#anyway it has been quite a time of reflecting and being so drawn to it and knowing the extent of my own fear and failings

[thebirdandhersong]

I don't know if I've told y'all yet (and if I haven't, I've probably Strongly Hinted) but I will be going into education, because that seems to be where God is pointing me towards. Very, very strongly. Specifically English lit. Specifically high school. It turns out that if you pray to the Lord very sheepishly: "Sir, I know this is rather Gideonish of me, but if you want me to do this, please make it so loud and clear that I can't ignore it at all", you oughta be prepared for the Lord to answer in the way He so desires to, in whatever capacity or degree He sees fit. I had my mother, my father, my sister, my family friend, two school friends, an administrator, and two staff members at my workplace come and tell me I should teach in the span of about a week and a half. Some because the topic came up, some without any prompting whatsoever. The chance I had to teach was like nothing else I've experienced -- not a blinding flash of realization, necessarily, but it was good and hard and joyful, and surprisingly so life-giving. And many other things.

[minarisplaything]

The Producer - PART THREE

pairing: Chaeyoung (Fromis9) x M!OC / Jiwon x M!OC rating: explicit word count: 4.2k summary: After introducing himself to the girls, the Producer has a run in take place in the bathroom with two trainees who want to make a good first impression before anyone else. PART 1, PART 2 tags: double blowjob a/n: apologies for two bathroom fics in a row. this one was just the next fic i had completed so i figured f*ck it let's just post it.

"What a day."

With a sigh you collapsed into the couch, conveniently situated in your office. Your uncle, or whoever he had intended on this being for, clearly had a taste for leisure. But right now you didn't want to think about that. Not your uncle. Not the job. Having just gotten out of your first meeting with the girls you would be put in charge of you really wanted nothing more than to just close your eyes and let your mind go blank.

Of course, that was easier said than done. As you let your mind drift, you inevitably found yourself thinking back to the meeting that had taken place only earlier that same day.

[EARLIER THAT DAY]

The way down to the training room was perhaps some of the most nerve wracking of your entire life. If you thought this morning had been stressful it was nothing compared to what was currently racing through your mind. All you kept seeing was images of Yewon writhing against your thigh and Jessica's voice echoing in your ear. Now, in just a few moments, you'd be seeing her as part of the line-up of trainees.

It's fine, you thought to yourself. She probably hasn't told anyone else. Hopefully not anyway. God, I am fucked.

The worst part of it was that despite your internal dread, the mental imagery still turned you on. In fact, one of the many rogue thoughts wandering around in your head was the fact that you wished you could have gone further with her. The shock of learning that Yewon was a trainee had effectively killed any erection you had at the time but it didn't change the fact that you were extremely pent up right now.

With a sigh you did your best to push those thoughts aside as you arrived at the door as Jessica emerged from the practice room.

"Alright," Jessica said, emerging from the room, "I've prepared them for you. Are you ready?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm ready."

"Are you sure about that? You look like you've seen a ghost," she offered you a sympathetic look.

If only she had any idea of the truth she wouldn't be asking that question. Honestly, at this moment you envied Jessica's ability to compartmentalize things. Maybe you'd ask for tips on it the next time the two of you went out for drinks. Assuming there was a next time.

"Is it that obvious?" you asked.

She pressed her lips together and gave you a nod. Jessica walked over towards you, her heels clicking on the floor. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on your shoulder, "Remember, they are just as intimidated to meet you as you are them. Maybe even more so. "

"I don't know about that," you muttered.

"Just remember, you can walk away from this before it even begins. For them, this is their whole lives."

"Was that meant to make me feel less nervous?"

Jessica grinned, a twinkle in her eye, "Just trying to give you some perspective. Now come on."

Unable to delay the issue any further, you followed Jessica into the practice room, fingers digging into your palm.

The room itself was quite spacious. Like much of the rest of the building, it was clear that your uncle had spent recklessly investing in this endeavor. At least from a financial perspective. Bright ceiling lights illuminated the room while a mirror that ran the full length of the back wall ensured there would be no lack of reflections. There was an argument to be made that if one were going to splurge on any one room, this was the one worth the investment. Aside from the decor of the room, your eyes were immediately drawn to the lineup of fifteen women standing at attention. One of whom was a familiar face who was avoiding your gaze, her cheeks flushed bright red.

Immediately, you felt the nerves start to creep back into your mind. You looked away from the beautiful lineup and glanced to the corner to see Jinyoung standing there with a clipboard. Something about seeing him made you feel a little more relaxed. After all, he didn’t seem bothered at all.

He probably didn’t have one of his employees grinding on his thigh only a few hours earlier, a rogue thought whispered.

"Everyone," she started, "This is Mr. Park, he's the nephew of our CEO and he might be working with us soon."

A resounding "Hello" reached your ears, causing you to smile just a bit.

You could already feel your cheeks burning with embarrassment. You had to resist the urge to tell them that they didn’t have to be so formal in their greeting. You were a nobody as far as you were concerned. Barely qualified for the job. But you swallowed down that self-deprecation and offered a small smile and wave in response. You could already feel their eyes on you, judging you. Were they surprised you were so young? Maybe they were expecting your uncle or someone older? You noticed a few of the trainees started whispering to each other and tried not to get too paranoid about it.

Once she was satisfied, Jessica continued, "I'll let him introduce himself and we can go from there."

She looked over, metaphorically turning the floor over to you. Moment of truth. You cleared your throat, adjusting your tie once again in the process.

"Ah – right. Good morning, ladies. It's a pleasure to meet all of you and I look forward to working with you all. I hope we have much success in the near future.”

When you stopped, Jessica elbowed you in the side. You looked at her, brow furrowed, before she gestured for you to continue speaking. You suppose it was a bit of a robotic and corporate introduction, but you were just trying to be formal! What did she expect you to say when you hadn’t even taken on the job!

“I, uh, I know nothing has been made official yet but I’ve gotten to know some of you,” a brief glance at Yewon who immediately looked away. You cleared your throat and attempted to focus on your speech, “...through your files and what Ms. Jung has told me. I just have to say I’m looking forward to seeing what you all have to offer.”

You paused for a moment, considering how honest you wanted to be with them. Was it more beneficial to be honest with how green you were in this field, or should you fake it as long as possible? Considering you held their futures in your hands, being upfront felt like the best option.

“Truthfully…this is my first time working on something of this scale. I know some of you have experience at other labels or have been at this for a long time trying to achieve your dream so…I want us all to work on this together to succeed. My door is always open.”

They gave a short round of applause, and you couldn’t help but wonder if it had been genuinely encouraging or if they were just being polite. You supposed both options could be true. You looked over to Jessica and were surprised to see a small smile on her features. That meant you did good…right?

You looked over at the ladies, trying to read their reactions when you found yourself locking eyes with one of the shorter members in the lineup. Park Jiwon, if your memory serves right. What was more was that you found her eyes looking back. Your gazes locked for a long moment, and you almost felt like you were imagining things when you saw her eyebrow cock and her bottom lip get pulled between her teeth.

Fuck.

After what had happened with Yewon had left you high and dry, you could feel yourself getting turned on by the mere thought of shoving your cock between her pretty lips. This wasn’t good. You averted your gaze only to find yourself meeting Yewon’s gaze. Immediately, her cheeks reddened and she looked away from you, her thighs pressed together tightly. Was she having the same thoughts as you? Fucking hell, at this rate you’d be fantasizing about half the members on the team you were arranging. And the worst part was you didn’t find yourself hating that idea.

“Do you mind if we take a brief break?” you whispered to Jessica.

She gave you a bemused look, eyebrow arching, “Need to use the little boy’s room?”

“Something like that.”

Jessica chuckled and nodded her head towards the door, “Down the hall and to the right.”

You gave a small nod of appreciation. As you shuffled out of the room you heard Jessica telling the girls we’d be taking a break. Hopefully, this would give a chance for all the tension in the room to have a breather.

You splashed water on your face and looked into the mirror. You were undoubtedly having a moment of second thought. Just when you thought you had conquered the anxiety of taking on a post like this. Except this time the reasoning had nothing to do with performance fears. At least not of that sort.

“What have I gotten myself into,” you muttered.

Maybe you could get a chance to talk to Yewon privately. Clothed and keeping your hands to yourself this time. You could clear the air and move forward like nothing had happened…Even as you looked at your own reflection you were unconvinced by that line of thought.

Getting Jessica’s advice on the matter didn’t seem worth the risk. Especially considering that you still didn’t know what exactly your relationship with her was after the other night. Honestly, she seemed more likely to get upset for business reasons than jealousy but neither option seemed worth the risk.

As you wrestled with your own thoughts you were faintly aware of the sound of the bathroom door opening.

“Jinyoung, tell Jess I’ll be back in a minute,” you said, not paying any mind.

“I can tell her for you, PD-nim. Though I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”

Immediately the color drained from your face.

You had assumed it was Jinyoung entering because frankly, you didn’t know of any other men that worked at the company. Therefore one could only imagine the expression on your face when a feminine voice reached your ears instead. Your head snapped to the side to see two familiar faces looking back at you. Familiar because you had only just been introducing yourself to them moments earlier. One was the girl whose gaze you had met, Park Jiwon. The other, a taller trainee, was Lee Chaeyoung. A name you remembered just from her height standing out on her file that Jess had shown you.

“Girls,” you stammered, straightening, “What are you doing in here?”

Chaeyoung turned, locking the door behind you as Jiwon took a step towards you, looking up at you as her hands were laced behind her back.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Chaeyoung responded.

Your cock jumped, imagining what she could be referring to. Still, you decided the safer route was to play naive and let them lead you to the answer. “I’m not sure it is…”

“We’re here to give you a proper welcome to the company,” Jiwon stated directly.

She came to a stop in front of you and Chaeyoung soon stood next to her. They were gorgeous, there was no doubt about that, and they currently had you cornered against the sink. You swallowed thickly, wetting your bottom lip with your tongue as your gaze darted between the two women.

“Is that right?”

They nodded simultaneously.

“You know…” started Jiwon, her hand moving to the button of your pants, “Yewon’s face turned red as an apple when she saw you enter the room. I wonder why that was.”

Chaeyoung grinned as she perched herself on your shoulder, her lips brushing against the shell of your ear as she spoke, “We had her do a lap around the building with a vibrator slipped inside of her.”

You could feel my own cheeks start to redden at that revelation. No wonder she had been practically begging for any kind of touch. How long had she been in that state before you found her? Clearly long enough that she was willing to find relief on your thigh.

As you considered the implications of her words, Chaeyoung’s hand moved to join Jiwon’s as the button to your pants came undone. Her fingers slipped inside, easily cupping your growing bulge over your underwear. Her fingers massaged it, only causing your cock to stiffen further. In turn, she gave a throaty laugh and smiled at Jiwon who mirrored her actions with her own hand.

"He doesn't seem surprised to hear that," Chaeyoung continued, her breath hot against your ear as their hands stroked your cock.

"I think I know why. You know Yewon's face was so red when she came back it made me wonder why," Jiwon chimed in. She looked up at you, biting her bottom lip as her eyes held mischievous intent. “I think it’s because she had more stimulation than just that vibrator.”

“Did she have this?” Chaeyoung whispered, giving your length a firm squeeze.

“N-no,” you managed. However, lying at this point seemed fruitless. They had you cornered and you were already letting Chaeyoung jerk you off with her long fingers. What harm could the confession do at this point? “...It was my thigh. She rode my thigh. But I didn’t know…”

“Oh my god,” Jiwon laughed, “That little slut. I didn’t think she had something like that in her. Just wait until the others hear.”

You stumbled a bit, gripping the sink as Chaeyoung continued rubbing your cock. It was a bizarre experience; trying to hold a conversation with Jiwon while her taller accomplice nibbled at your earlobe and stroked your cock. All while your whole career was only a few feet away outside of the bathroom door.

“You can’t,” you muttered. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“Is it our secret, PD-nim? What else are we going to keep secret?” Chaeyoung teased.

“You know if we had more time we could really have fun,” Jiwon said, “Is he close, Chae?”

“From the way he keeps throbbing in my hand and the look on his face I’d say yes.”

You felt Jiwon’s eyes turn to you and instantly knew she was up to no good, “Ladies…”

“We have to be the first ones. Before anyone else hooks their claws into him.”

