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tswhiisftteedr · 1 year ago

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Heyyyy, could you do a oneshot f!reader x Zestial nsfw pretty please ? 🙏

Tea Salon ☆ One Shot

Zestial x Salon Owner Sinner!Fem!Reader:

A young woman with big dreams ready to be achieve was what you were, after making a deal with Overlord Rosie you soon found out that your Salon wasn't the only thing that would bloom in your afterlife...

Warning: Mature Content, Explicit/Graphic Language, Honestly Nothing Kinky, Husband and wife, Praise kink, Creampie, Oral(Female receiving), Old English, NOT PROOFREAD.

Words: 5907

Note: okay if you know anything about business, I am so sorry cuz I don’t, I just did some quick research so if it just looks like a bunch of gibberish (Rosie and reader’s meeting), I am sorry! Also a lot of Rosie in the beginning, like zestial is mentioned but doesn’t show up until the shop is open for a little while.

☆ more under the cut. ☆

In your living, you've always appreciated the simplicity of nature-oriented lifestyle reminiscent of earlier eras. It's not that you have anything against new technologies; you own a smartphone and laptop, after all. What irks you is the over-consumerism perpetuated by planned obsolescence.

Your expectation when purchasing something is that it should function and endure, offering value for the time and money invested. The capitalist mindset, with its overproduction and resulting overconsumption, is something you strongly dislike.

Capitalism inherently creates a class conflict between capital and labor. While capitalists aim for high profits, workers may endure exploitation, receiving wages consistently lower than the true value of their labor.

When you had finally passed away due to a malfunctioning smart car and had discovered that even in the afterlife, people still had to work tirelessly to meet end means, you couldn't deny that you felt disappointed.

With a background in restoration, you secured a position in a somewhat upscale restaurant – well, upscale for Hell's pride ring standards. Although you initially started as a garbage boy, you quickly ascended the ranks to become a server.

Devoting longer hours than your colleagues, by choice, you harbored a goal beyond mere survival in the hellscape. You held an ambition, a genuine dream – to establish a tea salon and sustain yourself through it.

Envisioning your own establishment, you aimed to offer freshly baked treats and brewed tea for guests to enjoy while engaging in lively conversations and gossip.

You were well aware of whose assistance was crucial for your project. Overlord Rosie served as your golden ticket to a thriving salon. You needed her help to secure a building in the border zone shared by her and Overlord Zestial, as both of their people were of interest when envisioning the kind of establishment you hope to open.

After three months of relentless work and an additional month of patiently waiting for an appointment on her end, you finally managed to secure a meeting with the elegant cannibal;

"So, what do you have for me today, darling?" she inquires.

"Well, Madam Rosie—" you begin, but you're promptly interrupted by the demon before you.

"Oh, dear, no need for all those 'madam' formalities for a sweet thing like you. Just call me Rosie. But if you insist on honorifics, then ‘Miss Rosie’ will do!" The leader of Hell's cannibal district and owner of the Rosie emporium cheerfully encourages you to address her casually. Despite the power difference, her amiable attitude eases any tension surrounding your sales pitch.

"Oh, very well then. Ahem, Miss Rosie, I'd like to seek your assistance for a passion project of mine," you pause, collecting your thoughts.

"I'm interested in opening a tea salon. It's been four months since I arrived in hell, and I've been searching extensively for the perfect building. Coincidentally, it's situated on your side of the shared border zone with Overlord Zestial. I understand it's not owned by you as part of the border zone, but being on the edge of your colony grants you some jurisdiction."

"Is that so," she replies, sipping her tea. "I appreciate the idea of a tea salon near my territory. Please elaborate more about the idea itself."

"Of course! I personally dislike the over-consumerism that existed on Earth and persists in hell. My goal is to establish one or two shops at most—something familial and local instead of a big chain. I aim to offer freshly baked and brewed drinks for my customers, who would come from all over the Pentagram. I do acknowledge that most of my clientele would be from your people, Overlord Zestial's, and those from the Radio Demon's territory. A simple analysis suggests that sinners from those areas may be more in tune with the concept, as they hail from eras when such establishments were more common," you explain.

"Well, that's all delightful, darling, but, as you rightly point out, the concept isn't foreign in these circles. Your salon is certainly not the first in these parts. No offense to your aspirations, but I'm struggling to see what sets you apart, something that would entice me to invest."

"As for standing out, I may or may not have direct access to products from the living world," you reveal, prompting Rosie to set down her cup.

"Well, isn't that interesting?" she remarks, now more intrigued.

"Yes, indeed it is. I can assure you that not only would my products be fresh, but they would exclusively feature ingredients from the living world – a culinary experience many down here yearn for. Additionally, I can promise you the highest quality of tea, such as Ceylon," you confidently declare.

"And how would someone like you, who sought an Overlord's assistance, have access to such materials? I'm not necessarily doubting you, but connecting the dots is a bit challenging," she says joyfully.

"Oh, I apologize, but I cannot disclose the identities of my procurers. I've signed an NDA as obtaining items from the world upstairs isn't their primary business. Additionally this avoids attracting requests from other companies, I'm afraid they'll have to remain nameless," you explain.

"Well, isn't that convenient for you, fufufu~ I suppose you'll have to prove your word in other ways," she remarks.

"Indeed, perhaps I have an idea on how to do so that you'd like to hear," you suggest.

"I'm all ears," she replies.

"I've noticed there's a kitchen in this building, so I was contemplating rescheduling another meeting soon after this one. During that meeting, I plan not only to bring in earthly ingredients but also to bake something for you. This would showcase my kitchen skills while simultaneously proving my capability to provide the desired products," you express.

"Well, that does seem feasible. I'll pencil you in for next Monday," she replies, jotting something down on her notepad that had been on the coffee table since the start of the meeting. "Now, shall we discuss payment?" she asks.

"Yes, please. As mentioned earlier, I'll handle the supply for my business. What I need from you is assistance in acquiring the building, help with renovations since it's a bit run-down, and perhaps some promotion to your people concerning work, as I'll still require staff when I eventually open. I've checked the listing for the building itself, and I have more than enough for the purchase. However, when renovations and promoting are considered, my budget becomes a bit tight. I was thinking of a BNPL for that part," you explain.

"Alright then, that doesn't seem too bad. How about this: I get 10% of the overall monthly revenue from your establishment. I still need to make some money, after all, fufufu~ Additionally, we can consider a 1-year BNPL plan to repay the renovation loan. And one more thing: to prove your establishment's worth, aim for a minimum 20% net profit by the end of the year since opening day. How does that sound to you?" she inquires.

"10 percent isn't too stiff, but a 20% net profit may be a little challenging in only a year of business. However, I believe in my dream!" you cheerfully exclaim.

"I'm glad you agree, though I still need some collateral for your loan. But let's discuss that after I get to see your skills in action," she tells you a bit more seriously.

"Makes sense," you reply.

"I think that's all for today unless you still have something to talk about," she asks.

"No, that's all from my side," you tell her.

"Wonderful, darling! I hope to see you Monday at 12:35 a.m.," she says as she stands up and points to the door.

"Yes, so do I," you respond as you exit the room.

Leaving her building, you were more than pleased that the meeting had gone well. Once home, as you collapsed on your couch, releasing all your stress, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance encounter with that imp during your first month in hell;

On that day, you had ventured to imp city for errands, finding Carmine products a bit too pricey for your liking. Seeking an alternative for self-defense, you visited a gun shop there.

Exiting the store, you witnessed a heartbreaking scene—an imp being beaten up by a group of sinners, degrading names thrown at him. While you refrained from intervening, as it wasn't your place, the revelation that they were targeting the imp simply because he was an imp, compelled you to approach and ensure he wasn't fatally harmed.

Before you could rouse his battered form with a shake, he uttered, "The hell you want."

"Oh, I just wanted to make sure you were okay," you reassure him.

"Bullshit," he retorts loudly. "Listen, fucking pickpocket, those assholes already took everything I had on me, besides my clothes. And I sure as hell won't be stroll down these motherfucking streets in my underwear. So, if you wanted anything, too bad, now you have until the count of ten before I blow a hole in your skull," he rudely warns.

"First of all, I'm not going to rob you. Second, how are you going to shoot me if you just said you had nothing on you? And thirdly, I was serious about checking on you. It's unfair that they beat you up just for being an imp. It's messed up, honestly. Since sinners don't have specific races like back on Earth, they just go after other beings to exercise their racist ideology," you say.

"Humans sure do love their racism," he remarks, still untrusting but more open to conversation.

"Sinners are down here for a reason, but hellspawns are different. They're currently living their lives, just like humans did back on Earth. And yet, the damned are considered superior? That's just messed up," you express sincerely. In your view, hell's hierarchy wasn't fair. ‘If this was the sinners' punishment, why categorize them as better than imps—creatures born here, not getting punished for misconduct.’

With that sentiment resonating in your words, the imp seemed more at ease as he responded to your next words. "Anyways, you need medical attention. Let's get to a hospital."

"Do you have the money for medical bills, or even the admission fee? 'Cause I sure don't," he replies, a grin on his face, strangely charming despite his black eye and cut lips.

"Yeah, sorry, pal. I can't afford the rates for treating you; I'm saving for something big," you convey with sadness in your voice.

He chuckles at your honesty. "Thought so," he replies, allowing his body to rest against the brick wall of the alley even more, as if surrendering.

"My place is far from here. Do you have any first aid supplies at yours?" you inquire, a slight panic setting in, concerned that if he fell asleep, he might not make it, even though he wasn't bleeding excessively. Yet, he didn't appear likely to stay conscious much longer.

"Yeah, but it's too far from here," he begins, heightening your anxiety. "Though my office isn't. There's some there too," he adds, his eyes glossy, appearing on the verge of passing out at any moment.

"Alright then, just give me the address, and I'll take you there," he somewhat reluctantly grumbled out the location before passing out.

Entering the address into your phone's search engine and hoisting the imp onto your back, you walked to the location.

Quite aware that cab drivers might attempt to take extort you, especially considering you were a human carrying an injured imp, you opted for the slower but more cost-effective walking route, reaching the destination in about 25 minutes.

Climbing the stairs to the seventh floor drained your energy, but your adrenaline surged upon encountering a hellhound and two imps inside the office.

The hellhound growled and barked aggressively, while the female imp simultaneously yelled and prepared for a fight. The only one not seeing red was the male imp, who was trying to make sense of the situation.

"What the hell happened to Blitzø!??" the hellhound demanded.

"Yeah, what the hell did you do to him!?!??" the female imp added, brandishing a knife.

"Millie, calm down. If they brought him here, they're most likely not the ones who hurt him," the male imp reasoned with the female.

"Yeah, it wasn't me. He got beaten up by a group of supremacist sinners," you explained as you gently placed him on the couch in the room. "He told me he had a first aid kit here, so I brought him here as neither he nor I could afford the hospital bills."

