#Love the contrasts of the two MCs & how they interact with the world and their developing friendship - can’t wait to see where that goes.

[aroaessidhe]

2024 reads / storygraph

Far Removed

book 1 in a character-focused sff (with dystopian/horror elements) duology

set on a moon city populated by a highly intelligent semi-aquatic species with a strictly stratified society

a well-off politician / college director who is trying to use his position to challenge the corrupt upper strata organises to have one of his students smuggled out of the city after she’s accused of insurgency

he’s helped by maskad worker - those who are forcibly magically disfigured and made to wear masks, becoming the lowest strata - at the college, who’s able to guide the student to safety

but they catch the attention of powerful people, leading the two of them to be drawn together, developing a complicated friendship

[xomarzz]

nocturnal

sylus doing lovey things for his fiancée (mc)

~4.2k words, sylus x fem!reader, not proof-read, FLUFF, smut, just more so suggestive smut, they have sex but nothing crazy, loverboy sylus, sylus just really loves his fiancée, so he makes her tea and a bouquet, tiny angst if you squint, no identifying characteristics in this, it’s mostly sylus, but my fics are always written with a black reader in mind! minors and ageless blogs DO NOT INTERACT!

a/n: almost all the lads out of my system,,i had this sitting for a while but i needed to finish it as burnout prevention while im studyinggg for an important exam, i also think i hate writing smut but think i prefer suggestiveness in certain circumstances, so hopefully it’s fine here :P

sylus quietly slipped out of the california king-sized bed, careful not to disturb her. [name] lay asleep beneath the sheets, her face soft with dreams, serene, despite the world he inhabited. her breath came slow and steady, chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm that contrasted with the chaos he lived in.

his eyes lingered on her for a moment longer, something flickering in the depths of his gaze, something tender, almost unrecognizable compared to the sharpness he showed the rest of the world. the leader of onychinus, infamous for his ruthlessness, had spent countless nights awake in darkness, but tonight, he was the quiet observer, watching the woman he loved sleep, fiddling with the silver engagement ring encasing the garnet gemstone that matched his eyes, as [name] says.

with one last lingering glance, sylus stepped away, moving with stealth. the base was silent, save for the occasional creak of the floorboards beneath his weight. he moved through the house as if it were an extension of his own body, quiet, measured, and in control.

sylus first made his way into the kitchen, his movements fluid, almost second nature. there was no rush. time felt slow in the stillness of the house.

the kitchen was bathed in the soft glow of the full moon, streaming through the window above the sink.

he moved toward the counter with a purpose, his eyes flicking over the well-worn teakettle sitting on the stove. it was old, probably older than he was, but it was hers, something simple and comforting that had stayed with her over the years. he reached for it, fingers brushing against the cool metal, his touch gentle, almost reverent. there was a familiarity in this gesture, a comforting rhythm he had come to know well.

he filled the kettle with water, the sound of the faucet’s stream breaking the stillness of the room. his hands moved carefully, the stream running steadily as he watched the water flow. he didn’t need to rush this, she wasn’t awake yet.

once the kettle was filled, he set it down on the stove, the soft clink of its bottom against the metal burner echoing in the quiet room. his movements were precise, measured, as he adjusted the burner’s knob to a low flame. he didn’t want to boil the water too quickly-it needed to heat slowly, gently, like the careful way he loved her.

while the water heated, he turned his attention to the tea itself. he knew her preferences by heart, how she liked it, how much sweetness she needed, and the exact way to steep it for the perfect flavor. he walked over to the small cabinet where her tea tins were stored. the light from the window caught the dusty lids, each one a different color and shape, a quiet reflection of her tastes.

he reached for the tin of the tea she preferred, his fingers brushing over the smooth metal before he twisted the lid off. the fragrant aroma of dried leaves and spices instantly filled the air, the scent rich and warm. he inhaled deeply, humming, letting the earthy smell wash over him, there was something grounding about it, something undeniably her. he pulled out the small metal scoop from the tin, and, with a practiced hand, measured out exactly two teaspoons of the tea leaves.

he tilted the tin just slightly, the loose leaves falling with a soft rustling sound, settling into the small silver scoop. the aroma was stronger now, filling the kitchen with a comforting warmth. he placed the scoop carefully into the small ceramic tea infuser, his fingers brushing against the cool ceramic as he closed the lid of the infuser with a soft click.

by now, the kettle had started to hum faintly, a sign the water was warming. the sound was almost hypnotic. he paused, staring at the faint wisp of steam rising from the spout, taking a moment to simply watch the kettle.

he turned the knob on the stove just a little more, watching the steam begin to grow more pronounced, swirling in the air. when the steam began to curl more steadily from the kettle, he lifted it with ease, his hand steady as he held it to the teapot. the sound of the water pouring was soft, steady, a soothing rhythm in the quiet room. the stream of hot water hit the metal of the infuser gently, the tea leaves unfurling slowly in the heat. he tilted the kettle slightly, just enough to allow the water to flow with purpose, but without splashing.

he watched as the water began to darken, the deep amber hue of the tea seeping into the liquid, swirling in delicate, graceful movements. the leaves danced slowly inside the metal infuser, expanding and twisting as they released their flavor into the water. he let it steep, counting the seconds in his mind, measuring the perfect time. not too long, not too short. just enough for the tea to reach that ideal balance of flavor.

he set the kettle back on the stove, his fingers resting lightly on the ceramic handle as the steam rose once again. a small smile flickered at the corner of his lips, something almost tender in the way he watched the tea take shape. for all the power he held in his hands, this was where he felt the most grounded.

after a few minutes, when the color had deepened to the perfect shade, he lifted the infuser carefully from the teapot and set it aside, a small drip of water falling from the edge. the tea was now dark, smooth, and rich, exactly as she liked it.

next, he reached for the honey jar, another small ritual that had become second nature. he unscrewed the lid, his fingers gently curling around the smooth glass. the honey was thick and golden, its sweetness filling the air as he drizzled just the right amount into the tea, watching it swirl in the dark liquid like a river of gold.

he gave it a gentle stir with the small silver spoon, the metal softly scraping against the edges of the cup, the motion rhythmic, soothing. the honey dissolved effortlessly, leaving the tea a perfect shade of amber with a slight gleam to it, like sunlight on a calm sea.

finally, he reached for the milk, taking care as he poured it into the cup, watching the milk swirl into the tea, softening the color and creating a smooth, creamy texture.

he set the milk back down, and then, as the final step, he carefully placed the cup on the saucer, the porcelain making a soft, satisfying click as it rested against the smooth surface.

with the tea prepared, he glanced one more time toward the bedroom, where she still lay asleep. he didn’t need to wake her yet. he walked over to the table, setting the cup down.

he set the tea on the counter, then moved to the closet to carefully fold her clothes, arranging them in the drawers with a precision he’d learned over the years. his hands moved with the same care as he adjusted the throw on the couch, smoothing the fabric from their earlier presence.

he took one more glance at [name] and the [jewelry color] ring sat around her left ring finger. he couldn’t shake the need to do something more. something that felt like a declaration of his devotion, aside from the present engagement.

sylus paused at the door, glancing back once more toward the bedroom. the faintest sound of her snoring reached him. she was still asleep. without a sound, he turned the knob, stepping out into the cool night air.

the air outside was crisp, sharp with the bite of the night, as he stood by his motorcycle in the driveway. everyone but him unaware of the mission he was about to undertake. sylus adjusted his leather gloves, the cool leather creaking softly, and then his eyes turned toward the sleek black and red yamaha motorcycle parked just inches away, waiting for him.

the motorcycle was as much a part of him as his own skin. every line of the machine was built for precision, for speed. it was powerful, dark, and capable of slicing through the quiet night with ease.

he ran a hand along the cold metal, feeling its smooth curves under his touch. there was something almost sacred about these moments, something intimate about riding through the empty streets, alone, with nothing but the hum of the engine and the wind in his face.

with a swift motion, he threw a leg over the seat, settling himself behind the handlebars. the engine growled to life under his touch, and he revved it once just a low, threatening growl that vibrated in his chest.

the was no need for a helmet tonight, he would be out of the city for only a short while, but the sense of freedom was already taking over him. with a twist of the throttle, the motorcycle shot forward, and the streets of the city seemed to vanish behind him.

the rush of the wind against his face was invigorating, a sharp contrast to the stillness that had settled in the house only moments ago. the n-109 zone blurred into the background as he sped through the deserted streets. his focus was razor-sharp, but there was a feeling of exhilaration in his chest, a quiet thrill that came from the sheer speed. the hum of the motorcycle’s engine beneath him was his only companion, its growl a steady reminder that he was alive, in control, and on a mission.

the streets of the n-109 zone soon faded behind him, replaced by darkened highways stretching out like endless ribbons of black. the closer he got to the outskirts of town, to linkon, the quieter the roads became. the hum of his motorcycle was the only sound that filled the air, broken only by the occasional passing of headlights from an unseen car in the distance.

he shifted gears smoothly, his body in perfect sync with the machine. the bike leaned gently into each curve of the road, carving through the dark like it was part of him.

as the n-109 zone disappeared completely replaced by the darkness of the open road, he felt a calm settle over him. the only sounds now were the thrum of the engine, the wind rushing past his ears, and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures in the night.

eventually, the road took a sharp bend, and in the distance, he saw the silhouette of a small greenhouse nestled at the foot of a hill, its glass windows glowing softly under the moonlight. he slowed as he approached, the low growl of his engine reverberating against the stillness of the night.

the greenhouse was a secret place, known only to few the flowers he sought were not the typical blooms found in a shop, but delicate, exotic flowers that required special care. these were the kind of flowers that would be perfect for her-rare, beautiful, something that couldn’t be easily replicated.

he parked the motorcycle just outside the greenhouse, the faint screech of the kickstand breaking the night’s silence. stepping off the bike, he removed his gloves, his fingers grazing the cool metal of the handlebar one last time before he moved toward the greenhouse.

the door creaked softly as he pushed it open. the soft scent of flowers, earthy and sweet, filled his senses as he stepped inside. the greenhouse was dimly lit by hanging lanterns, casting an ethereal glow over the rows of plants, their petals glowing faintly in the soft light. it was a small world of quiet beauty, tucked away from the world. you’d love it, and he vowed he’d bring you here, one day.

the florist, an elderly man who rarely spoke, was already waiting for him. he didn’t ask questions, he never did. sylus wasn’t here for small talk, he was here for the flowers. the ones that would take his fiancée by surprise. the ones that would remind her that, no matter how dangerous his world was, there was always room for beauty.

sylus made his selection carefully, examining the blooms with the same precision and thoughtfulness he put into everything he did. each flower was chosen with a quiet reverence, like it was a treasure meant just for her. the colors, the texture, the softness of the petals, they all had to be perfect.

the old man carefully wrapped the flowers in brown paper, securing them with twine, and handed them over. no need for words. sylus nodded once, his hand brushing lightly against the flowers as he took them, feeling their delicate weight in his hands.

with the bouquet carefully secured, he made his way back to the motorcycle, his movements as smooth and deliberate as ever. he climbed back onto the bike, the flowers resting gently in the compartment behind him. the engine roared to life with a twist of the throttle, and he sped off into the night once more, heading back toward the city, the road ahead still open and endless.

the road stretched out before him, but now, he wasn’t just escaping into the night. no, he was racing back toward her. toward the place where, in the quiet of the early morning, he would leave a simple bouquet as a promise.

he parked the motorcycle just outside the door, the engine’s hum slowly fading into the quiet. as he approached the door, he moved with the utmost care, his footsteps soft on the wooden floors, he didn’t want to wake her. she needed her rest, and he was content with the silence between them. the n-109 zone might be filled with noise and chaos, but here, in this space, there was peace.

the bouquet was placed gently on the dining table, its fragrance filling the air, competing only with the soft glow of the moonlight streaming in from the window. he admired the way the light bathed the flowers in a soft, ethereal glow. perfect. just like her.

his hands moved with precision as he arranged the flowers, his fingers brushing lightly over the delicate petals. each bloom was positioned just so, every stem cut to the perfect length. his eyes were focused entirely on the task, the quiet sound of his breath mingling with the rustling of the petals as he worked. but his mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of her.

he thought of the way she would smile when she awoke, the warmth of her touch, the way her laughter filled the dark space like a melody. sage was his light in a world of shadows, her presence grounding him, steadying him.

he hummed as he set the last flower into place, ensuring the arrangement was perfect. his fingers hovered over the petals, smoothing them gently, making sure everything was aligned with the same precision he applied to every aspect of his life.

his eyes lingered on the arrangement for a moment longer, before returning to her sleeping form in his bed, bathed in the same gentle light from the window.

she was so peaceful, so beautiful, her chest still rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

he stood there for a long moment, simply watching her sleep, his heart beating steadily in the quiet of the night. a part of him wanted to stay, to be close to her, to allow her to wake up and see the flowers. but for now, he was content to leave her to her rest, the bouquet serving as his silent message to her.

with a final glance, his eyes softened, and he stepped back into the living room. his footsteps faded into the quiet night, leaving the bouquet as his only mark. he knew she would find it in the morning. she’d wake, and she would see the flowers. and in them, she would the love he gave her, wrapped in petals and leaves, as constant as the night itself.

the morning light seeped in through the blinds, its golden hue painting the room with a soft warmth. it felt different from the usual harsh light of daybreak, like the sun itself was coaxing her awake, rather than pulling her from the depths of sleep.