Before you could protest or even ask what she was talking about, Jiwon’s hands were grabbing the waistband of your pants and boxers. She yanked them down your thighs, fully exposing the sight of Chaeyoung’s hand wrapped around your cock. There was no denying it now. In fact seeing it only turned you on further. Not to mention the taller girl had been right: you were practically ready to burst. The physical touch combined with her teasing and the memory of what had happened with Yewon; it was all too much.

You watched as the two trainees slid to their knees on the tiled bathroom floor. Together they began tag-teaming your cock, taking turns letting their tongues run over the swollen head and engorged shaft like it was their favorite lollipop.

“Fuck, ladies, we really shouldn't...” you moaned. A pathetic last attempt at the righteous choice.

Both girls looked up at you with their pretty eyes and grinned. It was clear they were enjoying this; listening to you fight with your morals while refusing to push them away.

Jiwon pulled back, looking up at you with wide eyes and pouting lips, "Should we head back to the practice room?"

The sincerity of her question was undermined by the fact that Chaeyoung's tongue was still teasing the head of your cock. You found yourself speechless and Jiwon's pout turned into a devilish smile. "Don't worry, PD-nim. You don't have to feel guilty, I bet we aren't the only ones who'd want a taste of this."

She gave you a wink and returned to the task at hand. The thought was enticing to your most primal instincts. Something you were supposed to be above. However, there was no denying the appeal. The thrill of the taboo and the risk of being caught combined with the feeling of their soft hands and lips made was already making this far too addicting. Sure when you signed on for this job you never imagined this would be the outcome but now that it had happened, who were you to say no?

And if others wanted to join...

Your thoughts were cut off by the feel of something warm and wet around your cock. Jiwon had taken it fully into her mouth, her cheeks hollowing as she bobbed her head up and down the shaft. Meanwhile, Chaeyoung had wrapped her hand around the base, pumping your shaft in time with the bobbing of Jiwon's head. Your eyes were fixed on their teamwork, mesmerized by the sight unfolding while reveling in the pleasure.

"Shit," you hissed.

"It feels good doesn't it, PD-nim?" Chaeyoung asked. "She's small but she still swallows your cock like a pro."

Her eyes locked onto yours, gaze bearing down into your soul. You had never quite understood the concept of eye-fucking until that very moment.

Of course the answer to her question was obvious. From the way your body reacted to the look on your face to the swell of your length each time it hit the back of Jiwon's throat. If things kept going like that you'd be at your peak in no time. Which wasn't exactly a bad thing given you had little time to waste. On the other hand, you had yet to experience Chaeyoung's throat.

"If she keeps going like that I won't last," you grunted in response.

Chaeyoung grinned and Jiwon doubled her efforts.

"Don't be so greedy," Chaeyoung chastised her.

The shorter girl popped off of your cock with a long slurping sound, offering it to Chaeyoung who quickly picked up where her friend had left off. Her head bobbed on your cock, her short raven-cut hair swaying back and forth. You could only watch, mesmerized as her tongue slid against the underside of your cock. Jiwon didn't sit idle, one hand moving to fondle your balls while the other slipped past the waistband of her yoga pants.

"This is so hot..." she trailed off.

The way her eyes were glued to Chaeyoung you weren't sure if she was speaking to you or merely talking outloud to herself. Either way, you didn't disagree.

After a while, Chaeyoung would pull-off then offer it to Jiwon. The cycle continued in that manner. Together they switched between who had the honor of taking your cock in their mouth, letting the other take your cock in hand. One would stroke your cock or fondle your balls while the other gagged herself on your rod.

At one point, Jiwon was sucking your cock while Chaeyoung took one of your balls into her mouth, sucking on your scrotum. Your eyes rolled back, a deep moan echoing off the bathroom walls; discretion completely forgotten for a moment.

Irresponsible and unprofessional? Absolutely. Did you regret it? Absolutely not.

Truth be told, you were still somewhat blue balled from your interaction with Yewon and this felt like exactly what you needed. Besides, it didn't seem like either girl was keen on spilling any secrets.

"Jesus," you muttered under your breath, "Girls, I'm almost there..."

Chaeyoung, who had been taking her turn, popped off of your cock her chin dripping with saliva and pre-cum, "Let's not leave our PD-nim disappointed then. Give him the grand finale."

"Grand finale?" you repeated, slightly dazed and balls aching.

They gave no further explanation, instead leaving you to watch as they moved to either side of your engorged rod. First, they closed the distance between each other, making out with your cock shoved in between their lips. It fell under the category of strangely erotic. Their spit coated your cock as the two trainees made-out, giving you the impression that this wasn't the first time they had done this.

A thought of inspiration struck you. A firm hand was placed on the back of each girl's head. They seemed to understand what was going to come next as their lips puckered around your cock, creating a funnel for you. Immediately you began thrusting between their lips, fucking both of their mouths at the same time while they looked up at you from their position on their knees. If you had any inhibitions left, they evaporated then and there.

"Fuck," you groaned, "I'm so fucking close."

The girls hummed their approval, vibrations against your cock bringing you even more pleasure. God, you would have loved nothing more than to coat their pretty faces with your semen but that seemed like it would create a hard cleanup and even harder explanation. Instead, you kept thrusting between them until finally your cock began to twitch. They watched as you bit down on your bottom lip, length shooting rope after rope of cum that splattered onto the tiled floor. Your head rolled back for a moment, bracing yourself against the bathroom sink.

What the fuck just happened, you thought.

You were brought back to the present by the feel of lips around your cock, cleaning you off.

"Well, I'm horny now," Jiwon stated bluntly as she stood on her feet. "If we had more time..."

"Yah," the taller one hit her shoulder as she stood, wiping her bottom lip, "You're insatiable you know that?"

Jiwon laughed and you could only watch, dick still exposed, as the girls bantered as if they hadn't just sucked you dry. "We should..."

"We'll go," Chaeyoung cut in. She leaned forward, pressing a chaste kiss to your cheek. "You should get cleaned up."

Jiwon followed suit, though somewhat adorably, she had to tip-toe to reach your cheek, "Don't forget us during evaluations, PD-nim."

She gave you a wink and just like that the two girls walked out the bathroom, leaving you with your thoughts. Or rather lack of thoughts. Which wasn't a bad thing given you had no idea what to make of this situation. Instead you got dressed; grabbed a few paper towels, wiped up the evidence of your rendezvous and splashed water on your face. When you looked in the mirror, you almost didn't recognize the slight smirk on your features.

"Hopefully Jessica didn't notice my absence," you muttered as you left the bathroom.

"So that's where you were," a voice called.

You looked up to see a face that took you a moment to recognize. She was one of the trainees you had been introduced to earlier. Haewon if you remembered correctly. She had short, straight hair that neatly framed her face. Her eyes were wide and attentive while her lips were full and plump with round cheeks. She was taller than Jiwon but only just.

"Ms. Jung was looking for you," she said.

"O-oh," you stammered, before clearing your throat. "Yeah. I was just on my way back."

You swallowed thickly, eyeing her unblinking expression. It was unnerving really, the way she stared at you arms crossed over her chest. You couldn't tell whether she was judging you or just so disinterested she couldn't bother to pretend. Had she seen Jiwon and Chaeyoung coming from this area too?

"So, uh, I'll just be heading back," you started.

Suddenly Haewon broke into a wide smile, practically beaming at you, "Alright then. See you tomorrow PD-nim!"

With that she walked off, her expression dropping the moment she turned away from you. You were left baffled and confused as you decided to shake it off and head back to Jessica. If she hadn't called you out on fooling around then that was a win enough for today.

As you neared the practice room, you spotted someone standing off to the side. Another one of the girls, though her name escaped you. She seemed upset as she talked on the phone. For a moment you considered going over to her and checking to make sure everything was alright only to stop yourself.

You hadn't even accepted the job offer yet and you were getting involved with these girls. The least you could do was not add emotional involvement to the list as well. You swallowed the impulse to help, maybe you'd bring it up to Jessica when you got the chance. She might know what that was about.

[PRESENT]

When you got back Jessica had already dismissed most of the girls for the day. The two of you decided to call it a day, after all despite your speech you still had an official decision to make.

You pulled out your phone, scrolling to your uncle's contact information. Your lips pressed together in thought. In many ways it was a no brainer, even ways that it shouldn't be. In other ways the more you learned about these girls the more you hesitated. If you failed you'd be doing more than just taking your uncle's money. You closed your eyes, your mind briefly flashing to images of your load covering Jiwon and Chaeyoung's faces. The decision was easy, wasn't it?

"What did you always say, uncle? It's about the journey not the destination," you muttered to yourself.

You quickly typed out a message.

"I'm in."

[onlyseokmins]

mischief maker • y.j.h.

Pairing: yoon jeonghan x fem!reader Genres: smut (minors dni!), angst, priestess!au, fantasy!au, gods/goddesses!au Warnings: magic, mentions of blood, war, cruelty, tyranny - all that good stuff, mentions of religion (au-specific), violence (i.e. suggestion of murder), (death) threats, and possible gaslighting 💃🏻 jeonghan is an absolute FILTHY menace, light slapping, uh I wrote this so long ago and just finished it so lmk if i forgot anything?? WC: 4.2k A/N: also another thing rotting in my drafts </3 anyways kinda proud of this one but it's also obscene and hard to follow so sorry </3 let me know if you have any theories hahah!!! this goes hand-in-hand with Ashes and Cinders, so definitely recommend to read that one if you haven't already

"Look at how heavenly you are. The lengths you'd go, so dedicated to prove your servitude."

Droplets of perspiration turn into diamonds, littering the bare skin of your back that's exposed more than usual due to the disheveled state of your robes. Neither the dewy sheen coating your skin nor the cold stone you're pressed against causes the chill that sets off tiny bumps decorating your sweat-soaked figure. It is from the sensation of a plethora of tiny gems crystalizing against your heated body before they slide to the floor. 

Each precious jewel that falls creates a tinkling melody. Echoing the sound of the ones wrapped around your neck and sewn into the fabrics that were once draped elegantly over your curves as you moved through the temple.

It's difficult to focus when your eyes are nearly crossed. Your elegant, upright visage is beyond recognition. Instead, a depraved image is reflected in the pristine water of the blessed fountain that flows out into a shimmering pool encased by polished marble. You were always quite meticulous about upholding the beauty of the temple you oversee.

Yet, who's the one sullying all the hard labor the maidens endure under your watchful guidance?

Drool dribbles past your lips, sore and swollen from how many times teeth have bitten into and at them. Now, they have no choice but to stay open and release a series of successive, sultry moans being drawn out of you and resonating throughout the chamber. Head lolling and vision starting to swim, losing count of how many times you've been brought to and over the overwhelming peak of pleasure.

"How does it feel?" Sweeping back long, flaxen bangs out of his glowing gaze with the finesse a mortal man could only dream to possess after hours upon hours of fucking, Jeonghan smirks. Miniscule encrusted diamonds grow, glisten, and gleam, bestowing a dazzling glitter on his forehead before they drop. "How does it feel for your god to bury his cock inside this tiny blessed cunt, my precious priestess?" 

If a verbal answer was needed, the both of you would be shit out of luck. Fortunately, as a sentient being, he can hear the innermost thoughts of many. Usually a low murmur in the back of his mind unless he focuses on them or they are an extremely devout believer in prayer. 

And you just happen to be the high priestess of Yoon. The model of devotion. Possibly the only mortal capable of handling the god of the temple in his true, divine form. 

By now, he has to chuckle at how your little head is only full of nonsensical thoughts. More, more, more, and Jeonghan, god, Jeonghan are the only comprehensive things that cry out to him. Even within the physical tremor of your body beneath him and the fluttering squeezes of your pussy. So much pleasure writhes throughout your very being that it races like electricity in a wire and surges inside his own, erupting into unadulterated waves of even more bliss for the both of you.

He leers in victory. Bringing you to your knees was a lot harder than expected, especially for someone who was supposed to serve the people in his name. To be completely honest, he was the one who ended up on his knees first — cleaning up the tantalizing slick gathered between your legs with his tongue. It was after you had spread them teasingly upon his arrival, accidentally summoned to your bedchambers at the seductive cry of his name. Cock-throbbing whimpers that had fallen from your lips while pleasurably climaxing from your fingers dipping in and out of the wet warmth between your legs. Eager to let go after playing for quite some time with such sweet, pooling arousal.

