#high empathy is a blessing and a curse ;-;

[indodino]

It's funny how a group of negative people can ruin something happy and joyful by just existing in the vicinity. I'm lowkey starting to finally understand the characters/people who seek revenge to make such people suffer the same pain they caused to the person seeking revenge.

And no, I will not be elaborating on the situation... not right now at least. Especially since there is still a small chance it might get better... but I'm done being hopeful only to be disappointed.

What I will say though is that I've currently lost all creative motivation and aspiration. My iPad will be sitting with numerous half-finished projects and my tumblr will probably be rather quiet until things get better... if they get better.

Although I might make some Gangle art to post soon since she's pretty much the perfect representation of how I feel rn.

[sweetmiremoonie]

I just wanted to drop in to wish everyone a good day today. Even an okay day. I think okay days are very underrated.

The holidays can be very stressful, so I hope everyone takes care of themselves. I'm trying my best as well.

[astrogossipp]

sun notes. 🍊

Disclaimer. these observations do not have to resonate with everyone and everything, all expressed in this post is based on personal experience and research.

masterlist🌻

𝒜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈 : Individuals with an Aries sun sign are spontaneous and energetic, known for their honesty and straightforwardness. They're natural leaders who thrive on adventure and embrace challenges with enthusiasm. Ruled by Mars, they can be fiery and impatient at times, especially with people who don't match their energetic vibe. Yet their determination and go-getter attitude make them charismatic. However, their impulsivity and assertiveness may sometimes overshadow empathy, leading to difficulties in listening to others. Overall, Aries folks are spirited leaders who are ready for action and adventure!

𝒯𝒶𝓊𝓇𝓊𝓈 : Taurus sun individuals value security and pleasure in life. They work hard to achieve their goals, and their strong attachment to tradition makes them feel secure. Taurus folks are dependable and determined, always seeing their goals through. They are patient, practical, and good with finances, which helps them build a stable life. However, their stubbornness and laziness can make them resistant to change and cause them to miss out on new opportunities. I mean they are represented by the bull and once a bull dig in its heals it is quite hard to sway them. They also have a tendency to be possessive due to their attachment to material possessions. Overall, Taurus individuals are known for their patience, practicality, and ability to build stable lives.

𝒢𝑒𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒾 : Gemini Suns are like a two-sided coin, always switching between their positive and challenging traits. They're sociable, chatty, and quick-witted. They make friends easily and always have a clever solution. However, they can be scatterbrained, easily bored, and prone to gossip. Commitment and focus can be a struggle for them, and their duality can be both a blessing and a curse in relationships. Gemini Suns are never boring, have many hobbies and interests, and can navigate new situations easily. But they also have a restless nature and need mental stimulation to avoid getting bored. Overall, they bring excitement and variety, ensuring there's never a dull moment when they're around.

𝒞𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒𝓇 : Individuals with a Sun in Cancer are nurturing, empathetic, and deeply loyal, with a strong love for family. They possess intuition and emotional depth, making them great listeners and creative individuals. However, they can be sensitive and prone to mood swings, sometimes retreating into their shell in the face of conflict. Their strong attachment to family can lead to overprotectiveness and difficulties in communication. Despite their challenges, Cancer Suns bring warmth and loyalty to relationships, valuing safety and security while also needing emotional space.

𝐿𝑒𝑜 : Individuals with a Sun in Leo are charismatic and confident, often excelling in leadership roles and the performing arts. They have a natural magnetism that draws people to them, but they can also be perceived as self-centered due to their need for attention and admiration. While they enjoy the spotlight, they are also hardworking and humble. They are motivated by affection and are attracted to the finer things in life, though they may have lazy days. Finding a balance between their desire for recognition and consideration for others' feelings is a continual challenge for them.

𝒱𝒾𝓇𝑔𝑜 : People with a Virgo Sun are detail-oriented perfectionists who are incredibly organized and practical. They have sharp minds and are excellent problem solvers and analytical thinkers. They pay attention to the nitty-gritty and are superb at any task that requires precision. However, their quest for perfection can sometimes make them a bit too critical, not just of themselves but of others too. Striking a balance between their high standards and a more relaxed approach to life is their lifelong challenge.

𝐿𝒾𝒷𝓇𝒶 : People with Libra sun signs value balance, equality, and harmony. They are skilled at seeing both sides of a situation and have a sense of justice. They are charming, have a great sense of style, and love art and beauty. However, their indecisiveness can cause issues, and they may struggle with putting their own needs before others. Libras may also come off as fake to some people. Despite this, Libra sun signs are sociable individuals who avoid conflict and prioritize fairness. Overall, Libras seek to maintain civility and sophistication in their interactions.

𝒮𝒸𝑜𝓇𝓅𝒾𝑜 : Scorpio suns are intense and have strong willpower. They know what they want and when to get it. They're not afraid of confrontation and have the gift to heal and transform. They have a magnetic vibe that draws people to them and are fiercely loyal. They're like detectives in their own lives, digging deep to uncover hidden truths. Their intensity can be intimidating and they sometimes have trust issues. They hide things and rarely invite people over.

𝒞𝒶𝓅𝓇𝒾𝒸𝑜𝓇𝓃 : Capricorn suns are realistic and grounded individuals who enjoy the simple things in life. They value tradition and stability and may be attracted to hard-earned luxuries. Capricorns are dependable and witty, with a mastery of sarcasm. They are ultimate goal-setters and hardworking individuals who climb the career ladder with determination. Although they can come off as too serious and workaholic, they are reliable friends and partners who prioritize their work over anything else. They struggle with letting loose and talking about their feelings.

𝒮𝒶𝑔𝒾𝓉𝓉𝒶𝓇𝒾𝓊𝓈 : Sagittarius suns are adventurous individuals who love exploration and expanding their horizons. They are enthusiastic, optimistic, and always eager to learn something new. They have a great sense of humor and can lift spirits, but can also be restless and blunt with their honesty. Commitment can be tricky for them as they value freedom. They prefer to do what they love and can seem a little irresponsible at times. They are cheerful, friendly, and easygoing, and getting along with others comes effortlessly to them. The need for escape and freedom can make them appear irresponsible at times.

𝒜𝓆𝓊𝒶𝓇𝒾𝓊𝓈 : Aquarius suns are unique and free-spirited individuals who are innovative thinkers and love challenging the norm with their progressive ideas. They value their independence and are accepting of others' quirks. Sometimes, they can appear aloof or emotionally detached. However, their idealism runs strong, and they are witty and intellectual individuals who cherish their individuality.

𝒫𝒾𝓈𝒸𝑒𝓈 : Individuals with a Pisces sun sign are depicted as dreamers with deep compassion and empathy. They are highly creative and sensitive, often channeling their creativity into artistic pursuits. However, their sensitivity can lead to feeling overwhelmed and difficulty setting boundaries. They are open-minded and understanding, but may struggle with practical matters and traditional goals. Overall, they possess a deep feeling for humanity and compassion, although they themselves may often feel misunderstood.

this post was created by @astrogossipp on tumblr <3 if reposting my work please give credits.

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 147 (Looking to the Future)

Heather's pregnancy progressed well into her second trimester. Changes in appetite and appearance were par for the course and she handled them like a seasoned pro. This baby would probably be her last, and she was grateful to be healthy, especially as construction on Buttercup Pet Clinic's remodel was well underway.

But between the spider bite in the jungle and the stress of Ash's kidnapping early in her pregnancy, good health felt like a blessing.

Conrad was always great help managing their household, and these days were no different. He walked the dog after work and spent time with the kids, giving Heather extra time to work with the architect and construction crew at her clinic.

While Ash was in San Myshuno for a weekend with the Landgraabs, the Gordons were surprised by a visit from the ghost of Boomer, Heather's white cat who died before Winterfest. Though most of the Gordons were now seasoned veterans when it came to ghosts, this was Lavender's first interaction with an ethereal being. She looked cautiously at the cat, but soon broke into giggles, leaning down to try to pat Boomer's head.

The encounter reminded Heather and Conrad not to keep Ben and Captain Whitaker waiting. Though their home was always busy and soon to be even more full, Heather brought it up the day before Ash was set to return from the city.

"Lavender loves all the pets," she said, pulling out her phone to check her schedule. "I have fewer appointments this week, and I think when Ash comes home we should go out to Deadgrass Isle with some ambrosia treats. We can leave Lavender with Hazel and Suri, but Ash should be there if he wants to be. After what you told me Rafa heard from Marco, I feel like I need to do everything I can to make him good, teach him empathy."

"We changed things," Conrad insisted. "He's not going to be whoever he was going to be."

"But he was kidnapped. Counselors say he seems fine, but what if the curse...? What if we can't change things?"

"What if nothing. The counselors are professionals, and they'd say if they thought anything was wrong."

Heather nodded. "I need you - and the counselors - to be right."

On a rainy Saturday in San Myshuno, Ash was hanging out with his father and sister Bridgette - but he was cornered, alone, by a figure he'd been attempting to avoid. He sneered at Marco's ghost, who left crystals of sand on the tiles beneath his feet. "What do you want? I don't want to help you!"