"And how can we be sure you aren't part of the jerks who hurt him, huh?" the female imp asked, her nerves still on edge, clearly showing concern for the imp. ‘Well, no, Millie showed concern a lot about Blitz.’

"You can just ask him when he wakes up, but right now, he needs help. So, can any of you bring the kit, and we'll get this over with."

With reluctance, the hellhound, whom you soon learned was named Luna, retrieved the kit and left the healing to the male imp, Moxxie. They preferred you not to touch him any further.

After briefly stepping out to grab some missing antiseptic, you observed as they took care of him. You had convinced your way into staying until he awoke; the thought that his injuries might be worse than you initially thought haunted you, and you couldn't bear the idea that he might have died if you hadn't brought him here fast enough.

After Blitzø had regained consciousness, he thanked you and offered a 50% discount on your first kill. Curious about the statement, you informed him that you weren't aware of what his company specialized in. He somewhat joyfully played their commercial for you.

Finding it all very intriguing, you inquired about the possibility of them visiting the living world for a different purpose, which he confirmed but clarified it wasn't their company's business.

Tugging a bit at their heartstrings, particularly after saving Blitzø, you divulged your ambitions. To stand out and make your dream a reality, you needed something unique, and they held the key to it. Your request was for them to procure ingredients from the human world.

Blitzø exhibited reluctance, but Millie underwent a 180-degree shift, genuinely eager to assist you, with her husband supporting her. After some persuasion, you struck a deal with I.M.P. In exchange for 5/7 of the usual kill price and keeping things on the down low, they agreed to provide you with a weekly shipment of the groceries.

Returning to the present, it was now Monday, and you found yourself 10 minutes ahead of schedule, standing in front of Rosie's emporium with a large cooler containing your ingredients.

An employee inside noticed you through the sizable glass entry doors and came out to guide you to the kitchen. They assured you that they would inform Rosie of your arrival and gave you the green light to start setting up.

True to your word, you efficiently prepared the kitchen, and right on schedule, Rosie arrived to find a clean and ready-to-use workspace, along with the promised fresh and earthy ingredients;

"Looks like you're a woman of your word, aren't you, dear?" Rosie remarked as she grabbed some dairy products and checked the expiration dates on them.

"Of course, and I wouldn't even dream of lying to you in the first place," you assured her.

"Oh, how trustworthy you are, fufufu~" she teased.

"Of course, now should I begin?" you asked, and she replied affirmatively.

With that, the baking commenced. Your choice of treat for today was a Charlotte au fraise. In about 35 minutes, you finished the preparation.

The dessert needed to chill for 8 hours in the fridge, but anticipating such a wait, you had invested in a 'chill crystal' for today and the future. This crystal is essential for cooks and bakers alike in hell as it significantly reduces the time a dish needs to be refrigerated.

Using it, your 8 hours turned into 25 minutes. During that time, you cleaned your equipment and the kitchen and, of course, brewed some tea for Rosie.

Upon reaching the 25-minute mark, you brought out the cake, cut a slice for Rosie, and served her a cup of tea. She relished every last bit of it;

"This was all wonderful, y/n," she expressed. "I am sure of it now, I will definitely invest in your dream!"

"Oh, thank you, Miss Rosie! You don't know how much this means to me!" you exclaimed joyfully.

"I'm glad I can help. But now that we've agreed I'll lend my assistance to you on your adventure, I still need you to agree on the collateral for the BNPL I want."

"Oh, of course. What is it?" you asked.

"Well, it's elementary, dear. What I want is... your soul!" she told you.

"Oh, well, that's only until I pay you back, right?" You asked worriedly.

"Yes, of course. If everything goes well and you pay me back before the deadline, you'll get your soul back. But if you exceed the time limit, your soul will indefinitely belong to me. I hope you understand that," she explained.

With a gulp, you spoke up, "I understand, Miss. Rosie."

"Wonderful, then... 'It's a deal,'" she declared, and with those words, a bright pink contract materialized, altering the entire room's shade. Nervously, you picked up a pen from the table and signed your soul away.

As you pulled away from the contract, a pink chain momentarily appeared around your neck, then vanished in a flash along with the contract.

The demonstration went well, and you got what you wanted. While having your soul signed away was nerve-racking, you believed that if you made your vision work in time, it would return to you.

You begin to double your efforts, working your ass off harder than before. On your days off from the restaurant, you checked on the renovations of your building, and about a month later, everything was completed. After a long time of sucking up to the influential guests of the restaurant, you earned enough money to quit and open your shop.

With Rosie's promotion to her people, you efficiently built a staff, even recruiting some from other districts. On the 7th of August, you finally opened the doors to your shop, and it turned out to be a tremendous success.

The turnout exceeded expectations, but you had trained your staff to handle it. Business was booming, meeting Rosie's conditions in about 5 months instead of a year.

Just as you had envisioned, people from all over the pentagram flocked to enjoy the services your establishment provided. Surprisingly, sinners from Zestial'd district emerged as your number 1 clientele, surpassing even Rosie's people.

With your salon becoming the hot topic of his district, it caught the interest of the governing overlord. Since his people were captivated by your establishment, he decided to pay a visit himself. And so he did.

Upon the first approach to the building, he was delighted by the overall aesthetic.

While he wasn't from the era when salons first became popular, being about two centuries older, the entire ambiance brought a sense of nostalgia, even though he wasn't alive when they gained popularity.

Another aspect that pleased him was the evident respect guests and staff showed to the establishment during a service. People were polite, and the quality of the food served was impeccable.

He was currently enjoying a cup of tea with none other than Rosie, discussing the success of the establishment;

"You've madeth a valorous investment, mine lief friend. This salon is nothing but successful; you've hath found quite the gem,” Zestial complimented Rosie as he sipped his tea.

Setting her cup down, Rosie responded, "Oh, quite the contrary, Zestial. My dear little owner was the one who reached out. Sparkles in her eyes and a big dream in her heart. With hard work, she achieved those ambitions, beating my expectations and regaining her soul in less than half the time I expected."

"is yond so? Quite the guts and perseverance the lady hath,“ he replied, taking another sip of his tea.

"Yes, though I honestly didn't expect your people to enjoy this place so much. Really messed up my calculations," she said, playfully feigning frustration.

"well, sinners art inherently unpredictable creatures by nature. Plus," he paused to take a bite of a fruit tart on his plate, "with desserts like this, i don't expect anyone to intermit long ere coming to tryeth those folk for themselves. Speaking of which, i would love to compliment the owner and chef for such marvelous worketh, “ he said once he had swallowed his bite.

Rosie replied, "Well, that's the fun thing – they're both the same person. She works diligently as both showrunner and employee! But yes, I can get her if you truly wish to speak to her."

"yond would beest appreciated,“ he told her.

Meanwhile, you were on the phone with a decor company, trying to arrange something for Valentine's Day in a month – or more like Valentine's week, with new decor from the 7th to the 14th.

Once you hung up, Rosie entered the office and informed you of the situation. Without questions, you followed her into the main room of the salon, and let's just say you were nervous;

Gazing at your form, Zestial spoke out, "i wilt sayeth, miss y/n, i greatly enjoy thy establishment, and so doth mine people.”

"Oh— thank you so much, Zestial, sir, I- I mean, Mr. Zestial. Sorry, I meant Overlord Zestial! So sorry!" you stammer.

"quite the nervous one, isn’t the lady?" he did add with a bawbling chuckle. he said to Rosie, who only nodded in agreement. "well, nay needeth for worries. 'zestial' is quite fine, child." he added with a small chuckle.

"Oh, alright then. Thank you for your praise, Zestial," you said with a soft smile, which he returned. ‘Satan, was he handsome.’

"Hey, how come you call him by his name right away, and I'm still 'Miss Rosie'?" Rosie teased.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Rosie. I've just gotten used to it," you replied, and they both laughed at your flustered state.

This soon became a common occurrence for you, and quickly after that, Zestial came more and more often to the point that your salon became Zestial's meeting spot when discussing business. Consequently, he had his own VIP room for such occurrences.

Simultaneously, you grew closer with the Overlord, becoming more comfortable around him. About a month later, you found yourself crushing on the man, giving him a fair amount of treats on the house to show affection.

And don't think said affection went unnoticed by him. Being an old soul like him brought wisdom, especially in the romance department.

Actually, Zestial himself found himself enamored with you, leading to him declaring his desire to court you;

You were tidying up the VIP room after one of Zestial's meetings, swiping down the table. As you prepared to leave the room, the Overlord spoke up.

"y/n, darling, may i hath't a word with thee?” he asked.

"Yes, of course, Zestial. What do you need?" you replied, your voice slightly quivering, because, 'fuck, did you love the fact he started calling you romantic pet names.'

"well, mine lovely business owner, i hath't to admit something to thee, so prithee did put the rag down and sitteth, " he requested. You obliged. "It seems that I have found mys"'t seemeth yond i hath't did find myself having fallen for thee,“ he began, making your breath hitch.

"i eke did notice yond thee seemeth to feeleth the same, or am i wrong?" he inquired, causing you to shake your head and answer with a weak, flustered 'no.' "did doth bethink so," he said with a chuckle. "then, as we both feeleth for one another, i'd like to court thee, unless thee hath't something 'gainst me doing so.”

"Yes— I mean no, well, um, shit," you stammered. Taking a breath, you spoke out again. "What I meant to say was, yes, I would love to be courted by you, more than anything, actually," you admitted.

Standing up, walking behind you, and wrapping his arm around your figure, he leaned down to your ear. "well, isn't yond perfect. I can't wait to hath't thee all to myself still,“ he whispered, somewhat sensually, leaving you in shock yet longing for more when he pulled away.

And with that, the courtship began. You found yourself taken out for nights on the town to nice restaurants, sweet notes and love poems left in your office for you to see, and evenings spent at his castle in the fireplace room, listening as he serenaded you, oh so lovingly.

You honestly couldn't wait for you and him to become official. You might have thought that being spoken for after such a short time was idiotic in the past, but Zestial was just so perfect and all you needed in your afterlife. It was obvious that you would marry as soon as he asked you.

About 5 months after your initial meeting, you found yourself dining with your suitor at quite the fancy restaurant, fancier than the one you used to work at actually.

"how art thee liking thy food, mine sweet y/n?” Zestial inquired.

"Yes, it's wonderful. What about yours, Zestial?" you asked back.

"everything is eke wonderful on mine end, " he replied, then added on, "Mine darling, would thee mind stopping thy meal for an instant? I'd like to break with an important matter with thee.”

"Oh, why, of course," you replied, putting down your utensils. You were now accustomed to Zestial and his ways, but his next move surprised you.