That was the day he found out just how much more delicious you were than the frothy nectar of the gods overflowing from their goblets during festivities. 

And he had become addicted. 

But now, look at you.

Your saintly garments are an unholy mess. Saturated by a mixture of both of your releases, the pure white colors practically become transparent. Especially following an… unfortunate tumble into the holy spring.

Normally, it would be a punishable offense to defile the holy waters. But when it's a priestess capable of the most powerful purification skills being encouraged to ride the cock of the temple's worshiped being who very much doesn't give a damn — well…

It's why you're splayed across the pool's ledge, lower body on full display for the god to use. Not entirely the most comfortable of positions. But it's somewhat of a respite for your tender breasts that are littered with sore bites and nips from Jeonghan while he muttered praises bards might be inspired to repeat as songs if they weren't so filthy.

You're unable to think a single thought in that pretty head of yours. His hips snap rapidly at such a pace to bully his dick deep within your cunt and with the force that would've broken a human of the same stature's bones otherwise. Lanky, sinewy muscles buzz with a faint glow to match the radiance of his irises.

"What would the maidens that look up to you in awe think if they saw you like this? Your loyal priestesses that respect you? The followers that worship the ground you tread on almost more than how strongly they pray to me?"

You were an influential figurehead of society. Ever since you walked in the steps fate laid out for you by a grand oracle's prophecy, you became the pinnacle of holiness in the surrounding lands. Virginity as a requirement was only practiced in the days of the old texts, and though your romps with the handsome and beautiful people of the citadel were not fully behind you, Jeonghan would make sure no one else could ever satisfy you like he can.

Besides, who could ever fuck a human as well as only a god can?

His stamina is on a whole other level. Unthinkable for a divine being well known for his laziness in the so-called dignified parables spun by the mortal tongue for generations. Maybe it's fueled by the intricate bond formed between the two of you, but it would be a lie to say it wasn't by far the best dicking down you have ever received. Jeonghan's not the thickest cock you've taken, but he sure is the longest and knows exactly how to use it.

"Dirty little priestess, the way this sopping pussy clings around me like a vice." He scoffs at the realization. "No wonder even the mightiest of gods bows down and lays with his mortal queen every chance he gets."

The distraught huff torn from your lungs paired with filthy wet noises when he pulls out of your sloppy hole is music to his ears. Akin to the harps and flutes the muses and their delicate fingers pluck and play to grace the court of deities present among the clouds.

His palm splays out, flying across your ass cheeks with a resounding crack visually reflected by the responsive jiggle and wiggle of your hips following the cruel motion. Scratch that. He bites his bottom lip with glee, the same hand fingering your cunt to scoop up the mixtures of his multiple releases and yours from earlier. The delightful squelching is much better than the heavenly harps of the gods.

Jeonghan figures that's where you'll end up one day, sitting all pretty. Whether or not you'll be a divine being — he refuses to use his wily brain to think harder about that. Though with the way the two of you continue to defile one another, a trip to the underworld may be in your future cards instead.

He reckons you'd love the delightful heat of the lava baths and the cute little boiling bubbles that pop at the surface. Especially if you decided to sink down on his cock… the god shivers delightfully at the thought.

"Vices. How fitting for you mortals."

Tugging the back of your ear with his unsoiled hand so you can turn your head, squishing a cheek against the marble and blearily struggle to look at him through unfocused pupils. Still, you're able to make out the v-shape of his pointer and middle finger — and even the clear strands of arousal stretched between them — before he sticks his tongue out to lick up. All while maintaining eye contact with a smirk, continuing his venomous words.

"Silly brother of mine, wasting time to concoct a drink for the gods who have no need for refreshments. Stupid humans who attempt to brew it with their measly tools as an homage." His thumb returns to circle your sore clit, drawing out more garbled moans. "All those efforts when this," another swipe and he's slurping it up again and tossing his head back with a throaty groan of pleasure, "this is the real ambrosia."

Jeonghan, Jeonghan, Jeonghan, cries your body, your mind, and your soul.

So much that your very being resonates and calls out his true name, causing the god's aura to glow brighter. Dozens of rubies, crystals, jades, and emeralds spill out from his pores at the effort and exertion of his dick slamming back inside of you. It's more thrilling and stimulating than participating in the senseless wars his brothers like to lure him into.

Strength fills him like never before. No one would think the god of mischief would have many believers but humans were petty. They may pretend to walk the righteous path yet they thrive on the downfall of even those close to them. You delivered messages from the god with little thought, for greater forces spiraled his playfulness into much more ominous threats if they chose to — swallowing up his domain for their own brutal goals.

"Why do you not wish for more power?" you'd dared to ask him on the rare days he appeared at the temple. Lounging about on the architecture's high peaks without a care in the world. "Surely you could have greater control."

"My dear high priestess," Jeonghan chides. He's not completely unaware of the effect his acknowledgment of your existence and title has. "The strenuous move of my pinky finger is enough effort asked of me for the next millennium. That alone could cause a child's village to go up in flames just because of a little prank gone wrong."

Your posture remains as refined and poised as always, yet your eyes wistfully trace his features — wishing it could be your hands instead. "I see."

"I imagine the creator molded me the way I am for the benefit of the world. Think of the havoc I could wreak if I was motivated to do so?"

Unbeknownst, the creator did take it into account. Though they made no concerted effort to intervene in the consensual exploitation the mischievous god took of the beautiful priestess. Or maybe it was the other way around? Fully aware of the unspoken thread weaving through the temple of Yoon, content to watch the god become more interested in life as he whispered in your ear. This time, bold words that were definitely not meant to be relayed to his followers. 

The creator let fate be, for the current gods can only fall for a new world to rise.

"Ambrosia that would bring a transgressor due enlightenment and a savior," Jeonghan continues with a dark chuckle, "or a god to their knees. All for this sinful, perfect little cunt."

Moan after moan leaves your mouth, shamefulness long gone the minute the god saw your spread legs, and his azure eyes were immediately drawn to what was in between them. His cock continued its brutal assault, pistoning in and out of what he deemed the world's finest treasure.

"But no one will ever get a taste of this one. It's mine. Mine!"

His slender fingers wrap around the back of your neck. Surprisingly, he lifts your head up gently — just enough for you to nod your head at his growl of "Isn't that right?", though when only more drool drips out of your mouth, Jeonghan shakes your head roughly in a "yes" motion.

"I could break you," he hisses as if he hasn't already nearly done so. "You are as fragile as a blade of grass in my hands." Another harsh slap lands on your backside. "Yet so resilient to my wrath, this hole of yours is always so welcoming. Why?"

Yours, yours, yours.

Jeonghan agrees with a feral growl, one not of this realm. Like a sounding bell and beckoning call from the vast unknown, it sends a vision flashing across your eyes. The sun freezes in the sky with its brilliant, harsh glow yet the world turns eerily cold and not into dust and ashes as expected. Then the sky turns black, a terrifying darkness, and a howling moan of despair. 

The moon joins its counterpart like two eyes glaring at the universe. They shudder in tandem, vibrating at a shaking frequency until you realize. They are staring right at you, unwavering. Like a face. Like a reflection.

A crash and a boom and a roar — then you're coming undone on Jeonghan's cock for an unbelievable amount and length of time. Shuddering as the world falls apart inside your brain, screaming and writhing though not quite in actual pain as the god kindly fucks you through your climax.

"Turn you into one of us, then you would no longer have such a weak mortal body. But even that's not possible… unless it's the creator. Perhaps even then…"

You don't register his words and maybe it's good you don't. He refuses to bare the heart he doesn't have. An ultimate weakness. Not like his foolish brothers. 

And yet…

While waiting for the shaking of your body to subside, his hands ghost over your form as if to ease the trembling. Listening to your heart rate until it no longer beats as crazily as you find rest in lean arms that cradle your body without sexual intention for the first time since the god's descent. After placing your weary body in the fountain, you're soon lulled into a dreamless doze by the soothing lap of the tiniest of waves against your skin and Jeonghan's gentle caresses.

You awaken much later. Feeling a lot more refreshed by some well-deserved rest and your innate healing powers aided by the holy spring's rejuvenation. Flowers in varying shades matching the luminescent color of Jeonghan's eyes litter the bed. Surrounding you with the same sweet scent when in his embrace. Picking one up, you thumb at glossy petals that remind you of the god's silken hair and smooth skin. 

Truly a symbol of his likeness.

"Priestess."

Your head jerks up when the subject of your thoughts silently materializes. A scratchy throat turns even drier and makes it hard to swallow upon spying a glint of silver pinning up Jeonghan's long locks. Another symbol — this one of the god's chilling wrath — is a spear disguised as a fragile hairpin. 

Carved from the bones of an ancient beast slayed by a hero of legends, the shining spear was crafted and embellished by the hands of a talented blacksmith gifted it in the name of his fellow brother and deity. The one that stands before you now, Jeonghan, the god of mischief. 

Tales of the legendary weapon thrown from his slender fingers and whistling through the battlefields to mercilessly strike down foes and enemies alike are documented on ancient scrolls in the oracle's grand library. As the only other one with access to such rare treasures, you'd poured over the delicate artifacts for days to learn more about the god you serve, eyeing the tiny circlet that hangs around his neck, certain it's the powerful aegis that supposedly wields the ability to turn those into stone.

"Drink." A chalice disrupts your view of the god and you take it, grateful at least for something to soothe how parched you feel. If he even notices your anxiety, he stays quiet and sits on the edge of the bed. Playing with a flower stem until you finish, the representative plant somehow looks both foreign yet perfect in his hands. "You saw something, didn't you?"

"Some sort of vision. One that was quite… frightening." 

"Describe it to me."

"Th-the gods. I think, my goodness, I am certain that they were at war."

As you explain in greater detail, weaving your tale of the bleak sun into it, Jeonghan's sapphire irises grow darker. Colder. By the time you've finished, the stem he'd been twirling in his hands has snapped in half and you no longer dare to look him in the eye even when he hums.

"The sun… hm? How interesting."

"Yes." 

You nod knowingly, and he lets out a dramatic sigh. There's a shing! noise and the god stands, a visible aura radiating around his form as the fearful spear elongates, revealing itself. It looks less deadly than described in stories, though you suppose no one who has been pierced by its shaft has lived to tell the story of its killing nature. Delicate and thin with a beautiful glow around it in this peaceful moment. But you know better than to trust what the eye — even one as perceptive as yours — can see and shudder.

"Is it the holy war you fear? Doubt that you'll receive a divine blessing of protection?"

A wry smile graces your lips. "I don't need to worry about being protected. It is my duty to defend the temple no matter what."

Jeonghan snickers, remembering the sharpened tip that almost grazed him. Caught off guard on his first visit when a priestess greeted him with a nocked arrow rather than a subservient bow of respect. And who knew he'd end up bedding that very same priestess, addicted to your body and all that it offered him. 

"Nothing will strip away the divine barrier encasing us so easily," you also point out and he nods, eyes lifting to the sky displayed through the high, open arches of your sleeping quarters. 

"I suppose you're correct. Though I do not know if you'd be able to fend off all my brothers…" The god lets out an undignified snort. "I do not believe they are planning an uprising so I must see what this vision of yours could be about." Jeonghan stretches, sending a lazy grin your way. "Do you trust me?"

You think back to gentle touches after a rough session. Whispers of sweet nothings and meaningless pledges when he thought you had drifted asleep. Waking up clothed in gossamer silk — a gift each time — and various reminders of his touch in the aches of your body that had yet to recover, visual ones scattered about the bed you rested upon each time. 

You recall what your purpose is. The oath you must uphold is proven by your namesake. Your destiny. And more. It is something you cannot forget. Ever.

"Of course," you assure him and Jeonghan laughs carefreely. Like he can't believe your faith in him himself. Neither can you.

He shakes his head, strands of hair shining like gold threads. Taking the chalice from you and lifting your freed hand to place a chaste yet flirty kiss to your knuckles. "Don't forget about me, my priestess. I'll return soon."

Another empty promise. Though you don't refute, playing along with his teasing remarks of you welcoming him back with open legs. Bidding the god a rather casual farewell before he disappears — but not with a wink followed by a bright flash and loud thunderclap.

Once you've sensed his presence is truly gone, you rise from the bed. A lyre sits in the corner and you run your fingers melodically across the taut strings while refining your appearance. You have a job to do after all.

