#And China would someday be strong enough to 'beat' the US and take over as the world's superpower

[alchemistdetective]

((Hoyo really put the concerns of some of the elders in Modern Day China here, good gosh

A bit of China talk under the tags))

[therappundit]

***BEST OF 2020: The Best Rap Albums From a Historically Horrible Year***

So much has been said about this year, so on the last day of 2020 I don’t need to dive any further into exploration of what made this year so challenging (both at a personal and global level), but on the bright side I will say that two unrelated forces saved this year for me: 1.) my amazing baby daughter, and 2.) the seemingly never ending cycle of new, interesting music releases.

Before we dive in, just two points on my criteria for this list:

- must be released within this calendar year (1/1 - 12/31/20)

- must consist of at least 7 tracks

- rankings are according to a combination of my own favorite albums, and other impressive pieces of work that might not be directly up my alley, but I still found truly impressive

So for my last post of 2020...here are the Top 100 Rap Albums/Projects of 2020 (and a more than worthy list of albums that belong on that same list, further down the page):

10. HOMME by Kipp Stone

Without a doubt the most under-the-radar project on this list, and technically a mixtape and not an "album"...but that doesn't matter much to me, because this effort contains every bit of passion, every bit of perspective, and every bit of sheer love for rapping as any of the the best rap albums of 2020. It's hard to say whether East Cleveland is headed towards similar territory that Detroit, Buffalo, and Rochester now occupy, but with HOMME Kipp Stone captures the hunger, anxiety and forever shoulder-chipped struggle of having big dreams that seem more like unlikely fantasies. Kipp was buzzing a few years back, but making his grand return with this project is confirmation that he is next level talent and is more than ready to make a big splash in 2021.

9. Reasonable Drought by Stove God Cook$ and Roc Marciano

Quotes, on top of quotes, on top of quotes. Not sure what else to say about Roc Marciano's protege at this point, who came out of nowhere to close out 2020 as one of the most sought after feature-verse assassins in the business today.  Yes, his bars are hilarious, but it's the outside-the-box references and unpredictable bar pairings that truly made this project such an impressive debut. Roc provided high quality instrumentals for Reasonable Drought, but it's clear that he was intentionally lurking in the background to allow the Stove God to stand on his own two. While the album is probably not at the level of Jigga's classic Reasonable Doubt debut that this project tips its' cap to, it's not hard to imagine that someday we will look back at Stove God Cook$' debut as the coming out party for one of New York City's finest MCs.

8. Àdá Irin by Navy Blue

I never imagined that one of the biggest challenges at this point would not be whether or not Navy Blue deserves to be recognized as having one of the top rap 10 albums of 2020, but rather which album to choose for the top 10!? From Earl Sweatshirt affiliate and Soundcloud producer to standout solo talent, the west coast born by east coast stationed MC/writer/producer/model/skateboarder (!?) had himself a banner year. Of his many gifts, his strongest is his ability to craft beautiful, soulful soundscapes that blend the best elements of the NYC lofi scene with shades of late 90's L.A. underground. Dealing with themes of love, loss, joy, and depression, Navy seems to possess wisdom well beyond his years, and it enabled him to craft not one, but two of the most inviting and accessible offerings from lofi circles that I have heard, and I mean that in the best way possible.  

7. From King To A God (Deluxe) by Conway The Machine

He did it. Griselda's top muscle came through to deliver his most well-rounded, and arguably strongest overall project yet. Everything from the bars, to the varied production, to the bleeding soul of this project exemplifies the difference between an album and a "tape". The Machine was a machine in 2020, blitzing an astronomical number of feature verses, but FKTG was the gem he needed in his crown to solidify himself as a contender for best MC in the game moving forward. While this is not his actual Shady Records label debut (who knows when that will arrive now), this certainly feels like his major league arrival.

6. Alfredo by Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist

Two hip-hop specialists getting together to drop a project just for fun in the middle of a pandemic...what could go wrong? Well, almost nothing, actually. Freddie arrived dripping with soul and Al slid a nice little package of beats his way, and what we ended up with was a strong partner-project to FETTI (their previous stellar collaboration alongside Curren$y), only packaged with little snippets of personal revelations and free-flowing opinions throughout. Gibbs is one of the masters of hooking you in with his voice and contagious flow, so much so that his skills as a talented writer are often overlooked. While not necessarily the incredible revelation that his collaborations with Madlib have been thus far, there's enough strong chemistry here between MC and producer to lock Alfredo down as easily one of the best rap projects of 2020. And the Grammy's would certainly agree.

