#..that it'd be a big barrier between them

[niinnyu]

i love all of your tma art so much i could actually die and become an avatar of the holy shit cool art (secret #15) pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease could i request some doorkeay please (or just gerry or just michael ppplease please please thank you so much please)

The 'trusted Gertrude and getting backstabbed' gang!

I liked how I did Micheal's hair i couldn't see it while I was going it lmao so i was surprised how nice it looks

Don't look at how annoying the rest of my shading is shh.

[ghcstao3]

writing a little something for this black panther!ghost because of a scene while playing sottr lol

(edit: part two)

-

Facing death on a regular basis is something Soap had made peace with a very long time ago. It's merely the nature of his occupation, something he chose for himself, and so he'd be a fool to not accept that his life would often be put in danger of being ended.

That being said, Soap's never been particularly fearful of such a kind of loss anyway—or, he wasn't, until he's staring directly into its bloodthirsty maw.

The mission was already interesting to begin with. They—being Price's merry little band of soldiers deemed task force one-four-one—had gone into it knowing it was risky; tracking a feral shifter would be difficult as is only in part due to it being outside their usual duties, but that shifter then being a big cat and ex-SAS soldier with little regard to distinguish enemy from ally increases that danger by tenfold. Soap found himself poring over the details, intrigued by everything that led to the point of finally sending out a team for detainment.

Supposedly—because nothing was technically confirmed—this panther shifter, name Simon Riley, had been held hostage by a cartel for some time, after a mission gone wrong. Retrospective details and investigation hinted at experimentation and brainwashing along with the usual anticipated torture, but it's difficult to be certain of anything when, somehow, Riley escaped and singlehandedly slaughtered everyone in the facility where he was kept.

The amazing part, Soap thinks, is that Riley had gone completely undetected until he'd killed a friendly, still stuck in a mind of base instinct. Intel speculates he'd been patrolling the jungle surrounding the facility for a little over two years now, fending off anything his animal brain deemed a threat.

So it was safe to say the mission would not be simple. Capturing Riley would only be the beginning, if they could even manage so much.

Sweat beads uncomfortable and sticky on Soap's skin in the muggy climate of the jungle, welcoming dirt and gnats to glue themselves to his limbs. He's never been one for humidity, always more partial to the arid sort of heat, but there's certainly an added level of unpleasantness when it feels like he's being watched.

Soap readjusts the grip on his gun, and trudges onward.

"Any activity on your end?" Price's voice cuts through his paranoid silence, startling as the ferns that brush against his arms.

Soap pauses his stride, gaze skirting across the seemingly endless forest; it still is, as it has been for the past however long, a mostly unmoving wall of greens and browns beyond the gentle sway of foliage in a barely-existent breeze and the occasional bird taking flight, or small critter scampering between hiding places.

Quiet.

"Negative," he says. “What’s it—“

He's about to ask the same of his fellow captain's own position when he hears the low growl.

It's deep, guttural, and—most importantly—entirely and undoubtably a threat.

Soap couldn't even think to turn and lift his rifle before he's dodging out of the way of the panther's lunge. Even if it were a real bullet and not a strong tranquilizer, Soap doesn't believe it'd help his chances of survival anyway.

At most he'd buy himself time, and that'd hardly count for anything with a feral and angry shifter to then pursue him and the rest of the team, when they inevitably crossed paths.

He narrowly avoids the follow-up attempt on his life as the panther pivots much faster than anticipated, now a snarling mass of fangs and claws as it stalks closer every time Soap puts distance between them. The gun still tight in his grip, it seems, isn’t any kind of deterrent—proven especially soon when the shifter acts quickly, quicker than Soap, and manages to tackle him to the ground.

The rifle is the only barrier keeping Soap from being torn apart, though he feels a seeping warmth somewhere on his torso that tells him sharp claws have found their home somewhere in his flesh. Soap struggles against pure strength of the creature, gritting his teeth as he pushes back and tries to wriggle free.

Distantly, over the rumbling and hissing, Soap can hear the others crashing through the forest, calling out his name in search of him. The sound distracts the shifter momentarily enough for Soap to escape—however getting his rifle knocked from his hands—and when he sits up it’s with a nauseating pain in his side from where he’d been caught, and is currently bleeding a concerning amount.

He can’t stand without stumbling, and is merely left with the hopes his team might reach him in time to keep him from getting mauled. All he can do is scramble backwards to create distance and delay his obvious fate.

Maybe he’s only so scared of death now, because he’d always believed his own would be swift and relatively painless as a cause of it, given his line of work.

Soap’s back hits the thick trunk of a tree. He winces, trying to swallow the growing panic as the panther begins to creep toward him, steady and calculating. He breathes in, exhales slowly through his nostrils, lifting his chin and baring his teeth in return though he knows damn well he’s trembling.

The shifter is close now, too close, huffing softly as he looms over Soap. Intelligent but wild eyes bore into Soap’s own gaze, the mismatched irises surely a point of intrigue if his life were not in immediate peril.

But the shifter just… stops. Stares at him almost in consideration, and for a moment Soap could persuade himself to believe he sees just a glimpse of the humanity that had been forgone two years prior.

Soap tries not to shrink back as the panther leans in to sniff him curiously, his face so close Soap can feel the shifter’s whiskers tickle his face, can smell the iron and blood of the meat of his previous meal. But then the panther is retreating with a more gentle growl in his throat, miraculously willing to spare Soap despite his track record.

Soap hears the telltale thwick of a tranquilizer embedding itself in the shifter’s pelt, then a couple more following for good measure. For only a brief moment does the aggression return before the big cat is slumping to the ground.

Price calls it in while Roach helps Soap up, employing Gaz’s help to wrap Soap’s wound as best as is manageable until he can get the proper medical help.

Dutifully Soap offers what answers he can, but finds himself unable to tear his eyes away from the shifter.

There’s more to this story than they had intel, and he’s more than certain there’s more that they haven’t been told, more that’s being kept from them.

And just as well, Soap figures there’s a reason he’d been allowed to live, unlike so many others—and he finds himself knowing, then, that he wouldn’t rest until he understands why.

[thekoalapastriesbakery]

Do you recon there are any drivers that would crossdress as a woman so that them and famous!reader can go on a date without people knowing they were in a relationship. Or any drivers wouldn’t do it but they would like it of reader would.

ooo this is a fun idea ... okay i'm gonna split this into drivers who would do it, drivers who i think would want reader to do it, and drivers who wouldn't want any of that.

warnings: mild suggestive content (seb), mention of online hate (kimi a, ollie, lance), mentions of toxic work environments + associated mental health issues (logan, kevin), mentions of guilt/discomfort (mick)

would cross-dress:

sebastian vettel:

i mean ... look at him! he's so pretty already he'd be a very pretty girl

i think he'd either dress like he's about to go to a club (mini skirt, tube top, heels higher than a skyscraper, and a full face of makeup) or like he's going to a library (long floral skirt, mary janes, cute lil sweater)

either way he's wearing press on nails and he WILL be using them to scratch your back to pieces later

overall definitely likes it and would probably bring it up on his own

oscar piastri:

idk if you guys saw the photos of him doing his great barrier reef awareness thing before the japanese gp this year but i did and i have had Thoughts™ since

this man was BUILT for wearing a cute skirt or a lil sundress and you cannot convince me otherwise

plus he has so many doppelgangers that nobody would question it lmao

very much more of the girl-next-door type

initially pretends he's only doing it to spend time with you with less questions

but then you catch him all dressed up when you're just spending the day at home

charles leclerc:

twink.

do i need to say more

i will anyway

GIVE HIM PRETTY DRESSESSSSSSS

not but seriously i think he'd melt into a puddle if you told him he looked pretty in more feminine clothes

dresses up for dates regardless of whether you think you'll be spotted

"better safe than sorry"

franco colapinto:

tell me you don't see him in a mini skirt

you can't

jenson button:

would do it as a joke

at least, it'd start as a joke

i think it'd go one of two ways:

either he ends up actually kinda liking it and then you just have jenson wandering around the house in a dress all the time

or he absolutely hates it and you have to cut the date short because he's so uncomfortable (you did tell him heels were a bad idea but did he listen? of course he didn't.)

would want you to cross-dress:

alex albon:

listen

i don't think he'd really care if the media found out you were boyfriends

i think he'd just have the time of his life watching you dress up just to go out with him

either you're really good at the makeup and styling stuff and he gets a massive ego boost seeing you like that

seriously he'd be taking pictures and videos and constantly asking questions idc i don't make the rules

OR you'd be totally clueless and alex would just be making fun of you

there is very little in-between

kimi antonelli:

he's not ashamed of being gay or anything

but he's like. a child.

he gets enough hate just because he's going to mercedes, he absolutely cannot handle the idea of homophobic comments on top of that

also just ends up crying if he tries to dress up himself bc he thinks he's proving people right and that he's not man enough for f1

so you do it

he'd never in a million years tell you but he definitely likes it if you wear lipstick and leave kiss marks on him

ollie bearman:

i think he's kind of in the same boat as kimi?

like he's super stressed about the amount of hate involved in coming out

but ... but also he kinda really likes seeing you get dressed up for him, especially because he knows it's not something you do in any other situation

makes him feel special

gets all giggly and buys you pretty clothes

logan sargeant:

i actually think (if you had been dating for a while) that he was the one to dress up when he was in f2 and even earlier in his f1 career?

but williams messed him up big time

he gets so paranoid that somebody will find out and that he'll lose his seat because of it

initially just tries to power through it but all the fun of dressing up is gone because he's so tense all the time?

