#It was a very tearful time but i was not very well versed in repairing nor did I have interest picking out piss stained toys

[glitterhoof]

uhm okay IF i had a YouTube channel would u guys watch me maybe. im thinking of showcasing my ponies and / or toy rescues and giving general info on them AND cleaning them up or just maybe i dont know, playing with it!???

[brucewaynehater101]

Grandpa Drake would be a himbo except he looks a little too much like a noodle, he looks like milo thatch but with black hair or a black haired pre serum steve rogers, this does not stop him from absolutely getting into drag down knock out fights at bars when he spots some jerk who is harassing a woman or, even worse, has drugged a drink. And while he may be a bit air headed at times, he is a savant when it comes to pharmaceutical science and the general realm of developing medicine.

Grandma Drake looks like a little music box ballerina, she is small and fine boned and as mention previously, is completely capable of breaking a person's femur with a kick. She is fiercely loyal, incredibly intelligent, and likes to be prepared. She is the type of person to have a full first aid kit, a snack, a bottle of water, and a tire repair kit in her bag ready for an emergency. While she can and will knock out anyone who's messing with her friends or family, she'll try verbally eviscerating them first because she doesn't want to be kicked out of the bar or banned. The majority of the time her verbal battles are won and result in her opponent being in tears.

Grandy is something like a piece of the void of space and stardust in a mostly humanoid shape or sometimes an amorphous blob. They enjoy pretty things and are a noted patron of the arts across the galaxy as well as being dedicated to their duty and to their duchy. The way to immediately annoy Grandy is by being rude to service workers. Grandy developed a crush on Grandma Drake when they saw her dancing on stage. They dated for awhile but Grandy had to return to their planet to fulfill their responsibilities and Grandma wasn't ready to leave earth. The break up was amicable and they were still friends. Grandy fell for Grandpa after they saw how they made Grandma laugh and liked how Grandpa inspired such joy and they both looked just so pretty when they were happy that they felt compelled to ask out the Drakes. They courted both of the Drakes and this time when they asked the two to come with them to space the Drakes figured why not? Janet was all grown up and married after all, Mary was also married and living happily with her beloved, and, as far as they knew, David was dead. They figured they could come back to visit sometime. They left an an emergency beacon with Janet and told her to use it if she had important news for them. Jack accidentally broke it at one point and hid the pieces which is why they didn't return to see their grandchild when he was a tiny baby. Janet found out later when she tried to use it to get her parents' attention regarding their coming grandchild. Jack was on very thin ice for a very long time. (Had Grandpa, Grandma, and Grandy known about what David was up to, the Drakes would have done their very best to kick their son/step son's ass into the next year or hired probably lobo or some other intergalactic mercenary to do it for them since they were getting up there in age. They also left behind a sizeable deposit with a detective agency to continue to investigate Jack Drake every year and give Janet the report just in case. The agency wouldn't follow the Drakes outside of the states so this is one of the reasons that Jack pushed for lots of trips abroad.)

Grandpa and Grandma are the most beautiful beings in the galaxy the eyes of Grandy until they see their adorable adopted grandchildren. Then the grandchildren as well as grandma and grandpa are the most perfect examples of beauty, wonder, and joy in the eyes of Grandy.

Grandma, Grandpa, and Grandy all get along very well with Ma and Pa Kent. None of the Drakes are particularly well versed in the kitchen, they can cook in a pinch but it's not their favorite thing to do, so they don't infringe on Martha's kitchen dominance.

Of course Alfred was in a thruple with Martha and Thomas, personally I don't believe there's any reality where he wasn't.

I can't find the OG posts this is referencing. If I do, I'll add the link back in later ^^

The last point I 100% agree with. Alfred/Martha/Thomas all the way. It makes Alfred's angst even heavier (especially if the three were hiding their relationship from Bruce, and thus the kid never knew Alfred to be another parent figure. He was still considered family, but the change in roles was definitely a transition stage for both Alfred and Bruce).

Anyways, thank you for expanding on the AU some more!!! I especially love the way that Grandy is described. Their form seems so beautiful.

Hmm... In this AU, Dick, Cass, and Tim are Grandpa Drake's bio grandkids. Does the grandparent thruple recognize their siblings (Duke, Jason, Damian, maybe Babs and Steph) as their grandkids as well? I'd imagine so.

Also, have the G.T. (grandparent thruple) recognized anyone else as their kids/grandkids through adoption? It'd be hilarious if they considered Starro as their kid and thus Jarro is their grandkid (not sure how to make that work, though).

I would love to see more adventures of G.T. in space, getting to know their grandkids, and hanging out with Ma Kent and Alfred.

[destielfanfic]

from the inbox, #10

I love to see new asks about post season 15 destiel fics but my answers are mostly the same, unfortunately. The usual disclaimer applies - our blog transitioned to archive in January 2018, during season 13, and our new fic recs drastically decreased.

Hello, could you recommend any plot-driven fics set post-15x20 that are a bit longer and also explore the relationship between Dean and Castiel? I'm mostly looking for something that is canon compliant (Dean dies and goes to heaven in 15x20)

I’ve answered similar asks on our previous from the inbox posts, so definitely check out those. But for the sake of convenience, here are some links - post 15x20 rec lists Happiness isn’t in the Having and Good things Do Happen . These are mostly short fics, but you can always check out the authors and see if they have longer fics. 

This is random, but do you know any fics where Dean starts dating cas because he feels bad? Something like dean dates castiel as a pity date? I've really been wanting to read something like that :p 

This is very random indeed! Especially if that is meant in a post 15x20 setting. I must admit I’m drawing a blank here. 

hi! not sure if this is the right place to ask this (if it’s not im rly sorry!) but can u rec me some destiel fics where like . dean thought they were dating all along and cas didn’t? sorry if it didn’t make a lot of sense! thanks  

And this is an opposite of the previous ask!

OK, guys, since there is huge interest in post finale destiel fics, I’m opening floor for follower recs/ self recs on this post. Please add in reblogs or notes destiel fics that fit these criteria: 

A - longer, plot driven post 15x20 fics that explore Dean and Cas relationship

B - fics where Dean takes Cas on a pity date after Cas confessed his love in 15x18; canon verse fics are preferred but if you have some AUs, feel free to add

C - fics where Dan thought they were dating while Cas had no idea

＊＊＊＊

We have some fic suggestions from our followers！

A - canon verse fics dealing with 15x20

The Blood Curse by Labgeek2002 [M, 32,700 word count]

Castiel has been rescued from the Empty, but the spell used to retrieve him tears a hole in the dimensional wall that acts as barrier protecting Earth from the pull of everlasting darkness. As the Empty feeds off of Castiel's grace to sustain itself, driving him closer to death with every passing minute, Dean becomes desperate to save him. The only way to repair the damage is for Dean, Sam, and Cas to travel back in time to obtain a witch's stone that's in the possession of John Winchester, circa 2002. A twenty-three year old Dean Winchester will serve as their guide as they navigate the tumultuous father-son relationship that transcends time itself before the Empty draws its final curtain.

Beyond This Illusion by tiaevans87 [NC-17, 161,400 word count]

“Are you serious, Dean? Your djinn-dream started with you dying?” Sam asks incredulously from the passenger seat on the way back to the bunker. “Well, technically it started with us going on a hunt,” Dean points out. He licks his lips, jaw clenching. “I mean, there was Heaven, too, and that was pretty cool.” Sam stares at him. “Unbelievable,” he breathes, scrunching his face up in distaste. When Dean glares at him, he holds his hands up defensively and chuckles weakly. “Sorry, man, but that just sounds pretty lame.” He leans back and folds his arms. “It just…I dunno. Kinda sounds like something Chuck would cook up. Just you and me. No one else. I mean, really?” He scoffs, slumping. *~*~* In which some people come back, Cas learns to be human (the right way, this time), Dean Winchester finally realizes that good things do happen, and they all get their version of the post-credits, apple-pie life they deserved. AKA: Screw Chuck's narrative.

B - Dean takes Cas on a pity date

On Labor by a_good_soldier [NC-17, 24,600 word count]

Cas is back from the Empty, and Dean knows how to be grateful.

because he wears cowboy boots by mmtion [NC-17, 65,300 word count]

When Cas comes back from the Empty, Dean has to rethink everything about their relationship, and Dean’s new, post-Chuck duty. He wants Cas to be happy and get what he wants. So, if he wants Dean, then he has him. Dean’s new responsibility is to be the best boyfriend Cas will ever want or need. If that means moving out of the bunker, and not driving the Impala, and letting Cas fuck him, then that’s what he has to do. It’s an easy deal. It should be an easy life. So how come Dean still can’t quite make sense of it?

[somnimas]

ok to summarize briar's verses for now:

𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧: briar is a prominent member of the capital's church, who worships fatuma; the god of fate. despite being afflicted with a horrific disease that causes him to grow wings on parts of his body; he is still valued as one of many important faces of the church. made to live to lofty expectations, he leads the part of it that ensures everything in the capital remains in order. working with lawmakers and corded knights alike to uphold fatuma's laws. briar acts in some small part as a liaison for visitors & guests, and a political voice. though his word is valued little by many due to his unfortunate affliction.

𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲: plotted very heavily with fearnigh , briar is a witch with a rather vague and unclear background. he travels, and offers aid to nobility and the poor alike. but is, unbeknownst to anyone, in a sworn pact with jian. in their bargain he gave away one of his eyes; swapping it for one of his god's. allowing him to see once again. while he does help people, briar also partakes in rather dark rituals, making offerings to his god. whom he loves and cares for dearly. briar is quite unhinged in this one- and considered in many aspects, a villain.

𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐤𝐚𝐢 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥: a strange halovian born without a halo. briar is a dreamweaver, and a member of the oak family; briar works to keep the dream tidy. and reports strange findings directly to sunday. he too was a survivor who came to penacony when the halovian planet was lost. and works now as another pleasant, and welcoming face for the family. though he longs to leave the planet of festivities for good.

𝐯𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞: briar has always been a vampire. his family too, though they'd gone missing quite some time ago. he doesn't really abide by most vampire rules; he can stand in sunlight ( though it's uncomfortable ), he cant eat garlic fine, and a stake through the heart, or decapitation is more or less an inconvenience. due to his family and it's standing, he is often times the target of hunters. but most of them either do not make a second attempt, or never live to try it. he usually chills, minds his own business- and does what he can to keep his ancestral home undisturbed.

𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬: briar is an aspect of dreams, who hails from targon prime. who's sole duty was to repair tears between the physical plane, and the void. to quell the whispers and minimize damage. alas he could not do so effectively, and against any rule telling him otherwise, briar would select a vessel and venture to runeterra. finding that the void infestation is much worse than he realized. at current he travels to each corner of runeterra- seeking tears to seal. and using his power, and knowledge of the void to push back against it's infestation.

𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫: he's a brimhat in this, because ofc he is. using magic to repair his vision, and grant him sight. he is definitely a lot less aggro than many of the other brimhats- but no less manipulative. capable of disguising his hat, and even keeps his eyes covered to avoid suspicion. his goal is the same as the others; to fight against the laws in place, keeping magic as restricted as it is. though there is some personal gain here, against his mother. who held him to lofty expectations as he grew up and trained to become a proper with. it was her abuse, and pressure, as well as his failing vision that pushed him into the brimhat's hands.

𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: briar is a tarnished. i'll elaborate more on this when i can finally decide on what the hell he's doing LMAO. i love elden ring, i cannot stop thinking about it i need to make him in game and run through it.

𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧: a musical prodigy, i take a lot of inspiration for briar from the anime your lie in april. his failing vision as he got older however has not kept him from playing what he can remember, and even his own melodies. instead of making a 'real career' out of his ability to play, briar becomes a music teacher.

𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 ( 𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐮 ): HEAVILY plotted with devilspurs, briar struggles with an abusive mother, and a neglectful father. as well as his family's rather severe expectations of him. he finds comfort in the time spent with his best friend and playing music, that his mother would probably have a heart attack over. eventually briar does form a band, and grows in fame and popularity. making a name for himself that he feels is entirely his own.

[oswlld]

oswlld's media wrap up: the oscars

note: i am trying something a bit different this year, so bear with me as i figure out how i want to format this. i wanted to spend more time sharing what i consume, beyond what i rb, and put my thoughts in one place. ✨ = personal fav

—

The Barber of Little Rock, YouTube (watched on 2/17) A sharp take on the economic injustice in the town divide of Little Rock. Very concise with its message, “A tree is known by the fruit that it bears. So, if I don’t see any fruit, I don’t see any impact. If you have money and you have wealth and you can’t create impact, what’s the point?” — Island in Between, YouTube (watched on 2/19) Loved the updated storytelling of displacement and crisis of identity when COVID-19 is thrown into the mix. I hope the families that have been torn apart due to COVID measures have/will be reunited soon. — Pachyderme, Vimeo (watched on 2/22) The medium matched the tone of the story wonderfully and the pacing was well executed. — The Last Repair Shop, Shortverse ✨ (watched on 2/23, pictured left) SPECTACULAR! Truly shines on every level. The only short that made me tear up in the end. — Invincible, Shortverse (watched on 2/25) The actor who portrays the protagonist is so talented! If he continues to nurture his acting, I can’t wait to see what he does next. — The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Netflix✨ (watched on 3/2, pictured right) I truly believe this deserved the win, it was magical from beginning to end. It makes me want to backtrack and see the other Roald Dahl shorts. — Ninety-Five Senses, DOC+ ✨ (watched on 3/3, pictured top) This one took me by surprise! Beautiful storytelling and utilization of the theme and medium to its fullest potential. Very much worthy of its nomination, bravo. — Ridder Lykke, Shortverse (watched on 3/6) What a delightful way to end the shorts journey. The most unique, original take on grief that left me smiling.

Watched Nai Nai & Wài Pó (review here) and Letter to a Pig last year.

—

Nimona, Netflix (watched on 3/2) I am a simple person, I see those big brown eyes and I buckle. What a wild journey it has been to follow the development of this film and I am so happy for Nate and everyone involved. — Rustin, Netflix (watched on 3/4) One of the very few instances where I really wished a movie was produced as a limited series. I want his story to be fleshed out more, I wanted to feel the full weight of what that march did for him and for history. Colman Domingo’s charm shines in this role. — Elemental, Disney+✨ (watched on 3/7, pictured bottom) If you told me this time last year that this movie would leave me sobbing at 1am, I would have told you you were crazy and to get some rest. What else is there to say that others haven’t said already. I am so happy that the younger generations have this alongside the likes of Moana and Turning Red. — Poor Things, Hulu (watched on 3/11) This was… a film. I did like the aromantic aspects of Bella Baxter and the dynamic she has with Max. Still trying to sort through my thoughts, but the fact that it still can make me think is… something. — The Holdovers, Peacock✨ (watched on 3/12, pictured top) I love me a great ensemble cast and everyone was on the top of their game with this gem. The director, cinematographer, production designer, and colorist work together seamlessly. Fantastic, truly extraordinary. — American Symphony, Netflix (watched on 3/20) I had this film on my radar before the Oscar noms were announced, so I anticipated tackling this movie hoping it was part of the doc category. In the end, I chose to tackle this movie despite its only nom under Original Song. Having tackled the Documentary categories, this would have been one of the weaker ones amongst the docs I’ve seen but still a very worthy story to tell.

Watched Barbie and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse last year; I hope to still catch Oppenheimer and Robot Dreams later this year.

—

Perfect Days, In Theaters ✨(JAPAN, watched on 2/15, pictured right) This was the only Oscar nom that I caught in theaters this year (whereas the majority were on YT/streaming). This movie will hold a very special place in my heart having experienced this in theaters with a great group of people. Wim Wenders deserved this nomination, this is one of his best. — Bobi Wine: The People’s President, Hulu (UGANDA, watched on 2/28) I am so glad I watched this movie. This is a true heavyweight of a film. So much passion, pain, and tenacity. — 20 Days in Mariupol, PBS (UKRAINE, watched on 3/6, DNF) I will be completely honest, I almost made it to the end but could not watch the last 20 minutes. During the Oscar speech, when the filmmaker said he wished he didn’t make this film, I felt every word of that. It is so, so hard to watch but NECESSARY. — El Conde, Netflix (CHILE, watched on 3/8) Of all the noms I had to catch up on this season, this was the only one that landed on mid for me. It is as advertised, a dark horror comedy, but it doesn’t challenge itself. The cinematography was its best attribute. — Four Daughters, Netflix✨ (TUNISIA, watched on 3/23, pictured middle) I’m positive this was the BEST thing I watched this Oscar season. I want to 🎶siiiiiiiiiIIIINNNGGGG all the highest praises🎵. I am obsessed with the way the filmmaker brings us a half step back behind the camera, showing all facets of the story in front of and behind the camera. I want to talk about it more but it’s better to go into this fresh. I’m obsessed, I’m obsessed, IM OBSESSEDDD. — Society of the Snow, Netflix✨ (URUGUAY, watched on 3/24, pictured left) If this movie came out ten years ago, my only wish is that hellsite would have obsessed over these boys the same way we did for all my Les Amis. The cherry on top was seeing that Michael Giacchino composed the score. What a way to end the Oscar watch journey this season.

I hope to still catch Io Capitano and The Boy and the Heron later this year.

—

Trigger Warnings for films mentioned :

INVINCIBLE : su*cide attempt (drowning)

POOR THINGS : medical dissection of the human body, su*cide (jumping)

BOBI WINE : illusions of torture, gun violence, hostage situations

20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL : graphic visuals of war tactics, amputations, child death, panic attacks

EL CONDE : beheading

FOUR DAUGHTERS : allusions to sexual abuse with a minor(s)

SOCIETY OF THE SNOW : graphic plane crash trauma, cannibalism

[chimkin-samich]

Man, these boys better sort themselves before they kill themselves, that's twice now(or will be I assume) that they've self-harmed because of their pain and feelings

Unfortunately the boys are not well versed in healthy coping

Sun having gone thru heavy stress and anxiety during Moons heavy virus stage left him very emotionally sensitive, he is very easily triggered by stressors from having to be active 24/7 and dealing with both rowdy children and abusive adults

His way of coping is heavily self destructive, that wasn’t the first time he had gone after his rays but it was one of the rare times he went that extreme to losing multiple/almost all of them

Usually he only crushes or tears off 1 or 2 and can easily self repair, but for so many, he can’t, his sensors need to be turned off and they need to be sometime yanked out due to how mangled they are

Moon on the other hand is still pretty much adjusting to socializing with others and by default processing his own emotions, he is still infected with the virus which leads to heavy burst of anger if stressed to heavily, but even without the virus in effect, all those years under its influence have influenced his behavior

He has the nasty habit of destroying everything in his view but he’s pretty good at keeping those moments contained to their room

Both of them deal with stress in similar ways but the results vary heavily

Both of them hold in their stress and emotions until the point of exploding, but while Moon goes for realizing his stress on things around him, Sun focuses it at himself

The main difference however is that Sun is more willing to process and accept his emotions, meaning his much more willing to pursue friendships even if he is hesitant to try each time

Moon on the other hand refuses to open up, both out of guilt for his past and fear of rejection, he’d rather stay alone then deal with it again

Which is why their both so distressed at the moment, Here comes Tari after all their lonely years just simply treating them like a person and they have no idea what to do with it, it doesn’t help that she actually seems to enjoy their company more than she enjoys being around other humans

So it’s a bit of a surreal experience for the both of them lol

[sonicstorybook]

The King’s Champion

A SatBK AU where Shadow is the one sent to Camelot and Sonic is the doppelgänger- the one and only King Arthur!

Part: 3/4

Summary: Arthur the Hedgehog pulled the legendary sword Caliburn from the stone, and he became King Arthur, the ruler of Camelot. Shadow the Hedgehog appears in a flash of magic in the middle of his banquet hall, and he becomes Arthur’s problem. As the sun rises over the kingdom, a pre-dawn conversation between both hedgehogs also helps them reach... well, not quite a mutual understanding, but progress is progress!

(Shadow doesn’t know where he is, what’s going on, or why he’s there- but it doesn’t matter. He’s Shadow the Hedgehog, the world’s ultimate life form, and he’s going to play this weird game by his rules.)

Contains: Pre-relationship/platonic Arthadow (Arthur the Hedgehog x Shadow the Hedgehog)!

Rating: G

Word count:   1,820

Note: I figured out the issue! The new post editor. C,: Back at legacy and no word limit- but I’m going to split the last part into another post so I can make another lil chapter header image ahaha.

Also, other characters introduced this part:

Sir Gawain is Knuckles the Echidna! Sir Lamorak is Jet the Hawk! Sir Kay is Scourge the Hedgehog! Sir Gareth is Mighty the Armadillo!

“Sire!” Well, more like broken open, as Gawain’s armored fist tears through the solid wood easily. (Arthur makes a mental note to get the tower and the door repaired.) The knight of the sun runs up to him, a worried frown darkening his face, “Are you well, my lord?!”

“I'm great!” Arthur tries to keep his composure, but he’s still energized from the unexpected adventure. Lamorak, his newest knight, is the first to follow after Gawain, followed by more of his knights. Kay is the very last one through the door, looking bored and unconcerned as he picks at his sharp teeth. Typical. His brother didn’t care about things outside of his area of responsibility, and he knew Arthur could take care of himself. 

Arthur gives his knights a reassuring smile, gesturing at them to lower their weapons, which most do with varying levels of reluctance. Lamorak, notably, does not, but the hawk is too hungry to make a name for himself to ever take a passive role. Most of his other knights seem content to let Gawain take the lead, “Shadow just showed me the most marvelous trick with the wind, ‘Wain! It was like a dream-”

“Is that so?” Gawain glances at Arthur, scanning him quickly for visible injuries, before turning his attention to Shadow. He puts himself between the hedgehogs, standing in front of his king as he eyes Shadow warily, “Where is your cape? Did this churl take it?”

Arthur sighs deeply as Gawain doesn't see him. His knight noticed his symbol of authority was missing, but Gawain didn’t notice the brightness in Arthur’s eyes or the genuine smile on his face. A true warrior and protector, so focused on the potential threat to the crown that he doesn’t realize the crown is fine. Actually, the crown is better than he has been in a long time.

“I’m a hedgehog,” Shadow answers Gawain defiantly with a chilly glower of his own. 

“And what do I want with a rag?” Shadow crosses his arms over his chest, a sign of dismissive self-assurance that has Gawain bristling. Only someone very brave or very foolish would dare face Gawain when the sun is so high in the sky, and Arthur isn’t sure which one Shadow is as he keeps antagonizing the knight of the sun, “Your king is simply careless.”

“How dare you!” Gawain takes an aggressive step forward, slicing the air with his hand in his outrage. Some of his other knights react poorly to the comment, too, making sounds of disagreement as their hands rest on their weapons threateningly. (It’s a pity Guin isn’t there. She’s mastered the art of laughing in her eyes while keeping her expression prim and proper, and she would have undoubtedly agreed with Shadow’s assessment. At least Lamorak, still so new to knighthood and not yet versed in the ways of the court, guffaws as his beak widens in an amused smile that makes Arthur feel like he’s more than just a king.)