The shrill cry of a raven draws your gaze to the open window where the black bird lands. It hops around, tilting its head curiously and rustling feathers expectantly. You smile, laying out a collection of gems on the ledge for it to inspect and play with. Summoning the maidens of Yoon, you speak to your confidante, stroking its midnight plumage while waiting for them to make the journey up to your chambers.

"Foolish gods, always underestimating. Jeonghan may have forgotten… everyone must have cast it from their minds." Your avian companion lets out a low croaking noise, nuzzling your palm with its beak as if to comfort. "But I… I will never forget." 

Do not. Forget.

Don't you. Dare. Forget

"I won't. I can't."

The voices in your head would never let you. And they will only get louder as time marches on, especially without Jeonghan by your side. But that is neither here nor there. You can't do anything about it except the one thing you — and only you — can do. 

By the time the eldest maiden has ascended the steps, you are alone again. Dressed in the purest of white robes and not a hair, jewel, or garment out of place. There are no black feathers, radiant jewels, or azure petals found in the humble and barren chambers of the high priestess. Just you, with your hands clasped together, and a fixed smile on your face.

"It is time." None of them notice the empty look in your eyes as they bow before you, heeding the declaration that comes from your lips. "It is time to spread the prophecy to the world. The real one."

"Yes, Mother," comes the obedient chorus.

The young women's eyes remain cast downward out of respect and the ambience of power emanating from you. For though they loyally represent the god of mischief, there could be no higher honor than serving a greater goddess such as yourself.

Jeonghan is clever. Wily. Smarter than he lets on which can be a true asset to those unsuspecting. But by no means is he ambitious. He is young too, and though the shell you reside in was destined to be his high priestess, the ancient bind to your soul has a stronger pull.

"He is coming," you murmur to yourself as the maidens set about the command you've ordered.

There's a warm glow bursting from the horizon, a fiery heat swathed in a tender caress making those erratic flames calmer. Softer. You're accustomed to what should be a sweltering wrath full of rage and the indicative hint to the tempered nature makes you smile. But the fuzzy feelings are tainted by a bitter tang of what is to come after the god of the sun's visit.

And so you prepare yourself for Seokmin to bring his eager request in your private chambers, stroking the head of your elusive feathered companion at your side while you wait. Watching as the sun rises higher and higher and an auburn-haired figure makes his way closer and closer.

Meanwhile, a flaxen-haired god's grip might nearly snap the spear he's holding in half. He stares at his eldest brother, aghast.

"You're lying."

"I am many things, Han, but I am not a liar."

"Brother —"

The king of the gods holds up a hand. "You don't have to believe me but it is the truth."

And though Jeonghan wants to fervently deny it, the dragged-down weight of his mortal shell's bones fight against what his godly head refuses to acknowledge.

He's brought back to what he was envisioning while bored out of his mind at his brother's lengthy counsel session. You — touching yourself, needy and forlorn without him there to fill you up — and him — returning to find such a scene and punishing you in the most salacious way possible.

But it's warped by his prophetic powers, proving his brother to be correct. Instead, you call him to bed and of course he follows, seduced by the way your body moves and everything else he wouldn't dare admit. And just as he finishes painting the inside of your cunt with all that he's worth and more, heavily spent from the throes of passion — you strike. Like a cobra lying in wait for its prey.

"Why?" is what he pathetically says as golden ichor drips from the corner of his mouth. The dagger you'd struck into his chest hurting a lot less than the actual damage truly dealt to what no human should ever be able to touch — his heart.

Blinking out of the painful vision, Jeonghan scowls at his brother. "You didn't know we've had an enraged primordial goddess on our hands?"

"Don't turn this on me when you've been fraternizing with said goddess."

Just as he's about to retort, the sudden darkness below the heaven's distracts both gods. The sun slips from the skies and a wail of grief so loud and chilling echoes, the harkening sign to the beginning of an apocalypse. The end. And for the first time ever, they feel a rush of emotion they've never felt in their whole immortal lifespan.

Fear.

As if that's not the worst of it all, he hears your voice. You're slyly drawing on that mental connection between the two of you, so that the phrase can be heard so crystal clear that his knees almost give out at the damnation you've orchestrated.

"And so… let the gods pay as they fall."

onlyseokmins: September 2024 ©

[dual-cetacean]

Forgive scuffed-looking Sonic. It's been too long since I've drawn anything, and my current medical issues are making it harder to refine things.

Heyo! I had planned to wait until I finished writing the second-to-last chapter of Season 2 of NPLH to make an announcement. But, unforeseen medical issues have necessitated an earlier statement. The good news is, in short, I am still working on this series! Don't worry; it is not on hiatus or being abandoned! The reason it's taking so long is that this school year has been hectic and stressful, and I've had no time, except for college, and I've been doing a little bit of stress relief here and there. Still, I am surprised that I only have the other half of the second-to-last chapter and the last chapter to complete, and then I will be finished with the raw script. I did make good progress despite only writing during my breaks. Looking at my document files, it is much larger than the first eight chapters, coming to a whopping 356 pages and 8,601 words. That is almost twice the size of the first season, and I am still writing. 

Now, after a very hard and stressful exam period, I got very unlucky and acquired an abscess in my armpit. I will keep it brief, but I wrote this on the day after my last procedure to clean it out thoroughly; it fucking hurts! I didn't know what it felt like to be cut open, but oh my gods! It hurt more because the area was affected, but still! Knives hurt! Even if they are very sharp one-time-use scalpels and it was one small cut! Gods, I am so happy I get to have local anaesthesia on the third day. 

Anyway, I wanted to explain a few things as to why I haven't been posting, both in art and writing, and that it will take longer to get back to, as the aftercare has now started. (I swear the universe is trying to keep me from writing. The cosmos can take my writing tools from my dead, cold fingers. Even if it takes me two weeks of strenuous aftercare. I've started writing on my phone because sometimes the pain is too much. I don't like having so much time on my hands with nothing to do, even if that time is supposed to be spent healing.)

It is also both funny and not funny. Still, the events that occurred in the last six months are also reflected in the newest chapters I wrote before the end of the previous year, which ultimately happened to me and my loved ones. At least Nine's suffering and medical mishaps will be more accurate this time. My luck with medical stuff has been just so awful. It's especially ironic since I had so many things planned for the summer, and the second I am finally free of my studious obligations, I get hit with something so sudden and painful. (I bet it's the Ao3 curse)

The next chapter and art will, as a result, take much longer to post than I had anticipated. I hope to work on NPLH again soon. While I have developed numerous hyper-fixations on different fandoms and games throughout the year, my brain rot with Sonic, specifically Sonic Prime, continues to truck on. 

Coincidentally, yesterday was also my birthday. I wanted to make this announcement yesterday, but the pain was quite severe, so I postponed it for a bit. Rn, it is bearable, but I took my pain meds a little bit too late, so hahaha, gotta suffer a little before I go to sleep. 

[sepublic]

According to some FtF storyboards that were cut (presumably for time), Manny met Camila twenty years prior to the start of the series; And since the show takes place in 2022, this would’ve been during 2002. And since Luz is 14, this means Camila and Manny knew one another for six years, and at some point married during that time before eventually having Luz.

Season 1B had an episode that was scrapped called Homesick, which would’ve had Luz discover a Healing Glyph and also reflect on her parents; At this point in production, Camila was a nurse before that got retconned, but it was revealed that Manny was an ambulance driver. The FtF storyboards are much more recent and borderline canon, so we can surmise Manny and Camila did meet at a Cosmic Frontier convention, and their workplaces didn’t happen to intersect.

But if we still want to retain this detail on Manny, you can guess why Camila resonated with him and vice-versa, as people who both had a very compassionate spirit. Manny especially as someone who builds people up.

And there’s a dark irony in Manny always bringing people to hospitals, because he would be quite familiar with those who are on the verge of death, who might be skirting close to it, maybe even people who did die on the way… So he was always aware of mortality and he’d have to consider his own. And so after all this time, he would be the one being brought to a hospital, different ones, it’s why they chose Gravesfield specifically. His life and death, defined by hospitals; His peak and decline, defined by hospitals. How does Luz feel about such buildings now?

Manny would’ve empathized a lot with those in charge, but did he ever imagine he would empathize like this? Sometimes I think of the little fan theory that the Abomaton alarm genuinely triggered Luz because it reminded her of an ambulance that took her father to the hospital during a sudden medical emergency. These alarms are never pleasant anyway, nor is their context, but on some level it must hurt for something tied to her father and how he helped people to just be a reminder of how he couldn’t be helped. The hospital was once associated with her father’s heroics, but now…

On a brighter note, you could say that after helping people, Manny gets helped in return; But in the end it wasn’t enough. Or it did help, because it still got him some extra time with his family, enough to figure something out for his daughter that would keep her alive. Looking at the parallels to his daughter that he consciously taught, I wonder if Manny also wanted to be a hero; Luz’s obsession came from the book specifically, because it came from her dad.

Was Manny drawn to the medical industry to also help people? If so, he actually understood what people needed, which was more healers who could build people up. He didn’t become a cop or anything. And such a mundane and unglamorous way of life is better for the world; Because I think of how Luz wanted to be a hero, but aside from one gag with the Gildersnake, her focus has always been on helping people and not destroying her enemies.

You can see this in the good Luz has done, which comes more from helping others, some of whom were her enemies, than destroying or taking down people; The final enemy she can’t really help, Luz doesn’t even destroy herself, nor directly at least. And I think that hearkens a lot to what her father and mother do, and I wonder if that’s a specific ideal Manny had. Azura, as Luz describes it, is someone who befriends people and even enemies.

So I wonder if Manny actually read though the book, if he thought consciously what his final message was because it’s not just the act of giving the book itself, its what the book says, it’s how he’s choosing to impart his final beliefs by choosing something he thinks reflects them.

He’s not afraid of weird looks, it’s already acceptable for an adult like Mildred Featherwhyle to write this and consider her messages anyhow, so yeah he’ll read it in his hospital bed and place this under a critical lens. If anyone looks at him funny, Manny will snap at them unapologetically, Hey I’m dying, lemme have this! He wouldn’t need death as an excuse, mind you.

So Manny is an ‘author’ in a way, creating a message for his daughter, the other hidden author to Luz’s favorite fantasy. And Luz is the author of her own fantasy. Manny’s already a massive nerd, it’s what led him to Camila, to Luz, of course he’ll give that to her; It’s what leads Luz to Amity.

[sapphicscholar]

Hacks 4.07 Thoughts

As always, thoughts below the cut to hide any spoilers!

Centering the episode around questions of faith and ritual on the one hand felt a little tonally odd, but also let the show to do a different kind of character exploration and communicate some things quietly for those in the know. For the non-Catholics, baptism is the first sacrament (a sacrament of initiation), and it represents both a rebirth (the cleansing away of original sin) and an entry into a new community/new structure of familial ties. Obviously those Catholic elements aren’t named explicitly in the episode, and the extent to which they register depends upon the familiarity of viewers with the Catholic tradition, but it was a nice way to quietly mark the watery rebirth of Deborah and Ava’s relationship—itself a cleansing (albeit, less wholly) of the wrongs that have been calcifying between them—as well as a way for the episode to talk about what it means for DJ to want something different for her child. We see her stand up for herself in a major way, and even though it becomes clear that it’s profit not faith that’s driving her (much more in character let’s be honest), I think there is something to what she sees in Aiden’s family. It’s not the Catholicism of it all (I PROMISE YOU THAT lmao), but it is a way of orienting themselves around each other that leaves DJ wanting more and better for her son than what she feels she got. And I think the choice of Ava as a godmother (even tho the Church would absolutely not have allowed it as a spur of the moment thing—you gotta prove you’re a practicing Catholic and all!) was a really lovely moment of growth and maturity from DJ.

As an outsider, DJ knows that there’s this version of her mother that Ava has drawn out from the soft, hopeful places Deborah walled off right around the time DJ would have been forming deep memories, but DJ also knows she’ll never be able to give that version of Deborah to AJ because it’s a version she knows of without knowing herself – a very faithful kind of believing without seeing, if you will. And much as she’s willing to wrench Deborah into the sanctuary and threaten to go low or no contact if she ruins something for AJ—an act of harshness born of love—she’s also willing to gift her son a version of her mother that she herself can’t quite access (at least not yet, maybe not ever). Ava can’t give AJ math lessons, let alone the intended role of spiritual guidance, but she can give him the version of Deborah at her best—the version she might have been had Frank and Kathy not done what they did.