then one time you're getting ready for a date and he just breaks down

so you take over for a while

only starts getting back into it after he leaves f1

honorary mention - kevin magnussen:

gets soooooo cocky when people see him out with you and then say he has a hot girlfriend

doesn't correct them (duh, defeats the purpose)

had a bit of an inferiority complex at the beginning of the '24 season at haas

feels very much like he's proving that he's worth something because he has you

(you remind him he's worth it anyway)

wouldn't want either of you to cross-dress:

kimi raikkonen:

he's too old for all that

no but seriously he thinks the idea of hiding your relationship is stupid

would give you the most judgemental look if you ever asked him about it

would support you if you wanted to ofc but thinks doing it for the sake of pretending to not be gay is dumb because you don't need to when you're both safe.

may have agreed to it when he was still racing just because of the races in unfriendly countries

but the second he retires he does not gaf anymore

lance stroll:

for starters

does not want to leave the house with you

he just wants cuddles and movie nights and to not move until he absolutely has to

will get food delivered and makes sure to always have your favourite snacks but that's as fancy as it gets

he may be a billionaire but he is a clingy boyfriend first

secondly, he gets way too much hate anyway

i mean he kinda doesn't care at this point?

but he doesn't want the extra media attention if it came out so he just sticks to wearing comfy clothes at home

mick schumacher:

not opposed to either of you wearing dresses/skirts/makeup/whatever for fun

feels deeply uncomfortable at the idea of changing himself or you for the sake of the public

would recreate the photo of his dad in a wedding dress with you tho

that's all for now! this was actually really cool to think about and anon you have absolutely nailed the vibe i was going for with this event

[tvlandofficiall]

i'm curious if you have any thoughts on the scene where lancer tries to cheer up king!

the jester one with tenna? honestly... as sad as it is to say, that's a part of where my mixed feelings lie. i feel like this is just my expectations coloring the scene, so it's not an objective statement of its quality or anything, but i suppose i was expecting that we'd see the conflict between them more properly tackled rather than just sort of papered over by ralsei at the end of ch1 and left like that. it's funny to see tenna and spades king bounce off each other, and some of the stuff you get from spades otherwise (particularly re: the knight and re: jevil) is really compelling, but the whole time i kept thinking "you were about to throw this kid off the roof a few days ago, and you still have that whole conflict over how you interact with the lightners and how you think he shouldn't get close to them that you've just never talked through further... are you going to talk about that? that seems like it'd be a pretty big barrier to both of you joking around like this."

[zenruu]

do you think in your canon Alistair ever learns Fiona is his mother?

hi anon!! first of all, thank you so much for asking, i really appreciate it!! 💕

(also i'm so sorry, i did not plan on writing this much. tl;dr: yes)

i have thought about this a lot and wavered on the hows and whys, but i always come back to wanting to make it happen.

so neria leaves to find a cure. a lot of her leads are picked up through her collaborating with avernus and the architect. the architect is obviously well aware of fiona, but i imagine avernus would be too. it'd have to have at least come up in all of his research.

neria would hear about fiona having been cured and start digging because maybe that's the key to her finding a cure herself. between looking at timelines (maric was literally in the deep roads with fiona and co. at the time = goldanna's mother couldn't have been alistair's mother), potential leads for cures (dragons with their resistance -> theirin dragon blood), etc. etc. maybe there's some hypothetical record with the wardens that notes fiona's pregnancy (bc they did try to have her take the joining again, maybe someone looked into possibilities of why it didn't work). even if there's nothing that definitive, i think she would at the very least start heavily theorizing that fiona could be his mother.

and then insert a big blurry area because i can never make up my mind on how i want the precise finding out parts to go. i go back and forth on whether i want neria to talk to fiona and be certain before even mentioning it to alistair, or whether i want her to go to him with her suspicions and then they both confirm it together. if i think about what's most in character for neria, 99% chance she'd be keeping him so updated on every part of her search that it'd be really weird for her to not mention her suspicions (or for him to not start having his own suspicions based on what she's mentioned even if she didn't say it herself)

but! in the end, yes, he does find out. i don't envision it as a fairy tale, tbh... i think it would be kind of painful and awkward all around. regrets and guilt and old wounds that linger. i think the two of them get to a decent place (as much as you really can in such a situation) but i don't think she's super involved in their lives... she does meet the kids, but again, i think it's more like "oh yeah, that's our distant grandma we see once in a rare while. she's nice but she always looks kind of sad for some reason every time we see her."

i think she and alistair both would have a lot of painful, complicated feelings about the whole thing, but the two of them having a really good, close relationship would require a lot of personal healing on both ends plus absolutely incredible communication and i just... don't see that happening, as sad as it is. so while i envision it being a 'positive' relationship, i think there's just always going to be that lingering awkward pain and walls left standing.

i know alistair would try his hardest, but at the end of the day i think fiona's guilt and regrets plus decades of keeping her distance would be too much of a barrier to overcome, even with all of his charm and love poured into it. breaks my heart a bit if i think too hard about it... you long for belonging and a family all your life. you find a woman you love and have kids of your own, and that's great, you're happy! and now, on top of all that, you get to meet your mother! finally! but while she's here physically, she still feels just out of reach.

it hurts 🥲

[mashounen2003]

It was obvious there was going to be an Extra Stage, but I had initially thought the Throne Room and fighting Nitori/Flandre was that.

Touhou: Luna Nights - Playthrough

Part 6 ~ Extra Stage: The Ephemeral Castle of All-Encompassing Grace

[I've copy-pasted the video's description below the Read More]

So, what's the deal with this? It turns out all the strange things happening in Remilia's pocket universe throughout the normal game weren't merely Flandre messing with things as she was taking control: there's also a piece of Gensoukyou that was replicated in Luna Nights but shouldn't have, and now that's interfering with the real Gensoukyou, namely the barrier that separates it from the rest of the world; to complicate matters, someone else has entered Luna Nights (no, it's not Yukari, she's asleep during this entire game) to go after Remilia in an attempt to get rid of this pocket universe and the danger it poses to Gensoukyou. The Extra Stage resumes the story from the very last checkpoint in the Throne Room, right before the final boss battle against Nitori/Flandre, and then it diverges from that and takes us through this abnormal area that might start looking suspiciously familiar once we go through the white Torii portal we've unlocked at the end of the normal game.

I'm not proud of how I went through the Extra Stage in this playthrough: so many dumb mistakes, so much getting stuck and dying in one same spot repeatedly... At least I managed to somewhat gracefully survive the battle against the Extra Stage's Secret Final Boss. Now I'm realizing some weapons that I found almost useless during my playthrough could be actually great in boss fights, both against this stage's final boss and against Remilia: for any of the attacks that can be nullified by throwing knives at the bullets to destroy them, I could have used the Dagger Shield instead and it'd have been easier while spending only 25 MP instead of the Thousand Daggers' 40 MP, and that could have given me lots of Blue Graze too. Despite this, if I tried to speedrun this game (or if there's a Boss Rush after this and I have to beat it quickly in order to get a high rank on that), I'll stick with the Thousand Daggers + Snail Time combo I've been using against all bosses during the 2nd half of this game (Thousand Daggers to both attack and nullify enemy attacks, Snail Time to approach the boss herself and collect Blue Graze instead of stopping time and only getting Red Graze) simply because the Thousand Daggers is a long-range attack, isn't hard to aim (the Chainsaw is powerful but a bit too finicky for my taste), and has the most DPS in Sakuya's arsenal.

The title for this part of the playthrough comes from the title card shown upon entering this area: 玉響の博麗城 [tamayura no hakureijou], which I roughly translated as "the ephemeral castle of all-encompassing grace".

Out of the seven pillars of big cubic jewels in both the Extra Stage and the Throne Room, the one made of diamonds reminded me of the biblical Pillar of Salt: both diamonds and salt are colourless, and salt crystals are cubic (there's a cave in Germany where you can see that, and its salt crystals are pretty big as well). What was Lot's Wife doing all the way here?

Timestamps:

I spent the first few minutes collecting items. The actual Extra Stage starts at 0:05:37.-

0:18:28 - Secret Boss: ???

0:22:24 - Secret Boss defeated

(You can safely ignore everything between 0:23:55 and 1:04:49)

1:23:03 - I had to stop recording here and continue later. After that, I spent over half an hour grinding for jewels and experience.

1:55:15 - Secret Final Boss: ???

2:02:31 - Secret Final Boss defeated

2:06:31 - Credits

Credits:

Team Ladybug: developers, storywriters & music arrangers.

Vaka Game Magazine / Why So Serious: developers & publishers.

Active Gaming Media / Playism: publishers.

Jun'ya Outa, aka ZUN: original music composer and creator of the Touhou Project.

[thelovelybitten]

more loonatics headcanons / shenanigans...

i've been on such a binge watch of lu that I just need to post abt it okay leave me alone

BUT I'VE NOTICED THINGS !!! (this is s2 ep4) !! you kind of get an insight of what they all like to do and things they enjoy with these bedroom stills.

ACE:

obviously: likes carrots, cute lil bunny.

HIS LIL DOORMAT DJSNGJSDNJK

i couldn't zoom in enough to see what's on his monitor but you know he likes to watch shows before bed. relatable content.

the fact he's got two side tables as well gives me eating in his bed vibes but also he'd be clean abt it. i also think he'd be a big comic book reader. not sure what, but he would be. I'll let y'all decide.

speaking on that, there's a shelf with books on the far right so yeah. i think he'd also read manga bc of his anime complex. he may also keep some sort of CDs ? maybe vinyls ???

i know this man keeps katanas and a dartboard in his room.

he's a snowboarder !!!! THAT'S SO COOL. he must be a god bc this man is AGILE.

he's got a skyline view PHEWWWWW rich ass mf

also. an aquarium on his right (our left) which is so fun I wonder what kinds of marine life they'd keep!!!