"I don't need your help! I've been trying to give you a message."

"I don't want to talk to you."

"If you don't, I'll never go away. If I don't tell you this, I'll never cross over."

"Fine. Say it or whatever."

"You've always been a brat, huh?" Marco curled his lip in frustration. "Look, in the future, you're the most celebrated college kid on the planet. You invented time travel."

"I...what?"

"That man from the future who's been all over the news? Emit Relevart only got here because you, a genius little shit, invent time travel before you turn twenty. At least you did. But we changed things."

"I'm not even ten. I don't know the first thing about time travel!"

"Maybe not now, but in one of your only interviews with the press, you said you became obsessed with the idea before high school and programmed the remote that first jumped through time for an extra credit project. You earned admiration, accolades, fame, and competition. But some people hate you for being the first, and others hate the thought of messing with time; they fear you for what you can do, and for your name."

"I haven't done anything!"

"You will! At least, you were supposed to, but taking you left you with a healthy fear of traveling through time, and I get it. That's my bad! But someone who's just as smart is out there right now hoping they'll be the one to discover time travel. They would have, if you hadn't done it first. They were close, but they're more careless than you. Since no one can get close to you - least of all Ximena - they're the one who sold her the faulty remote that got me killed."

"Who is it?"

"I'm not allowed to tell you that. I don't even think I know their real name, anyway."

"Not allowed by who?"

"The Grim Reaper! That bag of old bones broke a lot of rules to keep me here, and you don't even want to listen. But Grim won't walk me through to the other side until I tell you that you need to be the one to invent time travel or else it'll be too unstable."

"Why didn't Grim tell me himself?"

"He's not allowed to pass on last words, but we both agreed you needed to know this. The fabric of space and time is at stake here!"

"Maybe sims who mess with time travel should deal with it being unstable."

Marco growled and Ash peeled back in fear. "You don't get it. Time travel will be invented one way or another. Now that Emit's here, sims are intrigued. It's inevitable. Time travel will exist, but simanity can either do it the right way...or the wrong way."

"And I'm the right way?"

"Just barely." Marco shrugged. "I'm a bad guy, right? Bad guys want time travel, and everyone has an opinion about whether it messes with some grand design, but this is history we shouldn't mess with."

"Our friends, Felix and Lilith, are trying to make a time traveling device to help Emit find a time thief from the future. Can't they invent it instead? Then the other sim won't do it."

"You better help them, Ash Landgraab. History doesn't like to be changed too much, and I don't think they're going to do it without you."

Ash frowned. "How do you know? Why are you telling me this?"

The door opened with a click and Malcolm smiled at his son in the empty room. "Who are you talking to? And why is there sand on the floor? Where'd it come from?"

Ash looked nervously at his father. Marco had disappeared, and Ash suspected he'd never see him again, despite his unanswered questions. "Uh, Dad, can I tell you something?"

"Of course."

"Sometimes, I can see ghosts. Just now, I was talking to the ghost of the man who kidnapped me."

Malcolm laughed. "What do you mean?"

"I see ghosts. Real ghosts who died, just like I almost did when I was little."

Malcolm furrowed his brow. "How long have you known you see ghosts? Do your mother and Conrad know?"

Ash nodded. "They know ghosts aren't all scary, but they can't see as many ghosts as I can."

"What did you and the ghost talk about?"

"He said I still have to be the one to invent time travel or else it'll change the future too much."

Malcolm grinned. This all sounded too far fetched to be believed, but he played along with his creative son's often wild imagination.

"Is that all? We certainly wouldn't be disappointed to have a genius inventor in the family!" ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 2.1 Summary

Gen 1 Start | Gen 1 Summary

NOTE: Programming won the poll when I asked what skill Ash should max in his teens, and even though programming doesn't actually help with time travel via gameplay (yet?), it's all coming together with the plot!

[tomhockstetter7-111]

Highest Form of Empathy - Chapter 2

2k+ words

Logan X Empath!Reader

It's a blessing and a curse, feeling other's pain. More so when you can take it away, albeit at the expense of your own peace. One-night stands were a usual for you. That's all this was supposed to be. But, seeing someone in so much pain, you couldn't leave him like that. You just couldn't. Besides, it's not like you'd ever see him again.....

CW: N/A

Masterlist

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Late December, 2005

Calgary, Alberta

Waking to the sound of your alarm, you shut it down and stare at the ceiling. Your brain feels…empty. No noise, no anxieties, no urgencies? Just an ominous, heavy quiet.

'Deal with it later,' you told yourself. Well, now is later, and you don’t even know where to start.

You lay in bed, arm slung over your eyes when your second alarm breaks the deafening silence.

It’s not until you drag yourself out from under the covers and swing your legs over the edge of the bed, placing your feet on the icy floor, that you realize the weight of your body. You want to cry. But, why? Screwing your eyes shut, you spend the better part of ten minutes staring at the wood floor as you try to pull yourself together. You still see his eyes, no longer pools to get lost in, but two voids threatening to swallow you whole. All that pain wrapped in one person…you thought you could handle it.

Walking into work, you’re approached by blonde hair pulled into a stylized ponytail waving cheerfully at you. Amber. You met during lunch break on her first day of work two years ago. She seemed so excited to be here, introducing herself despite the prickly exterior you surrounded yourself in. Try as you did to push her away, her clinginess paired with her cheerful disposition making you recoil, you couldn’t find it in yourself to push her away. Soon enough, the two of you settled into a weekly routine of Friday night drinks. She often jokes that she adopted you that first day, but she was more a lost puppy following you home in the rain. And, what monster kicks the puppy? You never let her too close, though. You learned long ago about the safety of arm’s length.

She wraps you in a friendly side hug and you try not to tense under her touch. “You look like hell.”

"Thanks?" You give an awkward smile.

"Just calling it like it is." 

You shrug her off as you approach the break room.

"So, what was his name?" She asks the question in a high sing-song tone.

"Pardon?" 

She throws a smirk your way. "I'm not dumb. I know that look."

You knit your eyebrows together. What look? Your "look" was a practiced, neutral meant to keep nosy people at bay. Still, you decide to entertain her. "Actually, I don't know." You watch in amusement as her expression turns into one of frustration.

"You need to stop doing that. It's not healthy, you know."

"Why?" You grab your water from the fridge and shut the door a little too firmly. “I’m still young. Let me have fun.”

"You know that's not what I meant. Drinking and sleeping your sorrows away after every hard day. It's gonna affect your work. Not to mention put you in an early grave." 

You brushed off her comments with an eye roll. What did she know? What did anyone know, really? They didn't have to work so hard to block out others' emotions and they certainly didn't know what it was like needing to hide what you are all the time.

"Amber, I've told you time and time again." You put a hand on her shoulder in reassurance. "I'll be fine."

She shoots you an incredulous look. “I’m allowed to worry.”

“I’m not a patient, Amber,” you say as you head towards the door. “Besides, I’ve lasted this long.”

“Not sustainable. If I let my child die, it ruins my track record.”

“Your child’s a grown ass adult. She’ll be fine.” You make your way down the hall leaving no more room for argument. 

~~

Sitting in your office you drum a pen on your desk and stare at the wall. A patient canceled, so, now, you have an hour and fifteen to kill. Unfortunately, you've already lost half of it staring at the wall. 

Your power had a cool down rate, kind of like a video game power up. Depending on emotional intensity and the amount you absorb, it could take between two to twenty-four hours for your brain to return to baseline. Still, you would feel the severeness lessen over time. But, for whatever reason, this round is taking its sweet damn time. It didn’t help that you spent so much of your time wondering what would have caused those feelings. Was he a veteran? Abused, maybe? Shit, maybe his mom or spouse had just fucking died or something.

"The fuck did I get myself into?" You mumble to the air. 

Emotional trade-offs are something you avoid for this exact reason. It’s self destructive, ego stroking, and, frankly, not your fucking job. Therapists are meant to help work through emotions and find avenues for healing, not give a quick fix that disappears after a few days. As tempting as it was to just take away a client's despair during a spiral, it would do more harm than good in the long run. 

On top of that, it just wouldn’t do well to expose yourself like that. You could see the headlines now. "Mutant Therapist Uses Mind Control Powers to Gain Access to Classified Government Files" or “Rogue Mutant Turns Canadian Leader to Human Puppet - Wants Full Control” or some shit. 

Then again, who knows? Maybe they would raise your pay grade if they knew just how valuable an asset you were. You'd always been told you were so easy to talk to, always sitting there quietly as people spilled their woes. Maybe it was a passive effect of your power? You never bothered to look further. It certainly made it easier to empathize with others, though. You could think of a few clients that could benefit looking through someone else’s eyes.

The ring of your office's landline snaps you away from your thoughts. You rush to pick it up. You greet the voice on the other line with your best customer service voice stating both the company's name and that they’ve reached your office.

"Brilliant! I’ve been looking to reach you. How are you today?" He asks.

You blink slowly. "Doing fine. How about yourself?" Isn't it your job to ask how others are?

