#and there's like 5 of them. and none of them are long

[endstar]

The aus seem… nervous. Seemingly remembering whatever war they had.

🦇"well… we actually never talked about it for that exact reason. Or at least I think so… this was a very long time ago. When the Multiverse was getting its first folks.. back when it was just.. Uhm.. prophecy, cat, void, dream, and my au… I know. From what you know of us now you would probably think that would be pretty relaxing … no chaos gremlins… but let’s just say that war… mellowed us out."🦇

She crosses her arms, and sighs.

🦇"… lord… that was so long ago. I don’t even think Voids doug was thrown into the void yet back then… cat Doug wasn’t even… a cat yet. That didn’t take long though… anyway… putting beirce’s and Malak’s in a room… definitely wasn’t great. There were immediate fights. Both verbal and physical… and… me, and cat au Bierce had an idea… a terrible one… it didn’t seem so terrible back then, but we didn’t know what it would spiral into… we.. decided to try stealing the other universe’s rings under the noses of the Malak’s. That… caused us to create small groups of Malak’s and Beirces. It wasn’t anything big with just the four AU… three beirces against four Malak’s. Because well… prophecy didn’t want any part in it, of course, and poor young dream Malak didn’t know what to make of it… he didn’t even have any personal relations with a Beirce yet and slept most of the time… so he just kept away from all of that.."🦇

She taps her heel a bit as she recalls the war, looking anxious at best.

🦇"But… it very quickly went from petty fighting, to… war as more aus appeared... numbers and aggression growing… so many AU’s that you probably would’ve never heard of… brainbleed, roleswap, god au, infectuousflower, AOH, some you do know came along as well.. possesion, survivors guilt, evil child… suddenly each side nearly had 20 people… beirces, and Malak’s begun kidnapping, bribing, and threatening Doug’s to join them to attempt to create bigger numbers, or taking more “ tolerable” beirces and Malak’s if they could put their grudges aside."🦇

She takes a deep breath, shaking slightly.

🦇"… people began dying… Doug’s… killed for not taking sides… it got heated, as both sides fought for control over the meeting room for access to gain easier recruits… I remember… AOH beirce died sneaking into the Malak’s camp... they thought she was going to see a ring, but … apparently she was romantically involved with nowhere malak... that.. was mildly saddening to hear about. Apparently nowhere malak never got over that .. sobbing over her body. Made us each other even more. Then…"🦇

She shivers.

🦇"prophecy stepped up…"🦇

The aus all have the same reaction.. well.. most of them. The older ones. Not the beast AUS like crow, and rat… they look confused. Even amused.

But… the others. Looks like they just remembered a terrifying detail from their childhood.

🦇"…I forgot about that.."🦇

🦇"… now… keep in mind .. this isn’t the prophecy you knew. None of you knew this version of that woman. She was older than us, being one of the first AUS ever, but she was still young. She still had energy, and wasn’t constantly drinking… hope wasn’t drained out of her back then, but honestly, I wish it was … she created a group to protect those being mercilessly killed for not picking a side. A sort of safe haven for Doug’s. Everyone laughed at her because … she was a small crazy au who claimed she could see the future, which no one believed… how could she protect over 15 Doug’s alone?… they attacked… WE attacked…

Then she killed at least 5 Malak’s in one battle… not including the monsters… she was… TERRIFYING. She would kill you no matter what or who you were … but… thankfully it went the other way around too. She would spare you no matter what you were… as long as you promised you wouldn’t harm another soul…"🦇

The multiverse is full of infinite possibilities...

Most worlds tend to connect through similar builds. Through stories, people, themes...

It's no surprise seeing a stranger to the multiverse. What IS surprising, however, was his condition. Covered in deep wounds, limbs twisted and torn, and he appeared to be drowning in his own blood by the time he was found. Holy weapons were embedded in his skin, and the flesh sizzled liked bacon around it.

He had red skin, gray hooves, horns that looked far too round and circular to have normally grown out of his head. His long pointed tail is covered in hand prints, and there are bones exposed out of his back. He lays face first in a pool of his own boiling blood, barely breathing or moving.

@ask-underfazverse

Cry’s come from the mass amounts of strangers, many just back away to cowedly to do anything, but a few step up, and begin to heal him. Mainly the younger, less evil Malak’s, a few Doug’s that are just simply concerned, and only one Bierce.

Dream Malak very hurriedly takes him to his hospital, with the help of the others.

[why-do-you-need-2-know]

Back with more thunderbolts head-cannons

Walker and ava do not believe in therapy

None of the team members eat like normal human being. All of them scarf down there food like pigs. Valentina refuses to have dinner with them.

Yelena loves to cook yet is horrible at it. She is amazing at making Mac and cheese tho.

Ava loves having company and would invite anyone to her room.

Buck, Yelena, and Alexei all learned/ perfected their Spanish for Ava. John tried to learn but sucks at it.

Bob is extremely good at pool and darts (with and without his super powers)

John walker has a workout routine on YouTube courtesy of Alexei making him do one. Yelena has a makeup tutorial. Ava has a gossip vlog.

The team loves gambling and making bets causing multiple bet pools such as but not limited to:

When are Bucky and Sam going to start dating

How long will it take for John to learn that they aren't dating already

Who would be the one make Valentina to crashout publicly

How long will it take for Alexei to be cancelled

5/4

[yeonmuse]

AVALON

SYNOPSIS ༊*·˚ Jays favorite guitar gets stolen, breaking his heart and forcing him to to buy a new guitar from the music store downtown. While on a search for a new set of strings he has a chance encounter with one of the stores employees and finds there’s more to her that meets the eye. Eventually his visits to the store become more frequent as he now spends most of his time trying to convince her to join his band. Though things only grow complicated when old flames return and drive a distance between the two of them once he finally gets closer to her heart.

