#Dept. of Disappearance

[russkayas]

hey was no one gonna tell me about the moment when thirteen shows up and tells house “the prodigal daughter has returned” or was i just supposed to find out about that myself 😭

[mister-warmth]

A migraine is currently beating my ass, but after I finish up this one shot I'm writing rn, I would really like piecing together all the wips and ideas I have for the 70s GBU fanfic and make something of it. It would be semi inspired by once upon a time in Hollywood in a way but also go more towards a criminal direction because these men are like that sbhsbs y'know it.

Either way it's something I'm looking forward too.

[thesecondface]

Islands of Abandonment - Cal Flyn

Recently read this book on the near miraculous proliferation of life and biodiversity in post-human landscapes, and what a fantastic book it was. This was very much in the vein of Macfarlane's Underland (both being prone to wax poetic on unconventional landscapes) but more, somehow. I'm not sure I can articulate it well – perhaps it was the choice in the unconventional landscape which predisposes the reader to its inherited stakes, or lack thereof; or perhaps it was the direct, clear cut message this book had, that Underland maybe lacked in – but this felt infinitely more personal. I enjoyed Underland; I enjoyed Macfarlane's writing and his infectious awe with the landscapes around him – I thought he painted a beautiful, unsettling picture of the underworld, but it was his awe at the end of the day and not my own. Flyn, however, tells you exactly what she argues for in her book, and I'll be damned if I wasn't sold right there and then:

The idea that 'knowledge deepens with appreciation' and that aestheticism can be taught is so extremely crucial. You have to fall in love with your environment to understand it. You have to understand it in order to save it (if, indeed, it needs saving of the human kind). And this gold mine of a book takes these forgotten, unpleasant landscapes and makes you love them – practicing precisely what it preaches.

(Perhaps this struck so deeply because I was so sheltered a city kid who then went on to geologise, and went on to find out just how much you can learn from simple observation and the scientific process. How little I knew before, how little I still know – how little everyone else knows, and how difficult a task it is to invoke any response besides the unabiding blankness that is the death-knell to all educators – to apply the term liberally. It's something that I quite desperately want to cultivate, this awareness of the environment around me; I want to train myself to love the things that previously held neither appeal nor interest to me, because not so long ago I was that blank and disconnected. It's why iNaturalist was such a revelation to me. This book was another, I think).

[kdrama-movies-more]

[sprinklenoodles]

I think that out of all 3 movies, Sonic 1 Robotnik is my fav if we don’t look at the fact that he’s supposed to be, well, Robotnik. Like, sure, he’s not the most game accurate, but if we don’t look at that, I do just like him better.

In the first movie he obviously hasn’t gone crazy just yet. But not just that, he seems more rational, more confident. He doesn’t want revenge like in the second movie nor is it like anything in the third movie, he is just interested. There’s an alien on Earth and he wants to get to know all about it.

And while he is technically working for the government, it’s clear he couldn’t care less about that. He does his own thing and sees them as nothing but idiots- well, with the exception for one… for the most part.

It’s clear that before Sonic he had never lost, that he had never failed. He truly was the smartest person on Earth, and nobody could stop him or even try to contain him. If anything, it’s a wonder he’s working for the government in the first place.

And then there’s his relationship with Stone because of course I have to talk about that too. We don’t see a lot of them, especially Stone just sorta… disappears, but their dynamic is really interesting, especially when they’re around others.

Like, Agent or not, but we see from the very start that Stone is loyal to Robotnik, immediately ‘translating’ for him. And then Robotnik asks if he ‘can feel it’. It’s a very small thing, but we can clearly see that Robotnik values Stone more than anybody else, at least from what we’ve seen so far.

And then when we see Robotnik analysing Sonic’s footprint, he explains everything to Stone, even moving out of the way so he can see it clearly. He does also insult Stone is this scene, yet it seems more… mild compared to the insults he gives to other characters, something that continues for the rest of the movie.

Stone is also always next to him. Not behind him like all of the other agents, but always next to him. It’s a small detail for sure, but one I did just want to point out.

And honestly, there’s even more than that. I could most definitely go into more dept if you guys want, but I also want some sleep, so… Gonna have to leave it here for today. I just really like his character in Sonic 1, mostly because it’s just so different from the Robotnik we have almost everywhere else.

[mari-lair]

hello ! i love your fics and analysis! I was wondering which tbhk ships you think will become endgame?

Anon I have the most white bread of answers but since you asked-

1 - Hananene.

Nene starts the manga by wanting a date. It doesn't matter with who, any hot guy will do. She has many infatuations but isn't in love with anyone, she just want to be loved.

Nene has a lot of small character developments in different areas throughout the manga, but her strongest and most consistent change is her increasing love for Hanako and her acceptance of it.

She is still a girl with a ton of emotions, and she finds hot people attractive BUT now she want Hanako and only Hanako. She rejects everyone she used to have a crush on, there is no doki doki's when she gets the attention of pretty people cause they aren't the boys she wants attention from anymore.

Even Teru doesn't compare to Hanako. She went on a 'date' with him and felt more excited about bragging than the actual 'date'

AND SHE DID NOT BRAG when hanako got back, she just wanted to enjoy that he's back.

I don't even know why I am going so in dept on the couple stablished since chapter 1 but since i'm already rambling: Despite everything crazy going on in the festival NENE'S BIGGEST FOCUS WAS TO CONFESS TO HANAKO. That's something she thinks more about than her own death, like girl- Hanako is her whole world. She will not get a romance with another person.

