#I'll read the facts of the case and be like oh there is clearly a right decision here.

[my-friends-are-stalking-me]

I don;t consider myself to be someone of unusually strong morals, and yet I still have to many to ever join the Supreme Court

[keyotos]

"you know, if being cute was a crime, you'd be guilty as charged!"

you have been at this for hours (it has only been a few minutes) now. wriothesley, who has been idly sipping his tea with a straight face, has not yet wavered at your terrible pick-up lines.

"that one was bad," he sips. you roll your eyes.

you clear your throat, "if fine was a felony, you'd be on death row," you give wriothesley an exaggerated wink.

he gives you a disconcerted look.

you pout, "okay, c'mon! that one was good!"

wriothesley puts his teacup on the table and moves his chair closer to yours, "i don't think death row should be associated with romance," he shakes his head, "that may have been the worse one today."

"i think that was, 'are you a crime? because i'll do you anyday!'" you laugh and grab wriothesley's teacup, taking a drink out of it so ordinarily.

wriothesley basks in this. tonight is a quiet night: the inmates aren't awake, sigewinne has clocked out for the day, and you are here. it's strange how you are one of the loudest people wriothesley knows of, yet you make the world sound so quiet when you're around. whatever your magic is, wriothesley isn't opposed to it.

everything about this scene reads domesticity, even though the two of you have been together for a couple of months. spending late nights together, sleeping in the same bed, drinking out of the same teacup? if someone had told wriothesley a few months ago that he would be doing these things (nevertheless with you), he would have called them mad. but here he is, sitting in his office doing nothing but drinking tea, while hearing you recite horrible pick-up lines.

"wouldn't it be the perfect crime if i stole your heart and you stole mine?" you push the teacup towards you boyfriend.

wriothesley winces, "maybe that was the worse one today."

"what?! i thought that one wasn't bad."

your boyfriend looks to the side, "it was really cheesy."

"clearly, you missed the point of pick-up lines," you lay your head down on the desk, "i'd like to see you come up with one."

wriothesley chuckles. you relish in the fact that you are one of the only people that have ever heard him laugh. it's an unexpected sound, and it always comes out more lighter than most people would think. but it's endearing, just like him; you always think that a light chortle from him would paint your dark skies to a clear blue.

"i'm saving myself from the embarrassment," wriothesley sips out of the teacup, on the same side you drank of, you might add.

"boring," you draw out the syllables of the word.

"what? did you run out of lines?" wriothesley teased you, taking another drink out of the teacup to hide his smile. he watched as your face morphed into a light grimace.

"i did not, actually," you raise your head off the desk, "in fact, i'm thinking of one right now."

"oh no..." wriothesley shivers. you shoot him a petulant look. he backs down.

when you think, you have this habit of sticking your tongue out of your lips, just ever-so slightly. your eyebrows crease just a little bit, not enough to be furrowed, but enough to not be at resting position. your eyes don't narrow, they widen. wriothesley thinks that if someone caught you like this on a kamara, your photos would go down in history.

finally, after what felt like years (it was one minute), you look back up at him. this time, however, your eyes are laced with uncertainty rather than flirtatiousness.

"if being in love is illegal, would you be my partner in crime?"

love. you guys haven't talked about it yet.

was that why your eyes were so full of nervousness? did you think he didn't love you back? if that was the case, then it'd be preposterous, for how can anyone look at you and not fall in love? although, wriothesley supposes that it's a good thing, because that means you're his to have.

one side of his brain is in doubt. it's just a joke, it says, they're not being truthful, it's just a pick-up line. but his heart says otherwise. if they were joking, then why do their eyes look like that? why are they fidgeting with their fingers? why are they gently tapping their foot on the ground?

love has never been a consideration for wriothesley. throughout his life, it has been abandonment and independence. there's only been room for one, not two. but you: you reconstructed his entire mind. so now, when he thinks about drinking tea, he doesn't drink alone anymore. when he's staying late to do paperwork, he doesn't have to be alone while doing so. when there was one, there is now two.

oh.

oh.

oh shit. your confession of love came from a pick-up line. and it actually worked on him, because he loves you back. he loves you back so much. wriothesley loves you back with his heart, his mind, his body, and possibly his soul. and he realized the extent of his love through a pick-up line. from you out of all people.

though, even though he's in love with you, he's not letting you get the satisfaction of your line working.

"i don't know. according to the my close friend, the duke of meropide, he says it's illegal to participate in criminal activities." wriothesley's tone is soft. his eyes are full of endearment. your eyebrows stop crinkling, and your eyes revert back to normal. you know. you know.

you give into an easy smile, "don't you think your friend, the duke, is a little too compliant to the law?"

"sorry, he's not changing his ways. but," wriothesley gets out of his chair and strides towards you. his hand meet your jawline, and his thumb traces the corner of your lip that's turned downwards due to your pout. with his thumb, he guides it upward, making it so you were smiling. he laughs slightly⎯twice tonight, which is something he did not expect to do⎯and moves his thumb to lightly caress your bottom lip.

he uses his hand to tilt your head up towards him. you know what's coming, and you excitedly lean in closer. wriothesley tilts his head down to meet your lips, carefully tracing every angle of your jaw as he does so. you meet him halfway, closing the gap between you two almost immediately. wriothesley can feel you happily grin into the kiss. you grab his shirt collar and pull him closer into you, and he obliges with no hesitation.

you are the first one to pull away, and it takes all of wriothesley's willpower to stop himself from pulling you back in.

"but?" you ask, chest heaving up and down. wriothesley, the bastard, is still breathing normally. "does the duke of meropide have any contentions?"

wriothesley shakes his head, "i think he could make some exceptions," he whispers, grinning while doing so.

he doesn't miss the beaming glow of your smile as leans in once more. and then, he knows that he'll be your partner in crime for a long time.

[misc-obeyme]

what are your thoughts on the cheeky lil cow boy (belphie)

Ah yes, Belphegor, a bit of a polarizing character in general, I think. People seem to either really love him or really hate him.

Generally speaking, I think he's deceptively cunning, but not in a malicious way. He's pretty chill most of the time, but he'll do stuff like manipulate his brothers to get them to do his chores for him. Except for Beel, of course. And really they are a unit. Belphie is always ready to fight for Beel and vice versa. But I also really like how they just quietly support each other. Someone will say oh Belphie fell asleep in this weird place and Beel will immediately be like I'll go get him. Or Belphie will be like we need to make sure we bring food to this thing because Beel will get hungry. Like they're just always thinking about each other and I think that's really sweet.

Belphie will also call people out if he wants to. If he has no reason to keep it to himself, he'll straight up tell you if he thinks you're doing something questionable. And his issues with Diavolo indicate to me that he has a problem with authority, like he would be more defiant if he wasn't also lazy lol.

Inevitably, though, we can't really talk about Belphie without discussing the Lesson 16 Incident. At this point, I think most people are aware of those events, but just in case, I'll put the rest of this under a read more. And also it's kinda lengthy, so be forewarned lol.

First of all, I have to say that I was honestly so confused about what was happening in Lesson 16 that I didn't fully understand that Belphie had killed MC. I had to read it multiple times and then read what other people were saying about it. So I never had an intense reaction to it.

But to be fair, it wasn't like we didn't know there was something weird going on the whole time. I knew it was the youngest brother locked up there and it seemed like it was wrong, so that made Lucifer out to be the bad guy of the situation. Then it turns out that wasn't the case at all.

Belphie is manipulative. That's just part of his character. And when he has something that he's trying to do, he's going to use that skill to get it.

Some people are still mad at Lucifer for locking Belphie up at all. Some people are obviously quite upset that Belphie killed MC.

But here's what I think.

It isn't that black and white. Aside from the confusing time travel shenanigans, this event is one of the most realistic things that has ever happened in the story.

Belphie shared Lilith's love of humans. Together they wanted to learn more about the human world. It would be easy for him to blame himself for her interest and what ultimately led to her death. But even if he didn't, he saw the way that it tore his entire family apart.

It wasn't just that his dad got mad at his sister and they had an argument or something.

It was that his dad was going to end his sister's existence and in defiance, his older brother rebelled. And there was a war. This was not some squabble. This was siblings fighting siblings.

Belphie watched his brothers and sisters fight and hurt and kill each other and it all came back to Lilith falling in love with a human.

And then he fell with his brothers, cast out of his home, losing everything he's ever known. His brothers are changing and suffering just like he is.

They don't talk about it. They clearly all keep secrets regarding it still, things that don't come out until MC comes along. Which is supposedly thousands of years after the fact (at least in OG). That means Belphie has had all that time to let that trauma fester. To let it twist inside him. To let it morph into the one thought that became most dominant: that humans are bad.

Is that a fair assessment of what happened? No, of course not. But we're dealing with a war traumatized fallen angel that clearly hasn't worked through any of these feelings in thousands of years.

And then he defies Diavolo and Lucifer panics.

Yes, Lucifer should have found a better way of handling it. But remember what happened to him when he defied authority? He is trying his best to protect Belphie. He is trying not to lose another sibling. He is also still traumatized and therefore overreacting out of fear.

And so was Belphie.

Imagine being locked up like that and a human comes along. A human is free among your brothers to do whatever terrible things humans do while you're powerless to stop them. Of course he's going to try to manipulate that human into setting him free. Of course he's then going to eliminate them because humans have been historically bad for his family.

I read this situation as Belphie being both afraid and angry that a human - the thing he's convinced himself was the main cause of his sister's death - has become so close to his brothers and has the access to his family that could cause another rift among them.

You could say that it was Belphie's idea to get MC to have all the pacts, but that isn't really true, either. By the time MC meets Belphie, they already have a pact with two of his brothers. He sees them already starting to worm their way into his family. And he knows that the only way to get out of the attic is to encourage it. He doesn't really have a choice.

Maybe everyone can now call me a Belphie apologist. But I'm always coming at this from an outside fictional standpoint. I'm like listen he's a flawed character and it's actually pretty realistic of him to react this way considering the circumstances.

However, he did kill MC. And that's why my own MC, Ciaran, has issues with Belphie for a while. It's also traumatic to have someone kill you, so it isn't like I'm saying MC should just forget about it or forgive Belphie immediately. I think it probably should have taken a lot more time for MC to trust Belphie again. Certainly that part of the story was a bit rushed.

But they're dealing with lesson format constraints and also it's a silly otome game so I guess fully formed character arcs can't be expected. Especially since we aren't dealing with routes and they have to cram everybody into the same set of lessons.

In the end, I think Belphie is an interesting and complex character. I think there's a lot of space to explore more about this particular aspect of him, but due to the format of the media and the lack of routes, his more in depth character arc just doesn't exist.

I personally have no problem with Belphie as a character, but I also understand why people don't like him. I am always of the opinion that everyone is free to love or hate or have any emotions at all about fictional characters lol. This is just my personal opinion.

[thelaughtercafe]

BEN Drowned, Jeff the Killer, Homicidal Liu, and Doctor Locklear finding out their victim has a tickle kink

Tea Type: Rose Boba

Potential Triggers: Dubious consent (for tickling only) in BEN’s, and Jeff’s- Liu and Locklear are established relationships so it’s different.

Suggestive speaking of tickling especially in BEN's and Liu's and similar suggestiveness surrounding fear/enjoying being scared in BEN's.

For Liu's there's threatening and violence, though what's directed at Reader is not from Liu or Sully.

There is a graphically worded description of violence involving eyes though, towards the perpetrator though it's not dwelled on too long and the intensity of the injury isn't described, just implied.

Pairing: BEN/F! Reader, Jeff/F! Reader, Liu/Sully/F! Reader, Locklear/F! Reader

Length: 6.8k+

Summary: The Creeps find out something interesting about their intended victim and decide maybe keeping them around isn't such a bad idea.

A/N: So looking back this is much longer than I realized. Especially BEN and Liu's! They're my faves, tied for number one so I suppose I went overboard haha. HABIT from EverymanHYBRID is right up there though in second place. I already continued the self-indulgent BEN lead in, while including HABIT and Liu in the mix so we'll see if I post it. If you guys have any interest, let me know and I'll post it if enough people want to see it!

Also, please let me know if you want any additional triggers added; I think I got them all, but just in case!

BEN Drowned:

BEN was nothing if not meticulous when learning all he could about his victims. While typically he liked to do all his research at the start, he felt like a change of pace with you, doing it in the moment could be more fun and perhaps frighten you even more as he could go by your most recent searches and documents. That never failed to add an extra edge of panic.

It was inevitable he would find your dirty little secret; especially in a document with no password and nothing to guard it save the word twordish. 

“Foolish girl…” 

He took in the information easily, and couldn’t help the sadistic smirk that lit up his face, fingers twitching with sparks. 

“Not as innocent as you seem after all, huh?”

That good girl image you held was what initially drew him to you as prey but clearly…there was a side to yourself you hid from him. From everyone, in fact.  

A part of you liked being scared, and therefore what he was doing to you. Memories hit him then. The blush that would frequently appear on your cheeks, eyes darting to the side, half sighs and even the occasional clenched thighs all made sense now when put together. 