Zestial had stood up and got on his knees. "mine love, despite not having known thee for yond long did compare to mine long existence, i cannot see myself spending mine life beyond the grave without thee. Thou art high-sighted, talented, ingenious, and quite quaint, to a sir like me, and i would did bet many others, ye art quite literally breathtaking. Yond is accounting for thee as a whole, not just thy aesthetic attributes. So, y/n l/n, would thee doth me the honor of being thy husband for eternity?” He said as he pulled out a ring box, opening it to reveal a beautiful green diamond ring.

Overwhelmed with emotion, you gasped in surprise, your eyes widened at the stunning ring before you. The green diamond sparkled, capturing the essence of your feelings.

"Oh, Zestial..." You trailed off, a wave of happiness and love washing over you. Tears of joy glistened in your eyes as you nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, a thousand times yes!" you exclaimed, your heart pounding with excitement. Zestial's face lit up with a radiant smile as he gently slipped the ring onto your finger.

As the dazzling gem adorned your hand, sealing the promise of eternity, Zestial rose from his kneeling position. You both shared a tender embrace, sealing the moment with a passionate kiss. The restaurant's ambiance faded away as you were immersed in the warmth of Zestial's affection.

The patrons and staff discreetly applauded, offering their congratulations to the newly engaged couple. Zestial held you close, his eyes reflecting the depth of his emotions.

"to our dateless love,“ he whispered, and you clinked your glasses together in a toast. The night continued, now infused with the magic of your commitment to each other.

From that moment forward, you and Zestial embarked on a beautiful journey, navigating the twists and turns of the afterlife hand in hand, bound by an eternal love that transcended time and existence.

And so, your wedding unfolded in a splendid ceremony. Radiant in your role, you felt like a true queen that day, with Rosie officiating and injecting humor into the proceedings, eliciting laughter from you, Zestial, and your guests.

The day was a jubilant celebration, offering you the chance to become better acquainted with Zestial's fellow overlords, including Carmilla Carmine: Holy Arms Dealer and Alastor: The Radio Demon. Despite their contrasting personalities, they played nice for the sake of the occasion.

However, that was a few hours ago. Now, with the reception concluded, all the guests had departed, leaving you and Zestial in the intimate confines of his castle, specifically, his bedroom.

Following tradition, this was the night of your nuptials, the night where you and Zestial would come together as one for the first time;

Seated at the edge of the king-size bed in your now shared room, you adorned yourself in an exquisite, intricately embroidered transparent nightgown, awaiting Zestial.

The faint click of the door drew your attention, and your now-husband entered, pushing the door open with a subtle yet confident gesture.

"Well, mine dearest bride, “ Zestial said, his voice filled with an underlying lustfulness that sent shivers down your spine. "'t seemeth we finally hath't some time high-lone.” He stepped closer to you, his presence filling up the entire room.

You could feel his eyes roaming over your exposed body, drinking in every inch of you like a starving demon discovering a feast fit for a king. While you tried hard not to squirm or show any signs of discomfort, your heart raced faster than it ever had before as he spoke words of praise.

"T-thank you, Zestial," you managed to croak out, trying to maintain some semblance of composure despite the butterflies fluttering wildly in your stomach.

His voice dripping with false surprise. "thee behold absolutely stunning in yond gown, y/n.”

He stepped closer, his hands reaching out to caress your exposed thighs, his touch sending electric shocks coursing through your entire body. You bit down hard on your bottom lip, fighting the urge to whimper aloud as he continued to tease you. ‘Were you always this needy?’

"art thee eft for me to claim what is rightfully mine?” he asked, his eyes flashing with hunger.

You nodded vigorously, as he slowly undressed himself, revealing his tall, imposing frame covered in black fabric that clung tightly to his lithe figure. He kicked off his shoes and stepped out of his pants.

As he stood before you, nude except for his dark briefs, you couldn't help but marvel at his imposing presence. He towered over you like a giant spider, his erect member straining against the thin fabric of his boxers.

Trembling slightly, you open your legs, inviting him to climb onto the bed and join you. Without hesitation, Zestial crawled onto the mattress, positioning himself between your spread legs. He leaned forward, his mouth hovering inches away from your pussy, his breath hot against your sensitive folds.

"Tell me, mine own lief jointress," he purred, his voice low and husky. "Would thee liketh me to gust thee first?”

A shiver ran down your spine as you replied, your voice cracking slightly. "Yes... please..."

Zestial's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he lowered his head, his lips brushing against your sensitive flesh. You let out a soft moan as he began to tease you, tracing light kisses along your thighs and inner thighs before finally reaching your wet, quivering entrance.

He sucked on your sensitive folds, causing your hips to buck and writhe involuntarily.

As he continued his lewd assault on your most intimate areas, his tongue darted out to lick and circle your clit, sending waves of pleasure coursing through your body.

You arched your back, crying out his name, your nails digging into the sheets as he relentlessly pleasured you.

"Oh, Satan... Zestial!" You panted, your breath coming in short gasps. "I'm going to—I'm almost there!"

"Good girl," Zestial growled, his voice thick with desire. He increased the pace of his assault, sucking harder on your clit and thrusting his tongue deeper into your wetness.

Your moans turned into incoherent moans of pure ecstasy as he brought you closer to the edge of orgasm.

Just as you felt you were about to cum, he suddenly pulled away, leaving you craving more. "Not yet, mine own dram naughty bride," he purred. "We haven't begun yet. “

He stood up straight again, his hardened member now fully exposed, throbbing with anticipation. "do thee wanteth me to filleth thee up anon?” he asked, his voice husky with desire.

You panted heavily, your breath coming in ragged gasps. "Yes, please, Zestial," you pleaded, your voice hoarse from your intense arousal. "I need you inside me."

“Are thee sure mine own loveth, thy so bawbling i’m afraid i might breaketh thee. ” He teased, which only made whine pleadingly.

Without further ado, Zestial positioned himself between your spread legs once more. Slowly, he pushed himself into your tight, wet entrance, filling you up to the brim.

A mixture of pain and pleasure radiated throughout your body as he began to thrust rhythmically, his massive member stretching and stretching you further than you ever thought possible.

Each thrust was accompanied by a low groan from both of you, the sounds of your bodies slapping together filling the quiet room.

Your nails clawed at the sheets, leaving long, deep scratches in the fabric as he pounded into you relentlessly. Your orgasm built up faster than before, approaching its peak once more.

"Cum f'r me, mine own lief," Zestial growled, his eyes blazing with lust. "Let wend and releaseth all yond pent-up desire. “

You cried out his name, your body convulsing violently as you climaxed again, your juices coating his member and dripping down your thighs.

Your orgasm seemed to fuel him further, and he picked up the pace, thrusting faster and harder than ever before.

"Yes! More, give me more!" You begged, your voice barely recognizable from the pleasure that consumed you.

As your body continued to shake with each powerful thrust, Zestial groaned deeply, his fingers digging into your hips for support. Suddenly, he groaned loudly, his entire body tensing up before shooting his hot seed deep inside of you, filling you completely.

Finally, he pulled out of you, his cock still twitching as he collapsed beside you on the bed. Panting heavily, he reached over and brushed a strand of sweat-drenched hair from your forehead.

"That wast. quite wond'rful," he managed to croak out between heavy breaths. "Howev'r, i doubteth a single round shall suffice to satisfyeth mine own needeth, consid'ring i've been anticipating this moment f'r months. ”

“Oh.” Was all you had the time to say before your night of passion continues.

"Thank you, Zestial," you panted, your own breath returning to normal. "That was... amazing."

You reached over and caressed his cheek, your fingers trailing down to his chin. "Could we... do it again sometime?"

He chuckled softly, his eyes softening slightly. "Of course, mine own lief jointress," he replied, chuckling at your somewhat innocent neediness, his voice still husky with satisfaction. "We has't all the timeth in this hellish w'rld togeth'r anon. "

You lay there for a while, basking in their post-coital bliss, their hearts racing in sync. Eventually, Zestial stirred, moving closer to you. "Do thee needeth aught else bef're we retireth f'r the night?” he asked, his hand trailing down your stomach to rest on your hipbone.

“No, I just want you close to me.” You answered,

“Of course.” he replied softly, placing a kiss on your forehead as you fell asleep in each other’s arms….

Old English in order of apparition;

"You've madeth a valorous investment, mine lief friend. This salon is nothing but successful; you've hath found quite the gem, ” = "You've made a good investment, my friend. This salon is nothing but successful; you've found quite the gem,”

"is yond so? Quite the guts and perseverance the lady hath,“ = "Is that so? Quite the guts and perseverance she has,"

"well, sinners art inherently unpredictable creatures by nature. Plus," = "Well, sinners are inherently unpredictable creatures by nature. Plus,"

"with desserts like this, i don't expect anyone to intermit long ere coming to tryeth those folk for themselves. Speaking of which, i would love to compliment the owner and chef for such marvelous worketh, “ = "with desserts like this, I don't expect anyone to resist long before coming to try them for themselves. Speaking of which, I would love to compliment the owner and chef for such marvelous work,"

"yond would beest appreciated,“ = "That would be appreciated,"

"i wilt sayeth, miss y/n, i greatly enjoy thy establishment, and so doth mine people.” = "I must say, Miss Y/n, I greatly enjoy your establishment, and so do my people."

"quite the nervous one, isn’t the lady?" = "Quite the nervous one, isn’t she?"

"well, nay needeth for worries. 'zestial' is quite fine, child." = "Well, no need for worries. 'Zestial' is quite fine, child,"

"y/n, darling, may i hath't a word with thee?” he asked. = "Y/n, darling, may I have a word with you?"

"well, mine lovely business owner, i hath't to admit something to thee, so prithee did put the rag down and sitteth, " = "Well, my lovely business owner, I have to admit something to you, so please put the rag down and sit,"

"It seems that I have found mys"'t seemeth yond i hath't did find myself having fallen for thee,“ = "It seems that I have found myself having fallen for you,"

"i eke did notice yond thee seemeth to feeleth the same, or am i wrong?" = "I also noticed that you seem to feel the same, or am I wrong?"

"did doth bethink so," = "Thought so,"

"then, as we both feeleth for one another, i'd like to court thee, unless thee hath't something 'gainst me doing so.” = "Then, as we both feel for one another, I'd like to court you, unless you have something against me doing so."

"well, isn't yond perfect. I can't wait to hath't thee all to myself still,“ = "Well, isn't that perfect. I can't wait to have you all to myself forever,"

"how art thee liking thy food, mine sweet y/n?” = "How are you liking your food, my sweet Y/N?"

"everything is eke wonderful on mine end, " = "Everything is also wonderful on my end,"

"Mine darling, would thee mind stopping thy meal for an instant? I'd like to break with an important matter with thee.” = "My darling, would you mind stopping your meal for an instant? I'd like to discuss an important matter with you."