[name] stirred beneath the raven-colored covers, the familiar weight of the blankets feeling like a protective cocoon around her. her body moved in lazy stretches, muscles loosening after the quiet night. a soft yawn escaped her lips, her eyes fluttering open, still heavy with sleep. she let the moment stretch, disdaining having to leave the bed.

her gaze shifted toward the edge of the room, expecting to see the familiar, dark silhouette of sylus still sleeping beside her. but the bed was empty. she hadn’t heard him leave, and his side of the bed was cold, the sheets undisturbed except for the small imprint where he’d been. she didn’t feel alarmed, he was often, if not always, woke before her, slipping away quietly to start his night-day, a habit she had grown used to over time. but still, it was sometimes strange to wake up alone. especially without him alerting her beforehand.

for a moment, she just lay there, covering her entire body back with the large black comforter. the quiet of the room wrapped around her like a soft blanket, her mind still half-dreaming. her thoughts drifted, lingering on the odd feeling of absence before she shifted, her feet meeting the cool wood of the floor.

she stretched her legs, the muscles a little sore from the long hours spent in bed, but a smile tugged at her lips as she rose. she could hear nothing but the faint hum of the house, its vastness almost suffocating at times. their home, this enormous place that seemed to swallow up the sound of footsteps, was still and silent, like the world had forgotten it.

as she walked toward the kitchen, the floor beneath her feet creaked in protest, a familiar sound, and she paused for a moment to listen. the place felt hollow without his presence nearby, the distance between them almost tangible despite the house’s overwhelming size.

it was then, as she rounded the corner into the kitchen, that she saw the flowers. a small, delicate arrangement sat on the dining table beneath the window, next to a pitcher of chamomile tea, bathed in the soft light of the early morning. her breath caught in her throat, and she blinked, momentarily confused. the flowers hadn’t been there the night before.

she moved closer, her bare feet padding softly across the cool, dark wood, the air around her smelling faintly of floral sweetness. each bloom was carefully arranged, and the bright, vibrant colors stood out vividly against the simple backdrop of the dark table. she could feel her pulse quicken, a sense of warmth rushing over her.

she reached out, her fingers brushing against the delicate petals. she hadn’t needed to see him to know he had been here. the arrangement, the quiet care with which it had been placed, spoke volumes.

her fingers gently lifted the small card tucked among the flowers, and her heart fluttered again as she read the simple words:

“for my kitten”

she smiled a soft smile, she had left so much behind when she had come to him, her old life, including the hunter’s association which she had once been loyal to.

and here she was now, standing in the onychinus base, her fingers brushing the soft petals of the flowers she’d received from the most dangerous man around, a silent reminder that despite the dangers of the world, despite the chaos and darkness that came with it, he was here with her always.

a final glance at the bouquet, and she exhaled softly, a feeling of peace washing over her.

her mind wandered back over the past few weeks, no, months. she let herself drift through the memories, each one unfolding slowly in her mind like a delicate scroll as she fiddled with the [jewelry color] ring.

the door creaked open later into the morning, and just like that, he was there. she didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. his presence filled the room, solid and unwavering.

he didn’t speak at first. he simply stood in the doorway, watching her with those intense crimson eyes of his. those eyes softened as they met hers, and she felt the pulse of something shift in the air between them.

a smile tugged at the corner of her lips, and her heart fluttered in response to his gaze. "i love them," she said softly, her voice warm, filled with affection that flowed between them like an unspoken bond.

his gaze deepened, that sharpness in his eyes mixing with something softer, something more vulnerable. he closed the door behind him with a soft click, the sound of it final, sealing them in this moment. then, with deliberate quietness, he stepped forward, his movements fluid, pulling him closer to her.

as he approached, he reached out, his hand brushing against hers, intertwining their fingers. the contact sent a shiver down her spine.

"you know, you deserve so much more than just flowers," he murmured, his voice low and rough, brushing against her.

he said it like he meant it, like he had a thousand things he wanted to give her, none of them wrapped in paper or tied with a bow. just him, all of him.

the space between them disappeared. the air growing thick, almost too much to breathe, but neither of them pulled away. his hand caressed her jaw, tilting her face to meet his, and the way he looked at her made her knees soften, her heart stutter.

when he kissed her, it wasn’t a question. it was a claim. soft at first, yes, but only because he was savoring her. like he’d waited long enough, and now that he had her, he refused to rush. his lips moved against hers with slow heat, coaxing her open, drawing her in until her hands found his shoulders, anchoring herself to him like she might float away.

the kiss deepened, his tongue brushing against hers, and the sound she made was small and involuntary intimate. he swallowed it with a groan that vibrated through his, and her, chest.

their bodies aligned like puzzle pieces rediscovering one another, every curve and plane syncing with ease. his hands roamed with purpose, sliding down her sides, over the swell of her hips, thumbs teasing the edge of her waistband. there was something reverend in his touch, like he was worshipping her with his fingertips. beneath the tenderness was heat and need, restrained only by his respect for her…barely.

clothes became an afterthought, peeled away with kisses and soft gasps, discarded between hungry touches and whispered affirmations.

his hands were big, veined and warm, mapping her body like he was memorizing her all over again, like each inch of skin was sacred. she arched into his palms, into his mouth, into the weight of him pressing her down just enough to feel owned, not overpowered.

he took his time. there was no rush, only indulgence.

her body moved beneath his in the kitchen like it had been waiting for this. the way his fingers traced her inner thigh. the way his mouth traveled the line of her collarbone, slow, open-mouthed kisses leaving fire in their path. the way he moaned her name like it was the only word that ever mattered.

and when he finally slid his thick length into her slowly, with a groan muffled into her shoulder, it felt like something inside her cracked open. she gasped, clinging to him, as they both stilled for a moment, foreheads pressed together, breath mingling.

after a nod of reassurance from [name], sylus slid the rest of himself into her hole. they moved together, finding rhythm and intention. every thrust, every soft bite was a confession.

every whisper,

“yes”

“don’t stop”

“god, you feel so good”

she gave herself to him fully, not just her body, but her trust, her love, her vulnerability. and he received it like he’d been waiting a lifetime to be worthy of it.

his hand cradled her face even as his hips moved with a strength that made her tremble. he kissed her through her moans. he whispered things he’d never said to anyone else.

she cried out his name, as she unraveled, clinging to him as he followed, shuddering with a breathless groan that spilled against her lips.

in the quiet aftermath, her bare skin draped over his chest, one leg hooked around his, her fingers tracing lazy spirals along the lines of muscles. his arm held her tight, grounding her like gravity. the only light came from the afternoon sun spilling in through the windows, casting them in a golden glow.

his eyes lingered on her face as if trying to remember every detail for the rest of his life.

“i’ve got you,” he whispered, voice rough and honest, a sigh, as if he almost didn’t believe it himself.

she chuckled, smiling against his skin. “i know.”

and in that moment, he closed his eyes, his heart full, knowing that whatever the future held, they would face it together.

~gg ♡

[the-kingshound]

I've had this IF saved for so long and only just got to read it. And BOY OH BOY am I glad I finally did. It's so great, from the customization options for my MC, to the well-balanced reactions from all of the characters, it just FEELS right. It feels alive. Thank you for putting in so much hard work, from having the idea, to planning, to writing, to making this available for us FOR FREE??? Thank you so much. You deserve the entire world.

(queue the nonsensical rambles about my thoughts on MC/the story/the ROs)

I'm so pleasantly surprised by Arthur and his behaviour. I love how warm and thoughtful he his, how composed he manages to be, and how he shows those around him how they are important. I'm definitely a romantic at heart and couldn't help but have my MC slowly melting at some of the interactions.

That said, I'm also a HUGE poly enjoyer and after reading I RAN to your tumblr to see if we'd have poly routes available. AND OMG I COULD KISS YOU RN, thank youuuuu so much for making it clear we will have poly routes in the future. Poly rep is something I care for so much, and I love how you've specifically mentioned that it isn't something exclusively sexual. All of those involved in the relationship will have a deep emotional connection, and I LOVE ITTTTTT. I would hate a "reverse harem" thing where we're the center of the relationship, instead of everyone loving each other.

I could connect on some level to every RO, but Arthur takes the cake so far, mostly because he's the one I had the most exposition on. Let's see how I'll feel after some more updates.

Sorry for asking, if this puts too much pressure on you PLS ignore, but how's the update coming along? If I'm not mistaken, the last one came in January, right? Don't pressure yourself and take your time so you can fulfill your vision for the novel. I'm positive all of your readers will wait excitedly for when you're ready for an update <3

I'm being repetitive but THANK YOU for creating this!!

I've had a rough day with uni exams and you sending this made my evening so much brighter❤️ I am so very happy you find it alive and you enjoy the characters, even MC and the choices. Truly it means a lot to read this.

Arthur was designed from the start to be a warm character in contrast to most of the characters I see in media, and since you are new to the blog you won't know this but in the next update Arthur will be made gender selectable (if you or anyone is interested). They are maybe the character closest to me, and I am always glad to see people appreciating them specifically for their compassion because it's not something all readers do. The polys had to be there, simply because as you saw the ROs already care for each other and have the potential for a much deeper bond - not sexual but emotional because yes, at the end isn't that what makes a good route? I haven't yet decided on which specific poly I will do but for sure two or three at least will be implemented.

I will very honestly say that I have very little written for the next update. My life has been busy since I started university again, and also due to my minor health problems this year the game has been put in the back. However, I plan to release a short update as soon as I can to implement some small changed in the lore + Arthur gender selectable + making Mordred younger. After that, I will focus on chapter 3 exclusively. Fortunately, or not, I tend to binge write updates in the span of some weeks so I can't really give you an estimate, I'm very sorry!

Thank you again, though, this really made my whole day better

[mneiai]

I don't know anyone asked it yet, But Motonari and Silvio for the ask game

Thanks!! <3

Send me an Ikemen Character* and I'll reply with:

Motonari:

My first impression of them: I really liked the look of them and I'm a villain fan so I was interested in knowing more, but was kinda eh about how he often seems to be like Kicho's lackey as the only darker skinned LI.

How I like their design: I love his design, I love the contrast of his hair and skintone, I love that he actually is darker skinned (darker skinned indigenous people in what is now Japan do exist, the colorism in the culture generally just makes it rarer to see them represented), I love his outfits which aren't normally in colors I like but somehow look so pretty on him. It's just stellar design all around, really pissed they haven't tried to recapture it in later games.

What I like best about them: I like when he gets to be the most clever guy in the room (he's the God of Deception!), I love how he and Mitsuhide play off of each other, too, like damn two of the hottest characters in the game with such delicious tension.

What I like least about them: The fact he's another villain who is RIGHT but is treated like some radical extremist who has to be wrong. The Ainu, for example, were colonized by THE TOKUGAWA SHOGUNATE, aka the thing Ieyasu started that came about because of Nobunaga's unification that he and Hideyoshi continued, and were raped/kidnapped/murdered/etc. as one expects from a colonial power against a different ethnic group. While I think unification is necessary in their era to stand against foreign powers, the fact he thinks it's going to devolve into the people in power taking advantage of others is CORRECT, it's just that ikesen Nobunaga is alive and actually probably the only person who could be trusted to rule and trying to kill him will just make everything worse.

If I've done their route, what I thought about it: I'm on his route right now and I'm enjoying it for the most part. It's never really comfortable when we get the LI "owning" the MC (or vice versa), but it's not too bad in this one because it's more like an excuse to keep them together ala Shakespeare's route (though, I've just finished chapter 5 so I could be disappointed). I saw people complaining about how "suddenly" he seems to get into the MC at the very end, and obviously I haven't read his POV chapters so I don't know what he's actually thinking, but I read the gacha story and from what I've seen now I feel like he starts getting into her pretty early on so I'm not sure where that impression comes from.

Who I do or could ship them with: Kicho, obviously, and Mitsuhide (those goddamn cousins have such appeal), Nobunaga I think would be great especially given that Nobunaga wants to go sail the world and all. I could see him with a dark version of Kenshin, as well.

My latest impression of them: I mean, I like him even more and am even more frustrated now that I know his motivations and concerns. I'm bracing for his tragic backstory (which I've had hints of) and really looking forward to seeing what the rest of the route is like. I'm also hoping ikesen EN can hold on for the new app and the next Act because I desperately want to see him interacting with the new guys.

Silvio is here

*For ikesen, ikevamp, ikepri, or ikevil

[aphantomr]

@hunxi-after-hours asked for 水仙 recs, I was surprised by how few I've read, and now I'm thinking about what I classify as having 水仙 vibes and why they don't meet the criteria for being a 水仙 story.

Proposal: platonic ideal of 水仙文 is a character study that is also a romance about learning to love yourself.

马甲文 (subcategory: alternate identities have physical forms and some degree of independence, not necessarily completely 独立) deviate from this ideal in a few directions: usually more plot-driven than character-driven, the plot is not usually romance, the character study aspect is diluted by the 马甲 staying 'in character' instead of being like the main body. Also, aesthetically, they have different physical forms and there are often more than two of them.

Similarities, or the core of the wish-fulfillment thing that I look for when I read either of these: [love yourself]. To have someone who knows you and loves you and supports you absolutely, because they are you. To not have even the possibility of fearing that they will betray you or abandon you or misunderstand you, because humans may be selfish but even selfishness points towards this; there can be no more fundamental motive than wanting yourself to thrive. (And sometimes the main character has to grow into it, but that's just good contrast.)

Thought for consideration: there have certainly been love interests who have this kind of single-minded obsession with the main character, but the dynamic there feels very different to me.

Under the cut are some webnovels I've finished that match some of the above aspects.

Filtering works I've finished on 水仙 vibes that don't qualify as 水仙: (note: this is more analysis than recommendation. As context for recommendations, I warn that I am very tolerant of bad plot, slow pacing, brainless worldbuilding, and clumsy characterization, though not all at once. My Chinese is not the best, so I don't catch style very well. My only hard demands are that I can see that the author is trying to tell a story, and that the grammar is not unbearable. Nevertheless, I have finished these, so there is some filter.) These are all on 晋江.

《重生之出魔入佛》 by 柳明暗: almost 3 million characters long, very calmly paced. I wouldn't recommend reading this for 水仙 reasons, but the main character does split himself in three and they bicker frequently, for a definition of frequent relative to the story length. 魔, 佛, guy in the driver's seat. All of them are him, and consequently none of them are "good guys". Imagine trying to get out of doing chores when your opponents are also you, and you'll have the right idea.

《这个直播我承包了》 by 白昼粥白: shy, anxious high school girl gains confidence in herself and saves the world with the help of her imaginary friends/stuffed animals/character personas. Not a romance, no separate body interacting with MC, but pretty heavy on the [love yourself] theme. The dynamic is kind of like Calvin and Hobbes, if Calvin was a bullied teenager.

《全球升格》 by 子木桃: the 马甲 stay in character when they're independent, but they do like main body MC romantically. I find the jealous possessiveness obnoxious, but it isn't the main plot. There is unconditional support -- it is helpful, when you're trying to save the world, for the organization you're leading to exist only at your whim.

《全世界都以为我和我马甲是一对》 by 四海孤舟: I haven't finished reading this one, but the outside POV shipping is strong. The plot creates many coincidences and misunderstandings caused by trying to save the squishy main body. I don't remember how independent the 马甲 are, but it's classified as 无CP so I'm guessing the internal experience of romance is not strong in this one.