You’d recently decided to ditch your technology in an attempt to get rid of him, hence why he was looking for something to draw you back. Appearing in reality and making you frightened of things that aroused you, only to then turn that fear itself into arousal again made him ravenous. 

It’d been so long since he’d had a victim perfectly suited to his love of fucking with their minds. He couldn’t wait to have you screaming underneath him, the fear that would fill your eyes, the tears…

He bit back a moan and sighed in much the way you had. 

Oh, he couldn’t wait. 

—–

That boy was definitely stealing glances at you.  You were sure of it now. 

You were at the library again, comfortable in your reading corner in a secluded room when a boy walked in. He wore jean shorts, black converse, a dark green hoodie and a matching beanie on a cursory glance. 

You assumed he’d entered to look for a book in here and that he’d leave soon and returned your eyes to the book in your hands. 

You flinched a little in surprise as he suddenly spoke, making you look up again. 

“Mind if I sit here?”

His voice sounded older than you expected, in his 20’s for sure despite his shorter stature, but there was still a quality to his voice that called you back to childhood, an underlying playfulness. 

It…made you uneasy rather than comforted for some reason though and you felt dread in you that wasn’t there before. Hmph. You’d just be a little more vigilant.

Still, you smiled and nodded, as you would for anyone else and he smiled back, before taking a seat and starting to scroll through his phone. 

Your smile instantly dropped and you trembled a moment as memories assaulted you of that thing that’d been messing with you from every screen available. Another reason you picked this room. It was far away from the computer room and the only screen in the adjacent room was facing away, towards the library clerk. 

Using your phone for contact was unavoidable, but you’d had it on airplane mode for ages now, only taking it off to check email and communication once a week before putting it right back on. Given you were putting yourself through college which was currently in the off season of Summer while you worked to pay tuition meant you only had one person to keep in touch with, your Mom. 

The rest of the time when you weren’t working was spent here, in safety and solitude. Luckily, the boy’s screen was facing away, but you moved an extra seat away just for comfort’s sake before letting out a shaky breath and returning to your book. 

It took a few minutes but eventually you fully relaxed again. Until the back of your neck prickled anyway. You risked a discreet glance up, and caught the boys’ rushing back to his screen. Once was a mistake. Twice, perhaps a coincidence. Thrice, maybe he was checking you out? But four times? Now you were full on anxious. The dread since he’d initially spoken to you was now a solid, immovable pit in your stomach. 

You were debating how best to leave discreetly while pretending to read when he cleared his throat, much closer than you would like. You stood instinctively but he continued walking over until he was in front of you and smiled amicably. He seemed nice enough but why was your body screaming at you to run? Your gut typically wasn’t off…but it had told you to download that damned file in the first place so maybe you were just wrong. 

You smiled back, just as innocently, tilting your head to the side. 

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Just fine. I know this might be somewhat forward, but any chance you want to get some hot chocolate with me?”

That made you giggle. 

“Hot chocolate huh? How old are you again?”

You found the tease coming easy to you and relaxed. So it really was just interest. Hm. In all honesty, he was your type.  He was quite a bit taller than you despite being around average height, and his blue eyes were quite hypnotizing. His blond locks were messy but in that cute, wind tousled way and he had this roguish charm that was mischievous. You’d always been drawn to things she shouldn’t be. He was no different. 

He pulled an offended face at your question. 

“Who doesn’t like hot chocolate? Are you coming with me to the cafe or not smartass?”

He quipped, turning on his heel and walking towards the door. 

You hesitated a beat and then you let yourself smile, following after. 

“Yeah yeah, I’m comin’.”

—–

The walk to the cafe was comfortable and you found your earlier fears assuaged. 

He made conversation easily; you’d asked what he was doing on his phone and he’d said he was using an emulator to play Zelda. You had fond memories of the series and found he did as well, leading to a lighthearted debate over if Twilight Princess or Majoras Mask was better. 

The cafe was just as peaceful, with you both getting hot chocolate. It was summer, but you found you didn’t mind as he pushed you aside with his shoulder to pay for both of you.  It didn’t take much to make you swoon, and he was well on his way at this rate. Respect was hard to find these days and he was being such a sweetheart. He was funny too and you seemed to have common interests. What was there not to like? 

He motioned to the book beside you as you sipped your drink. 

“So you like Becca Fitzpatrick? Can’t say I’ve heard of her. The cover is interesting though.”

“Yeah! I’m a lover of supernatural romances. Even guilty pleasure stuff like this…probably not the most healthy relationship. It’s about a fallen angel and a Human who fall in love, but Patch at the start; he uses his powers to mess with her pretty often.”

He casually sipped his drink before tilting his head. 

“What kind of powers?”

“So far? Talking directly in her head, taunting her about intimate knowledge he shouldn’t have about her and her life, and messing with her memories. Making her think she’s crazy. He kind of almost killed her once already, but changed his mind last minute. It’s…toxic logically but as guilty pleasure fuel it’s hot. I guess. I dunno. I try not to think about it too much." 

You laughed sheepishly, embarrassed about rambling and about such a weird ass topic only to hear him laugh. 

"We all have our kinks right? I’d love to see your full collection back at your place. Think we could swing by if it’s close?”

You nodded at that, moving to throw out your now empty cups as you headed out with him following after. 

“Yeah sure. It’s mostly supernatural romance though but I do have some video game art books you might like that I can lend you, long as you promise to take good care of them. I’ve got a really big game collection too." 

Oops that slipped out. You didn’t want to tell him about your weird issues with tech. Not when things were going so well. Too late now though. His eyes had lit up as he asked excitedly. 

"Oh cool, really? What’s your favorite?”

“The World Ends With You. It’s kind of indie but-”

“The one with Neku right? I love that game too! Most people don’t know about it!" 

Your eyes lit up despite yourself. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad. As long as you were just talking about them and not playing them it should be fine. 

The walk from the cafe to your house was short so the distraction was nice. You were half tuned in to the conversation half dreading his reaction when you headed inside. 

“Alright here we are.”

You led the way inside, unlocking the door and headed to your room with him in tow. He closed the door behind him and looked around in awe. 

"Woah. You’re definitely a gamer.”

Given you had a ps4, a Nintendo switch and a ps3 all underneath your TV at once you saw why he thought that. But then his brow furrowed and you braced yourself.  

“Why is everything unplugged though? Even the tv looks dead." 

A glance over at your laptop on the desk, very intentionally unplugged from the charger. 

"Laptop too.”

Your smile was tight and anxious and you felt shaky. 

“I-um-”

He smiled amicably as he turned back to face you.   

“Don’t tell me you’re doing some tech detox! Those things don’t actually help you know; you’ll just get more addicted when you return to it later.”

He joked, and you felt like you could breathe again, laughing to hide your anxiety.  

“Y-Yeah how’d you know?”

Just as you were about to confirm his claim a loud, and most importantly familiar beep rang out and you panicked, breathing already getting harder as you searched frantically for the source. 

“That’s impossible.”

“What’s impossible? Hey, are you ok? You’re awfully pale and jumpy all of a sudden.”

He touched your arm lightly and your gaze moved to him. That’s right!

“I-um-God. I have a confession to make but first can you please turn off your phone?”

You knew it sounded crazy, even to you, but you couldn’t risk it. You’d happily have gone along with the tech detox excuse but…but you couldn’t risk giving it an in again. Better to be safe and tell an outsider in a tech free environment. 

“My phone? Uh…why though?”

“I promise I’ll explain but we’re not safe until-ugh I sound like a lunatic." 

You hid your face in your hands for a moment, cheeks burning in humiliation and panic. 

"You can leave if this is too weird. I know I’m not making much sense but I just-there’s a very important reason I can’t be near tech.”

A hesitant peek up and the boy was taking you in with such sweet worry…and then he sighed in defeat. 

“…Fine. If it’ll really make you feel better and you’ll explain.”

He looked at his phone and then pocketed it after holding down the power button and turning it off. His gaze returned to you, expectantly. 

“There. Now what’s got you so panicked? You love video games, that much is obvious. So why would you unplug everything like this?”

You still trembled. The fear lingered, along with hope. Finally, someone you could confide in. 

“I’m-again this is gonna sound crazy but…”

A broken laugh escaped you.  

“I have nothing else to lose, I guess. I’ve got some kind of awful…thing watching me. 

His face screwed up at the very thought like he was offended. 

"A thing? What, like some kinda hacker?”

You hummed, moving to sit down on your bed and fiddled with your fingers. 

“Yeah. Kind of. But it’s more than that. See, if it was on one computer and my phone, that’d make sense. It’s what I thought at first. The calling me by name, the popups to scare me and chat with me where even more personal details were revealed…all that could be a hacker.”

You clenched and unclenched your hands as you swallowed nervously. 

“But that wasn’t where it ended. It followed me. Any screen in my line of sight it’d taunt me. Send me pictures of myself. Display messages making fun of me for trying to escape. Even then. I thought…maybe just a really good hacker right?”

You risked a glance at him, and he looked down at you nodding encouragingly. 

“Yeah. I could see it being some black hat who just…saw you as an easy target and wanted to really fuck with you.  But something tells me there’s more.”

You smirked bitterly. 

“…it knew things it shouldn’t. Like; things I’d never said aloud or confessed online; so no mic work or camera or internet involved.”

“That’s impossible. Maybe you did and just don’t remember?’

You shook your head. 

"I mean…Gods I swear I head it in my head once.”

“Like Patch?”

“Yeah actually exactly like-”

“Like this maybe?”

You couldn’t help it. You yelped, and jerked looking around in fear, tears instinctively filling your eyes. You’d know that glitched, demonic in its deepness tone anywhere. It haunted your nightmares. 

He looked at you worriedly, grounding you again with a hand on your shoulder. 

"Hey, come back to me! You good?”

He frowned seriously as your eyes refocused on him  and you sniffled comforted by the kindness in his blue eyes. 

“It just did it. It-it-I just- I don’t know why this demon is doing this to me.”

That was what did it. You looking up at him, teary eyed and desperate, thinking he was your knight in shining armor when really he was the monster in your closet all along. 

He caressed your face softly, cupping your cheek so he could see every micro-expression and then he grinned. 

“Because it’s fun. Why else?”

His tone was so sweetly gentle that it took you a moment for the actual words meaning to click and when they did you shivered. 

“Tha-That’s not funny. I’m not playing around.”

He pulled back to swagger around the room, the same and yet completely different all at once, as he hummed. 

“Hmm… shame. Feels like a game to me and a fun one at that. Y'know, I never did tell you my name, and luckily your cute romantic naivete ensured you went with it when I told you they didn’t define us. Why don’t you ask me again now that I’m ready to answer you?”

You shook your head, eyes flicking to the door as you tried to hold yourself together. This couldn’t be happening. It couldn’t. 

“No.”

You stood and despite expecting to be stopped you made it to the door. Exhilaration and adrenaline fueled you and as you went to open the door-

“Ouch!”

You jerked away as you were violently shocked the second your hand made contact with the doorknob. Your mind raced. When had you closed the door?

“You didn’t.”

You flinched and reluctantly turned to face your captor trying to put on a brave face as he smirked and cornered you against the door, hovering over you with his hands on either side of your trembling frame. 

His entire demeanor had shifted on a dime. The sweet kind boy from earlier may as well never have existed.  This person in front of you- no this monster looked all too amused at your fearful denial.  But there was eagerness in his eyes too. More passionate than any he’s shown when engaging in your conversations before. 

“You’re so easy to predict. I charged the doorknob when I closed it; did you like my little mind trick earlier too? Heh " 

He snickered. 

"The only way you’re getting out is if I open the door first. Now then…”

He tilted his head condescendingly, blue eyes seeming to spark with the demand.

“Say it. I know you want to know.”

You weakly shook your head and flinched again as he hissed at you, raising his voice a little and drawing closer to your face. 

“Do it!”

“Fine! W-What are you?”

He pulled back to snicker, calm as if he wasn’t making you a frightened mess. 

“Tsk tsk, what a different question than who but I suppose I’ll answer both since I’m feeling gracious.”

He met your eyes and you whimpered as he grabbed your chin, forcing you to maintain eye contact. 

“My name is BEN. But you already knew that little mouse didn’t you~?”

His voice was a coo and your cheeks heated despite yourself even as you were filled with icy fear at the confirmation. He even used that stupid nickname that always flustered you. No-one else would know that. You ached with the want to look away but he was way too strong. Pushing at his chest did nothing but make him throw his head back in light laughter. 

“Ahahaha! Aww that’s adorable. Don’t make me pin your arms down darling, we were getting along so well earlier. Now! As for your other question. I suppose there is many things you could consider me. A virus, a lost soul, a villain, technically I used to be Human and those fools who know of me online call me legend, a Creepypasta but now, knowing what name you’d give me is what I’ll go by I think. What was it you called me? A demon? I can roll with that." 

Your breath hitched as he leaned down cooing lovingly in your ear. 

"After all you like demons, don’t you cutie? You can be my Nora and I’ll be your Patch. " 

You scoffed and he growled low, demoni- cruel, and glitchy. 

Yet you were so scared, so wound up over months of torment and anxiety that you just broke. Constantly being on edge and paranoid. Now you have a direct source to vent your frustrations.  Of course it’d bubble over.

