#I HAD A LOT OF FUN ANSWERING THESE THANK YOU <3

[t00thpasteface]

i very deeply respect your mashposting and even though im not as enthusiastic about hawkahy as you are i think the content you make for them us delightful and some of the best mashposting on this godforsaken website. that being said, i wanted to know ur takes on the hawkeye & trapper dynamic, and the hawkeye & bj dynamic. Not in a shippy way, just in the World of Hawkahy what role do trapper and bj play in their relationships with hawkeye :3 this because i love that one comic u did where hawkeye is spunchbop and bj is Patrick its one of my fave pieces of mash fanart lol

(⁠๑˘❥⁠⁠ ˘๑⁠) first off, THANK YOU!! i'm soooo crazy about hawkahy and i really enjoy contributing to my fellow shippers, but i'm glad my art can also still appeal to people who are less interested the ship itself.

second, VERY fun question!! i wish i had definitive answers for yall, but you know me... i love to go "well idk it could go either way" ^_^;; really, it depends on what kind of tone and theme i'm looking for. i don't really write heavier stuff (because i have so much fun writing funny fic) so that kind of narrows my options, but there's a lot of potential i'd love to explore— or see someone else explore, if they're so inclined!

TRAP:

generally the trapper reading i typically default to is that he and hawkeye have a pretty casual FWB thing going on. trapper considers hawkeye a very close friend and hooks up with him at an intersection of bicuriosity and deep platonic affection, but hawkeye catches baddddd feelings and ends up genuinely heartbroken to find out their thing was lopsided. in this case, hawkahy would happen only after trapper leaves— mulcahy has a tough time trying to get noticed before that point :( but at the same time, i don't think mulcahy would pounce at the first opportunity, because i don't think an immediate rebound would be good for hawkeye nor mulcahy... but it could happen for dramaaaaa...

another version of the hawkeye-trapper rapport that i love playing with in my fics is trapper being generally very supportive but nonetheless slightly grossed out. i think there's a lotttt of comedy potential with hawkeye thinking it's okay to fuck a priest but NOT a married woman, and meanwhile trapper is pro-infidelity but anti-priestfucking (for whatever reason), and they squabble and tease each other about it the whole time.

it's also funny to think about is trapper trying to figure out whether mulcahy now gets the "one of the bros" back-slapping beer-chugging dude treatment, or if instead he's now slotted into the "go easy on 'em trap" category that protects hawkeye's ladyfriends from hearing trapper's bawdiest jokes and comments when hawkeye brings them along as a plus-one to the swamp.

trapper seems like he's pretty likely to sniff out that hawkeye and mulcahy are seeing each other even if they try their damnedest to keep it secret. i like to think hawkeye trusts trapper enough that he would go ahead and divulge it it up front pretty soon after it's official. trapper could probably even pick up hawkeye's crush beforehand... maybe even before hawkeye knows about it!

i don't see trapper as being too jealous of hawkeye spending a lot of time with mulcahy, even if it means hawkeye is now exclusive and not sleeping with trapper anymore. if anything i think he'd be pretty stoked that he's got one less guy to compete with for the nurses' attention. pretty sweet deal as far as he's concerned.

i do think there'd be some tricky navigating between how hawkeye acts with trapper and the STARK difference with how he acts around mulcahy, which you can see clear as day in the s1 finale, where hawkeye gets soooo soft and careful while talking to mulcahy. i don't think either one is disingenuous; i think hawkeye contains multitudes. hawkeye's not the type to fake sincerity. and to that end, i really don't think hawkahy should hinge on hawkeye totally giving up all the cruder parts of his personality (especially since mulcahy is really no saint either), so it could be pretty interesting to see that manifest in whether/how he's still maintaining a close friendship with trapper now that he's been seeing mulcahy regularly and trying to make a good impression.

BEEJ:

the direction bj goes in depends on whether hawkahy are already an item before he gets there. he does form that almost instantaneous trauma-bond with hawkeye on his first day, but i think if hawkeye admitted "yeah by the way the chaplain is my boyfriend" as soon it seemed safe, bj would be able to take it in stride as another weird little quirk of the mash he has to get used to. he's too hung up on dealing with all the gore to worry about who's banging who.

by contrast, i think he could potentially get pretty upset/jealous if hawkeye and mulcahy paired up a little while later. i can see him feeling really betrayed, like, "what do you normally do when i'm gone?" "wait for you to get back!!"

if bj still doesn't feel like he's really enmeshed himself into the unit— which i think on some level, he never wants to, because he's banking on dropping everything like a hot potato the second he can— then i can totally picture him just feeling completely lost and isolated when hawkeye is suddenly forgoing their boys-nite boozathons in favor of getting some priest pipe. like, at least trapper could always go find his own cuddle buddy to pass the time and had nurses lining up to volunteer; bj has basically nobody and doesn't seem inclined nor equipped to fix that. hawkeye is his liason to the rest of the camp, and bj isn't so great with people without having hawkeye there to help as both teleprompter and safety net.

basically i think bj wants to keep hawkeye within a very specific arm's-length radius— not too close, but not too far either, and hawkeye having so much private time with someone else could really get under his skin.

you could also have bj think the priestfucking is gross/bad on sheer principle like trapper did, even without the jealousy angle, and it'd probably hold a little more water coming from bj than trapper. however, it'd be funny if he's insisting it's definitely not a jealousy thing and he's being fully objective about it, but you can totally tell he's just jealous. x)

i admit i kinda love seeing bj get tormented, because he's got such obvious buttons to press and yet sternly insists that they don't even exist, similar to houlihan and frank. like, you can't just set that up and not expect me to rub my hands together and SLAM those buttons as hard as i can. ergo, bj getting jealous about hawkahy is supremely funny to me. i'm not too proud to admit that!

[ahdriking]

hellooo for the ask tag how about 10, 11 (especially like, types of pairings?), 14, 30 and 42? (also im about to read the blue blood update and i can not WAIT im so exited)

5 QUESTIONS YOU SPOIL ME ANON!! I really hope you enjoy the blue blood chapter 💕💕

10. How do you decide what to write?

WELL it's honestly different every time! I tend to be the kind of writer who latches onto an idea/vibe/topic that just speaks to me and takes over my brain, and then I spin that out into a fic. Sometimes the idea comes to me organically, but most of the time it comes to life in collaboration with others 🤣 Usually I start off with gathering some kink ideas that I want to explore, and then I start to build the details of the scene around moments that jump out at me that would be really hot.

I also turn to tumblr/twitter polling to help me decide 🤣

11. Are you partial to a certain character/pairing or are you more equal-opportunity? If you are partial to any character/pairing, why do you think that is?

I tend to become very partial to a single pairing and obsess over it religiously! I do still like the occasional side pairing, or giving some love to some rare pairs, but generally speaking one relationship will just spark for me and light a fire under my ass that i'll inevitably be consumed by. I reckon it's because I hyperfixate, and also because once I've got the feel for characters down and how to write them, it's actually quite tricky to get out of the mindset of their mannerisms/headspace and work with another character.

14. Are there any tropes you would only read if written by a trusted friend or writer?

HMMM. Well, I'm generally a very open minded person when it comes to tropes/kinks/stuff like that, but when it comes to my squicks/DNW's i'm so Hard No with it that i'm not sure! Honestly, the two that jump to mind are MCD and mpreg, and they're... I genuinely don't see how I would be able to enjoy either of them, but!! There are quite a few (cough kurtstiel cough iffervescent cough yeetlegay cough mirrorofprinces cough cough) who could probably get away with it, they're just that fucking talented. I would trust them with it.

30. Have you ever written something that was out of your comfort zone? If so, what was it, and how did it affect your approach to writing fic thereafter?

The only fic i've ever written that genuinely isn't something I'd call one of my own kinks, and therefore takes me out of my comfort zone is Nature, my capri fic with omega!damen and MILKING (LOL I HAVE WRITTEN ABO BEFORE its just,,, unconventional ABO) the thing in particular with this fic that I was uncertain with was the milking/lactation aspect which I'm pretty sure was part of a prompt? It's definitely not one of my kinks, so I really had to challenge myself to try and understand it, what works about it, what appeals about it, and try and make that shine in the fic. It honestly taught me to approach kinks from multiple perspectives; there's my own, the initial and most instinctual perspective that's largely based on my horniness, but then there's also a more analytical perspective that takes the broader audience into account. This fic definitely taught me to try and balance those two aspects.

42. Have you ever received a comment that particularly stood out to you for whatever reason?

Oh god there are so many lovely, wonderful comments that I remember and cherish that stand out to me for all sorts of reasons. Most of them written by @elmindredaniq 🤣. But to give you an example of one in particular recently, I was reliably informed by an avid fan of dark!fics that blue blood is one of the best out there. That really put a smile on my face.

