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patentedsun · 2 months

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Rapid fire Fairy Tail rewatch thoughts. May or May not expand upon each point later on.

THIS IS LONG AS HELL BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN TO SHUT UP.

for reference, I've reached tartaros so far. I am aware of the canon happenings after that tho.

The female cast is so good idc what anyone says obviously the fanservice is awful BUT I will say, in the earlier arcs, it actually felt decently balanced because of Gray's whole stripping shtick + Natsu's cunty vest wasn't particularly modest either LOL.

Erza is such a wonderful character. I've seen comments that she goes downhill like 100yq onwards but. Um. 100yq characterisation.... that's a whole post of its own.

I never expected to like Lucy so much. idc that it takes her like 200 episodes to win a fight solo because when she FINALLY DOES IT WAS THE BEST MOMENT OF THE SERIES BY FAR. characters who's defining traits r kindness and compassion <33

Interesting how Lucy is the traditional shounen protag (underdog, skills develop overtime) because the rest of team Natsu sans Wendy were all like ... already kinda OP established mages even at the beginning.

I know there are debates ab who really is the protag and imo the narrative skews towards Natsu more BUT. it's bizarre how unexplored he is for a main character. Like yes he is my favourite character other than Lucy but his inner psyche is barely explored it's so weird. He doesn't really have a character arc either??? I'll expand on this more once I finish post tartaros (lolll not looking forward to that) and once again it seems like he's completely regressed from what I've seen of 100yq.

I fucking love all the ships.

I don't agree with comments that Natsu can't be traditionally romantic. Like, I definitely don't think he would ever have the natural inclination to be that way as a part of his character on its own. BUT considering iconic rainbow sakura moment I fully believe he would do whatever it is that would make Lucy happy. And if that includes red roses and candlelit dinners he would absolutely try his best.

Nalu moments r seriously. so good.

I totally see why Juvia stans don't like gruvia. But unfortunately I like them. And I've slightly rewritten them in my head so that juvia doesn't get completely flanderized LOL.

the Natsu Erza Gray sibling relationship goes soooo hard.

Just in general there's something beautiful about the way Fairy Tail handles it's numerous platonic and romantic relationships. Nothing feels secondary yk. Everything is given its due time (except maybe NALU goddammit).

I LOVE THAT FEMALE CHARACTERS HAVE DEEP COMPLEX RELATIONSHIPS IRRELEVANT TO THE MALE CAST. Lucy and Levy, Lucy and Yukino, whatever combination between Erza Lucy Wendy, Lucy Flare, Wendy Shelia, Wendy Carla etc

Even when the relationship involves a man in some kind of way like eg Lucy Cana or Erza Kagura it's still not like... in a bad way. The friendship itself is still there, it's just that the inciting incident tends to involve a dude.

Speaking of Lucy having so many deep female friendships is a big reason why I like Nalu so much lol. Like I literally do not care ab ships in media but fairy tail.... just has that something...

Love how often everyone changes outfits.

This show desperately needed a mini arc somewhere with just Natsu Lucy Happy going on a low stake job, where Natsu actually opens up ab his emotions and his relationship with Igneel.

Needed more Natsu and Igneel flashbacks in general.

Wendy triple combo abandonment issues are not talked ab enough holy shit. Grandeeny, Mystogan and then her entire guild???!

Lucy's relationship with her dad was objectively so well written. I skipped starry skies arc sorry the pacing was destroying me so I can't speak on that. But everything else was just BEAUTIFUL.

The fact that she returns to him just to tell at him. The fact that he comes to her with money problems and she STILL stands her ground. The fact that it's HIM who has to better himself and earn HER forgiveness.

Even after it seems like they're on ok terms, Lucy mentions in tenrou that they don't keep in contact, which is soo... realistic...

and then his death... Shout-out to Natsu who actually is emotionally quite mature (as the author himself seems to have forgotten) and dealt with it wonderfully. He gave Lucy her space, he let her vent, he stopped Happy from interfering too much. + Lucy being conflicted ab it and clearly grieving what could have been instead of what was. sighhh. .

idc ab no deaths but I do wish they didn't do fake out deaths as often. Because when actual loss sticks, it's done super well imo. Ultear, Aquarius, I haven't hit this part yet but Igneel... (yes I'm ignoring 100yq)

the episodic fillers r INCREDIBLE.

Rogue and Frosch are so special to me.

Wish they expanded on Jellal and Meredy's relationship a bit more it seems quite wholesome.

I love Virgo.

Really hate the muted colours Ft2014 onwards, but I do like that Lucy's hair became blonde and not yellow.

Pacing 2014 onwards was GOD AWFUL. I WAS SO SAD because I think the story beats in eclipse arc is actually super good but it was DRAGGED OUT SO MUCH nothing had the impact it should've.

Snow fairy, FT, Masayume chasing you will never be forgotten.

Lucy underutilizes Gemini so much it drives me mad. They were terrifying under Angel so like... cmon...

idc what anyone says GMG and edolas were top tier.

Edolas Natsu X Edolas Lucy... yes

objectively speaking gajeel is a top tier character too

Someone pointed out that Natsu didn't reallyyy hang out with anyone other than Happy pre canon and it changed my life. Every time I notice him and Lucy casually hanging out now I start screaming.

HAPPY IS SUCH A GOOD CHARACTER IDC. His edolas character arc was incredible, his relationship with Lucy is just as (if not more) fleshed out as his one with Natsu and that's part of what makes them such a great trio.

Whenever he goes LUUSSHIEEE . my heart ...

OST top tier no notes

the writing was actually so tight up until GMG part 2

I generally don't care ab the powerscaling issues but laxus v jura... no.

The anime kinda fucks up his face a lot but manga Natsu was genuinely soooo adorable in every single panel (once again IGNORING 100YQ).

Wendy also great character arc.

Sting's whole design is SO GOOD and ten years too early. the fur lined vest, the crop top, the one dangly earring, the scar, the loose fitting pants, good God now that's a Look.

Seriously I love Nalu so much...

That's all for now folks. If you want me to expand upon anything just lmk bec believe it or not all of this is a summary.

#fairy tail #natsu #natsu dragneel #natsu appreciation #lucy heartfilia #nalu #pro nalu #seriously i can write an essay ab each of these points #lucy heartfilia appreciation

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fairytail-whathesays · 6 months

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If they were in modern times, which guys do you think would have an Only Fans?

I had to think about this for an entire shift at work so I apologize but you're getting way more than you bargained for with this ask. 'Cause it exploded into a whole AU of its own. I was sharply reminded of gaysquaredwrites' Fairy Tail Gr!ndr post while I was thinking of it and it made me laugh a lot.

Also I know you said 'guys' but we're including the ladies because I could never neglect my sapphic audience.

Just as a reminder, sǣx work (spelling it that way to avoid Tumblr sniping me) is valid work, and to treat sǣx workers with respect or die by my blade.

In order of amount of subscribers, from least to greatest:

Milliana (😺) [365 subscribers]

Milliana has an OnlyFans account where people allegedly pay to see her interact with her seven cats. She is a cat-owner and cat lover, and regularly makes content doing daily household things while interacting with her cats. She genuinely has zero idea most of her subscribers are less interested in her pets than her body. It's not even like she walks around scantily clad, she's just very pretty and easily attracts attention. She hopes to use the money she saves up to open a cat cafe sometime in the next few years.

Bacchus Groh (♂️♂️♀️) [708 subscribers]

Bacchus owns an erotic channel where he uploads homemade sǣxual encounters. Almost all of them are with men, though there's a few with women, and he has a drunken frat boy image that's...basically his normal self. His content's actually really popular and has made the rounds being re-uploaded on various adult sites, but the reason he doesn't have more subscribers is that he almost never posts. There's no reason for it, he's just lazy and dislikes going through the video editing process, especially if the OF website or corporate is being annoying.

Cana Alberona (🃏) [1,543 subscribers]

Cana has an OF where she does indeed upload sǣxual content, though it's strictly solo. It's not that she has anything against collaborative content, and she knows it would bring her more money, but she holds back out of apprehension about what might happen if her dad found her channel. Not that she stays abstinent, as she doesn't particularly care what Gildarts thinks, but there's still that lingering part of the back of her brain that doesn't want to be 'that girl' who disappoints her daddy for life, so she's never uploaded anything with a partner.

Besides her solo erotic content, she also does a variety of other content, including tarot readings you can request for a tip.

Lucy Heartfilia (♂️♀️) [5,897 subscribers]

Lucy has a very successful channel that she co-runs with her husband, Loke, collaborating with both men and women. They're good friends with Natsu and Gray (another couple involved in the OF scene), and have collaborated with Gray before. You might think Loke would have an issue with sǣxual occurrences between his wife and other men (and women); he doesn't. In fact, he's her cameraman and director. There's nothing weird about it, their relationship is just that healthy, and Lucy's fans online frequently talk positively about Loke and hype up their relationship. And yes, he and his wife have filmed content of their own.

Lucy's OF is actually a big enough production that it encompasses other content creators, such as their housemaid who goes by Virgo (who was able to launch her own channel thanks to the attention she got from Lucy's), who film most of their collaborative content exclusively with them.

Gray Fullbuster (♂️♂️) [6,244 OF subscribers] & Natsu Dragneel (🎮) [12,891 Twitch subscribers]

Gray and Natsu are another couple, married to one another, in the OF scene. However, it's only Gray who does the OF stuff--Natsu is actually a really popular Twitch streamer who plays video games for audiences.

Both of them are pretty open about what their husband does for a living and Natsu actively enjoys the content Gray makes with other men. Which is a good thing, 'cause that ain't no 'habit' in this verse, Gray's just an exhibitionist. With both of them being relatively successful independent of one another, they're able to funnel fans from both sides of their content to the other and boost their own numbers. Their partnership, like Lucy's and Loke's, has inspired a beloved fandom, although theirs comes with abundant memes about "why he ___ in me and then start playing LoL", etc.

For a while, Natsu's Twitch channel got shut down bc of how candidly he talked on-cam about his husband doing sǣx work, which was deemed inappropriate (read: a threat to advertisers) by Twitch. The calamitous uproar that immediately ensued caused a very swift reversal of this decision and an apology for errors made.

??? & Rogue Cheney (♂️♂️⛓️) [8,088 subscribers]

Gajeel Redfox is not a name publicly known, and in fact the OF channel he appears on mostly features his boyfriend/life partner/subm*ssive/eromenos Rogue Cheney.

These two are another OF couple, and the reason they don't have more presence online is because rather than being current up-and-comings, they're some of the veterans on the platform, having spent the longest amount of time f/cking their way to success. They upload less frequently compared to their contemporaries, and aren't as active on social media, but their paying fanbase is one of the most loyal out there.

The channel is technically Rogue's, and most of the content is him doing solo stuff with a hardcore BD/SM bent. Much more rare are appearances by his unnamed dom (Gajeel), only ever shown from the neck down, who does very dom/sub stuff to him with a very professional practiced air and is very, very rough and aggressive during sǣx--but oh-so-gentle during aftercare. Rogue is very aware that a lot of his subscribers are only there for the peeks at Gajeel, but he doesn't mind--they're united in bottom thirst that way. Rogue is very popular on his own, mind, with quite a bit of his content seeing the occasional re-upload, but Gajeel being the rare gem that pops up on occasion means he can charge PPV prices and get more returns on the more intense (and lucrative) content.

Bixxxlow (♂️♀️☿️ ⚧️) [+12k OF subscribers, +700k subscribers across all platforms]

Bickslow does everything. He's not just an OF creator--though he is successful at that, rest assured--he's gone viral on TikTok multiple times, and uploads everything from gaming to cosplay to clickbait content.

He can thank his business partner Freed Justine for most of this, as Freed is an expert marketing engineer and has made the algorithm his bitch. Thanks to this, he stays busy, and nearly his whole day, every day is spent filming content of some kind.

Bickslow's popularity on OF is not quite as viral but it is definitely consistent--he has socials with upwards of 120k subscribers, and in light of that, having over twelve thousand people paying to see him in wild three/somes is pretty cool, and he has absolutely no qualms talking about sǣx work openly. His OF is relatively expensive--he can charge higher since he's so popular--but it goes on sale very very frequently. It helps that he's a huge exhibitionist, and k/nky as all hell, making the lǣwdest of content as easily as he breathes. That long tongue and his willingness to use it for fǣtish content has proven to be hugely lucrative.

Out of all the creators listed here, Bickslow is by far the most fǣtish-friendly and willingess to try things for custom PPV requests, and he's also very prolific with collaborations--he's collabed with every other creator on this list (save Cana and Milliana) anywhere from once to every few weeks or months.

Because he does a lot of content with transgender individuals, some idiot twitter user once posted about him "fǣtishizing" them. Bickslow responded by lifting his shirt and showing his top surgery scars (and then advertising the bottom half exclusively for paying subscribers).

Mirajane Strauss (♀️♀️♂️) [+80,000 subscribers]

Ah, the Queen herself.

Mirajane has always been a huge hit among the adult content industry, flat-out being one of the most successful sǣx workers on the platform, especially given she was never signed to an agency either in the legitimate film industry or the p/rn industry. Many websites among the latter that have seen how much money she rakes in have tried to offer her contracts, but she's never accepted.

She does both fashion modeling and adult content work, and does the latter both solo and collaboratively--frequently with women, but also with men, too. Her sweet demeanor is incredibly attractive to the point of her basically having her own fandom--she even has a name for them, the "Mir-rors".

Although she primarily does sǣxual content, Mirajane also does other things for her channel like cooking and especially singing. She actually wanted to be a singer as a career, and had some mild success early on with covers posted on YouTube, but her first foray into OnlyFans blew her waaaaaaay up and completely overshadowed any other aspirations of hers. She does still regret that she can't do singing for her main job, as the stigma of sǣx work keeps music agencies from being willing to pick her up, but she's made peace with having it as her kind of side gig.

Her entire channel is one-sub only, with no PPV content, and she regularly donates tips and other excess earnings to charity.

Sting Eucliffe (♂️♂️♀️) [+100k subscribers] 👑

The enigma.

Sting Eucliffe took the world by storm some couple years ago, and he's the most successful OnlyFans account on this list by far. Possessing a charm that crosses somewhere between boyishly cute and bright and dangerously bad boy, Sting's just...got it. He's got that body and that smile and those eyes and that charisma that makes you come back for more (with money). Like with Mirajane, numerous p/rn studios have approached him, but all have been turned down.

Identifying as bisexual, his content's mostly with other men with some women thrown in. He's technically a solo act, but collaborates very frequently, having zero trouble landing basically anyone he wants in bed and being well-connected to several other acts on this list. Although he's not as wild and k/nky as Bixlow or intense as Gajeel and Rogue, he's still relatively fǣtish-friendly and loves doing custom PPV requests.

Sting does basically everything--fǣtish content, nǣked music covers, nΩde cooking, risky public maneuvers, basketball games all sweaty and shirtless, paid voice calls and facetimes, and boyfriend roleplay, too. His merch line is incredibly successful and he regularly shows off stuff his fans have gotten him from his wishlist. Everyone who knows him or has collaborated with him calls him one of the friendliest and most fun partners they could have had. Part of the reason his content is so attractive to viewers is that there's a lot of smiling and laughing, he's a very fun guy in general.

Not only has he collaborated with Bacchus, Lucy, Loke, Gray, Natsu, Bickslow, and Mirajane at different points, but his collab with Rogue outright happened because Gajeel contacted him and said Sting was his boyfriend's favorite OF creator after himself. So successful is Sting that, like Virgo with Lucy, he has a few other sǣxual content creators that have collabed exclusively with him:

Larcade, real name Rakheid, whose face had to be hidden as his day job is as a priest. The PPV he recorded with Sting was one of the hΩrniest, most depraved hours he'd ever been awake for, and one of the most successful content Sting ever made. They promised that if it was successful enough (it was) and if Larcade ever needed spare change, Sting would f/ck him in the church after hours.

Orga Nanagear, a professional bodybuilder whose OF was, up to that point, basically just working out. It was unexpected for everyone who watched it, but the video of Orga f/cking Sting damn near braindead for over an hour and in several different positions went as close to viral as OF content can be, bringing in an absolutely massive amount of money from thirsty gays. Orga had requested his face be hidden, despite the fact that his tattoos are so distinctive that basically everyone knew who it was.

Laxus Dreyar, whose face and name were also hidden but for much better reasons as he has a well-connected job as a weatherman for a big channel, and while his tattoos wouldn't connect him to anyone who'd seen him on television, if anyone saw his face it'd immediately expose him and get him fired. Laxus' collaboration with Sting made them both rich, it got a huge amount of returns when the PPV went out. They've only ever collabed once, but every thirsty idiot subbed to Sting has been praying for another hook-up between them since they saw the first one.

Despite how successful he is as a creator, Sting is very secretive. "Sting Eucliffe" is a stage name, of course, but nobody knows that his real name is Weiss Logan, except himself.

And there you have it! Welcome to the ns/fw au that will now consume you (hopefully, 'cause if this post gets like 3 notes i'll feel really awkward).

#natsu dragneel #gray fullbuster #lucy heartfilia #laxus dreyar #gajeel redfox #sting eucliffe #headcanons #spicy content #nc17

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crystallos-sol · 3 years

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Hey there! First and foremost, love the blog, second of all, I just wanted to state that the whole “gruvia” thing in fairy tail ruined one of its core themes to me. Like the whole deal with this series it’s that supposed to be all about friendship and found family, but the people in the guild continuously take sides with juvia over gray, the person they’ve known since he was a literal child.

Like i would most of grays “friends” to be really shitty friends considering the fact that they value the feelings of his stalker, and former member of a guild that attacked fairy tail and was forgiven too quickly in my opinion, over him completely ruined the message about friendship this series was trying to convey.

Imagine this, you join at guild at 12 and are in this guild for six years, so you’re friends with most of the kids your age and have found parental figures in the guilds older members. Then, a guild attacks yours and you fight one of their members who later has a change of heart. Sure, you feel good that this person had a change of heart and wants to be a better person because you are a decent human being, but this person has an unhealthy obsession with you due to the person they’ve made you out to be in their head. Instead of getting over their obsession, due to you letting them down easy because you don’t want to hurt their feelings, their obsession grows worse due to the people in your guild coddling their feelings as if they’re a child. Also, on top of that, your friends and mentors now make you out to be the bad guy because you have rejected their advances. This person has stalked you, harassed you, been rude to your close female friends, and has not taken no for an answer, but you are accused of being an asshole by the same people you’ve known for most of your adolescent life.

Some friends, huh? That’s my opinion, i’d love to hear your take!

YES!!!! I tend to just hate that part of canon. Because really having any sort of abuse + compliance from anyone close to the character being abused is just?? Makes it worse. For me I get upset because there will be scenes of the guild actually caring about Gray I won't say there hasn't been scenes like that but to turn around and have the characters ignore actual abuse and side with the abuser???