"mine love, despite not having known thee for yond long did compare to mine long existence, i cannot see myself spending mine life beyond the grave without thee. Thou art high-sighted, talented, ingenious, and quite quaint, to a sir like me, and i would did bet many others, ye art quite literally breathtaking. Yond is accounting for thee as a whole, not just thy aesthetic attributes. So, y/n l/n, would thee doth me the honor of being thy husband for eternity?” = "My love, despite not having known you for that long compared to my long existence, I cannot see myself spending my life beyond the grave without you. You're ambitious, talented, ingenious, and beautiful, to a man like me, and I would bet many others, you are quite literally breathtaking. That is accounting for you as a whole, not just your aesthetic attributes. So, Y/N L/N, would you do me the honor of being your husband for eternity?"

"to our dateless love,“ = "To our everlasting love,"

"Well, mine dearest bride, “ = "Well, my dearest bride,"

"'t seemeth we finally hath't some time high-lone.” = "It seems we finally have some time alone."

"thee behold absolutely stunning in yond gown, y/n.”= "You look absolutely stunning in that gown, y/n."

"art thee eft for me to claim what is rightfully mine?” = "Are you ready for me to claim what is rightfully mine?"

"tell me, mine own lief jointress," = "Tell me, my dear wife,"

"Would thee liketh me to gust thee first?” = "Would you like me to taste you first?"

"not yet, mine own dram naughty bride," = "Not yet, my little naughty bride,"

"We haven't begun yet. “ = "We haven't begun yet."

"do thee wanteth me to filleth thee up anon?” = "Do you want me to fill you up now?"

“are thee sure mine own loveth, thy so bawbling i’m afraid i might breaketh thee. ” = “Are you sure my love, your so small I’m afraid I might break you.”

"Cum f'r me, mine own lief," = "Cum for me, my dear,"

"Let wend and releaseth all yond pent-up desire. “= "Let go and release all that pent-up desire."

"That wast. quite wond'rful," = "That was... quite wonderful,"

"Howev'r, i doubteth a single round shall suffice to satisfyeth mine own needeth, consid'ring i've been anticipating this moment f'r months. ” = "However, I doubt a single round will suffice to satisfy my needs, considering I've been anticipating this moment for months.”

"Of course, mine own lief jointress," = “Of course, my dear wife,"

"We has't all the timeth in this hellish w'rld togeth'r anon. " = "We have all the time in this hellish world together now.”

"do thee needeth aught else bef're we retireth f'r the night?” = "Do you need anything else before we retire for the night?"

Thanks anon for requesting!

©tswhiisfttedr. dn translate, or plagiarize.

Tip Me (Ko-Fi) & And support my art account @maviscarlettie

You can now commission me!

Reblogs help!!! (Request Are On Pause)

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foone · 2 years ago

Text

Alternative names for humanity along the lines of "Homo sapiens" (Wise man) and "Pan narrans" (Storytelling Chimpanzee) that I'm too lazy to look up/make up Latin for:

chef ape

throwing ape

walking ape

The idea being that we're apparently unique in the animal kingdom in that we cook our food, so we're the Chef Apes. We're also one of the best animals at throwing things: humans have more accuracy and strength when throwing stuff than other apes, by a long shot

And apparently our ability to walk slowly for ages was key to our early survival as persistence predators. We can't outrun a gazelle or mammoth or whatever, but we don't tire easily and so we can just keep following it until it runs out of stamina

Pan basipila: the baseball playing Bonobo

If only baseball had a cooking element, it would be the perfect Human Sport.

We need to devise a sport where you cook something, follow someone for a long time, and then throw it at them.

The most human thing is the surprise pie to the face

Also as much as I like Terry Pratchett's suggestion of "Pan narrans" I wouldn't be surprised if we turn out to not be the only animal that tells stories...

Elephants. I bet elephants do.

Like, there was that case where an injured elephant went to a ranger station for help. One it had never been to before, but other elephants had.

The theory being then that some other elephant had told this elephant "hey if you're hurt, go here, the humans will help"

That, combined with how they have burial rituals (some which might indicate there's an elephant religion!), and that we're working on figuring out how elephants communicate...

It wouldn't surprise me if we learn sometimes in the next decade or two that "oh yeah, elephants tell stories too. They've got FICTION."

So "Pan narrans" isn't what I'd want to bet on as our uniquely human thing.

But at the end of the day, maybe the whole idea of there being a uniquely human thing is, in itself, just another story we're telling.

So maybe it is a good fit after all.

But I especially like the idea that we're the Baseball Ape because I have this image in my head of a galactic council of aliens. Some angry alien who looks like Cthulhu had a baby with a spider has the floor, and they're ranting about "why do the Hu-mons deserve a seat?"

The Crogath are stronger, the Eldru are smarter, the Cybernetic Essense lives longer, the Dromans go farther and faster, the Moltriri have us beat in fiction and poetry, what is so special about these damn bipedal fleshbags that makes them unique in the universe?

And then WHAM. Right between the eyes. A handheld translator device, a bit bigger than a modern smartphone, beans the speaker out of nowhere.

And there's an (untranslated) yell in the chamber as the prime representative calls for order.

"WE CAN THROW, MOTHERFUCKER!"

(it takes a while to properly explain the insult. Crogathi (especially drones) don't really have mothers or sexual reproduction, so they don't really get why that would be an insult. It's finally translated as something like "bud-biter")

and it's true. even after the World Series becomes the Galactic Series, no non-human team ever manages to win.

The Eldrul Librarians almost make the cut in 2486 but accidentally piss off the ghost of Colonel Sanders and end up inheriting the Hanshin Tigers' curse.

alien textbooks describe The Colonel as some kind of human patron deity of baseball and cooked avian food, who should not be disrespected at all costs, or his vengeance from his place beyond the grave will be swift and punishing

(they're right)

"Look, we can't PROVE he was why Gemini Noctis went supernova unexpectedly, but given the protests that had happened right beforehand, and the incredible powers ascribed to the human spirits, do you really want to risk it?"

the funniest possible future: humanity gets a key place in galactic politics because we're never able to adequately convince the universe at large that our ghost stories are just that, stories, and they're terrified shitless that we'll unleash spectral torment on them

"humans? look man, living humans are a pushover. you can easily rip them in half, crack their planets with a quark bomb, their ships are little more than tin cans with a tachyon drive taped on the side. but it's not the living humans you have to worry about... it's the ghosts."

"humans are a bit like the Nontilek, with a two-stage lifespan, a grub and an adult. What you think of as "adult" humans is just their infant stage, and they only fully transform once they "die". Once fully hatched into Ghost form, their powers are almost limitless."

you want humans off a colony planet and bomb them from orbit? good luck, now you have a few million ascended humans who can pass through solid matter and can't be killed, and they will never rest until you and your descendants are gone or dead.

you don't believe me? look at this: One of their most popular stories is about them building an empire that spanned a large chunk of their little planet, then having it MURDER THEIR OWN GOD.

It only worked for a few revolutions, and he just came back, promising that one day all of them would join him in the next phase of their lifespan.

They still, to this day, thousands of orbits later, erect little statues of the means they used to execute their deity.

not even the Crogathi, who literally worship death itself, tell stories that frightening to their newly hatched grubs.

Humans are scary, man, stay away and just give them whatever they want.

the rest of the alien's education on the dangers of humans is just a selection of human movies. the sixth sense, poltergeist, ghostbusters, the shining, the devil's backbone, and, of course, field of dreams.

ghosts AND baseball? it's everything they're scared about humans all in one package!

the obvious twist you could do, of course, is simple:

the aliens are right.

humans are a two-phase species where the elder form has immense power but leaves communication and decision making to the younger form, which will be confused and angry if you acknowledge the presence of their elder-stage members among them.

this often leads to them cutting off contact or their elder-stage members causing immense damage through seeming "accidents" on the contacting vessel. This is believed to be some kind of religious prohibition that they are not able to explain.

so it's official contact protocol to pretend you cannot perceive the elder-stage humans among them, and to give them what they want to avoid possible retribution.

No means to combat elder-stage humans has yet been found, and the limits of their power is not known.

All alien captains are required to study the fate of the SS Ennolon, which contacted a lone human craft in the galactic year of 12,783. They had initiated contact and were getting along fine, until the human showed the Droman captain a picture of their "late father".

Captain Droless, accounting for the difficulty in telling humans apart, then pointed at the father sitting in a chair nearby and said "That is them, correct?".

The human looked at the chair, reacted in confusion, then anger, and asked the contacting crew to immediately leave.

It was another 400 cycles before contact could be reestablished between the Droman Federation and the Human Alliance.

the intergalactic guide describes humans as a powerful race of immortal energy beings who have the strange habit of sending their larvae out on missions around the galaxy, occasionally contacting other races, but refusing to acknowledge their elders, except in stories

they seem to frequently put their young in dangerous situations without lifting a hand to help, so this is suspected to be some sort of pilgrimage or coming-of-age ritual.

(From a twitter thread on October 1st, 2022)

#my writing #twitter threads #baseball ape

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mariacallous · 3 months ago

Text

As President Donald Trump’s tariff turmoil continues, it becomes increasingly clear that this unpredictability in the US will create economic stress for American businesses and residents. But as with other types of commercial turbulence, the people who will be hit the hardest are those with lower incomes.

Trump's tariff policy on goods imported into the US carves out some exceptions for smartphones and small electronics, but experts say the prices for those devices will still rise since the companies who manufacture them will incur added costs throughout their supply chains as the trade war continues to escalate.

And while many buyers shopping for a premium device may be able to afford an extra $100 or $200 tacked onto the price of a phone or laptop that already sells for over $1,000, those buying lower-priced personal tech will feel the squeeze more.

“The challenge is that the people buying low-price products are often the ones who are most price-sensitive and are most harmed by this,” says Shawn DuBravac, chief economist for the electronics trade association IPC. “Generally, lower-priced products have thinner margins, and this holds true across nearly all categories.”

Cheaper cars, entry-level smartphones, and budget laptops and tablets all make less profit per unit than their premium-model counterparts. That means that, unlike with flagship phones and laptops or high-end gaming PCs, companies need to sell more of the cheaper devices to make the effort of building them pay off. If the extra cost added by tariffs makes people buy less stuff, it means the logic behind selling them in the US at all makes less sense.

“The logic is pretty simple: Lower-priced products compete more heavily on price, which squeezes margins,” DuBravac says. “At the same time, they're typically produced in higher volumes, and the business model often relies on scale to make up for the thin margins.”

The president has gone back and forth on which devices will be exempt from tariffs. Regardless of how Trump’s tariffs ultimately play out, which rates he deescalates, or which costs companies are able to wriggle their ways out of, what’s likely to happen regardless is that all that uncertainty could lead to a wider increase in inflation across the economy. Stuff getting more expensive begets more stuff getting expensive.

Anshel Sag, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy says that inflation, in this economy, can be almost impossible to wind down.