"Lovely, my dear, thank you. My name is Charles Xavier. I run a school in New York state for gifted children. We're looking to hire a general health teacher and counselor for the students."

"Oh, um...my apologies, sir. But, I'm not trained to work with minors." And, you aren’t. You specifically work with adults because the emotional regulation is so much better than with teenagers. Usually, anyway. Not to mention you know how abysmal teacher pay was.

"I assure you, that won't be a problem. Those attending the school are very well behaved. Furthermore, they really could use someone to talk to that understands their struggle."

"Sorry. I'm not sure I understand. Why is that me specifically?" There was a short silence on the other line. "Hello?"

"I know what you are."

Your heart dropped, hands running cold. "Sorry, I don’t know what you mean.”

"No, I think you do. Trust, everyone here is much like you, myself included. I’m merely calling to make an offer. You work with us, help the students, and I can help you to refine your abilities. You have more than you're using." It’s an appealing offer. But, you’re skeptical. The last thing you need is to move back home, or worse, run and avoid any sort of danger. Just because the world seems to be opening up to mutants doesn't mean it is. Plenty of the public are still very much afraid. You know that much by proxy of your job.

You sigh. "How do I know I can trust you? I've built a life for myself here, and I've worked very hard to keep myself safe. I won't leave it behind just to walk into a fire."

"I assure you, you won't.” His voice is calm from the other end and seems genuinely sincere. “I don't expect an answer now. But, if you change your mind, I’m happy to give you my number."

There’s a long pause as you digest his words. "When you say 'gifted children’, do you mean..." you trail off, not trusting your voice.

"I run a school where children and staff with mutations can thrive in a place they feel accepted. We teach the students valid skills like science and literature along with scenario simulations to refine their powers. But…” He hesitates, “these children are still human. Thus, they have the minds of such and require proper guidance."

"How do you even know who I am?" You snap.

"I have several connections around the world. I’ve used them many times to reach out to those who could benefit from our space. That said, I can assure you I mean you no harm. You may reject the offer if you like, and you shan't hear from me again. I only wish to offer an opportunity."

You stare out the window as he talks. Maybe this could be good for you. Having cut off contact with your mother, and with no one to leave behind, except Amber, — you can’t decide if that’s good or bad — what do you have to lose?  "You said there was a number I could call back?"

~~

Friday came and went. You and Amber hit up the bar, the same one from Wednesday, but you spent it mostly in a daze, listening to Amber drone on about clients and work drama while you stirred your drink. A part of you couldn't help but wish the stranger would come back and find you again. Something about him kept you in a chokehold, and it was starting to piss you off. It made everything else seem dull by comparison. You counted two men, both decent enough, who approached you, trying to flirt and offer a good time. But, you could still feel his glare burn into your back, still feel his muscles under your nails, still feel his distress. You just couldn't be bothered. They didn't interest you. Nothing interested you. Not with this pit in your stomach.

"Ok, what happened?" Amber demands the following Monday, having had enough of dull hums every conversation. "You've been off since last week. Don’t tell me it’s that guy."

"Just got a lot on my mind." You deadpan. You sit in the breakroom picking at your salad, cold coffee next to you. You look up at her and can tell she’s not convinced. “I’m fine.”

"I think I liked you better when you were fucking everything that moved." She mutters as she disappears out the door.

"Rude!" You call down the hall before your gaze drifts to the TV, sound lowered. It's tuned to a news channel that seems to be covering a story titled "Cure for Mutation in the Works". Your face contorts in confusion. Yes, you had figured there were people out there who might not want their powers. All those trips to doctors as a child haunted you, constantly sent to be someone else’s problem and treated like you were paranoid or troubled, regardless of the fact you were completely right. They never believed you when you tried telling them about your abilities. They certainly never understood you. No one did. And, how could they? You always wished you could see someone just like you. It’s what led you to pursue psych work in the first place because wouldn't someone with a window into the person's mind be the perfect doctor? It became a blessing. But, the way they talked on the segment sounded as if a cure was a necessity to life. What if someone threw away their talents before they knew how special they really were?

Your mind drifts off to those kids at the school. What had they been through? Do they see their powers as curses, too? Could that change? Moreover, what of the mutants from back in 2000? You vaguely remembered hearing your classmates talk about it back in university. Some guy called Magnetism or something. What had he been through? You couldn’t remember exactly what he had done, or tried to do, all of it a distant memory. But, your roommate told you it would’ve killed a lot of people. It made you shudder. What could motivate something like that? Maybe it could’ve been stopped, nipped in the bud as a child.

With a sigh, you stand from the table and head to your office, abandoning your salad in the trash.

Upon entering, you glance down at the paper left on your desk from last week. It occurs to you. Even therapists have therapists, and you weren’t without your own traumas. Maybe this Charles Xavier, or perhaps one of his connections, could help you with that. At the very least, maybe he could understand.

You grab your personal phone from your pocket and dial the number.

~~

"I must extend my humblest apologies, but you'll be arriving during trying times. I neglected to tell you we recently lost a valued member of our staff in an accident. Tensions are still high." Charles explains.

"Oh my God. I'm so sorry," you give condolences, hoping it translates over the phone. You could understand him neglecting to tell you the first time, not knowing if you’d accept and all. But, it still sounded so heavy.

"It's quite alright, dear. We're managing as best we can. May I ask, what changed your mind?"

"Well…” You stand to look out the window, arms crossed, “After some thinking, I figured the assistance I could provide might be…important. Growing up wasn’t easy for me. I never had anyone I could talk to. Besides, I see other people’s powers and I have to wonder what their lives would be like if things were a little different. If there's any way I can help, I’d really love to."

"Oh, rest assured. There's plenty to be done here, and plenty more coming, I'm sure. If you’d feel comfortable getting to remain with your age bracket, we do have some graduates staying at the mansion that are open to therapy as well.”

“Anything I can do to help. I’ve never worked with openly mutant adults, but I’ll do my best.”

“I’m sure the understanding will be appreciated. It’s long overdue for some. But, I do have one more request for you. But, feel free to tell me if it's too daunting."

"More daunting than working with teenagers?" you joke.

"Yes. Well, the staff here is also part of a defense task force. Think of it as a last resort military extension. Again, it's no obligation. But, I would like to extend the offer to participate. I think you could be a valuable asset."

You chew your bottom lip and tap your shoe against the floor. "What does it involve?"

"You would be practicing teamwork in disaster simulations with members of the force in addition to sparring and combat training with coworkers. Based on your CV, and given your abilities and range of movement, you would be going against our top fighter, Logan."

“Do I get a briefing before I get in the ring?” You half joke.

“Of course. I’m not interested in killing you.” Charles chuckles from the other side of the line. “We only want everyone in top shape should the need arise, and stamina is a priority.” You stare out the window, weighing your options when the voice chimes back in. "Again, it's no obligation. Having you here to look after the children would be far more than I could ask for."

You consider what this could mean. Again, it didn’t sound like there was much to lose. Besides regular trips to the gym, it had been a while since you’ve let off some proper steam. Your last martial arts class feels like ages ago. Maybe a few months, but still. Close combat could be a good refresher. Although, should a real emergency arise...but, you can't think of a single emergency that could come from working in a school, mutant exclusive or not.

"Actually, I think I'd be happy to join. I just hope you know I may not be there until-"

"I can take care of your visa. I know several great lawyers. You're more than welcome to come now and we can have the paperwork done by the end of the month." 

"Oh wow. You don’t have to do that.” You smile awkwardly to yourself.

“Please. It’s the least I could do.”

You sigh. “Ok. Well, I guess I'll get organized. I appreciate the offer. Really, I do."

"Of course. I'm sure the children will appreciate you just as much."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Chapter 2 and already an author's note? What is the world coming to? Sorry for putting this up so late. God struck me with diet AO3 curse. I'm fine though.

I'll try not to keep you guys waiting for the next one

[oacest]

What becomes a legend most?

It’s an old question when it comes to pop stars and celebrities in general. Not rhetorical at all, but a real procedural, albeit aesthetic conundrum whose answer — either flamboyant or conversely simplified — can often have disastrous long-term results on the career of the said performer. You’ll recall all the terrible stylistic cul de sacs that the truly overrated producer Rick Rubin has pushed his post-Licensed to Ill proteges down, (Pete Yorn, Jake Bugg, and Nicole Atkins, to name a few), with the tepid results sucking out all of the vibrant momenta their music was building at the time. No empathy for the individual artist at all. But no one wants to question his clumsy sonic shifts because he’s, like, a quotation-fingered “genius,” right? And, like, surely he knows best what makes a hit record, right? Wrong. And to paraphrase the always on-point Pink Floyd, “Hey! Rubin! Leave those kids alone!”

Imagine the difficulty, then, of Liam Gallagher’s situation. At 47, he’s already proven himself to be one of the most commanding vocalists in rock history, via the unique John Lennon-nasal drawl he perfected alongside his guitarist brother Noel in the UK super group Oasis. But after constant feuding led to an inevitable break up in 2009 — with Noel forming High Flying Birds and his sibling soldiering on with Beady Eye — the singer was cast adrift, in a way. And without being poked in the ribs, metaphorically, by Noel’s blistering leads, it was doubtful that he’d reach venomous Hindu Times heights again.