Anyway, pivoting away from the Catholic of it all (a sentence I never thought I’d type in a Hacks recap!), the car conversation was obviously beautiful on its own terms, but it was also a nice way to get Deborah thinking about legacy, about belief, about what it is and was (bc it surely wasn’t faith in any higher power) that gave Deborah the strength to keep going—and how she’s going to make her show, her legacy, into the kind of thing that actually reflects who she is and what she values. Because we know that’s going to be what finally lets them succeed.

A couple quick delights: the stairwell scene, my beloved – we’ve been waiting for this, and it’s just as fun and sweet (without being saccharine) as I had hoped it would be <3

Even thought it was brief, I loved seeing Marcus - he seems so happy, and that's everything I wanted for him

Ava's book present is 100% the vibe I bring to the function (the function being all children's birthday parties)

But ya know I can't end without some kind of more critical note: I know a lot of the cast and creators talked about Julianne Nicholson as their favorite character this season, but I’m growing tired fast – don’t get me wrong, she can be fun to see, but at this point, it’s pretty clear she’s just here to give Jimmy and Kayla more to do on screen to justify the shift in narrative focus to include them as more major players (more on that in my ep. 8 notes), and it’s just…falling flat. Were this a 22-episode season kind of show, it might be different, but even with the slight increase to 10 episodes, this is a tight ship to run if you want believable character arcs scaled to the point JPL seem to want to exist at, and stuff like Dance Mom makes it baggy while taking away room for what we need to see

[heavenlyysstuff]

Bioluminescence .

NETEYAM.s x fem!Metkayina!reader

summary , out on a late night walk you cross paths, and isn’t the water just so mesmerising… it reminds you of him.

a/n , idk if I’m good at writing so lmk, also I didn’t proof read too much so…

Waves crash and sand tumbles as the night of pandora puts all na’vi to ease, resting in their marui’s at the darkest hour.

But not you. Eywa forbid you get any rest, the number of nights you spent walking every inch of Awa’atlu you had lost count of. It’s always for the same reason, you think too much, especially when you need to sleep. Thoughts flood your head, meaningless thoughts, and him.

Ever since the arrival of the Sully family, which was many months ago, you couldn’t help but always find yourself drawn to the oldest brother of the family, Neteyam… sometimes you can’t even say his name aloud without blushing.

He’s usually the cause of these late night walks you take, always floating through your mind at the worst moments as you continue to walk until every scenario of him has been fulfilled. And while this sounds quite obsessive, it’s not your fault, not your fault he was both kind and handsome, the perfect package.

And all this overthinking leads you here, sat upon a large flat rock in the reef of Awa’atlu, not that far, but enough where all you can hear is the sound of waves and the view of the beauty that is the bioluminescence in the waves as they collide against the rocks.

It’s moments like these that give you a feeling of peace, nobody knew about these late night walks you took yourself on, and this was really the only time you had something to yourself.

Being the oldest daughter of the Chief and Tsahik of the Metkayina, you never really got a say in much, everything was always decided for you. While you do love your parents dearly, sometimes they are a bit overwhelming, almost going to the extremes of choosing your future mate before you had your first outburst and completely lashed out in front of them.

Thankfully they came to understand after you had turned down many suitors to potentially mate with.

Ah, you’re overthinking again… why do you keep reminding yourself of these terrible moments? You sigh to yourself and lean to look at the edge of the rock you sit on, admiring the glow of the ocean waves as they crashes into the rocks edge, creating a sea of stars for you to gaze into all night.

In your trance of admiration, you fail to notice the sounds of water breaking on the other side of the rock, someone had climbed on.

“What are you doing out here?”

You flinch at the sudden presence, but that voice is familiar.

You swiftly turn to face the voice, him.

“Neteyam…” You say softly to acknowledge him, you suddenly feel nervous. “I uh, just…thinking.” You continue to answer his question, now leaning away from the water and sat with your chin resting on your knees.

His smile indicated his intrigue with your answer, his eyebrows furrow as he thinks about what to say.

“But it’s late, why aren’t you asleep?”

“Why aren’t you?” You tease, quickly falling smitten as he quietly laughs. “What are you doing out here anyways?”

His laugh dies down but even with the dark lighting a smile is still visible. “I couldn’t sleep, thought a walk would tire me out. I thought everyone was asleep, but then I saw you.”

You can’t find a reply. Too entranced with the glowing waves once again, your eyes reflect it’s gorgeous stars.

“It’s really pretty out here at night…” He says, breaking you out your the trance, you slowly turn to look at him, taking in his features.

“Yea…” you whisper, but you aren’t making eye contact with him, your eyes are locked onto his dark skin, and the bioluminescent freckles that decorate his face. It’s familiar.

For a moment your eyes glance towards the bioluminescent waves that collided with the rocks behind him, then back to his freckles.

“Huh…” you ponder.

“Hm?”

You look at him, eyes meeting as you blink to break your trance in embarrassment. “Oh it’s just, the waves.” You mumble, “they kinda remind me of you…” immediately you feel stupid, where’s all this confidence coming from?

“They do? How’s that?” He mumbled back, leaning closer to see your face and tilting his head in semi fake curiosity, you can see he’s amused with your words, he’s teasing you.

“Your freckles, they glow… like the waves.” You mumble in your flustered state. After his silence you quickly deflate. “I dunno, I just, nevermind…”

The silence is awkward for you, but it only lasts another few seconds. “You’re sweet.” Are his only words.

This only sends you deeper into your state of embarrassment, but he continues.

“Do you like them?”

“Huh?”

“My freckles.”

You ponder in your mind for a moment debating your next words, “Yea, they’re pretty.” You say and tilt your head away and down to stare into the glowing waves once again to distract yourself.

“Thank you. I like yours as well, I’ve never seen a pattern like that.” His accent breaks through his words as he compliments you.

“Really?” You question, as if in disbelief. You look away from the ocean, gaze locked onto the rocks surface in-front of you. “I used to cover them up…but uh, you know.”

He leans towards you, his hand on your shoulder to make you look at him, his face is showing some shock, “why would you cover them? they’re beautiful.”

You giggle nervously, both embarrassed and flustered. “It’s stupid…”

After your words, Neteyam slowly retracts his hand from your shoulder, “well I’m glad you’re showing them now, I would hate to miss out on something so pretty.” You can’t tell weather he’s complimenting you or just your glowing freckles, either way, it manages to make you blush

You giggle then exhale “Thank you, Neteyam…”

After a moment of him simply tracing your face with his eyes he speaks, “You’ve always been so pretty to me.”

You feel warm all over, a fuzzy feeling in your stomach as you can’t find it in you to look at him. You tuck a strand of hair behind your ear due to the sudden heat in your face.

“Would you like me to walk you to your marui?”

You finally glance in his direction for what seems to be the first time that night.

“Yea, I’d like that.”

[hotdaemondtargaryen]

PHIA SABAN INTERVIEWED FOR CONTENTMODE MAGAZINE.

CONGRATULATIONS ON HOUSE OF THE DRAGON! HOW HAS THE PROCESS BEEN SO FAR?

"Thank you! It’s a cool thing."

"When we’re working on it we’re in our own little microcosm with each other and those characters, and now it’s coming out and we’re seeing it all link up and become something else."

"It’s very new to me."

"Acting on screen still feels very new to me."

"I am so lucky to get to work with this group of people, they are so clever and loving."

"Recently we’ve been promoting the show and have been asked for opinions and explanations about our characters and the story."

"I’ve found it a new and funny facet of the job, to be asked sometimes to represent myself and speak from the character and for the bigger picture."

"It can feel different from acting, where you engage with the contradictions and spend more time with the mystery and the magic than the answers."

"I guess I’m saying that I’ve found this process contains multitudes."

"And watching the show is surreal — there are all my pals in wigs!"

MANY DIE-HARD GAME OF THRONES FANS HAVE READ THE BOOK SERIES AND ANTICIPATE PLOT POINTS IN THE TELEVISION SERIES. HOW DO YOU PROVIDE A FRESH TAKE ON FAMILIAR MATERIAL?

"It’s major to be part of something that people already feel passionate about, but it’s also exciting to have the chance to subvert expectations."

"It’s fun to make up little secrets that only you know about."

"As a viewer, I always like to be surprised anyway."

"I think it’s important (and fun) to have some irreverence for the genre so that you’re not patronizing your audience."

"The hope is to be part of something that challenges people!"

YOU'VE FOUND SUCCESS IN THE FANTASY AND DRAMATIC GENRES. ARE THERE ANY OTHER GENRES YOU'D LIKE TO EXPLORE?

"Yes! I miss being in plays so much."

"I cannot wait to be in the theater again."

"I’ve never been in a film, I’d love to make an independent one."

"Oh! To be in something people call a ‘picture’!"

"Recently I’ve been fantasizing about learning motion-capture and playing some sort of animal or creature."

"I’d love to be part of a suburban coming-of-age film, like the ones I obsessed over growing up."

"I’d like to do a great limited series, an intense crime one."

"And I could narrowly avoid being eaten by a shark, or an alien."

"I have dreams of doing a time-spanning project."

"I’d like to be the voice of an animation!"

"I‘d love to have a go at the present day."

"And maybe a dystopian future."

"And a Western?"

"I always want to do something funny."

"And strange."

"There are so many TA and filmmakers I admire (I won’t list them but they’re always being lovingly scribbled in my notebook.)"

"I’ll learn Norwegian and French for them!"

"I’m excited to keep finding new people too."

"More than all these, there are so many more things I hope to do, if I’m lucky."

"Not that I give it much thought or anything…"

HAS YOUR REAL LIFE INSPIRED YOUR APPROACH TO YOUR CHARACTER IN ANY WAY?

"Sometimes a character can be an expansion pack for your real life, like a new way to see things."

"So maybe it’s more that the fantasy inspires your real life!"

"It’s been really fun to explore Helaena’s interests."

"I’ve thought quite a lot about bugs."

"I get a huge kick out of investigating how her mind works and finding all the ways her’s overlaps with mine."

"I do lots of people-watching, which is great because now when I’m staring at people on the bus I can tell myself that I’m ‘working’."

WHILE FANTASY CAN SEEMS UNTETHERED FROM REALITY, DO YOU THINK IT CAN REFLECT THE REAL WORLD?

"Haha I hope so, otherwise that would be boring!"

"I suppose these stories are full of archetypes, which should mirror universal truths."

"But maybe that’s just good TV?"

WHAT TYPES OF NARRATIVED DO YOU FIND YOURSELF DRAWN TOWARDS WHEN READING SCRIPTS AND CHOOSING ROLES?

"Something surprising and honest that doesn’t tell me what to think!"

"And I love it when a script lets sad things be funny."

WHAT INSPIRES YOU AS AN ACTOR?

"Other actors, a lot."

"On a good day, almost everything can…"

"That might be one of the best things about being an actor."

[ntls-24722]

Redoing the info post! Again! This'll hopefully be the last time I make these refs, not because I fully plan for these to stick (ofc, i hope these designs stick, but for as long as i fixate on this world I'll always be tweaking these designs) but because from here on out i'm probably just gonna be tweaking this world and just.... not making more refs LMFAO

Anyways, this is homo mousike, the Music Man-themed speculative biology project I made on accident. I didn't make homo mousike with the intention of spec bio'ing music man into various species, it was the result of me looking too hard into the tiniest bit of lore that i made for these music man "cave paintings." Which is why they all look so weird and not exactly like the music men they're based off of - I quite literally ripped them right out of the cave walls, which is exemplified even more by their original designs.

HOMO MOUSIKE

On an alien planet known as Bolur, there are 3 different sophont species that have just started their history together on a hot, arid continent. There's a fourth sophont, but they don't know about them at this present. By pure coincidence, in the future, all 3 have named their species "music man" in their own languages due to their fossils being reliably found with prehistoric instruments.

The Debu are the ones based off of DJ Music Man. They are part of a clade known as "mountain cows", massive, beefy hexapods that, despite their size, still climb up cliffsides to carve out their own caves with their hooves. Their species have had human-equivalent intelligence for almost 2 million years, but they haven't meaningfully moved past their stone age due to the lack of need. However, unlike our idea of caveman life, Debu have been sedentary and domesticating plants and animals - they just haven't widely utilized metal.