“My biggest fear is that because this will drive inflation up, it will create a significant drain on people's disposable incomes and consumption will plummet as a result of these policies,” Sag says. “Even if a lot of these things get ironed out and agreements are struck, it's going to still result in higher inflation and lower buying power for the consumer.”

Of course, the rising cost of consumer tech isn’t the only force causing financial fragility among poorer Americans. Trump is also set on even more budget cuts that would overhaul and defund federal housing programs for low-income people. In April, the administration purged thousands of employees from the US Department of Health and Human Services, among them the entire staff of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, an agency that literally keeps the lights on for some low-income families. Since January, layoffs of thousands of people across social security, Veteran’s Affairs, and USAID departments could drag down the health, well-being, and buying power of the people who can’t afford to manage without these services.

“What ends up happening is people don't make purchases,” Sag says. “They get stuck with older tech. And it puts kids at a disadvantage in schools. It may even affect people's ability to find a job or be able to work independently.”

The RAPID Survey Project, a research program run by Stanford University’s Center on Early Childhood, collects data on the livelihoods and economics of how more than 22,000 people have been faring since 2020. The Center’s director, Philip Fisher, says that since the survey started, 30 percent of people in US households surveyed have indicated they aren’t able to pay for basic needs. That percentage scales almost directly with inflation. The higher prices are, the less people can afford.

“Our anticipation is that percentage is just going to continue to go up as the tariffs continue to work their magic,” Fisher says.

Those price increases are a particular problem for income-insecure households with young children. Beyond an inability for parents to supply kids with their basic needs, the same price uncertainty that has made the stock market go ballistic is likely to affect families as well.

“When so much is changing so quickly at the national level,” Fisher says, “It filters down to families and to communities and then ultimately to the experiences that kids are having.”

Beyond poverty, price hikes can also create problems for people at the margins of society and the institutions that look out for them.

Terah Lawyer‑Harper is executive director of CROP, or Creating Restorative Opportunities and Programs, a nonprofit that receives funding from California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and aims to help former prisoners and reduce recidivism. She worries that tariffs will make it much harder to support former inmates looking to reintegrate into society.

“Technology and devices such as smartphones and laptops are the key connectors to everything we do today in society,” Lawyer‑Harper says.

A formerly incarcerated person herself, Lawyer‑Harper says someone being released from prison without any resources or tools to engage with society is a recipe for recidivism. Organizations like CROP aim to help provide digital literacy skills and capabilities to access and reenter the job market. Higher charges on products across the board, and specifically on devices like phones and laptops, are going to limit what aid agencies like CROP can do to help the people who need it most.

“What kind of neighbor do you want?” Lawyer‑Harper says. “Do you want a neighbor that is successful in their job, that has a mindset and understanding of accountability and responsibility, that has secured housing and is stable? Or do you want someone that's struggling and that is going to kick into survival mode and go back to criminal thinking because that's all they know?”

President Trump has encouraged citizens to “hang tough” while he tries to motivate companies and trade partners to move manufacturing to the US. (A feat that his administration cut support for and is otherwise borderline impossible to make happen in a world with a functional global economy.) For many people, hanging tough will be the only option. And it might not be enough.

“This is kind of a more societal issue that goes beyond manufacturing,” DuBravac says. “Are we exacerbating a digital divide that we don't need to?”

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lura-valentine · 6 months ago

Note

Dabi and Hawks as fathers. How do you imagine the two of them when you think about the different ages? Baby, child and young adult.

Chaos!

They would be absolute chaotic fathers who would drive their partners, like Rain (my OC) crazy with their behavior. They would do a lot, and I mean a LOT, of stupid things with the child.

Both of them separately would be manageable, but if you had a DabiHawks situation, it would definitely be a jackpot in the chaos lottery. Rain would then literally have two adult children at her side, who would constantly provoke each other and raise the child (in this case Kaji) in the craziest way.

➡️ To Rain's priofil

➡️ To Kaji's profil

Kaji in the baby phase

Dabi

Changing diapers, what is that? Dabi grabs the little one by his diaper and holds him at eye level like a packet of chips. "Rain, I think he's leaking. Do we still have the guarantee certificate for the boy?"

Lullabies? No! Instead of sweet lullabies, Dabi plays dark rock ballads from his smartphone or gives baby Kaji dry advice like: "Sleeping is overrated. Get used to it."

Warmth and security? Absolutely YES. Even if Dabi doesn't admit it, he loves lying on the couch while the little one sleeps on his chest. "You're a damn chilblain, no wonder you can only sleep peacefully with me."

Proud father? When Kaji first uses his Quirk (maybe spitting out a mini Frostflame), Dabi would annoy Rain with a grinning, "See? Mine!"

Hawks (foster father)

Play until you drop? Hawks has a lot of energy, so he could play with Kaji for hours without getting tired. But if Kaji screams - then there is a frantic panic reaction: "Rain! I think I broke him!"

Flying lessons at a baby age? As soon as Kaji shows the first signs of wings, Hawks would throw him into the air - just a little bit. Rain panics when she sees this, but Hawks remains completely calm: "Everything is under control! Birds fall out of nests and survive."

What is a cradle? Hawks likes to use his feathers to rock Kaji to sleep. "My feathers are much better than a stupid baby bed, aren't they, my little one?"

Multitasking level: God: With one hand he feeds Kaji while typing messages with the other and changing diapers with his feathers at the same time. Rain watches him in horror: "You can't do EVERYTHING with your feathers, Keigo!" - "Why not? It's efficient!"

DabiHawks

Feathers VS Shopping Bag – Rain comes into the room and sees Kaji either safely wrapped in Hawks' feathers or being held like carry-on luggage by Dabi.

Changing diapers? No thanks. Hawks passes the job on to Dabi, "Hey, flamethrower, you're good with heat, right?", and Dabi counters with, "You do it, bird brain. You have sensitive feathers." Rain ends up doing it himself.

First flying lesson? Double trauma for Rain. Hawks and Dabi argue about how Kaji should learn to fly. Hawks wants to do it gently with feather support, while Dabi just lets him go: "Either he flies or learns how to fall." Rain? She's about to set them both on fire. He's still a damn BABY!

Kaji: Toddler Phase

Dabi

Dabi constantly gives Kaji mean but loving nicknames like Frosty, Bluewing, or Ice Block. The more Kaji gets upset about it, the more fun Dabi has.

Dabi teaches Kaji all sorts of nonsense, like how to steal food or put on a super serious look to unsettle people.

Dabi secretly likes to praise Kaji, but he rarely does so openly. Instead, he gives high-fives and pats on the back.

Has silly competitions with Kaji, like who can eat faster or who can stare at Rain longer without blinking, which always makes her freak out.

Hawks (foster father)

Hawks playfully teaches Kaji to control his powers by playing "catching with feathers" or having small dogfights. “If you hit me with your ice flame, you’ll get an extra dessert!”

Cool upbringing, but with control. Hawks gives Kaji a lot of freedom, but in reality he keeps a discreet eye on everything. If Kaji runs too far away, a feather comes out of nowhere and picks him up to bring him back like a drone. "Did you want to run away? No, little one, not today."

Flying duels in the living room. As soon as Kaji can use his wings, there's no stopping him. Hawks would fly with him through the apartment, knocking over furniture, while Rain yells in the background: "Keigo, this is NOT a race track!"

Super laid back dad. Hawks would never get too worked up about small problems. When Kaji falls, instead of drama there is a "Phew, crazy flight! But next time you'll land better."

DabiHawks

Double chaos, zero control. Dabi is the father who teaches Kaji how to get up to mischief while Hawks teaches him how not to get caught. Rain realizes far too late that her son is being raised by two of the biggest tricksters she knows.

Food problems. Hawks wants Kaji to eat healthy. Dabi? Just give him what he eats. Hawks: “Eat your vegetables, Kaji.” Dabi: “Here, eat a bag of chips. Vegetables are overrated.” Rain comes in: “WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?”

Training - serious VS play. Hawks does exercises that are actually just games, while Dabi tests Kaji in real combat situations. Hawks: "Dodge my feathers, Kaji!" Dabi: "Catch that fireball. Oh yeah, it hurts."

Resistance to Rain: If Rain makes a serious parenting decision, Hawks and Dabi disappear out the door with Kaji. “Ehh, we have to go out for a moment, no, little one?”

Kaji: Teenager Phase

Dabi

The rebel gene comes through - Kaji has Dabi's stubbornness and Rain's strategic cleverness - a bad combination for a teenager. While Rain can't stop preaching, Dabi celebrates when Kaji causes trouble.

Dabi never gives good advice directly, but instead packages it in mockery: "Oh, you're tired? Yes, life is hard when you cry so much."

If Kaji gets into serious trouble, Dabi is the first to arrive. Anyone who gets too close to Kaji will receive a very unhealthy burst of flames.

Is incredibly proud, but rarely shows it openly. Instead, he says things like: "Not bad, kid. Maybe you are my son after all."

Hawks (foster father)

Hawks would tease Kaji, but always with a hint of wisdom. "Oh, you want to be a tough guy? Cool. But tough guys also think before they rush into stupid situations."

If Kaji wants to keep secrets from him, forget it. Hawks knows everything. "Oh, you were out with someone? Don't worry, I know your friends' entire family history.

When Kaji is really down, Hawks gets serious. No sarcasm, no games. Just an honest "Hey, I know how it feels to think you're on your own. But you're not."

Hawks would never openly admit that he is worried, but he is constantly near Kaji without him noticing. And if someone threatens Kaji – Hawks is there in a flash.

DabiHawks

Dabi as bad influence, Hawks as damage control – Dabi: "Okay, so if you want to intimidate someone, all you have to do is look threatening and speak slowly." Hawks: "Or you can just use charm and get what you want without people being afraid of you." Kaji? Uses both – and Rain just wants to get away.

Training is a declaration of war - Hawks relies on speed, Dabi on raw power, so Kaji is constantly caught in the crossfire of both. Dabi: "Attack me with full force." Hawks: "Just kick him between the legs."Rain: “I SWEAR YOU TWO WILL BREAK HIM!”

School problems? Nope.Thanks to Hawks, Kaji always knows how to talk his way out of trouble. Thanks to Dabi, he is not afraid to talk his way out of trouble if necessary. Teacher: "Kaji, have you done your homework?" Kaji (grins): "Did you like doing homework when you were a student?" Hawks in the background: "Oh, I'm so proud." Dabi: "He wasn't aggressive enough, but it's OK."

My moral supporters

mention accounts that my works ❤️ and 🔄. If someone no longer wishes to be mentioned, please write it.

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chichiichiii347 · 2 years ago

Text

In the fan newsletter volume 100, the members were asked to answer to questions from each member and here’s my take on the translation:

Toshiya

Kyo > Toshiya

- Rich or Extremely rich? (referring to food such as ramen broth) Rich

- All humanity is turning into dogs: woof 🐶

- Very hard or very soft noodles? Hard

- Pigmon or Kanegon? (from Ultra Q) Pigmon

- Would you dye your hair blue again? If everyone dye their hair like the old days then I’ll consider it.

