psyknife

[psyknife]

[psyknife]

X-Men (2024) #22 variant by Joshua Swaby

[psyknife]

[TXT]: Given you've never lied to me before [TXT]: Yes, I'd believe you [TXT]: Let me know where you are so I can help [TXT]: Is it anyone you know?

( SMS sent: Kwannon ) ... ( SMS sent: Kwannon ) Would you believe me if I said I just found it...?

[psyknife]

@mutatumcorpus: x

"It's less about the reflection and what's going inside that I question." Kwannon's hand slowly slid off the other's back as Betsy turned around to face her, a face Kwannon had worn once for a short period of time. "Memories that are not really mine. Relationships and feelings I could merely watch and experience from the sidelines. Like Warren..." She cut herself off; the thought of him both angered her and made her heart ache at the same time. It twisted her up inside to have such strong emotions for him that were never truly hers. "We both remember them... but they are yours. I have nothing but the reflection to remind myself of who I am."

[psyknife]

"Oh, there was nothing easy about what I just did. You just didn't have to experience the struggle going on inside." Kwannon would have to deal with the repercussions of a terrible headache later. She took the offered money with an equally blank stare, a little surprised that she'd get a bonus out of this. None of this ragtag group seemed the type to play nice, even on a good day. Or maybe that was the impending migraine talking and putting her in a less-than-perfect mood. "Have fun with your... younger dad, I guess." Then she was off.

"I expected his eye color to change or his voice at the least; don't take that for being an ingrate, I highly appreciate this just making sure everything's 'peachy'." He looked down at the younger body, they did it? He'd be the same old man he always knew?

"I just get wary of things that are too easy." A sign brother doesn't really get many gifts that he does look a gift horse in the mouth because it might also have a knife to backstab him with. With a sigh and a visual slack in his shoulders he finally relaxed. "Stay or go, I never held you here, your life is your own, rules are there to break them. We'll handle it from there- shadow; pay the girl. Know you didn't ask for it but I don't wanna owe you, so here's a bunch of money."

Shadow on the other hand was not a fan of this girl

and handed off her money with a blank stare.

[psyknife]

"No, after how excited you were to come here, it would be unfair of me to end your fun before the concert is over." She could deal with uncomfortable situations; she'd merely been sharing her truth instead of sugar-coating it into a lie. "Do you, now?" She held out a few strands of hair at arm's length for examination and to determine if Mantis was telling the truth. "Perhaps, for tonight, you're right. Bring on the glitter. ... but if you're still offering a snack, perhaps one of those overly large pretzels stuffed with cheese could tide us over. If you're interested in sharing, of course."

Mantis' gaze fell to her feet, hands wringing idly by her waist. She was having fun, but she did not want the other to be uncomfortable.

"Should we leave?" Mantis suggested, offering a shrug. "We could grab a quick snack, find something else to do. Though admittedly, I do think glitter suits you!" Everything was better with glitter, in her opinion.

[psyknife]

"No, we don't think like that. No talking. Only breathing. No thoughts." Kwannon's gaze narrowed. Without this focus, she knew the woman would spiral into a bottomless pit that was never easy to crawl out of. She nudged her along with a touch of psychic powers, just to instill a sense of calm over her so that she could focus on the breathing. Once she'd felt that sense of dread fade, her voice was soft but stern. "Tell me what happened."

HER EYES are forced up , the look in them a little wild as kwannon holds her gaze . are her hands shaking ? she goes to look down to check , but the woman's grip keeps her head up so she can't .

the breath she takes in is shaky , though , and it's equally so when it's commanded to come out . ❝ i didn't - I DIDN'T MEAN TO . ❞

[psyknife]

"Not with me, anyway. He doesn't seem the type to talk. Or maybe he just doesn't like me." Not that she cared much, but it was irritating to know that she'd read him wrong.

@psyknife asked: 'don't laugh at me.' (for Gabby; maybe Kwannon's not down with Gen-Alpha lingo and used it wrong xD) meme

"I'm not laughing at you!" Gabby said with a grin. "I just can't believe you said Aki has no rizz. I know a bunch of people who'd disagree."