LOG; ❝ AVALON ❞ ─── park jongseong & fem!rea ⭑.ᐟ fluff/ slight angst smau ༯ contains! university enhypen. & rockstar jay ꫂ Ot7───★˙nainais library !! @k-films

CHAPTER 1 | paradoxx records

No matter where Jay went he could always be spotted with a guitar in his hand. It was as if his guitar had been his lifeline, like he couldn’t live without it at his fingertips. So when his absolute favorite guitar had gotten stolen he’d nearly caught a heart attack, he’d searched everywhere and questioned everyone until coming to the conclusion that it had been gone for good. Heeseung being the amazing friend he was, took it upon himself to get Jay a new one. So that was exactly how the two of them found themselves driving 30 minutes away from the campus into the city, and wandering into Paradoxx music store near the downtown area.

As they entered the store, triggering the entrance bell it seemed to alert the very few customers inside. The place seemed fairly new, and if not that he’d assumed it just went through some sort of changes or an expansion of some sort because the smell of freshly coated paint lingered faintly. There was a comforting vibe to the store, from its brown hardwood floors to the hard brick walls lined with vinyl and old posters of artists who were now long gone. There was this rustic flow to the environment that made this place almost feel like home to him. 

Other than the 5 people wandering around, there seemed to have been only one employee working at that time. You sat up on the checkout counter with headphones covering your ears and a magazine sat in the palms of your hand. you seemed a little too occupied by that to even have realized that someone had entered the store. 

Jay saunters over to the guitars, his fingers brushing over the strings of each of them giving him a reminiscent feeling of his own guitar that had been taken from him. His eyes scanned over each guitar's glossy exterior until he found one that called out to him, though none of them had.

“So…any of them?” Though Heeseung was happy to be doing such a thing for his best friend, he didn’t think he’d be accompanying him while he’d be searching for his new guitar. Heeseung wanted nothing more than to be cuddled up in bed with his girlfriend right about now.

Jay shakes his head in response, his eyes scanning the store for another guitar display, yet this seemed to have been the only choices. Making his way over to the counter he finally steals away the attention of the girl that had been sitting comfortably upon the counter listening to music and reading her magazine. Heeseung follows behind with a sigh. 

“Found something that interests you?” you ask, slipping back behind the counter and placing your headphones and magazine on the counter beside you.

“Uh are the guitars on display the only ones you have in store?” Your gaze shifts from the display wall over his shoulder then back to him before you reach for something behind the counter.

“Follow me” you instruct, winning a keyring full to the brim with keys

“Does she look familiar to you?” Heeseung questions, earning a shrug from Jay as the two followed behind you as you led them into the test room where all of the other and more pricey guitars had been displayed.

“Other than the ones outside these are all we’ve got, feel free to look around, if any of them call out to you I’ll be up front, you can test them as well though if its one on the wall only the employees are allowed to take them down.”

“Thank you..” Heeseung pauses for a moment, his gaze shifting down to the crooked name tag placed on your vest. “Yn.”

“Yup.” you close the door before making your way back to the counter, placing the headphones back onto your head and returning your attention to the magazine.

“People still read magazines?” Heeseung looks over to Jay who simply shrugs before going back to his search for a new guitar.

Jay was very particular when it came to his strings, he’d sat in that room with Heeseung for hours, playing at almost every guitar until it had neared closing time. Heeseung sat in the corner, simply letting him do his thing while he and Sakoia texted back and forth helping Heeseung pass the time until they’d return back to campus. 

As if remembering now that you had left two unaccompanied men confined to the space of the test booth. You place the broom you held in your hand against the circuit counter and go to let them know it had now been past checkout hours. “Not to break up your search but you guys do know that we closed like 10 minutes ago?”

“Seriously?” Heeseung glances over to Jay, who was previously lost in his own world

“I kinda forgot the two of you had been in here when I locked up, so.. you’ll have to come back tomorrow since I’ve already counted the tils.”

“What time do you open?”

“Tomorrow is a saturday so doors open at 8 am.”

“And are the guitars on rotation or do you keep the same display?” 

“We do weekly rotations. So until Monday the displays will stay the same.”

“You know what, he’ll ask more questions tomorrow, we’ve been here long enough.” Heeseung interrupts Jay, pushing him out the door before he could open his mouth to ask yet another question.

“See you tomorrow then? I guess?” you watch with a blank and somewhat aloof look on your face as the two shuffle out the door, your lips pressed into a thin line.

“Interesting interaction for the day yn.” You Minnie to yourself before going to grab the broom and continuing your sweep scan for the day

Though Jay stayed true to his promise Heeseung had completely tapped out, giving Jay his card he decided to stay behind and let Jay continue the search on his own. Riding his motorcycle into town he parked right outside before making his way inside, the familiar ringing of the entrance bell alerting the employee behind the counter, while the girl from yesterday seemed to actually be working today. A little too busy stacking cassettes and filling the vinyl displays. Jay approaches the counter, earning a cheerful smile from the girl that stood behind it.

“Here to make a pickup? Or did you need help with something..?”

“Uh, I came yesterday? I'm kinda still searching around since I didn’t get to finish in the test room last night?”

“So you’re looking for a guitar then?”

“Uh..yes?”

“nvee do you know where they put the rest of the” theres an immediate pause in your sentence as you see the guy from the previous night standing there looking like a deer in headlights. “oh, you actually came back.”

“You know him?” Nvees gave shifts to you, a questioning yet playful gaze as if she was questioning who he was and why you were talking so casually with him.

“Not really, I took over Beomgyu’s shift yesterday and he came in, him and his friend.” You respond, shrugging your shoulders and almost immediately shooting down the thing her gaze seemed to suggest.

“Well in that case, you get him, I'll finish the vinyl display.” Before you could protest she’s already moving from behind the counter. Jay observes the exchange awkwardly. Watching as you hand over the sticker gun to nvee, move behind the counter and slip the keys onto your finger.