5. Descendants of Cain by Ka

One of the genre's true master writers, Ka albums feel like audio literature placed over hard-nosed rap beats. Many rappers view themselves as true artists, but few can say they are capable of weaving the type of rhyme poetry that Ka seems to wield with casual ease. The truth is that it's not easy, we just aren't around to witness the care and editing that goes into Ka's work. Featuring too many stirring quotes to single out (and let us not forget an incredible surprise verse from fellow Metal Clergy-man, Roc Marcinao), Decendants of Cain is yet another impressive addition to Ka's catalogue, doing more to capture the paradoxical surroundings of environments that are equal parts harsh and loving - and often doing so through religious metaphors - than many MCs can do in a year. His lyrical paintings of the world may be bleak, but they are not without hope.

4. As God Intended by Che Noir & Apollo Brown

Apollo Brown has been one of the most revered - albeit not loudly proclaimed - underground hip-hop producers of the past decade. He has joined forces with many talented MCs to drop full partner projects, but perhaps none as under-the-radar as Buffalo's Che Noir. But what Che Noir lacked in household name status heading into 2020, she more than makes up for with conviction, writing ability, and the skills of an elite MC. The result of this collaboration is a beautiful, personal, at times painful, and at times just straight badass album, and one that deserves recognition from top rap circles. In my opinion, this is the greatest production work of Apollo Brown's career thus far, and it's hard to say where it will rank for Che Noir since she seems to be a fresh talent that is very much still on the rise - but as of right now, you have to call her one of the best in the biz today.

3. Pray for Paris by Westside Gunn

Westside Gunn is one of the masters of the volume game. That's not to say he - or anyone in camp Griselda - sacrifice quality over quantity, but it's safe to say that you know what you're gonna get with a Westside Gunn album. Welp, WSG rewrote the script with this one. What began as an art-inspired passion project between album releases ended up being the overall strongest Griselda project of 2020, and one of the year's most fascinating rap albums. Since his highly regarded Supreme Blientele album, Gunn has gradually been pulling his own lyrical content out of the spotlight, opting to play cook and curator, throwing a mixture of in-house producers and rappers in a pot with outside talent, to mirror the ambiance of a dark, gritty rap fashion show. His projects are less statements of content, than they are audio "scenes" that the listener is invited into, as if they’re Basquiat level exhibitions quantum-leaping forward in time to now live amongst a hungry, thriving rap scene in upstate New York. That's not to say that PFP isn't a lyrical feast as well, with everyone from Tyler, The Creator to Joey Bada$$ to Wale to professional dancer Cartier William having their turn in the spotlight. All thanks to Westside Gunn, the rare MC that enjoys being the host of his own party more than being the center of attention at one.

2. A Written Testimony by Jay Electronica (featuring JAY-Z)

While some are waving the Act II flag as Jay Electronica's "real" debut album, I am less interested in a cool collection of mostly-finished old songs, and much more interested in a polished,  brilliantly produced project with (again, mostly) new verses from both Electronica and JAY-Z. It's easily the shortest selection on this list, but I feel like the quality of each individual song makes up for the brevity. I couldn't care less whether anyone thinks this is more of a duo-album or a solo piece, because the themes are certainly coming from Electronica's wheel house, and the fact that Hov was able to tweak his content to meet him there, is one of the things that makes AWT so special to me. 

1. The Price of Tea in China (Deluxe) by Boldy James and The Alchemist

No, it doesn’t represent a seismic shift in the culture, and no it’s not *the album* that we heard blasting out of everyone’s (or anyone’s) car speakers this year, but when it came to sheer execution, and mastery over the style of music they were aiming to make, there just simply wasn’t one flaw in Boldy James and The Alchemist’s The Price of Tea in China. From the distinctly moody production, to the guest verses, to the steady hand of a wizened veteran of the street life, intent on sharing unfiltered tales of his underworld without any additional bells or whistles, it all clicks so well that I can’t picture taking the project out of my rotation. Uncle Al went deeeeeeep into his bag with this one, and Boldy seems to have returned from the industry grave to reach the highest level of recognition of his career. In a year stuffed with a plethora of high quality examples of every flavor of rap music imaginable, The Price of Tea in China is the ideal pick for album of the year, because it’s prestige is built upon it’s ability to simply be what it wanted to be without turning an ear to trends or reaching for broader recognition. TPOTIC’s broader recognition is made possible due to Boldy & Al’s artistic commitment to just making the type of music that a MC from Detroit and a legendary underground producer from Los Angeles love to make, and for that we should be very grateful.

