#it also did not mesh with a light theme

[stra-tek]

WARP CORE DEEP DIVE!

Where it all began. So much so, that they never quite nailed down what anything in engineering was. We know the thing in the middle was a "matter/antimatter integrator" and it had a dilithium crystal in it. But it didn't appear until later on, the floor was originally empty. There were also large transformer-ish things that moved about as the plot demanded. The big thing behind the mesh? That's the pipe cathedral. Maybe it was an impulse engine (as per the old Star Trek Blueprints by Franz Joseph) or perhaps it was part of the warp drive. Originally the idea was that the warp nacelles generated their own power. But that would change soon...

The Animated Series gave us something very similar to the TOS engine room, with the pipe cathedral and one BIG transformer, but instead of the matter/antimatter integrator we got a glass tube with what looked like measurements on it. Maybe it's a proto-warp core a la TMP, especially since it's in a similar spot to Strange New Worlds'. Or maybe it's a coolant pipe like the 2009 movie. Who knows? We also saw inside the "antimatter nacelle" in one episode, which is generally assumed to mean inside one of the warp engines themselves but it's all a bit vague.

The Motion Picture gave us the original Big Blue Lava Lamp, the physical set was 3 stories high but augmented with forced-perspective, in the form of a painting at the bottom of the shaft and a truncated horizontal intermix chamber crewed by children at the end of the main level. The engineering crew on the main deck now wear radiation suits, adding to the idea this big blue thing isn't your friend.

This was also the Big Retcon, making the intermix chamber the power source for the warp nacelles. Every Trek regardless of era would follow this route.

In Wrath of Khan, they'd add a very important side room with dilithium crystals in for Spock to self-sacrifice in. I always found it very amusing this room, where the most important part of the engineering machinery was, was in no way physically connected to the intermix chamber. Nor did it exist in the previous movie.

The Next Generation gave us a pot-bellied stove, with neon segments glowing one-by-one up and down to give the impression of pulses of energy colliding in the middle then being fed to the nacelles. No more radiation suits needed, and the room has a nice carpet. This was also the first time "warp core" was used, a phrase that would retroactively be applied to all the prior ones.

The Enterprise-E and DS9's Defiant would have bigger and smaller warp cores that were variations on the same theme as TNG.

Voyager brought back the classic Motion Picture big blue lava lamp, just without the horizontal tube this time. It does the nifty swirly thing too. Q Junior makes it do club lighting one time.

NX-01 Enterprise is just kind of this big industrial tank with some glowy bits. It's weird that in the classic movies they needed radiation suits to work in engineering, but in the series set 100 years earlier they didn't.

The 2009 reboot filmed engineering in a thinly disguised Budweiser brewery, which made the area look enourmous and extremely complex, but lost all the high tech clean room vibes prior shows had. What in real life were giant brewing tanks housed the intermix chambers which made up the warp core, which were ejected through a hatch in the roof at the end. This look was extremely controversial with some, but personally I loved it.

In Into Darkness the warp core looks like an almighty piece of kit, and that's because they shot on location at the Lawrence Livermore National Ignition Facility. It's a real-life fusion reactor. And then you can climb inside it and it turns out that inside is one very important laser thing, some dilithium crystals you barely see and lots of deadly radiation. At least the self sacrificing happens inside the core itself and not a weird separate side chamber this time. The brewery from the last movie was still there, implying this was all along even if we didn't visit it. But that complicates things because the bits they called the warp core are very different. Perhaps the intermix chambers ejected last movie and core seen here are all part of the same huge warp core system.

Strange New Worlds reboots the original... sort of. They put a vertical intermix chamber in there and instead of a mesh and forced perspective they've got an AR wall with an enourmous array of high tech pipes. But weirdly, the writers guide says the big AR wall with the updated pipe cathedral is the deflector dish machinery not the warp core. I guess the confusion makes it more authentic TOS.

#star trek #star trek the original series #the next generation #tng #ds9 #star trek aos #starship design #deep lore #warp core

[neesieiumz]

love language ⸻ You remind me I’m imperfect and it sucks to admit it. ⸻ a. ojiro

synopsis ⸺ after six months, you lay eyes on your ex-boyfriend at a mutual friend’s party. 

warnings ⸺ smut. 18+, black-coded reader. female reader. afab anatomy. praise kink, cunnilingus, blow job, some angst, happy ending, time skip aran. use of ocs, but barely even mentioned. he’s very sweet to you no matter what. this is also my haikyuu debut so... I haven't read the haikyuu time skip so this is all referencing his wiki page and how other people write about him.

writer notes ⸺ disclaimer, i'm just starting the haikyuu manga, so please bear with me. I really tried to embody what people say he embodies, so hopefully, I did this fine man justice. (also disclaimer, i hate the reason they broke up but it was the best one i could find and create.)

wc ⸺ 6.2k

The city was alive mostly at night, it was a beautiful thing. Although, that was where you were not at tonight. 

As you walked, your heels clicked through against the cobblestone walkway. Passing by the bright glass stone lights, lighting your way to the one destination. Smiling, although it was a melancholy one. It had been a while since you had gone out like this, wrapping yourself up in work and distracting yourself from any and everything. Most of your friends would call your recent way of life destructive, so you hoped to get them off your back this way. Your dress was black, matching everything else you wore. After all, the event you were going to was an all-black attire. The dress is backless, along with carefully sewn holes on both sides of the dress. In your hands held both your bag and a gift bag as well, containing a very expensive purse and perfume. 

Soon you arrived at the event, a birthday party, a very private one as well. It was held at a country club you used to frequent as well, back during a different part of your life. Two guards stood out front, one holding a tablet. 

“Name?” The one on the left asked you, the moment you stepped up to them.

You gave them your name, and them checking, glancing at your photo that popped up before looking at you. It was very tight security after all. You hold both bags in one hand, before lowering your glasses and revealing your eyes so they can get a good look at you. The two men nodded, stepping out of the way and opening the door to the private club. They both tell you to enjoy your night, which you thanked them for before walking inside. At the reception of the country club, the lady at the desk smiled, before asking you where you were headed. There must have been multiple events being held during this time, you thought to yourself, no matter though.

You told her the name of your close friend, whose birthday it was today. She smiled, before pointing down the hall, telling you which hall is hosting the party. Smiling, thanking her before walking down yourself. You creaked the door open slightly, the sounds of people mingling together getting louder and louder as you did. The tables were mostly gone, making room for the tall tables designed for people to rest their drinks on. The meshing of gold and green, a garden-themed cocktail party. Vines decorated the walls, paired together with shimmering fake flowers. You smiled to yourself, once again, you thought, she goes all out. Towards the back, hanging a beautifully decorated table which deemed itself to be the gift table was a banner adorning her name. Wading through the crowd, smiling and waving at those you knew and excusing yourself past those you did not know. 

Jumping at the sudden attack behind your back, you heard familiar giggling as pink silk-gloved hands wrap themselves around you. The familiar giggling had you smiling even wider, placing your hands on top of her own, and turning your head to make eye contact with her. 

“I thought you weren’t going to make it!!” She whined in your ear, the smell of saccharine alcohol on her tongue. 

Smiling, you turned towards her fully, wrapping your arms around her in a hug, “of course I wasn’t, I couldn't miss your birthday for the world.”

She fully accepted your hug, letting you go but still keeping her arms around you. Immediately her eyes zeroed in on the gift you had in your hands. She squealed, immediately diving in to swipe it away from you, but you moved back with a quick step, laughing as she pouted once again. Your friend became very spoiled once alcohol tasted her tongue.

“I’ll place this on the gift table and you can open them tomorrow when you're much more yourself, okay?”

She pouted again, but nodded her head, telling you to stop by the cocktail table before finding the rest of your friends. You agreed, turning around to continue on your journey to the gift table. Getting the table, you placed your gift along with the rest of the massive and most expensive gifts as well. Once you did, you turned around, eyeing both the assortment of cocktails available already pre-made, along with an open bar making custom selections for those who didn’t like what was available. Walking over to the table, you looked over everything that was in front of you, and it all looked so good. Martinis, margaritas, and all the different assortment of colored drinks. Glancing over everything one more time, you decided on a gradient-like drink, clear on top with yellow settling at the bottom, decorated with ice at the top and a piece of rose vine and a small bud that had yet to grow into a full-fleshed rose. This specific drink came with its own straw. After carefully sipping it, approving of its taste, you cast your eyes to the crowds, looking for wherever your friends were congregating.

Catching sight of your friend’s frilly pink dress, you started to make your way to them, and then froze…

Standing there, over 6 feet tall, wearing a navy blue silk fitted shirt with matching slacks. You couldn't keep your eyes off of him, eyes seeing his familiar layered chains. When he’s not on the court, he’s always wearing them, especially the ones you got him. Your eyes landed on the biggest one of them all, recognizing it as the one you got him on his birthday, in the very shape of the ball he loves the most. When you left to spend it with him with what little time you had. His birthday was always during the volleyball season here, so you never got to do a more special celebration until the off-season. His ears were adorned with gold studs, face, and hair, and freshly cut, you took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Aran Ojiro looked good, way too good for you to face him again. 

It was only six months ago that you even broke up with him. 

The season had just begun when you did so as well, which usually lasted about six months as well, but you weren’t expecting to see him so soon after. 

Before you could turn around, fall into the crowd and avoid the man, the birthday girl spotted you once again. She smiled, waving to you to come over, calling you by name. Almost immediately, the rest of your group followed her eyesight, including Aran. 

Damn her, you bitterly thought, forcing yourself to pick up your legs to walk over to the group. You kept your eyes on the birthday girl, forcing yourself to ignore the cryptic countenance Aran took the moment he laid his eyes. You greeted the rest of the group, giving hugs to the ones who came up for them, without spilling your drink. 

“It’s so good to see you, it feels like we haven’t seen you in forever!” Fumiya, who stood next to the birthday girl said. 

“I’ve just been… really busy!” You forced a smile on your face, taking another sip of your drink. 

“Yeah, busy throwing yourself into work and barely giving yourself a fucking break.”

The group knew of your recent break with the man not too far away, but it seemed the flowing alcohol stripped away all inhibitions. You could feel his eyes on your own the moment Fumiya said that, although you did your best to ignore it, as the group delved into further conversation. Before you knew it, your straw was sucking up remnants of water from the melting ice. You excused yourself from the group, deciding to go to the bar for a custom drink. 

Smiling at the bartender, you handed over the empty glass before looking over the cocktail menu, the more complicated it was as you looked further down and down the menu. Everything was covered by your friend’s fiance, who was also a very rich man completely in love with her. You looked over what was available, before deciding on a platinum passion, a very expensive drink, something you would never order on a day-to-day basis. As you waited, you could hear footsteps walking about behind you, mostly ignoring them until someone came up right beside you. 

“What would you like to order, sir?” You heard the bartender ask whoever was beside you. 

“Uh, lemme get a Moscow mule.”

Your eyes widened at the familiar voice beside you, but this time you couldn't help but glance to your right, seeing the same man you had been avoiding at all cost right beside you. The two of you locked eyes for a moment, and quickly you looked away, your manicured nails tapping against the open bar. 

“It’s been a while, huh?” You heard him say, knowing his words for you.

You took a deep quick breath, before deciding to speak, “yeah… yeah, it has.”

It went quiet all over again, the awkwardness settling in and suffocating the two of you. Soon the bartender that took your order came over with a tall glass filled with fizzling purple drink, topped with a beautiful orchid and a black straw to tie it all together. You took a sip of it, the taste of passion fruit and expensive champagne, with some sweet apricots mixed in, you could hardly taste the alcohol in the drink. Despite everything telling you not to, you couldn't help yourself, turning towards him. He was leaning against the bar, sipping away at his glass of vodka and ginger beer. Crossing your legs as you glanced over his form once more. You took another sip, watching him as he finished his drink with no stopping, handing his glass right back to the person at the bar. He ordered another one, and as he did, took the opportunity to get closer to you.

“How’s work been for you?” He asked, showing off his soft, sweet smile. 

“It’s been really good for me, I recently closed on a house and am currently setting up some open houses as well.” You said, smiling at the recent positive prospects at your job as a realtor. 

His smile got even bigger at that, which had you smiling even harder.

“How… How is the season this year? I didn’t really keep up with it as much as I wanted.” You said, looking away from him.

The two of you knew what that meant, but the two of you didn’t want to mention it, at least not right now. Nodding his head, he turned his head towards the bartender who gave him his drink. 

“The season was good, really good. I’m just… glad to be home for the time being until training.”

You nodded your head once again at that, “I’m glad... That you had a good season of course.”

As you took a sip of your drink and Aran did at the same time, you couldn’t help but wonder, how different the two of you would be if you hadn’t made the decision you did. Six months ago may not feel like a lot, but if you had asked yourself just fifteen minutes ago before you even laid eyes on him once again, you would have said you were over him. However, you’re here, staring your ex-boyfriend once again in the eyes, and realizing, how much you really missed him. 

Your stomach took on a sudden, heavy feeling of realization as you stood up straight, slightly startling the very same man your mind was in turbulence over. You forced a smile on your face.

“itwasreallynicetoseeyouAranbutihavetogo,” you mumbled down, placing your unfinished drink on the bar before racing past him as fast as you can without drawing much attention to yourself. 