“Alright let’s go.” Just as he had done yesterday Jay trails behind you to the display room, stepping straight inside from the moment you shove the door open.

“Was there something specific you were searching for?” You eyed him, leaning against the door as you waited for an answer. It's not that you were curious just the more you sold the more money you were likely to gain.

“Mm just something that feels right.” He responds as his eyes scan over the guitars as if he hadn’t already looked at every one in the room last night.

“Have you played this one?” Stepping away from the door you slide over to the display wall across from the viewer's window and reach for the one guitar Jay had been eyeing since last night—— A guitar that stood out due to its ocean blue exterior.

“Give this one a try?” You insist, jetting out your hand to hand off the guitar to him.

When it came to assigning instruments you were usually a pro, any time anyone had come into the store seemingly having trouble with finding the instrument most tailored to them you usually were the one they’d go to. Not Jooyeon, or  Beomgyu or Nvee or Gaon, it was always you. Neither of your friends were sure how you seemed to read those that entered the store so perfectly, but of course they couldn’t complain. It left you with zero dissatisfied customers.

His flush fingers wrap around the neck of the guitar and for a moment he felt hope, hope that he had found the one. His fingers glide across the strings as if checking the density or tune off them without having to tighten or twist any of the Pegs. A soft hum spills from his lips while his fingers caress the strings at their own will. Everything about the guitar felt perfect in his hands, or at least almost perfect, like it was made onto him to play. Though nothing could replace the way his fingertips danced against the strings of his hold guitar, what he felt now was a close second. It felt as if the guitar had been molded and fit for only his hands, like he was the only one meant to play it.

The look in his eyes as he held the guitar in hand was one you were far too familiar with. A look of falling in love with the instrument you held. It was a look you had seen time and time again not only in the eyes of the customers you helped, but in her own eyes. It was a look that had disappeared from your eyes the moment your light and love for music had slipped away with old regrets.

“So..?” you beckon an answer, even though you were sure you didn’t need one because the look in his eyes was confirmation enough he wouldn’t let this one pass him by.

“How much is it?” he shifted in his seat, gaze Now fallen upon you who leaned comfortably against the floor as if you knew you had this seek in the bag.

“2,000.” Your expression doesn’t change, not even a flicker of playfulness or humor in your tone either. Which meant you were not joking.

“Shit, okay”

“Soo are you buying it..or?”

Although Heeseung had told Jay to go for whatever guitar felt right Jay himself wasn’t entirely sure that he was okay with having spent so much of Heeseungs money. Even if it wasn’t like 2000 would put much of a dent in Heeseungs bank account. Of course when he decided to text Heeseung to double check he received no answer, making the final decision knowing He would most likely be okay with it. Finally he makes the executive decision to buy it, knowing that if he didn’t get it now he’d miss the opportunity entirely. 

“So are you like in a band or something or do you just play for fun?” you ask, seemingly trying to make small talk as you check him out and wrap up his guitar.

“Ah, Yeah I am, though I’ve lived my entire life with a guitar in my hand.”

“A true music lover, nice to see people that still have that fire in their eyes with the music that’s coming out these days.” You give him a lighthearted smile as you write down the guitar's details in the store logbook.

“What about you? You must enjoy music considering you work here.” He fires back not wanting the good of the conversation to die.

“Just something to keep the lights on” you lied so effortlessly that you yourself were starting to believe it. “ A friend of mine owns the place, so it was the easiest and most accessible job at the time.” You shrug

“Ah, just something to pay the bills then.” You respond with a hum of confirmation  and he nods in understanding, handing over Heeseungs card as you slide his new guitar across the counter.

“Well she’s all yours, I slipped your receipt and our return policy notices into the case, it's only good for up to three days though.”

“Don’t think I’ll be needing it but I’ll keep it just in case.” He shoots you a thankful smile as he slips Heeseungs card back into his pocket and grabs his newly purchased guitar.

“Enjoy her, I hope you and your band do well.” you respond, earning a smile and quick thank you from him as he makes his way out the door. 

“Soo who was he?” nvee who had been eyeing the entire interaction, slips back behind the counter, playfully bumping you aside with your hip and eyeing the details in the book for the guitar that had now been sold.

“You expect me to know his name?” You shoot her a disinterested look,  to you he was just another face. Another guitar sold to a stranger you were sure you’d never see again. 

“I don’t know why I expected you to actually be interested in anyone other than us for once.” She's sighs and you  shrug it off, making nvee roll her eyes as she reaches for the box of rental cassettes that had been returned throughout the day.

CHAPTERLIST | NEXT CHAPTER

an: first chapter of avalon I been waiting for this one, now that chrome hearts is only three chapters away from being finished it’s time to lock in on Jays and Jakes smaus

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[soulsforsales]

“MASKS”

Pt. I

Pairings: Jason Todd x fem!reader

Warnings: talk of death, suicide, usual Gotham corruption, blackmailing, etc, oh, also maybe a bit of violence idk

A/n: Can someone pretty please teach me how to make a master list? Also, I was up till 5 am writing this pls like it or I’ll cry

“Can I get a kiss before we stab each other in the back?”

The cameras go off in bursts the second you step out of the car—pop, pop, pop—like distant gunfire, the blinding light sears behind your eyelids every time you dare to blink. You step out. You smile. You wave.

You turn to step inside, but the flashes never stop. Somewhere in the crowd your name is yelled, and along with it, a question: “Is it true that your father’s death was a result of the Sionis’s scandal?!”

Your smile falters but you keep walking, pretending like you never heard the guy, like having those words spoken aloud doesn’t nearly stop your heart.

You’re one of the few of Gotham Elites. You’re not bound to pause and answer, but you are bound to safeguard your family’s name—your legacy.

You can’t let the mask slip.

Not now.

Not yet.