Die > Toshiya

- Are you the type who sleeps well at the hotels during tours? depends on which day

- How often do you change your smartphone? 4-5 years

- What do you usually order from Starbucks? Drip coffee

- Which electric appliances are you very particular about? Electric toothbrush

- If you were to drive, which car do you want to drive in? Shelby Cobra

Kaoru > Toshiya

- Any recommendations lately? ask and answer by yourself

- You’re not watching anime recently? I watch it sometimes

- Which is the most delicious ramen shop? If it’s hard to say here then tell me next time: I’ll tell you secretly

- What would you say if Die send you a picture with his hair completely shaved off? maybe he can’t deal with the intense heat..?

- How do you want our next song (album) to turn out? I want it to come with a different kind of excitement

Shinya > Toshiya

- Which country do you like aside from Japan? the US, Hawaii

- Which manga did you like the most as a kid in elementary school? Musashi no Ken

- Are you becoming farsighted? My vision is getting worse so it could be that…

- Do you want to live in Nagano in the future? I'm thinking about it lately

- Are you planning to keep your black hair forever? Silver hair

Kaoru

Kyo > Kaoru

- Jumping up and down (びょんびょん) or chuckle (むひむひ)? (I think he’s referring to fans’ reaction) chuckle

- Which one is better, Light salt or Cheese Karl snack? Curry

- Aren’t you gonna grow your hair long? It’s troublesome

- Aren’t you going to dress up as a pirate? I’m not doing anything this Halloween, so I won’t do that

Kaoru > Kaoru

- Gonna do “it”? Give “it” to me

Die > Kaoru

- What make Hanshin so strong this year, let me hear your opinion: pineapple candy

- If a Hanshin member was to throw an MVP, who would that be? Kinami Seiya

- If you could scout one player from an 11-members team (other than Hanshin), who would that be? Yamamoto Yoshinobu

- If Hanshin finally got “it” after 18 years, what do you think is going to happen at the Dotonbori river? become the prey of Idiots, onlookers and youtubers.

* I don’t watch baseball so I’m not so sure about this whole conversation, but I know Die is a huge GIANTS fan while Kaoru is at Hanshin’s side, and people in Osaka often jump into the Dotonbori river when celebrating something big (new year, winning the olympic games..) so Die is talking as if the Hanshin would surely win the game (or winning over the GIANTS? idk..)

- If the GIANTS were to change the manager, who would that be? I think Abe Shinnosuke…? but the atmosphere would be…

Toshiya > Kaoru:

- We will die at some point in life, would you rather (1) be remembered by everyone in the world or (2) always be remembered by one particular person until they die? 1

- If you have a chance to time-travel for once, which timeline would you choose (1) before you were born, (2) after you’ve passed away? 2

- If there is one drug that brings super power, would you choose the one that (1) make you look young like your 20-year-old self or (2) keep the same appearance, but have the strength of a 20-year-old? 2

- Which member is most likely to runaway from terrors? Kyo

- Who is the most manly member? Toshiya

Shinya > Kaoru

- Which country do you like aside from Japan?Hawaii

- Which manga did you like the most as a kid in elementary school? Toriyama Akira

- Are you becoming farsighted? Yes, I am

- Who is your favourite Hanshin player? Kakefu Masayuki

- Which LINE stamp do you use the most? Kaoru chan

Kyo

Kaoru > Kyo

- Any recommendations lately? Fish from Fukushima

- Are you building plastic models? I’m building them intensely

- What would you say if Shinya send you a picture of him and Tom Hanks? from Deep State?

- Have you seen Mad Heidi? I haven’t seen it, but I’ve watched MEN

- How do you want our next song (album) to turn out? Isn’t Ramen Jiro (without the broth) the best thing ever?

Toshiya > Kyo

- We will die at some point in life, would you rather (1) be remembered by everyone in the world or (2) always be remembered by one particular person until they die? must be 2, right?

- If you have a chance to time-travel for once, which timeline would you choose (1) before you were born, (2) after you’ve passed away? maybe 2, to the future

- Who is the most affectionate member? Must be me

- Who is the best at telling lies? Must be Shinya

Die > Kyo

- Any scary experience at the hotels while touring? a fan peeping through a peephole and put their ear to the wall (in Osaka)

- Favourite game console? Mega Drive

- The most intimidating movie character in your opinion? Norman Bates

- How many pair of sneakers do you have? about 50?

- FOOD (don’t know why he’s using english here lol) that touched your soul lately? Blowfish dish from the restaurant that senpai took me to

Shinya > Kyo

- Which country do you like aside from Japan? None. Aren’t you Shinya!

- Which manga did you like the most as a kid in elementary school? Jojo. Aren’t you Shinya!

- Are you becoming farsighted? Dunno. Aren’t you Shinya!

- Have you gotten more tatoos? I’ll get more when I’ve become a skin-head. Aren’t you Shinya!

- Will you give up smoking? No. Aren’t you Shinya!

Die

Kyo > Die

- How many times do you go to the beach each year? when I think about it, I guess I haven’t went to the beach for years

- What is your choice of drink on a cruiser, beer or wine? I get drunk immediately after having wine so I think it’s better to go with beer

- The whole world is destroyed: If everything and everyone dissapear all at once then I’m not scared

- Won’t you dye your hair red again? or would you dye it blue? Frankly, during the pandemic when I could not see anyone, I’ve made a mistake and dyed my hair blue. It didn’t suit me at all, to the point that it gets creepy. So I cover it with red dye right on the next day.

- What’s your favourite colour other than red? BLACK&WHITE (he used english here)

Kaoru > Die

- Any recommendations lately? Prison’s book of rules

- Favourite type of meat for Yakiniku (grilled meat)? high-quality outside skirt steak, thick-sliced beef tongue, beef organs

- After Hara Tatsunori, who’s going to be the GIANTS next manager? I wanna see Abe Shinnosuke as the manager already

- What would you say if Kyo send you a picture of him standing on top of the mountain that he’s just climbed? The Zoom meeting has already started

- How do you want our next song (album) to turn out? raw (fresh) sound

Toshiya > Die

- We will die at some point in life, would you rather (1) be remembered by everyone in the world or (2) always be remembered by one particular person until they die? I’ve spent my whole life with this band so maybe 1

- If you have a chance to time-travel for once, which timeline would you choose (1) before you were born, (2) after you’ve passed away? If I can not return to this life time then I’d want to see what the future is like

- Who’s a foodie among the members? Our interests may vary but isn’t everyone a foodie?

- Which members hold the most secrets? All of us are secretive but I think “that person” definitely stood out.

Shinya > Die

- Which country do you like aside from Japan? The humidity right now makes me really want to feel the air of Los Angeles

- Which manga did you like the most as a kid in elementary school? Captain Tsubasa

- Are you becoming farsighted? I’d say my vision has gotton worse from 2007-when I got lasik surgery

- Favourite GIANTS player? It’s hard to choose one, but I’d say Kuwasa Masumi, he lived near my house back in Osaka, and used to be my hero when I was in PL Academy

- Your luggages always seem heavy, which item is the heaviest of them all? Dyson airwrap styler, hair dryer, hair iron, hair oil, hair cream, hair treatment spray… most of the items that added weight to my luggage are hair related

Shinya

Kyo > Shinya

- You’re already dead. No, I’m not dead

- If you can become another person, would you choose to be Yoshiki san or Gackt san? please choose one. I’ll choose Yoshiki san because I’m a drummer

- Aren’t you going to build a room in your balcony? I don’t have a balcony in the first place

- Would you try the punch perm hair style? I really want you to try it? or eipper. you only have two choices, punch perm or eipper? If only these two choices then eipper…

- You’re already dead. No. I’m not dead.

Die > Shinya

- Would you wear anything other colour aside from white at the liveshows? Please answer with something different from “No”. Maybe there’s no other options in the future?

- Would you change your hair style? Please answer with something different from “No”. Maybe there’s no other options in the future?

- Would you change your phone to the iphone 15? Please answer with something different from “No”. I’ll skip for once next time

- Favourite Apple’s product that you’ve owned? please also explain why. I’d say the Macbook Pro that I’m currently using. Without it, nothing will work out

- If you didn’t become a Youtuber then who would you be? Maybe a drummer

Kaoru > Shinya

- Any recommendations lately? What kind??

- What kind of game should I, Tooru and Fujieda play? Who’s “I”??

- If you have the Rock f Solo sheet for Kurenai (ロックfソロシート), please give it to me. I only have DIR’s records

- What would you say if Toshiya send you a picture of him DJ-ing in the club? You’re spinning the Kurenai Solo Sheet! Yay

- How do you want our next song (album) to turn out? Ah! the person who ask this question… must be Kaoru kun? Am I right? 😏😏😏

Toshiya > Shinya

- We will die at some point in life, would you rather (1) be remembered by everyone in the world or (2) always be remembered by one particular person until they die? Maybe everyone in the world

- If you have a chance to time-travel for once, which timeline would you choose (1) before you were born, (2) after you’ve passed away? Absolutely the future, I want to see the future world

- Who the most domestic member? Die san

- Most ambitious member? Kyo san

——————

And that’s it. They haven’t change one bit 😂

#dir en grey #toshiya #totchi #kaoru #leader sama #cute #lol #shinya #yamochan #kyo #die #q&a

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materialsscienceandengineering · 2 months ago

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Lightweight lithium metal is a heavy-hitting critical mineral, serving as the key ingredient in the rechargeable batteries that power phones, laptops, electric vehicles and more. As ubiquitous as lithium is in modern technology, extracting the metal is complex and expensive. A new method, developed by researchers at Penn State and recently granted patent rights, enables high-efficiency lithium extraction -- in minutes, not hours -- using low temperatures and simple water-based leaching. "Lithium powers the technologies that define our modern lives -- from smartphones to electric vehicles -- and has applications in grid energy storage, ceramics, glass, lubricants, and even medical and nuclear technologies," said Mohammad Rezaee, the Centennial Career Development Professor in Mining Engineering at Penn State, who led the team that published their approach in Chemical Engineering Journal. "But its extraction must also be environmentally responsible. Our research shows that we can extract lithium, and other critical minerals, more efficiently while drastically reducing energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and waste that's difficult to manage or dispose of."

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posttexasstressdisorder · 21 days ago

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And in the Everything Old is New Again Dept.:

I abandoned my iPhone for a $90 flip phone. Life's never been better.

An SFGATE reporter explains the best, most frustrating decision he's ever made

Many smartphone users wish they could pull themselves away from their devices, but few seriously consider switching to a basic phone.Images via Getty; animation by SFGATE

By Timothy Karoff, Culture ReporterJuly 10, 2025

On Feb. 4, 2025, I would make a decision that would frustrate all of my friends, strain my work life and, on occasion, leave me completely reliant on the goodwill of strangers. But first, I needed to call my mom.