Ask me something!

[mvshroombae]

Hello there! I'd like to request a drawing of your favourite Stardew Valley character in your favourite season :)

Also I happened to stumble upon your account and I love your artwork!

Krobus picking out a pumpkin in fall + little guy antics

[sleepis4theweak]

I just saw your post on Mikey doing angry stimms and had to ask for more /nf since this is the first time I've seen someone draw angry stimms for a character (it's not that common from my perspective)

Thank you- love your artstyle so much!!! :D

(P.s. I also get angry stimmys too sometimes)

Aww- thank you so much for this ask! I am really, really happy you liked it!! And yeah I feel like angry stims aren't talked about as much...

Anyways I was really super excited to draw more- still using stims that I have done, though these are a little more uh... aggressive? I wanted to preface this by saying that I do these gently, or they are stims that I've replaced with something else hehe :)

For my angry stims a lot of it is based on frustration so it's kinda a lot of flailing? Like aggressive shaking. The biting one isn't something I've done in a while- and is one that I would try to do gently (would not recommend that one lol), and the punching of the thigh is something I tend to do (gently) when I'm hella frustrated with homework :)

[ninakoll]

hi hi hi i was wondering if youve ever drawn madara ? i think hed be so shape (also i love your art !! your silly comics make me so happy)

HIII thank you both so much :DD <3 we are all at the madara lover convention together 🤝🏻🤠 + to answer the first question, i did draw double face madara at one point, but looks like anon ate him. more madara mikejima for you two!!!!!

he is a himbo who lives in my phone

[loserboyfriendrjl]

Also bored😅, here we go:

What do you hc their clothing style to be like? (Marauders + anyone you have strong opinions about)

What do you think their favorite colors are?

Do you have a prongsfoot anthem? (I think you might have posted about that recently but I cannot find it)

Fashion:

i can’t describe their clothing style, to be honest, so i’ll just put some pictures and hope that those convey it enough 😅

james potter: james is all about being comfortable. he prefers lighter, sporty clothing, usually in the gryffindor colors; he likes to show off his house pride even when not necessary.

modern james era-accurate (ish) james

sirius black: sirius is all about leather and denim. even in modern times, he likes incorporating pieces of older fashion in his wardrobe. he prefers oversized fits and likes layering

modern sirius era-accurate (ish) sirius

remus lupin: remus prefers keeping a classy, gradfather-looking attire. he’s a fan of corduroy and earthy tones. jumpers are a classic for him, but he likes flannel as well

modern remus era-accurate (ish) remus

peter pettigrew: peter, too, is a fan of flannel. however, his wardrobe features more colours, and his style cannot be pinpointed and assigned to just one thing.

modern peter era-accurate (ish) peter

bonus! lily evans: lily evans is a classic of old-school preppy, especially the era-accurate lily. modern lily is a fan of maxi skirts and earthy tones. she will, however, always like scarves

modern lily era-accurate (ish) lily

Favourite colors:

james potter: two very specific shades; one of grey, and one of bright green (i think we all know what i mean when i say that)

sirius black: navy blue and a very specific shade of brown that means a lot for him

remus lupin: brown, but he also likes a dark, washed out blue; think old jeans. also, one certain shade of grey

peter pettigrew: bright, blood red; to him, that is the colour of belonging, of having a place in the world

bonus! lily evans: her favourite colours change, depending on the season and her fashion choices at that moment. however, red and brown are always included

Prongsfoot anthem:

my prongsfoot anthem are always you (depeche mode) and mind over matter (young the giant). however, if someone wants me to, i can make them a playlist!

[crescentfool]

I noticed you're a Ryomina!!! How did you get into it? And do you have any good fanfics/doujinshi you can advice me to read? ANYTHING on Ryomina actually? I'm dying for anything about them!!! Thanks!!

yes!!! it's me!!! i'm ryomina fan (one of many)!!! thank you for visiting my askbox, i'll do my best to answer all of the questions because it always makes me happy to see that ryomina sparks joy for people! :D

...this got really long because i like linking to things, so i'm putting it under a read more (IM VERY NORMAL ABOUT THEM)

how did i get into it? i got into persona 3 around august 2021 through the movies- at the time my only experience with the persona series was with P5R / P5S / P5D. p3 was the one that interested me the most (i thought minato was very pretty + i caught wind that the themes of the game were very resonant with people). i picked the movies over the game because i'm a guy who plays games at a snails pace, haha.

admittedly, i did latch onto ryomina because of the scenes in the third and fourth movie (i have mentioned in the tags of this art i drew how much i felt like i was exploding and blasting off to the moon watching it).

but what really dug me into the ryomina hole (and what has kept me there) was thinking about how much ryoji encapsulates the themes of p3- and how interconnected his fate is with minato. i wrote some musings about their dynamic here, if you're interested!

tl;dr: what if we were both boys and we were mirror images of each other and i inherited your kindness and looks but god doomed our narrative even though we're soulmates

on ryomina fanworks recommendations:

regarding fics: i'm going to assume that you've probably read the fics that have the highest kudo ratings on them, so i won't really be listing those.

a personal favorite fic that i always hold close to my heart is Eurydice's Vow by crescentmoontea, which explores the idea of ryomina in p5r's third semester. this was the first fic i read about ryomina and it made me tear up lots...

i also think a lot about I Alone Await You by Nail_gun, literally scrumptious writing that captures the ryomina dynamic so so well. actually check out Nail_gun's other ryomina fics while you're at it too!

other fun fic i'm fond of: can't get my mind out of those memories (what were they?) by foxmulder_whereartthou. ryoji being homeless lives rent free in my head and it's all because of this fic. there's a bunch of other fun ryominas from the same author too (i still need to read them)

BkZa555 also has some fun AU scenarios if you're into that too, notably with Zagreus (P5-Setting, Ryoji focus) and The Definition of Insanity (TIME LOOP fuckery!), but they're currently ongoing.

these were some ones that came to my mind first- as i have the strongest recollection reading them. admittedly i haven't really been reading fic this year, so i don't have many recommendations from fic that came out this year. but if you're so inclined to let ryomina consume your soul, i definitely recommend giving the newer works in the ryomina tag a look-see and see if it strikes your fancy!

as a side note, i do have a few ryomina fics that i've bookmarked on my ao3 here, though i have to say that i'm not sure how well they hold up in terms of like... what i would seek out of a fic these days. but they made past me happy so i bookmarked them, LOL. it's kind of outdated (my collection of fic recs has my old username *disintegrates*).

regarding doujinshi: i have not read all the ryomina doujinshi available, but as a starting point, please take a look at this list from pandora-scans from livejournal!

notably, this is where you can find the strawberry-chan say good bye doujin- which features a small and cute comic from shuji sogabe (the p3/p4 manga artist), as well as other artists. the existence of this doujinshi is the funniest thing to me because it's like "HEY if you're wondering what the volume 8 cover is really gay it's because sogabe contributed to a ryomina doujin." this fact makes my head spin (positive). it explains a lot about the manga.

regarding persona side material:

i know you didn't ask for these but i thought that i mine as well list these too, since i feel that the side materials have some fun expansions on ryoji and minato's interactions. i haven't... watched/read all of these but, hey, i like to share these things!

for comic anthologies for the persona series (some of which have ryoji!). if you're interested in reading them, here's a scanlation index from maboroshi-no on tumblr. i don't think this is a comprehensive list, but i think it will be a great starting point!

for some translations of the persona 3 drama cds, check out imaginary-numbers on dreamwidth! ryoji and minato interactions can specifically be found in the persona 3 character drama cd vol. 1, and for the audio + english subs, you can watch this video on youtube:

and ohh the musical. ryoji singing and dancing gives me so much joy. i haven't watched the musical in it's entirety (only fragments), but here are some links that may be of interest to you:

Ao no Kakusei (The Blue Awakening), Sakuya version - playlist for the first p3 musical, translated by Phoenix Maiika.

Ao no Kakusei (The Blue Awakening), Kotone version - playlist for the femc version!! also translated by Phoenix Maiika on YouTube.

Persona 3: The Weird Masquerade (English Subtitles) - playlist by rumio!