So you keep walking, keep smiling, and although you are no stranger to having eyes on you, tonight it feels like you’re wearing someone else’s skin. You fit in. You know you do, but you don’t belong.

Because suddenly, you’re that girl again—the one who lost everything not long ago.

When the headlines printed your father’s name next to Black Mask’s. When your father was framed to be involved with him. When your father killed himself. And your mother followed.

When you found yourself in a trap you can’t seem to get out of.

Your assistant’s hand brushes your arm, snapping you back to reality. Back to blinding lights. Rich people. And yet another gala hosted as a futile attempt at hiding the rot building in this city.

“I can’t believe they’re still talking about it.” The man whispers, parting the crowd to let you in with one arm while the other hovers close to your back.

You shake your head, holding the shiny clutch to your stomach. “Gotham doesn’t let anyone off the hook easy.”

The inside of the building is just as grandiose as the outside. The lights are soft and yellow, a chandelier worth someone’s yearly salary hangs from the ceiling. And the crowd is handpicked with the best and worst of Gotham’s rich class.

With a deep breath, you walk in.

You’re not here to make small talk, or create an image with another million dollar donation that never truly reaches the people it’s made for.

You’re here for a whole different reason—a reason none of them can know.

The first person to spot you is Vera Sweet, an old socialite and probably the one with everyone’s gossip. Her smile is all pearly whites and lip fillers when she leans in for an air kiss.

“Darling, how brave of you to show your face again!” She chirps, hand rubbing your arm with a sympathetic expression like she actually gives a fuck.

You force a smile, and shrug, “The past is in the past, right?” Your gaze travels around the room before locking with hers, “This is bigger than all of us.”

Vera blinks, taken aback but she’s quick to school her expression. “Of course. C’mon, people are dying to meet you.”

You follow with a nod because even if your dress is too tight, and the food is tasteless, and everyone here thinks they’re the big deal, and you hate all of them—you have no choice but to play the role.

You meet one guest after another. Your first public appearance since the scandal—and then the deaths, have made you the talk of the evening.

Some people throw jabs, some offer condolences. Mostly everyone tries to talk you into making a deal to which you politely deny.

You’re not that stupid.

It’s not until an hour later, when you’re in conversation with a Japanese Engineer, Tanaji Akio, who’s rambling about his company’s newest budget plans that you notice him in a corner.

Sleek suit, no tie, hair slicked back with a white tuft barely concealed within the dark strands. His expression is remote, and like you, he isn’t trying to fit in. He’s just… there. Watching. Observing. Looking for something. Or someone.

Whatever the man before you is saying fades into the background when your eyes meet his across the room. Emerald; distant and otherworldly. They almost glow under the ballroom’s lights.

He holds your gaze for a second. Then another. Until he looks away. And so do you.

But your brain insists on repeating the tiny moment, that flicker of recognition that maybe he didn’t belong in this room as much as you.

Or maybe the fact that you don’t know who he is. And you know everyone in this place.

“… and after everything that happened with your parents—“ Mr. Akio is still going on when you interrupt.

“Yes, uh, excuse me for a minute.” Your eyes flicker to him for less than a second as you excuse yourself with a tight smile and he nods, turning to someone else.

But when you look back, your mystery man is gone. Your eyes search the crowd, but he’s nowhere to be seen. You swallow the lump in your throat because something about this doesn’t sit right with you.

Your gaze is still wandering in the sea of people when you spot another man.

This time, someone you know all too well.

Carmine Falcone aka the reason you’re here tonight.

You make your way to him and the second his eyes land on you, his lips stretch into a toothy grin.

“Isn’t this a pleasant surprise?” He says, kissing the back of your palm as you offer it.

Carmine Falcone is tonight’s host. He’s all charm and old money and contacts that always get him out of trouble.

In the public eye, he’s donating money for “the betterment of Gotham’s middle class”, but in reality, this is all a ploy for something deeper. Something worse.

You smile, “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

It’s a lie. Both of you know it. Neither of you care.

Falcone lets you take his arm like you’re all but a new accessory added to his person as he continues talking to the group of men and women surrounding him.

And for all your hatred, Falcone was the one who helped you stand on your own two feet and save your father’s company after everything fell apart.

But that doesn’t mean you’ll think twice before using him.

The conversations gradually recedes and people start turning away, focusing more on the wine and food trays.

You’re sipping wine yourself, looking poised and relaxed even when you’re screaming inside because you might not get what you came here for, after all.

Falcone finally turns to you, and you see your chance, but you’re interrupted yet again, by a young blonde guy who looks like he just ran a mile.

“Sir—“ The guy barely offers you a glance as he speaks, “It’s here. I got the coordinates.”

Falcone raises a brow while your heart speeds and you have to do everything in your power to focus on your drink like it’s the most interesting thing in the place.

You’re not supposed to look like you care. You’re supposed to act like your lipstick matters more than his words.

You need people to underestimate you because that’s what you’re going to be using against them.

“Right now?” Falcone says, sounding only slightly annoyed.

The guy nods, side eyes you again and goes on anyway, “Near the bridge. A-33. It’s a big one too.”

That gets more of Falcone’s attention and he finally shifts. You feel him tense beside you.

“Huh. Well, you know what to do.” He says and the guy nods again before disappearing into the crowd.

And you? You smirk into your wine glass. Because you got what you wanted. And you didn’t need to lift a finger for it.

After a few more hours, you make your exit. You slip out of the ballroom quietly. Unnoticed. Your assistant makes sure that no paparazzi follows you.

Because you’re done playing this role. You’re not the poor girl wrapped in silk and marked with tragedy anymore. You’re switching masks.

And the role you play now is the one nobody can ever see. Nobody can ever know.

You’re clad in leather by the time you stop before a crappy apartment in the worst part of Gotham. You’re wearing a mask, an actual one that conceals your lower face.

No one you know could identify you like this. No one you know could even imagine you in a situation like this. Yet, here you are.