Top 100  (all belong in the Top 25-50, but…there’s only 100 spots in the Top 100, so here we go):

11. FlySiifu by Fly Anakin & Pink Siifu

12. Song of Sage: Post Panic! by Navy Blue

13. Eastern Medicine, Western Illness by Preservation

14. Too Afraid To Dance EP by Chuck Strangers

15. Noise Kandy 4 by Rome Streetz

16. Mt. Marci by Roc Marciano

17. Burden of Proof by Benny The Butcher & Hit-Boy

18. Battle Scar Decorated by Monday Night & Henny L.O.

19. We Know the Truth (Deluxe) by Drakeo the Ruler

20. The Allegory by Royce Da 5′9″

21. Bag Talk by yungmorpheus & Pink Siifu

22. Innocent Country 2 by Quelle Chris

23. Weight of the World by MIKE

24. Kontraband by Rome Streetz & Farma Beats

25. BRASS by Moor Mother & billy woods

26. Try Again by ovrkast.

27. Shrines by Armand Hammer

28. The Smartest by Tee Grizzley

29. Good Energy by Grafh

30. Substance Abuse by Rigz & Futurewave

31. Cold Water by Medhane

32. King’s Disease by Nas & Hit-Boy

33. Milestones by Skyzoo

34. Young & Turnt 2 by 42 Dugg

35. My Turn by Lil Baby

36. Manger on McNichols by Boldy James and Sterling Toles

37. The OutRunners by Curren$y & Harry Fraud

38. Mach’s Hard Lemonade by Mach-Hommy

39. Sages by Henny L.O. & Ohbliv

40. E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front by Busta Rhymes

41. Lake Water by SeKwence

42. At the End of the Day. by Fly Anakin

43. Sole Food by Deniro Farrar

44. The Oracle 3 by Grafh

45. The Blue Tape by Tree

46. lo&behold by lojii

47. Who Made The Sunshine by Westside Gunn

48. RTJ4 by Run The Jewels

49. Whitehouse Studio, Pt. 2 by Various Aritsts [Detroit]

50. Carpe Noctem by Big Ghost Ltd

51. Infinite Wisdom by Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon

52. The Throwaways by The Opioid Era

53. Anyways by Young Nudy

54. PTSD (Deluxe) by G Herbo

55. Holly Favored by Monday Night & Foisey

56. THE GOAT by Polo G

57. Dump YOD: Krutoy Edition by Your Old Droog

58. The Face of Jason by ANKHLEJOHN

59. Two4one by Jay Worthy

60. Poetic Substance by RIM & Vinyl Villain

61. ve·loc·i·ty by H31R (Maassai & JWords)

62. UNLOCKED by Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats

63. Slim E and Friends by CHASETHEMONEY

64. Alone Time by YL

65. FLYGOD Is An Awesome God 2 by Westside Gunn

66. OBLIVION by Black Noi$e

67. Sleeper Effect by Sleep Sinatra

68. Savage Mode 2 by 21 Savage & Metro Boomin

69. Thug Tear by Big Kashuna O.G. & Monday Night

70. II - The Next Wave by Quakers

71. Demon & Mufasa by Yhung T.O. & DaBoii

72. Eternal Atake by Lil Uzi Vert

73. Miles by Blu & Exile

74. IMMORTALKOMBAT by Al Divino & Estee Nack

75. The Baltimore Housing Project by Jay Royale

76. I’m Still Perfect by Baby Smoove

77. The Grotesque & Beautiful by Teller Bank$

78. Crime Scenes by Ransom & Nicholas Craven

79. Streams Of Thought, Vol. 3. by Black Thought

80. Ways and Means by Rasheed Chappell & 38 Spesh

89. Sacred Psalms by El Camino & 38 Spesh

90. As Above So Below by ANKHLEJOHN

91. Tomorrow Is Forgotten by Stik Figa & Conductor Williams

92. So Help Me God! by 2 Chainz

93. Sauce Monk Volume 3 by Sauce Heist & Camoflauge Monk

94. A Beautiful Drug by WTM Scoob

95. Don’t Play It Straight by Small Bills (ELUCID & The Lasso)

96. No More Humble Fashion by Flee Lord

97. Pharaoh Chain by Planet Asia & Tha Musalini

98. Numb by Sha Hef

99. Interstate 38 by 38 Spesh

100. Get Money Teach Babies by Heist Life & Spanish Ran

THE REST OF THE BEST (all belong in the Top 100 releases of 2020, blame 2020 for being such a stacked year for music) - in no particular order:

Assata by CV$ a.k.a. Con$piracy & Teller Bank$, Spencer for HIGHER 3 by Vic Spencer & sonnyjim, Big Bad Boldy by Boldy James & Real Bad Man, Da 5th Power by Mooch, Muthaland by BbyMutha, Act II: Patents of Nobility (The Turn) by Jay Electronica, Long Story Short by Heem, Eileen by 14 Trapdoors, Free Drakeo by Drakeo the Ruler, Da Fixtape by Da Cloth, The L.I.B.R.A. by T.I.,  Sinners & Saints by Rasheed Chappell & Buckwild, Black Schemata by yungmorpheus............... Polly by the Powder Keg by Chuck Chan & Pad Scientist, High Off Life by Future,  Memphis Massacre 2 by Duke Deuce, LSD by The Leonard Simpson Duo & Guilty Simpson, Funeral by Lil Wayne............ RAW UNKNOWN by Spectacular Diagnostics,  Nezzie’s Star by Eddie Kaine,  ShrapKnel (self-titled),  The Bluest Note by Skyzoo & Dumbo Station,  WUNNA by Gunna,  Meet The Woo 2 by Pop Smoke,  Fresh Air by UFO Fev & Statik Selektah,  Vito by Vince Ash, Avenues by Tony Seltzer & Adrian Lau, Spilligion by Spillage Village, GRIMM & EViL by GRiMM Doza, Closer Than They Appear by Lyric Jones, RUDEBWOY by CJ Fly, Wired Different by Ty Farris & Bozack Morris,  Rocket to Nebula by Killah Priest,  NO Blade of Grass by V Don,  I’m My Brother’s Keeper by Yella Beezy & Trapboy Freddy................. Carhartt Champions by Tree Mason, No Hook 3 by Dunbar,  Rowhouse Whispers by Ray West & Zilla Rocca,  Magneto Was Right #4 by Raz Fresco, DUMP LIFE by Tha God Fahim, Jay NiCE & Left Lane Didon,  FNTG: From Niggaz to Godz by Squeegie O,  PANAGNL4E, Vol. 2 by Los and Nutty,  Thank You For Using GTL by Drakeo & JoogSzn,  Adjust to the Game by Larry June, BETTER by Deante’ Hitchcock,  No Cosign Just Cocaine 3 by Ty Farris, Vangarde by Mr. Lif & Stu Bangas,  MSYKM by Tsu Surf,  Your Birthday’s Cancelled by Iron Wigs.................. LULU by Conway & The Alchemist, No One Mourns The Wicked by Conway & Big Ghost, Talk Soon by Nolan The Ninja, FULL CIRCLE by Medhane, Detroit 2 by Big Sean, Juno by Che Noir & 38 Spesh, Send Them To Coventry by Pa Salieu............... Marlowe 2 by Marlowe (L’Orange & Solemn Brigham), The Versace Tape by Boldy James & Jay Versace, The Balancing Act by Statik Selektah, Capital Gains by Willie The Kid, Deutsche Marks 2 by Willie The Kid & V Don, Keep Going by Larry June & Harry Fraud, The Sharecropper’s Daughter by Sa-Roc, Seven Times Down Eight Times Up by Elzhi & JR Swiftz.................... The Ghost of Fritz by Jamal Gasol, Don’t Feed the Monster by Homeboy Sandman & Quelle Chris, Anime, Trauma and Divorce by Open Mike Eagle, Brentwood by Poloboy Nunu, The Listening Session by Billy Danze & TooBusy, Midnight Sons by Zilla Rocca & Chong Wizard, A Piece of Mine by Bub Rock, The Rock Period by Bub Rock, WINTER by DJ Muggs, Bartier Bounty 2 by Sada Baby, Cincorginals by Tobe Nwigwe, Director’s Cut (Scene Three) by Ransom & Nicholas Craven, Rather Be A Real One by Vic Spencer.............. Exhibit Q by Deniro Farrar, After 12 by Che Noir, Blank Checc by Baby Money, Jesus Is My Homeboy by YL, The People’s Champ by Flee Lord, In The Name of Prodigy by Flee Lord & Havoc, Culture Over Corporate by Uptown X.O., Sell Sole 2 by Dej Loaf, Progress by Struggle Mike, Merry Wickmas by Shawny Binladen, Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From by Donsmith, Serene by VRN Hayes, In My Life by Dat Boi Vic,  Ho, Why Is You Here? by Flo Milli, Limbo by Aminé........................................thank you, and cheers to a happier, healthier New Year. 🙏

[neonflavored]

sweater weather

what other stories do you guys wanna see? you can read this here too: http://archiveofourown.org/works/13099077/chapters/30047835

sweater weather

 It’s dark out when Jessica thinks back on the needles in the drawer.

She hasn’t thought about them in a while, not since she started drinking, not since…well.

She used to like knitting. She would be the first person to admit that she didn’t seem like the kind of person who was into the archaic craft, all hard lines and diamond-hard exterior. Knitting was reserved for soft grandmothers, tiny women with soft hands and softer angles who didn’t drink the bar out and solve problems with cutting sarcasm and fists like granite and gunpowder.

