#while plotting some devious scheme

[soullessseraphim]

Valdemar - Touch headcanons

-Valdemar isn't very touchy, but it is only because they don't see the point. Not that they don't like it, it just doesn't come to their mind : you'll ask them for a hug and they will respond something like "what for ?". I think it's mainly because they've lived for so long. When you keep living for centuries and the people around you wither away, you kind of learn how to detach yourself from them and avoid getting attached as to not suffer unnecessarily in the end. So imagine the shock when you're starting to get attached to them and they realize they're also kind of attached to you.

-once persuaded you need it however, they will give small affectionate touches here and there (a hand on small of the back, a kiss on the forehead, resting their head on your shoulder while they watch you do something, holding your hand) ; they have to remember what physical affection is like, because they gave it so little importance since they've turned into a demon. A little awkward at first but they get the hang of it eventually.

-What about intimacy? You will have to prove to be the most trustworthy and respectful person in the world for them to even show their hands. But once you do gain their trust, something like (the bath scene) will happen. But if you try initiating anything too drastic they're more likely to back off. They need their own pace and will allow you very progressively (and I mean very progressively) to initiate anything serious. However it'll never go further than a make-out session. Never.

-Don't expect them to be affectionate in public, no no. Valerius commented on how they'd gotten softer once and the poor man found himself strapped to a chair and forced to watch them dissect someone. If you try : will nudge you or tap your hand away. Not to be mean, they just don't want to.

-Overall, where they're most affectionate is in bed. They'll hold you while you sleep, as you'll hold them. But that's really it.

-However there is one exceptional instance where their behavior will shift completely : It is if you make a deal to live as long as they will. They'll- they'll break down. You've never seen them cry before but this sure is going to bring tears to their eyes. They won't break out sobbing but will hug you for two hours straight, occasionally sniffling. Because it means that now they can get attached. Now they don't have to worry about you being mortal anymore. Now they can allow themselves to love you. It'll take them some time to fully come to terms with the fact that they are having feelings again, since it's a very human thing, but with your support and patience, they'll manage to let themselves feel fully. They're still a little reserved, especially in public, though now that you're immortal too, they've considered making your relationship public.

Then they will be much more affectionate with you. Expect more hugs, more hand holding, more kisses, a bit more frequent make-out sessions, some dancing even.

-Congrats you two are alive forever now. You'll make a legendary duo in scientific history.

________!_Bonus Headcanons_!________ @lunumochi :D

-So I've already explored cat-like behavior with them ('so why is it that when I-', am I right?) and I headcanon they stand in rays of sunlight with their eyes half closed like our beloved furballs do. Or like reptiles. I don't know. I'm pretty sure they have vertical translucid eyelids underneath the normal ones. It's warm. It's nice. You can almost hear them purring (they don't, you're just imagining it). But they don't actively think about it you know, they just be walking and suddenly there's a warm ray of sunlight hitting them and they freeze in their tracks like 'huh. That's nice.' and then will stay close to the window half asleep for... A while.

-Speaking of sleep, I think they actually sleep. Just... They do it for three days straight every seven months. 

[scribblestatic]

Heeey back with some more Amputee SY. I think I may write more for Sheepzun soon, too. Eh, I'll figure it out.

Anyway, narratives are paused for now and we're back to summary drabbles :D

Prev: Part 9

---

After all that, Luo Binghe did in fact finalize his divorce with Qiu Haitang. She went with the Cang Qiong group when they left, a new member under Qi Qingqi's tutelage, cursing Shen Jiu's name the whole time and vowing to murder him.

Her vows quieted rather quickly after she began having strange dreams of her brother tormenting her. Despite only experiencing the incidents through dreams, she would wake screaming and proclaiming that her brother wasn't like that.

Those protests also faded, making way, instead, for confusion as to why Shen Jiu never killed her, considering how her punishments in his body occasionally came because of a comment she made. So, she too had been an instrument in Shen Jiu's suffering.

By that point, though, she was already back at what remained of Cang Qiong Sect, burrowing deeply into Xian Shu's female-only population, having gained a temporary but fervent fear of men. And, from the outset of their last attempt, no one of their peak was to contact the Empress of the Merged Realms on any personal level.

He was pretty well firm in his assertion that he wanted next to nothing to do with them for a long, long time, if not for the rest of any of their lives.

At the same time, Cang Qiong Sect's reputation took one hell of a blow. Among demons, well, they were already pretty bad, so it wasn't much worse. No it was the remaining cultivation sects that took the opportunity to voice their dissatisfaction.

Of course, it was a well-kept secret back then that Shen Qingqiu was plagued by frequent qi deviations. The fact he managed to survive them all out of pure will was admirable. But, if his sect siblings knew he had once cultivated the demonic path by force under Wu Yanzi, why hadn't their previous generation or their current one done anything to help cleanse his body and meridians before attempting spiritual cultivation?

Given, it wasn't exactly common practice for a rogue demonic cultivator to try joining a sect, already deep into their devious ways. But the fact Shen Qingqiu had turned a new leaf should have been celebrated, should it not? Instead, his sect didn't give him proper care and let him fester.

The humans who relied on cultivation sects didn't quite allow these details to stop them from calling on Cang Qiong. However, their reputation as a righteous group had not only been smeared, but filthied. As it turned out, despite their talks of righteousness, Cang Qiong Sect was no different than the smaller sects who were more secular and only professed righteousness while plotting and scheming on the inside.

It took Cang Qiong Sect down from it's elevated status. They were now, simply, normal but numerous and large. But normal all the same.

Yue Qingyuan's kind demeanor shifted. He wasn't any less kind than before, but he was, perhaps, less approachable. Without Shen Qingqiu or the ghost of what "he'd done" haunting the sect, he no longer had anyone to apologize for but himself. His mistakes became all the more evident, and his impulsiveness all the more detrimental.

But, as he'd promised to Shen Yuan, he was working on himself to fix that. That included getting help for the binding of his soul and sword, a demonic cultivation tactic he'd used to try to reach Shen Yuan faster, only to hinder himself even longer. Mu Qingfang headed the studies into his recovery...as well as studies into treating qi deviation symptoms from dual path cultivation issues. After all, perhaps as karma, Yue Qingyuan had begun to suffer from them as well as he began to undo the damage he did to himself.

Unlike with Shen Qingqiu, Cang Qiong Sect carefully rallied around him for support.

Perhaps it was because he was the sect leader. Perhaps it was because their own sins had been laid bare. Perhaps it was because they, too, wanted to make amends with themselves.

Whatever the reason, they would deal with it on their own.

...Of course, Shen Yuan was, generally, unaware of these details.

He'd made it a point to ignore anything and everything to do with Cang Qiong Sect for at least the next three years. Unless it was of severe import, of course. As lazy as he was, he would be taking his job as empress seriously.

('...Lazy where?' his attendants wondered, watching as he held two scrolls open and wrote in another with his qi, writing down every detail he knew of what flora and fauna could help reduce deviation symptoms from dual path cultivation despite the fact his problem had been fixed with a different kind of dual cultivation. This was, of course, after he'd finished writing a report about a demon tribe Luo Binghe was supposed to meet with soon, ensuring he was aware of their body language and cultural specificities.)

("Don't tell me the results. I want to know nothing of it," his 'anonymous' letter demanded of Mu Qingfang, the doctor staring at the supplies sent to them, pangs of regret searing through his soul.)

("The Cang Qiong Sect leader seems to be doing well," Xiao Jiao would murmur as she served his morning tea.

"Who asked about him? Pah. Leave those righteous cultivators to themselves."

He still slipped her a few taels for the information.)

Ahem.

Right. Anyway. He genuinely didn't care for correspondence with them, and sought to live his life separately.

For example, rekindling a better relationship with Ning Yingying.

Her confession caused her reputation to take a blow as well, though less so since Shen Yuan himself openly forgave her.

"This lord had been conniving and callous. If anything, she merely learned from the best, did she not?"

With casual jokes like that, he easily saved face for Ning Yingying, and not to long later, she finally went to see him for tea as he'd desired.

Their reunion had been incredibly tearful, the girl apologizing to him on her knees at his seat. Shen Yuan wanted to comfort her and pat her head, but he couldn't do that. While his handling on qi was sophisticated and he could grab and hold things, he couldn't quite mimic the feeling of a hand. So, instead, he asked her to look up at him. When she did, he smiled at her as radiantly as he could.

"This master understands, Ying-er. Please, you aren't a servant, you're a guest. Come, sit, sit."

She did sit, but she just continued crying. He tutted and dabbed a handkerchief at her tears.

He didn't lie and say he hadn't felt betrayed, but he understood and didn't hold it against her. She was just a child, and he had raised her to seek her survival. He hoped that now, with his mind in a better place, he could be someone better and more reliable to her. And she, sobbing, said she would never betray him ever again.

Because of this forgiveness, she and Sha Hualing slowly began reconciling as well.

Slowly. Very, very slowly.

---

With Shen Yuan officially crowned empress, Luo Binghe, who was already chipping away bits of his harem, chipped further, finding more wives to relinquish back to the wild.

After all, he really married them for power and to manage the symptoms of Xin Mo. However, ever since he began speaking and dual cultivating with Shen Yuan, Xin Mo's troublesome nature has waned quite significantly. He also learned to recognize when the sword's malicious nature was pushing thoughts in his mind, Luo Binghe realizing to himself that perhaps Shen Qingqiu, as he had been then, was probably experiencing something similar the whole time. The sword's name was "Heart Demon," and Shen Qingqiu's were a constant thorn in his side, to the point of significant and frequent qi deviations.

He and Shen Qingqiu, as he had been then, hadn't been so different, huh...

Sometimes, when Shen Yuan felt like talking about narratives and thoughts, he'd speak of the "cycle of abuse." He did it early on when he still thought he wasn't Shen Jiu.

(And, to an extent, he wasn't. He was, but he wasn't. The spells Luo Binghe had tried to use on him to summon the "kind shizun" into his body had all been for naught. Not until he used a spell to reform a broken soul. Shen Jiu had been a shattered, broken man: insane, psychotic, and missing pieces of his souls for reasons unknown.

Perhaps Shen Qingqiu lacked major parts of his hun souls, the remaining po souls existing without a significant part of his humanity. When Shen Yuan expressed that, in his life, he'd been a sickly man unable to grow healthily, he wondered if that was because he was missing some of his po. Perhaps he'd managed to form some of them, but not the others, and vice versa.

Together, in one body, the current Shen Yuan was what Shen Qingqiu could've been. Snappy, sometimes callous, contradictory, full of an undying loyalty, affectionate beyond all reason, and the kindest, most forgiving person Luo Binghe has ever had the pleasure of knowing. That is his wife, his Shizun, his empress.)

Anyway, this cycle of abuse made him think about how similar his story was to Shen Jiu's. Shen Yuan expressed it as well, sighing with regret as Luo Binghe braided his hair into a large plait in preparation for sleep.

"...If only I had realized how similar we really were. Maybe I would've had the mind to treat you better... But, I suppose there's no use in 'woulding' and 'coulding' ourselves to death."

"It's as you say, Shizun."

"Aiyah, who's your shizun? You grew more mature than me."

"This lord firmly doubts that," Binghe hummed, kissing his cheek...and starting to kiss down his neck.

Even without his limbs, Shen Yuan made such a pretty picture. The nape of his neck was enough to arouse.

"Oi, you..."

But he didn't tell him to stop, however. And didn't tell him to stop when he kissed him all over. And didn't tell him to stop, even as he complained, face flushed and staring at his cock, talking about his, as he put it, "ridiculous pillar."

But he never told him to stop, leaning closer to him and pressing what he could of his small, amputated body to him.

And despite being told not to "would" or "could" or "should" himself to the grave, he did think, well, it would be nice if, somehow, some way, Shen Yuan became able to hold onto him. To wrap his arms and legs around his body. To hold him close like he so obviously wanted to, unable to because of Binghe's sins.

...If he could somehow alleviate that point, even a little bit, that would be nice, wouldn't it?

A little "woulding" and "coulding" perhaps wouldn't hurt.

---

It's because of his inquiries that Mobei Jun mentioned he could ask his advisor.

He hadn't mentioned much of him to Shen Yuan, not deeming the man very important. Besides, his beloved wanted nothing to do with Cang Qiong Sect, and that was precisely what the advisor was...somewhat.

He was former peak lord of Cang Qiong who had steadily adopted a strange mixture of a bombastic yet timid demeanor. He'd had a way of sucking up to Mobei Jun with words that led the pureblooded demon to scowl and beat up on him frequently (never with full strength, not really, but enough to make him bleed), but there was a shift in him into someone like himself but also not like himself.

A while back, nearly three years ago now, he and Mobei Jun had been locked in battle with demonic beasts that had left them somewhat vulnerable. During said battle, he used Xin Mo, but his blade had seemed to cut...something. He wasn't sure what. But it was during that time that he was quite suddenly sucked into a portal, causing him to meet and change places with a version of himself that he could now at least admit had been taller, thicker, and tanner than himself.

(He'd gotten thicker now with both fat and muscle, and he no longer straightened his hair, much to Shen Yuan's delight. Despite not having fingers, he quite adored rubbing his cheek against his curls. He also quite liked resting his head on his chest, too, much to Binghe's quiet pride. Ahem. Anyway.)

Once he'd gotten back, he had thrown himself into looking for ways to bring the "nice Shizun" to his world instead, and when that failed, he attempted to summon him in Shen Jiu's body. All the while, Shang Qinghua, who had been at Mobei Jun's side, inching away from the battle when he last saw him... Well, the ice king later reported that, as though having a final, strange change of heart, he threw himself into the fray, even getting himself injured to protect him, something the lying weasel never did before.

From that day on, he'd fully turned into a dormouse, eating his way through bags of melon seeds and seeming to cry about nothing at random times, cycling between whining and silence, and saying those strange words he sometimes did with his full confidence instead of expressing mild confusion when he said them. Once tidy and uptight, smiling with false deference, he fell into disarray, his hair becoming a bit of a mess and wisping all over his head with curls somewhat looser than Binghe's own. In some ways, he became more pathetic than he'd ever been, but in others, he became someone Mobei Jun could genuinely rely on.

After that incident, whenever Luo Binghe heard the man call out to Mobei Jun with, "My king," it actually sounded like he wasn't hiding behind layers of subterfuge and meant whatever emotion came with his cry.

Mobei Jun still beat up on the man, but they were both lighter and had taken a different context now. Instead of genuine irritation and anger, he was, essentially, bullying him to show his affection. However, the dormouse man, being human, apparently still hadn't caught on to the difference. Not that Luo Binghe could blame him, honestly. Having been raised human himself, how was he supposed to tell when beating someone up meant they wanted to court you? Cultural differences.

Regardless, the former peak lord, perhaps forgotten even by his own sect, dwelled quietly in Mobei Jun's domain, running it like a well-oiled machine even when he was absent. The ice demon was, apparently, quietly considering crowning Shang Qinghua after seeing Shen Yuan's crowning ceremony, but Luo Binghe doubted the tired cultivator was wizened to that fact.

Regardless, if Mobei Jun truly thought that the man could possibly do something to assuage his concerns, then he might as well ask. He'd ask Shen Yuan, honestly, but he sort of wanted to keep this idea a secret and surprise him with the success if it worked out the way he'd like. Anyway, he took the lord of the Northern Desert up on his offer.

So, there he was now, staring at Shang Qinghua from the doorway as the small man, bundled in all manner of coats and cloaks to fend off the cold, stared at him with wide, amber eyes that had well-set dark circles under them. He'd been holding a pile of scrolls, though now, a few had dropped to the ground.

"...Ah. J-Junshang. This humble one wasn't, ah, aware you were coming to visit so soon. I mean, my king did say you were coming, but..."

"Hmm."

"Oh, goodness, uhm, please, ah—" He flustered, dropping even more of his scrolls before he gave up, scurrying over to a table and dropping them down haphazardly. He scrambled back and picked up his other scrolls, a wavering smile fighting to stick onto his face. "Come have a seat, come have a seat. Eh hehe. There's no need to stand over there and be a stranger."