P3 Weird Musical DVD & Soundtrack Booklet Scans by rumio_k - twitter thread that links to these funsies, if you don't have twitter, here's the publicly shared drive link.

god. these sure are a lot of links, huh? i hope you enjoy them- pick and choose whatever sounds most appealing! (if this overwhelmed you im sorry GKLHLDH i just like being very comprehensive in my answers about things so i got carried away).

and as a reminder, you (and anyone else reading) are always welcome to browse my tags/archive and reblog things from there anytime! i have... nearly 300 ryomina posts which, while mostly consists of art, has a few fics, meta, hcs, gifs, memes, and whatnot scattered about.

or browse the minato and ryoji tags too! there's.. nearly 1k minato. and 500 ish ryoji. and they're going to keep on growing because i can't stop being obsessed with archiving these things. god help me i am so deep in this hole called ryomina hell and now you're here too. welcome aboard!

there's always going to be a lot of fun ways to enjoy rotating ryomina around in one's brain, i think- they're a pairing with such fun symbolic imagery that is So Deep (to me) but ALSO they're immensely hilarious and weird guys (affectionate). so i love to share these things in hopes that it gives you joy too! they are the most couple ever (to me) (i'm biased)

thank you again for the ask! i hope it can satiate your need for more ryomina, and be a nice aide in exploring the p3 fanspace :)

[14dayswithyou]

are you a compsci major :0

✦゜ANSWERED: I wish I had the brains and dedication for that ^^; If anything, Ren would be the compsci major (if he chose to go to university with you)!! As for me though?? I'm currently double majoring in digital media and social working ;v;

[complicitgirlfrot]

Being spit roasted by two trans girls who keep talking about what a cute slut you are and how they’re going to fuck you hard enough from either end so they can frot in the middle

Kink rating game, send me any kink and I'll rate it with this scale:

Anti-kink | Soft limit | Neutral | Oh fuck | NEED

NEEDNEEDNEEDNEED

God i think i'd do anything for this to happen. One of those things that makes my heart race and head spin if i think about it for any more than a second.

Just.... the sweat pouring off them as they pound into me. The air getting muskier as time goes on. Getting teased for my moans muffled by the girl in my mouth. Their hands pulling me in opposite directions as they get more and more desperate. The stream of degrading praise as i take them so good. The intermittent pauses as they lean in to kiss each other over me. Being made to cum all over myself again and again. Feeling their hot thick girlcum fill me up and cover me. Shoveling as much of it as i can into my mouth. The gentle shower afterwards for cleanup followed by ice cream and a cuddle puddle in a golden hour sunbeam. The promise to meet up and do it all over again the following week....

Yeah i think i'm on board with this one

[199degrees]

LISA i need bollywood movie recs PLEASE

omg ash, beloved, this is like the best thing anyone has ever asked me...this is finally my time...😁💖 here we go! (doing a "read more" because this might get long)

I just went with a lot of stuff I watched in my youth (lol) and these are kinda basic but still good and fun so I hope this can help you out a bit! 🫡

☆ = personal fave

Om Shanti Om, 2007 ☆ (literally like every genre, amazing songs, deepika padukone, and honestly one of my favourite movies in general. For real, every genre: romance, drama, comedy, action, horror even, period piece, celeb cameos, revenge, reincarnation...)

Devdas, 2002  ☆ (drama/romance, I watched this way too much as a child, which may explain the way I am)

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, 2001 ☆ (so much drama/romance, top tier songs, AMAZING cast)

Taal, 1999 (I've never personally watched this fully, but my family absolutely looooves this movie, and the songs are amazing too)

Jab We Met, 2007 (romcom - haven't watched this in forever but I remember having fun lol)

Ra.One, 2011 ☆ (action/sci-fi, I really like this one because it's sci-fi, which I don't really see a lot of, and Akon sings like two songs in this)

Chalte Chalte, 2003 ☆ (romance/drama, I shed A Lot of tears. Always.)

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, 1998 (ROMANCE, childhood friends to lovers, pining, etc etc. And I don't think I've watched this but my parents LOVE this movie so. Added to the list!)

Duplicate, 1998 ☆ (comedy/action/romance, this one is kinda silly but holds a special place in my heart <3 it's fun, okay!)

Fida, 2004 (romance/thriller, batshit insane movie tbh. I think that's all i have to say)

36 China Town, 2006 ☆ (mystery/thriller, amazing songs - again, and a fun mystery! kinda predictable now that i'm older lol but still fun)

Salaam-E-Ishq, 2007 (romance, drama, a bunch of different stories in one, and ofc a lot of Drama)

Kal Ho Naa Ho, 2003 (romance, and I shed A Lot of Tears...I haven't rewatched this in forever because I know I'll cry a lot but it's good!)

Dil Ka Rishta, 2003 (romance/kinda dramatic...as per usual, an amnesia story but it works! And Aishwarya Rai looks gorgeous as per usual!)

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, 2006 (DRAMA!!!/romance, god so much drama...it had 6/7 year old me SHOOK and even now. Insane. There's some cheating in this one.)

Capping it off here but I hope you enjoy some of these! 🥰 And perhaps I shall link my Bollywood playlist in another post...

[cassynite]

9. exchanging gifts for the first time!

hhhhhhhh sorry for the late reply, I am apparently all or nothing when it comes to prompts. Endure 2000 words of the most tooth-rotting fluff imaginable

The package is wrapped in thick, plain brown paper, tied with twine, and arrives to Drezen just in time for Sparrow and Daeran's return from Nerosyan. The visit itself as well as the trip home was exhausting; even Daeran is happy to settle for a quiet dinner and an early night once they return to the citadel, though he sprinkles the evening conversation with hints that Sparrow should not make any extensive meeting plans for the next week. The new year is fast approaching, and he clearly wants to make a celebration of it; Sparrow is making a mental note to ask if he wants help preparing whatever he has planned or would prefer to do it on his own when she sees the delivery.

Any exhaustion tugging at her drowns under the sudden warm rush of excitement. Woljif had said it was possible, had even helped set up correspondence. But she hadn't believed she'd be able to get it until it actually appeared in the hands of a young runner who delivered it along with the correspondence collected during their absence. Forcing herself not to snatch it from the courier's hands, she smiles and tips him in thanks, and then heads straight to their chambers, the package tight against her thudding chest.

Daeran has already settled in when she arrives, candlelight bouncing off the glint in his golden hair as it spreads across the pillows of their bed. He stares at her as she enters and Sparrow recalls herself--she must look rather silly, rushing in like a child, but that doesn't fully pop the bubbles of giddiness. Certainly, her husband doesn't look disapproving, a smile widening as he takes her in.

"And what has you looking that way, hmm?" His gaze drops to the package in her hands. "I don't believe it," he smirks, rising from the mattress and meeting Sparrow halfway, "did you really get something for--"

"It's yours," Sparrow holds it out for him to take. "Open it. I got it for you."

"Me?" He takes it, observes the plain wrapping with a critical eye. "And what is the occasion?"

That dims the excitement, just a little. "No occasion." Was it strange, to gift something out of nowhere? Daeran had done it many times during the Crusade, his rings and wands and of course the necklace she wears around her neck, but that was when he was courting her. She would have returned the gesture in kind, but what did one get a nobleman with the money to buy anything he wanted? She'd searched for ages for an idea, and then this--"I just thought of you, I suppose."

Something in her expression makes his soften with genuine delight. He peels away the wax paper, "Well, I'll hardly say no to any gift--" He stops when he actually sees what is inside.

Sparrow bites the  her cheek as the silence seems to stretch between them. She'd pictured his reaction to be--funnier, perhaps, more dramatic. Perhaps playfully annoyed. Instead, he just continues to stare, his face blank, at the cover of The Duke's Temptations by Ophenia Thwait.

Sparrow swallows. "I--know that you have strong opinions about the author." Everyone did--the ha'penny novels of dashing romance and sweeping action capture the hearts and minds of both the working people and the fluttering young nobility in Mendev.

New Thwait books always become hot topics of discussion in certain circles for at least a fortnight after release. Daeran in particular always had something to say about them, vitriolic and derisive about the ludicrous tropes, gag-worthy saccharine in the dialogue, and the physical implausibility of the sex that occurs every other chapter.

Sparrow always noted that his complaints were terribly granular for someone who supposedly hated them enough to never touch them, and that he never denied himself the opportunity to talk about them when the subject came up. But he hasn't said anything, he's still not speaking and maybe she miscalculated, maybe this had been a terrible gift and he's trying to think of the right way to tell her he hates it.

Sparrow's hands fold in front of her, clenching like a lifeline, as a shard of ice forms under her ribcage. "I--heard about a new book coming out, and. I thought you might enjoy being the first to know about it. To read it. And...to talk about it before anyone else could. So. I reached out to see if I could get it and--I could. I did."

"This doesn't come out for another two months." Daeran doesn't sound angry, or even peeved. From another person, Sparrow would have called the tone awe. Sparrow tears her gaze away from her hands to meet Daeran's jewel-toned eyes. He's smiling in disbelief. "Thwait keeps her releases locked down tighter than an Iomadean priest keeps his virtue, exactly how did you get your hands on this?"

The warmth of his tone melts the ice in her chest, and Sparrow smiles, delighted and relieved. "Woljif helped," she demurs. "Ms. Thwait is hard to find but he knew someone who knew a contact of her publisher's, and. From what I understand, Ms. Thwait was happy to provide an advance copy when she found out who was asking."

