#you are not creepy. you are not a sociopath. you are not dangerous. you just have a different brain just like me | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lara635kookie · 9 months

Text

I already did Maelstrom so it's time to do the other psycho/sociopath character. Welcome to my Paper Star Character Analysis.

We first see Paper Star talking to Maelstrom (obviously). He asks her to bring him the hat of Carmen Sandiego. She was holding an origami of a sheep and she makes a paper star with it and shoots it to a skeleton, cutting his head off. Then Maelstrom says:"I'll take that as a yes" and the camera zooms on Paper Star's eyes, showing a little bit of her, but still in the dark. We must notice that Paper Star has the longest villain introduction of all the operatives. Usually they just show up, their names appears on the screen with a background and you're done. As for Paper Star, the episode makes a mystery showing glimpses of her in the darkness, creating a climax and a whole vibe of danger just so she could get a more impactful villain presentation than the others. Another thing that proves her spotlight and why she's far away from all the other villains is that she is the only character besides Carmen ("Where in The World is Carmen Sandiego?") that has a theme song(I do not care if It's just a disturbing four melody high-pitched tune, a bop is a bop). Her theme might not have lyrics (besides some la la la la I guess) but the melody and the way she hums it It's absolutely creepy, scary and terrifying, I love it (God bless Kimiko Glenn for her outstanding voice acting). When presenting the Magna Carta heist plan we see the following dialogue:

Shadowsan:Would I be correct in assuming that you have a particular operative in mind for this misdeed, Professor?

Maelstrom:Well, the crime involves stealing paper, does it not? (If I remember correctly he says that and then looks at Doctor Bellum right after, which might be a hint that indicates Paper Star uses some different kind of paper that Bellum modificated its composition or something 'cause how tf paper is so sharp to the point is lethal?) (But apparently It's just normal paper since we often see her running out of her own papers and using regular papers nearby that somehow make the exact same amount of damage)

Shadowsan:She is far from ready.

Maelstrom:Questioning my judgment after my compelling intro, dear Shadowsan? (I think in some voiceovers he asks "Questioning my sanity?" which just makes it even funnier lol Maelstrom you are in fact insane and a threat to society, Shadowsan is right and should question whatever you say or do lmao)

Of course he questions your judgment, Maelstrom. He knows that Carmen can take down any other agent easily but Paper Star would demand more work from her. He knows that Paper Star is just as deadly as you and he doesn't want Carmen dead. Paper Star may be even MORE mortal than Maelstrom 'cause I don't know if that's just me but he passes me the vibe of killing quickly or having someone else killing for him and would just watch the victim die. I just have that impression that Maelstrom wouldn't want to have his hands and his fancy clothes dirty. He would like torture but it wouldn't be mandatory, a point proven as we see him using the crackle rod in the driver and letting Brunt almost die drowned in extremely cold water instead of doing something that makes the victim suffer even more. Meanwhile Paper Star, for having a cutting/stabbing kind of weapon style I think she would like killing in a slow, painful and torturing for the victim kind of way. And the more blood the better. She like big, dramatic and creative deaths, knowing thousands of innovative ways of murder with AND without paper, and some invented by herself(headcanon that you cannot convince me otherwise). I just feel like she would have killed that driver in the most horrible way possible and if Brunt stopped the car almost dying of cold, unlike Maelstrom, Paper Star would have finished the job. Her behaviour being like this is proven by her encounter in Mumbai's "historic elephanta caves" with Le Chevre, in which she tortures him with her origamis and I just KNOW she would have killed him without hesitation if he didn't give her what she wanted. If she did, she probably would call Maelstrom and invent a lie and he would tell her where to escort the papers.

Anyway, skipped ahead too much. So, back to the faculty, Shadowsan HIMSELF aknowledges the fact that Paper Star looks like Black Sheep:Unruly and another word I forgot(reckless?). As we all know all the members in Team Red have an evil villain counterpart, being:

Player:The Troll;

Ivy:The Mechanic;

Zack:The Driver;

Shadowsan:Lady Dokuso.

And logically (and canonically) Carmen's counterpart is Paper Star. So if Carmen is the most skilled person on the good side, it's only fair Paper Star is the most skilled person on the bad side. And it showed. Paper Star is like Carmen's Black Mirror (catch the reference here pls), possibly representing what Carmen would have become if she had forgotten her ethics and morals and fully embraced V.I.L.E.'s ideals. They have a lot in common, like:Both started as the youngest in their class, both showed to be prodigious thiefs with uncommon and distinguished natural talents and skills, both being teacher's pet of a faculty member(Coach Brunt for Black Sheep and Professor Maelstrom for Paper Star), both inclined to not follow rules that don't convey to them, both encounter pleasure in fighting, both with VERY sharp tongue using answers full of irony and sarcastic comebacks, both with high self confidence, both are very clever and possess an extremely high intellect and wits, both are shown to have a quick and strategic way of thinking, both are very insightful, both have very few weaknesses, etc.

So, again with the faculty:majority vote backfires Shadowsan (no one is surprised with it at this point) and Paper Star is sent on the mission, which only reinforces Maelstrom's persuasion powers and leadership over the other faculty members, given it was his idea.

We then see Paper Star singing and jumping(I have a headcanon that she has ADHD and that's why she's so hyperactive and she started origami to improve her attention) and breaking the security camera's screen with her paper shurikens. Then Carmen arrives and right after she says:"Hmmm Papers" (iconic, just like pretty much almost everything she does) she is officialy introduced. The first thing Carmen says after Paper Star is introduced is:"Paper Star, I see you haven't lost your touch." A compliment, instead of a teasing provocation, which is rare for Carmen. And the first thing she says after we officially know her appearance once and for all is:"Red is a smart color for you. It will hide the stains." Literally the first phrase she says after being completely introduced is implied murder.

This girl got so many iconic quotes besides that one, like:

"Mind your own mittens, Kitty Cat."

"Unless you care to find out who here has sharper claws."

"You should run." (Too many implied murder threats to count)

"Nowhere to hide, not very smart."

"In my world, paper beats steel." (It's Paper Star's world, we're just living it it) (Her world is crazy and unpredictable just like her)

"Such a pretty package."

"The more you struggle the tighter it gets."

"Bye bye little Black Sheep."

"But my ears were burning."

"If you insist."

"Guilty as charged, but I never come to a party empty-handed."

"Too bad I shred your pretty glider."

"I told you before:Sheep don't fly. Not on my watch."

"Oh, Is that why you want it so badly, huh?"

"Is there a point here?"

"Hum, sounds valuable."

"What are you hiding?"

"It really should reduce, reuse and recycle." (Environmentalist from the girl that kills trees, how ironic)

"You look like an operative who would get caught." (Amazing judge of character) (Goat Cheese's worst mistake was calling her Pippi Punkstockings) (I laughed tho)

"No need to speak in code." (Her absolute disdain and disrespect for the pattern protocols man) (It's really her way or the highway)

"Perhaps the fish does swim at midnight."

"It will give you a thousand paper cuts unless you tell me the last drop location." (He will bleed too much with these amount of paper cuts, she is totally capable and would have kill Le Chevre there, hands down)

"Your mastery over poison potions is legendary, Lady Dokuso. It would be prudent of me to respect my elders." (Polite Psychotic Princess)

"All this talk about the great Carmen Sandiego but in the flush you're just a paper tiger." (She is literally the only agent that has the honor to say that since, let's be real, it was easy for her, she thought it would be harder and she wanted it to be challenging, that's how good she is)

"There goes Paper Star."

"First one to bag our host wins."

"I know that voice."

"Boo."

"Is that what they say?"

"Oh, such a shame I don't believe in ghosts."

"Puffer fish. Very pointful."

"These brochures are chalk full of...Cutting edge information."

(I think I just listed almost everything she talks is the whole entire show but she is just THAT memorable and deserved more screen time)

Sadistic. Cruel. Maniac. Call her whatever you want but girl knows how to get shit done. They fight for some time("they never protect the face" Paper Star just protected her face, she isn't V.I.L.E.'s five star student for nothing)(Le Chevre, Tigress, Gray, LEARN)(But to be fair she was still at school at that time so the subjects were probably still fresh in her head) but at the end, to everyone's surprise, Paper Star WINS Carmen Sandiego, the only villain to do that so far, at least on that point on the story. She CAPTURED Carmen and stole the Magna Carta and I think y'all ignore the fact that if V.I.L.E. was competent and the cleaners were there with the helicopter, they would have got Carmen to V.I.L.E. and thanks to Paper Star we would have Evil Carmen WAY SOONER. But sadly for Paper Star, V.I.L.E., unlike her, can't do their fucking jobs right (how they survived centuries without getting caught is a total mystery to me) and the cleaners weren't there and as we see Paper Star is the type that likes doing her job by herself, she didn't have a partner and didn't seem to have any way of communicating with V.I.L.E. either so she had to improvise and ring the security alarm because she knew the local authorities would catch her and then she would be transferred to V.I.L.E. by Roundabout. I honestly believe it was pure script protection that made Paper Star, who had Carmen completely unable to move, kill Carmen right there(she made a knife and tried to stab Carmen on the neck eeatly in the fight). She would have had her hat, the Magna Cartas and would be V.I.L.E.'s savior and biggest idol. But she probably wouldn't have the A.C.M.E. card so I let it slide since they showcased how good she was still giving her a hell of a win over Carmen. I don't think she decided to not kill Carmen to obey V.I.L.E. but because she thought the cleaners would take Carmen to V.I.L.E. and she would be able to prove how good she truly was to the faculty. Unfortunately for her, that police waiting gave time to Carmen, allowing her to escape. I think V.I.L.E., even Maelstrom, underestimated Paper Star and didn't expect her first mission to go THAT WELL and didn't sent the cleaners because they didn't expect her to be able to capture Carmen. Shadowsan seemed to be the only one that realized Paper Star was a hidden gem and a rare jewel, like Black Sheep were, and she didn't want Paper Star to harm Carmen.