There is the question of "Will Nene survive?"

If she doesn't, she'll disappear and have no boyfriend but I bet she'll be thinking about Hanako in her death. If she finds a way to become a supernatural in a very wild narrative choice she will be able to stay with hanako in their cursed eternity forever.

In the case she lives and Hanako gets exorcised she won't move on. Aidairo loves tragedies and obsessive love, so I can't see her approaching crushes with the same whimsy after her love dies. And Aidairo would likely preffer to make her suffer in her grief and longing than give her a rebound with some random guy, cause it sure won't be Kou.

2 - Mitsukou

My personal preferences aside, it is clear they are written to have romantic implications. Kou will either die with Mitsuba (As shown in the new timeline), and stay with him in death.

Or live to have an intense homoerotic 'friendship' with him.

He legit can't get mitsuba off his head, he thinks about him more than anything during the manga and he has A LOT of problems to think about.

I can't personally picture an explicit confession but we had a lot of equivalents already. It would be weird for Aidairo to send them to the aquarium, make Kou obsessed with mitsuba (and vise verse), show that they are 'very very close' in this new timeline, keep drawing them star-struck by each other and so on without romance in the head.

Kou is also never able to put his feelings into words, like, bro that's suspicious as hell.

They always get matching art with all the couples in Aidairo's twitter arts too.

That's not queerbaiting, they may not be explicit but by the lord they are not subtle at all, there is never a single "oh Mitsuba is like a brother to me" moment, they don't undo any of the gay implications we see, they double down on it.

Kou may be bi but it sure isn't the Nene route that Aidairo is playing.

3 - Aoikane

Akane has loved Aoi since he was a little kid. Waaaaaaay before he got a clock keeper contract.

He saw that Aoi cared so much about his opinion that she'd break out of her cold persona and burst into tears at the idea of being hated, and he locked in for life.

They are the codependent childhood friends troupe, the "I know you better than anyone" troupe, the "you are a part of my life I can't live without" troupe and they both love each other from the very start of the manga, not showing romantic interest in anyone else.

Nothing has made Akane change his mind about being with Aoi. Not being stabbed, not being rejected many times, not facing how bad aoi is at deling with her issues head on. He'll do anything for her time and time again.

in Akane's own words:

They had many build ups and a whole arc dedicated to their developments with each other (which is a lot considering they aren't main characters and Aoi usually get no focus in this manga.)

Narratively, it wouldn't make any sense to dedicate so many chapters pointing out how much they mean to each other and slowly working through their issues only to slap another ship at the end.

And is not like Aidairo said "They had their arc let's never talk about them again!", the author went out of her way to say "Even in a world where Aoi is in an arranged marriage, she still loves Akane"

They aren't subtle.

From the matching names, to the way they both crumble when they are separated from one another and keep thinking about marriage, they are very devoted. They have already explicitly confessed to the audience that they are in love with each other.

They'll either stay together forever or they'll die together.

[saywhat-politics]

Billionaire Elon Musk — CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and X.com and leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — is promising transparency and full disclosure with his DOGE efforts. But on Wednesday night, February 12, a U.S. State Department procurement document was edited to remove Tesla's name. This followed media reports of a $400 million contract for Tesla.

The document was timestamped December 23, 2024.

According to Bloomberg News reporter Dana Hull, the document now lists a "generic designation" of "armored electric vehicles."

[sweetkiitsunez]

❞ 𝐖𝐞𝐭 𝐕@𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚 - synopsis: being fucked by Michael SHORT

❞warning: dark & nsfw content (18+) + f!sub (afab!reader) + dom!Michael + noncon + knife kink(?) + overestimation + degrade + p to v sex + Threats (bcs Michael threatened to kill MC) + rough sex + Blood (no gore, just blood)

author note: Michael... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

Michael always prioritizes his God first. He hated you when he saw you in Hell with those King Demons and Nobles Demons surrounding you. He hates seeing your face. Your face reminds him of Solomon that died and his God disappeared. He blames you for everything. He blames you for being born. He blames you for making his one and only God disappear. Instead of killing you... He kidnaps you and brings you Heaven, where he can torture you. He held a held a knife towards your neck. Threatening to kill you in the air as you scream and pleaded for help.

God... if only he could slice your neck right here and watch you bleed. No. He couldn't. He had tossed you in dungeon as he watches you like a helpless animals struggling to escape. He hates it, but seeing you struggles and cries like a helpless animal seems to make him snap. He hates hearing your annoying cries. It's sounds like nails on chalkboard making his ears bleed.

He hates it when you stole his hyung Lucifer away from him sent him on full on rage. He wants to kill you. Kill you until you stopped existing, where he can destroy Hell. He remembers... wrapping his hands on your neck. The pathetic look on your face as tears rolling down your cheeks and your mouth is open as saliva is dripping down your chin. He hates you so much. He can see Gabriel place a mark on your chest for, "food," where the Angels can devour you. However, Michael... Michael wants to kill you for himself. He forbids anyone come inside the dungeon. He will kill them if they did because he wants to kill you for himself.