Such is the blessing — and the curse — of family bands. Their members often understand each other far too well. Thus Beady Eye folded after only two albums, leaving its frontman in uncharted new territory. Like Frank Sinatra before him, Gallagher had a distinct, people-pleasing talent far beyond that of most of his contemporaries. But what, exactly, should he be doing with it? Draping it in the richest velvet? Strip it down to its most basic metallic gears? Or perhaps settle for someplace safely in between? The answer — as posited on his 2017 solo bow, As You Were and clarified on this year’s follow-up, Why Me? Why Not. — is a resounding ‘none of the above.’

Gallagher could have taken out a full-page song solicitation for himself in any London daily, and Britain’s most brilliant composers would flock to his aid. With, admittedly, sketchbooks full of tunes that would suspiciously sound like Oasis, Jr. It’s to be expected.

Instead, he chose another path. He put his faith mainly in two key collaborators, Adele alum Greg Kurstin and cohort Andrew Wyatt, a relationship that revved to life with the honking debut single ”Wall of Glass” in 2017 (sort of a Hindu Times lite) and continuing into the folkier new “Why Me? Why Not” (named for two original John Lennon drawings Gallagher owns), which merely succeeds by not straining to clutter Esch mix with Oasis bombast. And the vocalist co-penned every last track.

The set opens on the gruff harmonica-edged stomper “Shockwave,” a karmic fable that’s already topped the charts overseas. No, it’s not Oasis, but it easily parallels it in rumbling megawatt intensity, believe it or not. A subtly orchestrated ‘60s-ish ballad, “One of Us” follows, and somehow it makes perfect sense, as does the proceeding slapback-glossed reminiscence “Once,” which encapsulates more of his life philosophy than fans have ever been privy to.

And so it goes, song to song, Gallagher bravely trying on new sonic suits that all wind up looking chic, contemporary and becoming. From pop (“Now that I’ve Found You”) to roadhouse rock (“Halo,” with a sly wink to T Rex), to Beatles homages (“Meadow”) and regulation anthems like the title cut. It’s Liam, Mach 2. Liam reimagined. Liam, ready to take on the world again with his stellar gift, every bit the equal of his estranged brother. And sure, in a perfect world, these two would shake hands, bury the hatchet, and spark Oasis to life again. But Liam Gallagher is rapidly making a case for himself as his own man, with his own story to tell. Which, of course, is what becomes a legend most. A shockwave, indeed. And he’s happy to explain his motivations…

(Interview below the cut)

IE:  What have you learned over the past couple of years?

LIAM GALLAGHER: What have I learned? Hmmm. I’ve learned to live in the now and not worry about the future or the past. I mean, take little bits and bobs from it, but take each day as it comes, man. Because yeah, we’re getting older. But we’re also getting closer to what it’s really all about.

IE: How do you stay grounded?

LG: Well, I’m not chasing anything, d’ya know what I mean? I’m not chasing anything in life.

IE:  And you jog, too, right?

LG:  Yeah. But I’ve got a little bit of arthritis kicking-in these days, so I don’t run as much as I’d like to. But I did a lot of running up in Seattle and across the Golden Gate Bridge, too. I loved doing that, and I did it all in just one go. And then I couldn’t walk for several days.

IE:  My motto is ‘Everybody has an agenda, and it rarely includes you.’ You don’t seem very trusting either, so how tough was it to invite new people like Greg Kurstin into your circle?

LG:  I don’t think I invited him — it sort of just happened. And then me, him and Andrew all got on together. We just wanted to make music, and that’s what you’ve got to do — it’s a business kind of relationship, so we just go in and do what we do, and I’m really happy with the results. But I like him as people, even though I haven’t spent much time with him.

IE:  How does an average day begin for you guys?

LG:  Well, how it all started was when I met Greg, and he had a song for me on the last album called Wall of Glass. And he said, “Do you like this kind of riff?” And I said, “I do indeed!” And he said, “Right then — let’s get fuckin’ cracking!” So I wrote some lyrics, we messed about with a few melodies, and before we knew it, we had a song. And that’s what happened on this album. I can send over the few bits that I’ve got knocking about, and they’ll take it from there. Not everything I do stays on every song> No one’s got a massive ego — if an idea gets bent out of shape, we’ll just start from scratch. That’s how it works.

IE: Your sound can go anywhere now.

LG: Yeah, anything IS possible now. But I’m not a nerd about recording — if it sounds good, we’ll do it and move on. But I like making the type of music I loved as a kid, so I don’t think I’ll ever do anything too left field. I can sing on anything, and it’ll still sound like me, d’ya know what I mean?

IE:  When you opened for The Who a few weeks ago, and people kept going out to get drinks during your set, you reportedly got a little testy onstage.

LG:  I’m not doing this to gain any more fans — I’m here because I wanted to be. I knew I wasn’t going to make any money — I’m just here to sell my record. So I’m here to do a few tunes because I love The Who and I love Pete Townshend, and I love Roger Daltrey, so it was a bit of a holiday because I was bringing my kids over. So if people are eating food or whatever…a lot of people keep turning up, and if they’re sitting there with food in their mouths, it doesn’t bother me. Even if no one turns up, it doesn’t matter, because I’m having a ball out there. So I’m not here for promotion — I’m here just to have a crack at it.

IE:  Did you get to hang with The Who?

LG:  I’ve met ‘em before — we’d done some gigs for the Teenage Cancer Trust in London. But I didn’t get to really speak to ‘em that much. I mean, they’re on another level, The Who, I’m just a singer in a band — I don’t classify myself as a songwriter or a musician. I’m just a singer, so we don’t get into any of the deep stuff. But I like them, and they seem to like me.

IE:  Even going back to your early songwriting experiments like “Songbird,” there’s more in you that’s been tapped yet.

LG:  Yeah, there is. But I’m quite happy collaborating — I think we get a lot more done. If they let me just sit there and write a load of songs on my own, I’d still be doing it, because I’m too self-conscious about it, about the words and what I want to say. I want to make some albums and get out there on tour. And working with other people, they can say, “Look — it sounds good. Let’s move on.”

IE:  Thematically, what did you find yourself writing about on this new record? Obviously, you avoided Brexit.

LG:  Yeah. I’m not a politically-driven man. I keep getting asked about all that shit, and I just don’t have much to say. I don’t know what all we were writing about — love, life, hate, everything. I’ve certainly got no time to be writing about Boris fucking Johnson. Or Theresa May.

IE:  But you do have a lot of opinions. You were back in the news getting into it with Suede’s Brett Anderson, who was dismissive of the whole Britpop movement.

LG:  What I’m saying is, I think he’s wrong, but I never paid too much attention to him — we were on another level, and all that shit was going on around us. But we were going in a different direction. We were more classic; d’ya know what I mean? With Britpop, there were lots and lots of music, lots of bands, and some nice songs. And some good bands, too. But the whole fucking scene was just a load of fucking idiots in fucking Camden, as far as I’m concerned. Menswear. Where are they today? All them fucking city bands. There were some good tunes and some solitary decent bands. But there was no real fucking shit. The only bands that were making decent albums were us and The Verve, and that’s the end of it. People will go on and on about Blur, but that’s not for me. Nobody else even came close to The Verve, in my opinion.

IE:  What advice have you given your son Gene, now that he’s started joining your recording sessions?

LG:  No advice, man — I’m not into advice. And when you’re young, you don’t take it in, do you? I’m only starting to take things in now. And when you’re in a bubble, you’re in a bubble, and you’re sort of just racing around, not taking it in. So any advice I give him now will fall flat on deaf ears. So he’s just enjoying himself at this point.

IE:  Have you ever thought about dropping out of social media altogether? You often express regret over what you’ve posted.

LH:  No, I like being online. I like chatting people up, and I like speaking my mind. And if people can’t handle that? Fuck ‘em. I’m just a person in a band.

IE:  You have a new line of parkas coming out, right?

LG:  Yeah, soon. And Pretty Green is still around, but I don’t have so much input on it at the moment. I’m trying to strike a deal, and if it works, it works. If not, I’ll just start another company.

IE:  But you collect parkas, too?

LG:  Yeah, I do. I’ve got a lot, like millions. And I’m not kidding. And sunglasses, desert boots, all that stuff. I’ve got some in my house, some in storage. You know how rockers like leather jackets? I don’t. I like parkas.

IE:  On an average day, what entertains you?

LG:  We’re watching Peaky Blinders at the moment. And we’re addicted to that. But I like to watch the news, man. Whether it’s depressing or not, I like to keep my eye on it. So I like to have one TV in the house tuned to the news, just in case.

IE:  What have you learned since the Britpop era?

LG:  I think I’m the same, man. I wear the same clothes; I’m definitely as confident as I was back then. I dunno. I’m standing out like a sore thumb here in 2019, and I like that because I’m still not playing the game.

IE:  Final offbeat question: Why do you always sing with your arms behind your back?