“Do not speak to him so familiarly, imposter!” Gawain demands angrily, circling Shadow warily.  In his haste, the knight of the sun did not bring Galatine with him, but his armored fists and legendary strength are formidable enough on their own.

“Imposter?!” Shadow echoes back, offended, baring his teeth in a snarl. He matches Gawain step for step, quills bristling up angrily, “Me?!”

“You may look like Lancelot, but you cannot fool me!” Gawain cracks his knuckles, and stretches his shoulder, telltale signs he’s getting ready to fight, “I will not allow you to try and steal Lancelot’s place! Just like you took the king’s cape, no doubt! You are undoubtedly seeking to replace him as the Queen’s champion!”

“Gawain…” Arthur calls out wearily, knowing that now that he’s worked up, the echidna won’t listen to anyone- not even the king, “He didn’t take my cape, the wind did.”

Gawain, predictably, ignores him since his attention is glued on Shadow.

“You have Lancelot’s face, but nothing else!” Gawain reaches back and lunges forward, fist first. Shadow jumps out of the way, but the force of the wind nearly knocks Kay off of his feet, “You don’t have his skill!”

“Kay-” Arthur starts to call out to his foster brother, but the green hedgehog waves him off irritably as he dusts off the front of his robe.

“His grace!” Gawain roars, throwing another punch Shadow skillfully avoids, although the stone floor isn’t so lucky. Debris flies into the air as several cobblestones burst with the force of the impact.

Shadow doesn’t dodge the next punch so much as he disappears from where it was aimed. “And none of his honor- Huh?!”

Gawain only has a few moments to look confused before Shadow appears behind him in a flash of energy. The hedgehog’s eyebrows are drawn together tightly in a ferocious scowl, and in the blink of an eye, Shadow kicks the knight in the back of the head. 

Gawain’s helmet takes the brunt of the impact, metal meeting metal with a hollow clunk, but the force of it still sends the echidna flying face-first into the ground. It’s deathly silent as everyone seems to hold their breath, surprised and not sure how to react.

Shadow kicked Gawain in the back of the head.

Gawain shakes his head, looking at Shadow over his shoulder with a bewildered expression. The serious hedgehog glowers back at him, half-crouched down like he’s ready to continue the fight. Time has come to a standstill in this long, quiet moment.

It’s not funny that Shadow kicked Sir Gawain of Orkney, knight of the sun and a proud son of Camelot, in the head.

Gawain’s temper and hostility make sense- he’s worried about Lancelot. He sees a stranger with his best friend’s face and immediately assumes it’s Shadow’s doing. Quite a reasonable assumption, given Lancelot’s mixed experiences with magic. Even worse, Shadow is with Camelot’s king now, and is too dangerous an unknown to leave unchallenged. Gawain was simply getting carried away while trying to protect those he loved.

Shadow, for all his stoic indifference, is disoriented and frustrated. He doesn’t understand his new social environment, or realize how his words and actions are seen as provocative and insulting. Well, initially anyway. When Gawain unfavorably compared him to Lancelot, the echidna pushed on the still tender wound of his self doubt. Naturally, Shadow lashed out to protect himself and assert himself as powerful and capable by his own merits.

It’s not funny at all, in fact, it’s serious- Arthur only has moments to think of a suitable solution that keeps Gawain from being embarrassed, mollifies his knights, and somehow protects and restrains Shadow all at the same time. And yet laughter bubbles in his chest because Shadow kicked Gawain in the back of the head for calling him something other than ‘hedgehog.’ Just like he promised he would.

“Arthur?” Kay asks from his side in a moment, although he doesn’t look particularly concerned. His brother has a habit of sniffing out trouble and getting in the midst of it, no matter the collateral damage. Kay’s sharp teeth are pulled into a smile, blue eyes glinting with mean delight, which means he found this just as amusing as Arthur did, “Are you laughing?”

Of course his brother would use this opportunity to try and drag him into this, and make Arthur the object of ridicule instead! Kay’s sense of humor is as sharp and deadly as his green quills, and always pops up at the most inconvenient time.

“Of course not!” Arthur regains his composure quickly, laying a hand against Kay’s shoulder with a strained smile and a subtle glare to convey his annoyance, “I was choking in surprise!”

Kay, as expected, doesn’t look the least bit regretful, shrugging his brother’s hand off with a flippant wave. With a low sigh, Arthur makes his way to where Shadow is standing and Gawain is getting to his feet. He slips back into his royal persona like a glove, “Splendid! I asked you to impress me, Shadow the Hedgehog, and you have not disappointed!”

Arthur claps his hand on Gawain’s back, giving his knight a friendly shake, “Rare are those who can catch Sir Gawain by surprise, and rarer still those who can land a single blow! Particularly when the sun is casting her full blessing on him! You have proven yourself, and I will grant your boon!”

“A test.” Gawain brushes some dust from his pauldron, moving his arm in such a way that his rippling muscles are in full display. The echidna eyes Shadow with distaste, forgetting himself and demanding an answer from Arthur rather than asking, “Boon? What boon?”

Arthur lets it slide with great relief, elated that Gawain readily accepts the explanation without further questioning, “The boon of being given the opportunity to prove his worth in skill of arms, noble deeds, and succor to those in need.”

It’s not an uncommon request, in fact, many of Arthur’s current knights have asked for this same boon. Gareth the Armadillo seems to be particularly moved by this request, likely remembering his own path to knighthood. He exchanges a glance with Gawain, pointedly relaxing his posture as if proving to his older brother that there was no need for hostility. Several other knights follow Gareth’s lead, willing to give Shadow an opportunity to prove himself after his impressive demonstration against Gawain. 

Arthur feels his shoulders begin to relax-

“Strange,” Kay comments airily from the side, buffing his claws against his vest. His eyes are calculating and cold, scrutinizing Shadow in a way that leaves Arthur increasingly nervous. His brother’s voice is cloyingly sweet as he asks, “My King usually extends this boon to every hopeful, young squire who stumbles through the doorway… Not getting stingy, are you, Wart?”

“Sir Kay,” Gareth gives the green hedgehog a disapproving frown, voice cool but calm, “You would do well to remember your place and to hold that sharp tongue of yours.”

His ears twitch as the armadillo smiles in Shadow’s direction, “This fellow does not strike me as patient and forgiving as our king.”

“Hear, hear!” Someone calls from the left, setting off a volley of snickering that has Kay’s quills bristling in annoyance. Arthur does wish his brother would speak a little less loudly and boldly so the target on his back wouldn’t be quite so big. 

“Tch,” Kay sucks air between his teeth dismissively, biting his thumb in Gareth’s direction with a scoff, “Perhaps this Shadow’s request was just as pathetic as yours, Beaumains-”

“Kay!” Gawain comes in defense of his brother, looking over his shoulder at Kay in obvious warning. Much to the armadillo’s chagrin, who felt his ‘big brother’ weighing in on his disputes discredited Gareth’s own deeds and reputation. Gawain would answer back hotly, and this is would devolve into unnecessary family spat- 

“The King’s Champion.”

[arceespinkgun]

I wrote another StarShock fic! This fanfiction came to me in a dream, in which it was the final story in an official compilation of stories about Starscream. When I woke up, I realized I had to write it.

Summary: In the aftermath of an apocalypse, Starscream still struggles to accept that the sanctuary he secured for himself, Shockwave, and Ravage is real. Then, Shockwave comes to him with an important question. Post-canon, G1, Marvel comics 'verse. AO3 link for tags.

Melt Our Defenses, Bring Us Back to Our Senses

The claws of hulking, biomechanical beasts dug into the seams of his frame, tearing him to pieces as he helplessly backed into a throne, on a mountain ringed by black spires that stretched into the dull grey sky. But despite the devastation to his frame, he remained whole, whole enough to be hovering before the Planet-Eater, face-to-face. He had not fled the fight this time. But did it matter, when he was reduced to ashes by a single blast from Galvatron’s cannon, Starscream’s bodiless spark left to plummet through space and time, the corona of his very essence blazingly bright and sparkling with energy? Starscream, despite being nothing more than a ghost, looked down at a puddle of energon that pooled beneath him on the ground. The glow was fading from the puddle, and he could see his own reflection—but something was wrong. His weary optics were deep red, when they should have been gold. That could not be right!

His spectral shape had been upright, but he could feel the cold weight of a floor pressed to his back. His optics flared to life and there was Shockwave, staring down at him. Starscream’s vision blurred, the yellow circle of light above him swimming like heat haze. 

“Interrogative: are you functional?” Shockwave asked. 

Starscream was paralyzed as the ghost of himself fell back into his body, reality rippling before it finally settled. He tried to speak but could not form the words—instead, he wrenched his head to the side and realized he was lying in the hall, beneath one of the Ark’s portholes. He was surprised they had not cracked. Now, he remembered. He was safe, in the heavily-damaged yet functional ship he had spent so long repairing, with the only other people around being his allies. Despite everything, he had survived. “Er, of course I’m functional,” he said. He drew his legs back and pushed himself up off the floor, glancing back and ignoring the surprised welling up within him at the fact that no energon was pooling in the hall. Peering through the porthole, he saw nothing but stars upon stars. It was vast and peaceful enough to make Cybertronians’ status as an endangered species seem like it was not such a big deal.  

Shockwave was standing stiffly, with his one hand on his hip, as if he wanted to pump himself up. It must have been out of habit, because surely he was too “logical” to think his present company was ever going to be awed by him. “Recharging in the middle of the hallway is highly illogical.” Case in point.

“As the captain of this ship, I get to recharge wherever I please! And since I used to be your pilot, it follows that I am your leader as well. You should take your cues from me!” Starscream exclaimed automatically. But he felt a cold dread seeping through his circuitry as it occurred to him that he could not even think back to the shutdown process that had led him there. All he could remember from before he began recharging was walking down the hallway, delivering himself right into the nightmare. Or maybe “hallucination” was a more accurate term. Just being online these cycles felt like being stuck between a paradise where he had achieved everything—almost everything—he ever wanted, and a universe of endless suffering. Which one was real, he could not say. 

Shockwave was still staring at him expectantly, so Starscream threw caution to the solar winds and said, “You know, it’s always like one of my optics is seeing some timeline where… I never broke free, but my other optic’s seeing the timeline you’re here standing in right now.” In some life so long ago Starscream could barely recall living it, he would have been embarrassed to admit such a struggle. But after he and Shockwave had seen each other broken open and lobotomized, and then completely remade, it did not seem so significant.

“Perhaps you would prefer having a single optic, like myself,” Shockwave said. 

Starscream snorted. “Thanks for that,” he said, his words laced with less sarcasm than he had intended. “There’s a solution only your massive intellect could come up with.”

He saw a shadow dart across his peripheral vision, one Starscream had grown accustomed to seeing lurking around everywhere. This shadow was Ravage, who slowed next to Shockwave, then stalked a deliberate circle around him and Starscream, as if trying to push them closer together. Ravage never spoke anymore, so it was hard to know what was meant by the action, but Starscream could understand how words might seem useless to the cassette after enduring the end of the world. What could anyone say after living through that?

Ravage paused to look intently at Shockwave, who returned the stare. They seemed to be locked in a silent exchange. 

“Oh, sure, leave me out of the conversation.” Starscream crossed his arms over his cockpit. 

Shockwave’s antennae adjusted positions several times as he turned back to Starscream. “Ravage reminded me that I must discuss something with you,” Shockwave said hesitantly. “By… keeping certain information from you, Starscream, I have found I have the sense that I am, in a way, lying to you by omission. Therefore, the only logical course of action would be to reveal said information.” Shockwave did not sound frightened, not like he had sounded back when he had taken in the sight of Unicron stellar cycles ago—it was something softer than fear that was making him act all tentative. 