I'm also not sure what the compartment behind his head is for but I think its a closed-off bookshelf or space for his knick-knacks. i also see a fireplace too but idk how logical that is lol

LEXI:

NOW WHY SHE SLEEPING IN A HAMMOCK WHEN THE GIRLIE COULD HAVE A QUEEN SIZED BED ??? she's quirky like that ig. whatever makes her comfy. (I know she'd upgrade, I just know. just bc she can sleep anywhere doesn't mean she's always comfortable.)

a phone/pager by her bed is so real

THE WALLPAPER IS BEACHY IT'S SO CUTE

she's a SKIIER AND A SURFER. WHAT CAN'T SHE DO. (seasickness who)

cabinet obvi for storage, idk why she'd have anything important in there besides old childhood items it's so high up???

lower shelves are for books and things maybe. or video games.

AND DO YOU SEE THE AQUARIUM ??? THIS CONFIRMS THAT LEXI AND ACE HAVE NEIGHBOURING BEDROOMS AND NO ONE CAN CHANGE MY MIND. there has to be some type of barrier/wall between the two tanks for privacy reasons but I'M DEAD GNFDGNDJKFNJDFNKHK MY BABIES

opposing skyline views so iconic... i know she takes mad insta pictures (or duck takes them) to get good sunset shots

i believe the items on the table are her laptop, a makeup bag andddd maybe a clutch purse? just a guess bc they're so tiny.

laptop makes sense. it'd be hard but she could still try to get an education on the side??? lots of work for a girl but she's a boss like that.

makeup for obvious reasons

clutch purse for nights out

SLAM:

THE WAY I'D BE SO SCARED FOR THAT WEIGHT TO DROP ON MY HEAD. SLAM IS A TROOPER WTF

I remember sumth abt that cylinder thingy on the left but I can't remember what it's for yet. will update when the ep comes.

MANS IS AN INTELLECTUAL !! those are all comic books (like ace, they bond) and language workbooks.

the poster of pizza is SO REAL OF HIM

there's a teeny tiny chute beside his door and I wonder what it's for. maybe it's a scanner? idk

light above his head is also...a choice.

i'd like to think that the things at the end of his bed are air purifiers and that slam has some sort of breathing issue when he goes to sleep. maybe he grinds his jaw or is a mouth breather;;;

computer for gaming tings and other endeavours

A WHOLE ASS TREADMILL YEAH BUDDY U STAY IN SHAPE.

i know this man doesn't have a WHOLE ASS DRUMSTICK IN HIS BED. but makes sense. he totally eats in bed BUT IS MESSY ABT IT. duck and lexi HATE IT IT'S NASTY HAHAH they ask him to switch his sheets and vacuum almost everyday

DUCK:

THIS MAN IS SO CONCEITED I CAN'T Y'ALL.

but like ace, he also has a tv by his bed I know he and lexi would watch romcoms together

K-DRAMAS???? SPECIFICALLY SINGLES INFERNO (only bc s3 just came out, it's on the brain) duck just boasts abt how he's better looking than all of the other males while lexi is very much about the relationships/drama

his little peek-a-boo window behind his head is so cute :"))))

I have no god damn clue what that thing is beside him on the left but I'm sure it's important

but he wears headphones to sleep !!! must need white noise or rain to sleep

control panel for his lights and other digitally controlled shit in his room

THIS MAN HAS SO MANY MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ABOUT HIMSELF AND THE LOONATICS (but only bc he is in them, thank yew) I also think he'd carry a lot of fashion magazines too. things that are in. the second a fad ends he's done w it

I'm assuming this is an arcade game setup, but i think he'd love Mario kart :) him and tech love to battle on this but move it to the main room bc duck thinks tech is cheating bc "the screen is two small".

i know this man would sleep with mf silk sheets and a fleece comforter he's a bougie bitch

computer for obvious reasons

REV:

i had to include all four shots bc he is a sleepwalker/runner LOOK AT HOW CUTE HE IS ;U;

it looks like he sleeps in a casket-like bed (hence, the lid is open top centre) I believe he only has this open when he's awake so idk who forgot to close it. it needs to be closed so that when rev does actually get up and sleepwalks, he's contained. the last thing the loonatics want to wake up to is the house completely trashed bc rev had a dream he was running from something. so casket bed it was.

that's also why. he doesn't sleep with sheets. if he trips and falls oh lord. therefore he wears super warm pjs in the winter to not freeze to death

he's got a ton of books, rightfully so, I think he and tech would share this bookcase because it would have different manuals, blueprints and miscellaneous mechanical guides. robot guides. that too. i also think rev would be that person who re-reads his childhood books over and over again and not get sick of them ever

there is also a treadmill in this room I just know it

a tv as well. idk where, but I hc it's there.

TECH:

thanks for giving me nothing to work with here

I kind looked forward into the ep and there's a smidge of the bedroom in a frame but idk what the other shit could be

but I know his room is very clean. it's SPOTLESS. everything is organized and well put together.

I'm going to ignore the fact he suckles his thumb bc this man is 24 years old BYE

there's a whole bunch of ai robots in there to do anything he wants.

he is also the other loonatic who has their own bathroom. he only got it bc he won the straw draw. well, ace won technically, but gave it to tech bc he was the oldest and would keep it in the best shape. duck still hasn't forgiven him for it.

he shares it with lexi since she's the only lady in the house :) ain't no way she shares with the boys.

the others share the other bathroom. one more gets installed later but the other four are SOL

tech also has a nice walk-in closet

he needs to take melatonin b4 bed bc this man is noctournal

has drones scattered on shelves, ones he's built and ones he's collected from professors and other inventors

AAAAND THAT'S IT. THANKS FOR COMING TO ANOTHER TED TALK LOL I'MMA GO FINISH S2 XOXO

[fishyaudio]

Sorry if it feels like I'm bombarding you with asks but I just remembered this when going through your rwrof tag

Do you have a conlang for your scugs? Or one for your scavs, since I remember you saying that the language barrier between them was a pretty big challenge

It makes sense if you don't tho lol, I have a conlang for my scugs and conlanging is really hard 🥲

I love getting asks so don't be sorry!! Feel free to hit me up with whatever I don't have a conlang for this AU, leaving that to the experts (looking at @/opashoo here with her amazing scuglang.....). For RoF you just have to imagine that in universe they'd speak something different than the english in the speech bubbles.

Conlangs take a lot of time and knowledge that I kinda lack there, and I know that because I once made a small semi-functional conlang for a comic project. Barely usable, small vocab and grammar being some ungodly (probably faulty) mix of german and polish, but I was feeling a bit more ambitious than just designing a different alphabet to replace the letters. That'd be easy to spot and decode, random lines would also be striking as lazy, so I ended up with a fun creative exercise with a cool effect, I think

I could technically read this out loud in said language and It'd sound like it makes sense, so yeah! Cool, but there is no way I'm pulling this again for the AU Thanks for the ask!

[butmakeitgayblog]

Stealing the other anon’s question! Whats the best sex CI Clexa has ever had?

The answer to that changes a lot over the years because these two are certifiable nymphos 🥴 While previously Lexa's never been big on touch, Clarke's main love language always has and always will be touch. And over time that intimacy between them helps break down a lot of Lexa's barriers and aversion to physical affection, which really opens up their sex life to a whole other existence. At first they easily would've sais the days of sneaking around were the most thrilling - the fear getting caught, the illicit taboo of it all as they slowly grew in love. But then they moved out and got their own place, and that was something entirely different. Then they could fall into bed whenever the hell wanted. And they did. To an annoying degree. Like most "new" couples, they just couldn't keep their handa off each other. Entire days spent fucking and obsessed with each other. It felt pretty life altering. And then good god, they got married, and there was the bliss of all that. The several months long honeymoon spent christening any stable surface they could get. The constant rush of being newly weds and starting their life together. The sex was just... it felt like it was on an entirely other level.

But then life happens. And they settle into the minutia of being married; the every day grind of actually having a life together that isn't marked by grand milestones and running from a past either would rather forget. It's in that time, years down the line, that they actually find the most pleasure in each other. They don't have to keep running off on vacations like their parents did just to make things feel fresh, they don't have to keep playing these games with each other to ignite some lost spark between them. Because yeah, the "spark" is gone after so many years together, but that's because in it's place is a steady, comfortably roaring fire.

It's honestly any given Thursday, or Tuesday, or Saturday, when Lexa's already had an annoying week at work and just wants to shut her mind off, when Clarke has finished up a big project at the gallery and she has that sense of accomplishment warming her ego. That's when they can just slip into bed to share kisses, touch, and talk, working each other up over and over until they realize they've come a dozen times before sunrise. That's truly when they really have the best sex.

On a one off basis tho, it'd probably be a time when they were flying overseas and had a long bout of horrifying turbulence. Very adrenaline filled, loud and rough and desperate fucking. Because "if we're gonna die, we're at least gonna die while getting off 😒" was the thought process. Obviously they lived, but also Lexa couldn't walk right for like 2 days

[cryptids-of-spielzeit]

Sundae

Part 3: One Scoop Oreo

(A Sun Dog Story)

It had been only 3 days since the encounter with the mad hunter. The Neapolitan trio have had a safe trip through the woods. A suspiciously safe trip. There haven't been any sort of dangers in their way, no little ones, no violent animals...nothing.

They had made their last stop of the day, a huge oak tree. Strawberry and Chocolate began their new routine, with Strawberry climbing the tree, scouting above for any sort of danger, while Chocolate stayed on the ground, patrolling the area. Our scoop of vanilla, on the other hand, dealt with other matters, making the fire and making dinner for all of them.

The sun was starting to set, and with no clear danger in sight, the group gathered around the fire. Dogday had prepared a few fire-roasted apples for all of them.