She was never the kind of person who was dainty and unreachable like the little porcelain dolls that sat atop shelves and china cabinets. She had a strength that was unlike those tiny soft things, physically, and she would find later on, mentally. She hadn’t broken yet. She bent, but she wouldn’t break.

Now she stared down at the silver needles in the drawer, shining in the lamplight. There was some yarn there as well, a dull plum-like purple color, and what looked like a square of the purple material, a half -finished project. Jessica couldn’t remember what she’d been trying to make. A scarf maybe? Probably one to replace the favorite gray one she wore constantly. God knows she needed a new one after letting Murdock use hers as a mask.

She frowns at it, fishes the project out of the drawer and turns it over in her hands. It’s been years. Was she even still good at it?

Before she can talk herself out of it, she slams the drawer shut and drops heavily onto her bed with the knitting needles and yarn. When she picks up the needles, there’s a familiarity that dances through her fingers as she loops the yarn around them and carefully retraces her steps. It takes her a moment to remember how to cast on the yarn and her fingers stumble, but soon she’s knitting as though nothing’s changed.

She stops from time to time to push her hair back, then goes back to work. It’s slow careful work as her hands, hands that were strong and used for violence, work the yarn, but she doesn’t once think of the whiskey in her kitchen while she knits. Instead, she thinks of her team –the idiots she’s found herself paired up with in her quest that she didn’t even really ask to be a part of. She thinks of Luke and Danny, and how they are starting to show signs of a tightly knit bond, and Matt (and how she will never let him use her scarves as masks again, because blood is a bitch to get out of cotton). She thinks of Trish and Claire and Colleen. She thinks that it’s kind of nice to know that Danny thinks she’s some sort of crazy strong warrior queen, even though he’s never told her that to her face; she knows he does though, because she can see it on his face. She thinks that Matt really should get a girlfriend, he probably wouldn’t be so uptight then. She thinks that maybe, someday, she could try again with Luke.

Even after the shotgun incident. Even after Kilgrave.

Hm.

That’s enough thinking for tonight.

                                                             +

She’s halfway finished with the scarf.

It’s been about a week since she picked up the remains of the project, and by the end, she’s already got at least a foot of work done on it.

“You seem…mellow,” says Luke. They’re finally making good on their coffee promise from weeks ago, standing in the line at a Starbucks.

“The hell’s that mean?”

“Well, maybe not mellow, but less…I don’t know, annoyed.”

Jessica shrugs. “Been working through some things.”

Luke frowns. “You don’t have to do it alone, y’know.”

“I know. You’ve been telling me that for ages.”

“At least until you listen.”

“I’m doing okay,” says Jessica with finality. In a crowded Starbucks is really not the time to be discussing her PTSD. “If I need help I’ll let you know. I’ve got…things.”

“Things,” Luke echoes.

“Yeah, things. I do actually have a life outside you losers,” she says, earning her a playful nudge from Luke.

The huge man smiles down at her, and she feels her heart swell a little at the fondness in it. “You’re just as lame as the rest of us, quit playing.”

                                                            +

Almost done with the scarf, and Jessica gets stuck walking with Danny on the group’s next outing.

She isn’t wearing it, not yet, but Danny comments anyway. “You seem less…Jessica-like today. Don’t punch me, that was supposed to be a compliment.”

Jessica frowns. “Okay then, asshole, what else is that supposed to mean?”

Danny smiles a little. “Oh. There she is. I just meant it was nice to see you so not worked up.”

“Worked up,” she echoes dryly.

“Yeah. Y’know, looking like you’re ready to beat up the world just because it looked at you funny. That said, don’t punch me.”

With fewer words, it’s basically what Luke told her last week at Starbucks; she’s feeling a lot less stressed now that she’s picked up knitting again in her spare time, but she would never, never tell the others that she knits now. They’d never let her hear the end of it.

Jessica’s turned domestic on us, she’s a regular Suzy Homemaker, all that bullshit.

Its kind of a shock that her hobbies have had such an impact on her outward disposition, so much so that people notice. It’s kind of nice.

But if they tell her that she has a glow about her or some sentimental, goopy garbage like that she’s going to vomit.

                                                              +

It’s three in the morning when Jessica finally finishes the scarf.

It is by no means perfect –has some troubled looking loops in the yarn and one of the corners is a little wonky looking and frayed, but its been a while since she actually picked up the craft and she’s understandably rusty. She can’t help but feel like the scarf is a metaphor for her own life or something like that, but she’s super tired and she really can’t summon up the brain power to think about it too much and she has a case that she still hasn’t looked over yet.

                                            ��                 +

She wears it the next time they’re all together, and Daredevil, of all people, notices.

