#i just...! ugh. no. do not want. i know he's not really imprisoned there or anything

[birbfeedersart]

until now i've never even considered xiancheng as a ship?? like, i feel as though wwx's love for jc is an integral part of his character, and i do wish they'd had a better resolution in both mdzs & cql (unless something happened in the extras?? never got a chance to read them 😅) and tbh i am quite fond of both of their characters, but it never occurred to me to ship them. even with the golden core transfer. bc i would absolutely dig out my solidified soulstuff and give it to my little sister if she needed it. it's not even a question, i wouldn't give it a second thought. as an act of brotherly love the golden core transfer makes perfect sense to me. my sister, like jc, has the sort of personality where if she's got no ''''natural talent'''' she thinks she's not good enough, so she gives up. i've......never really been like that?? not being good at things has never actually STOPPED me from doing things. maybe i wouldn't perform for strangers, but i wouldn't stop. so i wouldn't feel the loss of it as much--or if i did, at least i could handle it better. i'd still be all right. i'd find a way. i always do.

however. the inherent romanticism of it. as a romance trope it is. yes yes very good. i like it. i like that. a lot. and ofc the old trope of shixiong/shidi (woh/shl my beloved!!) is also very welcome to me. perhaps if xiancheng had been endgame, maybe i would have liked mdzs/cql better?? idk, i'm not even sure why i don't like it as much as i'd hoped i would... 😩

#it's not bc i don't like lwj!! he's a good character himself #and seems like a nice fellow besides!! #it's just... i really don't like the lan sect tbh #the cloud recesses is just....awful. #all those rules....it's kind of nauseating to me #it's just so restrictive #and when i think of a free spirit like wwx spending all his time there #being stifled #i just...! ugh. no. do not want. i know he's not really imprisoned there or anything #but even if he IS allowed to be himself.....nobody else is. THEY still have to follow all the rules. THEY are still stifled. and being urse #urself around someone who can't is just so awkward #i used to know someone like that as a kid #i used to feel so guilty #that i could just be and she couldn't. bc she was chained by her strict parents #even when they weren't around. idk maybe my parents let me run too wild?? i might be the problem!! i have a real distaste for authority! i #i am a hooligan!! a ne'er do well!! #none of the cloud recesses stuff is actually lwj's fault anyway #i think i just resent the fact that it seems like he LIKES it. and that just??? does not compute??? #i have a harder time identifying with him than with some of the other characters #i really don't dislike him!! or lxc for that matter!! #i just think the cloud recesses is fecking lame #lotus pier is so much cooler #birb says #fandom meta #xiancheng #mdzs/cql i WANT TO LOVE U #but i just.....can't?? ;A; #i'm sorry ;A; #ok ok i REALLLLYYY need to get back to drawing #i'm colouring it now it's nearly done

[fashion-runways]

hi!! new pinned post, because the last one had gotten long again-- if you want to read previous posts, here's the first one, here's the second one. the tl;dr from those is that my dad got wrongfully imprisoned abruptly, our place was raided, the cops broke a bunch of shit and took a bunch of our things and still haven't returned them, they left all the broken things for us to spend money in repairing, we had to spend money on a lawyer, trips to visit him, new clothes, medicine and food for him in jail, etc. it was a mess, way more details in both posts. he's back home now, with an ankle monitor because technically his case isn't being investigated yet, they haven't done anything about it at all, the case hasn't moved one ounce lmao it's great, always trust the judicial system and cops!! ugh, anyway!

we found a therapist for my dad who can help her deal with all the stuff he had to deal with while in prison, all the bullying, the depression, the starving, the separation, etc. he needs to get a bunch of other medical appointments, has to get surgery, among other things, but for now things are much better on that front. that being said, he did lose his job and my old redbubble account got suspended without a warning months ago, plus argentina's economy is... really bad right now. food prices rise every day, public transportation prices went up like a 200% in a couple of weeks, salaries are low and stuck there, subsidies are gone, the local peso keeps falling, we have an absolute psychopath as a president who spends more time insulting or threatening anyone who oppose him than caring about people. it's a disaster. for updates on argentina in english, this person on twitter makes very good informative threads if you're interested.

anyway, i used to make around 30/40 dollars a month in redbubble, and that used to help adding up to the donations i got here, and it got suspended, so now i make like 1/2 dollars on teepublic monthly. so... it's a huge loss. there's a lot of things me and my mom are in charge of paying-- groceries, power and water and gas, medicine (she's diabetic, i have some sort of chronic sinusitis), our dog and cat's food and medicines, wifi, phone bills, public transportation, healthcare, my dad's new therapist... so, you know, i really need anything people can donate. even if it's just a single dollar, literally any amount helps. i love fashion so much and i love this blog, i work really hard on it even when my brain says no, and i really appreciate how much you guys love it too. i love seeing people discover new styles, new designers, new things to be inspired by. so, yeah... i'm never going anywhere, but i do need help to basically stay afloat.

as usual, my kofi link is this one: https://ko-fi.com/fashionrunways and my teepublic link is this one: https://www.teepublic.com/user/dinah-lance. thanks for being around and sharing and reblogging my posts, thanks for asking questions about fashion, and of course thanks for helping to the ones who can, and thanks to the ones who can't too, i know how that feels like, don't worry about it. love you 💖

#text posts

[ashthemadwriter-archived]

Drunk confession

Fandom: Bungou Stray Dogs

Pairings: Dazai, Chuuya, Fyodor X Fem!Reader

Genre: Fluff

Format: Drabble

Warnings: Mentions of alcohol, Crying, Sobbing, Drunk problems

Word Count: 2K

A/n: Wanted to write one only for Dazai but I couldn't help myself and now here we are :)

↳Osamu Dazai

It's two in the morning and Dazai can't sleep as always, filling these hours of loneliness with reading his manual of suicide over and over, waiting for the rays of the sun to peek through the curtains and set another day of his tedious life. Dazai is at his dorm alone and he scarcely has any guests over; which is why the articulate knocks on the door catches him off guard. He glances at the clock and approaches the door as possibilities cloud his mind. What's going on? Did something happened? Maybe the guild has attacked again? Or that rat Dostoevsky has made a move to play his schemes on Yokohama's ability users? Or...

When he opens the door, he expects Kunikida, Atsushi or perhaps a member of an enemy organization ready to kidnap him or pull the trigger right in front of his face; but behind the door It's just you, cheeks red from what he assumes is the effect of alcohol he can smell from ten miles away.

He stares at you, with a curious turning into calming look on his face before asking you to what does he own the honor of meeting you at this fine hour, but the answer he receives isn't verbal; it's a sudden attack of affection coming from a embrace taking his waist imprison. An embrace that was supposed to be tight but you're too zoned out to keep yourself on your feet let alone hugging the shit out of him.

"Y/n...?"

"Shhhhhhhhh~"

His heart can't stop slamming itself to his chest and he's almost happy that he doesn't have to hide his flustered face because you probably won't remember anything in the morning; but you're still hanging in his arms, face all grumpy and eyes half-lidded while not giving in to the comforting warmth of his embrace lulling you to sleep.

"Yooou bas...tard... ugh!"

It's ok. He has heard that from many people before, but you can't be here only to insult him and leave, right?

"Y/n? What-"

"Shut up! You annoying peace of work!"

He's wrong. That is the reason why you're here for.

...Partly.

"I'm here to... kick your ass! For all the trouble you've put me through!"

"Y/n stop shouting and calm down. What are you talking about?"

"You... You don't even know! You damned bastard! Stupid bandage wasting machine! You never let me get to work! I can't work with you! I'm... I'm quitting my job at the agency!"

Dazai doesn't get confused very often, so he's really impressed when he searches through his memories for any recall of him holding you back from your work, but he fails to find any.

"You still don't get it!?"

You want to punch, smash and kick the life out of him, but all you do is sinking into his chest more as you inhale his scent while whining with a whisper-liked tune.

"It's... I don't know either! It's just... Maybe your face! No... Not just that... I don't know... Maybe your hair too... Or the way you smirk when you mess with Kunikida... Or how you lie on the couch as you mumble the song playing in your headphones... Or... Or how you... How you... It's everything! Everything you do distracts me! And not even at work! It's like you're everywhere but not... everywhere at the same time... I don't know again... maybe... maybe I like you or something... ah... my head... hurts..."

When you finally lose conscious and fall asleep in his arms, Dazai holds you close to himself, hands lightly caressing your hair as he smiles at your fucked up state. He now has doubts if he wants you to forget, if he wants tonight to disappear in the shades of memories from the women he had spent some nights with no strings attached; but whatever he wants, he can't help but to smile at your pretty face and glassy eyes, and how you're so innocent yet such a loud-mouthed at the same time.

↳Chuuya Nakahara

Chuuya has never been one to hold back from making a drunk mess out of himself, but when he sees you taking shots relentlessly, he knows he's the one to drive tonight.

Your face is hot but not enough to evaporate the tears that can't prevent themselves from falling on your cheeks, and you're not-so-quiet sobbing is kind of catching other people's attention but somehow Chuuya doesn't care, he just presses you against his chest harder and while not wanting to ever see you be upset like this, he wishes you would drink with him alone more often.

"I...hiccup* Can't take it hiccup* anymore..."

"Oh c'mon, you've been through worse y/n. Plus, we didn't have great losses. Accidents happen"

"Right! Says the most powerful ability user!"