Daeran leans in closer. "Using your status as former Commander of the Fifth Crusade to gain favors?" he murmurs. "How unbecoming. Absolutely shocking behavior."

Sparrow can't swallow back the laugh that bubbles at that back of her throat. "I am a true light in society, you know." she tells him, craning her head up as he comes close enough to touch. "An inspiration for everyone. Ms. Thwait said so herself when she wrote to me."

"A shining beacon for us all." Daeran's hand cups her cheek, fingers curling under her hair at the nape of her neck, and when his mouth finds hers, her eyes are already closed. For several minutes, there's nothing but his body against hers, holding her like she's the only person in the world. The thudding heat in her ears is almost as hot as the sweet joy his happiness has sparked. It's a good gift, and he likes it. The knowledge of it is almost like a victory.

They finally part. "You will, of course, get to hear my thoughts on the latest travesty Ophenia Thwait calls a novel before anyone else," Daeran says. "In fact, we can compare notes--no, you are absolutely reading it as well, I refuse to suffer alone. And, speaking of which--I refuse to let you be alone in gift-giving either. We shall have to make this an exchange instead."

Daeran pulls away from Sparrow's embrace to rummage through their still-unpacked valises. After a moment, he pulls out a long, thin box in shining wrapping, complete with a lace bow. He hands it to her and she stares, wrong-footed. She hadn't expected this. "What is this for?"

"I would love to also say that there is no occasion whatsoever, since that is now an appropriate gesture to make--rest assured I will take advantage of that. Expect gifts once a month moving forward, for no reason at all. Once a week, even."

"Is it for no reason if it's planned?" Sparrow pulls the bow, letting the lace ribbon slide to the floor--she'll pick it up after. "Wouldn't the giving of gifts become its own occasion in that circumstance?"

Daeran brightens at the idea. "We can mark it on our calendars--or, you can mark it on our calendars. Regardless, this is not that occasion." As Sparrow pulls the lid off the box, Daeran says, "Happy belated birthday, darling."

"Wh--" Sparrow cuts herself off, overwhelmed. How did he know about her birthday, when she's spoken of it to no one--what is this, glinting gold and orange and red almost as bright as Daeran's hair, like living fire--she grasps at the garment, feels silk as light as air, and pulls out the most vibrant dress she's ever seen. The fabric, with its bold geometric pattern, is familiar--"I've seen this."

"It's from Katapesh, I believe. The fabric was on display at Karensley's, in Nerosyan? The last time we visited? You couldn't stop staring at it, and it seemed like a wonderful opportunity to introduce some proper color into your terribly drab attire."

They'd gone for, among other things, a proper new wardrobe for the both of them, a few weeks before their marriage--"That was months ago."

Daeran shrugs. His nonchalance is abominably insincere; Sparrow's certain she's seen cats less smug. "It took about that long for the dress to be made. I'd hoped to give it to you on your birthday proper, but then of course my dear cousin decided she wished to end the year by hashing out import taxes and our presence was suddenly mandatory in the capital. Of course you weren't going to see it until next week during your party, but then you had to give such a delightful gift yourself that I had to respond in kind, so."

Sparrow struggles to parse out the words inside her, to describe how beautiful the dress was, to put a name to the bright rushing warmth that grew so large that she hurt with it, to try and encapsulate what a birthday present even meant. The last time she had a birthday, Crow was alive. Her eyes stung, and she managed to get out, "A party?"

"Ah, well. That was meant to be a surprise. My mistake." Again the feigned nonchalance. "You'll have to pretend to be shocked when we go."

Sparrow swallows. "I will do my best. I'm going to wear the dress, though." She's going to wear it every day for the rest of her life, in fact. She'll die in it; they'll have to peel of her skin to remove it. She considers kissing him again, but doing so would require her to put down the garment. "I'm going to try it on."

"Wonderful. I will torture us both with the beginning of this atrocity while you do so." He holds up The Duke's Temptations and sits back down on the bed, leaning back. When he opens the inside cover, though, he is silent; instead his eyebrows rise, and then he starts to laugh in disbelief.

Sparrow, halfway out of her shirt, pulls it back down. "What is it?"

"No, don't stop," Daeran tells her, though he sits up from the bed and swings his legs over the side. "Listen to this: In the everlasting battle against the devilish hordes of Hell, General Evelynne Khaine, right hand of the queen, fears no evil and succumbs to no temptation. But with the arrival of Duke Arendi, the queen's nephew and a notorious rake, Evelynne will have to face a carnal desire that no devil's machinations can match--" Daeran stops, unable to continue through his laughter.

"Excuse me?" Sparrow places the dress reverently on the ottoman before tearing the book out of Daeran's hands, reading the rest in a haze of mortification that teeters over into hilarity. "This is. It's..."

"Apparently," Daeran gasps, "you were very much an inspiration to Ms. Thwait."

"We were," Sparrow corrects, her mouth hanging. In two months' time, everyone in Mendev would be reading Ophenia Thwait's poorly-veiled rendition of their own relationship. "Oh, heavens. I had no idea."

"Clearly not. Give it back--I need to know what happens, now." Daeran pulls it out of her grasp, somehow even more delighted. "We will have to compare Ms. Thwait's creativity with reality. Oh! Actually, before that--" He flips to about halfway through the book. "Hm."

"What is it?"

"Oh, the first sex scene. It's always about halfway through the book." Daeran skims it. "Well. I propose we see just how physically plausible this particular arrangement is, and then we go from there."

"And by that, you mean a real-life rendition?" Sparrow steps closer to the bed between his legs. When Daeran reaches up, she leans closer under his hand.

"Hmmm. We can even do the dialogue, if you like. Perhaps the general is even wearing a lovely dress she can take off."

Sparrow laughs into the kiss, and every other one following that night.

[gontagokuhara]

Ibuki asker back again with another question basically entirely unrelated to the main plot of the fic lmaoo

after what you said about Ibuki being considered a pretty good godly parent I have become Curious about who is generally seen as The Best godly parent .. out of all the gods we’ve Seen Parent in Pointy Objects (so far at least) the best ones are probablyy Makoto and Byakuya because they both seem responsible and are also Present lmao but Gundham also seems like he would also be a good parent too i think

obligatory dont answer the question if its spoiler territory.. also the recent chapter was So Good augh i cannot wait for the next chapter i am so excited❗️

HELLO IBUKI ASKER MY BELOVED ❤️❤️❤️ thank you for your kind words on the new chapter MWAH it always makes me smile (especially when i was kinda nervy about it but shhhh)

and of course i LOVE any and all questions and i am so hype to answer all of them <3 especially fun ones like this! i reckon this will probably end up in listicle (though not spoiler!) territory so under the cut we go ‼️

the thing about the abject quality of any of the gods as a parent is that we are grading on a HARDCORE curve. this has been touched on namely by our unclaimed as well as our claimed-but-no-contact demigods but the average god’s acclaim as a parent (separate from their reputation as the god of [whatever]) is pretty firmly in the pooper, so when a parent is Decent, they tend to see a big boost. i’ll give you a couple examples of both good and bad (not spoilers, but moreso canon lore that just has not fit within the narrative).

for the bad: sayaka and leon are the primary current examples. the former’s relationship with her children (kaede and miu) Has been touched on in canon, but the latter’s (ryoma) not so much! neglect is the biggest offender in most cases, and these two are pretty notorious offenders among the demigods and the broader god community alike. these two specifically, though, have separate tensions regarding not living up to potential (ryoma) and playing favorites (miu and kaede, though miu plays up how much her mother ‘likes’ her well beyond reality to get under her sister’s skin).

for the good: chihiro, aoi, chiaki are again the current examples of ‘good’ godly parents despite junko’s limitations on the roles they can play in their childrens’ (kirumi, angie, and himiko, respectively) lives. aoi gets away with being decently involved in angie’s life because she spends most of her time in the ocean as its’ patron goddess, and the remoteness of the island angie (and sakura, goddess of strength, generally not to be messed with) makes proving she’s breaking junko’s rules difficult, and for the most part junko’s got her eyes elsewhere. chiaki also flies pretty heavily under the radar despite being close with many more heavily-scrutinized gods (hajime and nagito, primarily, but she’s also dating sonia who has her own fraught history with junko), and she can get away with calls to himiko and occasional visits. chihiro is the most interesting of the three (i could go on about the fleshed-out lore i have specifically revolving around her involvement with the gods and demigods alike), and she presently holds the clear crown for ‘best parent’ among any of the kids at camp. communicates fairly often with kirumi while she’s at camp, has her daughter’s security incredibly beefed up when she’s gone during the school year, and her ‘alter ego’ works behind-the-scenes in many respects, including supporting kirumi + the other kids. this is getting long already, though, and the most interesting group of parents is certainly going to be long as well so i’ll out a pin in things for now.