“We’re Decepticons. Shouldn’t you be proud to lie, by omission or otherwise?” Starscream asked. 

“What does being a Decepticon stand for anymore?” 

“Fair point. But why do you care about lying to me?” Whatever the information was, Starscream found he was not worried. If there was anything he could depend on, it was that Shockwave knew their alliance was mutually-beneficial and that he should not turn his back on it. In distant memories of being on Earth, Starscream had told himself it was an alliance of convenience, nothing more, but now…

Shockwave looked down at his hand, which he held in front of his chassis. His hand was closed and he ran his thumb across his fingers, as if to stroke some precious thing he was hiding inside his fist. “I… am unsure, which is why I wanted to discuss this with you.” 

Ravage looked smug, and walked away, giving Shockwave some space.

“Well? Go on, shoot!” Starscream said.

Shockwave took a furtive step forward and it was like Starscream was displaced in time, seeing Shockwave being buffeted by the waves of Earth’s ocean with seafoam sticking to his Decepticon purple frame, back when Shockwave proposed Starscream join him in bringing new life to the faction. “Query: do you know why I saved you from the collapsing Hub?” Shockwave asked. 

“You always did like having somebody to blather at, as much as you’d deny it,” Starscream said. “Or maybe it was because it’s tough to run a ship this big all on your own?” Internally, Starscream was far less confident than his words implied. He had never questioned it, it had seemed only natural to him. Just like how he had ended up going back for Shockwave after trudging across that waste to reach the Ark. Where it had been so cold, it reminded Starscream of all those nights he spent staring up at Earth’s sky, before it had been choked with fallout, when he would gaze upward at the moon and wish he could return home. If only he could have known what would end up becoming of that home.

“Negative,” Shockwave declared. “In truth, I was strangely compelled to bring you to safety. As I’ve contemplated this phenomenon further, I’ve concluded… that I believe this was emotion.” 

“Um. Okay?” 

“I will now proceed to describe the emotion in detail so that you may identify it for me.” Shockwave continued, “Fact: this emotion causes me to be stricken with sensations of enjoyment and a nearly palpable need to ensure your continued safety and happiness. Fact: looking your way and even simply thinking about you are enough to evoke the selfsame emotion even now. Additionally, when I trace said emotion back through time, I cannot exclude the possibility that its origins lie in a time long ago, before Earth, when we worked together as scientists. You were often on my mind, and in fact it was an offhand comment of yours that inspired me to overthrow Megatron. I wonder if this emotion of mine is not a new development, but instead an emotion that, since its creation, has grown stronger and stronger until I could ignore it no longer—” He continued overexplaining, which he often did when passionate or stressed. 

Just like when he had taken the Underbase into his body, that unholy marriage, Starscream felt tingling energy running throughout his frame. However, instead of power overwhelming enough to overload his circuitry in a massive explosion of light, this energy was a gentle warmth. A hazy memory came to mind—the feeling of Shockwave holding him as the last vestiges of the Underbase’s consciousness slipped away. Starscream felt utterly safe with Shockwave, and he hated that he did not hate it in the slightest. And being so safe, Starscream let the realization that Shockwave’s “emotion” was very much requited dawn on him. 

“Interrogative: what is this emotion? You are well-versed in emotion, Starscream. You must be capable of identifying it,” Shockwave said, more firmly, bringing Starscream out of his reverie.

Starscream’s wings were hiked up high. “W-Well, that’s, uh, such a personal thing, Shockwave,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to come to any conclusions for you.”

“Illogical,” Shockwave declared. “You’ve never before hesitated to voice your opinion, especially when you believe I am incorrect or have overlooked an important detail. That is in large part the reason I believed we could rule together.” His voice sounded wistful at the end there.   

Starscream found himself fiddling with his hands just like Shockwave had earlier—only for Ravage to run behind Starscream and nudge him forward. Starscream let out a high-pitched vocalization and then fixed Ravage with a glare. Stuck between a determined Ravage and a curious Shockwave—what a place to be! The worst part of it was that Starscream was not even afraid, not really. Shockwave’s “emotion” for him and the fact that he had cluelessly confessed to the sentiment first ensured that Starscream was right to feel safe with him. But it was ridiculous! Before the Decepticons were founded, they had been on opposite sides of a war, for crying out loud! Except, as another part of Starscream remembered, it had never been personal, and once they had met in-person, all that time spent working together as easily as gears that slotted together just so—

Shockwave came even closer. “Starscream—”

“Obviously it’s love, you fool!” Starscream blurted out. He looked away quickly, out the porthole and at space again. His face felt red-hot. He could not handle whatever Shockwave’s reaction was. It was overwhelming, then, to see that one of the nebulae outside was in Shockwave’s colors. 

After a long silence, Starscream managed to look his way, and saw that Shockwave’s head was bowed, his optic dimmer than usual. His antennae were tilted back. Then, with the quiet sounds of old servos moving, Shockwave’s optic lit up like one of the stars outside, and his chest also glowed faintly—pink, like energon. “Ah,” he said, softly, “that is… logical.”

Starscream’s wings lowered and he smirked, relieved. Shockwave spun on his heel and said, “I appreciate your insight. Now, I recommend we return to the bridge and decide on a new course to plot—” 

Ravage brushed past Starscream’s leg, walking in the opposite direction with a pointed scoff. 

Starscream was left looking back-and-forth between the disappointed cassette and Shockwave’s retreating back, but then raced forward and caught Shockwave by the cable that connected his gun arm to his power pack. “Wait a nanoclick!” Starscream exclaimed. 

Shockwave’s antennae stood straight up. “Why? What is it?” 

“Because you were so curious about that ‘emotion,’ I ought to show you what people feeling that emotion like to do with it,” Starscream said. He let go of the cable, though not before gently running his hand along it. Then, he reached out and took Shockwave’s hand and interlaced their fingers. “You know, I’ve always loved this color. How it’s pretty and pale and transparent—” 

“Do you mean ‘translucent?’” Shockwave asked, while squeezing Starscream’s hand more tightly. 

“Oh, shut up,” Starscream said, without any bite to his voice. “Anyway, it’s also like spilled energon despite all that, and it glows when you use your cannon… it’s the perfect fit for a powerful mechanoid like you.” 

Shockwave wordlessly stroked the back of Starscream’s hand, and their optics glowed amber like warm incandescent bulbs. As Starscream smiled and led Shockwave toward the bridge of the Ark, he was happy to find solace in sharing this beautiful dream. 

[sasorikigai]

❛  i might as well sleep for 100 years or so.  ❜ ( any of their modern-ish verses lmao )

🐝  *  ―  𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑵𝑮𝑬𝑩𝑶𝑩 𝑺𝑸𝑼𝑨𝑹𝑬𝑷𝑨𝑵𝑻𝑺 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺. || @sonxflight || accepting

💥 || They both may be sad strangers in the world full of sorrow and grief; for no one bears a tenth of what they feel. So bitter once was Hanzo Hasashi's grief, yet when his soul screams, his very own body can hear nothing. It must have been his own mindful prison preventing him. A paradox of his own making. While he still internally cries from the depth of his souls to belong, to breath life in sanity, to break free from the prison emotions bestowing upon his heart, mind, and soul - his very existence, he wonders how much further he can run. How much harder does he have to try to escape? How much can he handle? How can he go back in time and change or erase? There may be a realization that the very prison he is running from exists only in his mind and only he can suffocate and conquer this unending spell.

Love has been the prime thing that helped Hanzo suffocate and conquer such unending spell; for it grows in the precious light of his chest, watered by peace and blessed by hope as beauty that will continue to plant the seeds of truth in his soul that enables him to open his eyes. He believes that everything can be within reach as long as he has faith and breathing room in his soul. No longer, he is burdened with the knowledge that all his happiness will lie in the palms of his hands, wrapped tightly between the fingers of a red, bleeding heart. It still may be capable of tearing the very fabric of his being into shredded pieces if it suddenly just decided to, but Hanzo has learned to sew them all back and still embed gold strings that will never tear asunder, lest it crinkles and become imperfect.

It is bubbling up again, that emotion of unbidden rage he will forever harbor to a certain degree which he falsely thought he smothered for good. It may never near the urgency of volcanic activity as he would visibly struggle with such cataclysmic consequences which he still bears in his flesh, heart, and soul, but Hanzo knows, the renewed renaissance of wonder, trust, and love have transformed him to be more mellow and relaxed. The hearthfire of his being burns, as if challenging the plummeted temperature to ameliorate the bone-seeping coldness of the American Northeastern winter. The stronghold of his chiseled arm approaches and embraces Ryou Sakai in all his wholeness; in attempt to break this endless circle of grief, misery, of pain - as if metaphorical blood was staining both of them as gore and brimstone drip.

Hanzo Hasashi could be defined as many things - mostly vengeance, seeking the blood of the kill, capable of ruining any life in destruction and decay - but he has become whole. Complete and wholesome, perhaps more patient and empathetic than ever. The deep timbre of his voice echoes in their milieu, as if it was only meant to be shared in their absolute privacy. They are secluded from all the others, perched atop the chaise longue of the upscale bar they frequent.

"Maybe sometimes you are just really sad about this world, so you are trying to force yourself to feel nothing for stretches of time - and it's just one of the myriad ways your humanity destroys you every day," a shallow exhale, then his fervent lips kiss Ryou on his forehead. Beneath the drifting masses of orange and yellow lights, their silhouettes clump into one, then undulates to separate in afterimages. "While tragedy becomes beauty as our entirety became wasted into masterpieces that could not pulverized... But when does anthropology become a story we tell to make ourselves feel better? The truth always has been - not everything broken can be repaired and not everything broken should be. Just like us." 💥 ||

[atdutiesend]

{ Phobos || Rambling HC }

I've been meaning to type this up for a hot minute and cannot be arsed to put it together all nicely, SO

Everybody has different headcanons about how long the ancients actually live, so the actual numbers in here are very flexible. I'm choosing to say an average lifetime for an ancient is 2-3k years, with adulthood tentatively recognized around 1000. 3k tends to be on the longer side, more expected of a Convocation member than your average citizen. With that in mind, at the time the Elpis shenanigans took place, Phobos and Lahabrea were around 6k, and had very few peers left, if any.

(If you HC the ages to be greater, the intent is for Phobos to be roughly a peer to and not notably younger than Lahabrea, but ancient even by ancient standards. Specific verses may play with this to make him even older - He's seen the raising of three separate Emet-Selchs, so particularly old Selchs will see him proportionately older.)

So why has this bastard stuck around so long? Well, the first Emet-Selch he saw raised to the seat was his spouse. I default to husband, but again, specific verses change this. They married shortly before his husband ascended to the seat, Phobos compelled to propose by an old superstition about not marrying a sitting Convocation member because it was effectively marrying the seat rather than the person. They were a toothrottingly sweet couple in private, and had adopted children almost before the ink was dry on their records, with the intent to raise more together. Part of their vows to each other included an intent to return to the star together, or failing that see the other's final service to the star completed before returning themself.

Much like the current Azem calls friends to aid them on the field, when Venat was first starting out, she sometimes called on the help of fellow convocation members if a mission required their expertise... and a particularly large and dangerous tear in the underworld on the far side of the star required Emet-Selch to seal it. He went without hesitation. Unfortunately, the tear proved difficult enough to repair that doing so saw him dying in the process, body lost to the rift.

Venat was the third person on the very short list of those Phobos declared Thesprotia would not hold, though she was the first given a provisional recourse. Reincarnation was not yet a proven theory, but should his spouse return to him in another life, he would rescind his ban... but neither of them will return to the star until that unlikely event comes to pass.