Between the time Luo Binghe made his way to the soft chair sitting in front of Shang Qinghua's desk (what a strange thing to do...he'd started putting chairs in front of his working desk like that when his personality started shifting), the man had cleaned up the scrolls, fully closed the curtains around the windows and thrown more wood into the furnace to reduce the loss of heat.

After scrambling around, he slumped into his chair with a sigh, opening a rectangular container out of habit and scooping something that wasn't tobacco into an ornate, clearly gifted pipe. He snapped his fingers, creating a small flame at the tip of his index finger, and lit the contents. An earthy scent hinted with spice and pine began wisping from the end, which Shang Qinghua took a deep huff of before breathing it out in a faded cloud.

"So, ah, how can this one be of assistance, Junshang?"

This was the man who could call Mobei Jun's title from nearly anywhere and immediately summon him, huh.

"This lord was considering a gift for his empress. However, acquiring the materials for it would be difficult. You have much experience from trading, sales, and reviewing materials, so I shall seek your guidance for this matter."

"I'm unsure I can be of any service, but if possible, I'd be happy to oblige."

"Then... What do you know of methods to replace limbs?"

Thankfully, the man was quickwitted, seeming to immediately understand what he was going for. With a hum, he placed the tip of his pipe in his mouth, thinking.

"Junshang likely seeks prosthetics, however, the sort that currently exist can be a bit troublesome. They're rudimentary and may offer less in terms of mobility than one would prefer."

"Is there nothing that can mimic hand movements?"

"Ah...erh, I'm afraid I don't know of prosthetics that can do such fine-tuned work. However, this one is sure a dedicated manufacturer with some financial sponsorship would be able to make something. Though, if we consider how Junfeng* has developed his qi skills...perhaps something made custom for him would be best. That would also be difficult and take a while, but the results would likely be much more satisfactory."

As he settled into deep thought, the mousiness faded to reveal his more shrewd nature. Rodents all had a certain level of it, being herbivorous and desiring survival. In that sense, had he had more tact and grace, perhaps Luo Binghe could somewhat compare him to his A'Yuan.

Still, there was something else Mobei Jun mentioned to him. Just a little whisper of an idea.

"This lord was hoping for something that wouldn't take too long. Perhaps something more natural rather than constructed."

"Hmm?"

"You see, A'Yuan has quite a bit of knowledge regarding the flora and fauna of the three realms, and since the merging, he's been discovering further, previously uncovered creatures and beings. This lord one heard him mention something like a mushroom or seed or something that grows..."

"A mushroom, hm..." He rubbed at the side of his head, trying to think.

"Perhaps, would you know of some sort of plant or organism that can mimic limbs?"

"To mimic limbs... Ah." He breathed in, sucking in more of the smoke from his pipe, and pulled over a scroll that was apparently empty. He opened it, breathing out through the corner of his mouth as he got his inkwell and brush. "I believe I know what you're referring to. The Sun-Moon Dew Flower Seed is more of a mushroom than a plant, but one could use it to grow another body. I can't believe I forgot about it... While this lord doesn't quite remember where it is, it was somewhere in the Bai Lu Forest, I think. If you search there..."

But as he wrote, he suddenly stopped, a frown curling between his brows.

"Ah, but, the merging..."

Right. The merging of the realms disrupted many places. The ecology of the world was altered, and some locations, animals, and plants were no longer available where they once were. Some may have even gone extinct over the last few years.

"If the realms hadn't—ah. Ah, no. Hah. Please don't take that the wrong way, Junshang. This humble one nearly misspoke. The merging of the realms happens every few hundred years. You simply brought about its next cycle. One could consider its occurrence as inevitable as the wind."

He gave off those little laughs of nervousness, sweat budding easily at his brow as he rambled placatingly. Luo Binghe didn't really care, honestly.

Inevitable as it may have been, he did indeed bring it about himself. The loss of lives—human, demon, spiritual, natural, or otherwise—were on his head. The ink of his name was made with the blood of millions.

Eventually, Shang Qinghua lost steam for his useless pandering, sighing and taking another deep breath of his pipe, apparently to calm himself.

"Then, if it's possible that the plant you mentioned is no longer available, do you know of anything else? Something else that could help."

This was where the thing Mobei Jun mentioned could appear. Possibly.

"This humble one doesn't know. Begging your forgiveness," he murmured, gazing up at him.

"Surely you can think of something. I... This lord owes it to his wife. After all I'd done to him."

The man's expression shifted quickly between a wince, a sympathetic grimace, and something thoughtfully soulful. "Erm, well... I mean, this one...isn't sure."

Another push, then.

"Maybe if, for example, the Sun-Moon Dew Flower Seed changed with the merging of the realms. Would such a thing be possible?"

"Well..."

Shang Qinghua looked off to the side, frowning and sweating, tapping his finger against the desk and the partially-inked scroll. Smoke curled around his head, and the furnace crackled behind Luo Binghe's body.

"Something like that..."

His eyes narrowed further as he thought.

"...Might be possible."

Shang Qinghua blinked.

Then, his expression eased a bit. Not so nervous, but more thoughtful.

"...Something like that...hm."

...This might be it.

Luo Binghe focused, thinking on what to say next.

"...What do you remember of the Sun-Moon Dew Flower Seed? How could it change?"

"Hmm?" Although his eyebrows rose, the cultivator didn't look up from where he'd started staring at a blank part of the scroll in front of him. "Well... The Sun-Moon Dew Flower Seed is not really a flower. It's a mushroom. Rather, a type of fungus. Plants and fungi are different families. Though, a few of their traits can be a bit similar."

The amber tone of the man's irises brightened at the centers and darkened around the edges. Wisps of smoke from his pipe seemed to shift, somehow. Like they had begun dancing.

A qi Luo Binghe hadn't felt before sifted in the undersides of his conscious awareness of the room.

"Fungi... Right. You can't kill fungus in a way that matters. So, even if the Sun-Moon Dew Flower Seed is gone, its fungal properties would likely allow it to survive. It has a mix of plant and fungal family properties...ah likely a mistake of mine..."

As Shang Qinghua continued murmuring, he began writing again, eyes focused on the scroll in front of him. The light from the fire paled in comparison to the glow from is irises.

"Underneath the ground...the mycelium that make the Sun-Moon fruiting bodies would probably still be there. While they would make the dew flower seeds using spiritual energy...hm. Fungi are adaptable. Plants are, too. Especially the wild ones...

"Fungi typically consume dead matter, while plants create their own food. A body made of Sun-Moon Dew cells wouldn't need to consume much of anything but sunlight and maybe water. Difficult to grow, but once grown, incredibly durable...yeah. So, no, the merging wouldn't kill them."

"...This...plant...fungus you speak of. How did it work?"

"Mm...by absorbing energy. If you prepare a body using it, if the soul leaves, it loses all function. So, it both consumes energy and creates its own. If you were to use the mycelium and feed it with qi, spiritual...or demonic. Why not demonic too? Yeah. Both. Either. Feed the mycelium with blood and qi, and it could create a body. If you attach it to a body missing a part of it...hm.

"...Yeah. That could work. Feed it, and it becomes a replacement for a limb. Maybe even an organ. The mycelium could work like nerves. Attach it to the right parts, and it can grow what's missing. It can't be easy, though, I don't think. It's not easy to grow a Sun-Moon Dew Flower Seed into its mature state, so this...hm... What would I call it?"

He leaned back, eyes gazing toward the ceiling.

It felt as though the air went still.

"...Sun-Moon Dew Celium, I suppose. Mimics cells if you can use your qi. Cultivators and demons alike can use it. Perhaps one could make organs for non-cultivators as well, but they'd definitely need medical prowess for it. I'd make it easier to work with, but this is a dog-eat-dog world, isn't it? Nothing's ever so easy."

The smoke danced around Shang Qinghua's body. He breathed out more wisps of it. If Luo Binghe focused enough, he could see a second pair of eyes—large, faded, and, gazing up, just like the man was—hazed over in contemplation.

And then he blinked.

A log shifted behind Luo Binghe in the furnace, and Shang Qinghua startled, his irises back to their normal color.

The imposing qi was gone.

"Ah. Sorry. I, ah...kinda...blanked out?"

"...So you did. But it was insightful."

"This humble one's glad to, erh, help. I think." He sweated, glancing to the sides, like he wasn't sure what he was talking about.

"Right. Then. Where would this lord find the Sun-Moon Dew Celium?"

"Hmm?" He seemed confused for a moment, but then realization spread. "Oh. Oh! Junshang, that's a genius idea! As expected of the Emperor of the Merged Realms!"

Luo Binghe frowned a bit. "What?"

"I can't believe I didn't think of it. How could I forget?"

Shang Qinghua dipped his brush in ink and started writing on the scroll. Luo Binghe could've sworn he'd already written on it.

However, the only writing present there was something he'd started when talking about the Sun-Moon Dew Flower Seed. Nothing else. None of the words he'd written during his murmuring.

"While the Sun-Moon Dew Flower Seed's likely gone, the mycelium that formed it may still be there. If you take it and inject in his missing limbs, it'll feed off his qi and blood to form the missing parts on its own! It should work just like automail!"

"'Automail'?"

"Eh? Ah-haha, please excuse my ramblings, Junshang, that means nothing," he laughed nervously, finishing off what he was writing and quickly fanning it to get it to dry. "Junshang should find the Sun-Moon Dew Celium in Bai Lu Forest, or somewhere around it. As he is in charge of Huan Hua Palace's former quarters and holds such power, this lord believes it should be easier for you to find and work with than any prosthetic an engineer could make."

With the ink quickly dried (a type of ink he'd managed to make, apparently), he rolled the scroll up and wrapped it with ribbon, handing it over to him.

"Please make use of this lowly one's knowledge. I hope it works well for Junfeng."

"...This lord thanks you for your insight."

Once Luo Binghe was out the door, he acted as though he closed it. But instead, he peeked through a slight crack in it, watching as the dormouse of a man slumped back into his chair after standing to see him out.

He groaned, rubbing his head.

"Mmh. So tired."

It didn't take him long before he ended up nestling his head in his arms and falling asleep.

"...Mobei Jun."

The ice demon appeared before him from the shadows, his power stronger than ever in his own domain.

"Yes?"

"He's fallen asleep."

"Mmn. He often does after he creates something."

Perhaps the king of the Northern Desert didn't understand the implications. Or, maybe he did, and he simply let things be because the bullied cultivator was quite firmly loyal to him and under his thumb at any given moment.

But speaking something into existence was within the realm of the gods.

Because Luo Binghe had felt it. As soon as Shang Qinghua finished speaking, he felt, in the core of his soul, that this Sun-Moon Dew Celium he suddenly conceptualized truly existed in the world. It felt as real as any flower or mushroom he'd ever seen or eaten, like he'd already touched it despite never having done so.

Was Shang Qinghua some god from the upper realms made flesh? A vessel through which a god of some sort spoke? Was that the reason for his steady change into the person he was now?

"From what I know, it takes prompting from others and desire on his part. Then, he makes things that did not exist. What has he created?"

Ah, if you weren't there to witness its creation, did you not know of it?

How curious. Shang Qinghua certainly faired much better away from Cang Qiong Sect.

And he had to desire its creation, ah? So, it's possible that he wanted to help A'Yuan.

...Hm. Admirable. He would take that into consideration.

"Something that will help with my goal. As promised, you are relieved of your duties for the next week."

"Mmn."

"Also. When you do decide to crown Shang Qinghua, this lord would be honored to attend."

Mobei Jun hummed again, but he had a twinkle in his eye and a puff to his chest that somehow pissed Luo Binghe off a little. What was he doing, looking like he'd won? He could almost read it right off his face: my empress is better than yours.

God powers or not, he wouldn't give up his A'Yuan for anything. After all, he didn't need to be some vessel or something to make miracles happen.

Keep your hibernation-prone dormouse, his phoenix was waiting at home.

---

"...A'Yuan, this lord has a question."

"Mhh-huhhh...?"

"Do you happen to know what 'automail' is?"

Shen Yuan, covered in sweat and dozing off on his chest, suddenly sat up with as much physical power as he could muster, strands of his hair sticking to his forehead.

"Where did you hear that word?"

Luo Binghe grinned instead of answering. See? Shang Qinghua wasn't all that special. His beloved was probably a god, too.

----

I'm extremely baby at learning Chinese, so take my attempt with a big ol canister of salt, but since Junshang (君上) is basically "sovereign above others" and Luanfeng (���凤) is like saying "husband and wife," though the feng is literally "male phoenix," and a phoenix is traditionally the symbol of the empress where the dragon is the symbol of the emperor, I went with Junfeng (君凤) to kinda sorta make it like "sovereign phoenix."

Cause, I could've gone with the traditional term for empress, Hou (后), and put a "shang" on it for Houshang, but 1. Hou was rarely, if ever, the first symbol in the word or phrase, and 2. Hou (后) means queen and empress, yes, but it also means behind, rear, or after. And all things considered, I don't think Luo Binghe would want to give Shen Yuan a title saying he's behind him in anyway.

Moreover, considering that Shen Yuan died for the pieces of his soul to rejoin with the other pieces in Shen Jiu, and he went through the fire (Binghe torturing him) and came out renewed, well, the phoenix imagery seemed better. Also, the male phoenix is a symbol of joy, so, again, the language just fit better to me.

So, please excuse my partial bastardization of Chinese. I'm really trying earnestly though.

While called "empress" in English, Shen Yuan's official title in Chinese is Junfeng (unless someone who knows Chinese better comes up with something that fits a lot more haha).

*reread Airplane's adventures and has a rekindled and vibrant love for him all over again*

I couldn't leave him out of this AU. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Also, I said we were done with the narrative parts. Then I proceeded to write a lot of narrative. When will I stop lying to myself lmao

Parts 1-8: links on Part 9 Part 9 Part 10: here

Read on AO3

[maiden-of-the-waters]

Sparks and Showers Part 2

//Part 2 of the previous chapter that includes @tunadunanana ‘s OC, but from my OC’s POV.

Please read Part 1 here;

No warnings, this is a SFW Story : MOD//

Summary;

Bèiké sits within her cloud pavilion overlooking the world when she’s visited by someone she once was close to. Old quarrels and lost dreams rage to the surface. She soon sees the flames licking the mountain, and receives a guest that gives her more headaches than her first guest… and she reunites with her sister.

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🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊

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The wind was in a flurry this night. The night air refreshing and sweet smelling.

It was the perfect environment for Bèiké to enjoy some tea on her favorite Pavilion while overlooking the world.

The cloud pavilions were one of her favorite creations. And a gift she had shared with her family, that her family had exceedingly took pleasure in. The gentle rocking back and forth as though it were a boat on a mellow river.

Surrounded by her two attendants, HeHua and Tiao Shui and her dedicated guard, Hei Jin Ba Feng (黑金八峰) ((Black Gold Eight Peaks)). Who - ironically - was someone the Pearl Princess had punished back during the Journey. A man-eating Yaoguai who was the formerly Prideful and Insolent Bā tuófēng yěmán rén.

A proud warrior whose pride continually led him to more and more ruinous situations. Which eventually climaxed in his undoing by the Yín zhēnzhū gōngzhǔ is her assist in rescuing the Great Monk. However, she found she was unable to truly let him fade into oblivion, as one of the denizens of her domain. So she gave him a second chance… and he hadn’t disappointed her.

She sighed as her thoughts turned away from the Past. And turned to her two favorite attendants - an impressive achievement considering the number her Royal father had gifted her when she was given the offical Title as Princess. Two sweet, pretty and soft spoken maidens who were as secretly devious as she was. Many a scheme had been plotted between the 3 women over the years.

“HeHua, Tiao Shui, what do you suppose the illusion of control is?”

“Madam?” HeHua questions from her position to her left as Tiao Shui simply waited patiently for Bèiké to elaborate.