"Another great meal by our resident chef! Thank you Picky!"

Those damn quotes. He should be thanking himself. She's been gone for a long time. He couldn't shut it up, not with the other two around....but why should he? The other two are around. He isn't alone. Rather, they weren't alone.

A rustling was heard in the tree above, and all three were prepared. They knew how to deal with the little ones by now. It slowly peered its head from out of the leaves. It was just a little possum. It must've just woken up, given how it didn't seem to notice the three below.

It wasn't bothering them, so they wouldn't bother it. It sat on the branch above them, still somewhat tired. It seems the three below had a guest for that evening. No bother to them though, all were welcome if they had no ill will. And before they knew it, the three were asleep.

Later that night, all was quiet. The possum hadn't left the tree, it was looking like it'd stay there all night. It was the only one up there. And seeing some new faces intrigued it, somewhat. It didn't know whether or not to go down there, it didn't know if they were to be trusted.

It was then that the possum heard a strange noise. A giggle. It stood up, not sure whether it was a predator or something else. Regardless, the stress was enough to make it play possum, sending it falling.

It landed right on top of the dog, jolting him awake, along with the others. As soon as he noticed the supposed corpse, he tried his best to save it. At least, he did, before he realized that something had to do that to the poor thing. And it was right behind them.

A large swarm of the little ones, giggling with sadistic glee, covered in fresh gore. The only barrier between them being their campfire. The three were lucky. They needed fuel.

It lasted for about 30 minutes. Sure, the little ones were small. Sure, they were made of felt and fabric. But they had relatively great strength for their stature. But, again, they were made of felt and fabric.

The possum had bore witness to the entire ordeal. In its little brain, it had made its decision.

"Friend."

The fire grew quite big, luckily not enough to start a forest fire. Dogday went to check on the possum. He had feared the worst. He wasn't taught much about possums. He had strangely never heard the phrase "playing dead", so he really did think the poor thing was on its last legs.

As he approached the "corpse", it sprang back to life, as alive and chipper as it could be.

"...Man, am I glad you're okay."

It crawled over to Dogday, rubbing its head against his waist. Strawberry yipped with joy. A new friend had joined the party!

"Now what am I going to call you?....oh! How about Oreo! Only other ice cream flavor I know, hehe. And hey, you're grey, so it fits, right?"

The possum nuzzled him more, mustering what could be considered a smile. And, giving a big yawn, went right back to sleep. Good idea, little guy.

And so, yet another night loomed over the group, and hopefully, it would now be a safe one.

They don't know it now, but this was a new beginning. The 4 of them were now a family.

His friends would be so proud.

"Isn't it great to have friends?"

[alphabetboyluvr]

bad decisions - jjk | nine

"You made your choice." "I made no such thing," you wail, but the stream of water has you spluttering—and then you're laughing. Laughing just like he is; like how you imagine Galileo would have laughed when he first pointed his telescope skyward, and saw the rings of Saturn. It's unadulterated. Blissful. Pure. Jungkook loosens his grip on your wrists. He rests his elbows on your shoulders, using his hands to create a barrier between the stream of water and your eyes. There's glitter on your cheeks, now, forced to part way with your eyes thanks to the water pressure, and Jungkook finds himself grinning at how you manage to look like a party even in the middle of the day. Perhaps he's a lot more like Galileo than you first thought. Maybe he's laughing because he's looking at the stars, too.

Bad Decision #9 - White

warnings: birdie time he he. honestly just very wholesome all round, but the embers are burningggg, they're very wet! fantastic! (1) mention of Hang Sơn Đoòng (worlds biggest cave).

soundtrack: lemon - loco, hwasa; safety zone - j-hope

wc: 6k

bd total wc: 370k (on-going)

minors dni | wattpad | series masterlist |

Summer is reaching the end of its peak, but monsoons are still a looming threat. There have been weather warnings all month, but today seems okay. You've an umbrella tucked into your tote just in case, legs crossed as you flick through your notifications on the subway.

It's mid-morning the following Monday when Jungkook's message lands in your inbox. The sky is free of clouds, sun beating down on the windows of the subway carriage you're in. It's above ground, crossing the river.

Three unread messages sit pretty at the top of your inbox.

JK: Still on for today?

Danbi: u, me, ryan reynolds in lycra, tonight. game?

Seokjin: such a tease, you know i love those shorts on you - if memory serves me correctly they were off far more than they were on whenever you wore them ;) you around tonight?

Jungkook is probably the only one who needs a reply, and yet you can't help but stare at Seokjin's message for a little longer than you should.

If Danbi knew you were texting him, she'd probably confiscate your phone, like your parents used to do during your teen years. Jungkook'd probably throw all your stupid little origami birds at you. Would hope you'd get a paper cut.

It'd be deserved, you think.

Jungkook had wasted his entire Sunday on you as a result of Seokjin's carelessness. You didn't leave until Jimin had taken a nap on the couch at just gone six, your day full of mindless chatter and harmless distractions from Seokjin. It had been nice. Comforting.

And yet when you'd arrived home, a text had been waiting from Seokjin—heyyy, sorry I had to rush off. didn't wanna wake you. you looked toooo cute. was so nice to see you again.

It's kind of embarrassing, the way your heart seemed to settle at the sight of it; like things were as they should be once more.

You told yourself that Seokjin hadn't meant to upset you. That it was all a big misunderstanding.

He said everything you wanted him to in that message. Said sorry. Maybe he didn't give you an excuse nor an explanation, but he did give you a compliment, and that had you giggling.

Had you thinking that maybe you'd been reactive, and were too highly strung. Perhaps he was never the issue. What if it was you?

Still, it's Jungkook's message thread you tap through to instead. 

You: yeah, just on the subway now! we're still meeting there?

You contemplate whether or not you want to tell him that you've spoken to Seokjin later. He'll no doubt ask about him, with a sneer on his lips, nose upturned at the mere thought of him. You know you'll only lie. "No. Not heard from him."

It's not that you want to be dishonest. Not in the slightest.

You're no stranger to a white lie or two, but Jungkook had scooped up all of your broken pieces in the early hours of yesterday morning, and tried to washi tape them back together—only for you to run straight back to the person holding a sledgehammer.

You don't want to be reckless with the care Jungkook's afforded to you; it's just that while Jin's got a sledgehammer in one hand, it also looks like he's got super glue in the other. It's a little bit stronger than washi tape.

Especially Jungkook's rolls of washi tape, which are the entire reason why you're spending your day off on the subway, and not tucked up in bed, instead.

Jungkook had devised a plan following the fall of your origami bird, but had neglected to tell you exactly what that plan was.

Had said, "Look, I won't lie—I can't help you with this. Gimmie the evening to think of a plan, though? I'll text you later."

He'd texted you an address by the time you'd arrived home. Told you not to search it up; said he'd meet you there at midday. Kind of felt like a challenge, and you don't like losing, so you'd done as he'd said. Other than putting the address into Naver maps to find the route, you were none the wiser as to where you were headed.

The subway leads you to the outskirts of town. Down by the river, just a little further up from the arboretum you always tell yourself you should visit more often. You're local to the city, but it's so vast that there are still areas you aren't too familiar with. This is one of them. You know what's in the general area—the arboretum, an old water park, and some museums, but you've no idea what the exact address could be.

As you climb the stairs, you're regretful of the fact you actually listened to Jungkook. Should have looked up the address beforehand. Seen what was about; what dress code would have been appropriate.

Denim shorts hug your curves, and a little white blouse sits prettily on your shoulders. You're making the most of the summer while it lasts; skin exposed, despite the judgement thrown your way by the ajummas you pass on the street.

A mirror selfie had been sent to Seokjin before you'd left the house, in reply to his collarbone-wielding, broad shoulder-baring bed selfie. His hair had been messy, and there was a little pink mark on his neck. You're pretty sure you left it there. Didn't wanna focus on it for too long just in case you realised that you didn't.

There had been a little tactful positioning of your phone in front of your face when you took your photo. Had been covering your eyes. Hiding the glitter.

And it's funny, 'cause it's the first thing that Jungkook notices when he spots you.

You're looking around, realising exactly where you are, a frown slowly forming. He'd expected nothing less. You always arrive with a small frown whenever he's around—but he also always manages to get you beaming, too. It's part of the charm that comes with being around Jungkook. Bad moods dissolve into nothingness.

He smiles, just like he always does. Waves. Throws you not one, but two peace signs. His thin lips plumpen into a pout as he wiggles his shoulders, the ease of acting childishly coming naturally when he's around you.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" He glows as if he hadn't seen you less than twenty-four hours ago.

Strolling towards you, he ignores the slight scowl that's resting on your neat brows. Just continues smiling. All doe-eyed and dainty. Hopes you won't be able to resist breaking into a smile, too.

He likes your glitter today. It's just in the corners of your eyes. Thinks you look like a fairy.

"I'm wearing white!" is all you can say, a little exasperation clouding your words, before laughter begins to tumble from your lips whether you want it to or not. "You asshole! You should have warned me!"

Jungkook's wearing all black. A pair of shorts, a long sleeve swimming shirt and one of his many oversized black t-shirts over the top. See, he's dressed according to his plans—the plans that he neglected to share with you.

But he's a man. How much can you really expect from him? You doubt he's ever had to run home in the middle of a thunderstorm with his arms crossed over his chest to protect his modesty. Doubt his eyes have ever felt the unwelcome intrusion of sodden mascara running into them.

"Oh, chill out, Disco Ball," he banters, rolling his eyes as he twiddles his lip ring with his tongue. He comes to a stop in front of you. Pouts. Pushes his lips to the side, and his cheek slowly rises like a freshly baked loaf of bread. "It's only a little water. Worst comes to the worst, we'll just buy you another shirt."