LG:  Because I like it — I get a bit more power that way. It’s projection. I’ve held the microphone a couple of times, and it feels fucking odd. It just doesn’t feel right. Whereas putting my hands down behind my back so I can just spit into the mike with distaste? Now that feels perfect.

– Tom Lanham

[wytchwyse]

Hallow Your Rage & Hone Your Malice:

How to Ethically Practice Your Malefic Witchery.

“Light a Torch for the Good and Cross Swords Against Evil.”

Those of us who can work magic and commune with the numinous know that offensive magic is not something one does on a whim. It is always best practice to divine to determine if your work is justified, and what the outcome may be. We do not pick up the weapons of our craft unless it is necessary. And right now, everyone who can do magic should and not only to bless and protect our communities, but also bane those that seek to destroy your communities. Bring the enemies of empathy, kindness, decency, reason, justice etc, to their knees. Our rage is sacred, our rage is justified it burns inside of us, so we act, so we do not let it consume us.

So with that said, how do we practice malefic magic when we need to treat such magic with reverence? That is easy, you work on thoes who uphold these systems. Im not talking high profile people. I'm talking about your racist Neighbor with the Confederate flag, or the anti-planned parenthood, anti-vax almond mom from the gym. Work on the cars that have Queerphopic bumper stickers and Trump flags. Even if they are people you see on IG or TikTok. Practice on them. Strike them with your will and force, and observe them if you can; think of it like a lab test, and they are your test subjects. Think of those obnoxious red hats as targets for your magic. If they are your Neighbors, there are plenty of magical operations one can do, like planting a hex bag in their yard, or a cursing powder that they can step in and track into their home, among many other creative things that we can do. Interesting side note In a lot of Southern parts of the US and all throughout Appalachia, you had to be very careful who you took food from because it was said they may curse the food. (Although it may have also been some Insidious ingredients like ipecac or Other emetic herbs) But don't do that because that would be considered poisoning, and that's illegal.

The spirit of Witchcraft itself does not suffer fools or injustice well, and so neither should those of us who have the power. It is not only ethical to work on these people; it is our responsibility to punish those who seek to ruin or impede Social and systemic progress towards a better future for everyone and everything everywhere. All beings have the right to live free without slavery and oppression. With that I leave you with this short passage from Aradia Gospel of witches.

“And thou shalt be the first of witches known;

And thou shalt be the first of all i' the world;

And thou shalt teach the art of poisoning,

Of poisoning those who are great lords of all;

Yea, thou shalt make them die in their palaces;

And thou shalt bind the oppressor's soul (with power); 1

And when ye find a peasant who is rich,

Then ye shall teach the witch, your pupil, how

To ruin all his crops with tempests dire,

With lightning and with thunder (terrible),

And the hall and wind....

p. 4

And when a priest shall do you injury

By his benedictions, ye shall do to him

Double the harm,”

[riay]

info character of Mariana (update now! there's drops bye!)

MARIANA AGOSTINHO

"The curtain rises, the spell breaks, and someone always bleeds."

"Not all demons wear horns. Some wear smiles. Some wear silk gloves.”

General Information

• Full Name: Mariana Agostinho

• Name Meaning:

• Mariana – “Blessed”

• Agostinho – “Revered”

• Age: 26 (at the start)

• Gender: Female (She/Her)

• Race/Species: Quarter Homo Magi (Half-magic human hybrid)

• Nationality: Brazilian-Portuguese / American

• Status: Alive

• Occupation:

• Public: Stage Magician / Sorceress

• Private: Independent Supernatural Hunter

• Affiliation: Independent

• Titles/Epithets: Sorceress Supreme, Mistress of All Magic

• Nicknames: Glamour Hex, Maria, Ana.

• Alignment: Chaotic Good (tentative, based on vibes)

Appearance

• Height: 172 cm (5'8")

• Weight: 58 kg (128 lbs)

• Hair: Midnight blue-black, long, curly

• Eyes: Violet, amethyst-like

• Build: Curvy, alluring, strong presence

• Style:

• Hunter Outfit: Cream corset top, dark leggings, thigh-high purple boots, gloves, dark choker

• Stage Outfit: Midnight tuxedo jacket, leotard, top hat, red tie, white gloves—vintage glam

• Casual: Whimsical/Grunge-Goth with confidence

Personality

• ENFJ 2w3 | Femme Fatale meets Performance Queen

• Charismatic, witty, confident, and deeply empathetic.

• Enjoys the spotlight, taunting enemies, flirting for fun—but has a sharp mind and serious streak.

• Balances drama and danger with heart and humor.

• Flamboyant, fearless, but deeply practical when the spell hits the fan.

• Vain but kind, stubborn but loyal, playful but protective.

Skills & Abilities

Powers:

• Mastery of Black Magic, Chaos Magic (formerly), and Logomancy

• Can cast spells via spoken words, gestures, or written symbols

• Reality manipulation, elemental control, and teleportation

• High-tier abilities like Chronokinesis, Molecular Reconstruction, and Death Inducement

• Eldritch blasts, electro-attacks, flight, force fields—you name it, she throws it

• Summoning demons, traveling dimensions, manipulating hellfire

• Absorbs knowledge and power from magical entities and relics

Combat:

• Expert hand-to-hand combatant and weapon user

• Dual-wields guns or spells with flair (think: magical John Wick but glam)

• Trained in melee, escape arts, and tactical lock-picking

• Has an enchanted “magic key” that always leads her home

Other Skills:

• Culinary queen (can cook anything from feijoada to fireballs)

• Occult scholar, skilled meditator, motorcycle rider

• Can seduce, distract, or disarm with charm alone

Weaknesses

• Vulnerable to cursed artifacts and enchanted traps

• Empathy makes her manipulable

• Magic has cost—especially black magic

• Former reliance on spoken incantations (Logomancy speech dependency)

Backstory

Born to the magician Macário “MJ” Agostinho and Homo Magi Catarina, Mariana was raised between sleight-of-hand and sorcery. Her childhood was shaped by the risks of magic—after trying to resurrect a pet rabbit, her father took on the cost of the spell, leaving him weakened. Lesson learned: magic always comes at a price.

At 16, she became a hunter—tracking supernatural threats while finishing high school in the American South. Think: Zatanna’s stage magic + Dean Winchester’s teen trauma.

Later, in New York, she trained under the mage Paul Nelson (ex-boyfriend, now literal Hell resident), and fell in love with Jonathan Carter, another mage. Their attempt to stop a magical apocalypse left her father dead—burned in a ritual gone wrong. She now distrusts magical institutions and runs her own business, "s,anairaM"—a multiverse mail service and spellcasting shop.

She lives dangerously, loves fiercely, and laughs in the face of demons.

Relationships

• Parents:

• Catarina (Mother, deceased)

• Macário “MJ” Agostinho (Father, deceased)

• Exes:

• Paul Nelson (ex, now in hell)

• Jonathan Carter (on/off, toxic wizard vibes)

• Ricky Roth (high school rock boy, Rodrick-coded)

• Allies/Rivals/Enemies: TBA

• Assistant: Jane (fun foil character)

Trivia

• Theme Songs:

• “Supermassive Black Hole” – Muse

• “4 Minutes” – Madonna ft. JT & Timbaland

• Fan of: DC’s Justice League Dark (Zatanna shrine confirmed)

• Fun Fact: Can write backwards spells and has a business slogan like “Magic, Mail, Mayhem—Guaranteed!”

• Former aesthetic: Whimsigoth energy

• Design Note: You can play with high-contrast light/dark colors and illusion motifs in her look.

[raionhatothecat]

Raionhato history:

Raionhato lost her parents when she was just a child, leading her to an unforgiving fate at the Bonta military facility. There, she underwent rigorous training that turned her into a formidable assassin. Despite the hostile environment and mistreatment she suffered at the hands of her superiors, Raionhato found a ray of hope in the company of other children with similar abilities. Together, they shared their sorrows and dreams of freedom, forming an unbreakable bond.

Raionhato was no ordinary girl; She was a hybrid between a zurcarak and an Eliatrope dragon, giving her unique abilities and extraordinary power. This unusual mix was both a blessing and a curse, as it made her stand out from the rest and attracted the attention of those who wanted to exploit her.

The decision to escape from her was made in a moment of desperation and hope. One night, under the light of the moon, Raionhato and her friends managed to escape surveillance and escape from the facility. Their destiny took them to the quiet and picturesque town of Emelka. There, they found not only shelter, but also a new home among the members of the Tofu brotherhood.

Over time, the relationship between Raionhato and the brotherhood grew stronger. The members of the brotherhood welcomed her as one of their own, teaching her that life could be more than pain and struggle. Together, they faced numerous challenges, from external threats to internal conflicts, always with courage and determination.

Habilities:

1. **Hand-to-hand combat**: Expert in various martial arts and hand-to-hand fighting techniques.

2. **Weapon Handling**: Mastery of a wide range of weapons, from knives and swords to firearms.

3. **Infiltration and stealth**: Ability to move without being detected, perfect for espionage or infiltration missions.

4. **Strategy and tactics**: Ability to plan and execute complex operations, both in combat and in escape situations.