God... that face that you made did turned him on. The way that your eyes roll back, until... he realized that you are naked. You are covers in marks, bruises and also cuts. He notices a weird, gooey substance on you and on him too. He quickly got his composure back. He realized that... he is fucking you as his cock is dept inside your warm walls. He heard your soft cries. The way that you cried. You look like a weak animal. You are trembling like a leg as you laid on your back on the hard floor of the dungeon. Michael is breathing heavily as he is catching his breath. He doesn't remember what happen. Why are you under him...? The marks, purplish and blueish brusies appears on your skin and cuts on your skin.

"M...Michael..." He heard your soft whimpers of cries. Your eyes are shining and glosses as hot tears rolls down your cheeks.

He remembers now. He is here to kill you. He let out a loud tsk as he grabs your cheek with his one hand as he pulls you to look at his eyes. "You're weak, Solomon of Descendant." He moved his hand as he pulls the back of your hair as you let out a sobs.

"I hate you. I hate you! I hate you!" He toss you on the floor as he grabs your hair again as he slams his hips, thrusting in quite a hardcore pace as your cries echos in the cells. He moves his hands towards your neck, giving it a squeeze. He watches as your eyes rolls back your skull as he kept snapping his hips in a harsh pace, stretching your walls.

"Ah! Ah! M-Mich- Ah! Mm!" Your moans choke into a loud cries. His large cock is thrusting in and out as it's hurting a lot. You honestly had no idea why he hates you. He looks so angry as he is punching you and putting his anger on you.

Your body trembles as your body felt numb. You could feel his cock bulge through your lower abdomen. He is quite bigger than Lucifer and Mammon, but Michael is quite harsh on you, like he is using you as a fleshlight and a toy to pent his frustration on you.

"Fuck-! I hate you... you're nothing, but a flithly slut." He let out a low groans as he squeeze your neck even more. Your mouth opens wider as you are gasping for air like a fish out of water. Your body felt so tired. He is gonna kill you right here and right now. "Take it like a good girl and stop crying."

You tried to escape from him trying to choke you, but he kept squeezing his hand on your neck as his hips snaps harshly as your eyes rolls back as your toes curls.

"Stop pushing, it's won't end well." He threaten as he leans towards your face with a scary threaten look on his face.

"P-please... s-stop..." you choke out crying as you pleaded with him.

"I said no. Did I give permission to talk, flithly whore?" He asks as his eyes is piercing daggers at you. "You'll cum as many times as I want, got it?"

You couldn't say anything as you laid there, covered in flith on you. He is right. You are nothing but a worthless doll to him. He hates you. He would kill anyone who tries to come closer, especially Gabriel and Raphael, who is arguing with him to kill you. However, Michael had a better plan and a better way to kill you, faster and more painful.

He looks at your body. You had passed out as he came inside you, twice. However, he is disappointed that you are not dead. He had summon his weapon as he held above you as his left teary eye is dripping down on his left cheek.

Those lovely bruises, cuts and marks on your body. They're a lovely art masterpiece that he had made.

"Ah, that's what you had been doing the whole time, Michael."

The sound of Gabriel's voice standing behind the cells. His arms is folded as his halo is glowing behind him.

Michael didn't seem to say anything as he still held his weapon in the air as his piercings eyes is still looking at your passed out body covered in fluids and Michael's semen.

"Get out. You are not welcome here." Michael threatened Gabriel. "Don't even touch what is mine."

Gabriel could let out a loud tsk as he mumbled out pathetic under his breath. However, it would be a shame if the Kings Demons, especially... his hyung Lucifer found your lifeless body. He loves his hyung Lucifer. Would be ashamed if he killed you right here and right now. Without hesitant, he wields his knife towards your body, but... he missed as he is breathing heavily. His paranoid personality disorder is acting up again. The knife seems to miss your face as it landed on your tangled hair.

"You really don't deserve this, Solomon of Descendants. I'm going to fucking ruin you."

AHAHAHAHAHAH一 Don't asks how his chastity belt was removed *wink*

[pureastrologywisdom]

12𝔱𝔥 𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔰𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔱𝔬𝔯𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱

The 12th house is something I love discussing as it is often either overlook, misunderstood, or feared. My title of this probably wont help with the latter, but it promise it’s not that bad. There is a lot of stigma around the 12th house, but through understanding it people can see it’s not that scary and really interesting. 

In synastry, the people who unlock this area of your chart play an interesting role for you. Often I have seen these people become the torment of the 12th house person. In some ways plaguing their mind. You must remember that the 12th house also rules over addiction, and in other words obsession. Typically we would see addiction through substances in the worst culmination of this placement, however I have seen how this can take form in people too.

The 12th house person can find themselves feeling very strongly about the planet person. There is something about them they cant put their finger on, but they can’t get enough. Its some they cant gain control over in ways. The obsessiveness of these feelings can be difficult to handle.

For some people this it too much to deal with and if they fall on an more avoidant side, they will try and repress these feelings. It’s a constant pendulum of becoming unconscious to the feelings and then suddenly being overwhelmed by them. This is especially prevalent with someone who is more spiritually unconscious and hasn’t done work with their subconscious mind and feelings.

Often the planet person sticks with the 12th house person for a long time, even after they are gone. This is where torment can become more apparent, where you wish to forget the person can’t quite disappear, and the feelings car quite dissipate. This also links into the self-undoing qualities that are linked to the 12th house, often craving someone you cannot have or don’t allow yourself to be open to through fear of what they may open you up to or the potential dept of the connection.