You could hear him call out your name, but you ignored it, opting to open the doors leading to the endarkened hallway of the country club, into sudden cold air. Crossing your arms, rubbing your hands over your upper to provide some kind of warmth. You wanted to grab your phone, to call yourself an Uber or Lyft, whichever would get here fast when you eyed landed on your empty elbow which was supposed to hold your bag. You blinked once, once again, before relaxing you must have left it at the open bar, where you left Aran all high and dry from the… could you even call that a conversation?

Suddenly the door flew open right behind you, showing Aran, eyes wide open and holding two things in his hands. Your very bag that you were just worrying over, and the drink that you had left behind. Immidalet he spotted, his anxious form relaxing as he approached you. 

“You left this behind,” he said quietly, holding them out to you. 

As quiet as he was, you thanked him, taking the things from his hands. As you were about to walk away, Aran’s voice stopped you right in your tracks. 

“Did… did I make a mistake?”

His voice echoed through the hall, louder than he probably meant for it but it hits you nonetheless. Slowly you turned around, taking a deep breath and shaking your head at him. 

“No, it was… it was me, you were… perfect.”

He shook his head, taking even more steps towards you. You tried to step away but he just got closer, “I’m not accepting that, there has to be a reason why you would break up with me with no reason, no reason at all.”

You shook your head once again, “I’m not lying Aran.” You could say this a million times, the look on his face revealed that he wasn’t taking your answer. 

He took another step towards you, and you took another step back. Over again, you did this song and dance until your back hit the wall. You dropped your bag, while he took the drink back, placing it on the ground before standing back up. His tall form towered over you, arm resting above your head as he looked down at you. You could only give him one glance before looking away from him, your mesh-gloved hands trying to push him away from you. Heart pounding with your ears, body beginning to throb all over. Insanity on how he still had such an effect on you. 

A hand came under your chin, moving your face, “look at me,” his low voice mumbled, but it was loud and clear. 

You listened before anything could tell you to stop, looking up at his deep, dark brown eyes, shining with a multitude of emotions. 

“Aran…” you whispered, and that was the last thing you said before feeling lips on your own. 

Taking in a breath of surprise, you could help yourself, falling under his spell, returning the kiss with just as much vigor. The arm that was above you left its position, hand now resting softly on your cheek as his other hand came about your waist, his palms touching the open skin on the dress. Your own hands trailed up from his stomach, the feeling of his abs so familiar under you yet everything you've been craving for a long time. Hands now resting on the sides of his neck, you pulled him as close as you could. 

Slowly, you pulled away from the kiss, the two of you breathing heavily as you did. Suddenly you could feel his rough hands swipe something away on your face… liquid… oh, you’re crying. Sniffing, you tried to wipe away the rest of them but he wasn’t having that, taking both of your hands in one of his before whipping the rest of your tears with his other. Soon after, he took your bag off the ground, along with a drink. With nothing but a motion, he told you to finish up the drink. Nodding your head, you took the drink, tears still silently streaking down your face, as you sip down the rest. He took his phone and keys out of his pockets, before taking your free hand and guiding you out of the country club. You had finished the drink as you reached the receptionist's desk, which was now empty. Aran took the empty glass filled with ice, and placed it on the desk, leaving a small note before taking your hand and taking you right outside. 

It was quiet between the two of you as you walked outside into the cold. Almost immediately, you shivered, and Aran stopped in his tracks. He turned around, facing you, before shifting off his jacket. You tried to refuse the jacket, but he was having absolutely none of that, draping it across your shoulders before taking your hand and leading you right to his car. He unlocked the car, and opened the passenger side, gesturing for you to get inside, which you did. 

Making yourself comfortable within the familiar car, buckling in your seatbelt, as Aran jogged around, opening his own door before sliding inside the car. With a quick press of a button, sliding on his own seatbelt before pulling out of his parking space. With so much to say, and no clear way to say it, the car ride was silent as he drove the two of you to your– his apartment, or his loft, you would put it. As he suddenly turned a sharp left, his broad hand suddenly grabbed at your thigh, keeping you both in place as he turned. It was such a simple gesture but everything about it had your heart racing just like the event hall

Arriving at the parking deck, Aran pulled in, parked, and got out of the car. You knew better than to move, Aran jogging right back over to open your door. Holding his hand, you thanked him, watching him close the door behind you before locking the car. He handed you your bag and you held it as he held a tight grip on your hand, guiding you to the exit into the building. He knew you knew where to go, yet diced on keeping a tight grip on you, the two of you entering a dimmed hallway before heading down the hall to the left. Going down the familiar twists and turns of the loft building, the two of you arrived right in front of his door. Quickly, he unlocked the door, before taking you inside his place. Aran turned on the lights as you entered inside. Eyeing everything, it was just as you left it six months ago. 

Kicking off your heels, you placed them by the door as Aran went to the kitchen, telling you to take a seat on the couch. Despite everything within you, you listened, snuggling within his formal jacket, smelling of frosted apples, whiskey, and white oak. You waited for a few moments, before hearing movement and seeing him walk over to you with a glass hand, filled with water. He sat right next to you, slowly handing over the glass to you. You thanked him, taking a few sips of the water, the coolness relieving pressure building you didn’t know was building within you. Once you had enough, you placed the glass on the glass coffee table in front of you, before feeling your hands grab your own. He turned you towards, holding them close to his, placing a slight kiss on the mesh gloves. You relished in the feeling of his soft lips, the thin material allowing you to do so. Aran soon moved one of his hands around your waist, basically scooping you up and placing you right on his lap. 

“Talk to me, you know how these things go,” he murmured, “we didn't have a chance to because you broke things off right before I left and wouldn’t answer my calls or texts.”

You sighed, leaning into his hold, his arms locking you right into his lap. 

“You said it wasn’t something I did… was it something you did and you simply didn't want to tell me?”

“Did you stop loving me?”

You shook your head as well, denying that qualm as well. 

“Well then, if it’s not any of those, and you say it wasn’t something I did… what prompted you to do so, then?”

You took a deep breath, thumb aimlessly stroking across his fingers, “it wasn't something you did. More like, I made a decision that I thought was best for both of us.”

Confusion overtook his face as you shifted your body, straddling his lap so you could face him fully. You ignored the throbbing within yourself, shifting yourself up to get as close to him as you could. 

“You’ve always been a person of passion, it’s been your life since before I met you. I just… I just like I couldn’t keep up with you sometimes. You would want to do all these things when your home and I… couldn’t keep up.”

“We were on two different wavelengths to me, and I didn’t know how else to fix it.”

You could both feel and hear Aran take in a deep breath before sighing it out, all while his hands made mindless circles into the parts of your skin that were exposed. 

“So it was something I did,” he mumbled in your ear. 

You immediately shook your head, but he shushed, laying his head right on top of your shoulders. You moved your arms up, resting your hand straight on the back of his head, holding him to you. 

“I should have been more sensitive to what you were feeling,” he said, placing a kiss on top of your shoulder. 

You shook your head, “maybe I should have just told you what I was feeling, I was… scared.”

“Scared? Of what?”

You couldn't help but shrug your shoulders, “I… psyched myself into believing you wouldn't understand what I was feeling.”

“Now you know the last thing I would do is judge you, angel.”

You couldn't help but smile at the nickname, it’s been a while since you'd heard, it was your favorite one out of everything he’s ever called you. Aran continued to place kisses on top of your shoulders, moving closer and closer to your neck, His heated breath caused you to shiver within his hold, and your hands tightened around the back of his neck. You could feel your dress rising up with every movement you made, your body aching for him after so long. His movements went from your shoulder to your neck, laying careful but electrifying kisses all along it. 

Gasping his name, you curled into him, his hands soon sliding from your hips to your ass. He gripped at it tightly, and before you knew it, he got up with you still in his arms. You squealed, holding on to him tightly as he made a few steps before heading up his black cherry-wood stairs, heading up to his own bedroom on the second floor. The moment he arrived at the top, he took a few uck steps to the left before launching you right onto the bed, landing on the soft material. You scooted back a bit, resting again on your arms and the pillows as Aran began to unbutton his shirt a bit. The dark shirt slowly revealed his very well-fitted form, from years of volleyball. He threw his shirt to the side, before getting on the bed, climbing right on top of you. 

“I fucking missed you,” he mumbled into your skin, his hands dipping down under your rising dress. 

Breathless as he pressed his fingers against your panties, taking in the wetness staining them. He left a few kisses along your cheek before capturing another kiss, pressing himself as he did. You held his face in your hands as he kissed you, deeply, as if you were going to disappear right in front of him. The dress straps were slipping with every movement he made against you, the dress falling off all the same. He pushed himself in between your legs, allowing you to wrap them around his waist as well. His thick fingers slipped past your panties, two of them easing themselves deep inside you. Gasping within the kiss, unconsciously squeezing around them. Aran said nothing as he teases you, taking his thumb to rub slow yet deep circles in your clit, moving his fingers just as slowly. 

Slowly, he let go of the kiss, keeping his lips right next to your ear as his hollow deep voice whispered into it. He took in your squirms, your pleas for him to go faster, knowing this pace couldn’t do anything for you. 

“Relax for me,” his voice was soft but stern. 

You tried your best to listen to him, but your body still slightly trembled in anguish, wanting him to do more and more to you. Slowly he began to speed up, sating the building desire and frustration within you. Your legs had spread wider and wider, allowing him to hit deeper and deeper. At this point your dress had fallen off your dress, scrunching up and pooling around your waist. Dripping all over his fingers, your body quivered and shook, jerking as you cried out. 

You hear his voice speak up again, “you gonna come for me?”

Rapidly shaking your head, no words come to your head as your mind begins filling with brown noise. You could feel his body pressing against you, keeping the same rapid pace, with no sense of stopping. Squeezing around him, your hands came up around his upper arms, squeezing them so tight, your sharp nails dug dents into his skin. He paid it no mind, entrancing by the spaced-out look on your face. 

“Don’t hold back, angel.”

Eyes closing shut, your body convulsed, a loud gasp-like moan coming out through the room, arousal gushing out of all over your thighs and his fingers. You melted back into his hold and bed, mind floating and filled with noise. Slowly he pulled his fingers out, not being able to see him taking the two before lapping your juices up. Sono you felt hands right at your waist, pulling off the rest of the dress, along with your panties. Once the clothes were gone, you could feel those same hands pull right down towards him, matching up eye to eye with him. Aran placed one hand on your face, keeping the other one at your waist. He lowered his face down to you, whispering in your ear, 

“You okay angel?”

You nodded your head, and slowly brought up your arms to his face, holding his face in your hands. He accepted your soft kiss, his thumb rubbing affectionately against your cheek. Using your arm, you prop yourself up, pushing back against him as he rises up a bit. His hands went back down around your waist, before flipping the two of you with ease, you laying right on top of him. You swung your legs over his body as you let go of the kiss, straddling his lap. You reached down, unclasping his pants button before slowly pulling down the zipper. Slowly you stripped his pants away, revealing plain black boxers. You pushed his pants as far down as they could, Aran kicking off the rest of his legs and the bed. Your hands went on his boxers next, slowly peeling them back. Before you could even peel them down a quarter of the way, his thick cock sprung out, slapping against his abdomen. You peeled them down the rest of the way, scooting back a bit, leaning down with soft, wet kisses against his stomach, leading down to the tip. He let out small, soft gasps with every kiss you left. 

You relished every sound he made, tongue swirling and teasing him, knowingly teasing him just as he did you. Having had enough of your antics, Aran’s hands gripped at your shortened locs, no longer in the high ponytail you had for the part. You slowed him to slowly guide your head down his length, your hands wrapping around the rest of the length you couldn’t swallow. The moment his cock hit the back of your throat, he groaned, head thrown back. Bobbing your head up and down, droll dripping down onto his length. The sounds of his pleasure only fueled your actions further, your hand coming around to your lips couldn't reach. 

“So good, so fucking good for me,” he let out, using his hands to help guide down his cock. 

You moaned around him, causing him to jerk within your hold, heaving in and out. Just as quickly he had your entire being under his spell, you couldn't deny how much you released in the sounds Aran made for you. 

How could I ever part with him in the first place? You couldn't help but think to yourself, feeling his grip against your hair tighten, as if was beginning to brace himself. This didn't stop your movements and continued to swallow him down. He wants you as much as he could get out of his mouth, before the taste of slightly sour yet basic flooding your mouth. You swallowed all his cum, not letting up even after Aran let go of your hair. Taking a deep breath, you lifted your head off of his cock, placing wet kisses all along it. His hands suddenly grabbed your hips, dragging you right up to him. You hovered right over him, smiling as you looked down at his face. As you went down for another kiss, you could feel his own hands guiding your hips further down. 

Gasing, gripping his hands in sharp pain as he began to slowly sink his cock inside you. You begged for him to go slowly, hearing him whisper in your ear. 

“Breath through your nose, angel, I’ll go as slow as you need me to do.”

You nodded your head hanging onto every word that fell from his lips. It had been so long, and the fact he was so big was an even bigger contributing factor. Overwhelmed, your head dropped down to his chest as his hands moved from your hips to underneath your butt. Restricted in his movements, his grip on you was tight as he slowly lifted your body up and down. Your body lay against his, trying your best to relax as he slowly fucked you, allowing your body to get used to him once again. Aran whispered in your ears, guiding you through everything. Soon your painful gasps became filled with passion, your tight grip on his shoulders loosening up. Your own hips began to grind down. 

“Better?” he whispered, feeling your own hips begin to move against him. 