When Jungkook says it's only a 'little water,' he's telling a big fat lie.

You're both well aware that 'little' is hardly the appropriate word to use.

Not when you're standing next to the entrance of the largest outdoor waterpark in the city.

You don't want to say definitively, but you think it might be the largest waterpark in the entire district. Biggest you've ever been to, that's for sure, not that you really make a habit of it.

"Look," he says. "You're the one who wrote the bird, not me. Blame yourself."

"And you're the one who didn't give me a dress code," you reply with a small scoff. He's unbelievable.

It's not like he was ever supposed to see your birds. Your intention had only ever been for the pair of you to vent out your frustration; to see them in black and white and maybe colour them in.

"You could have just looked at Naver. Seen where you were going."

"You told me not to!"

Jungkook smirks to himself, a little pleased with how much you seem to have blindly trusted him. 

He also thinks it's incredibly foolish, and adds it to his list of things he needs to worry about in the future. While it's him that you're mindlessly following the orders of, it's okay, he supposes. Knows you're safe. Nothing to worry about right now.

"You'll be fine, Byeol," he says, hooking an arm around your neck, rubbing his knuckles against the crown of your head. You don't even bother to scramble away, sensing his grip tighten when your back edges out from his grasp. With arms like his, you're ensnared whether you like it or not. "You bring your bird?"

He keeps his arm locked around your neck, resting on your shoulders, but stands a little straighter as you head in direction of the waterpark. His relaxed posture allows you to rummage around in your tote bag for the small piece of folded paper. It's in the bottom, a little crumpled, but still quite clearly in bird form.

Jungkook pinches it from you as soon as you retrieve it, not seeming to care much for the fact that it's your bird. You're locked in by his arms as he strengthens some of the creases that have fallen lax thanks to the lack of attention you'd been paying when you tossed it into the bag.

"You're gonna give yourself bad bird luck," he tells you. "Gotta preserve them, Byeol, or otherwise you'll never overcome your fears."

"I'm not really sure we'll be overcoming any fears today," you mutter in response.

He takes great offence to this. Tells you to 'stop being a negative Nancy', and that 'you'll never overcome your fears with an attitude like that'. You pinch him through his shirt. He recoils away from you, finally giving you a little room to breathe.

And then he calls you a goblin.

"That's rich," you snort, peering into your bag once again to get your wallet, shooing his hands away as he brings out his own wallet from his shorts pocket. "Nah, this is on me. My fear. I'll pay."

There's an attempt from him to protest, but you just tell the cashier you're paying for two, and there's very little he can do about it. He feels bad. This is, after all, his idea. He gave you no wiggle room. You wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for him.

A bathroom? Maybe.

But not here.

"Absolutely not," you had exclaimed yesterday afternoon after reading the bird. Jungkook couldn't stop laughing. "Stop! You'll give me a complex."

He hadn't meant to find it so funny - he was just taken by surprise. It's a reflex.

"No, no," he cooed. "It's cute. Really sweet, actually. Should have told me last night. Could have actually done something about it."

It was at that point that you flicked him on the forehead. Told him to go touch some grass. Get his head out of his ass.

And then, finally, you told him, "You're never showering with me."

In typical Jungkook fashion, he'd just smirked. Found your defensiveness funny. "And nor is anyone else, apparently."

The bird resting on Jungkook's stomach was laying flat, open on your words:

!!SHOWER WITH SOMEONE ELSE!!

He thinks it's the all-caps that cracked him up so much. So aggressive. So cute. A bit like you.

Showers had been one of your favourite forms of intimacy during past relationships. You'd even found it fun with casual hookups.

But now?

Feels forbidden. Tarnished. Dirty.

It's almost as if someone else running their hands over your skin beneath the water will rid you of the stain that Seokjin left - and if you're not his, whose are you?

It's stupid because you don't belong to anyone but yourself. You'd spent months resenting the removal of your identity, but now that you have the chance to reclaim it, you're still letting his mark remain.

You had told Jungkook later that afternoon—with absolute certainty—that he'd never be facing that fear with you, only for him to say, "It doesn't have to be that big of a deal. I'll prove it to you."

And now he's trying to do exactly that.

He leads as you follow and make your way into the park. It's been a fair few years since your last visit, but it always looks the same; paint work a little tatty, white watermarks tarnishing pipes, and slightly dated equipment available for hire. In fact, you think the inflatables sitting pretty and ready for renting might be the same ones you used as a child on family trips.

"Still don't understand how on earth this is supposed to help me with my fear of intimacy," you speak softly once Jungkook is done telling you about the tallest waterslide in the world. It's in Brazil, and he insists that he doesn't understand why on earth they called it Kilimanjaro when it's not even remotely close in height nor geographical location.

You tell him he's pedantic and he smiles as if you've just given him a gold star.

"It's helping because we're making it less scary," Jungkook states all very plainly. Seems simple to him. His logical mind leaps from A to B, while yours is still spiralling round and round like a hula-hoop. "What do you do in the shower?"

"When I'm with someone else?" You raise a brow. "Not sure I want to say it out loud in a kid's waterpark."

"Oh, ew, no, not that part. I mean the basics," he sighs, before choosing just to answer for you. "You get wet. That's the first hurdle."

"Kook, that's barely even the first meter," you counter. "And after that? There's still a billion hurdles left to jump."

"Well, you have to start somewhere, don't you?" He nudges his shoulder against yours, before spotting the concessions store up ahead. "See. Told you you'd be able to buy a shirt. Here."

He hands you his wallet, only for you to pass it right back.

"It's good, I'll get it."

"I dragged you here."

"And I'm the one who made that stupid bird," you laugh. "It's fine. Tell you what though, if they only have ugly shirts, you're gonna have to get one too. Can't be doing this alone."

"Watcha mean?"

"Well look at you," you shrug, as if it's plainly obvious. "You're in all black and—not that I agree with this, but—I'm sure some people will find you 'okay' looking. You know all the yummy mummies are gonna be swooning over you instead of looking after their kids."

"Swooning?" He grins with a small chortle. "Are you trying to insinuate something, Byeol?"

You gasp, and take a step away from him. "Are you saying I look like a mother?"

This, he decides rather quickly, is dangerous. You almost sound like you're flirting. It's not that he doesn't enjoy it, just that he knows he shouldn't indulge himself and yet-

"Maybe I'm into MILFs."

You've a remarkably good poker face. He can't tell if you're actually annoyed, until you look at him with a small smile. It's hidden by the sultry, tempestuous expression you're throwing his way, but definitely still there.

"So first I'm a mother, and now you wanna fuck me? Well, aren't you full of surprises?"

If there's one thing Jungkook enjoys, it's a girl who knows how to twist words. Regretfully, it always gets him thinking about other ways they could twist their tongues. The thoughts are unsavoury. Sordid. Lewd.

But you're you.

You're off-limits, and he knows better than to play with fire. He needs to get you wet.

Just, like, not in that way.

"I'll put you under that fountain if you don't stop twisting my words," he asserts as you walk through the park. To your right is a pool, with bright slides twisting in all directions around it. Families play, and laughter prevails. It's nice.

To your left is a row of spouting fountains for kids to run through, water pitter-pattering against the warm concrete floor. They're tall enough that even Jungkook could stand beneath them without issue. You always think they look like reverse umbrellas; water pouring where protection should be.

Puddles of water interrupt the walkway, but neither of you care all that much.

"Maybe if you got your head out your ass and stopped flirting"—

"Not flirting."

You scoff as sarcasm wraps itself around your words. "Yeah, and I'm a MILF."

He pauses. Stops walking. Laughs.

"Right," Jungkook says. "That's it."

It's said in a tone so light and airy that you almost don't realise he's wrapping his arms around you with a grip tight enough to crack a rib. Your playful shrieks are ignored by other park visitors, chalked up to you being a pair of young lovers enjoying the frivolity of a waterpark together.

"I'm in white!" is your final cry before he pulls you under the cascade of a fountain with him.

The worst part of it, you think, is how goddamn happy he sounds, laughing at your misery.

"And I told you to stop twisting my words, Byeol," he says like the bastard he is, while you struggle against him again. Finally releasing you, he keeps a clasp on your wrists to prevent you from straying. "You made your choice."

"I made no such thing," you wail, but the stream of water has you spluttering—and then you're laughing.

Laughing just like he is; like how you imagine Galileo would have laughed when he first pointed his telescope skyward, and saw the rings of Saturn. It's unadulterated. Blissful. Pure.

Jungkook loosens his grip on your wrists. He rests his elbows on your shoulders, using his hands to create a barrier between the stream of water and your eyes. There's glitter on your cheeks, now, forced to part way with your eyes thanks to the water pressure, and Jungkook finds himself grinning at how you manage to look like a party even in the middle of the day.

Perhaps he's a lot more like Galileo than you first thought. Maybe he's laughing because he's looking at the stars, too.

Water barrels down on the pair of you, soaking your hair, your clothes, your skin. It's heavy, the pressure of the fountain far heavier than a shower, but you suppose the outcome is the same.

You don't want to look at Jungkook with anything but moderate vexation, and yet there's a fond smile tugging at your lips.

Strands of wet hair stick to his face, droplets catching on his lashes and falling down his cheeks. He shakes like a dog caught out in the rain, only to continue getting drenched because he doesn't move from the fountains trajectory. It'd be so easy for him to just manoeuvre himself out of the fountain's direct line and hold you in place, but he chooses to be caught up in it, too. Chooses to be with you. Experience with you.

You'd done his bird together. Only fair for him to do yours with you.

"You still scared, Byeol?" Jungkook asks, voice quiet beneath the water pummeling down on you both, and yet it has your attention loud and clear.