It's one of the many things that doesn't make any sort of fucking SENSE. One second they are family the next second they are ignoring abuse? What? It's the inconsistent characterization that he has such a damn issue with. I agree with everything you said because that's exactly what happens. Gray is nice to her and saves her fucking life and Juvia latches onto that because of her own Trauma. In no way is it fair to Gray has a person because regardless of Juvia being traumatized (I firmly believe she wouldn't know something is wrong and unhealthy for BOTH OF THEM unless if someone told her) his family has the responsibility of you know ACTING LIKE A FAMILY?! Also thank you :>!!! I 100% think canon FT is like slapped together with half assed ideas and duct tape with how well (sarcastic) it's writen.

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authoressskr · 3 years

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Ruby Dragon Surprise (i)

Characters: f!Reader, Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson, Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff, Wanda Maximoff, Pietro Maximoff, Clint Barton, Mercy (*previously Y/N in Bucky’s Dragon Soulmate Story*), mentions of Peggy Carter

Warnings: Language and no Beta :: Notes: This particular story will probably be three parts, cause Steve is emotionally constipated :: Word Count: 4849

I went with a dragon!soulmate!au, which I hadn’t seen before, but I did have a nifty dream about it that spawned this whole idea. He’s still an Avenger. Events are basically still the same (not exactly the same...people are alive who died in the mcu), just with dragons. ‘Cause who wouldn’t love a dragon companion?? This will be an ongoing series with different Avengers finding their soulmates with their dragons.

Howlite and Hearts (Bucky)

Please do NOT repost, copy & paste, post or share my works on any other platform without my EXPRESS PERMISSION.

-+- REBLOGGING is fine and very appreciated! -+-

Since men emerged from caves, began using tools and reshaping their environment, they have been intrigued by the draconian terrors of all shapes and sizes that roamed the world. The first records of man and dragon working together are from Mesopotamia, pieces of shattered pottery pieced back together showing a dragon standing beside a woman. Assyrian artifacts depict water dragons helping farmers in the field. Egyptian murals show dragons protecting the Pharaoh and his family, others showing different breeds of dragon fetching books from inside the Library of Alexandria.

History is dotted with famous dragons and their bonded humans; King Arthur and his steel-colored dragon, Excalibur. William Shakespeare and his dragon, Bard. Cleopatra and Bucephalus, named after Alexander the Great’s legendary steed. Abraham Lincoln and his dragon, Crusoe.

Over the centuries, dragons have become smaller from the giants painted in mythology, old texts and wall murals. The biggest dragon these days are about the size of a large crocodile, with the biggest recorded in the last decade almost as big as a hippo. Height varies on the type of dragon - with the tallest one balancing on its tail, hits almost eye level with a giraffe.

Classes have been taught for centuries about dragons and the bond between them with humans. Dragons will sometimes die right after their human counterpart and vice versa. Dragons who have lost their counterpart will sometimes live, seeking out their counterpart’s soulmate to stay with their draconian mates as well. It is not an uncommon thing - especially after times of war - for soulmates to have both dragons if one has died.

Dragon pairs will usually have the same colors and markings, even though they will often not be the same type of dragon. Dragons may look similar to the human eye, but a dragon will know it’s mate no matter what. It has not been determined how the dragons know their mate almost instantaneously, but after millennia humans have begun to follow the dragon counterpart’s knowledge in this area. Marriages of alliance and royalty have often been changed or dropped when one party finds its soulmate. In the same vein, marriages have also been arranged due to this circumstance as well. Cinderella is the most referenced fairy tale of this, with Cinderella having the same sapphire and gold colored dragon as the prince (*Dragon color varies by region and culture).

Soulmate bonds are some of the strongest bonds in our world. Both between a dragon pair and between a human pair. And on the flip side of the Cinderella story, dragons will attempt to push their human partners together if the human counterpart doesn’t seem interested or could result in a rejection.

On the same page, a rejection of this bond - always by the human partner - can have devastating consequences. This broken or unformed bond may result in: at first, flu-like symptoms but can build up to more serious symptoms such as feeling weak or run down, tremors and/or tics, varying weight loss, chest pains and even very mild seizures have been documented. Usually the bond is mended or solidified before it comes to these more serious issues. There are also historic rumors of deaths from broken hearts due to rejections, which has yet to be scientifically proven. The aforementioned symptoms may require hospitalization.

To date no dragon has succumbed to any symptoms from their human counterparts due to the rejection of the bond, which dragon experts seem truly puzzled by due to the strong bonds that can be formed between a human and a dragon. Rejections, however, are rare and scientists aren’t yet sure of all possible symptoms associated with a rejection of a bond. Touch, however, is shown to remedy these symptoms in trials and is known to be a powerful connector between a human and it’s dragon partner as well.

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

If there was one thing Steve Rogers knew, it was that Peggy Carter was his soulmate.

He’ll admit he doesn’t think of it as often as when he came out of the ice, but he does still think about it - about Peggy - every few days. More so when Bucky, Sam and himself are out for lunch or when he and Wanda may be grabbing some coffee, because that is when he sees soulmates together.

The way soulmates look at each other is different. Like they don’t just see the person before them, but everything they are and could be; all rolled into everything they love.

And he’s envious of that look.

He knows he hasn’t received it. And he truly believes he hasn’t given it either. Sometimes he chalks it up to not being actual bonded soulmates with Peggy. Because he knows that the love that was blossoming would have turned into that loving, enraptured gaze he always longed for.

It’s the thought that gets interrupted when his cell rings on the way back from their morning run. He quickly switches his coffee cup to his other hand to fish the phone from his pant pocket, revealing Tony’s face on the screen.

“Hey, Tony.”

“Need you, the bird and the metal popsicle back here asap. Got a hit on a Hydra offshoot. Wheels up in 30.”

“Got it. We’re just a few blocks from the Tower now.”

“Pick up the pace then, old man,” And the call ends. He looks at Sam and Bucky before tossing back what’s left of his coffee and throwing it in a nearby trash can.

“Mission. Wheels go up in 30.” Sam sighs at his words.

“Morning calls are rare, man. Must be big.”

“Hydra,” Bucky mutters with a shake of his head before polishing off his own coffee. “Come on. Gonna take most of that time to get the scalies ready.”

“You know,” Sam mutters with a smug grin as they all continue towards the Tower, “You’ve picked up your soulmate’s habit of calling the dragons weird names.” Sam tosses his empty cup and dodges a swat from Bucky.

“Jealousy is an ugly, ugly thing Sam…”

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxxx::

Steve shifts in his place in the rafters, Rak wiggling on his back in response to peer over his shoulder down at the HYDRA agents. He nods at Bucky, who is perched across the building, just above the exit.

“Where’d you find this one?”

“Get this - a museum.” The blonde HYDRA agent cackles, leaving the brunet nodding, a serious look on his face. A loud clang of the door reveals two more HYDRA agents, dragging another person between them while a third agent follows behind with a tactical machine gun held tightly in his grip. If body shape is anything to go on, it’s a woman. A curvy and buxom one. Bucky quickly types out an update in Morse code to Natasha who is stationed outside with Sam and Tony as the brunet drags a heavy wooden chair into the middle of the room.

They toss the captive into the chair, zip tying their wrists behind them before pulling off the thick bag from their head. If looks could kill…

“Now, Miss, we are going to ask you a series of questions -”

“Fuck. Off.” Steve’s eyebrows shoot up at the venom in her tone.

“You don’t seem to know who we are.” Her jaw clenches as she looks away from the salt and pepper haired man who dragged her in. “Come now. I don’t want to injure you more than necessary…”

“Right.” She snaps, looking down at her lap with a sigh. The tall brunet who helped drag her in shifts to stand behind her, grabbing a fistful of hair and yanking her head back. Her gasp makes Rak hiss in his ear, Steve feeling his claw tips through his suit. He tilts his head to rub it against Rak’s, offering that silent comfort to calm him down.

“Now, Miss, the first question is: You work in the nearby museum, correct?”

“Seeing as that’s where you took me from…” She gasps again as the hand tightens in her hair, bending her head back a little more. That’s when she notices Bucky in the rafters - quickly closing her eyes and sniffles loudly.

“What are you working on there?”

“Paleontology mostly. But when I started there I worked in the geology department. I’m a floater between departments since I don’t have my full degree yet.” The man relaxes his grip a little, pushing her head forward towards its normal position again.

“Rocks and bones.” The older agent chuckles before rubbing his hand over his graying beard. “Do you do anything else in the museum?”

“I assist only in the two departments. The only reason I help the geology is when the woman who regularly helps is gone cause she’s having a rough pregnancy.”

“Now we know that’s a lie. You spend a lot of time in the accounting office.” Her head is pulled back again so she’s looking at the ceiling again.

“I’m not sure you lot are aware that each department has a budget. I have to submit forms every month about the spending. Plus, one of the accountants is my friend.”

“So you are saying our intel is wrong?”

“Look, I’d like my head to stay attached, but yes, your intel is shit. Probably someone just looking not to be in the position I’m currently in.”

“So the museum isn’t looking into the dragons ancestors?”

“If they are, then I don’t know about it. I’m a peon!” She yanks her head from the man’s grasp and struggles in the chair.

“Little cherub, you are a terrible liar.”

“Listen asshat, I am keenly aware I’m a terrible liar. So I tend NOT to lie. Especially to someone who has tied me to a chair and has a fucking gun!!” He sighs, giving a little shake of his head before his hand shoots out and backhands her, making her head snap to the left. Rak’s claws pierce through his suit, smoke curling from his nostrils making Steve tense under him even more. He holds his hand up in a stopping motion, Bucky cocking his head slightly before Steve gestures over his shoulder at Rak.

“Woman, HYDRA has been looking for you for awhile.”

“Seems like a waste of time to me. I can’t have anything HYDRA could possibly want. Except maybe morals.”

“We don’t need morals in HYDRA.” The blonde grunts out from his leaning place against the wall.

“I’m aware. Ya ever think that’s why SHIELD and the Avengers whip your ass? Resign you to the shadows like the phantoms you are.” There is a loud enough explosion that everyone turns towards the exit, the men all tensing. “AND YOU KNOW WHAT? YOUR SIGIL OR WHATEVER IT IS MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO FUCKING SENSE! HYDRA MEANS 5! WHY DOES YOUR SYMBOL HAVE 8? AND DO YOU ALL KNOW THAT THE HYDRA WAS DEFEATED???” Her head is sent sharply to the left again, blood trickling from her lip at the contact.

“WHO FOLLOWED YOU?!” The older agent snaps at the blonde and brunet who they saw first.

“NO ONE, SIR!” Bucky drops down just as Tony comes through the back exit, making Steve shimmy upright before he begins across the beams in the rafters to cut off their retreat.

He drops down with a dull thud, blocking the HYDRA agents as planned but the brunet with the machine gun has it pointed under the woman’s jaw.

“She’s not so sassy now,” The man in charge smirks out, stroking a finger down her cheek. He glances behind, seeing Bucky, Tony and Natasha behind him.

“You know, nasty little fellows such as yourself always get their comeuppance.” Her words loud and clear as her gaze slides towards the older agent, the muzzle of the gun digging harder into her skin at her words.

“Snarky little bitch, isn’t she?”

“I like snark,” Tony mentions, looking to Natasha who just rolls her eyes. “But that’s because I’m just so good at it.”

“Release the girl, unharmed, and we’ll take you alive.” Steve offers, Rak’s nails digging into his shoulder once more as smoke begins to curl out of his nose again.

“How about no?” The agent whom had been silent this entire time speaks with a sneer, his little blue dragon’s head popping from a pocket in his utility pants.

Bucky lets loose a single round to the knee of the agent with the sub machine gun, making him buckle and the gun drop from his grip. That’s when Tony blasts the salt and pepper haired man past Steve as Natasha cuts the woman free, only for the woman to rush past Steve and the other agents deeper into the warehouse. Rak jumps from his shoulder and flys after her, prompting Steve to sigh as Bucky runs past, following after her and Rak.

“Does she realize the exit is the other way?!” Tony yells through the comms, taking a stance by where he’d entered to fend off dozens of incoming HYDRA. Two men run towards Steve only to stutter to the ground as electricity surges through their bodies.

“Thanks Nat.” He grunts before rushing through the doorway to find his best friend, his dragon and the directionally impaired woman.

:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxxx:::

You’re trying desperately to remember the turns they’ve dragged you through, looking for the spot where they had separated the two of you and tossed a bag over your head. A man moves to grab you, only to be attacked by an aggressive ruby dragon. It then scrabbles up your legs and perches itself on your shoulder, urging you on with a little grunt. You tread a little more carefully after that, but no less urgent, a scream clogging your throat as someone grabs your shoulder from behind before slipping a hand over your mouth.

“Don’t scream.” You nod as the former Winter Soldier comes into view. “You know, the easy exit was the other way.”

“I’m aware. But they tossed my dragon in a big plastic looking box then I got the bag and drag treatment.”

“This warehouse has two floors in the front half, did they take you upstairs at all?” A shake of your head is all you can manage before the dragon flits from your shoulder and begins running down the hallway. “I guess we follow Rak then. You stay behind me and if I tell you to do something -”

“Consider it done.” You agree before gently pushing at his arm to get him moving.

Rak doesn’t stop until he’s about two hallways off where you all stopped, hissing and sending several fiery breaths towards the small side dock where HYDRA agents were loading up your dragon.

“Velma!” Her answering screech is enough to get you moving, Sgt. Barnes hand shooting out to keep you behind him. He’s got two of them shot and Rak is mauling another when you see a silver blur knock out the other two. It’s only when you turn to your right do you see Captain America snatch his shield, holding it for a beat before turning to look at you. If looks could lecture...you’d be in for a loooong one.

But as he gives you that look all you can think of is that now all the douche HYDRA agents are now k-o’ed, so you rush over to the giant box, sticking your fingers through the big air holes to stroke at her muzzle, Rak chirping at Sgt. Barnes, who steps around your crouched form and snaps the two heavy duty locks off with his metal hand. Your dragon bursts from the cage and tackles you, curling herself around your chest and neck as best she can as you coo reassurances to her.

“We gotta go,” Steve takes hold of your elbow, helping you up as you heft Velma off the ground, her wings wrapping securely around you as you follow Captain America back the way you came. Rak is riding on his shoulder and moving his ruby head back and forth between you and the hallway ahead. The Black Widow joins you halfway back and takes point, an emerald green dragon with beautiful iridescent wings in shades of purples, blacks, greens and a few splashes of a pale yellow shimmer brightly even in the dim lights of the warehouse hallway. You let out a soft grunt, hefting Velma a little higher as your arms start to tire. “Almost there. I can carry her, if you like?” He doesn’t look at you when he offers, simply continues looking forward at his measured pace beside you.

“I can manage,” Your pride answers before your tired arms can get a word in, a smile twitching at his lips at your answer, which just makes your pride suddenly all the more determined to do it yourself. He moves forward when you all get back to where the attack began, Natasha taking his place before Falcon glides in through the hole in the wall.

“It’s all secure to the jet,” He reports as he lands. “Tony is circling the outer gates to make sure they don’t have anything else - hostages or weapons.”

“Alright. Let’s get her on the jet. We’ll look her over and call into the compound for the doctor to be ready when we arrive.”

“Already done,” Natasha confirms and they all move in a protective box around you and Velma, Falcon now on your right and Natasha on your left as the good Captain takes the lead and the Sergeant keeps his place in the rear.

You’re herded - there is no other way to put it really - onto this very expensive, military-looking, and slightly futuristic jet. Falcon gestures to a seat and you kneel in front of it, carefully dislodging your draconian partner before taking the seat. Her scaled head nudges your open hand, reminding you that you’ve both made it.

Safe echoes in your mind and you nod, meeting her light amethyst eyes.

Safe, you reply as she climbs awkwardly into the seat beside yours, laying her head on your thigh.

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

“Baby,” She coos to the dragon, a shiver going up his spine at the softness and care in her tone, her hand sliding easily over it’s red scales as Sam returns to her side with a first aid kit.

“They do anything else besides these?” Sam asks gently, his finger brushing softly over her cheek where it’s already beginning to swell. A shake of her head is all she manages, “Okay, I’m gonna clean it with an alcohol pad.” Sam swipes it across her cheek and around the left side of her mouth to get off the dried blood. When he dabs just under her lip she hisses and so does Rak, her own dragon tensing up and curling it’s upper lip just enough to flash the tips of its teeth.

“Down, kids,” She mumbles out before Tony struts onto the jet.

“All clear. Let’s go home.” Tony sits beside her as the jet begins to ascend, both men’s gazes dropping to her free hand which is gripping the edge of her seat. “I’m Tony.”

“Y/N.”

“Dragon?”

“Velma.”

“Velma,” Tony repeats with a chuckle. “I like it. Suits you both. This is Jericho.”

“‘By faith the walls of Jericho fell’…is that right?”

“Exactly! ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands’. My mother insisted that I know the Bible. I just liked the idea of marching and horns defeating a strong enemy. No bullets, no bombs; just faith.”

“Kind of goes against the initial sort of images of yourself, huh?” Tony leans in slightly, a grin flirting on his lips.

“Have you been talking to my wife?” She leans in too, their foreheads nearly touching.

“I think I’d remember talking to her.”

“She is very memorable.” He agrees, leaning back in the seat before waving his finger at her chest. “Buckle up. We should be there in about twenty or thirty.”

“Do you need anything?” Steve asks, Bucky’s eye popping open from his resting place in the corner and a tiny twitch of his lips making him want to glare at his best friend.

“No, thank you.” Steve nods, moving to the front to talk to Natasha when Rak flits to the floor and scurries over to her, his head tilted to one side with his begging eyes on. Steve moves to turn back to stop Rak from bothering her. “Get up here then,” A smile dancing in her eyes as he chirps happily, leaping easily into her lap and shaking his wings out before carefully settling down, his snout resting beside Velma’s.

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

You’re just nodding off when the jet lands, carefully tapping Velma and then Rak to wake them before stretching, wincing at the soreness in your face and neck.

Steve walks by you as the bay door opens before he whistles, Rak’s head perking up from the seat beside you, but he doesn’t move. This doesn’t seem to sit well with Steve, who glares at his partner like he’s betrayed him.

The dragon begrudgingly jumps down and stands at the Captain’s feet, an outstretched hand drawing you from the curiosity you felt watching Rak and Steve. You’re met with storm blue eyes and a small, easy smile.

“Come on, kid,” Unclicking from your seat, you accept his hand with a hushed thank you. You are hardly off the jet before a white marble blur nearly takes James down, his laughter ringing out before a woman appears just after, helping him up and the two of them disappearing into the building. You’re caught at a crossroads of sorts...Do you follow? Isn’t that a bit presumptuous?

“Are you Y/N?” You’re startled from your thoughts by a woman with thick black hair piled atop her head in a white lab coat.

“Yes?”

“I’m Dr. Hale. Natasha and Tony told us to be expecting you.” She gestures you forward, opposite to where the Avengers disappeared to. You follow obediently, with Velma trailing behind you, also looking to where they’d all gone. “Do you have any medical conditions we should be aware of?”

“No.”

“High blood pressure?”

“No, but if it’s high I was just taken hostage and then backhanded twice before having a gun shoved against my jaw while they tried to take my dragon.” She makes a face, eyebrows raised and fighting back a smile before she manages a big nod.

“Understandable...well let’s check all that. Was your dragon injured?”

“I ran my hands over all of her and she’s not injured that I can tell.” You look down at her, purple eyes alight. “You hurt, baby?” Velma shakes her head, her tail twitching slightly when she does so.