“Get off me you psychopath!!”

You raised your voice, something exceedingly out of character and pushed him back harshly, right into the corner of your desk, making him wince. A brief flash of surprise filled his face and then he was snarling, and advancing on you.  

Luckily, you’d already used his shock to turn on your heel and go for the doorknob again and this time we’re successful. You crossed the threshold when a deceptively weak looking arm pulled you back as you struggled and tried to elbow him while his other arm held you to him with another arm resting casually against your shoulders by your neck. 

"No!" 

All pretense was lost  and he laughed openly against the side of your neck, relishing your squirming as he easily kept you in check.

“You actually caught me off guard. Guess seeing me in the flesh is a little intense huh? Even made a weak little thing like you go for fight just for an opportunity of flight. I suppose now is as good a time to mention as any.” 

His mouth moved to your ear where he whispered. 

“I know your secret~”

You frowned, wracking your brain for anything else he could use as ammo but came up empty so you called his bluff. 

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

And then his fingers squeezed at your waist and you squealed and jerked in his grip and it clicked what he meant. But before you could voice it, he spoke up. 

“Like this. Who’d have guessed a seemingly innocent girl like you would have a goldmine of kinks and scenarios for me to play with you with just waiting to be exploited.”

You shook a little, but this time the trembling wasn’t from fear alone, it was withheld arousal too, especially as you could swear his teeth, his fairly sharp teeth- grazed your ear and made you jerk, followed by his hiss in your ear. 

“Guess you really are a tickle slut. You like fear too which is just perfect for me.”

Your voice was admittedly breathless as you stopped struggling, simply holding his other arm, positioned around your neck. 

“What-What are you going to do with me?”

“I’m going to make you mine of course. I like you, so I’ve decided I want to keep you. I think you’ll find the arrangement to your liking, once you get used to the other inhabitants anyway. I’ll introduce you more intimately. I know you can get anxious in big groups so after your initial intro to everyone it’ll be smaller groups. And in our free time…” 

You quickly descended into giggles as the hand at your waist spidered up and down your whole left side, making you squirm and blush. You were distracted so you squealed as his tongue brushed your ear, making you shudder in lust before a hesitant moan left your lips at the cruel and exhilarating words that left his lips. With no need to maintain a facade, his voice deepened and sounded twisted, glitching as he purred. 

“I’ll take my time breaking you.”

Jeff the Killer:

Jeff would already be faltering. You’d been bullied for many a year by now. Of course, the bullies had already been disposed of, but Jeff was triggered heavily by the weakness he saw in you. He feels an odd sense of ownership. 

When you flinch in your sleep and giggle, Jeff frowns in confusion from where he had been watching you while he grappled with his thoughts. 

You mumble in your sleep, and his eyes move to your hands as you seem to try and push someone away before slapping the air, a grin and evident blush on your face as you squirm. 

"Mike s-stop- quit ihihihit!! Damn it no! Not thehehere!”

Jeff experiences a brief flash that has him stumbling back a step and swallowing hard. 

A much younger him, Liu, shrieking in laughter under his wiggling fingertips. 

Right. Tickling. 

Is there a weakness you don’t have? 

He frowns in discomfort and quickly moves to dig into your sides, covering your mouth with his free hand to muffle your squeal of laughter. 

As you struggle underneath him, Jeff glares as you eye him in fearful shock between gasps of forced mirth. 

“Gods, you’re so pathetic. Yet another weakness I’ll have to train you to cope with.”

Right. Training. You could serve as a good partner if he worked you hard enough. 

His voice is gruff, and he only pulls his hand away when you’re out of breath not moving from where he’s straddling your waist. 

“Who…f-fhuhuhuck me- who the Hehehell are you?”

Jeff snickers immaturely at your word choice before he smirks. 

“The man who saved you from those pricks sweetheart. Means you owe me and I’ll be takin’ you under my wing. You either come willingly or…”

He twirls his knife with practiced skills and watches you take in his offer, smirking with intent. 

“I’ll take ya by force and tickle you more in front of all my friends, soon as we’re home.”

Homicidal Liu:

You’d always liked Liu. He was sweet, attentive, attractive; truly the whole package.  You’d been getting closer to Liu for a few months now and despite Liu warning you that he had an alternate personality you hadn’t met you’d accepted him with open arms. At least now you knew why he’d been procrastinating on answering your request to date. 

He’d looked so shocked as you threw your arms around him.  

“You really don’t mind? Sully isn’t- he’s the opposite of how I normally am. He’s not exactly…palatable to most. He can be quite intense.”

You raised your chin confidently at that and smirked slightly. 

“Well I’ve dealt with you when you’re being particularly needy- I think I’ll be okay. Besides; he’s a part of you.  I’m sure I’ll come to love him too!”

Your confident declaration suddenly fell apart as you scrambled for the right words, going red. 

“Ah-well I mean- if he would be okay with that obviously!! I’d never-”

Liu cut you off with a laugh and tugged you into his chest, lovingly nuzzling the top of your head as you mumbled defeatedly into his chest. 

“I’m not very good at this huh? Sorry.”

Liu shuddered suddenly, a full body shake that made you pull back to look at him in worry. He firmly turned his face away from you, avoiding your concerned gaze before he was ready and clearing his throat as the tremors faded. He sighed in relief and smiled gently at you.  

“Sorry about that love. Didn’t mean to make you worried. It seems Sully is a little too eager. I don’t want you meeting until we’ve been dating a while first. I…well.”

He looked nervous before his blue eyes bore into yours. 

“Admittedly I want you all to myself. You fell for me first, not him. Can’t have him stealing my girl, even if he is a part of me.”

You couldn’t hold back your quickly growing smile if you tried. 

“So that’s a yes? Thank you thank you thank you!”

You laughed, giddy as you hugged him so tight your new boyfriend nearly spun. 

—–

It happened a month in, rather unexpectedly. 

Liu had come to pick you up from work at the movie theater as per your usual schedule. Your coworkers already were familiar with him from your past months getting to know each other and he waved amicably to anyone he saw, chatting a few moments as he waited for you to emerge from where you’d gone to put out the garbage for the night. When you didn’t return after several minutes, his brow furrowed in worry. 

He told your coworkers he was going to check in on you and they waved him off, distracted by their own closing duties. It was late, dark out and already, Liu was feeling anxious. He’d never liked the dark. Not after that night. He rounded the corner where the dumpster and hopefully you awaited and locked on a situation he never thought he’d see again. 

Someone he loved, with a knife to her throat. 

No-one would be taken from him again. 

You meanwhile, were petrified. Tears swam in your eyes that you refused to let fall as the man currently holding you captive against him hissed into your ear. 

“Here’s the plan sweetheart, you’re gonna lead the way inside with me and we’re gonna go right over to the cash registers. Take out every bit inside and bring it all out back here. All your little coworkers, the ones that are left anyway? They’ll be too scared ‘a me cutting this pretty neck of yours to do anything stupid.”

A deep voice you’d never heard before emerged, quickly followed by the love of your life. Liu had come for you! 

“That’s my pretty neck actually, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll let her go before I really get angry.”

Wait…no.

Green eyes, similar but distinctly different to Liu’s blue glared into the man. 

A knife being tossed casually as a children’s toy as he flipped it effortlessly between his fingers when you knew well Liu let you do the cooking because of his phobia and it clicked. 

“S-Sully-”

His eyes cut to you, sharp and biting for an instant before the man behind you laughed. 

“Oh you know each other, do you? Lovebirds. How sweet.”

Your breath caught as the knife pressed in enough to make a line of blood trickle down the column of your throat. Your tears fell too, unable to keep them at bay as you bit your lip to stifle the sobs. Like Hell were you giving him that much. But still. 

“But now ain’t the time to play hero kid. All the lass has to do is cooperate and she’ll be just fine. Once I get my just rewards I’m out of here and you can both be reunited at last.”

Sully appraised the situation, eyes still locked on you a moment more before that piercing gaze moved to your captor. He tilted his head with a strange smile on his lips before he hummed. 

“Who’s playing hero? We both want something. I’ll help you get your money, you give me my girl. Seems a simple enough trade to me. How much were you thinking? 100? 1000?”

Sully threw his knife casually to the side as if it was trash and instead easily instead slipped out his wallet, beginning to flip through bills as both you and the captor were bewildered. 

“Shit!”

Sully cursed as he dropped the stack of bills, rushing to pick them up, looking nervous and while the expression and clumsiness reminded you of Liu a moment you knew better. Liu scolded you for cursing when it slipped out. Huh. Seems you had a lot to learn about Sully. 

He approached once he’d gathered all the bills and though the man tensed a bit his grip was loose. You were tempted to fight but you had a feeling…saw something in Sully’s eyes that told you to wait as he shot you a quick look. 

“Is this enough?”

He held out one hand, filled with 100’s, hunched in submission with his head lowered and when the man couldn’t help himself and bent over your shoulder to look closer, slightly removing the knife a few inches from your neck Sully struck. 

He lunged, his free hand holding the man’s head down forcibly; using your shoulder as leverage to better press his neck down and then instantaneously letting the money scatter as he reached his hand in his pocket a moment only to ruthlessly shove it straight into the man’s eye. Somehow, he was still alive. Screaming but alive and when Sully reared back his hand to finish the job, the man having dropped the knife in his agony and fallen on his ass, you shook off your shock to rush him and nearly topple him over in a bone crushing hug. 

“Oof! What are you-he’ll get away!”

He hissed, trying to tug you off him but you didn’t budge, holding him tighter. 

“L-Liu wouldn’t want this. I don’t either. What you did was enough please Sully, you already took his sight- he’s crippled and not going anywhere and I’m safe. Isn’t that enough?”

“No. For me it’s not. He was going to kill you. Ready, willing and able to rob you of your life…why should I not do the same to him?”

Your reply was simple and you pulled back to look into his eyes. They didn’t hold the same softness Liu tended to, instead expectant and frustrated.

“Because that’s too good for him. Think about it. He was going to make Liu be alone the rest of his life. Murder me in front of him. In front of you.  Leave you a lifetime of Hell. Let him learn to live with a disability in a prison cell.”

He stared you down a moment and just as nervousness bubbled in your gut he pulled you in for a bruising kiss. You heard the crying behind you peak as one of Sully’s hands left you and jerked in his grip to try and see. He didn’t let you even as he broke the kiss. When you frowned disapprovingly at him he smirked, slow and measured. 

“Well now. I think you and I will get along just fine. Don’t look so cross. ”

His smile widened, eyes alight with enough glee to make you shiver. His voice dropped just as it had when he’d first appeared, sounding almost demonic in comparison to Liu’s lilting intonation. 

“He dared to not only take what is mine, but also had the gall to steal a sight for my eyes alone. You, vulnerable, with tears in your eyes. It’s only fair he lost his.”

A thought hits you suddenly and you can’t resist asking it. 

“…You planned this from the second you came out of those shadows didn’t you?”

Sully smiles mysteriously before he sighs. 

“It seems our time is running out. Ah, yes. Liu apologizes in advance for this, by the way.”

And just like that; Sully passed out, all of his weight going on you and nearly sending you tumbling to the ground. Luckily Liu recovered fast and blinked several times as he reoriented, looking around before hugging you tightly. 

From there, the man now passed out from the pain was arrested and everyone vouched for Liu along with you, claiming it must’ve been self defense because he was such a gentle, nonviolent and calm guy. 

Liu was ecstatic once the hectic night was over and you finally made it home, a little after daybreak. 

“I can’t believe it!! Sully loves you!!! I knew he would!”

He peppered kisses all over your face, making you giggle and blush.

“I’m gonna have nightmares for weeks, but I confess I’m so glad I finally got to meet him. He’s so different to you, but he’s also my type. As if one of you wasn’t bad enough for my heart and libido both.”

“What was that?”

You stiffened as you realized the last thing you’d said and swallowed nervously. You hadn’t talked sex things yet but with Sully riling you up earlier it just popped out. 

“Forget I said anything it really doesn’t-”

 Liu made you turn to face him on the bed and you gasped as you saw one of his eyes was green, and the other blue. 

“You really want to go there? You’re positive?”

You nodded shyly at Liu and jumped a little as Sully spoke up after a moment, all casual nonchalance. 

“So does this mean we can finally make you come undone with tickling like you so desperately want us too?" 

You gaped at him before moving to scramble out of the bed in your haste to get away, a nervous grin on already at the edges of your lips. 

"H-How did you-”

Sully barked out a mocking laugh. 

“Oh sweetheart you really are too trusting. I’ll have to teach you to delete your search history once you’re done on our laptop. You panicked and had a blush on your cheeks, slammed our laptop closed when we came home from work one day. Liu said to trust you but I confess I was curious and snuck a peek.”

His grin widened and his voice dropped to a husky purr as he stood, cornering you against the wall before cooing into your ear.

“Imagine our surprise when we saw what a naughty little slut you were being~” 

“S-Sullly, Liu I-”

At your anxiety, Liu was already smiling and cradling your face, pecking your lips and you sighed, somewhat soothed. 

“Don’t be scared baby. We love you, both of us.”