After your father’s scandal with Black Mask last year, you had decided to dig in further and find out what truly happened. Find proof for your father’s innocence.

But what you found was quite the opposite. Your father wasn’t innocent. He was just very good at pretending.

And Black Mask knew, of course he did. He knew that you knew. And that’s when it all started. The game. The blackmail. The trap.

The media had proved your father’s innocence. Old contacts and money transfers had saved your family’s image.

But only you know that one click by the wrong person is going to make everything fall apart. Again.

The door is ajar as you step on the threshold. The old wood makes a creaking sound under your boots, and you look sideways once again before stepping in.

You got the intel from Falcone, even if indirectly. And all you have to do is leave it here for Black Mask so he knows what’s coming. So he can deal with it before it hits him.

That’s what you do. You part time as his little spy—getting intel from the upper class where he can’t show his face and bringing it to him.

It’s simple, really. No hard work. No actual danger. And yet, you feel like a puppet being run on strings. Yet, you feel pathetic.

Inside, the apartment is almost empty except for a worn couch and a wooden table in the center and if that wasn’t weird enough, a window right in the middle is wide open.

You suppress a shudder and take out the neatly folded paper from your pocket. You’ve written down the coordinates—the ones that blonde guy blurted out before you—on it. Letting Black Mask know of the latest shipments and who is involved.

You aren’t done placing the paper on the table when it happens. A swish of the wind, a fast movement right in the corner of your vision and then, the ground moves beneath your feet. Literally.

You’re on the floor when you blink again, not even given time to make a sound. And your heart almost stops when you find Red Hood—out of every fucking vigilante who could’ve jumped you—looming over you.

You’re lying flat on your back. Knocked down. And he’s crouching beside you.

“And to think Black Mask would send someone who could hold their own.” His voice is harsh through the modulator that must be in his helmet.

You’re, for one, sweating because he’s right. You can’t hold your own, not with someone like Red Hood. You’re the informant, after all. You get info. You do the in and out. You—

—have a taser. Wait.

Red Hood places both forearms on his knees and admires you with a tilt of his helmet like one would a sacrificial lamb.

But you’re not about to give him the satisfaction.

You move fast, and before his eyes flick to the movement of your hand, you’ve got the taser out of your pocket and you press it against his leg. A zap of electricity follows, then a hiss and he gets up.

Okay. Not your best move. But it works.

You get up as well, scurrying to your feet quickly with the taser still in your hand like a katana.

Red Hood cracks his neck and you die inside, “Ow. A taser? Seriously?” He sounds unimpressed.

So, now you’re terrified and embarrassed.

“This is not what you think it is.” You speak, trying to make your voice sound gruffer.

The man before you scoffs, “It isn’t? Because it sure as hell looks a lot like shady business.”

He shifts in his place and your muscles coil, fingers tightening around the taser until the metal presses against your palm.

While Red Hood is… relaxed. Nonchalant. He doesn’t perceive you as real danger. Maybe you could use that to your advantage.

He’s still busy staring at you, almost like he’s trying to figure you out when your eyes land on the piece of paper on the ground… and it’s right next to his boot. Damn it.

You swallow, your eyes flicker between Red Hood and that goddamn piece of paper. He notices. And moves.

But you move faster, running purely on adrenaline and stubbornness.

You almost jump at him, hand outstretched to grab the paper when he stops you. Single-handedly. You might just die of shame.

“Not so quick, birdie.” Red Hood tightens his grip around your wrist and you groan, the taser falling to the ground along with your last shred of hope.

Before you can even think of moving again, he’s twisting your arm behind your back and you wince in pain.

Red Hood leans in until your back, and your twisted arm in his grip, meets his armoured chest.

“You’re like an annoying kitten,” he huffs, “and yet, here you are. Using a taser on a guy like me but working for Black Mask. You must be really special.” The cold metal of the helmet presses against your hair and you have to suppress a full body shiver at his chuckle.

But the second his palm comes up to remove the metal mask covering your lower face, you freeze.

“Let’s see what we have he—“ Red Hood chokes on his words when you drive your elbow into his ribs with all the power you can muster.

He scoffs dryly, but from the way he clutches his side for a moment—and lets you go—you can tell it worked.

You move again, even faster, but now he’s not having it.

He pulls you back by the arm. Quiet. Dangerous. No more cocky jokes and one liners. And punches you right in the face.

Your vision blackens for a second and you stagger back about five steps. But the thing that makes your blood run cold is the sound of metal clicking against wood.

Your mask. Broken in two. And your face out in the open. The same face that’s plastered on every other billboard in Gotham.

Red Hood pauses, chuckles. “Well, well, this is exciting.”

God, you’re fucked.

Tagging: @velli-writes (anyone who wants to be tagged and added to the permanent tag list I’m making lemme know!)

Thankyou for reading!! Love y’all <3

[kendr-a-nne]

(Spoilers for Wind and Truth)

Before WAT came out, this was a very valid criticism that honestly extends further past Navani, affecting pretty much affecting the entire story as a whole. Specifically, every major (human) character benefits at least in some way from the exploitation of others.

Whether it be Darkeyes, slaves, or Singers, the characters that we the readers grow to love and care about directly benefit from the suffering of others. This is made clear throughout books 1-5 (either directly or indirectly), and yet the story does not go nearly as far with it as many fans expect it to.

That being said, I do not see nearly as many fans discussing how intrinsically this relates to Jasnah and Taravangian's "debate" in WAT. Before reading this scene, I was content that this series would stick with its current half-assed righteousness that it has consistently held to. This scene alone completely turns the entire argument around for me.

Taravangian essentially calls Jasnah out on (what I would call) her performative honor, stating that even though she claims to fight for Honor, and even though she has made legitimate progress for Alethi society, she continues to act largely within her own self interest. Taravangian won the debate because you can not be simultaneously honorable and selfish.