In some verses, it does, but Phobos was still in no rush to return, preferring to enjoy a lifetime with his spouse after a lifetime without them. And his services would be needed in the aftermath of Zodiark's summoning.

[nevermindirah]

Yitzhak!

is a character! who Gregadiah What-Is-Math Rucka gave us almost no information about!

I've gone through Tales Through Time #6: The Bear and #1: My Mother's Axe with several magnifying glasses and done a lot of googling and taken my copy of the Tanakh off my shelf for the first time since (well, since the last time I needed to read Torah for TOG reasons, which I think was Booker Passover headcanons) and here's the best I can come up with.

In The Bear we meet someone who goes by the name Isaac Blue:

Read on for a lot of comic panel analysis and historical research and Jewish flailing!

So what do we know about this Isaac Blue person?

He's Lorge, he's got curly hair, he's basically a taller version of Joe as drawn by Leandro Fernández (ie an antisemitic stereotype why the fuck did they approve this character design?? and then why did they double down and copy-paste it to Yitzhak??):

He's got a mezuzah on the doorpost of his house in Alaska!

I screamed about the mezuzah way back in January in this post where I (very reasonably) assumed this character was Joe and spun myself a tale about how Booker is still Joe's brother so the mezuzah stays up even though Booker isn't welcome in that house for a century. Bottom line: the mezuzah is a tradition with origins in the commandment from Deuteronomy 6:9 to "write the words of G-d on the gates and doorposts of your house" and evolved over the course of the Rabbinic period into the modern mezuzah we see here.

I did unnecessary levels of google image search to glean absolutely no useful information about Yitzhak’s origins from this panel:

I've decided the variant cover of TTT 6 is Yitzhak because of a panel in My Mother’s Axe, shown here, and what's likely an unnecessarily deep reading of Exodus, discussed further down:

The person at the right of the bottom panel is wearing the same clothes as in the TTT 6 variant cover and has the same shoulder-length curly hair and hairy forearms.

Left to right, the people in this panel are Lykon (I'll never get used to him being white in the comics), Andy, Noriko (I think? why doesn't Andy mention her by name here?), and Yitzhak. Andy's robe has a stereotypically Greek design on the sleeve cuff, and I had to stop myself 10 minutes into a Wikipedia rabbit hole because Gregorforth doesn't think that deep about this shit. The solid clues as to timeline that we get in this panel are:

Andy's iron axe

the presence of Lykon, who Andy first met in 331 BCE

So all we know is that Yitzhak is an immortal, he was a contemporary of Lykon, and he's Jewish.

Isaac is the most common Anglicization of Yitzhak (which in turn is the most common Anglophone transliteration of יִצְחָק‎), and Greg always uses the (transliterated) Hebrew when he refers to this character. Yitzhak is the long-awaited child of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis, the child who G-d commanded Abraham to sacrifice but spared at the last minute. I see what you did there, Gregory.

Why Isaac Blue? This is where I pulled out my Tanakh. According to the New JPS translation, blue is the first of three colors of yarn listed in Exodus 35:6 among the gifts requested of the Israelites to construct the priestly garments for the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Then in Numbers 15:38 the Israelites are commanded to "make themselves fringes on the corners of their garments throughout the ages; let them attach a cord of blue to the fringe at each corner."

And now for sandbox timelines party! Gregadiah gave us ALMOST NOTHING to go on, so I'm gonna make my own fun.

I, like many modern Jews, think the stories in the Tanakh are foundational mythology that are valuable because of how they've shaped our people but that contain some fucked-up shit and either way aren't meant to be a record of historical facts. Modern scholarship generally agrees that the community we now call Jews emerged as a distinct group of Canaanites sometime in the late Bronze Age (cw this video's host says the Name of G-d aloud despite being a religious studies scholar who knows that is not a name anyone but the Temple priests are allowed to say). The first non-Biblical written record of the people Israel is from an Egyptian source c. 1200 BCE, and the Biblical kingdom of David and Solomon was probably an exaggeration of whatever really happened during the Bronze Age Collapse. We start getting into historical-fact territory a few centuries into the Iron Age:

588 BCE Solomon's Temple destroyed, Babylonian exile begins

538 BCE Cyrus of Persia allows Jews to return to Jerusalem

515 BCE Second Temple construction complete

332 BCE Alexander the Great At Something I Guess conquered Judea, beginning the Hellenistic period of Jewish history — 331 BCE Andy & Lykon find each other

167 BCE another jerkface Greek king desecrated the Temple and basically outlawed Judaism

164 BCE recapture of Jerusalem and Temple rededication during the Maccabean Revolt

70 CE destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans, beginning of the Rabbinic period of Jewish history that we're still in now

What if... and hear me out... what if immortals come in pairs, and the pairs are:

Andy & Quynh

Joe & Nicky

Booker & Nile

LYKON & YITZHAK

What if Yitzhak was a priest of the Second Temple? What if he and Lykon killed each other just like Joe and Nicky would in the same city around 1300 years later, but instead of enemies-to-lovers speedrun with an absurdly long happily-ever-after, when Lykon died permanently Yitzhak decided to separate from Andy and Noriko and become the hermit we later see in Alaska?

We don't know how old Yitzhak is compared to the others, only that he was a contemporary of Lykon at a time when Andy was using an Iron Age version of her mother's axe. Other plausible origins for him:

a Jew of the early Rabbinic period, maybe a child or grandchild of people who were still alive before the Second Temple was destroyed

a Judean of the Second Temple era under the Romans or Greeks or Persians, maybe a priest, maybe not

an exilee in Babylon, maybe of the generation who got to return, maybe of the generation who was exiled (he doesn't look like he was 50 at his first death but who knows, he could've been mortal for both)

an Israelite of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, maybe a priest of Solomon's Temple or again maybe not

an Israelite wandering in the desert with Moses

THEE Yitzhak, ben Avraham v'Sarah, our patriarch who was brought up for sacrifice and then spared, and then spared again, and then spared again, and again, and again...

or! he could also be a Canaanite or other Levantine who predates the people Israel, who at some point in his very long life chose to join our mixed multitude, who like Andromache before him (and like Avram and Sarai would in this case do after him) took a new name to reflect the magnitude of influence this people has had on him

Why do I keep saying Yitzhak might have been a priest? It's thanks to the one detail in the artwork I could plausibly connect to solid research without getting a PhD real quick. Take a look at the gorgeous detail on the opening of his robe in the TTT 6 cover. He's dressed in rags, holes and dirt everywhere, rough stitches probably from hasty repair work — except for the neck opening. Compare that to this description from Exodus 39:23 of the construction of the priestly garments for the Tabernacle: "The opening of the robe, in the middle of it, was like the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding around the opening, so that it would not tear."

The next verses describe the intricate designs for the hem of the priestly garment. Yitzhak's ragged garment looks like the hem was torn off entirely.

Am I overthinking this? Yes I am! You're welcome!

My friend and historical research hero @lady-writes​ is in a Discord server with Gregadiah and asked the man himself some questions about all this. He clearly thinks he's being sneaky?? No shit Yitzhak is Jewish, dude, I want DETAILS!

I will not be giving up my Jewish Booker headcanon, I've put too much thought into it by now, the internalized shame of antisemitism explains Booker's depression too well for me, and it just adds so much richness to Booker/Nile both being children of forced diasporas. Fortunately (for him, not me, bc I'd do it anyway!) Gregothy supports fan headcanons even when they're not in line with his own:

One last thing before I close like 100 research tabs and go back to writing historical fantasy and/or porn! I love that, despite that atrocious caricature of a face design, our canon Jew and our fanon Jew are both Lorge and Soft and Kind, flying the face of the antisemitic stereotype of Ashkenazi Jewish men as small and weak, but also not falling into the New Jew / Muscle Jew stereotype that Zionism created. (I am trying SO HARD not to talk about Israel/Palestine for once ughhhhhhhhhh) Anyway here's a (US-centric but very good) primer on both these stereotypes of Jewish masculinity. Is this why I'm forever projecting my transmasc diasporist feels onto Jewish Booker the service sub? 🤷🏻‍♂️

I’ll reblog a second version of this with full image descriptions so that there’s a version accessible for folks who need IDs as well as a version accessible for folks who get overwhelmed by walls of text.

[nevertheless-moving]

thanks again to @dykerory and @willowcrowned for this genius au. this is an incomplete collection of very specific set of headcanons/daydreams i had about a tangential version of your au that made me emotional in the middle of the woods. whenever you feel the time is right, i’m very eager to hear your og version on the ‘but obi-wan, tho!’, because i admittedly pushed this one’s resolution really far chronologically because i wanted batman to be involved.

continuation from here

note: my understanding of dcu is as sporadically informed as my understanding of the gffa. 

newly graduated clark kent gets his first journalism job and starts settling more and more into the superman thing. the rest of the justice league has been around but his entrance onto the scene is the one that really inspires the various heroes to actually start coordinating to deal with the weirdness magnet that is dcu Earth. Clark is in his early 20s. Anakin is in his late 30s.

He’s been living on Earth, without the force, for nearly 2/3rds of his life. He has a close knit circle of friends who were kind to him even when they thought he was just a weird and crazy emo cult victim (the gradual increase of public encounters with aliens and superpowers sparks some awkward apologies, Anakin at 38 just waves his friends off, smiling and changing the subject, neither confirming nor denying his high school ramblings of spaceships and magic. it doesn’t really change anything).

He lives an hour’s drive from smallville, and runs a successful auto shop. people travel from pretty far to check out some of his more wild and specialized motorcycle abominations. makes enough money selling them to rich idiots to fund his free auto-class and auto-repair programs for impoverished communities.

It took a while but he eventually came around to the idea of helping people without physical force (ironically, this is happening around the same time Clark is coming to the realization that he can help people with physical force). Generally respected as a pillar of the community. When people start to realize how profoundly weird he is as a person in a number of inexplicable ways, someone will generally pull them aside and quietly whisper that he was in a cult at a child, no one really knows much about it except that it’s what inspired his anti-modern-slavery work, which is a little telling. Not married. Was in a long-term relationship for like 9 years. It didn’t end well but no-one knows the details.

Has several cats. 

He’s- wistful but settled. He’s been through a lot of therapy. He meditates every morning and night, clearing his mind and examining his emotions in the way Obi-Wan taught him. He thinks Obi-Wan would be proud of him. He know his Mom would be.

Once he gets used to the idea, he never really stops loving the concept of learning just because. Duel bachelors degree in in african american history and american literature, masters in engineering, masters in astrophysics a phd in theoretical physics, another phd in medieval folklore. He’s worked a lot of jobs. 

He was already pretty well versed in astronavigation back at the temple. Over the course of his time on earth, he gets more educated in earth astronomy and physics. With is increased knowledge, his theory for ‘how did i get here’ shifts from slight hyperdrive miscalculation, to big hyperdrive miscalculation, to some sort of hyperlane incident. he realizes that none of the stars he knows are familiar in any NASA database. He must be beyond wildspace, which helps him let go of the last bit of hurt he felt that Obi-Wan never found him.

Then he really learns physics- and- light doesn’t exactly work like that right? He thought it was just primitive Earth understanding but... he gets a phd more or less accidentally, trying and failing to disprove that the speed of life is constant constant.

Get’s another even more accidentally, explaining how alternate universes might form if we assume slightly different universal constants. He publishes his thesis anonymously around the same time metas are becoming a household term, and at least one science journalist speculates on it and how alternate universes might explain the increasing prevalence of wildly different superpowers. He doesn’t claim credit for the honorary diploma awarded to the unknown theorist- he doesn’t want to risk drawing any attention to him and by extension Clark, who’s alien differences are far more of the ‘military experiment interesting’ variety then his.