You let out a moan in affirmation, nodding against his chest before feeling him thrust up once. His pace began to quicken, beginning to repeatedly plunge into you. His every movement overwhelmed you, curling into the pleasure. Your hands roamed his chest, nails slightly digging into them as he ravished you through and through. The sounds of wet skin slapping against wet skin, the gush of your arousal soaking the both of you, dripping onto the bed. Suddenly, he lifted you up, rising above the bed. Quickly, you wrapped your arms around his shoulder and neck, holding on tight as he stood up, slamming your back against the wall. Head threw back in pleasure as he parted your legs widener, his grip on your thighs so strong he could leave bruises. 

Aran nuzzled against your neck, his hot heavy breath breathing shivers down your body. He nipped away at your neck, taking in every sound you made under him. 

“Soso good,” your words were slurring together, eyes rolling to the back of your head. 

“You’re taking me so well, angel, fuck I could fuck you all night,” he groaned into your ear, biting at it slightly at the end. 

Your body and voice cried out at that, expletives falling from your lips. He was hitting so deep, he could almost bruise your cervix with the pace he was going. You couldn’t complain, you had never felt more within a single moment. The number of marks you left on his body would definitely be noticeable tomorrow, but you couldn't care less about that. He continued leaving kisses along your neck, sucking and biting against the skin as well. Tension was inciting, building within you, your cunt throbbing and squeezing tighter and tighter around him. 

“I’m gonna, fuck I’m gonna⸺” you could barely finish your warning before the dam broke, cum gushing out of you, making a bigger mess than before.

“Oooh fuck,” your body shook and shuddered, letting out a loud moan as you came all over him, squirting all over you. 

Aran didn’t stop his movements for a second, fucking you through your prolonged orgasm. Your body twitches within his hold, incoherent words slurring together from your mouth. Just as quickly as he moved you from the bed, he pulled out for a moment, carrying you right back to the bed before sliding right back into you, your legs stretched to their maximum. You screamed, hands reaching for something ground as you could feel his fat tip press right against your cervix, 

“Too deep,” you squealed, overly sensitive from the orgasm you just had. 

He said nothing, his slams into you starting to become more erratic, his mind getting just as spaced out as your own. His body hovered over you, slamming into you with everything breath he had in him, face furrowed in concentration. You could do nothing but take the force of his pummels, mind floating and body tingling from everything around you. His sweat dripped down from his face, his chains falling in front of you, dangling above your face. 

With a sudden groan, “fuck⸺”, he slammed into you aimlessly a few more times, before going, his body laying right on top of you as he groaned into your neck. 

You could feel him filling you up, gasping as you did. In the back of your mind, you were thankful you were still on birth control. His body was sticky with sweat, sticking on top of yours as the two of you just lay there. He turned his head, moving it right back to your face, before laying soft and sweet kisses all over your face and cheek, completely different from the man who had just ravaged and relished in your every being. 

Slowly, he pulled out, the two of you hissing from the sensitivity as he did. You could barely move off the bed, only hearing his movements as he walked away from the bed. You could only sit with your thoughts, they began to run rough, wondering if he had suddenly regretted that before hearing his footsteps approach the bed. Suddenly, you felt something cold and wet along your inner thighs, pressing carefully into the sore places his grip got a little too tight. You smiled, this was familiar, reminiscing on the days past. Hissing at the sudden switch in sensations, but relaxing as the cold wet rag made your inner thighs better. Aran continued to wipe away the mess on your body, along with carefully pressing the rag against your pussy to allow for it to receive some relief. It helps you regain some of your strength, being able to watch him walk away into the bathroom to clean himself up. He kept the door open, allowing you to gaze and look at him as he did, watching the cold water drip down his body as well. 

He felt your eyes on him, turned around, and saw you keeping your eyes on every part of his body. Aran only smirked, turning away from you. 

“You better stop looking at me before I want a round two,” is all he said, turning on the sink and ringing out the rag. 

Your boisterous laugh echoed through the loft, flipping around in the sheets, which were still slightly wet. You heard the sink turn off, before seeing Aran walk over with a blanket and a silk wrapping in hand. Together the two of you laid the blanket down on the bed, before grabbing the thick, black comforter and wrapping yourselves in it, exhaustion hitting your body like freight trains. Aran took the silk wrapping, helping you place your hair into it before falling into the blankets.

Yawning, you could feel his strong arms wrap themselves sound you, pulling you into him. You turned around, snuggling into his physique, hands coming up right under your head to get more comfortable under him. You felt him place a kiss on 

You know you’re still in due for a long conversation concerning your insecurities within your relationship. How this situation even came to be was all about you getting into your head, along with other outside forces that you would rather not talk about. However, there was one thing you could come to a conclusion about when it comes to Aran Ojiro, you could never fully part with him. Even if your paths diverge at the end.

taglist: @orchiddreamz @shamelesshoefairy

#aran ojiro x reader #ojiro aran #aran ojiro #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu smut #haikyuu x black reader #aran ojiro smut #aran ojiro x black reader #haikyu x you #haikyuu x reader smut #haikyuu!! #haikyuu x female reader #haikyuu x poc!reader #ojiro aran x reader #haikyū!! #haikyuu imagines #haikyu smut #haikyu x reader #black reader #anime x black!reader #haikyu x black reader #aran x black reader

[brights-place]

Hi!

I saw your Barb x wife post (very cute), could you do a Riff x husband reader?

(I promise this will be the last time I ask for Riff stuff, probably)

Riff X Husband! S/O

Pairings: Riff X Reader

Warnings: Fluff, mild cursing, THE GAYS ARE GAYING YAYYY!

A/N: I got so happy with this request and wrote this down so fast since I was checking my inbox!

Barb introduced you two to each other 7 in an half years and you and riff had been together for longer about 9 years running he proposed to you 3 years ago. You knew how Riff wad awkward sometimes and how he does little drum stick tricks to impress you or would play drum versions of your favorite songs and ask you to guess the beat. When he was gonna propose to you he played the 'here comes the bride' but in drums and you didn't guess what it was but said it was cool yet you didn't know what it was at all. You two were at the rooftop staring out at the night sky as the candle is warm light shined where you both laid as Riff got up and stold you t turn around which he did and you gasped seeing him on an knee with an Silver engagement ring with your birth gemstone on it which made you smiled as Riff spoke in an shaky voice "Okay I know we have been dating for so long but... I've been planning on how to do this and it's very hard!" riff said chuckling hiding deeper into his beanie "(name) You have been by my side through the toughest of storms, shining like a beacon in the darkest night. You have shown me that true beauty lies beyond the stars, and I want to share that with you for all eternity. Will you spend every night gazing into my eyes for as long as we shall live? Will you stay with me as we journey through the unknown with a never ending spark of love? (Name)" Riff took an sharp inhale as you teared up slightly "Will you marry me and be my husband (name)?" Riff said looking away as you smiled nodding quickly tackling him to the floor and kissing him deeply

You pulled away as he held you close tearing up “Knarly dude…” You giggled “damn right” You said kissing riffs face as he blushed. Once you two came back inside you were met by King Thrash and barb ho were smirking and congratulating you two for getting engaged and soon planned together an wedding sitting side by side as you two talked about different things for the weddings.

Currently you two where wondering where exactly it would be hosted “It could be hosted on where we first met?” Riff suggested as you hummed thinking to yourself “We met at an pub plus I wanted to invite our friends from outside of volcano rock city our temperature here is much different were use to it but they might not be” “Oh good idea!” you giggled cupping riffs face taking off his beanie which made his hetochromia eyes stare at you lovingly as kiss you back as he pulled away "I Love you" "Love you too"

The day of your wedding you were freaking out fanning your face as you were in the dressing room wearing your suit. It was a black leather jacket with a white shirt and black tie featuring silver embroidered roses, lightning bolts, and music notes. The jacket has a few rips and tears, revealing a layer of white lining beneat it. The shoulders were padded with cotton foam, filling it out slightly. The suit itself is somewhat worn, the edges darkened with shadows and dirt. The pants are made of black leather, with a few creases lining the seams. The shoes are black leather, but scuffed around the heels. You were panicking as Barb slapped your back making you yelp as she laughs "Don't worry Riff is also scared since its the first time he will be showing his eyes infront of an crowd and well He's marrying you" Barb laughed when you blushed "Your right!" After barb eft you checked yourself in the mirror before heading to the Altar. The wedding ceremony was a perfect mesh of elegance and rock 'n roll theme. The rock 'n roll themed wedding was a perfect mix of elegance and rock 'n roll vibes.

It decorated with edgy yet classy rock 'n roll accents. The venue was decorated with dramatic black walls, featuring white accents and gold details. The venue was completely transformed into a vibrant and fun rock 'n roll theme, featuring colorful stage lighting, edgy punk rock decorations, and musical elements such as vintage rock instruments and neon lights. The tables were adorned with dramatic black table cloths and edgy black tablescape decorations, making for a perfect venue for rock 'n roll lovers.

An altar had an mix of your favourite flowers and riffs favourite wilted flowers together as you stood at the altar while Riff stood at the other end staring down the aisle with a nervous look. You saw riffs suit The suit was a dark and faded black in coloring, as the fabric had been dyed to achieve that specific faded look. It was fitted snugly to the man's body, revealing his fit and toned physique that looked as if it had been sculpted by the gods themselves. The collars was high and round, reminiscent of an old, punk-rock style that had been done before. A few buttons were left undone, revealing his slightly ripped shirt. While his beanie had an black ripped veil in front of it as he walked to the Alter “Your beautiful” you two say in sync before giggling at each other as the pastor spoke telling the basics as as always before motioning for You to start with Your vows as you gulped and spoke nervously "Riff, as I stand here, with my heart overflowing with love, I am reminded of the beauty and uniqueness of our journey together. From this moment forward I promise you this..." You took an sharp inhale before staring at Riff You couldn't help but smile and look to teh crowd and back to Riff "I promise to love you in a way that is as unique and beautiful as the love we've built together. Our love is a master piece in my eyes unlike your drums." Riff gasped dramatically jokingly as you two laughed "but yes our love is a master piece in my eyes painted with the brushstrokes of our laughter. our shared dreams and the countless moments that have brought us here. I vow to be your wavering support and your safe harbor. In your presence I've found the courage to be the best version of myself and I will forever be the wind beneath your wings propelling you to reach new heights. With you, I've found a love that is both unique and beautiful, a love that is intricately woven into the fabric of my soul. I choose you, not just as my partner, but as my muse, my best friend, and the one who makes my world rocking! I Today and forever I give you my heart and my soul, and the promise of a unique and beautiful love story that will continue to unfold chapter by chapter I love you, in ways that word can only begin to describe is amazing" Riff smiled at you as you smiled back as Riff spoke up “Well damn it’s just like when I propose to you I’m so nervous… I can’t even believe I’m saying it out loud cause I know I’m gonna be made fun of by Barb” Barb shouted from the front row seat "FUCK YEAH I AM! GET SOME RIFF!" Riff sighed softly "(name) I promise to always be there for you, to listen and understand you, and to love and accept you as you are. I commit myself to our relationship and to growing and building a strong foundation together, with trust, respect and communication. I vow to honor your wishes and strive to meet your needs, and to always support and respect you. We will face challenges together as a team, and work to always overcome them, hand in hand... even though you annoy the shit out of me aswell I love you" You both soon started to tear up “How do straight people do this without crying?!” You complained as Riff laughed in agreement. The pastor smiled handing you two your drumsticks and your rings which you traded and gave eachother

You both were wearing a skeleton ring with you having a Obsidian that was cracked and contained inside your birth stone and and Riff having an obsidian that was cracked and inside held ruby as the pastor soon spoke “You may now kiss the groom!” You may or may not have grabbed riff by the waist dipping him to the floor and kissing him happily with an large smirk as others cheered while rock n roll trolls screamed doing the rock symbol with you and riff doing the same while kissing each other happily as riff eyes opened showing his hetochromica eyes that stared at you lovingly "I Love you" "Love you too" you both say smiling

reblogs + comments are appreciated ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

©brights-place 2023 — do not repost on another platform, copy, translate or edit my works! if you fit my DNI list please don't interact

#fluff #headcannons #x reader #trolls #trolls world tour #dreamworks trolls #fliff trolls #trolls band together #trolls riff #riff #riff trolls #trolls fanfiction #trolls fanfic #trolls movie #trolls world #Riff X Reader #Trolls Riff

[candymay]

My crazy roman empire is Lana and Armie's work and life parallel like in that it's always sunny in philadelphia conspiracy theory meme way

2010: Lana's debut studio album as Lana Del Ray, a.k.a Lizzy Grant // Armie's breakout role in The Social Network. Fun fact: one of the songs is titled "Put Me In A Movie." Armie also tied the knot that year.

2012-2013: Marked Lana's major-label debut with "Born To Die," a divisive album that jumpstarted her career but also faced enduring criticism from media and critics. // Armie experienced his first "flop" with big studio films in "Mirror Mirror" and "The Lone Ranger," but the real ones know they're actually golden lol.