“My royal mother, the eloquent Lady Mazu, can command the seas and oceans, even past my influence… however she can’t command the Rivers and lakes… Furthermore, the Moon can also effect the water from afar by encouraging tides and effecting the Coastal Environments. And this is done Without the allowance of my royal Mother. Yet, I am water, and nothing is truly done to my domain without my permission, unconscious or otherwise. Everything is done for the sake of balance. Yet, if everything is reliant on Balance, who cares who’s in charge or not? When it comes to Control, who would really be in charge?”

There was a bit of silence as the girls thought for a bit before Tiao Shui, the younger of the two women, spoke. “If one is speaking of Balance, the Buddha is the Ultimate enlightened one, he is one with the universe correct? So one could infer that the one truly in control would be him.”

Bèiké smiles. “But if Balance must be maintained no matter what, is the merciful Buddha in control of it? Or is the Buddha being controlled by the Balance that must be maintained? Who’s truly in control?”

A bit more silence as they think.

“I…” HeHua starts before she stops, causing Bèiké to raise a brow at her attendant. “Speak freely HeHua, you’ve earned it a hundred times over in my presence.”

“I believe… that it doesn’t matter..” She speaks as she refills her lady’s cup.

Bèiké smiles wider. “Elaborate.”

“The world will continue to spin, the currents will continue to flow, the Moon will always change, the fires that destroy a forest will also allow it to come back stronger. Balance will always find its way back to equilibrium even when it is knocked out of balance… it doesn’t matter who’s in control of the balance, because eventually, balance will find a way to fix itself.” HeHua leans against a pillow in a casualness she allows herself to only indulge in when it’s just the three of them.

Bèiké applauds her Attendant before pouring the woman her own cup of Tea. “Well Done HeHua. You’ve solved my riddle.”

HeHua accepts the drink and toasts her Lady. “Your humble servant thanks the Lady for her praise.” She raises an eyebrow, giving a sly and cheeky grin only Bèiké, Tiao Shui and Ba Feng have had the pleasure of seeing. “Can my victory be traded for anything of monetary value?”

Tiao Shui gasps at her fellow attendee’s brazen boldness in front of their lady while Bèiké is shocked into laughter. Ba feng chuckling from his position in the princess’s blind spot. Bèiké waves her hand, “I’ll reward your cleverness once we return back at the palace my witty HeHua.”

HeHua nodded, satisfied. “I’ll be sure to remind you should recollection fail my Lady.”

“HeHua!?” “Oh I’m sure you will.”

“What is the cause of such Merriment I wonder?” A new voice asks with a clear smile in his Tone.

The sudden appearance of a stranger causing the women to gasp and rush to cover their lady and Ba Feng to spin around with a Snarl, weapon drawn.

Only for it to clash in a spark of Lighting with an infamous and - for Bèiké - painfully familiar, three-headed Spear, the San Jian (三尖刀). The growls and snarls of Xiao Tianshi (小天师) fill the air as his black fur materializes next to the Spear’s wielder.

Her Attendants speak first before Ba Feng can, though the vibrations of his deep chest grumbles still resonate through the pavilion as he locks his gaze on the Battle Deity, Erlang Shen.

“Our Lady has requested privacy this evening, Lord Shen you must leave!” Tiao Shui sternly calls out.

“You have no men with you, please Recall the Jade Emporor has strictly forbade you to be in the Lady’s presence without a chaperone.” HeHua glared.

All true statements, though not ones acknowledged by the rebellious Shen, who simply angels his head to look past them and speaks to Bèiké directly.

“Have I not been ignored long enough Shuǐ shàonǚ (水少女) ((Water Maiden))? We used to be so close. I’ve paid for my wrongs. Must you still shun Me?” His voice, smooth as ever, called directly to her.

Her loyal attendants - Oh how she treasured them, she needed to reward their dedication more often - went to rally to her defense once more when she set her tea cup on a plate just hard enough to make the plate and cup rattle.

Everyone froze.

“My dear girls, head back to the palace. Ba Feng, make sure they get back to their rooms safe. I shall return to you in the morning.” Bèiké spoke clearly, still not turning around, looking straight ahead.

“My lady?” “My lady, are you sure?” Oh her sweet girls… she really didn’t deserve them. She smiles while summoning from the clouds around her, shaping them into sparkling Ice Flowers that adorned their hair.

She smiles, reassuring them. “I am sure. Ba Feng.”

“Madam?”

“If anyone asks where I am, you are to report that I’m attending my Earthly duties.”

“Yes Madam.”

Her attendants, though clearly displeased with the situation, still dutifully followed her orders. Soon they were gone, and it was just her and her Cousin, the man whom she had banished from her presence Hundreds of years ago.

The silence was thick for a couple beats, before it was broken by Xiao Tianshi - she’d always had a soft spot for the damn dog, curse her - who let out a whine and pushed his head onto her lap. Demanding attention.

“Oh you horrid mutt.” She spoke affectionately as she tangled her fingers in his fur, much to the hound’s joy.

“So, you easily forgive a beast but not your own cousin and former betrothed?” Erlang’s voice sounded a mix between Miffed and Amused.

“Erlang, willful ignorance is beneath you, do not perceive to insult my intelligence with it. You know as well as I that you knew the risks and consequences of your actions and Choose to act on them anyway.” Bèiké felt her anger rise before she swallowed it, taking an another sip of her Tea.

“I won’t apologize for the choices I made with the Monkey. You know as well as I that what the Celestial Court was doing was wrong. I couldn’t allow things to continue as they were, but I didn’t mean for it to affect the peace we had created… I miss the trust we shared, the camaraderie we had.” Erlang spoke with a sincerity that Bèiké couldn’t ignore. But it did nothing to sooth her anger.

“What you did was a stupid gamble and Erlang, you are so, so lucky the gamble paid off. Both you and that Furred Menace I unfortunately call my Sworn Brother. How you two even conspired such a foolish venture is beyond me. When I think of the possibilities, all I get is a headache.” She sighs and shakes her head.

Erlang contemplates stepping closer to her, before favoring leaning on the wall instead. “That Monkey and I came to an understanding even after my actions against him. We met on common grounds and he granted me forgiveness… Can you not grant me the same benevolence? Or at the very least, give me a chance to earn it?”

Bèiké took another sip of tea to calm her growing temper as she pet Xiao Tianshi again. Yes, she did enjoy the dog’s company for all he wasn’t a creature of her domain. It was something she regretted when she banished his Master. “Dear Cousin, you seem to continue to Misunderstand. It’s not My forgiveness you need to earn.”

“Bèiké?” He started.

“You have Lost the right to use that name.” Comes a whiplash of escaped anger before it’s strangled once more and she forces her shoulders to relax.

“Zhēnzhū, please, I hate the turmoil I’ve caused. Let me know the steps I can take to end it.” It was - again - the sincerity in his tone that made her grit her teeth. Still she refused to look at him.

“These past hundreds of years… I willingly went out of my way to protect the innocent lives that the two of you shattered. I witnessed first hand the destruction the absence of Sun Wukong left. The predators saw the opportunity to ravage the hole that was created, and by the gods did they come. But you two fools didn’t think about that did you? You didn’t think about those consequences.” The calm in her tone made the growing dark cloud on which the pavilion sat even more unnerving.

“You didn’t think of the effects that his sudden death, that your sudden aggression, would have on the heart of one so gentle as my Sister… How her world had shattered, the misplaced guilt that plagued her… why would you? You two only cared about your plan… your “freedom”, your precious illusion of control.” The wind began to pick up, and her tone was still calm and gentle.

Xiao Tianshi whined and returned to his masters side. Erlang laid his weapon on the ground as a peace offering.

“Zhēnzhū, Cousin, please. You speak so calm yet the clouds get darker. You are angry yes? I accept it if so. Please, look at me.”

The flash of lightning and the sudden booming thunder was so unexpected he instinctively flinched back. When he looked up, he was greeted with the glowing eyes of an enraged woman. He swallowed.

“No Erlang… I’m not angry… I am Furious. And since you seem to continue to be Oblivious as to the reasons why. I shall be merciful and explain to you why I am furious.” She stands up. “It is because the people - the Family - I trusted are stupider than I could’ve possibly predicted.”

Another lightning crash

“Because Gambling is such a disgusting habit and I am disappointed to have been so close with people who so willing to engage in it.”

Rain begins to blow sideways, freezing and then melting again.

“Because while I have already acknowledged and come to terms with the fact that Sun Wukong is an impulsive fool, I had at least trusted You to think your actions through before you acted and never have I been more disappointed to be so blatantly proven wrong.”

The sudden stillness that surrounded them, the sudden quiet, made the hair on Erlang Shen’s body stand up in warning.

“All of that I could’ve forgiven… but Erlang.” She took a step closer, her eyes wide and unblinking, Erlang instinctively took a step back. “You weren’t there to see what you did to that Sweet Bird.”

She shook her head, taking another step closer, Erlang didn’t move this time. Holding his ground.

“You two weren’t there to see how that poor bird crumpled… you didn’t hear her screams, you didn’t go through the scares. You didn’t see how that light of hers just… disappeared.” Erlang felt his chest tighten as he saw the tears begin to form in Bèiké’s eyes. “You. Weren’t. There.”

She shook her head as the first tear fell. “You… You didn’t even come and check on her. Not that I would’ve allowed you near her anyways after what you had done, but the fact she saw you as a brother and you didn’t even Try…” her voice cracked.

She turned away for a second as she took a deep breath to steady herself, wiping those traitorous tears away from her face.

“It was me… I was the one who stood by her, I was the one who ran to her side when the nightmares came, I was the one who held it together.”

She turned around and glared at him again.

“You have No Right, you hear me? No Right, to come asking for My forgiveness when I wasn’t the one you have hurt.”

She tilts her head at him, a look of genuine interest crossing her face.

“Are you satisfied, Erlang Shen? Has the wool the two of you pulled over the Celestial Court’s eyes Everything you had hoped for? Was the taste of victory over my Royal Father, the Jade Emperor as sweet as you imagined?” Disgust fills her face. “Because I sincerely hope it is.”

She turns back around and goes to sit at her Tea table once more. Pouring herself a new cup and taking a sip before taking a deep breath and getting her emotions back under control.

“I’m sorry Zhēnzhū… I didn’t realize…” Came Erlang’s soft voice, having been thoroughly chided.

Bèiké let out a sour sounding laugh. “No, no I’m sure you didn’t…” She shakes her head, taking another sip before carefully setting her tea cup back on its plate. Her hands wrapped around the delicate cup to warm them.

“I hope you realize, just how merciful I have been… Banishing you from my presence was the kindest thing I could’ve done. Because that first night, when those screams pierced the veil, and I had to hold a sobbing woman until well after the sun had risen… and I couldn’t do anything to ease her pain… Erlang, I had half a mind to come and report both of you fools to the court.”

She sighed and stared up at the stars as she wiped away the tears that were forming again.

“But I didn’t… Because it would’ve only succeeded in hurting the Phoenix Maiden more…. And despite your foolishness, despite your awful choices… you were still my cousin, and Sun Wukong was still my brother, and I still love you both…”

Erlang’s shoulders slump as he took a hesitant step forward. “Bèiké?” It was a soft request to join her.

She breathed out an angry breath as she raised a hand to the clouds around her, summoning water and forming it into an extra Chair, tea cup and plate.

He carefully comes and joins her, and Bèiké takes a second to find amusement in how he’s acting.

Brash, proud and stubborn. That was Erlang Shen’s usual temperament. Oh sure he played the part of dutiful nephew well enough, especially at court, but he, himself was just as stubborn as the infamous Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Though he’d be fast to deny such a comparison, Bèiké knew there was a reason those two got along just as often as they clashed.

Seeing how timid he was towards her now would be amusing if she wasn’t still in her temper.

Together, they watched the world in silence for a bit. The gentle rocking of the Pavilion on the cloud swallowing the last of the ugly rage Bèiké held in her heart.

——————————————

Bèiké would’ve enjoyed the silence for the rest of the night, but it seemed her Cousin still had woes on his heart.

“How much different do you think things would’ve been had our engagement not been annulled, had the Jade Emperor not changed his mind and ordered it to be called off?” He looked over at her.

Bèiké looks at him from the corner of his eye for a moment before she sighs and fills his tea cup. “Erlang Shen… you are a fool.”

Erlang gaffs, “How So?”

“Well for one,” She starts, “Had I been your wife, and you went ahead and pulled something like this, I’d be even more upset with you. You’d probably be at the bottom of the ocean right now.”

He laughs heartily as he crosses his legs and gets into a more comfortable position. “Unfortunate indeed that our Engagement was annulled, Bèiké, you would’ve made a fine wife.”

Bèiké sends him a confused look and shakes her head. “I just told you that I would happily drown you had I been your wife and you still wish I was? You have Weird Taste my cousin… perhaps that is why you still find yourself single.”

Erlang - who had been taking a sip of tea - chokes as he falls backwards in laughter. “How dare you?!”

Bèiké chuckles softly a bit before they both fall back into a more comfortable silence.

It is Bèiké who breaks that silence next. “Sometimes… I think about what we could’ve become, had my heart not been sealed, had your anger and pride not ruled you, had our parents not made the choices they did…” She looks at him with a rueful smile

“What would our family have looked like? Whose eyes would they have? Whose temperament would they’d take after?…And then my heart gets so tight I feel as though my chest would cave in… But then it stops, and I realize that too much has happened, too much time has passed. I have changed too much…. And I understand that there’s no point in wishing for a past - or a future - that is never going to happen… You will always listen to your heart and your fire… and given what I’ve become, I can no longer be the wife you need… It’s too late for us.”

Xiao Tianshi comes once again to lay inbetween them, and Bèiké gives him a small cake as a treat, causing his tail to wag.

“I think we would’ve butted heads a bit had we been wed… perhaps it was for the best… but we will never know… and that’s okay.” She gives him a smile.

Erlang stares at her for a moment before he nodded and sighed, his own hand absently petting his hound. “Actions and reactions… causes and effects… that path really is gone isn’t it?”

Bèiké nods. “You are still my Cousin Erlang. Despite my anger at your foolish actions, that doesn’t change…”

The repentant war deity sighs as something tight in his chest unfurls. It wasn’t forgiveness… but it was a step forward.

They continued to talk about various things, the two cousins catching the other up on life, Bèiké even showing her tolerance at suggesting some ways Erlang may properly beg for her Sworn Sister’s forgiveness. Though Bèiké secretly suspected that Birdie had already begun to forgive him, the Phoenix Maiden was a merciful soul.

—————————————

When an abrupt arrival of light and the distinct smell of woodsmoke filled the air, it caught both of their attentions.

Looking down upon the world, the pair saw in the distance the established sign on a forest fire. And a Quick Look into the area told Bèiké that the forest was still too fertile and thriving to need such a reset.

She gave a hum, finished the tea she currently had in her cup and began to pour water into a larger disk.

She gently blew on it before taking a tiny sip and dumping the rest off the pavilion and onto the fires below. The water quickly growing and becoming a giant storm cloud in seconds, bringing an all encompassing rain that quickly begins to smother the flames.

Curious as to what the origin of such a Blaze could’ve been, she stands up, her hair and the ends of her clothes already dissolving into a cloud as she turns to Erlang. “I’ll be right back.”

Erlang, who was about to get up when she shook her head and raised a hand to stop his movements, sat back down and nodded. “If you need assistance you know how to call for me.”

Bèiké nodded as her form dissolved fully into mist, her body reforming within the storm cloud below as it wrapped around her and she takes in her surroundings when she sees a sight that makes her eyes widen.

Her sister, and next to her, her brother who had his head down and was rubbing his eyes. It seems as though there was a confrontation if the sign of the giant Cudgel sticking out of the earth was anything to go by. But neither seemed harmed…. Good.

As if she had heard Bèiké’s thoughts, Birdie looked up and made eye contact with her. She saw Birdie freeze as she saw her, and simply gives her a reassuring smile before she turns away and heads back to her pavilion. Encouraging the rain to continue smothering the flames.

Part of her wanted to go to her sister, but Birdie had made her promise to not interfere unless she directly called for help. And Bèiké assumed she needed time to reunite properly with Sun Wukong. So she respect that promise and turned away.