and for the…complicated: mondo, fuyuhiko, and byakuya are the major, not-so-recently confirmed ones that are interesting here. as has been touched on, mondo has earned junko’s ire and has further limitations placed on him as a result of a direct conflict they had when junko attempted to enforce her blanket rules near maki’s birth, and as a result he has never spoken to, or so much as sent a text to maki because it is that severe. taka is left as intermediary, and only showed up once maki’s friend at the orphanage was killed, so she feels a lot of bitterness despite knowing well enough that her godly parent does love her, but can’t show it to her in any direct way. fuyuhiko has put a lot of distance between himself and tenko not only because of junko’s rules, but also due to the nature of his patron (god of crime), his day-job (yakuza boss), and tenko’s clear preference for her aunt peko botne largely from her father’s absence (though we know her preference is amongst women anyway). most people think better of asking either of them about their family situation, despite there being genuine love there.

i’m giving byakuya(+ by extension makoto) their own slot because they are very unique amongst godly parents for a lot of reasons. despite rantarou being byakuya’s biological child, makoto is in the house and incredibly involved and there is no hierarchy about one of them being more “dad” to rantarou than the other. makoto is also a big five god, and despite appearances is relatively on-par in terms of power and formidability with the rest of the big five. they are also the only family to be in explicit and open defiance of junko’s rule, in that they all live together and are actively involved in rantarou’s life, as you mentioned! and byakuya is a good (if unpracticed, due to rantarou being his first) father, but among the gods and demigods he is considered with a certain sense of…recklessness, in so flagrantly being involved (and not even sending rantarou to camp part-time, where all known demigods are generally expected to go for their own protection). obviously, he and his family faced reprisal for almost 18 years rubbing in junko’s face their united family unit, which we’re seeing the fallout of now. good parent, making an effort to do so while being active and present in his son’s life, although making some fairly bad choices with regard to rantarou’s overall safety.

just for funsies, here’s how i’d categorize all of the known parents in the pointy objects universe, in descending order (acknowledging biological children only):

chihiro: 👑 the goat. has had many children and is highly regarded as a genuinely good mom, even with junko’s limitations. one of everyone’s favorite camp visitors

komaru: goddess of family, so she’s kind of got motherhood on lock. in the past has had a number of children of her own and they are quite literally the center of her whole universe.

ibuki: fun mom! has had a handful of children over the years, of which the grown triplets are her most recent. she keeps in contact as well as she can, and visits camp fairly often (for a god, gotta remember they’re all busy busy and immortal and take time for granted) as her kids no longer attend with any regularity.

aoi: as discussed, very loyal to her family! has tricks up her sleeve to be involved in angie’s life as much as she can while overseeing the worlds’ oceans.

chiaki: chill but protective and determined mom, honestly acts less like a mother and more like a big sister to the kids at camp when she visits. no one has many complaints!

byakuya: as mentioned very active and involved in his first child’s life, but has developed a sort of hubris through being with makoto and left alone for the majority of rantarou’s life. still a little stiff and getting the hang of being a parent, as well as endlessly busy, but he’s got the spirit

sonia: a mother to many children over the years, one of the most prolific of the gods, but her son being murdered in the catalyst to junko’s rule, as well as having kiibo ripped away from her once she gave them a soul has left her…well. she gave her soldiers the okay to kill the other demigods to get kiibo back, after all. she’s got the spirit, but the trauma of losing her kids over and over (+ her lack of visiting kiibo at camp for several years) has left something to be desired.

mondo: complicated, as described.

nekomaru: very passionate father, but does tend to view parenting as more of a team sport than…raising a child. lmfao. can be a little overbearing but the care and desire to see his children at their best is there.

fuyuhiko: again, complicated. along with all the OTHER stuff, being at the center of japan’s largest crime ring and with a sister that’s a little off her rocker doesn’t help much!

celeste: loves from afar and ultimately tried to act in her first son’s best interest, but comes across as incredibly neglectful as a result (for, admittedly, good reason: not claiming your kid is in pretty poor taste, even if she had her reasons).

hiyoko: has been the godly parent to all of her and mahiru’s children over the years. imparts some pretty wack genes onto them as a result. not the best role model and generally in the ‘big sister’ vibe category, but mahiru helps moderate…somewhat. her kids give hajime and nagito major headaches when they show up.

kazuichi: technically a co-parent to kiibo after they were given a soul by sonia, but he doesn’t act like it. treated kiibo moreso as an AI and doesn’t really see them as his kid, but the connection to sonia (after she, admittedly, more or less stole them away from kazuichi so she could have a child who wouldn’t die) has him insisting on it somewhat. definitely more invested in the human world than he ever seriously has been kiibo, though.

touko/syo: kiyo is her first child, and they’ve ended up like…well. let’s just say touko and syo alike have had their influences on their child. living nearly full-time in that museum doesn’t help much!

gundham: haha, well,

leon: lowkey doesn’t care for his patron (god of athleticism) and wants to be a musician instead. kinda took that out on ryoma until he got fed up, put in jail, and rescued by hajime and nagito. they haven’t spoken since

sayaka: BOOO TRANSPHOBIA AND NEGLECTING YOUR CHILDREN AND EMOTIONALLY ABUSING YOUR PARTNERS BOOOOOO 👎

junko: HAHA, WELL,

and ok i think that’s everybody (that i can talk about right now at least 😏)

[apricior]

normal 1d or hermie 4g or jacobi 4e!

they are all my special guys my most beloved of the whole world <333

[clemencetaught]

I wasn't sure if y'wanted them sent in today or tomorrow, BUT TO NOT MESS UP-- (you mentioned answering ic in the tags so yeeting these directly at Patrick >:3 sorry if they're too many omg)

Patrick (any verse)

What does it feel like when others depend on you, in one way or another?

Are you more prone to assuming someone needs you (in a service kind of way, for aid, for support-) or more likely to think they don't?

If psychics were 120% reliable and you could connect to those long gone… would you?

In which contexts are you more 'do as I say not as I do' and in which will you listen to your own advice?

Do you ever catch yourself growing… a little bitter, maybe, at people describing their comparatively 'mundane' problems? Is it envy?

Do you believe children should be shaped for the likeliest future or the future should be shaped for the children to come?

When is self-sacrifice acceptable?

When is hurting those you love acceptable?

in which the 54th victor of the hunger games gives an impromptu interview ( nosy questions for the birthday enby w/ @mythvoiced )

The tea cup is set on the saucer. Discreetly, Patrick slides his other hand into his pocket, where the synthetic patch on his palm wraps around his pocket knife– a habit of sorts, since he won his games. His pocket watch sits on the table, next to the saucier and on his lap, Sun has wrapped herself into a ball, her paws disappearing into the mass of orange fur. On the balcony outside his apartment in the Capitol, this is the only place Patrick knows he will be granted a modicum of privacy in the viper’s nest. 

The shadow of the balcony covers the upper half of his body. Sun keeps dozing on his lap, in the sun. 

Most times, when the questions are directed at him, they’re expecting an affirmative. Doesn’t matter if it’s coming from a District person or a Capitolite– they go to him for answers, first and foremost. And in the case of the latter, these questions are not questions so much as veiled demands. 

Ones that he must always accommodate, regardless of the nature of the demand. 

But these questions, this voice, is…well they seem genuinely curious. And the questions they’ve lobbed his way, they don’t seem to be expecting one correct answer.

Sun shifts on his lap. His leg vibrates from her purring. Patrick sighs, leaning back on his chair. “That…quite a lot of thoughts you have going on there, hm?” The knife stays in his pocket as he gently scratches the top of Sun’s head. “I’ll answer your second question first: people will always look out for themselves first. If they don’t think you’re useful, that you can contribute something good to their lives, then you’re dead to them, if they don’t kill you first. Make yourself indispensable to them and they won’t hurt you.” At least that’s what he tells himself– it’s easier to simply assume anyone who approaches him that they want something he can give them. “The younger victors will need someone to guide them anyway.” 

And even the ones who vehemently deny needing someone, anyone. Patience is always key in those instances– from Taiyang whom it took almost six years and his tribute’s sanity to finally approach Patrick to María, who still slaps away any hands offered, friend or foe. Ironically, he had to approach her first.  

“…I suppose I don’t think too much about that. If someone was asking for your help, you would be more caught up in what they’re asking, more than how you were feeling no?” A Trojan horse, he’s lobbed in their direction although he’s quick to revise: “...It scares me sometimes.” He confides, fingers pausing in their administrations on Sun’s head. Actually it scares him, a lot. “They’re…they’re relying on me to guide them to the best outcome and I want the same thing for them. I promise you, I really, truly do.” Whether it’s Hyuk, Devora, a tribute he’s been assigned to mentor, or any of the victors. And sometimes even the furball in his lap and yet– “But I…I can’t always guarantee that. But they still trust me, especially the younger ones.” The tributes from District Three– his tributes, the ones who take his hand, look up at him with wide eyes, clinging to every word, every gesture he makes as it will guarantee their survival. “Sometimes I think it would be better if they exercised more caution with me.”   