You want to banter back, say something that will get tripping on his words just like you seem to be—but the rope tied around your ankles seems to be around your tongue, too. Instead, you just shake your head.

"See," he smiles, now. Pulls a hand away from your forehead to wipe at his. Puts it back. "Are showers really that scary?"

And then you do laugh. "It's not a shower. You know it isn't even close."

His face scrunches, water catching in all of his little ridges.

He'll admit the water is annoying. Keeps having to close his eyes. It's bothersome, and it's not like he even cares for boundaries anymore at this point, so—

Fuck it.

His pinkies are against your forehead, index fingers outward. He lowers his head, mirroring you. Rests his forehead against his index fingers. Swears. Can finally fucking see.

And now that he can?

He's looking at you.

With his head angled to such a degree that your chins couldn't be further apart, you still manage to fool yourself to believe that your lashes could brush.

"It's as close as we'll get to one," he counters. "You are showering with another person."

"I'm under a stream of water with another person."

"And how is that any different to showering with someone?"

He isn't stupid. He knows the answer. Knows that you're pedantic enough to go into all the clauses and stipulations that would ever stop this from being classed as a shower—and so he doesn't let you.

Instead, he pulls away, grabbing your wrist as he does so. Leads you further into the park with a smile so big you're surprised he doesn't dislocate his jaw.

"That's the hard part done," he assures you. "You've had a shower with someone. Say thank you."

There's an acute awareness between you both that he's not helped you to overcome your fear in the slightest—but he does have you laughing as you walk through the park, absolutely sodden, without a single care in the world. You're not even bothered by the fact your black bra is visible through the soaked fabric of your shirt.

See, Jungkook's gotten you relaxed in a situation when you know you'd typically be frantic. He's taking the pressure off. Got you giggling. Got you facing a fear, even if it's not exactly how he set out to do so, nor the fear in question.

In his defence, he really had thought his contrived little plan would count. He'd have never insisted on actually taking a shower with you. He understands why you consider them so intimate. He does, too. Something about the vulnerability really gets him. It's not even the sex that inevitably comes with one that makes him weak at the knees.

He thinks of the girl who folded paper butterflies for him, and how he'd shampoo her hair, chest pressed to her back, and the fact it was in the confines of his bathroom that he realised he was in love with her.

So, Jungkook gets it. It's why he wouldn't even consider anything but his dumb little waterpark shower as a remedy of your insecurities. He hopes a lesson is learned even if a fear isn't overcome: you can let down your guard without giving up all of you.

What it comes down to, you think, is that Jungkook isn't a taker. He's not a giver, either, really - but when your walls start to crack and crumble, he doesn't intrude. Stands at a safe distance. Offer you back your bricks. Most men you knew would see a weakness in your defences and claim what's yours as their own.

He's not always been this way. Used to have a 'what's yours is mine' understanding of his relationships, too.

His butterfly girl had taught him that no, just because he was given temporary access to something didn't mean it was his. He'd learnt the hard way after he'd always swapped his heart with hers, not realising she'd ever want it back.

And so while Jungkook will never fully understand whatever you went through - not unless you choose to share it with him - he can empathise. Treat you how he wished someone would have treated him while he was still healing.

As the clouds migrate across the sky, fluffy white shapes occasionally hiding the careful watch of the sun, the day rolls into stupid competitions and races down the tallest slides in the park. The reason you'd ended up here doesn't seem to matter.

Jungkook races you to the top of the slides again, and again, and again, just to try and beat you down them. He never wins.

Not until you hold back by just a millisecond.

It's just enough to give him a slight edge, and have him roaring in victory —"Ha! Suck it! Loser!"— as he slaps at the water, a smile larger than Hang Sơn Đoòng eclipsing any desire you had to win. You'll let him have this one. Let him have one victory.

The haze of late-afternoon sun grazes down on the pair of you, while you lounge by the 'adults-only' pool area. A lot of families have gone home already, but sometimes it's nice to be away from the shrieks of kids messing about in the water.

You're not exactly the maternal type. In fact, Jungkook's the one who's been pointing out how cute the kids are in their little armbands and sprout hairstyles. He's not wrong. They're incredibly adorable - you're just not that naturally inclined to go 'awww'.

It's all swings and roundabouts, though.

Getting away from kids meant being surrounded by, well, some less wholesome auras.

Jungkook thinks he notices it first; the unwelcome gaze of a middle-aged man. He's felt it for a little while. Upwards of ten minutes. Thinks you're none the wiser. Tries to figure out what's so fucking interesting. Stares him out a little bit - but is ignored.

See, the man—who is probably old enough to be your father—isn't looking at Jungkook at all. Too busy staring at you, and that shirt of yours which is still yet to dry out. You're on your back, sunning yourself, clothes sodden and sticking to your skin.

Jungkook thinks you look no different to anyone else in the park. It's typical to wear regular clothes in places like these. Would be more shocking if you were in a bikini. And so while yes, he has noticed the fact your bra is dark, he couldn't tell you the colour because he's been trying not to look. Actively avoiding it, actually.

Annoyance isn't something that Jungkook's ever been able to hide well.

As he sucks in a little bit of air between his teeth and mutters a small curse to himself, you glance over.

"Hmm?" you ask.

It's not like you don't know the man's staring. You had warned Jungkook about your attire earlier. Was always gonna happen. He just hadn't realised that this was the reason why you'd been so insistent about the fact he was an asshole for not giving you a dress code.

Realistically, you could have bought a second shirt - but the pair of you got distracted. Didn't care so much when you were laughing and joking about how you both look like rats with your hair all wet.

"Here," he says, tugging on his shirt at the nape of his neck. There's resistance, the weight of the water dragging against his skin, but he pays it no mind as he pulls the shirt over his head. You're still laying down on your back, and turn onto your front with a small grin.

"Y'know if I really was all that bothered, I'd just do this," you say, talking about your change in position. It's not that you want the man to stare - you just know he will regardless. Know that your shorts have ridden up a little, and so he's getting a whole new type of show.

Jungkook doesn't laugh. Smiles, but doesn't let it reach his eyes. Leans over and drapes the fabric of his shirt over the top of your legs. Over your ass. "You'll burn."

"I'm wearing suncream," you purr, knowing that this has nothing to do with keeping your skin safe.

And so Jungkook just shrugs. Considers staying silent. Chooses not to.

"He might wanna stare, Byeol," he almost growls beneath his breath, feigning indifference through his body language. "But I don't."

"You saying you can't help yourself?" You tease, to which he just rolls his eyes and lays back down.

"I can help myself perfectly well," he says, tongue flicking against the inside of his cheek. "Just didn't finish my sentence."

"Oh?" you chirp with great curiosity.

There's a boldness to the way you're engaging in conversation with him. Makes you realise that Jungkook is just the same as any other boy. He can see you as a sexual object, apparently. Just chooses not to. It's all very interesting.

"He might wanna stare, Byeol," he repeats, crossing his arms over his torso, a defensiveness to his posture, even when he's flat on his back. "But I don't want him to."

Though his eyes remain closed, Jungkook can hear you move to sit on your knees.

Your back is to the sleazebag, Jungkook's shirt bunching by your heels. You pull it around and bundle it in your lap, mouth resting open in a slight stare of shock.

Unspoken words beg for him to look at you.

But he doesn't. Keeps his eyes firmly shut. Grins. Just says, "Lie back down, Byeol."

The worst part is that you want to. You really do. When his voice is that low, the look on his face that cocky, you want to fold like a sheet of fucking origami paper. Have him bending you about like one of those damn birds.

But then you take a second to think, and realise you're no better than that guy who is still staring at you so intensely you're surprised he doesn't burst a blood vessel. Makes you feel bad. Guilty.

So instead you toss Jungkook his shirt back and, as you stand, say, "I've a fear of intimacy, Jungkook. No fear in telling men to fuck off."

He's not surprised by your response. Quite amused by it. Sits up on his elbows. Watches with curiosity as you walk away from him - and then is stunned to see you beeline for the man.

It's the kind of thing he'd see in a movie, background characters slowing to a stop, time ceasing to move except for the leading lady.

And then you're pointing. Accusing. Jungkook's not sure of what - he can't hear you from this far away - but he knows it isn't nice. Watches the blood drain from the man's face. He's ghostly. And then it all returns, red and raw, with such a vengeance he's surprised blood doesn't start leaking from his nose.

When you turn on your heel, Jungkook observes with morbid novelty at the scene unfolding; the intense shame on the man's face and the pure brilliance on yours.

"Men," you sigh, as you sit back down next to him. Mirroring his position, you're up on your elbows until you casually let yourself fall back into your original position. "Sorry, where were we? You told me to lie down? Done."

Jungkook doesn't say anything. Just grins. Collapses back down, too. Doesn't tell you to cover up. Knows better.

Doesn't shut up about it for the rest of the day, though.

Relays the story to you as if you weren't there—weren't central to it—with so much animation that you think he might turn into a cartoon on the subway home.

He's still talking about it between the part where he invites you back for dinner - "Jimin's gonna be in but it's cool. We haven't eaten all day, you must be starving." - and the part where he stands by your door, taking a whole twenty minutes to say goodbye.

You've declined the offer. Told him it'd be a bit weird seeing Jimin. Wouldn't know how to explain it. Jungkook just says, "Of course, yeah, you're right. Didn't even think of that. My bad."

There's a little silence afterwards. You know why. It's rejection. Not romantic, nor for anything serious, but it's still the same difference. He'd spent the day trying to help you break down walls only for you to put your bricks on top of his.

It's as he's heading down your stairs (after his fifteenth and final 'bye') that you realise how rude you've been. Just 'cause you wouldn't feel entirely welcome at his doesn't mean he's not welcome at yours.