The Sisters would have time later…

—————————————

Upon arriving back to the Pavillion, she begins to reform back into her solid form and Erlang greets her with an outstretched hand, helping her back onto the pavilion.

She fills him in on what she saw and he responds in kind before they go back to drinking their tea and overlooking the world, absentmindedly spoiling the mutt that lay happily between them.

Once again, Erlang breaks the silence. “I had a thought while you were down there and I, here. Cousin, tell me, how are you satisfied with the chains of the court?”

Bèiké gives him a funny look before she shakes her head again. “Oh sweet Erlang, you don’t know me at all… I’m not satisfied.” She chuckles when he shoots her a confused look and she decides to elaborate.

“Unlike you and Wukong, I am smart you see?” She giggles. “I know it’s the Well-Behaved Children who aren’t watched as closely, it’s the Well-Behaved Children who don’t have the restrictions that the Naughty Children have.”

She grins. “The child who is constantly Lashing Out tends to draw more attention than the child who isn’t.” She raises and eyebrow at her Cousin. “You boys didn’t learn tact until it was too late. You didn’t appreciate patience and by the time you learned, it was too late. You were deemed a troublemaker and thus a being that needed to be brought to heel.”

She refills their tea cup and begins to brew a new pot. Before she’s overcome by laughter and Erlang shoots her a curious look, wondering what could’ve caused her such jovial amusement.

She lays a hand on his shoulder as she explains her thoughts. “Can you imagine how much of a menace Wukong would be if he learned a bit of tact while he was the royal “Pi Máo Wén" (皮毛文), and worked his way up the ranking of heaven instead of throwing a temper tantrum?”

Erlang laughs hard enough his shoulders shake, agreeing with her sentiment and tells her she didn’t even exist when that happened.

Bèiké chuckles and agrees, but says her attendants were and they had plenty of stories and they both mourn that the fur of the heavenly beasts has never looked as good since. Plus she was there for when the peach festival fiasco and the furnace incident happened.

“The palace has been so quiet since.” She reminisces. 

“DEAR SISTER!!” A sudden disruption of a familiar and enthusiastic welcome that made the both of them jump shattered the otherwise calm air of the pavilion.

Bèiké knew that voice, and immediately she groaned. Her headache already forming. “Speaking of quiet….”

Erlang, who was already standing up, looked at the Monkey King with a bit of confusion and more than a little concern. “Wukong? What are you doing? Shouldn’t you be Laying Lo-“

Bèiké let out a shriek as she suddenly found herself being picked up and thrown over Wukong’s shoulder even as Wukong spins to Erlang. “Hey! Brother! Indeed I am being careful! Once I’m back on my Mountain of Flowers and Fruit I shall have to throw a banquet to honor our success! I beseech you to come! We shall make merry with the Best of my peach wines! But for now!” He readjusts his hold on the squirming princess in his arms. “I will be borrowing this!”

“Wha-HEY! WUKONG!” Erlang goes to try and grab him but the Great Sage, in his greater dexterity, easily somersaulted away and was gone. “KIDNAPPING ROYALTY IS NOT LYING LOW!”

His only answer was a cackling laughter.

————————————————

“You savage, infuriating oaf! Unhand me!” Bèiké pushes against him with no luck, the Stone Menace refusing to release her.

“Such unrefined words leaving your virtuous lips Princess! Did you lose your royal refinery in my absence Bèiké?” He snickered at her.

“Awful creature! I will leave you at the bottom of the ocean for another hundred years. Maybe that will teach you some manners.” She growled, trying - and failing - to kick him. His shoulder digging uncomfortably into her stomach, a move she had no doubt he was doing on purpose.

“Is that how you greet your elder brother who’s been gone for so long! What a disrespectful sister I have!” He laughs out loud, taking amusement in her temper when she rewards his prodding with another slew of insults. Yes, she hadn’t changed either! He was happy.

Such a joy indeed.

When they finally got to the forest, she squirmed more, expecting to be put down now that they landed, but he stubbornly kept his hold on her. Knowing so long as he kept his hold tight enough, his stone and fire nature would stop her from easily escaping as a mist. She snarled much to his joy. “What are you doing, bringing me here? The fire is already out.”

Wukong shrugs as he starts walking. “Birdie misses you.” As if that was all the reason he needed to go and kidnap a princess of the celestial court… clearly to him, it was.

Bèiké tries again to get out of his hold but he still refuses to release her. “You bearish savage! She has my pearl, if she wanted to see me she could easily”

“There’s no river for her to dunk your pearl, stop whining. You’re too old for that”

“I can’t stand you.” She gasps out as his shoulder digs into her stomach again, causing Wukong to laugh. “You should’ve stayed in hibernation.”

Wukong uses his free hand to dramatically throw it over his heart. “Ouch! You wound me!”

When they finally arrive at the campsite, Wukong - to his credit - sets her down carefully. And Bèiké sighs and straightens her clothes as she hears Birdie starts admonishing Wukong for clearly kidnapping a royal princess and Wukong defending himself.

“Sister!” She turns as the Phoenix Maiden comes up to her, those rainbow eyes of hers wide. “I’m so sorry I had no idea that’s what he had planned, I know you’re busy. If you need to head back I can wait until we are back at the Moun-“

Bèiké gives her Sister a hug, cutting off her ramblings. “Offer me a seat Sister, apparently you’ve missed me bad enough that your furry menace saw it fit to steal me. Come, tell me your stories, it’s been too long.”

Birdie’s lip trembles before she rushes and gives her a tighter hug which Bèiké returns. Before they go and sit at their own little area by a fire.

They sit and talk while Wukong lounges in a tree and adds his version of events when he’s asked. Though mostly - uncharacteristically - he lets the sisters reunite.

Hours pass and the sky begins to grow pale with the oncoming dawn when Erlang shows up to collect the Princess before too many people begin to notice her absence.

He looks towards Birdie and there’s a tense hello between him and the Phoenix Maiden. But there was also an air of a chance that spoke of a more casual greeting in the future. Xiao Tianshi’s greeting - however - is much friendlier. The black hound demanding affection.

“You never cease to impress me with your recklessness Monkey.” He glares up at Wukong even as he takes Bèiké by the hand and pulls her close.

“That is your own sorry fault Lord Shen. Its not my fault you never learn!” He grins all teeth from his lazy position in the tree.

“You’d think one that just woke up from the ordeal that you’d gone through would be less reckless.”

“My sworn sister, alone and unguarded on a floating pavilion, obscured from the eyes of heaven, and I’m the reckless one? You insult me Erlang!”

“You say unguarded as though I wasn’t right there.”

“Oh, this Great and Handsome Monkey King knows exactly what he said.”

“Brave Monkey! I’ve helped you the way I have and yet you insult me so?”

“Esteemed and respected Erlang Shen! I have confidence you will have the perseverance and fortitude to get passed my humble words!”

“You-“

“Enough.” “Will you two knock it off?” The women speak at the same time, admonishing the men before it becomes an actual fight.

Erlang scowls as Wukong grins but looks away.

The Lord Shen sighs as he gently pulls the Princess closer, whistles for his dog to come to heel and nods a farewell to Birdie.

Bèiké smiles back at Birdie and reaches out a hand for her to squeeze one last time. “I shall make sure that the Denizens of Mount Huaguo prepare for your arrival… it was so good to see you.” They share one last smile before she turns to Erlang and the celestial trio form into Erlang’s whirling ash. Taking them back up to the heavens.

—————————————

🐒🦜🐒🦜🐒🦜🐒🦜🐒🦜

—————————————

It was the early hours of the morning, the sky tuning pink when Wukong and Birdie cuddle in a tree, deciding they would rest and have a late morning.

“You were sad earlier… are you happier now?” Wukong rubs a gentle thumb over her tear scars before capturing her hand in his, and brings her hand to his lips as he rubs a hand up her back.

Birdie leans into him entangling her body with his as she nods. “Much, Truly the great Monkey King… thank you Wukong.”

His fur puffs in happiness under her praise as he welcomes her tangle with ease. “I am a Great King indeed. My Birdie’s happiness is a top priority.”

She chuckles against him as she reaches up and she kisses him in thanks.

Things seemed to be falling a bit more into place. Her… no, their balance a bit more restored

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🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊

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Taglist;

@tunadunanana @szynkaaa @marcu-bug @bottyshaker-900o

[deadly-espresso]

(OC: Argo)

Yup... here's the argonaut Toon! If you couldn't tell... she's a pirate who's constantly looking for booty to plunder! Translate that from nautical jargon... and I mean she's looking for treasures to collect...

Being an octopus and all (Argonauts are a kind of octopus, and Argo is specifically supposed to be a greater argonaut/Argonauta argo), Argo's a master of stealthiness and stealing. Not only can she blend into the environment and slip through many cracks unnoticed, but she can also unlock things with ease using her limbs and use her ink to flee many scenes. She specifically uses her ink jet as her active ability, which not only helps her flee Twisteds, but also leaves them blinded, briefly preventing them from chasing fellow Toons.

On the Dandy's World TV show, Argo would have played the role of a reoccurring antagonist, although she was more affable than Shrimpo. Her plots more often required Toons to go on vast adventures to find her in order to retrieve something. When not getting into devious schemes or playing tricks on other Toons, Argo often showed a softer, more benevolent side to herself as the guardian/stepmother of Finn, who seems to have picked up plenty of marine biology facts and fish jokes from her.

Notes about Argo's active ability, Ink Jet:

Note 1: Ink Jet specifically boosts Argo's walk and run speed by 50 units for 1 second. Therefore, under normal conditions, her walk speed will be buffed to 62.5 and her run speed will be buffed to 72.5 during the dash.

Note 2: Argo is completely safe from Twisted attacks for 9 frames (0.15 seconds) during the dash.

Note 3: The blinding affects Twisteds for 8 seconds. They can still walk in this state, but they cannot chase Toons and also cannot detect Toons through visual presence while blinded. They can still detect audio cues such a failed Skill check, a use of the Air Horn, or the "Speak" active ability, but they still can't chase Toons.

Note 4: The only Twisteds that can't be blinded by Ink Jet are Twisted Connie and Twisted Dandy.

Note 5: Amusingly, Ink Jet can be used on Twisted Glisten while he is in his passive state, but this is more of a harm than a help since it makes him briefly unable to detect the presence of other Toons to keep reducing his meter. He will also comment on you blinding him if you do this.

Some extra trivia about her:

Argo really does speak a lot in nautical jargon, leading to plenty of bonuses for older watchers who did know about these words.

The reason why Argo can hang out with landlubbers- or I mean land-dwellers... is because she can breathe on land provided that her skin remains nice and moist. That said, she can quickly face issues with breathing if she's in a dry or especially hot environment. Living on land has also led to her acquiring a somewhat more bulky build than most Toons, since plenty of muscle is needed in order to carry her boneless body on land.

Argo views Shrimpo as dead weight... and also thinks he smells incredibly delicious. The only thing really holding Argo back from just eating him is that it would probably be too much of a scare for a Toon to devour another Toon.

Argo actually used to be popular with in-universe Dandy's World fans- especially among the older fans- due her hilarious hijinks, easy-on-the-eyes design, and use of nautical jargon, even though she was supposed to not be a role model for the target audience (She's a kleptomaniac, and you wouldn't want kids to be obsessed with stealing, right?). She would unfortunately later be abandoned and upersoned from the Gardenview Center due to a controversy in 2001 where moral guardians complained about her and another character (who I might reveal later) being "unsuitable for young audiences".

Argo and Batyr are friends, and they've even teamed up for an adventure or two. The two have plenty on common due to being skilled in stealth and blending in with their surroundings.

Looey is a common subject of Argo's pranks, and Looey also admires Argo for her skills in contortion.

Argo's favorite kind of coffee to buy from Essa is Arabic coffee.

Glisten doesn't like Argo for stealing his valuables and shaping Finn's sense of humor.

Argo finds Poppy to be adorable.

(Here's her transparent art too)

[herrenxenoberg]

Fandorm Showcase #30 - Bolt

I have reached 30 fandorms at this point, I'm like a factory of fandorms. Anyways, this one is yet another nostalgic trip for me because I have watched Bolt when I was young, and I find it okay-

Introducing the scheming and intelligent dorm inspired by Bolt...

Felintrama (Felin + Trama; Spanish for "Feline" + "Plot")

Students of Felintrama are known for their sharp minds and impeccable composure, often manipulating situations to their advantage with a charismatic yet calculating demeanor. The dorm values strategic thinking, adaptability, and leadership, favoring those who can weave intricate schemes while maintaining an aura of effortless control. While some members embrace the dramatics of a classic mastermind, others prefer to work from the shadows, pulling the strings behind the scenes. Despite their sometimes menacing reputation, Felintrama students believe in loyalty to their own kind, forming an intricate web of alliances that ensure their dominance in the ever-unfolding game of wit and deception. However, what they don't know is that Felintrama students are also experts in acting, as in playing their respective roles in movies or plays, especially their housewardeness, which completely overshadows their dorm's intimidation factor.

"A dorm founded on the Scheming Mastermind's spirit of aspiration. Students in this dorm command respect with their high intellect and various skills while strategizing their own path to success."

Requirements and Traits:

Tactical Genius or Persuasive Charisma

Unwavering Composure

Stealth & Subterfuge

Dorm Uniform:

Took me a few design concepts to come up with one I can be satisfied with. It gives off evil villain mastermind vibes mixed with capable henchmen, thus the tactical look I gave for the standard fit. The magic item actually only has one camera drone, it can duplicate itself for more efficient use thanks to the magestone as its "lens".

Character Roster:

Fear the most intelligent and devious tech genius in the world...

Cellica De Faustus (Based off Dr Calico)

Cellica, the junior housewardeness of Felintrama is a mastermind of precision and control, a cunning tactician with an unwavering ambition to be the best—whether in battle, business, or the bright lights of the silver screen. Behind her composed and charismatic exterior lies a cold, calculating strategist who delights in staying ten steps ahead of her competition. She has an unnerving ability to predict her opponents' moves before they even realize what they’re doing, making her one of the most dangerous minds in all of Twisted Wonderland. Despite her commanding presence, Cellica is also a renowned celebrity actress, effortlessly slipping into roles with a level of authenticity that captivates audiences worldwide. She is a chameleon on the big screen, portraying everything from ruthless villains to elegant aristocrats, and her fans adore her for her magnetic, almost hypnotic charm. Few know the truth: acting is merely another game of strategy to her, a way to refine her skills in manipulation and deception while basking in the glory of fame.

However, when she is in her element—whether devising a brilliant strategy or asserting her dominance in any challenge—her sadistic streak surfaces. Cellica loves toying with those beneath her, treating life like an intricate chess game where she always has the winning move. She enjoys watching people struggle against her web of control, a glint of amusement flickering in her sharp, cat-like eyes as her victims realize how hopelessly outmatched they are.

Cellica’s confidence is unmatched, and she carries herself with an aura of effortless sophistication. She speaks with a smooth, measured cadence, every word calculated to command attention. She thrives in high-stakes situations, whether it’s a battle of wits, a technological breakthrough, or an intense movie scene where she must become someone else entirely.

Despite her ruthless and manipulative tendencies, Cellica is not cruel for cruelty’s sake. She simply sees weakness as an obstacle—one she must crush, overcome, or reshape to her advantage. While she holds little regard for the emotions of others, she respects intelligence and skill and will even offer guidance to those she deems “worthy.”

However, when removed from her element—away from the grand stage, the flashing cameras, or the thrill of mental warfare—Cellica can appear almost disinterested. She dislikes idle chit-chat and meaningless conversations, preferring to surround herself with intellectuals, innovators, and visionaries. Her technological expertise is second to none, as she is a brilliant inventor and programmer. She takes pleasure in designing sophisticated gadgets, hacking into restricted systems, and crafting intricate blueprints for success—both in her personal projects and her elaborate schemes.

(She mostly has her goggles on when she's in her dorm uniform, so her expressions are conveyed through the articulated goggles.)