“You seem happier than usual,” he says, angling his head slightly at her. He pauses then, reconsiders his words. “Well, as happy as Jessica Jones can be.”

Jessica scowls. “Ha ha. What, did Iron Lung and Cage put you up to this?”

“No. Just an observation.” Matt pauses again and nods. “Nice scarf.”

That one throws Jessica for a loop. “What? How did you- never mind.”

“I heard Danny talk about it. He brought it up; said you had a new scarf and that was probably why you were so mellowed out.”

Oh. That makes more sense.

“Maybe I’ll teach you how to make one,” deadpans Jessica, “maybe then you’ll stop using mine all the time.”

“That was one time,” protests Matt. He frowns, then ducks his head. “But, that would be cool.”

Wow, there is no shame to his game. Not even a hint of blush. Part of Jessica wants to point out that she was being sarcastic and that she would never in a million years teach fucking Daredevil how to knit. The other part is kind of thrilled that he didn’t even bat an eye at her kind of-sort of admission that she herself knew how to knit in the first place; Jessica Jones, the queen of rough and tumble, punch-first-ask-questions-later.

She even thinks about retracting that statement and saying she didn’t know how to knit at all actually, but she liked to think she was a pretty badass knitter, even if she’d fucked up the stitching in some places, and no one was going to take that from her.

And anyway, Matt was too cunning to fall for lies.

So, begrudgingly, Jessica wraps the scarf tighter around her neck, sighs away a scowl and says, “Next week, three o’ clock. At the office building on main street. Bring needles, yarn; don’t be late.”

[dreamofcentipedes]

Red Lotus Blooms: 1 - A Rite of Passage

Summary: A monster is forged in flame. As light burns out, red leaves unfurl. The dread march of Aogiri’s Salamander begins with a game by a pond on the day everything changed.

Characters: Tatara, Yan

Rating: Teen, for DARKNESS. Words: 2,431 Link to AO3.

Link to Table of Contents.

A/N: Hello everyone! Some of you have been asking about my writing recently, so I figured now would be a good time to take this out of my creative fridge. This is my fanfiction debut on tumblr as well as for TG, so it’s quite exciting =w=

Since this blog was created after his death, I don’t get the chance to talk about him much, but Tatara was one of my favourite TG characters. Badass character design, badass personality, but despite being the face of Aogiri I can’t help feeling he was a little underused. I cherished what little glimpses of his past we were given, but he died before we could get anything more fleshed-out. So to satiate my curiosity I decided to create my own backstory for Tatara. This is Part 1 of a planned 7 that will take us through Tatara’s own transformation and journey through tragedy that led him to become the man we all know and fear. I hope you enjoy!

Red Lotus Blooms

Chapter 1: A Rite of Passage

Splish.

A ripple broke out across the water as the tail struck the surface, far from its target. Frowning, the boy readied his kagune and tried again.

Splish.

Again the fat catfish darted nimbly away from the spearhead of the serpent’s path. This was beginning to get annoying. With all the force a child could muster, he raised his bikaku and launched a ferocious attack on the pond, striking the water over and over and kicking up a torrent that gurgled over the pond walls.

Splash splash splash splash splash splash splash.

As the catfish that were caught in the onslaught slowly rose to the surface of the water, a gleam of hope was shining in the boy’s red eyes as he scanned the water’s surface to find the old king of the pond floating amongst the red lotus flowers – only to find him swimming along merrily beyond his reach. His face grew red with fury, and with a stamp of his foot he sunk into a sulk on the ground, before he heard footsteps ringing out on the cobbles of the courtyard.

“Oh – Tatara, what are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

Tatara turned to the sound of his brother’s voice. Yan, never one for smiling, was looking down at him beneath his short fringe of white hair with an especially serious look on his square, pale face. Tatara could not help but look up in curiosity. Instead of his usual business suit, he was in his long white cloak, the one with broad sleeves edged with red flames. In their Yangshuo country retreat he was free to wear whatever he wanted, but he rarely wore it outside of ceremony or official Chi She Lian business. Tatara felt a little underdressed in his green pyjamas. Still, his brother was ten years his elder and a grown-up, and he knew better than to hassle him with silly questions.

“I couldn’t get to sleep. I was bored, and I never get to use my kagune in the city.”

Yan slowly nodded his head. “And Fei? Where is she?”

“In bed.”

“She didn’t want to come with you?”

“She did, but I said she couldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“She likes the catfish.”

Yan cast a dead eye over the floating corpses in the pond. “And you don’t, I take it?”

“I don’t hate them. I just like killing them.” Tatara wiped his messy white fringe out of his eyes as his face crumpled back into a grimace. “But I can’t get the fat one. I don’t get it. He’s fat and old, so why is he so fast?”