This is an extremely notable claim for Sanderson to make so far into the series because it recontextualizes everything up to that point. Nearly every major character has acted selfishly throughout the series. Nearly every character benefits from exploitation. Nearly every character has chosen to ignore both. As an example, let's talk about Navani again.

Navani, as stated by the original post, was more concerned with the moral dilemma of spren enslavement than actual human enslavement. She actively benefits from both practices and even tries to justify spren enslavement by saying it advances fabrial technology and that (paraphrasing) the spren are barely sentient anyway, so it doesn't matter! I would argue the only reason she isn't fighting to keep slavery after Jasnah outlaws it is because she is more concerned about whatever particular brand of oppression affects her most directly.

(I would argue this entire section in ROW is a reflection of the emphasis the American education system places on STEM over media literacy and history. I believe "techbros" and far-right figureheads like Elon Musk became mainstream in part due to more people understanding what a mitochondria is than how to spot a grifter. I digress.)

Adolin's arc in WAT touches on this as well. He was sent from a place of privilege to Hell on earth within the span of a few days, and he comes to the conclusion that none of this is honorable. How can anyone say they are honorable when their society is so fundamentally broken that they've been fighting an endless war for millenia? Swearing an oath that you are of Honor means nothing when you actively participate in a dishonorable culture. There is only so much the average person can do to help their neighbor, so swearing an oath that they will be "good" leaves them blind to any mistakes that will inevitably happen. Promising that you will do your best, though, that actually means something.

With how long this series is, yes, I do wish that Sanderson made this distinction clearer and earlier on than he did. At the same time, though, I have to remember that the series is only halfway through. I am really excited to see if Sanderson will follow through with the contextual promises made during WAT and am optimistically hopeful that he will.

When Navani and the Sibling are talking about whether she's enslaving spren and whether it's okay I wish the story would acknowledge that she was fine being queen of a kingdom that enslaves humans.

[ginger-snap-talkin-nonsense]

So, I’m 25 years old

Gotta be honest, a younger me would be at least a little surprised I made it this long, and sometimes I think about that younger me. What she would be going through in middle school or high school around now. Sometimes I like to talk to her, remind myself how good my life is.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve got a really good life-great friends, loving family, job I love, financial stability, and a boyfriend who I’m marrying next year. But, even so sometimes those negative thoughts and insecurities can really weigh you down anyway.

Sometimes you worry that people are only around because of proximity or convenience, because it’d be too much of a hassle to move on from you or because they’re used to you. That none of this is permanent.

But, sometimes even you aren’t quite ready for just how much the people in your life love you.

Sometimes it’s a joke that lands really well with your friends, or a really good heart to heart with your dad despite your glaring differences. Sometimes it’s a promotion at work with a pay bump or finding an apartment that’s perfect. Sometimes it’s sitting with the man you love watching house for 5 hours and realizing you never expected to be this happy.

Last night we had a group of friends over. 9am they show up and we grab breakfast, we play magic until 7pm, and then D&D until 11. It’s fun, it’s loud, it’s the kind of the day that feels like it goes on forever and also ends before starts. I’ve always been happy that I was let into the group despite it being made up of my boyfriend’s college roommates. I enjoy their company, I know they enjoy mine, all is good.

Then, the night winds down and out of the blue-no prodding, no asking-one of them confidently and casually claims that they wish you had been there sooner. That one of their failed campaigns with a guy they don’t enjoy would’ve probably been amazing if you had been there instead. And then the rest all chime in to agree, like it’s the most obvious fact in the world. And when you’re trying not to tear up in front of them your boyfriend nudges you. Because to him, this was obvious. This was common knowledge.

To a younger me that spent a whole lifetime wondering if she’d always feel like the spare. Always feel like a disposable piece of whatever community she was in.

You get to wake up one day in an apartment you love, on break from a job that you love, next to the man you love. And get reminded by friends you love that they love you so much that they only wish they’d known you sooner.

And it’s a feeling worth the weight.

[fandomsmadness]

TBHX episode 14 rant

I'm honestly torn between being ecstatic and being mad, with a little bit of a huh??? thrown in there. It's been a full day and I'm still at this impasse, so we proceed and hope I can balance out the salty with the yay.

This means nothing, but very trans-flag coded, this title is. I approve.

First, the mad: They did Luo Li dirty. Just like in Queen's arc, the first ep had massive potential the second ep just decided to stomp over. Luo Li had great character motivation from the get go, and we absolutely none of that substantially pan out in this episode's events. Her becoming-a-hero moment was overshadowed by the implications of experimenting on fear and DJ Shindig's various...shindigs.

Idk Nuonuo, we didn't see her gain any trust value, we didn't see her being lauded. In fact, even her own dad couldn't recognize her and instinctively discouraged her once he did. This did not feel like a "she's a hero" moment, it felt like she's still trying, which was the exact point we were at last ep, sans a huge fight and alien metal mecha suit.

At this point, there's more interest in Luo Li's suit than in Luo Li and I cannot help but feel this is massively unfair. This is a woman, LHO, not a plot mover.

Second, the ecstasy: The massive lore dump. This will take me forever to go through so I'm going to try and compress it for the post's sake (and my sanity).

DJ Shindig was FOMO's first X. Ugh, can't believe this lame ass dude was an X, but ok. Although, how did you go from being a performer to a hero? We saw Cyan struggle with it until her cult past caught up with her; what was your heroic and/or cult worshipping moment?

2. This also confirms that the OPs tower segment features all the heroes who were X. I think we're yet to identify only one more

Bro who are you?

3. On a similar vein, we see why Rock and Zac split: They have an idealogical difference aka Rock is an old fashioned moron living under a...rock. I mean, I do kind of get his point about keeping a sense of prestige associated with heroes (imagine a DJ becoming X after the likes of OG E-Soul), but Zac's argument is far more compelling. The generational gap in idealogy is very interesting here

4. The big one: Fear. Am I the only one who is finding it weird that the project is called project zero? As in... Zero? And what was the breakthrough? They did research for a whole year and what???