《大佬都是我马甲》 by 岁既晏兮: like above, the romance is mainly outside POV misunderstanding what motivation someone could have for doing so much for someone else. I don't remember what the main character or her 马甲 were thinking.

The author 施釉 has a category of finished works called 【完结1-我与我周旋久，宁作我】, of which I have read 《反派她每个马甲都是正道之光》 and 《如何扮演四个美强惨》: all the 马甲 really like the main body MC, so if you're here for cuddles and supporting the MC you'll get that, with romantic undertones. There is an attempt to blend the 马甲 being in character and being recognizably the MC at the same time. I have to say, though, that the author’s writing is hard to parse in a way I can't quite put my finger on; something about sentence structure that isn't grammatically correct? Confusing scene transitions? My fluctuating Chinese skills? More than one of the above? Also, the story logic isn't the best and it is a bit gratuitous with outside POV of the MC "suffering", but it's junk food that I really like the flavor of.

Concluding thoughts: common to all these is that the MC has a goal and the 马甲/other selves have no higher goal in life than helping them. 马甲 dilutes the 水仙 vibes because jackets are different characters and so less of the MC's self, but there's still the intimacy of knowing each other more perfectly than any two people ever can (since memory/ knowledge is often transferred). 马甲文的爽点 being the dramatic irony in outside POVs combines interestingly with 水仙 motivation of loving yourself.

[rstarsims3]

Get to know you - Sims Style

Thank your for tagging me, @daniel-fortesque & @bast-sims

What’s your favorite Sims death?

None (hate it when it happens); the most frequent one in my gameplays is the old age one.

Alpha CC or Maxis Match?   A mix between the two, it depends how well the CC matches the game's art style.

Do you cheat your sims weight? Not really; what I cheat is how muscular my female sims are as I play a lot the Acrobat career in TS3 Showtime and my girls bulk up too fast and too much.

Do you move objects? Ever since I learned about this particular (and very useful) cheat, yes.

Favorite Mod? Most of the Nraas mods, all of @thesweetsimmer111 fabulous baby/toddler mods and also small ones to correct some stuff in the game (like No Mascot Camera Zoom, No Autonomous Gaming, Autonomous Wash Hands After Toilet Use, Zoom-In CaS Camera, etc)

First Expansion/Game Pack/Stuff Pack? World Adventures.

Do you pronounce live mode like aLIVE or LIVing?   aLIVE  

Who’s your favorite sim that you’ve made? A lot of them, for different reasons.

Selena Noble - a ballerina (now an acrobat) with no moral compass. But I think she's cute so she's my muse for the balletcore collection.

Lin Young - my fearless adventurer.

Riley Preston - my talented artist.

Hope London - my dedicated gardener.

These three: Mel Hada, Ren Akiba & Jace White (aka Yasu Sato). They are the MCs from "Uncertainty".

I don't have pics of them right now, but I also have to mention: Sasha Azarov, Daichi & Rei Sato, Ayanna Sato, Sebastian DeLuca.

Have you made a simself? The first sim I ever made was a simself. It did not go well.

Which is your favorite EA hair color? None; since it's TS3 I mix them according to my characters.

Favorite EA hair? Not really using the EA hairs usually, but I'd choose the Playful Updo from Late Night.

Favorite life stage? I play a lot the YA & A life stages, but also enjoy all the other ones.

Are you a builder or are you in it for the gameplay?  I'm in for everything the game has to offer: gameplay, building, CAW, CC creation.

Are you a CC creator? Yup.

Do you have any Simblr friends or a Sim Squad? I wouldn't say a squad, but I do have people here that I admire and like to interact with.

Do you have any sims merch? Nope.

Do you have a  YouTube for sims? Yes (as I'm an ex-machinima creator), but these days I'm only using it when I have animations to share.

How has your “Sims style” changed throughout your years of playing? In every possible way. I put a lot more thought into my builds (and worlds), my sims no longer look like aliens (I used to make them have these big anime eyes) and my gameplays are more wish-based than ever.

Who’s your favorite CC creator? So many of them since I'm a big CC hoarder. As Daniel said, everyone who brings something to this game is a champion and deserves accolades.

But to mention only a few, I'd say @simtanico for their high quality items, @enable--llamas for the awesome furniture, ArtVitalex & Onyxium over at TSR who both still create furniture for TS3, Bill-Sims also at TSR, @sim-songs here on Tumblr for their conversions, @technicallyswagpizza for their amazing plants (and tutorials that taught me a lot), @yorithesims and @bmit04 for poses; @maryjanesims3 & @agnelid for hair default replacements, and so many more. Sorry, I can't remember everyone right now.

How long have you had Simblr? Since January 2019.

How do you edit your pictures? For more aesthetic pics I use Reshade and PS (although I don't remember ever posting these types of pics), but I usually just slightly adjust the brightness, contrast, saturation and exposure in PS as I love the TS3's default art style (I'm just spicing it up a little).

What expansion/ gamepack is your favorite? Kinda all of the expansion packs?! Mainly Seasons, World Adventures, Late Night, Island Paradise, Generations. Also love all the functional store content and worlds.

Tagging:  @technicallyswagpizza @chojrak-making-things @agnelid @murfeelee @simtanico @puffkins2000 @yorithesims @enable–llamas @solori @pudding-parade @faerielandsims @jazzysimlife @tiaamorosa @lordressdragoonbear @thesweetsimmer111 @bmit04 @maryjanesims3 @nornities

Feel free to ignore if not interested or have done this before! 😁😘

[draco-senpai]

Hewwo stalked u to Tumblr to ask what made you wanna create Clarke? And what's your favorite scene you've written so far

I’m so glad you did! I’m always thrilled to answer questions!!

Clarke was created in parallel of playing my first playthrough of HL. My MC was not Clarke. I started writing him soon after the “In the Shadow of the Undercroft” mission, and I knew it would be hard to actually play the game with the experience I would want for Clarke. And yes, I made Clarke deaf for the specific comparison/contrast of Ominis’ blindness. Ominis was my obsession as soon as I met him in the Slytherin common room. I wanted a character that specifically amplified the whole discussion about how disability is treated in the Wizarding World! And on a personal level, I love both deaf and blind stories, but I haven’t necessarily seen them interacting with each other. To See Without Sound is my take on that kind of story.

Now for my favorite scene so far… I’ll give you two answers, ha! In everything that’s published, I would say my favorite scene is chapter 5: Apologies and Broomsticks! The entire scene with Clarke and Ominis on the broom was exactly the kind of wholesome stuff I wanted to write with these two! However, out of everything that I’ve written (but haven’t yet published)… I must admit my most favorite scene is my retelling of the Scriptorium quest (coming in around 3 chapters 😉). I loved embellishing on the emotional impact of the strain put on the characters in that quest line, and it really begins a lot of the story’s main conflict within the friend group. So! Here’s to an exciting scene to look forward to. ✨

And feel free to ask more questions about my work! Answering them would be my honor.

[otome-com]

Star-Crossed Rivals? Sylus and Caleb Relationship in Love and Deepspace

In the world of Love and Deepspace, fans are eagerly waiting to see the potential interactions between two of the most captivating characters: Sylus and Caleb. Their contrasting personalities and roles have sparked numerous theories and excitement within the community. As the narrative unfolds, the possibility of these two crossing paths has become a topic of great interest. This article explores the buzz surrounding their meeting, analyzing their characteristics, and delving into what fans can expect from their potential encounter.

Sylus and Caleb

Contrasting Personalities

Sylus and Caleb are two distinct figures in the Love and Deepspace universe, each with their own set of traits that make them stand out. Sylus is known as the confident leader of a criminal organization, exuding power and authority. His charismatic nature and sharp wit have made him a favorite among fans. On the other hand, Caleb presents a different kind of strong presence. As a skilled mercenary, he embodies independence and resilience. The contrast between Sylus's commanding presence and Caleb's steadfast determination creates a fascinating dynamic.

Sylus accepts a container. Their roles are on opposite ends of the spectrum, with Sylus operating from the shadows, pulling strings behind the scenes, while Caleb is more of a front-line operative, engaging directly with challenges. This duality sets the stage for a potential encounter filled with tension and intrigue. Fans are particularly interested in how their strong personalities will clash or complement each other when they finally meet. Moreover, both characters share a common trait of unwavering confidence, yet neither seems likely to be intimidated by the other. This potential meeting is anticipated to be a battle of wits and strength, with each character bringing their unique skills to the table. The possibilities for their interaction are endless, sparking much excitement within the community.

Caleb rests his chin on his hand inside a dimly lit room, wearing formal clothes.

The MC’s Dilemma

In the midst of these two powerful figures stands the Main Character (MC), who often finds themselves caught between Sylus and Caleb. The MC's relationships with both characters add layers of complexity to the narrative. On one hand, there's Sylus's authoritative charm, and on the other, Caleb's protective strength. This dilemma creates a compelling storyline that keeps players deeply invested. Fans speculate on how the MC will navigate the tensions between Sylus and Caleb. Will the MC be able to mediate their differences, or will they be forced to choose sides? The potential for romantic entanglements, power struggles, and alliances makes the anticipated meeting even more exciting. The interactions could also lead to unexpected alliances or rivalries, not just between Sylus and Caleb, but involving other characters like Zayne and Rafayel. The MC's choices may significantly impact the dynamics within the group, influencing the direction of the story.

MC and Caleb are holding an apple together.

Strengths and Personalities

Sylus: The Leader

Sylus is often depicted as the enigmatic leader with a strategic mind. His role as the head of a criminal organization gives him a certain edge, making him a formidable character in Love and Deepspace. His ability to remain calm under pressure and his sharp intellect make him a character that others respect and sometimes fear. Fans appreciate his charisma and the depth of his character development.

Sylus stands marked by dark veins and scars gazing ahead. His interactions with the MC are often charged with tension and intrigue. Sylus's willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, coupled with his complex moral code, adds layers to his personality. This complexity makes him a central figure whose actions significantly impact the storyline. Many are curious about how Sylus will react when faced with someone like Caleb, who might challenge his authority or way of doing things. The potential for a power struggle or mutual respect between them is an exciting prospect for fans. - Strategic thinker - Charismatic leader - Influential in the underworld - Complex moral code

Sylus interactions.

Caleb: The Mercenary

Caleb stands out as a character who is grounded and resilient. As a mercenary, he has faced numerous challenges that have shaped him into a strong and independent individual. His practical approach to problems and protective nature make him a reliable ally. Fans are drawn to his strength and the sense of security he provides.

Caleb stares forward intently. Caleb's relationship with the MC is characterized by his genuine care and dedication. His straightforwardness contrasts with Sylus's more ambiguous nature, offering a different dynamic in the story. This contrast is part of what makes the anticipation of their meeting so compelling. There is much speculation about how Caleb will perceive Sylus. Will he see him as a threat, a rival, or perhaps an unlikely ally? Caleb's strong sense of justice and moral code may put him at odds with Sylus, leading to intense interactions. - Strong sense of justice - Protective of allies - Highly skilled in combat - Independent and resilient

Caleb interactions.

The Community’s Reactions and Expectations

Fan Theories and Speculations

The Love and Deepspace community is buzzing with theories about how Sylus and Caleb's encounter might unfold. Some fans believe that their meeting could lead to an epic rivalry, while others hope for an unexpected alliance. The contrast in their backgrounds and personalities fuels these speculations, making the wait even more exciting. Many fans are considering potential scenarios such as the two characters engaging in a fierce battle, forming a strategic partnership, or even developing mutual respect after initial conflicts. Creativity abounds as enthusiasts produce fan art, stories, and more to express their enthusiasm and predictions. A popular theory is that the MC might be the key to bringing Sylus and Caleb together, either as allies or as rivals vying for the MC's attention. This triangle adds depth to the story and offers numerous possibilities for character development.

Community Engagement

The anticipation has led to increased engagement within the community. Fans are actively participating in forums, sharing their thoughts and excitement. The discussions not only highlight the popularity of these characters but also showcase the creativity and passion of the fanbase. Content creators are contributing by producing videos, artwork, and even hosting live streams to talk about Sylus and Caleb. This collective enthusiasm enhances the overall experience of the game, bringing fans closer together. The developers have also taken notice of the community's interest, potentially influencing future updates or storylines. The strong support for these characters highlights the importance of audience engagement in shaping the game's direction.

The Potential Impact on the Storyline

Possible Story Developments

The meeting of Sylus and Caleb could significantly alter the course of the narrative. Depending on how their relationship unfolds, we could see shifts in alliances, power dynamics, and character arcs. This encounter offers an opportunity to explore deeper themes within the game. If they become rivals, the storyline might focus on conflict and competition, adding tension and excitement. Alternatively, if they choose to collaborate, their combined strengths could lead to unexpected victories against common adversaries. The MC's involvement could further complicate matters, especially if both Sylus and Caleb have a vested interest in the MC. This could lead to personal conflicts intertwined with larger plot developments.

Implications for Other Characters

The interactions between Sylus and Caleb might also affect other characters such as Zayne, Rafayel, and Xavier. Alliances could shift, and new rivalries might emerge. This ripple effect can enrich the storyline by adding complexity to character relationships. Characters who were once allies might find themselves at odds due to the influence of Sylus and Caleb's relationship. Conversely, former adversaries might unite against a common threat, showcasing the dynamic nature of the game's narrative. These developments can provide players with fresh experiences and choices, enhancing replayability and engagement. The depth added to the story ensures that the game remains captivating for both new and returning players.

Conclusion

The potential meeting between Sylus and Caleb in Love and Deepspace is a source of great excitement and speculation among fans. Their contrasting personalities, the implications for the MC, and the possible impact on the storyline make this anticipated encounter a highlight of the game. As we await future updates, the community continues to engage passionately, showcasing the strong connection players have with these characters.

Caleb bathed in warm sunlight, wearing a casual jacket. Read the full article

[friedricebunny]

ranking the things i remember about sequel 6 in how much i think about them in contrast to the other sequel stories/liar stories in general

one: johnny and his boyfriend (the fat "mama's boy" who acts as "indicator" for mc to look out for in 1st liar) being taken seriously as characters for once???

like these two (johnny's boyfriend more so) are usually just complete gag characters and the fact that johnny even started dating him is meant to be a gag as well because of how absurd it must've been to the writers that johnny was dating this guy you were assuming would just be a throwaway character (but somehow there are so many characters in liar where they really just aren't throwaways which is just something I'm realizing now abruptly), especially since this guy is meant to be like an "example" of a blatantly undateable character as opposed to the more subtly undateable guys at least in voltage's eyes.