Notable Members:

Vesper Fellion (Sophomore) - A feline force of nature, moving through life with the effortless grace of a shadow, renowned for his agility, speed, and combat finesse, he is a master of evasive maneuvers and close-quarters combat, wielding a pair of tonfas with fluid, unpredictable strikes. He is one of Cellica's movie co-stars and trusted partner, where he plays one of the most ruthless henchman, sometimes can be a bit playful off-screen. (Twisted off Veteran Cat)

Baylor Meezer (Freshman) - A powerhouse in training, a lovable klutz, and an eager performer just waiting for his big moment. Outside of acting, Baylor is good-natured, friendly, and surprisingly soft-hearted. He’s the type who will pick up a tiny animal despite looking like he could crush it with his pinky, and he has a secret love for cute things. While he tries to maintain a tough and menacing persona, he’s been caught fawning over small creatures or getting emotional at sappy movie scenes. (Twisted off the long-haired pointed cat)

Colt Hertz (Freshman) - A highly skilled stunt double who lives in the shadow of his more famous twin brother—the leading star of a popular action franchise. Despite having nearly identical appearances, the only major differences between them are Colt’s freckles, sharper eyes, and gruffer voice. Yet, to the public, he’s just “the other one." A hardened, talented, and undervalued force to be reckoned with. Whether he’s falling from rooftops, rolling away from explosions, or pushing his limits behind the scenes, he’s determined to prove he’s more than just a stand-in—he’s a star in his own right. (Twisted off the replacement dog)

The story theme of this one is playing off the topic of balancing between fiction and reality, cuz there are cases when one is too into their character that their mindset can adapt to the role like they're really said character in real life.

Next Up: The Great Mouse Detective

[electronickingdomfox]

"My Enemy, My Ally" review

Romulans stole Spock's brain! (or at least, some Vulcan brains)

Novel from 1984, by Diane Duane, and the first of the five-book series Rihannsu.

The plot itself is okay: the Romulans have a new devious scheme (capturing Vulcans to extract the telepathic abilities from their brains), and the Enterprise must stop their plans. Only this time, Kirk will have to collaborate with a bunch of good, renegade Romulans to succeed. It's not terribly original, nor it's the first time that Kirk has allied himself with Romulans in these novels, but as a plot it's entertaining. However, the narrative drags a lot, specially in the first half of the novel, and it takes a reaaally long time to set things into motion. In part, this is due to a "tell, rather than show" approach. For example, there's a lengthy conversation about how the Enterprise and its Romulan allies are going to stage a fake battle between both ships, in full detail. And then a lengthy description of the ships doing just that. One of these two segments isn't needed. There's also a lot of fluff, specially in scenes at the Recreation deck, and plenty of new character introductions, that don't lead anywhere nor have any real importance. A lot of the new character roles could have been filled by the usual crew, anyway. Now, I don't think that a novel should just be barebones plot, but I didn't find these "extra" scenes particularly entertaining nor enlightening. So in my opinion, this novel would have improved greatly if it was cut short. Though the later sections suffer less of this, and are more focused.

The story is notable for introducing a lot of new material about Romulan culture, and specially language (which seems to me even more unpronounceable than Klingon). In fact, most of the time Romulans are referred to as "Rihannsu", which is the name of the race in their own language. I don't know to what extent Duane developed the grammar and vocabulary, but it seems to have a certain structure to it. There's also much emphasis on the power of names over things and people, and some glimpses into the Romulan worship of Elements. A lot of this has probably never been incorporated into the series, but Romulans having several names (of which only the first is revealed to strangers) seems to have its origins here.

As for characters, the most developed one is Ael, the Romulan commander that strikes an alliance with Kirk. At times she comes dangerously close to Mary Sue territory (for example, beating McCoy at a game she had just learned, despite the doctor being skilled enough to beat none other than Spock). But otherwise, she's fine for her role in the story. In many ways, she's both a mirror and a foil for Kirk, suffering also under the weight of command, and the difficult decisions between duty and her crew's wellbeing. Though not exactly a tragic character, there's also a lot of sadness and burdens in her past. On the other hand, Kirk rubbed me the wrong way. Or rather, his relationship with his crew. I found it way too lax and informal, and sometimes it seems he's more like a cool dad for them, rather than a Captain. Kirk in the series had his goofy moments, of course, and Shatner imbued him with much comedic potential. But nonetheless, there was always some gravitas about him, and a respectful distance with his subordinates. Even with someone as close as Spock, he was usually pretty formal. The only one who broke this pattern was McCoy, and that was precisely why their relationship was special. So yeah, I just don't see Kirk trading jokes with Sulu while under enemy fire, or receiving sassy remarks from Uhura, sorry. Also, as happened in The Wounded Sky, there's again a wide array of fancy aliens populating the Enterprise. I didn't mind them that much in the previous novel, since the story is so unusual, that it could have existed outside the Star Trek universe without damage being done. This time around... I've decided that I'm not a fan of this idea. Apart from being too distracting, Starfleet strikes me as a mostly human institution, at least at the time of TOS (after all, HQ is in San Francisco), and Spock often struggled being accepted among the crew. He was THE alien, and this led to isolation and even ocassional prejudices against him. Now, this wouldn't make much sense if the crew were regularly sipping coffee next to a gelatinous blob of tentacles... As for Spock and McCoy, they're mostly okay, though they tend to get overshadowed by the extended cast, and obviously, Ael.

I must be in the minority here, since most people seem to love this novel, but in general, I didn't like it much. Perhaps it's a consequence of having just read John Ford's masterful The Final Reflection, and his fascinating take on Klingons. Perhaps I simply don't care all that much about Romulans...

Some spoilers under the cut:

The first chapters switch perspectives between Ael and Kirk. While Ael reflects on her falling out with the Romulan Senate, because of her opposition to a certain revolutionary research, Kirk is ordered to patrol the Neutral Zone, as part of a task force. Ael has been "exiled" as commander of a shitty starship named Cuirass, crewed by shitty subordinates. But she keeps contact with her old, loyal ship Bloodwing, now commanded by Tafv, her own son. When news of the Federation ships arriving reach her, she sets her plan into motion. After sabotaging the Cuirass' systems, she escapes in a scout ship to Bloodwing. And the latter ship destroys Cuirass, whose crew she considers traitors to the Empire for their collaboration in the Senate's schemes.

After this, Bloodwing rendezvous with Enterprise near the Neutral Zone, and Ael asks permission to come aboard alone, promising some very important info. Then she explains to Kirk what's going on: The Romulan government has started developing a new weapon at the station in Levaeri V. They capture Vulcans and extract their brain tissue, in order to implant the genetic material into Romulans, and thus give them all their telepathic abilities, even enhanced. After leaving Vulcan centuries ago, the Romulans' divergent development made them unable to mind-meld, or do any of that cool Vulcan stuff. But now, with the new research, powerful individuals could read minds, control thoughts and subject any opposition. Ael believes this will ruin the Empire and its old code of honor. And in turn, will cause conflicts with both the Federation and the Klingons. Thus, she asks Kirk to "lend" her the Enterprise, to help destroy the research station. Her plan is faking a capture of the Enterprise by Bloodwing, then towing the starship into Romulan space and destroy the facility along the way. Spock confirms through a mind-meld that Ael's telling the truth.

Kirk is sympathetic with her cause, but refuses to go along with the plan, on the grounds that he can't intervene in Romulan internal affairs. Things change, however, when the Vulcan ship that was patrolling near the Enterprise is spirited away under their noses. Ael explains that its disappearance matches the modus operandi of Romulans. The Vulcans are being taken to the research station (and now I understand why Spock chose to serve in a human starship; Vulcan ships seem to have the worst luck, between being eaten by amoebas and now this...). Kirk can't ignore the matter anymore, now that the Vulcans are in danger, so he decides to go with Ael.

After faking a battle between Bloodwing and Enterprise, they proceed to Levaeri V. Ael's crew take positions in the Enterprise bridge, while Kirk and the rest of the officers play a bit of theater, faking their capture in the brig, to fool the escorts sent by the Empire. Once approaching the station, Bloodwing and the Enterprise suddenly turn against the escorts and destroy them.

In the last part, Kirk sends a large strike force into the station, to free the Vulcan captives and destroy all research with their brains. But meanwhile, the Enterprise is assaulted by a treacherous faction among Ael's people. Scotty, Chekov and Sulu must fight to recover the ship, while down in the station the battle continues.

Spirk Meter: 1/10*. There's a bit about Spock being particularly interested in the proceedings of Kirk's mind, while playing chess. But I can't think of anything else, and even this is really minimal.

There's also some Mcspirk. McCoy likes to study Kirk and Spock while they play chess, to delve deeper into their personalities and psyches. And when Kirk complains that, if Spock and McCoy keep babysitting him, he'll end up taking their hands, McCoy says that's okay with him. But warns him about Spock, and the kind of rumors that could run through the ship. Also, Ael observes that the three of them seem to share a single mind. Though that's downplayed by the comparison with the similar link between Ael and her son.

*A 10 in this scale is the most obvious spirk moments in TOS. Think of the back massage, "You make me believe in miracles", or "Amok Time" for example.

[targetslovelyworld]

INCREDIBLY intrigued by all of your WIPs but especially by "Minecraft crossover fic for the hell of it," "TRIX UP MY SLEEVE - A Cereal Mascot Fanfiction," "EMOJI MOVIE AU," and "That Netty Sure Can Plays" 👀

(also augh the nlny chapters are so tempting to ask about...but the Spoilers...)

I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE WOULD ASK ABOUT THE TRIX ONE LOL. I’ll get to all of these below the cut, except for the Emoji Movie AU because that deserves its own post, and some tiny insight on the NLNY chapters (which I will put in a reblog)

That Netty Sure Can Plays

Basically, I’ve been planning on retconning some mechanics in NLNY, right? Now that I’m into Hermitcraft and stuff? Yeah so that includes canonizing Watchers in some way, it won’t have any bearing on the plot of NLNY at all and will be unobtrusive but it does explain what in the sam hell happened to Netty.

So far, I have some ideas with how I want Watchers to act, their motivations, their own moral code, etc. but like I said I’m still in the process of learning about EVO so like. There’s not much. Matter of fact, the only thing I have written in this document is a small poetic verse (they speak in rhymes most of the time) from the Watchers to Netty, will probably be reworked.

So disciplined, prodigious, ask any of your Witnesses.

We’ve seen you, Netty Galago. You’re blessèd with a drive to know.

I have plans. I’m rubbing my hands together like an evil mastermind. I love the idea of being able to connect fics to each others canon while also being able to ignore them if you don’t like them… it’s so Swagful. Like if you don’t like Watchers you can just. Ignore The Netty Fic and pretend she just disappeared randomly or something and it won’t break the immersion too much aside from one or two references.

TRIX UP MY SLEEVE

Yeah, one day I got bored and thought “hm what if cereal fanfiction…” and I wrote up a small intro paragraph and never worked on it again.

Tricks the rabbit had once more been met with failure in his attempted robbery of a bowl of Trix cereal. The phrase “Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids!” had been permanently engraved in his brain at this point, and it had lingered in his mind since that fateful day of his very first cereal heist. He just wanted some nice breakfast, but he could never catch a break with these kids always on his tail.

He looked up in the sky, and noticed a rainbow being painted across the atmosphere’s aquamarine canvas. Atop it sat Sir Charms, a devious prankster leprechaun who was always just one jump ahead. Tricks refused to admit it, but he envied the man. Sure, he didn’t play fair, but he always got what he wanted in the end.

Then, an epiphany struck him like a train at full speed. The only way to get his little paws on a bowl of flavored cereal was to ditch the typical practices. No more dress-up, if he wanted those Trix, he couldn’t keep playing into those kids’ hands. The rainbow was his road map, the destination was success. Sir Charms was bound to be at the end, and Tricks knew if he cranked up his charisma, he could certainly get a few trade secrets out of Sir Charms. An ingenious plan, absolutely flawless. How fitting, for what would hopefully be his final conventional scheme.

Within moments, he was off to find the end of the rainbow.

Would’ve been a pretty generic story I think? I don’t remember if there was any romance between the two planned— there probably was, knowing me at the time (this was before the Stampy fixation but it was after 2020).

Minecraft crossover fic for the hell of it

I’m very much still workshopping it. This was basically me just being like, what if Toycat put a bunch of less-written-about YouTubers I like into a world together. I actually didn’t include the title of this in the post because I forgot I actually titled it. I called it “Toycat is Yes” and I only ever wrote a small “summary” description that would be under the fic if I posted it.

Toycat gets bored and establishes a monarchy. His subjects are at his whims.

These were the YouTubers I was def planning on including

MagmaMusen

Toycat (obv)

Jen (SuperGirlyGamer, GamingWithJen)

Element X (he breaks the game w code it’s a good watch)

I probably would have included Gerg as well.

[gargusscp]

Decalog 1: Enigma - "Fallen Angel" by Andy Lane

Cracking through the utter avalanche of Doctor Who books in my backlog and rambling about them on tumblr because this site deserves someone who cares to post about the short story anthologies.

The first of Virgin's anthologies uses a pretty standard set-up for its wrap-around segments, entitled "Playback": Seven has lost his memories, stumbled into a private eye's office in the mid-1940s, and together they seek out the help of a psychometrist, whose visions sparked by assorted objects in the Doctor's coat serve as glimpses into interrelated stories from his past. Obviously I can't judge the thing until through with the book, but Stephen James Walker seems to have an alright imitation of period detective novel descriptive language, and it's neat seeing a guileless Seven when one knows a Virgin-era story means there's some overly-convoluted plan in the wings once his memories return.

As to "Fallen Angel" itself, we kick off with as close a crossover as Lane and Virgin can publish without a lawsuit. The narration most commonly sticks to the thoughts and experiences of one Lucas Seyton, a gentleman thief whose shady family history compels him to give back by robbing the world's rich criminality their ill-gotten gains, for both justice and the fun of it. He aliases under the story's title, leaves a calling card with a little stick figure doodle of himself, brushes elbows with working-class friends who enable his adventures, and lives life to the fullest with no apology for his criminality or compunctions as to its righteousness. His voice is also described in tones evoking Roger Moore. In other words, he's a thinly-veiled analog for Leslie Charteris' popular hero Simon Templar, alias The Saint, and the story is basically Lane bumping him against a fellow 60s British telly alumni so they can exchange banter, save each other's bacon, and generally compliment how brilliant they find the other despite differences in philosophy.

S'not a bad thing by any shot. Seyton's an amiably-written perspective character whose blase attitude and observations about the Doctor's eccentricities are amusing, especially opposite so disheveled an incarnation as Two, and Lane uses the homage as excuse for all the classic pulp adventure staples. Rough alleyway encounters, morning after recuperation and pleasantries, high-flying biplane dogfights, desperate manor-bound shoot-outs, the works. Highly amusing to imagine Troughton bumbling and panicking through the best realizations a mid-60s ITV budget could manage, or exchanging quotations from Winnie the Pooh opposite Moore.

The actual plot of the thing is deliberately incomplete, as you're supposed to piece things together through the whole anthology, though I've a complaint all the same. The Doctor accidentally lands the TARDIS in a manor house that's secretly a Time Lord prison for warmongering aliens whose punishment after defeat was confinement in a convincingly faked forever war, and barely escapes the automated security on his lonesome. All the business with Seyton goes down, the Doctor revealing little details all the while, they bust into the manor, and find the prisoners dead, having killed each other over some petty dispute long ago, their robotic guards still viciously attacking any intruders because the Doctor forgot to program their deactivation if their charges died. It's always irksome to me when Wilderness Era stories decide the increased focus on Seven's machiavellian tendencies means all prior incarnations were equally duplicitous and scheming, cause it never fits how One was written or played to imply he was some brilliant Time Lord mastermind with fingers in all their devious little projects. I know we're stuck with it because "Remembrance of the Daleks" is a classic and the Hand of Omega plot point is super memorable, but I'm a stickler for Doctors feeling right, and this bit ain't it.

(Also it's a Jamie and Zoe-era story in which they barely feature, so boo on that too.)