As you work with your 12th house more you will find the people that activate it become less uncomfortable for you and it can becomes a placement of some beautiful deep and spiritual connections.

I tried to make this relatively brief and uncomplicated as I could, but if you want more content on this, let me know.

Much love,

Pureastrowisdom

P.s. Check out my last post if you are interested in a lilith reading from me <3

[b8o0s4s]

Social media is not social. Reality television is not real. No politician cares about you.

Social Security is not secure. No Child Left Behind left all children behind. The Defense Department was the War Dept. The Patriot Act enabled spying on citizens. The Affordable Healhcare Act raised prices. Staying 6 feet apart was made up. Sunshine and fresh were somehow harmful? The flu disappeared. There are not 2 political parties. There is only the ruling class. There is a reason history is filled with genocide. And Demacide (look it up). You are ignorant. You are the problem. You are addicted to Likes. You don’t want to face reality. Or you think you can pray or protest it away. And you blame your neighbor. As all politicians get richer. While you stay inside. On your phone. Getting sicker. Worrying. Hoping. Wake the fuck up.

[sleepy-spacetronaut]

Gravity Holes; A Gravity Falls AU

Start note: This idea spawned in my head after my evening exam, i got inspired by the tons of fan art of ‘what if __ person went through the portal?’. There is a multitude of Alternate universes for GF, many have a more domestic aspect, but this one will contain the most out-of-worldly stuff happening.

Name origin: an unexplainable phenomenon called the ‘Holes’ often occurred at determinable intervals accros the multiverse, causing round fenestral portals to open at random in various dimensions, allowing weird creatures to fall into Oregon’s notorious mystery town “Gravity Falls”.

Main idea: the storyline begins to deviate from the plot on the episode ‘Not What He Seems!” , where instead of Standford exiting from the portal, Dipper, Mabel, Stanley and Waddles get sucked in due to some malfunction.

The ‘Tale of Two Stan’s’ happens in a way different context, where the twins meet their long lost grunkle on the other side of the Mystery Shack portal.

Soos, however, is left behind with the three journals and the half-collapsed portal, he closes off the mystery shack and calls Wendy explaining there’s an emergency. Together they start rummaging through all the stuff Ford and Stan had left behind in matter of books, blueprints and junk pieces that could serve to rebuild the machine.

The disappearance of the Pines is soon spread like wildfire through the town, upon what they all agree to keep it a secret from agents of the federal bureau of investigations . Soos and Wendy are soon joined by Pacifica, Gideon and Fiddleford McGucket , and the five of them form an unlikely rescue team in order to bring the Pines back.

Meanwhile, Dipper and Mabel meet their Grunkle Ford, and as a family of four + a companion pig, they travel from one dimension to another, fending of for their lives and simultaneously searching for the phenomenon called “Holes”, which is their sole chance of ever returning to their own universe.

Albeit, the Pines are not the only seekers of Holes, as after the portal collapsed, Bill Cipher and his henchmaniacs also began searching for a way to break into Gravity Falls for the sake of World Domination. As only Bill can travel freely without the need if complex traveling (he is incorporeal), he often jumps back to the town in order to traumatize and taunt its inhabitants. As this goes down, the Pines enter a race against the clock and against Bill.

One question remains: who can get in back to their dimension first—Who will win?

Can an AU have an ending?

If so, there’s a 50/50 percent chance they’ll make it back to the Shack—-so many possibilities out there!

It is unclear yet if they do return, if the Weirdmaggedon will still happen if they do, or if they open a collaborating with Bill Cipher later on to get back home, yet one thing is clear:

Stanley will be making stupid jokes about this for the rest of his life.

That is a promise.

The “Holes” - A summary

End Note: I will later post an in-dept explanation page about the Holes phenomenon. Yes, I’m making a schematized, nearly scientific explanation page about a (probably) nonexistent thing for the sake of the AU, I love world building :)

edit: darn you autocorrect, had to fix some stuff . (The autocorrect is my opp since 2020–I’m sorry in advance if there are more mistakes)

[justcat-judging]

𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 - 𝐍𝐚𝐦-𝐠𝐲𝐮

⋆. 𐙚˚- Gyaru reader who struggled financially and mentally after her mom died because of cancer and her dad leaving her when she was still little. She worked in club Pentagon for money so she could pay off some rent and dept but ended up messing her and joined squid game.

⋆. 𐙚˚- A/n: I know squid game fandom ended but I don't care and I wrote this purely for me because I can't find a single nam-gyu x reader that satisfied me so that's why I made my own.

⋆. 𐙚˚-word count 2.8k,.. Part 1.

You used to be a bright kid. Loud, dramatic, borderline annoying—just the way your mom liked it. You’d dance around in your living room with sticker-covered notebooks and shiny lip gloss you definitely weren't supposed to be wearing in elementary school.

Back then, being called "fake" made you feel powerful.

Fake tan? That's right.

Fake lashes? Better than yours.

Fake smile? At least you could still smile.

Your mom was your whole world. She never judged your style, never told you to "tone it down." She was the one who paid for your first bleach job, even helped tone it so it wouldn't go piss colored yellow.

You wanted to become a nail tech—open your own salon, do nails and makeup for other gyaru girls who just wanted to feel pretty in a world that told them they weren't "decent."

Then cancer hit like a freight train. No warning. No time.

She was gone by the time you turned 19.