Sully agreed, voice more mature than you’d expect. 

“Every part of you; including the cute kinky side.”

“I-It’s not cute…” 

You grumbled a little, bright red and the sound of their laughter mixing into one was so beautiful you just had to raise your head to savor it. His expression was even better, and with the green and blue eye he sported, the pure joy on his face, you only blushed darker. 

“Sorry love. Anyone who says they’re not cute, is adorable. Them’s the breaks.”

Liu cooed affectionately, hugging you and nuzzling the top of your head. 

Sully chimed in after a few moment’s peace.

“So; what’s the deal Liu? Take turns tickling in 5 minutes increments to see who can make her either cry uncle or moan first?” 

The smirk he shot your way was wolfish but the way your thighs clenched had Liu smirking too, albeit in a kinder way. He was older than you after all and given he was your first everything, along with Sully, he wanted to treasure every second. 

“Deal. If I win I get a whole day with her alone.”

“Ditto for me. Better pray cause your weak ass technique-”

But Liu didn’t need his mouth to tickle and you soon found yourself laughing  as he dug right into your hipbones without a trace of the mercy that was so characteristic of him.

You heard Sully scoff before reluctantly giving Liu total control but you didn’t really care who won. 

All you knew was that you were incredibly lucky, had two stunning men to keep you safe when you were in danger, and one thing for absolutely certain. 

There would be many more laughs in your future.

Dr. Locklear:

You pace nervously, awaiting Locklear and chewing anxiously on your nails. 

He was late. Ever since that hang up saying “a situation had arisen” you’d been anxious. You knew you shouldn’t care. You should be glad, especially since you weren’t 100% sure if the victim he chose was really guilty without a doubt but-

You found you trusted him more. 

Gods, what had he turned you into? Tears burned your eyes and you sniffled at the thought of losing him, rubbing at your eyes angrily. 

Your door opened with a 'BANG!’ and the man of the hour waltzed in, flowers in hand which quickly dropped along with his smile as he saw your state. 

“I’m fi-”

Yet he was already pulling down your hands from your face and gently wiping the remaining wetness himself, crystal blue eyes taking you in with worry. 

“Who made you cry? It’s been mere hours since we last spoke who could have-”

“No-one that matters. I’m fine.”

You were dismissive as you could manage but he wasn’t having it, seeing through your half truths and bluffs as always and cutting to the heart of the matter. 

“So me, then. Explain.”

His eyes and expression were both serious as he guided you to the couch. 

You frowned and turned your face away, going silent. 

His tone turned playful in response and out of the corner of your eye you saw his own hold a glimmer of playfulness, returning to his old self now that he knew you were unharmed. 

“Ah, the silent treatment, hm? How am I ever to cope with such a thing?”

His voice was teasing and you fought a blush back with difficulty as you 'hmph’d’.

He made a show of tapping his sculpted chin before his eyes darted over to yours and you quickly looked away fully, not wanting him to know you’d been peeking. 

Of course, that was what he wanted, if his enticing chuckle was anything to go by. 

His arms wrapped around you, pulling you against his chest, between his legs as he nuzzled into your neck. 

“C'mon love of mine~ I can’t make it better if you don’t talk and I’d just hate having to make you.”

He sounded so gleeful. Stupid sadist. So much for fighting your blush. You were sure it was crawling to your ears by now-

“Oh? What have we here? Seems the blood has risen to your ears. How adorable. You must be really embarrassed for that to happen~”

His lips against your ear so incessantly had left you squirming a little in his grip as you fought back a smile, swallowing the urge to giggle. 

“If you’d like me to stop, all you need do is talk my dear.”

You were tense as a spring, barely holding yourself together as he cooed, blew air and teased your neck and ears. 

“Of course…I feel a trade off is in order as well. I made you cry so making you laugh feels like a fair retribution to me. Don’t you think?”

He began squeezing at your sides and exploring your torso and you were gone, trying desperately to curl up and hide your snickers and squeaks as he messed with you. 

“You’re such a jehehehehrk! You k-knew what you were-nohohoho!!”

You whined, throwing your head back against his shoulder in mirth as he spidered his fingers ticklishly up your back. 

“Of course I did sweetling. Intelligence aside for a moment, I’m a doctor. I touch people’s bodies and elicit all manner of reactions. Do you know how many people I’ve had to restrain so I can work properly due to over ticklishness? Too many. Now then, enough distracting. Unless of course…”

His nimble fingers picked up speed and danced their way into your underarms and ribs until you were kicking helplessly and laughing openly.

“You’d also like to see how mean I can really be.”

“Fuck yhohohohou!!”

He tsked despite the smirk on his face and shrugged nonchalantly. 

“What a naughty brat you are. Such vulgarity too. I’ll have to add a punishment to your care plan~ Fine then. Don’t say I didn’t warn you though, sweet. I’ll just have to replace those initial tears of fear with tears of laughter. Tickle tickle tickle~”

[tavolgisvist]

'Early Days'

From this RS interview

You just released a music video for your song "Early Days," where the chorus goes, "They can't take it from me if they tried/I lived through those early days." What are you singing about there?

Revisionism. It's about revisionism, really. I know my memory has got chips in it that still can go exactly back to two guys sitting in a room trying to write "I Saw Her Standing There" or "One After 909." I can see that very clearly still, and I can see every minute of John and I writing together, playing together, recording together. I still have very vivid memories of all of that. It's not like it fades. Since John died so tragically, there's been a lot of revisionism, and it's very difficult to go against it, because you can't say, "Well, no, wait a minute, man. I did that." Because then people go, "Oh, yeah, well, that's really nice. That's walking on a dead man's grave." You get a bit sensitive to that, and you just think, "You know what? Forget it. I know what I did. A lot of people know what I did. John knows what I did. Maybe I should just leave it, not worry about it." It took a little while to get to that.

I know that I have every memory still intact, and they don't, as I say in the last verse, 'cause they weren't there. I think you'll find this in most bands, but in the Beatles' case, it's got to be worse than any case. For instance, I was on holiday once, and there was this little girl on the beach, little American kid. She says, "Hi, there. I've just been doing a Beatles ppreciation class in school." I said, "Wow, that's great." I think, "I know, I'll be really cool here. I'll tell her a little inside story." So I go on about how something happened, and it was a fun story – and she looks at me, she says, "No, that's not true. We covered that in the Beatles appreciation class." I'm going, "Oh, fuck." There's no way out, man! They're teaching this stuff now. <…> To get back to my original point, that's the kind of thing that happens in films, but these books that are written about the meaning of songs, like Revolution in the Head – I read through that. It's a kind of toilet book, a good book to just dip into. And I'll come across, "McCartney wrote that in answer to Lennon's acerbic this," and I go, "Well, that's not true." But it's going down as history. That is already known as a very highly respected tome, and I say, "Yeah, well, okay." This is a fact of my life. These facts are going down as some sort of musical history about the Beatles. There are millions of them, and I know for a fact that a lot of them are incorrect.

I can see how that would be frustrating.

Ну, раньше это расстраивало. Я справился с этим. Все нормально. В "Early Days" есть что-то из этого, но главное - это песня памяти. Это я помню, как шел по улице, одетый в черное, с гитарами за спиной. Я могу представить точную улицу. Это было место под названием Менлав-авеню. [Пауза] Кто-то увидит в этом какое-то значение: Пол и Джон на Менлав-авеню. Давай, давай. Вот как обстоят дела с Битлз. Все было чертовски важно, понимаешь? И это нормально, но когда ты был частью реальности, всё было не так. Это было гораздо более нормально.

[tobiasdrake]

Well, I was supposed to wake up in a field but instead.....

Some sorta void beyond time and space. Neat. It would seem I have gained the ability to determine for myself how far back to loop.

I credit this new ability to my brilliant decision to touch the timedrop. Clearly, I have absorbed its power and added it to my own through temporal osmosis. I have based this observation on nothing whatsoever but I will hear no argument otherwise.

In any case... I still need to find out who keeps breaking that bread so--

Oh my god you read my Pocket Notes and listen in on my conversations and now you're just being controlling I NEED SOME SPACE LEMONFRIEND

>_< I am in a toxic relationship. With time.

A revelation that wasn't the main goal of dipshitting myself into oblivion but is a welcome discovery nonetheless. At least we know that everyone who's frozen is a) somewhat conscious but b) not in a state where they would be suffering.

10/10 Great service, satisfying experience. I look forward to killing myself again in the future.

Alright. Well. Guess we'll get back to it. Grab the tonics from the side room and my ding ding and then--

No. Fuck you.

I was thinking about my ding ding it could not be helped

Ugh, this place is so rude! I want to file a complaint.

Moving right along. Nothing to see here.

Like those two buildings back in Dormont that are inexplicably locked. Must be some kind of regional locking mechanism popular in this area but I have no idea what.

Oh, there we go. That was easy. So we just need to figure out the pass phrase for any of these doors we find.

I see where this is going. It would behoove me to throw myself on that Tear over yonder and die so I can go get the password.

...but I have the utmost confidence that I'll get myself stupidly killed anyway soon, so I don't need to bother.

In a suspicious place, yes. That sure is a pillar.

I do not trust this pillar, okay?

This pillar is watching us.

Plotting.

It knows I'm on to it.

You say that like we should feel bad for it, Isa. Unfortunately, feeling bad for things is a form of Sadness so I'm afraid all of my sympathy's getting chopped up with scissors.

Along with this boss fight.

Alright, cool. Some kind of key thing that can be used to something something with the tears, so let's keep going and--

...okay so maybe it's actually dangerous to hussle the group past all of the deathtraps I already know about. I may be trapfinding so well at this point that it's putting everyone in danger.

Who would do something so monstrous

Okay now I'm super onboard. King needs to die.

Go on, Bonnie. Take a wok on the wild side. *wok-a wok-a*

Am I... am I supposed to scramble it? Wait, is this a metaphor? Does this key have gender dysphoria that it hasn't quite realized yet?

...so that's a yes. Yes, the key has undiagnosed gender dysphoria.

Cool. I'm happy I caught that. I feel proud of myself for my ability to pick up LGBT subtext.

This philosophy is pretty deep. I took the religion of Change for a silly joke at first but no, this is some serious shit.

Is this whole religion a metaphor for the experience of being LGBT? There is clearly some strong coding going on here with Vaugardian society. In fact, the entire concept of worshipping change is itself so tightly connected to gender and the trans/non-binary experience that--

BONNIE

NO

You take that gender out of your mouth this instant! The experience of self-discovery is NOT breakfast!

*sigh* Kids.

[red-hot-temper]

Callisto apology

Before I continue interacting in VADD fandom, I would like to share my opinion about Callisto and his controversial first interaction with Penelope:

Callisto did nothing wrong by pointing his sword at Penelope, he was protecting himself because he thought she was a threat.

What I do agree with is that he was a fucking jerk when after the confession he "played" for a while with Penelope and her responses… And I was also a jerk for laughing at that, feeling bad about Penelope's stress, but not regret laughing (Don't play innocent because I know someone else laughed at that too lmao)

So yes, I completely understand if Callisto's taunting bothered you, because he behaved annoyingly, but getting upset that he was on guard? I'm sorry, but I really don't understand that. I know there are people who don't like to see violence, but it makes sense to me that he would react that way. They literally sent him an assassin early on, why wouldn't he still be on alert after that?

The fact is always brushed off as he did it because he was blinded with rage, but then why have a conversation where it's clearly revealed that Callisto is on guard over Penelope's actions?

Penelope was waiting for Callisto, but he wasn't, so it does look suspicious to meet someone who seems to be looking for something or someone insistently (in the novel it was mentioned that Penelope was looking in all directions)

The story is told from the perspective of Penelope/Siyeon and therefore we empathize faster with her and I can understand that anger towards him for our overprotection that we have towards our protagonist, but! The empress sent an assassin to Callisto, he went to his brother's birthday party bringing the murderer's half-dead, he gave a threatening speech disguised as a birthday present and… immediately afterwards, he decapitated the assassin and threw his head at the feet of his brother while the witch empress almost fainted (see later in paragraph "1.") … All while Penelope was witness to it…

So we all know the story: she went after him like yolo, let's find the reset button or die trying. I perfectly understand her point and also the fact that she regrets it later, it's obvious that she's going to try to survive no matter what. But I need to emphasize this, because when she mentions that she "sincerely came to comfort him", we as readers knew that she was lying, but Callisto? I'm 100% sure he was thinking: I cut off someone's head in front of several nobles, and I'm the one who needs to be consoled?

This was why he didn't believe her confession of love, not only because she told him "I like you", but that consolation thing doesn't make sense (and Oh God I can't blame Penny because when you're desperate you make terrible and illogical excuses jksjskjs)

So yeah, I don't condemn the fact that Callisto defended himself, If I were in his position I would do the same, but he was definitely a bastard making Penelope fool.

1. In case you didn't read the first few chapters of the novel and just picked up where the manhwa left off, this happened and was censored in the manhwa:

“So why didn’t you choose a proper attendant, younger brother?”

That was the moment. Seureung----The prince drew his sword in an instant with his empty hand, and cut the assassin's head as he was holding it.