(there's also probably something to say about how the intended humor of their relationship might come from the fact that it's a gay relationship and neither johnny nor his boyfriend are really conventionally attractive but my memory on that is way blurrier)

but then sequel 6 comes around and suddenly their relationship is like actually meaningful to the story?? and when johnny breaks up with his boyfriend, his boyfriend actually wants to change as a person and shows genuine love for johnny?? and when he professes this to the guys and MC, the guys give him actual genuine advice (which was kinda thinly veiled advice for themselves but still).

and admittedly there's a little bit of a gag at the end where johnny secretly tells mc "well honestly i just broke up with him because he was too much of a mama's boy" but OVERALL, their story in sequel 6 was really heartwarming and i just remember reading this sequel and going "??? am i reading liar uncover the truth right now" because in what world would i expect voltage inc to take this gag relationship somewhat seriously.

two: guy interaction

okay i'll admit i made this post mainly for the point about johnny and his boyfriend because it genuinely baffles me how voltage actually started writing them seriously BUT another thing i always remember about this sequel is the guys like. actually interacting???

one of my fave things about liar is that it lets the guys actually interact with each other, but i'm used to seeing interactions in side files that really don't come up much or 10 guy events where the premise is absurd and pretty much not canon.

so like reading sequel 6 and seeing the guys (at least of that sequel) casually interact with each other as they're helping mc solve this case is genuinely surprising. but it was really good (exhibit a: that one mock trial about the shower, that was so funny)

three: stage structure

this is such a small thing in comparison to the other two, but most sequel stories are just prologue -> one "stage" that acts as the common story -> guy routes (excluding sequel 5 which is more of a ten guy event structure) but imagine my surprise when i reach sequel 6 and it's got TWO stages. this impacts nothing other than maybe helping the pacing a bit

anyways uhhhh tl;dr sequel 6 is different vs. most other liar stories but that's why it's probably my favorite sequel that doesn't include haruichi

i will never stop thinking about how out of place sequel 6 is in comparison to the other sequel stories or even really most liar stories in general (and i mean that in a good way)

[mazeinthemiroh]

hi! could i request a txt reaction or head-canons about the with an s/o who’s also a popular idol? please and thank you 😊

txt with a s/o who is an idol

genre: general, idol! reader

word count: 0.4k

warnings: none

pls like and reblog if you enjoy! feel free to request anything <3

soobin

so you'd both have a lot of shipping scandals, right fog the bat. idk it's soobin, he gets shipped withe everyone. and this all started when you both were MCs, like. most things do ig 🤷 so he's a bit worried with regards to being in close proximity with you in the public eye because if he makes one mistake, one slip-up, then the secrets out. but you're both professionals and have learned how to deal with your relationship, and likely last a long time in your secret relationship with each other, despite fan speculations.

yeonjun

to contrast the points made in soobin's, yeonjun would likely not care if that secret about him dating you came to light, mainly because he doesn't care. while soobin values privacy, yeonjun would rather just be honest with the fans and embrace your relationship with no secrets. he mentions you in his lives (and might even bring you on a live if you would like) and he interacts with you openly at award ceremonies. he's an open book, what can i say! he'll do whatever he wants.

beomgyu

beomgyu makes everything into a competition lmfao so he would want to out-do you. you're better at him than rapping? he takes extra rap lessons. you can reach a high note that he can't? he practices trying to reach hat note. he feels both of you help each other to improve in this way. overall, you both have mutual respect for each other. he can't help but watch you in awe when you perform and he just wants to rush up on the stage and hug you so tight.

taehyun

having an idol as an s/o would be good for him. it makes him look forward to award ceremonies, in which he would usually dread before. now, he looks forward to them because he gets to see you perform with your group. there was one particul time where the cameraman has panned over to him during your performance and exposed him for gawking at you, much to the other idols' amusement! the other members definitely did not let him live that down.

hueningkai

hueningkai loves the fact that your an idol, honestly. he feels like two of his worlds have collided beautifully together for him. he feels like he can relate to you on a work level whilst also being casual and relaxed with you. having someone who understands his work problems and the ins and outs of what he is dealing with is very important to him, so he finds great value in having you as his partner.

[natasha-in-space]

So. Warriors AU for Saeyoung and his MC.

*pulls up a chair* 😻

Ohohoho, you have come to the right place for that particular brainrot! I had my own warrior cats au for mm for several years now, I just never really shared it 'cause it's super self-indulgent and I suck at writing cats interacting with each other organically. So! Gonna share the basics of my storyline, and how it could go, as well as introduce you to our lovable cast in their kitty forms.

I honestly see the story playing out similarly to the very first arc of warriors cats, as in, mc is an outsider that gets thrust into the clanlife and has to figure themselves out as they adjust to this change. It also allows for the reader to really immerse themselves into the story without feeling confused since you're experiencing this new world together with the protagonist! If we're talking romance with Saeyoung-kitty, a kittypet mc is a very neat idea! It gives a very fun contrast to these two as they slowly get to know each other throughout the story. Saeyoung had a rough life... the scars on his fluffy red pelt are a good proof of that. But mc? They've lived their entire life up until this point being loved and pampered by their two-legs. Still, they've always dreamed of something more... like a prophesy they had to fulfill. And the kindness their two-legs have given them became the reason behind mc's determination to see good in every cat they meet.

Similarly to the casual story in mm, mc gets lured into the forest by a mysterious white tomcat... promising them a life of excitement and adventure. But, as they walk further and further into the dense forest, it becomes harder and harder to make out their surroundings, and it doesn't take long for the unknown cat to seemingly disappear into the darkness like a ghost (which is rather impressive considering his white pelt). Mc is left scared and lost, surrounded by unfamiliar scents and sounds. It's hard to know your way around the forest! Warrior apprentices take moons to learn that skill. They stumble through the forest underbrush, meowing for the white tomcat to come back, but oh no! It looks like they stumbled right into a fox den! It's a good thing their horrified yowl attracts the attention of the nearby patrol. A flash of red flashes before mc's eyes and suddenly there's another cat! They throw themselves fiercely at the fox, clawing at its muzzle until it gives up and scatters away, yapping and tucking its tail in between its legs. And wouldn't you know, that's none other than Saeyoung! Long story short, that's how mc ends up in Sunclan (RFA). While it's rare to accept a kittypet into a clan... they do need more warriors in their ranks to keep themselves safe and fed. Besides, it seems like their leader is rather adamant on mc becoming their newest member. I wonder why...?

With that small intro into the story out of the way, here is our entire gang and their respective descriptions! I already have saved up cats I use for them in clangen, so I will use them as an example of their appearance. If any of you are interested in playing with your own warriors cats clans, check out an amazing fanmade game project by @/officialclangen!

Saeyoung:

Saeyoung is the deputy of Sunclan named Swiftclaw, honoring his high skill in battle and his deep loyalty to his clan. Oddly enough, while every cat in the clan respects him deeply, he doesn't seem that eager to become leader one day. In fact, he tends to keep a very low profile at gatherings, sitting tucked away in the shadows and grooming his pelt, as if he's trying to hide his appearance from other cats as much as possible. Rumors say that the only reason Swiftclaw has become deputy of Sunclan in the first place is because of a grave secret he and his leader share. What is that secret, you may ask? Who knows. Swiftclaw is a mysterious cat without any known blood relatives, although he considers his leader to be his adoptive father.

Yoosung:

Yoosung is a young medicine cat named Cloverberry after his boundless energy and willingness to help every cat in need. He had to become a full medicine cat without fully completing his training once his former mentor, who had also been his beloved cousin, mysteriously disappeared. Cloverberry is a bit clumsy on his paws, but he is determined to keep his clan safe and healthy. It's what his mentor would have wanted for them... So, despite his grudge against their apathetic leader, he does his best to honor his mentor's legacy and tend to every cat in need with all the care they deserve. He's one of the first cats to fully accept mc into the clan and he's eager to help them adjust, as well as teach them about the nature of Starclan.

Zen:

Zen is a beautiful tomcat named Echoblossom, honoring his charisma and determination. He's a well-trained warrior who has joined Sunclan after escaping from his cruel two-legs in his former home. Despite being a kittypet, his skills in hunting and battle are undeniable and he has earned himself a respectable reputation both among his classmates as well as in other clans. He has been suggested for the role of the deputy once, but he denied it, stating that he couldn't imagine anyone protecting their clan better than Swiftclaw. Echoblossom is warm and friendly towards mc once they join the clan, since they both come from a past of kittypet life, although their experiences are quite different. He's a charismatic and flirty tomcat who can easily fool any opponent with a sway of his tail and a quiet purr that will leave his rival utterly flabbergasted.

Jaehee:

Jaehee is a diligent warrior named Featherbreeze after her coolheadedness in the face of danger and her responsible approach to her duties. She's often the voice of reason amidst a recent conflict and she keeps a close eye on the state of the camp, making sure that everything's in order. It'll take her some time to warm up to mc, as she doesn't believe that a coddled kittypet like them will even survive the next Leaf Bare, but once she sees how much more livelier her clanmates have become with their arrival... she'll keep an open mind. She's also the one tasked with mentoring mc through their adjustment to their new clan life, as she's a naturally great teacher and has a very patient attitude. Don't let her quiet demeanor fool you, though. She's one of the fiercest warriors in battle, and once took on a badger solo!

Jumin:

Jumin is a respectable mediator named Crowfur, honoring his intelligence and devotion to his clan. In case this sounds confusing, mediator is a fairly new role cats can take up in the clans in the newest arcs! Mediators are tasked with solving disagreements, disputes and unjust situations between other cats, regardless whether these are happening between their own clanmates, or with other clans. In other words, mediator is a role that takes responsibility on keeping the clan just and peaceful. Although, the last few moons, Crowfur took on a far more important role in his clan. Ever since the disappearance of their former medicine cat, who has also been their leader's beloved mate, Crowfur acts as a temporary leader figure in the clan, both because he wants their leader to grieve in peace and because he doesn't want to see his clan in disarray. He's a very responsible and coolheaded cat who will ensure his clan's safety no matter what. While he may come off as cold, he's fiercely loyal and is willing to lend a paw to any cat who, in his eyes, needs to be reassured.

Jihyun:

Jihyun is the current leader of Sunclan named Miststar after his caring nature and close connection to Starclan. Formerly, he was known as a just and kind leader who was always involved in his clanmate's affairs and kept a good peace between other clans, no matter how tough the seasons would get. However, after the disappearance of his beloved mate and an unfortunate accident that left his eyesight forever damaged, he's been spending most of his time either curled up in his den or wandering the territory where no one can guess where he is. This left Sunclan feeling distant and disappointed in their leader, although there are many cats who still keep their faith in Miststar and his abilities. Miststar was formerly a kittypet, just like mc and Echoblossom, which is why he is so willing to give a chance to other cats who want to escape from their former lives. Not much is known about this cat, and those who are still close to him, refuse to share any of his secrets. There are rumors that Miststar had made enemies with a vicious group of rogues who are planning on attacking the clans... But, that sounds like nothing but mousedung, right? And are those burn marks on his pawpads? What could have caused those to appear?

Rika:

Rika is the leader of an outsider clan by the name of 'Moonclan'. Although she calls herself a leader, she hasn't been granted her 9 lives by Starclan, and her clan is not considered as an accepted part of the rest of the clans. She named herself Duskstar, promising to the inky sky above that her rule will bring an end to the scorching sun that only hurts the lives of countless of innocent cats. Formerly a medicine cat of another clan, she has been tormented all of her life by being rejected by Starclan. Despite her willingness to help those in need, Starclan denied her time and time again, refusing to communicate with her and not granting her any visions a proper medicine cat is supposed to experience. She's been ostracized from her former clan for her refusal to give up her medicine cat position, and that's how she first met Miststar... a cat she eventually fell in love with. She became a well-loved medicine cat in Sunclan despite her inability to communicate with Starclan. Still, her resentment for the starry cats above continued to grow overtime, until it started to harm her relationship with Miststar. She was envious of him. He was blessed by Starclan from kithood, often telling her stories of his wonderful endeavors with their ancestors. It wasn't fair. Nobody knows what happened between these two mates... However, Duskstar holds no love for Miststar any longer. Her goal is to free the clans from the cruel paws of Starclan and the rules they install onto every kit being born inside any of the clans. Moonclan consists of rogues, former kittypets, abandoned kits, ostracized warriors and loners - those who are rejected and shunned by Starclan as undeserving of their blessings, just like Duskstar once was. But, while her goal is righteous... is truly the right thing to do?

Saeran (Unknown):

Saeran is the second cat in command of Moonclan, a small scrawny tomcat named Tatteredheart, a name given to him by Duskstar herself to always remind him of the way his destiny wronged him. He's a battered and heavily scarred tomcat who's fiercely loyal to his leader. He's the one that leads mc into Sunclan's territory and he is going to keep an eye on them throughout their stay. Tatteredheart will visit mc in late hours of the night, learning about any important affairs inside of the clan and instructing them on what to do next. It's easy to convince an oblivious kittypet with a heart of gold that they're doing a good thing, and it's not like he's lying to them! But, he has a personal grudge against Swiftclaw and Miststar... and he is not going to be pleased to find that his pawn seems to be courting that traitorous deputy of Sunclan. But, why does he hate Swiftclaw this much? And where did he get all of these horrible scars? Mc will have to find that out themselves. A horrible secret is brewing right underneath their nose, they just have to put the clues together and find it.

Vanderwood:

Vanderwood is a battlescarred rogue named Boulder. They seem to be very well acquainted with Swiftclaw for some reason, to the point where the deputy of Sunclan won't mind them strolling through the territory of his clan and snacking on a squirrel or two. These two will meet up occasionally where none of the other clanmates are there to see them... But, nobody knows why. Boulder is a very skilled and smart fighter, though, and their claws will definitely come in handy once the peaceful clan life that Sunclan has established for itself will inevitably be put in danger. (Couldn't put a pic for them 'cause of tumblr's limit for pics but Vandy is a large dark brown tabby!) 

Bonus round for my oc's, 'cause hey, if I'm going all in, why hold back!? :D

Natasha:

Natasha is a former loner named Flowerpelt. She takes on a role that is similar to a traditional medicine cat in Moonclan, although she does her best to follow the strict rules of Duskstar and not mention a thing about Starclan or medicine cats. She is someone who lacks skills or determination in battle, but is quick on her paws and observant enough to notice any cat limping or hissing in pain after an intense sparring session. Her knowledge in herbs is completely self-taught, and she has no concrete knowledge on the traditional clan life, or why is it as bad as Duskstar says... Although, secretly, she wishes things could be more peaceful, so that no cat had to be hurt, even if it's for the greater good. Especially as she applies a new compression made up of bindwind onto Tatteredheart's flank, purring softly to ease his pain. She could be a good ally for mc, should they ever meet.

