses with Dark Magician again while everyone else (including his grandpa) was like “Yugi are you freakin kidding me? The suit freakin kills you omg! Tea you had one freakin job!”

And then we get the plot twist that...I mean it makes sense but it was choreographed in a confusing way.

And out of no where this guy shows up again:

So this mysterious man shows up and says “If you don’t succeed you have to live here forever” which...nice...that would probably save the world a lot of problems if Yami got locked away and took his OP puzzle with him. And then this man also says “if you do succeed you become VERY POWERFUL” and Yami was like. “...”

This whole episode had a theme to it, where Tristan and Joey were trying to prove that they could do things on their own and without Yugi’s help. And honestly...felt a little bit misplaced. Yami’s the same guy who murdered Yugi last season with the Orichalcos so like...

...I mean he is probably more reliable than Tristan who once died and turned into a robot monkey for 10ish episodes.

and then they flew into a glowing door.

Folks, this was wild to look at.

This is wild.

And at this point I closed Photoshop and thought I was done. But then I looked at my timeline on the video and was like...wait...there’s more?

and I’m really glad I kept watching because it went back to Alex, who...is apparently just still at those steps in this haunted ass Pyramid.

Now we’re watching Yugioh.

I forgot for a second when they turned Joey into a Himbo and made Pharaoh literate, but we’re back. I mean...

...look at the liner art on this adult man.

So...I posit the question...has Alex spent the last 2-3 episodes doing nothing but applying eyeliner to his face in the dark? Because he absolutely has. And honestly, the vibe of being in a spooky haunted pyramid with barely any light, just applying eyeliner down the edge of your face...that’s a Yugioh vibe, if I ever saw one.

This arc is wild. Anyway, next episode we do even more fetch quests and riddles? Just going to guess now that we probably will.

(and for those new here, this is a link so you can read them from the top. Which, since we’re in S5, means you got like...hours of Yugioh content to read through. Enjoy the rewards of my weird hobby.)

https://steve0discusses.tumblr.com/tagged/yugioh/chrono

#Yugioh #Yu-Gi-Oh #yami yugi #S5 #Ep20 #It's actually Ep 20 now I was wrong last time #Yugi muto #Grandpa Muto #Alexander the Great #Joey Wheeler #Tristan Taylor #Tea Gardner #TeaxYugi #never thought I would ever use that tag #in this show where they are canonically dating but sometimes it happens #Puzzles and Dragons #Because yes I had to talk about it. This collab is great

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