5. **Physical and mental resistance**: Trained to withstand extreme conditions and remain calm under pressure.

6. **Survival**: Advanced knowledge of survival techniques in different environments, from jungles to urban areas.

7. **First Aid**: Ability to provide basic medical care on the battlefield.

8. **Engineering and explosives**: Knowledge in the creation and deactivation of explosives, as well as in the manipulation of machinery and devices.

9. **Intelligence and analysis**: Ability to collect and analyze information vital to the mission.

10. **Leadership**: Ability to lead and motivate her team, especially in high-risk situations.

11. **Emotional Connection**: Strong empathy and ability to form bonds with others, leveraging shared experiences to strengthen her team.

12. **Adaptability**: Ability to quickly adapt to new situations and environments, improvising effective solutions.

13. **Polyglot**: Knowledge of multiple languages, which allows you to communicate and operate in various countries and cultural contexts.

14.**Intuition and perception**: Acute ability to detect hidden dangers, read body language and anticipate the actions of others.

15. **Disguise and performance**: Ability to change appearance and adopt various identities for covert missions.

16**Climbing and parkour**: Ability to move quickly through urban and natural environments using climbing and parkour techniques.

17. **Energy or Magic Manipulation**: In a more fantasy context, you could have the ability to manipulate some type of energy (such as fire, ice, electricity) or use magic for various applications in combat and survival.

18.**Animal Skill**: Special connection with certain animals, allowing you to train them, communicate with them, or use them in missions.

19. **Pilotage**: Ability to pilot various vehicles, from motorcycles and cars to helicopters and airplanes.

20. **Creation of antidotes and poisons**: Advanced knowledge in chemistry to create and neutralize poisons.

21. **Diplomacy and negotiation**: Ability to mediate conflicts and negotiate agreements, useful in situations where violence is not the best option.

Problems:

. **Inexperience in personal relationships**: Due to his upbringing in a militarized environment and his focus on training and survival, Raionhato may lack experience in intimate or romantic personal relationships. This could make her clumsy or uncomfortable in complex emotional situations.

**Sense of guilt for her past as a weapon**: Although Raionhato escaped from the military facility, she may carry a sense of guilt for acts she may have committed under orders or pressure during her training. This emotional burden could affect her self-esteem and her ability to forgive herself.

**Difficulty adjusting to civilian life**: After escaping and finding refuge in Emelka with the Tofu brotherhood, Raionhato may face significant challenges adjusting to the peaceful and routine life of a quiet town. The lack of military structure and discipline could be disconcerting to her.

**Fear of rejection or abandonment**: Despite having found a new home with the Tofu brotherhood, Raionhato might have a persistent fear of rejection or abandonment from her due to his past loss and separation from her. This could lead her to be overprotective of her loved ones or remain emotionally distant.

. **Ethical and Moral Conflicts**: As a product of a military environment that often compromised ethics and morality for the sake of duty and obedience, Raionhato could face complicated ethical dilemmas in her everyday life. The need to make decisions that put her personal values ​​at stake could be a constant source of internal conflict.

1 **Impulsivity in dangerous situations**: Due to her past of military training and escape, Raionhato could be prone to acting impulsively or risky when faced with situations of immediate danger. This could put her at risk or negatively affect her fellow Tofu brotherhood.

**Aversion to interpersonal conflict**: Although skilled in physical and strategic combat, Raionhato may have difficulty dealing with conflicts or emotional problems that arise within the Tofu brotherhood. This could lead her to avoid confrontations necessary to resolve internal problems.

**Distrust of authorities**: Due to her experience in the Bonta military installations and the mistreatment she suffered from her superiors, Raionhato may have a deep distrust of authority figures or hierarchical structures. This could create tensions within the Tofu brotherhood if she faces situations where authority is questioned.

**Emotional Overload**: Although she has found support in the Tofu brotherhood, Raionhato might face difficulties processing intense emotions or past traumas. This could manifest itself in times of extreme stress or when she is faced with painful memories from her past.

** Fear of losing her loved ones **: After having lost her parents and having found a new family in the Tofu brotherhood, Raionhato could have a deep fear of losing those she loves again. This fear could influence her decisions and actions, leading her to take extreme measures to protect her peers.

[waterbottlegrey-blog]

The dark oblivion is a relief, after the near half hour of panicked wheezing, choking, and eventual suffication.

You watch with mild interest as Jimmy, bless him rushes in with Lee's epi-pen-you wince as he jabs you. Probably his would have worked. Yours didn't for some reason. Fuck Charlie and her coffee, did the bitch think you were kidding about oat-milk?

"Ahem."

You spin around from the paramedics and their vain attempts to resucitate you.

"Who are you supposed to be?" You ask bemused.

The three-eyed Jesus with the Indian headdress coughs, embarrassed.

"I'm the Greater Consciousness, the Vibe of the Universe, Fate of Astrology. I am really sorry-"

The rest of it is lost. You are just too fascinated by his earrings. They seem to be dream-catchers bedazzled with crystals. That's a cross around his neck, a few Tibetan prayer-flags- and yup, a zodiac cuff.

You notice the silence, and raise hour head to meet his eyes.

He smiles again. It's a serene, empathetic smile. It being not obnoxious is strange. His eyes -blue- have honest compassion.

"I'm an empath," he says, nonsensically.

You manage not to scoff. And what, a mind reader too?

"Yes." What?

"I know this has been a shock, but there's really nothing to be done. So we might as well head to the roof for a bit? I have hot chocolate. With real cow's milk, I promise." He's suddenly holding two mugs.

That's- yeah.

You follow him to the fire escape and up, to the roof. You're in shock, you think. Well, no. You're scared.

You'd died.

You-

Greater Consciousness takes the mug from your hands and hug you. Comforts you. You cry for awhile. Cry out the fear, the shakes in your non-substantial limbs, cry your eyes out for your friends, your family, your life.

By sunset, you're calm, and sipping admittedly very delicious hot chocolate.

The strangeness of the situation returns. You never believed any of that new-age shit, your entire family was Buddhist!

"I know, and call me G.C." G.C. smiles at you.

"A Bodhisattva?" You venture.

He shakes his head.

"Unfortunately, no. I am the greater consciousness your co-worker Charlotte Hartman believes in."

"Charlie?" You don't even rate your own death god? Any of the judges would do!

He smiles serenely.

"Yes. You see, the rules are, you are welcomed into the afterlife by the god of your murderer."

Things. Click.

The insistence on making the coffee run, your bag being moved, the epi-pen not working, the fact that the vapid little shit was climbing all over Jimmy and telling you he was her work-husband at least three times per shift. The incessant little comments. The whole entire mean-girl shebang you thought you'd be free of after leaving high-school-

"She fucking killed me over Jimmy???" Who was happily married for the past fifteen years and who you'd known for at least ten. Who got you this job, because you reminded him of his daughter oh no. He ran in too late, having ran all the way across the building for the one other epi-pen and was too late. He was going to be crushed.

That fucking bitch. That crystal-fucking zodiac-sucking manifestation-empathy-spewing, reiki-ass-fucking, petty little BITCH!

"Right on one count," G.C.'s voice is as serene as before.

You turn to him with a curse on your tongue and stop. He's smiling a very different smile. Almost... mischevious?

"Dead is dead, and the dead should not interfere with the living. It just so happens, dear Charlotte, also believed in karma. Not the karma you know," he adds. "The in-this-life karma. And the three-fold-rule. And prophetic dreams."

The smile is nearly mean now.

"Mediums, the dead speaking to us in dreams. And ghosts."

You take a deep breath. Alright. This crazy bitch might go after your big sister next. Like shit, she is.

The death god-

"Why, thank you-"

smiles at you.

"Let's show that bitch some karma."

It turns out when you die you don’t face your own God, but instead face the God of whomever or whatever killed you.