Much like Carmen and her risky behavior, drawing attention V.I.L.E. doesn't want on them, Paper Star is similar on that aspect, since she leaves a paper mess behind her crimes. And that's probably what made V.I.L.E. want Le Chevre to escort the Magna Carta to safety. Compared to Paper Star, who also like Carmen is a fashion icon and has a very characteristic kind of style that draws unwanted eyes(red for Carmen, neon for paper star) (and both have iconic makeup - red and purple lipstick, amazing eyebrows and eyeliner) (and iconic head things - Carmen's awesome long hair with her iconic fedora and Paper Star's Melanie Martinez hair with her iconic hairstyle), he is much more discreet. But of course Paper Star wants to prove herself and finish the job, making Le Chevre angry saying he had completed more successful missions than her. Yes Le Chevre, but have you ever been the youngest in your class and V.I.L.E.'s youngest operative, at the end of your teenage years, didn't even graduated yet but was so remarkable and gifted faculty gave you special permission to a important mission against an opponent that has defeated a lot of V.I.L.E.'s agents (including you) and not only you could steal it successfully from THE Carmen Sandiego, known for having a massive stealth reputation, but also capture her? No? Exactly. That's the point. Besides, all of the missions you completed were before Carmen. After her, you failed all of them(at least it seems like it). If Paper Star had already a level compared to Maelstrom and Carmen and was BY FAR better than all the other operatives, who unlike her had already graduated and had more experience, and her very FIRST mission was being THAT successful, being something completely unexpected for a trainee with less than one year of training, at THAT age, this girl would be UNSTOPPABLE in no time if she kept that rythm.

Like, we know by Coach Brunt that official codenames are assigned just after graduation. Until there, first names only. Yet we never get Paper Star's real name, even knowing her and Carmen had a few classes together. Also all the faculty members refer to her as Paper Star instead of her real name, which makes me think she got a codename (and probably a stealth suit too) earlier than she should. That's the power Maelstrom holds, 'cause we see Black Sheep being Brunt's favorite and Gray being Bellum's favorite and they didn't have the privileges Paper Star gets. If Countess Cleo or Shadowsan had a favorite as well(Shadowsan always pretended his favorite was Tigress) they would never be able to convince the rest of the faculty to break so many rules for an specific agent, I just know it. Paper Star clearly realized that and knew sticking to Maelstrom was the fastest way of success on that field. In my head, Paper Star always pretended to be Maelstrom's "puppet", pretended to fall for his manipulation and that she was a submissive little girl he could control, so she could win everything she always wanted and eventually a faculty member position that let's be frank Maelstrom would clearly give it to her when he dies/retires. And if he didn't, I can totally see Paper Star going on and taking it either way just because she can. She's the most qualified for it anyway. I think that maybe Maelstrom knew about Paper Star's true intentions, since he's a psichology doctor and psychiatry is his forte, and just rolled with it 'cause both of them bought mutual benefits for one another, each helping the other one to achieve their personal goals. But unlike Paper Star, Maelstrom seemed to be a little bit more aware that he's clinically insane than her.

Anyway, she almost kills Le Chevre, forcing him to tell her where to escort the magna carta and she goes by the name of "Tammy Origami". This name that no one would have in real life just shows how extra she is, just playing around and challenging Carmen to "come and get her if she dared." Unlike Carmen, for Paper Star stealing is a game. She wanted the thrill of the fight to get as many points as she could to win the game. Then Carmen keeps an eye on her on the train(Paper Star making a paper knife to eat was the cutest thing ever, prove me wrong) and then they have the gayest fight ever, almost kissing multiple times. But another thing about this fight that draws attention is how balanced it was, even after Paper Star ran out of paper. As Paper Star is that one villain with a long-range projectiles as a primary weapon, that stops you to get near her, you'd expect Carmen to easily beat her down in a physical fight, since It's not Paper Star's focus. But surprisingly, Carmen took longer in a face-to-face fight with Paper Star than with Tigress, for exemple, that has a close quarters kind of style. I think that happened not only because they were in a train in movement but also because deep down, in their subconscious, even themselves know how alike they are. Paper Star just immediately knew Carmen's fighting style, even having fought her just once, being able to think quickly, awnsering to it, just like Carmen knew Paper Star wouldn't follow the protocol.

So Paper Star jumps on those stairs with the Magna Carta and we don't mention enough that if that thing Carmen took from the train wasn't there, or Carmen hadn't thought about it, or didn't pulled that from its place in time, or had missed the shot, Paper Star would have fully completed her mission. Which means:Unlike all the other missions so far Carmen won out of pure and sheer luck. There were plenty of factors that could stop that improvised cutting boomerang or whatever of hitting its target, such as:Distance, wind power, weight, height, force applied in the arms and on the object itself. Things impossible to calculate in that speed, doesn't matter how good of quick thinker you are. Specially 'cause some of those things are imprevisible:They can change in a second. So, let's be real:Carmen had more chances of missing than actually getting it right.

Also she could have just get on the platform we see a bird on after Carmen's gone, making it even harder to Carmen to shoot that steel circle thingy but whatever, I guess you can't get everything right(My hands are itching to make an angry speech about how Paper Star only lost because Carmen is the main character, she's got plot protection and how that's a kids show so you gotta show good triumphing over evil even if it's not exactly so simple like that on real life).

Back to V.I.L.E. we hear the following dialogue:

Shadowsan:Did you not assure us that Paper Star was ready?

Maelstrom:I never instructed her to break protocol. (Another proof that even with most of Paper Star's and Maelstrom's interests colliding, Paper Star still prioritizes herself and what she wants over Maelstrom and even V.I.L.E. itself)

Paper Star walks in jumping and singing her typical horror movie kid/doll song.

Coach Brunt:Faculty only, Sassy-Pants. (I love how people aknowledge her socks) (Also yes coach Brunt, my girlie is a sassy bad bitch, the baddest badass alive, thank you for noticing)

Paper Star:But my ears were burning.

Maelstrom, standing up:You failed to complete your mission.

Paper Star:Guilty as charged, but I never come to a party empty-handed.

She shows the A.C.M.E. card and throws it on Maelstrom's direction. It's interesting to notice that while Maelstrom doesn't even flinch, Coach Brunt and Countess Cleo slightly go to the side, protecting themselves. It's funny how even faculty is scared of her. They know how powerful she is with paper in her hands(I know that A.C.M.E. card is probably not paper but I'm a firm believer that anything, even the most common things, becomes a weapon in paper Paper Star's hands, like fans, tinfoils, magazines, museum folders, etc).

They are scared like they should be scared. She single-handedly revealed to V.I.L.E. the most secret international organization of modern era. Can you relate, Le Chevre? No, I don't think so. No other operative can relate to her. She's in a league of her own. The only competent agent V.I.L.E. had in a long time.

So I guess Carmen knew that Paper Star was a worthy adversary and wasn't going to give her an easy time, since she stepped up her game on their next encounter. I think she was aware of her luck and tried to guarentee her win easily next time, considering Paper Star had very few weaknesses but using this weaknesses to her advantage in a better, yet more subtle way, that Paper Star won't notice. Yes, Paper Star it's way ahead of it's time and in a more advanced level than most, but she's still young. She's still impulsive, imprudent and has a lot to learn. Knowing that, Carmen does a better job in defeating her in Japan.

Instead of just running away with the sword, Paper Star chooses to hide in its box with it waiting for Carmen for the sake of her presentation. Girl gotta make an entrance. She wanted to fight Carmen and this time around Carmen was more prepared since they met before in a place, when Paper Star shredded her glider and they fought on a rooftop. Back to the present fight, it goes on a little bit with the fans and right when Paper Star is about to use the sword, Carmen steals it from her(still mad Paper Star couldn't use it). Carmen not only did what she did before(getting her out of paper, which works but not alone) she took her to a place the paper that was there was a glue trap that make her stuck. Way to go, Carmen!

Her third appearance was with Tigress on Halloween and I think y'all remember how that went. I don't got much to say about it but let's go. First:Girlie must have something against skeletons. If I had a nickel for everytime paper star cutted a skeleton's head I would have two nickels. It isn't much, but It's weird it happened twice. Second:Can't you see she's dressed as Melanie Martinez anime girl version? Third:You cannot convince me Tigress didn't fought Paper Star 'cause she knew Paper Star had the sharper claws there. Paper Star clearly wears the trousers in this relationship. Paper(Top)Tiger(Bottom). Jokes aside, they also have a mission to complete but if Tigress also wanted it, Paper Star would have killed Tigress right there. Prove me wrong after everything I previously stated(spoiler:you can't). Fourth:We see Paper Star saying she recognizes the chef's voice and Tigress saying she recognizes Carmen, which only highlights so far who's more committed to the mission, even Paper Star being "the plus one", since Tigress was the one that got the party invitation. Fifth:I like how Tigress is the one that sprays him and how Paper Star is the one that catches him when he falls. I expected to be the other way round, considering the fact the chef was a pretty big guy and Paper Star is pretty short and slim. We stan a strong queen. Speaking of which, love how Tigress says:"WE only play with the wicked witches" instead of "I only play with the wicked witches", including Paper Star, already falling for her charms lmao(they are so in love your honor, it makes them look stupid lmfao). Btw they should have worked together more often. I wished both of their characters were more explored, even though I don't like Tigress that much. They fought Carmen really well together. Carmen clearly couldn't handle both of them at the same time. She only won because Paper Star and Tigress mostly attacked her individually, after the other. We see this because the only time they attack together is on the very beginning of the fight. Paper Star shoots her shurikens and Tigress avances, being able to break her broom. If they had a better teamwork as a duo this episode could have had a different ending. Sixth:Paper Star is apparently a sponge 'cause girlie got soaked and then appeared all dried out on the next frame like it was nothing(I know it's just the animation but still, it was funny). Seventh:We got a compensation of the way we were robbed on season two:Paper Star finally used a SWORD! A tinfoil one. Not an ancient one way more cooler but I'll take what I can get. Eighth:Paper Star wanted to stab Carmen so badly. I remember the only other operatives that tried to actually kill Carmen were Spinkick and Flytrap when they followed Shadowsan with the tracker/locator in South Africa and cutted the head of a scarecrow with a red fedora thinking it was her(Gray didn't tried to kill her in the train, only tried to make her unconscious to take her back to V.I.L.E., argue with a wall). And that was on V.I.L.E.'s orders. The other operatives only kill when they have too, when they need, when it's something necessary, but still last case. Paper Star kills for fun. The only persons who tried to kill Carmen a couple of times and almost did it was her and Coach Brunt. Her evil counterpart and her former mother figure. Coincidence? I think not. Nineth:Tigress saying:"She was cramping my style anyway" lol bitch Paper Star's got more style than you. At least she ain't a furry. Tenth:My personal theory is that Paper Star read the recipe on the paper and thought V.I.L.E. could make money with that recipe, since she probably knows V.I.L.E. is going through a financial crisis(that isn't hard to figure), their rice is horrible and everyone loves this guy's secret recipe, so even though that paper had no material value, V.I.L.E. could make a little bit of money out of it so they can at least recover a little bit of the damage Carmen had caused.