2017: marked a pivotal moment for both Lana and Armie. Lana unveiled her first SMILE on her album titled LUST FOR LIFE (the antithesis of her pessimistic Born To Die), sounds like a stupid insignificant detail yet it resonated deeply with the fans, marking a departure from her "sad girl" persona. It's her summer bop album. Very Timothee's Elio. // Obvi, Armie delivered his standout summer love performance in CMBYN, solidifying his position in Hollywood. It was a momentous occasion for Lana, particularly with the release of her song "Get Free" — you literally just had to be there it changed her history forever lol. Finally, I'm crossing the threshold From the ordinary world To the reveal of my heart I never really noticed that I had to decide To play someone's game or to live my own life But now I do I want to move Out of the black Into the blue

2020-2021: Lana faced major backlash for her infamous Instagram post "Question for the Culture" and later for wearing a mesh-looking mask during COVID. // Armie's divorce and scandal lol. Interestingly, the year before, Lana released the masterpiece "Norman Fucking Rockwell!" featuring the song "The Greatest." And I'm wasted Don't leave, I just need a wake-up call I'm facin' the greatest The greatest loss of them all The culture is lit and I had a ball I guess I'm signin' off after all

2023: Lana Del Rey released a diaristic masterpiece with "Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd," transitioning from her self-indulgent, character-driven songwriting to a more personal and introspective exploration of her family and personal life. // After a period of silence, Armie's interview was published in AirMail as a full-length article. One of the songs, "Kintsugi," reflects on the recent deaths of three of her relatives, including her grandmother. Similarly, Armie had recently experienced loss; his father, his grandmother, and Florence.

Daddy, I miss them I'm in the mountains Probably running away, I've been meaning to say That there's nothing to do except know that this is How the light gets in Like cracking, the light gets in Then you're golden Just another folk song, but anyway I try so hard, but that's okay It's how the light gets in Armie opened up about his experience of sexual abuse by his youth pastor, marking the first time he publicly discussed it. Lana addressed a similar theme for the first time in her Grammy-nominated song "A&W". If I told you that I was raped Do you really think that anybody would think I didn't ask for it? I didn't ask for it I won't testify, I already fucked up my story On top of this, so many other things you can't believe

2024: Both are now living their best sober lives, with Lana having been sober for 20 years after her early struggles with alcohol and Armie has been sober for three years. They are now thriving, embracing new habits like vaping (lol), learning more about spirituality, and hanging with their family, and it seems like it's only up, up, up from here.

#too long but please bear with me i'm just a crazy bitch #there r still so many other details but i'll stfu for now

[madnessreruns]

Please may I have yandare! Arkham Asylum Scarecrow kidnapping, being touchy and doting over the gn or male reader who just so happens to work as a psychologist at Arkham?

Are you Afraid?

Arkham Asylum! Scarecrow x G/N reader

Note: I didn’t specify the gender of the reader, cause there was no need to include it.

Warnings: Kidnapping, yandere themes, slightly suggestive at the end of it.

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“What-..what the…?” You softly said, your vision blurring as you came back to reality. Your ears ringing, all other sounds were hard to make out, mixed together, you couldn’t even make it all out. The only thing you could make out in fact was a voice speaking to you, a high pitched laugh erupting through the room.

As your vision unblurred, the black spots fading away, but the light was hard to adjust to. It wasn’t like it was very bright, but the contrast was hard to but aside.

When you finally are able to focus your eyes you came to find yourself, strapped down, lying completely on a medical table. The lamp shining down on your had a cloth taped over it, dampening the source.

Bandages seemed to be wrapped around your mouth, being securely held by medical tape around the front. The tightness of the bond made it impossible for you to move your mouth. You turned your head, trying to get a good look at your surroundings. It was obvious that you were no longer in the asylum, which is where you last were. You had fallen asleep at your desk, then you woke up here.

As you looked around you heard subtle thumping behind you, or maybe above you. You couldn’t see what, or who it was, your neck couldn’t look that far up, plus a rolly medical table was also positioned at the top of the table. The array and assortment of tools blocked your view of the noises.

“Who are you?” You shouted, wiggling around on the table, trying to break free of your confinements. The man laughed, the sound echoed through the room, a shudder went down your spine. The noise was eerily familiar, something you had heard before.

Writhing and wriggling, thrusting your torso up against the leather strap holding you tight to the table, barley being able to breath properly with how strict the grip was. It made you claustrophobic, the pressure against your chest and stomach made you panic as you began to thrash on the table.

Worry flooded through your body, a pit of terror sitting in your gut, you couldn’t move your legs, your arms barley had wiggle room, and you couldn’t lift your hands up enough to even loosen any of your restraints.

Tears clouded your vision, the loud, shrieking lighter almost drowned out the blaring ringing in your ears.

The thumping approached you, you figured they were footsteps as they had a pattern to them, you saw a figure, a shadow behind the light. Your panic got worse, you began to squirm your way to the opposite side of the table, trying to get as far away from the looming man as possible.

He leaned forward, you could feel something that hung from his neck tickling yours as he got closer.

When you gathered the courage to look at him you did, and what you were met with shot horror through your body.

A masked face, under a torn and worn hood. The mouth hole of the mask was almost fully sewn together, leading strings to dangle off of the hole, some holding it shut, but you could almost see inside through the small holes left.

The eyes were a mesh sorts, small holes in the burlap material providing the man proper sight as he gazed into your eyes, peeling away your person to reveal the soul within, his undying stare…

Another laugh erupted from his mask, his eyes closing tightly, leaning his head down to rest on your quickly rising and falling chest. You could see what was tickling your neck, a cut off noose hung from his neck, the loose little things frilling off of the end of the rope.

As he looked back up, slightly turning his head as he leaned forward, his chin right above your neck as he looked over you, bloodshot eyes never blinking.

You paused, why was this man’s eyes so familiar to you? It seemed like you had stared into them before, the swirl of the red, mixed in with the natural hazel to brown ratio of his iris… you had come to a sudden realization.

“Crane?” You exclaimed, pushing back against the table once more, you could see the madman’s smile that crooked onto his face as you realize who he was.

“Doctor…” he said, soft giggles and cackles escaping his lips in between the syllable of your title. He was acting strange, maybe it was his power he had, the constant laughing out you on edge.

“What the fuck? What the hell are you doing?” You shouted, your loud voice not fazing him as he he swiftly hopped up into the table, almost straddling you as he only slightly was raised above you. Pressing the side of your face into the table trying to get away from him.

“Havent I made it most clear?” He voice was sharp as he rushed his words out, he gently caressed your exposed neck with his gauntlet, the grazing of the needles caused your breath to hitch.

“Obvi-Obviously not..” your hissed, scrunching your face up, preparing for the incision of his needles into the vulnerability of your neck.

He leaned down, removing the needles, replacing it with the material of his mask, pressing his nose on your neck through it, deeply inhaling, you cringed as he let out an oddly pleasurable sigh. He pressed his body back down into you, resting his body on yours.

“Uh- hey man,” you struggled between the already tense restraints, and the whole person resting on you.

You couldn’t deny the fact that before this, you had gotten attached to this man through your sessions, trying to talk him through everything. He had only been compliant with you, not resisting anything, willingness to follow your instructions, he was different with you then the other psychologists.

So the fact that he was snuggling into your neck was only slightly alarming, it made your face heat up as he rises from his resting point. You stared into his eyes, the beautiful colors shining back at you.

“I believe you’ve gotten the message now, doctor..” he said, his high-pitched voice going softer. You nodded, if you were getting his messages, you became oddly excited, your eyes darted around his masked face as gently pulled it up, revealing the man underneath.

He was older, not really old, but definitely older then you. He was sharp and soft features at the same time, several scars covering the soft skin on his face. Speaking of that, he was skinny, very skinny, his cheeks hollow as he gave you the wide, mad smile he was originally hiding under his mask.

He lowered his face onto yours, pressing his lips into yours. They were chapped, and thin, but you couldn’t bring yourself to care as you lifted your face up to lean into him, gently kissing him back. He reached down, swiftly undoing your arm and torso restraints, allowing you to lean up, grabbing his body.

You ran your finger through his now exposed hair, it was slightly knitted and tangled, but as you continued to make out with him, you gently worked your fingers through those.

He pulled away, his eyes soft, his hands running and rubbing over your body. He ran his hand down, and down, slipping it under your white button up your normally wore under your coat, but he had taken that off prior to strapping you down.

He ghosted his finger tips over the bottom of your torso, dancing his jagged and chipped fingernails over the soft skin, occasionally pressing into, just enough to turn the skin around it a soft red.

He trailed his hand up to the top buttons, slowly undoing them, one at a time, his slow, steady pace got your breath to speed up in excitement. He looked up at you after finishing, leaving the cloth hanging on your form, not yet taking it off despite it being unbuttoned.

He leaned down, pressing kisses onto your collarbone and neck, hot, it felt like every time he would press his lips to your skin, for every open mouthed kiss, it felt like he burnt a hole in the skin of your neck. He tilted his head up, his lips outside your ear.

“Tell me doctor.. are you afraid?”

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⋆✦⋆ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

#cas.txt #ask #anonymous #jonathan crane x reader #jonathan crane #arkham games #arkhamverse #scarecrow #scarecrow x you #scarecrow x reader #jonathan crane x you #suggestive

[helloanthy]

Just finished reading your transfem Saionji/transmasc Nanami & Anthy notes and I loved it so much. I wish there were more people discuss RGU from a trans lense/thinking about how RGU characters being trans would affect the narrative and help explore the already present under other lights themes (because I think that for what RGU's world and theme are it would jive well with trans themes and for discussing the community as a whole), and your notes were such a joy to read.

You captured the characters perfectly and transmasc Nanami has all of my heart I love him so much. I have been rotating the idea of a transmasc/gnc nanami into my head for a long time, but I never really realised how to articulate it, and I think you did a really great job with him.

Him envying Anthy for being able to wear a dress (even if it's the rose bride dress...) but at the same time fearing becoming what the rose bride dress actually is and just expressing all of those feelings into hate for Anthy not dressing like "a proper boy", UGHHHH I LOVED THAT CONCEPT.

Saionji still having flings with Touga despite the fact that he will never chase after her and hating Anthy because she's the only woman Touga shows "interest" in and actively "chases" after, while she's just another conquest for him, she's just like any other girl for him. Gut wrenching, absolute punch in the gut.

I never thought of female Touga and transmasc Nanami but I feel like a new entire world was open up to me, and it's an absolutely amazing concept.

I love how in depth you go with this vision of the characters, and his you dwell into real actual problems and experience that trans peps have and how society's cisheteronormative view has an effect on us.

Sorry for leaving this long ass ask, but I got some brainrot and I am prolly gonna write something about it and I wanted to express to you how much I Ioved reading your notes <3 <3 <3 <3

aaa im so happy u enjoyed them ! & i agree !! i also wish there were more discussion and trans exploration of RGU ! i agree so much that RGU's themes would mesh well with trans narratives which is why i enjoy them so much ... my friend said, that he thinks transgender headcanons enhance RGU's themes and help modernise the story as well one of the messages of RGU is that heteropatriarchy hurts everyone. including boys & men. but it was crucial to the impact & message of the story that the main characters and narrative struggles were of girls, because they suffer most under the patriarchy revolutionary girl utena was and IS still revolutionary, but it was still made in the 90s and has some blind spots. since people are becoming more aware of it now why not add explicit transness to the narrative ? [the trans AU i hold the closest to my heart is transfem anthy 🥹] im glad you agree with my character interpretations ! i actually dont feel like im good at characterisation [which is why i personally draw instead of write aaa so often i wish i could write things but they require much more skill] or do i think im that good at dissecting gender to be honest ... so im very happy to read your message and kind words ! pleeease dont be sorry for the ask i loved reading it and if you do end up writing trans RGUs i would love to read that aas well !!!!

#✉️ #genderbend cw

[aurpiment]

Hey, hi, hate to bother you but could you remind me why Estraven skis into the border at the end? I got a friend of mine to read tlhod, and she doesn't understand, and I can't remember, nor find the answer on your blog (I suspect the tag searching function isn't working properly)

Thanks in advance!

I’m about to go to bed so this is not as eloquent as I’d wish but here’s my answer!

soo. It’s not spelled out in the story. I personally believe it’s because he didn’t think he was going to be able to keep hiding out in the region after Thessicher betrayed him and heading back to Orgoreyn was going to be hard too. I’m not sure he 100% intended to die but I think he was at a point where he did not see the value in being more cautious with his life either.

The first time he snuck into Orgoreyn he was barely able to get a low-paid difficult job at the fish cannery and his work permit was randomly suspended for a month due to a xenophobic law. Add to that the fact that he’s a wanted criminal on the Orgota side of the border for busting Genly out of prison… options are bleak even if he does survive. I don’t know that he wholly intended to die. He likely didn’t intend to cross the border in front of Genly, but Genly refused to leave his side the whole day because Genly was under the impression Estraven would be able to make it across the border after dark. There might have also been a sliver of a chance of making it past the guards! Projectile guns are rarer than sonic guns in Karhide, and aren’t used in Orgoreyn at all. There was a chance the Karhidish guards could have been carrying sonic guns like they were at Kuseben when Estraven crossed the Gulf of Charisune (not lethal at enough of a distance, so speed helps!) instead of projectile ones like they actually did. I think it was a horribly risky gamble but he didn’t have enough hope or options left to plan something safer.

That’s the in-fiction level. Now, on an authorial level, I think he did it because Le Guin wished to write a tragedy, and you can’t have a tragedy without terrible loss.