He stops tinkering with Clark’s ship. He finally gets how it works. Now that he realizes how FTL travel has to work in this universe, tinkering with the mechanical generation and harnessing of the massive quantities of energy necessary to do is startlingly familiar. But it doesn’t matter. No matter how far and fast he travels, he’s never going to be able to get back to the life he used to know. 

Perhaps this is what being the chosen one actually means- he’s meant to live a life without the force, so that when he returns to it in death he’ll be able to somehow...educate? the force? maybe?

Ok, he’s not great at the metaphysical spiritual side of things, but he does accept that going back is out of his control, and he’s doing good here, even if it’s not galaxy altering.

Despite all the therapy, he never doubts that his early life was real. He has his saber and deep, deep down he can feel a spark in the kyber. He can’t do anything with it, but it’s there. There’s also pieces of the utter wreck that was his ship in the cellar, next to the sleek unblemished pod that Clark arrived in. Shortly before Clark becomes Superman, he asks for his help in melting down his old ship to make unearthly alloys. 

He’s not surprised when Clark tells him he met a ‘real’ ‘magic��� user- it stands to reason that considering how relatively easy it is to convert energy from one form to another in this universe (Clark can fly), at least one kind would bend to sentient willpower in a similar way as the force does.

It’s still a little nervewracking showing his lightsaber to someone new for the first time in a decade. Zantana scrutinizes, bewildered. 

“There is some sort of power locked within, but it’s unfamiliar to me,” she admits finally. “I could probably brute force it and force the energy to release itself, but it would likely destroy the container.” Anakin politely refuses. 

Later, after the justice league’s formation, Clark mentions to J’onn that he has a friend who might be able to work on his ship. J’onn is extremely doubtful when he’s brought to a bizarre autoshop in the midwest that looks half-like a roadside attraction. Anakin sighs and digs his hands into the guts of the craft, muttering incomprehensibly and yelling at clark to melt down some pieces from the special scrap pile. A few days later he explains the patches he’s done to an impressed J’onn. When he asks how a human came to learn such things, he’s absently informed that,

“I used to work in a junkshop in Tatooine. All sorts of ship parts came through.”

“I’m unfamiliar with this world.”

“Tell you what, if you ever meet anyone who’s heard it of it, send them my way, and I’ll make your next repair free.”

“Oh! I’m afraid I don’t have any earth money...”

“Ugh, of course you don’t. it’s cool, capitalism sucks anyway and everyone’s entitled to free transportation, regardless of the area they happen to live. I do ask that if you can’t pay for the repairs that you spend an equivalent number of hours either attending one of my free auto classes, or volunteer at a community-led charities of your choice, here I’ll get you a pamphlet-”

So the Martian Manhunter becomes a weekly volunteer at a Midwestern Food Waste Reclamation Facility. J’onn J’onzz ends up becoming Anakin Skywalker’s friend well before he becomes comes truly comfortable around Kal-El. For a telepath, 39 year old Anakin’s Jedi orderly mind is a soothing relief.

(again, Anakin has spent far more time meditating on Earth then he ever did at the temple. Before all this, spent five years dutifully memorizing the Jedi way even as he struggled to live up it’s basic practices. For the first few years on earth, religiously practicing every meditation technique Obi-Wan ever taught him, thinking obsessively about the philosophies he never had time to really process, is just a desperate attempt to reconnect with the force, prove himself worthy of it. But even after he gives up on ever touching the force again, he keeps up the practice, he can’t release his emotions exactly, but he does find peace. The tendency to stop mid-rant to earnestly pronounce made up zen bullshit and then sit quietly for an hour before picking up on his tirade again as though there was no interruption is one of the things many things people find profoundly weird about him)

Kal-El doesn’t stop asking new aliens and dimensional travelers if they’ve ever heard of Coruscant, or Hutts, or the Jedi Order. Anakin might have given up, but Superman remembers his older brother scrubbing away his own tears to focus on helping Clark calm down enough to touch the floor again. The more the Kryptonian’s powers developed in alarming ways, the more Anakin set aside talk of missing his home galaxy. Anakin might have claimed it wasn’t like that, but Clark was determined to take every chance his increasingly weird life threw at him, no matter how vanishingly small.

In the middle of his first battle with Braniac, Clark starts insulting his incomplete database. The world collector pauses, demanding a more precise explanation. Clark complies, giving his best technical description of Coruscant’s cityscape, Tatooine’s binary star system, and so on. Braniac is so distracted that Superman recovers completely from his kryptonite poisoning and easily saves the day.

Neither the lantern corp or the denizens of the neutral zone have the answers. Superman doesn’t mention it it Anakin, but he never stops looking and listening.

“How did you even meet that guy?” Flash asks curiously after stopping to say hello on one of their after work laps of the country. 

“Aliens among us support group,” Kal-El responds deadpan. 

“Oh. Wait, what? He’s an alien? I thought he was from the future or something! You’re messing with me. No way that’s a thing. How many people are in the support group? This is a joke, right?”

“Sorry, most of them aren’t out and I don’t want to violate their privacy- a lot of them have high profile jobs. How do you think I met J’onn?”

“SUPES I’M FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW YOU’VE GOTTA STOP”

Anakin is just sort of vaguely known by a solid chunk of the super community as ‘that one midwestern zen space mechanic’ and no one really questions it because everyone’s life has just gotten so goddamn weird. A few of them know he used to be a space wizard of some kind. Space wizards now being a regular hazard of life on earth, no one has reason to doubt this, and it’s as good an explanation as any for Anakin’s general vibe.

well. almost no one doubts this. Batman does not simply accept Anakin’s general bullshittery without carefully investigating and drawing his own conclusions. He does not share these with anyone.

But one day Clark- this is well after Superman became Kal-El to him, and not long after Kal-El tells him to call him Clark- comes up to him and asks for his help finding about an alternate universe. Knowing and dreading where this is going, Batman stalls,

“Shouldn’t you be asking one of the league members who regularly travels between universes?”

“I have, over the years,” Clark admits, awkwardly scuffing a boot on the floor of the cave. “But no one’s familiar with the exact one I’m looking for, and I thought since you’re a detective, and also one of the smartest people I know, you might be able to help me...”

“You’re an investigator yourself, and you can survive the vacuum of space,” Bruce shoots back flatly. “I’ve told you before Gotham is my priority, and this has ‘personal project’ all over it.”

“Come on, B, please,” Superman pleads, trailing Batman around the cave like an overgrown puppy. “In a few months it will have been 30 years! He’s my brother! Just let me see the research you’ve already done!”

“Who says I’ve already done research on your brother?”

Clark shoots him a look. And Bruce concedes the point with a grunt.

“I’ll need need to talk with him first,” Bruce finally concedes. “Bring him by the cave. Take the-”

“Take the tunnel entrance, I know, I know,” Clark agrees with a grin. “This doesn’t mean he’s authorized to know your secret identity. Thanks Bruce, this means a lot. I’ll ask him tomorrow about his schedule.”

Superman flies off and Batman scrubs his face with a gloved hand. After a moment he pulls up Anakin’s file on the main monitor. Bruce honestly respects and likes the man, as much as he respects and likes anyone who’s not family. He admires his sense his style, appreciates his upgrades to the batmobile, and is impressed by both this civil rights work and his additions to the scientific community.

That doesn’t mean he’s not convinced that Anakin’s brother is a bit insane. Again, he’s not judging! He dresses like a bat to scare random henchmen and beat up actual demigods! He wishes his rogues gallery was as capable of directing their ptsd-inspired delusions and staggering intellects towards such productive pursuits!

Bruce was already in quiet awe of the Kent’s ability to raise an outrageously superpowered being without blowing up a chunk of the country; their success in derailing a supervillian origin story just puts him over the edge. He stares at the three most likely profiles he’s pulled together. Christen Jones, from a negligent family, death certificate filled out suspicously sloppily at age 3. Earl Lucas, went missing at age 9, both parents dead in a violent assault. And Jake Hayden, who at age 5 disappeared along with the rest of his family in a seismic accident later linked to Luthercorp.

Anyone of them could have suffered on the streets for years and coped by establishing an elaborate fantasy world, aided by self medication, only to eventually be picked up by the Kent’s and start healing. Certainly Anakin had the intellect to create worlds in his mind. All his rogues were smart enough to create their own little realities in their heads- it doesn’t mean they were actually reachable. 

Unfortunately Anakin had a Kryptonian younger brother who was determined to actually find the space wizard knight homeworld, even as the 'Jedi’ in question had slowly moved away his reliance on the delusion as an adult. Batman really didn’t see any way bringing up his conclusions to Anakin or Clark could possibly be helpful, and so many alien allies had a ‘If you find about the Jedi please contact Kal-El of Krypton on Earth’ pamphlet that it would be excruciatingly awkward to try and discretely correct anyone.

Bruce was not looking forward to this conversation.

[starry-skies-116]

Incorporating Song Lyrics Into Character Development- "I Got No Time"

The first one’s obvious:

‘I got no time, 

I got no time to live,

I got no time to live and I can’t say goodbye,’

These lyrics are probably referring to the fact that Evan (CC/BV) had a falling out of sorts with his siblings very shortly before his death- always arguing with Michael, even his relationship with Elizabeth slowly deteriorating as the mental conditions of everyone in the family worsens.

All he was left with after that was a flat out broken heart.

‘I got no time’ refers to the fact that he felt like he hasn’t had any or enough time to truly live and experience life as a normal, happy individual, evidenced by the dream he chases- a future with his family, a normal, happy future of a happy life. He wishes for his innocence- his humanity, his dignity, back, and Gregory feels as though the only way he can have his life back is to have his family and home back.

‘And I can’t say goodbye’ is self-explanatory- he regrets not apologizing and saying goodbye to his siblings, even though he sucks at goodbyes and doesn’t want good things in his life to end, even though he understands that transience is inevitable.

‘And I’m regretting having memories, 

Of my friends, who they used to be,

Beside me before they left me to die,’

This lyric line seems to convey a feeling of personal betrayal lacking hatred- conflicted feelings, if you will. ‘Of who they used to be’ conveys nostalgia for simpler times- of carefree days of family, of friends, of when tragedy had not yet struck and all was well and mired in the mist of innocence and bliss. When Evan was still happy and intelligently shameless and without a care in the world. Before everything fell apart.

His ‘friends’ refer to a broad category of people whom he holds dear to his heart- his siblings, his parents, his plushies, the acquaintances he made at school, et cetera. Perhaps the personality change from bullied, quiet crybaby child to a badass and no-nonsense fighter with idealism and unbreakable spirit to boot was inspired by a desire to right wrongs, and to fix betrayals and broken relationships.

I mean, listen to that last line in the Fredbear Cutscene- ‘You’re broken.’

Maybe his desire is the desire to fix broken things… especially himself. So many wrong decisions, so many arguments, so much tears have led up to this point. What kind of a monster has he turned into in the process of trying to avoid them?

How much has his heart broken beyond repair?

‘And I know this is, I know this is the truth,

Because I’ve been staring at my death so many times,

These scary monsters roaming the halls, 

I wish I could just block the doors,

And stay in bed until the clock will chime…’

Fear, these song lyrics convey fear of the monsters, of the things that haunt him, and of the unknown. Evan is a child, so he feels helpless in the face of these nightmares- he originally didn’t have a plan to deal with them, imagine his panic then. He came from nothing- he felt like nothing. The nightmares symbolize his feelings of helplessness- of hopelessness, of not being in control of his own destiny, of his own worth and his own thoughts. This part of the song represents his darkest fears, his deep-rooted sadness and deepest regrets.

‘I have this urge,

I have this urge to kill!