“Perfect. We’ll just check you over and then Tony should come get you.” All you can do is nod, following her into a very white and metallic exam room.

::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx:::xxxxxxxxxx::

Steve’s voice can be heard through the door of his room, he’s sure of it.

Rak has snapped at him twice so far and nearly set his comforter on fire because he ordered him to stay put while he showered. Steve knew where he would wander off to and he told Rak he needs to let the doctor do their job and check them over. He had angrily settled down when Howl had come into the room, the bigger dragon tossing himself down onto Rak’s bed - successfully luring Rak to him and calming the little spitfire down long enough for Steve to get a shower.

Once he was out of the shower, Rak started up again, a stare off ensuing between the two of them while Howl looked on in amusement.

“I said no!” Steve snaps at the wyvern before clenching his jaw so tight he’s sure he hears a pop. Rak opens his mouth, flashing all his teeth only to snap it closed when Bucky’s soulmate sticks her head in.

“Sorry. I knocked, but you must not have heard...I was just looking for Howl.” Howl’s whole body shakes as he wiggles his way happily to her. “Tony just went to get the woman from the infirmary, just to let you know.” Steve scowls at her as Rak begins to follow Howl out the door.

“Hey! Best behavior. And you need to cut the whole hissing, snapping and fire at me, you little gas ball.” Rak snorts, almost giving an eye roll as Steve blocks the door. “Shoulder.” He points for emphasis, his partner huffing as he slowly climbs up onto his shoulder. “And stay there, do you understand?” He turns his ruby head away and Steve’s mind wanders to the impossible...but he quickly shakes that thought from his head.

When she enters the room with her dragon, her cheek and lip swollen a little more than an hour ago when he’d seen her.

Wanda gasps as she enters the room, looking from Rak to Velma, Rak doing the exact fucking opposite as he was told - flinging himself from Steve’s shoulder and running towards you and Velma - before giving a little squeal.

“I’ve never seen a dragon soulmate pair meeting!” Steve looks in confusion from the dragons to Wanda and then to the woman, the room now deadly silent except for the soft, contented growls coming from the pair of ruby dragons curled around each other at Y/N’s feet.

“What - no, that’s not - that’s not possible.” Steve snorts in disbelief after he manages his oh-so eloquent words. “No. She’s not my soulmate,” The words tumble from his lips before he has a chance to really think the situation over but his eyes still see everything.

They see the hope that was blossoming in her soft eyes and they see the confusion flash through those pretty eyes before the hurt makes the light die out in them, her eyes dropping to the floor quickly.

He opens his mouth to refute his own words - to apologize and take it back - when he sees Bucky glaring at him.

After all, hadn’t it been him who had told Bucky to go after his dragon and his soulmate? Who had told Bucky he’d give anything to be in his shoes? And now that he was, he had just rejected his soulmate.

You could hear a pin drop as he stands there gaping like a fish before managing to firmly close his mouth.

She’s staring at their dragons, snouts pressed along side each other with their wings touching, tails twined together before she looks up and blinks rapidly. He knows she’s willing the tears away and it physically hurts him to see her avert her eyes.

Clint steps forward, whispering in her ear before offering her his arm. Clint takes her past him, both of their dragons trailing eagerly after her and both blatantly ignoring his very existence.

“All clear boss,” comes a familiar accented voice, Steve can feel all of his family’s eyes boring into him before Natasha speaks up.

“What the actual hell, you dumbass?”

“My sentiments exactly.” Tony pipes up from behind her.

“Didn’t you say you wish you were in my shoes?” Sam just harrumphs at Bucky’s words from where he’s sitting on the couch by Bucky and his soulmate.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize…” Wanda mutters among the other comments, worrying her bottom lip.

“It’s not your fault, Wanda,” Mercy soothes from the couch, hand gently squeezing Bucky’s as her dragon Cloud moves from her shoulder to Bucky’s, sensing his tenseness.

“Clint’s giving her a tour. She’ll be staying here until we can find out specifically why Hydra was after her. That should give you enough time to pull your head out of your ass,” Tony states while shoving his long sleeves up a bit on his forearms, hitting Steve with a “Sweet Jesus” side eye that Steve was all too well acquainted with.

“It just came out!”

“Like diarrhea…” Pietro says loudly from the kitchen, tossing a handful of grapes into his mouth. Steve glares at the male Maximoff, whom he literally didn’t even realize was in the damn kitchen.

“Again, it just came out. I didn’t even think about what I said!”

“That is abundantly clear,” Howl crawls into Bucky’s lap at his words, big eyes pleading to his human dad for pets to calm them both down, tail twacking Mercy who just rolls her eyes playfully at his needy and loving response to Bucky’s mood. Bucky smiling oh so softly at Howl and Mercy, as he strokes the oversized dragon taking up his lap.

Steve watches that and he aches for it. Those knowing looks to share with his soulmate.

But Peggy is gone.

And he doesn’t know where to go from here with this woman. Or the fact that Rak is completely convinced that Velma is his mate.

Because he is pretty sure she isn’t.

‘Pretty sure’ isn’t going to cut it for everyone else though. It definitely won’t be enough for Rak, that little gas ball of betrayal.

Steve was well and truly fucked.

Tagging: @moonbeambucky @thewhiterabbit42 @nobodys-baby-now @unleashthemidnight @stay-frosty-royal-unicorn @chelsea072498 @clockworkmorningglory @sakurablossom4 @marichromatic @blondecoffeecake @ourloveisforthelovely @whinywingedwinchester @feelmyroarrrr

#steve rogers x reader #steve rogers au #authoressskr writes #dragon!soulmate!au #marvel fanfiction #steve x reader #part i

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6ix-dragons · 3 years

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My Overall Impressions of the Edens Zero Anime

Originally, I wanted to do an initial impressions post of the Edens Zero anime, for the first few episodes. Then, it changed to cover the first 12. However, with the 25th, and final episode (of the first season) having premiered on Saturday, I felt like I wanted to give my overall impressions of the anime, instead. I’ve seen all 25 episodes, including the final one—and, there are a whole bunch of things I wanted to talk about. So, let’s get started!

ART STYLE AND ANIMATION

First, let’s talk about the art style, and the animation. Before the first episode came out, I honestly had a bit of reservation in my mind, having known beforehand of what animation studio is in charge of the anime adaptation, and the previews of the character designs. However, when the first episode came out, I was quite surprised at how well it was, when it came to both the art direction, and the animation.

While the character designs aren’t as exact, as what they are in the original manga, they are at least much closer to them. Where the art style/direction is best found, happens to be in scenes that involve the environment around the characters. Shots of landscapes, like the buildings in the planet of Bluegarden, and the Ether pillars in Norma, are the better examples of how great the art direction is. Even the shots of outer space, especially with the planets (despite how different they looked compared to their manga counterparts), are another example of it. It just makes the world in the anime more lively.

However, there can be some parts in every episode, where the art style is inconsistent. Of course, there will always be characters, and other objects that are off-model in far-away shots. For the most part, ‘though, the art style is pretty much consistent, from scene to scene, on every episode. Colours are used appropriately, with duller colours used in the more serious parts of the story—such as the latter-half of the Sun Jewel arc.

When it comes to the animation quality, it’s about as good as the art direction that i covered above. The quality of the animation doesn’t vary all too wildly, but, much like the art style, it can get inconsistent in certain parts for every episode. Where you’ll find the best animation, however, is in the chase and battle scenes. An example of that can be found in the first episode, when Shiki took on Lord Castellan. Even more examples I can think of, includes: The part where Shiki and Rebecca are being chased by Sibir, in Norma; the first time the “Leaper” ability was activated, in Sun Jewel; and, when Shiki took on Madame Kurenai, in that same arc.

Now, I’m going to dedicate this part of this section to talk, rather briefly, about the CGI used in the anime. I was actually surprised to see it being used, in certain scenes—with the titular battleship seen in space, for instance. Another example I can think of, is Sibir’s Knight Gear, in Norma, as well as Kurenai’s, in Sun Jewel. Personally, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with CGI being used in any visual medium (whether it be live-action shows, movies, or even anime)...as long as it’s done well. That wasn’t the case here, with this anime. I would rather see something like the battleships be hand-drawn, rather than in CGI, where the results would look out-of-place, instead.

Issues with the CGI, and inconsistent animation, aside, we can at least attribute the better parts of the art style and animation, to the team at J.C. Staff—particularly, with two key members of that team: The chief animator, Kenichiro Aoki...and the director of the anime, himself, Yuji Suzuji. It’s rather unfortunate to know that Mr. Suzuji had passed away, last month, knowing that he had made his contributions to the team, as the anime’s director. I tip my hat to him, and to all the other members of the entire team responsible for making this anime adaptation.

VOICE ACTING AND AUDIO/SOUND

Alright, let’s talk about voice acting, and the audio/sound. I was also a little concerned, before the first episode even came out, when the voice actors/actresses were first announced. However, after watching the previews—and then the first episode, my concerns were put to rest. I feel like all of the characters featured in the anime sounded much like I thought they were, and that the voice actors/actresses really nailed down their parts quite well.

I also thought the same for the voice actors/actresses, in the English dub version (when the anime came out on Netflix). It’s only the first 12 episodes, so far, but I was genuinely impressed at their performances. While it isn’t the same as the original JP version of the anime, I thought they all sounded as close to their other counterparts.

The rest of the audio/sound was also impressive, too, with proper mixing in certain scenes that feature intense action, as well as in quieter scenes. Furthermore, the music used in the anime also helped add to the impact of those scenes. There’s a mix of orchestral music, and guitar rock that’s featured in the anime—although, given the sci-fi and tech elements featured in it, too, I would’ve liked the inclusion of EDM, techno, and dubstep (I’m partly-serious about those).

Finally, let’s talk about the songs used in the first opening intro, and ending...as well as for the second opening intro, and ending. I know that T.M. Revolution does make music that gets used in anime (Gundam SEED and SEED Destiny, for instance), and “Eden Through the Rough” is a real banger. The song featured in the first ending—”Bouken no Vlog”, by CHiCO with HoneyWorks, conveys the lighter tone in the first cour of the anime.

For the songs featured in the second intro and ending, however...I’m actually inclined to agree with some who argue that both these songs are appropriate for the second intro. What I will fully agree, however, is that both these songs also convey the darker tone of the second cour. Regardless, I thought all of these songs, as well as the entire OST, are perfectly-suited for the anime, as a whole.

CONTENT COVERED

As far as the content covered from the manga goes, I’d say the anime does it well, for the most part. In terms of the arcs that the first season covers, it covers the introduction arc, all the way to the end of the Sun Jewel arc.

I did notice that there were some changes made to the anime, from its source material. And, I would say that these changes are being made, for better or worse, depending on what you prefer. Already, I’ve seen a few instances of this, in the first episode, where they cut out the part in the manga where Rebecca discovers they are being taken by hostage robots on Granbell Island. There was also a part in the manga, during the Digitalis arc, where Rebecca yells at everyone about their sleeping habits. That was never present, at all, in the anime.

When it comes to blood and nudity, however, the former is more inconsistent than the latter. With blood, first of all, it is present where you’d think it would be (especially so, if you’ve read the manga first). Examples of this, would be the flashback with Rebecca and Happy being involved in a traffic accident, and when Shiki punched Kurenai’s Knight Gear with only his bare fist. However, you also have scenes where blood should’ve been present, like when Spider/Jamilov was shot dead by Seth. In the manga, he was clearly bleeding out, unlike in the anime.

For nudity, I did mention it is more consistent than blood—but, only in that it is consistently censored out. While, yes, the original manga does block out full-frontal nudity, the anime adaptation takes this much further. One glaring example of this, is when Rebecca is changing into new clothes, in the Sun Jewel arc—just before taking on Nino. In the anime, we only see her from the shoulders up, while the panel in the manga reveals more of her upper torso.

Now, I can understand the decisions made to censor/tone down the blood and nudity. However, as the anime is aired on Japanese television late at night, it doesn’t make much sense to do so. In spite of all this, however, these kinds of changes haven’t really taken away my viewing experience of the anime.

As Edens Zero is made by Hiro Mashima, you can expect easter eggs from his other, previous works, much like in the manga. You have your standard Fairy Tail cameos, such as Team Shadow Gear in the Shooting Starlight guild, the usual Natsu and Lucy appearance—and, the triumphant return of the “Wow!” sound effect.

So, yeah, for the most part, the anime adaptation does follow the source material. There’s changes that some may or may not want, as well as a few additions to certain parts: I believe the scene where Shiki gets chased around by Kurenai’s Knight Gear was extended a little bit, compared to what happened in the manga.

CONCLUSION

Before I give my overall impressions on the first season of the anime, I just wanted to mention the preview for the second season—for those who have watched the final episode. I’ve read the manga beforehand, and from what I’ve seen in the preview...I can’t wait, until the next season comes out. I just can’t wait for what they will pull off, in that upcoming season.

Overall, I’m impressed with the anime adaptation, from start to finish. I do recommend this for anyone else, not just as a fan of Edens Zero (and Mashima’s works)...but, as someone who has watched anime, in general. It does a more than decent job at covering the story arcs from the manga, in spite of the issues it has—art style, animation, and censorship.

Is it a flawless, excellent anime? No, but it certainly is alright enough to give it a peek, if you’re interested. Again, I just can’t wait to see what they have in store, for season two. Here’s hoping, with the next season, they will improve from the first.

#hiro mashima #edens zero #edens zero anime #my impressions

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purplesurveys · 3 years

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1277

Who are you most nervous about introducing potential significant others to? Ooooh moving forward, probably Angela hahahaha I have no idea how I’d break it to her if ever I do start seeing somebody again. She’s well aware of all the shit that I let slide so she might get intense with the scrutineering.

What is the most exciting thing about your life right now? Just the fact that I feel on top of the world these days. My days of being depressed and picking at my insecurities seem to be far behind me and the change has looked to be apparent coming from friends who’ve told me I seem happier, louder these days.

What was the most important non-academic thing you learned in high school? To not be scared to fight harder for the things you believe in or what make up your identity, coming from having to hide a same-sex relationship during that period. That feeling of being constricted and having to hide to stay on some conservative seniors’ good graces really pissed me off so high school was really crucial in letting me discover just how much I’d be willing to fight and test the waters to be able to live as me.

Have you ever had a job that deeply affected your personal life? How so and do you still work there? Hmm no, not really. If anything my job is one of the things that helped make me a lot livelier and happier.

Do you have a “one who got away”? It felt that way at the start when my view was still skewed, but it didn’t take long until I realized she was not a loss at all.

If you were in a superhero movie, would you be the hero or the villain? Hero.

If you found a mouse in your house, would you be frightened? Mice or rats are the literal worst fucking thing I could see in my house. I definitely see myself making a big deal out of it lmao, especially rats.

Have you ever tried to perform magic tricks? Nobody ever taught me, so no.

Can you do more with a yo-yo than just "go up and down"? Nah, which kinda makes me feel ashamed because considering it was a Filipino who invented the modern yo-yo, I feel like it should be my responsibility to know a few tricks LOL.

What is one form of technology that you wouldn't be able to live without? Instant messenger.

Did you get an allowance, growing up? Why or why not? Starting high school. Before that I was living in our family’s duplex, so my grandma could make packed meals for all of us – not to mention the fact that my parents were also still on their way to establishing themselves at their respective workplaces so we weren’t all that well-off yet.

When we moved into our own place, we started with my mom making our meals but eventually it just proved to be time-consuming and a lot of work considering she also had a job to go to. With that and the fact that both my parents at that point already got a couple of promotions, we switched to allowance.

Would you rather go to a water park or an amusement park? Why? Amusement parks though I would only probably head to the safer rides and food stalls with all the deep-fried offerings haha. I cannot handle more intense rides. On the other hand, water parks have always sounded nasty to me.

What is one instrument you wouldn't mind learning how to play? Piano.

What's the longest amount of time you've had to wait in line for something? The stupid LTO, because you can never count on government agencies to be efficient. Technically my whole time in there took a couple of stages, but all in all I spent eight hours there.

What is something that you would like to learn more about? Korean. I just graduated from my Basic Korean 1 class but I already have plans to enroll in the following course, since I seemed to do well and I want to keep the momentum going.

What is something that one of your family member collects? Mom has a large collection of chef-themed figurines and other sorts of trinkets like a chef timer, shot glasses, etc - but mostly the figurines - that she has displayed in a glass case. I should keep that in mind for when I start Christmas shopping, actually...she hasn’t updated that collection in a long time. Thanks for the idea!

Have you ever moved to a new school before? If so, how did it feel? No, not in the middle of the same period since I went to the same school from kinder to high school for 14 years. I only “moved” when I started college. Like I’ve said in previous surveys, it felt freeing to finally not under be the hands of an environment ran by...well, Catholics. It was a culture shock to see rallies everywhere, to find out I could wear short shorts or even go to school naked if I wanted to, and to see boys in my class (I went to an all-girls), but it was all the good kind of shock.

Have you ever legitimately forgotten to do homework? Always, because I never wrote them down.

Do you enjoy autumn leaves or spring flowers more? Why? I experience neither season.

Depending on where you live, why might a day of school get canceled? Typhoon.

If you could meet any fictional character from a book, who would it be? Melanie Hamilton from Gone with the World.

What are some common places that people tour when they come to your city? I rarely see foreigners here since my area isn’t particularly known for tourism; most go to the island provinces like Cebu, Aklan, Palawan, etc. If I had to recommend spots here, I’d tell them to go for Pinto and maybe the rooftop bars that offer a view of Manila’s skyline.

What's one food that you did not enjoy as a child, but do as an adult? Chicken curry, which I used to dread.

Would you rather have a mermaid tail, a fairy's wings or a unicorn's horn? I guess the wings just because I feel like it’s the only practical one.

What is an animal that you'd like to have as a pet but it's not allowed? I don’t think that way about animals I can’t keep as pets anyway.

What are some things that you do to make the world a better place? I always clean up at restaurants (my mom doesn’t understand why I do it because “the servers are here for a reason, Robyn”) but I always see the relief on their faces when they see I’ve stacked up the plates and cups so I don’t see a reason to stop doing it. I keep the door open for people who happen to enter/exit a building the same time as me, share dog adoption posts, don’t make a fuss about or towards a shop staff who messes up...things like that. I hope it’s able to help, even if just in a small way.

Has the last person you had sex with ever had sex with someone besides you? I don’t know. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has already.

What’s your favorite store at your mall? We have several malls within the vicinity but I like frequenting NCAT.

Have you ever done a workout DVD? No but my mom is fond of those.

Who usually takes out the trash in your family? Either of my parents.

What song are you currently obsessed with? My Universe is soooooo good. It’s Coldplay’s classic sound but they somehow managed to perfectly blend in BTS’ style as well, so I love how it turned out.

When you go fishing, do you make someone else get the fish off the hook? I've never gone fishing.

Do you take any prescription meds? Nope.

What happens if you don’t take them? Who was the last person you dreamt about? My dad.

Do you prefer your tea sweetened or unsweetened? Sweetened, though I don’t usually actively look for iced tea. I’d have it if it was served, but I don’t typically order it for myself.