Chaewon:

Chaewon is a fierce battlescarred cat named Smokefur, a name she chose for herself after successfully defeating a fox solo to prove herself. She's a former rogue who has met Duskstar back when she was still Sunclan's medicine cat. She's an experienced and vicious battle cat who's loyal to Duskstar almost to a fault. She's often the one cat tasked with dirty work like punishing traitors or training new recruits. While it may seem like there's nothing to her but sharp claws and fangs, it's only once the night falls and the rest of their members are tucked neatly in their respective nests, when Smokefur can be seen curled up protectively around Duskstar, licking her golden fur clean and purring so loud almost her whole body vibrates.

[kannra21]

Hii, i have like THE BEST IDEA

Can you write a scenario with MC asking the brothers + the dateables (minus Luke) to recreate the Kim Kardashian s€x tape ?

I would be so exited to read that😩

Hey!!

I'm not a writer and I never wrote nsfw before but I'd be damned if I didn't try. 😂 I did the thing just for funsies, so enjoy.

🔞MINORS DON'T INTERACT🔞

F!MC asking the brothers + dateables (minus Luke, Thirteen, Raphael and Mephisto bc I don't know them well) to recreate the tape

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆.　

LUCIFER

He did his paperwork in his secret study as usual when you entered the room, holding a small camera in your hands and mumbling that silly question under your breath. Nice going MC, there's no turning back now except digging your hole a bit deeper into another circle of hell and maybe, just maybe, ending up burning yourself. Which would be plausible considering the look that Lucifer just gave you. Now the ever-burning flames of inferno didn't seem half so bad of an idea.

The avatar of pride smirked, clearly enjoying the newfound situation you got yourselves in, "I'm sorry MC but I think I didn't hear that correctly. Could you repeat it?"

You felt embarrassment tugging at your every nerve. You knew exactly how much he was enjoying poking fun at you. That idiot. That jaw-dropping, head-spinning, stupidly gorgeous idiot.

"It's just that you overwork yourself all the time and I could use a break from studying you know..."

You hid your face behind the stupid device that barely served its purpose and fell silent to his teasing.

He stood up from his seat in a calm demeanor and started undoing his tie, putting up a little show just for you.

"There's no need for excuses, my love. I missed you just as much."

He came up to you, threw his tie around you and pulled you gently towards himself. Your smaller frame now pressed slightly against his own but still leaving enough room, making you wish for more. His soft baritone voice tickled the left side of your ear and sent shivers through your body, "I suppose a small break wouldn't hurt anyone. What is it that you wanted to show me?"

He doesn't know much about the Kardashians or reality shows in general. He's more interested in human art and culture... and you, a different sort of art (haha such a simp). When you showed him the tape he thought it was a bit tasteless, no offense (the tape is from 2007 after all).

You ended up creating your own sex tape that was hundred times more sensual and passionate. He fell head over heels for you, especially for your "lady in the streets, freak in the sheets" attitude. Family breakfast the next day was totally awkward considering that everyone ate in complete silence. They knew exactly what happened yesterday because your moaning resonated through the entire house. Asmo broke it by admitting how happy he was for both of you and you covered your face in shame. In contrast to you, Lucifer was clearly unbothered. His reasoning was that "this act is completely normal for two people in love". In fact, he was so proud to have the most beautiful gf in all three realms. And, of course, he was happy that others knew just how good his dick made you feel. His and nobody else's.

Usually he drinks demonus or gold hellfire newt syrup to put himself in the mood. Now he's using the tape to remind himself just how perfect you felt under his touch and he's already good to go.

MAMMON

He was in the middle of a call with his modeling employer when you suddenly, and quite shamelessly, proposed the idea to him. The poor guy couldn't bring himself to speak anymore, his face was aflame and his pants felt unusually tight.

"Ss...s..sure I'll c..call you tomorrow. YES I'm fine! I'm TOTALLY fine haha! *dies inside* See ya." *ends the call* "MC YA CAN'T JUST SAY THAT DURING AN IMPORTANT CALL, MY HEART ALMOST GLOCKED!" He was too cute like this.

Of course he knew about the Kardashians, one of the wealthiest families of the human world (which he wishes to collaborate with someday... okay, maybe steal a couple of values while he's at it). He heard of their line of men's wardrobe and cosmetics. People were spreading it all over social media and it would be a real shame if he didn't take the opportunity to shoot his shot. However, he wasn't familiar with the tape (which was the reason behind their popularity to begin with). When you showed it to him, he was so turned on- eyes roaming everywhere but the screen in front of him and his face flushed in embarrassment. The tsundere was back in town.

"Are ya okay with this? I...I mean, of course ya want to do it with The Great Mammon, who else? It's just that... I wanted to check if you're ready for this..."

By this he meant if you're ready to lose your virginity to him this soon. He wasn't expecting you to take his hand and literally push it in your pants, you idiot. You were so wet for him that every ounce of his rational thought flew off the window. He growled, took you in his hands and threw you on the bed with him. From this moment you knew- you won't be leaving his room anytime soon.

You were so lost in the moment that you completely forgot about the whole filming thing, so there was a promise of the next time and Mammon's heart swelled with joy.

If you thought that Lucifer was the possessive type then you were greatly mistaken. Mammon is the avatar of greed, it's practically engraved in his name. He bought you a cum necklace so that "you'll always have a little piece of him with you wherever you go". Demons have a more sensitive smell than humans so it'll drive them away. You take it off when hanging with the bros because you don't want them to look at you weird. No worries, Mammon will make it weird nonetheless. He'll give you his cologne just in case his brothers got any funny ideas. He wanted to ensure that you were absolutely taken and that none of them would even think about making a move on you during his absence. You don't see a problem with it since you love Mammon just as much. To make it even- he's wearing your own version of the necklace and keeping some of your belongings in his car like hoodie or panties for him to jerk off with.

LEVIATHAN

He was playing video games when you knocked on his door.

"What's the secret phrase?"

"The second lord attempted to steal the Lord of Corruption's platypus, which could lay golden eggs. Having incurred the wrath of the Lord of Corruption for this misdeed, it was ordered that the second lord would be forever dubbed The Lord of Fools."

"Secret phrase authenticated. You may enter."

It was funny how you still played this game with Levi although you knew each other well by now. It's not that he wouldn't let you in his room- little things like knowing specific info from his favorite series meant a lot to him. It showed how much you cared about him and his interests. When you entered, he greeted you with a big smile on his face.

"Hey MC, I'm playing Bad Demon Slayer! Would you care to join me?" When you explained the motive for your arrival he showed clear disinterest.

"Ew, no offense MC but why would we do this normie stuff? We're better than this."

"Because my idiot bf is incapable of giving me the time of day. You weebish, pathetic excuse for an otaku." You had already noticed his face flushing and tent growing in his pants.

"I..I have a suggestion." *he hands you his console similar to the Nintendo Switch you had at home* "This will help in distracting you from whatever I'm about to do, o..okay?"

You liked the idea so much that you instantly stripped down and spread yourself wide open in his bathtub. Since you were playing the games on his console, it allowed him to push and poke and test whatever piqued his interest without making it too awkward, at least for himself. Your occasional moaning helped him with figuring out what made you more comfortable and, once he got the hang of things, you felt so good that you completely forgot about the console and everything you were able to think about was him. He used his tail on you and let's just say that you discovered a new kink you didn't know you had. After the first round, he insisted on going again so you watched anime porn (hentai?) to get yourselves into the mood which you did. After the second round, he wanted to try out cosplay but you needed a short break to catch some breath beforehand. Jeez, what have you done? You "unlocked" a sex monster. After the third round, you laid together in each other's arms and dozed off.

"I guess this is one of the fewer normie activities I'm able to tolerate," he murmured and you laughed in his chest. His bathtub wasn't exactly the most comfiest bed in the world, but it was great because it squished you together and you enjoyed the warmth that his body provided. You also loved his notable cedarwood fragrance with musky notes. Funny, you would have never taken him for the type who uses cologne because he's almost never leaving his room. Still, it was a nice detail.

He's still unable to look at the tape, so you were more than welcome to keep it. Pls keep it haha!

ASMODEUS

A special event is being held at The Fall and all the big names have been invited. So, naturally, he needed to look extra pretty for the occasion and that's why he needed YOUR assistance. Yes, yours, because nobody else has a sense of style the way you do. And since you were helping him with all the "important life decisions", you were joining in on the fun + he paid for everything because he felt extra generous today (and because he needed to spoil his precious little kitten once in a while, it's all. ♡)

You spent hours on shopping, then beauty salons and afterwards you visited the massage center since you were, as Asmo claimed- "walking the entire day and in need of a fulfilling relaxation experience ♡".

You came back home, stored all your shopping bags in your respective rooms and entered the jacuzzi (another excuse for relaxation). You talked about all kinds of topics- some viral DevilTube videos, beauty tips, your love lives, even sex poses.

To Asmo, it came as a second nature- he was the avatar of lust after all. Being the more experienced of the two, he discussed every type off the top of his head and gave his honest opinion on it. What he didn't know is the effect this had on you and your tights rubbing together to help you ease the frisky feeling building inside. Spending time with Asmo was such a common occurrence for you that you completely forgot that you were sitting in a luxury tub resembling the "Temple of Love" in Versailles with a guy, both butt-naked as the day you were born. You either never really paid attention or you were seriously that oblivious, but the way his wet hair shone under the dim chandelier lighting or the way his muscles barely protruded through his lean form, did things to you. He noticed your eyes wandering and not just around water covered in rose petals. Asmo learned a long time ago that you were immune to his demon charm, so he thought that discussing sexual subjects with you wouldn't be such a big deal but apparently- he was wrong.

"Oh, sorry MC. You should've told me to stop the moment I started talking about it... Unless you really liked what you heard~"

When you suggested the tape idea, he was overjoyed. Of course he's familiar with the Kardashian tape- the start of western indulgence. Only Diavolo knows how many times he was summoned to satisfy the deepest pits of humans' carnal desire. Humans were impure creatures by default, and although you bore angelic blood thanks to Lilith, some things never changed. You weren't like any other human though- you were special to him.

It was already evening when you arrived home so the "bathing time" was prolonged until you decided to switch to his bed and practice "another form of relaxation". Long story short- Asmo's the best at aftercare and you felt like a literal princess. You kept the tape and made sure you gave him the copy the next day. Although he refused to watch it because of the new sex poses he wanted to film with you depending on your schedule. Oh, you're worried that you won't be flexible enough? Don't worry, you'll be~

SATAN

You were minding your own business when someone knocked on your door.

"Hey MC!"

"Not today, Satan."

"What?"

"Nah forget it, it's not even funny. Come in."

When he entered your room, he handed you the book that he borrowed from you and lent you something from his own collection as well. You were holding a book marathon where each was supposed to read at least one book per week, considering that the read was meant to be quick and easy on the tongue, since you didn't want to burden yourself with more work on top of your school responsibilities. Satan came up with the idea because he wanted to "spread his horizons" and you just so happened to bring your favorite juicy stories from home this weekend. It... wasn't exactly his cup of tea to begin with, but that's why he insisted on it so much- he wished to enjoy your interests without unnecessary judgment or criticism. Reading was all about having fun. Refusing to read different genres was equivalent to closing the doors towards greater knowledge. You were watching him expectantly, wearing that shit-eating smile as you waited for him to share his final impressions on your latest recommendation. Needless to say- his face was flushed and his eyes were intently avoiding yours.

"Thank you for the book. It was... very erotic."

You burst into laughter and he "Oi"-ed in disappointment.

"Were you pranking me just now?! If so, your plan has definitely failed because I read the whole thing in just two days. It was no big deal."

"Oh, two days? So it was this interesting to you~" You enjoyed teasing him, partly because you loved how worked up he gets over simple things and he pinched the space between his eyebrows.

"I took the task seriously and read the whole thing as promised. It... wasn't that bad."

Your face perked up in curiosity and he continued.

"I appreciated the story's build up and the emotional aspect that the main heroine and her love interest shared. They gradually got closer as the plot proceeded despite all the hardships and it was overall an interesting read. Solid 5/10."

"Seriously?! You started praising it so well and then gave it such a shit rating! You're so contradictory."

"You know how much I love murder mysteries, this story didn't have any of them. Plus- I raised the rating by a number just because of the heroine's cat."

"C'mon you jerked to it. Admit it."

"... Ok 6/10."

"YES! XD" you cheered over such stupid reasons that he couldn't help himself but to smile a little. You were such an idiot, and yet he loved you more than anything. However, you caught him off guard when he processed your next words.

"We can... recreate some of the scenes if you want..." your request was followed by a short silence and you covered your face in embarrassment, "Forget it, it's stupid."

"I'd like that."

You uncovered your face and felt your heart skip a beat.

"Just make sure to lock your room so nobody could barge in on accident."

"Even so, wouldn't it be suspicious? I'm never locking up the doors. They'll wonder what's going on."

"Don't worry, they'll hear the reason."

He gave you one of his seductive smiles and your face went aflame. You rummaged through drawers for the keys which felt like decades to find, hands shaky from all the hurrying (and excitement).

Sure, he predicted Mammon or Asmo knocking on your door for whatever annoying reason. He wasn't expecting Lucifer of all people standing at your doorstep, asking you to join him for a moment. Perfect timing. Satan picked up the pace and pounded harder into you- your broken cries and moans and all the filth echoing between your shaky legs enough evidence for the (now traumatized lmao) avatar of pride to take his leave.

You suggested the Kardashian tape for your second round and he agreed to whatever, as long as he could feel more of you because your pussydrunk bf was this desperate for your touch aw.

He's not leaving your side the following day. He's a dotting bf and he's taking good care of you (mby I'm biased now but he's the best bf material, he'd always baby you so much it's almost impossible to believe that he's the avatar of wrath). He also made fun of Lucifer for walking in on you lol.