As we spoke, I was walking down Folsom Street on my way to work. My iPhone was connected to my AirPods, which allowed me to speak with her, even as I held a mug of tea in one hand and a piece of half-eaten toast in the other. This — hands-free calling — was one of the luxuries I would soon leave behind. I was explaining to my mom why I had just purchased a flip phone.

“Why do you have to go and make your life harder?” she asked me. There was more than a hint of consternation in her voice. I didn’t have a simple answer then, and four months later, I still don’t. In many tangible ways, my life is harder now. And still, switching to a flip phone was probably the best decision I’ve ever made.

‘No single intervention has emerged as clearly superior’

SFGATE culture reporter Timothy Karoff shows the menu from his flip phone. Charles Russo/SFGATE

At the beginning, I pissed off my friends and family. I was a bad texter before I got a flip phone. Now, I was also a slow texter. My initial messages were answered with scornful comments about green bubbles. Mostly sarcastic, hopefully? One friend thought I had blocked her number.

If you, too, want to alienate your friends, you can follow my steps:

First, I went to my carrier’s store and switched my eSIM for a physical SIM card. This cost $10 and took about 20 minutes.

The phone I originally wanted, the Cat S22 Flip, is not supported by my carrier, so I browsed r/dumbphones, a 141,000-member forum for dumbphone users, for the next-best option. I landed on the Nokia 2780 Flip, which I ordered from Best Buy for $89.99.

I purchased a 32 GB SD card from an electronics shop on Mission Street for about $15. I then ported my iPhone’s contacts to my laptop and downloaded them onto the SD card.

Measured against Apple’s standards of quality, my phone is a buggy piece of junk, a prepackaged case study in unplanned obsolescence. After four months, my texting app freezes for no reason, and if I close my phone too quickly, the battery dislodges, causing the phone to restart. The music app takes about a minute to load. The camera takes several seconds to snap a photo.

So why go through the trouble? My reasons are simple, and I suspect they’re universal. I couldn’t control my phone use, and it was making me feel terrible. I was sick of deleting Instagram, only to reinstall it a week later. I was sick of hallucinating “phantom vibrations,” and I was sick of clocking four hours of screen time on an average day, despite my constant efforts to cut back.

Owning a smartphone is a sort of devil’s bargain. The device grants its user superpowers: We can schedule dentist’s appointments from the back of an Uber. We can arrive in a new city and, without speaking to anybody, know where to find the best burrito. If there’s a line for burritos, we can just Venmo a street vendor for a hot dog.

SFGATE culture reporter Timothy Karoff scrolls through his flip phone.Charles Russo/SFGATE

And in exchange for these powers, we agree to remain more or less permanently tethered to our devices. In a recent survey from Reviews.org, the average respondent checked their phone 205 times per day, and 78% reported feeling uneasy leaving the house without their phones (91% of Americans have smartphones, a percentage that climbs to 98% in my demographic of 18-29). In the past decade or so, managing one’s phone use has grown into a forever problem, a balancing act in the same category as maintaining a healthy sleep schedule and watching one’s diet.

When I reached out to Stanford professor Dr. Elias Aboujaoude, author of “Virtually You: The Dangerous Powers of the E-Personality,” about cellphone addiction, he told me that problematic internet use statistics have only gone in one direction since his research group began studying them in 2006: up.

Researchers have studied a host of strategies to help people regulate their phone use, including therapy, medications and apps that block certain websites. But ultimately, there’s no silver bullet. The best solutions are individualized to a smartphone user’s habits, Aboujaoude said, and seek alternate rewards to gradually replace problematic behaviors.

“No single intervention has emerged as clearly superior or universally helpful,” Aboujaoude told SFGATE.

Flipping the script

In that case, what if the solution isn’t to regulate smartphone use? What if we gave up on our devices and broke the devil’s bargain?

Every few months, Fast Company or CNBC will write an article on the resurgence of the “dumbphone” among Gen Zers and millennials. It was one of these stories, by New York Times tech reporter Kashmir Hill, that convinced me to take the plunge. Hill attempted what she called Flip Phone February, the iPhone addict’s equivalent of Dry January.

Jose Briones displays a podcast that he listens to on his Light Phone 2 at his apartment in Littleton, Colo., on March 24, 2023.Jason Connolly/AFP via Getty Images

“More control.” That’s what I wanted. That’s what I felt I had lost, 10 years ago, when I booted up my first smartphone. And apparently, I’m not alone. Sales of the minimalist Light Phone grew by 150% last year, and roughly 75% of the phone’s users are between the ages of 20 and 35.

“The pandemic really helped a lot of people realize they have a problem,” Light Phone co-founder Kaiwei Tang told me in an interview. His customers have reported that they feel less stressed, sleep better and get more time back, even though roughly half still have a backup smartphone, an arrangement that Tang describes as “part-time” use.

A phone is a tool like a hammer or screwdriver, Tang said. When you hammer a nail into a wall, you don’t mess around with the hammer for three hours afterward.

“The problem is not the phone. The problem is the business model that needs to maximize engagement to make money,” Tang said.

Crossed wires

The world is built for smartphones, which is something you don’t notice until you leave yours behind. Whenever I left the house, I found myself running into invisible walls. Shortly after I switched phones, I suffered a concussion, and when I arrived at the doctor’s office, the receptionist texted an intake form to my Nokia, which I could not open. After some back-and-forth, they let me see a doctor anyway, which was lucky. While running late to another appointment, I tried to ride a Bay Wheels bike but needed my iPhone to unlock it. I had to take the bus instead.

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omgkatherine01 · 9 months ago

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Fallen Angel: Chapter 2 - The Shelby

Series Masterlist

Chapter 1, Chapter 3

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x female reader

Please comment, like and share

Viktoria's heart raced as she faced the Shelby brothers. She'd read about them, seen their faces in old photographs, but nothing could have prepared her for the reality of their presence. Thomas Shelby's piercing blue eyes seemed to cut right through her, while Arthur's barely contained energy made her want to take a step back.

"I can explain," Viktoria started.

Thomas held up a hand, silencing her. "Ada," he said, his gaze never leaving Viktoria, "a word. Now."

Ada hesitated, glancing back at Viktoria with a reassuring smile before following her brothers into the hallway. Their hushed voices carried faintly into the room, and Viktoria strained to hear.

"...can't just bring strangers here, Ada..."

"...needs our help, Tom..."

"...could be a spy..."

Viktoria's heart raced as she tried to make out more of the conversation. She knew her situation was precarious--a stranger from the future, suddenly appearing in the midst of one of history's most notorious criminal families. She had to be careful.

The voices in the hallway grew louder, more heated. Suddenly, Thomas Shelby strode back into the room, his icy gaze fixed on Viktoria.

"Right then," he said, his voice low and controlled. "Let's hear it. Who are you really, and what are you doing here?"

Viktoria took a deep breath, weighing her options. The truth seemed impossible, but lying to Thomas Shelby seemed even more dangerous.

"My name is Viktoria Wilson," she began, her voice steadier than she felt. "And I… I'm from the future. The year 2019, to be exact."

Arthur barked out a laugh, but Thomas's expression remained unchanged, his piercing blue eyes studying Viktoria intently.

"The future," Thomas repeated, his voice flat. "And how, pray tell, did you manage that?"

Viktoria swallowed hard. "I don't know. I was in a cemetery in 2019, and I… I don't know, I sort of made a wish. To be far away. And then suddenly, I was here."

Arthur scoffed. "Tommy, you can't possibly believe this nonsense."

But Thomas held up a hand, silencing his brother. He took a step closer to Viktoria, his gaze never wavering. "Prove it," he said simply.

Viktoria's mind raced. How could she possibly prove she was from the future without changing history? She reached into her pocket, pulling out her smartphone. "This is a phone," she said.

Thomas's eyes narrowed as he examined the sleek device in Viktoria's hand. "That's no phone I've ever seen," he said, his voice laced with skepticism.

Viktoria pressed the power button, but the screen remained dark. "It's not working now, but in my time, these are everywhere. They're like… portable telephones and computers combined."

Arthur snorted. "Computers? What the bloody hell is that?"

Ada stepped forward. "Tommy, she's telling the truth."

Thomas took the phone from Viktoria's hand, turning it over in his own. His expression remained unreadable, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "If this is true," he said slowly, "then you know things. About the future. About what's to come."

Viktoria hesitated, acutely aware of the dangerous territory she was entering. "I… I do know some things," she admitted cautiously. "But I don't think I should tell you. It could change history."

Thomas's eyes narrowed. "Change history? Or change the future?"

"Both," Viktoria said firmly. "The things you do… they shape the world I come from. If I tell you what happens, you might make different choices. And then the future I know might never exist."

Arthur laughed incredulously. "Tommy, you can't be taking this seriously. She's clearly off her rocker."

But Thomas held up a hand, silencing his brother. He studied Viktoria intently, his piercing blue eyes seeming to look right through her. "You know who we are," he said. It wasn't a question.

Viktoria nodded slowly. "I do. The Shelby family. You're… you're famous in my time. Infamous, really."

Thomas's eyebrows raised slightly at that. "Infamous, eh? And what exactly are we infamous for?"

Viktoria hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "For being… clever businessmen. And for your influence in Birmingham and beyond."

A ghost of a smile played at Thomas's lips. "Clever businessmen. That's one way of putting it." He turned to Ada. "And you believe her story?"

Ada nodded firmly. "I do, Tommy. You should have seen her when we found her. She was completely lost, terrified. And look at her clothes, that strange device. She's not from here, that's for certain."

Thomas was silent for a long moment, his calculating gaze never leaving Viktoria's face. Finally, he nodded slowly.

"Alright," he said. "Let's say, for argument's sake, that I believe you. That you're truly from the future. What do you intend to do now?"

Viktoria felt a wave of relief wash over her, followed quickly by a surge of uncertainty. "I… I don't know," she admitted. "I need to find a way back to my own time, but I have no idea how to do that."

Thomas considered this, his brow furrowed in thought. "And in the meantime? You can't exactly wander around Birmingham dressed like that. People will ask questions."

"She can stay here," Ada interjected quickly. "I'll find her some proper clothes, help her blend in."

Arthur scoffed. "And what are we gonna tell Polly, John and Finn?"

Thomas shot Arthur a sharp look. "We'll tell them the truth. Or at least, enough of it."

Thomas turned back to Viktoria, his expression unreadable. "You'll stay with us, for now. But understand this--you're under our protection, which means you follow our rules. No wandering off, no talking to outsiders about who you are or where you're from. And most importantly, no meddling in our affairs."

Viktoria nodded quickly, relief flooding through her. "Of course. Thank you, Mr. Shelby."