Your grumpy expression makes him smile harder. Although it's wrong to hug your comrade like this, he still tugs you closer and lightly rubs your right cheek with his thumb, chuckling at your confusion.

"Huh! N-Now you're laughing at me!? You- You- You're supposed to help me out, Chuuya! I- If you're going to make of fun of me just leave!"

"Like I'm leaving you here when you're a crying mess! Did you forget your position? You're an assassin working for the mafia! Anyone wants you dead! Being alone here when you're vulnerable is another one of your shitty ideas! Besides, I will never leave you y/n, you already know that"

He's right. He has never left you even once on your own before.

No matter how many times you mess up on mission, how many times you get into trouble facing your higher ups or what time it is, day and night, Chuuya always comes to help you out. He's always been there, to be a shoulder for you to lean on when you're suffering from the pain, or to cheer you up after a long mission by bringing you your favorite snacks. He has always been there with you, in sadness and happiness.

Chuuya gets worried when he catches you staring at his chest silently, but the feeling disappears when your hands land on his cheeks.

"You're right... You've never left me alone..."

Words fade from his mind as you look into his eyes and then slowly lean closer, body still wobbly but determined to do this. He never expected you to make a move. He did wanted you, even though he could never drop a hint and he thought that maybe it was for the best if nothing ever happens, but now that you're this close to him, he can't think of anything negative let alone the problems this dangerous relationship might drag along with itself. He closes his eyes as your lips meet, wrapping his arms around your waist while tasting the bitter liquid left on your mouth, totally unfazed by the looks he knows you're earning right now.

Chuuya can always fight, but he rarely gets to kiss his bestfriend; so he might as well enjoy himself while he's at it, and maybe this won't be the last time he gets this close to you.

Only if you remember what happened in the morning, which Chuuya is gladly ready to remind you in case you forget, by capturing your lips in another kiss.

↳Fyodor Dostoevsky

"I'm... cold..."

Fyodor doesn't hug his subordinates, nor does he pat them or let them sit on his lap, so... You could say you were somewhat special.

He sighs as he lightly pats you on the back, wrapping his cloak around you while thinking of scolding you as soon as you regain consciousness, never letting you lay a finger on alcohol. While he's kind of pissed because he never thought you could get this clingy since you're so shy and decent around him, but this feeling... This comfortable warmth that radiates from your body... It's nice. Nice enough to help him look over the fact that you were lying about being cold only to stick yourself to him more and whine nonsense he doesn't understand but lowkey tries to.

"You shouldn't drink this much at work, y/n. It will make us more trouble and we already have a handful of that"

Fyodor doesn't expect a response, or a proper one to say at least; and he didn't get one, if a small sob filled with regret coming from you doesn't count.

He glances at you from the corner of his eye to make sure that you're not crying, then looks back at the monitor again with his attention completely pointed at you. You're upset about something he's not aware of; he doesn't poke his nose in other people's private lives unless they're dangerous or his target of course, but for once in his life, he wishes he had paid attention to you more. Why? He knows, but it's so wrong and he doesn't want to push himself to say it out loud, happy that no one has ever asked him too.

You're one interesting little Myshka.

"I want to be of use for you"

Your voice is quiet, more like a mumble; but lucky for you, Fyodor has sharp ears.

"Hmm? What was that, dear?"

Your stare is pointed at the floor, but your mind is wandering around another place. Fyodor feels you wrapping your arms around him a little bit harder and a short pause before you speak up again, your voice a bit louder than before but would still count as mumbling.

"I... want to help you achieve your goals, sir. I don't want to be a burden to you. I want to be useful, even though the result might not really be something I would exactly like"

Fyodor knows everything. All the turns and twists of your little mind, all the intentions you have behind your little gestures, all the thoughts you smother behind your scrunched up face; but that doesn't mean he wouldn't like to hear you actually say it every now and then.

"Why? Why do you want to help me achieve something you're not looking forward to, Myshka?"

Myshka, a cute nickname Fyodor calls you with, which is kind of normal since you're a rat working under his watch; but you're the only one who gets to be called that. None of his other subordinates are called anything special. Just you. The tiny pathetic Myshka he likes more than his other subordinates. Why? No one knows, but no one really cares either.

Except for you.

I... I think that... I enjoy to see that you're relieved... And that you can... finally take a break...

Because you have nice goals and they make the world a better place...

Because... Because... I...

"Because I would like to see you smile, sir"

Fyodors coherent taps on the keyboard stops and you gain his attention again, only this time he doesn't try to hide his glance; he tilts his head and looks at you straightforwardly.

Of course you hide your face in the crook of his neck, and of course that makes his heart a tiny bit clench.

"Like... Not out of... I don't know... Mischief or anything... A relieved smile... A victorious one maybe?... Not one of those smiles you wear when you are bargaining with someone..."

"I understand what you mean, dear"

His voice is not enthusiastic but softer than before, with a hint of gentleness inside. It makes your figure looser on his lap, giving him access to do what he wants with you, as if he couldn't already.

And suddenly something unexpected happens. He plants a kiss on your shoulder, making you shiver and glue your chest to him harder than before.

"I too, would like to see you smile dear"

And I would like to have you by my side when that time comes.

All rights reserved © 2022 AshTheMadWriter. Please do not copy, repost, translate, or modify my works on any platform.

#bsd x reader #bungou stray dogs x reader #bsd imagines #bsd scenarios #bsd fluff #dazai x you #dazai x y/n #dazai x reader #fyodor x reader #fyodor x y/n #fyodor x you #chuuya x reader #chuuya x y/n #chuuya x you #dazai fluff #chuuya fluff #fyodor fluff #dazai osamu x reader #osamu dazai x reader #nakahara chuuya x reader #chuuya nakahara x reader #fyodor dostoevsky x reader #fyodor imagines #dazai imagines #chuuya imagines #dazai scenarios #chuuya scenarios #fyodor scenarios #bungou stray dogs #ashthemadwriter

[legendofmorons]

Savior (Time)

This is part of my 100 followers event for @pinkittwice !

Pairing: Time x reader

Rating: G

Summary: When you find yourself captured by an unknown enemy, it's really just a matter of time until you're saved by your lover.

Warnings: Canon typical violence, protective Time

Other: If I missed anything, please let me know

-------

Today has not been your day. You could sit and review how you ended up here but that would be a waste of time. You're better off trying to get out of this site.

The ropes are tight around your wrists and ankles, all sharp objects taken away.

You don't even remember what exactly brought you here, just the screaming of Time as you fell unconscious.

You hope he's okay. Your lover has always been reckless with his own life if it meant someone he cared about would be okay.

The barred window is not a viable escape option, but it allows you to watch the sun drift across the sky aimlessly. The sky is vast. And your cell-

Your cell is anything but vast.

The stone floor leeches all of your body heat away from you. And to top off this great experience - they took your boots.

Great.

You'd try to chew through your ropes but your hands are behind your back and bending the way you would have to to get your ankles is hard without being tied up.

Goddess Hylia above.

You hope the boys kick your captor around extra hard. This is a disgrace of prison treatment.

Ugh.

You hear the first of the rain patters onto the roof above you. The soft nature sounds comforting.

At least you still have nature to give you songs.

You can imagine it now, the boys have always been a little protective of you. You aren't a chosen Hero like them.

Even if you can hold your own in a fight the boys still want to keep you safe. Unless someone is hurt super bad you're always the first to receive healing.

Mostly because Time insists, your lover has always been cautious with you.

Hopefully he finds you fast. Because you're half dehydrated and your head is giving a protest headache.

Not to mention being held hostage never leads to a happy outcome for the hostage.

What a mess.

"Holy shi-" someone's voice calls in fear.

"Where is (Y/n)?" Time's voice asks sharply.

You smile softly, he's here. Which means you're safe.

"I don't know who that is!" Calls back the first voice "Please put the sword down-"

"Where. Is. (Y/n)?" Time demands again, angrier.

Huh. You haven't really heard him this mad before.

Is it really because someone took you?

That's both really sweet and kinda weird. You'll have to unpack that later.

"The last cell!"

Footsteps come towards you. Quick and barely heard.

In fact- the footsteps are familiar.

Hands land on the bars of your cell, pulling at them with a hiss.

"(Y/n)!" Time calls when he sees you, something fragile in his voice.

"Time!" You smile, glad to see him and finally feeling fully safe.

"You're hurt." Time says, his eyes roving your form and cataloging each shallow scratch, bruise, and skinned knee.

His eyes seem to darken at what he finds. Obviously displeased with your injuries and imprisonment.

"It's … Not bad."

The try at reassurance doesn't do anything to help Time feel better.

"Let me get this door open and then we'll get you healed and safe."

"Okay."

Even as Time uses all the tricks he can, including his tools, he can't get the door open.

"Hylia-"

"It's okay. I'm sure Four or Wind can get the lock." You say, exhaustion catching up to you as your body realizes how safe you are now.

Time mutters under his breath, trying to slam the door open with his shoulder, Armour denting as he does.

"It's gonna be okay. I'm gonna get you out." Time says again, trying to figure out the best way to approach this.

"I know. "

"Sailor!" Time barks out, "Can you break the lock?"

"I can pick it." Wind says as he comes into view, already procuring a lockpick kit.

"Hurry." Time grits out, eyes holding yours even as the world starts to swim around you.

You swallow back your spit as you try to refocus. The world has spots swimming all over it.