Cheak-! The blood started gushing out like a fountain.

"I'll replace this as a birthday present."

The prince threw the severed head at the feet of the second prince.

"Aaaagh!"

The empress' tearing screams echoed through the banquet hall. The head of a person rolling around like a ball.

The 2nd prince couldn't say anything with a pale face like someone about to pass out.

“If you want to receive another gift from me, send it as many times as you like.”

[chilly-me-softly]

Hey can I request a fic with Jack Grealish? Where Jack and the reader are married and expecting a baby boy. They are thinking about names and she suggests Finley after the little boy Jack met. I think it would be so cute!

You and Jack couldn't have been happier when you found out that you were soon to be parents. Before the wedding it had been something you had talked about a lot and after putting the ring on your fingers you had started to make that thought a little more real until the good news came.

You had found out you were expecting a boy at the check-up, the baby on full display had you joking that it was indeed his father's child. And then your friends had wanted to throw you a baby shower anyway, so you could share the news with all your friends and families.

It had been a unique thrill, somehow it had also made it more real to know the sex and to be able to choose something different that wasn't neutral and good for both cases. You had done it with everything: clothes, teddy bears, even the name.

And speaking of that, it was time to choose one. You had this idea of wanting to paint the name on a wall in the nursery but you still had to decide on the shape, the font, the colour. And you didn't want to try on a random name so the sooner you chose it the sooner you could get to work and the sooner everything would be done.

"How about Mateo?"

"Babe stick to english" Jack doesn't even give you a look as he continues scrolling through the list of names on his phone. 

"Oh so no Mufasa?!" you tease him earning an amused look as you pinch his arm.

"How about Finley?" that name clearly catches his attention, it must be because of the meeting he had just a while ago and the personal reasons surrounding it. It's always a pleasure to meet little fans, to see how with a small gesture he can make their day unforgettable and to see their eyes open wide and sparkle with joy just like when he too was a child and was in the same situation.

So when they had asked him to meet this kid he had not hesitated to accept, finding the most congenial time with the commitments he had. And then this most of all would have been a special meeting, because of his family background and the story of someone he loved with all his heart.

And that kid, Finley, had been a pleasure to meet after reading his letter and making him that surprise. He had done his best not to give in to his emotions when he had reminded him of how good of a brother he was and how his eyes had sparkled when he had agreed to have that celebration once he had scored his next goal. He had done his best to give him an unforgettable couple of hours knowing how important that could be to him.

"Finley?"

"Yeah, I mean do you like it?"

"Finley" Jack took some time to think about it, whispering that name and rehearsing over and over how it sounded to his ears.

"I might have had a little help coming up with the name but I like it" you admit as he turns back to look at you.

"Are you sure? I don't want you to make a decision because of what I told you"

"Jack we are talking about my son's name. I'm not so easy to influence"

"You wanted to call him Timon"

"I. was. joking" you start hitting him with a pillow gasping as he laughs.

"But it crossed your mind!"

Jack lets you give him a couple more hits before taking possession of that pillow, settling it behind his back and looking at you triumphantly.

"Listen, I won't hide the fact I cried watching that video of the two of you together - Jack reaches out a hand caressing your back with one of his thumbs gently - and I don't know how to explain it properly... okay I'll try, it's more the way he spoke to you and his life and the constant smile on his face despite everything. I want that for my baby, not to be named after a person but what that person can represent. For it to mean something"

Jack smiles reaching out to you to leave a gentle kiss on your lips, and then on one cheek. "Besides, it was on our list of neutral names"

"No it wasn't" Jack looks at you with an arched eyebrow, confident but careful not to slip up. The pregnant brain can play tricks on you and he has already experienced several breakdowns for that reason. 

"Yes it is - you lean over to your nightstand to pick up the papers where you've noted down the names as Jack follows you with his eyes, vigilant that you don't hurt yourself - look" you point your finger at the name you're discussing once you've had a quick look at the list and found it, smiling.

"Nah look at that! Poor Finley squashed in here... and even written with a different pen"

"That's not true!" you try to argue back but a laugh escapes you, Jack shaking his head in amusement before letting go of the papers and slowly positioning himself over you being careful of your belly.

"I'll think about it, but in the meantime let's not close the door on more names okay?"

"Yeah"

[yostresswritinggirl]

I love how Hoyo is trying so hard to make Cyno seem intimidating but we all see his "desperate puppy that wants attention" side

Anyways

Your desert dweller pining idea gave me reincarnated tragic lovers vibes

Like reader was with Kasala in the past before the forbidden knowledge was brought to the desert, infecting them with eleazar and killing them

Which was probably part of why Kasala didn't fear death in the end knowing it means reuniting with the one he loved

Then centuries later you both are reincarnated in the same era as an eremite and Cyno. Ultimately meeting and falling in love just like in your past lives but now separated because of readers loyalty to the scarlet king

(Heck maybe it was the same in that past but switched with Kasala's devotion to his lord and reader being the one pining)

And then when the truth of the two gods are revealed you both get flashbacks of your last moments together centuries ago, the sight of reader's scale covered body slowly losing life with Kasala sitting right by holding tightly to their hand, unwilling to let go even if he has accepted this reality

The least could be done is letting your final sight of him be a happy one

"I love you even in the face of death, there nothing that could take this away..."

As reader close their eyes a small smile is visible on their pale face, clearly at peace with Kasala's words

"... but perhaps...in a new world, we can peacefully live together"

I'll let you decide what happens next

Side note: imagine Kasala or Cyno(to be a tease) calling you his eternal love or something similar. I wouldn't even need to have eleazar to die they'd just kill me with that

Also after a week of scarab nightmare cyno is finally maxed other than getting him decent equipment but that's besides the point

- Vagabond anon

Holy shit I just read a whole story, thank you so much for the good fucking food, Vagabond !! AAAAAAA

Holy shit like holy shit, I'm going to cry, I'm giggling right now especially the "eternal love" part Cyno would totally be the type to say that with a teasing smirk everytime. Oh man I can even imagine Reader being part of Rahman's group and clashing with him at least once hhh (sorry I've been craving writing fight scenes)

What if after regaining your memories just like how Rahman's still griping with the fact, Reader is also still like trying to make sense of the fact, right? But on Cyno's case, down bad boyo, is literally just trailing you while you pace back and forth trying to convince yourself that reincarnation exists. That's where desperate puppy that wants attention comes from mmmm - maybe Reader being apprehensive in the present is because they mostly remember how Kasala is distant due to his devotion to the Scarlet King jgnhhh

Like I'm imagining this is after act 4 and before 3.2 so he's stuck with you in the desert that whole time and he won't even let you breathe. Taking every opportunity to go to you like:

Dehya: We'll need Rahman's group to assist us here -

Cyno: *immediately stands up* I'll inform them right away.

Candace: We don't have to yet, we're just going over the plan -

Alhaitham: He's already gone.

Omayghad I love this au so much, holy crap, I'm foaming at the mouth *hugs tight with consent* Vagabond, thank you for accompanying me on my Kasala brainrot;;;;

[mariana-oconnor]

The Final Problem pt 1

🎵It's the Fi-inal Proble-em🎶diddle-uh duh! Diddle-uduhduuuh!🎵

And now that's going to be stuck in my head all week.

I have seen multiple adaptations of this story and I believe I have read it twice in the original as well as having used it a few times for reference back in my days hanging out in the Sherlock comms on lj. So I know it pretty well. No rampant speculation this time, although there may be several highly inappropriate memes. I'll see what I can do.

It is with a heavy heart that I take up my pen to write these the last words in which I shall ever record the singular gifts by which my friend Mr Sherlock Holmes was distinguished.

Ah, here we find the true dichotomy of Watsonian vs Doyleist, as depicted in the diagram below.

My hand has been forced, however, by the recent letters in which Colonel James Moriarty defends the memory of his brother, and I have no choice but to lay the facts before the public exactly as they occurred.

ANOTHER FUCKING COLONEL! Colonels are the worst. I'm sure that at some poitn in his life ACD was in some way drastically wronged by a colonel in the British army whom he never forgot or forgave. Not a Major or a Lieutenant or a Captain, but definitely a Colonel.

Also, I thought Professor Moriarty was also called James. Did their parents just lack imagination? Or could they not be bothered to learn more than one name. Does it matter which child turns up, as long as one of them does? Is James just the name that ACD uses when he can't think of any others?

I alone know the absolute truth of the matter...

Are you sure about that, Watson? I feel like maybe there's like... one tiny thing you don't know. Just one. Absolutely minuscule thing. Not important at all. Barely worth knowing.

It may be remembered that after my marriage, and my subsequent start in private practice, the very intimate relations which had existed between Holmes and myself became to some extent modified.

Literally the other day you were living with him in Baker Street again, and it seems like you spent more time with Holmes in the months after your marriage than you did with your wife or at work, so I'm not sure that starting this true account of events off with a bald-faced lie is the best course of action, but sure.

Reading these stories in this order and seeing with complete clarity that ACD paid no attention to his past writing with regards to timeline and continuity is kind of funny. There were only three cases in 1890? I'm sure we've had more than three cases give us specific dates in 1890. I can't remember exactly when he got married, but it wasn't that long before 1890 (1888 wikipedia tells me, and many stories take place in that nebulous 'months after I was married' period. The timeline is honestly just chaos. One of the last stories was set in 1892, which from the date of this story is clearly impossible, so... Watson just makes up the dates to suit his own agenda?)

I received two notes from Holmes, dated from Narbonne and from Nîmes...

Now that I know he was recently in Nimes, I am going to be picturing Holmes in a pair of jeans for the rest of this story. That's just how it is. Sorry. And before you say it's anachronistic, denim trousers became popular in the 1870s in the states, iirc, so it's entirely plausible.

"...I must further beg you to be so unconventional as to allow me to leave your house presently by scrambling over your back garden wall."

Watson I have come to close your shutters, smoke a cigarette and climb over your backwall, and I'm all out of shutters and cigarettes.

"Is Mrs Watson in?" "She is away upon a visit." "Indeed! You are alone?" "Quite." "Then it makes it the easier for me to propose that you should come away with me for a week to the Continent."

Oh, and also to invite you on an impromptu romantic getaway to the continent, seeing as your wife's not around. I'm in fear for my life, but it's going to be great fun.

Watson suggesting that this is an 'aimless holiday' is odd. Watson, if your friend comes to you and admits that he's afraid of being shot and has been in a fight, wants to leave your house in an unconventional manner that will help him avoid being seen and simultaneously suggests you leave the country. It might be connected. The destination is clearly less important than the departing.

"You have probably never heard of Professor Moriarty?" said he.

This reveal was kind of spoiled for modern readers with the Colonel's name earlier, which is a bit of a shame. But I guess ACD had no idea that Moriarty would become such a household name that just this in itself would be able to make readers a century on go 'Oh!' Still a pity, though. Having that whole 'in danger for his life' thing and THEN the Moriarty reveal would be a better build up for modern readers.

"His career has been an extraordinary one. He is a man of good birth and excellent education, endowed by nature..."

👀

"...with a phenomenal mathematical faculty."

What is an 'army coach'? I mean, I know what I feel like it means, but I fail to see how it would be a good job for a professor of mathematics. Did he coach them in maths?

"He is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is the organiser of half that is evil and of nearly all that is undetected in this great city. He is a genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker. He has a brain of the first order. He sits motionless, like a spider in the centre of its web, but that web has a thousand radiations, and he knows well every quiver of each of them."

Me, trying to find the most ridiculous gif of Macavity from Cats (2019): There's so. many. to choose from.

"Again and again he strove to break away, but I as often headed him off. I tell you, my friend, that if a detailed account of that silent contest could be written, it would take its place as the most brilliant bit of thrust-and-parry work in the history of detection."

When I first realised that Moriarty appears in only 1 of the Sherlock Holmes stories, I was kind of astonished, because he always seemed like he must have been a recurring nemesis to have made such an impact on the canon. But no, it really is just this story and ACD gives him a lot of hype. It leaves a lot of space in the narrative, and as we all know, the plot holes are where the fanfic gets in. Sherlock Holmes, I believe, is the most adapted character in English literary history. More than Robin Hood, more than King Arthur, more than any Shakespeare play. And you've got to wonder if part of that is because of the gaps in the narrative that are mentioned, but not fleshed out.

I wonder if, at the time, there were Sherlock Holmes fan groups who pored over past cases trying to find evidence of Moriarty's hand in previous stories. I bet there were people scribbling their own ideas of what happened between Moriarty and Holmes and reading them to their friends and family in the evenings. Just as I bet, after this story, a million fix it stories were written/told. I've never heard of any existing, but it feels like there must have been.

"I was sitting in my room thinking the matter over, when the door opened and Professor Moriarty stood before me."

"His appearance was quite familiar to me. He is extremely tall and thin, his forehead domes out in a white curve, and his two eyes are deeply sunken in this head. He is clean-shaven, pale, and ascetic-looking, retaining something of the professor in his features. His shoulders are rounded from much study, and his face protrudes forward, and is forever slowly oscillating from side to side in a curiously reptilian fashion."

Police officers are mammalian and criminal masterminds are reptilian. Good to know.

