#Look all I'm saying is that if you want to be faithful to the lore

[shinobicyrus]

So I have been getting back into BattleTech, recently. Having only ever played a few of the video games, I've been diving deeper into the lore and have just discovered something amazing that many in the modern fandom seem desperate to ignore.

BattleMechs essentially amount to heavily armed nuclear fusion reactors on legs. The more rigorous activity you put a these giant war machines through, the hotter it'll run. This means that, if you are the squishy and vulnerable human who is piloting said 'Mech, you are going to be subjected to very, very high temperatures.

The original, canonical solution to this problem? BattleTech being an IP that dates back to the 80s, your average 'Mech pilot uniform consisted of the helmet that makes the giant robot go vroom, a vest filled with coolant, your skivvies, and not much else.

Examples of this include:

Yes, it's like something out of that Sean Connery sci-fi movie where he wears a weird leather-strap sci-fi thong ensemble. Old school 'Mech pilots literally be rocking in as little clothing as possible for "heat management." I love 80s sci-fi.

Unsurprisingly, contemporary BattleTech lore has explained that in the past there were nice, non-kinky cooling suits 'Mech pilots could wear so they wouldn't cook to death in their cockpits. These suits were considered "lost technology" for a while until they were conveniently rediscovered and began to be implemented again.

Thus, the modern games and fandom have a nice lore explanation for why MechWarriors no longer wear speedos into battle, with some making a point to never mention that such things ever existed at all.

I call those people cowards.

[rubra-wav]

Hello! I saw asks were open and I wanted to drop a request! What if Husk, Angeldust, and Alastor (separate) had a s/o who revealed that they could break deals on their (the collared's) end given some time?

Husk, Angel Dust and Alastor with a Dealbreaker S/O

[Part 2]

A/N: Alastor's is written as purely platonic tho per my personal boundaries

My Hazbin OC actually is a powerful Dealbreaker, so I'm going off of the lore I've thought up on this topic for him haha

I will maybe write a part 2 where reader actually manages to break the contracts rather than just saying they could.

CW: Sfw, angsty asf in places, reference to addiction, mention/reference to violence, Angel's touches a bit more on abuse response/trauma response type stuff, body/ horror imagery in Alastor's (Alastor being the creature he is basically)

Husk

- Husk would not believe you at all at first.

- He would be tending the bar and then stop mid-drying a glass as a heartbreaking hint of hope (the first hope he'd felt in centuries) passes over his face for a second before crumpling and turning to extreme bitterness.

- "That's not funny." He'd growl through grit teeth at you, thinking it was some kind of cruel joke.

- When reassured that you are absolutely serious, he gives you more of a look of almost pity, sighing as if deeply tired.

- He tells you that multiple people have told him the same thing over the years, and that they have all failed just the same.

- All skilled people who were known to be able to break even soul ownership deals wide open.

- The leash Alastor had on him was air-tight.

- He basically tells you it would be a giant waste of time and that you should give up and focus your time on something better then a poor old sinner like himself.

- When you don't back down from the discouragement, he sighs again, but feels warmth burning in his chest at the fact you wanted to help him so badly.

- He's not hopeful, but he wants to have faith in you even if he's trying to discourage you and scare you straight as much as possible.

- He wants so badly to be free so he can be with you without any limits of his commitment to you and only you. To not have to think about whether he's going to be summoned to some bullshit getup again whenever Alastor gets bored of the Hazbin Hotel.

- Deep down he's absolutely desperate for you to succeed in your mission.

- He wants the catalyst for his alcohol problem to go away so he can live and finally actually be happy without the heaviness of his deal weighing on him at all times, making him desperately need the escape.

- He absolutely will tell you very very seriously to not to let this slip that you're doing this to anybody though - or talk about this in a place you aren't absolutely confident doesn't have any certain member of the hotel listening in.

- Husk doesn't think that Alastor would harm you physically over this, that asshole would probably just find it amusing. However.

- Husk's worst fear would be you trying to get him his soul back by signing away yours, something very possible Alastor would offer as a trick.

- He'd be skeptical, fearful of you succumbing to a deal with Alastor, and not very hopeful at all as he's tried time and time again to break the contract on his soul. You are so... optimistic that you'll find a way, but again, his collar is air-tight. You'll have your work cut out for you breaking the deal of someone who's notoriously a dealmaker.

Angel Dust

- When you tell him that, he tenses up with a sharp inhale of breath, a complete 180 from how he just was seconds before, winding down from his night in his hotel room with you.

- Angel's deal would be logically way more easier to break. However, what Valentino's deal doesn't directly hold of Angel, the moth's manipulation keeps him stuck imprisoned under him.