Oh.

You've been running on adrenaline.

Huh.

You watch something launch at Time only to be harshly dispatched. The snarl he gives is harsh.

"No one touches them." Time says sharply.

Wind pops the door's lock right open. He pushes it open before stepping away.

Time rushes towards you as your vision goes dark, eyes closing.

You feel Time pick you up gently in a bridal carry. His voice is heard but not processed.

Your eyes refuse to open. You try again. And again.

And again.

They won't open.

"Link." You manage to whisper.

He says something but it's lost to the darkness.

You fall unconscious to Time's heartbeat pounding against your side. And it's okay.

Because you're safe.

……..

You wake slowly, to someone's hand holding your own. The person has rough calluses across their palm.

"Link- Time?" You ask, hoping it is your Link.

"(Y/n)." Time says with a relieved sigh.

You pry your eyes open, gaze landing on a very haggard Time. He looks exhausted.

But his gaze is soft and loving as he takes in the sight of you and how okay you are. That you're safe and with him.

"You saved me." You say, mind supplying the way he had held you close.

"I'll always save you." Time says evenly, his own voice thick.

"Thank you."

"Of course, (Y/n). I'm just sorry it took so long."

"It's okay. I'm here now."

"I know."

"You were angrier than I'd ever heard- what happened?" You ask, recalling the sheer callousness of the voice he'd used on the guard you couldn't see.

"They kidnapped you." Time says slowly, his gaze narrowing as he becomes sour.

The very thought seems to unlock an unfettered rage you've never witnessed. It's intense- but you also know that he would never turn his rage on you.

Ever.

"Hey, it's okay." You say, knowing he has some sort of undisclosed trauma fueling this particularly issue.

"I know. I'm just glad you're safe. I was so worried."

"I'm glad to be back with you."

"I'm glad too."

"How do you feel?"

"I feel okay. I'm just tired."

"Good."

You smile softly, sitting up from the covers before standing up from the bed.

You walk the few steps it takes to get to Time before hugging him tightly.

“Thank you.”

Time smiles gently, his eyes clear of worry this time. “Any time, (Y/n).”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Time leans in, kissing you gently.

And for him- it’s all okay. You are safe, and here. He didn’t fail.

#lu #linkeduniverse #misty writes #linked universe x reader #lu time #lu time x reader

[freehideoutpuppy]

On my topic of finding Bakugo shitty! I have more problems with his! Let's start with his "take a swan dive off the roof and pray for a quirk in your next life" speech, shall we? So, first off, with the way Japanese schools are scheduled, Bakugo would've been 15 years old when canon was started. And as far as I'm aware, it's pretty universally known that most kids by 15 know right from wrong, yes? So that excuse that so many give of Bakugo being a child and not meaning it? Yeah, that's bullshit. Not a single thing about his behavior after that signifies he didn't mean it. He routinely tries to assault Midoriya on several occasions after his speech. And while some might argue that he wasn't trying to kill him during the quirk assessment test or the battle trials, I don't really think whether or not he was attempting murder makes a difference. Heck, in the MHA verse, a villain is someone who uses their quirk illegally to do almost anything. The very act of using a quirk when you don't have a license to do so is illegal. It's excused in Bakugo's case during the slime villain incident because he was the victim, but every other case? If Midoriya was even slightly less forgiving, Bakugo probably would've been imprisoned due to his volatile nature and his quirk use. And yet, all he ever gets is a slap on the wrist.

Even if we excuse his past behavior as part of his upbringing and treatment at his past schools, it doesn't excuse his actions. He's a menace to society at best. And let's not forget the worst ever punishments he received were failing the provisional licensing exam, which Horikoshi cushioned by having Todoroki fail as well. Which was another bullshit decision Horikoshi made that I'm still salty about FYI. And the aftermath of Deku vs. Kacchan part 2, where Bakugo got four days of in dorm suspension while Midoriya got three. Which was also bullshit! Midoriya didn't start that fight he didn't want to be there and yet he's still punished harshly because Bakugo is a piece of shit human being who can't handle his emotions like a normal person and has to be violent instead.

I've already touched on the bs apology, so I won't talk about that at this time, but ugh, I just feel like Bakugo has had everyone kiss his ass both in canon and irl and it grinds my gears. He's awful, and he hasn't really grown at all since every time he does get some good development, he immediately back slides, and all the development is gone. Could he have been a good character? Yes. Is he a good character in canon? Absolutely not.

Anyway, that's all I've got for now. Thanks for reading my rant!

#anti bakugo katsuki #boku no hero academia #Midoriya Izuku deserves better #horikoshi cant write redemption arcs to save his life

[vollmond-laboratory]

In Love with this Noche of Imprisonment — Part 1

(Northern Tundra)

[Flashback starts]

Bradley: “You’re pretty damn persistent, Mia.”

Bradley: “Y’here to try and kill me again?”

Mia: “What if I am, huh?”

Mia: “You’re my prey, trash. This’ll be the day you take your last breath.”

Bradley: “Jeez, calm down for a minute, would’ja? Look here. I’ve brought you somethin’ good today.”

Bradley: “Somethin’ you’ll wanna eat almost as much as my mana.”

Mia: “What?”

Bradley: “Lookie here.”

Mia: “…Are you mocking me right now?”

Mia: “You must think I’m an idiot, trying to gift me the mere fruit of some common tree.”

Bradley: “Hey now, don’t jump to conclusions. My chef told me spoils like these are damn near unobtainable.”

Bradley: “It ain’t exactly easy to come by fancy sweets up here in the North, and these don’t taste half bad.”

Bradley: “Y’like sweet things, don’tcha?”

Mia: “…!”

Mia: “…”

Mia: “…I do like them.”

Bradley: “Glad t’hear it. We found it mixed in with some shit we stole a while back, but me n’my men don’t have any use for somethin’ so cutesy.”

Bradley: “If I’m rememberin’ right, it’s name is—”

[Flashback ends]

Mia: “…Bradley…”

Mia: “How long has it been since you were separated from these Northern lands…”

Mia: “…Ugh. Dammit, I’m furious… Just remembering it makes me so mad I want to scream.”

Mia: “…Ahh…”

Mia: “Bradley… If only I could see you again, just once more…”

Mia: “When that time comes, I’ll finally be able to—”

Bradley: “Achoo!”

Mia: “…!”

Bradley: “Tch, got sent flyin’ again… This fuckin’ injury…”

Bradley: “…Huh?”

Bradley: “Wait, ain't that…”

—

(Manor Dining Room)

Akira: “…Not here today either, huh…”

Looking around at everyone eating their breakfast that morning with Sakitty, I let my shoulders slump with a dejected sigh.

I could see Rustica gracefully drinking some tea…

Mithra stuffing his cheeks full of meat…

And even Mitile sipping at some delicious-looking corn soup — but still not the person I was actually looking for.

Mitile: “Are you looking for someone, Master?”

Akira: “Mitile…”

Akira: “To be honest, yes… Nobody’s seen Bradley around lately, and I’m starting to get worried.”

Akira: “It doesn’t seem like he’s out on a mission or anything, so I was hoping to see him show up today…”

Mitile: “Ah, I thought so! I’ve been worrying about it too.”

Mitile: “I’ve been up to his room a few times now, but he clearly hasn’t been there for ages… I was wondering if something might have happened.”

Mitile: “…He gave me some advice on my magic I forgot to thank him for the other day, so I was hoping to see him soon…”

Akira: (Diligently wanting to convey how he feels even though the moment has already passed… That’s really nice of you, Mitile.)

Mitile: “At first I thought maybe he’d sneezed himself somewhere far away again. But there’s no way he could’ve gone that far, right…”

Mitile: “What about you, Mister Rustica? Have you seen Mister Bradley around lately?”

Rustica: “No… I haven’t, regrettably.”

Rustica: “How about you, Mithra? Have you come face to face with Bradley recently?”

Mithra: “Now that you mention it, no, I have not. His presence has been gone from the manor for some time now.”

Akira: “So it’s true, huh…”

Akira: (I know that Bradley’s a powerful wizard, but still… I can’t help worrying when it’s been this long since anyone last heard from him.)

Akira: (There has to be some way we can find him, right…? Maybe I should ask Snow and everyone else for advice.)

Suddenly, a sweet and gentle scent tickled at my nose.

When I lifted my downtrodden gaze, Nero was there offering me a gently-steaming cup.

Nero: “Here, Sage. Why don’tcha drink this hot milk and take a breather for a while, yeah?”

Akira: “Nero…! Thank you…”

Nero: “Don’t mention it.”

Nero: “Uh, y’know… I’m sure that guy you were talking about just now is doing fine. He ain’t the sorta person who kicks the bucket that easily.”

Nero: “Could be worse, yeah? At least this time we can say he probably ain’t boiling to death in a pit of magma, or something like that.”

Nero glanced furtively over at Mithra as he spoke.

Then placed the plate of freshly-cooked meat in his other hand down in front of Mithra.

Mithra: “Oh, has something like that happened before? Whoever you are talking about must be having a hard time too, hm.”

Talking as if it had nothing to do with him, Mithra swiftly devoured his food. Somehow, despite his haphazard way of eating, he still managed to look like he’d be perfect for a picture.

Mitile: “Jeez…! It’s your fault that Mister Bradley is missing, isn’t it, Mister Mithra?”

Mitile: “He probably crashed through one of your doors in space while you were fighting a magical beast or something!”