How often do you honk your horn? As long as I am annoyed, which gives my mom a mini heart attack every time because she insists I just let people have their way to avoid getting into fights. Sometimes when she’s driving and someone’s being stupid on the road I lurch forward to do the honking for her and it pisses her off soooooooooo much but it also gets the job done so *shrug*

Do you have any children? If so, names and ages? I don’t.

Have your parents ever witnessed you doing something inappropriate? What? TMI but I almost got caught doing the m-word once but my reflexes were at lightning speed that day so when my door opened I was able to fix myself up and appear as though nothing was happening lol. My mom also saw a hickey on me once but I was able to veer the conversation away when she started inquiring.

Did you get babysat a lot as a kid? No, I did the babysitting.

If you were the principal of a school, what would you do differently? Actually deal with teachers who mistreat or make issues towards their students. I had several teachers I know didn’t like me but I could never do anything about it because there was no way in hell the school was going to take my side.

Are you doing anything fun tomorrow? Continued from yesterday. If I took this question yesterday to refer to today I would’ve answered yes because we actually have a really fun PR stunt scheduled for execution today, wherein we get to sponsor someone’s whole wedding from food to flowers to the host and fillm crew :D :D But tomorrow is just Monday so the real answer to this is no.

What is something you'd like to receive as a housewarming gift? I dunno the usual housewarming gifts, but I would appreciate anything practical, or anything that you’ll need at the least expected times, like batteries or even like Sticky Tack.

How old were you when you first experienced the effects of puberty? Oooh I was an early bird – I was 9 when I could first tell my first period was on its way; it came a month after I turned 10.

What is your least favorite holiday, and why? I don’t dislike any holiday because they all mean a day off work lol.

What were some outdoor games you played as a child? We usually played piko (hopscotch), our local version of freeze tag that we dubbed “Ice ice water” for whatever reason, and a garter game that we call 10-20. Dodgeball was a favorite during recess and lunch, too.

Did you accompany your parents on "Take Your Child to Work" Day? That’s not observed here, but my mom did use to take me and my siblings to her first workplace. Are cemeteries peaceful to you, or do they freak you out? They’re actually more interesting to me than anything else. I like learning about the different lives of many different people, even if I only technically know them by their birthday and date of death. Sometimes the inscriptions would be more detailed and tell more about their life, sometimes I’d come across babies who only lived a few days...and it’s just interesting to have those glimpses into life.

Which ancient civilization would you be interested in learning more about? Filipino, because Western colonization destroyed proof of most of it.

Do you have better long-term memory or short-term memory? Long.

What was the last situation that made you cry? Describe. I cried this morning. Nothing bad or heavy, I just found myself thinking again about my mental state last year.

Which forest animal would you be most afraid to encounter? Anything that wouldn’t hesitate to tear my limbs apart.

Do you believe in anything supernatural? (ie: spirits, etc) No.

Has anyone close to you ever gone to war? No. The closest link I have to the military, other than my dead great-grandfather, is Angela’s uncle who’s like a general or like a colonel or something, idk titles.

Have you ever experienced altitude sickness? Yeah, occasionally. Pressure in the ear is a bigger nuisance to me, though.

Is there anything, any event, you wish you could remember more clearly? The last time I saw my grandfather. My only clear memory of him that day was stepping out of the house to leave (my mom and I were visiting) and him sending me off with the message to always be kind and good. If I had known I would never see him again, I never would’ve left.

Have you ever rubbed anyone’s feet? Hmm no, not that I can recall.

If you had to get advice from someone of the opposite sex, who would you go to? I’d go to Hans for certain advice, but not for every single situation. He’s the only person that comes to mind.

What was the last new food/drink that you tried? So last Wednesday I finally got to try this Instagram-based doughnut shop that I’ve been eyeing since August and it turned out to be even MUCH BETTER THAN EXPECTEDDDDDD. Like yeah their photos were always mouthwatering but I didn’t expect it to taste as good as it looks, since most pretty food I’ve encountered usually end up just tasting meh. Anywho, I got two orders of their sampler box and they served me their specialty bacon doughnut, signature brown butter, and a bunch of their chocolate and peanut butter variants and I loved every single fucking thing.

Have you had a good day today or was yesterday better? Oh it’s hard to tell, it’s only 9:05 AM. Both days might be uneventful, though.

Have you ever played Sudoku? I don’t actually get how to play it hahaha. I feel like I’m too stupid for sudoku.

Do you ever take surveys for money? I tried it last year when applying for jobs was still a bitch for me, but the thing is most of those surveys look for employed participants so there was rarely ever a survey that fit me anyway.

Do you like Barbie or Bratz better? Bratz.

Do you prefer purple or green grapes? I don’t like grapes.

Who was the last person that made you laugh? Idk, probs one of the boys since I was watching videos of them earlier today.

Where does your best friend live? A nearby city.

Who did you last confide in? Angela.

Does your car have an alarm? Sure.

Where was your mom born? Somewhere in Metro Manila.

What can always make you feel better no matter what? My dogs.

What is something you’ll never eat again? Why? I don’t think there is anything. I feel like I’m always bound to retry things and that I would be open to doing so, even fruits. One thing I’m firm about never drinking again, though, is coconut water. Get that SHIT away from me.

What is currently happening that is scaring you? I’m not feeling scared these days.

Have you ever found a stranger’s note somewhere? If so, what did it say? Probably. But nothing sticks out.

#survey #surveys

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arcaneranger · 4 years

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Final Thoughts - 2019 Long Shows

Dear Lord. This is where all the good shows went.

2019 was absolutely awful on a season-by-season basis (except for Summer, anyway), but that’s mostly because most of the best shows ran longer than what has become the industry norm of a single season. And indeed, heading into the new decade, we seem to be seeing a major renaissance for two- or split-cour shows, given the massive success seen by shows like My Hero Academia, Food Wars, and Haikyuu!!..particularly in comparison to the new perpetual-runners Black Clover (which, despite running for over two straight years now, is still not the most popular show of Fall 2017 by viewer count on MAL, and sits at a ‘meh’ 7.2), and even worse, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, which is faring even worse on both counts even though it premiered two whole seasons earlier and the fact that it is the sequel to Naruto.

As a reminder of my rules, the shows on this list may or may not have premiered in 2019, but they finished airing this year. The split-cour rule (stating that I judge any show that “finishes” and then premieres a “new season” within six months) didn’t come into play for any 2018 shows, but it will for Ascendance of a Bookworm and Food Wars this year, at the very least.

With that being said! 25 shows running longer than thirteen episodes finished airing this year after being simulcast, and of those…

I skipped 6:

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part V: Golden Wind, Fairy Tail Final Series, A Certain Magical Index III, Ace Attorney Season 2 and Cardfight Vanguard (2018) because I either dropped or have not finished their previous (also long-running) seasons.

Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS because the simulcast started late and also it was bad.

I Dropped 8:

Worst Long Show of 2019: The Rising of the Shield Hero

It’s always fun to see that a show you hated from its first episode only gets more and more distasteful afterwards, but it’s less fun when a service you have to promote because they’re the legal option is forced to shove it down your throat because they had a hand in making it and it became a massive hit that your friends don’t see any issue with because the author wrote a story that justifies its hero’s patronage of the slave industry. This is my punishment for watching the whole first season of The Asterisk War before I knew better.

YU-NO: A girl who chants love at the bound of this world

A confusing mess from the word go, this ill-fated adaptation of a visual novel from the nineties seems like it was mostly made to cash in on the popularity of the Science Adventure series, but failed to present itself in a way that made an ounce of sense or looked remotely interesting.

Fairy Gone

Am I really the only one that saw potential here? I mean yes, it ended up a boring slog that didn’t care to move its plot in a meaningful direction, but the first episode was at least cool. I guess Izetta: The Last Witch should have taught me better.

We Never Learn

I know that I’m in the minority in terms of the male demographic for shows like this, but honestly, how are bland harem shows still this easy to market? A copy-pasted protagonist with copy-pasted waifus drag down what could be an interesting setup for a story.

Karakuri Circus

The first episode of this one had me excited, the second and third left me bored to tears and wondering if it would continue to look uglier by the minute. I haven’t seen a three-cour show look this janky since Knight in the Area.

Radiant

Having heard good things about this show from my cohorts, I do feel bad for saying I’ll probably never return to Radiant, but when you have a show that’s notably written by a European author...and it turns out to be a frustratingly standard shounen affair with middling production values, well, you can see my earlier annoyance with Cannon Busters.

Ensemble Stars

This one still gets to me. It almost looked like a male-idol show I would finally be able to get behind, what with its rebellious attitude and oddball setting...that is, until the setting got to be too unbelievable and the show began drowning its audience in side-characters because they had to squeeze every husbando from the mobile game into the story, and it all began to resemble UtaPri a little too much...but without the production value.

Boogiepop and Others

This was a hard drop, honestly. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how I felt four episodes in, before concluding that I was bored and not particularly invested, two things that should never describe the experience of watching a Madhouse show. The fact that this was the project responsible for ruining One Punch Man only made it worse. There’s a slow burn, and then there’s walking away without turning the stove on.

And I Finished 11 (holy crap that’s like three hundred episodes just on their own).

That Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime (5/10 & 1/10)

I’ll be honest, I had forgotten just how livid I was with the ending (and especially the sad excuse of a recap episode) of Slimesekai, and reading back through my write-up of it, it’s certainly coming back to me. While this year had bigger demons to fight (Shield Hero), the bad taste that Slime left me with hasn’t really faded, and the wasted premise bugs me to this day.

Hinomaru Sumo (7/10)

What Hinomaru lacked in production value, it happily made up for in good execution and earnest heart. I can’t believe this came from the same studio as Conception, Try Knights and 7Seeds, but if they can only get out one good show a year, I’m glad that we got one bringing attention to a sport that many will joke about but few understand, respect and appreciate.

Kono Oto Tomare (7/10)

Speaking of giving love to traditional Japanese culture, here’s a decent-if-unoriginal show about a local high school koto club down on their luck, and the troubled teens coming together under a scrappy protagonist to bring it back to life. Kono Oto Tomare doesn’t have much that you haven’t seen before, but a decently-executed club drama with Your Lie In April-inspired musical performances is more than enough to keep me interested, and since Forest of Piano kinda crashed and burned under the weight of its own self-importance this year, it was nice to have an alternative.

MIX: Meisei Story (8/10)

It’s hard to judge MIX next to the other shows on this list because it’s almost too old-school for its own good, revelling in an eighties storytelling style that didn’t end up jiving with a wide audience this year. But at the same time, its fun character dynamics (and a very good dub from Funimation, despite them saying they’d never touch sports anime again) were very entertaining to watch, even if it didn’t focus as much on the sport it was supposedly about as much as I’d have liked.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (8/10)

I fully admit that I’m very salty about the fact that this won Show of the Decade in Funimation’s poll while it was still on and I thought there were hundreds of more deserving shows, but I can’t deny that Demon Slayer was a very enjoyable experience, albeit one that I had notable problems with. That’s not gonna stop me from getting mad when it sweeps the Anime Awards in a few weeks, though.

Fire Force (8/10)

I was very afraid that David Productions wouldn’t be able to match the energy of Studio Bones’ adaptation of Ohkubo’s previous work, Soul Eater, but I was happy to be proven wrong. Even if the last few episodes contained a bit too much infodumping, it was all sandwiched between jaw-dropping fight scenes that proved that the people who make Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure can still handle the reins of a more traditional action show.

Fruits Basket 1st Season (8/10)

I know that my score for this one is a bit lower than others, but I think that Fruits Basket did pretty well in its first season, considering that it was largely spent setting up future storylines and adapting the part of the manga we’d all seen before, but with much higher production value. I’ve been familiar with this part of the story for over a decade, and the scene with Tohru and Kyo (you know the one) still made me cry. Now, we get the real plot going.

Dr Stone (9/10)

A great start to a totally new spin on shounen, Dr Stone gives me hope for survival in the post-Shokugeki world in which we’ll soon live, as a show that wears its research on its sleeve. A complex plot weaving interesting characters in and out of a narrative surrounding a philosophical battle where both sides actually do have fair points (even if one of them is going about it in a pretty cruel manner). More please.

Vinland Saga (9/10)

Once again, a great start to what will hopefully be years of quality storytelling, Vinland Saga made it seem like it was dragging in the middle only to reveal just what its slow burn had been leading up to, with twist-heavy storytelling and a fantastic cast to match the high visual quality of its brutal battles.

Run With the Wind (9/10)

It’s not often that Production I.G. gets to make a complete, fully-realized show anymore, and this one was a glorious reminder of the potential of the studio in the TV space, and a great rebound for the director of Joker Game. It’s gorgeous to look at, the cast is wonderful, and the story is both realistic and idealistic in a satisfying balance. It’s a miserable process to get to the finish line in real life, but sitting back and watching this was nothing but a treat. At least, until a minor fumble at the end.

Best Long Show of 2019: Dororo (9/10)

Speaking of complete stories, Tezuka Productions and MAPPA teamed up for a breathtaking adaptation of an underappreciated Tezuka classic that expands upon the story in exactly the right way to create a thrilling, savage, beautiful masterpiece that focuses a laser-sharp eye into the relationship between two characters in their journey to, literally and figuratively, become complete people. Also, that opening was killer.

And that’s it! That’s the fun list. Next comes the painful one. Stay tuned for the trash heap.

#final thoughts #year end anime list #long 2019 #dororo #demon slayer #Fruits Basket #vinland saga #run with the wind #Dr Stone #rising of the shield hero #fire force #kono oto tomare!#mix meisei story #hinomaru sumo #hinomaru zumou #that time i got reincarnated as a slime #tensura

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tiramisiyu · 3 years

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【未定事件簿】 Tears of Themis: “Romantic Rail Getaway” Lu Jinghe Route, Day 5

Translation Masterlist | Event Masterlist

Lu Jinghe Route: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5

Videos, where applicable, are hyperlinked on the headings in the post.

See under cut!

Part 1: Rare Plants Reserve – “The Future of the Reserve”

Rainforest Reserve

The train arrived at the final stop of the trip – the rainforest reserve.

After solving the indigenous peoples’ issue, the repressive troubles in my heart disappeared without a trace.

I could finally immerse myself, body and mind, into the tranquil atmosphere of the rainforest and enjoy the comforting satisfaction brought by the nature’s sceneries.

Lu Jinghe: This section of rainforest is a natural scenery area. Ahead is the rare animal exhibition and the rainforest survey base.

Lu Jinghe: They’ve collected a little less in here than in the actual Imana Rainforest Natural Reserve that’s in planning…

Lu Jinghe: But there are over 400 rare plants here, and the degree of resource abundance isn’t inferior to Imana Rainforest at all.

Lu Jinghe strolled as he introduced me to the situation in the reserve to me, seeming to be very familiar with this place.

INTERROGATION START

Reserve

MC: Was the construction of this reserve also funded by Pax?

Lu Jinghe: Yeah, construction finished around 6-7 years ago.

Lu Jinghe: Back then, Pax and Tambuyani had just reached a cooperative agreement, so we wanted to try something new.

Lu Jinghe: Because it was built early, when Tambuyani was planning trip routes, they made this place a key scenic location.

MC: So that’s how it was.

I originally thought that Pax had invested in a nature reserve project due to momentary interest. I didn’t think that they’d prepared for this early on.

It seemed like, in upcoming years, Pax would be making major movements in nature conservation and rainforest development projects.

Important Difference

MC: Right! You came this time for the Imana Rainforest natural reserve project, which also means…

MC: Pax is investing into two rainforest reserve projects in Tambuyani at the same time?

Lu Jinghe: Mhmm, although the positioning of the Tambuyani project isn’t really the same as this one.

Lu Jinghe: The Imana Rainforest nature reserve will focus on tourism in the future, and it will be open to the whole world.

Lu Jinghe: The reserve here… will focus on academic studies and research surveying.

Lu Jinghe: With this distinction, it’ll be more beneficial for future plans and developments.

Future Plans

MC: Little CEO Lu, could you tell me about the future developmental plans for the nature reserve?

Lu Jinghe: Originally, I couldn’t, since they’re trade secrets. Although…

Lu Jinghe: Because the one who’s asking is you, I can tell you about a little.

Lu Jinghe: The plan is… I’m going to build this place into the best nature reserve in the world.

MC: This sounds… more like a goal, rather than a plan.

Lu Jinghe: A goal can be determined in advance. A detailed plan needs to be negotiated more with the relevant people in Tambuyani, and at this stage, it’s still very hard to determine it.

Lu Jinghe: So, all I can tell you right now is this. I’m sure that it’ll become as I imagined in the future.

MC: Then I’ll hope for the early realization of your goals in advance.

Lu Jinghe: It will.

The corners of Lu Jinghe’s mouth curved beautifully.

INTERROGATION END

Lu Jinghe: How is it, anything else you want to ask?

Lu Jinghe: If I know it, I’ll definitely answer.

MC: How about… could I trouble little CEO Lu to introduce me to the rare plants in your rainforest reserve?

Lu Jinghe: Jiejie, this question is way beyond my scope!

Lu Jinghe: How about we hand this specialized question to a specialized person to answer.

Part 2: Plant Conservation Site

[Gameplay]

Part 3: Rainforest Flower Park

[Gameplay]

Part 4: Forest-watching Area

[Gameplay]

Part 5: Rainforest Program Area – “Exploring the Rainforest Program Area”

Following Lu Jinghe’s steps, we walked from the nature scenery area to the rainforest program area.

Staff: Hello, welcome to the rainforest program area.

Lu Jinghe: See, someone specialized came.

As soon as Lu Jinghe saw the staff member, he winked at me.

Lu Jinghe: MC, you can now ask the question you just had.

Did he take me here to specifically find a staff member answer my question?

I actually just wanted to tease him a little earlier… I didn’t think he would take it seriously.

MC: Hello, I’m a little curious about the plants and animals in the rainforest. Could you give a slight introduction for those?

Staff: Of course, what would you like to know?

INTERROGATION START

Butterflies

MC: On the tree trunks, are those… blue morpho butterflies?

When I walked into the rainforest survey area, I’d already become aware of those few beautiful, blue butterflies on the tree trunks.

I finally had the chance to ask about them.

Staff: Yes, these are called great blue morpho butterflies. They’re one of the butterflies often found in the rainforest.

MC: They’re so beautiful. Lu Jinghe, look, those butterflies’ wings look like they’re glittering in the sun.

Lu Jinghe: This is probably why they’re called flashing butterflies.[1]

Staff: The beautiful shape of the great blue morpho butterfly is also one of the reasons their survival is threatened.

Staff: In the past, when the reserve hadn’t been built yet, there were lots of people trying to catch them without restraint to sell them.

Staff: For a very long time, you basically could not see this beautiful species of butterfly in the rainforest.

MC: Good thing the nature reserve was built…

[1] The Chinese name for these butterflies translates literally to blue-flashing butterflies (蓝闪蝶, lan shan die).

Animals

MC: Right, when I came, I saw some monkeys with very small bodies.

MC: Look…

I opened the photos I’d saved on my phone and showed it to the staff worker.

There were a few little black monkeys, sitting in a row on the tree branches, their round eyes looking curiously at the humans who were exploring the rainforest.