Yan stepped onto the grass and leaned over the pond. Shortly, he spotted the culprit. “Oh, yes, him. He’s been in this household longer than I have. I remember sitting exactly where you are now when I was your age, studying how the fish moved. He was not quite so obese back then, nor so ancient, but I remember thinking something similar before I had a – a minor revelation of sorts, I suppose. The oldest and fattest fish in the pond would have to be the fastest, in order to be the oldest and fattest. Do you understand?”

Tatara looked at Yan with the sense of confused wonderment he often felt around him. “No.” He admitted sheepishly. Yan’s eyes began to lazily follow the evasive fish through the water.

“You see, Tatara, the fat fish becomes fat by eating the most feed, correct? Then how does it get to the feed before the other fish? By outswimming them. Likewise, the old fish grows old by swimming away from danger. You are far from the first bored child to try hunting our little pets.”

Tatara’s pensive face took the form of a deep frown. “So I won’t be able to hit it?”

“Come now, I never said that. How have you been aiming at him? Wait, let me guess. You’ve been relying on brute force, haven’t you?”

Tatara’s mouth had shut as soon as he opened it. He did not like it when Yan read him like that. It made him feel stupid.

“A strong kagune is a valuable thing, and without it, we Ghouls have little chance of catching any prey more serious than your average commuter. You have a powerful kagune, Tatara, and you should take pride in that. However, it is not enough to take down the craftiest of foes. That requires another discipline altogether.” Yan tapped the side of his head as he said “Patience.”

“It’s no fun if I have to wait around.” Tatara complained.

“You may not always have the luxury of killing for sport alone. Sometimes we must kill to keep what is precious to us. You are a child now, but first and foremost, you are a part of Chi She Lian. Never forget that.”

Yan’s lazy glance at the fish hardened into a penetrating stare. Tatara felt uneasy watching Yan become so still, as if his brother had frozen in time, until all of a sudden he saw his brother’s eyes change hue and felt something rushed past him. Tatara doubled backwards, and heard a light splish.

The boy stared up at his brother. The red irises shining over his pitch black eyes were cool. Protruding from underneath his cloak a thick crimson tail was swaying slowly back and forth, its end sharpened to a point. Tatara wondered when he had released his kagune, but then realised the more important matter at hand. He shot up, clutched the stone wall of the pond with a tight grasp, trembled with anticipation, and stared at the water as something broke the surface. The fat fish was turned upside down and floated on the water’s edge, motionless.

“You-you got him!” Tatara’s eyes shone wide and unbelieving. “Brother, that’s amazing! Even though he was the fastest, you got him in one go.” He turned to his older brother, awestruck. “How did you do it?”

Yan’s face did not betray a smile. Yan’s face never betrayed anything, but if Tatara had to guess, he would have said that if anything, his brother looked somewhat sad. “Simply a matter of technique.” He shrugged. “Still, I could never have brought him down in his prime. He was a victim of his own success, I suppose. I may not be the oldest and fattest fish in my pond, but a rebel is always an upstart before he is a king. That, and I think that I would be right in saying that Ghouls are substantially stronger than fish.” Yan brought his finger to his chin in a manner of mock pensiveness.

Laughter did not come easily to Tatara, but there was something about Yan’s dead serious face as he said this that made him let out a light chuckle. “Then I want to be a king someday too.” Tatara boldly declared, lips twisting upwards into a wicked smile. “And I won’t get hit. No matter who tries to get me, I’ll always dodge.”

“Ah, it seems I have created a young rival for myself then. It should keep my blade from becoming dull, at least.” He paused, and gave Tatara a long, searching look. “Do you mean what you say, Tatara? Do you really wish to rise to the top?”

“Yes!” He nodded aggressively. “I’ll be the strongest Ghoul in China!”

“And do you mean to do your duty by Chi She Lian? One day, the organisation will fall to me. That day may even be very soon. When that day comes, can I trust you to be my kagune?”

Tatara faltered. “Your kagune?”

“I must be the face of not only Chi She Lian, but also of the Huo family. As you put it, I will have many people trying to ‘get’ me. I need a subtle, fast and strong agent of my own flesh and blood to dispose of them before they can dispose of me. If I am to be the head of Chi She Lian, I want you to be its kagune. Will you accept this proposal?”

Yan had used a lot of big and complicated words, but the message was clear – Yan was placing his faith in him, and that was something he did not give out easily. “I would be honoured.” He readily affirmed, in the manner his parents had taught him.

Yan gave him a last long stare and finally breathed out a quiet sigh. “I was going to send you to bed, Tatara, but I think it might be better if you are here to see this. Father and mother are inside?” Yan tilted his head towards the manor house at the end of the courtyard.