"Tommy," he corrected, a hint of amusement in his voice. "If you're to be staying with us, you might as well use our names."

"Right. Tommy," Viktoria repeated, the name feeling strange on her tongue.

Ada stepped forward, linking her arm with Viktoria's. "Come on, let's find you something more suitable to wear. Can't have you walking around looking like you've stepped out of a moving picture."

Ada led Viktoria upstairs to her room, chattering excitedly about finding her some proper clothes. As they climbed the stairs, Viktoria could hear Thomas and Arthur's muffled voices from below, clearly still discussing her unexpected arrival.

Once in Ada's room, the other woman began rifling through her wardrobe. "You're about my size, I think," she mused, pulling out a deep green dress. "This should do nicely. And we'll need to do something about your hair…"

As Ada fussed over her, Viktoria's mind raced. She was grateful for the Shelbys' protection, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just stepped into the lion's den. These weren't the romanticized characters from the stories and shows she knew--they were real, dangerous people.

"Ada," Viktoria said hesitantly, "I appreciate your help, but… are you sure it's safe for me to stay here? Your brothers, they seem…"

Ada paused in her rummaging, turning to face Viktoria with a knowing smile. "Dangerous?" she finished. "They are. Make no mistake about that. But they're also fiercely loyal to family and those under their protection. And right now, that includes you."

Viktoria nodded, not entirely reassured. "It's just… I've read about them. About the things they've done."

Ada's expression softened. "The stories don't tell everything, you know. My brothers… they've done what they had to do to survive, to thrive in a world that would have crushed them otherwise." She paused, her eyes distant. "But they're not monsters, Viktoria. They're men, with all the complexities that entails."

Viktoria nodded slowly, processing Ada's words. She knew she'd have to be careful, to walk a fine line between gaining the Shelbys' trust and avoiding getting too entangled in their dangerous world.

As Ada helped her into the green dress, cinching the waist tightly, Viktoria's mind wandered to the problem of how to get back to her own time. She had no idea how she'd ended up here, let alone how to reverse it. And the longer she stayed, the more risk there was of her presence altering history in ways she couldn't predict.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. "Ada," came Tommy's voice, "a word."

Ada shot Viktoria an apologetic look before slipping out into the hallway. Viktoria strained to hear their hushed conversation, catching only snippets.

"… keep an eye on her…"

"…not a prisoner, Tommy…"

"…just being cautious…"

The door opened, and Ada re-entered, her expression a mix of exasperation and resignation. "Tommy wants to speak with you," she said to Viktoria. "Don't worry, I'll be right there with you."

Viktoria's heart raced as she followed Ada downstairs. Tommy was waiting in the parlor, a glass of whiskey in hand. His piercing blue eyes swept over Viktoria's new attire.

"Better," he said simply. "Now, sit down. We need to talk."

Viktoria perched nervously on the edge of a chair, Ada taking a seat beside her. Tommy remained standing, his gaze intense.

"I've been thinking about your… situation," he began. "And I have some questions. First, what exactly do you know about us? About our business, our plans?"

Viktoria hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I know you're involved in… various enterprises. Betting, protection, politics. But the details, the specifics--those aren't clear. History remembers the broad strokes, not necessarily the day-to-day."

Tommy nodded slowly, seeming to consider this. "And what of the future? What becomes of us, of Birmingham?"

Viktoria felt a chill run down her spine. This was dangerous territory. "Mr. Shelby--Tommy--I can't tell you that. Even if I wanted to, it could change everything. The future I know might never come to pass."

Tommy's eyes narrowed. "Or perhaps it ensures that it does." He took a step closer, his voice low and intense. "You say we're infamous in your time. That means we succeed, doesn't it?"

Viktoria swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Tommy's gaze. "Success is… relative," she said carefully. "And the future isn't set in stone. Anything I tell you could change the course of events."

Tommy studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, unexpectedly, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Clever girl," he murmured. "You're right to be cautious. But make no mistake - I will find out what you know, one way or another."

Ada shot her brother a warning look. "Tommy, don't threaten her. She's under our protection, remember?"

Tommy held up a hand, placating. "Not a threat, Ada. Just a fact." He turned back to Viktoria. "Now, tell me--how do you intend to get back to your own time?"

Viktoria felt her throat tighten. "I… I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't exactly plan this trip. One moment I was in my time, the next I was here. I have no idea how to reverse it."

Tommy's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing her face for any sign of deception. Finding none, he took a long sip of his whiskey before speaking again. "So you're stuck here, then. Indefinitely."

It wasn't a question, but Viktoria nodded anyway, her hands clasped tightly in her lap to hide their trembling. "Yes, I suppose I am."

Ada leaned forward, placing a comforting hand on Viktoria's arm. "We'll figure something out," she said softly. "In the meantime, you'll stay with us. Right, Tommy?"

Tommy remained silent for a moment, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. Finally, he gave a curt nod. "For now. Until she can find her way back."

The front door was heard opening and closing. Arthur stepped into the room, "They’re back."

Tommy looked at Victoria. "Time to meet the siblings and our aunt."

Viktoria's heart raced as she heard multiple footsteps approaching. She smoothed down her borrowed dress, suddenly acutely aware of how out of place she must look, despite Ada's efforts to help her blend in.

The door swung open, and three figures entered the room. A tall, wiry man with a mischievous glint in his eye, a little boy who couldn't have been more than 10 or 11, and an older woman with sharp features and an air of authority that seemed to command the room.

"Well, well," the woman said, her keen eyes immediately zeroing in on Viktoria. "What do we have here?"

Tommy stepped forward. "Pol, John, Finn--this is Viktoria. She'll be staying with us for a while."

The woman--Polly, Viktoria assumed - raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? And why, pray tell, are we taking in strays?"

Tommy shot Polly a warning look. "She's not a stray, Pol. She's… a friend of Ada's. From out of town."

Polly's eyes narrowed, clearly not buying the explanation. "A friend of Ada's? And how exactly did you two meet?"

Ada jumped in quickly, "We met through a mutual acquaintance. Viktoria's new to Birmingham and needed a place to stay while she gets on her feet."

John, the wiry man, grinned and stepped forward, extending his hand to Viktoria. "Well, welcome to the family then. A beautiful friend of Ada is a friend of ours. I'm John. This little rascal here is Finn," he said, ruffling the young boy's hair.

Viktoria shook John's hand, trying to keep her nerves from showing. "Nice to meet you both," she said, her voice steadier than she felt.

Polly, however, was not so easily swayed. She circled Viktoria slowly, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. "And what exactly do you do, Viktoria? What brings you to Birmingham?"

Viktoria's mind raced, trying to come up with a plausible story. "I'm… a writer," she said, the lie coming to her suddenly. "I'm researching for a novel about life in industrial cities."

Polly's eyebrows raised slightly. "A writer? How interesting. And what kind of novels do you write?"

"Historical fiction," Viktoria replied, thinking quickly. "I try to capture the essence of different time periods, the way people lived and worked."

Tommy interjected smoothly, "Which is why she's staying with us. We're giving her an inside look at life in Small Heath."

Polly's eyes narrowed, darting between Tommy and Viktoria. "An inside look, eh? And how much of an 'inside look' are we giving her, exactly?"

"Only what's necessary, Pol," Tommy said firmly. "Nothing that compromises the family or the business."

Polly pursed her lips, clearly not entirely convinced. "Well then, 'writer,' I hope you find our humble abode…inspirational." Her tone dripped with sarcasm.

Viktoria swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "I'm sure I will. Thank you for your hospitality."

John clapped his hands together. "Right then! Now that introductions are out of the way, how about a drink to welcome our new guest?"

Tommy nodded. "Good idea, John. Viktoria, what's your poison?"

"Oh, um… whiskey, I suppose," Viktoria replied, trying to remember what people typically drank in this era.

Tommy's eyebrows raised slightly, but he nodded approvingly. "A woman after my own heart," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. He poured her a glass and handed it over.

Viktoria took a small sip, trying not to grimace at the burn. She wasn't much of a whiskey drinker in her own time, but she knew she had to play the part.

As the family settled in, conversation flowed more freely. John regaled them with a story about a bar fight he'd gotten into the night before, while Finn listened with wide-eyed admiration. Ada chatted with Viktoria, asking her questions about her "writing" and her life before coming to Birmingham.

Polly, however, remained watchful, her sharp eyes never straying far from Viktoria. As the evening wore on, Viktoria could feel the weight of Polly's scrutiny, and she knew she'd have to be extra careful around the family matriarch.

As the clock struck ten, Tommy stood up. "Right, it's getting late. Ada, why don't you show Viktoria to the spare room?"

Ada nodded, rising to her feet. "Of course. Come on, Viktoria, I'll get you settled."

As Viktoria followed Ada out of the room, she could feel Polly's eyes boring into her back. She knew she hadn't fooled the older woman, not completely. But for now, at least, she had a place to stay.

Ada led her up the narrow stairs to a small but tidy room. "It's not much," Ada said apologetically, "but it should do for now."

Viktoria smiled gratefully. "It's perfect, thank you."As Ada turned to leave, Viktoria called out softly, "Ada? Thank you. For everything."

Ada paused in the doorway, her expression softening. "You're welcome. Try to get some rest. Tomorrow's likely to be… interesting."

With that, Ada closed the door, leaving Viktoria alone with her thoughts. She sank onto the narrow bed, her mind reeling from the events of the day. Just this morning, she had been in her own time, living her normal life. Now, she was trapped nearly a century in the past, surrounded by one of the most notorious criminal families in history.

Viktoria's hand drifted to her jacket resting on the bed. She diged into the pocket, where her useless smartphone sat. She pulled it out, staring at the dark screen. It was her only tangible connection to her own time, and now it was nothing more than a useless hunk of metal and glass. She sighed, tucking it back into her pocket. She couldn't risk anyone else seeing it.

As she lay back on the bed, Viktoria's mind raced with questions. How had she ended up here? More importantly, how was she going to get back? And what would happen if she couldn't?

The sound of muffled voices drifted up from downstairs. Viktoria strained to hear, catching snippets of conversation.

"…can't trust her, Tommy…"

"…know what you're doing…"

"…dangerous game…"

Viktoria's stomach churned. She knew she was walking a dangerous line. The Shelbys had taken her in, but their trust was fragile. One wrong move, one slip-up, and she could find herself in serious trouble.

She tossed and turned for hours, her mind unable to quiet. When she finally drifted off, her dreams were a chaotic mix of past and present--smartphones and horse-drawn carriages, skyscrapers and smoky factories.

Taglist:

@esquivelbianca, @inalovesrabbits-blog, @memariana91, @thoughtfuldonutdragonherring, @smellyzcat, @sysymei

#peaky blinder imagine #peaky blinder fanfic #tommy shelby imagine #tommy shelby x oc #tommy shelby

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