Her fourth(fifth if you count her brief appearance in the steal or not to steal interactive special, but I don't because she doesn't appear in all routes) and last apparition was in the last episode, when we see her tied up with red strings in front of a museum. Two years later, Carmen finally got her. The fact she's the last villain we see Carmen capture speaks volumes. The fact she was the one chosen to be in that position instead of any other villain we see in that screen of villains A.C.M.E. hasn't located yet says something. Again, similar symbolism with Chief and Maelstrom. The most powerful hero defeated the most powerful villain(Just remembered Paper Star still owes both Maelstrom and Carmen a hat btw lol).

A curious thing about her character is that we tend to like her and hate Maelstrom(at least that's the case for me). So why that happens? For many reasons, such as:Paper Star, even appearing less than him, we know more about her. She's got more personality. She balances the evil with her cute and colorful style. People tend to underestimate her, like:"How dangerous can she even be?" and she proves them all wrong. Also because she's a very good villain. She's one of the reasons we like Carmen so much, because she makes Carmen not to look like a Mary Sue that wins all the time(I mean, she kinda wins all the time but Paper Star at least gave her more difficulties). With all the others I go like:"Carmen can easily win." With Paper Star(and Coach Brunt, but I also hate Coach Brunt for pretty much the same reasons I hate Maelstrom and Roundabout)(I kinda like Countess Cleo and Doctor Bellum tho)(And I love Shadowsan)I go like:"She can win, but definitely not easily." If Paper Star existed on real life I would hate her and be scared of her but we should normalize liking the villains because they are good villains. Because they move the plot and without them we wouldn't have the story we like so much. Paper Star actually represents a real threat to Carmen. It's good seeing Carmen fighting with an equal, someone who ACTUALLY has chances of winning her. So refreshing and revitalizing because if Carmen just wins easily every time the story gets repetitive, predictable and boring. So the villains are one of the factors that allow the storyline not to fall into boredom. And Paper Star is just so interesting everything she touched became too and we love her for it, so thank you Paper Star.

So, again, why is Paper Star so impressive? Because she had so much potential that was wasted and even still managed to be one of the best characters in the series. And because the first time we see her she didn't even had her graduation day yet, but she was so good and full of potential that they granted her permission to have an important mission and she was not only the closest to defeat Carmen being V.I.L.E.'s youngest operative and at least one year younger than Carmen, and even failing at her mission she still had a victory over Carmen, and a HUGE one:she revealed the most secret organization of actual days, A.C.M.E. We must not ignore the fact that if it wasn't for Paper Star stealing Devineaux's card, A.C.M.E. would still have the advantage of V.I.L.E. not knowing they existed. She successfully was the ONLY PERSON that could steal from THE Carmen Sandiego. That's worth more than the Magna Carta if you ask me(and the wiki I'm using information from agrees with me). And girlie still survived on her own for two years after V.I.L.E.'s take down, what a queen. Everything indicates that she was one of, if not the last villain captured because they show a screen with all the villains A.C.M.E. already captured with a red X and Paper Star wasn't one of them so I believe she wasn't one of the villains who were captured and then escaped but someone who survived without V.I.L.E. two years, proving her superiority. I believe that because they mentioned people who would hide in the dark just doing secret jobs like the cleaners so I believe that was also the strategy Paper Star sticks with. Also, they really missed an opportunity there:Everyone would love seeing an epic battle between these two and instead we just see Paper Star tied up in front like a Museum. Like, C'mon give me more. Carmen is the best but Paper Star got CLOSE. Like too close for confort. She got caught but I believe she's gonna escape just like it's said a lot of villains are doing. A.C.M.E. ain't enough to contain her. And that's it. Let's wrap it up for today. Bye!

#carmen sandiego #carmen sandiego 2019 #a.c.m.e.#paper tiger #paper star cs #paper star #v.i.l.e.#character analysis #yes that's too long and most likely no one will read but I needed to vent about her and decided not to divide in parts #i got carried away

11 notes · View notes

inkysandwich · 2 years

Text

I know everyone is shitting on She Li right now, and I get it, I do. He's the worst.

But.

That's why I love him as an antagonist in this story. Because he's not that strong or impressive on his own. He's a coward who relies on numbers and past trauma to intimidate and manipulate people, and he's not afraid to use whatever connections he has to get what he wants, which is to hurt people. His peers find him creepy (because he is), and he uses that perception to his advantage. He seems cold, but now he's scrambling for any bit of control, and that makes him a chaotic force.

He's the almost antithesis of the others: Mo, who struggles to overcome people's negative perceptions; He Tian, who wants to protect the ones he loves; Jian Yi, who doesn't even consider his potential influence and just wants to talk with people to understand them and alleviate tension; and Zheng Xi, who is patient and resolved to do things the right way.

Except there's one major similarity She Li has: he's obsessive and possessive and focused on his goal.

Which is undeniably shitty, but it brings out the boy's best qualities and forces them to grow. Trying to absolutely ruin Mo's image? JY and ZZX stand up and show Mo that some people actually give a shit about him and see him for who he is.

Dangerous "pranks" at school as scare tactics? Force He Tian to acknowledge his relationship with He Cheng and how power can shift the situation.

Push Mo off a literal bridge to rock bottom to exert his dwindling control? Mo takes the opportunity to rebuild himself and acknowledge what he really values.

Try to escalate the situation to maintain any semblance of his slipping control? Jian Yi gets his chance to protect his friends, just like he wanted--and maybe learn that he should stop oversleeping on training days.

She Li is such a driving force in this story even though no one--characters nor fandom--wants him to be. He represents so many societal issues the boys face/will face, so I can't help but feel feelings when I see his crazy eyes because I know that he can and will be overcome. He's really just a series of life lessons in a teenaged sociopath's body. Don't let others' assumptions define you. Protect what's important. Focus on making your life what you want it to be.

#19 days #She Li sucks as much as everyone says #but the story wouldn't be the same without him 🐍

69 notes · View notes

hollymbryan · 11 months

Text

Blog Tour: Top 5 Reasons to Read SOME SHALL BREAK by Ellie Marney! #tbrbeyondtours

Welcome to Book-Keeping and my stop on the TBR and Beyond Tours blog + bookstagram tour for Some Shall Break by Ellie Marney, the sequel to 2020’s breakout hit None Shall Sleep! I absolutely loved the first book and this follow-up, and below you’ll find my top 5 reasons to read the series!

About the Book

title: Some Shall Break (None Shall Sleep #2) author: Ellie Marney publisher: Little, Brown release date: 6 June 2023

This sequel to the New York Times bestselling None Shall Sleep is an equally electrifying, chilling thriller that brings us back into the lives of junior FBI consultants Travis Bell and Emma Lewis with a new case that may unravel everything they’ve been working for.

After a harrowingly close contact with juvenile sociopath Simon Gutmunsson, junior FBI consultants Emma Lewis and Travis Bell went their separate ways: Emma rejected her Quantico offer and Travis stayed to train within a new unit of the FBI Behavioral Science division. But the unit’s latest case is feeling eerily familiar and Kristin Gutmunsson—Simon Gutmunsson’s eccentric twin—reaches out to Travis to send a warning: Emma is in peril. When Travis and Kristin turn up evidence that points back to Daniel Huxton, the serial killer that Emma had escaped, things become more complicated. With a copycat on the loose, Emma returns to Quantico and is thrown back into her past traumas. Compelled to prevent more tragedy—even if it means putting herself in danger—Emma turns to Simon for help once again. But Simon is keeping secrets that could impact their entire investigation. Will the team be able to stop the Huxton copycat before time runs out for his next victims?

Content Warning: Murder, gore, trauma, sexual assault, sexism, violence, drug use, racism

Add to Goodreads: Some Shall Break (None Shall Sleep #2) Purchase the Book: Amazon | B&N | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Ellie Marney is a NYT bestselling author of crime fiction. Her most recent book is The Killing Code, and her other titles include the Aurealis-winning None Shall Sleep, the Every series – starting with Every Breath – and the companion novel No Limits, White Night, and the Circus Hearts series, starting with Circus Hearts 1. Ellie’s next book, Some Shall Break, the sequel to None Shall Sleep, will be released June 2023.

Ellie’s books are published in eleven countries and have been optioned for television. She’s spent a lifetime researching in mortuaries, talking to autopsy specialists, and asking former spies how to make explosives from household items, and now she lives quite sedately in south-eastern Australia with her family.