Tatara nodded. “Did you want to talk to them, brother?” His face suddenly filled with dread. “Don’t tell them about the fish, please. They’ll beat me. Say it was a kitchen boy.”

Yan seemed vaguely surprised at that. “You’ve no need to worry on that count, Tatara, I swear it. Are they awake?”

Tatara shook his head. “I think they’re sleeping.”

“Sleeping. Yes, they would be.” An edge of ice had crept into his voice, but it softened back to its usual hardness when he turned to Tatara again. “Wait for me here. If you feel as though you are in immediate danger, retreat to the outer courtyard, but otherwise do not move and do not turn away. Do you understand?”

Tatara was beginning to feel a little nervous, but he did not want to let Yan see, so he said, perhaps a little too boldly, “Loud and clear.”

“Until then.” Yan’s hand passed over Tatara’s head as he talked to the armed guards and headed into the manor house. Tatara watched as he disappeared behind the door, crumpled his white cloak together in his hands and stood silently, waiting.

For the longest time, there was no change in the manor house. Tatara was beginning to feel a little bored, and wanted to go back to his fish game, but Yan had told him not to turn away. He sat cross-legged on the ground and stared at the house, allowing himself to get lost in childish thoughts. He wondered if Fei would snitch on him about the fish. She wouldn’t though, she knows that if she did she wouldn’t get away with it. Tatara gave a self-satisfied smirk. A ‘king’, he said? Nobody could tell a king what to do. A king could do whatever he wanted. If he had that kind of power, what could he do with it?

“Fire! Fire!” Came a shout from inside the house, bringing Tatara’s ruminations to an abrupt halt and replacing them with a sudden dread. The manor house was made entirely from wood. Father, mother and Yan were in there. He needed to help them. He needed to do something quickly; so why wouldn’t his legs move? No matter how he tried to move them, they just wouldn’t budge. What was happening?

The guards left the doorway and sprinted into the house in a mad rush to save their masters. No-one noticed the child standing petrified in the courtyard. The fire was spreading - he could already see the flames escaping the windows and setting the front of the house ablaze. Why couldn’t he move?  He just needed to move his legs forward, that was all. But…but Yan had told him to stay right there. Even if he could move, Yan had given him an order not to. He could see red, orange and yellow bursting up in a voracious fury around his parents’ house, cackling with malice at the dying screams of the wood. Great plumes of black smoke wafted towards him from the windows, and Tatara managed to manoeuvre an elbow in front of his mouth so he wouldn’t choke, although his eyes still began to sting. Yan had said if he was in ‘immediate danger’ he should run to the outer courtyard. Tatara wasn’t quite sure what the word ‘immediate’ meant, but he knew Yan was saying that he shouldn’t run unless he was really badly in danger. The fire was scary, but it was only on the house. The courtyard was stone, and Tatara knew enough of science to know that it couldn’t spread any further. So Tatara resigned himself to his semi-paralysis, and forced himself to watch as the flames grew louder, larger and more luminous while shouts and unearthly screams echoed from inside.

Tatara didn’t like this at all. The scent of burning wood permeated his nostrils and in the light warmth the fire emanated from his safe distance, it would have felt just like being in front of a hearth if he did not know his family was mixed in amongst the coals. He felt so useless, but he didn’t know what he should do, and before he knew it, he was crying. It was the smoke. It had to be the smoke. He wiped his tears from his cheeks as soon as they spilt, knowing how disappointed Father, Mother and Yan would be if they saw him.

…Would they ever see him again?

The guards had not returned. No-one who went into that house all that time ago had come out of it, and through the dissipating smoke, Tatara could see the manor had become a burning wreck. The upstairs had caved in on the downstairs, and the roof had collapsed to diagonal slant, slowly falling through the structure of the house. Tatara had long stopped crying. He could now only stare at the fallen building with empty confusion. Somehow, he thought this might be his fault.

The silence was broken when for the first time in too long Tatara could spy a silhouette inside the house shambling towards the doorway. It was a tall, strong figure, and Tatara knew who it was before Yan stepped out into the open air, broken, bruised and bleeding. Tatara still couldn’t move. He found he couldn’t even speak. Yan let out some fierce coughs, and then said something unintelligible behind a hoarse, smoke-choked voice. He extended a hand towards Tatara and repeated it.

“…Yan?” Tatara managed in a quiet whisper.

Yan spoke the unknown phrase again, and again, and again until Tatara could understand it, and still after that. He said it like a mantra as Tatara helped him move across the cobbled stones to the end of the courtyard, desperately holding Yan’s full weight over his frail body, as he struggled to make sense of the world around him.

“It’s over. It’s over. It’s over.”