"Hey, wait a sec! Danbi's home, but do you wanna eat here?" You chance. "We don't have much in, but I can order or we can-"

"My God, I thought you'd never ask," he grins immediately turning on his heel and back towards you. "So hungry I might die."

"You won't."

"I could."

The pair of you bicker as you enter your apartment, Danbi glancing up from the sofa. She looks at you, then looks at Jungkook, and takes a second to place his face. Definitely knows it - and then it clicks.

She considers asking why the fuck your favourite barman is following you in. He's known within the confines of your apartment as the Barman That Smiles (more commonly referred to as BTS boy), Jungkook's name a secret just for you to know. Danbi doesn't realise all of those nights you waste are the bar are wasted on him, nor does she realise he's the reason you snuck off the other night.

What she does wonder, however, is if this is all part of your master-get-revenge-on-Seokjin-plan.

Instead of voicing any of these queries, she settles on, "What are we having for dinner?"

You shrug. "Ask Jungkook. He's paying."

He raises a brow as if to question your assertion—only for him to cough up the bill for the pizza delivery that feeds the three of you through a Deadpool rewatch.

When he leaves, Danbi tells him he has to come back next week for Deadpool 2. You grin as you walk him out.

"She just wants you to pay for more food," you tell and he nods. Says he knows.

But then he calls back over to Danbi, "See you next week."

She does a little cheer, and it's all very sweet. They get on well. His humour is welcome in your apartment, and so is his presence. Danbi also hopes it means she'll get more free drinks next time she's at the club.

"She'll play you like a damn fiddle if you let her," you warn just out of her earshot.

"Good," he grins. "We can double date with you and Jimin."

You tell him to fuck off, but also insist that he lets you know when he gets home. The way you care about him is so casual that it feels as if it's been this way for years.

As he heads on home, Jungkook kind of hopes it will be. Hopes it's the kind of friendship that stands the test of time. Worries that he shouldn't take the flirting too far—but then he's distracted by the little fleck of glitter on the top of his hand. His thoughts are lost, a smile unwinding on his lips as he strolls back to his place.

The skies are void of stars tonight, and yet, for the first time in months, Jungkook's eyes are full of them.

minors dni | wattpad | series masterlist |

[tobyfoxmademeascaly]

Dawntrail Part 25 (Finale)

something something if you die in the game you die in real life

welp. Nothing left to it, right?

oh, it really is Disneyland.

man. Between this, Amaurot, and the Dead Ends, the devs REALLY know how to make these final dungeons as impactful as possible. The look on my face when I lapped through the town the second time and it was a war zone.

for the whole world to be annihilated in lightning, losing everything outside the barrier... no wonder the alexandrians didn't handle the grief very well.

too bad they've made it everyone's problem on a multiversal level.

Okay that is WAY better of a design than the Shapely Woman But Freaky that I was kinda expecting

... also is it just me or does the final trial boss' voice sound like the last boss of eden.

ohhh azem stone pretty

"oh you think youre the only one with the interdimensional powers? lol. Get azem'd"

hey what's with that weirdly azem-like solar system on top of The Cup

ah well. can focus on that later. time for the finale.

all this for a people we've just got done getting rid of. It'd be funny if it weren't so sad.

Oh? What's this?

WUK LAMAT WITH THE STEEL CHAIR!

GO KITTY GO!

GORGEOUS phase two backdrop.

... Feeling that Legatus Down comic rn. I'll leave you two to your heartfelt moment i'm just relieved that this woman will cause me indigestion no longer.

without context this looks like the aftermath of girls' (plus graha) night in Las Vegas

and that's the ending!

oh? sequel hook?

wait what about the soul cell resurrections. that seems like something big that would change without a steady supply of life force. do animals work for resurrections?

NOO HIS TACO. TAKEN FROM HIM IN HIS MOMENT OF VICTORY.

(Estinien Voice) for the love of GOD, boy. PLEASE help me.

of all things. the decision to put Gulool Ja Ja's voice credits over the carving of his successors is getting to me. He still lives on through them indeed.

ohhhh beautiful city. I love you tuliyollal.

awww childhood photos. Zoraal ja is getting smote by his dad but that's just how Gulool Ja Ja bonds

and one last BABY LIZARD ADOPTION

hey what the fuck does that mean

And that’s the end! There’s a bit afterwards with the Arcadion opening but Image Limit.

I’ll be posting a Postscript with my thoughts, eventually, but for now? I’ll just leave it at this: It might be a bit rough around the edges, but I think the next arc of the msq is in good hands!

[youcantkillanidea]

hmmm okay here's my rambles. idk I might turn this into a fic at some point but it's more likely that if anything I just do some art and maybe some oneshots every now and then lol. But I wanted to talk about the portal fidds concept because I'm very attached.

Basically the idea is that, during the portal test, Fiddleford falls into the portal completely instead of just his head poking in and the rope isn't there for Ford to just pull him back out. Fidds gets stuck outside of their dimension, and now Ford not only has to deal with a world ending portal and demonic possessions but also the guilt of convincing his friend to help build and test the portal that would ultimately lead to this. More thoughts below the cut

There's a few reasons, I think, as to why Ford wouldn't just immediately reopen the portal to try to save Fiddleford. For one, it might end the world of course- I don't know that that alone would be enough deterrent here, but it'd probably make a big impact. For another thing, if he had to go in after Fidds to save him, he could get stuck too, and then there'd be no one around to disassemble the portal and make sure Bill didn't end the world.

I think maybe he'd still call Stanley, but when they met up Ford's plan would instead be "I need to go into the portal to save my friend, you need to be around to disassemble it in case we don't come back, and also hide my journal" and this could still pick at old wounds with like- Stan's not the one being told to leave immediately, but Ford is leaving him immediately it's like. Oh okay so you're going on the adventure of a lifetime without me. Obviously he wouldn't agree to it but I don't think there’s be the same "pushing him in" situation. I don't know where I'd take it from here tbh! I'm just kinda brainstorming- maybe they'd go in the portal on a rescue mission together and it could turn into a mystery trio thing?

I've thought more about portal Fidds. He wouldn't have the memory gun with him so that wouldn't be a problem anymore. But now there's a more physical barrier between him and his family and friends instead of a mental one, and he'd probably really miss them all. He's still angry at Ford probably but there's a lot going on and he has a lot of feelings and he's probably thinking about things a lot more without immediately wiping his memory so there's more nuance.

Fidds needs weapons for self defence out there of course and I've thought about that too. Making robots seems to be a specialty of his and he could definitely still find some use for them out there but I don't know how convenient or portable those would be as weapons. He mentions in Legend of the Gobblewonker that he's building a death ray, and I can imagine him doing something similar here as a weapon! Though he could also just use a gun lol

I don't own a copy of Journal 3 and haven't actually read it, so everything I know from it comes from little bits I've heard or seen from other people, it's very limited. So I don't know much about the other dimensions tbh! I'd have to look into it more if I wanted to actually write something. If Fidds can find a banjo or similar instrument out there though I like to think he'd take comfort in that :))

Idk if Bill would be after Fidds really? Like, chasing him down or anything I mean? I don't think he'd care that much? But Fidds is a great way of guilting Ford into reopening the portal for sure! And fuck man it works! As long as they can close the portal right away it shouldn't cause Weirdmaggeddon though? Because like, nothing like that happens when Ford falls in in canon so it should be fine I guess. But it's still a concern ofc! That's why Ford doesn't want to leave it unsupervised!

[angeart]

You know that post about when characters die or whatever and they just come back… they come back Wrong.

yeah…. THAT

mumbo and scar are always together, clinging together like how Grian used to them, because now that he’s gone, they feel cold and alone. So they keep each other company. literally All the time

After Grian comes back I see 2 possible possibilities. 1: he manages to escape himself, through whatever way. but he’s just… not the same. Something is wrong. He looks.. duller. He seems empty and hollow. he is Not The Same.

2: if he was taken by the watchers or whatever, he could come back, but.. under the watchers control. something like that. he could still escape the watchers, but maybe just in this trance, kinda.

Mumbo and Scar. again. 100% sooo clingy. like they’re absolutely stuck together methinks. Absolutely stuck. and they go to each other to cry to each other abt guilt btw too btw. scar crying because he coulnt save Grian, Mumbo crying because he could’ve.. he should’ve been there. He should’ve had Grian with him instead

I think, for more angst purposes, it’s be a little like.. in the time Grian was gone, mumbo and scar became so much closer. And “grew apart” from Grian while he was missing, paired with him being so Weird when he returns.. I hope u get what I mean bc I can’t put it into words

ohhhhh yeah! i see what you mean!

also i totally understand what you're trying to say, with them growing closer together in grian's absence, and then that (coupled with grian's changed behaviour - and the half-processed grief) puts distance between them even though grian is back. in a way.

i'm thinking. something about grian, when he comes back, is sharper. not in a dagger kind of way. but in a jutting edges of a shattered porcelain kind of way. also, he keeps spacing off. forgetting things. sometimes he seems to turn as if he heard something when there's nothing but silence. sometimes he stares off where nobody is. (why not make it a bit spooky.) maybe he says weird things sometimes.