Connect with Ellie: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Facebook

Top 5 Reasons to Read

I must admit I’m kind of glad this isn’t a traditional review because I’d just be gushing incoherently about how freaking much I loved Some Shall Break (and its predecessor, None Shall Sleep). So instead of rambling, let me give you my top 5 reasons to read this incredible series!

1. The early 1980s setting had me nostalgic for my childhood! Granted, I was only 7 in 1982, but I loved all the little references to things I remember from that time - songs, fashion, cars, etc.

2. I loved getting a (fictional) peek inside the beginnings of the FBI’s now-famed Behavioral Science Unit, which quickly became the gold standard for serial killer profiling.

3. These books give us the most creepy and terrifying serial killer this side of Hannibal Lecter, and I am absolutely chuffed to see the grittiness of this thriller series in young adult lit!

4. Emma Lewis is a badass, incredibly complex character that you root for with every single page you turn. Her badassery lies not in brute strength or actual abilities to kick butt, but in her strength of character, her tenacity, her intelligence, her unwillingness to be pushed around, and her feminist sensibilities (back when more mainstream feminism was still fairly new). She has *been through some shit* and has come out the other side fierce and strong, while also still dealing with the effects of her captivity. I love the quote from Adrienne Rich that she cites as her favorite: “Her wounds came from the same source as her power.”

5. Finally, more on the feminism: again, we’re dealing with very early ‘80s, so mainstream feminism was in its nascent stage, but Marney exposes the sexism inherent in not just police culture but also the culture at large at the time -- and which unfortunately still exists today. At one point Kristen says, “People only listen when women expose their pain, I suppose.” Emma later remarks, “Every woman lives in a constant state of battle-readiness.” Later, when Emma shoos away a creep in a bar by referring to her FBI partner, Travis, as her boyfriend, she notes “the irony that she has to claim connection with one man to avoid another.” I doubt I’m alone in saying each of these is all too familiar even now, 40 years after the setting of this book.

I’m not sure I can adequately convey how darn much I love this series, but I hope this list is a start! If you are *at all* a mystery/thriller lover, PICK THESE UP! Even if you don’t normally read YA, I am confident you’ll love these. And DM me with thoughts once you’re done!

RATING: 5 stars!

**Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for purposes of this blog tour. I also bought myself the audiobook to alternate between audio and physical.

8 notes · View notes

soul-music-is-life · 1 year

Text

Aight, TLOU really got me this week

TAG YOUR SPOILERS AS NEEDED:

I say this every week. But I was insanely uncomfortable the moment the Preacher-man came on talking ‘bout God’s will. He just gave me creepy vibes and I followed that instinct cuz I knew....I KNEW.

I was like “I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you’re doing. But I do know...I fucking hate you.”

My radar is rarely wrong about people (irl and in fiction). And the second that man showed his ass I was like, “Run far far away from this psycho...”

Ellie should have shot that bitch the second she saw him. Ditto for “buddy boy” too.

Don’t even get me started on how Ellie fought so hard to save Joel’s life.

They have my goddamn heart.

Ellie risked her life for Joel. That is her dad. And you can’t tell me otherwise.

I hate the man who shot the horse, but at least he’s an honest asshole about his intentions. All them crazy assholes deserved to die imo.

I spent the entire episode in a maternal panic screaming at Ellie “UH UH GIRL...that is a CRAZY ass YT man!! You better run the other way! He got them Dahmer eyes. We don’t mess with them! Get out, girl! YOU IN DANGER!!”

And then that man turned out to be a fucking sociopath AND A pedophile on top of that talking about he and Ellie could rule together?

Sir...THAT IS A 14 YEAR OLD CHILD!

Ellie fought valiantly, but I know she’s coming away from that with scars.

That child was traumatized. The way she looked at Joel broke my heart.

And as if I wasn’t an emotional wreck already, Joel said this:

No one talk to me. I’m not okay.

#The Last of Us #TLOU #The Last of Us Spoilers #Joel and Ellie #TLOU spoilers

17 notes · View notes

photographypunk · 7 months

Text

So I have ...thoughts I guess I just need to get out there. I love Batman Unburied the drama, the humor (dark), the va's acting is fucking swoon worthy, the ACAB message god damn awesome ....I tried to like Batman the Audio Adventure cause .....other people do 😅 lol and I wanted another show to listen too at work. The problem is The Riddler, funny enough which is actually why I love unburied. The humor isn't bad but the corny jokes make me cringe the Penguin is boring cause he's just a sociopath Joker is ...Joker like he's not bad but he sounds like some one told the VA to try to mash Leto's and Hamills worst parts of there Joker voices. The Riddler I can't get past. I love the VA he's got some great lines and can make me laugh but....the whole I'm the smartest guy in the world and use that intelligence to fight a guy in a bat costume....kills me I hated the Riddler episodes in the original Batman cartoon and I loved Batman beyond cause the Riddler wasn't around to be obnoxious. Batman unburied made me see the potential the character has to be interesting. The last few minutes between him and Bruce my God I wish I wasn't at work cause I just wanted to keep going over it. He wasn't just funny smart and an absolute asshole (affectionate) he is interesting he admitted to not being the smartest but he called himself talented just the whole way he interacted with Babs too.

---------------spoilers if you care

He wasn't out to tell some girl he didn't actually stab her dad he didn't fucking care and why would he hes a crook....

But he's recognizes Babs intelligence and agency he pokes fun and is a prick but he's not creepy either. I was scared tbh that he would flip at some point and be a creep hit on Babs ask creepy questions call her beautiful or dangerous for no real reason but no he's a blood hound on a trail he need to figure out what happened to the bat he knows he's right he just doesn't have the pieces. Him and Babs have an interesting talk about compulsion and God the idea this guy is a bit trapped because of his intellect and compulsive and obsession that's interesting. Maybe I like sad wet cats who are a bit nutty so the prankster who can't stop talking in riddles doesn't interest me or maybe while I like the fact they don't try to noogie you then slap child murder down for a chuckle isn't my thing.

#batman unburied #batman the audio adventures #batman #the riddler #edward nygma #bruce wayne

5 notes · View notes

f1-disaster-bi · 1 year

Note

Charlando for the haunted ask thingy?

Oooo, for this I'm going to go with an au that @f1-birb and I have been talking about for a while: Clueless Lando having a partner who could be classed as a sociopath but absolutely adores Lando: Charles. Lando has no idea how far Charles would go for him, but he just knows he loves Charles

Which one is more fond of scary movies?

Lando. Lando loves being scared and getting to cuddle up to Charles. He insists on watching with the lights off, and Charles enjoys getting to wrap his arms around Lando and kiss his forehead when Lando get's freaked out

Which one gets the most excited about Halloween?

Charles loves to go overboard for Halloween. He enjoys finding the most fucked up costume ideas and convincing Lando to do them with him, even if they're just going to Max's halloween party. He also loves decorating their apartment and front door for halloween

Which one would be more likely to survive the apocalypse?

Charles is most likely to survive, especially on his own.

Lando would be least likely to survive if they were split up but with Charles by his side, nothing is going to happen Lando. Charles wouldn't let anything happen him.

Which one would literally kill for the other?

Both of them always say "I'd kill for you" or "I'd help you burry a body, no questions asked", but Charles actually would (and possibly has) killed for Lando, especially if it was someone that was harrassing Lando.

Which one likes to scare or startle the other?

Lando tries. He likes to think he is scarier than he is and jumps out of places at Charles, sometimes he does get Charles to flinch or react, but most of the time Charles just smiles and calls him "cute"

Charles, however, is very quiet and sneaky. He unintentionally scares and startles Lando constantly by seeming to appear behind him

Which one is more likely to need comforting when they get spooked?

Lando seeks out physical comfort and so does Charles. Lando reaches or asks for it more when he's scared. He often burries his face in Charles's chest and clings to him.

With Charles, he only ever gets spooked when he thinks something has happened to Lando like the time Lando text him that he was being followed and was scared and Charles rushed to find him, to protect him, and when he sees Lando, he has to physically hold and touch Lando to know he's okay

Which one always puts on a brave face?

Charles would. He's very careful with his emotions and what he lets show, and normally his emotional capcity is taken up by his affection and love for Lando. So that often involves keeping a straight face when it comes to situations that even rattle him

Lando tries, but he's very emotional and Charles can read him like a book.

Which one would be more dangerous if they suddenly became violent?

Charles.

Charles becomes violent whenever Lando is threatened, and it'd be terrifying. He's always careful never to let Lando see this side of him because he goes primal and feral. If you hurt Lando, Charles is like a predator, he stalks and then strikes

Which one would be more likely to commit a crime?

Charles would commit crimes, and not think twice. He's careful about never getting caught.

Lando stole chocolate once and felt so bad he overpaid the net time he was in that shop to make up for it

Which one believes in ghosts?

Lando does. When things go bump in the day or night, Lando calls ghost. Charles rolls his eyes and explains it rationally, but Lando refuses to accept it. He names the ghost in their apartment, and continues to try make charles believe in them

Which one likes to watch spooky show on television?

Charles would like to watch creepy and spooky things. He finds them fascinating. Lando sometimes enjoys them when they're about ghosts, but some of the things Charles watches are too spooky or creepy for Lando

Which one would propose the idea of holding a seance?

Lando because he lost his bracelet and wants to ask the ghost in their apartment where it went.

Which one has nightmares more often?

Lando has the most frequent nightmares, normally when he's having a bad day or after a particularly scary movies.

Charles occasionally has nightmares about losing Lando

Which one would want to explore a real haunted house?