Due to the heat and their bare skin, they roll in mud to use it as sunscreen, and this has interestingly inspired them to be very big on makeup. Their frontmost teeth, which are set apart from their molars in all "vertebrates" on this planet, have fused together into a pair of tusks, which they were originally supposed to be using to eat trees. But Debu are opportunistic, and will eat anything that won't kill them - including the other two aliens. They also don't speak through their mouth but instead through their noses, and therefore their nostrils are two toned for the reason that our lips are: in order to follow the "lips" when speaking.

Their species evolved tool use to make instruments on account of it helping them attract mates, and the tool use + growingly social behavior got them to the level of sapience that they're at now. Debu as a species are exceptionally opportunistic and resourceful, and are well versed in anatomy and medicine even in their stone age.

The Zebramen are based off of the original Music Man. They, and the following zebraelves, are part of a clade known as "spitting monkeys," arboreal and eusocial octopods who have glands on their butt for shooting slime at you! Zebramen and zebraelves are actually in the same genus and can even hybridize - they have a lot in common, and I often refer to them simultaneously as "zebrapeople." Speaking of, zebrapeople have actually been able to semi-dry their slime into making silk instead, so this group is actually the most spider-y out of any of the Music Men.

Zebramen are 8 feet tall and walk only on their 6's - they're the only Music Man whose feet actually differ from their hands. They're stupid fast, though very similar to humans where they are used to running long distances. They're just beginning to use bronze and they live as nomads, stewarding their massive communal herds and living in carriages drawn by cloe-mena. Their sapience began when they left the trees and started domesticating animals, and this is reflected in their tools; Early zebraman tools were instruments, aids in communicating across a massive flock. Zebramen religions are overwhelmingly animistic, as their lives depend on their animals and, well, so did their sapience. Many of the animals zebramen herd today actually co-evolved with them.

Zebraelves are in the same genus as zebramen, and share a lot of cultural and morphological similarities since these two species have been in contact with eachother since their appearances. Though, they do have some stark differences: Zebraelves are only around 2 feet tall while zebramen tower at 8 feet. Zebraelves have angled pelvises, and are able to go from hexapodal to octopodal depending on where they're walking on. Zebraelves' stripes are also generally only shades of brown and black, while zebramen can have the added colors of pink and red to their palettes. Their spinnerets are longer and tufted, since they're used for expression, and zebraelves are also generally a lot fuzzier than zebramen. But what might be the most striking difference is their way of life - Zebramen are communal, sure, but zebraelves are outright eusocial, having a "hive" structure with very drastic dimorphism.

(details on this... another time)

Inventing and playing music actually wasn't all that instrumental(lol) to the zebraelf's evolution towards sapience, but it was found to be important for their cohesiveness - remains of instruments were found during periods of assimilation, when colonies began to cede into one another and they started celebrating about it. It's a little touching that their species was named after their celebration of peace

[pan-gaa]

My problem with the BL industry -part 2-

The decrease of media literacy and understanding of intent.

"Who cares? Its all fiction anyways." Is a statement seen a lot when encountering discourse on the ethics of some media. This statement is seen as a fixed all for some people when defending their interests and characters or media that can be considered quite questionable. But is it really true? Is all fiction safe from criticism on their morals or showcasing of sensitive topics? Well in my opinion no, and ill be yapping about how massive this problem is on the BL industry and fanbase.

This is when media literacy comes into play and show how important it is to understand it. A lot of the time when this is needed is to understand the intent of the creator. The intent of the creator seems hard to pin point but we can get a pretty good idea by how they showcase these scenes and situations. In a lot of criticism towards some of the top BLs in the recent years is that it romanticizes abuse and toxic relationships. Of course the issue we most have is not that these stories showcase these real issues, its that there is no real consequence on the abuse, the stories are written with a "happy ending". The abuser gets the victim in the end most of the time after a "redemption arc", so what does the intent tell the reader? When you see these types of relationships you root for the redemption arc of the person at fault? Victims should just get used to it because their toxic partner is attractive? It might seem like a stretch and dramatic when I say it like this but I invite people to always question what intent is being portrayed in the story.

Of course just because something bad is shown, it doesn't mean it is supporting it. That's why media literacy is very important when consuming any type of media, its about understanding what message is being portrayed under that intent. Whether it was the creator's intention or not, it is important to bring up these criticisms specially when its media consumed by so many types of people. Another example I wanna share is not only the intent in the writing but also in the art of the work. I'm gonna use Painter of the Night and Killing Stalking as examples, both show situations of kidnapping, of course one leans more towards horror than the other but that just earns it even more criticism. Both somehow showcase something in similar way, the intimate scenes, long and detailed intimate scenes. Multiple angles, frames and poses, reminiscent of media that is made to be enjoyed. Its not only the fact that these scenes were drawn but how, what was the intent on showcasing these characters in difficult situations but still drawn the exact same way as the media created to be enjoyed. Of course both of these stories had different endings but I think the intent interpreted by how they were drawn can be reflected on the type of fandom that has been attracted.

There are more examples that you see once you start to question the intent that is being shown in these stories. People interpret these differently and shape it to their liking, that's why I think there is quite a big problem with media literacy lately. Again, I myself have been a BL consumer for many years and this is all my personal opinion so take what I say with a grain of salt.

[greatbritishsimchallenge]

"Father, may we talk?"

Cassian didn't respond but took a seat at his desk and looked up at Henry expectantly. Cassian could feel his son's discomfort and immediately tell what was coming.

"I believe Edith and I have found you a good match for marriage. Her name is Lady Catherine. She is incredibly wealthy - the sole heir to the Newcrest estate - she still has sufficient child-bearing years, and she is said to be very beautiful."

Cassian frowned, "If she's so perfect then why the fuck would she marry me?"

Henry cleared his throat, "Like you, she has a... complicated... past. Unlike you, her past was revealed and she has been summarily shunned from polite society."

"What did she do?" Cassian enquired, intrigued.

Henry immediately became flustered, "I'm not sure that matters. She has since undergone a great transformation - Edith and I know her from our circles at church. She is now a respectable, God-fearing woman..."

"And yet you say no one else will marry her because of her reputation. If I'm going to be the one to give her chance, I should at least know what I'm giving a chance to."

Henry sighed, "Did you ever hear the nickname.... the Princess of Newcrest?"

Cassian frowned as he thought back, "I think I remember hearing about her around the time I was married to Regina... didn't she have an affair with the King, Queen and their adult children simultaneously?"

Henry cleared his throat uncomfortably, "Umm... something like that. Anyway, it is quite unjust that most in society fail to recognise how she has changed and learned. She is most worthy of a second chance."

"And I'm willing to give it, am I?" asked Cassian grumpily.

"Yes - you are," Henry replied firmly. "For you have done far, far worse. Indeed, if I may say father, she believes she is being given the second chance when we both know that it is you who is the fortunate one here."

Cassian said nothing but tightened his lips.

"There are also some... caveats... to the marriage to which you must agree before she too will agree to marriage," continued Henry.

"Very well. What are they?"

"First, she feels that, as the sole heir of the Newcrest estate, she must remain in her titled homelands. Upon marriage, you would move to Newcrest."

"You want me to leave the place I've called home for most of my life?" asked Cassian, a low tone of anger clear in his voice.

"The second," continued Henry, raising his voice a little as if to speak up over his father. "Has regards to faithfulness, a very important quality to Lady Catherine. She would require that... you wear a chastity belt."

"You fucking what?"

"To which she would hold the sole key... to ensure your loyalty and faithfulness solely to her. In return, she too would wear a chastity belt to which you would hold the sole key."

Cassian said nothing, but Henry could feel his father's anger building.

"Third, she would like a legal agreement drawn up that would specify some key behaviours of the marriage, such as how much time you are required to spend together, and the frequency of relations required in order to produce an heir. I have read all the stipulations myself and had them checked by our lawyers, and it all seems very conventional. She simply wishes to ensure the marriage is destined for success."

"And will I get to read these stipulations?"

"Of course. You are required to sign your agreement."

Cassian stood up and went to pour himself a drink.

"Father, this marriage will do a great deal to restore our family's financial status; as the sole heir to the Newcrest estate, she is one of the wealthiest women in all England. Finding someone willing to even consider marrying you has not been easy and, while this may be a very different relationship to the type you are used to, I do also believe it will be good for you."

Cassian downed his drink and poured himself another.

"In all her requirements - is meeting me one of them?" he asked.

"Oh, erm..." Henry was surprised by Cassian's question and took a moment to reflect back over his meetings with Lady Catherine. "No, actually. That didn't come up. I suppose she must have been satisfied with the information we provided. But I can suggest it, if you'd like?"

"No. I think I'd rather meet this one at the aisle, when it is too late for me to walk away," Cassian poured himself another drink then added, "I have one request of my own, before I go ahead with all of this."

"Yes, father?"

"I want to see Isabeau. I want her brought here, to Brindleton."

"Father, Aunt Isabeau has her own very busy life in Champ les Sims and -"

Cassian turned to shoot his son a warning look.

"As you wish," Henry replied, immediately backing down. "I will write to Aunt Isabeau immediately."

Start (Iron Age) | Start (Roman Britain) | Start (Anglo Saxon) | Start (Medieval) | Start (Tudor)

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[lovelywingsart]

Neverending Forces -- New Beginnings

-- Infinite the Jackal X OC (Trans, He/Him) --

Ah... well, here you go! I already posted it to AO3, but figured I'd post here too. Give y'all something else to read while Metalworks stories are on standby, yeah?

Anyway- It's been a while since I've properly written another canon character that has nothing to do with Resident Evil since that's ALL I've worked on for the past 3 years (no Saren doesn't count, I haven't actually written for him), as well as the first time I've written a canon character after only consuming/playing the game properly once yet loving the character for a while.

They did him dirty and I'm still so angry at both his poor excuse of an 'origin story' and the fact that he doesn't even last until the VERY end of the game because he flopped on the ground like a wet stuffed animal and then fucked off to who knows where. Once again, canon fucked us.

If y'all wanna see more stories for them, this may primarily be a 'ask suggestion only' series, because I'm not entirely sure how much else I'll write... So, I guess let me know, and if you wanna see a specific story interaction feel free to shoot me an ask with an idea and I'll see what I can do!

Sonic fanfiction lessgo as well as a pretty new story cover ayyyy

**You can find the masterlist here!~

-----

Warnings?: Severe injury/wound, threats, a hack job of a wound dressing

Summary: Takes place immediately after the events of Sonic Forces -- While scouting the city on a personal patrol to ensure the safety of it's citizens, our secondary hero, only nicknamed 'the rookie' thus far, makes an interesting- and possibly dangerous- discovery. While the fight has ended, a new part of life has begun; and this is only the beginning.

The city was bustling rather quietly, though not in its normal capacity- rebuilding and clearing of debris had begun almost immediately after the robots in the city itself had been destroyed and the hallucinations, the 'clones', had disappeared from the outskirts. Citizens and nearby townsfolk had gathered in attempts to repair what they could before nightfall, working quickly with precautions being taken amongst the masses to prevent more injury. Though while many were on the ground, a lone figure made its way across rooftops, searching for any remnants of the battle beforehand. 'Tie up any loose ends' , he had thought to himself. Of course he stopped if he was needed, though was primarily met with praises. Humbling as it was, he didn't quite fancy the attention- he had only helped save the world, after all. It was the hedgehog that deserved the praise, not him.

The wolf hopped between rooftops with ease, his ears on a constant swivel for any yells for help or crumbling stone- only to pause as a small glint caught his eye. He nearly skid to a stop as his eyes were fully drawn to it, his head cocking to the side in curiosity. Even with all the metallic debris around from buildings and other structures, nothing had caught the sun as brightly as... whatever it was. Perhaps a light signal for help? he thought, suddenly launching forward to a lower rooftop for a better look. Someone who needed it but couldn't call?

He crouched as he landed on the concrete again, huddling to the edge. He could see the object clearer now, a pointed metallic piece on the ground, peeking from around the corner of a darker alleyway already affected by the lowering sun. It's brilliant gleam drew him closer, intriguing him to the point of movement. He jumped down once more, keeping his gaze on the object until he hit the pavement. One look around him reflected that most living souls were near the middle of the city where the most damage was- no one was around, and the sound was distant. Scents were dulled from the muzzle he wore, but his attention was once more brought towards the reflective piece as a familiar one drifted through in that direction. It was a scent that admittedly made the fur on the back of his neck raise, but he couldn't decipher exactly what it was... But it made his stomach turn.