- Angel absolutely would have thought of contacting a dealbreaker, however never actually would due to how terrified he is. If it turned out one of those people were a mole for Val trying to catch him out, Angel would be in so much pain from the punishment that that would entail. You cannot trust someone claiming to be a dealbreaker in hell isn't lying to you through their teeth.

- When he realises you are absolutely serious though, and obviously confident in your abilities, a myriad of harsh emotions pass across Angel's face. Fear (for both his and your safety), and hope made themselves the most apparent.

- Fear of what Val would do to him if he ever found out about this conversation. What he'd do to you.

- Valentino was certainly not above hurting people to get his way. Angel knew that better then anybody. But if Val ever caught wind that Angel's secret lover behind the scenes was trying to steal away Val's biggest money maker and favourite toy, he'd kill you. Straight up.

- That fear was there and was deeply terrifying to him. But so was the hope. A flurry of hope that fills him with relief and brings tears pricking at his eyes at the idea that he could actually be free of his captor and go do whatever you two decide and be fully happy without fear of Val.

- Live with you not as Angel Dust, but as Anthony. Completely his real, authentic self.

- "How." He whispers breathlessly.

- You tell him that you need to see the contract itself, analyse all the ins and outs and come up with a counter-contract.

- There would be a few ways you could actually break the deal from there, and although they would be time consuming and possibly (very much probably) dangerous, you were confident you could break him out.

- Angel would be extremely fearful, but also hopeful. You seem confident in your ability as his contract is messy and poorly crafted. He's reassured as you say that what's mostly chaining him down is the psychological control Val has over him.

Alastor

- When you tell Alastor this, I feel he could respond two ways depending on how you've learnt that information.

If he hasn't told you himself:

- If he hasn't told you this or doesn't know how you've found out, he's going to be absolutely pissed. At you and probably Husk (assuming Husk told you)

- He'd turn towards you with jerky, unnatural movements, bones and joints cracking loudly in a cringe worthy way. Overhead, the lights would be flickering as static begins to fill your head.

- Towering over you, he'd be still bent in that weird position as he grips sharpened claws into your shoulders. Your friendship is the only thing keeping him from making you nothing more then a stain on the wall.

- "Who told you about that."

- When you tell how you've found out, he likely let's out a chuckle dripping with anger that makes you want to cover your ears as the sound scrapes into them. "And what makes you think you could do what even I cannot?"

- He has analysed every single last clause, letter, meaning of the words used, every possible loophole in his contract to the point it's driven him to have multiple psychological breakdowns. To him there is no doubt in his mind at all that he's completely fucked by the contract he was tricked into and there's no chance in hell that you would ever be able to even assist.

- When you push and say that you want to do this for him, he's not even a little flattered at all, in fact, it bruises his ego massively that you'd have the audacity to confidently imply you could do what he's worked so hard to for 7 years.

- In instance one, he's incredibly pissed off at you for claiming you could ever undo his contract after learning about it from someone other then him, so angry he almost kills you. Leaves you alone shaking and afraid in the hall telling you not to say anything to anybody else about his deal, and to never so flagrantly exaggerate your own worth so massively again. Your prior confidence stamped down to embers.

If you are close enough of a person to him that he's confided in you about his collar however:

- He'd just chuckle, calling it cute that you thought you could do that while walking away.

- You miss the way his eye twitches.

- He'd still be incredibly angry about it, but due to not being surprised you knew of his biggest secret, he'd hide it much better.

- Continues to laugh when you insist you can do it, and would passive aggressively respond about how you should not overestimate your abilities and mind your own business essentially.

- Again, he's pissed off and his ego is bruised about it. But this time, he's hiding it behind his smile and is passive aggressive as fuck about it rather then outwardly aggressive. He won't let you know how much you've actually gotten to him even though he would have let his walls down to some extent to ever tell you that.

A/N I was actually already planning a fully written x reader fic that's not just the dot points with Angel at some point where reader saves him from his contract, so like... Maybe I'll do full fics for dealbreaking Husk and Alastor's contracts as well because I'm kind of interested in exploring a fic w them after writing this now

(I'm probably gonna say this then eat shit via the universe straight after lmfao 💀)

[david-talks-sw]

I got a good feeling about "The Acolyte"

Not even kidding. Like, I've spoken before about why I'm wary of it.

George Lucas' Star Wars is something that intentionally has black and white morality, rather than shades of gray. Those movies are meant for kids and projecting a "gray" morality onto them then proclaiming it was George's vision all along is doing so in bad faith.

The narrative of the Prequels doesn't frame the Prequel Jedi in as negative a light as Leslye Headland, Dave Filoni, etc etc do.