[vicedmuses]

LORE: SUPERNATURAL

since this part is pretty lengthy, you can find information below the cut! about what the species can do and where their lore stems from

aliens: each alien will depend on what planet they're from. kosan for example, being from saturn he's a space cowboy that can manipulate crystals. he's very close to the earth around him. onyx on the other hand, is detached from everything being from pluto. he's haunting, like a ghost, and can manipulate dark ice. one neutral and one evil. one open to the world and one here just to haunt it. main inspo is personal lore developed with rhi, tim, & trip

banshees: those connected to the death so much so that they can see it coming. it depends on how close they are. both geographically and then emotionally to the person. this can be completely overpowering depending on how often this needs to happen. powers include death sense, sonic scream / beacon emission, clairaudience, divination/precognition, supernatural immunity (can't be turned into anything else), harbinger connection, supernatural sensitivity, and a minor form of telepathy. main inspo is tvd

demons: creatures from the underworld. these vary vastly. some are lower level demons that barely have that much power. others are crossroad demons that make deals. then there are the high level demons who are a part of hell's hierarchy. powers include reality warping, super senses/strength, teleportation, electrokinesis, shadow manipulation, & pyrokinesis. main inspos are charmed & spn

dragonkins: descendants from dragons. these creatures roam the earth in plain disguise, looking like your everyday human. they're more tame than their ancestors, but it only takes one little thing to make them snap. powers include acid manipulation, detecting magic, enhanced strength/defenses, wing manifestation/flight, & an elemental control. main inspo is dnd

exorcists: priests blessed by angels to take out the evil in this world. they're gifted with the knowledge that it takes to expel a demon from a human body, including knowing full latin and wielding holy items. aside from this, they have no true powers themselves. main inspos are the exorcist & spn

gorgons: half serpentine creatures that have been known to be cursed in this world. others view it more as a blessing in disguise though. no one gets close enough to hurt them unless they let their guard down. abilities include paralyzing poison, super strength, telepathy, snake communication, invulnerability, immortality, precognition, & petrifying gaze. main inspos are spn & mythology

incubi: half demon and half human. they're known to be sexual predators that feed off of hormones/sex. abilities include empathy, enhanced condition, lust inducement, natural weaponry (claws, fangs, tails), pheromone manipulation, persuasion, reproductive manipulation, shapeshifting, & supernatural beauty. main inspo is spn

nightmare manifestations: a witch created katriel straight out of a neighborhood's dreams. he has all of the horrific qualities of their nightmares, but also the sexual attributes of their fantasies. his monster self looks like venom. his abilities include shapeshifting, fear projection, & lust projection. inspo comes form personal lore

the possessed: humans bodies that have been possessed by demonic entities. the main difference here is that for the most part, their soul is still somewhat around. so it's a constant push and pull. although some might choose to work with the demon within. powers can include levitating, telekinesis, super strength, and teleportation. main inspos are spn & the exorcist

sirens: half human and half sea creatures that lure people out to the nearby docks. once betrayed by a loved one while they were a merfolk and this is how they ended up taking their more demonic form, to exact revenge. powers include aquatic empathy/communication, atmokinesis, beacon emission, enhanced condition, hydrokinesis, shapeshifting, underwater breathing. main inspos are spn, siren, & mythology

vampires: bloodsucking immortal creatures commonly known in various lore. they are weak to the sun, most would burn if they go out in pure daylight. although if they have something blessed by a witch, then they can get away with it. they're frozen at the age they're turned. diet includes blood, up to their own morals whether it comes from a human or animal. twilight specific vampires may have unique abilities and their eyes change colors due to what they feed on. main inspos are tvd, spn, & twilight for those in that canon

werecreatures: there are two ways that one can become a shifter. either you're bitten or born. those that are born are far more in control of their shift since they've been dealing with it since puberty. those that are bitten, well it depends on when that happened. most can partially shift. claws, fangs, glowing eyes, etc. some can fully shift into their animal counterpart. powers include shapeshifting, claw extraction, super agility + senses + speed + strength, etc. main inspos are tvd, tw, spn

witches: born mortals that are gifting with the art of magic. their powers can vastly range and it depends on skill level, age, and practice. normally, they travel in covens set forth by blood relations or close bonds. these covers are bonded by the same mission. powers include (but are not limited to) telekinesis, potion making, spell casting, precognition, scrying, weather manipulation, and mediumship. some have powers unique to them as well. main inspos are charmed, the secret circle, ahs: coven, tvd, & spn

[queerlilchinchin]

Phishing Scams PSA

Okay, I have delved into the deep, dark depths of the comment section of a post and I'm genuinely concerned for the wellbeing of tumblr users, so I'm just going to say this...

There are a lot of asks that are going out that are supposedly coming from people that are suffering from the war in Gaza.

Hear me out: I am not saying all of the asks are scams or that people in Gaza do not need/deserve help.

If you wish to help them, please seek verified, reputable sources! And I'm not talking other tumblr blogs that claim they've vetted the sources!

I'll say, one positive of being in a manipulative, abusive marriage and [ahem having older brothers] is that I am not as inclined to blindly believe people. It's kind of a curse, kind of a blessing.

There are a lot of these messages going around that are clearly scams and frankly, I don't trust vetting blogs. I'm sorry, it's not that I think you are scammers, but I don't know that you're not. And if I'm willing to put time and money into helping people in need, I want to actually help people in need. And I'm sure everyone that supports these pleas for help feel the same way.

With so much of tumblr's userbase still being young and having never had to go through the phishing courses for work, I do believe there are some trademarks you all need to keep in mind when boosting these asks.

If they're pressuring you to "act now or else," that is a common pressure tactic used to scare people into clicking clickbait links. If it's accompanied by a link or outside source, BE WARY.

I always double check any sources sent to me NOT BY CLICKING ON THE LINK. A lot of phishing messages will have really believable links and with the way that tumblr allows you to embed links and type out anything you want then highlight it to embed the link, be verrrry wary of any link you see because it's even easier to fake a link. Period. You don't know what that leads to, even if the link is spelled out! It could spell out a completely different link than what it leads to. Just be careful.

Fearmongering isn't the only high-emotion means to which scammers will get you to click things. Fear, guilt, anger ("look at this injustice that happened" clickbait) and empathy can all be used. Be! Careful!

I'm not saying don't support people that need help. It's a beautiful thing that you care and that you wish to help these people, but just be careful to do your research and look into who you're helping because you never truly know who's on the other side of the screen.

It's like parents were always saying when I was growing up when the internet wasn't so........ well, what it is today:

You don't know if that's a teenager your age on the other side of the screen or some creepy older guy who's trying to catfish you. Be cautious always.

Please, please, please.

#1 most important thing is to be safe, be careful. If you even get a little bit of a weary feeling from an ask, don't post it. Don't support it. I understand it could be a real person, but your safety is paramount. Don't endanger yourself trying to protect and help someone you don't even truly know their situation.

Please, bottom line... be careful and slow down. If the ask if making you feel urgently about something, slow down and really think about why. You posting one of these scams could not only harm you and your finances and safety, but also anyone that follows you and anyone that follows anyone that may reblog it who may also choose to donate.

Be! Alert!

Love you guys. Stay safe. ❤️

[aahcaimhcone]

That’s an awesome crossover fusion concept! Let’s break down these Fusion Fighters and explore their abilities, personalities, and connections between the Sailor Moon and Puella Magi Madoka Magica universes.

Fusion Fighters – Profiles & Connections

1. Sailor Moon × Madoka Kaname → "Celestial Hope"

Appearance: A blend of Usagi's royal, flowing attire and Madoka's magical girl frills, with crescent moon and ribbon-like energy motifs.

Personality: A kind, self-sacrificing beacon of hope. Usagi’s natural leadership and Madoka’s empathy make this fusion the ultimate protector.

Powers & Abilities:

Eternal Radiance – A holy light attack combining Silver Crystal power and Madoka's goddess-like magic.

Lunar Blessing – Heals allies and purifies enemies.

Fate Override – Alters destiny, resisting reality manipulations like Homura’s time resets or Queen Nehelenia’s curses.

Connection: Both are champions of hope, willing to sacrifice themselves for others. Madoka’s god-like ascension mirrors Sailor Moon’s transformation into Neo-Queen Serenity.

2. Sailor Mercury × Sayaka Miki → "Aqua Blade"

Appearance: A mix of Mercury's analytical battle suit and Sayaka’s knightly cape, wielding twin water-forged swords.

Personality: Intelligent and brave, but prone to self-doubt. A strategic thinker like Mercury with Sayaka’s emotional intensity.

Powers & Abilities:

Hydro Sabers – Summons multiple water blades for rapid attacks.

Tactical Mind – Enhanced perception, allowing for split-second counters.

Healing Torrent – Rapid regeneration, reminiscent of Sayaka’s witch-blood recovery.

Connection: Both represent water elements and struggle with self-worth. Mercury is a genius who sometimes feels inadequate, while Sayaka battles self-doubt over her selflessness.

3. Sailor Mars × Kyoko Sakura → "Infernal Rebellion"

Appearance: A fiery red and black battle suit, with Mars' traditional miko elements and Kyoko’s street fighter aesthetic.

Personality: Fierce, independent, and protective. A rebellious but loyal warrior who values friendship deeply.

Powers & Abilities:

Scarlet Lance – A powerful, fire-imbued spear attack.

Exorcist's Wrath – Seals enemies’ magic with spiritual flames.

Survivor’s Instinct – Gets stronger the more damage she takes.

Connection: Both are passionate, fiery warriors with tragic backstories. They hide their vulnerabilities but fiercely protect those they love.

4. Sailor Venus × Mami Tomoe → "Golden Virtue"

Appearance: A refined golden and white uniform, with a blend of Venus’ love energy and Mami’s elegant gunplay.

Personality: Confident, charismatic, and reliable—a blend of Mami’s big-sister wisdom and Venus’ flirtatious charm.

Powers & Abilities:

Ribbon Bullet Barrage – Fires heart-shaped energy bullets with deadly precision.

Chain of Elegance – A binding move using enchanted golden ribbons.

Eternal Elegance – A stylish finisher that combines Crescent Beam and Tiro Finale.

Connection: Both act as big-sister figures to their teams, putting up a confident front despite personal struggles.