The first time I read Left Hand I was shocked by Estraven’s death and angry at Le Guin for it. But the second time I read it, two years later, the narrative clicked for me as a whole. It doesn’t come out of nowhere and it fits with the rest of the story. The tragedy is foreshadowed by the myths. The myths that Le Guin has her author/editor character Genly include aren’t intended as random samplings of Karhidish and Orgota lore. I’m sure they’ve got happier stories on Gethen. Le Guin on an authorial level and Genly on a higher in-fiction level are including stories about death and loss (most of them) and fear of the other turning to knowledge and union and the birth of new kinds of living in the world (orgota creation myth) and getting in trouble for returning land to previous owners (Estraven the Traitor) and so on, to set a tone, establish parallels with the text, and do the heavy lifting for worldbuilding. (At the risk of digressing, I also think the Eye of Meshe is doing a lot for the balance of light and darkness thesis. All light all the time no darkness is what the Yomesh state cult wants, but their prophet was miserable for it. And you need some shadows to see. Blinding light will make you trip on ice. That’s Leguinian Daoism baybee.)

But besides the myths, which do an excellent job of setting the theme and tone and giving us context for Estraven’s backstory (he’s too reticent and ashamed to tell us outright about Arek and Sorve) I also look at the New Port keystone in the first chapter as a symbol. Estraven tells Genly that the mortar of the keystone must be set in blood, because without blood the bond will fall, and that it used to be human blood. So when the Ekumen establishes a bond with Karhide and Gethen as a whole, there is once again blood in the metaphorical mortar, and it is Estraven’s.

#Asks #anonymous #the left hand of darkness #mt

[electriczayre]

RAHHHHHHHH TAKE MY SWAP PPMV DESIGNS (sorry no una </3 she's bapy and i wanted to focus on the adults with the swaps)

(edit: tumblr why did u format the post that way. i didnt ask you to do that. anyway fixed it)

design notes under cut

Flower (Right as Rain):

• Based on Flower's v4 design, for no particular reason other than it seemed fitting

• Patches aren't really shown, but instead of the daisy(?) patch it's a black tulip!

• sports bra/crop top thing goin on bc slay

• shorts and boots largely the same as box flower

• bandana tied around right arm, and bandages on left (can be over or under the jacket sleeve ig since they're for aesthetic)

• fingerless gloves :]

• i wanted to give round goggles bc i thought it would fit Flower, almost going for a steampunk type thing with the round goggles

Flower (Sabotage)

• used v3 because her look RADIATES ghost energy. like look at her. absolute queen

• corset has a heart design in the middle <3

• choker connected to mesh shirt under the corset

• big jacket !!! like the original Sabotage

• her black skirt is plain like Better Off Worse v3's skirt but tbh it could work with box v3's skirt design too

• boots same as box

• not shown, but her "ghost color" is purple :>

Po-uta (Sabotage)

• due to being Dead tm, his hair is light on the top where his roots are! the bottom is dyed yellow

• he wears a golden heart locket necklace

• black turtleneck sweater bc. Po-uta and sweaters yk

• oversized cardigan instead of whatever typa jacket Sabotage Len has goin on bc it's more Po-uta-core

• tighter fitting pants than box Po-uta, but with the cool pockets still. shoes are mostly the same as box Po's

• his "ghost color" is either yellow (or possibly will change to a similar blue to Right as Rain Po's sweater - depending on if i can pull off a shade of yellow or not)

Po-uta (Better Off Worse)

• his roots have grown out real long bc of lack of management of his hair :(

• he wears a big comfy oversized sweater - probably jade green

• boxer shorts under the sweater

• he wears a triple necklack thingy thing

• his long socks are cat themed bc i think Po likes cute things

Len (Better Off Worse)

• his hair's a bit longer! also bc of lack of management

• his hair is also YELLOW bc he is alive ! though perhaps at the ends it's dyed teal

• he wears a sort of muscle tee with white stripes on the sides

• he gets arm warmers to represent whatever the heck those arm things are on box len. socks are also representative of the leg things

Len (Right as Rain)

• Easily the closest in energy to box Len out of the original Sabotage and my Better Off Worse design. Still the same age as Sabotage (which is to say, unspecified but a young adult)

• Hair tufts rounder, made to kinda look like feathers

• stubby ponytail = less hair to get in the way when flying

• bass cleff patch instead of daisy patch

• the jacket sleeves kinda puff out to mimic box len's armwear, and the patches are meant to look like the tech on them

• big socks with design meant to mimic box len's legwear with the tech

• shorts and shoes similar to box len

• yellow hair!!! and goggles similar to the original Right as Rain Po-uta

• teal turtleneck sweater

Extra Note: I wanted to keep some consistency across characters and roles!

• each Flower has a choker and boots

• each Po has a necklace and some sort of sweater

• each Len has armwear/legwear

• each Right as Rain has the goggles and jacket

• each Sabotage has a big jacket and flowy, open bottom of the design

• each Better Off Worse has the shorts and long socks

#vocaloid #vocacmyk #vflower #v4 flower #po uta #kagamine len #circusp cmyk #electricart

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

Hello Anika! I want to ask about your HC if that's okay with you?

In the other boys' Halloween Dates, we get glimpses of what would happen to the MLs if MC died (Gavin being in denial of her death and revenge MC's death, Lucien k*lled himself, and Kiro wishes to meet again with her in their next life as he died together with her). However, on Victor's route, MC survives thanks to his Messiah theme. Now, I'm curious too! What do you think would happen to Victor if, hypothetically, MC did not survive in his Halloween story (or any story)?

Thank you for answering dear♥️

hello~ (⁠・⁠∀⁠・⁠) jumping into answering your question straight away: what do you get when you blend absolute denial with pragmatic optimism that has reached the extremity and is only stubbornness at this point? sounds like the recipe for insanity^∞, does it not? that’s what’d happen to Victor :’>

to be as analytical as possible, i’ll elaborate the answer in two sections—

firstly, in regards to the Halloween dates, the statement “we get a glimpse of what would happen to the MLs if MC died” does not hold water, actually, haha.

b/c unfortunately, the elements needed in order for a comparison to be done here are absent in the way Love and Producer does their AU events— which i was talking about on Twitter right after the PV release. that i really wish L&P would do an AU event like the way Light and Night does— where the even story gives you the world building needed for the individual date stories, and the MC gets one singular background shared across all men’s stories. and now, when the men enter this world with their different roles, motives, variables and mesh with the MC’s entity, a unique story is created (you can compare this to Lovebrush Chronicles/ For All Time's main story too). your inquiry stands for a scenario like this, where the before and after comparisons can be done. but L&P’s halloween dates, like all prev. AUs, had different backgrounds for the heroine as well as the plot itself. also, in one story she was already dead, in one already widowed for years, in one not yet married, and in one you get the full story from wedding night to the widowhood day. the driving factors in each of these stories, for both the men and the heroine, were also very different~ :>

before i get on with the next section, just a reminder of clarity— if the MC were to die a normal death b/c of old-age and all, and not due to rivalry, conspiracy, external force, or the ML’s ambition paving the path— all of the men would resolve to a natural acceptance with time~ :’>

now, to quench your curiosity, we need not look any further. just look at the main story haha. and here, bringing back the halloween dates, the fact that despite different backgrounds and stories, the heroine was alive ONLY in Victor’s story and he was the one who got d-worded alone, in and of itself tells us the pivotal role Victor has in the main story AND in MC’s survival DESPITE the ABSOLUTE MAYHEM.

b/c the god and divine imagery, the Messiah archetype is in Li Zeyan’s core, we always see him holding the most crucial batons. and it’s b/c of this archetype he has, it’s basically written in the stars that Li Zeyan would always, always, ALWAYS make sure YOU and EVERYONE else is safe before answering to the higher calling. and what sets him apart from all other similar archetypes is, yes, he yields to walking alone in the end but not before honoring the opportunity to walk together with you. the dilemma here of whether he should save you the heartbreak and stay away or submit to “it is better to have loved and lost to never have loved at all”, again, is portrayed masterfully in his halloween date.

but in the main story, despite all the cards he has, the main character is you/ the heroine. so, Li Zeyan doesn’t exactly get the last call here. so, what happens then?

we saw that post S1 CH 18, post S1 CH 27 and onwards, we’ve been seeing it on a constant roll since S2 CH 25. this is a man who has been told time and again that the world’s ending cannot be changed, that the MC’s death is inevitable. this is a man who has witnessed the world’s ending and the MC’s death repeatedly, countless times, across two seasons. this is a man, who despite all inevitable presented before him, denies that ending. this is a man, who has sacrificed more than anyone, been through the excruciating door of life and death more timesvthan anyone in the story (including the heroine herself), just b/c he refuses to accept the ending and her death and changes the course EVERY FCKING TIME. he drains himself physically, mentally, emotionally, materialistically, spiritually in every sense of the way b/c of that. but luckily for him, thus far, the heroine has to be alive in some way for the story to run LOL, so he has succeeded each time.

in an alternate world, however, where that safety net is no longer present— he can only lose himself in the gaps of time b/c here, this is a man who’s never known how to give up but is fated to meet a dead end each and every freakin’ time. :’>

—

#became long but hopefully it answered your questions haha #and thanks!! it was a really interesting question. i actually wanted to touch on it myself when i translate the date and write the analysis #but it was fun answering it now too~ #mr love queen's choice #mlqc spoilers #love and producer #ask

[steelhipdesign]

Three Roses

I was asked to create an original pendant/necklace based on the client's name. For privacy concerns, I can't tell you her name but this is the finished piece.

It takes time to flesh out a design based on words or a specific theme. I'm not like an AI bot - spitting out rendered images from a collection of terms. With the way I design, I need to work with real components to see how, and if, they will work together. The first one I started was a single vintage brass mesh rose. Despite a great multicolored aged patina, it wasn't really speaking to me. The next design was a single mesh rose set in a wood base, surrounded by a tangle of leaves and branches. It wasn't going anywhere either.

Finally, I found in my supplies these tiny rose gold roses - only 6 to 8mm wide. I mounted each flower on a plaited brass wire. On two of them I included a tiny copper leaf. I also made some curled tendrils coming off the stalks. It was a tight fit but eventually the roses were in the right position to seal the vial. I made each cap with brass tubing and metal disks. It looks like a specimen collection with the brass fittings and hanging bar.

I did try to include a LED light but it didn't really work with the design only illuminating the top rose.

I hope she loves it but if not, no problem, I'll try again and list this one in my store. It's so difficult photographing small items, even worse if they are under glass.

#metal rose #miniature rose #miniature jewlery #miniatures #glass vial jewelry #rose #steampunk jewelry #necklace #pendant #custom #flowers #copper #brass jewelry #steelhipdesign #customisedjewellery #mixed media #mixed metals #rose gold #roses #floral #etsyhandmade #etsyseller #etsymaker #etsyshop #etsy

[elliepassmore]

Someone You Can Build a Nest In release!

Shesheshen has made a mistake fatal to all monsters: she's fallen in love.

Shesheshen is a shapeshifter, who happily resides as an amorphous lump at the bottom of a ruined manor. When her rest is interrupted by hunters intent on murdering her, she constructs a body from the remains of past meals: a metal chain for a backbone, borrowed bones for limbs, and a bear trap as an extra mouth.

However, the hunters chase Shesheshen out of her home and off a cliff. Badly hurt, she’s found and nursed back to health by Homily, a warm-hearted human, who has mistaken Shesheshen as a fellow human. Homily is kind and nurturing and would make an excellent co-parent: an ideal place to lay Shesheshen’s eggs so their young could devour Homily from the inside out. But as they grow close, she realizes humans don’t think about love that way.

Shesheshen hates keeping her identity secret from Homily, but just as she’s about to confess, Homily reveals why she’s in the area: she’s hunting a shapeshifting monster that supposedly cursed her family. Has Shesheshen seen it anywhere?

Eating her girlfriend isn’t an option. Shesheshen didn’t curse anyone, but to give herself and Homily a chance at happiness, she has to figure out why Homily’s twisted family thinks she did. As the hunt for the monster becomes increasingly deadly, Shesheshen must unearth the truth quickly, or soon both of their lives will be at risk.

And the bigger challenge remains: surviving her toxic in-laws long enough to learn to build a life with, rather than in, the love of her life.

Bookshop.org

Barnes & Noble

This is what I would classify as 'light horror.' Is there gore? Yes. Can it be gruesome? Yes. Is it funny and overall lighthearted? Also yes. I had a lot of fun reading this novel. Shesheshen is such a unique narrator and I really loved the casual 'eat people as a solution' mentality that she had. I also liked Homily, who was extremely protective and, despite the fact that she's hunting a monster, doesn't even entirely want to hurt it.

That being said, this novel also deals with some heavier themes, like abuse and power dynamics, so keep that in mind. I think Wiswell did a good job balancing the horror, humor, and heaviness so that all three mesh well together and none of them feel out of place or overdone.

Interested and want a more in-depth opinion? Check out my full review!

#book #books #book recommendations #fantasy #bookstagram #booklr #bookblr #bookaholic #bookish #horror books #horror #horror comedy #light horror #lgbtq characters #lgbtq books #monsters #someone you can build a nest in #advanced readers copy #netgalley

[nomorefstogive]

Hydro Archon Story: A Tale of Tides

Hello all, sorry for the delay in posting this I was working on my ao3 fic and several games that have peaked my interest in recent days in addition to a recent bout of a cold which has been quite annoying.

But all of that aside,m I feel that since we are drawing ever nearer to the day when we will be bid travel to the land of the Hydro archon and try and fix whatever wonderful mess that land is in, it is high time I reveal some of my headcanons about her and my take on how her story would be in a SAGAU.