"'You have less frontal development that I should have expected,' said he, at last. 'It is a dangerous habit to finger loaded firearms in the pocket of one's dressing-gown.'"

"You have a small head." Interesting opening line. Although it is fair to say that he's right about the gun. Not best practice.

"'All that I have to say has already crossed your mind,' said he. "'Then possibly my answer has crossed yours,' I replied."

These lines are iconic, but also, as someone who has written on occasion, also genius. Why bother trying to work out a suitably intelligent and ominous conversation when you can do this instead and have it work ten times better. It's a lovely bit of writing.

"'You crossed my path on the 4th of January,' said he. 'On the 23d you incommoded me; by the middle of February I was seriously inconvenienced by you; at the end of March I was absolutely hampered in my plans; and now, at the close of April, I find myself placed in such a position through your continual persecution that I am in positive danger of losing my liberty. The situation is becoming an impossible one.'"

I do also love this matter of fact little summary, where Moriarty has clearly had his thesaurus open at the word 'blocked' and just picked words at random. The exasperation and yet strange calm of having this all written down in his diary is great. Moriarty is very well constructed as a character.

He goes on to say 'tut, tut' as well, which is just such a supercilious, condescending little thing to say. He is eminently hateable, and yet simultaneously has done nothing actually wrong on page.

Holmes refers to him as Mr Moriarty to his face and Professor Moriarty to Watson, which is a nice little bit of pettiness. Technically he isn't a professor any more, but just that little bit of disrespect to his face. Beautiful.

"I took a cab after that and reached my brother's rooms in Pall Mall, where I spent the day."

Oh hai, Mycroft!

So far, Holmes has escaped death 3 times today. So he's doing pretty well.

I do find it odd that with so many days advance warning, Moriarty can't find another way to not be arrested on Monday that isn't killing Holmes. Can't he just... stop whatever thing is happening on Monday?

"The practice is quiet," said I, "and I have an accommodating neighbour. I should be glad to come."

The return of Watson's accommodating neighbour, the true unsung hero of these tales. There had better be a fanfic on AO3 that's a bystander POV of Watson's long-suffering doctor neighbour and all the times Waton pops his head in and says 'I have to have adventures today, you don't mind keeping an eye on my practice do you, old chum? Splendid! See you in a week!'

I'm sure all of Holmes instructions about how Watson should get to the station are justified, but they are also very funny.

"...dash through the Arcade, timing yourself to reach the other side at a quarter-past nine."

Ah yes, I know exactly how quickly to run through the arcade to make sure I get to the other side at exactly quarter past nine. Who doesn't?

This is only a two parter, and the next part is due tomorrow, it says, rather than on Tuesday. So, everyone get your mourning bands ready.

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

"Character X is Y sexuality" is such a dumb take to invalidate people's shipping.

If canon mattered that much in people's shipping/headcanons, Zutara wouldn't be popular. Everyone would (correctly) be disgusted by the concept of Z*c*st. Shipping wouldn't even be an actual thing, fanfic wouldn't be a thing.

People have always taken supposedly cishet characters and made them queer in their fan works.

("Azula is straight" gives me the same vibe of "Yelena is ar*-ac*". It's not explicitly mentioned in canon.

Oh, but she only showed interest in men.

So did Korra until she didn't and guess who she ends up with.

Kyoshi says she has to convince herself she's not in love with Yun and guess who she ends up with.

They'll kill Azula off, probably, take away her bending and finish ruining her character before there's a chance she's canonically queer.

Canon still doesn't mean much.

Unless clearly stated, anything is a headcanon.

Including "Azula is straight".)

This is a good ass blog, but that kind of take just ruins all of it for me.

"To invalidate people's ships" You're REALLY gonna pretend you didn't see me literally list all the lesbian ships I have for Azula, and that I didn't say I would love for her to be bisexual, huh? Again, I don't give a damn what people ship or what kind of fan content they want to create, I only don't like being told to treat fanon (even fanon I like) as canon because it leads to dishonest analysis of a show.

You: Unless something is clearly stated, it is not canon!

Also you: Azula canonically only ever shows interest men and never in women, and I personally think the writers would rather torture and kill her character than show her as a queer woman. But if you say that means she's canonically straight, I'll yell at you.

Make it make sense.

Also "Korra ended up with in a relationship with someone that the writers, by their own admission, never made her be explicitly or implicitly interested in because they were two cowards that were not at all interested in rocking the boat" is NOT the winning argument you think it is. And that doesn't retroactively make Azula bi or a lesbian, it's just extra proof that the writting for Legend Of Korra was TERRIBLE!

"Kyoshi SAYS a thing that confirms she's bisexual"

Congratulations! You found actual representation! Aka something being considered canon to a particular story BECAUSE IT WAS EXPLICITLY SHOWN TO THE AUDIENCE THROUGH THINGS THAT WE SEE PLAY OUT!

"Oh, but Azula never said she is NOT into women, so even though she is only ever shown to be attracted to men, we can't rule out the possibility of her secretly liking women too until she full on says it!"

Wanna go there? Fine. Then you cannot tell me that the Fire Nation royal family doesn't have a tradition of incest like many real life royals did, and that Zuko and Azula did not at least consider the possibility of marrying each other to avoid an Agni Kai for the crown like we saw in the finale. Sure, that is never explicitly confirmed by canon, but it was never explicitly stated to NOT be the case either, and according to you that TOTALLY means it is not at all impossible for this kids' show to have secretly said "incest is wincest" all along, because apparently the writers need Zuko and Azula, the two characters in a KIDS show, to look at the camera and say "Our family tree is not a circle" for us to understand that this family that has never been stated to practice incest, does not, in fact, practice incest.

"Canon doesn't mean much anyway" Then why are you mad that I said "Even though I would like for Azula to be bisexual, that is simply not canon. There's sadly just no way any character in a kid's show made in 2005 was meant to read as anything other than straight"?

Considering you felt the need to:

1 - Point out that Zutara is a ship with no canon basis AND that you like my blog, literally called "Zutara was never CANON."

2 - Randomly mention the fact that my OTP, Zucest, is also not canon AND that plenty of people, you clearlt included, find it absolutely disgusting (like I somehow didn't get the memo on that).

3 - STILL cherry pick stuff to claim Queer!Azula could totally stealthly be a canon thing.

I'd say you only have a problem with me saying things like "X is canon, Y is not" because YOU very much think of canon as being inherently better than fanon, so when I point out something you dislike is not canon that means my blog is awesome to you because you see it as validating your opinion that something is trash, but the second I go "But this other thing you (and I) like/are neutral on is not canon either" suddenly I'm the devil because I'm "attacking" people for something that is just harmless fun.

The whole "Azula is not canonically bi/gay, so any headcanon of her being queer is bad" is in YOUR head, honey. You're never gonna hear that kind of crap from me, and I'd appreciate it if you stopped putting words in my mouth.

And as a bisexual woman, I'd appreciate some ACTUAL REPRESENTATION of bisexuality being praised, instead of garbage like the incredibly insufferable Korra/Mako/Asami love triangle ending with a nonsensical conclusion that people praise just because it had two women *gasp* holding hands! And even THAT being hidden away since Korra's last season was basically dumped online because the show's ratings were terrible.

[shannankle]

My Running Thoughts on DFF (Episode 5)

It's interesting to see their early motivations and varying levels of investment in this project

We also are getting insight into who is a follower or not. Cause from what Por said to convince Tee, it seems like Jin wants to do the project but not if Tee doesn't

Interesting that we first see non as a reflection as if he is a ghost or not fully present

Awww he's so awkward. Interesting that they play his entrance kind of creepy awkward

Clearly there's something between him and Jin sparking. Does that mean Phee is non? Or will he be a target? So much to speculate on, I got to be patient

And clearly these guys are assholes at least Top and Por, geeze guys

Jin seems like the only nice one here, waiting for that shoe to drop, cause he seems like a follower maybe

Oh what a cool shot with the 2 hallways. One side with people the other where Non is alone. Like his reflection, he's separated socially. And Jin is crossing that threshold

Oh and they're pulling in the use of reflection again. This time Jin is with Non but separated from Por

Jin seems to know a lot about Non's interests. I mean he was reading a book but does Jin know this stuff from rumors or is he already observing him

Por is taking on a weird level of authority and acting like he's doing this for Non and his benefit

Okay how conscious is Jin of the fact that he is flirting?

Oh another catholic school eh? Shadow parallels, hello. But it does fit the fact that this is pulling on Western slasher horror.

I really want to know what the writing on the board says, especially since we get the contrast of Por vs Non writing something

Okay so even the Janta cult stuff came from Non so like clearly its not necessarily based in legends about the forest near Por's cabin. That does make me less inclined to think the cult stuff is part of a supernatural component (though I do still think there is some element of the supernatural).

Por clearly trying to fight for leadership and control by harassing Non over the ending and physical copies. And here goes Top. Aww Jin's at least standing up for him a little, but maybe fight back a bit more

Oh and Non's so resigned telling them to call him whatever, I'm adopting him immediately and all these other boys are on my shit list

Okay what's Tee's deal? They lingered on him a bit too long

Noticeable that Fluke isn't actively bullying but being a bystander

Another shot of Non very boxed in and isolated with life and motion outside that (cars this case)

And Jin crosses into that space again. Even the first shot of non as a reflection was boxed in the door frame .

Oh it's the same spot as earlier but from a different angle, love that

Awww Jin's little half wave after non turned, boy is crushing

And now Jin is alone in the boxed in space.

Over to Non's house, there're 2 kids in the photos so maybe the killer is Non's sibling? Ah an older brother, New living on his own and struggling. But clearly Non is poor compared to these other boys

Wait I need to go back and see what Fluke said about Tee's dad, cause what if he's a debt collector and somehow related to Non's family's issues with money

Wait did New actually go abroad and is struggling or are they lying to Non?

Hmm pills, so are we going with mental illness here? How very Trin. I mean they could be anything but still. Hopefully this is a good rep not a "the mentally I'll kid cracked" narrative

Oh someone with just a heart for a name in his phone, and they know he takes meds. A boyfriend? Crush? At least someone who cares about him most likely, who might want revenge (could it be one of our new boys?). It's clearly not Jin since he texts next.

And look at that face drop out of a smile. So at this point it might be one sided on Jin's part?

Oh he's wearing a red bracelet I wonder if that'll come back at some point. His backpack is also red, so we could call that his color.

Jin half standing up to his friends and half letting them still kind of win.

Uh oh dragging him to cram school to bully him more uggg

God they're treating him like he's physically dirty. Which is a contrast with Jin who openly touches Non. Ooof brings back memories of kids doing this shit in middle school.

Jin just sort of nodding in encouragement, like dude you need new friends

Are they going to get pissed when he shows them up and not pay the class fee?

Oh I like the teacher telling Top he asked Non his name

Is this the teacher Jin saw in the temple? I'll have to go back and check.

Okay a slight change in tone, why cause he knows math? What the fuck are Por and Top up to?

Another boxy shot, lovely

Okay meds again, does that say diazepam? No it's lorazepam, which is used for anxiety

20 seconds into a call with Por(?) And non is asleep, can't blame him

Ugg okay yeah they decided to play nice for their own benefit

Interesting that only Non and Tee have stronger colors in this scene, especially the redish brown color, what's their connection going to be?

This cram teacher knows how to market his class, just plaster his face all over 😅

Mmm maybe don't offer him a ride this feels iffy and icky

Tee in a gambling house. Is this the family business?

Oh shit was the mule Non's brother and now they'll go after his parents. No, Tee will pick Non to open the account for his uncle

Okay Tee's actually in a bind too, his dad needs meds and he's basically working for his uncle. But maybe go do any other job. This does explain why he's so grumpy and stingy with where he spends his time and effort.

Wait so in the film each character will see the mask differently so does that mean there're 5 different masks? It certainly brings up similar questions and themes about perception in the present.

Non wasn't even in the pitching room, ooof

Polaroid photo, a Shutter reference? Jin, I'm watching you bystander boy!!!

Ditch these guys, Jin. And maybe stand your ground and don't agree to not invite Non. And there he goes silently folding.

Tee needs the money from the film and Por is clearly more interested in just getting the fancy camera, which the proceeds will largely go towards paying back

Jin putting Non in the camera box, I'm getting more Shutter flashbacks

A shadow and boxed in Tee now, he's feeling the pressure

Who just leaves that expensive of a camera unattended? I guess a rich boy

Oh Top, parading as a hero and defender but literally one of the first ones to run. And then the one to kill one of said friends. And of course he breaks the camera and is too scared so he ropes Tee in to protect him

Guys maybe try taking the camera to a shop first, see how much a repair costs. Still might be a lost cause but better than just assuming you'll have to pay for an entirely new one

Fluke pfhdkfk the consumate bystander, he's bystandering so hard he jump scared Top lol. Interesting that he really hasn't talked much this whole flashback

Jin at least being a little smart and catching on that Tee is being suspicious.