Beyond a bother introduced by the frame story's needs, I'm happy with this self-indulgent fannish runaround. Nice tribute to the then-recently deceased Charteris. I'd say it's pretty solidly...

GOOD

[aquaburst3]

Latest Japanese Halloween Event Predictions

I only watched the first season of Black Butler and never read the manga, thusly know nothing about the Book of Circus arc other than one...weird spicy scene. However, I've both read the original Pinocchio novel, and watched both the Disney animated and live action versions as research for two OCs that I never ended up creating thanks to...Giddel and Honest Fellow's existences. (I also watched Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, but that was more for leisure, since it's not Disney or related to it other than them taking inspo from the animated Disney movie and the novel.) So I think I can reasonably say that I'm knowledgeable enough about the Disney version to make some predictions. So...

(As a side note, I'm calling him Honest Fellow, since Fellow Honest sounds extremely awkward, and I think it'll be localized to the former when this event comes out on the international server anyways.)

What will Honest Fellow and Giddel be like?

Honest Fellow will likely be similar to Azul and somewhat Crowley personality wise. A sly and cunning business man, who is good with words and convince even the smartest of folk of anything. However, he'll probably be super shady and up to no good, willing do anything for a quick buck. Like Azul, he has morals and lines that even he is hesitant to cross. Sometimes he will cross them anyways out of fear of retaliation.

Giddel is likely gonna be like a mixture of Chenya and more devious version of Cheka personality wise. He will be cutesy child character, who also willing to go along with Honest Fellow's schemes. He also doesn't have a VA, which also makes that hunch that he's a mute even stronger.

What is their relationship with one another?

I think they are either father and adopted son or adoptive siblings. I heard somewhere that the latter is the case. If that is, that's surprisingly wholesome.

How old are they?

My guess is that Giddel is a child while Honest Fellow is around Leona's age due to him looking a bit older than even most of the third years.

What will the plot be about?

Honest John and Gideon's role in the novel and animated movie are about the same. They are sly conmen, who use Pinocchio's naivety to their advantage. However, there are some differences.

In the animated movie, Honest John first convinces him to join the circus instead of going to school to sell him off and make some money. Pinocchio joins the circus and Stromboli stuffs him in a cage after his performance, hoping to make loads of money off of him. He eventually escapes thanks to the Blue Fairy's intervention.

Meanwhile, Honest John and Gideon are at a pub talking with the Coachman. He offers them a job. At first, they're on board. Though the Coachman's implication of what happens to the boys frightens Honest John and Gideon, the former reluctantly accepts the job. 

Honest John convinces Pinocchio to go to Pleasure Island. They bow out of the story completely at that point, getting away with their crimes.

In the novel, after Pinocchio escapes the circus, he encounters Fox and Cat, who say that if he buried his coins in a field, his money will multiply. Pinocchio, like the gullible dumbass he is, buys this. He follows them to an inn where they ditch him during a meal. When he leaves, they attack him and hang him on a tree, stealing his money. The Blue Fairy cuts him down. (Yeah...the novel is darker than even the Disney version. Imagine that.)

Near the end of the book, Pinocchio notices that they are shadows of their former selves. The Fox is lame and is missing his tail while the Cat is blind. Pinocchio goes, "Eh, they deserve it," and walks off, ignoring their pleas for help.

I'm not commenting on the live action version, because it's terrible and I got so bored I dropped it half way through.

Based on that along with the promo art my theory about the plot summary for this event is this. At the start of the arc either...

Those two take the circus to the island, and people visit it along with the attractions there.

It's similar to the masquerade event, ie Honest Fellow offers up 10 tickets to the fair and Crowley hosts a lottery for them and Yuu goes along for the ride after Grim complains about wanting to come.

Once the NRC boys get there, they all have a blast and get to all sorts of trouble. Little do they know Honest John and Giddel are working for a mysterious figure who wants to mind control powerful mages to gain more power and wealth. They reluctantly carry out his bidding, but do so out of fear of what will happen if they break free. Some of the students fall under his spell while others, probably Kalim, Ace and Ortho are able to escape. At the end, they eventually work together with Honest Fellow and Giddel to stop the Coachman and free the others.

Eh, even if I'm wrong, if I ever do a rewrite of this plot line after the first seven dorms in my fic, I'll make this the plot (minus Kalim for...reasons that will make sense when I get to that point and the lottery thing).

[nettleshuttle]

Okay y'know what, curveball time.

Yanqing for the blorbo bingo?

time for some hsr content! here goes yanqing

initial disclaimer: i totally adore this guy. he’s the same type of character as sora and young john connor for me (forgive the wide ranged associations), meaning a very unapologetic twelve year old rascal who thinks he can fistfight god (will try if prompted. might succeed because of some great and devious skills that they definitely shouldn’t possess at such an age, if at all). immaculate char vibe, if you ask me, 100% unhinged fun and will surprise you, probably also pretty childish (happens to people who are, you know, children) and annoying to add some more 3d-ness

so. yanqing. the deep-seated reason mentioned is precisely him fitting right into the specific archetype i just mentioned above. young prodigy (gifted child, if you please) motive maxed out — extraordinarily skilled, with certain abilities and competences much outranking his age, but still a damn overconfident kid that needs his wholesome father figure, an in-game protection squad and a few good words of advice when he gets too cocky. well written, definitely, precisely because of this balance! and well designed, while we’re at it — i love his color scheme and the swallow ornaments + visual motifs are just too cute

i mentioned he needs a protection squad because yanqing would challenge the hunt aeon to a sword-fight if given the chance, but will also cry “hey, that’s unfair!” if someone scores a hit on him in-game. for that reason, i’d really hate to see him face a challenge too daunting for his age (not skills even, but that also) in the plot. must protecc. simultaneously, he’s a little menace with a very sharp blade, hence the wood cutter. hope you get me

not enough canon (it’s never enough canon, somehow). i haven’t gone past the first half of the luofu quest (is the rest even available already?) but i need to see more of him on screen, doing things in the main quest! he should have an epic cutscene where something is in the process of handing the trailblazer’s ass to them (like the abundance abomination deer) and yanqing is introduced resolving the issue — or at least helping jing yuan with some adequate matter. i’d kill for some wholesome family-like scene with them too, for that matter. no child traumatizing though, thank you, get lost, leave my boy alone

the “don’t typically discuss irl” box is, like, half-colored? i don’t mind talking about him in general (the fandom isn’t that delusional about him as far as i know), but i’ve met a couple of folks who headcannon him to be an older teen/young adult, which just immensely doesn’t fit with what i think of him and sort of negates most of what i like about him? i know canon ages aren’t confirmed and i have no issue with people having their own takes, but for me if yanqing was older than fourteen-fifteen his character loses that gifted overconfident adorable arrogant kid vibe

[nakuuro1994]

(T.U.F.F. Puppy: Family Matters):

》 (The Main Storylines/Plots):

~ Chapter #1: "Super Soldier: Mrs. Katswell"

So, Mrs. Katswell tries to visit her daughter Kitty Katswell at work inside T.U.F.F. Headquarters for Mother’s Day like she does every year, but she accidentally gets blasted by Keswick’s new "Super Vitamin Ray" that ultimately made her a "Super Soldier Secret Agent" by mistake!!

~ Chapter #2: "The Goddess's New Clothes"

After chasing down Birdbrain & his henchmen throughout the Space-Time continuum after they had stolen a experimental time machine from T.U.F.F. headquarters, Mrs. Katswell soon gets separated from the rest of the group as she is soon stranded in Ancient Egypt!! Not only that but she is also now worshiped as a cat goddess by the local Ancient Egyptians themselves as well. So essentially both Kitty & Dudley have to convince Mrs. Katswell to come back with them to the present to save the future!!

~ Chapter #3: “Secret Agent Fight Club”

So essentially Kitty & Dudley must infiltrate D.O.O.M.'S latest diabolical scheme which happens to be a Fight Club type of scenario where are all the greatest villains in Petropolis kidnap random T.U.F.F. agents from around the world and force them to fight to the death for their amusement. So, their mission is to stop D.O.O.M.'S fight club and free the other T.U.F.F. Agents as well while Kitty & Dudley will have the face off against a mind-controlled Mrs. Katswell!!!

~ Chapter #4: “The Good, The Bad & The Katty"

So, when Kitty’s evil twin sister Katty Katswell is seemingly released from prison for “good behavior” and learns about her mother’s strange and accidental transformation into T.U.F.F.’s first “Super Soldier Secret Agent”, she soon starts to devise a rather devious plan to manipulate her mother’s love for her to eliminate Kitty & Dudley once & for all!!

~ Chapter #5: “The Katswell Family Curse”

So, on a seemingly ordinary morning at T.U.F.F. Headquarters, everyone at the office was wondering why both Kitty Katswell and Mrs. Katswell are completely on edge that particular day as they all soon realized that both Kitty Katswell, Mrs. Katswell and even Katty Katswell all start to rapidly grow and transform into giant monstrous black cats due to a shared family curse that they all share whenever the calendar lands itself on the dreaded Friday the 13th with Dudley being caught right in the middle of it!!

~ Chapter #6: “The Stone Age Caper”

So essentially Snaptrap & his D.O.O.M. henchmen were trying to steal a “devolution ray” from the Petropolis University & while Kitty, Dudley & Mrs. Katswell were chasing after them, Snaptrap accidentally dropped the device which accidentally shot both Kitty and Dudley while devolving them into a Sabertooth Cat & a Dire Wolf respectfully, now it's up to Mrs. Katswell to capture Snaptrap & his goons while also figuring out a way to change her daughter and her best friend back to normal!!!

~ Chapter #7: "The Incredible Kat-Zilla”

So, after a long week of non-stop crime fighting, both Kitty, Dudley & Mrs. Katswell are nearly at their wit’s end with all the constant stress from their back-to-back missions, but when The Chameleon secretly breaks-into T.U.F.F. Headquarters to steal from T.U.F.F.’s massive food contraband storage, he accidentally caused a massive lab explosion that caused an extra mutation inside Mrs. Katswell’s body that rapidly transforms her into a giant, muscular & nearly unstoppable radioactive “Kat-Zilla”!!

~ Chapter #8: “Cats & Dogs, Mass Hysteria!”

So, while Mrs. Katswell is busy battling against The Caped Cod & his giant mecha suit in the middle of Downtown Petropolis, Dudley Puppy finally works up the nerve to ask Kitty Katswell to marry him (much to the shock & awe of pretty much everyone else at T.U.F.F.) with some particularly heartwarming & hilarious results!!!

[peregrineroad]

B5: 3: 5-8

I actually blitzed through several extra episodes, but I'll stick to commentating four at a time. (This part of the series has a lot of momentum!)

Voices of Authority: I slightly felt like the finding and persuading of other First Ones should have been a mini-arc rather than just one episode, but it was still fun. (I think it's the combination of accidentally finding key Clark-conspiracy evidence, plus how easy the First Ones were to manipulate, plus meeting and dispensing with the new political officer. Any one of those situations works reasonably well on its own, but together it feels a little too much convenience for a single episode)

G'Kar on the case ferreting out secrets nobody wants him to know is delightful. Good for you, sweetie, make everyone uncomfortable. It was a nice bridging moment between his old devious scheming and his current more positive attempts to find help for his people--his intentions are good, but he's digging into things our other heroes want buried. I also thought his offer of help to Garibaldi felt like a genuine and significant moment of attempted connection, which I suppose sows some of the seeds for the next episode. It's not entirely disinterested, you wouldn't expect it to be under the circumstances, but I believed in that moment that he wanted to help them even if they couldn't immediately be of use to him and the Narn. The parallel to Zack's little plot of being on the outside, and the similarities and differences there, were neatly drawn--though I'm a little surprised there haven't been more overt links between Londo's situation and the quick creeping fascism of Earth and her agents. Too obvious to bother calling attention to, maybe?

Probably also significant that G'Kar is complaining about being excluded from a plot which features Sigma-957, which we know the Narn know about.

Musante was an excellent hate-sink, and Sheridan's reactions to her were great. Best glare-kiss I've seen done. I'm really enjoying the political plot and everyone's careful dancing on the line between obeying terrible orders and completely giving themselves away. I think I would avidly watch this cast in a slower, more convoluted political thriller (with aliens!), but the speed of the darker developments absolutely works for me too, for...current events reasons.

These days, they'd have to explain why the Clark evidence wouldn't be immediately dismissed as a deepfake, I suppose.

I choose to believe that G'Kar deliberately waited until the middle of the night to give the Book of G'Quan to Garibaldi. It's how he shows love <3

Dust to Dust:

Okay, so this was one of the episodes I knew most about going in, but I actually think I'm going to have to let to percolate a while longer to know how I feel about certain elements--not the writing, just what exactly this tells us about the characters.

I know G'Kar's epiphany is ultimately a positive thing for him and basically everyone around him, but I was surprised at how...icky? I felt about Kosh's side of things. I think it's because of his 'they are a dying people...we should let them pass' earlier, and the way that's echoed here. I can't tell if he's changed his mind and is thus reaching out--as an apology for letting the Narn genocide go ahead without acting, or just as an altruistic act to help G'Kar when he sees there's a chance for him to grow--or if he still thinks they're doomed, but could act more conveniently for the Vorlons on their way out. Some of what he said, about rising and falling together, about fighting for each other--I think that's absolutely part of the show's themes. But the emphasis on sacrifice, and the little 'if we are a dying people' bit, using a Narnish mouthpiece for something he absolutely doesn't include himself in--just made me uneasy. I wouldn't be surprised if on a rewatch my reaction is totally different, but for now I'm not sure how to feel.

Everyone's varying desires to injure Bester as a counterpoint to G'Kar/Londo's antagonism was a hoot. I also really liked that the interrogation of Ashi provided some parallels with G'Kar's mental invasion of Londo. G'Kar beats Londo and then forces his way into his mind. Bester and Garibaldi intimidate Ashi, with a brief sprinkle of physical violence, and implicitly threaten to scan him to make him talk. All our heroes are susceptible to the downward slide.

(Actually, Londo's beating seemed much more brutal than the mind invasion in terms of what was actually shown on screen. We go from the external world, Londo bruised and bloody, begging G'Kar to stop, to his internal projection, uninjured, nervous but coherent. Then as we get to the more intense part, it's G'Kar who seems to react with pain to the overwhelming flood of images. Londo's reaction is abruptly off-staged as Kosh intervenes. I thought that was a bit odd, especially since this is supposed to be G'Kar at his worst, torturing an enemy in a disproportionate way. I think if I were directing, I'd have Londo's physical injuries show up in his mental scene as well. But it's just a quibble.)

Re: Londo, I think we already knew that he viewed his posting on B5 as an embarrassment. The name-dropping of Turhan gave me a horrible thought, though. He didn't seem at all the sort of person who would give an assignment like this as a joke--in fact, he seemed to think of Babylon 5 as essential to his project of reaching out to the Narn. So either that official was just hiding behind him and he had nothing to do with the appointment...or he actually did want Londo for it, but didn't think of it as a joke at all: he genuinely thought Londo would do a good job in a role he thought was significant.

The death vision was quite a significant part of what G'Kar saw, but it was at the end when he was losing control, so how much he absorbed is up in the air.

Exogenesis: Not a bad ep, but not one I have much to say about either! Marcus and Franklin are a fun pair: I can see why they get shipped. Garibaldi refusing to investigate was a bit odd, though, considering how good he usually is at following slim leads.

Messages from Earth: Everything about the Shadow ships is genuinely creepy; I love it. We dipped briefly into cosmic horror with the archeological dig revealing terrible incomprehensible secrets leading to threats to the poor archeologists' lives for reasons they don't understand.

I don't dislike Marcus but he sure is getting a lot of screentime which could be going to the blorbos instead. >:[ Sholio also had this reaction in her liveblog and ended up fond of him, so I'm sure I'll get over it. However, his scenes with Susan are fantastic. I love her.

Also! The rain scene! They're so SOFT! They like each other so much! Minbari beds look so uncomfortable! And then they went and kicked some ass, and the ending propelled me into the next two episodes in one go, so yes.