Rustica: “Is that so? As expected of someone like you, Mithra. Always so magnificent.”

Mithra: “Is that so, indeed. I must say, I do not remember anything of the like occurring recently.”

Akira: (He really has no idea, huh…)

Nero: “…I understand why y’might be worried, and y’don’t have to try and force yourself to put it outta your mind or anything like that, but…”

Nero: “Y’gotta at least have something warm to drink to take the edge off once in a while, or you’ll end up wearing yourself out.”

Mitile: “That’s right… You’re always thinking about other people first, Master Sage.”

Mitile: “And anyway, Mister Bradley has always been fine no matter where he’s sneezed himself off to before. I’m sure he’ll come home unhurt this time too!”

Akira: “Nero… Mitile…”

Akira: “You’re right. This is Bradley we’re talking about, he’s probably doing just fine!”

As I spoke, I could feel some of my worry disappearing. Just as I thought about taking a seat to drink the hot milk I had in my hand—

Rustica: “If you’re looking for a distraction, Master Sage, why don’t you take a seat beside me?”

Smiling, Rustica pulled out the chair next to him. When I sat down there gratefully, his smile widened.

Rustica: “Oh, our kind and gentle Master Sage. I can only wonder how much distress and anxiety you must be carrying within your heart for our friend who has yet to return home.”

Rustica: “I hope this gift will help to clear away some of those clouds within you.”

Rustica: “«Amorest Viesse».”

After Rustica recited his spell, a small box appeared in my hand with a twinkle of light.

Inside the box were some beautiful looking truffle chocolates.

They were a gorgeous dark brown colour, adorned with something like pink topaz sculpted into the shape of a snowflake — or a magnificently blooming six-petalled flower.

Akira: “Wow…! This chocolate is so stylish!”

Mitile: “You’re right! They seem more like gemstones in a treasure chest than chocolate. I’d want to put them on display somewhere just so I could look at them all the time.”

Nero: “Hold on, there ain’t no way…”

Nero: “Issat Benedetta fruit?”

Rustica: “As expected of someone like you, Nero. You must already know all about the ‘fruit from the Tree of Victory’.”

Rustica: “Unfortunately, however, this is nothing more than an imitation — merely chocolate that resembles the fruit’s appearance.”

Rustica: “Please, forgive me for being unable to truly satisfy you.”

Nero: “Nah, it’s my bad for getting all flustered like that.”

Nero: “I was just thinking there’s no way an actual, real-life Benedetta fruit could be here with us right now, y’know?”

Mitile: “…Um, are Benedetta fruits really that rare? I’ve never heard about them before…”

Mitile: “That thing Mister Rustica said about them being from a ‘Tree of Victory’ is kind of cool, too…!”

Mitile: “Does eating the fruit make you stronger, maybe?”

Nero: “Haha… It ain’t anything as cool as that, sorry. It’s just some fruit off a tree.”

Rustica: “The nickname ‘fruit from the Tree of Victory’ comes from the guardian who once protected the Benedetta tree.”

Akira: “Eh? There’s a tree out there lucky enough to have its own guardian?”

Nero: “Yeah. If I’m remembering right, some kinda monster made the area around that tree its territory a long time ago. The sap it gives off is its favourite food.”

Nero: “Even if y’happen to run into some just laying on the ground, y’can’t try picking ‘em up ‘cause you’ll just end up getting attacked.”

Nero: “Besides, the Benedetta tree is a real rare species. It only grows up in Northern Country, so it ain’t exactly easy to find.”

Rustica: “Which is precisely why both the taste of the fruit and the process of acquiring it have so stubbornly remained in the minds of all that have tried.”

Rustica: “And so the nickname gradually spread. The fruit of the Tree of Victory, which only those who have defeated a terrifying monster may eat… You see.”

Mithra: “…Nom. Hmm. It appears to be nothing more than some sickly-sweet confectionary, however.”

Mitile: “Ahh, Mister Mithra! That wasn’t the fruit, it was chocolate…!”

Rustica: “Ahaha. I think it’s about time we all have an after-meal dessert too, hm?”

Rustica: “We’re all waiting eagerly for Bradley to return. So long as we keep our conversation going, the time between now and then will surely fly by.”

Akira: “You’re right…! Thank you, Rustica. I’ll eat this together with the milk Nero gave me.”

Indulging in the warmth of both Rustica and Nero’s care, I carefully picked up one of the glossy, shining chocolates. Right as I was about to bite into it, though…

Figaro (offscreen): “—Therefore, I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.”

Snow (offscreen): “You’re such a meanie, Figgypoo! Ozzy is already out on a subjugation mission, there’s no one else left I can turn to!”

Mitile: “Those voices… Is that Doctor Figaro and Lord Snow?”

Nero: “Sounds like they’re having some kinda spat.”

The two of them were clearly arguing as they walked into the dining room together. It seemed as if Snow had something he needed from Figaro.

Akira: “Good morning, you two. Is something going on?”

Snow: “Ah, Sage. You, at least, will listen to me, yes?”

Snow held a piece of paper out towards me.

Snow: “‘Tis a subjugation request. According to this, there is a monster rampaging among the snowfields further north than the City of Ice.”

Snow: “Its appearance is that of a gigantic snake, and its power is of considerable concern — or so I have heard. As such, the plan was for us Northern wizards to deal with the matter.”

Snow: “But, alas, I have seen neither hide nor hair from Bradley as of late. And so I am asking Figaro to fill in for him in his absence.”

Mithra: “So that is how it is, hm. Well, good luck with all of that, substitute Bradley.”

Figaro: “Hold on a sec, I haven’t agreed to anything yet — and you’ll be the key player there, Mithra, not me.”

Mitile: “Um… But, even without Mister Bradley there, Mister Mithra and Mister Owen are both incredibly strong, right?”

Mitile: “Even a horrible monster like that is no match for them combined.”

Mitile: “So why bring Doctor Figaro along at all? …He’s only a Southern wizard, isn’t he?”

Snow: “Ah, well, both Mithy and Wenny are terribly naughty children, you see.”

Snow: “If either of them were to realise someone who should be working isn’t, they would claim the circumstances to be unfair and vanish on us as well…”

Snow: “Even if we could get them to stay, ‘twould only be a matter of time until they decide to waste their energy fighting each other instead, neglecting the monster they were supposed to be dealing with in the first place. The fallout of such an event would almost certainly impact the City of Ice, too.”

Snow: “‘Tis situations such as those where having your dear Doctor around would be wonderfully beneficial to us, considering his social aptitude. Simply speaking: we want to take it easy!”

Figaro: “…So that’s how I ended up getting asked to help out, kind of. You’re really putting poor Doctor Figaro on the spot like this.”

Mithra: “You know, I suddenly find myself feeling as if I do not particularly want to go after all.”

Mitile: “I–I see…? So in other words, um… You’ll be supporting Misters Snow and White?”

Snow: “Yes, exactly! Normally we rely on dear Braddykins for that sort of thing, as he’s usually rather good at it.”

Snow: “Good grief. Where in the world could that boy have possibly disappeared off to for so long? I shall have Oz search for him when he returns, I think.”

At that moment, a sound suddenly reverberated through the dining room.

Rustica: “Oh? It sounds as though there’s someone knocking on the windowpane.”

Mitile: “Did something hit the window, maybe…? …I’ll go take a look.”

Mitile: “...This is…”

When Mitile turned around, what he had in his hand was a small cork, like the kind used to seal bottles of alcohol.

#mahoyaku tl #mhyk tl #mhyktl #In Love with this Noche of Imprisonment

[windsweptinred]

Wait wait wait, if you're still thinking about that Dream and Desire reconciliation au, I've a few ideas.

What if when Dream was first captured and asking for help Desire came to aid him instead of just sending Allianora. As I understand, Allianora was their attempt at an apology(and we all saw how that went down). I think Desire personally helping Dream reclaim his kingdom would patch up their little spat neatly.

After that they're back to being besties. They also help each other out a lot. For example:

Desire steals a very dangerous and rare artifact and the owner of the artifact is breathing down their neck because they suspect Desire was the one who did it

Desire: Dream! It has been so long, hasn't it since we last talked! I've missed you terribly. how have you been keeping? Are you alright? Have I told you just how-

Dream: what did you do?

Desire: what, I can't just call my darling big brother simply because I love and miss him?

Dream:

Desire:

Desire: I... may have stolen the Morningstar's crown(I'm pretty sure they don't have a crown but just go with me) and I need you to tell them that I've been spending these past few weeks in your realm creating wet dreams with you

Dream: let me get this straight, you want me to lie to the most powerful being in this universe, besides the Creator himself, straight to their face, endangering my own kingdom and future diplomatic relationships because you stole the Morningstar's crown?

Desire: ....yes

Dream: *sighs* just give me a moment

Oh! And imagine if it was Desire instead of Death who dragged him to the white horse(honestly, big brother, it wouldn't kill you to have fun every once in a while🙄🙄) Desire being, well, desire knows that their big brother is really getting tired of this Being an Endless bulshit and really wants to, y'know, kill himself. So they try to help him and what a better way to help than hooking him up with someone!

And would you look at that! Someone who seems just as stubborn as Dream, with a burning desire for life, greedy for everything humanity has to offer. And it looks like Dream and this mystery guy are eyeing each other already. (The mystery guy is Hob, obviously)

(No, I am not sorry for turning this post into a dreamling post)

So Desire makes a deal with Death to keep Hob alive as long as he wishes to live. Death agrees because she doesn't want to loose her baby brother either.