Staff: Oh, these are the spider monkeys that are characteristic to our rainforest reserve.

MC: Why are they called spider monkeys? They don’t look like spiders at all.

Staff: This species of monkey has a small build, their limbs are long, and their movements when climbing up tree are very similar to the large spiders in the tropics, so they’re called spider monkeys.

MC: Compared to spiders, little monkeys are cuter…

Staff: Though they look cute and endearing, these spider monkeys are very timid, and they tend to attack.

Staff: If you want to observe spider monkeys, you absolutely must not get too close.

MC: Mhmm, it’s better to maintain some distance from wild animals.

Beautiful Plants

MC: I’ve heard that there are particularly beautiful flowers blooming in the rainforest. Could you tell us about them?

Staff: Hmm, most of the flowers in the rainforest are brightly-coloured. As for relatively beautiful ones…

Staff: I feel that the pygmy water lily is the most beautiful.

MC: Could I see one now?

Staff: The pygmy water lily is a precious lotus flower. Its petals are blueish-purple, and it looks incredibly gorgeous.

Staff: Although… it blooms annually in the summer, and it only blooms for seven days. I won’t be able to show it to you this time.

MC: (What a pity. The next time I get the chance, I really have to come see it personally.)

INTERROGATION COMPLETE

MC: I still have a few questions…

Staff: Go ahead. If I know it, I can tell you.

Time slowly passed, but it seemed like the things I wanted to know kept slowly increasing.

The staff worker enthusiastically and patiently explained for me, and the more I listened, the more fascinated I grew.

I didn’t know how many questions I asked, and I didn’t know how long I spent listening to the staff worker talk about the fantastic stories of the rainforest.

I felt like this rainforest, this land, and too many things were waiting for us to explore them, and to search for them.

Part 6: Bright-eyed Enthusiasm

Rainforest Reserve

After bidding farewell with the rainforest program area’s staff member, Lu Jinghe mysteriously took me toward the depths of the forest.

The lush foliage gradually cut off the surrounding sounds…

In the tranquility, I suddenly felt like only the sounds of my and Lu Jinghe’s footsteps were left in the world.

MC: Where are we going?

Lu Jinghe: The reserve in the depths of the rainforest.

MC: Huh, isn’t this area the reserve?

Lu Jinghe: This is the reserve that the researchers use for survey research.

Lu Jinghe: While the place where we’re headed right now is the breeding experiment location in the depths of the rainforest. That’s the confidential location in all of the reserve.

Lu Jinghe’s voice sounded like he was presenting a treasure, with a willfully excited and proud feeling.

Based on my understanding of him, there must be some surprise awaiting me in the reserve he was talking about.

Thinking about this, my excitement and expectation were kindled as well.

MC: I’m kinda looking forward to it!

As we walked into the depths of the forest, like a shielding curtain, the shrubbery and the foliage of the trees were slowly pulled apart…

The true appearance of the breeding experiment reserve reflected in my eyes.

A gorgeously-coloured flower tree bloomed before my eyes, and little lavender and pale pink petals sat between the leaves, like the unfurled wings of a parrot.

Right then, the miracle of nature became reality before my eyes.

Lu Jinghe: Look, this is a real parrot-tail fairy flower. Isn’t it pretty?

MC: Just like how it’s named, it really is fairylike.

I carefully maintained a distance as I looked all over the parrot-tail fairy flower, unwilling to miss even a single detail.

Lu Jinghe: Too bad there’s only this one treasure, and you can only get this one glimpse.

Lu Jinghe: After the growing techniques mature… I want to try having it “come” out the rainforest, so more people can see it.

Lu Jinghe: At that time, there will definitely also be more people who come in to see the sceneries inside the rainforest.

With the abundant resource treasures contained in the rainforest, for the people of the past, most of its use remained at the stage of resource plundering.

While what Lu Jinghe wanted to do was exactly the opposite…

He hoped that people from the outside would come in the learn about this place, to invest more riches to spur on the treasures lying undiscovered on this land.

His thoughts were full of creativity, and often brought surprises. Perhaps this was one of Lu Jinghe’s personal charms.

MC: Could I take a few pictures to commemorate this?

Lu Jinghe: You can – you can take as many as you want.

I held up my camera, starting to adjust the angle of the viewfinder.

To begin with, it was very hard to focus in the dim lighting in the rainforest, and Lu Jinghe just had to sidle up and cause trouble.

MC: Don’t move… you’re blocking the light.

Lu Jinghe: Alright, I won’t disturb you. I’m going to take photos on the other side.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Lu Jinghe walk to the other side of the flower tree as he spoke. He was holding something in his hand, pointing it at me…

Want to sneak a picture of me? Hah, as if I’ll let you get away with it.

I stood up quickly, pointing the lens in my hand at Lu Jinghe before he could react.

MC: Lu Jinghe, smile!

The slight confusion and shock of the handsome young man, who was holding a camera and trying to take a picture, was captured in the photo.

MC: Haha, this is a pretty good photo. I’ve got to hide it away.

Lu Jinghe: What photo did you take?

Lu Jinghe wound around the bunches of flowers and looked at the photo I’d taken, tilting his head.

MC: Look, I just happened to take a picture of your “crime evidence” when you wanted to sneak a picture of me.

Lu Jinghe: … Jiejie, you’re shameless!

Lu Jinghe: What crime evidence – it’s obviously you sneaking pictures of me, alright?

MC: Not at all, I was seizing the opportunity.

Lu Jinghe: I don’t care, I’m taking another one!

Lu Jinghe snatched the camera in my hands, and with the parrot-tail fairy flower tree separating us, he stood at a place farther away from me.

Lu Jinghe: Look at the lens.

Separated by the flower tree, he waved the camera at me, repeating the words I’d just said to him.

Lu Jinghe: MC, smile.

Lu Jinghe: … 1, 2, 3, cheese!

MC: Cheese!

His enthusiastic gaze focused on me, the dazzling light in his clear eyes drawing me to him.

Struck in the heart by the halo of this moment, he and I laughed together.

#tears of themis #tears of themis translations #未定事件簿 #mihoyo #lu jinghe #otome game #tot translation #finished with the TLs for this part of the event!#now to wait for the second half featuring the older guys

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trainsinanime · 4 years

Text

I think the "salt" story in the Miraculous Ladybug fandom (but really, most fandoms have something similar) is fascinating. It is a genuine expression of a real and common teenage feeling that you don't really see expressed that much outside of fanfiction. That feeling being:

"Screw all of you, I don't need you, I'm going to marry Batman!"

Yes, it sounds stupid and immature when you put it like that, because… well, it often is. But that doesn't mean it's not real. Feeling alienated from your friends or family because they don't have your back when you think they should is an experience that most teenagers have. I mean, seriously, who of us has never said to themselves, "Screw all of them, I don't need them, I'm going to marry Batman"? And there are definitely circumstances where it is justified, especially in cases of outright bullying, but that is a separate issue. All too often, the feeling also appears without real justification or when you're the one in the wrong, but pointing that out will not help, it'll only make you feel that way at the one pointing it out as well.

(Note: If I sound angry and patronising at teenagers here, please know that I'm really just belittling my own former self.)

When media aimed at teenagers discusses that feeling, it usually does this with the message that you should get over it, because… well, you probably should. For example, that was a big part of season four of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, where everyone got cranky at each other, accused each other of not having their backs, and just had generally deteriorating relationships. During the season break, they got over that, and that was the first step to defeating the evil Horde.

Likewise, take Harry Potter. Yes, we're all starting to like less and less with every tweet by its author, but it's still important and influential. In many books, Ron's and Harry's relationship deteriorates because of both character's (especially Ron's if we're honest) insecurities. But before the end, they get over it and re-emerge stronger than ever.

The only real professionally published media that is just about wallowing in this feeling is songs, like e.g. Salt by Ava Max (come on, the example is so beautifully on the nose, how could I not include it?).

Fanfiction is a space where people can explore these feelings without judgement; where they can make an AU where this feeling is actually justified, and where the character can actually go off and marry Batman (or whatever Robin is closest in age, same difference). These stories will turn and twist the characters, especially the ones who are slated to become former friends but also the protagonist, in order to justify that happening. That's not a defect in the story, that's a necessary element of this AU. Just like how you can't have a mermaid AU without giving somebody a non-canonical fish tail.

(There are also the people who are convinced that these distorted hateful AU interpretations of the characters are what these characters are actually like and we all just don't see it. Well, okay…)

These fanfic stories crop up in most big fandoms. In Harry Potter, it's usually Ron who gets all the hate. In Fairy Tail (in case you don't know that anime: Yes, that spelling is correct), the standard story is that when minor character Lisanna returns from a parallel dimension, protagonist Lucy gets ostracised and has to leave and be sad about that. In Miraculous Ladybug, Lila convinces everybody that Marinette is evil, Marinette looses all her friends, gets revenge by cancelling class trips and being super-petty, and finally leaves to marry Batman (or whatever Robin is closest in age, which I think is usually Damian, even though we all know that Damimaps is the only valid ship for him). The plot is different - but usually very standard for a fandom. But the basic feeling that the story expresses is always the same.

It's interesting that for Miraculous Ladybug, this story is so often a cross-over story, while older fandoms tend to stick within their universes. Personally, I blame the shift from Fanfiction.net to ArchiveOfOurOwn.org for that: Ao3 treats crossovers as part of a fandom, while on Fanfiction.net they're in a whole other section of the site. That means Fanfiction.net discourages finding crossover stories, while Ao3 encourages it, which in turn encourages writing them. And the more people who find those "Maribat" stories, the more people go, "that's just like how I feel about my friends sometimes! I gotta write a story like that".

So in conclusion: The "salt" AU is a rare genuine exploration of a feeling that is usually ignored, belittled, or presented as something to overcome in media. It is valid and fascinating to see.

But that doesn't mean I like reading it. Please tag that stuff correctly so I can skip it.

#miraculous ladybug #fanfic culture #ml fandom salt #mlb meta

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yourdeepestfathoms · 4 years

Text

Flavors of Poison (part one)

[Sweet Shop AU]

TW: Alcohol, Pot, Discussion of sexual assault

———————

Cockatrice Kiss

The barn smells of sweet alfalfa and wet hay, a pleasant, earthy aroma to contrast the sugary one of Sweet Thrills. Bessie paws around on the wall before finding the light switch and flips it on, watching the weaving of rainbow fairy lights along the ceiling flicker to life and cast their soft colorful glow across the wooden building.

Even though it’s been two years since the barn was made, she still can’t help but be proud of it when she goes in each time.

It took several paychecks to make the structure, with Aragon paying some of the expenses to cover a few tools or planks of wood Bessie just couldn’t afford. After four months of endless work in the London rain and cold and several WikiHow searches on how to build a stable (with pictures), it was finally finished: the perfect, twenty foot by fifteen foot barn.

When you first enter, you get a view of the wide space behind a short fence and gate: a haven of soft hay that sprinkles the dirt like golden snow. A wide wooden box is situated in the far left corner with two heat lamps sitting atop a grate covering the carved holes in the top. Beside it is the large, oval-shaped watering tin, which contents are murky and need to be cleaned out soon, and the long feed trough, where the remnants of a grainy breakfast remain. A ball sits quietly in the center, waiting to be played with again. Its usual user is dozing in the right corner, but it’s sort of hard to tell if she’s asleep or not because of her long bangs.

“Hyde?” Bessie called softly.

She noticed the creature’s big, fuzzy ears flick upwards and the highland heifer rises to her feet.

Her coat is a beautiful orange-red color, apart from her bangs, which fade to a silver dun shade. The locks are stringy, like ribbons of steel that blanket over her dark eyes. Horns, still not fully grown, curve upwards, menacing despite their short length.

The young heifer, Hyde, bounds up to the gate, lowing loudly, which makes Bessie giggle. She stamps her hooves into the dirt, throwing up dust into the air, watching as Bessie goes to the tack area and gets her feed. She nearly knocks the girl down when she’s walking into the pen.

“Hey!” Bessie yelped when Hyde’s snout pokes into her belly, “I know you’re hungry, just hang on a moment!”

Hyde moos again, lashing her tail as she watches and reluctantly allows Bessie to do her job. Once the oats are poured into the trough, she dives in, munching happily on her dinner.

“Chubby,” Bessie said, poking the heifer’s stomach.

As if she understood (Bessie liked to think she could), Hyde lows in between chews and flicked Bessie with her long, furry tail.

“My apologies, madam!” Bessie giggled, rubbing her hand down Hyde’s spine. “Sorry I’m so late. Will you ever forgive me?”

Hyde made a muffled cow noise and Bessie smiled.

“Sleep well, beautiful. I’ll see you in the morning.”

With that, she gathered her bag, which she had left at the door, and walked out.

The trek to the house wasn’t long- she was soon unlocking the front door and stepping into the warmth of the home.

It was dark, as she expected. It was ten at night, after all, and Cathy had school the next day. Bessie couldn’t help but smile fondly at the memory of the time she and the twelve-year-old stayed up all night building on a Minecraft world together (yeah, it’s a little childish for her to partake in at her age, but she couldn’t say no to Cathy, and a “quick build” quickly turned into a giant kingdom fit for a queen- and a dragon named Hroar.)

Bessie walks past the kitchen, not bothering with dinner despite being hungry. She didn’t want to make too much noise and wake anyone up, so she just made a beeline for her downstairs bedroom-

However, she was stopped by a sharp voice.

“Dinner’s in the fridge.”

Bessie froze, slightly startled. She turned slowly to find Aragon sitting on the couch in the living room, her legs crossed neatly over one another and her hands resting in her lap. Her facial features are calm, smooth, and her eyebrows are raised, but Bessie can’t help but think the woman is annoyed with her.

“Hey, Catalina,” The girl whispered, hunching her shoulders around her neck.

“Hello, Elizabeth.” Aragon replied, “Have you eaten dinner yet?”

“I picked something up,” Bessie lied.

Aragon’s eyebrows arched higher.

“No...” Bessie sighed.

“I’ve told you not to lie to me,” Aragon said. She stands up and walks to the kitchen, and Bessie follows with her head lowered.

“I’m sorry...” Bessie whispered.

Aragon pulls a platter of casserole out of the fridge and put it in the microwave, then turned to Bessie. Her eyes soften when she saw how pitiful the girl looked.

“It’s quite alright, dear,” She said. “I just worry about you. You need to eat.”

“I do!” Bessie said, then quickly lowered her voice. “I’m just- I’m tired.”

“Were you too tired to eat yesterday, too?” Aragon said, then added before Bessie could counter, “And the day before that?”

Bessie shut her mouth and lowered her head, finding the floor much more interesting. She hears a soft clucking sound and her chin is being lifted.

“I’m not doing this to be rude,” Aragon said, “I love you very much, my special girl.”

“I love you, too,” Bessie whispered. Her bottom lip quivers slightly, not because of what was said, but rather because of the amount of love this woman has for her, despite knowing what she has done.

Before either of them can say anything else, a tiny voice sounds from behind them.

“Mama?”

Aragon and Bessie turn around to see Cathy standing by the steps, rubbing her eyes with her fist, which is hooded by her pajama sleeve. Her hair is in complete disarray, making it look like the wild mane of a lion.

“I’m right here, baby,” Aragon walks to her goddaughter. “Are you alright? What’s wrong?”

“I just woke up because I heard voices,” Cathy said, then peeks around Aragon. “Bessie’s home!”

“Hey, Cat,” Bessie waved slightly, allowing a small smile to ghost across her lips.

“You need to get back to bed,” Aragon said, then looked at Bessie. “Elizabeth, please eat, alright?”

“I will.” Bessie assured her. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

“Night, Bessie!”

Once the two of them retreat upstairs, Bessie takes the plate of casserole out of the microwave, takes four bites, then throws the rest away, hiding it beneath other pieces of rubbish.

———

“EEUCK!!” Anne spit loudly, “You smell like a barn!”

Bessie wrinkled her nose in her coworker’s direction, slightly miffed by her dramatic reaction to the scent of cow clinging to her body.

“I didn’t have time to shower after taking care of Hyde because SOMEONE signed me up for the morning shift.” Bessie said, shooting another accusing look at Anne.

“I had already signed up for this shift and I don’t really like any of the other workers, so I didn’t want to work it with someone I couldn’t get along with!” Anne said.

“How selfless of you,” Bessie said dryly. As she’s watering Herman after switching the ‘CLOSED’ sign to ‘OPEN’ she notices Anne perk up, beaming about something.

“What?” Bessie looked at her curiously.

“There’s a party this evening,” Anne explained, “One of the frats at the college is hosting it.”

“Ah.” Bessie nodded, preparing to leave it at that, but Anne goes on.

“We gotta go!”

“No way.” Bessie immediately said.

“Come on, B, you haven’t been to a single party yet. You have to go at least once!” Anne said.

“Anne-”

“Please!” Anne was begging at this point. “Please, B! I won’t leave you alone, I promise! And if it isn’t fun or it things go bad or you get uncomfortable, then we can leave immediately! I swear it!”

Bessie looked at her coworker, who was pleading like a puppy. She’s always had a hard time saying no to people...

She sighed.

“Fine.”

“YES!!” Anne threw her arms up into the air, then hugged Bessie tightly, “Oh, thank you, B! Thank you! You won’t regret this!”

Somehow, Bessie thinks she will.

———

She expected it to play out like the same old story you read about or hear about on TV: Girl with a wild streak and some issues goes to her first legal frat party, gets drunk, and winds up in bed with a guy who ditches her and posts pictures of them doing it on the school's website. Girl is shattered, her reputation ruined and possibly ends up with a baby to sour the deal more.

So, Bessie kept a sharp eye on Anne that night, to protect her from even the slightest chance of that happening. Sure, Anne was much bigger and tougher than her, but the issues could linger and Anne was awfully fascinated by the alcoholic drinks on display.

“Just one wine cooler each, maybe two,” Bessie said, her eyes darting around everywhere. “Don't drink the punch, keep an eye on your food and drink, don't talk to anyone slurring-”

“Honey, you need to loosen up. The old Anne might have gotten herself into some deep crap, but the new Anne will be just fine. Trust me.”

Bessie didn’t know much about “old Anne” and what exactly she had gotten herself into in the past, as the two of them hadn’t known each other in high school (Anne said was living in France, but moved to London for college), but she decided to try to trust her friend.

However, it does not ease her fears.

“But-”

“Don't worry, I'll stick by you the whole night. For your sake, of course.” Anne smiled at Bessie, squeezing her shoulder comfortingly. “Come on!”

Pushing their way through the dancing bodies, Anne and Bessie ventured deeper into the party house. The smell of weed, alcohol, and mixed vapes was overbearing. A girl who was dressed in a lacy, but tight black dress pushed past Bessie, her perfume almost gagging her when she pressed against her on accident. Stepping back, Bessie dodged her friends as they hurried after her, calling out a mixture of profanities as they spilled their drinks.

“Bessie!” Someone yelled across the party. Bessie whipped around, trying to pick out whoever called her name. Suddenly a sort of-friend from chemistry appeared at her elbow, shoving a drink into her hand. He smiled at her.

“I didn’t think you would come, girl, it’s cool that you did!”