See here for more details, but bottom line: yeah, a show that has a darksider as the underdog is bound to demonize the Jedi (who are the actual underdogs in the Prequels), and obviously that rubs me the wrong way.

BUT.

The trailer looks fucking cool. It really really does.

And more importantly? I've done some research... and Leslye Headland is ticking a lot of good boxes, in my book.

1. The Acolyte won't be a 10-hour movie.

I've criticized Disney Plus shows before, explaining that a big source for most of their issues is that these series are being structured as "long movies" rather than, y'know, actual shows.

But in this interview with Collider, Headland addresses that: it'll be a series. Not a long movie that you need to watch across four weeks.

Thank God. You have no idea how much that comforts me. Finally a showrunner who's, y'know, actually running a show.

And this goes hand in hand with what she told IGN, here, about how she's going about building suspense.

Yes! Exactly! That's how it's supposed to be!

Like, compare this to Baylan Skoll's storyline in Ahsoka.

In no possible way was that emotionally-fulfilling. For 8 episodes we had no idea what he was after, and the season ended where we still don't know. What does he want? What is he after? Your guess is as good as mine, it's something Mortis-related.

So yeah. Maybe getting the Emmy-nominated trained screenwriter on board to run this was a good idea.

2. Maybe the Jedi will not be as demonized as I originally thought.

Don't get me wrong. 80% of what she says about the Jedi makes me cringe. It's the typical fan's interpretation and y'all know I disagree with that interpretation.

It's painful to see her refer to the Jedi as an institution (not how the Prequels' narrative frames them) and to see her frame "Balance" in the "oh there's so many of them and just two Sith, that means the Force is out of balance" meaning... but at least she acknowledges the Jedi are a benevolent institution.

They're not an "elitist force hiding in their ivory tower" as others have described the Jedi.

Moreover, there'll be a variety of Jedi POVs, many personalities.

Yord Fandar, is described as a strictly by-the-book Jedi Knight and guardian from the Jedi Temple, is an overachiever and a rule follower.

The question now becomes: will the narrative frame him as "your typical Jedi" or is it just this one guy? I'm hoping it's the latter.

I also like how her reasoning goes re: Jedi drawing their lightsabers.

Which explains the hand-to-hand combat seen in the trailer.

This teenager is coming at Carrie-Ann Moss with a dagger, of course the Jedi won't draw her saber.

3. She's a fan of Star Wars... but a screenwriter first.

You can tell in the interviews she's a fan. She's using words like "BBY" and "EU" casually. In the above-linked interviews she's bringing up the Nightsisters, Timothy Zahn, The Clone Wars, she mentions she has a tattoo of Ralph McQuarrie's concept art of Leia, the High Republic books, etc.

She's done her homework. She's a fan.

But the vibe I'm getting from these interviews is that she's weaving in these various lore-elements in a more organic way, rather than in the "fan-servicey" way Dave Filoni has been doing in his shows.

The references and Easter Eggs will be there, but the narrative won't bend over itself just so you can get it. Crafting a good story comes first, and Andor is a beautiful illustration of why this is true.

Which is why I was never bothered about one of the writers never having watched Star Wars before getting the job. You need those fresh eyes when you're tackling something of this scale.

That makes sense to me. Maybe it's because of my own screenwriting experience, but yeah. That out-of-the box perspective is precious.

And like, obviously, that writer watched the films eventually, but for some reason everyone who bitched about Headland omitted that detail and opted for a more bad faith interpretation.

Hm. Wonder why.

Maybe it's the same reason that months ago this clipped audio circulated socials without context, in which she debates whether Star Wars only came from George Lucas and only Lucas is the key.

The FULL context of that interview reveals that she's actually:

debating the "autheur director" myth and positing that it was achieved by a collective of excellent filmmakers and craftspeople that George was skilled and smart enough to recruit...

the studios now think it's a simple as hiring one guy and throwing money at him, because they have no idea what the fuck they're talking about. See Napoleon (2023) for example.

Yes, she also does a jab to the Prequels, which speaks to the generation of fans she's a part of... but overall she's giving Lucas props whilst also stating an ideological difference, that's it!

George is a proponent of the "autheur" theory, Leslye isn't.

However, guess what, in like half the talks George gave post-selling Star Wars? He's giving shoutouts to everyone who helped make the first film, even remembering their names.

So I'm not even sure he'd vehemently disagree with Leslye, in fact they'd prolly have a conversation about it and immediately bitch about how stupid studio executives are :D

But that's not as incendiary, is it? Again, the more I do the research, the more it feels like the reason most of these influencers are hating on her is purely sexist.