BEELZEBUB

Surprisingly, not horny at all unless you're exercising with him in the gym he visited so often. Other demons already assumed you're a thing considering that you're always arriving together. Despite no one wanting to approach you because of fear of getting on the giant's bad side, they still gave you side glances or checked you out briefly. And whether their interests were driven by hunger or sexual attraction, you managed to ignore it and concentrate on your workout. Well, for the most part. Which doesn't mean that you weren't feeling a tad bit uncomfortable with the whole situation. Sure, Beel was a dense guy from the day you met, but he wasn't ignorant of your problem and he wanted to help you the best way he could. He avoided fights and tried to talk to the owner about their gym etiquette. Sadly, to no avail. You were offered a security guard in case you felt threatened by other gym users, but there wasn't a need for it since Beel was built like two bodyguards combined. You were just hoping for some basic respect from fellow gym visitors. However, the owner couldn't give someone a restraining order based on just "a couple of glances". Disappointed, you returned to your training equipment and continued with your exercise.

"If you're still not feeling well we can leave this place. We're not required to stay here."

"It's okay Beel. Maybe he's right. Maybe I was just exaggerating."

The longer you stayed, the more irritating it got and Beel couldn't stand looking at you keeping up with everyone's harassment. He took your hand in his own and brought you to the changing room where he could at least make you feel safe. You both ate at the bench and talked about random things that put a smile on your face. Excluding his undying obsession with food, Beel could be very compassionate and sweet towards you, the way nobody else could be. You needed to watch your language around Lucifer. Satan and Belphie were troublesome. Mammon, Levi and Asmo annoyed you in their own ways. Other demons mistreated you. Only Beel felt like your safe place and it was in the middle of your conversation that you realized just how deeply you'd fallen for him... and how nicely his muscles shone under the white led lights of the empty locker room. You got bolder and asked him if you could lean on him to take some rest and he complied. You leaned your head on his shoulder and put your hands around his biceps. He was so strong... you really felt safe in his presence.

"If only they could realize that we mean business and leave you alone..."

Beel's thoughts gave you a naughty idea but you needed to ensure that he was absolutely okay with it. You suggested locker sex, so if they heard both of you, they'd most likely avoid you in the long run. His face turned bright red and you wondered if you'd crossed the line. To your relief- he wasn't bothered in the slightest. He locked the doors to give you some privacy but he didn't know where to begin with, so you showed him the Kardashian sex tape for the reference. One thing was sure- Beel was amazing at oral. In fact- he was so good that everyone at the gym knew and refrained from looking at you the moment you returned to your previous spots.

Your mission was accomplished and your day fulfilled. However, Beel wasn't nearly as satisfied as he would have liked, so he asked if you could continue with your ministrations at home. Your eyes were basically shining by now.

BELPHEGOR

He was skipping classes. You were skipping classes. You were alone at home. Only one logical conclusion could be drawn from this- you were napping (I knew what you were thinking perv no you didn't).

Belphie loved holding you in his arms during those peaceful morning naps because of how warm and soft you felt against him and he really liked your scent. It comforted him. You two were always hanging in the attic when wanting some alone time and although this was formerly the place he dreaded the most, it now turned into something special because of your first time spending together and your determination to get him out of there. You were so selfless at this particular moment. You didn't really have any use of helping him, but you still took it upon yourself to make sure that he felt loved again and he wanted to return your affection with the same measure, if not more.

One of the things he liked to do during those intimate moments with you was lightly trailing his fingers on your skin. It gave you goosebumps and it made him happy how comfortable he made you feel. And although he refused to admit- he was jealous of Mammon and Asmo for being the clingiest of the bunch and he hated sharing you with them. He loved his brothers, especially Beel, but he wanted to be the one who held that special spot in your heart and sometimes he wondered if maybe he was being too selfish in his wishing. He'd come to the planetarium every single night and wish for your happiness upon the stars. If only he was the reason behind your smile. Behind your moans and cries, your passion and love. If only. But he wasn't. Because of the way you held your gaze with Lucifer. The way you hugged with Mammon. The way you laughed with Levi. The way you flirted with Asmo. The way you snuggled to Satan. The way you ate with Beel. He felt insecure. Sometimes he thought that you're just sticking around out of pity so he wouldn't feel more miserable than he already did. He loved you, more than the human world itself. But he was afraid that he wouldn't live up to your love. That's why he needed to work harder for you. To be more approaching, more dearing, more territorial in a sense that won't make you uncomfortable which he feared the most btw. If only you knew how much you meant to him.

He hugged you tighter while spooning you and his silent "I love you" tickled past your earlobe. Unbeknownst to him, you harbored the same kinds of feelings for him as well. Sure, you were affectionate with his brothers, but that's all there is to it. Belphie was special- he listened to your problems and he comforted you on days when you didn't feel so hot. He was there for you in good and bad, through thick and thin. You were practically flooded with happiness when you heard those three little words leaving his lips.

Of course you recreated the Kardashian tape, Belphie gave you the dirtiest treatment worth of a slut that you are, but later on he only peppered you with more hugs and kisses. You loved your lazy foul-mouthed bf Belphie. ♡ And he loved you more than anything in the entire world.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆.　

DIAVOLO

And there he was- the man, the myth, the legend himself. The Future King of The Devildom. Sitting mouth agape from the words that just spilled from your mouth.

"Why in the middle of our afternoon tea?"

"You either watch me touch myself right here and risk Barbatos walking in on the show or you take me to your room and fuck me like an actual demon lord."

"You're suggesting I'm not living up to the title?"

"You're acting like a pussy."

You were either really brave or really crazy, because any normal person would've run for their dear life by now to escape the strongest demon's wrath. But not you- the exchange student who dominated all seven deadly sins and did whatever the hell she wanted. Even Solomon looked up to your power despite being a skilled sorcerer himself. You were the reason the three realms almost broke apart. You were the G.O.A.T. and you knew it. You also knew how precious you were to Diavolo's plan in strengthening all the three realms through the exchange program so logically- he'd never hurt you. But you took it upon yourself to test his patience right then and there. Not only did you order him around, you also dragged his name. You expected him to throw you over his shoulder and fuck you senseless to prove what a demon of his caliber was made of. However, you were taken aback by his following reaction-

He smiled the sweetest smile but his words were like poison to you, "I take it that uncultured bitches in heat such as yourself didn't learn the basics of dignity when visiting other people's properties or dining at their respectable homes. Am I right?"

The shame that overflowed you was too much to take and you prayed for the floor to swallow you whole. You covered your face and wished to disappear into the thin air. Maybe being killed by The Crown Prince of The Devildom was a better option than being humiliated like this.

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm sorry. I thought it'd turn you on."

"... Why would you think that?"

"You're a demon so I assumed... well, I was wrong. And I'm so sorry."

The fact that you wanted to seduce him and not outright disrespect him put a genuine smile on Diavolo's face. Diavolo's problem was- sometimes he understood things too literally and he needed assistance in helping him explain other people's intentions. Being isolated from the outside world since childhood has taken a tool on his social life. Now he felt bad.

And while you were distracted by your chanting fits of "oh my god"s and "I'm so sorry"s- he knelt next to you to your left, took your hand in his own and kissed it delicately. The fact that the king himself was kneeling before you made you cry even more and the humiliation, shame and embarrassment were almost unbearable. Barbatos noticed your misery and offered his help but Diavolo refused and asked for some alone time. He wanted to regain whatever was left from your broken trust. He stood up and took you by your hands, making you stand up on your feet as well. He hugged you and held you like this until your cries died down to a whisper.

"It wasn't my intention..."

"It's okay. I know." Diavolo shushed you and kissed your head. And despite the readhead's attempts to make you feel better, you still felt like you won't be able to live this down. And it was true- the relationship between you two has majorly changed now and refusing you would only make things more awkward the next time you meet each other. You were lucky he liked you back tho. He bowed down to your level and whispered into your ear-

"Would you like to be my queen so you can order me around however you want? Because I wouldn't mind."

"You seriously don't have to-"

"I insist."

He put his finger under your chin and lifted it, locking his eyes with yours. Now you were the one at a loss for words.

"I'm a gentleman before I'm a demon, so I want to take things slow with you. Before I fuck you- would you like to go on a date with me? I promise that it'll be the best fun you ever had. But if I'm not living up to your expectations, you can leave and everything will be okay between the two of us. Please, don't feel pressured to stay because of what just happened."

God, what did you do to deserve him? Nothing. And yet he tried so hard for you that you couldn't help but comply. You agreed to go on a date with him and he was so happy that he scooped you in his arms and kissed you passionately.

Maybe you made a good decision after all. Although you were a hair strand away from losing the best thing that ever happened to you.

BARBATOS

Despite being a butler and a busy one on top of that, he always found time to meet up with you because of his power to see the future and choose the one which was the most convenient for both of you. Lord Diavolo forbids him from using his power for personal gain, but you were an exception to the rule. So he entered a couple of doors leading to a certain future situation to clean Young Master's mess, leaving him with less work and more time to spend with you. It was stressful and it was tiring, but he'd do anything to see your beautiful smile again.

It was unusual, he never felt like this towards anyone in thousands of years of his career. He swore to himself that he'd never lose sleepless nights thinking about the person he loves and yet there he was- thinking of nothing but you. You can only imagine the surprise on Diavolo's face when Barbatos gave him Mandragora Tea instead of Hellfire Rose Tea and he never makes mistakes, matter of factly. The demon butler has fallen head over heels for you. Congrats girl- you've gotten yourself a dream boat.

Because of his intervention with the future, he set himself a day-off and called you over to the Demon Lord's Castle on a baking date. You were making all kinds of desserts together and sampled the ones that didn't end up so well. A bit of cream remained on the corner of your lips and Barb would casually come up to you and kiss the remaining bits away, making you all warm and flustered. Your butler bf was so smooth in the most unpredictable of ways. Or was he planning this all along? You wondered how far into the future he could look to predict certain actions. However it may be, you felt safe with him. Moreover- it meant that he could warn you of all the troubles happening beforehand and assist you in the time of need. Despite being a powerful sorceress yourself, you felt like you could rely on him. That brought comfort to both of you because Barb took great joy in helping you.

Maybe Mammon was your first demon you made a pact with, but Barb was the last and he wanted to have the same impact on you the way Mammon always bragged about your relationship and emphasized how much it meant to him. Barb wanted to be special to you as well, and you proved it in your own ways by going out with him tea shopping or snuggling up to him in his bed listening to your favorite music.

He hated his tail being touched, but you were the only one whom he allowed to do so. He liked being close to you like this and you noticed that Barb didn't smell of anything in particular besides maybe a couple of herbs from the tea shop that you'd visited this afternoon. It's because of the nature of his job that he refuses to wear any strong fragrances and you hugged him closer in hopes that your perfume would somehow imprint on his own clothes. When he realized what you were doing, he kissed you and you stroked his tail which made him even more eager. You won't believe it- but your beloved demon bf is getting a hard-on from your touch only. Your hand gliding up and down his smooth and sensitive tail did things to him and he loved wrapping it around one of your limbs while making out or cuddling. It made you feel more connected and safe.

Barbatos never had a person he could trust himself with. He was always considered "the most powerful of all beings", but that's because he had never let himself rely on anyone else before. He always had his own back and that's how it has always been. Until the day you entered his life- so getting Barb to open up to you was a big deal by itself. And since then, the two of you have shared a special bond not even fate could break. Because he'd stop the passage of time dead in its tracks just for you.

Horny Barb was another sort of demon. The only thing that never changed was the way he treated you like royalty and you wanted to return the favor by recreating that hot tape everyone talked about. Don't get him wrong- he fucked before. But it's been such a long time and he wanted to make sure that you felt absolutely comfortable with him, so you discussed all kinds of things- from safe words to what toys you wanted to use. He thought of everything and ever since your first dating experience till this day- no one has paid so much attention to your own pleasure the way Barb did. He got off to your happiness and you knew he was a keeper from this very moment.

When you thought that you were done and prepared yourself for sleep- no, that's where the interesting part began. Barb can also open a portal to the dream world so brace yourself for more fun in another universe which, depending on your preferences, could be just as exciting and pleasurable. Wherever you go, he'll go with you because that's the kind of lover he was. Before he thought he could be this caring only towards Young Lord, but now you were of similar importance to him and he really hoped that Diavolo wouldn't make a big fuss over it which would be pretty funny btw.

No offense to the guys, but you asked Diavolo if you could change residences from House of Lamentation to Devil Lord's Castle and he agreed if it meant making your stay at the Devildom more comfortable. So you basically got Diavolo's blessing and Barb's room became your own. Now you were always together.

SIMEON

Ngl you were a bit surprised by the outfit choice when you first met at the RAD, him being introduced by no other than Diavolo himself. Why were demons so overdressed and angels so underdressed? Where was the logic in that? It opposed everything you ever learned at your religion classes. Now you felt like a total delinquent because a) you couldn't just ask an angel why he was dressed like a male escort and b) at a loss for words, you kept staring at his exposed hips and wondering if he wore a leotard or just a regular shirt underneath. God, the unholy thoughts that kept wandering through your head. And he smiled so politely as if he didn't know what kind of effect this had on you. Did he have any self-awareness? From a logical standpoint, you concluded that this might be due to them being holy creatures like that time when Adam and Eve were naked but not ashamed because they had a perfect conscience. But then again- he didn't look anything like an ordinary angel so logic couldn't be applied here. This was so confusing.

It confused you even more when he covered Luke's ears from hearing all the dirt that the avatar of lust conveyed. He was also familiar with kinks and you thought about whether angels were prone to consuming offensive content or if it was just Simeon. It made sense tho, because he was a writer in his free time- writing a good book requires lots of knowledge from different fields, so maybe he was more progressive and open to diversity than the rest of the angels who were just blindly following the rules.

The more you were hanging out, the more you realized how pure he was from a personal level. He was a shining example of an angel- always caring and thoughtful. So lovely that sometimes he'd catch you off guard by his rebellious side. He'd subtly flirt with you by touching hands and whispering sweet nothings into your ear when no one was looking, making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Angel was a daring one. And he could be anything you wanted him to be, as long as it made you happy.

He loved how good you were with Luke and in moments like this he'd imagine the three of you as a cute little family, away from Michael's threats and Diavolo's plans for you. It helped him face his challenges through the day. He hated the way Diavolo was using you as a means of pursuing his personal interests when you were supposed to have a saying in the matter too. He wanted to be your guardian angel, wrap you in his wings and never let you go.