[god-whispers]

jul 29

week in review  - headlines

"behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me." psa 40:7

FedNow Is Live And The Framework Is In Place For CBDCs Yesterday, with a bit of fanfare but not TOO much fanfare, a “wonderful” new product was launched. FedNow is live, and we can all transfer money to our heart’s content via the Federal Reserve. We are now officially on that slippery slope I’ve been talking about. I wrote about exactly this happening in my dystopian fiction, Good Citizens, and discussed how this could evolve to control almost every aspect of our lives.

Texas public universities offering women’s studies courses on witchcraft, ‘worship of the devil’ Students at publicly funded Texas universities are now able to enroll in courses about witches, black magic and the supernatural — under the guise of women’s studies.

Depths Of Depravity: Gay Parents Pressure Surrogate to Kill Baby After Her Cancer Diagnosis It’s hard to imagine the depths of depravity involved in the utterly heartbreaking story I am about to tell you. All I can do is cry out against such evil along with the Psalmist, “O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth!” (Psalm 94:1). I know we aren’t as bad yet in society, but it’s accounts like this that really do make me feel as if we are living in days like Noah

World revival is coming World revival is coming – but not a Christian revival. The future will see a world religion that exalts man and minimizes God. … While the coming world’s religious system in some ways resembles Christianity, John calls it “Babylon the Great” – a monstrous, ecumenical combination of everything that people consider “spiritual.” And the world will buy into it – hook, line and sinker.

CEO Of Tech Company OpenAI Says To Prepare Yourself For The Coming ‘World ID Alex Blania, CEO of Worldcoin, a company that wants billions of people to scan their irises to create a global system of authentication, says that a global form of ID is coming ‘whether you like it or not’.

WHO’s power grab through surveillance and “triple billion” targets During an interview with Peter Sweden, Noor Bin Ladin exposed how the World Health Organisation (“WHO”) does not care about your health, but instead, it acts as a globalist organisation under the United Nations (“UN”) to bring about centralised control.  She discussed how the aim has been the same for the past 100 years, WHO’s grand designs for surveillance and its “triple billion” targets.

Thanks to China’s evil plot to “starve the world” the oceans will cease to be a food supply… By now, you’re probably aware that China is a formidable adversary, particularly with our current leader in office who has no real authority or control. Decades of past failed US leadership has enabled China to act recklessly. And we’re very sad to report that one of their most devious schemes has been realized, and it involves the ocean and the global seafood supply. Brace yourself, because what we’re about to disclose is genuinely alarming.

Starving 8-year-old girl jumped out of second-story window, walked barefoot to nearby store to ask for food: Report A disturbing story out of West Virginia indicates that an 8-year-old girl had become so hungry that she jumped out of a second-story window and walked barefoot across a busy road late at night to find food at a nearby store.

Thought Crimes on Trial: Ireland’s Controversial Bill Threatens Prison Time for Wrong Speech American lawyer Jonathan Turley predicts that other countries might pass similar laws as part of a broader movement in Europe, particularly within the European Union, aiming to restrict freedom of expression.

Military Notes a Spike in Myocarditis Cases — Wonder Why? A top Pentagon official has confirmed what many of us have  known all along; myocarditis cases in the military have soared since service members were forced to take the shot.

Biden official calls providing abortion to military members a ‘sacred obligation’ The National Security Council, under the Biden administration, apparently thinks it is necessary to facilitate the killing of children in the womb to keep America’s fighting females in fine form.

CIA, DoD & Rockefeller Foundation confirmed as architects of Deagel .com 2025 Depopulation Forecast & current Mortality Rates imply Covid Vaccination has made it a target that could be hit In a world where reality often seems stranger than fiction, the machinations behind global events can be an enigma wrapped in mystery. One such intrigue revolves around Deagel.com, an obscure online entity known for its exhaustive data on military capabilities and eyebrow-raising depopulation forecasts for 2025.

Intelligence agency funding research to merge AI with human brain cells An Australia intelligence agency is funding research attempting to merge artificial intelligence with human brain cells.

China Prepares For War: A Timeline Xi’s Inexorable March Toward War.” He’s fond of discussing, and he’s not shy about it, “The rejuvenation of the great Chinese race,” which he likens it to his life’s singular goal. – In October 2022, he mentioned his “laser-like focus on reacquiring the Taiwanese separatists.” He says that if he cannot achieve it, his entire set of lifetime achievements would amount to failure.

Can anyone explain the alarming rise in disability in both the US and UK? I just got off the phone with Ed Dowd. We both agree that the highly alarming rise in disability data in the UK and US is 100% consistent with the COVID vaccine being the cause. If we are wrong and there is a better explanation, why are all the health authorities silent?

Despite Massive Extended Protests, The Netanyahu Government Pushes Through Passage Of ‘Reasonableness Act’ Limiting Power Of Israeli Courts There is big change happening in Israel right now, and it’s being led and championed by Israel’s longest-serving leader, and the people are….hopping mad. Called the ‘Reasonableness Act’, which sounds a little too much like the ‘Enabling Act’ from pre-war Germany, it passed by a vote of 64-0. What’s next? Some are saying nothing short of civil war. Oy, vey! Israel on the brink.

Scientists Working on Merging AI With Human Brain Cells A team of researchers just got a $600,000 grant from Australia’s Office of National Intelligence to study ways of merging human brain cells with artificial intelligence.

Violent thunderstorms spawn unprecedented tornadoes, produce giant hail in Italy Italy confronts contrasting weather extremes as violent thunderstorms, accompanied by giant hailstones, struck northern parts of the country on July 24, 2023, leaving two people dead and causing widespread destruction. In contrast, southern Italy grapples with persistent heatwaves, causing wildfires and the temporary closure of Palermo airport. Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci described the current conditions as some of the most complicated Italy has faced in recent decades.

‘The deadliest threat America’s ever faced’: Mass-produced in China, trafficked from Puerto Rico and available online for just $1 a KILO – why the flesh-rotting zombie drug ‘tranq’ has the DEA terrified A cheap animal tranquilizer being mass-manufactured in China and flooding America’s illicit drug supply is terrifying health officials. Xylazine, or ‘tranq’ as it’s known on the street, has been dubbed a ‘zombie drug’ due to the hunched-over, lifeless state it leaves users in and fact that it causes users’ bodies to erupt in gaping wounds.

The Biden Administration Is Inducing Famine Conditions And Will Enforce Eo 13603 In Order To Eliminate All Resistance Through Planned Starvation Henry Kissinger once admonished leaders that if they controlled oil, they would control nations. However, if one controls food, they control people! Bill Gates and China are doing irreparable damage to the farming industry and the climate change policies are closing the loop.

INFALLIBLE: Pope Francis Tells A Young Transgender Person That God Loves Them Just As They Are, Affirming The LGBTQIA Lifestyle And Agenda Where does it take you if, your whole life, you are a good Catholic who follows the Catholic Church, prays to the ‘Blessed Virgin’, and believes everything they’re taught? It takes you straight to the pit of Hell because at no point during your Catholic life will any priest, bishop, monsignor or pope tell you how to get saved and become born again. The LGBTQIA+ affirming Pope Francis this week consigned a transgender soul to Hell after telling them they didn’t need to change, and that ‘God loves you just as you are’. What does the Bible say? It says the opposite. The pope is quite the liar.

The CBDCs Are Coming, And The Elite Plan To Use These “Digital Currencies” To Enslave Humanity Central bank digital currencies are feverishly being developed all over the globe, and this is something that should deeply alarm all of us.

Population Control and Official USG Policy Personally, I have been reluctant to wander down the rabbit hole relating to various “depopulation agenda” theories involving the COVID crisis. However, the odd concordance between a possible population reduction objective and the dysfunctional “public health” policies is obvious to all open minded thinkers.

[snickerdoodlles]

📖

:D ���

spiritual sister fic to red!! Chay breaks Kim's brain this time with curly hair (why does Barcode look so adorable with curly hairrr).

so that ft jealousy kink, because i adore jealousy/possessiveness kink, where the plot is Chay got talked into doing some music club mentor-mentee thing and his mentor has a crush the size of jupiter on him and keeps trying to monopolize Chay's time hoping he'll start crushing back (but mostly just annoying Chay). Chay isn't oblivious to the flirting, he just genuinely can't understand why anyone would genuinely try to flirt with him when he's dating Kim. obviously???? Kim is the best???? Chay loves Kim and loves dating Kim, who'd be stupid enough to think he'd date them instead???? the only part of this Chay cares about is Kim finding more excuses to visit (read: cling) to him on campus and the constantly refreshed hickies. Chay enjoys that very much.

anyways, ends with curly hair!Chay serenading Kim in public, Kim makes himself into Chay's backpack because he likes him so! much!, and Kim saying something like "bye Dew" to Dew (Chay's mentor) because he's a smug cunt, Dew angrily informing Kim his name is Drive asshole, and Chay going "*blink blink* it is?????" because he never actually remembered the guy's name and somehow his misunderstanding never got corrected. now it's Kim's turn to tackle Chay into a wall because so fucking hot.

idk why this fic got stuck where it did, but it's been stuck for months now rip. maybe i'll return to this one later and figure out how to unstick it or absorb it into something else, but for now, you can read the first scene of this fic under the cut since it makes me laugh;

Kim is about to embark on the most devious and tactical scheme in his whole life.

This isn’t his typical approach to things. He’s always been more of a doer than a planner, and so far his guns blazing approach in life has worked out pretty well for him. But for this scheme, with its potential rewards so sweet, he’s done weeks of recon and meticulous planning until he was nearly sure of his success. He could wait longer, eliminate all variables and refine his plans until things are guaranteed to run like clockwork, but it’s taken ages just to arrive to this point and Kim is low on patience. Sometimes, you just had to jump and improvise during the fall.

Despite his resolve, adrenaline floods his veins that morning as he leaves his shower. He refuses to let any of it show—timing is critical, so he dries his hair and applies his lotion the same way he would any other morning, taking no more nor less time than normal. His motions are smooth and relaxed—he is far too well trained to let his limbs tremble with nerves or anything so pedestrian. An obnoxious alarm sounds from the bedroom, right on time, and Kim’s heart skips a beat, but he forces his expression into something of indifference. The alarm cuts out, Kim just able to make out a faint groan through the door and, with one last roll of his shoulders, because he is the picture of nonchalance, Kim exits the bathroom wearing nothing but a short towel low on his hips and water drops across his shoulders.

He doesn’t actually see Chay as he, very casually, struts past the bed. Another groan emerges from the lump of blankets on it, then an enterprising hand that slaps the bed space Kim usually occupies. Chay whines cutely when his search comes up empty, and Kim forces himself not to smile and keeps on walking to get dressed.

The sheets rustle behind him and Chay grumbles incoherently, but Kim doesn’t turn and opens his wardrobe instead. Every morning, while he’s still fuzzy with sleep, Chay will seek Kim out for a quick nuzzle and a kiss when he first wakes up. If Kim’s not in bed, Chay will force himself upright, rub his eyes and blink blearily at their wardrobe past the foot of their bed, and then—if he has morning wood—seek Kim out for his missed kiss, or—if he’s just sleepy—head for the shower to wake himself up. Kim, positioned perfectly in Chay’s expected sight line, has plans to ensure the first.

“Mm,” Chay sighs, loudly. Kim is so tempted to turn around. But Chay’s extolled the virtues of his back, multiple times now, and while Kim’s not completely sure what he finds so great about it, he’s not above using it to his advantage.

(Besides, the scratch marks have started to fade. Chay could do with a reminder.)

A soft grunt comes from behind him, but Kim ignores it. He hums, some tuneless thing to drown out any of Chay’s soft sleepy sounds, until Chay finally rasps, “Kim…”

The sound scrapes pleasantly across Kim’s nerves, but Kim locks the feeling down and only gives Chay a careless, seemingly half-attentive hum as he looks casually over his shoulder, hips cocked in a way that makes it look like he has an ass but not like he’s trying too hard.

And fuck, is Chay a sight to behold. He’s propped his head up with one hand, staring at Kim with hooded eyes and his shirt sliding up to reveal a sliver of his hips. Chay hums, voice still raspy with sleep, and drags his free hand through his fluffy bedhead before dropping it back down to play with the hem of his boxers and ugh, Kim wants to be the one doing those things to him so bad.

But he has an agenda this morning, one he really wants to succeed, and for that he needs patience and subtlety.

Kim smiles at Chay but then turns back to his wardrobe, pretending to admire his clothing selection while using his peripherals to watch Chay, and subtly flexes his muscles. Chay sighs gustily.

Kim feels more than sees Chay’s eyes sweep up his form. Yes, he thinks, careful to hide his glee. He is so close, just a few more subtle pushes, and surely then—

Then Chay flops back and throws his arm over his eyes with a groan. “Nevermind.”

…On second thought, best not to leave anything to chance.

Kim turns heel and quickly—but casually—crawls onto the bed and into the space between Chay’s thighs. Chay grunts inquisitively, face still hidden, but automatically spreads his thighs to make room for Kim. He’s so good.

“You can’t just say that to me,” Kim complains. Chay moves his arm to squint at Kim, and Kim turns his pout up full force as he settles, half draped, over Chay. “Now I’m curious.”

Chay snorts. “You and your issues with secrets,” he gripes playfully. Kim nods solemnly, turning his pout into a well practiced, soulfully pleading look, and the corners of Chay’s mouth twitch as he tries not to smile. “Like you don’t know what you’re doing.”

Kim blinks guilelessly. “Hmm?”

Chay snorts again, but his hands find the warm skin of Kim’s hips. His towel, already barely hanging on, falls open with the lightest of tugs. Chay’s eyes sweep down, heavy lidded with appreciation.

“Not a single clue, huh?”

“Mm,” Kim agrees, and gives up trying to hide his smile.

A matching smile flashes across Chay’s face and then he’s pulling Kim closer, until their hips push together and Kim can feel the hard chub of Chay’s dick through his sleep shorts, and Kim’s moving from his hands to his elbows and trying not to smile too wide as he moves in for a kiss—

And Chay suddenly rears up to blow his morning breath right onto Kim’s face.

Kim pauses, instincts beating back his lust to keep them from whacking heads, nose wrinkled at the stale smell, and Chay falls back cackling over his prank. He gets exactly two seconds of laughter before Kim kisses him anyways, bad morning breath and all.

Chay laughs against his lips and Kim falls into him. “This is so gross,” Chay complains, even as he holds Kim close and lightly scratches his nails over the fading marks across his back.

“Mm,” Kim hums, not really agreeing, and moves in for another kiss. Kim loves all sides of Chay, from the gross to the clean, and he kisses him without reservation or care. And for all his little exasperated huffs and puffs, Chay yields easily, wonderfully, to the wet slide of their lips. Kim should plan and scheme more often, if it means getting Chay’s thighs around his hips, Chay’s nails scratching through his hair and down his back, Chay’s moans sweet against his mouth.

Just when Kim is about to declare this venture a success and trade in their sweet kisses for something more wanton, Chay’s second alarm goes off.

And. Chay. Leaves.

“Ignore it,” Kim whines as Chay slides out from underneath him, giving up on all attempts to seduce Chay into doing what he wants and finally just begging.

Chay pauses, his fingers frozen over his still-singing phone, a mess of conflicted emotions crossing his face. It’s unfair, for him to try to walk away when he looks so tempting, bedhead tangled in a wonderful mess of curls and his lips wet and red from their kisses. Kim shifts his hips and Chay’s eyes dart to his hard dick. He even moans, a delightful hungry sound that makes Kim want to tackle Chay off their bed and fuck him right there on the floor, but then Chay shakes his head and fully pulls away.

“I can’t,” he says, mournful but insistent, “I have that mentor thing, remember?” Then he shuts off his alarm and shuffles into their bathroom, looking sad and forlorn but not stopping.

Kim flops back on their bed with a curse. Scheme almost a success.