I mean, on IGN she's even acknowledging that she does plan on taking stock of fan reactions for Season 2.

It's not a guarantee that she'll incorporate the feedback, but at least that's more consideration than, say, JJ Abrams or Rian Johnson gave the fandom.

She's even bringing the moral ambiguity that the Gray Jedi-loving edge-lords love so much.

"No, she's a woke feminist! Anything she does is evil! Eww, girls!"

🙄

Needless to say... I'm gonna give it a shot.

I think it's gonna be a good show, I think it's gonna be a solid story.

I'm crossing my fingers that they won't as biased against the Jedi as it seems they'll be. Even if they are... if it's still an enjoyable experience, I'll gloss over it.

As @gffa states in this post:

Worst case? It's not a story from George. I can dismiss it from my headcanon without a moment's hesitation :D

[jewishvitya]

Rowling had nothing to do with Legacy and I think most people forget that. She wasn't even consulted. WB bought the license and the devs did whatever they wanted. "Sirona" is a beautiful, feminine Celtic name associated with healing, and "Ryan" is an extremely common Irish surname. I feel like people are looking for reasons to be offended, especially when it comes to trans characters and antisemitism. The goblins are not and have never been Jewish stereotypes. They're a fictional race. They're based on Tolkien's goblins and old English folklore dating back to the 1400's, where they have always been depicted and small, ugly, and greedy. Rowling herself was shocked by the antisemitism rumors and staunchly stated they weren't true. Just like the rumors saying lycanthopy is a metaphor for AIDS. Just... who thinks of this stuff?

What's really sad is people have argued that Sirona was never meant to be trans, but a male character that the devs rendered to look "more feminine" at the last minute. People have made fun of her voice and said it's "too masculine", so obviously WB just hired a man to voice her and changed her gender later. But that's not true! Her VA is actually a trans woman and the backlash against the character must be devastating to the VA.

Okay, so, I don't think you're here in good faith. You're here to be dismissive. But I'll reply anyway, just in case I'm wrong.

One thing at a time.

I'll start with the one point you made that I agree with: the VA. She doesn't deserve to have her voice scrutinized and criticized. That's horrible, no one deserves that. I did see - and share - the misinformation that Sirona Ryan was voiced by a man, and I regret that. I edited it out of my post as soon as I knew, but this is tumblr and unedited versions do go around. I hope more people will see that corrected, and leave the VA's voice alone.

Now for the mess you threw at me.

Hogwarts Legacy is related to Rowling by virtue of existing within the world she created. It's still her goblins, since she gave her permission to create this, and she let it be added to the canon.

Rowling's world is the context.

I don't care that she wasn't consulted about the details, that just means the other creators are bigots too. When you build within a world that has such large issues, where so much time and effort was devoted to highlighting and criticizing those issues, and you create a story that continues all the problems from the original canon and adds to them - that's a choice that I have a right to criticize. They had the benefit of being a google search away from knowing how to be respectful about all of this, and they did the opposite.

Sirona Ryan IS a beautiful real name, that's not the issue. I already wrote this post where I tried to explain the reaction, but I accept that maybe my feelings about this name come from cultural ignorance. If that's the case, I apologize, and I'd love to be corrected.

My real issue with the game is the antisemitism.

You say "folklore dating back to the 1400's" as if that's far too old to be influenced by antisemitism. Fun fact: antisemitism is older than goblins. Antisemitism is literally millennia old. At least as old as Christianity, which is the root of many antisemitic ideas. It's older than many European mythological creatures, and it infuses a lot of European folklore and mythology, down to the depictions of witches with their pointy hats. Stories about goblins being used as a way to dehumanize Jewish people is not new. And using a fictional race of non-humans as stand-ins for real groups of marginalized people - either intentionally or not - is a very common practice in storytelling. Most fantasy races have those roots to them. But even then, where, in the original lore of the goblins, did they control the banks?

It doesn't matter if Rowling was shocked by the claims of antisemitism and it doesn't matter if she denied them. The reality of her story is that she created an antisemitic depiction. I can believe that it wasn't her intention, but that doesn't mean it's not what she did.

You don't get to look at an antagonistic group that embodies EVERY SINGLE TRAIT THAT WAS ASSIGNED TO MY PEOPLE TO DEMONIZE US and tell me that's not antisemitic.

I already made this list, but let's do it again. All antisemitic traits that can be found in Rowling's goblins. I'll break it down to the original book canon, the movies, and the game.