The next century Desire gets Morpheus to agree on another visit to the white horse(come onnn, it was fun the first time wasn't it? Besides, I miss my big brother, you barely spend any time with us anymore!).

When Morpheus sees that the obnoxious mortal he met the last century is still very much alive and well he whips around to demand explanation but Desire just hugs him, says: "have a happy date!" And dissappears. ugh, typical.

Desire is very, very disappointed to discover that his brother and the human have not, in fact, fucked their brains out by the end of the date. They are even more annoyed to discover that out of all the tropes in the world they have chosen mutual pining and idiots to lovers(really, Dream. Aren't you supposed to know better, being the prince of stories and such?)

Burgess still imprisons Morpheus but because Desire and Dream are on good terms this time he gets out of the fishbowl a lot more faster. Either he asks for help or Desire tells Hob and he rescues him instead.

And all the blackmail that comes from knowing someone for ten billion years! Desire is more than happy to tell all the times Dream has fucked up in a magnificent fashion. most embarrassing stories to his new partner. Dream resorts to dirty tricks too and in turn offers Unity all of Desire's embarrassing stories.

That's it for now but there will probably be more. Sorry not sorry for the long ask

Oooooo! I absolutely love it! I love the idea of Dream being indulgently tollerant older brother and Desire being a bratty yet loving little sibling. 🥹❤️ Thank you!!! (Also... 'What did you do? 🤣😂) And never apologise for a long ask. Right me a book, I'll merrily sit down with a cuppa and read every word!

I love the idea of Death and Desire tag teaming to find Hob for Dream. My new personal headcannon is Desire has looked at every partner Dream has brought home over the eons and thought, 'Oh honey, no. Absolutely not! They're terrible for you.' Then in a way only a younger sibling can, nefariously got rid of each and every one. Ofcourse Dream doesn't see it that way. But it's totally for his own good. He's truly appalling at picking partners. Finally Desire and Death find Hob and think, that's the man our brothers going to marry. Whether he knows it or not. 😅

#dreamling #desire of the endless #dream of the endless #I need these two back as the besties they once were #They'd be absolutely awful as a pair #The world would suffer #And I want it 😆 #the sandman

[gentrychild]

5 headcanons for a Saiyuki AU where Goku gets send back in time to his younger body. It's up to you if this happens before or after the 500 years of imprisonment, but it's definitely before the main events of Saiyuki canon. Thank you!

Ugh, choices, choices. If I pick Goku in the heaven era, odds are that he isn't remembering a thing? If I pick Goku a little before the main events, he knows stuff but he will have to go through several years of solitary confinement, at the very least, and it's the one thing I don't want to do to him.

You know what? Seiten Taisei ex machina!

1 - So, for some reasons, when Goku is sent back in time to his younger body, his diadem was off. (I am going to guess that he was too powerful to be neutralized in any of the usual ways so the collision of several sutras that were used to banish him sent him back in time.) When he wakes up, he is in heaven, he has just recovered all of his memories, and he is freaking out. Also, he is weaker and smaller, which isn't cool.

2 - This is not a "Goku remembers the future the first time he sees Konzen and starts crying" or something story. This is a story where Konzen woke up in the middle of the night then screamed because Goku was standing over the edge of the bed, looking at him with golden eyes that slightly glow in the dark. Once Konzen recovers from a very literal heart attack (he's a god, he will be fine), Goku, who is more serious that Konzen has ever seen him, informs him Tenpou, Kenren and the both of them need to leave Heaven about yesterday. The mortal world is lovely this time of the year. Also, they are kidnapping... bringing Nataku along with them.

3 - Once Goku recovers from the paper fan-induced-concussion of all paper-fan-induced concussions, Konzen is actually worried about him? That is completely unlike Goku, after all. He talks about it with Kenren and Tenpou and they kinda assume that the stress of living among a bunch of asshole gods is starting to get to Goku. Tenpou argues that a vacation might be good for Goku but Konzen says he can't just drop everything.

4 - I know the exact way Konzen snaps. This is a very quiet snap, btw. He is complaining to Tenpou about Goku who keeps telling him they need to relocate NOW and while they are walking, a god who isn't talking softly enough is "Yes, the new heretic one would make a good war god to counterbalance Li Touten's power." Konzen doesn't say anything. He just turns heels, grabs Goku, and they are out, with Tenpou and Kenren trailing after them (Nataku is hidden under Kenren's coat, he has been waiting YEARS for an occasion to kidnap himself a new little brother, it's ON).

5 - So obviously, half of heaven gets really mad about it and send people after them. Said people get utterly obliterated since pretty much no one except for Tenpou and Kenren has fought any battles since Nataku's birth. Also, Nataku and Goku are very OP. About a century of shenanigans ensue where Homura is catapulted as the new prince of war and tasked with the very undignified task of chasing after them. He tries to find some common ground with Goku about both of them being heretics and talks a lot but Goku absolutely doesn't care. Also, Goujun always ends up as the traitors' hostage. They do not take him hostage. The universe decides that he will be the hostage of Goku and co. He is really tired.

+ 1 - I don't know who it will be but someone will adopt Bear Nataku.

#Ring me up if you want five additional headcanons for that one #It would technically be a different AU so I am leaving it at that #saiyuki #saiyuki au #5 headcanons game #closed ask game #katydid

[michelleelizabethtanner]

Do you think Beth really believed Rio was coming after them after the truck thing in 1.09? I always just assumed she was jumping to conclusions and was so far out of her depth ("He looked at me funny"), but was there something else to it? Did she really want to take him down deep down?

Hi Anon! Thank you for the ask! Idk if I have a super good answer though. I’ve always considered this scene more based on the mistakes Rio made in underestimating Beth’s reaction. IDK why I haven’t thought more in-depth about why she behaved the way she did.

Unless I’m misremembering, everything in that episode showed her anger, and none of her actions around Rio signified fear. I don’t think she was even jumping to conclusions about what he might do to them. I think she was just mad. Yet another man putting her in her place, taking away her power and her financial “security” because he decided her life for her. So she retaliated. Her “we’re good people” excuse was just a cover to get her girls on board. It’s the line she uses all the time to manipulate people (including Rio.) “I’m a good person. I’m a mother. I eat at P. F. Chang’s.”

The fact that this woman can never think through the consequences of her choices surrounding Rio truly astounds me. She cannot be so stupid to blindly lash out and expect nothing to happen to her. I’ve been kind of thinking about this irritating aspect of her behavior. The ways in which she hurts Rio over and over, even once she sees the actual hurt on him, she doesn’t stop. Contrast that with how she enables Dean over and over, who has a proven track record of lying to her and actively harming her. So it makes so little sense why she would lash out, even contrary to her own wellbeing, in this particular situation. She couldn’t have expected that he would be imprisoned forever just because she gave up some laundering details. So what then? Was it a cry for his attention? A cry to be seen? It’s gotta be. Her nihilistic tendencies come through so strong around Rio. He brings it out in her. So it’s like she doesn’t even care what happens to her, as long as he keeps looking at her, as long as she’s feeling that power he makes her feel.

Which brings us back to what was so polarizing about Beth to so many viewers — she’s selfish af. She doesn’t want to be. She’s torn. She keeps thinking if she just does one more shitty thing to Rio, she will prove her goodness to the universe. Prove that she’s worthy of having a husband who’s faithful, and children who don’t struggle with emotional disorders, and friends who choose her even over their own husbands. This woman has been abandoned and scarred so deeply in her formative years that she’s absolutely desperate to matter and to be chosen. (Kinda like someone else we know.) But Rio seems to be her one “safe space” to be herself. “Just being myself.” And while that may sound romantic (and it IS), it’s also toxic af because for her to be “herself” she has to all the time behave abusively (ugh, I hate that word because it isn’t quite accurate to their dynamic but idk what other thing to call it… maybe retaliatory?) toward Rio. He feeds the monster that she hides from others. He isn’t a “good person” so it’s fine for her to take her trauma out on him. And he keeps coming back for more. And he keeps wanting her despite it. It’s that good old cycle of abuse, continually perpetuated. They find so much warped validation in each other they can’t quit.

Anyway, I went off on a tangent. Sorry about that! These asks are so helpful in getting me back into a Brio state of mind. Reminds me how I love analyzing them. 😊 Makes me wanna not work and write Brio stories (that I’ve been stagnant on for like 2 months now 😩)

#gg 1.09 #what you and I had is done #over #go home Elizabeth #people who are afraid their crime boyfriend might hurt them don’t throw keys in his face #asks #brio psychoanalysis #headcanon #nbc good girls #brio

[wyldblunt]

im obsessed with glyn & canach and i must know more about them

for the ship questions, if you don’t mind answering:

pre-relationship: 1, 2, & 4

general: 1, 3, & 8

omg thank u im so glad u like them... (original ship asks here!)

pre-relationship 1: How did they first meet?