It wasn't until he walked closer, side stepping a few feet away as the object grew larger and noticeably hollow. The shape of it was peculiar, the tip of it pointed and angled up with flattened edges instead of round. Inching closer gave it more detail, and he suddenly froze.

The object was... a mask.

A FAMILLIAR mask…

Infinites mask.

He felt his heartbeat quicken in a sudden rush of panic, his lips pulling back into an involuntary snarl under the muzzle as his eyes darted to and fro. His nostrils flared as he attempted to calm himself down. But... Infinite was dead...

Right...?

The thought crossed his mind quickly, and it eased him- but not by much. He only vaguely remembered the Jackal panicking before he was swallowed into another fight- but surely this meant he was dead.

The wolf took a breath, stepping forward with mild confidence. He neared the mask, picking it up off the ground and inspecting it. The object was surprisingly light, the once polished metal scuffed and the glass of the left eye cracked from when it was inevitably dropped. He turned it in his hands, his claws tapping along the metal. It was surprisingly well made now that he saw it up close...Well. Closer than he already had.

He held it up in front of him, his imagination running. A cold shot of fear ran along his spine once more as he looked directly at it, his vision seeming to flicker back to when he was cornered. Back to when he fought the Jackal face to face, when he met the wild gaze of the creature they had gone against. He dropped the thing once more as if it had burned him with the not so distant memory, his breaths quickening. He flinched as it hit the ground- but his ears suddenly perked as another noise drifted from the alley in response to the clatter. He looked up, the sound registering. It sounded like... pain.

He forced his fear away with a shake of the head as he walked into the darkening area, following the sounds of stifled groaning. He only paused again once another, more metallic scent hit his nose, and one glance at the ground seemingly confirmed his suspicions-

Blood.

And with the amount pooled in one area, whoever it was wouldn't last much longer.

The thought of another innocent losing their life forced him into movement, following the trail and handprints on the wall further down the dark alley. The glimpse of a white tipped tail disappearing behind the corner only urged him into a jog, nearly sliding as he rounded the corner himself. He opened his mouth to speak, but his voice caught in his throat as his eyes focused on the sight he found in front of him.

The Jackal.

The Jackal who, currently, kneeled and huddled against the wall with wheezing breaths, one hand over his face and the other pressed to the middle of his chest. He was in pain, clearly, but the wolf kept his distance. Eyeing him for a few seconds more revealed the cause of said pain; a large wound under the hand on his chest, staining the cream fur red as he seemingly attempted to apply pressure with his palm. Even from a small distance it almost looked like something had exploded from his chest, bits of torn and ripped flesh visible even under the tufts of soaked fur. It was only then that he remembered the stone that had once been fixed to his chest, and it suddenly clicked.

The Phantom Ruby... the thing that had been the ultimate cause of his 'powers'. The very thing he himself had countered with the duplicate, and the thing who's power he had helped destroy in the end- and destroying it seemed to destroy Infinite as well. Or, at least leave him with a flesh wound in the form of a deep hole in his chest.

He took another cautious step forward. He had a feeling the jackal wouldn't fight now... If he did, it was a death sentence.

Infinites ears swiveled madly as his footsteps grew closer, a single yellow eye darting up to see the wolf approaching. The recognition was instant, and a low snarl ripped through his throat.

" YOU- " he started, only for his voice to catch in his throat as the pain from his chest flared. The wolf stopped in his tracks, listening to the pained wheezes. If the pain didn't stop him, the blood loss would.

He was silent as he watched the jackal struggle, fighting back the sudden rush of anger. The sudden rush of rage he felt towards the jackal and what he had done, what he had helped do, knowing this is what he had become afterwards.

The great Infinite, once so high and mighty before running with his tail between his legs and now dying with a hole in his chest.

His thoughts rushed through his mind, some festering longer than others in such a short time. He could have left him there... he could have walked away. Let him bleed out. This creature was once a threat to the galaxy as they knew it, it was the least he could do…

But somehow, he couldn't bring himself to walk away.

He wasn't as bad as them.

He resumed his approach, suddenly reaching up to the strap of the muzzle. If the jackal was bare faced, he thought he may as well be, too. They were both new faces, after all.

He could feel Infinites eyes on him, pressing to the wall and growling like a cornered animal as the wolf removed the muzzle, kneeling down in front of him. He saw the jackals eyes move with more frantic confusion with the revealed pale fur, though his own attention was locked onto the hole his hand still covered. Blood seeped through his fingers, turning the dark grey fur a deep crimson, nearly gushing if he moved to shift away. But the wolf stayed silent, his head tilting to the side.

Infinite growled again.

" Get... aw-way... " he managed through bared teeth, but the wolf didn't budge. Instead, he moved closer, now determined to at least put a stop to- or at least slow- the bleeding.

He'd at least give him a chance.

He reached out for the hand on his chest, but the Jackal instead lunged forward and snapped his jaws at his wrist in a defensive snarl.

" D-Don't you DARE touch m- " he started, only for his voice to get cut off as the wolf lunged, himself, letting a small burst of rage take control for the shortest of moments. Whether it was a control tactic or a genuine threat to kill, even he wasn't sure. He moved without thinking.

Infinite found his back shoved against the ground with a pained yelp, scrambling to take hold of the wolf in defense before finding one set of claws around his neck while the other surrounded the wound on his chest. His ears were pinned to the back of his head as he looked at the wolf over him, miscolored eyes widening as he stared at a set of razor sharp teeth shown from a dangerous snarl, like that of a feral animal. This COULDN'T have been the same kid…

The wolf stared down at him, pale lips curled back over his fangs as he fought the anger towards the jackal. Fought the urge to claw more into his chest, to make the already deep wound even larger. But he stopped himself, seeing the realization of overpowerment in the eyes of what had once been the enemy. What might STILL be the enemy if he wasn't careful. His snarling faltered for a few moments as he contemplated, only to finally relax- but only just a bit.

" ... I could hurt you... " he said simply, the calmness of his voice unsettlingly jarring in contrast to the fangs still near the others muzzle, looking as if they were ready to tear in a moments notice. He felt Infinite freeze under him with a pained whine as he dug his claws into his chest, making sure he was fully aware of the truth his words held.

He COULD hurt him... but he wouldn't.

He stayed where he was for a few moments until finally moving his hand from the jackals throat, instead grabbing the stained bandana around his neck. An uncomfortable yip was forced from his throat as the wolf tugged it away, aware of the now burning sensation along the back of his neck from the fabric being yanked against it. Any other thought of moving was thrown out as another sudden pain shot through his system, this time caused by the wolf shoving the harshly folded bandana against the open wound to apply as much pressure as he could.

He pressed it against the jackals chest with force, soaking up blood and preventing more from pooling. His own ears went back at the resulting pained cry, feeling the others claws reach and dig into his arm in feeble attempts to get him away. But he didn't budge, pressing against the fabric and keeping his eyes on it. He waited for the jackals shock to waver, judging by the force of the claws in his arm. Wasn't so invincible now, was he?

A few seconds more was all it took, and he reached to untie his own bandana. The claws on his arm tightened as he shifted, centering it along the jackals chest while pressing it down, as well.

" Y-You- "

"Quiet."

Even Infinite couldn't help but listen, his voice hoarse and vision wavering as the wolf worked. Cloth was pressed to his chest, then his sides just under the arms- one side shoved under his back until he was forcibly rolled onto the same side with another groan, the wolf grabbing his arms and making him apply pressure, himself. He was still as the wolf tied his own bandana around the jackals chest in a tight knot. Only when he was satisfied with his work did he pry himself away, watching the once great Infinite curl into a ball with heavy, wheezing breaths and both hands pressed against his chest as if still trying to keep pressure. But even then he couldn't help but growl, the vibration sending more sparks of pain along his body.

"... I don't... I don't need... your pity..." he managed, his own teeth bared as he now attempted to fight the pain. But the wolf just stared at him, tilting his head.

"Not pity." He said quietly, earning a glance from the jackal.

There was silence between them, the wolf watching carefully. He simply backed away moments later as Infinite shifted, managing to shuffle onto his knees, yet still hunched over; then a moments pause before finally pushing himself up after taking wavering breaths, his body trembling still. The wolf kept his eyes on him, watching carefully. He was still weak, yes, but the fact he could still move now was mildly impressive, all things considered... He was starting to think that the ruby only increased the strength he already had.

He still kept his distance, though let out a huff. This was taking too long…

"You'll die here." He stated simply, and the jackals ears swiveled to pin against his head once more.

"What are you-"

"Come." The wolf said, grabbing the muzzle he wore from his side and bringing it back to his face. "Proper care. Safety."

Infinite growled again, his breaths nothing short of an angry wheeze.

" I don't- "

"Come, or die." The wolf repeated, backing away again. Another statement, as if he knew exactly what the outcome would be. The jackal stared at him, though let out a groaning growl.

He managed to steady his arms enough to lean forward on his knees, taking more pained breaths with every movement as he attempted to stand. He shifted more after each pause, using the wall to hold himself upright as he slowly stood. His legs trembled from the weakness and pain, but he pushed on, nearly stumbling into a trash bin once he tried to take a step from a sudden dizziness. But he steadied himself once more, keeping one hand against the tight bandanas on his chest.

"... Who are you..." he grumbled finally, turning to glance at the wolf who had begun his walk out of the alley.

The wolf paused at the question. It wasn't the first time he had asked, of course... but it was the only time he was willing to answer.

He turned to look over his shoulder, copper eyes burning.

"Rook." He said simply, nodding towards the road. "Come."

The jackal stared as he continued to walk, only looking down as his blood stained hands the farther away he got. He weighed his options quickly, but it was rather clear to him that he had no choice-

He had nothing else to go to, no matter if he wanted to live or not.

With a pained breath and a shuffle forward, he followed the wolf slowly, holding onto the wall and sticking to the shadows with the occasional met gaze to ensure he was still standing.

[katatonicimpression]

25, 26, 28, 30 for Monet

This got long

25. When do you think they acted the most ooc

There's quite a few moments and cameos that just feel like a completely different person, and a few more that feel bland and character-less. Shout out to that thankless appearance in uncanny x-men 410-12 comic shortly after gen-x finished where she slut-shames stacy x and the writer forgot she could fly.

But if I were to nominate a bigger thing, it's obviously uncanny xmen (2016), where she's ooc the entire time in my opinion. She's framed as morally dubious, excessively sexualised and just generally urgh. Consider the following:

i. Greg Land - specifically that same face greg land gives all women

ii. The white woman + paint bucket tool off it all*

iii. The plastic sculpted mannequin tits.. with nipples!

iv. The way she is talking to sabretooth. what is this dialogue? this commanding dominatrix thing? I could imagine something like this from, like, selene? or maybe emma but if she was talking to somebody else? This just doesn't feel like her it reads like bad porn dialogue

*incidently, there's this kinda weird thing about this series that because it was the first time monet was drawn with consistently darker skin since gen x, a lot of people use the art from it as indicative of how she should be drawn. And, like, i'm sorry but Land drew a white lady and coloured her skin darker. And the series itself has a weird relationship with both her race and her background. Let's not settle for this. Come on.

Anyway, it's my all time nomination for worst monet writing. But dishonourable mentions to the latter half of xfi, weapon x-force and whatever the fuck duggan was going for with the whole groping thing.

26. When do you think they were being "themselves" the most?

Ooh so writing wise, she's the most in character in Gen X, the first half of X-Factor Investigations, and in a few more cameo appearances (like that hellfire gala run of the infinity comic where she's a main, giant size storm). She's pretty much there in x-men 2013 and x-corp.

In universe though.. because she's literally not been herself a few times. Firstly, there's being literally two kids in a trenchcoat, and the time spent fused with Marius (M-Plate 2.0) and there's the (presumed) upcoming horseman thing. On top of this there's just a lot of her being miserable and off-kilter, not really living her life for herself as herself.

I think that even though she's not really happy at the massachusetts academy, or at xfi, she does seem to exist as herself here. This is how she is when navigates the world, whereas when she's living in the mansion or in the savage land it's very much her trying to escape her trauma and feels unstable in that way. I also feel like she never really felt comfortable with Krakoa - which is not text but entirely vibes. I just feel like she couldn't just be there.