Books - Rowling's actual canon:

Short, with clever swarthy faces, sallow skin and pointed beards

A guttural language

Ruthless and known for their greed

Pursue someone who owes them money with violent threats

Have cultural differences that make them impossible to trust

Harmed by dark wizard but still suspected to support them

Only worth associating with for their metalworking and control of the economy

She placed a goblin's rebellion in 1612 - the same year as the events that led to the Fettmilch uprising, which resulted in pogroms and Jewish deaths. Rowling stated that wars and political unrest parallel between the muggle world and the wizarding world as the two societies influence each other

The most prominent named goblin character, Griphook, betrays Harry. Harry is a Christ allegory - literally sacrifices himself to save everyone, and then comes back to life

Movies:

Hooked noses - the best known antisemitic feature

A six pointed star in the building they chose for the bank - I don't believe this was intentional, but it's an unfortunate choice and they could have covered it

Here end the parts I blame on Rowling directly. And the game was built on these foundations.

Game:

A historical time frame of pogroms, where our people were murdered in large massacres that often had support from authorities

Explicit ties between the goblins and the dark wizards

Aiming to undermine wizard society - the goal assigned to us in every antisemitic conspiracy theory

Kidnapping of children for their magic - literally just look up blood libel

A character says the goblins can't appreciate art. It’s absurd to say considering the quality and coveted status of goblin-made artifacts. In the real world, this is a claim that was made against Jews by the Nazis (and it targets other groups hated by white supremacists as well)

A ram’s horn artifact that strongly resembles a silver plated Shofar - a Jewish ritual item. Said horn is from 1612, from the same rebellion mentioned above. According to the item’s description, it was blown to rally the goblins and to annoy witches and wizards. It was stuffed with gorgonzola to mute it, a specifically non-kosher cheese (most kinds of cheese are kosher). It's so disrespectful I still don't have the words to fully convey it

Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, those traits became associated with Jewish people as a group through hateful propaganda. Putting all of them on a non-human race isn't better. It just adds to the dehumanization of it. It's not just Rowling's fault. That's shared by every single person who had a hand in the creation of this story. For the issues in the game, I blame the people named here more. I see no reason to extend grace to far-right bigots.

But to focus on Rowling. You brought up lycanthropy. You seem to think we made up the idea that it's a metaphor for HIV. We didn't. She said that. In the ebook Short Stories From Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship, and Dangerous Hobbies - she said that. She said it before that, on Pottermore.

Lupin's condition of lycanthropy (being a werewolf) was a metaphor for those illnesses that carry a stigma, like HIV and AIDS. [...] The wizarding community is as prone to hysteria and prejudice as the Muggle one, and the character of Lupin gave me a chance to examine those attitudes.

This is a quote of her thoughts. It still exists on Lupin's page on her Wizarding World website.

And it's actually a pretty good example of how it's absolutely possible to be awful about depicting a stigmatized minority through a fantasy stand-in.

HIV+ people are stigmatized through no fault of their own. But in her books, it seems reasonable for the wizards to fear werewolves. And she did that, she made prejudice reasonable. We have: Remus Lupin, a named werewolf who is good and kind, and tries to avoid hurting people. Even then, he nearly does cause harm more than once. He turns in front of our heroes and spends a night loose in the forest. He tells the heroes that as a student, he almost bit people while out with his friends. So even while well-intentioned, he's a danger. That means we don't have a single safe HIV+ allegory in her work. The other named werewolf is Fenrir Greyback, who intentionally targets children to turn them young and raise them to hate the society they came from - which is fucking homophobic, whatever she intended, because of the way HIV gets associated with homosexuality. And the rest? A whole community of werewolves who side with the Death Eaters.

Did she mean to make a whole community of marginalized people into wizard Nazis? I DON'T CARE. SHE DID THAT.

I don't care to argue about her intentions while writing the text. I can't read minds. I can read the text she wrote. I can see what was put into the game that was added into her world. I can read about the history of my people and their persecution. I can see how disturbingly similar this game's story is to the propaganda that led to my grandparents suffering through the holocaust and losing their families to it.

If she cared about the antisemitism in her works, she wouldn't just act horrified and say "No, of course I wasn't being hateful to Jews!" - she'd look at whatever she lets people put into her IP, to prevent further harm. I do blame the other writers of the game more than I blame her for that plot, but it's not better that she gave her approval without being consulted. It's her IP, it carries her name, she gets royalties, it's her responsibility.