Lando because he'd find it fascinating despite being scared out of his mind every second that they are in there. Charles finds on where you can do overnight paranormal invesitgative tours and Lando loves and hates it. Charles enjoys it because he spends most the tour with Lando clinging and cuddling him

Scary OTP meme: send a pair and I’ll fill this out

#charlando #charles/lando #lando/charles #pet sociopath au

16 notes · View notes

hezuart · 2 years

Note

Hello there 👋 I have two questions

1. Your thoughts on spy x family? I love that anime as well and I'd like to hear your thoughts on it since you said before it's the only anime you like

2. Are you planning on watching bungou stray dogs? if no that is 100% ok I'm just curious if your gonna check this anime out since I asked If you watched it before and you did say "yet" there ( sorry for asking you tons of questions I hope I'm not a bother)

Spy X Family has a very unique take on the found family trope; that being the focus of the series which offers a lot of fluff that the characters never knew they needed in their lives.

The "supernatural" twist to it being each character harbors a deep secret, and has to keep it hidden for personal, and political security reasons, which adds quite the flare, drama, and danger to the plot.

It also doesn't fall into too many creepy anime tropes. The characters aren't sexualized; Yor's younger brother does like his sister (sigh, unfortunately) but I think he gets over any of that weirdness later in the manga. To be fair, Yor randomly found some other guy to call family that she appears to be closer to outside of her younger brother whom she cared for ever since he was a child. So naturally, it makes sense for him to at least be suspicious and upset.... if we ignore the other part of it.

I think Anya's best friend falls in love with her dad Loid which is taken to the extreme instead of a little girl having a silly crush; I think that is really awkward and not necessary, considering the age difference. I didn't fully catch up in the manga yet, but I saw that and hoo did I cringe. I hope they don't spend any more time on it than they already have.

Yor being a bloody assassin is probably an anime trope, but it shows she's caring and has a soft side; that she only did it for those she loves, making her multi-faceted instead of some insane sociopathic yandere character.

Thankfully, the characters seem to be experiencing actual development instead of falling into flat personalities and tropes. Yor was unable to cook for years, and when she tries, her food tastes awful. She is scolded for not following a traditional (sexist) household wife role, since Loid does most of the cooking. But despite Loid being the cook and Yor being the cleaner, I think later in the manga, Yor actually takes cooking lessons and improves to the point that both Anya and Loid are super impressed and think the food is delicious, and she did it for them because she loves them. (and despite that, Loid still keeps up his responsibilities and shares in the household tasks which is highly honorable.)

Anya comes across as the cute uwu baby character, but she often gets in trouble and thinks like a dumb child would. She also has a lot on her plate, thinking the world is going to end if she doesn't keep everything a secret. She still makes mistakes so big they could jeopardize the entire mission, but Loid still sticks by her instead of trading her out for a different kid. But Anya is also smart in other aspects. She knows everyone's secrets and covers for them. She senses Bond the dog has feelings towards the Forger family and insists the dog is hers despite initially wanting a smaller dog.

Loid is a womanizer and government agent/spy who uses people to get what he wants. But despite that- he learns to live with Yor and Anya and comes to care for them. He found a woman that could be on his level; not some gold digger rich girl with connections, just a poor young lady struggling to make a living, not to mention, her martial arts and weaponry skills are almost unmatched and they would do well in a fight together. If something ever happened, he wouldn't need to worry about protecting both Anya and Yor, because they could protect themselves and even have his back. He highly respects her and praises her genuinely.

They are a family of luck, love, and mystery. If something goes wrong, they find another way. There's a legit plot outside of found family trope, and it is a plot that could prove highly dangerous if their secrets are made public. Almost every action they take could have dire consequences, but because of the lie of their family, which is slowly turning into a truth, it has protected them.