Bessie smiled awkwardly, wiping the sweat gathering on her brow. The house was twice the temperature as outside, the multiple hot bodies dancing around the small building only serving to amplify the humidity that built up.

“I figured I better come at least once, or else you guys will never forgive me,” Bessie said before cautiously sipping from her glass. The burning of alcohol was unfamiliar. Still, it warmed her chest- she kind of enjoyed the bite.

“Do you wanna smoke?” Her kinda-friend asked, waggling a joint in front of her eyes.

“No, I’m- I’m okay.” She stammered.

“Come on!”

“No, really, I’m okay.”

Her kinda-friend frowned, taking a drag himself before speaking, “Whatever dude, if you hated pot smokers you should have said.”

Bessie felt guilt build as she opened her mouth to explain, but instead her kinda-friend disappeared into the mass of dancing bodies. The music was turned up, causing the bass to thump loudly in her ears, and she completely missed Anne saying something to her, so the young woman had to shake her elbow to get her attention.

“Do not smoke.” Anne said, as if she were Bessie’s mum. Bessie couldn’t help but smile at her sternness.

“Aye, aye,”

Anne smiled, then immediately whipped around afterwards, tugging excitedly on Bessie’s arm. She points to a table that several people are gathered at.

“Let’s go take shots!”

Bessie allowed Anne to lead her to the table, where the college kids were passing out shots of UV and vodka and tequila. Bessie grabbed one as it was shoved into her hands, her last glass disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.

Several shots later, Bessie was pleasantly buzzed, leaning towards drunk. Her system wasn’t used to processing alcohol- it made her a lightweight. She laughed at one of the girls as she started to hack at the burn of the alcohol, while Anne bounced at her side, still hanging onto her arm, this time with both hands, as she chortled.

“Bessie?”

Through the music, Bessie heard a familiar, warm voice, and turned around to see none other than Anna.

The young woman was dressed in a red and black flannel and jeans and she was holding a glass of beer. The lights of the house cast a slight glow over her dark skin, neatly combed black hair, and friendly smile.

“Anna!” Bessie lit up. She pats Anne’s hands, causing her coworker to let go, and she hurries over to Anna.

“I didn’t know you went to parties.” Anna said.

“I usually don’t,” Bessie replied, then hiccuped. A blush flames red on her cheeks and she quickly covered her mouth. Above her, Anna laughed.

“I can tell,” She said. “You’re adorable.”

Bessie went to say something else, but just hiccuped again. She clenched her fingers tighter around her jaw, her blush creeping up to her ears and making them as hot as the rest of her body thanks to the heat inside of the house.

“You poor thing,” Anna cooed sympathetically. “First time drinking?”

Bessie nodded, not risking speaking again.

“Ah,” Anna nodded. “That explains it.” She wrapped an arm around Bessie’s shoulders and frowned. “Darling, you’re so hot... How long have you been here? Have you drank water at all?”

Bessie shrugged, then squeaks out through her fingers, “An hour? And...ah...no.”

“Let’s go get you some,” Anna decided.

After Bessie tells Anne where she’s going, she lets Anna lead her to the kitchen, which is surprisingly probably the least crowded room in the whole house, since the drink and snack stands were set up in other areas.

Anna gently presses Bessie into a chair at the dining room table and swaps her glass of tequila for a red plastic cup of water. It soothes her burning throat, washing away the sting of strong alcohol, which she is really starting to feel the effects of.

(Is is called “Fireball” because it makes it feel like a fireball is burning in your stomach?)

Bessie doesn’t register the cool fingers brushing her flushed, clammy cheek for a moment, but she’s leaning into them before she even notices they’re touching her. She pried open her eyelids to see Anna kneeling in front of her, an amused, but concerned look on her face.

“Someone isn’t handling her alcohol too well,” The dark-skinned woman teased lightheartedly.

Bessie replied with a “Mmmm” then a hiccup. Anna laughed.

“Honey, I think you should stick to water for the rest of the night.” Anna said, brushing a sweaty lock of hair out of Bessie’s damp face. “Wanna take your jacket off? You might be a little cooler.”

Bessie nodded and set her cup of water down so she could remove her jacket (with Anna’s help, of course. Her fingers were a little clumsy).

As they did so, a voice piped up.

“Elizabeth Blount?”

Bessie and Anna both look up to see a man with unruly brown hair and shrewd hazel eyes looking at them from the kitchen island. Bessie recognizes him as Thomas Cromwell, a kid who used to go to high school with her. They didn’t end up going to the same college, so he must have been invited or the party was open to students from other campuses, too.

“Well, I’ll be damned! Elizabeth Blount!” Thomas laughed, “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again. Especially with all your clothes on!”

Bessie’s blood runs cold. At her side, Anna’s brows knit together in concern. The older woman stands up protectively.

“Who are you?” She demands.

“Thomas Cromwell,” Thomas answers openly, “Who are you? Someone new Elizabeth has tied to her bed?”

Rage flashes in Anna’s eyes.

“Don’t you fucking talk about her like that.” She seethed.

Thomas is unfazed by her anger.

“You don’t know, do you?” He tilted his head, “Elizabeth hasn’t told you? Better yet: You didn’t hear? You must not be around here. The Whore of London was big talk for everyone when we were in high school.” He leaned in, not one bit wry of Anna’s clenched, readied fists. “Just a fair warning: Don’t go to the bathroom. She’ll try to molest you.”

Bessie leapt up and raced through the crowd of people. She heard yelling behind her- she thinks it’s Anne because Anna had to be preoccupied with Thomas to go after her.

But why would she? Anna must think she’s disgusting now.

That revelation brings tears to Bessie’s eyes. She was going to lose Anna- she didn’t want to lose Anna. She liked Anna a lot. She made her smile and laugh and made the world feel good again.

She needed Anna.

But Anna doesn’t need her. Not anymore. She’s not going to visit her ever again.

Tears flow fast from Bessie’s eyes as she shoves through all the people. Some stare at her in annoyance for being pushed, others are curious as to why she’s crying, and a handful are genuinely concerned. Right as she gets to the door, a cup is thrust into her hands and she just takes it.

Cool night air stings against her burning skin, like dry ice on bare flesh.

Bessie ran away from the frat house until her legs screamed in pain and she finally had to slow down. She took a few deep breaths and sipped from the cup she was holding. Whatever its contents were burned her mouth intensely, searing down her throat as if she was swallowing molten lava, and she nearly spit it back up. However, she forced herself to choke it down and drink it all.

She’s left sputtering and frothing liquor at the lips, but she desperately needed the relief it’ll cause. Alcohol was a depressant, after all. Bessie didn’t think it was possible for her to get even more depressed, but here she was.

It was going to be a long walk home.

#sweet shop au #six the musical #six the musical au #six the musical fanfic #six the musical fanfiction #anna of cleves #bessie on the bass #catherine of aragon #catherine parr #anne boleyn #thomas cromwell #banna #bessie x cleves #tw: alcohol #tw: drugs #tw: pot

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fountainpenguin · 4 years

Note

Do you have any more information on the "Aspen incident" that's been mentioned in a few of your pixie fics? I'm kinda curious to find out what exactly happened but when I search the name Aspen on your blog nothing comes up

Ooh, Aspen’s fun. I worked it out and you technically have all the information you need to answer that question, but it’s all scattered across different pieces because you’re not supposed to know yet. We don’t get to Aspen’s plot for a long time.

I will not give the answer directly, but I will help you out by collecting some hints in this post. Aspen is someone who was associated with some pixies in an ambiguous pre-series time period. He is not alive yet in Origin or Knots, but we will see him towards the end (in both stories). Here are some things Sanderson mentioned about him in Prompt 14, “Minion”-

“I haven’t been forced from a gyne since the incident with Aspen.”

“Our arrangement would only be temporary. But then again, so is my arrangement with the Head Pixie.”

As I stripped away my shirt, I tried to remember who had planted such treacherous thoughts in my head. Were they all mine, or were they what was left of Aspen’s influence, acting up now that I was here in the Pink Castle again, the very place where I had come to know him so well? It seemed like Aspen would have been in understandable favor of Longwood over any other figure…

Here is what Longwood had to say about him in Pink and Gray:

“Dear dust,” he says, “I’m obsessed.”

“With yourself?”

“With children.”

Rosencrantz doesn’t know how to respond to this. Rosencrantz is pretty sure Longwood has confessed to something illegal.

“Not like that,” Longwood clarifies, always one step ahead of the younger pixie and gleaning his thoughts. With a thought and a twitch of the ballpoint pen he uses as a wand, he pings a small picture into his free hand. The frame is dented, the glass shattered long ago. It’s not even a real photograph–only a crayon drawing. A child’s crayon drawing. Longwood hunkers into the chair anyway, caressing the picture with his eyes while holding the shaking chocolate mug to his mouth. He says, “I’m obsessed with that–that shadowman you used to call a mentor.”

“Sanderson?” Rosencrantz presses him cautiously. […]

“I saved his life, Rosebud. You wouldn’t remember. It was long ago. Centuries before you were born, I traded the one I held most dear to save that snotlick’s life, and I pine after him even now. You didn’t know Aspen. But I did. I had the chance. I could have chosen to save what I wanted most. What does that make me feel?”

At this, Longwood bends his head, his wings jolting every few beats. He sinks a little closer to the sidewalk. “H.P., I–You owe me for Aspen.”

“I owe you for what you chose to do to Aspen?”

Longwood looks away. It’s an insult. He shouldn’t have asked.

“Sir, it wasn’t a choice. I had to. It was his fate. If I'd–If I’d tried to protect Aspen, Sanderson would have died. And…”

This pause is tenser.

“And that’s your fault. Isn’t it, sir?”

[…]

Longwood’s fists grow tighter, not looser. He does not raise his head. “I let go of Aspen for you, H.P.”

“Pretend that Sanderson is Aspen, and start enjoying his company,” the Head Pixie says. Stepping off the sidewalk, he circles Longwood and continues on his way.

“Sir,” he says, whisking after his boss, “please.”

“What’s the issue? Sanderson and Aspen have a lot in common. They both enjoy cheese and crackers. They both play with their food.”

Now it’s insulting. “Sir–”

“They favor gingertie wands. They do enjoy their music.”

“Please–”

“And this one’s a gimme, but you know how fond they both are of water.”

“Stop it!”

Longwood isn’t aware that his own ipewood wand is out of its sheath until it’s pointed at the back of his boss’s head. H.P. slows. He turns, the metal star on the dangling tail of his hat ringing out in the silent night like a bell on a bobtail. He’s amused, not upset. When his eyes glint, they seem to cast a sheen across his glasses as a whole. Longwood suddenly realizes his mistake, and jerks his hand down.

“Sir, I–I didn’t mean to–” He grabs for his face and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Ní larki… Please don’t make jokes about water at Aspen’s expense, sir. He gets night terrors. Calming him down is embarrassing. And if Sanderson ever knew Aspen was still…”

“I liked your singing,” Betty told him. “You sing very well.”

Longwood glanced over at her, pulling Kenny’s blankets up to his shoulder. “Thank you for your response. I wasn’t sure I would. It’s been centuries since I’ve sung to a child.” He picked a large plush shark up from the nightstand and tucked it under Kenny’s arm. Kenny snuggled up to it and instantly went right back to sleep.

“Do you have kids?” She hoped he’d say yes. She hadn’t seen any pixie kids yet. True, Sanderson said she and Gary couldn’t live in Pixie World forever or else they’d run out of air to breathe, but Betty hoped they’d visit enough that she could make friends with some pixie kids. Did her Earth friends think she was dead? H.P. had made it sound like they did, or would soon enough. She couldn’t go back to Kansas. No more friends. No more family. No more horses. No more softball. No more school. Betty was trying not to think about that.

“I… had a kid, yes,” Longwood said. “He’s gone.”

“Where does he live now?”

Longwood looked at her more seriously. “I mean, he’s gone. He isn’t ever coming back.”

“Oh. That kind of gone.” Betty looked again at the shark he’d given Kenny. “So is that a dead person’s toy?”

“Aspen’s not dead,” Longwood snapped, and Betty jumped at the shoulders. He inhaled through his teeth. “My apologies for startling you, but I always have to express my disagreement when people state that. Aspen isn’t entirely dead. He’s still in there. I can recognize tells of it sometimes. He’s just… not as alive as he could be.” He scratched his wrist, long nails scraping his skin. “I’m sorry. Aspen was my baby. I know it was highly unprofessional of me, but I grew attached to him.”

Kenny stirred in the bed, but didn’t get up. “I’d be so sad if anything happened to Kenny,” Betty murmured. “I’m sorry. Did someone kidnap Aspen? Or did he run away?”

“No. No, he didn’t run!” Longwood’s throat briefly strangled his voice. “He was so trusting. Sanderson cornered him, and he didn’t even–think–when I saw–No.” He shook his head. “No. You would need a full lesson in Fairykind anatomy to understand exactly what happened, Ms. Betty. It’s black magic stuff. I’m sorry. Anything involving Aspen is very difficult for me to discuss, and I would prefer not to breach the subject with a child I just met, you realize.”

(Note - Black magic is performed by doctors. It’s surgery magic.)

That’s all you “officially” know right now, but you’re about to get some really juicy stuff in Origin.

Solve For Aspen

More hints about Aspen’s identity and what’s coming in Origin of the Pixies:

- Technically you’ve already met “Aspen,” but he does not use this name in public. You’ve seen him in a lot of Prompts and some other stories, but not yet in Origin or Knots.

- The life-giving organ in Fae is called the core. It is left behind when a Fae dies (Think about Anti-Cosmo finding Fairy cores on the road in “Tangled Threads”). A firstborn’s core is different from the core of a second-born (It has extra layers of magic around it). Pixies are infected with the bacteria Wolbachia pipientis, meaning they are genetically identical; Sanderson, being H.P.’s firstborn, has a firstborn core.

- Cores take on shapes specific to the individual (For instance, H.P.’s is a laser cannon, Wanda’s is a radar, and Sanderson’s is a pencil sharpener).

- Longwood was born in the Year of Leaves on the Fae zodiac. Aspen was not. So why is Aspen named after a tree?

- Think about what Finley has around his neck. We see him wearing it as an adult in “All I Ever Wanted” but not as a kid in “Evolution Hopeful” or “This Is a Box.” What could it be and why would he start wearing this thing at that age? Why Finley? What’s different about his life compared to all the other pixies?

- Sanderson and Longwood got in an argument during the “Grooming” Prompt. What exact words does Sanderson use in this scene? Why do they affect Longwood so strongly and why does Sanderson feel guilty?

- Where was Sanderson in “Minion” when he started thinking about Aspen? What unique qualities do we know this location has?

- Think about some settings we’ve visited in Origin of the Pixies that explicitly have special qualities. I foreshadowed a location in Chapter 3 (“Love Struck Out”). It comes up again later. Why did H.P. go out of his way to visit in that later chapter and what did he want to do? Why did I think it was important enough to foreshadow?

HINT: It’s near the beginning because it’s also near the end

- Try to remember if there’s a Prompt that struck you as really, really odd… Something that described special location qualities.

- In that Prompt, there were four people who could sense something. One of them showed up late and did not volunteer the same information as the other three. Who was it and what can we not confirm because they stayed silent? What could be happening off-screen during that odd Prompt?

- Sanderson flinched when the Fairy Elder went to touch him in “Minion.” Look at that encounter and focus on what he’s saying. What does he look at and what do you know about that thing?

HINT: Cross-reference with what Anti-Cosmo says about the Fairy Elder in the Frayed Knots chapter “If She Hollers.” Take his words literally.

- Knowing what you know about Pixies and the Fairy Elder, what would you guess triggered the plot in the “really, really odd” Prompt mentioned above?

HINT: Sanderson uses a certain phrase in “Grooming” that also appears in the odd Prompt. What does he describe with that phrase?

- Just before H.P. and Sanderson meet the Fairy Elder in “Minion,” H.P. names a specific location. What is this location and why would I want you, the reader, to know that it’s there?

HINT: Who can get to it?

HINT 2: Don’t overthink it. What is this place literally called?

HINT 3: In several ‘fics, we see special magic keys. Where do you think such keys go and what is the significance of having keys made of different materials?

HINT 4: Why do Fairies not have “perfect memories?” Why do Anti-Fairies supposedly have perfect memories? Why would Fairies not want Anti-Fairies to know about and use these keys?

HINT 5: We will see keys in the 130 Prompt “Repeat.” What material are these keys and where do they come from?

- We now have a person, two places, and some items (and technically a time). How might this information change the way you read Origin?

- Longwood says only one thing in the Origin chapter “Snowflake.” What does he say? Why was Longwood mentioned in the previous chapter (“How to Yoo-Doo”)? Why do these details conflict? What conclusions can be drawn?

- In Origin’s Act 2 finale, “Fruitful Fruition,” H.P. and Sanderson have a conversation where H.P. makes verbatim reference to a quote in a Season 4 episode. What is the context of his talk with Sanderson? What can I do in a backstory ‘fic that sets us up for that episode?

HINT: It’s not a Pixie episode

HINT 2: The quote is VERY specific to that episode and the episode specifically draws attention to it

HINT 3: There is a detail about Sanderson that is easy to forget, so I brought it up earlier in this post. I specifically designed this part of Sanderson in reference to that episode

HINT 4: What was the context of the original quote in the episode? Above all else, the full quote and the context behind it is what Origin of the Pixies is about.

- Four books were recently stolen from the Pink Castle library. Judging by their titles, what information would you guess is in them? (The titles were named in “The Facts of Life” and “What Karma Is”)

- Why could no one solve the crime?

- Take your new information and read “Grooming” again. What does Longwood do at night? Does this remind you of another thing that happens at night?

HINT: Something referenced in this post

If you can answer all of the above, you should know who took the books, why they took them, what Longwood’s relationship to Aspen is, why Aspen is gone, and why Longwood believes Aspen is alive. Review the quoted text in the first half of this post and maybe you’ll realize why Longwood’s relationship with Sanderson is so complex.

That’s Aspen.

You can send asks here on Tumblr or PM me on FFN/AO3 if you want to share your thoughts, which I’m happy to talk to you about… or you can quietly watch it unfold. Up to you!

#Aspen #asks #Anon #We're Pixies!#Cedar toothpick #Sanderson is neat #I'm wasp dad trash #Pink and Gray #Origin of the Pixies #130 Prompts #Long post

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rebellect-writes · 4 years

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[SIZE=1][b]Name:[/b] Jess [b]Age:[/b] My you’re a nosey lot. [b]How did you find us?:[/b] Shhhhh!

[b]Name:[/b] Micah William O'Connor. [b]Nicknames:[/b][LIST] [*] Mickey [*] O’Conner [*] Mick. [*] Oddball. [/LIST][b]Age:[/b] 33 [b]Date of Birth:[/b] 24th of August 1979. [b]Gender:[/b] Male. [b]Sexual Orientation:[/b] Bisexual. [b]Occupation:[/b] Private Investigator.