And at the very least, she doesn't care about antisemitism enough to worry about minimizing harm. I know that, because I know her friends. I know TERFs and Gender Criticals. Rowling saw an anti-trans event with white supremacist speakers, and she chose to criticize the counter-protesters. She went out to eat with Maya Forstater and Helen Joyce, who participated and spoke in events organized by Posie Parker - who explicitly includes far right groups in her events, and shares platforms with white supremacists. Rowling bought merch from Posie Parker. She wrote about Magdalen Berns as a "brave young feminist" - as if she didn't push the antisemitic George Soros conspiracy theory and share Breitbart articles. She praised MATT WALSH. The people she associates with now, read from Mein Kampf in their rallies.

She didn't put the antisemitism in the game, but she's very comfortable with antisemitism. Don't tell me she was horrified by the idea that her goblins could be called antisemitic. She just didn't want the label applied to her. If you willingly associate with Nazis, you're a Nazi. And enough of her friends don't seem to mind that.

I stand by what I said: playing this game, even pirated, is like printing out an antisemitic caricature and hanging it on your wall, saying “well, I didn’t pay the artist, I just like this art.”

[sleeplesssmoll]

HC: Looking at all the promotional art, I believe Sonetto and Schneider would have been friends.

Regulus and Vertin's relationship have a similar same vibe as Sonetto and Schneider's. That friend who drives you nuts but you're a pretty awesome duo.

Vertin's involvement might complicate things but I can see them teaming up on her when she does something stupid or fighting side by side to protect the crew.

If I had to use the lore and context around Reverse 1999 to explain how Vertin, Sonetto, and Schneider's dynamic would work, it'd be a compromise. While others may say Vertin would be the reason they fight, I'd say she's one of the things that draws them together and makes them appreciate each other. Here is how I see it:

Schneider understands what it means to sacrifice and provide for a family. She knows the struggle of fighting against a world constantly taking from you. She and Vertin have a natural chemistry because of these experiences. Sonetto understands this and instead of being jealous (not that she isn't at times but she learns to let go), comes to realize its good for Vertin's mental health. They "get" each other. At the end of the day, Sonetto wants what's best for Vertin.

While there was turbulence in the past, Sonetto's devotion to the Timekeeper is unwavering. Vertin isn't impartial either since we know Sonetto lives rent free in her head from the trails (analysis of this here). Sonetto grew up and is willing to cast aside her faith in the Foundation if it means protecting Vertin. Schneider finds that admirable and its gives her a sense of security. Sonetto is someone she can depend on, which is a big deal considering she's used to being the "rock" in her family holding everyone up.

At first its like "I need to keep you around for Vertin's sake."

But then it turns into "I'm happy you're here."

Vertin's always making sacrifices for people. They'd rather compromise than force her into a position they know she can't handle (no matter what Vertin decides, someone will get hurt).

On that note, they do exist outside of Vertin. Schneider might enjoy telling Sonetto about her home country while Sonetto eagerly listens. Sonetto doesn't know much about the outside world, but she can share insight on the world of arcanum. Its utterly insane and Schneider is amused by this. They teach each other things and also complain to each other about Vertin's gremlin ways.

Moving on, it's possible to have complicated feelings for more than one person. The important thing is deciding on whether or not you want to pursue a future with with them.

I'm about to drop a hot take so hot it could burn you. This is an opinion that ties into my HC. Ok, here I go.

Love isn't just feelings, it's work. You need to put work into a relationship or else it'll fall apart.

There are so many people on this earth. In my eyes it's normal to going to have chemistry or complicated feelings for more than one person in your lifetime.

But you choose the people you love out of the other potential candidates because you see a future with them. It's not about what you feel today but what you're going to feel years down the line so you devote your time and energy to those people in you life. You see something worth fighting for which is why you commit to those people (could apply to all relationships honestly).

That's why I HC Sonetto and Schneider like this. They could move on. Sure it'll hurt, but its not impossible. However, they found someone they want that future with. Someone with a lot of love to give yet asks for none in return, which is really sad tbh. If Vertin's not going to love herself then damn it they will! Maybe its unconventional and sometimes difficult, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth it.

[moominvalley-state-of-mind]

we will never be able to accurately determine what PJO series is the best because of this:

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (PJO)

classic, the first one

Percy is so funny

lots of people got this as their first step into the water (ha ha), so points for nostalgia

look, i didn't want to be a half-blood

Heroes of Olympus (HO (i think))

So many new characters

and they're all so good

the stakes?????

different perspectives

Hazel and Frank

so sad?????? wtf rick

the chosen drink of Mr D.

Kane Cronicals

tbh i couldn't get into this one so don't expect much from this section (so sry, I'm doing my best at reading it)

Egyptian Mythology????? um yes??????