(he also absolutely definitely has nightmares.)

they try to ignore it, because they're just happy he's back.

but he's not back right and they can't ask him what happened to him. they can't breach that barrier. they're scared of what asking the question out loud will do. what the answer might hold.

sometimes, he looks like the old grian. just sadder, more vulnerable, more fragile. that's the hard part about it. sometimes he'd laugh with them and it'd feel almost normal. it'd feel so much like grian that it actually makes their heart ache.

then he'd grow quiet and upset and they'd comfort him. sometimes he looks scared. he keeps coming to them then, and they keep pulling him closer. they keep trying.

but then other times he doesn't quite feel like grian at all.

and they're trying to understand.

they're trying to love him the same way they used to, but they're not sure where his place between them is anymore. the spot has been bandaged, stitched, built over. and half the time, he feels like a stranger. they don't know what to do with it, and it makes them feel hopeless and guilty. and maybe it adds to their distance.

maybe scar feels like this is worse. (and he hates himself for thinking that.) when he thought grian died, it was one big failure. but it was a failure that was finite and it ended, its consequences very clearly defined. this? this feels like his failure lives on, a leeching parasite clinging to him. like it continues, in an unpredictable way. a bullet ricochetting off walls and he doesn't know where it'll land. what else he'll lose to it.

it feels like this failure, because it lasts, should be fixable.

and yet he stands there on the rocky floating bridge between grian's and mumbo's bases and

he

doesn't know

what to do

[thedinanshiral]

The time is nigh.

We´re nearly there. we got news this week.

Say goodbye to "Dreadwolf"

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is now Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and while the name change isn't horrible, insiders poking at it merely hours before BW got to reveal it was particularly annoying. Insiders are good to expose issues, harrassment and other bad practices in the industry, not spoiling game details barely a moment before official news! While we were all waiting for the Summer Games Fest on Friday, "insiders" spoiled the game would have a name change. Soon after BioWare confirmed this with a blog post, but i'll take a moment here to say this is a game many of us have been painfully waiting for ages, there's unimaginable anxiety and expectations involved on all sides and just when we're right around the corner some people popped up to stir a pot that doesn't need any more stirring, considering the dev history of this game i'm sure many people read these insiders' "i know something you don't tee hee" posts and streams and feared the worst, again. Completely unnecessary. Fortunately the news were rather inocuous but what insiders did at such a last moment was still annoying. They did the equivalent of telling an excited kid at Christmas that they got socks right before they got a chance to open their present, at least it feels like that.

Moving from that, many people feel the name could drop that "the" and be just Dragon Age: Veilguard. It'd follow the pattern of DA games having three-words titles (Dragon Age Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition), and personally i think it rolls off the tongue way better without "the" in the middle too. This name change brought with it the acronym issue, and a sad goodbye to all the DA:D jokes. Now people are deciding if it should be DA:V, DAtV, DAVG. Former DA dev and writer David Gaider has already expressed his wish we all just don't go for DAVG, one presumes because it's too close to his own name. DAD jokes are quickly being replaced by Dragon Age TV and Dave ones, and others about DAD going to get cigarrettes and never coming back. I'm already fond of DAV or simply Veilguard.

The name change is already applied to platforms like Stream and console stores, where it's been possible to add the unreleased game to the wishlist since the latest trailer from last year. This one is from the PS5 store:

As BW explains in their blog post, the name change follows a need to change the focus due to this story's particulars. Yes, Solas is an antagonist, a big bad wolf, he's the Dread Wolf! BUT he's not the only threat we'll face this time, there are others, possibly bigger and more urgent matters to deal with. The Veil is quite the protagonist in this game, seems it's the last barrier between Thedas and utter annihilation, and as BW says, "the Veil needs guarding". DAO had the Grey Wardens, DA2 had Hawke & friends, DAI had the Inquisition, and now DAV has the Veilguard, a group of individuals from various backgrounds tasked with guarding the Veil. Pretty straightforward.

Gameplay details

BW has so far revealed we'll meet 7 new companions from a variety of factions and backgrounds, that we could romance any of them and that got everyone excited.. but we can only take 2 at a time to join the party, and combat will include a wheel menu to pause and strategize. This detail has people anticipating combat this time around will be much more like Mass Effect, with only MC and two party members the player might not control but send commands to instead, while some think BG3 and its success may have influenced some decisions as well.

This comparison reminded me of Mass Effect Andromeda, a highly criticized game many threw under a bus quickly and undeservedly (yes, undeservedly) . While it had its flaws it was a good game and its combat was possibly the best ME combat to date, and i think BW may have taken that for DAV. The one redeeiming grace from their last released game before DAV could have very well served as a base for it.

As for the different factions our companions may come from, it has all been teased before in concept art and side media, namely the Tevinter Nights anthology where we were introduced to entirely new factions as well as shown old ones more in depth. Antivan Crows, Mortalitasi, Lords of Fortune to name possibly the most anticipated ones. And we know the action this time will move all over Thedas, exciting new locales like Antiva, Rivain, Tevinter, the Anderfells, Arlathan Forest..

Lore trove!

On top of all these exciting news, just think of the lore, THE LORE. If Solas is not the main threat, if as BW says there are other gods we'll have to deal with as the Veilguard, who are they? Are we finally getting a double Blight? Are those other gods the last two remaining Old Gods OR is it the remaining Evanuris pushing from the other side of the Veil? Just how many fronts will our party be fighting on to save the world? And what ancient mysteries will come to light as we explore northern Thedas? In The Missing comics we learned there are areas of Arlathan forest that are twisted in time and space, paths too dangerous to traverse where spirits may take control of you, and gods know what else is there, what long forgotten horrors are waiting in the shadows of a history very few may remember. Could one of our new companions be an ancient elf? Many questions and the imagination is flying so high and far ..

But i'd like to focus on a small detail. Remember this? The little red book. It's where my avatar comes from! Here's a bit more on that. I remember back then i quickly edited it trying to get a clearer image

The tower on the cover first reminded me back then of the figurines seen on the map in Inquisition, then the protagonist of what we now know is Veilguard was said to be named Rook (possibly a codename), so there it is. The Warden, Hawke, the Inquisitor and now (the) Rook. A chess piece in the Dread Wolf's board. I think that's what the mystery red book's cover is hinting at. So when i read we'll be getting 7 companions my mind went straight to chess. This game will be about strategy, moving the right pieces the right way, specially if we'll be fighting on multiple fronts. The protagonist Rook and 7 companions.

Also reminded me of Solas' banter with the Iron Bull where they were playing a chess match mentally on the go. Here's a great recap of it. I don't understand chess, never really got to fully learn it, but i appreciate its symbolic value and of course, this will be a race of wits.

Solas, the other gods, the politics, the manipulations and revelations, everything Thedas has to offer is getting closer by the minute. Today it's the Xbox Showcase, in a couple of hours, we're all counting on some kind of reveal after the SGF gave us nothing. I hope for a cinematic trailer and introduction of companions, maybe if i could be so greedy even a release date or the possibility to pre-order, or a date for it. If not, we still have Tuesday 11th for a confirmed and announced by BW 15 minutes long gameplay reveal.

A gameplay reveal, fiften minutes!! It's real, it's happening, we're going home.

[astrxlfinale]

❝ you’re plotting something, aren’t you? come on then - out with it. ❞ and from topaz!

Caelus couldn't fault her at all for noticing. In fact, there's an odd comfort in knowing the fact she can keenly pick up on such signs. Being someone who held the position of dealing with debt meant that reading people was pivotal. What toils in the depth of his mind was this said plot, and it'd be due to the many faces he's come across in Penacony. A Land of Dreams that siphons dreamy beauty and lets a living nightmare take root. Decadence, despondency, the fun he's gained from the trailblaze in a new land immediately found itself suffocated.

A lavish lifestyle was no excuse for seeing the scale of misery enacted. Allowing his golden gaze to cross into Topaz's eyes, catching that focus as much as a genuine thread of concern, it left him contemplative. The pain would be easily discerned from that connection alone. A low, weary sigh spills from his lips as the stabilized balance within reality almost feels like an anchor he's thankful for. "You couldn't be more on the Credits. Topaz, I'll be genuine with you, I'm feeling really pissed off right now."

So much so that even on the posh couch they settled upon, a more reserved, VIP sanctified area away from the populace, the rampant energy within was eagerly bouncing against his mortal coil.

A firm hand kept it contained, allowing it to be a smoldering calm as he peered towards the wall ahead. "Should've known the instant a place involving this batshit load of money was the entry requirements alone. Should've told me two things from the start."

Rolling his shoulders against the seating, he'd prop himself up from that dispirited slouch he was in. "For starters. This is a place endlessly looking for resources, but the sort with a little more focus. I've met some people in here-- Ah." There's a pause as he feels a familiar nudge at his leg. Tempting as it was to be lost within this fierce emotion, it'd be the sight of his friends, really seeing them that shift the tide. After all, time with Topaz came paired with another great friend.

"Hey there big shot. I'm gettin' the message loud and clear." Paw and knuckles would meet in a firm sense of camaraderie, a fine reminder that while anger is good, the blinding, seething scarlet brand of it would be a recipe for disaster. Seeing Numby flick their gaze in a sense of contentment as Caelus's calm was more than enough for the Trotter. They'd quickly hop into their 'natural' seat that was squished right between them.

Goddamn. Just how long has it been since he sported a smile like this?

With a sudden breath that exhales the maddening turbulence, he'd resume, snatching his fruit based drink and taking a solid sip of the contents. "And as I was sayin'? The second angle I've noticed is how a hefty price can be a perfect barrier all the same. Keep the upset variables.. In most cases from barring on in, and snapping away any excess to leave them as a milk carton case. Nasty stuff, yeah?"

"Getting a gauge of this dream. What if I told you that it could do with some... renovations. Much as they love to lambast the thought of customer input." There it was, a saccharine gleam of defiance ignited within those eyes. The same brand that faced her once upon a time, wholly willing to let some remote mountain in Belobog be their grounds for a grand showdown.

....

That does remind him. One day he really would love to have a genuine tussle with the Stoneheart. That could wait for a sweeter day.

"'Death' is running around in that dream, and I think might be exactly what I'm lookin' for."

@apocryphis