A smile, bittersweet, if not actually just bitter, graces his lips. He shakes his head though, chuckling at the next question. “...Forgive me, that’s quite a question you have there. ‘Psychics’... I don’t believe that’s information that just anyone, district or Capitol, can get ahold of–  although I have heard of some old religions still practiced in the districts so I suppose the knowledge and belief in such mediums is possible to get ahold of.” He stares down at his tea, the steam still rising. Even if it is a hypothetical question on a medium known to be more shoddy than reputable, he can’t help but pause. If they could contact those ‘long gone’; would that mean, if he asked them to, would he be able to speak to her one last time–

He shakes his head, eye catching his pocket watch, metal beaten and faded, the clock face wearing a crack down the right side. Still, it shimmers in the sunlight. “Even if I could, I…I highly doubt she would want to talk to me of all people.” If they hadn’t met, if they hadn’t fallen in love, she probably would still be alive. Tellessa’s family too. 

After all, he was the first person outside of Tellessa who knew about her forbidden books. “Wherever they are, it’s probably better than here.” Or at least he hopes it is for her. A place where life doesn’t have to be perfect, but it is…easier. A place for souls to rest at long last. If such a place even exists in the first place. He picks up his saucer once more, still careful not to jostle Sun on his legs. She’s taken to loafing now– he knows her eyes are closed even if her head dips every few seconds. But make no mistake, that does not mean she is unaware. Trusting of the one asking the questions. If it was just him, she would be stretched out, a white underbelly waiting for his hand to scratch kindly at the ceiling.

Perhaps the saying is true after all: like owner, like pet. Although Patrick would argue she’s more like Hyuk if anything.

“It depends on the circumstances,” he says as neutrally as possible. A vague answer for a hypothetical question, because that is truly it. “I suppose if one’s life was on the line, it would be better if they followed my lead, no?” 

Not that that’s stopped, those with rebellious tendencies from committing treason anyways. ( And unfortunately, he can name more than one. ) It is ironic in that manner– for someone who knows the system, knows how to work within the rules all, has spent years perfecting his craft in survival arts, it would make more sense to invest on those with similar goals. And yet here he is, worrying about the ones who are decided not interested in survival and therefore would spurn his advice at any given moments. “Not that…that following my advice has ever helped them make it through.” 

(His tributes. All thirty nine of them. No two games are ever the same, the gamemakers would never allow that. If the circus known as the Hungers Games must be reborn over and over again if it wishes to continue.)

He takes a sip of his tea, washing down the momentary displeasure. Or at least he thinks it will be only a moment long. “I suppose what a Capitol citizen would consider a ‘mundane issue’, as you put it, would differ from those of someone from the districts. The former does seem more inclined towards complaining if only to build comradery amongst one another. I’m just glad that they have such means to…channel their frustrations.” 

( It’s in times like those, where he wishes his temper could curdle, the way Devora’s does in the face of the Capitol Elite. How he wishes he could simply let her use the knife to silence those idle complaints. )

Patrick takes another sip of his tea. It burns in his throat. It’s bitter too– he must have let the leaves seep for too long. But the asperity doesn’t just settle on his tongue. “Are we talking about an ideal world or the one we live in now? Depending on who you ask this question to, you’re guaranteed to get quite…different answers.” A smile, as frigid as the shaved ice the Capitol serves as a delicacy during the games, crosses his lips. “Our great nation was built to provide safety and prosperity for the children. To serve them. Although whether the truth is actually the other way around will again, depend on who you ask. As a mentor to my tributes, I suppose…we can’t deny the reality in front of us, no?”

Sun yawns. He puts his tea down and idly, he scratches the underside of her chin and he feels her purring against his finger. “Are you sure you should be asking me that question? I would think there are more…suitable candidates for this question.” People like Hyuk, he means. People like María– the kinds who would gladly make sacrifices, give pieces of themselves for a cause. “Self-sacrifice won’t get you where you need to be– there’s a reason martyrs are only known after their death– they’re even given a chance to be known. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool. They’re only deluding themselves into believing they can make everything better. A…colleague of mine said it best: ‘a martyr works, a survivor works better’. If you want to truly help the ones around you, self-sacrifice will only get you so far.”

Or so Patrick claims. He can hear it though– the sound of Hyuk shouting at him to stop lying. The truth is, self-sacrifice, if it is for a tangible reason, is…well maybe it is not worthwhile, but it can be certainly respected, especially if this tangible reason is a human life. The Capitol will always wonder what spurred Patrick to hold his district partner’s hand even if it burned a hole through his skin, will always wonder why Taiyang insisted on protecting Link in the arena, will always wonder why, why, why would Devora so willingly serve as President Snow’s puppet even if it further severs her ties to the districts despite everything the games took from her.

They would never understand compassion in a dog-eat-dog world– self sacrifice.

“...However, I suppose, if there was truly a good reason to do so…well, I have yet to see it.”

( Like the promise of a better world. If there is even one that exists. )

His hand stops. Sun turns her head towards him, copper eyes watching him. “When do we not hurt the ones we love?” Perhaps the better question for him is: when is he not hurting the ones he loves? He saw it in her eyes and Hyuk’s too. And yet they forgave him, somehow, every time. If not for that, well…would there even be a reason to keep going? “That’s part of caring for someone, no? You are preparing for them to hurt you without retaliation.” He shakes his head, snorting. “I think the answer should be obvious, if it guarantees their well-being in the long run, I think that is a gamble to be considered. That being said–” 

Sun jumps off his lap and stretches, paws facing this curious passerby. Patrick crosses his legs, hands resting on his lap. A veneer, similar to the one he dons in the Capitol flashes through, even if he is not currently in his usual suit. “You wouldn’t want to be close with someone like me. I’ve been known to have…a reputation of sorts. One of burning and you could…no, you would most definitely get hurt, one way or another and we wouldn’t want that happening, no? Just a thought for you to consider.”

He watches Sun make her way to the sliding glass door in the shade. Her tails whips side to side as she looks up at the handle. Then she looks at him and meows. 

Patrick glances at his pocket watch. “It’s feeding time for Sun.” Well, sort of– it’s more like it’s half an hour before her feeding time, but he knows gets antsy the closer meal time gets around. But this person doesn’t have to know that. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be taking care of business now. If you need anything more, you know where to find me.”

Or better yet, he’ll know where to find them.

[mintacle]

Have you seen the "Invictus" Jason Todd Death Day Animatic by shyuwe? It's amazing and I want someone good at saying thoughts on the internet to talk about it.

Sorry for the late reply anon and no I had not! But I watched it now and yeah it's cool, here's a link to the vid by @shyuwe.

I find it really difficult honestly to talk about art, because good art already says more than words could express about it, you know? Just watch the video and see for yourself! However I will say something about the choice of the poem "Invictus" by Willima Ernest Henley, from Life and Death for Jason, because omg yes! Continued under cut.

Here's the poem first:

Invuctus means as much as unconquerable or undefeated. Frankly a title I can stand by for Jason. Seeing as one of my favorite aspects of Jason's character is his representation of victims and I stand by the fact that we are undefeated by what has happened to us. The word recognizes the gravity of what has happened and pays homage to your experience and finally we get to see ourselves not only as the sufferers of a poor fate, but also the victors, you're still standing. And I will be the last person to ever tell someone how that "standing" has to look like to be undefeated. Overcoming is not something you have to earn, you already overcame. You have nothing to prove to be undefeated.

The "unconquerable soul" is not exemplified in the body that is standing tall more than in the body that is slumping and panting, no matter how you stand or breath, you are still breathing. The other verses of the first stanza are rather straightforward in setting the stage. Our main character is in the black of the night, in the belly of the whale. They are where all is lost and seems hopeless, but that does not mean they are defeated.

Moving on to the second stanza. This part of the poem acknowledges a disillusioned worldview. It is hard to perceive the world as still containing beauty and hope after trauma. And yet you can be unafraid. And I do hope for everyone who has suffered to be able to return to a previous, more naive, less burdensome, perspective. But if you can't, then frankly that is alright, it does not have to diminish your spirit. I think Jason incorporates a lot of the concept of lost innocence, of not being able to return to how things were. But while Jason does grieve his own loss, he does not lose hope to that fact.

Finally, the last stanza, as a call to the strength of autonomy. Now Bruce might like to think he works alone, but Batman's strength lies in his allies. Jason however has perfected himself into the deus ex machina of himself. He has learnt that sometimes there is no powerful saviour who will swoop in for you. Jason is a one man army in combat skill, knowledge and in practice as well. We have seen team-ups, but they never seem to stick. Something about Jason screams lone wolf.