Please note that I will be attempting to exclude my ‘Mother Knows Best’ and ‘Twin God Au’ from this one save for a brief mention of them at the end, so it can be read as the events of her story without either of those aus needing to be read previously.

I will be posting a list of personal headcanons that I apply to her, both in my own Aus and in SAGAU in general after I post this,  I was originally going to make the two the same post but I have decided against that given that I feel they would not mesh well together if I were to do so.

I also feel that I should apologize for my somewhat overindulgence in using my AUs in the headcanons that I will be posting after this fic, as well as the general chaos that said headcanons are in. 

My lack of being a concise person and my own inability to shut up for more than 2.0 seconds when an idea strikes me have made for them being in something of a non concise state of chaos, but I hope you like them all the same. 

With all of that said, it is time to raise the curtains and let the show begin!

Trigger Warnings for: Self Mutilation, Eye Trauma, Religious themes, Cultish Themes, Depression, Grief, Self Loathing, Guilt, and Trauma.

                                                 Story starts Here:

Come all ye who wish to hear! 

Come all ye of faith and loyalty splendorous for there is a tale this day to be heard!

Come ye faithful and ye loyal, ye righteous and just and hear well here and now the tale of her lady of Justice.

Come ye just and faithful and here the tale of the Divine Judge of Fontaine, the Justicar of Hydro, her Honor Minos the Justicar of Hydro! 

As you gather and your ears to my words do turn, let thy minds wander back to days afore our world did burn. 

To days when they from on high did deign to grace the base land and walk aside you and I under the gleaming light of the stars their mother had wove oh so long ago. 

To days when the one who shaped us and our lands did wander forth to see what had been made by their children’s hands. 

Let our tale begin to echo, from lands where the rivers run with the gleam of crystals and where the sea as sapphire shines under the light cast from the Mother’s eyes.

To Fontaine, ever fair and just do we turn our gaze.

To Fontaine where the judge doth preside and her court is held do our eyes drift.

To Fontaine, where she whose words do decide the guilty’s fates does reside. 

For in these days most ancient and fair was there the most just and righteous of all servants of the Divine who did preside over those just lands. 

Of great beauty was she in those bygone days, with skin of marble and hair of crystalline sapphire with streaks of diamond white woven through the silken locks. The long waves of her sapphire locks oft found themselves with a tri-cone hat resting upon them as their long locks framed a face of sharp cheeks and pointed chin.

 Tall was she, a statuesque beauty who was oft garbed in armor of sapphire and cobalt forged to bear resemblance of the all the layers and depths of the terrible and great seas she ruled over, and inlaid with gold and silver was the gleaming armor such that it seemed to radiate a glorious light, and upon her shoulders there was draped a cloak of scales taken from the corpse of one of her great foes during the war of the Archons.

In those ancient days did she hold fast in her hands her great blade, forged of gleaming silver and inlaid with sapphire was the executioner's blade that she bore with pride for she had forged it herself from the remains of many of the demons of her lands that had fallen at her hands both upon the surface of her domain and in the depths of the sea where their bones laid forever unseen.

And great and terrible was this blade, for it was as tall as she who wielded it and, bore the very scales of justice themselves as it’s guard above a grip of leather colored as red as the blood of the guilty that the blade so loved to spill, and on it’s pommel there laid a large and polished sapphire that gleamed with a radiant light when the sun would shine upon it known as ‘The Eye of The Sea’ for it was said to be the eye of the very beast whose bones had been forged into the blade itself.

But greatest and most grand of all of the features of she who presides over Justice held during those long away days were her eyes, and indeed such wondrous orbs they were!

For they were orbs of radiant gold with rings of silver surrounding sapphire pupils that bore within them crystalline white designs of the very scales of justice themselves.

And yet it was not just the magnificence of the wondrous orbs' radiant appearance that made them the grandest feature that the Justiciar of Hydro possessed. For these orbs could tell her the true intentions of any she gazed upon and could likewise pierce through even the greatest and most elaborate web of lies and deception. 

And it was with such power at her disposal and with a mind keen and sharp as the blade she bore that she ruled her land in those ancient days, and what a ruler she was! For during those long away days did the lands of Rivers and culture thrive as she ruled with a firm but just hand, and such was the prosperity of her lands and of her people that there did come a day when the most holy and high did descend to meet with this most just of their faithful.

And lo did the Shaper descend from their heavenly throne to appear before the great Justiciar who greeted them with a smile that shone as the diamonds brought forth from the very depths of Liyue. 

And the Justiciar did kneel and humble herself afore the most divine, and yet the Shaper wished not for one of their most faithful and just to kneel afor them and did bid her rise, and yet still did she kneel for a moment longer as she took her Shaper’s hand and pressed to it a gentle kiss before she did rise and embrace them and bid them welcome to her home.

And for long did they linger in the land of the Just where the Justiciar did show the most holy the great cities that she had so carefully crafted, where the streets were of rivers and bridges and the buildings were great ivory spires that shone with hints of sapphire and silver under the gleaming rays of the morning light. 

It was there that the Shaper found themselves enthralled by the charismatic whit and the guillotine bladed tongue of the woman who commanded the seas of justice, and likewise did she revel in the honest words that came from the woman’s mouth when she spoke of all manner of matters be it in regards to her own creations or the workings of the artists of her land. 

And therein lay another thing that did bind these two so tightly together, for they did greatly love to pursue the works of those who let inspiration and wonder take their hands and minds and guide them to craft wonders of their own to further enrich the beauty of the world that the Shaper had crafted oh so long ago.

And in these days of old, where the Justiciar of Hydro would hold her Shaper’s hand as they did walk across the sapphire waters of the canals amidst the ivory stonework of the great city of the land of the waves, did they make merry and revel in the company of each other as they looked upon all that had been wrought by the hands of the Archon and her people as they labored to build forth from the ashes of their war torn lands a new and prosperous realm.

A realm where law was king and justice and wisdom were virtues that heavenly gleamed amidst towering shrines to truth and order that were bathed in the splashing waves of the sapphire seas the ruby blood of heretic and unclean. 

And as they wandered through those sapphire streets, the fish below flocking to dance beneath their feet, did she who reigned over justice and the seas take the hand of her beloved and once more press her lips to it as she leaned into their ear and softly spoke-

“My eyes shall ever behold only the truth of this world and of your radiance. Know well that you are eternally safe by my side, for my gaze shall ever know the intentions and flaws of all of whom it rests upon.

By my right as your Divine Judge and your Eyes shall no harm come to you so long as I stand by your side, your eminence. Now, how about we retire to my estate, your grace? 

I have recently come into possession of a rather fine vintage I would like to share with someone other than the God of Drunkards. We can enjoy it while we talk about that fool's taste in colors because I swear to you that painting almost made me ill.”

And so it was that they retired to a towering estate of ivory and sapphire stone that sat perched atop a great waterfall, its ivory towers casting their watchful gaze upon all the lands and sea that in its shadows laid. 

And there it was in the safety of a study filled with book and scroll drink and conversation did flow as they sat and they spoke of the sights they had seen and of the sights they would see, of dreams both near and oh so far as they both rested and planned a future to carve a better land. 

And for many a long long age was this the way that things would be, when the shaper did come to grace Fontaine they would find themselves swept away by the tidal embrace of its ruler, bid to follow as wonders and marvels they were shown by a comrade dearer than most would ever know.

So it was that through these ages their bond grew deep and deeper still, until there came a flame of yearning within the heart of she who championed truth and justice as she labored alongside of the one she had come to cherish to pen the codes of laws that would unify the lands. 

Greater and greater did the flame within the sea grow, till it seemed fit to swallow all whole, held fast in check though it was by misplaced guilt and boundless love. 

For she who held the flame within did see her hands as far too stained to be laid upon one who should never know pain, and so it was she held the flame back and smothered it with waters black with guilt and hate towards herself that would never abate. 

And even as she saw one whose beauty was as the ice she ruled let her own heart melt and swell with the thawing ice of love, did she yet keep her own dulled for far too much of sinners blood had come to stain her hands.

Yet as time marched on she found it oh so hard, to quench and drowned a flame that she yearned to let engulf her till not remained but ashen ground as she saw many others cast their gazes upon the one she adored.

Perhaps a day could have been where the flame was from its cage set free and let to engulf her in a loving inferno, a day when she could have the one she cherished most even if their heart could not be hers alone.

Yet never would this flame catch tinder and set their hearts alight, for their would come that most dreadful of nights, when those who loved and were loved in turn were bid to part as a nation burned.

For the sins of few were wrought upon many and many further still, till all the world would suffer the heretics bill. 

For the day would come when the might of gods of Celestial plane and earthly domains fell short before shadowed blades of heresy and lies, and The End the Shaper was bid to court. 

And though all were due an equal share of blame, would she who ruled over justice lay it all upon her name. 

For in this moment when needed most, when in lands of intent unknown, did her gift and power fail and leave them all to watch the one they loved and cherished most turn to not but celestial motes as to the cosmos and infinite expanse they were bid return.

And oh how grief and anger and madness most profound seize tight and hold the Archon of the Seas who wept and shrieked such that all who dwelt above and below the oceans waves could hear the sound. 

Long would she weep and sob as she hid herself away in the depths of her estate, the sigh of the land she had so long hoped to share with the one she cherished most too much for her to bear. 

Long would she hid herself away in a tower barred to all but the voices of loathing that within her head did resound their venomed words and poisoned barbs as they drove the Justiciar of Hydro to the ground in heaving sobs and mournful cries as she pleaded to be the one who died instead.

For many a year she would try and drown the voices in solace of bottle of wine, and in comfort of book, although all of these had been poisoned unto her by the memories of whom it was that would sit with her and delight in their shared joy of the tales that lay inscribed upon the pages before their eyes. 

Even in sleep was she not granted respite from the hissing voices of guilt and the poisoned words of condemnation, for ever before her gaze would the scene replay and ever would she be the one blamed for failure by the one she loved most of all. 

At last no more could she take, when her sleepless nights numbered beyond the count of the stars in the sky, and so did she flee into the depths of a shrine crafted by her own hands, a shrine where the statue of her beloved rested with their hand outstretched for her to take in the middle of a lake she had made within the depths of her estate. 

Once she would marvel at the silver and gold and emerald and ruby and sapphire and other precious stones and metals that she had cut and carved herself to decorate the statue of her beloved and the murals that lined the walls of her personal shrine, yet not this time could she bring herself to take in the wondrous site. 

Once she would have been careful to not disturb the fish that gathered in the shallow lake around the statue, coming into this holy place from tunnels that lead to ocean depths to pay their own respects but no longer could she care as she cast herself at the statues feet.

There was a time when she would have marveled at the orbs of hydro that bathed the room in ever shifting light, and made the gems engraved ceiling shine like the skies of Teyvat at night, and yet again was the sight to much for her to bear as she placed her face into her palms as she wept and sobbed afr the statue of her most beloved. 

And there it was, before the statue she had made to the one she loved most of all with her own two hands so long ago, that she at last allowed for the grief and rage and guilt to surge forth and pull her down into their murky depths as she wailed out for her fallen love to hear-

“Useless!Useless!Useless!Useless!Useless!Useless!Useless!Useless! THESE DAMNED EYES ARE USELESS! How could I not See-!? How Could I not-!? I’m sorry your grace…I…AHHHH!.......These eyes…These eyes do not deserve to see the world you crafted any longer…let this…let this be my first act…of atonement…AHHHHHHHHHH!”

And with a great wail of anguish born of agony not just of flesh but of the soul did she who had long overseen the laws of the world tear from her head the eyes that had failed her when they were needed most of all, and with impetus wrath did she cast them into the depths of the sapphire seas as an offering to her fallen love as sanguine tears flowed from her weeping sockets as she knelt and sobbed afore their alter, her blood staining the waters ruby as she wept.

And as she wept she could not stob the sobbing laughs that tore free from her throat, for oh how long had they said it, how long had they known this would come to be when they cried it out?

Now Justice truly was blind!

And oh how that thought left her cackling in madness and grief till she rolled upon her back and fell still in slumber in those scarlet water till she gathered the strength to leave and search for wraps to cover her now blind sockets. 

The doors of her shrine sealing shut behind her, locking away the armor born once in pride so long ago and the torn orbs that still yet glowed from their perch within the statue of the Shaper's hands. 

Many a long year would pass as all of Fontaine would weep as their archon hid herself away within the walls of her towering estate, the halls now veiled in ever deepening shadows as she hid herself away from the world that she felt she had failed. 

And there she would remain entombed while yet living within the halls of her own estate, not but a specter with bleeding sockets who deigned roam the hall with bottle in one hand and grief in the other as she cried out for the one she failed most of all. 

And oh how she wept and cried out for that most holy and high that she felt she had left to die in both her sleeping and waking hours, rivulets of scarlet streaming from her empty sockets as she cried out for both forgiveness and to never be forgiven to be hated and to be loved by the one she had failed oh so much.

For how long it was she languished in the darkened halls of her home, her only companions the servants who remained by her side out of pity and loyalty and the once treasured tomes and scrolls now left to gather dust and tears when her maddening grief engulfs her and bids her smash aside drained bottles of wine and tear at all that lay around her in wrathful frenzy.

For long would she hide herself away in the dark confines of her home, languishing in sorrowful shadows till at last she crept forth from the doors of her estate, a spectral wraith risen from the deepest of sepulchral graven depoths to haunt the living with its presence. 