But the point is that, if we follow the metaphor of penance as she appears in Gen X, being trapped in that form is not a external force pushing her into a role she doesn't belong to. Instead it eminates out of her. It is a reflection of something very true to herself. And that's interesting, right?

28. The most unnecessary thing they ever did?

She did not need to interrupt that whole massive fight thing with the death gods in XFI just to yell at Lorna but also I am so on her side in that. It was a massive liability and could have got everyone killed... BUT she had every right to be mad, and the whole thing is framed as like "why is she making such a fuss" despite also spelling out how right she is.. weird series.

Off topic, but there was a post the other day being like "wouldn't it be fun to see lorna react to pietro and monet dating? she'll be mad about it in a funny way." and, like, to me the most in character thing for Monet to do would be to never acknowledge Lorna's presence and never speak to her outside of necessary x-men stuff. Because, even though i don't think lorna is like evil or anything, mocking someone and talking down to them while they relieve the worst trauma of their life while laughing off the fact that they were literally just sexually assaulted is a pretty bad first meeting, even though she apologised. Monet was what like 20? at the time, I don't think she'd shake that negative first impression.

30. The funniest scene they had?

Sorry but that bit with her and 'star sitting on the roof talking about rictor is genuinely very funny to me

There's actually a lot of good little jokes in xfi, especially earlier on. And x-corp is very funny, hell even the opening "we're simply superior" got me good, and her ignoring the message from shaw is very funny.

But the funniest scene she's ever been involved in is this:

[nobodyssoldier]

i. a web weaving

ii. digging deeper

name: harun jan polat

age: 47

former house: gryffindor

blood status: halfblood

face claim: yigit kirazci

allegiance: the order of the stag

gender & pronouns: utp

special notes: harun jan polat’s canon name is harry james potter. it has been changed to better reflect his face claim’s ethnicity.

twice-marked by death, twice returned from its embrace. your story begins and ends with sacrifice — first your mother's love burning through darkness like holy fire, then your own choice to stand alone against evil. they called you the boy who lived, but living was always the hardest part, wasn't it? survival carved into your flesh like lightning, prophecy weighing on your shoulders before you could even speak. you grew up in shadows and cupboards, learning early that love was something other children had instead of you. but oh, how you burned with it anyway — this capacity for love that no amount of neglect could dim, this fierce protective instinct that would become both your strength & your undoing.

when magic found you, it felt like coming home to a place you'd never been. slowly but surely, you collected a new family: a best friend's fierce loyalty, a clever girl's unwavering faith, a kindred of redheads who gave you your first christmas sweater. battle found you young — too young — but you faced it with a courage born of necessity rather than choice. your path was never easy: basilisk venom in your veins, dementors in the dark, dragons and mazes and prophecies that tasted like ash. you lost so much along the way: your godfather falling through the veil, your mentor tumbling from the astronomy tower, friends lying still in the great hall. each loss carved another scar, deeper than the lightning bolt on your forehead. you learned that being chosen didn't make you special — it made you responsible.

after voldemort fell, you found joy in ordinary moments: your children's first steps, sunday dinners at the burrow, quiet evenings with ginny. but peace, like prophecy, has a way of shattering when least expected. when the wraiths emerged from shadows, you faced them as you'd faced everything — standing tall, wand ready, buying time for others to escape. at godric's hollow, history's cruel symmetry found you once more: another halloween night, another last stand, another sacrifice for love. death welcomed you like an old friend, and in its embrace, you found a peace you'd never known in life. there was warmth there, and rest, and the absence of prophecy's weight. you were finally free of expectations, of being the chosen one. in death's realm, you were simply harry — just harry, as you'd always wanted to be.

but then the knights pulled you back across the veil, their desperate magic tearing you from paradise. resurrection came with its own cruel price: memories scattered like leaves in autumn wind, leaving you a stranger in your own life. your children look at you with eyes full of grief and hesitation, but you can hardly look back. your wife passes you in corridors, and you feel the ghost of love you must have felt for her but can't quite reach it. sometimes at night, you find yourself longing for death's peace, for that warm embrace where everything made sense. your magic feels different now — raw and wild, as though death's touch has stripped everything else away. spells burst from your wand with unpredictable force, driven by instincts you don't understand.

the prophecy speaks of a revenant standing alone, but you've never truly been alone — not really. even without memories, you find yourself drawn to the same people, making the same choices, your soul remembering what your mind has forgotten. they say you're the master of death, but perhaps it's simpler than that. perhaps you're just someone who never learned to stop fighting, who keeps choosing love even when it hurts, who faces darkness not because you're chosen but because someone has to. there's an ache in you now, a homesickness for a place beyond the veil, but still you stand ready to fight.

iii. connections

one. RON WEASLEY & HERMIONE GRANGER , best friends — "it's okay," he said. "we're together." he didn't say you're okay, or we're alive. after all they'd been through over the last year, he knew that the most important thing was that they were together.

two. GINNY WEASLEY , partner — when my time comes around, lay me gently in the cold, dark earth. no grave can hold my body down. i'll crawl home to her

three. JAN POLAT & LILA EVREN , parents — you taught me the courage of stars before you left, how light carries on endlessly even after death.

four. JAN SIRAC POLAT, ALTAN SERVER POLAT & LILA LUNARA POLAT , children — memory taps a gun to your inner skull & demands you bring back the dead

[review-anon]

Thoughts on Yanagi? You don't seem to care for him much.

And I don't though I am hating him a little less now in Chapter 2.

Once again, things will be under the cut.

The reason Yagami rubbed me the wrong way is first thing's first he was all like "m'lady" and wanting to be a ladies's man which made me think he was gonna be a Casanova type indiviuial and this was trending too much into Yuri from SDRA2's territory. Given how unpopular that character was, I wasn't expecting much from Yagami.

My biggest issue is how much of a Sasaki apologist he is, as he always supports her decisions no matter how bone-headed they are. A capital example is the Punishment game where Sasaki had to cut her hand. Now despite the fact as a figure skater, Yagami should have not offered it since he needs his hands, he still did it anyway. And that's not even getting to all the other punishments he had to undertake because he was like "the women cannot be hurt" like there is wanting to be a ladies man, and then there is being a doormat. This my other reason for not liking Yagami because he is utterly incapable of saying no to a lady. I bet if I told him to go and jump off a cliff he would ask which cliff.

And naturally the fact his stick is so up Sasaki's arse was exploited by her as even though he saw physical evidence she committed murder he still kept his mouth shut because he would rather keep to his morals then dying. This was rightly called out by Hiroaki because aside from this being proof she never cared for him, but on how pathetic he is as he would rather let a lady live then his own life and the fact he was exploited like that and still thinks its his own fault its like....women can be flawed too.

Chapter 2 didn't help matters because the aderelinine gas made him go more obsessed with Sasaki then before as he was after her reward which made him threaten Wada, probably the least threatening person in the cast. And guess what? The only reason he was halted was because Tsuno showed up and actually did her job as a superheroine. Later he would find out Hiroaki had Sasaki's reward and then demanded him to hand it over which he refused naturally. This argument got heated to the point Yagami snapped and actually tried to kill Hirokai.

While the gas wasn't helping, this is capital proof his relationship with Sasaki was exploitive and unhealthy. I am actually impressed the cast actually dealt with him in a mature manner by locking him in the dark room and monitoring him for 24 hours, and then when he was let out, it was under supervision. This is a million times better then how anyone dealt with any of the rival characters in the canon and fangan games as it eliminates all manners of risk and allows Yagami to seriously reflect on his behaviour.

Its kinda a paradox that I don't like Yagami, yet I like Mai who spends a lot of time with Yagami this chapter. But that's because while the other girls are willing to humour Yagami's prince act, Mai can see it as a act and makes it very clear to Yagami that she doesn't like being treated like that. She was also quite antagonistic towards him at the beginning after she heard he cheated on his girlfriend. That is until he told her the context behind it, and it really shows how gulliable and naive he is, as while Mai being the girlboss she is, says what we were all thinking, it was obvious that the girlfriends Yagami were with were shallow bitches who were abusing the fact he doesn't know what love is and keeping him in a abusive relationship. Its also why I suspect he was drawn to Sasaki as she might have had similar traits to his ex, which isn't a good thing.

Its just so frustrating because this lad has been through so much shit but rather then blame the people responsible for it, he blames himself. And he would rather beat up someone who was telling him the truth, even though its Hirokai and he did it in a very rude way, then admit that there are horrible women out there who do use boys for their own purposes.

The Chapter 2 investigation did redeem him somewhat as ultimately he was the one who inspected Chiba's body as due to him being familar with Tamba's silk trick, he could get up the rope. But I just hope in Chapter 3, Yagami finally starts to learn to be more assertive of himself around women because otherwise what happened with his previous exs and Sasaki would just repeat.

That's assuming he doesn't die of course. So while I dislike Yagami, I don't hate him like I do with Sasaki as I'm just more frustated this lad cannot understand that not all women are queens. No single gender is pure good and no single gender is pure evil.

[scarlet--wiccan]

Have you seen the Mystic Mayhem stuff?

Mystic Mayhem is a mobile tactics RPG that was announced today on Marvel's website. The game is being developed by NetEase, who are also responsible for Super War and Rivals.

The game is centered an ongoing battle against Nightmare, and combat takes place in dungeons conjured from each character's dreams. Based on what little has been revealed, it seems like Doctor Strange and Sleepwalker will be leading the heroes in this fight, which is pretty neat-- Sleepwalker is a pretty niche character who hasn't had an ongoing title since the 90s, so this feels like an unexpected move, but I like that. We've also gotten a peak at some of the other characters who will be available in the game, and there are a lot of other cool deep-cuts and unexpected appearances, like Angela and Misty Knight. But for a game that's based on mystical themes and aesthetics, there aren't that many magic heroes or spellcasters, which is a little sad.

The overall design and animation style is very similar to Rivals, albeit with a slightly gothier, fantasy-anime bent. To be honest, that's kind of right up my alley, and I like most of the new character designs. Dreamqueen's new look is especially cool. I've seen a lot of people complaining about Wanda's look, mostly on the grounds that it's over-designed and the colors are too dark. Personally, I think it's more streamlined than her Rivals design-- the silhouette is simpler, as much closer to her classic costume, and I'm glad there aren't as many random spikes and armor pieces hanging off of her. The highly-detailed bodice and headpiece do feel overdone, in an M C U sort of way, but that's unfortuntely par for the course with NetEase.

The fact that she is wearing darker colors does not bother me at all. Wanda's had black and red costumes since the 90s, and I think it's been well-proven that she can pull off a gothier witch aesthetic. This is a bit more vampy than I'd like, but it suits the tone of the game. I'm not going to waste my time getting upset about it, and, at the risk of being rude-- if you're one of those people who has a conniption whenever Wanda's wearing red and black, rather than red and pink, grow up. Get some real priorities.

I do feel obligated to comment on her skin tone. It's hard to talk about this online these days-- a lot of people out there are determined to take the conversation in bad faith, and I've seen a lot of people on Twitter, especially, reduce it to tokenism and objectification. The subject is much more nuanced, so I want to remind people why it matters.

One, lightwashing has been a chronic issue in the comics industry for a very long time, and we know this is a result of racial bias. It is important for critics and consumers to be vocal about this, because it's the only way we've ever been able to ensure accountability. Two, whether you like it or not, redesigning the Maximoffs as visible people of color with brown skin was a positive step forward for inclusive Romani representation. Virtually every Roma character in Marvel and DC is drawn with white skin, and that is not an accurate reflection of the overall community. It is also a part of the manufactured ignorance about our ethnic and racial origins, which contributes to the whitewashing and erasure we see in the movies. Insisting that the character continue to be drawn this way is one of the ways we can push back against further erasure, and continue reminding people of what's wrong with the M C U version.

NetEase previously designed Wanda with brown skin in Marvel Rivals, so it is strange to see her looking quite pale here, but I think it is worth noting that her skin tone is much warmer than Stephen's and most of the other white characters. At least in her official art, anyway-- she's pretty washed out in the trailer. My assumption is that it's just the overall style and color palette of the game. That doesn't make it okay-- you can still render darker skin tones in a washed-out palette-- but it doesn't feel like they intentionally reverted to drawing her as a white woman.