Because the truth is, after trauma, the only person you want to feel is strong enough to protect you is yourself. In a realistic sense, trauma does not make you dependent on other people, it can make you want to become the most whole and in control person you can be. This is why some children from abusive and neglectful homes have incredible emotional reflectivity and recognition skills. They will not be victims of the arbitrariness of emotions any longer and have mastered the flow of their own and others emotions just to feel a semblance of control. It's why victims might have incredible scheduling and self-discipline skill. Coming out of an unpredictable and volatile situation they have gained control of their surroundings. It's why vicitms might be high-achievers in academics, because they know what is expected and they can control their input and actually get the reward that was promised. Jason is to me an epitome of effective pragmaticism. He knows the value of reliability and certainty. Rather than going in hotheaded in an attempt to murder a man for trafficking children, he employs a failsafe by also poisoning his energy drink. Because Jason is the one in control. He orchestrates a distraction for Batman and spends three hours creeping up on the Batmobile to plant a bomb. His anger doesn't ignite him like an explosion, it fuels him, like the steady supply of purpose.

Jason is in command now, the captain of his soul. Because let us face it, so far Jason's life has been shaped only by other people. His parents' deaths, Bruce adopting him, Sheila betraying him, the Joker murdering him, Superboy Prime's punch returning him to life. Jason's life has been so far out of his autonomy and control, but he claims command of his soul and of his fate. No one has set him on his vengeance trip against Bruce and against the Joker. No one defines Jason anymore. Bruce does not actually have the power to grant whether or not Jason is a hero, It's Jason's jurisdiction now who he is and if he says he is a hero, the patron saint to victims, the avenging spirit of the innocent, then yes, he is.

This is not only about strength in the face of adversity, this is about the fact that you are the only authority you need, your autonomy is the only justification and permission you need to continue being strong. No one fucking else gets to decide for you anymore.

[paarthursass]

general 1, 3, 6, 8, 10 / Story 7, 12, 15 / Romance 1, 3, 6, 11 for Aurel :3

You don't have to answer all of them, sorry I'm sending so many xD

companion!tav au asks

asdkfjds oh no pls u do not see the google doc i have rn that is filled to the BRIM with companion!au aurel stuff. this is feeding me.

also this ask made me realize that the numbers on that post reset why tf did they do that. when i hit publish they were at 1-40 i swear 😔 anyways.

Where can your Tav be recruited?  Are they first encountered on the Nautiloid, or in the Nautiloid crash region?  Or are they not recruitable until a later act?

Aurel can be recruited in the Nautiloid Crash Region, just outside of the Blighted Village.  He is found conversing with a pair of goblins, who are gleefully telling him details about their camp.  When the Player Character approaches, the tadpole connects them, revealing that Aurel is lying to the goblins for information.  The PC can either choose to play along with Aurel’s charade, or immediately attack the goblins - upon which Aurel will drop the act and aid the PC.  He will share what he’s learned, and will ask to travel with the PC so they can discover the cure to the infection together.

Does your Tav have any comments or advice when you recruit other companions?

"Shadowheart? Is that...really her name? Shadowheart? ...she's got a flair for the dramatic, I'll give her that much."

"Be careful. If holding a knife to your throat was his opening offer, I worry to think what else Astarion will try. At least you don't have to worry about him being too subtle to spot; man's about as charming as a scorpion."

“Lae’zel seems quite knowledgeable about these tadpoles.  Her bedside manner leaves something to be desired, though.”

“Gale seems pleasant, if a little over-eager. Something about him reminds me of a puppy begging for approval.”

“So, ‘the Blade of Frontiers.’ I’d be careful.  In my experience, monster hunters tend to have a limited view of the world.”

“I almost wasn’t sure Wyll would stay his blade.  I’m glad he did, Karlach seems like an absolute darling.”

“Oh, Halsin’s going to be joining us on our excursions now?  And here I thought he’d spend the rest of our little adventure sitting at camp looking pretty.”

“The High Harper herself.  I was just a boy when she faced Sarevok, but tales of her adventures reached me later on, like ripples in a pond. She’ll be a valuable asset.”

“Jaheira’s stronger than me. If my oldest and closest friends were so easily fooled by a charlatan wearing my face, you would never hear the end of it. Still, I'm sure if he's aimed in the right direction, Minsc's...enthusiasm could be useful.”

I wasn't originally going to write comments about Minthara, because Aurel won't stay in the party if the tieflings are killed, BUT since there are mods out there to recruit her anyways, for funsies...

"Are you absolutely insane? She's a drow matron, and one stupid enough to fall for this Absolute nonsense to boot! She was ready to slaughter those tieflings on a whim!"

She knows more than any of us. We need her.

"I've trusted your judgement this far...but I'll be keeping far, far away from her. I know what she sees what she looks at me, and I know what matrons expect of the males they think they command. I won't be her toy. And if she tries anything, I won't be as merciful to her as you were."

Do they have any secrets that can be revealed?  What are the prerequisites for this secret coming to light?

Oh ho ho DOES HE

So, Aurel is a dhampir, which is not something he will be upfront about upon first meeting the PC. There's a few hints regarding it: Aurel is noticeably wary of monster hunters, and approves of the PC or Astarion killing Gandrel. Auntie Ethel also has some personalized vicious mockeries where she calls him "a freak of nature" and says "It'll be easy enough to kill you, dearie, you've got one foot in death's door already!"

Aurel can reveal he is a dhampir to the PC based on varying prerequisites: if they get his approval to 'Good' or if  they have recruited Karlach, whichever comes first.  After the confrontation with Mizora, if the PC did not kill Karlach, Aurel will approach them and say he was moved by their compassion for someone that others were "so quick to write off as a monster." 

It is also possible for Aurel’s dhampirism to be revealed before this.  In a fight, if Aurel is brought to 0 HP, a cutscene will trigger where he bites his opponent and regains HP (this will not trigger if the opponent is undead. Instead, the next instance where Aurel is brought to 0 HP by a living creature will trigger this cutscene).  After the fight, another cutscene will trigger where the PC can confront him about what happened, and Aurel will come clean.

After the reveal, the PC can ask Aurel more specific questions about his vampiric parent.  They can also ask him about feeding - which he assures the PC is done exclusively on animals.  His bite ability will become available in combat.  The PC can also offer to let Aurel feed on them, but Aurel will become uncomfortable and politely decline.  “That’s a bit - ah - intimate, isn’t it?” if the PC points out that Aurel will feed on people they’re fighting, he will retort with “Well, yes, but I don’t have to be careful with them.  The point there is to cause some damage, isn’t it?  There’s a difference between ripping out an enemy’s throat, and a friend baring theirs willingly to you.  It’s just…it’s a bit much.”

What do they say when the Player Character asks them to stay in camp?  How about when the Player Character asks them to come adventuring again?

I need you to stay in camp for a while.

"Are you certain? I know I have quite the delicate features, but I assure you I can more than handle what's out there."

I'm certain. I'll call for you if I need you.

"I suppose I shall languish here until you return for me, then. Safe travels, my dear."

Are there any unique NPCs associated with your Tav that can show up during the course of the game?

So, if Aurel were a companion, I think his primary quest would involve discovering that the monster hunting guild involved in his boyfriend's death were not fully eradicated by him and his father. For juiciness, the leader of the guild is probably still alive and well, and is specifically hunting down Aurel as payback for nearly wiping out his guild a century earlier. Aurel's personal quest would largely involve finding healing and catharsis for Philo's death.

However....I do also really, really want Aurel's father to show up. I think that would be so so fun.

The PC can ask Aurel about his father almost immediately after discovering he's a dhampir, and ask about whether his father can help them. Aurel will reveal that his father is extremely far away, and he's doubtful that he could get word to him in time for him to do anything, but he'll try anyhow if the PC wants.

If Aurel was convinced to contact his father, Dragomir will appear in Act 3. In the Undercity when approaching the Temple of Bhaal, a group of Bhaal Cultists will ambush the group but will swiftly be killed by Dragomir, who appears out of the shadows. If Aurel is in the group, he and Dragomir will joyfully reunite. If Aurel is not in the active party, Dragomir will instead address the PC, recognizing them from Aurel's description. If Aurel was captured by Orin, the PC can tell Dragomir what happened, and he will insist on accompanying the group to free his son.

Dragomir will not become a full-fledged companion, but will wait at camp after the fight with Orin (provided it's the Elfsong Tavern. if the party camps in an outdoor space, Dragomir will only appear at camp at night). If the group has not faced Cazador yet, Dragomir can be convinced to aid in the fight against him, and will also be an ally in the final fight against the Nethebrain.