That's what he did during one of Diavolo's invitations to the Demon Lord's Castle. Initially, the aim of the retreat was for demons, angels and humans to intermingle so that each could gain a better understanding of the other. What Simeon didn't like was the way everyone turned into their true forms, which didn't necessarily make them more intimidating, but they certainly had the upper hand in the situation and demons never really did that unless they were provoked into conflict. So Simeon took you to one of the rooms, seated you on the bed and you talked. You told him about Lucifer threatening you and hurting your hand, which was the first time you saw the angel this upset. He and Lucifer were good friends from back in the days and he didn't understand why he, of all people, would've done something like this to you. He suddenly grew very overprotective of you. He was grateful to Solomon covering up for him when he did because, if it weren't for him, only Michael knew what kind of disaster could've occurred. The worst possible outcome would've been the announcement of another war and tbh nobody would like that. He knew he didn't have a good feeling about this whole event.

First, he healed your hand and then he asked if you wanted to go downstairs and rejoin them, to which you decided to stay. You sat further on the bed, settled yourself between his legs and leaned your back on his chest. He then proceeded to put his head on your shoulder and wrap his hands around you in some sort of comfort position. You were surprised by the beautiful white wings emerging from either side of your body like they were shielding you from the outside world, forming their own bubble of vulnerability and protection.

Curiosity got the best of you, so you touched his feathers and he let out little noises from how sensitive his wings were. It made you laugh until you felt something poking at you from behind and he apologized. He expected you to be uncomfortable by his reaction only to realize that you were grinding against him and one thing led to another.

When you suggested recreating the tape, he was a little concerned and didn't approve of it right away until further conviction. He hated the way the celebrity couple did it because it was lewd and emotionless (which is the reason why they broke up). He wanted to make you feel loved, that's what he was always aiming for. But if that's what you really wanted, then he couldn't really say no to you.

You did a bit different version of the tape so that both of you could feel comfortable doing it.

Simeon was a big cuddler and he'd pepper you with hugs and kisses while holding you in his arms. You were meant to part soon because the devs were probably looking for you by now and you hated to disturb such an intimate moment between you. You promised to pay him a visit to the Purgatory Hall soon.

SOLOMON

Wizard grandpa! 🤠 You never really knew on what terms the two of you were because of his chaotic mannerisms towards you. One moment he was tickling you and kissing your cheek and the next he was suggesting buying you friendship bracelets. You were constantly tossed between the friendship zone and out of it and then back to it and then out of it again like some rodeo of never-ending doom. The rush of butterflies you'd get in your stomach would be replaced by the cold stabbing feeling of disappointment and when you thought he wasn't thinking of you in that way- he'd always come back to you to prove you wrong because Sagittarius people were this annoying (and cute). The mixed signals were giving you a headache and you seriously needed to talk to him about where your relationship was heading. To be frank- he wasn't the problem here. He always treated you so nicely and your heart was the one going through a terrible whirlpool of feelings. You were tired of feeling that way... so you made a move on him.

During one of your sorcery courses with him, you scooted closer to read a magic book together and when he reached for the potion in the opposite direction, you kissed the space between his jawline and neck and he froze.

You wondered if you had made the wrong decision but when he turned to look at you, he took your face in both hands and kissed you so deeply that all his pent-up affection he felt for you came up to the surface. He held you in his arms like he was assuring himself that this was truly happening and that it wasn't just one of his dreams.

When you parted for air, he pecked you once more to get your attention.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Why were you pulling this buddy bullshit on me?"

"I was afraid."

And then it dawned on you- you weren't open about your feelings for him either, so making you company was his way of keeping you close without complicating things.

"But now everything's okay... right?"

He bit the skin on his finger and drew blood, drawing a symbol on your exposed thigh from your hiked-up skirt, "More than okay."

He chanted a spell you weren't so familiar with. Suddenly you felt all hot and bothered and you realized this was actually Solomon's doing. It's not that he wasn't confident in his ability to pleasure you himself- he was, in fact, making your pleasure his top priority. Magic could be a great helper in achieving one's objectives and it wasn't all that graceless to rely on it once in a while. If it made you happy, then it's all the more reason for him to keep using it on you. Sure, he was taking pride in his work as the world's strongest sorcerer, but all that ego would soon falter when it came to you- the world's most adorable apprentice. A perfect match for his madness.

He was prepping you on your chair, eating you out on the table, fucking you against the bookshelves, bending you over the table and fucking you again. Your hips felt sore from hitting the table's edge all the time so he turned you around and put your legs over his shoulders to better accommodate you.

He was so good at this it made you realize that he's lived for a very long time, so ofc he had a couple of moves up his sleeve. You wondered how many lovers he's had before you and the thought made you jealous. Little did you know- the wizard in front of you had never had a serious relationship before and the reason why he put such a fast pace was because he was really nervous and really horny.

The moment you got his attention and told him to go a bit slower, he blushed so much. He didn't want to mess this up. All his life, since living in different realms, he had to remain strong by himself. And he's also been really lonely- being the only human representative in the world that wasn't his own must have felt exhausting. He'd use magic and potions to fill up his time... and to prevent negative thoughts from occupying his mind. His family, friends and acquaintances- everyone was dead and he was the last remaining human of his generation. Sure, he made new friends and met a supportive bunch along the way. Asmo took care of him on days when sadness and hopelessness got the best of him and angels were there to collect the remaining pieces of his broken heart and connect them into something more beautiful, which made him grow really found of them. And they all helped to a certain extent. Until he returned home and realized that he was all by himself again. That's how he felt at the beginning when he first entered the exchange program, but the more his lifespan prolonged- the more he came to terms that it was okay to embrace his loneliness. Except for the day when you came into his life. Another human standing by his side- you were nothing like the mean bunch at the Sorcerer's Society association. Sure, he may have had someone like that once. Or at least he thought he had, because the feeling he had for that person wasn't mutual. And he didn't have anyone else like that anymore.

You reminded him what it meant to love again, so the thought of losing you or your trust gave him a mini heart attack.

He confessed to you, every single thing, because he was tired of making memories of his own. He wanted to share them with you. And he wanted to be with you, if you allowed him to do so. (mby I'm biased again, but he's also the best bf material bc he clearly went through a lot and he's gonna fight for your happiness so that you won't feel the same kind of pain he went through).

Most demons are afraid of him because he's fairly unpredictable (and because he treats them like playthings lmao). But to you he was different- he showed you the most sincerest side of himself and you knew you could trust him hundred percent. And what's better than a man who's helping his beloved achieve her true potential? You loved your, ahem, interesting rewards after each of your sorcery accomplishments- especially your Kardashian sex tape that you oh so eagerly recreated with him. Your. gramps. is. whipped. Just pls don't use "grandpappy" as your word of endearment bc it would be a huge mood killer.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆.　

Sorry for the grammar. I tried to fix it the best I could. 😅 I hope you enjoyed it.

[animehouse-moe]

Trigun Stampede Episode 1: Exceeding Expectations

I had hopes, I had abnormally high hopes. I was banking on Orange delivering, expecting some quality work. But this, this is another level. It's a love letter to the 3d medium in anime, and proof that within it exists the ability to deliver, action, acting, emotion, and far more. It's not just the inferior little brother to 2d animation, not just the stopgap for when there's not enough time or manpower for 2d, and Trigun Stampede proves this all within a single episode.

Art that meshes with the medium impeccably, both as background and focus is a huge proponent of it. It still has that "polished" look to it, but it's not something that sticks out. Everything is done to bring it together. And the aspect that I feel serves to get the most out of this cohesive effort is the visual effects. The overall look of them is absolutely incredible, there's zero room for critique on their quality, and they fit the episode perfectly.

In contrast to this though, the area that I think sees the most prolific improvement is the character acting. It's so ridiculously good, fluid, and expressive that it provides a better showing of creativity and movement than the majority of anime this season. Just look at this movement. It's not sluggish, it's not linear or abrupt. It has so much life in it.

Hell, they even play around with the character models in their expressions. They aren't overly rigid in their looks, and Orange is more than willing to mess with them to get the desired effect and feel.

The expressiveness is really just out of this world, and is still in part owed to the effort of the voice actors. I may be a massive critic of Vash's VA (Matsuoka Yoshitsugu) as they consistently play the harem MC of the season, but they do damn good work and it shows here. He draws out the harmless and comical charisma of Vash and it adds so much to the feel of the character.

My last piece as to what I love so much about this first episode is a bit of a twofer: direction and movement. The two are largely inseparable, but the latter is a component/influence of the former. Movement is an easy thing to forget about, in anime there's definitely a lot of sequences without it. Lots of moments where it's essentially stationary. Trigun Stampede though is a constant assault on the sense of the lowest order. That is, in almost every moment there's something moving. Even just background shuffling of nameless characters, or the wandering eyes of a character, or any order of things. There's hardly a stationary scene in the anime, and it's such a huge influence on how it feels. It makes it feel so full, like there's never a dull moment or a lull in the acting and interactions of the characters.

And with that movement comes the influence of direction. Orange is a predominantly 3D studio, so of course they know how to handle it. But personally, I'd still say it's a cut above what they've done previously. When the characters are acting the camera remains stationary, and helps sell the creativity and effort in their motion, but when they aren't being overly expressive, the camera flys about and makes up for that feeling of motion. It's a perfect understanding, and something that I always complain about with 3D animation. When you have something that isn't incredibly polished, but is 3D, the best course of action is to move. Shake the camera, fly it about and around the characters, give the illusion of more movement and motion than there is.

Studio Orange really went above and beyond to impress with this first episode. Hell, they did such a ridiculously good job with it that I forgot it was an original story. Trigun Stampede is proving within a single episode that 3D animation that well and truly deserves respect in the community outside of the stopgap and mixed media measures that many see it as. It has more than enough capability in emotion, movement, acting, and even animation to stand tall alongside 2D work. I really can't wait to see where Orange takes us with this series, and what else they'll be able to effortlessly show off with.

[foxtricksterwriting]

Yijun Bai

Author's Note: this is 1 of 3 mcs, I'll link the others when they're posted.

Credits: This is a mc for the interactive fiction game-thingy Infamous. Find it here @infamous-if

Preferred Name: Yijun Bai

Alias: Juniper

Gender + Pronouns: man + he/him ("I know I look feminine, you don't need to tell me")

Singing/Voice Claim, if any: Cowboy Malfoy for his singing voice and his speaking voice lol

Age: 26

More About Him: Yijun Bai and Juniper are like two completely different people. Juniper is Yijun's stage name/act, as such he acts very different. The change is so stark it's often jarring to strangers, acquaintances and even friends.

Juniper is portrayed as a flirty drunken fool. He acts drunk or tipsy even when it's been days since his last drink. He flirts with everyone; fans, interviewers, other bands(👀). He often seems clueless as to what happens around him and acts overly laid back. Contrasting Yijun's usual punk-grunge clothing Juniper wears loose, flowy shirts and pants in various shades of wine red, purple and black. He has a sense of careless laziness that clouds everything he does.

Yijun himself is serious and has a no-nonsense attitude. He seems to despise the stage act he's made, but can't seem to shake it no matter how hard he tries. He has a 'devil make care' attitude and does mostly whatever he wants. He's loyal to a fault, and once you make it into his inner circle it's hard for him to hate you. Yijun is willing to do anything for his friends. He tends to be very calculated and aggressively blunt.

Two things that don't change between 'personas' is his general non-conformity and his love of nature. He strives to stand out in as many ways as possible; the blatant promiscuity and generally flowy-ness of his stage act and his normally aggressively in-your-face view points about the world are the first examples that come to mind. And his love of nature. He does everything he can to lessen his effect on his environment and cares a great deal about the wilderness. He hikes when he has the time and is known to go camping regularly. He's stated that sometime after he retires he wants to live in a cabin in the woods, away from people and engrossed with the forest around him.

Fun Facts:

His Pinterest here.

His(and the others because I'm ✨uncreative✨) band is called The Cult of Dionysus, specifically so he can call his fans Dionysians since he thought that was cool as fuck. Does NOT promote any of the shenanigans that actually went on and is willing to publicly denounce someone if they try something. ("Guys, don't try to replicate anything the actual fucking cult did. For the love of fuck, do not. That's a warning.")

He's fairly superstitious, thanks to his family also being superstitious.

He has a routine he tries to follow closely and if it gets messed up somehow it ruins the rest of his day.

He tends to suppress his emotions and gets frustrated when he does end up feeling them. This also makes him kind of oblivious to some things and a little insensitive, but he's quick to apologize. He's emotionally constipated, please bare with him. ("I'm sorry I said something hurtful to you, I didn't mean to hurt you like that. I don't have a excuse, but I truly am sorry.")

He wants to be covered in tattoos and is getting there slowly but surely. If you ask about them, he'll explain why he got them and what they mean.

Yijun is not close to his family; they're very traditional and conservative people while he's the exact opposite. ("My family? You don't need to know about them")

He likes photography and specifically favors those polaroid cameras. He'd like to have a photo wall, but hasn't settled in a place long enough to build one up.

Yijun doesn't like interacting with his fans, not because he doesn't like them but because he's scared he'd say something wrong and hurt or offend them. Will happily give hugs and pose for pictures if asked.

While Lani wants a PO Box, I feel Yijun would actually have a PO Box and treasure each and every little thing sent to him. You could send him a rock and he'd be 🥺🥺🥰🥰🥰

You know the way parents embarrass their kids by constantly bragging about them? Yijun does that with his fans lol

He's a fucking tsundere lol would absolutely accidentally say some variation of 'it's not like I like you or anything!' lmao

Yijun is one of my regular ocs and has his own story. His 'pre-made' backstory is that he met Lani when he was like 8. In high school he met Storm, and shortly after started a band. In said band he's the lead singer and drummer, among other things.

"I'll stick with you from now on, so you better not fuck this up."

[dawnsbreaking]

One of my favorite things about MLQC is the frequent use of symbolic imagery and motifs to set scenes and center characters. I think it’s incredibly clever, considering the importance of MC’s dreams, that the dreamlike symbolism is present throughout the story. At times, in MC’s confusion of piecing events together, reading the story almost feels like a sort of dream or vision interpretation. I love how consistent these symbols are for the characters and the way conflicting or contrasting imagery is used to add depth throughout the story. Also, since the story is told through MC’s perspective, the use of imagery shows us that her perception of the world is colored by her care for the main cast. When she’s with Gavin, MC notices fluttering leaves, when she’s with Victor, time slows, when she’s with Kiro, the sun is brighter, and when she’s with Lucien, she’s more attentive to light and shadow.

Under the cut, I have written more (1400ish words more) about symbolism in MLQC and how it adds depth to Lucien's characterization in particular.