[psyknife]

Numbers. Timing. Paper towels. She knew cooking required finesse, but not like this. Kwannon placed the fish back into the tub of cornmeal before she got a paper towel set up on a plate, ready for the last task instead of having to rush in the middle of it. "Lucky for me, then." Her eyes flared pink as she lowered the fish into the hot towel, gently at first until there was only the end left in her fingers. The last of it dropped in as she moved the pan around, keeping the filet floating around in the hot oil to do its work. The glow faded from her eyes; there was no reason to scald her skin with hot oil today. "Is this your mother's or grandmother's recipe?" she asked idly as she kept her attention on the fish, waiting for the batter to turn the right colour. Might as well find out the history behind this one.

"Oh, any kinda high-heat oil works wonders but if y' get lard it de best. Personally, we workin' wit' regular ol' canola t'day but personally prefer peanut oil. De only problem dere is de allergies. Cain' have us riskin' contamination an' all..." Shared spaces were hard when in the middle of culinary pursuits.

Watching Kwannon pick up extra spices made him smile. If he were making it for himself he would have spiced the absolute hell out of the flour but this was a learning experience. And not his fish. So instead he just nodded and watched while she followed his instructions, butchered the thing beautifully, and got the catfish nicely breaded.

Remy watched the oil temperature and snapped his fingers, "So y' gonna wanna keep de temperature around t'ree fifty. Little bit higher's better, but y' ain' want it colder, makes de fish soggy." He gestured her closer with the fillets, "So y' gotta put it in gentle, swim it back an' forth like dis," he demonstrated with an empty hand, moving it back and forth, "t' slowly lower it down in de oil but when y' ready t' let go gotta drop away from y'self. Oil burns ain' no joke."

He stepped back to give her space in a place where he could watch. "Once dey in, only gonna take 'bout t'ree t' five minutes, should be able t' tell by de colour, but y' gonna need a plate an' a paper towel ready fo' dem t' drain t' keep 'em from gettin' soggy." Soggy catfish was a thing to be avoided at all cost. "But dey already lookin' good."

[psyknife]

Psylocke | Francesco Mobili & Romulo Fajardo, Jr.

[psyknife]

Kwannon had heard a lot about the pair, what they were capable of. It was the main reason she'd invited them on this mission, as part of a "test run." It was a wonder they weren't called on more often, given what they could do. But now that they'd gotten to strut some of their stuff in the "big leagues," it didn't hurt to make sure that they were doing fine. They probably weren't used to working with a team outside of their duo. "Good to hear. What kind of 'host' would I be if I didn't make sure you were alright? Nothing too scary, I hope." The fluttering patterns of his shroud were somewhat mesmerizing, though she forced herself not to stare at it for too long. He probably got enough of that, and not the good kind. "Interested in joining us for some of Remy's cooking and a few beers? Or is that the sort of thing you and Tandy aren't interested in? No pressure."

@psyknife  sent:  how  are  you  holding  up  after  that?  (for  Cloak)

ㅤㅤㅤTy  doesn't  look  up  at  first.  Not  because  he's  being  rude  or  anything,  just...  he's  not  exactly  used  to  people  that  aren't  Tandy  talking  to  him.

ㅤㅤㅤ(Unless,  y'know,  they're  asking  for  a  quick  teleport  through  the  Darkforce  Dimension  or  something.)

ㅤㅤㅤWhen  he  does  lift  his  gaze,  Cloak  is  no  less  surprised  to  find  the  purple-haired  mutant  he  knows  mostly  by  reputation  (and  that  extremely  brief  stint  in  company  with  the  X-Men)  standing  before  him.  She's  shorter  than  him,  but  most  people  are  when  he's  fully  enveloped  in  his  cloak.  Evenso,  she  exudes…  stature.