[RUBBING MY HANDS TOGETHER] YAY I LOVE THEIR MEETCUTE

okay so in our canon glyndwr is not involved in any of the southsun stuff at all — that goes to my wife's commander, alan. glyn was getting poked about "consortium issues, karka acting funny, blah blah" and was essentially like "this is so below my pay grade that i will fucking cut your head off if you ever insult me with a brief like this ever again" and that was that. SO he's more or less oblivious to it outside of alan's letters ("ugh this GUY, we finally got him, so hopped up on painkillers he couldn't even see, there's karka goop everywhere," etc) and the occasional wanted poster here and there

(side note this is the setup for alan and canach's insane hostility during heart of thorns. you throw me in jail? okay, Hero of Tyria, i'm out now and i am going to steal your fucking boyfriend about it)

ANYWAY. post-southsun. as a whispers lightbringer glyndwr had managed to stay mostly anonymous for most of his career, but zhaitan's defeat has blown that into fucking smithereens. suddenly he's just as famous as alan and trahearne and it is making him want to turn himself inside out. running errands is now impossible. one day he's essentially fleeing the paparazzi in lion's arch and while trying to lose them finds himself hiding out where canach is imprisoned.

they get to talking through the bars, glyn smokes him out (something he can get away with as a pact commander even with multiple lionguards looking Directly At Them), and before he knows it glyn is coming back regularly, telling canach about what he's seen on his travels lately and sometimes even bringing him books. it gets to the point where sometimes glyndwr spends all day by canach's cell. the rest is history!!

2: What was their first impression of each other?

canach about glyn: "oh, thank fuck, someone to TALK to. and he's eye candy which is a bonus"

glyn about canach: "[with narrowed eyes] this horrid little man is being rude and flippant to me. no one is rude and flippant to me anymore. what is going on" <- intensely intrigued (and then, a bit later when his memory is jogged: "oh, wait, this horrid little man is the one who tried to explode my lover with land mines on a resort island." <-even more intrigued)

4: Who felt romantic feelings first?

i think they both fell for each other pretty steadily, but canach is definitely the one who recognizes his feelings as such first. glyndwr is too self-obsessed and emotionally withered to Get It until way later.

general 1: Who initiated the relationship, and how did it go?

depends on what's meant by "the relationship," but i have an answer locked and loaded specifically for them being officially entwined so i'm going with that!!

i already have a headcanon that sylvari present weapons as significant romantic gifts, on par with proposing with an engagement ring; this was, coincidentally enough, kicked off by the shield of the moon story!

so, at the end of HoT, when canach offers his shield to glyndwr — already a pretty massive gesture as it is — glyndwr misinterprets it, and they have a frantic little "i'm sorry, do you really want to do this NOW?? RIGHT NOW???" conversation shoehorned into the middle of the terrifying battle for their lives and also the lives of their entire race.

later, when they talk about it more seriously, they end up deciding that yeah, maybe canach actually did mean it that way. so what. what are you going to do about it, idiot. let's just get married. fine. FINE

3: What was their first kiss like?

it depends on if you consider shotgunning to be kissing. if so,

but if not, it was probably something messy and near-accidental in the silverwastes. sandy. not pleasant. not discussed for many many months.

8: Who gets jealous easier?

canach for sure but mostly just bc glyn presents more opportunities for it. i don't imagine they're strictly monogamous (rytlock is certainly popping in and out around here) but like. glyndwr is at constant risk of slipping on a banana peel and accidentally having sex with anyone who is relatively firm/respectful (/charmingly disrespectful?) with him. glyn goes out to buy a carton of milk and through a comedy of errors gets his back blown out four times on the way there and back. glyn somehow managed to fuck ruka the wanderer. it's an affliction

#ty for the ask!!! #canach/commander #drawn answers #my art #my ocs #glyndwr #glynach #weed mention #not sfw text

[tobiasdrake]

Nope. No. We're not doing that. It's time to delve into the secrets of the Music Box.

Holy shit, the first Blue Robe? Are they even alive? I have so many questions for them. Like. What's with the blue robes? Why is that a thing? Do you know how searing on the eyes all of this blue eventually becomes when you've lived here for weeks? Why are there--

...

How does it feel to be a jackass who withholds critical information?

Wait, you've been holding onto that grudge this whole time!?

Oh, fuck me. I insulted your shop and I got offended when you wanted to wear a cool hat like mine. It's me. Hi. I'm the problem. It's me.

They say that if you meet one asshole, that just means you met one asshole. But if everyone meet is an asshole then you might be the asshole. And I sure have met a lot of assholes... Uggggggggh I hate facing down the consequences of my mistakes and having to grow as a person.

This is why I've never had any friends before you guys. ._. I get it now.

"Civilization" might be a bit of a stretch given that the Ovates couldn't give them sentience. But ChatGPT did safeguard the entrance to the Sea of Stars and police who comes and goes from our world.

And we have Khukharr to thank for that. The joint project of the Ovates and TIA, he was designed for the specific purpose of hoisting Mesa Island high above the waves when the prophesized flood came. Presumably he's still down there now. Uh. Sleeping, probably.

It's interesting to me that you're apparently the only Blue Robe who knows all of this. As if you, and you alone, were present for it. I mean, Artificer's old enough to have been there too but Prophet explicitly said you, not him, were the first of the order. So I guess he hadn't come along to pitch in yet.

Level with me, Shopkeep; Are you Muse?

Makes sense. They hit the cloud giants first since ChatGPT was guarding their entry point. Luana's crew did the same thing to Aephorul's Guardian when they began their siege of Otherworld.

Okay, so you're not Muse, then. Glad we got that clarified.

...maybe. ≖_≖

And it went super well? He beat the Demon King's ass because Demon King ain't got shit and then went home to brag about it? And we all lived happily ever after?

Hold the fuck up

I thought the cycle was about us. Nobody's ever killed Demon King before so I thought... I thought that mattered, you know? I thought they reigned supreme and the curse keeps us repeating the same events over and over.

But it's them? They get to spring back to life every so often regardless of how many we kill? So even Demon King is just off waiting to respawn?

Ugh. That really takes the wind out of my sails. It took divine intervention to slay the Dweller of Strife after the Four Chucklefucks died and stopped weakening it. I hate the idea that this thing can return to life.

So the demons are immortal as long as the music box continues to play, and the music box will continue to play so long as Phantom is imprisoned and mind-controlled within it.

And that's the Scroll. The one that "You must carry to the highest peak" so that it can summon the Tower of Time.

This is all coming together.

#the messenger #drake plays the messenger

[theowritesfiction]

‘Sozin’s Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang’

Damn, I had forgotten how awesome the airship battle actually is because the Agni Kai and Aang vs. Ozai usually overshadow it, but it doesn't deserve to be overshadowed. I had forgotten how close Sokka and Toph came to dying. And Sokka sacrificing his precious space sword to save Toph's life <3 God bless these kids.

As much as I enjoyed parts of Aang vs. Ozai, I was never a fan of the rock of destiny unlocking Aang's final chakra and unleashing his full Avatar powers. I just find that and the whole concept of energy bending as too contrived, sorry, another hot take, I know. As fun as it is to watch Ozai getting absolutely massacred by the Avatar, if Ozai is directing lightning at me, and I know how to re-direct it... well, there's nothing left of Ozai to bury except for his teeth.

Also, as I'm watching Aang in the Avatar State, I'm also thinking... well, they can never introduce anything in this universe and have it be a challenge for THAT. Too much of a power up.

Ozai does deserve some extra Jerk Points for attacking Aang after he has turned his back on Ozai. That's 100 Jerk Points.

I really enjoyed the Azula and Katara fight in the Crystal Catacombs, but the circumstances are too tragic for me to enjoy it here. :(

Also, this is the look of someone who's going to make sure that Azula isn't just imprisoned somewhere after the war and forgotten, this is the face of someone who will make sure that Azula has what she needs in order to heal. If you disagree with that, stop following this blog right now and block yourself, I don't want you here.

Also fuck whoever decided that this was the last we have to see of Azula in Book 3. Just a very sincere and heartfelt fuck you. <3

Anyway, there was a reason why I didn't want to watch these final episodes, and not just because I knew they would depress me. Before re-watching, I thought of these final episodes as something that wrapped up the show in an overall satisfying way, and even if I didn't like some of the decisions I was happy with the way it ended. Well... I'm not going to even bother hiding my salt, I'll just come out and say that I actually kind of hate this ending now and mostly because this is where they left Azula. I shouldn't have watched it because now I'm angry, and the show just feels either unsatisfying or incomplete.

Here's what I would change:

Mai is magically teleported back to the capital to make up with Zuko. I love the scene itself, but I think it just comes out of nowhere and they're suddenly good again all too quickly. Mai just spent time in the worst Fire Nation prison, I think it would make sense for her to be at least a little conflicted. Just develop Maiko in Book 4, either friendship or romance track.

The Kyoshi Warrior Ty Lee made no sense. I can understand her bonding with the other girls in the prison, sure. But she didn't bond with Suki, and Suki hates her! Suki hasn't spent ANY time with Ty Lee at all, so she's suddenly... okay with this? Ugh, no, make Ty Lee becoming a Kyoshi Warrior a side plot in Book 4 please.

I want to give a big middle finger to the final scene with Zuko and Ozai. Scrap that. Give us a scene of Zuko visiting Azula instead. Perhaps together with Katara. Azula would be restrained and shouting all kinds of abuse and insults at them, and Zuko would look confused and uncertain about what he should do with her, but fortunately he has Katara with her, and even if Katara has her own issues with Azula, family is everything to Katara and she tells him to never stop trying to find a way of reconciliation. And perhaps she even offers her help.

That's thousand times better than giving this deflated bag of dicks named Ozai another moment on screen.