[b]Animal:[/b] White tiger (Siberian!) [b]Animal Description: [/b] [IMG]http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv90/bloodwillout/app%20pics/tumblr_lzuuzpkdCZ1qls45bo1_500.jpg[/IMG][LIST]Micah is a big cat and comes in at a whopping 475 lbs in weight, and most of that is nearly streamlined muscle. While he may not be the biggest cat around, he has come across bigger, he’d pretty intimidating and given the fact that he’s 10 feet and 8.3 inches tall from nose to tail tip doesn’t make it any easier to become inconspicuous. Did I mention the stunning, thick, pure white coat with black stripes? Micah doesn’t have a cat in hell’s chance of blending in much unless he’s taking a romp in the snow but you can't deny that he's very regal looking in this form. [/LIST][b]Do you have a hybrid/Alpha form?:[/b] [IMG]http://themikal.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/weretiger.jpg[/IMG] (minus the frills of course>.>)[LIST]Yes, Micah does have a hybrid form that’s deadly when it comes to a fight. The kicker is, he hasn’t used this form in over five years and won’t unless forced into it, and if he was, I’m sure he’d welcome it albeit a bit reluctantly at first. In this form, he’s hitting 580lbs of muscle and stands at a large 6'5 feet. He doesn’t appear to have much in the way of human features in this form, a muzzle packed full of fangs, paws for hands and feet with retracting claws, a hide of white and black fur that thins out over his stomach, and of course, the tail to help him keep balance. [/LIST][b]Rank:[/b] Willing to join, but a rogue for now. [b]How long have you been a lycanthrope?:[/b] All his life. [b]Mindset:[/b] Dominant. [b]Power level:[/b] Alpha.

[b]Face Claim:[/b] Alex O’Loughlin [b]Description:[/b] [IMG]http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv90/bloodwillout/app%20pics/alex-oloughlin3.png[/IMG][LIST][i]Height:[/i] 6'2 [i]Weight:[/i] 196lbs [i]Eyes:[/i] Tiger blue; he wears brown contacts to appear more human. [i]Hair:[/i] Ruffled brown. When the sun hits it, he’s got gold tints. [i]Build:[/i] Toned, average. [i]Visible marks:[/i] Oh yes, he’s got a few visible marks but there’s only a few that really stand out. The self designed Celtic knot tattoo on his shoulder was done a long time ago by his sister with a silver needle. He’s also got claw marks from a dominance fight at the small of his back. [i]Style:[/i] Micah’s pretty laid back when it comes to his style of dress actually. He favours long armed shirts and t-shirts, but that doesn’t mean he won’t step out in any short armed shirts, or topless for that matter. As a shifter, he’s comfortable out of clothes as well as in them. Trousers are normally jeans, slacks or combat pants, something he could get dirty if the need called for it. And who doesn’t like a pair of sturdy boots that are good for any occasion? He almost always wears a duster coat and a pair of sunglasses when out in the sun, and as for jewellery, he’s got a ring on a gold chain that he wears sometimes around his neck. [i]Weapons:[/i] Yes, he’s got a gun but he doesn’t take it out of the lock box unless he’s working a job and yes he does have a permit! It’s a SIG P229 with custom silver hollow points. [/LIST][b]Special Skills:[/b][LIST] [*] As a former cop, he knows his way around the system for the most part. [*] He has basic firearms training and does carry concealed. [*] Trained from early on to take females animals into himself. [/LIST][b]Personality:[/b][LIST]As a born white tiger, Micah had it drummed into his head from an early age that he was better than other lycanthropes. That he was somehow purer then them, and yes, that included other strands of the tiger virus. As he was only young, he believed this, just like his parents did and his sisters but as he grew older Micah’s started to believe that he’s not better than other people and if he voiced that opinion around others, I’m sure he’d get a few odd looks for it, more so from other types of tigers. He may have been proud of that mentality as a cub, but he defiantly isn’t now.

Aside from that he’s an ok kind of guy, he can come off a bit secretive and quiet but that’s only because he’s trying to get a read on the people around him. If he’s not being quiet, he’s defiantly a charmer that likes to make people smile, in fact, it kind of makes his day to see people smile a little as it proves that the world isn’t such a total waste of time for any of them. A sweet talker and a bit playful as he may be, but he also knows when to shut his mouth and just listen to people before offering advice that he thinks best even if he knows that other people will not accept it. With this little flaw, he can also come off a little callous and mean hearted, maybe even a little blunt, but he really doesn’t mean it and doesn’t go out of his way to make enemies, he just likes to give people the facts.

Now he doesn’t trust people at his back, but he’ll grudgingly accept it if he has to as long as the other party prove that they aren’t about to put a knife between his shoulders. It’s the same when he opens up to his emotions, Micah’s known love an had it ripped away from him, he’s not about to suffer for a second time unless he’s sure that it’s worth it in the long run. If you know him, then you’ll know that he’d walk through the fires of hell to help you because it’s the type of loyal and protective guy that he is. Oh he may be a bit growly and a bit bossy at times, but he does mean well and his heart is in the right place even with all his issues.

So, we’ve got a dominant weretiger with personal issues and a multitude of other issues do we? Well that’s not surprising. Micah won’t put up with people trying to take away his right of choice or back him into a corner, it tends to make the nice male snarl and show his fangs. You play him for a fool and expect him to come after you, because you can only poke a tiger so many times before he snarls and makes you his meal. Men that abuse women and children, well, expect a call from him sometime soon. There are just some things that aren’t done and that’s one of them.

Does this mean that he’s always pissy and grumpy when confronted with a vampire that can call tigers or a Chang? No! He’ll go out of his way to prove that he isn’t going to cause any trouble as long as they don’t interfere with his life. He doesn’t mind helping, as long as a little is given in return. Unfortunately in the line of work that he’s in, it very rarely happens but one can hope right? [/LIST][b]Likes:[/b][LIST] [*] Mucking around in a garden. He had to give his up on the relocation. [*] Drinking contests! The human's almost always lose. [*] Roaming in both forms. A little exploration never kills anyone. [*] A clean apartment! He can't stand mess. [*] Working alone. He likes to think that’s what he does best. [*] Reading if he isn’t working. [*] Cooking and making sure he eats healthy. [*] Swimming. Why yes, that does include skinny dipping. [*] Sitting in on the occasional mass on a Sunday. [*] Keeping on top of any paperwork that comes his way. [/LIST][b]Dislikes:[/b][LIST] [*] Having his history dragged up when it shouldn't be. [*] Having to run after suspects. [*] Being arrested for misunderstandings. [*] Looking for lost pets. He’s tempted to send them to the pound anyway. [*] People that try to get one up on him. What’s the flipping point? [*] Giving blood to various things. Vampires, blood bank, you name it. [*] Using his gun. [*] Giving people his back that he doesn’t trust. [*] Forgetting to put the trash out. [*] Being backed into a corner. [/LIST][b]Strengths:[/b][LIST] [*] Normal shape shifter attributes. [*] Half form. [*] Doesn't take bullshit from other people. [*] Knows when to shut his mouth. Just. [*] Can look a vampire in the eye only very briefly. [/LIST][b]Weaknesses:[/b][LIST] [*] Point blank refuses to take a female tiger's animal into him. [*] Does try and play by other peoples rules. [*] Can’t resist a Master vampire’s command, or a Chang's distress call. [*] His sisters, Shannon (22) and Kelley (19). [*] Scared of fire. [/LIST][b]History:[/b][LIST]Ireland. The home too many things from humans and lycanthropes, all the way to giants and fairies and all other manner of mystical creatures. Ok, not so much, giants and fairies but the lycanthrope part is more than true. Micah O’Connor was born in August 1979, to the small hidden White clan that called North Belfast home. It was a big thing really in its own right, him being the first born male to John and Marion O’Connor after nearly several years of trying for an heir. It had taken so long because John couldn’t quite grasp the trick of taking his mates beast into himself on the full moon and with the arrival of Micah, came new possibilities for the family, and the clan on a whole. Now you’d have thought that he’d grow up as any normal child, go to school and make friends but he didn’t. His parents paid to have him home schooled by one of the clan teachers, it was great! He felt special, that was until he started to really listen to what was being said. He was taught that he wouldn’t be able to shift into his tiger from until puberty which wasn’t so bad, but he was also taught that he was better than everyone else because he was pure, born of the White Clan. The impressionable young Irish lad stood no chance against that mental abuse – it wasn’t seen as abuse by anyone, more traditional teachings passed down for generations – and swiftly became a full-fledged cub in the clan.

So he thought he was better than everyone else, it still didn’t stop that troublesome thing called childhood. Micah got into scraps like any other brat his age, and spent a lot of time alone in his room sulking as his parents tried to smooth over other weretiger’s anger. One memorable fight was a former friend that had gotten his animal first, kids being kids, they searched out for the weakest link in their little community, and that unfortunately was Micah even if he was oddly popular. This kid that held a grudge, came after him as a feral tiger that wanted blood, Micah panicked and ran knowing that he couldn’t fight a cat. Playing with his parents when they were in cat form was one thing as they didn’t try to eat him or his baby sister Shannon, but this cat meant business.

Now he was only thirteen at the time, but Micah remembers it well. He didn’t make it to his parents; the cat brought him down from behind and started to claw into him. Friends of his parents came running, including Daniel’s own parents. The new shifter was hauled away but the damage was already done, and as Micah passed out from pain and blood loss, his parents arrived on the scene. When he woke up, he was curled up with his parents and blissfully numb. They’d gone out and got a doctor to take a look at him, another tiger of course, and they’d found out that Micah was more responsive and healing faster. It meant his first shift was due! It was hell on earth when it came. Despite being born with the ability, and knowing in theory what was going to happen, in his state, Micah wasn’t ready for when the change decided to take hold of him. Luckily his parents helped him out as much as they could, and that helped things along. What was even better was that his parents were trying for another kid. They already had Micah, and he looked after Shannon, but they were getting on in age and didn’t want to be running around after pesky tiger cubs for the rest of their life. That was now, unofficially Micah’s job.

It was still his job when they moved across the world, which to him was totally shocking. They relocated to Australia for various reasons after Micah had settled into his tiger form a year later at age fourteen. The main one being that with Micah's transition, the chance that a 'Little Queen' of Ireland calling him when he grew older was more prominent than ever as the Chang had yet another child. Micah's father had been called, even bound by wedlock, and had enraged the Chang of that time, so his parents weren't going to risk anything. They settled in Perth with his mother’s side of the family, and while it was quiet, and Micah full heartedly agreed with his father that it was boring, he couldn’t go against his mothers need to be near kin. They weren’t people that he knew though, and Micah withdrew from the other tigers. Oh yeah, he showed up at the meetings and hunts, the family picnics and the like, but he never made an effort to fit in. The others ate his sisters up, Shannon and wee Kelley, when she came along, lapped up the attention like milk but he didn’t. Cousins were sent on their way, uncles and aunts got a hug and a kiss on the cheek when they tried to get him to be like the other children, and even his parents found themselves on the receiving end of his anger and annoyance. Micah didn’t want to live in Australia, he wanted to go back home to dreary old Ireland.

The whole teenager angst died out though over the next few years and Micah tried to mend some bridges with the tigers in his life, while trying to maintain a life in the world of the humans. He found a few friends in the local streak, a great couple of humans as friends too. Things were great! He’d forget that he’d been a complete prick when they’d first moved, and during the summer after his seventeenth birthday, he met Sophie, another relocated were-tigeress from America of all places. There was a little awkwardness at first of course; the fact that she put him on his backside within four hours of meeting him and had slapped him for saying that she was cute, not withstanding, things did settle down after that and after a few weeks of him being a goof and trying to make her feel welcome. He did know how she was feeling of course, they became friends. He didn’t think that she’d be in the same class with him when he got back to school the following term. Every class, to be exact, every day of the week. It was, well, it wasn’t hell, but he certainly became more of a goof than normal and kitten love was in the air.

By the time he was twenty, he had a steady relationship with Soph. He ran with her on the full moon, they ...well; you get the picture there, all the while they were both learning what life would have in store for them in the Clan as their next step into becoming a full-grown weretiger neared. It was like everything was going right with his life, Ireland was a memory, his sisters and family were happy, he had an idea of what he wanted to do with his future, and Sophie became the only one for him. Even when he came into his powers, he’d been told that the White Clan’s element was metal, so he didn’t know what to expect from that, certainly didn’t expect his father coming to him one evening and telling him that they’d start up the old lessons again. He hadn’t had those since Ireland! And even then, he’d not had that good of a grip on the idea of taking someone else’s animal into himself. Micah didn’t think that his father approved of him and Sophie dating steadily, but since they hadn’t been stupid to take a risk that would’ve lead to pregnancy, no one had really objected.

Somewhere along the line of high school, and well into college, he’d began to think that he was no better than the humans around him. It wasn’t until he was hitting twenty five, married to Sophie and had the prospect of a child looming over his head, along with his career in law enforcement, that Micah realized that there’d been a change in his life. Sophie didn’t seem to get on with other tigers, so his only reasoning pointed to his wife. If she hadn’t come along; maybe he’d have grown into a self righteous prick that deemed himself higher than everything else because tradition dictated that that was the way to be.

Well, either way, the happiness and wonder in his life didn’t last that long. As a year later, a rouge group, mongrels that thought they could go against tradition of all the Clans and infect people willy nilly and kill anything that got in their way led by a Master Vampire with an affinity to their kind, had somehow managed to survive the two days travel from Melbourne with Kiss and RPIT on their tails. They rolled into Perth, the Master leading them taking an offence that the resident Streak had too many unmated females and an apparent weak Chang. The men wanted nothing more to rip the small band apart, but the Chang forbade them from doing any such thing as she tried to buy time for those tracking the rouges. It failed, as the Master set his band on the Clan. Sophie wasn’t supposed to get caught in the cross fire, it was Micah that was to lose his throat since he went straight for the Master vampire, but by the end of the night, his wife’s body was in his lap, tears streaming down his eyes. Oh, the Master vampire had been killed, torn to pieces, the rouges subdued, but it shouldn’t have happened.

Micah’s life went south fast after that; he handed in his badge, sold the house and moved into a small apartment across the other side of Australia, and also cut all but close ties to himself. He hit the bottle hard, trying to find a release of some kind from the pain he was feeling. It was a friend that kicked his ass, that gave Micah another shot at things, to help people like Soph would have wanted because she sure as hell wouldn’t have wanted him sitting on his ass crying into his drink. He didn’t want to go back to the force though, so he did the next big thing, he became a private investigator and signed up as a retainer to the local RPIT squad. He was a monster that could get other monsters to talk, and even though there was supernatural elements on the RPIT team, Micah was still the one that managed to get them the breaks in the cases that they had.

So, he helped people and in a roundabout way damned others if they were found guilty, there was many a time that he’d stood by and watched one or more licensed executioners stake a vampire or shoot a lycanthrope full of silver. Did he feel any sympathy? Maybe a little, but not enough that he wanted to put himself on the line of fire for them. His family didn’t approve of him sniffing around, eventually his parents disowned him and after awhile, the rest of his family too, but that was ok with him, he still made sure to stay in contact with his sisters even if it was an email here, an instant message there, or a card sent care of their schools. The senior O’Connor’s may have killed him in their minds, but the younger generation loved the fact that their ‘dead’ big brother had all kinds of interesting stories and adventures to tell them when their parents weren’t looking.

In retrospect, he probably should have thought about moving to a place that didn’t have a streak and a Chang in residence. One case was all it took for Micah to be a lone tiger, to be drawn into Clan life again. Just one, and his life wasn’t his own anymore but Caroline’s. The Chang preyed on his weakness and need to help people, she set him up, and when she found out that he knew how to take a females beast into himself, the crazy woman was ecstatic. Only problem was that Micah refused point blank to do it, even when she punished him, and set other males against him, Micah still refused to do it. Hell, he was even offered a second chance to just teach another to take in someone’s beast, and again, the refusal only earned him more trouble but for some odd reason Caroline didn’t kill him. She sent him on his way after a few months of the one sided game, making sure that he was to come when she called and he agreed to that full heartedly.

For the last few years, he’s been dancing around her and coming like a good dog when she demanded. It wasn’t until 2009 that she started to call him more and more, a blue tiger attack in her city had poked her interest, and the survivor had even more. Jasper Keller, a man that Micah’s never met in person, passed him on the street once, was Caroline’s new object of interest. She didn’t care that his wife and child had been slaughtered, she wanted him for some reason and Micah was sent off to play fetch. The only problem being that Jasper moved to England before Micah could bring him to Caroline, and when he reported this, he was handed a plane ticket too and told that if he needed any resources or possessions that they’d be sent along after him.

Irritated, he set his goal in mind and moved to England too, hoping that it would be a short trip. Didn’t take him long to track down the blue tiger, to some little hole in the middle of nowhere called Jackford. Boy, doesn’t he have his work cut out for him? [/LIST][/SIZE]

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crystallos-sol · 4 years

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Hey have another meta on Gray & Natsu because I don't think I went deep enough.

Gray is traumatized and can't even voice his emotions sometimes. Natsu understands him WITHOUT any issues even during this time.

Don't believe me? Here look at this:

Natsu knows Gray just basically said:

" I care about you please take care of yourself "

I'm so emotional about these two because they are great and they understand each other on a deeper wavelength than I have ever seen within Fairy Tail.

I'll throw in multiple examples for you to compare but please come up with your own. Rewatch the show or Read the manga if you want to, there's so many examples that I cannot fit into one post so I have to suffer with a few. (Not including Happy has I think it's best to put people that aren't his kid,,,,)

First up: Lisanna.

I'm not hating on the ship at all. I'm picking people CLOSEST to Natsu & Gray. And she was essentially close to Natsu before her death. They raised Happy together and had a secret hideout for fucks sake.

Lisanna has I recall from the episodes we had of her, was close with Natsu. But something changed. Because her death hurt Natsu and changed him into a different person. That's clear to see. But her death drove a wedge between them and changed the entire relationship for good.

Lisanna was Natsu's friend, back before her death but however I believe that we do not know much of her outside of her death and how it affected Fairy Tail. We also do know about her Family and how it hurt them. But not about Lisanna, from what we can gather from the many episodes of Fairy Tail she is kind hearted and genuinely loves her family and doesn't want to lose them again. (Her reactions to her siblings being thrown into danger.)

But again her death drove fear and grief into Natsu and that's why him and Lisanna aren't exactly close anymore, because Natsu runs from his feelings. It's also hard to talk to someone you haven't seen since you where a teenager.

Up next who is/was close with Gray: Erza. We know Gray ran after her and helped to fix her tears, even making a child's promise about it. We also know, Gray was Erza's first real friend. Gray has a child was close with Erza in that regard. I do believe Erza shoved him away like she does with everything in response to what happened to her. (But that's a post for another time.)

Gray is still close with Erza, but due to Erza never feeling as if she can stop being Titania he is not as close to her as he is Natsu.

Lucy, who is one of Natsu's best friends, is actually close with Natsu. But unlike with Gray Natsu usually is (Ignoring Mashima's horrible writting between for now because that's a WHOLE OTHER issue) saving her or protecting her. At least it was like that until recently when Lucy finally got the character development and upgrade she deserves.

Lucy is close to Natsu but Natsu also doesn't want to lean on her. Yes you can qoute multiple instances and scenes where it appears he is leaning on her. But however with this you have to take into account the period of time Natsu has known her. The trust issues Natsu already has and previous trauma he has gotten and even new trauma!