Your dad had vanished long before that. Some old flame of a man who hated responsibility and left when the bills got heavy and your mom stopped smiling in pictures.

After the funeral, you tried to go back to beauty school. You tried to smile. You even tried skipping class one day just to be "normal" sad, not shattered.

But the bills piled up. Your part-time at the salon wasn't enough. So you dropped out.

That was your first real fall. It didn't feel like a choice. It felt like gravity.

At first, you told yourself it was temporary. Just until you saved up enough to re-enroll. You worked coat check, then moved to the floor, then started hostessing once you learned how to fake-laugh at men who didn't know your name but loved how short your skirt was.

That's when you met Nam-Gyu, one of the club's main promoters.

You didn't speak often. He wasn't the type. He had the quiet kind of confidence that didn't need to shout. He'd show up with a group of rich customers, flash his phone at the bouncers, and disappear into VIP like he owned the place.

You figured he saw a hundred girls like you. Loud. Flashy. Easy to replace.

But sometimes you'd catch him watching you when he thought you weren’t looking. And sometimes you weren’t sure who felt more exhausted—you, or him.

A year in, the nights started to blur.

You started drinking to stay awake.

Pills to stay skinny.

Cigarettes to keep your hands from shaking.

Coke when a VIP offered it like gum.

You told yourself it was just part of the job. That everyone was doing it.

Eventually, When your ex scammed you out of your savings, you snapped.

You didn't cry. You just stared at your cracked phone screen, smoking outside the club on a Tuesday night, wondering if you had enough in your account to even afford the train ride home.

That's when he showed up—the Salesman.

Pressed suit. Briefcase. That sterile, unreadable smile.

“Would you like to play a game?”

You should've told him to screw off.

But you didn't have anything left to lose.

So you played.

Every time he slapped you, something inside you cracked. And every time you slapped him back, it didn't make you feel better. It just reminded you how far you'd fallen.

He handed you a card when your cheeks were flushed and your throat burned with shame.

"You’re a good player," he said. "Here go to that location to play for money."

You did.

You woke up in a concrete room, still tasting regret.

And there, across the crowd of desperate strangers and broken faces—stood Nam-Gyu.

Same face. Same unreadable eyes.

Except now, you werent just coworkers.

Now, you were players.

The silence shattered when the heavy metal doors creaked open.

All eyes turned.

The man who entered wore a dark, geometric mask—cold and unreadable. Two pink-suited guards flanked him, stiff and wordless like props in a horror show.

"I would like to extend a hearty welcome to all of you,"

he began, voice smooth but distant.

"Everyone here will participate in six different games over six days. Those who win all six games will receive a handsome cash prize."

Your brain barely registered it. It sounded rehearsed. Like someone reading out a party invite to a funeral.

Then—

"Excuse me,"

a woman near the front barked, arms crossed under her shapeless tracksuit.

"You said I'd be playing games but you partically kidnapped me. So how can I believe that?"

"I apologize,"

the masked man replied instantly. No effort, no care. Just protocol.

Yeah okay, you thought, side-eyeing the fluorescent lights. If this is a party, where's the fucking glitter?

That's when someone shouted—

"What's with these shoes? My shoes are limited fucking edition! They're hard to find!"

You turned.

Purple hair. Tattoo. Angry.

You squinted.

Wait.

That guy…

Thanos?

Your stomach twisted a little. You'd seen him before. Back when you worked in that seedy club—the one with sticky floors and too many fake IDs. He came in once, belligerent and slurring something about "VIP crypto booths."

He didn't remember you. Good.

Then came another voice—this time a girl, probably around your age, eyeing her green jumpsuit like it was radioactive.

"These don't fit and the color sucks. Can I just have what you’re wearing instead? I like pink."

You held in a snort.

Me too, you thought, but I doubt they do cute sizes.

Behind the chaos, you spotted Nam-Gyu.

Hands in his pockets. Leaning against the wall. Watching.

Not panicking. Not talking. Just… sizing everything up.

You turned back to the masked man as he continued.

This wasn't a game.

It was a setup.

And you'd signed your name on the dotted line.The rules were laid out.

No one really asked more questions.

Too scared. Too broke. Too tired.

One by one, people lined up to sign their names on the contracts.

It felt official. It felt final.

You hesitated for a second before scribbling yours down—glossy nail clacking the pen.

Then it started.

A voice—way too loud for this sterile room.

"The amazing Myung-Gi from MG Coin? Is that you?"

You turned your head.

Thanos. Purple hair. Already pissed.

A few steps away stood Myung-Gi, arms crossed and eyebrows raised like he was above it all.

"Who are you?"

Myung-Gi replied, all mock-confusion.

"You may not know me, but I know you. MG Coin. I was subscribed to your channel. And I lost a shitload of money, asshole."

People paused mid-signature. You could feel the tension crackle in the air.

"So did I," Myung-Gi said coolly. "You've got the wrong person."

"I watched your content all day, every day. Now I even see you in my dreams, motherfucker."

Your eyes flicked to the side as Thanos turned to someone next to him.

"What’s your name again? Namsu?"

"Nam-Gyu," came the calm reply. "From Club Pentagon."

Your heart skipped. You hadn't heard that name in months.

The club where it all spiraled.

Of course Nam-Gyu knew these two. Of course this was happening.

"Right," Thanos nodded darkly. "Thanks to you, I bonded quickly with Nam-Gyu here. Because we share the same pain."