Okay Fluke flipping Top off was great? But he's still not helping so still a dick

Oh no the heart person isn't there when Non needs him 💔

Oh shoot Non, please don't take that much. Sighs in relief

Aww Jin is trying to help but doesn't really get poverty huh

They're boxed in visually again but Non is sort of slipping out of the light

Oh, this time Non finally smiles for Jin. Are the feelings starting to shift on Non's end?

And we're back to feeling cornered.

Tee you realize that sounds as incredibly sketchy as it actually is

Is that a bruise or a birthmark on Tee's arm?

Well at least Tee isn't denying that it's not entirely legal, still lying about the risks though

Tee continues to be number 1 on my shit list, but Por and Top aren't far behind

[miitarashi]

You know what😳

A reader who, due to trauma, really dislikes being touched by anyone, and Tintin knows this. She suddenly has a nervous breakdown. How could Tintin help her, calm her down? 👀👀👀👀

(PLS PLS I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO READ WHAT YOU WRITE 🛐 and also a fact about the reader - even though she doesn't like to be touched, she herself can touch anyone, she could hug Tintin at the end 🥹👉👈 I just I like to create traumatized characters and then comfort them 🥰🔪)

OH- BRO I LOVED IT SO MUCH??? YOU'RE SO CREATIVE!

Warning: i end up writing too much so,it's long, because of the context. Sorry for it,i was hyped by the idea 😅. There's trauma mentioned and a scence of a man being a jerk and trighen of trauma so,please be aware.

I'll do my best to make the proper justice for this delicious idea 😌👌🏽

[Name] = Reader (Female)

Prompt: Tintin helps you in a breakdown.

You and Tintin are friends for a long while by now.

The circunstances of your first encounter wasn't so...good to say the least. Since you was one of the victim from the culprit of the case in his hand at the time. He didn't know exactly what happened and by the way you answered his questions,he only guessed enough to not disturb you more about it.

After sending the man to jail and solving the case,Tintin keeped contact mostly by worry in the begin and little by little as you open up your relationship grow and soon,he let you accompany him on his adventures, more in terms of looking for clues than in real action for obvious reasons.

In the meantime, it was readily apparent that Tintin was very...touchy. Whenever he spoke to someone, in the middle of the dialogue there would be some kind of light touch on the shoulder or arm maybe to emphasize his words or something. At first,it was a little problem for you. Precisely because he was touchy, sometimes without noticing, Tintin ended up touching or holding your arm and shoulders to get attention or just instinctively, moving away soon after noticing your reaction of discomfort apologizing whenever his hand instinctively approached you.

But, after some time, he got used to respecting your space so that he could feel comfortable around him. Even if for other people's eyes he was doing the least, for you, it had a greater value mainly because he had to hold back and avoid something he is used to doing.

However, because he is almost always too busy in his numerous adventures, in your mind, it was better to keep those feelings in order not to disturb him, apart from your problem with touch.

Being observant, Tintin noticed your reactions to people unaware of this problem when he was around you. Few, rarely, these interactions yielded mild reactions to your trauma. His first action was trying to hold you,but in the same instant he back away knowing that this only would increase the problem so he guide you for a place with less people and keeped company.

It was the first time you had a breakdown in front of him. You felt so bad afterwards,not even just because of what happened,but rather by the fact that it happened in front of him suddenly. As soon it ended, you said sorry, ashamed and he clearly said right away that it wasn't necessary and assured you it wasn't a problem for him, however, you still felt bad and tried to avoid it with your all.

Months after this episode, you finally found time to visit your friends in Brussels. Wandering the streets with a smile beaming with happiness, excited to meet Tintin and Haddock again, you was distracted enough to not notice a person approaching from behind just a few steps away from Tintin's apartment.

"hey! Looks like someone's happy huh?" - the sudden voice startled you.

With a small nod and smile,you keep looking foward and walking,but this man was still coming along uninvited.

"What's wrong? Come on,what about giving some attention for me? I just wanna talk" - again,he insisted and you shaked you head while walking a bit faster.

"Hey hey,wait a moment!" - suddenly,you felt a hand grabbing firmily your arms while the other hand already get on your waist.

"Such a cutie like this shouldn't playing hard to get-"

Your whole body trembled,the sensation feeling like dread disgust and fear spreading through you like a plague ,your breath catch on your throat and in a fast motion,you pushed him away and run the rest of the steps to the place,entering and going straight to his door.

You didn't knocked,not even cared for it as you open it wide and rush in closing the door resting your back against it finally safe inside of your friend's apartament. Tintin,who was sitted on the couch,get stratled by your sudden entrance leaving the newspaper aside and quickly get up focusing his gaze on your body language.

"[Name]? What happened? Is-" - after three to four steps closer,noticing him getting near,you cringy in place instantily.

He freeze. You was trembling,breathing heavy and shaky,tears threating to fall down your cheeks,the sensation still lingering on your arm and waist,the disgust growing deep within.

A breakdown. In front of him,but worst than the last time. Tintin was conflicted for a brief moment,the first thought being to touch you to bring comfort but it soon faded away by new ideas while looking at you sitting on the floor slowly and hugging yourself.

He give one more step closer,you cringe. He stopped. Five steps away was the limit. He didn't said much,only turn his back walking to the dranwer near grabbing something and then walking back keeping the five steps distance and sitting in front of you.

"[Name]...you don't need to tell me,just...point at it. I would never hurt you,don't forget it ok?" - after saying it,he pull a deck of cards with various words spreading them on the floor for you.

"Can i ask you the reason?" - his voice was lower,like he was afraid to scare away a little animal,keeping a calm tone.

Through the corner of your eye,you see the cards. He's voice was always calming,you stare get fixed on the floor for a moment,tears already falling down as you slowly adjust yourself sitting while hugging your knees letting your arms in a way that you could hide your face there.

He didn't moved,waiting patiently to not frighten you even more. You wanted to talk,to tell him what was wrong,to be heard but as soon you tried a tight knot formed on your throat and more tears poured down your face.

"[Name]...can you...point at the cards for me? Just nod if you can" - you lifted your head,keeping your eyes on the floor,looking at the cards. A slight nod.

"Great. Now,do you want to talk about it?" - one arm reach a bit shaky,your index finger pointing for the "No" card.

"There you go" - he praised,relieved.

"Do you want something? A cup of water perharps?" - again,your finger pointed "Yes".

"Ok,wait a second" - He get up and walked away.

You embrance your knees,gaze still on the cards. You was comunicating,not only keeping your thoughts for your own without the need of your voice for it. He was undestanding you,being patient and caring on this situation,your heart was gradually slowing down along with your breath.

He came back,put the glass just close enough for you to grab it together with a box of tissues while he goes back for his original position. After drinking and drying some of the tears,he asked in the same calm tone:

"Do you want anything more?"

"Yes" - you pointed for the card.

"Want me to give you more space?"

"No" - the card.

"Is something from me?"

"Yes"

"What is it?" - you finally look up to him,getting him slightly by surprise but receiving an encouraging smile in the same act.

Your eyes goes back for the cards,searching for the right ones and gauthering your thoughts better. Slowly,you point out.

"Me" "Want" - you stopped for a moment,hesitant and he noticed.

"Don't worry,i'll help you in any way. Take your time" - with a small nod,he speak giving the last push for you.

The knot on your throat wasn't there anymore,but using the cards sounds better for this request. Your hand moved forward pointing again.

"I" "Want" "Hug" "You".

His eyes open wide a bit in surprise,looking up to you in a silent ask with his eyes,trying to make sure that this is really what you wanted and in response,you crawl closer to him. Tintin stayed still,letting you have the lead on this,watching you coming closer and slowly wrapping your arms around his shoulders. His warmth passing a good sensation of comfort more than you thought it would.

You feel at ease almost instantily when his arms embrance you back,you had forgot how good this type of hug feels and now was the best moment to feel it again.

"Want me to carry to the couch? I'll not let you go,i promise" - you nod and with a more happy smile,Tintin carefully take you in his arms.

Lifting you up and in a few steps,he reach the sofa,placing you down before sitting right next to you,keeping an arm on your back and the other on your upper back making a light caress.

"...i'm sorry..." - you speak in a weak voice,head resting against his shoulder.

"For?"

"All of this...for my problems and-"

"[Name]" - he cut you in a gentle manner.

"Don't feel bad or sorry for something that you can't control. I'm happy to help,and mostly,for trusting on me. You can always count with me,ok?"

You agree with a light moviment of your head and put it back on his shoulder,enjoying the touch,the caress on your back and hair. Your breath begin to slow down,eyes closing at the atmosphere being so at ease just by his touchs.

By him. Because of him.

"...Thank you...Tintin..."

He hear your weak voice,sounding sleepy and chuckle quietly whispering back:

"Your welcome,[Name]"

___________________________________________

A/N: i honestly have some doubts about this one,but i really did my best here so i hope you like it dear unknow person! The idea was simply perfect and i really hope that i made justice for it. Oh,and don't worry,Haddock punched the guy after,its canon 😌👌🏽. Thank you again for the request! Bye bye!

[pencil-peach]

G Witch Onscreen Text: Episode 12

And so, we have reached part 13 in my attempt to transcribe and discuss the text that appears on monitors and screens in G Witch (and talk about stuff I think is cool)

This is the Episode 12, the season 1 finale: "Keep Marching on Instead of Running Off."

<< Click Here to go back to Episode 11

Oh, but you'll have to change before you can join me under the cut.

You have to wear a normal spacesuit while reading this post...

Like episode 11, this episode is actually very light on text, (for obvious reasons..) so I'll also spend some more time discussing little things in the episode I think are interesting.

The text on the panel for the EV (Elevator) reads C BLOCK No. C - 6 The EV is arriving shortly.

It also has 3 symbols on the bottom, with one crossed out. It's hard to know what they mean, but my best guess is: - Communication (Which is currently unusable due to the attack) - Multi-Directional (As in, isn't a one way elevator, can go back and forth) - Capacity (In this case, multiple people can use it at once.)

Also, in this scene, Miorine talks about "opening the bulkhead from the control center." What she means is she wants to find the control center so she can open the giant wall that separated her and Suletta. The first thing that both girls thought of doing when they were separated was rescuing the other.

Also, also, the fact that C Block still has some semblance of power despite having been fully disconnected from the rest of the plant must mean that every individual block must have some sort of reserve power system in case something like this happens. I wonder how expensive this place was to build....

I really like the scene where we see Sophie activate Permet Score 4, because I think they put so much focus on it in order to put a lot of things we've seen earlier into perspective.

Up until now, we've only seen 3 characters (other than Eri but she doesn't count) activate Permet Score 4: Nadim in the prologue, El4n in episode 6, and now Sophie.

I think the first thing we can see when we compare these instances is how, broadly, Gundam Pilots have generally been made to become more resilient to Permet in the 21 years since Vanadis.

As far as we can tell, Nadim was probably one of the most skilled Gundam Pilots at Vanadis. (Other than Eri but she's like. cheating.)

Even acknowledging that he hadn't piloted a Gundam in some time (He says as much when he first activates Permet 3), he's still incredibly adept at controlling GUND Bits and nearly singlehandedly holds off the attack by Cathedra. (Thought Wendy's efforts must also definitely be acknowledged.)

When Wendy starts suffering from Permet exposure, Nadim tells her that she can't raise her score any higher

We never see or hear exactly which score she's at, but her Gundam is deactivated by the Antidote, which only works up to Score 3. So she's either at 2 - 3, and she's clearly suffering its effects harder than Nadim, who's also at 3 at this point.

But despite Nadim's clear adeptness at Piloting the Lfrith and his much stronger resilience to Permet, when he activates Score 4, he dies nigh instantly. He doesn't survive longer than a minute.

When Gundams had first been developed, Score 3 was considered the absolute limit, both in terms of what a human could bear and what Gundam tech could handle.

We can see this reflected on the Lfrith itself. When first launched, and up to Score 3, Lfrith's body appears completely normal.

But when he activates Score 4, its entire body glows bright red as opposed to just its GUND components. A sign that its bearing a load it can't handle.

And when Nadim finally dies, we can see its body is also horribly scarred with Permet Burns.

Sophie's Permet 4 scene is a showcase of how Gundam Tech has evolved in the 21 years since Vanadis.

When Sophie activates Permet 4, she's pushing up against the human limit. Her heart is pounding so fast and so hard we can hear it over the music. She says she can't breathe and might even throw up, and unlike El4n, she's not an Enhanced Person. She's entirely unaugmented, but unlike Nadim, she lives.

Gundam Pilots have become more resilient since Vanadis, but also of note is that they've also gotten younger. We don't know the ages of Nadim, Wendy, and Elnora, but they're all clearly adults. In fact, we only ever see Adults piloting Gundams in the prologue. When Prospera realizes Eri reached Layer 33, she's horrified, and I wouldn't be surprised in part because a child piloting a Gundam is just something that had never been done before.

But now, Gundams are piloted almost EXCLUSIVELY by young people. Younger people are raised and trained and experimented on at earlier and earlier ages because it seems that, for some reason, they are just better at being able to handle them.

The tech has also improved much since then. Whenever Lfrith Ur reaches score 4, that device on its shoulder unfurls and activates, and retracts when it goes back under. the Ur and Thorn were built off of the pre-production Lfrith models, and in order to get around its Score limitations, they just added an extra Permet Processing unit to its back to bear the extra load.