ㅤㅤㅤ“…Psylocke,  right?  Hey.”  Ty  tips  his  head,  his  gaze  wary  and  half  hidden  by  his  hood,  but  not  unwelcoming.  “Uh,  yea.  I  mean,  I'm  usually  battling  drug  dealers  and  crime  lords,  y'know?  So  maybe  not  in  the  same  league  as  these  Omega  level  bad  guys  you  X-People  face  all  the  time,  but…” 

ㅤㅤㅤCloak  shrugs,  mouth  tilting  in  a  half  smile,  “I  think…  It's  good  t'help  out.  Tandy  says  we  should  act  more  like  heroes.”

[psyknife]

Drawing Psylocke from John Wick’s universe felt like something i needed to do 🦋

[psyknife]

"Then you would understand better than anyone why I choose to remain alone." Loved ones, though desired, could easily become a liability. A weakness in the armour that could be twisted and manipulated until it broke, offering her no protection. She'd already hardened her skin with years of loneliness, killing those who had gotten too close, those she had considered loved ones. What was the point of them if she only drove a blade through their heart at the end? "Still... it is a blessing to have children who are living and breathing. My daughter barely got the chance to see some of the beauty in this world."

Wanda leaned back with a satisfied smirk. She hated the idea of being feared. However, she would rather be feared than not be respected. It was unfortunate that the two concepts seemed to tag along.

She chuckled at the mutant's reply. "There is no need to humour you. Like so many of us with...gifts and skills. Trying to persuade or advise any of them is like talking to a wall," Wanda informed, crossing her arms. She sighed as she stared at her, torn and damaged. "I will give you this warning," she paused, her eyes becoming serious. "One day, your reputation will come back and haunt you. It will not affect you per se, but your loved ones," she paused as she tilted her head away. "Believe me, my children are the ones who suffer my consequences," she said lowly. She knew that Billy and Tommy had to deal with all the drama being the children of the Great Pretender.

[psyknife]

My second piece on Kwannon and Betsy. I will post the first one later on.

As problematic their union was, as a gay Asian child, I was enamored of her. There was representation, yes, finally, Asian in a major marvel book, but also the dream of being in a body you felt best represented you. Early Betsy despaired that she wasn’t a fighter, donning an armored costume that compensated for her weaker qualities. Kwannon’s body gave her the kinetic and physical role she coveted. Poor Kwannon, along for the ride. While they have somewhat addressed their schism during Krakoa, I wasn’t fully satisfied. I wish they’d explore it more. I wish they’d explore Kwannon as a person more. She was an assassin and now she’s fighting on the side of the angels. She is suspiciously without any moral dilemma. Perhaps a future writer can address this.

Anyway, I hope you guys like this.

[psyknife]

@rubbarband: “You took quite the fall!”

"And now I'm paying for it." Falling from such heights wasn't new to Kwannon; and yet, here she sat, a ice pack pressed to the side of her swollen ankle. To be honest, it could be a lot worse, but her pride was already damaged. "A warning about the stray cat would have been nice." The very thing she'd avoided tripping on, resulting in her current injury.

[psyknife]

@daywalkwithme

"Look, can you swallow your pride for just one second and stop bitching?" Kwannon whispered over her shoulder. It hadn't been easy convincing Blade to let her tie him up and strap him to the back of the gifted bike. But if it meant getting in through the gate of one of the most notorious arms of the 14K in South Korea, she would take it. She just had to give them an enticing reason to open up the gates for her. "I don't like it, you don't like it, but there've been four deaths already, all their hearts being cut right out of their chests. We don't need a fifth." All signs pointed to a kumiho, but she wasn't going to hedge her bets. They could just be dealing with a sadistic fuck. "Leave the bike here and surrender your weapons." One of the guards held out his hands for her sword, while the other worked the knots to get Blade free from the bike. "Head up those stairs and wait until you're called in." Kwannon did nothing more than glance at her "prize" with a furrowed brow. "She's going to want to see him personally. Shouldn't I just bring him with me?" "We have to make sure he's truly dead first." "He's a vampire. He's not going to have a pulse or breathe, if that's what you're looking for. Need proof?" Without hesitation, she pulled a knife from one of his holsters and stabbed him in the lower part of his stomach, missing his vital organs and crossing her fingers that he wouldn't physically react.

[psyknife]

Soawee