"I thought the sons of bitches who made that coin fled to the Philippines with the money," Nam-Gyu said. His voice was low, neutral. But something sharp hid behind it. "So why are you here? Did they cut you loose?"

"What do you want from me?" Myung-Gi snapped.

You exhaled. Loudly.

So much testosterone, you muttered in your head. It's giving man-child meltdown.

Then—

"You’re responsible for the final decision on your investment," Myung-Gi added defensively. "Didn’t you hear me say that at the end? You said you watched every day."

"Hey, calm down," Nam-Gyu warned.

"You asshole!" Thanos barked, lunging.

"Alright now—" Nam-Gyu said holding back Thanos who grabbed myungi by the collar.

"Get off me! Let go of me!" Myung-Gi yelled, getting out of Thanos grip.

"People are watching," Nam-Gyu muttered, firm. "You don't want to be on the news."

"You better do well," Thanos spat, backing off, "because I’m coming to get my money back."

"Come on," Nam-Gyu said, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him off before a pink guard got involved.

You sighed, loud and exaggerated.

Men. Always fighting over money they never had.

And now?

They were all locked in the same broke, desperate nightmare as you.

______

The stairs looked like a kid:s dream—or a gamer’s fever dream.

Candy-colored walls in pink and green. A maze of impossible angles.

It was like someone took a playground, melted a Rubik’s cube on it, and called it a hallway.

You didn't say anything, just followed the pink guards as they led everyone up, down, and around through the staircase purgatory.

Eventually, you were guided into a small booth area—each with a photo machine inside.

Automatic photo booths.

So we're taking passport pics before gambling now?

You scoffed to yourself, flipping your hair.

Then the screaming started.

"I'm Gyeongsu! Big fan! I've been to several of your concerts! Please take a picture with me!"

That voice came from a tall dude with starry eyes practically throwing himself at Thanos.

Here we go, you thought, crossing your arms.

Then it spread like a virus:

"Me too! Me too!"

"Wait, Thanos, take one with me too!"

"I love your music!"

Phones or not, people were treating him like the main event.

"Hang on, guys," came Nam-Gyu’s voice—low but sharp. "Let's make this easier for Thanos and take one picture together."

And of course, people started agreeing.

"Yeah, one big group photo!"

"That’s smart!"

"Let’s do it!"

You sighed.

Loudly.

They're acting like we’re at KCON.

Still, you adjusted your jumpsuit a little and tilted your chin.

At least I look hot today, like usual.

Just as Thanos raised his arm to strike a pose—

A voice cut through the air like a blade.

"You are not allowed to do this,"

a masked man said as he stepped forward, hands clasped calmly behind his back.

Thanos grinned anyway.

> “You wanna be in the picture? Come on.”

"You must take your picture one by one,"

the masked man replied, tone absolute.

Groans erupted.

"Aw come on!"

"You guys took our phones!"

"Can’t we just—?"

"No exceptions," the masked man snapped.

Silence.

You rolled your eyes so hard you almost gave yourself a migraine.

You lost count of how many damn stairs there were.

Bright, twisting staircase that led to more staircase. The place looked like a Candyland prison designed by an evil toddler.

Finally, you spilled out with the others into a blindingly open space that looked like a child's sandbox on steroids.

A massive doll stood far away. Creepy. Motionless. Watching.

Then a smooth, monotone voice echoed overhead:

"Welcome to the first game. Please wait a moment in the field."

The group spread out in a mix of curiosity and confusion.

"All that for this?!"

"My knees are about to give out."

"A whole stairway to hell just to stand here?"

People were already whining, and you were about to tune them out—until you heard a familiar voice again.

Loud. Dramatic.

Of course.

Thanos, guess he really is the main event.

"Hey, Señorita. Don't you know who I am?"

You glanced over.

It was him again, talking to the same girl who'd whined about the pink tracksuit earlier. She raised a brow.

"Do I have to?"

"No, you don't," he grinned. "We can get to know each other. Tell me about yourself."

"Are you hitting on me?" she asked, clearly over it.

Then he struck a pose and launched into something… horrifying.

"In the sea of faces, you caught my eye…"

"My beauty, my flower, blooming among weeds…"

"Red, orange, yellow, green—I'm legend, Thanos…"

"Look at us in this blue-green… now give me the green light."

"I like you!"

Oh god. Was he rapping?

You winced so hard your lip gloss cracked.

Secondhand embarrassment. Terminal stage.

You turned around, needing to get away from whatever mating ritual that was—and ended up bumping straight into someone.

Chest. Firm. Familiar.

You looked up.

Nam-Gyu.

He blinked down at you lazily, hands still in his pockets.

"What," he asked, "did you walk into me just to get away from that?"

His chin subtly nodded toward Thanos's little concert.

You gave him a look.

"Wouldn’t you?"

He smirked slightly. Just for a second.

Then the loudspeaker buzzed again.

"Players, the first game is about to begin."Everyone was already standing in the field. Confused. Chatting. Joking around.

"The next game is probably tag or some baby game."

"They said we’d play six? This’ll be easy."

"Can we get water first? My mouth dry as hell."

No one was taking it seriously.

You stood still beside Nam-Gyu, arms crossed, eyes on the creepy oversized doll in the distance. The silence made your skin itch.

Then—

"Green light!"

The doll's head turned with a loud click.