For many a year she would walk the streets of the land she had once so proudly overseen, the light of dawn that once reflected on gleaming cobblestones now forever lost to the endless dark of the grief and despair that festered within her as a rotting wound.

As years passed on and on, the waves of grief and loathing breaking upon her as water does unto stone turned her sobbing into maddened laughter as the cracks within her grew too great for even one as immovable as her to bear. 

And thus there came the day, when the drive for justice and for truth was lost to the murky depths, as Minos cast her head back and laughed heartily and madly a grief fueled craze did tightly her heart seize. 

And thus did justice fall to not but indulgence and wanton hedonism as she called out for more wine and greater and greater spectacles to immerse herself in, such that she may drown her grief and sorrow and fill the void carved the eroding waters of grief and hatred, though all was in vain for never could the void be filled and so onwards she fell into her spiral of despair.

Soon did Minos turn to the spectacle she had always enjoyed most of all, that spectacle that resounded and clamored from within Justice’s halls. 

Oh how her ears rang with delight at the sound of gavel and plea and testimony and cry did only make her feel oh so alive. 

For the thrill of the court, the spectacle of trial, and the organized chaos of the law were the banquet of hedonism upon which she would come to dine. 

And so it was that she set out to drown herself in these spectacles in full, to bring forth greater and greater clammer and commotion till her pain within was drowned by the tide of it.

She cared not for the pollution of her land’s rivers as it trudged forward, nor of the corruption that began to spread as a pestilence amongst her people, for if anything they were but seasoning to the dish of delight that rang with trial and the end of a life. 

Day after day she would labor to alter and warp, to conceal and mislead, to rewrite and remake the very truths and laws that she had once held so very dear.

For in the chaos of the change of a law in the middle of a trial, in the cries of the jurors and judge, in the revelling of either side, did she find a spectacle into which she could flee. 

For though her eyes could this sight no longer behold, the sounds alone their story told and made for such a beautiful work that she could never hold back her desire to applaud and call forth for an Encore and for more and more till the void within was field at last and peace she could find from the scathing lambasts that echoed within her own head.

Long was it indeed that she would sit upon a balcony watching the court, veiled in black and mournful suits as she rapped her cane and awaited her newest chance to forget the pain within.

Long was the time where she let her land swell with the rot of corruption and lawlessness let run amok as the land was bid to suffer for the greed of the people till waters so pristine no matched the murky depths into which she had sunk.

And though there were yet those who fought and labored hard to keep the flame of truth and justice alight, they found themselves falling afore the blight, and so with their dying breaths they cried out for one to come and save their lands even as they felt themselves begin to fall into the reaper’s hands.

And yet their prayers were not in vain, for there did come a day when all of this would change, for by design of fate or heavenly will a star had come to show their lady that there was reason to have hope and joy and purpose still.

To let not despair and pain her mind consume, for the time would soon be for the faithful to be given their due.

At first they were but whispered words, of a Star that walked on two legs, with hair and eyes of molten gold and power beyond the visions of the heavens, that walked the world and change and wonder brought as there was with them a feeling long thought forever lost.

For indeed it was said that there was wrapped around this wandering Star was the feeling of grace long since lost when both Celestia and the Seven pillar were bid to hang their heads in disgrace for a failure supreme above all when they did allow for the one who their world shaped by traitors blades to fall.

And those who were saved by them did cry out ‘lo indeed there was a Star that crossed the land, a Star that took the faithful’s hand, and bid them rise from dark abyss unto the light of heavenly bliss’. 

For their coming did herald well, the day when with joys the bells would be rung, to herald forth a day of reunion and of the broken world being made whole once more as the choirs of Celestia sung.

For the coming of the Star upon their lands did herald forth that most auspicious and holy of days, when pain and grief and sorrow would fade, and the beginning of a new world there would be made.

At first these rumors of grace and light, of change and of return she would not abide, ‘heresy’ and ‘lies’ she did them decry as ruinous judgment upon her land she turned, fury such the sea seemed fit to burn.

For how could it be that one who the world had failed would ever come to return to it?

How could it be that the one she cherished and failed most of all would deign return to the one who let them fall. 

And yet there did come a day, when from across sea and wave the star did come, and with them came the light not of morning dawn but of the heavens themselves come alight to rejoice for the returning of Teyvat’s own guiding light. 

Of how it was that the Star and her would meet this humble bard can tell not, only that it must have been through a most grand and wondrous feat for how else could it ever be, when the Star who walks is concerned?

Of what was done and what was said betwixt the grief blinded archon and the grace blessed Star I do not know, but only that it must have been far more than quarrels and blows for both would walk away alive with one holding a flame within newly bid alight by grace and the Divines loving sight.

Indeed this flame rekindled would burn and burn bright, away it would burn the dark of grief, and away it torch the creeping shadows of guilt, and at last it would ignite the fetid abyss of loathing and despair until not remained of them but ash and dust to be swallowed by the reborn seas. 

For within her here now burned a flame of that most dangerous and wondrous of things, that thing which bids men rise against gods and gods to trample men, a feeling so intoxicating that even the most potent of liquors is but pond water in compare, a feeling that drove her forth to call out to her servants that yet lingered in her halls-

“Cast down these curtains that have so long hid my halls, and then send out for my Justicars to come and gather at once!” As she thundered down the halls, feet bearing her to a door so long unused it was thought to be not but part of the wall as she continued-

“Tell them to be donned as their ancestors wore, their blades are to be sharp and the shields are to be sturdy, and each ought to have with them a length of thick rope and parchment and pen now hurry and move as the winds!” She bellowed as she opened the doors to her personal shrine, whirling to stretch out her hand to the Star which she had bid to follow as she continued-

“Star of distant lands blessed by most holy hands, come forth with me and bear witness to the rebirth of the Ruler of The Seas.” She spoke with tender softness as the Star took her hand and vanished with her into depths unseen.

And the servants did hurry to their ladies' words, many working at casting down the dark curtains which had long hid the estates halls in great darkness as their peers took from the manner like great gales of wind bore them as they surged to relay their ladies' words.

And from the city commotion there did come as man and woman were roused by the servants cries-

“Justicars! Justicars! Her Honor summons thee! With haste don the steel and plate in colors of golden days, fetch rope and sharpened blade and parchment and pen and hurry forth to the estate of your lady!” This they bellowed as they raced through the city streets.

And as the Justicars did as they were bade there came forth from the shrine of their lady a dazzling glow, a cry of joy and rapturous delight that heralded well the beginning of the Sinner’s Blight. 

For there came from those depths not the battered and broken husk that had loomed over them like a rotting wreck left to suffer the wrath of tides upon stone and sand, but rather a sight that from their lungs took their breath as they knelt in awe.

For behold! A broken woman she was no more, but the Archon of Justice she was reborn!

Har armor ages old yet gleamed as new, same as the blade she held aloft in one hand and the ancient tome of law she clasped in the other.

And yet it was not armor or tome or blade that stole their breaths but rather something lost since long before their forebears' deaths.

For upon them were the orbs of she who had been the Divine Judge, the one who had penned the laws of the world in those bygone eras and who now seemed to have been reborn afore them, her full and terrible majesty restored.

And to those who knelt before her this she called, this she spoke which bid cheer and joyous clamor arise, as the flames of justice began to illuminate the night-

 “Behold, for by the grace of the Mother. The Guide and The Shaper am I once more the Divine Judge! Once more do my eyes behold this world and see well how its beauty has been tarnished by the filth of the guilty and abhorrent who dare to blaspheme the radiance of the most holy! 

Let the gallows be readied and the blades of the guillotines be sharpened! Let the Justicars don their armor and take up their arms anew for once more shall we bring law and order to this world! 

Let the rivers run crimson and the oceans turn sanguine, let their blood and flesh be an offering to the most high and holy! May the guilty find atonement in death for no longer shall their lives be tolerated! 

Now go and spread forth law and order to this world once more, from Snezhnaya to Mondstadt shall we march till the trees are full and the crows upon faithless and heretic feast! 

May the Guide be ready with their scythe for the time has come for the crops of the rotten souls of the faithless to be reaped and set to suffer eternally amidst the wailing darkness of the abyss as the souls of the faithful are elevated unto the heavens!

May the Mother turn upon their homes her wrath and fury and lay them low until not even their foundations are left to sully the world of the Shaper’s design with their contaminated presences!

And may the gaze of the Shaper be upon us as we wipe clean the filth and detritus of the heretic and the apostate and the infidel from their masterpiece! 

Your holiness watch over us and know that never again shall my eyes fail you, for soon shall they once more see your radiance. 

Let our crusade begin!”

Fin

So what do you think, is this a merry mess of a train wreck or something actually semi-decent? I cannot rhyme to save my life, so writing like how I imagine Venti would sing is something very very draining for me to do, and I am not that satisfied with it overall for a whole host of other reasons ranging from feeling like it is too rushed in spots, too my feeling of not doing a good job at keeping the tone I was going for throughout it consistent. 

Either way, as I said at the beginning I will be posting my headcanons for the Hydro Archon after this, please keep an eye out for them and let me know what you think. 

With that said, stay safe and have a great day.

#sagau #genshin impact #genshin #hydro archon headcanons #sagau headcanons #genshin impact sagau #genshin impact cult au #genshin cult au #sagau cult au #genshin sagau cult au #genshin impact headcanons #genshin headcanons #hydro archon

[rylandfalkov]

May Daily Writing Challenge Day 6 - Gleaming

Warnings: Some implied sexy times, also a slightly NSFW picture below the cut

Ryland had always found it easy to ham it up for the red carpet cameras. He felt strangely at ease when all eyes were on him, and arriving with the lady of the night, Miss Vixannya Ana’diel, would offer him that extra attention that he adored. He dazzled in the gleaming spotlights and the flashing cameras in his designer suit meant to match her gown, sneaking in a few flirty moments with Annya to create a stir of whispers. Yes, he arrived with her last year as well. Yes, he was a part of the entertainment cast later. The rumor mill would start up again, and they would laugh over it later as they did last year.

He left her to the adoring crowd to pose alone and answer questions for a while, turning his attention to the art itself. The previous year he had been one of her muses during the Hedonismia exhibit, a theme that was much better suited to his personality. However this particular gallery featured a good amount of Dracthyr muses, including one very familiar face. He knew that Annya was painting Tazindrox, but the painting itself had turned out more beautiful than he could have imagined. As far as being able to choose your own Visage, Taz had done a damn good job of it, and the Dracthyr being slightly socially awkward made the whole thing even better.

He ran into a variety of familiar faces admiring the art and briefly chatted them all up, but had to make an early exit in order to prepare for the afterparty. The performance space in the Air room was immaculate; a true aerialist’s wonderland. The lighting and atmosphere made it feel as if one were among the clouds; shifting gradually between day and night. He was absolutely in his element, pun intended.

Body paint and glitter was his costume of choice, opting for mesh dance shorts as well to keep things held in place. But by the end of the night, those too would be gone. It was what was expected, after all. The performers were all top notch in their particular skills, but many came to watch for the novelty of it all. Especially in those later hours, when the dancers started performing together on the various contraptions. 

He had spent hours practicing with Vesdrina and Aluzen, two of the same performers from last year with whom he had amazing chemistry. They made their performance atop the large trapeze bar look flawless. Little would anyone know that everything done, including the kissing, groping, and spontaneous sexual acts, were actually all well scripted for their own safety. The passion and lustful looks were definitely real; but that was easy when working with beautiful and talented people.

Between the performances, they rested in their personal green room, or were welcome to mingle among the crowds and, essentially, do as they please. Ryland absolutely took it as an opportunity to flirt and network. Occasionally he could be found being pulled into a dark corner, or even being openly sexualized in a variety of ways, with consent of course. There was something thrilling to him about having complete strangers fawn over and fondle him, whispering various offers for later in the evening, or for later dates. He just as much enjoyed the ones that loved to only watch as well, and would be the first to admit that exhibitionism was his top kink. This party absolutely catered to all of his desires, and it was almost a shame that it lasted for only one night.

Later into the night, or during the small hours depending on how one looked at it, he and Sera would eventually find their way back to Vixannya. No doubt by this time all of her paintings had sold, and everyone would have been greeted and made to feel welcome. She too deserved to have a wild time at her own soiree, and the two of them would absolutely provide that for her in the dark recesses of the Fire room. 

@daily-writing-challenge @vixannya @tazindrox @serazhen

#story #the elements #ryland #vixannya #sera

[dsknsk]

Opinions on MagiReco outfits, Puella Historia edition

It's been a while since I last did this. Also renamed it because it sounds less harsh than 'judging'. Since Puella Historia is complete (at least it seems so for now), I felt like it'd be a good moment. I know I technically already looked at Tsuyu and Chizuru, but I'll include them just because this is supposed to be going over all of Puella Historia's new characters.

Tsuyu Mizuna

A simple and to the point outfit that does convey her aesthetic and gives me an idea of what kind of character she is personality-wise. The color palette fits nicely together and even the little bit of gold isn't out of place thanks to that. Previously I expressed wanting to see a back view to see how her hair is constructed as I was interested in that, the best I've got is a side view. It seems like what I assumed was a bun is more like a ponytail, huh.