Aside from adding to the mood of the story, the symbolism can also be used to narrative effect, showing us how MC is interpreting a character’s actions or motivations.

For example, we can look at how MC sorts through her feelings about Kiro/Helios in Chapter 29. Sun imagery pervaded previous chapters that centered Kiro while moon imagery is associated with Helios. In CH29, MC uses the harmony between the sun and moon as a metaphor when she accepts that Kiro and Helios are one and the same. This adds depth to what MC is feeling about Helios and also serves to contextualize the relationship between the two identities. (Note: I just love the idea that Helios has the same “sunshine” as Kiro but that he reflects it in a subtle way rather than being overwhelmingly positive like Kiro. This dynamic is only ever implied by the imagery and symbolism but it’s so perfect.)

In particular, though, I want to talk about some of the symbolism associated with Lucien and what we can learn from the way these symbols interact with one another.

Light and Shadow

One motif that is very present when the story is focused on Lucien is the balance between light and shadow. (Note: It’s very on the nose at times but executed well, I think, so I’ll give them a pass.) This motif is introduced far before Lucien’s betrayal is ever revealed, as early as his first meeting with MC. (Note: I literally wasn’t sure when the motif was first introduced but I went back to Lucien’s first scene and SURE ENOUGH, there it is. I love how consistent the writing is in this regard. The motifs are handled so well and so intentionally.)

During Lucien’s first scene in the game, light shining in from the window obscures his face. Far ahead of the betrayal, light and shadow are symbolically playing at obscuring his identity from MC. The light/shadow motif is used at first to symbolize Lucien being duplicitous, without much hinting toward his internal struggle. Later, when it’s clear that Lucien is struggling with a choice between metaphorical “dark” desire to continue his mission and “light” of protecting MC, light is used to hint at that internal conflict. An example of this is below, from Lucien's first standoff with Victor in Chapter 11.

Notably, though, sometimes, the “light” represents MC directly while the “shadow” represents Lucien. After Lucien’s internal conflict and desire to protect MC is first touched on in Chapter 16, the two are symbolically juxtaposed by scene-settings back-to-back in the last two units of CH16. 16-24 opens with a description of Lucien’s dark, gloomy room and 16-25 opens with a description of the lamp on MC’s desk casting a bright light. (Note: MC’s Evol is also represented by light often, so I think this imagery for her works even beyond its juxtaposition with Lucien.)

The same thing happens again when MC comes back from the Eternal Winter world, Lucien’s office is described as dark and shadowy when he is alone and then it’s cast in an “ephemeral glow” as soon as MC steps into the room.

Mirrors

A large part of Lucien’s character arc is his failure to properly make sense of his own identity, this struggle is represented by mirrors/reflections. Often, mirrors are shattered or distorted, implying an added difficulty of perception.

Because of the expectations that have been put on him from a young age, Lucien is very disconnected from his own identity. Even with Black Swan set completely aside, because of his savant-like personality and inability to relate to others, Lucien doesn’t view himself as a human being. Beyond that, there is also a struggle between the two identities of “Lucien” and “Ares” implied.

I think that the answer to this struggle is MC understanding Lucien and having clarity about who he is as a person. Light reflected in mirrors represents this concept symbolically in the Mirror Painting date. (Note: I believe this date is only currently available in the CN server, I read this translation) In this date, Lucien and MC paint each other and then use mirrors to reflect light onto the painting when it’s displayed. After being painted and, therefore, symbolically seen by MC, Lucien is finally allowed to turn away from the mirrors and stop worrying about who he is. The mirrors that represent his struggle with identity are able to add depth to a beautiful image when paired with the lights that represent MC’s understanding.

Shattered and Distorted Glass

This goes hand-in-hand with the mirror motif but is worth mentioning on its own because the symbolism is slightly different. While distorted mirrors imply difficulty for Lucien to perceive himself, distorted glass implies a difficulty for others to perceive Lucien. Shattered glass also represents a fractured relationship between the identities of “Lucien” and “Ares” in a few scenes.

On the wall of the abandoned Ultima Bioresearch Lab, MC finds a quotation written on the wall from the Bible. “For now we see through a glass, darkly. The truth is projected into the hearts of men through a glass lens. It’s distorted, blurry, and one-dimensional.” (Note: I’m assuming that this verse was translated from the Chinese dialogue and not transcribed from an English Bible translation, because this is, at the very least, not a popular translation of the verse that I’m familiar with. Ironically, it’s more popular to translate “glass” here as “mirror” so there goes this whole section LMAO.)

Because of the way it’s presented, I think that this image of distorted glass represents not how MC actually perceives Lucien but, rather, how Lucien believes he perceives her. Obviously, this is also foreshadowing the betrayal so, in a way, he’s correct in asserting that she is not seeing all of him. But, on the whole, this distorted glass imagery is delivered in a way that implies the distortion more as an insecurity on Lucien’s part rather than the reality of MC’s vision.

Rainbows

Keeping with Lucien’s themes of paradox and duplicity, one of his main motifs is the appearance of rainbows, despite the fact that he is colorblind. This is, again, representative of MC’s “light” being transformative to Lucien because the rainbows appear when they are together. I think that, rather than being a symbol for Lucien alone, rainbows represent Lucien’s relationship with MC. It’s a sort of combination of MC’s light imagery and Lucien’s refraction/distortion imagery. In the right circumstances, they can create something beautiful together.

It’s also implied throughout the story that Lucien is able to see colors when he’s around MC, so he is truly only able to appreciate the beauty of rainbows when he is with her. (Note: It’s unclear how this works but I think that it’s a side-effect of his Evol mimicking hers. There’s a footage mission where it seems like Lucien has to ask MC to look at something before he can tell the color of it so I think that he is somehow able to see the world through her perspective, possibly by using her Evol to have real-time visions. Does this make sense? Who knows, but I refuse to accept it just as soulmate magic!!!!)

If you haven’t, I highly recommend reading Lucien’s “Rainbow Luck” R&S. (Note: A recording is available here!) In this story, told from the perspective of Lucien’s pen, Iridescent, MC and Lucien see a rainbow together and it’s implied that this is Lucien’s first time being able to see a rainbow because MC is there. (Note: Iridescent as a name itself is an instance of Lucien’s rainbow motif.)

(Note: Lucien's Moments also features a rainbow paperweight at Bond Level 40.)

TLDR: Imagery and symbolism are used in MLQC to imply things about the characters and their relationships with MC. In particular, with Lucien, recurring imagery is used to represent his internal conflict and his desire for love and understanding from MC. The symbolism of light and its reflection/refraction is used to great effect throughout Lucien’s story, implying a complex web of internal struggles.

[inhuman-obey-me]

On Simeon and what it means to be an angel

The beautiful, gentle angel who can smile through just about anything. But what's underneath the ever-present smile of his? Is he really just pure, sweet, and kind?

Not at all. Simeon can be very mischievous at some times, and scarily wrathful at others. Some of you may be thinking, just what kind of angel is someone like that? Well, let's talk about that.

(includes spoilers up to lesson 52)

Starting with the idea of what angels are supposed to be like - the common, pop-culture characterization of angels is that they are pure, merciful, peaceful beings who can only do good and are horrified by anything dark or bad.

And admittedly, Simeon doesn't seem to quite perfectly fit that mold.

[Disclaimer: Neither mod of this blog belong to the Abrahamic religions, so this is purely from our own research]

In terms of how angels have been described in various scriptures, however, this isn't actually what they are like. Angels act on behalf of God, and are usually not meant to have any free will of their own. The thing that separates angels from demons is not a tendency towards kindness and purity, but that their actions are aligned with God's desires rather than their own. What this means in effect is that, both in actual scripture and in the game, angels can and will do things that are a lot less pure and peaceful than their modern mainstream depictions would suggest.

For example, there is a part of the Bible (at least in various versions) where it is mentioned that an angel was ordered by God to kill one hundred eighty-five Assyrians, leaving their camp full of dead bodies in the morning.

The poet Rainer Maria Rilke states in his The Duino Elegies - "Every Angel is terror".

Seraphim - which is what OM!'s renditions of Simeon and Lucifer both formerly were - are basically six-winged snakes. Cherubim, as OM!'s Beelzebub formerly was, are actually multi-faced humanoid-lions with wings. "Do not be afraid," is a line angels often say when they meet humans because they are just as scary-looking as demons - just they're, you know, the "good" ones.

Actual descriptions of angels aside, even in-game, we are presented with example after example that angels are not perfect "pure and good" beings either. The game itself emphasizes this point at various times - if you upset Simeon during Surprise Guest interactions, one of his displeased lines is: "Just because I'm an angel doesn't mean I'm all forgiving." In lesson 51, though he initially says he left Satan to be with the Angel versions of his brothers for Satan's benefit, if MC actually agrees that he was just being kind, he is surprised that they really believed him.

It's not just him, either. Similar to Simeon's upset reaction, if you give Luke a present he doesn't like, he says, "I know I'm an all-forgiving angel and everything, but even so, this is a little too much..." When MC briefly lands in the past, the brothers actually describe Simeon as the least intense of the seraphim. Back when the brothers were angels, Lucifer was still known for being strict and arrogant. On the more extreme end, Raphael was known for keeping the angels in line via the pointy end of his spear, as Asmodeus fears will happen to him as punishment for going to a party. And Michael himself, the top-ranking leader, who one might think should be the most angelic of angels, is described as a sadist. In the Angelic Demons event, Michael even gets Simeon to give the demon brothers cursed bracelets that temporarily turn them into angels. It's not a very nice prank to pull on them, as it makes the brothers miserable to be converted back to their old forms, not to mention that the curse goes so far that they are turned into the caricature of overly nice and polite angels - but as it could be considered more in line with pulling them towards "God's will," this would actually be considered a good angel thing to do.

As the game points out, being the least intense doesn't exactly make Simeon easygoing, either. In fact, we have seen at this point quite a few examples of Simeon's rage. As a play director, he berates the brothers so much over any mistakes that they call him a dictator. Not to mention, the reason they are in the play in the first place is because the entire previous cast quit because they couldn't deal with him.

Later, when he and Luke are running the Angel's Halo, he drags the brothers into helping out. Though he is shown still smiling, everyone agrees because they are terrified of his menacing aura. Even Diavolo, when on the home screen, remarks about hiding because he made Lucifer mad again, but it's Simeon who he calls "the one person in this world I don't want to anger."

On a much lighter note, some of his less "angelic" behavior also comes from his playful, mischievous side. As referenced earlier, he is surprised if MC believes he was just being nice, but if the player says they thought he was pranking Satan, it gives intimacy points with him, and he says:

He also joins in on the teasing of Luke, having his name as "Luke (Chihuahua)" in his D.D.D. contacts. Multiple of his home screen lines also show how much he loves messing with Luke in general:

"I'm free right now, so I think I might go and tease Luke."

"Luke is like a Chihuahua who thinks it is a German Shepherd. Cute, huh?"

"I'm back! I was so excited to meet you that I left Luke behind."

"If you don't eat enough breakfast, you'll turn out tiny like Luke."

Plus, in dance battles, one of his chibi poses is him teasingly scaring someone, while Luke has a corresponding scared pose, suggesting that he may be meant to be scaring Luke in particular.

He also gets MC to mess with Belphegor when they are looking for him, instructing them to kick the tree that he knows he's probably asleep in as hard as they possibly can.

However, while none of those things make him any less of an angel, there is evidence to support that he is, in fact, a "bad" angel in a different sense.

As the two Celestial Realm exchange students, Simeon and Luke represent two opposite ends of a spectrum of angel attitudes. Luke, having still been very young when the Great Celestial War happened, has been taught to have very uptight views of the demons, insisting that they are evil and should be avoided at all costs. When he first arrives in the Devildom, he is terrified at the idea that the two of them could get corrupted by the demons and fall. This is the prevailing attitude taught in the Celestial Realm: that demons are wicked, and that angels are inherently better than them.

By contrast, Simeon does not hold this view at all. He is happy to spend time with the demon brothers, and doesn't look down on them for falling. On the home screen, Luke complains, "Simeon is too sweet to demons! He's sweeter than a cake from Madam Scream's!" In the Rain, a Fire and Simeon Devilgram story, Simeon even talks about how he actually prefers the hustle and bustle of the Devildom, feeling that the Celestial Realm feels too quiet now.

This difference between him and Luke is not only expressed in his fondness for the demons, either. Simeon understands the nuances of good vs evil, and he himself seems to operate in shades of grey at times, rather than being perfectly aligned with Michael's (and by extension, it's implied, God's) wishes. More than once, he displays quite a flippant attitude towards following the rules, such as his very hand-wavey dismissal when MC asks about his lying.

Luke also calls him out on his disregard for rules, saying that Simeon is just too loose about following them:

However, this glib attitude should not be taken to mean that Simeon doesn't know exactly what he's doing. When it seems the only solution to restore stability to the three realms is for MC to sever all their pacts with the demon brothers, he quickly realizes that the other option, the Ring of Light that used to belong to Lucifer, must be hidden among Michael's things rather than lost to time as everyone thought. He tells Luke that he needs to go back to the Celestial Realm to take care of something, but he is firm that Luke should not come with him - because he is going to steal the ring from Michael, a risky, rebellious move that he doesn't want Luke to get involved in. He is perfectly aware of what he's doing, and actively chooses to do it anyway, consequences be damned, because he wants to do what he feels is right.

When Michael does confront him about it, he's not the least bit sorry, either. In fact, he sasses him and talks back, unafraid to show disrespect to God's top angel.

We also know that he's been demoted at some point. Luke tells MC that Simeon is an archangel, making him one of the Celestial Realm's warriors, or as Simeon himself has jokingly described it, a "low-level grunt" who is overworked by higher-up angels like Michael. However, during MC's time travel back to the Celestial Realm, we learn that Simeon used to be a seraph right alongside Michael and Lucifer. It is again referenced during the fairy incident, when he makes the low-level grunt joke again but is then reminded that he was a seraph at this point in time. We're not sure yet why he was demoted - there's a lot of speculation on this point, and we can't draw any definitive conclusions yet - but if we take that being a "good" angel means being obedient to Michael and God, we start to get a far less rosy picture of Simeon's good standing as an angel.

What does this mean? Is he a "bad" angel? Kind of, but not for the reasons some may think. His mischievous, devious, and playful side is not what makes him less angelic. It is his more rebellious, nonconformist way of doing things that actually opens up the possibility of him gradually getting further and further away from being an ideal angel, and potentially putting him on the path of falling from grace.