I have this urge to kill and show that I'm alive…!’

This, by contrast to the previous verses, highlights the festering hate and rage hiding within Gregory. While he is very melancholy towards past memories and a future that never happened, and possesses strong love towards his family and friends, he is cruel, hateful and dissmissive- downright ruthless and draconic towards those that pose any threat to him, almost always acting on violent urges.

‘-and show that I’m alive’ signifies, again, his lack of self-worth, dignity and discipline. He is entirely self aware of his violent actions and his evil deeds, and yet he does such things anyways because he feels they are necessary to prove the worth of both his life and all he loves out of spite and undying devotion. Gregory/Evan is no coward, and he never, EVER stops fighting for what he believes in- however, that belief is fueled not only by idealistic, dreamy love, but by pure, unadulterated rage towards all those who hurt him. Who pushed him aside. Who disregarded him, never even thought that he existed.

‘I'm getting sick from these apologies,

From people with priorities,

That their life matters so much more than mine!’

Again, highlighting his own anger at people’s blatant infantilizing and patronizing of him and his struggles in his past life, and a desire to prove himself and his value in this one by finding his family and ‘fixing’ his life.

‘But I'm stuttering,

I'm stuttering again,

No one will listen and no one will understand…’

This may be an allusion to occasional doubt in his goals- occasional questioning of his ideals- however, his broken pride and broken heart always come back to spite him and force him to not accede to such pushback due to his immense grief and internalized rage and sorrow. In that hateful daze, he slowly begins to lose all sense of humanity in the process of ironically chasing his humanity- his dignity, his dream of family and home back together and happier than ever, always and forevermore.

‘Because I'm crying as much as I speak,

'Cause no one likes me when I shriek!

Want to go back to when it all began…!’

First two lines could be alluding to Gregory’s toxic and artificial need to remain ‘strong’ due to past bad memories of him being teased and bullied whenever he cried or complained, or had emotional outbursts. ‘Want to go back to when it all began’, again, alludes to a deep longing- a primal hunger for happier, simpler days.

‘So my flashlight's on, and stay up 'til dawn,

I got this headache and my life's on the line!’

Alluding to how Evan fought the nightmares consistently, avoiding them instead of tackling the problem head-on with brute force and simple, tactical intelligence, like he under the moniker of Gregory does.

‘I felt like I won, but I wasn't done…

The nightmare repeats itself every time!’

This line references how Evan fought the nightmares repeatedly, being lulled into a false sense of victory only for his fears to rear their ugly heads in front of him again. For his life as Gregory, it could be alluding to a false sense of joy when he realizes he’s been given a second chance at life via some miracle, only for his joy to quickly fade when he realizes the tumultuous environment around him, and the journey he has to embark on to seize and realize his destiny and fulfill his dream.

‘Got to keep my calm, and carry on,

Stay awake until the sun will shine,’

Again, literal need being ‘survive until 6 AM’ as Evan fighting the nightmares, metaphorical need being both Evan and Gregory needing to stay calm and persevere despite his circumstances and his harrowing anxiety and pain eating away at him alive, tormenting him and making him suffer every waking second.

‘But I'm not so strong, and they're not gone!

They're still out there to take what's left of mine!’

This line highlights the despair of Gregory/Evan, acknowledging his limits internally and breaking down in secret, expressing disdain and sorrow at the fact that the nightmares, the things that wish to hurt him, are not yet gone, and are still trying to hurt him, trying to take away his life- trying to take away his family, his only chance, what little he has left after such tragedy that scarred him so deep (C-PTSD).

So he picks himself up, and continues to carry on. And despite everything, he endures.

And he shall always endure.

[archived-zombbean]

Yoooo do you have a post somewhere about your Gotham sona's info?

I have an official post on my RP blog but I can put it here! (I'm debating on removing the tattoos on the ref sheet tbh, but I'm not sure yet X'D)

Name: Sona Bean Xueen

Height: 5'0

Weight: 200lbs

Blood Type: B+

Education: Associates Degree

Which Batman Verse is she from?

My own universe called "Death's Child" I take a mixture of my favorite versions of Batman villains, and heroes and mix them.

Relationships:

Victor Zsasz (Sexual and Romantic)

Edward Nygma (Sexual and Romantic)

Jonathan Crane (Romantic)

Oswald Cobblepot (Friend)

Harley Quinn (Friend)

Waylon Jones (Friend)

Jervis Tetch (Friend)

Harvey Dent (Friend)

Victor Fries (Familial)

Pamela Isley (Friend)

Jim Gordon (Very rocky friendship; He would jail her if given the chance.)

Background:

Sona grew up in normal comfort for the first ten years of her life. The daughter of a low tier mafia henchmen, who ran a red light district building by the name of the "Bucking Bronco" where anyone could get their rocks off for the night, for a price. Her father was a man by the name of Jeorge King.

She was spoiled rotten, but never seemed to quite understand that she was. Clothes, toys, treats, and the like were given to her freely, even by men and women her father worked with. She was happy.

However, one day it all changed. She became ill.

Everyone at birth is scanned in this universe. When you are, it's determined what insurances will cover you, what surgery will be allowed to you, and how expensive treatment costs would be. Sona had contracted an easily curable illness, however her scans at birth showed that she stood a 5% chance of contracting said illness. Treatment was expensive, her father's insurance wouldn't cover the cost, and he began to seek out ways to get money to cover it.

This was the first step into a dark era.

Her father began stealing money behind his boss's back, trying to hit up places that wasn't on the list, and even began selling drugs and illegal weaponry to rival gangs.

One night when Sona was asleep, she awoke to gunshots in her living room. Scared the, now thirteen year old, girl walked down the hall and into the room to see three men in black over her fathers body, a bullet through his head. She held in her scream, her voice a whimper between her fingers. But their ears were sharp, and their voices like venom.

"Hey there little girl," one purred, advancing on the young girl who could only cry, "It's okay... I'm not gonna hurt you... okay well, that's a lie... you see your father's been very, very naughty~ Which means you have just as much to pay for as he does, you know? No hard feelings~"

That night the screams that ebbed from her lips were muffled by the rough assault of her intruders. It ended with a bullet to her gut, in hopes she would suffer as a final 'fuck you' to the King line.

As she lay in a mess of blood, sweat and tears, she choked back her whimpers. It wasn't fair. None of it was fair!

She got up, shaking on her hands and knees, crawling over to her father's corpse. She shook him, desperately trying to wake him, but to no avail. She shook harder.

"Please! Please.... dad, wake up! Please.... I... I need you... I can't.... I can't breath..." she felt blood in the back of her throat, but she refused to die. She had to live. She had to!

The memory is a blur, but that day she was rescued by a young man. A police officer of all things. Peter Gordon. She was alone. She had a decent amount of wealth left behind by her father, an inheritance of sorts. she had to change her name. Leave the old behind. They'd find her if she didn't. So she changed her name to Xueen.

It took six months to repair the damage. She was told she would never be able to have children, but it didn't seem to phase her. She didn't care about starting a family. To hell with what little future she had left. What she craved was revenge.

Revenge came on her 16th birthday. After a few years of underground training, paying hired guns to teach her to use high caliber weapons, and pistols, she finally shot her shot. The men that raided her family home and murdered her father died at her hands. She shot out their knees, broke elbows with sledge hammers, gutted one and slung his entrails over another, she pulled eyes from their sockets, used adrenaline to keep them alive for 48 hours. When the screams finally faded, she sobbed. She finally killed the people that murdered her father.

She had no purpose. She was still going to die. It was just a matter of how long it would take until she died.

But a thought occurred. Those three were just following orders. They were just pawns on a much larger board. There was still a king to overthrow. Her hands clenched into fists, and a snarl laced her lips. There was more to do. She had nothing to lose. Death was already at her doorstep, might as well greet him with an open hand.

She no longer feared death.

Sona invested in stocks which only served to increase her wealth, but by this point her illness had progressed to the point of no recovery. If she'd just gotten the treatment as a child, it wouldn't have progressed this far. She was eighteen.

She hired her own group of thugs, her own gang beginning to form. But they weren't quite up to snuff. She needed someone with more experience in killing... someone who wouldn't hesitate. Someone who would be loyal, and follow her every command. She was getting sicker. She needed someone to be her weapon when she was unable to lift one herself.

A few weeks later she hears of a serial killer. Very proficient. Very lethal. He's taken out a few of her men already, so she dared to see just whom this man was.

And it was then she came face to face with the mass murderer himself. A man decorated in scars along his arms and chest, a sadistic smile trailing over his lips. His eyes had a murderous lust to them, but she could only smile back. He was perfect.

"Hello there, my name is Sona Xueen. Did you know you've been causing me a lot of trouble lately?" she hummed, resting a hand on her chin.

The man advanced slowly his curiosity piqued. Why wasn't she afraid of him? Why wasn't she running?

"Hmm..." he looked her over, a glimmer of a knife in his hand, "Aren't you cute~ what would bring a vulnerable, sweet, young woman all teh way out here~?"

She grinned even wider, "I have a proposition for you... you work for me, you get paid, and you get to kill more than just junkies and my men for a living... work for me and you'll never have to live in filth again! You'll be able to live out any perverted violent fantasy you set your sights on!"

He paused, glancing over the other, then at the knife. After a long train of thought he tossed the knife to the side.

"What'cha got in mind boss?" he chuckled, a dark tone to his voice.

"How does targeting corporate heads sound? They've been very, very naughty, and I think it's about time we send those pig headed shits packing," she smirked.

The other's eyes widened, "A challenge~? I like it!"

"What's your name?"

"Victor. Victor Zsasz,"

She was twenty one.

She now stands at the epiphany of her career. There are ten corporate heads that need to roll, and five have already crumbled. There are five left to snuff out. She grins at the thought. The thought that her revenge will not only satisfy the violent lust in her stomach, but that there will never be children that are forced to go through what she had. Parents will never have to suffer losing their children. Parents will never be forced to resort to extreme measures to ensure their safety and well being. People won't have to die over a system designed to kill them.

She coughs. Her chest hurts. A pain shoots through her entire body. She's surprised she's lived this long. Perhaps it's spite? Or anger? Perhaps it's her wanting to live just a bit longer so she can spend time with the friends she's made along the way.

She feels a hand on her shoulder as she's lifted into a strong pair of arms. It's Victor. He wears a goofy smile as he always does around her. She lets out a satisfied sigh. For now everything is okay. For now everything is normal. One day she'll die. One day Victor will make sure that he's the one to do it. He's vowed. He's promised.

She's somehow made it to thirty.

That's basically everything I have on her so far! I have a few comics planned to go into detail of her relationships with some of the rouges she's closer to. Like Victor as her lover and weapon, Riddler as her informant and occasional sex partner, Mr. Freeze as her father figure, Penguin as a very dear close friend, and her strange friendship with Jim Gordon because of his father saving her life. There's a lot of puzzle pieces I'd rather fill in with art and pictures rather than story format, but I hope you enjoy her lore!