It's a great show with a great set-up. Feels like a breath of fresh air for anime.

~~~

I will eventually watch Bungou Stray Dogs, I heard nice things about it from some friends!

#ask #spy x family #text post #most anime these days just feels so tropey... feels like nothing unique #but this one has so many hooks to it #most anime also feels like its gonna have a disappointing ending #or doesnt know where its going #spy x family has a single goal that will take a very long time to achieve #with many obstacles and bonuses #they know what theyre doing- the goal has been clear from the beginning - and will absolutely have an ending in sight #its the kind of anime that wont go on any longer than it needs to #and the animation too-#it truly is beautiful in everyway

15 notes · View notes

sentimental-darkness · 2 years

Text

Question about King

So I’ve been wondering whether I’m the only one who noticed this and was kinda disappointed with it because I can’t help but notice such a big difference in King’s portrayal between S1 and S2?

Sure, characterization gimmicks are still the same, there was a nice character growth and so on. But still...

The king of S1 was VERY demonic-minded, power-hungry, full of vile thoughts 24h a day apparently or even full-on sociopathic/narcissistic. Ever so subtly but the show did go out of its way to highlight it on multiple occasions, there is just no way it didn’t because there were so many of these scenes where you could notice that ‘second bottom’ shining through him, some of these when Eda/Luz weren’t even around/not paying attention but it did add up to that ominous enigma that surrounded King as a character. Eda being Eda largely ignored it, Luz and some others thought it was cute etc. so also dismissed it as antics of a child seeking attention but it wasn’t just mere ‘pretending’ - he really did mean these things underneath it all, even if just a part of subconscious or perhaps more like an instinct? Though from his behavior you COULD tell he does know what these things mean and what are their consequences, he may be small but in mind is fully grown and mature even. Other than his appearance THIS was a huge part of why so many different theories about him appeared including the Titan one that we’re now exploring on the show.

But it’s not just that ‘gruesome’ factor and ‘bloody’ jokes because even the weight of his actions changed. In S2 he got powers so became kind of more useful in many situations in fights but on the other hand... in S1 we got LOTS of episodes and scenes with him striving to do great things even without any powers (while being dismissed as a child or ‘play pretend’ attention seeker) and actually pulling them off, even competently at times, whether through manipulation or sheer power of will to seize what he seeks at all cost. We’ve seen him taking advantage of people’s gullibility, messing with deadly dangerous creatures he thought could become minions, raising to fame through manipulation basically, very quickly becoming sort of ‘Bill Ciphery’ authoritarian figure if more capable in Luz’ body and more. True, sometimes he learnt the lesson of the day because he did some stuff that hurt his friends, but it didn’t really change or diminish that overall ‘demonic’ ‘evil’ theme, it continued to be included. Also, most of the time he was more preoccupied with whatever could satiate his narcissistic desires, not with most of the *regular day-to-day* affairs of his friends - though I can clearly understand and appreciate the development done in that department, but still, even keeping that kind of development in mind... there was a sudden shift between S1 and S2. Because all of a sudden all of such evil-minded, manipulative themes around King just disappeared and all we’re left with was this lost puppy without a father figure, with the show suddenly expecting me to believe that’s all there was to him this all time: lost father, some repressed memories, so he play pretended desires for murder and mayhem to cope? LOL? No, that’s not believable in the slightest. At the same time there were those creepy guardians at the temple in which he was found... so that’s a surprising contradiction. But ever since he really hasn’t done a single selfish or mean thing, not even a slightly less innocent and less sympathetic thought or desire.

There was this early concept art of King/of the show once and it did include some demon servants trying to - kill? eat? - Eda and Luz in front of their ‘King.’ So hmm, even though it could have been just a wacky representation of a concept rather than actual scene planned for the show it did make me believe there is indeed THAT kind of theme behind King’s character. Which would agree with all of that S1 portrayal I mentioned but then all of that was like gone for S2, even despite the origins being actually confirmed as a titan’s heir recently and titans being described as ‘worse than Belos.’ But as I’ve said, come S2 he is mostly just a hugger and a good caring friend and a child missing father/Luz, regular part of the heroic team squad at Owl House, no more side quests of his, no more nefarious desires. So it makes me wonder whether they changed the original idea they had for him between seasons ??? And if so, WHY? Just WHY? I do appreciate all the good, soft things around King and relationships he formed, abandonment trauma is a fitting theme as well, but it doesn’t mean he can’t be torn between that and bloody evil (if that’s in his nature, or his ‘right’ or whatever, or maybe he is a reincarnation of an evil titan overlord). In fact, the original enigma behind King’s character was EXACTLY that concept of ‘soft’ and ‘murderous’ potentially unable to come to terms in the future and King’s friends (but also King himself) having to face this new reality someday. With King maybe kind of ‘nah, now you have a problem, but i’ve been saying for years that i’m king of demons and want to rule the place!’ and only truly utterly conflicted if actual harm comes to his friends

Now, yes... with him being confirmed titan I guess something like that could still happen if he powers up all of a sudden or grows up at rapid speed or whatever... but I guess it wouldn't really be as appealing/nuanced? Since easily attributed to “sudden magic growth confused him” and what we saw in S2 was a nice lovable and caring puppy anyway not in the slightest on a quest for throne or murder. Also, we’ve already had the ‘murderous, vile, pure raw instinct’ part with Eda and her Owl Beast part, what I expected with King based on S1 was something with more awareness on his part, not just the ‘untamed’ beast inside cliché

I really wonder what others think...

#toh king #king clawthorne #the owl house #king of demons #dana terrace

16 notes · View notes

friendlyfaded · 2 years

Note

OH maybe angel/darlin or even david/angel/darlin?

Absolutely!

Angel/Darlin

So my headcanon for Darlin’ is that they’re pretty similar to David in a lot of ways. They’re stand-offish, self-sacrificing for those they care about, stubborn, have a rough exterior, all that! So needless to say, Angel/Darlin would be an excellent ship!

It would be slow to take off, of course. While David was afraid of letting anyone close because of the trauma with his dad and his responsibilities as alpha, Darlin’ doesn’t let people in because of Quinn, which is still a major problem currently. Angel’s persistence is the only thing that’s going to get them a chance to date Darlin’.

Angel is the monarch of praise and validation, you can’t tell me otherwise. Darlin’ would have absolutely no idea how to respond to that. I imagine they’d just blush and shrug whenever Angel says something sweet about them, but Angel, as good as they’d get at reading Darlin’, can tell they love it. Darlin would start making an effort to cook and sleep more regularly, if only to drag Angel into the better habits as well. Angel would also never have to worry about creepy strangers approaching them as long as Darlin’ was around. Darlin’ would take great pride in being able to keep their mate safe 💙

David/Angel/Darlin

Adding David to the mix makes it a different kind of slow burn. Darlin’ isn’s as scared for Angel’s safety (don’t get me wrong, they’re still terrified, but they know David will be able to protect Angel), but now you’ve got two of the most emotionally repressed characters on the channel dancing around their feelings for each other, all while Angel watches them, eating their popcorn and waiting for them to get off their asses and admit their feelings.

At some point I feel like Angel would stage an intervention (read: invite Darlin’ over for dinner or something and then take a suspiciously long time looking for something in the bedroom). As always, communication is key, so David and Darlin’ talk it out. Angel comes back in, explains that they’re 100% on board, and a polycule is formed.

Now David has two people to nag about putting on sunscreen and drinking actual water! Of course, he doesn’t mind. He just wants his loves to take care of themselves, and both Angel and Darlin’ are notoriously bad at that.

With the inclusion of Darlin’ in the relationship, there’s the potential for childhood references. For example, David (lovingly, out of concern for their health) gets on Angel for eating an entire bag of chips, but Darlin’ comes back with “says the guy who ate three bags of hot fries on a dare when we were sixteen” and just completely undercuts him. Obviously David would be able to turn it around, bringing up things like the time they thought they were going to be stuck forever when they climbed into an ice chest, or when they tried to do a kickflip when plastered and broke a wrist.

Angel lives for the chaos, and they love hearing these little snippets of their mates’ lives.

Oh, and Quinn? He’s a fucking dead man. As soon as David catches a glimpse of Darlin’s bite scars, he’s decided that Quinn’s subscription to life ends when he finds him. David is already protective of Angel, who doesn’t typically get into danger. Imagine how protective he’d be of Darlin’, who’s got a sociopathic vampire after them. Angel has offered to throw hands. Both David and Darlin’ immediately said no.

Angel taking turns sitting on each of their backs while they do pushups. Both shifters teaching Angel how to defend themself if they ever need to. Darlin’ teaching Angel how to throw knives, and Angel playing Minecraft with them. Darlin’ spending quiet moments with David, quietly talking about their memories of Gabe and the kindness he always showed them. All of them holding each other close, no words needed, just feeling the presence of the others and soaking it in.

#redacted asmr #redacted rarepairs #redacted headcanons #rarepairs with prof

10 notes · View notes

seasurfacefullofclouds1 · 2 years

Note

LMFAO, Seaaaa! I went to block that bitch zot3f psychopath from my new blog and I found an ask about you. An anon said that she sent you an ask about louis and eleanor breaking up and you blocked her. So they called you a conspiracy theorist. HAHAHA it’s so funny that they stalk this blog 24/7 the whole year and admit to send you asks. How pathetic!!! Hope this makes you laugh 😆

Well, it’s actually kinda concerning / creepy to have someone so obsessed about internet strangers for literal years.

I know they have my blog on notif and create lots of blogs just to monitor other fans. If they had the opportunity, they would actually harm people in real life. Even Louis or Harry.

Zot3f doesn’t draw the line at disagreement, but engage in active cyber harassment. They crossed over from stan behavior to borderline criminality a long time ago.

So that’s not funny. It’s sociopathic and psychologically dangerous.

And @staff, it’s Tumblr’s liability not to protect users. I’ve reported them numerous times. Blogs are taken down, but new blogs proliferate.

3 notes · View notes

jxgi · 4 months

Text

an independent roleplay blog for hokuto no ken's jagi; with verses based in final fantasy, resident evil, modern / realistic aus and more. a study in jealousy and hate - a life lost and the exploration of the sadness beneath sociopathy.

ambition tearing out the heart of you, carving lines into you

[ carrd ] | [ main ] | [ ask ]

001 This is an independent roleplay blog for the character of Jagi from the manga / anime / game, Fist of the North Star aka Hokuto No Ken. Obviously, this character doesn't belong to me. The character of Jagi is a mean, villainous character and his backstory has a good amount of triggering content. Please keep this in mind when interacting. This blog is 18+ (adults only) and low activity.

002 Triggering content that you can expect to see frequently on this blog will be violence, murder, aggression, blood and general fighting / battle themes. Sexual content will be present, as will consensual-rough sex. Explicitly dark themes such as rape / sexual violence / dubcon etc, will be alluded to in terms of backstory but not necessarily written. Everything will be tagged. Example is - 'tw.triggerhere'. I, myself, have no triggers.

003 Mun's name is Han, you may know me from such blogs as 'cwarscars' (a badly written attempt at a military general in a fantasy world) and 'mencnfire' (a multimuse attempt at some veteran type characters who all have issues). Are you noticing a theme? Lol. I'm 29, work full time and like to do all sorts of stuff so I wont be super active. I'm pretty friendly and very chilled out, discord is available on the carrd - just tell me who you are if you add me please.

004 This blog is low activity; primarily because I work full-time hours and have other stuff going on outside of the online world. Generally, I like to restrict myself from being online too much. It's never anything personal if I'm not online, don't reply to a message or favour one thread over another. I just have limited time to work with and am terrible at messages. I do like communication, but I also appreciate realism, understanding and patience. I give exactly what I expect of partners. Be laid-back and just have fun!