5. The equally big one: A metal that can isolate and neutralize fear and trust? Now I already spoke a little bit about it and how it may relate to X on this post, but two things stand out to me: A) that it's safe to assume this research was suppressed, seeing as the Spotlight Org is huge by LO's time and there's no mention of this metal anywhere, and B) that the professor's first thought was to make medication from it. Medication? Odd thing to think of. Why?

6. A minor one: The lab attack was what actually released fear into the world. There's a joke about research for 'progress' and 'scientific discovery' leading us down a dark path in there somewhere I'm sure

7. Another major one: ITS THEM FROM THE OP. Sadly we still know next to nothing about them, except they're trying to find some information about...deals? Also seems too thin to be zero, and voice is unfamiliar. Any theories? No?

Thirdly, the huh??? Aliens. Idk, at this point it's a 50/50 whether there's actually aliens in this universe or LHO is pulling our leg. Just because some advanced tech was found and people decided it belonged to aliens, it doesn't make it so. And personally, an alien deux ex machina isn't sitting right with me. So far, not a fan if this ends up being the actual plotline, but we wait and see.

Lastly, as we move into Ghostblade's long-awaited arc next week, we already have a host of questions. He does seem to be the stalker. He and Nuonuo share the same hair colour. He doesn't seem to talk, yet was on a call when Rock tried to reach him? People sent him in without hesitation to clean up a lab of volatile substance that just eviscerated a former X without fear?

Tell us your secrets Senpai...soon.

[libraryofjupiter]

i should write more short/silly things... my longer stuff takes me A While so posting it feels quite vulnerable but i used to write these short fics in a morning or an afternoon just to post them here and that was so much fun. i should do that. playing touys

[axoqiii]

☕️🥞 sketch dump

[alloru]

Artfight attacks I am not proud of :p

okay so these are my last 6 artfight attacks from 2024, none of which I have posted before because I did not like how they turned out.

the first one is wayy too experimental, because I was quite literally just throwing textures at the wall and seeing what stuck (even though some didn't belong on the wall in the first place)!

the second one being messy can be pretty excusable I guess because I got ✨food poisoning✨ in the middle of it and continued drawing anyway. horrible idea, I know! :D

and the others are like that because I had burnt myself out so much that I was somehow only capable of drawing chibis for the rest of the event.

sorry to all the oc owners for not giving it my all btw. all of these designs were so lovely!! but anyway: why did I do this to myself? I really wanted to reach 40 total attacks, because brain is happy when number go up.

needless to say I won't be making the same mistake this year lmao

credits for the ocs:

Paint by undercorepaint on twitter

Miko Mori by @minxi-mink

September by Zephiiyr on Toyhouse

Shroomy by packet on artfight

Orin by sneksoup on artfight

Dallas by cryptidcreature on instagram

have an awesome next 24 hours everyone <3

[twilightakiishi]

what if i post my to-do list for tonight for accountability reasons... >.>

fold laundry

finalize venchiya anniversary art sketch

work on personal art

render ONE hand (at least!) on venya wip

play homicipher because i miss my monster boyfriends

[fiona-fififi]

Well, this cinched it for me. I won't be watching next season.

[icewindandboringhorror]

It's always interesting to hear about people's weird/unexpected "alternate life paths". Like, something that you could have done with your life, a job you almost took, a school you almost went to, etc - that was still actually realistic enough that it could have happened, but NOW it seems to not suit your current personality.

Like for example, I currently hate advertising (how manipulative it is, brands trying to be 'relatable', social media amplifying it to an obnoxious extreme, etc.) so much that even seeing a little ad before a youtube video is grating to even witness, but there was a point in time where I was genuinely seriously considering going into marketing/making commercials as a career lol. Or like, I have a relative who was very inclined to be a pastor when they were younger, even though today they're a super strong atheist, etc. etc.

[skitskatdacat63]

UHHHH HOLY SHIT!?!!?!

[simplegenius042]

"What Kind Of Love Are You?" OC Quiz & "Every OC List Got The ___"

Tagged by @adelaidedrubman @imogenkol @voidika @shellibisshe and @aceghosts

Tagging @socially-awkward-skeleton @noodlecupcakes @josephseedismyfather @inafieldofdaisies @icecutioner @derelictheretic @shallow-gravy @direwombat @strangefable @rhettsabbott @josephslittledeputy @cloudofbutterflies92 @skoll-sun-eater @cassietrn @carlosoliveiraa @g0dspeeed @wrathfulrook @afarcryfrommymain @strafethesesinners @turbo-virgins @raresvtm @softtidesworld @starsandskies @ladyoriza @la-grosse-patate @florbelles @titiagls @minilev @yokobai @thewanderer-000 @omen-speaker @justasmolbard @alypink @thesingularityseries and @nightwingshero + anyone else who'd like to join.

Four results for my OCs for this quiz and four OC Lists for four of my series.

JOAQUIN COBALT (THE UNTITLEDVERSE)

This feels accurate for Joaquin considering he begins The UnTitledverse as an adolescent, and the series follows his growth and youth to adulthood. Joaquin has the weight of the world (or rather multiverse) on him, but, he still has time to be a child, to be a teen, to be his own identity, with Maisie, Mario, Calvin and all his found family and friends to share the weight.

SILVA OMAR (THE SILVER CHRONICLES [FAR CRY 5 & FAR CRY NEW DAWN])

Religious themes (including the trauma) for Silva go brrr! Like what else is there to say?

HAOYU ANABUKI (LIFE, DESPAIR & MONSTERS)

Yeah this makes sense for them. Haoyu is someone who's not used to love and when it comes it is gonna be the most life-changing thing for them. For once something they will have to make a commitment towards keeping if they want it. Haoyu is also the type to go in a panic as well as overthink; including full-on denial.