People around you started walking.

And then:

"Red light!"

Everyone froze.

Except one guy near the front—tall, loud, and way too enthusiastic.

"STAND STILL!! DON'T MOVE!! SHE'S LOOKING!!"

It was some dude screaming like it was life or death.

"Oh my god is that player 456?" someone muttered.

You rolled your eyes. Why's he yelling like we're in a cartoon?

Next to you, Nam-Gyu didn't move a muscle, his hands still buried in his jumpsuit pockets.

Another round passed.

"Green light."

"Red light."

Suddenly—

Bang.

Everyone froze—not from the game, but the sound.

You turned your head slowly.

One of the players had collapsed. The girl from earlier—the one who’d complained about her jumpsuit, the one Thanos was hitting on.

She lay there—blood soaking into the sandy ground.

"She moved," someone whispered.

"A bee landed on her neck."

Panic cracked through the crowd like lightning.

"WHAT THE HELL—"

"RUN!"

"MOVE!!"

They did.

And the guns opened up.

One after another—bodies dropped, people screamed, the doll spun its head like some nightmare music box.

You didn't scream. You didn't move.

You couldn't.

Your heart was pounding out of your chest, but your feet stayed planted.

You glanced sideways.

Nam-Gyu was still beside you.

Silent. Stone-still.

Time warped.

Round after round passed, and somehow—you made it. Your foot hit the line.

Safe.

You gasped softly.

Beside you, Nam-Gyu's breathing was shaky, hands now visibly trembling.

You didn't say anything.

You just stood next to him, quietly.

Because what could you say after watching a girl die of a stupid bee?

[rosalyn51]

DCI Carl Morck [Matthew GoodE] is a brilliant cop but terrible colleague. His razor-sharp sarcasm has made him no friends in Edinburgh police. After a shooting leaves a young pc dead, and his partner paralysed, he finds himself exiled to the basement & sole member of Department Q; a newly formed cold case unit. The department is a PR stunt, there to distract the public from the failures of an under-resourced, failing police force that is glad to see the back of him. But more by accident than design, Carl starts to build a gang of waifs & strays who have everything to prove. So, when the stone-cold trail of a prominent civil servant who disappeared several years ago starts to heat up, Carl is back doing what he does best - rattling cages and refusing to take no for an answer. Dept. Q is a series created and written and directed by American writer / filmmaker Scott Frank, screenwriter of Out of Sight, Minority Report, The Interpreter, The Lookout, Marley & Me, The Wolverine, Logan; and creator of "The Queen's Gambit" & "Monsieur Spade" series. Written by Stephen Greenhorn, Colette Kane, & Chandni Lakhani. Adapted from the novels written by Jussi Adler-Olsen. With episodes directed by Scott Frank. Made by Flitcraft and Left Bank Pictures. Exec produced by Rob Bullock, Scott Frank, & Andy Harries. Netflix debuts Frank's Dept. Q streaming on Netflix starting May 29th, 2025.*

*Just in time to qualify for Emmy nominations : )

Photo: Netflix

[ras-favourite-balor]

I am more than happy to pay upfront now that I have garnered your attention. I am in need of a message to be sent in the fashion only Balor pilots seem to be able to pull off properly. The two mercenaries companies and their endless ceaseless messaging grows tiresome.

I want you to send a message, I want you to crash and burn their little event. I will provide whatever funding you want, but I want you while all eyes of their companies are on their titans brawling, I request you hit them where it hurts.

MSMC and CMC are both all cooped up inside the station of the Sylvia's Requiem. I can point you in the direction of the greatest valuable the CMC head holds dear to have you destroy it. For how you wish to insult MSMC I leave to your discretion.

Name your price.

//Backtalker\\

[Brigand}-Fuck me... I hope you realize that's a big ask? That's a LOT of heat to draw, even for me. If I'm caught, or people catch wind it was me that did this, it could mean another bout on a penal colony, or worse probably...

<PERSEPHONE>- DEAR I HATE TO INFORM YOU BUT WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF FUNDS. UNTIL OUR BLINKSPACE DRIVE IS REPLACED WE CANNOT RELIABLY SLAUGHTER. WE CANNOT CHASE DOWN THOSE WHO WRONG US. WE CANNOT BRING RUIN TO THE RIGHTEOUS. WORSE WE CANNOT OUTFOX THE WOULD-BE HUNTERS. CANNOT DISAPPEAR INTO THE NIGHT ON BLACKENED WINGS WHEN DEPTS GROW LUNGS AND CLAWS.

WE SHOULD ACCEPT. I WILL GROW MY SWARM AND WE WILL DINE AS GODS.

[Brigand}-You know I hate it when you're right. But this could get us back on our feet. I'd have to let Pigeon and Z know that we'll have to wait though. Let the aftermath cool down... And we do have those spare Zhengs... could convert one of those into another Balor. One just for you, make sure we're not going in undergunned...

<PERSEPHONE>-PRECISELY DEAR. YOU ARE WORRIED. WE CAN BRING THE SUBALTERNS. I'VE BEEN EXPERIMENTING. THE LAB OF BATTLE CALLS. IT WILL BE GLORIOUS. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE GAMBLED OUR LIVES. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG.