Anyway, the show ends with Zuko asking Ozai for information on his mother, clearly setting up Book 4.

But wait, you may ask, wasn't there another scene in Ba Sing Se after that? No. No, there wasn't. That scene is stupid, makes no sense and doesn't exist. Just a hastily cobbled together trash after they decided that Book 4 wasn't happening after all. Ignore it.

Book 3 Jerk Point Final Standings:

Ozai - 980 Zuko - 940 Aang - 690 Yon Rha - 400 Iroh - 150  Sokka - 110 Roku - 100 Hide - 80 King Kuei - 60 Toph, Pakku - 50 Haru - 30

And Ozai takes it, limping across the finish line with his bending removed. The crowd goes wild!

Anyway, I'm sorry about this review of the final episode being so negative, it's nowhere near as bad as I probably made it sound, but please understand that I'm extremely salty and upset right now, and of course it shows.

I'll do some more housekeeping tomorrow, like count the overall winner of Jerk Points contest, and also do the Book 3 episode tier list. :)

#my atla rewatch #atla book 3 #sozin's comet

[cosmicjoke]

Okay, now... that was one heartbreaking and messed up ending if ever I saw one.  I knew this story was going to end sadly, but damn, and knowing that, at least at the time, Anne Rice had meant for “Memnoch the Devil” to be the last book in the series, it makes the ending hit that much harder. 

First, I mean, I know Armand isn’t dead, since there’s more books after this and he’s in them, but shit, it still hurt like hell the way he just... lets himself burn up in the sun.  Making it worse is that I have to assume that’s what Anne Rice really intended his end to be at the time, and knowing how it was connected to Lestat himself being, apparently, duped by Memnoch into doing his will, into creating a “miracle” which only reignited the fury of Christianity in the world, ugh, it’s just awful.  I still don’t know if Memnoch truly was the Devil, or if what Lestat saw was truly Heaven and Hell, and I guess that’s sort of the point.  Lestat himself never knew, and couldn’t know one way or another, but it still ended up promoting and spreading the very kind of fanaticism and hysteria and blind faith in religion that he’s always opposed, and leading to yet more destruction for those he loves and cares for.  When he calls himself “Memnoch’s servant; Memnoch’s prince”, it’s just rough man, seeing how over and over and over again, Lestat has this horrible belief of his own, destructive nature reinforced for him.  Memnoch using his own defiance against him, tricking him into refusing to be his right hand man and prince, knowing he would refuse, and then just seeing the aftermath, seeing Lestat go pretty much literally insane from it, oof, just my heart really was in tatters reading this. 

That whole final sequence, with Lestat and David in New York, watching this kind of religious hysteria unfold, Lestat succumbing to his own sort of madness in seeing all this, his confusion and fear, not knowing what’s real and what isn’t, his memory faltering and deceiving him, his increasingly reckless and desperate attempts to stop what’s happening, and then Louis and David and Maharet, imprisoning Lestat because he was so unstable and devastated and lost.  Man, I just don’t have the words.  I thought particularly the moments, few as they were, between Lestat and Louis, were the most moving, with Louis coming to him while he was imprisoned in that chapel room, promising him there would be years ahead of good things, promising to read Roger’s books with him, etc... That was such a punch to the gut, that kind of sad sweetness from Louis, in seeing Lestat brought so low, and trying in the only way he could to give him some kind of comfort. 

Like this part

“We can read them perhaps... you and I... together.”

“Yes... all his twelve books,” he said.  He talked softly of many miraculous little images, of tiny humans, and beasts and flowers, and the lion lying down with the lamb.

I closed my eyes.  I was grateful.  I was content.  He knew I didn’t want to talk anymore.”

And really, just these last lines of the story here got me man.  They stabbed me right in the heart:

“And I saw myself.

I want you to see me now.  I want you to look at me, as I present myself, and as I swear to this tale, as I swear on every word of it, from my heart.

I am the Vampire Lestat.  This is what I saw. This is what I heard.  This is what I know!  This is all I know.

Believe in me, in my words, in what I have said and what has been written down.

I am here, still, the hero of my own dreams, and let me please keep my place in yours.

I am the Vampire Lestat.

Let me pass now from fiction into legend.”

And then how he signs it at the end:

Adieu, mon amour

Goodbye, my love...

That shit hurt.  This really did feel horribly final in its presentation.  I’m hugely glad Anne decided not to end it here, to continue on, because seeing it end for Lestat like this, seeing his story end in such a devastating fashion, with seemingly every, awful thing he’s ever believed about himself confirmed, with him literally serving the Devil against his will, his own nature leading to it, to the loss of so much, would have been truly unbearable. 

Lestat isn’t a bad person, but things keep happening to him which seem to affirm for him over and over again that he is.  He tries to do the right thing, and things go terribly anyway.  He tries to do good, and people end up getting hurt.  It’s just painful to watch happen to him over and over, because you know his heart is in the right place.  He’s trying.  He tries here, by refusing Memnoch and God both, refusing to be part of whatever game they’re playing, refusing to be a party to the torture of human souls, no matter that it supposedly can lead to their salvation.  That refusal from Lestat comes from a genuinely good place, I think. It comes from a desire not to hurt others.

Overall, I felt this book was, in the end, a strong entry in the series.  It had a few points of criticism from me, but in general, I feel like the ending left a great enough emotional impact for it to have well been worth reading.  

I’m curious and eager to see where things go from here.  Lestat says in these last chapters that he won’t take another human life, and refuses when Maharet offers to feed him blood, and I wonder about that, if that’s something that actually happens or not.  He seems fundamentally altered by the end of this book, in a big way.  And I know Lestat’s greatest dream was always to find a way to live amongst and still be a part of humanity, despite his vampiric nature.  So yeah, I’m powerfully curious to keep going.  I just felt so awful for him by the end of this.  I wasn’t prepared for it, honestly, despite knowing that the book ended with him in a bad place mentally.  I guess it’s just the finality of it, the sense of finality, that hit so hard.  It might’ve killed me if I knew Lestat’s story really ended here, in this way. 

#Lestat De Lioncourt #memnoch the devil

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

wut u think of tony/bucky

Other MCU meta to be found here. Relevant is thoughts on Tony, thoughts on Steve/Tony, thoughts on Bucky and Steve/Bucky.

Ugh, anon.

I've stated before and I'll state it again, it's amazing how aggressively I do not care about the MCU. I simply cannot find it in myself to care and I somehow care less every time a film is released.

It just fills my soul with woe at this point.

But back to your question.

Caveat

We're MCU verse for this folks. I have never read the comics, played the video games, watched the shows, or whatever else I've skipped out on.

This means that something may be totally viable or interesting via comic characterization or in a televized adaptation.

Unfortunately for you, the MCU is what I've got, so the rules of the game are we're only looking at that.

I Have Less Than 0 Interest

I've spoken on this before but to me Bucky is just "there" for every movie he's in. He's there, says lines sometimes, does his thing, but he's unfathomably boring to me. Even when the film is about him, he just sucks life out of the screen.

Due to this, I can't get interested about the idea of him talking to anyone let alone engaging in a romantic relationship.

Steve, Natasha, Tony, I turn to you and ask, "Ew, why would you want to make them boring?" (the caveat being that I also find Steve and Natasha boring in the films so it'd just be 2x the boring for me to watch).

I just can't do.

A Real Answer

Bucky/Tony to me is just a case of shippers wanting to ship and I guess not liking Steve.

Steve and Bucky at least have their back story. They have this shared friendship that ended tragically, they reconnect later, and we get several films where Steve's running around like a chicken with his head cut off because BUCKY!!!!!

I definitely see where the shippers are getting their source material with those two.

With Tony and Bucky...

Tony canonically is first indifferent/mildly antagonistic to Bucky in Civil War when Bucky is first a super gone rogue that Steve is not cooperating with him to catch, and then extremely antagonistic as he watches Bucky's cold-blooded murder of his parents with no time to process afterwards.

Then Bucky disappears to Wakanda, half Tony's original team is imprisoned, and Steve disappears.

Basically, everything falls apart and while it's not rational for Tony to blame Bucky, Tony doesn't seem to be in a rational mood. It would take a very large, well-adjusted person, to be able to completely look past Bucky's murder of his parents, and even then to go into shipping?

Then add on the Civil War aspect, much of which went down the tubes because of Bucky specifically, even if it wasn't his fault I don't see Tony getting over that any time soon.

Tony's going to need a lot of therapy for that, and I just don't see him gravitating to Bucky, of all people, when there are other choices he could make. Even if we're ignoring Pepper, Tony could just as easily choose not Bucky.

Then we get Bucky.

He doesn't know Tony.

Period.

They don't talk and the one time they do meet they get to see the awkward home video of Bucky murdering Tony's parents. What does one even say to that?

They don't have time to develop a relationship before all the hot, flaming, garbage gets thrown in their way that, again, I don't see either recovering from any time soon.

As it is, while Bucky seems to be avoiding Steve for much of the franchise, he also doesn't seem to be reaching out to anyone else. Certainly, he doesn't seem to be looking to make friends with Tony Stark.

So, if Bucky isn't starting it and Tony isn't starting it...

Kind of leaves the ship dead in the water.

Of course, shippers don't care about such things, which is why I really shouldn't comment on ships in the first place.