Chizuru

Chizuru looks like she's mixing old with new. The vest over her arm feels a little peculiar to me, I'm not sure if it is just me but it reminds me of a winter jacket. The inner outfit itself gives me more summer-y vibes, though, leaving me a little bit confused. The headpiece brings me back to her actual era. Her exposed thighs feel a little bit like they just had to put gaps there though.

Kuro

Now, does Kuro belong to this arc or not? She was a non-alt character who had her playable debut during it, but even though she isn't technically from the Puella Historia, I'm including her anyway. She's also the second girl whose design is based on Iroha, which is very visible from the way her hood is colored and built up. I don't really have an opinion on this though, it's just...fine. For a background character, she's fine. Nothing too special or anything else that stands out though.

Ebony

Now I won't be kind, but if anyone expected me to, they don't know me. My biggest gripe with it is that it doesn't actually convey anything about her. It's all just...exposed (pale) skin for the sake of exotification. That's it. She's an assassin, and at least her weapon being a damn censer does its job of being unexpected. And while there were people who were less dark during that time, I heavily doubt they'd be this pale.

Olga

Olga takes mixing the old with the new to a different extent, and I'm not sure if it's working. What I do like is the cloak hanging from her belt but green makes for a very difficult kind of palette if it's the main color. Just like here, I chose to combine it with gold but the grey mesh is what throws me off, sorta. As well as the exposed midriff with the downwards cut in the mesh.

Gunhild

This reminds me of like. The thing where designers seemingly use the lasso tool and then they color in along to where the lasso tool made gaps. That's the vibe I get here. It's kind of an edgy mess of huge demon horns, Norse motifs and of course, showing skin for apparently no reason.

Also, two girls leading a war with one having blonde hair and being light-themed, the other having black hair and darkness-themed, in a Europe of the past, designed by Masugitsune. That's definitely original.

Heruka

She's fine, if a little overdesigned (her artist likes to do that). The endless knot on her outfit is a nice touch (it's how I called her origin). If the garb it is on was a bit longer I would've probably liked it better, but I appreciate the artist combining green with red and avoiding that X-massy feeling you get with that combo. As a side note, having skin this pale is a beauty goal for many people who live in the area of Tibet I visited (Gansu), pretty much every person I've met has darker skin than you'd expect.

Toyo

She's actually rather fine. I can tell where she's from and what kind of position she has in the scheme of things. The only slight difficulty I have is with seeing her hair at first glance, i.e where it droops down along the outfit. It does nicely break up the white of the sleeves with the white of the main outfit, but also obscures where the cloak that goes down from her waist comes from. Overall, I like the use of the magatama (it's one of the three regalia of Japan and no, you can't see the real stuff) in the outfit and it's actually kinda funny how GAN was asked to backpedal before he made this.

Amaryllis

In a vacuum, I really like this. I love the classic combination of purple and black, because they just go so well together. The veil and the way her dress poofs up gives me that 'mystic' kind of vibe, and the white is there to aid the gold that is in there with the purple. However, I would have never guessed that she's from ancient Italy. The only thing that does clue me in about that are the shape of her shoes. She's really pretty, she just doesn't clue me in about her era at all.

#magia record

[yuzu-all-the-way]

Yuzuru Hanyu's senior SP costumes

1. Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso (Rondo/Roncapu)

There are so many things to say about Rondo. A program that reflects Yuzu's journey - a story of his life (based on Shae-Lynn Bourne's interview). A program that was meant to be not only the SP that would help him win the 2021 Japanese Nationals, but also the SP that would set a new WR at the Beijing Olympics. It is a gorgeous, complex program to execute. The Beijing Rondo is a heavy memory in all our minds, however, that misfortune, at least for me, did not take away from the beauty of the performance.

Rondo is also Yuzu's last competitive short program and Beijing Rondo was our last memory of this SP. Nevertheless, on 28th August 2022, during the 24HTV charity broadcast, Yuzu presented us with a new Rondo - a far more delicate and polished Rondo than the ones we saw at the 2021 Japanese Nationals and at Beijing. Yuzu faced his fear and we faced ours alongside him.

I know some of you may still not be able to watch any competitive Rondo, but I promise you - this new Rondo has the power to override the bad memories and heavy emotions - it holds a new meaning now. A powerful, on the rise, pro athlete Yuzu has skated it as his pro career's debut program. Rondo closed a chapter and introduced us to a new one.

(Thank you kindly, @annainnorth, for sharing the video - Rondo 24HTV + another Rondo version)

Moving on to the costume.

Firstly, a short disclaimer: I have unintentionally chosen most photos from Beijing - this is because the photos I could find in the best quality for identifying costume details are from the Olympics and not JNats. The only one from JNats is the photo showing Yuzu's back.

This is a costume that only Yuzuru Hanyu can pull off. The low neckline, front and back, paired with the choker can be considered feminine. Yuzu's figure makes the costume mesmerizing and the costume highlights Yuzu's neck, collarbones and shoulder blades. While skating, the elegance of the movements, Yuzu's posture and the flow of the costume create a dream-like image.

The gradient theme appears again on this costume - the sleeves have a clear transition from white-blue to a deeper blue . A less pronounced gradient is present on the front and back.

The basis of Rondo vaguely reminds me of the Otonal 2.0 costume. The back is made of material apparently divided into V-shaped strips meeting in the center - the line of the zipper. In the front, there is an overlapping effect - the right side being diagonally oriented from the right shoulder to the right hip creating this impression, while the left side flows diagonally from the shoulder to the center of the sternum as if tucked in. The hem is 'shredded', so even when Yuzu is still, it gives the impression of dynamism.

The front and back of the costume seem to be made out of multiple strips, effect achieved by the material being folded. For me, it also creates a 3D effect intensified by the subtle gradient, as such bringing a depth to the design.

Clear and light blue sequins are attached alongside the strips enhancing the overlapping effect and giving the costume that elegant, sparkly intensity that we have come to associate with most of Yuzu's costumes. The golden accents of the top resemble feathers, observation based on the shape of Yuzu's feather necklace (visible underneath the mesh cloth in the above photo) that looks like the shape of the accent themselves.

The sleeves are the most simple element of the costume. They are thin, almost form-fitting with the cuffs being slightly wider. There are few sequins that adorn the upper arm, thus the eyes are mainly drawn to the gradient. It's almost an abrupt switch between the white-ish blue and the San Marino blue. The costume is completed by the skin colored mesh gloves which, in contrast with the darker cuffs, bring attention to hand gestures during the performance.

I chose to talk about the best feature of the Rondo costume at the end. The choker. The entire costume is a work of art in itself, however, the choker is the one element which completes the look and makes it unique.

The choker is filled with sequins of various colors: clear, light pink, light blue, dark blue, gold. However, the best little detail of the choker is the half-moon glued on the left side. The material on which these are attached to also holds a bit of gradient. The lower part of the choker is a very light blue, while the rest of it is San Marino blue, just like the cuffs. Connecting the choker to the rest of the top is a see-through skin colored mesh cloth.

Although the costume is very elegant, light and sparkly, it also brings out the strength and power that Yuzu holds as a figure skater. I specifically chose the below photo - the spread eagle with the arm up, a beautiful artistic choice to enhance the performance, a movement that fits the music perfectly. The power this pose holds is more so important to me since this is done right after that damned hole-in-the-ice incident. Yuzu never let go of the music, of his immersion into the program - he skated it beautifully from start to finish. I have shown his Beijing Rondo to people who have no idea about rules, technical elements and the such, and to their eyes, there was no mistake, that's how good Yuzu masked the incident.

Some of us wondered when we would see Rondo again, some had a harder time processing Beijing's Rondo, so there was silence. As we have been informed during this year's 24HTV, Yuzu also struggled to make peace with Rondo - Beijing was a hardship for him, I think, more than for us. But Yuzu decided to bring Rondo back as the program with which to make his debut as a pro athlete.

An unblemished Rondo was skated on 16th August (and aired on 28th). Here you can watch Rondo in it's entirety, without camera cuts, without commentary all thanks to NTV News (Rondo in 2 versions - one with camera cuts, and the 2nd the one I have previously linked). And Noto-san provided us with pictures from then.

The costume looks gorgeous under dim lights with a dark background. As such, the costume and the program became more precious to me and it was proof once more of how strong Yuzu is both mentally and physically. He completed a full competitive Rondo - the commentator even said that all the spins and StSq were Level 4. Rondo is the program which deserves a WR, a program so demanding and intricate that no one else can skate to, a program that is Yuzu's and Yuzu's alone.

The relief Yuzu showed after completing the program makes me very emotional as it allowed freedom to settle in.

With this freedom, I now conclude the post-series about Yuzuru Hanyu's senior short program costumes.

This is a post-series that’s meant to complement the ranking of Yuzu’s senior SPs in order of personal preference

Note: The costumes are in the order I ranked Yuzu’s SPs, not in order of least favourite to favourite costume

#yuzuru hanyu #introduction and rondo capriccioso #rondo #roncapu #figure skating #beijing 2022 #24htv 2022 #sp yuzu costumes #2021 jnats

[sabineelectricheart]

Rain Splattered Against a Hotel Window

Summary: The C&R corporate heir has a clandestine encounter on the eve of his wedding.

Rating: T - Suitable for teens, 13 years and older, with some violence, minor coarse language, and minor suggestive adult themes.

Words: 1000

Notes: I did the fluff. Now it’s back to the angst.

The small but constant raindrops hit against the wide window at the highest floor of the building, meshing in a void cacophony. The lights in the room were all out, a few candles are scattered around the surfaces.

He wants to see her, but he does not want for her to see him. He does not want anyone to see them. He feels shame, she supposes, and she could not fault him too much.

MC is alone in the wide, spacious hotel room. It reminded her of the penthouse where they lived together for a week, probably due to the fact that both apartments were so far up in a high-rise, but it is also very different. It is more clinical in here, more sanitized, standardised. It is depressing.

The door handle twists. It is three in the morning. She has been waiting for him since sunset. Dinner lay uneaten and forgotten on the table.

Her look turns back, away from the window. A beam of light floods the room in a flash, and is soon gone, replaced by a dark, gaunt figure.

His eyes were strained with war. Desperation and fear poorly hidden in his irises, woven together with a sturdy determination. They were avoiding her gaze.

Jumin crosses the room in six long strides, taken in quick succession, kneeling in front of her. His hands were light in hers, trembling faintly and calloused. A fragile man, quickly spiralling out of control with only cold eyes and pale skin as his shield.

He was clinging to MC. He is touch starved and she is his craving. If she lets him, if she had not shot him down too many times, she is sure that he is ready to beg her again. If her mind was not so clouded with more immediate worries, she might have stressed over the fact that, this time, with the dreaded morning upon them, she would probably have relented.

Instead, MC focused on everything else. The up and down of his frantic breathing, the wetness of his hair, the fading warmth of his body on hers, the paleness of his features.

She takes his raincoat off and leads him to the bed, laying him down and placing her head on his chest, listening to his rapid heartbeat. It reminded her of times when she would hold a large seashell against her ear to hear the waves of the ocean. Both sounds fighting against something.

The tides. The words on the tip of his tongue. The imminent end of something grand.

Jumin pulled her closer and closer with each passing second. His hands caressing any exposed skin, running through her hair. It felt like he was soothing her and she wondered if maybe it should have been the other way around. He is the one being pressured into a terrible marriage, after all.

No words were spoken, it is not needed, for the irony that it is. His turned eyes and her wavering breaths spoke a thousand words itself.

He would not be there come morning. She would pick up her luggage from the closet, walk to the front desk, return the card key to the information that her stay had already been settled and leave, leave and never see any of this ever again, to try and build herself a life somewhere else, with someone else.

He is breaking at the seams. MC knew it from the hours spent talking away, at that damn messenger app, and then later, in person, tucked away at some corner of the city. She knew it from the paper cuts on his fingers. She knew it from the chapped lips as he mouthed words. She knew it from the purple under his eyes as hours passed and sleep no longer seemed like an option.

And she knew it from the slow knock on the hotel room door and the way he held her.

“Jumin?” She whispered, her voice caressing his skin.

He shuddered. She could feel the way his muscles rippled from where her body kissed his.

“Don’t. Just lay with me for a while.” He murmured; tremors laid in between his syllables as he tightened his hold around her.

Jumin seemed to know what she wanted to ask. He tasted the unspoken before it even crossed her mind, and he does not want to talk about it. He does not want to talk about his feelings or at how his throat is sealing shut. He does not want to talk about threads.

This is all useless. He might as well indulge in what he wants one last time, without thinking.

She can only nod her acceptance. She felt his heart steady then, matching the rhythm of the light rain hitting the fogged windows.

Clenching her eyes shut, she wished she could stay in this moment forever. The smell of the burning candle on the bedside table mixing with the smell of his shampoo and the dust of the city, it all taking over the room.

His arms are tight around her, bringing her impossibly closer with every shift. He does not want to let go, and she does not want to be released from him. From her deep breaths against his chest and the goosebumps that arose from it.

This is a goodbye. She knows that this is a goodbye, he knows that this is a goodbye, but there is something in her mind, a stubborn denial that points to their compatibility, at how their heartbeats are in sync, at how her figure fitted with his, at the happiness when they are together and the suffocating anxiety when they are apart.

MC things that she might be in love. Jumin is sure.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow?” She asked.

“Yes. Tomorrow.” He answered.

They both knew that was a lie, but they instead chose to hope that there was no longer a tomorrow at all, to instead live in a frozen memory of her body intertwined with his.

*_*_*_*_*

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