005 Generally, I prefer longer threads and planned threads. I will do the odd starter or random thread about random thing, but I love a good, juicy, well-thought-out thing. If we're going to plot, I love to have a beginning, middle and end. They are my favourite kinds of threads to write. I don't like too much exposition and prefer a slow burn when it comes to all manner of relationships etc. I can't be bothered to use icons and fancy formatting gives me migraines, so I'll just stick to standard small text.

006 In terms of character / shipping. I base my Jagi's backstory off of his story in Jagi Gaiden. If you're not a fan of HNK / barely know it, don't worry - Jagi has a tonne of verses I have thrown him into and I am more than open to writing a new verse to base around our muses! Regarding shipping - I am open to it! But keep in mind that Jagi is a sociopath and a dangerous murderer. As you can imagine, I'm willing to write most kinds of ships, be they romantic, dark, family, dark-romance etc. However, Jagi will not sexually assault or rape your muse. I've got ten years+ of writing villains under my belt and people trying to force that on you is never enjoyable.

007 Please don't block-evade, hound me for replies, do any creepy shit like stalk my blog / discord, talk shit etc. This is a weird, slightly vague rule but I'm just not down for the high-school side of the RPC nor am I down for the weird things such as block-evading and the like. Please don't pretend to be someone you're not to me (as in, literally pretend to be another person), it's very unsettling behaviour.

008 I have approximately minus interest in getting involved in any slapfights between pro-ship & anti-ship content. I believe in freedom of expression and am anti-censorship, but I also believe that people are allowed to be unsettled / turned-off by certain content. Generally, I'm open-minded but also do my best to be respectful. As said previously, stuff is tagged, dark content will be written, but I also have limits and I respect others' limits, too.

009 My main blog is CWARSCARS and generally, I'll be over there. I just needed to get the rascal that is Jagi off of my chest for a little while as I replenish my writing juices (gross lol).Have fun and I hope we have good rp times! :-)

#.pinned #.essential

0 notes

despaires · 2 years

Note

🎰 LET'S GO

hannah fairchild & heisenberg: very interesting, considering all of hannah's brothers and sisters are also extremely monstrous and she's the most "normal" out of the bunch because she was written to be that way. the most pressing idea I have is heisenberg somehow coming across stine's collection of original goosebumps volumes, accidentally opening a few and setting the monsters loose. he gets hannah, the whimsical and curious ghost, but he also gets the abominable snowman of pasedena, the werewolf of fever swamp, and the worst of the worst.... slappy.

gale weathers & heisenberg: good lord.

immediate thought is something blair witch-adjacent in which gale is in the region investigating a completely different story and things quickly fall off the rails. her survival instincts are kicked into high gear and she quickly realizes that there are worse things out there than fame-hungry sociopaths with voice changers.

I have no in-depth dynamic ideas but I do know they're going to butt heads immediately and she's not going to mince her words, no matter how dangerous he is.

kelly maxwell & heisenberg: so the beauty of the evil dead universe is that no cliche plot is off-limits in terms of time travel, setting, etc. and with the heavy inspiration that resident evil has already taken from evil dead, it's not unlikely at all that ash, kelly and pablo would at some point find themselves in the village, fighting evil, because that's their duty as ghost beaters/demon slayers/what have you. maybe they get separated running through the stronghold and kelly finds herself seeking shelter in what seems to be an innocuous factory, but more is brewing there. I know once they get past first introductions, kelly wouldn't have too much of an issue with heisenberg, especially since he can give them valuable information and would be a valuable ally unless things take a turn for the worst, then rip.

emily davis & heisenberg: she literally just wanted to travel for a year on an eat, pray, love journey post-survival of the blackwood pines fiasco and now she's got fucking lycans and werewolves and creepy ass mold and that's not even including the lords and miranda and all that family drama going on. knowing her luck, she stumbled into the mold cave, touched it, and now miranda knows she's there and it's only a matter of time before things get significantly more worse.

like gale, she's probably going to bite his head off at first, but that's because she's traumatized and severely cautious of strangers, especially in mountainous settings.

penelope dusek & heisenberg: the awkwardness (hilariousness) of penny and heisenberg standing over a dead body arguing what should be done with it because she can't put the soul to rest without some type of burial and he needs to build his metal army.

#macabremachinations #you are also welcome to pile on to this ofc but #hi i'm always excited to write w/ you

1 note · View note

narrators-journal · 3 years

Text

Platonic yandere!Killua headcanons

Youger than Killua

Say hello to your new big brother.

It doesn't matter if you're a few months younger, if you tell him that he's technically older than you, he'll naturally go into a brotherly mode, which is never good seeing as his best examples for sibling behavior is Illumi or Milluki.

Killua will naturally take on an older sibling role with you, even more-so if it's before Alluka is rescued.

He will buy you a lot of gifts if you're younger than him.

Like Illumi, Killua will become insanely protective of you if you're younger than him.

Hisoka will get his ass whooped if he comes around you at all. Hisoka's already pretty creepy in general, and he's also the most frequently seen threat.

All it'll take is one slip up, one moment of being too creepy and Killua will maul him even quicker.

He's the most overtly protective to a younger person, and Gon and the others don't actually mind. They understand his past, Kurapika is the same way with his friends, and Gon would trust his friend's judgement for the most part, so Killua'd be regulated, but not actually stopped.

Killua does his best to not be a negative influence to a younger person, but he will sometimes slip up and will sometimes emotionally manipulate, be imperitively overly cautious, and just accidentally teach you harmful stuff.

Since he's so touch starved, Killua will carry you around on his shoulders or back, grab onto you, or do other small things. He won't punch you in the head or use painful ways to get contact, he's been raised not to do that, and he's definitely not going to do so to someone younger and not in the zoldyck family.

He's much more likely to share his candy with you if you're younger than he is.

Same age as Killua

Killua wouldn't be the most obvious yandere if you were his age, but if you're compassionate or similar to Gon in personality, he'll be extra protective.

One big sign of his yandere side is the fact that he has a shorter fuse around danger.

Even with Illumi's needle in his head, Killua's more likely to attack, we'll say Hisoka, to keep villains away from you.

He's usually pretty chill with you befriending others though, but only if that person joins the main group. If you have your own personal friend outside of Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and himself he'll try to scare them off or drive the two of you apart.

He might get a bit physical clingy. He'll mostly just grab onto you more, pop you upside the head, sit kinda close, lay next to or near you, shove you, generally just be a bit more physical with you, he's the same way with Gon.

Killua has a very small friend group, including you he's up to 4-5, and isn't close to his family, so if someone threatened one of those ties, Killua won't react nicely.

Illumi, Hisoka, and Chrollo skip that step, being entirely on sight if they even approach Killua's friends, especially Illumi. Hisoka might be able to earn a hint of wiggle room, but one fuck-up will destroy that centimeter of allowance.

Usually, Hisoka walks a thin line between friend and foe, so he gets a bit of room to be a nuisance, but it's a very, very thin wire, and Killua will put the man in his place if he puts a toe out of line around his friends.

You might get a few gifts from Killua, this is a pretty good sign that you're a close friend.

Older than Killua

He'd form a warped sort of crush on you.

Killua'd never form a romantic crush on a friend when younger, more of a Squish, but due to being brought up in a family with the only form of attachment being marriage or family it'd take a while for him to realize that he doesn't feel that way towards you.

Once he realizes that, you've unlocked a new level of his yandere side.

He'll naturally come to you with questions as he grows, since his family is at best questionable, at worst completely hated. So, you get to answer the awkward questions. This is not only a sign of great trust, but is also a big test. If you pass, you officially cannot escape his friendship.

He'll get a bit more physically clingy. Not only will he shove you, punch your shoulder, or pop you upside the head like he does Gon, but he'll also grab your hand or let you grab his hand, hug you, sit next to you, lay beside you, let you carry him if your tall enough, and even ask for piggy back rides from time to time.

If you're older than him, his protective habits will expand to include protecting you from any relationships.

If you're powerful, Killua will still protect you, but instead of doing it all around, he'll mostly get protective around Hisoka and Chrollo.

He's not jealous usually with friends, at least not too badly, but if you start to date? He'll do everything he can to sabotage the relationship.

If you bring your partner around to hang out, Killua will cling to you like a starfish, hog conversations with you, do stuff to gain your attention, and will leverage your compassion or motherly side to exclude your partner.

If you go out on your own personal date with the partner, there's a 50/50 chance Killua will pop up in person to interrupt the date, and 100% chance that the date will be sabotaged, whether you actually see Killua or not.

If all of that fails, he will finally resort to intimidation or even murder to get rid of your partner. He'll even go so far as to ask or hire his own siblings to kill the person for him, but that's only if he's dangerously close to being caught in his antics by you. Otherwise, he'll just do it himself.

He'll also not hesitate to guilt-trip, gas light, or manipulate you in any possible way to keep you close to him.

Killua will also share candy with you from time to time,

If you are 18 or above, Killua will go into terrifying detail about his family, mostly Illumi and Milluki.

This isn't to push you away, it's to dissuade you from falling into his brother's sociopathic charms if he comes around. Killua will just all around keep you far, far, far away from Illumi, not about to let his brother turning his affection on you.

#platonic yandere #killua zoldyck #hxh #hunter x hunter #x reader #yandere #headcanons #platonic

568 notes · View notes

crazypaperwasteland · 2 years

Text

Insanity Left Me Alone

Word Count: 3.1k

Warnings: Guns, violence, talk of pedophilia, people being mean and spreading rumors, Daryl being super supportive, fluff

Summary: (Y/N) Walsh, Shane’s sister, has struggled with self image ever since her brother’s death. When the people from Woodbury enter the prison, she figures out that she is more like her brother than she thought, so does everyone else. (Y/N) can barely handle the rumors that fly her way, speculation about who her brother was and what she might do to anyone that stands in her way. When she can no longer stands it, a situation presents itself and puts her humanity to the test. There’s only one person in the entire prison that has faith in her in that regard, Daryl fucking Dixon.

Masterlist

Told from (Y/N) Walsh’s POV

I knew my brother had lost his mind, in fact, I knew before anyone else that my brother was gone. Shane had always been that selfless, humorous kid that wasn’t afraid to fuck someone up if they messed with anyone he cared about. That included me and Rick, anyone that we were associated with that we cared about, he treated all of us like family. But when the world went to shit, that protectiveness turned into something more like….obsession.

Shane eliminated any threat that he saw to his perfect fantasy of having a family, with Lori as his wife and Carl as his son, and the baby as his child. The scientific word for what Shane was is a sociopath. Every one of his reactions to protect what he perceived to be his was premeditated.

Although, my brother hadn’t been entirely wrong when he talked about what the world was after the walkers came to be. He was telling us what we needed to know about the world, it was harsh and sometimes you had to do what you needed to do, and sometimes there wasn’t always another option, a more noble option.

After the people from Woodbury entered the prison, there were a few that piqued my interest, particularly, they creeped me out beyond belief, they seemed dangerous in a way, in different ways. But not to me, to the original group from the farm. Every damn time someone I deemed as a potential threat to any of them, I reminded myself that my brother thought the same thing. And his insanity left me all alone, he left me by myself, it was his choice, and he chose to leave me. Everytime warning bells went off in my brain, I couldn’t help but think that whatever made my brother sick in the head was in me too.

Those thoughts got infinitely worse when the people from Woodbury somehow caught wind of the fact that my brother had lost his mind in the place we were last. I tried to stay strong, I tried to ignore the whispers I heard from them whenever I passed by, but there was always one person who saw through my indifferent act. Daryl fucking Dixon.

Daryl hadn’t even liked my brother, but for some reason, he’d always be around somehow. We spent an entire winter together, learning to take care of each other, but most of us when the people from Woodbury entered the prison just….stopped. We all had jobs and it wasn’t just about survival anymore, it was about making a community, about rebuilding a world worth living in.