Carter and Sadie's sibling relationship

romance??????? please and thank you

somewhat clean slate

The Trials of Apollo

so funny

Apollo / Lester's growth

Apollo / Lester and Meg's siblingness

Apollo / Lester being a drama queen, bisexual disaster and wet cat all in one

side characters get bigger spotlights (like the Apollo cabin)

Apollo / Lester still having faith in his sister to help him

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

personal favorite <3333

the gay

the representation????? go off Rick Riordan???? um thank you?????

the gay

being dead on like page 50????? you go magnus

the gay

Norse Mitholigy is so good, even if there's not a lot of pre - chritinisation to work off of.

BUT RICK MAKES IT WORK WITH LORE

the gay panic Magnus endures in books 2 + 3

Alex Feirrio

the absolute badass that is Sam

floor 19's relationship <3333

family of empty cups?????? I am crying??????

sry that the Magnus Chase one is so long, just finished my re - read of the series

EDIT: evreyone has their personal best, even if I don't really like kane cronicals, I think If i got around to reading it, I might get the hype that all my friends say that there is

lotsa love, and go re-read your favorite <3

[sepublic]

Finished S1 of Castlevania Nocturne! I gotta say, that one vampire wife of the Marquis who kept his head around was the funniest character in the entire show so far.

In all seriousness, Alucard!!! I was wondering when he'd show up and by the time he did, I'd completely forgotten and thought it was Olrox who saved Richter from Drolta! Speaking of Drolta, she dresses very similar to the Succubus from Symphony of the Night, and even has a similar attack where she spreads out her wings, and sharp tendrils emerge from them; Plus with Alucard being the one to kill her, I'm just gonna treat her as the Succubus. RIP Queen you were a good one.

Does anyone else think Emmanuel is Shaft? He looks like Shaft, he's an evil priest, he's working for an evil vampire, him being human makes him necessary to pull souls from hell. That forgemaster contraption kinda reminds me of that weird orb-thing his ghost fights with in Symphony of the Night...

Speaking of that! Olrox muses on the demon that Emmanuel made a deal with to create that machine, and because of its creator, it's indestructible. Could this be pointing towards Galamoth as the final enemy of the show; He's the hardest boss of Symphony of the Night, Alucard has just shown up, and the two technically fought in... Kid Dracula. Where he was also the final boss for Alucard. The demon might just be Death, but then he's described as an elemental spirit.

I'm also curious as to how Edouard's story will turn out! Between him and Jacques and the Night Creature with a suspicious amount of mouths (as Bathory noted), the show seems to be going back to the whole idea of Night Creatures remembering their humanity and being rehabilitated. Which just begs the question of what happened to Isaac's kingdom of Styria, meant to be a place for Night Creatures to heal? Will we see that come back for Edouard? Isaac was once a slave himself, just as Annette was, so seeing all three come together would be wonderful! It's poetic, as Night Creatures are literally dehumanized slaves, so seeing Isaac, as well as Edouard (someone who helped liberate slaves) resonate with them works.

I wonder if we'll see the Moth Princess from Bloodlines; She's the penultimate boss, and Bathory had her starring role in that game. She looks human enough, but she's probably a vampire, so it'd be easy to adapt her as another lieutenant, especially in the wake of Drolta's death.

DAYUM Olrox and Mizrak! Firstly I'm glad they made Olrox turn into a green reptile monster like in the games... I was joking about the more comfortable place to meet being a bed, but holy shit it actually happened. I love all the references to Olrox's game lore, like his skulls and floating around... Here's hoping we get to see him dramatically unfold his legs in a chair, and then stand up!

I had a lot of fun; Richter was great, Maria was adorable and she is my precious child and I love her so much!!! I love her turtle and I hope we get to see her summon a whole-ass dragon as her most powerful spell, something like that.

I wonder how Emmanuel will go from here, if he's meant to be Shaft; Will he dive into full villainy, or will he be like Isaac, in that his show counterpart will have a happier ending? As Tera said, Emmanuel got his ram; Could it lead to him developing a messiah complex, thinking God rewarded him for his faith? Or will he know better? If he's Shaft, I better see him throw some... *snrk*... balls.

And did anyone else find the Night Creatures in this season to be particularly horny? Like that one moth girl who looks like a monsterfucker's OC, I mean I'm not complaining! Is this just a creative decision by the animators or does Emmanuel have anything he wants to share with the class... It all started with Abel it seems.

AND JUSTE!!! I managed to guess it; The white hair always made me wonder how Juste might be adapted, hypothetically, so it seems the show just portrays him as an old man for that! When he took Richter's whip, I had my suspicions and made the hair connection, it was wonderful... And they referenced Lydie and Maxim!!! Unfortunately it was yet another tragic ending for a Belmont... Man, what happened to the previous season's ending suggesting a happier route, only for us to go back to a "Last of the Belmonts" situation??? At least we got a Sypha shout out!