5. Sailor Jupiter × Pia Undo → "Storm Breaker"

Appearance: A mix of Jupiter’s green-and-thunder aesthetic with Pia’s rugged combat look, wearing reinforced gauntlets and armored boots.

Personality: A strong-willed fighter with a kind heart. Jupiter’s motherly nature mixed with Pia’s determined, battle-hardened spirit.

Powers & Abilities:

Titan Shockwave – A high-impact, earth-shaking punch.

Thunder Gauntlet – Conducts electricity through physical strikes.

Unyielding Force – The more she fights, the stronger she becomes.

Connection: Both are strong, dependable warriors with a history of loss, yet they never give up on protecting others.

Overall Collab Potential

Thematic Synergy: Both series deal with hope vs. despair, sacrifice for others, and the power of love and friendship.

Battle Dynamics: Each Fusion Fighter balances ranged and melee combat, with a mix of magical abilities and close-quarters power.

Narrative Potential: They could form a new legendary warrior team, bridging the magical girl worlds to fight cosmic-scale threats like Walpurgisnacht or Chaos.

Would you want to refine any of their powers or explore their fusion designs more?

[mistycarolina]

I HATE IT HERE;

Being rich in a place like Misty Mountain almost felt like a useless advantage; like it was some kind of a blessing and a curse. Having the sparkling little sheen of wealth on her skin made things more fun, but it certainly didn’t make the rest of the town less dusty… It didn’t carve out many pedestals for her. Because, money, but to buy what with? Money, but to go where with? Money, but who cared enough to be bought off?  Despite the whole, ‘Misty Mountain can’t be bought,’ thing, the Brat always enjoyed a giddy little reign over the school children, from elementary to High School. She was a tormentor,  and a nuisance to those she deemed unworthy – was someone truly worth a damn if they didn’t even have their own truck to cart her around in? But to those who either fell in line, or proved themselves equal, the Brat can be a true ally.  Does she listen very well? No. Does she, like, truly know what the word ‘empathy’ means? Nope! Would she totally step on someone’s toes to get her own way? God yes. But being on her good side brings certain perks you couldn’t get elsewhere in the little town of Misty Mountain. She’s snarky as hell – whatever – but she throws legendary house parties. She can get information on just about anyone with her little network of gossips… and if you’re lucky enough, you might just be blessed by her Daddy’s credit cards in one way or another. 

SPECIAL CONNECTIONS:

REBEL WITHOUT A PAUSE: The Brat’s very best friend, much to the dismay of practically everyone, is Rebel Without a Pause, and he has been since elementary school — they’re schemers! They’re spenders! They’re kind of toxic! THE VIRGIN MARY: Competition doesn’t even begin to describe the dynamic — though it’s usually the Brat starting the conflict. Do they love each other, or do they hate each other? Are they friends, or are they enemies? Will one of them quite literally unlatch their jaws one day and consume the other? Maybe. They’ve blown up at each other before, but the fallout never seems to last for long. The Virgin Mary would rather keep things smoothed over, and The Brat is willing to say whatever it takes to fix things in the moment. Who knows how much longer that sort of status quo is going to work in their favor, though.  THE GOONIE (AND JINKIES): The Brat loves her credit card, as useless as it can be in Misty Mountain sometimes! But to avoid being cut off, her father has given her a special deal. Drive to the community college – thirty long minutes away from home, five days a week – for the next two years before transferring, and he won’t cut her off of her share of the family fortune. The Brat agreed, of course she did! But school work has never been her thing… and that’s where the Goonie comes in! And unfortunately, Jinkies too. Boo. In exchange for tutoring the girl (when he’s not just, like, literally doing her homework for her), she’s agreed to help the Goonie out on their investigations – like when people are tired of talking to them, at least. She absolutely refuses to give them any dirt on Rebel or the Archer Estate? But the Brat has interrogated, like, more than  a couple sources on their behalf at this point. She doesn’t get what they need the info for, and she doesn’t really care to put the pieces together either. All she knows is that she’s totally getting Straight A’s, and that’s what matters! The minute someone starts questioning why she’s spending so much time with the nerds is probably the minute she calls it all off, though. They've been enemies their whole lives! One little deal isn't going to change that!

JOIN HERE.

ACCEPTING DECEMBER 7th!

[mistycarolinahq]

THE BRAT;

Being rich in a place like Misty Mountain almost felt like a useless advantage; like it was some kind of a blessing and a curse. Having the sparkling little sheen of wealth on her skin made things more fun, but it certainly didn’t make the rest of the town less dusty… It didn’t carve out many pedestals for her. Because, money, but to buy what with? Money, but to go where with? Money, but who cared enough to be bought off?  Despite the whole, ‘Misty Mountain can’t be bought,’ thing, the Brat always enjoyed a giddy little reign over the school children, from elementary to High School. She was a tormentor,  and a nuisance to those she deemed unworthy – was someone truly worth a damn if they didn’t even have their own truck to cart her around in? But to those who either fell in line, or proved themselves equal, the Brat can be a true ally.  Does she listen very well? No. Does she, like, truly know what the word ‘empathy’ means? Nope! Would she totally step on someone’s toes to get her own way? God yes. But being on her good side brings certain perks you couldn’t get elsewhere in the little town of Misty Mountain. She’s snarky as hell – whatever – but she throws legendary house parties. She can get information on just about anyone with her little network of gossips… and if you’re lucky enough, you might just be blessed by her Daddy’s credit cards in one way or another. 

SPECIAL CONNECTIONS:

REBEL WITHOUT A PAUSE: The Brat’s very best friend, much to the dismay of practically everyone, is Rebel Without a Pause, and he has been since elementary school — they’re schemers! They’re spenders! They’re kind of toxic! THE VIRGIN MARY: Competition doesn’t even begin to describe the dynamic — though it’s usually the Brat starting the conflict. Do they love each other, or do they hate each other? Are they friends, or are they enemies? Will one of them quite literally unlatch their jaws one day and consume the other? Maybe. They’ve blown up at each other before, but the fallout never seems to last for long. The Virgin Mary would rather keep things smoothed over, and The Brat is willing to say whatever it takes to fix things in the moment. Who knows how much longer that sort of status quo is going to work in their favor, though.  THE GOONIE (AND JINKIES): The Brat loves her credit card, as useless as it can be in Misty Mountain sometimes! But to avoid being cut off, her father has given her a special deal. Drive to the community college – thirty long minutes away from home, five days a week – for the next two years before transferring, and he won’t cut her off of her share of the family fortune. The Brat agreed, of course she did! But school work has never been her thing… and that’s where the Goonie comes in! And unfortunately, Jinkies too. Boo. In exchange for tutoring the girl (when he’s not just, like, literally doing her homework for her), she’s agreed to help the Goonie out on their investigations – like when people are tired of talking to them, at least. She absolutely refuses to give them any dirt on Rebel or the Archer Estate? But the Brat has interrogated, like, more than  a couple sources on their behalf at this point. She doesn’t get what they need the info for, and she doesn’t really care to put the pieces together either. All she knows is that she’s totally getting Straight A’s, and that’s what matters! The minute someone starts questioning why she’s spending so much time with the nerds is probably the minute she calls it all off, though. They've been enemies their whole lives! One little deal isn't going to change that!

PINTEREST.

[rcsegld]

For Alex:

🫂 PEOPLE HUGGING — generally speaking, do you feel very supported by the people in your life? how strong and cohesive is your support system, if you have one? do you often feel like you're at the front of the line or pushed to the side by the people in your life?

❤️ RED HEART — what is/are your love language(s)? how do you use it/them to communicate your feelings about others?

🤔 THINKING FACE — what three emotions tend to dominate your mindset? do you know why they do?

IN CHARACTER CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS

🫂 PEOPLE HUGGING

"honestly, it's a bit of a mixed bag. my siblings are rock solid, they always have my back no matter what, but they're also not afraid to say something if they think i'm being unreasonable or if they disagree with something. my mom as well, even if sometimes her intentions can be somewhat misguided. it's gets a bit more complicated with my father -- we tend to clash fairly often. we see things very differently and struggle to find common ground. on the whole i'd say pretty solid though."

❤️ RED HEART

"physical touch and acts of service. both are how i communicate my own feelings, but physical touch is how i feel most loved in return. it doesn't have to be anything huge, even something as simple as a brush on the arm as you pass - it's about the connection and warmth. as for acts of service, i don't have much of an answer for that because i've always just done it automatically for the people i care about. guess it's my way of showing i can be relied on?"

🤔 THINKING FACE

"protectiveness - i'm the oldest of three so this is a given. it's an inherent instinct at this point." though he'll never admit it, alex has a bit of a savour complex. he feels like it's his responsibility to protect.

empathy. i find it very easy to put myself into the shoes of others and imagine how they are feeling, but this is both a curse and a blessing given my line of work, because a lot of the time doing what needs to be done is a compassionless job.

last one, a fear of failure. it's like a voice in the back of my mind that never goes away. a voice that sounds remarkably like my father reminding me the failure is not an option, reminding me what'll happen if i fuck up. no need to try and pinpoint where that comes from - my dad's impossibly high standards and the need to prove myself can answer for that one."