El4n is a special case, and his reaction to Score 4 in comparison to Nadim and Sophie stands as a testament to the effectiveness of Bel's Artificial Nervous System. At Score 4, El4n acts more like he's under the symptoms an unenhanced person would experience at Score 3.

All that suffering just to reduce the permet load by 1. How sad.

Anyway, the EMERGENCY EXIT Suletta uses is labaled as an EVACUATION PASSAGE.

It also has the same 3 symbols as on the elevator. If we try and apply the same labeling method as I used on the elevator, then.. -Communication (Offline) -Direction - One Way -Capacity - 1 person. The direction and Capacity make sense, but the communication is a little dubious? Maybe that symbol designates if it leads to an exit or something....

Normally, when Miorine refers to her dad, she calls him "Kusoyaji," which is a portmanteau of "Kuso" (a general swear word usually meaning 'damn' or 'shit'), and "oyaji" (which is a word for father) Calling him a terrible dad, but in this scene after he protects her and she sees that he's critically wounded, she shouts "Otou-san!" instead, which is a more common/respectful word to use for your father. This is localized into English as having Miorine usually call him a "Lousy Father," or something similar, but in this scene she just calls him "Dad"

We also learn a little more about Notrette in this scene, as when Delling tells Miorine to choose the best option of survival and leave him, he says it's what Notrette would do, and that they'd both decided at some point that if anything happened, one of them had to survive in order to raise her.

It's not much, but it seems that Notrette was a very logically minded person, who always looked toward the future in her decisions. I wouldn't doubt that Delling tried to save her, but left without her at her own insistence.

Sometimes I feel as though this scene is paralleling that incident in a way we can't know, and Miorine managing to save Delling here implies that if Delling had tried and not ran away, he could have saved Notrette. But that's just speculation on my part.

There's no real way to prove this, (other than the fact that their voices sound similar) but I've always believed that the closeup of this DOF member we see when they enter the plant is the same DOF member that Suletta kills at the end of the episode.

When Vim launches in the Dilanza Sol, he comments that he worked his way up the corporate ladder by "personally claiming his rivals' heads." It's most assuredly a figure of speech, but um, well.

Like father like son.

When Guel launches in the Desultor, he tries to communicate to the Dilanza Sol, but remember, the comms are jammed, so it returns an error.

After the deed has been done, the network begins reactivating, and we see NETWORK ONLINE appear on Guel's monitor.

This is our first sign that the DOF are starting to run out of time.

I think a lot about this scene. Maybe not in the way you're supposed to think about it though. I just can't shake this idea that Prospera intentionally waited for one of the soldiers to be right in front of Suletta before killing them. She and Godoy had been standing there the whole time, on both sides of the hall. Surely there were better times to have attacked them than when they were right in front of Suletta.

Maybe I'm not giving her enough credit but wouldn't it make sense? She needs Suletta to be okay with the idea of killing someone. Wouldn't seeing her mother do it in order to save her life be perfect for that? Prospera barely comforts her afterward either. She immediately explains to her that if she hadn't done it, Suletta might have been killed, and that fighting can save everyone.

And of course, it's obvious, but I just love the symbolism in this shot. It's so good. Suletta stepping out of the darkness and crossing the line, led by her mother's blinding light, onto the bloody path. It's so good. Such a good fucking scene. Grrggrhgrh

The music that plays during this fight between Suletta and Sophie is titled AERIAL REBUILD

If you haven't already, you should give it a listen. It's genuinely one of my favorite tracks in the entire OST, top 3 at least, and we don't hear much of it in this scene.

During their duel, Sophie calls Aerial REBUILD's face "scary" and says she "liked her better before."

Aerial is no longer pretending to be a machine made for silly school duels, that line has been crossed, and its true purpose is beginning to be revealed.

The truly terrifying thing about REBUILD's GUND Bit Cannon is that we never see it at full capacity. In fact, this one time we see it, it's at its WEAKEST strength. All mobile suits used in Asticassia have a regulation program installed that limits the energy output of their beam weapons. (With this restriction, all energy weapons only produce green colored beams.) Despite being off Asticassia for months now, Aerial NEVER had that program uninstalled, so its Beam Weapons are still at their lowest output. And, Despite That, the beam produced by this cannon is...

This Powerful. It's so powerful, that when Aerial uses it, you can see it have to activate its back thrusters to counteract the recoil.

It's SO powerful, that it completely melts the legs of a Desultor who just happened to GRAZE it ever so slightly.

Not to talk about future episodes here, but I actually cannot stress that it is genuinely a miracle that Miorine forcefully shut Aerial down in this moment in episode 17.

Because, and I mean this with zero exaggeration, Suletta would have ERASED GUEL and SPLIT THE SCHOOL IN HALF if she released the charge on this god damn canon.

Lord In Heaven, Prospera.

TEXT: SUBJECT: Business Correspondence FROM: Peil Technologies To: ELAN CERES HIGHEST PRIORITY

An attack has been made on Plant Quetta by the terrorist orginization 'Dawn of Fold' 2 unidentified MS using GUND FORMAT were confirmed. We will contact you later with further instructions.

This is the email 5lan receives from Peil after the DOF leave. They got that information quick, huh? I wonder how... We also see that he only ever receives Business Correspondence emails from Peil and Course Schedule updates from Asticassia in his inbox. He doesn't have any friends.

And with that, we have completed Ep 12, the entirety of Season 1! Wow...what a ride it has been thus far...

Thank you for coming on this journey with me...!

Whatever happens next, we'll face it together, won't we?

Episode 13. >>

Masterpost.

[greenbirdtrash]

Decided to post some of my clothing analysis of the musical Once-ler. Most of my takes here are outdated (since i didn't had a chance to get acquainted with the script back then, but now i've got a better understanding of some things and the exact timeline, so lots of updated info and the contexts will be added when needed), but some of the listed speculations here are still pretty interesting to think about. It's actually kinda crazy how i came to that, building my own imaginary character profile and the timeline without the chance to watch the entire show, but just from analysing the available photos and the reviews. And the fun thing is..some of my speculations actually fit the story quite well. So..

Part one: Introduction.

[July, 23]

"Again, my conclusions may be wrong because of the fact that I only saw the fragments and photos from this musical, I cannot be completely sure that the slight difference in some of details and elements is present due to a certain story arc or the fact that the "test show" was performed in a different place and with slightly different props, but it's hard not to notice that during the course of events, the clothes of our beloved problematic capitalist change, maybe not as drastically as in the 2012 movie, for example, but this undoubtedly plays an important role in his development as a character (especially considering that we are looking at a stage adaptation with its own nuances, but more on that later) and reflects a certain kind of changes that he goes through in the process. Why is this so important? I'll try to explain.

Working with perception through colors and shapes is one of the most basic things in design that always works, and even being in some cases comically exaggerated, it remains effective because a person somehow always builds a certain association based on the things they saw. Like, we look at the warm green color, and it immediately reminds us of leaves, etc, etc.. Long story short, the aspect of different clothing, colors and patterns on a character who's going through different phases will be very important here. I saw someone else pointing the same thing out in one of the reviews, can't remember which one tho. Anyway, my huge thanks to Rob Howell for giving us all these amazing designs.

What I always loved in stage performances of all kinds and the theater as a whole concept, is the fact that you won't find there such thing as "narrow cinematic frame" in which you can just remove or cut out everything that simply "does not fit" into it, oh no.

In stage performances and musicals, the whole color extravaganza of the stage and the carefully carved environment will talk to you (yes, talk!), and actors are required to do much more than just show a certain face at a certain moment. Nope, it's completely different here, and most of the theatre actors are just built different as well. Spent some of my best years near them, that was an amazing experience. Anyway-

Being able to play simply with with your voice and face is not enough to be a good actor here, especially considering that even if you're lucky to have the most magnificent facial expressions......they are not particularly visible even from the middle rows. Even though most projects and plays are recorded with professional equipment from the close range (mostly for archive purposes), and for some plays you can even get the binoculars with no problem, it is impossible to rely solely on facial expressions.

And here's where costumes and choreography come into play.

So, the costumes...

From what I saw and read, I would say, we are introduced to this Onceler in a pretty interesting way.

At the time of his departure from home in search of a better fate, we are looking at a very ambitious young dreamer who just.. let's say, he doesn't fit into his original environment, neither by his character traits, nor by his ideas about inventions, nor visually. The visual clearly emphasizes this, and I got the impression that among all the green riot of chaotic colorful prints that prevail in his family's clothes, in his tailcoat he kinda looks like a "black sheep" among them, even despite the fact that he shares the same green aesthetic, but his design is not "too much" or hard to look at. In fact, we are still able to spot him even when he's surrounded by his family. According to this adaptation's background, their family is VERY poor, and all they own is an old mill(?) on which they all work tirelessly. Not a particularly wide space for revelry and elements symbolizing prosperity or luxury (yk, tailcoats are quite expensive), so to speak. Things were not going great for them, so perhaps such an expensive thing as a tailcoat in their conditions is some kind of a reference to the guitar of the 2012 version (for which, according to some information available on the web, the 2012 Onceler has been saving up for a long time). Perhaps (and most likely this guess will be more correct) our hero slept and saw himself in a completely different society - with a much higher and richer status [UPD: This guess was partially confirmed after i saw the script, so I will take this as canon. After all, in the stageplay, the young Onceler literally devotes an entire scene to the song about his dream of getting rich on his great idea], and perhaps he also believed that "clothes make the man" and planned searching for glory in the same outfit, I can't tell you for sure, but the fact is that visually he does not fit into his environment at all, he's "an oddball" with his head hovering somewhere in the clouds, and his clothes, among other things, help us draw a imaginary line which separates him from his surroundings and giving us a subconscious signal that he is just different. Not like them. We all faced rejection in one way or another, and we know what not being able to fit feels like, and it also kinda helps us to put ourselves in his shoes, feel his ambitions, and to start sympathizing with him as a character. [UPD: It works really well within the canons of this adaptation, I couldn't remain indifferent to it, and David Greig turned him into exactly that kind of beautifully written tragic deep character that I wanted to see, and at the end of his story, it broke my heart..in a good way, of course.]

Also, there's something really silly about how he looks at the start, he spots the funky striped fingerless gloves (Not the canon long ones, but still..That's a nice touch, every Onceler needs his gloves, and also it looks like he also has a watch on his left arm? Interesting..), some kind of a vintage green fedora, very fluffy green hair, green shirt and green pants with a slightly different "cold" color, brown suspenders and even a bright green neckerchief for some reason, so his green aesthetic is pretty much complete. Idk, his whole look during this phase kinda gives me the countryside vibes, maybe it was actualy intended? Especially considering what his family does for life?[UPD: It kinda was.]

Actually, he leaves the house just because his room and his bed is suddenly rented out for some pennies [UPD: Everything turned out to be much worse and funnier at the same time, he was literally kicked out by his family (You can literally feel their low expectations for him) just for them to take in a random person with "more reasonable ideas", but despite this, all his interactions with the "Bed-stealer" during the first act made me smile and giggle a lot, Small Ed is a great character addition and a pure comedic relief], and this probably becomes his last reason in favor of collecting all of his not very vast possessions and go seek his fate in the hopes that somewhere in this world there will be a better place for him.."

[tame-a-messenger]

oh you're not at all delusional! she totally has a totally different and unique reaction when it comes to damien. with all the girls their dynamic it's always so supportive and they make fun of things together. with chance they bicker a lot but are clearly best friends that think the world of each other (like how they say the most wild things about the other but if someone else comes for one of them they are the first to defend and protect). with shayne it's like they live in their own little world of stuff only they find funny. it's different with damien because poking fun at each other it's their love language. it's not like the other dynamics with her because in those they are usually making fun of something else together. with damien the fun comes from making fun of each other. which for damien on smosh that's a first. this push and pull he has with angela it's not the norm at all with the other cast members. he usually vibes with them and they are all supportive of each other. which is why I think most of us were draw to them in the first place. angela doesn't hold back, angela in fact points at his face and say "you're a idiot" with her whole chest and that makes him delighted because it's said with so much affection.

it's like she already said: she didn't know that being know was her love language until she joined smosh. and what better way to being know than having your quirks point out with glee to poke fun at you while also being said with such love and attention and joy?

(and also their usual dynamic makes the moments where they are united in agreement against something or being sweet and supportive so much more special, not to repeat myself but like you know, the reddit episode did)

These two are something else I'll tell ya.

"with damien the fun comes from making fun of each other. which for damien on smosh that's a first."

I want to say this is false, but I really don't think it is. He's always been a bit ornery but with Angela being even more into picking on him makes his usual dynamic of teasing go nutszo. Nobody at Smosh teases Damien like Angela.

Case in point > "angela in fact points at his face and says "you're an idiot" with her whole chest" this is something she would 100% say, then immediately make sure that wasn't "too mean"

Want a fun similarity/proof Damien is the same way with "being known" aka being made fun of lightheartedly?

Reading between the lines, it's practically the EXACT same sentiment. "Make fun of me about things I ACTUALLY DO"

I want them back even more now...