[brooklynboysficrecs]

Ria’s Top 10 Canon-verse Fics

So, I’m a little surprised I’ve held off on doing this particular Top 10 as long as I have, if only because this does cover the majority of stucky fics that have been written. It also contains some of my all-time favorite fics, which I will be screaming about below. You’ve been warned. But anyway, this is getting down into the nitty-gritty of why I love stucky -- the original ‘verse, with the original storyline (although there are a fair few canon-divergent fics in here, I’m sure). Pure, unadulterated Steve Rogers loving Bucky Barnes. What more can you ask for, honestly? You could ask for it to be legit canon, but lmao, no, we don’t expect things like that, especially not from the MCU writers. Also, some of the fics I might’ve included in this list are recced in an ask I got a while ago, so go check that out for some mostly-canon angst. Regardless, here are my personal Top 10 canon-verse fic recs:

1. Ain’t No Grave (Can Keep My Body Down) by spitandvinegar. Alright, buckle up friends, because this is the end-all, be-all of my favorite stucky fics. I have reread it probably four or five times in the four years I’ve been in this fandom, and it hits me just as hard every single time. This is canon-divergent post-WS, where Bucky’s come-down from his Hydra conditioning is accompanied by a drug addiction and two smart-mouthed kids he rescued from the streets. Steve literally loves nothing more than he loves Bucky and he is determined to bring Bucky home, kids included. There is just -- so much I love about this story. I can’t possibly fit it all into a little blurb. But this is my favorite stucky fic, hands-down. It’s a must-read if you can handle the incredibly sensitive topics it covers, which means it’s not for everyone. But it has my highest seal of approval. 

2. Perilous Underside of the World by eyres. I reread this recently because I was in the mood for both angst and badass Bucky, and this delivered in spades. Steve’s been kidnapped and held captive by Ross for months, tortured and experimented on, and it as devastating as it sounds. Cue Bucky and the rest of Team Cap coming in for a rescue mission and an adrenaline-filled adventure through the Antarctic wasteland. The summary says it all, honestly: Steve throws a snow-mobile at a helicopter in this one.  

3. Steve Rogers at 100: Celebrating Captain America on Film by eleveninches, febricant, hellotailor, M_Leigh, neenya, tigrrmilk. A lot of fics are enhanced by visual media, usually some type of fanart, but few are incomplete without it -- this fic is one of them. It’s a look through in-universe media depictions of Captain America over the years, with real-life casting and amazingly done posters for the movies. The various Avengers are there to react to it all and it’s nothing short of glorious. 

4. Came Back Haunted* by Brenda. You guys should know how much I love Brenda’s writing, since I waxed poetic about it when I was doing the rec for Prince Charming, but I’m going to say it again: I love her writing. And this is yet again another fic series that will tear at your heart and stitch you back together again. It features, among other things: Bucky and Thor friendship; a road-trip; dark Steve; and bearded Steve! All good things. It’s been a while since I’ve read this, but I’m pretty assured there is much angst to be found here as well, plus the requisite happy ending, because, as previously mentioned, I don’t do unhappy endings. 

5. Tender is the Ghost* by Hark_bananas. OH WOW. Okay. So. I started reading this series right before the second part had been published, and I just. Fell in love with it. The first part is set right after Bucky turned himself into SHIELD, and it features Steve and Bucky re-learning about each other (and themselves) through a closed door, considering Steve isn’t allowed to see Bucky face-to-face. And the second part picks up once Bucky is ready to go home with Steve, and it’s. So sweet. Bucky and Steve recovering, together, and finding love along the way. Bucky loves plants. What more could you ask for?

6. Infinite Coffee and Protection Detail* by owlet. I think this is probably one of the most popular series in this fandom, and for good reason. It’s Bucky setting himself a new goal after the fallout of Project Insight, and that goal is a protection detail for Steve Rogers, well before he has his memories to back up the need for such a thing. Bucky and Steve don’t get romantically involved until much later in the series, but their friendship is a thing of beauty in this, as is Bucky learning how to be human again, through coffee, grilled cheese, and The Olds, the elderly neighbors he comes to care for while he’s watching Steve’s back from across the street. I adore this series and I think most people would be hard pressed to find anything they don’t like about it. 

7. The Blood Will Dry by castiowl. There are clones in this one. It might be the sci-fi nerd in me, but honestly that’s enough information to hook me already. But this fic is a fantastic, gripping read from start to finish, and the clones are only a part of that. It’s another fic that written right after The Winter Soldier came out, and so it has a lot of the hallmarks of that era: Bucky dealing with his conditioning, coming back to himself and Steve, Hydra-hunting missions, some kidnapping, unfortunate throwbacks to torture, and Steve having to figure his own shit out right alongside Bucky. 

8. To Stop My Mind From Wandering by Lynchy8. This one is a little shorter than the other fics on this list, but it’s still one of my favorites, and for a much different reason than the others. This is Bucky and Steve separated for the majority of the fic, with Bucky taking up residence in Steve abandoned apartment while he’s off being Captain America and also looking for Bucky. Bucky does home repairs for Steve. Steve broods and worries. Bucky heals on his own terms and it’s lovely. And the ending is very sweet when Steve finally does come home.

9. despite the threatening sky and shuddering earth (they remained) by praximiter. AKA The Mask Fic. Which. Jesus Christ. This should’ve gone in with my angst fic recs, because this will hurt you, in the best possible way. Bucky’s mask doesn’t come off, and so there’s no pivotal moment of realization for Steve, no hellfire determination to ensure Bucky survives their fights against all odds. But he’s saved regardless, and the rest of the fic is the team trying to communicate with him, learn his story, all while Bucky can’t speak and the mask physically cannot come off. Like I said, it’s a recipe for Pain, but the pay-off is more than worth it, in my opinion. 

10. waiting for the winter by coldhope. Also just recently reread this one, and I loved the progression of Steve and Bucky’s relationship here as well. It also has Bucky befriending all of the Avengers, not just Natasha or Sam; getting to see from other characters’ POV how their perception of Bucky changes as the fic goes on was so interesting, since it’s not something I’ve seen done in many fics. Which also might be a personal thing on my part, who knows. Anyway. Good fic. Steve and Bucky don’t take forever to figure out their feelings, but they do take a while to get on the same page with each other, which should surprise absolutely no one who has ever read a stucky fic before.

*series, not individual story titles

[bag-of-broadway-snacks]

My Cats Non-Replica Pt. 1

Here, for your viewing pleasure and no body’s request, I give you- My ideal Cats non-replica production. Now complete with drawings that make eyes bleed!  This is a part one so stay tuned and let me know what you think for 2! (Also this is long as fuck sooo)

Overture Okay, so this production is heavily based on my ragdoll au idea from very long ago. Basically, the production takes place in a little girl’s bedroom. During the overture, we see the girl who own’s the room in front of a curtain, playing with a rag doll version of Munkustrap. As the overture ends, the girl’s mother (double cast as Grizabella) moved onto stage and gestures for the girl to follow. So the girl sets her doll of Munkustrap on a chair and moves backstage. Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats So the curtain lifts revealing the set. We can see large window in the background (with functioning curtains). There’s several things around the room, a bookshelf, a toy chest, a lamp, a doll bed, a teapot, a fallen over hat, and a play tunnel.

Next to the toy chest, there’s also a chair, a bigger replica of the one we saw in the overture. Slumped over on the chair is Munkustrap, sitting seemingly still until his cue. On his cue, he perks up, looking a cross between the usual cats make up and a rag doll. He gets up as many other cat/toys appear out of various corners of the room. Before singing ‘Are you blind when you’re born?’ Munkustrap looks to the window as the curtains open, revealing a large moon in the background. Prompting the Jellicle ball. The rest of the song continues as normal. (Because there aren’t changes, the naming of the cats progresses as normal) Invitation to the Jellicle Ball So this song continues normally, Victoria dancing her solo before Misto starting up the song. In this version, I imagine the little girl will be shortly going on a trip and is allowed to bring only one toy. The Jellicle choice is to decide who will go with her. The Heaviside layer in this case being the outside world. The Old Gumbie Cat To start off the night, Munkustrap begins singing the Old Gumbie Cat, this time however, rather then a car Jennyanydots enters through the toy chest. Misto going over and undoing the latches before lifting the lid with magic. Jennyanydots is half swaddled in a large, leopard print blanket thats extremely fluffy but limited in movement. During the Gumbie Trio’s first verse she has her normal interactions with ‘The mice’ on the side of the stage. In the background, the other cats are scattering toys and paper across the stage in chaos. During the Gumbie Trio’s second verse, Jenny turns around and is shocked at the mess the others have made. Ever orderly, she throws off her blanket to reveal a leopard spot dress and a tiger stripped apron. The tap number in this case being replaced with a choreographed clean up of the room. With Jenny’s ‘Cockroaches’ who are clothed with tissue paper wings, pipe cleaner antenna, and big glasses for eyes. Once the room is clean again Jenny thanks them and the song ends.

The Rum Tum Tugger This one may be my favorite. So as Jenny’s number trails off she continues to move about the room and tidy things up. She goes up to a tipped over tea pot, preparing to put it upright before the lid is pushed off, causing her to jump in surprise. Out of the tea pot comes Rum Tum Tugger, a particularly fluffy rag doll. He looks very similar to his replica design with a few differences. His spots are more obvious and patchy looking, giving us the idea that he’s even worn and repaired with leopard cloth by the child’s mother. Around one leg his tied a pink ribbon and his ‘belt’ is actually a girl’s hairband he’s been dressed up with. He’s also wearing a black biker vest that most likely came from a doll of some sort. He runs around the room, riling up the others with his flirting and generally causing his usual chaos. In this world he’s extremely popular, being one of the owner’s favorite toys. Of course, all the fun stops abruptly as Grizabella appears, crawling out from behind the bookshelf. Grizabella the Glamour Cat

The cats quickly scatter as Grizabella approaches. She’s a beat up toy, ragged with stuffing sticking out in different places. She’s been chewed on by a couple dogs after venturing out of the room to try and find a different place. The scene mostly progresses as normal, everyone shying away from her, the kittens trying to get close but being warded off by the elder toys. Munkustrap shows no emotion but does gently gesture for Griz to leave before things get worse which she obliges, slowly walking away while her song is song behind her. Bustopher Jones

The mood quickly lifts as Bustopher Jones arrives! He’s a wind up toy, big because of all his fancy mechanics and not used very much thus looking extremely well taken care off. They all great him as normal, turning over a hat for him to sit on while presenting him with different plastic foods for him to eat. They even use a sock as a napkin for him. However the atmosphere of fun is broken quickly as the hear aggressive shouting in the background. (Which is the  distance voice of the girl’s older brother) they scream Macavity before running for the hills, hiding in various places in the room. Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer  As the stage empties, a large puppet theatre is wheeled out. We hear Rumpelteazer’s laughs before the theatre curtain opens, revealing two stringless puppets, Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer leap out of the puppet stage and begin their number doing a healthy mix of acrobatics and tearing around the bookshelf, tossing books around and making a show of stealing things like pens and one sock from a pair. Rumpelteazer is wearing a plastic bracelet as a necklace of sorts. They cause their usual mix of chaos before being found out by the rest of the tribe and chased onto the toy box for the next number.

Old Deuteronomy  The next song begins as normal, cats pointing out they sense the Jellicle leader and Munkustrap beginning the song with Tugger and the others joining in later. Slowly, Old D enters the stage. He’s a large, cat themed baby blanket and was the girl’s first ever toy and is thus a ‘father’ to Munkustrap and Tugger. (Who are the girl’s favorites) He greets the tribe before sitting on the chair to observe the ball. The Aweful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles Okay so this basically goes as normal so I won’t describe what happens so much as the designs. So the Pollicles are the toms. They wear dangly earrings hanging off their ears to imitate dog ears, dry erase marker caps on their hands to make their feet, and plastic baggies for their other feet. The Pekes are the queens. They wear socks with holes on their heads, and mittens and bags for their hands and feet. The poms merely have little pom pom hair ties fastened around their ears. Now the Rumpus Cat is the most interesting one here. He’ll be double cast as Admetus and is a nightlight. He has a big Cheshire cat light up mask and a light up chest plate as well with a big R on his chest. Other parts of him will ideally light up as well. 

I’m going to skip a bit here, all the way to the second act as there wasn’t much of note during the Jellicle ball portion.