MARISSA "RESS" BISHOP (A RADIOACTIVE CALAMITY OF LOVE, BOMBS & GORE [FALLOUT])

While this definitely suits Ress at her best, I don't think it encapsulates everything about her. Because while Ress' love is bountiful and ageless and endless... there's also the fear of losing it all, because Ress will outlive everyone she knows because her own natural mortality outlasts everyone else's. The only person that would be around the longest with her (and meet her at what would be considered old age for a hybrid species like them) would have been her older half-brother, Ore... but even that is cruelly taken away from her by their father Urias and his Occult. Yeah, so while this definitely does shine a light on the happiness and thrill Ress would feel with her lover (prime example being Piper), it doesn't acknowledge the grief she'd eventually have to face.

Now for the OC List, I decided to go with OCs from all four/five of my series; The UnTitledverse, The Silver Chronicles, Life, Despair & Monsters and a shared list with my Fallout series A Radioactive Calamity Of Love, Bombs & Gore and my original series An Old Ballad Of Chance And Ember Hearts Trilogy (which includes my Wings And Horns WIP that this trilogy spins off from). So yeah... enjoy! [NOTE: This will include art/doodles, reference pictures (for the art/doodles that I still haven't been skilled enough to draw) and faceclaims]:

THE UNTITLEDVERSE

Lisa Cobalt | Malcolm Darling | Mario Emmet Jester | Madame Callaghan | Lillian "Lena" Elliot Greenpeace | Allyson "Alice" Darling | Edward Carmine Calvin Dearing | Joaquin Cobalt | Rick Thompson

[My (Incomplete) Art: Malcolm Darling, Mario Emmet and Jester]

THE SILVER CHRONICLES

Oscar Lapis | Father Adam Omar | Silva's Third Eye Elsa Omar | Paul Yellowjack | Silva Omar Azriel Omar | Nadi Sinclair | Kamski Neon Alexander Khaos | Gavin Turquoise | Mercy Omar-Seed | Ezekiel

[My (Incomplete) Art: Silva's Third Eye (or at least what its spiritual physically looks like if you're potent in the Third Eye... or a certain New God shitting bricks at the sight of this hungry symbiotic cretin)]

LIFE, DESPAIR & MONSTERS

Yan | Frederick Rosemary | The Unity Hatter | Icarus Galatos | Hatsukami Hinode | Xavier Tulip | Haoyu Anabuki Rico | Eden "Evie" Bloodleech | Sonya | Sir Enigma Malvolio | The Court King Denise Redwood | Lora | Cecil Royce | Corvus Targaryen

[Image Reference Credits: Vecna from Stranger Things, The Stupendium in "The Toybox", The Core from Amphibia, an edited Mad Hatter from Alice In Wonderland, Kraang One's Exosuit from Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie and artwork of that Jester King done by CristianAC on Steam]

A RADIOACTIVE CALAMITY OF LOVE, BOMBS & GORE + WINGS AND HORNS

Elrand Brandt the Vault Dweller | Aggravor the Accursed | Arcane Urias Xiang Ba'al | Vega the Resident | Marissa "Ress" Bishop Alph Dolen the Lone Wanderer | Ryder the Courier Six | Discord the Mad Kin of Carnage Ortega "Ore" Brantley | Archangel Metatron | Finidy Mona the Chosen One | Nate Gust Sarid the Sole Survivor

[Image Reference Credits: Vecna from Stranger Things, Annihilus from Marvel Comics, Kagetane Hiruko from Black Bullet, LorenzoArt's Caedis from Instagram, NCR Veteran Ranger from Fallout: New Vegas and art of Archangel Metatron that I found posted on Quora]

[Faceclaims (which might or might not change): The UnTitledverse: Beanie Feldstein for Lisa Cobalt, Scarlett Johanson for Madame Callaghan, Elizabeth Gilles for Lillian "Lena" Elliot, Sean McLoughlin for Greenpeace, Anya Taylor-Joy for Allyson "Alice" Darling, Benedict Cumberbatch for Edward Carmine, Laurence Fishburne for Calvin Dearing, Isiaiah Stannard for Joaquin Cobalt and Aaron Moten for Rick Thompson. The Silver Chronicles: Mario Casas for Oscar Lapis, Brad Garrett for Father Adam Omar, Juliana Alves for Elsa Omar, Gabriel Garko for Paul Yellowjack, Mina El Hammani for Deputy Silva Omar, Aria Goodson for Azriel Omar, Aïssa Maïga for Nadi Sinclair, Andre Royo for Kamski "the Good Doctor" Neon, Taron Egerton for Alexander Khaos, Matthew McConaughey for Gavin Turquoise, Emily Tosta for Mercy Omar-Seed and Álex González for Captain Ezekiel of Security. Life, Despair & Monsters: Daniel Padilla for Icarus Galatos, Hatsukami Hinode & Xavier Tulip, Hikaru Utada for Haoyu Anabuki, Wilmer Calderon for Rico, Nathalie Emmanuel for Eden "Evie" Bloodleech, Rami Malek for Sir Enigma Malvolio, Odette Annable for Denise Redwood, Karen Fukuhara for Lora, Mia Goth for Cecil Royce and Daniel Radcliffe for Corvus Targaryen. A Radioactive Calamity Of Love, Bombs & Gore: Jason Statham for Elrand Brandt the Vault Dweller, Yvonne Strahovski for Vega the Resident, Beyonce for Marissa "Ress" Bishop, Sam Blanckensee for Alph Dolen the Lone Wanderer, Halle Berry for Ryder the Courier Six, Jessica Alba for Finidy Mona the Chosen One and Steven He for Nate Gust Sarid the Sole Survivor.

[gridgamesgalore]

sighhhh 💔