#mcu #mcu meta #mcu headcanon #mcu shipping #bucky barnes #anti bucky barnes #tony stark #bucky barnes/tony stark #anti bucky barnes/tony stark #meta #headcanon #opinion

[altschmerzes]

Thoughts on the new episode???????? There were SO many jamie feels tonight

LET'S GOOOOO okay it's Thoughts Hour here at chez gav altschmerzes [cracks knuckes]

there SURE WERE and once again we get a disorganized bullet point mess of My ThoughtsTM

first off, i did indeed enjoy it in cosymode once more and this will be a recurring ritual. cannot recommend it more highly. cosymode my beloved. really enhances the experience even if it does mean i get Imprisoned By A Creature as soon as the episode ends (climbed on by my cat)

we still don't know what zava's first name is. it is still distracting me.

COLIN'S BF (!!!!!!!!) SEEMS SWEET I LIKE HIM A LOT

oh my gd all the stuff with colin in this episode was absolutely brutal. i have a..... Hard Time with narratives around being closeted just on a personal emotional level but overall i'm like, invested as hell and i love that they went this direction with him. BOY it'll be interesting to see how they handle it going forward. juxtaposing the two moments he has with isaac in this episode, the "haha that's a little gay" comment that obviously hit hard and then that sincere like, checking on him, you're gonna be alright, thing later was like. damn. damn, damn. that hit.

also - when shandy said that thing about saying something shocking in an interview i was like oh no oh boy oh no Oh Boy- colin, honey-

something is. Up. with shandy. i don't know what or how it's gonna manifest but. something is up there and idk what. there's the same sort of tense feeling to her scenes as there are with keeley's company scenes. something's on the horizon.....

also i have to believe that trent isn't going to out colin, for the record. i just don't think he's gonna do that. i have reasons, but i don't think i even really need reasons, i think it's just..... i don't think it's particularly likely even.

speaking of zava, when i said last week that i was either gonna be riveted or i was gonna want this guy outta my face right now? IT IS BOTH, IT TURNS OUT. i do not like him. i think he's bad news and i think he's like, bad news in a very insidious way. i feel like...... it was fine in this episode - again, this is a comedy, i am aware of the genre and what it encompasses - but if this like. everyone's sycophantic adoration of him stretches on much longer it's gonna grate on me real bad. this was probably the episode where i had the most acute awareness that i was Watching A Comedy than any other episode, i had to do more like, averting my eyes and trying not to fast forward in this ep than in any of the previous ones. which is fully a me thing! this a me problem! i am not a comedy guy and i am watching a comedy. but oh my gd.

getting to see sam's restaurant coming together was so, so fucking good. he was so excited and happy and i'm so thrilled to see that all start to pay off. he's so proud of what he's done here and he SHOULD be. ugh i just love to see sam successful and thriving and everyone is so happy for him [sobs into my hands] isaac being like no. you do not understand. it is the best. was so funny and very sweet. i loved it, augh.

AND THE JAMIE OF IT ALL. oh my gd. he was having a bad one this whole episode and i kind of loved it because we know me, we're realistic about who i am as a person. i love characters having a bad time sldfks as long as we're gonna do something with it. and BOY DID WE.

boy they really did get me with like. the bit in zava's first match where he tells jamie to get open and he'll find him i did have a MOMENT where i was like okay maybe he's just kind of eccentric but overall fine, maybe i was wrong and he just grates on my nerves a bit. but WHOOF. nope. so he was just fucking with jamie orrrr because. yipes!

and man the timing of seeing zava call jamie over and say something to him being when ted's almost panic attack starts is like. [shrieks into my hands] he's already amped up about henry and then he sees this interaction happening and doesn't know what's going on and it's like. jamie just told him he's got concerns about this guy and now he might be messing with him and it clearly set ted off. aaaaAAAUGH.

i'm just. so proud of jamie tbh. he isn't throwing a fit, he's celebrating these wins, he very maturely and reasonably expressed his concerns which i think he's right about - i think roy thinks he's right too, based on his face during that scene. i was really gratified for that like, i was being a hypocrite thing at the end bc it made it clear that like, this isn't the show making a 'haha see he doesn't even realize that's exactly what HE is, he's still the same....' joke. his discomfort with zava isn't just played off and i really enjoyed that.

THE WHOLE THING WITH ROY. LIKE- every time he noticed jamie was having a hard time this episode he like. seemed to be making a note of it? he didn't snort and shake his head or smirk or whatever, at least not more than once-ish, he like. noticed, made a note, and seemed worried about it. and then at the end he not only went over to check on jamie at the restaurant he offered to work with him directly? without being prompted? i could shriek.

everything about that conversation made me lose my mind. jamie's earrings were FANTASTIC. the like- 'you thought i was the best' 'you still could be' [screams into my hands] 'only if you fucking mean it' i.e. the same thing roy said to phoebe's team, and the VERY PAINSTAKINGLY SINCERE 'i do mean it' i could've CRIED.

as i said to a friend earlier, their dynamic is a rich tapestry of things that make me fully insane

(to have a bit of a gripe - we got a couple of That's A Bit Much moments in this episode too. ted agreeing that yeah, fragile little bitch is pretty much what he meant, was weird and out of step. and then roy smacking the utensil or whatever out of jamie's hand which clearly startled him at minimum at the end of the episode was like... hoo boy. we're doing this i guess. it's not the type of thing i'd like, zoom in and harp on if it weren't for everything i already talked about in the previous episode. just like. again. i keep coming back to this phrase but It's A Bit Much. i was worried i might lose steam for my 3x02 tag after the new ep but nah, i am still amped up for it.)

(oh another gripe real quick - ho boy so dr jacob is just like, the shittiest therapist, eh? like, that whole thing is. Ethically Fucked Up. i absolutely hate whenever a show is like hey this person is now dating their former therapist, it feels weird and gross every time and i already had a really bad opinion of this guy's ethics and approach to practice just based on like. we know that michelle already had a therapeutic relationship with him before she and ted started seeing him for couples' therapy which is a Big No. and maybe i'm biased here because my parents knew a therapist for several years that they ended up dragging my sister and i to see with them when we were in high school and it went really fucking badly in a way directly related to them having an established relationship with that provider but uh. bad news bears. red flags. field of red flags.)

(someone do something about jane. speaking of red flags. WOW.)

(red flags again! the psychic thing. what are they implying with the matchbook, that the psychic was RIGHT? whoooooof. that's all i'll say on that.)

#gav gab #gav answers #sdlfksdf thank you for asking bestie....... #i both love and hate expressing my thoughts and opinions #i love love love it it's my favourite but also my brain is then like #YOURE WRONG AND EVERYONE HATES YOU NOW #ted lasso spoilers

[llycaons]

clj ep15

WHAT

WHAT

dang, more changheng lwj moments. rip to him

the way he’s immediately empathetic to her plight is very sweet, and I love this conversation they have. shanque resolved to be honest and trustworthy and loyal, but I don’t think very well of him because he’s complicit in all the terrible things his master’s done. jieli isn’t really a great person either, but she’s cunning and not ashamed of using it to survive. they clearly don’t see eye to eye but their conversation was interesting, def illuminating. and I like how the show doesn’t really take a stance. not to say ‘lying is always bad, shame on you!’ or ‘you’re a terrible person for being complicit in your master’s crimes’ but rather, they each responded to a terrible situation in their own way

oh jesus christ

HOW DOES SHE KNOW THAT. when did he tell her?!

jieli’s lore dump and ancient one-of-a-kind treasure seem just a little too convenient, but hey, maybe it’s real

oh cute outfit for lxh here

SICK WHIP

lwj did the floating entrance better 🙄 whatever I guess it’s good he’s here to save her

this is cool because maybe lxh and dfqc can maybe establish a relationship outside of the onesided domination he has over her.

girl that is literally not true, he imprisoned you and starved you and verbally abused you and made it too cold for you to sleep

oh fuck come on

ugh he always looks so good

AND THIS MIND TRAP MATCHES HIS CLOTHES

this is so funny. giant face floating out of the mind trap

oh my god she actually repaired the thing. I ind of thought she couldn’t

see THIS is more of the kind of acting I want to see from her. this subtlety, this carefully controlled fear - this is good stuff!

okay if this was just happening in the beginning, or if it only happened a few times, then I’d be able to brush it off but we’re almost in the middle of the series and I’m kind of worried they actually want us to see a man’s destructively violent temper and need to control a woman as romantic. sure fucking hope note but uh. that’s what it looks like now

I just want lxh to have some gd agency in this relationship and I want her to be on equal footing with dfqc and I want him to treat her better. like, we’ve been getting better but 15 straight episodes of this is exhausting, especially when the relationship seemingly develops at a snail’s pace

this can’t go wrong

GIRL WHY ARE YOU APOLOGIZING!! this drives me crazy like this man is actively abusive to her and talks down to her constantly and somehow she’s the one saying sorry here?!

YESS MORE OF THIS. STAND YOUR GROUND

DID HE GO AND GET MAD AND TAKE HER BED. INSANE

I trust my mutuals who say this ends well and there are parts I really like about this show so I’m still white-knuckling through it but it’s hard to swallow “sweet innocent woman teaches abusive man about feelings and it’s fine because they will be in love and also being controlling is romantic I guess’ for hours on end. good episode! a lot happened! but oh my GOD how do people stand this

#*looks at all the shows I'm watching right now" why is riverdale the one with the most satisfying and healthy romances right now #clj lb