[saltymongoose]

Hey @ayrusss, I've got those Poly Sanmos Headcanons you requested! These also are non-yandere like you preferred, I hope you like 'em! :D 💕

🪝🔥 General Poly Sanmos Headcanons 🔥🪝

(TW: None, this is just very fluffy lol)

You originally met Sanford and Deimos through 2BDamned, who you’d been good friends with for a while (even though he’d never openly admit it). He figured the two could use your skills in ranged combat, and since you were naturally pretty charming and likable they’d probably get along with you. But even if he expected you to work together well, he never predicted that you’d get into an actual relationship with them. And neither did you, to be honest.

In the beginning, there was an immediate connection between the three of you. You fit in with them perfectly; your ability to provide accurate cover fire allowed them to complete their objectives far more efficiently, and your personality also meshed well with theirs, which was even better. You were calm and level-headed enough to support them when things got hectic while also being daring enough to enjoy the more thrilling aspects of your partnership with them.

In other words, you were there to support Sanford and Deimos when they needed it, both when they were having trouble and when they wanted to do something other than fighting, no matter what it was. And because of your genuine nature and how enjoyable you were to be around, they found themselves liking your presence and everything that came with it (and way more than a friend would, at that).

Sanford valued the quiet moments you shared with him, like those times you were in each other's company as you cleaned your weapons side-by-side. He felt truly content when he heard you humming a small tune under your breath, accidentally brushing knees with him when you leaned over to get more oil for your gun, but not caring enough to shift away. It was nice, he thought (even as he felt his face heat up just slightly when you caught his eye and gave him a quick wink, completely unknowing of the effect you had on him). Just being able to be still for a little bit and enjoy the rare times of peace he got with you and Deimos was enough to make all of his work worth it.

(He didn’t notice that he was already slipping into having more romantic feelings for you. His wandering thoughts of a better future or of a more domestic lifestyle now involved three people instead of two and it felt completely natural; he can’t remember when he started considering you in those thoughts along with Deimos.)

Deimos, on the other hand, loved to do stuff to joke around with you; bouncing sarcastic remarks and quips off of each other (even when in a fight, which Sanford scolded the both of you on), pulling pranks on some of the other mercs, and generally doing schemes that either of you came up with (the victims usually being some unsuspecting enemies, which made the reactions even funnier). He grew to adore the way you laughed and looked forward to any time he could spend with you, indulging in whatever clever plot you’d managed to come up with.

He realized he started feeling warm and almost overly happy when you’d giggle at one of his jokes, a feeling he only got when spending time around Sanford. The butterflies that flittered in his stomach whenever you showed him a devious grin and leaned in to whisper a reference that only he’d understand were a source of confusion for him. It must’ve just been because you were attractive, right? (He already knew, deep down, that he was falling for you. But he refused to admit it yet, he had to know what Sanford thought about you first. He’s sure he’d be understanding, though, he’s seen the way the other grunt looked at you.)

They didn’t know when exactly they started thinking of you romantically, but they took it in stride like everything else. And they knew what the other felt towards you too, since they discussed it before even considering approaching you on it (communication was the foundation of any healthy relationship after all). It was really quite simple; just one of their many late-night discussions where they talked about things that usually had no meaning, on the verge of sleep.

(Deimos leaned further into Sanford's chest, sighing contentedly while fiddling with one of the larger grunts' hands. “San?” He hummed in response. “I think I like them.” Silence permeated through the room for a moment and Sanford seemed to freeze under him. This caused Deimos to lift his head up to give him a concerned look. He knew that he had to be feeling something similar towards you, but now he wondered if he’d messed up. Maybe Sanford wasn’t even aware of his deeper affection for you like he was? Or what if he’d misread the situation entirely and Sanford just thought of you as a friend and oh god what if he just admitted to some convoluted form of infidelity!? Was that what this was?? Cause he knew he still loved Sanford, but how else would this-

But Sanford didn’t seem very perturbed, in fact he seemed almost pleased, a small smile tugging at his lips as he gazed at the ceiling with an expression of deep thought. Deimos let out a breath of relief when their eyes met and his boyfriend gave a single nod. Sanford knew who he was talking about, of course. There wasn’t any other person they’d come across that had managed to spark something this strong in the both of them, no individual who’d captured any deeper interest from the both of them. They'd never longed to be with someone like they did with you. He tilted his head as he gave Deimos a warm look. “Yeah, me too, Dei.” And that was that.)

However, you were far more apprehensive of your budding love for them. Even if you found Deimos’ quips funny and his voice a tiny bit attractive and spent a little too long looking at Sanford’s muscles when he helped you carry equipment into the base, the two were already together. And because you were a good friend, you wouldn’t say a thing- no matter how much you blushed at their innocuous flirting or felt your heart pick up when they pulled you into brief hugs (something they never did for any other grunts, but you didn’t know that.). It wasn’t right to be thinking this way, not when they already had something so perfect together. And so you kept your mouth shut. Besides, there’s no way they would ever feel the same, at least in your mind.

The issue with this was that they did, and because you had assured yourself of the opposite, their confession to you was really unexpected. So much so that you thought they were joking when Deimos finally bit the bullet and asked you out for the both of them, all while Sanford stood nervously at his side:

“Hey, so, San and I were talking over some stuff and we figured out we both like-no, love you. Would you..want to go out with us sometime? Like on a date?” Deimos had asked, looking at you hopefully while he internally prayed to whatever gods existed in Nevada to be kind just this once and not make this situation the awkward mess he was fearing it'd turn out as.

(He was pretty suave around you most of the time, but his anxiety over this snapped him out of that. There was a lot riding on this for the both of them and he didn’t want to fuck up their friendship with you, even if you didn’t like them back.)

Your eyes widened at the question and you froze in the middle of your inventory work, filled with disbelief at what he’d just said. Had he really just asked you that? Just out of nowhere? But you shook off your shock to look at him with a crooked grin, masking your discomfort with a thin veil of humor. “Eh, I’d rate that a three out of ten, not the biggest fan of being a punchline for this sorta stuff, Dei.” (It hurt a little bit that they’d disregard any possibility of you liking them for the sake of a playful joke, but it's whatever. At that moment you just figured you'd have to get over it in the future.)

They felt like a bucket of cold water was thrown over them and they bristled at the miscommunication. It immensely panicked them, they were upon you in an instant to try and desperately explain themselves. Luckily, between Deimos' rushed stammers that "Nononowe'renotjoking!Really-I'mserious!!" and Sanford trying to clarify what he was saying, you eventually figured out what they were trying to do.

("Oh, so you weren't joking?...I..really wasn't expecting this. But I uh.. I love you both too," you said softly, a blush of embarrassment spreading across your face as you scratched the back of your neck. You really hadn't intended to ever let those feelings be known, but now there wasn't any reason to keep them hidden. Sanford grinned breathlessly, almost feeling faint at the sheer wave of relief that washed over him at your confession. He shared a look with Deimos before the two enveloped you in a hug (well, more like Sanford stabilizing you after Dei launched himself at you, excited beyond belief that you actually felt the same.)

From that moment onward you were together with them as much as possible, always in each other's presence when the opportunity presented itself. It was common to see you with them around the base, sometimes immersed in conversations with the two (listening intently to one of Sanford's stories and/or trying to tinker on things with Deimos' help) or just hanging out with either of them whilst the other was busy (like those times you and Sanford tried to cook some recipes you only vaguely remembered from your childhood, or when you and Deimos decide to stay up and binge television shows together). But unfortunately, this isn't always possible with the nature of your jobs.

As much as Doc liked their results with you, he only has so many ranged specialists to pick from when he needs a job done and you're one of the most reliable. This means that they can go for hours, sometimes even days without seeing you. It pains them, but they know that without this job they wouldn't have met you at all, so they have to be partly grateful. It doesn't stop Deimos from clinging with you to try and teasingly (well, partly) stop you from leaving sometimes, or prevent Sanford from purposely occupying your attention with a drawn out conversation to distract you from your eventual departure.

It'd be annoying if it were anyone else, but you know that they do it both out of wanting to keep you for a while and also because the thought of you being out there in the fray without them makes their stomachs churn with worry and discomfort. It's sweet; you'd never felt so cared about by anyone before.

They really do savor every moment that they can spend at your side. At the end of every mission when the three of you are finally back at the headquarters, Deimos'll search around the entire place to find you, surprising you with a hug and literally pulling you away from your work to spin you around, laughing as you yell in surprise. He'll cling to you for the rest of the day, no matter what you're doing. But you should fully expect him to drag you over to where Sanford is so you all can cuddle together, or something similar in closeness. He just missed you so much, and wants to envelop himself in both of your presences for a while. He'll also take the time to excitedly tell you about what he and Sanford got up to while you were away (maybe exaggerating the slightest bit to make them look good, but it was harmless).

The only one who has a chance at pulling Deimos away while he's latched onto you is Sanford, but he's usually too busy cooking up dinner for you both (usually your favorite if you've just come back from a long day of work). Sanford wouldn't consider himself the best at voicing his affection, and a part of him is still a bit shy at showing a lot of PDA, so he resorts to acts of service like this to show just how much he loves you and Deimos. The thank-yous and genuine looks of appreciation make the time spent on it fully worth it (especially when he can confirm that you both are actually eating well too).

You also show them physical affection too, which always makes them melt. For example, Sanford can't help from dropping his usual nonchalant expression whenever you come up behind him and press a chaste kiss to his bare shoulder blade, warmth spreading across his face and to the tips of his ears as an adoring smile spreads across his face. It's achingly domestic, and it makes him genuinely happy and content in a way that nothing else had before.

It never fails to startle him and fall into this state of contemplation about just how lucky he is to have you both. These also moments fuel his dreams of a more normal future with the two of you, where maybe you won't have to risk your lives everyday to fight for a better version of Nevada.

Deimos is a lot less apprehensive about your shows of affection (why would he be? he usually initiates them first, after all). But you find great satisfaction when you actually manage to take him off guard, usually by pulling him into a close embrace and just slightly brushing your lips against his before pulling away completely. It's honestly really funny that it manages to fluster him so much, likely because he wasn't expecting you to tease him! He'll look at you like a kicked puppy, already beginning to complain about how unfair of you it is to treat your ever loving boyfriend this way.

(He'll even look to Sanford for support, only to find him leaning in closer to get an actual kiss from you. You both laugh at his mock-indignant expression and exaggerated yell of betrayal though. Deimos is just happy that you're laughing, even if it might be at his expense.)

But it's the best whenever you're all together, like those times where they'll both team up to try and pull you back into bed when you try to get up that morning. Sanford will wrap his arms around your hips to pull you snuggly to him as Deimos settles comfortably half-on top of you, both actions done in an effort to stop you from leaving them for a while.

The latter will whine childishly when you try to squirm away, and Sanford’ll give you a slightly pleading look as he tightens his hold on you. They just don’t want to give you up yet, not when they have you so close (and most importantly safe in their arms, far from the dangers of Nevada).

You’ll sigh in mock exasperation, but settle into their tender embrace again, giving each of them a quick peck before nuzzling into Sanford and entwining your fingers with Deimos’. ‘Just a few minutes,’ you reason with yourself as your eyes slide shut, pulled into sleep by their warmth and the comforting sensation of their purrs against you. It's in these moments that you feel the most grateful for them. You hadn't had the best time sleeping on your own after some of the missions you had to do, but with them you felt comforted and at ease. They radiated love and safety, and you knew that if you could spend eternity right there with them, you'd take it in a heartbeat.

(You inevitably end up being late to your meetings with Doc by an hour and a half, but he isn’t too angry once he sees the smile on your face and the pink that colors the tips of your ears when he sees the other two give you a cheery goodbye. Even if he does give them a scolding look when he sees them sheepishly try to duck out of his view.)

Speaking of 2BDamned, while he was in no way expecting you to get into a relationship with his two agents, he was actually pretty supportive in his own way. He wanted you to know that he approved of your recent development, since he realized that your general demeanor seemed to have gotten a lot livelier after making things official.

“Do they treat you well?” Doc spoke, voice nonchalant enough to make it seem like he was asking out of courtesy more than anything else, but you knew better (he’d always cared for you more than he let on. Didn’t want to show any favoritism for agents outside of his group, after all). He glanced at you to see you pause in your work, a small smile on your face as you gave your gun a warm look. (It was new; a gift from your partners for your one-month anniversary. The gesture was entirely unnecessary, but you treasured it. It was one of your most prized possessions now) “Yeah…they make me happy, Doc,” was all you said in response.

He nodded resolutely. “Good.”

But despite the positive reply from you, he still felt the need to give the other two a bit of a warning. While he generally didn’t like to meddle in things that weren’t his business, he cared for you too much not too. Besides, it’d harm your productivity if you were sulking over a broken heart, which would harm the S.Q. in the long run.

(Never mind how much it'd weigh on him if someone he introduced to one of his best friends agents ended up causing trouble in the long run. It would definitely be hard to forgive himself if he let that happen.)

It happened after a routine mission report, just as they were walking out the door. "Let me make something clear,” Doc said, still looking down at the stacks of paperwork before him. “You’re both too useful for me to kill right now. But if you do anything to hurt them, you’re going to wish you weren’t. Understood?”

(Not going to lie, it was actually pretty terrifying for them to see Doc actually threaten them, since while he was plenty stern before, he'd never been outright confrontational. They just gave silent nods, too perturbed to really say anything. But now 2B kind of regrets that, because now they're pestering him about why he has such a close connection with you to begin with. He still blatantly denies his favoritism towards you, much to their amusement.)

Although, Doc doesn't really have anything to worry about with them; Sanford and Deimos absolutely adore you beyond belief. Hell, even Hank can testify on this, considering how he knows far more about you than he'd ever care to since they have the tendency to openly fawn over you.

Deimos would brag about you whenever Hank or one of the other grunts they worked with (like FellowD9) decided to pick up a sniper rifle, because no one could compare to your skills with it in his mind. He brought you up constantly, always wanting to show off just how amazing you were. And Sanford was no different, even if he was a lot more subtle with his mentions of you. Instead of outright bragging about you, he’d mention how you also liked something or how you happened to have knowledge on the subject they were discussing, always with this fond look in his eyes that made the others feel the slightest bit awkward (because this was Nevada; nobody was as honest with their affections as he was).

Seriously, it's almost ridiculous at this point, so much so that Hank's actually surprised to hear that you aren't married to them yet.

(However, Hank failed to realize that those places they've been raiding were a little close to what used to jewelers before the fall. They knew that it was way too soon to be thinking about marriage, but maybe a set of promise rings would work. All they needed to do was find out your size, which admittedly would be pretty difficult if they wanted it to be a surprise. Maybe they could ask Doc to help them out again; surely he'd be on board if it'd make you happy, right?)

[animationadventures]

TD Revival Countdown

Day 34: Scott – The Devious Guy

At the time of Scott’s debut, I thought he was the worst villain in the series. Then came along Mal and Sugar, and suddenly Scott’s reputation improved for me. He was still a sleazy rat, but at least the sleazy rat wasn’t the worst villain anymore.

I’ll admit that Scott’s strategy of sabotaging his own team to kick out the threats and appear inoffensive to the other team until the merge was different. It was a dumb idea that could have easily backfired on him, but by some extreme luck, it worked out for him. Too bad his schemes caused the early eliminations of Dakota, B, and Dawn, all characters I liked. Just when I thought I couldn’t hate him more, he went and used Mike, my favorite of the season, to get ahead at the merge and ultimately eliminated him. Zoey getting back at him in the final four was satisfying, but I thought his robot suit at the end of the season was too much. I hated Alejandro being put in the Drama Machine, and I hated Scott’s trauma robot.

For the most part, Scott was still his same scummy self in All-Stars, except now he had a justified shark phobia after his last attack from Fang in the previous season. For a while, I thought he might be one of the only characters to not get hit with bad writing in All-Stars, but then he started getting a crush on Courtney. I hated the Scourtney plot; because of that, he lost any villainous factor he had and exchanged it for comic relief. I wish the Scott and Courtney relationship never happened.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Scott compete again as long as he was returned to his sleazy rat characterization he had in season four, and the Scourtney relationship was never brought up again.