What can they be found doing at the tiefling/goblin party?

Aurel is in the midst of the revelry, playing a song on his violin. He stops to chat with the PC, and will mention that though he's been to his fair share of balls and soirees, this merry-making with the tieflings outshines all of them. If the PC doesn't try and romance Aurel, he may tease them about the other party members looking at them.

"I can't help but notice that our dear Wyll is off by his lonesome...why don't you try and cheer him up, darling? You seem to be the only thing that can, nowadays."

"I've seen puppies begging for treats that looked less pitiful than Gale does when he looks at you...not that I mean that in a bad way. He does look so pretty when he begs. Why don't you go and put him out of his misery, hm? Figuratively speaking, of course."

"Ugh, Astarion's looking our way again. He thinks he's being so sneaky - I'm not trying to steal his seconds. No offense, darling, you are much more than a meal. To me, anyways. Still, you'd better go and see what he wants. He looks like he's had a bit to drink, and if he comes over here to start an altercation with me I will not be held responsible for what happens."

"I think Karlach might combust if you don't go over and speak to her soon. That woman's been through torment enough; it would be unseemly to keep her waiting much longer."

"I do enjoy a bit of danger, but I think if you waste too much more time talking to me, Lae'zel might just rip my head off. Go and speak to her before she decides to throw you over her shoulder in front of the whole party. Unless you're into that sort of thing. No judgement."

"If I'm not mistaken, Shadowheart seems to be nursing a wine bottle meant for two all by her lonesome...why don't you go and help her out with that."

He will then say:

"Now if you don't mind, I plan on seeing how how many times I can tease Rolan about his staff handling before he gets the hint. Don't wait up for me."

Is it possible for your Tav to be kidnapped and replaced by Orin?  How is Orin's deception revealed?  How do they react to the PC rescuing them in the Temple of Bhaal?

Aurel is a damsel at heart, so yes it is absolutely possible for him to be kidnapped by Orin. I love the #drama.

After Gortash reveals someone in camp has been replaced, Aurel will approach the PC and suggest they kill Gortash and take his Netherstone immediately. Though the argument will begin in Aurel's usual cadence, it will gradually grow more and more manic, culminating in Aurel wanting to "sink [his] fangs into that peacock's throat and drink and drink and drink until he's as empty as his words." Orin will drop the deception immediately afterwards.

Once rescued, Aurel will be shaken but relieved, but will be attempting to cover up his fear with his usual brand of cattiness.

"Thank you so much for the timely rescue, my dear. Can you imagine if I died in a place as horrible as this? In Baldur's Gate's sewers? No offense to Wyll, his city may be lovely, but its bowels are considerably less so. But...thank you. I won't forget this."

If Dragomir is in the party when Aurel is rescued, Aurel will instead immediately hug Dragomir as he reunites with him, and will then thank the PC for the rescue.

How do they react when the Dark Urge first reveals their amnesia and murderous thoughts to them?

(if the PC hasn't discovered Aurel is a dhampir yet)

"Really? I wonder..." he stops and squints at the PC for a moment before shaking his head. "No...perhaps it's the tadpole? We're all a bit on edge, I know. And you've been pushing yourself so hard, you deserve some rest, darling."

(if the PC has discovered Aurel is a dhampir)

"Well, I'm no stranger to the occasional bouts of bloodlust, but it sounds like you mean something else entirely...perhaps it's the tadpole? We're all a bit on edge, I know. And you've been pushing yourself so hard, you deserve some rest, darling."

Is your Tav a romanceable character?  Are there any specific requirements to romancing them?

Aurel is a romanceable character, though he’s only available to male or nonbinary Tavs.  He may teasingly return a female PC’s flirtation, but if she tries to push an actual relationship he will gently turn her down.

Aurel probably has two branching romance paths; a more casual, fling-type relationship, and a more serious, slow-burn one.

Aurel has a great deal of trauma regarding romantic relationships; his first love was killed in front of him, and he's been incapable of holding down a long-term relationship ever since. If the PC attempts a more casual, fling-type relationship, Aurel will inevitably panic as it develops and will try to end it before it gets too serious. It would be possible to salvage the relationship here and reassure Aurel, but it would have to stop being a fling and would have to turn into an actual relationship.

The slow-burn romance arc is, as the title suggests, much slower. It would involve returning Aurel's flirtations, but never taking the relationship past that. The PC would have to tell him that they want more than just a casual fling with him, which would make him very flustered (he's noticeably smoother in the fling-path, as that's what he's most familiar with, but he turns into a flustered, blushing MESS in the slow-burn path). At the end of around Act 2 is when Aurel would tentatively reveal to the PC his trauma regarding Philo, and he would admit that "this is the...slowest I've gone in a relationship, since then. I get into my own head too much, but you...you make me want to be brave."

Are they a polyamorous or a monogamous option?

Aurel is potentially a polyamorous option, though he's a picky one.

Aurel will tease the Player Character if they ask about bringing Halsin into the relationship. “I can hardly blame you for looking - he cuts quite an impressive form. And, well, he’d be a fool to not desire you.” He still is unsure about polyamory, but if the Player Character mentions that Halsin wants him as well, he’ll become flustered and will “need a moment to think on it.” After another long rest, Aurel will approach the Player Character and say that after “giving it some thought” he’s decided that, even though he’s never attempted a polyamorous relationship, he’s willing to try, and he trusts Halsin enough to let the PC try with him. Aurel does add a firm caveat though that he expects the PC to ask him first before bringing in any other additional people. "You know me, I don't do well with surprises."

Which is to say, unless the PC passes a persuasion check, Aurel will disapprove of the PC having sexual encounters with Haarlep and the Emperor. He will also flat-out break up with the PC if they sleep with Mizora. (and if he and the PC do break up, idle banter suggests he and Halsin are still seeing each other)

I also want to say that it's possible to romance both him and Astarion at the same time, because I think that is SUCH a funny concept, but I do not know how it would actually be realized. But the PC holding both Astarion and Aurel's hands while they glare at each other behind the PC's back is suuuuch a funny mental image to me. Boyfriend-in-laws.

How do they react to the player character breaking up with them, or choosing another character over them?

As mentioned before, Aurel has been completely incapable of maintaining a stable relationship before the events of the game. He's had many flings over the years, but any time a relationship starts to get serious he panics and finds a way to end things. He has deep-seeded anxieties about relationships, and part of his romance arc would involve helping him resolve these.

So, with that said, he puts up almost no fight if the PC breaks up with him.

"Oh, but I thought...right. Of course. All things come to an end, after all. Well, we had fun, but I'll not stop you from roaming where you need to."

A successful insight check in this moment reveals that Aurel is putting on a facade, but if the PC tries to pry, Aurel will sharply brush them off and end the conversation.

If the PC has activated a romance with another character while romancing Aurel, he will approach them and offer to step aside for the other person's happiness. Again, a successful insight check will reveal Aurel is not as unbothered as he claims to be.

(I have also written what he says for each romance option...the brainrot is strong)

“Wyll’s a good man, almost too good to be true. To be honest I’m not sure who I’m more envious of. But he deserves something nice, as do you.”

“Karlach’s been through literal Hell and back…and when she’s around you, I see that torment lift from her a little.  Her happiness matters more to me than anything, except perhaps yours.” 

“I tease Gale, but he’s a good man. And he deserves to know what true love is like, not whatever that…farce was that Mystra put him through.” 

“Lae’zel is…intense. But I think she’s finally met her match in you, and she almost seems…softer, around you.”

“Sometimes I think Shadowheart is still that scared girl in the woods…but something about you comforts her. I think if I called you her guiding light she’d smack me, but you know what I mean.”

“I know I’ve had my issues with Astarion in the past…and in the present, but even I can see how he seems…different around you.  That infuriating facade of his almost drops when you’re around.  I think if anyone could bring out a genuine emotion in him, it would be you.”

What are Tav’s plans for the future?  Do they propose to the PC, or is marriage not something they’re interested in?

Oh Aurel is SUCH a romantic, and if the PC managed to help him get over his anxieties regarding relationships? Oh he's sticking by them FOREVER. It's even worse if Dragomir shows up. The PC has met his DAD and his dad LIKED THEM.

Anyways. I think one of Aurel's final Act 3 romance scenes is him trying SO HARD to set up a romantic atmosphere to propose but he keeps fucking it up and things keep going wrong and it's SUCH A cringefail moment and he ends up getting SO anxious and exasperated and says something like "of COURSE when I try to propose to the LOVE OF MY LIFE it ALL GOES WRONG" and then he realizes he RUINED the SURPRISE and it becomes a whole thing. Aurel's romance really is just him being an absolute anxious, neurotic mess of a man and the PC either being just as insane as him or trying to calm down the chaos a little. Wyll absolutely calmed the chaos. God bless that man.