[Brigand}-I really should fucking retire. As if I could stay retired for more than a week. Fuck it. I would love to accept, but I''ve got some conditions. we need to know full details before I decide our price. But that shouldn't be a problem, you seem quite eager. I also want your word you'll do your best to protect us from any and all fallout. In addition to payment, we require a new blinkspace drive, something fancy. I've heard SSC has a new model with all the bells and whistles.

I think I've got an idea for MSMC as well... though it'll be expensive. And require a trip to Hercynia at that...

Let's talk business, Brigand~

[storiesofmyhead]

She's taken a leap of absence

Her body laid numbly under Adam's foot, the blood seeping up her throat as she coughed it out onto herself.

The static noise grew as Alastor watched Adam's foot dig deeper into his beloved's chest.

"Get your dirty foot off of her." He growls, his dark black shadowy tentacles extending from his back as they ready to rip the first man apart.

"Haha I don't think so. Dirty ungrateful sinners like you and her don't deserve life even in the darkest depts of hell. So, I'm going to do everyone a favor and kill her." Adam laughs, his egotistical voice coming out proud and confident.

Snarling Alastor's body grows, his limbs cracking as Adam stares up in horror.

"What are you." He says disgusted, before shaking his head putting back on his confident and proud exterior. "I'm not scared of some sinner." He laughs.

"Al' just let it be. I-" She coughs harshly, her voice coming out weakly. "I don't want you t-to get hurt. Please." She pleads.

Alastor's eyes land on his wife's dying body causing his anger to spike again, his tentacle limbs grabbing Adam.

"Fuck you." He states, ripping his body off of his wife's before throwing him into the air where Charlie waited for him.

Before anyone knew it, Alastor grabbed her before his shadows allowed them both to sink into ground disappearing from everyone's sight.

Landing in his broadcasting studio, Alastor looked around for a spot on the ground that hadn't been destroyed yet. Finding a spot her carefully sat her against a panel, his eyes searching her body for the injury that he knew was killing her.

"Al' it's ok." She said softly, reaching her hand up to cup his cheek.

"No." He states desperately his eyes unfocused as they fly around hoping to think of something, anything. "I-I have to think of something. You can't die on me again." He whimpers, the radio filter that always covers his old voice now off. Desperation clear in everything he does.

"Oh, my sweet boy. There's nothing we can do now." Smiling weakly at the man before coughing as she bends over to the side, the puddle of blood growing. "Just lay with me. Please." She says lip quivering as she tries to hold her calm exterior for his sake.

"Please don't leave me. Everyone always leaves me." His lips quivers as the tears start to pool down his face. She was the only person he would let himself go for, the only person who see this side of him.

Sliding down the panel next to her, he carefully lifts her into his lap before setting her down. Laying her head on his shoulder she places a kiss on the junction between his neck and collarbone.

"I'm not leaving you; I promise. I'll always be here even if you can't see me, my love."

Alastor listens to her breathing weaken as she nears the end of her life. His heart breaking deeper as her breaths get softer and softer.

"I love you so much, please understand that I'm not leaving by choice." She says, wanting him to know that she would never leave him no matter what. "This isn't your fault my love. Please do not blame yourself once I'm gone." She pleads.

"Ok." He whimpers. "I love you so much. I'm so sorry I couldn't give you a child like you always wanted."

Chuckling weakly, she reaches up and pulls his head down softly to look at her eye to eye. "I only ever wanted a child because it would give me another reminder of you, my love. You're all I've ever wanted."

Sniffling, Alastor leans down and places his lips on hers. All his love and sadness put into this one kiss. All he wanted was a few more minutes, a few more hours with her, but alas everything has to end at some point. Kissing back, she uses the last of her energy, smiling into it.

Alastor felt her kissing back until she wasn't. Her body laying limp in his arms.

"No. No, no, no, no!" He yells clutching her body closer to his. Now sobbing he nuzzles his head into her hair, wanting to drown in her scent.

~~

"Where's Alastor and Scarlett?" Charlie asks the group worriedly.

"I don't know I haven't seen them since-" Vaggie was cut off by the appearance of Alastor, his large smiles straining on his face. His appearance disheveled, the small tear stains on his cheeks noticeable to everyone but Charlie as they all look down in sadness and guilt. Angel with tears in his eyes, Husk and Vaggie giving sympathetic looks.

"Oh Alastor!" Charlie says happily. "We were so worried. Where is-" She continues only to get cut off by Vaggie's hand on her shoulder as she shook her head silently, glum look on her face.

Charlie looks at Vaggie for a second in confusion before gasping, her hands flying towards her mouth, eyes tearing up.

"It seems Scarlett is taking a leap of absence for a while. With that I will also be taking my leave. Good day." He says his normal radio voice absent, as he trails off before turning around and leaving the hotel. Little did the rest of the group know, that would be the last they saw of him for a while...

[worm-fanon-polls]

(Poll submitted by @germesthegenie)

This question basically asks which hero is most well liked in the New Protectorate Era.

No Longer featured: Alexandria (dead), Myrddin (dead), Armsmaster (~nobody knows!~), Panacea (Birdcaged/Mysteriously disappeared)

Now Featuring: Pretender-As-Alexandria (hey look alexandria's back!), Defiant (totally new hero, guys), Weaver (Rebranded Skitter), Weld (With the Irregulars), Revel (Myrddin's replacement as head of Chicago Protectorate)

Not Featuring: Rime (takes over L.A. Dept, killed at New Delhi)

Make sure to tell me what you think and why you think it!