Now it gets worse because this is dipping a little into Mashima's terrible characterization and understanding of how people function and feel. Especially women. Take Lisanna and Lucy, if you think about it they are essentially the same fucking character. Both are kind, stubborn, where hurt by someone they love, left their home behind for a number of years, painted has a badass while also simultaneously being soft and delicate.

Sound familar?

Because that's basically the Mashima guide to write a female character. Now what really gets me is the final thing that really cements it. They both have been/are in the supporting role for Natsu. Don't you dare go saying: But Lucy is the main character!

You, like the rest of is because Mashima wrote her like shit, didn't even know that until the interview or you saw that Fairy Tail fact post. The majority of us thought it was Natsu. Because in reality Mashima did NOT start writting her like a main character. He did not give her the good motivation every single damn Fairy Tail Character has.

Lucy & Lisanna have the same number of things that make up their characterization, and yes so do a number of Fairy Tail characters. But that's not the point. The point is that Lucy reminds Natsu of Lisanna in some ways and Natsu cannot bring himself to trust and lean on her fully like he can with Gray. It is not an attack on Nalu. Nalu is a fine ship if only written correctly (aka: Not Mashima's Version Which Is Horrible And Toxic But That's Another Meta For Another Time.).

This is a post about how Gray and Natsu are close. That's it. Natsu cannot bring himself to fully trust Lucy and lean on her comfortably without 1) forcing himself, 2) it happening outside of his control because of past trauma which by the way knowing Natsu he did not do anything about it and most likely bottled it up.

Wow that was a long session on Lucy but in summary: Natsu is traumatized and is not mentally healthy like the entirety of the Guild.

Now, the last one, which I'm sure you can GUESS. It's Juvia. Because some people think that Gray and Juvia are the " closest people! " And " he doesn't let anyone really touch him other than her! "

1) Bullshit. And 2) Bullshit. Here's why:

Juvia is a toxic character who stalks and uncomfortably idolizes Gray to the point it's fucking ridiculous. There are multiple scenes of her following (stalking) Gray around and being jealous of Lucy. Even declaring her a " Love Rival ".

This is probably because: Gray was the first person that was decent to her. (She was bullied for who knows how long and involved in a toxic guild + an abusive relationship.) Before you say shit about Gajeel: He's not nice. Gajeel before all of this, was an asshole, now he is nice which is pretty cool and a great character development. Back then? He was not nice.

Which brings me to Gray. Who even is okay with being stalked, being grabbed randomly and having someone so obsessed with you they made fucking dolls of you? No one. Before you argue: But he doesn't pull away from her!

Gray is most likely touch starved. Considering his entire background and general tendency to not receive hugs or any sort of affection usually. My evidence for this? Myself. I am touch starved and I often react bad to touches from strangers or creepy people but I also have a late reaction time. Because my body is saying: Oh touch???? And my brain is screaming: No.

He also could be trying to be decent. Which is all he did in the first place. He could be trying to not hurt her feelings and yes you could say he hurt Mira's feelings when he called her stupid for betting on Natsu but he also was apologising and panicky because he didn't want to hurt her.

Also if I even have to explain further why being stalked and basically turned into a fetish and an object is a bad thing then clearly something is fucking wrong with you.

Gray however feels safe likely with Natsu, who's been there from the beginning, took on Deliora, fought too many people just because one of his friends are in danger, has repeatedly stopped Gray from using Iced Shell and was ready to Die with him.

Natsu in return probably feels safe and like he can trust Gray to handle himself because this man has been there since day one and even can take Natsu himself on with no problem. Natsu also probably is happy Gray is nothing like Lisanna or Lucy. Because Gray is Gray and he doesn't remind Natsu of anything traumatizing he's been through.

They both trust one another and stay by one another's side because they are both understanding that they aren't gonna leave. Because think about it, Gray has lost family and his mentor to death. He has suffered through that. You wanna know who's constantly beating death on its ass???? Natsu " I refuse to die " Dragneel.

Natsu has lost family by being abandoned and by Death. He got it both ways and he's suffering because of it. But Gray who's stubborn has shit and stood death in the face at a young age and screamed fuck you at the top of his lungs, wouldn't leave. Gray who fucking went through hell and back, destoryed his own infiltration mission just because Natsu Dragneel rolled up, Keeps Trying To Protect Him, Never once wants to lose Natsu. And Natsu knows that. Because Gray is his constant. Gray is that constant presence in his life he knows for a fact he can trust.

But idfk that's just my thoughts on them.

#fairy tail #ft #natsu dragneel #ft gray fullbuster #gray fullbuster #ft natsu dragneel #ft natsu #ft gray #also i guess this could be viewed has:#Gratsu #natray #because technically it does sound gay but it focuses more on them and relationships has a whole #not tagging example relationships or characters because its not the main focus

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this-is-moonfairy · 5 years

Text

Okay.

So I know this isn’t going to get as much attention as the original post (https://this-is-moonfairy.tumblr.com/post/185356628071/male-gaze-strong-military-woman-female-gaze). It was a post I had made at two in the morning right about to go to sleep with a very very small idea in my head since I had watched the lastest episode of fruits basket and realized something about certain characters. Mainly that Dark Haru’s advances were more crazy to me now. Fruits basket, Inuyasha and Fairy Tail were some of my first anime experiences. In fact, Furuba was honestly the first time I’d really been anything close to a hardcore fan, to the point where I begged my parents to take me to the store so I could buy the last volume....and then promptly finished it there and then.

Thing is, I am a fan of most of the examples I used, except for Dragon Ball and Ore no Imouto(but that’s only because I’m not a big fan of those genres). I never mentioned that these properties were good or bad, in fact all have had an impact on the collective culture for a reason. The only thing I was trying to point out was the fact that a man and woman sometimes write situations differently because well, the saying write what you know is very true.

A lot of people mentioned the fact that I called out Erza, a very amazing character. Thing is, as much as a fan I am of her, she does have problems that Hawkeye also has, but quickly gets over. And to those saying “But Erza isn’t a military type” think for a second. While yes, a guild isn’t the same as a state military, Erza does have a similar position as Hawkeye. She obviously outranks the main duo, acts as a soft mentor, has experienced trauma and is respected enough to where she’s basically the leader of the group as a whole. I’m also talking about Hawkeye. Difference? Well as someone with long hair, I’ve had experiences getting it stuck in car windows, zippers, glasses. There is a reason long hair needs to be pulled back in many jobs, including the military and food service. And while, yes, her skirt and uncomfortable boob armor is an issue, its more because if she lived in reality, I don’t see Erza looking or acting like she does in the manga or anime. She’d probably keep her hair short or pull it back while on missions. Plus, she’d probably not want to use armor that would be uncomfortable or dangerous to wear. Don’t believe me? Well, check this expert:

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Also, as much as I love a good skirt, I would probably want to protect my vaginal area if I were doing half of what Erza does. Especially when I’m having period cramps. Oh and the knee thing? Her most used armor doesn’t even have padding there? One shot and someone could literally cripple her.

Oh not to mention the romance is more believable. Hawkeye? Yeah, she got her man. Dumped him like a sack of potatoes in the end, but she made sure he didn’t accidentally kill himself. Multiple times. Also, she has an actual personal life. Well, it’s her dog, but that girl adopted that thing as soon as she saw it.

As for the other thing. The boob thing. Yes, the female gaze example is more revealing but I kinda did that on purpose. So many times I’ve seen people think feminine gaze means we’re buttoned up like puritans. Yeah, no. It’s kinda obvious that whoever drew this:

has never had boobs. Believe me, if it were accurate, those boobs wouldn’t be such perfect little round perky dumplings. And she’d be all #freethenipple in those triangles. Real boobs are teardrops, they move more and they need support. Like this:

That shirt is giving her coverage. Yes, it’s technically more revealing but this girl? She’s not her boobs. The focus is more on the sweep of her sword, the danger of her strength. This girl means business but she isn’t above making bold fashion choices? Also? This is a very early on villain. There’s characters with a lot bigger boobs than her on the show. But there is an ownership of their bodies.

Also the tsundere thing. I probably should have said little sister trope instead but most of the time they kinda go hand in hand, so you can kinda see the confusion. But here’s the difference:

He’s not the only one she gives affection to. She has a life outside of him. Her whole life is not centered on him. Not to mention:

They acknowledge this problem. And they oddly accept it like family does (probably because they’re all kind of abusive to each other). Oh and their relationship? She’s at least his third cousin. No Sweet home Alabama playing here. Only a viable option because she doesn’t turn him into this:

Plus, I don’t want to ruin it for any Fruits Basket fans who haven’t read the whole manga like I have, although, the new anime is kind of hinting at who he ends up with so I’m just gonna sit here and wait for the reaction.

#anime #inuyasha #fruits basket #full metal alchemist #fairy tail

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fallen029 · 5 years

Note

Laxus spying on Mirajane’s ‘date’ not knowing its Elfman AU. REQUEST

Obligatory similar posts: Busted and Commitment

They weren’t exclusive.

That was something that Laxus made very clear to Mirajane every single time that it like it was very clear that they very much so were.

The problem wasn’t that Laxus wanted to be with other women. He didn’t. He wanted to be with Mirajane. And only Mirajane. He was only with Mirajane and had been for month at that point. And she’d more than hinted at the idea that she felt as if they should officially become, well, official.

That was where the problem laid, however.

See, Laxus didn’t…do that. Commit. It scared him. Deeply. How could it not? He was a mage. A wizard. In a guild. Relationships didn’t last long when you started putting labels on them. Rules. Regulations.

And why even do that?

Huh?

If he and Mirajane seemed to be on the same page anyways?

“Can’t,” she told him one morning when, as she got ready for work over at his place, Mirajane informed him that she couldn’t meet him for lunch.

“Why not? Working through lunch again?” He grumbled some, around the breakfast that she woke up early just to make him. “Gramps works you too hard.”

“I’m taking my lunch.”

“Then how come you can’t meet me?” Then he made a face. “Some of that stupid sister stuff?”

“Sister stuff?”

“You know, how you and Lisanna do stuff together.”

“You mean spending time with my sister? Is that what you’re acting so disgruntled about?”

Absolutely.

“And no,” Mira told him simply. “I’m not.”

“Then what are you doing? Mira? Huh?”

She just smiled at him sweetly as, finished rushing around to get ready, she came to press a kiss to his cheek and head out to start her day.

Before this though, against his ear, she whispered hotly, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

And fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

His eggs tasted sour and he couldn’t fall back asleep after that. His mind felt muddled when he went out to train and, with the Thunder Legion out on a job, he had no one to vent to. At all.

So he spent the morning walking about the city, trying to work this out, think about this, figure it out, because there was no way that Mirajane was dating someone else? Was she? Huh? He’d just gotten back, the week before, from a long job, and was she seeing someone else? While he was gone? Because if she was, oh, if she was, he was gonna fucking, well, he was, he would…

“You,” Lisanna snickered into her palm when he approached the bar that day, her behind it, filling in as she always did, when her sister was out, “look horrible.”

“Horrible is so mean,” Kinana giggled as she passed too. “But really, Laxus, um, are you alright?”

No.

Absolutely fucking not.

He wouldn’t be alright until he wrung the neck of whoever it was that Mirajane was seeing behind his back.

Well…

Not behind his back, exactly.

He felt like she was fucking lording it over him, after that morning! Being all coy and shit. Who did she think she was? Huh? Someone who could be coy and shit? Well she wasn’t! And he wasn’t the kind to put up with people who were coy and shit and people shouldn’t be coy and what did coy mean anyways, because now he wasn’t even so certain that he was using it correctly and…and…and…

“Uh, actually, Laxus, you don’t look well.” Lisanna lost some of her jovial tone then as he the man looked like he was about to pop a blood vessle. A vain was purdruding, at least, from his forehead. “Why don’t you sit down and-”

“Where,” he asked darkly, “is your sister?”

“On break. Now sit-”‘“But where, Lisanna?”

“She was gonna go eat lunch at that place that, uh, Lucy? What’s it called?”

“Please,” the blonde requested further down the bar where she was trying very hard not to look at the slayer, less she draw his ire, “don’t drag me into all this.”

“No, you know the place.”

“I know whatever makes Laxus stop glaring at me like that.”

“The one where they have that tea?”

“Uh, I’m gonna need more specifics, Lisanna. Please. Or make him just stop glaring at me.”

“There’s ice cubes, in the soda there, you know?”

“Lisanna-”

“And lemon. Oh and they have straws-”

“Make him stop staring at me!”

“Arg!” Laxus was done playing their games. “I’ll find her myself.”

“Suit yourself.” Lisanna could only shrug as he stalked off. “I feel like I gave you some really strong hints.”

See? This is why he didn’t like sisters. Or at least Mira’s. She was the worst.

The worst.

It was about then, as he stomped out of the hall, that Laxus felt like a complete dunce because he could just track Mira’s scent and yeah, that whole thing with Lisanna was worthless. Per usual.

He found her, anyways, eating out on a patio cafe, but alone. At a table. All by herself. How she should be.

Laxus felt so dumb and deflated and man, he really needed to talk to someone, probably, about all this. Not, like, a professional. Just the Thunder Legion. So they could assuage all his fears over his reaction being irrational and tell him how great and wonderful his lack of appropriate anger responses were.

Yes.

“What are we doing?”

Laxus just shrugged some, standing there, back pressed against a building as he peered over the side. “Spying on Mir- What are you doing, Elfman?”

The man was standing there beside him now, peering around the corner as well. When Laxus took to glaring at the man though, he only glared right back.

“What do you mean what am I doing? I see you, one of the S-Class wizards, sneaking around, I think something’s about to go down! So don’t yell at me, alright? Men don’t yell at other men!”

“You’re yellin’ at me, Elfboy!”

“I told you not to call me that in public!”

They had a glaring match going on then, but breaking it first, Laxus freaked when he saw a guy walk passed that could possibly be heading over to having lunch with his…whatever Mira was.

His.

Elfman took a breath then as he too might have issues, just a tad, with bouts of uncontrollable anger. It came along with being a man, he told his sisters frequently when they patched him up after a fight though, no, they’d insist.

Just a man in the Fairy Tail guild.

“Spyin’ on Mirajane, huh?” Elfman shrugged some. He was prone to similar things with Evergreen, after all. “What exactly are you so worried about her doing?”

“I think she might be meeting a man. For lunch.”

“Oh, hell yeah, she is.”

“What do you mean? She is meeting a man?”

“The manliest of men!”

Laxus eyes widened. Then darkened as his blood boiled. “Ichiya.”

It made sense. Dating her rival Erza’s…whatever the man was to her. Yes. Sounded like something Mira would do, just to fuck with the swordswoman’s head.

“W-What?” Elfman frowned. “No. Me!”

“You’re dating Ichiya?” Laxus looked him up and down before shrugging. “Whatever floats your boat, I guess, man, but you should really stop stringing Ever along. Unless…are the three of ya-”

“I’m not dating Ichiya.”

‘Then who the fuck is dating Ichiya?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then why did you bring him up?”

“I didn’t bring him up, you brought him up!”

“I did not! You said the person dating Mira was-”

“A real man!” Elfman flexed for show. It was lost on Laxus as he was glaring at a guy that walked passed them, mean mugging him so he knew, because oh, they had to know, all of them.

Mira was his.

“Wait, what?” Frowning once more, Laxus looked to the muscular man again. “Are you…saying that you and Mira… Ah, man, you can’t be serious. Elfman that’s…”

“A man can’t meet his sister for a lunch date now?”

“I mean…no? I don’t… Mira!”

Done with his hiding, now Laxus had questions. Serious questions. And concerns. As he marched over there then, to the patio, the woman frowned some at the sight of him and even more as Elfman came rushing over as well.

“You’re late, Elf,” she told her brother as Laxus just glared at her. “And you’re being rude, Laxus. I told you that I couldn’t meet you for-”

“Are you fucking you brother?”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh.” Elfman exhaled. “See, I was worried, Laxus, that you thought that there was something wrong with going out to eat with your sister, see? But now I know you’re just kinda slow, huh?”

“Who you callin’ slow, Elfboy?”

“Elfman! I’m a man!”

“And I am not sleeping with my brother and really wish that you never even put that- Laxus, what’s wrong with you?”

A lot of things.

Clearly.

Slowly, he took the seat across from her at the table while Elfman had to do some deep breathing while also apologizing to the next table over as they stared at the trio with round eyes. Mira’s eyes, however, were only on the slayer before her.

“I just,” he told her after a few deep breaths of her own, “really don’t want you dating other people.”

“Meeting my brother for lunch isn’t dating someone else, Laxus. Are you sure you’re okay?”

No.

No, he wasn’t.

“I think he just gets hung up on it, sis. That word. Date.” Elfman took a chair between the two of them once he was done raging and apologizing. “Hey, is this that place with the tea? And the ice in the soda? Mira?”

“What? Elfman-”

“I don’t got a problem with it. Chump.” Laxus glared at Elfman then. “D-Date. I can say it. See? Date. So shut the fuck up.”

“Behave,” Mira sighed and ugh, her break was almost over. “Laxus.”

“You got a complex. Not a very manly one either. With relationship terms?” Elfman merely shrugged as he raised his hand, to flag down a waitress. “Ever has one too.”

“Shut up. What do you know?”

“Laxus,” Mira sighed as she reached up to rub at her head. She didn’t didn’t have a headache though. No. But watching the vessel in his throb was giving her sympathy pains. “I’m not seeing other people. Okay? I mean, I am trying to have lunch with my brother right now, which you’re ruining, but-”

“No, he’s alright.” Elfman nodded his head approvingly at the man. “He’s really grown on me. We argue, sure, but what’s a good friendship without some yellin’!”

“We’re not,” Laxus told him simply, “friends.”

“And you’re not supposed to be here,” Mira insisted as Elfman paid the man no mind. Most of his friends, after all, denied their friendship. “We can talk back at your place. Tonight. Alright?”

“What’s there to talk about?” Elfman was just not going to let things die. Looking to Laxus once more as, finally, a waitress called over that she’d be with him in a second, the muscular man told the other, “My sister ain’t seein’ other people. You ain’t neither. So you’re exclusive. Me and Evergreen figured that out, together, when we were trying to figure out what we were.”

The slayer was boring holes in the other man then. “You and Evergreen discuss me and Mira?”

“Do you guys not talk about the two of us?” He deflated some, just at the thought. “Not even once?”

“We’re usually busy with other things,” Mira offered weakly and gross. He did not want to know about that.

“Well, stop talking about us.” Laxus bounced up again with a glare. “Elfboy. You hear me? And Mira, don’t date other people. Fine. Alright? I wont’ either. Okay? Are you happy now?”

“You’re literally the only one yelling.”

“And I don’t like your siblings. Either of them.”

“Well, that’s kind of a deal breaker, so-”

“I’ll see you,” he insisted to her, “back at my place. Tonight.”

“Whatever, Laxus.”

She glared after him while Elfman just gave something of a wave after the man.

“I’m really glad, you know,” he admitted to his sister after the guy had stalked off, “that you’re dating him.”

Mirajane, blinking, just sighed some as she shook his head. “I think I am too.”

#Miraxus #Mirajane Strauss #Laxus Dreyar #Elfman Strauss #Lisanna Strauss #Fairy Tail #Request

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