Rick and Carl had their crops, Hershel too. Beth had taking care of the kids, Carol had making sure everyone could defend themselves, Michonne was always out looking for the Governor. The council was made up of multiple people in various specialties, I just happened to be on the council. I was in charge of putting people in shifts, watchtower, fences, picking people to go out on runs and who with.

Even though all of us had jobs to do that were more important than maintaining relationships, Daryl always seemed to be around me. Almost like he was following me. It wasn’t creepy or anything, just weird.

After a month of the people from Woodbury being at the prison, there were already many rumors about me and my brother floating around. The day I finally broke down about it was the day that I’d heard a group of people from Woodbury talking.

I’d been walking through one of the cell blocks that the people from Woodbury had moved into, looking for Hershel. The illness spreading around the prison had him working like a dog day and night, but there was a council meeting he was already late to.

“I bet she’s the one who killed Karen and David,” I heard one of the women in the circle of people whisper as I walked past. “Doin’ whatever the hell she’s gotta do to protect her people. I heard her brother was the same way, killing and threatening everyone in his group just to make his way to the top.” Multiple people gave their input, all agreement with that statement.

I stopped in my tracks, drawing the nervous attention of a few of them. I looked all of them over, my throat tightening, my head spinning with thoughts. Yes, I would do whatever it took to protect my group, they got that right. But they couldn’t possibly be right about me being the same as my brother, could they?

“Stacy, go and relieve Joe from watchtower duty, you’ll stay up there until midnight and then find someone to take over your shift,” I addressed the woman who started the conversation. It was currently noon. I saw Daryl approaching quickly, my frustration rising at the look of anger on his face. He must have heard them talking. “Karter, the rest of you, get back to the jobs I know I assigned you to today.” They all scurried off.

I clenched my teeth and took a few deep breaths when I felt a hand on my shoulder, I turned and shoved Daryl away, he stumbled back before steadying himself with slightly wide eyes. “I do not need you to tell me they’re wrong, Daryl.” He clamped his lips together, I took a breath, my anger dissipating.

“You know, your brother fought it too,” Daryl decided to say. I closed my eyes, closing my mouth and begging the tears to not come to my eyes. “But his urge to protect the people he loved just became toxic, you’re not like him in that way.”

We’d had that conversation numerous times, and each time, I said the same thing. “You don’t know that.” I turned away from him, wiping at my eyes with my shirt sleeve, “we have to get to the council meeting, c’mon.”

I heard him follow me, but I didn’t turn back to see him. I knew he’d just be looking at me with some kind of pity. Just like all the members of the original group did.

I eventually found Hershel and reminded him of the meeting. All three of us walked to the library together. After the meeting started and we discussed the symptoms of the illness and how it was likely a flu strain, Hershel started to explain about what he needed to treat the sick people.

“It’s not the virus itself that kills people, it’s the symptoms. If we can treat the symptoms, we can keep them alive long enough for their bodies to fight off the virus on their own,” Hershel explained. “There’s a veterinary college a few hours from here that would have everything we need, I wouldn’t risk a hospital, besides, they would both have the same things.” Hershel turned to me from where I stood with my back to the bookshelves, leaning against them with my arms crossed, “(Y/N), could you put together a group of people to send on the run?” I nodded once in response, not feeling like talking unless it was necessary.

I took out a piece of paper and wrote down a few names, including Daryl. In a last minute decision, I wrote down my own name. I handed it to Daryl, he looked at it for a second before turning his head to look at me again. “Yer goin’?”

Hershel’s brows flew up a bit, I nodded once again. “You think that’s a good idea?”

“I think that I need to get out of here for a day, is that okay with everyone?” I snapped lightly, no one argued with or questioned me after that.

I was busy packing up the car we were taking when I felt a tap on my shoulder, light and delicate. I turned around, expecting to see one of the little kids we had at the prison, because anyone else would have just called my name. But I saw Beth standing there, playing her hands.

“You’re takin’ Josh with you?” She asked timidly, looking down. I furrowed my brow at that, she was never so young looking, never so….childlike.

“Yeah, why?”

“He’s been…” she trailed off, “me and some of the other women at the prison have felt uncomfortable around him. He makes….these weird remarks that are either sexual or just creepy. He’s made some about Judith in the past too when he saw me and the others playing with her.”

I tilted my head, “have you told anyone? Rick?”

“Rick won’t listen, and if he won’t, I don’t think anyone will,” Beth murmured, “I just thought I’d warn you about him.”

“We’re listenin’ Beth,” Daryl came to stand beside me, obviously having been listening. “We’ll keep an eye on him, won’t we, (Y/N)?”

“Yeah, we will,” I assured her. I pulled her into a hug, which she reciprocated immediately, wrapping her arms tightly around me. “In the future though, if he ever makes you or the other girls uncomfortable, you come and get me or Daryl, you understand?” She nodded against my shoulder. She pulled back, giving me a small smile and finally looking me in the eye for more than two seconds.

“I have to get back to Judith,” she told us, “but you all be careful out there, okay?” We nodded and she turned, walking into the prison, taking a few steps to the right when Josh came strolling out with his bag thrown over his shoulder, his long brown ponytail brushing against his back.

Daryl saw me glaring at Josh when he got into the back of the car, waiting with the others for me and Daryl to get in the front. Daryl placed a hand on my shoulder softly, I didn’t shove him away that time. “You’re not your brother, but that group of asswipes got one thing right. You’ll do whatever you gotta do to protect us.” He leaned down to whisper to me, “I’m with you, whatever you choose to do.”

That sentiment warmed my heart more than I would ever let him know, so I gave him a small smile and nodded once, getting into the passenger seat, letting him drive.

The entire run, Josh had been getting on the nerves of everyone. Mostly me and Michonne, but we were all annoyed and freaked out by everything he would say or do. I hadn’t really ever talked to him much, he’d seemed like a fairly normal guy before. But after hearing Beth tell me about his behavior, I suddenly noticed all of the red flags there.

Unfortunately though, due to walkers when we were making our way through the streets and towards the car, we had to split up. I was left alone with Tyreese and Josh. I was thankful to have Tyreese there, even if he was a bit unhinged at that moment. He was a big guy, and despite being in a rough place, he put himself in the middle of me and Josh. Not wanting him to be near me. I’d seen him do it intentionally.

“You know you ain’t never put me on a run before, (Y/N),” Josh said in his trashy accent, “I’ve got to say, I’m grateful. I got to spend some quality time with you and the others you put on the run.” He sounded like the type of person whose teeth would be rotting or yellow, even though they were in fact not. I kept my hand on my gun, partly for fear of walkers and because I didn’t like how friendly he was being, despite Tyreese being there. “Some of the people back at the prison just don’ get me, you get me?” He chuckled to himself, even though neither me or Tyreese were laughing. “Of course you do, people do the same to you, that was a dumb question.”

Tyreese glanced nervously at me, gouging my reaction. I kept a straight face mostly, aside from the obvious murderous look in my eye.

“The only person I don’t really think gets me on this run is Dixon, honestly, that redneck kind of freaks me out-” he was cut off with a surprised yelp when I pulled the bag off of his shoulder and pushed him with a hand to his chest back against the brick wall of a building, my gun being pulled from it’s holster to be shoved in his face. It was already cocked back, so all I had to do was pull the trigger and he’d be dead. “Woah, lady!” He put his hands up in surrender, “what did I do?”

“I’ve been getting a lot of complaints about you, Joshua,” I sneered, “you make a lot of people uncomfortable and angry. I’m just now realizing what they meant.” He tried to move out of the way but I shoved him back again, this time he stayed. I heard the others round the corner of the building, Michonne gasped quietly at the sight and Bob stood frozen.

I saw Daryl from the corner of my eyes standing with his arms crossed, waiting for what I chose to do. I had half a mind to just kill the kid, just kill him and get it over with. But wouldn’t that make me like my brother? My mind was at war with itself.

“(Y/N), lady, just let me go, we can go back to the prison and we’ll just forget this ever happened.” He said in a shaky voice, his gross blue eyes roving over my face to see what my next move would be. “We’ll go back to our regular lives. You don’t have to do this.”

My eyes locked with his, he just didn’t get it. “How old are you, Joshua?” He looked around at the various members of the group just watching me stick a gun in his face.

“I-” he cut himself off with a gulp of air, “I’m thirty seven.”

I let out a laugh, “you like younger girls, don’t you, Joshua? From infants to teens?” His eyes widened.

“No, no, I swear,” his voice panicked. “We can talk about this, I won’t tell the council anything about this, I swear. Please, please don’t kill me.”

“My issue isn’t that you could tell the council something, Joshy,” I tilted my head, “you’re dangerous. To all the children at the prison.”

“I’m not, I’m not,” he repeated, “I swear, I’ll change. I won’t go near any of them, I won’t. Just please don’t shoot me.” His hands waving around in the air from where they were beside his head, shaking.

I’d been in law enforcement before the fall of the world. All pedophiles said that they would change. They never did. There had once been a case I worked on where a pedophile was let out of jail from when he’d exposed himself to a minor, and after a month out of jail, he molested and killed two little girls.

“I don’t believe you,” and then I pulled the trigger.

The ride back to the prison had been silent, so silent. I immediately went into my cell, just wanting to hide away from everyone. Because I knew that the rumors would start, just like they always did when word got out about any one of my actions.

I was alone for maybe ten minutes before I heard a few knocks on the wall of my cell, the sheets hanging up were pulled aside. I looked up in the darkness of my cell and found Daryl standing there. “You okay?” I asked, finding it unusual that he’d pay me a visit when he had more important things to be doing.

“Yeah, not sick,” he muttered before he sat down against the wall across from my bed. I turned on my side to face him, readjusting my pillow to get more comfortable.

“You know that’s not what I meant,” I told him with a small smile, he smiled back at me when he saw it, just a twitch of his lips, but for him, that was a smile. That’s what spending a few months in the freezing cold with him taught me.

He huffed, “we told the council that Josh was caught in a group of walkers, we didn’t say anything.” I nodded in understanding and thanks, he seemed to get it. I wondered again why he was in my cell. As if reading my mind, he said, “I wanted to see if you were okay. I know that….even with who he was and the things he did, the kind of person he was, that can’t have been easy for you.” It wasn’t. Killing someone isn’t easy. “Killing a person isn’t supposed to be easy, your brother lost sight of that, (Y/N). You’re not him. Far from it.”

“I never said that it wasn’t easy,” I reminded him.

“You didn’t have to,” he mumbled, looking down, his hair hiding his face more than the darkness of my room did. “He was a disgusting human being and all of us are glad he’s on. Beth asked me to thank you. She seemed to know what really happened when we came back without him.”

“Smart girl,” I whispered.

“How ya feeling? Ya sick?”

“No,” I shook my head. “Just tired, is all.”

Daryl stood up and took one of the many pillows I hoarded on my mattress from me and set it down on the ground of my cell, he turned onto his back and laid down, putting one of his hands behind his head and his opposite arm over his eyes.

I tilted my head at him with a small smirk, “I don’t think Hershel would approve of you sleeping in here with me when there’s a virus spreading around.”

“You ain’t sick, and neither am I,” he grumbled, “leave me alone, woman.” His voice was already rough with sleep.

I huffed a small laugh and pulled a blanket from the stack I kept all to myself and threw it over his form, he groaned at the disruption but pulled the blanket up to his shoulders after a moment. “Goodnight Dixon.”

“Shut up,” he rumbled. His breath evening out a moment later, I watched his sleeping form for a moment longer before I settled into my own pillows and blankets. Honestly, he was sleeping on the floor instead of the perfectly good top bunk. And when we first arrived and from then on, he basically refused to sleep in any of the cells.

I couldn’t help my smile, perhaps mine and my brother’s insanity hadn’t left me entirely alone after all. It just took me a while to realize it.

#norman reedus #daryl dixon x y/n #daryl dixon #daryl dixon imagine #twd fanfiction #fluff #daryl dixon fluff #daryl x you #the walking dead #shane walsh

34 notes · View notes