One more thing I just remembered; Annette's favorite color is Green. I believe that's a reference to her sometimes being depicted with a green dress in the source material? And in-universe, might reference Edouard... I love the connection between Annette's manipulation of metal, and her whole thing of banishing the demonic machine; Here's hoping she gets to pull it off!

All in all, I'm excited to see how things go in the second season! Which will really suck waiting for, but that's the price for quality I'm afraid. Ethical quality at least. But I gotta wait, what other choice do I have? Here's looking forward to how Alucard interacts with yet another Belmont... When Richter almost drank, I could just SEE him become Trevor again and I bet Alucard felt a chill down his spine for some reason.

[beepersteeper]

I Will Always Find You -- Astarion x Tav Fan Fic -- I promise

Astarion and F!Tav live happily together for the remaining years she has, she refuses to be turned into a vampire because her faith says that her soul isn’t finished with its work yet. Tav dies of old age and leaves Astarion to put together the pieces of his broken heart.

AN: Lord of Light lore taken and changed to fit the story's means. Not canonically accurate. TLDR story line stuff. This is an AU where Astarion ascends but isn't a power hungry bastard and Tav is able to help him continue healing. Wyll is immortal and the Duke. Karlach in my mind, if given a new engine would be able to live a lot longer than the usual tiefling. 

“Let me. Please Tav," Astarion begs from his knees on the marble floor. Holding her hands tightly to his lips "let me give you the gift of eternity.” he waits holding his breath for her to respond.

"No Star,” she whispers through shallow breaths "I've had enough time. I've lived the best life I could, done some amazing things. When it's my time to start again, I'm ready.”

"I'm not.” He openly weeps into her hands. The vampire Ascendant, the strongest vampire that has ever existed, moments away from losing the only thing he's ever truly cared about. Moments away from losing her. "I will never be ready.” He urges through his tears.

“You'll find me again. This body has done enough. I need to know what my next role is darling.” She says with a blissful smile. “Just promise you'll find me when I come back.” There is nothing hanging the air around them besides his weeping. Nothing left unsaid, no final things to add. They have shared everything they possibly could. Writing their own love story that could rival those that are written in fiction. He doesn't have the words he wants to say at his disposal. He wants to convince her to stay with him. So he just asks "How will I know? How do I find you?” He sighs, placing gentle kisses on fragile skin on the back of her hands. Admitting his defeat.

“I don't know love, but you will, or I will. We will know. Maybe you'll hear my laugh, or I'll see your face in a dream or smell your scent on the wind. However it happens we will know." She sighs “I believe it. We are destined to be together. But I'm just not ready yet.” She smiles tilting her head toward him, white hair that has lost its midnight color over the years falls around her face “besides you don't want this old crone on your arm for eternity." She laughs

“You are as beautiful as the day I met you Tav” Astarion tuts “is there anything at all I can do to change your mind?”

"There's not, Star." She shakes her head “I can't explain it but I know there's something more for me to do. Once I have that done I will stay with you until the sun blinks out.”

“I…" he pauses looking into her emerald eyes “I will find you Tav. Every time if that's what it takes."

“I know you will." She sighs closing her eyes for longer than Astarion would like

“Tav?!" She shouts in a whisper

“I'm here Star, just so tired." She coughs and squeezes his hand. “Will you kiss me?"

“There's nothing I would like more." He laughs hearing his voice ringing back to their days on the road, all those times she would ask to steal a kiss when others weren’t looking, or when he wasn't ready for any surprise intimacy. He leans down, brushing her hair behind her small rounded ears and gently kissing her lips feeling her warmth transfer to his own. “You are perfect, my love." Cold tears escape his eyes and fall into her hair. “I love you. I will love you forever."

"And I love you more.” She smiles one more time before her grip on his hands goes limp and he hears the breath of her soul leaving her body. 

He runs the pads of his thumbs over her cheeks feeling no resistance at his shaking touch. He screams until his throat is raw. Tears flow freely from his eyes, and he feels his dead heart break. He holds her for a long time, until he feels no more warmth emanating from her form. He made arrangements to bury her next to his headstone, sparing no expense for her, but only having their close friends in attendance, shutting out the entirety of Baldur’s Gate from the ceremony. 

Astarion kneels in the fresh dirt, pressing his hands to the cold stone that bore Tav's full name Tavilline V. Ancunin and imagery of The Luxon. He traced his nimble fingers over the image, parts of him cursing the Lord of Light, part of himself pouring any faith he can into them because they are the only hope he has to see the other half of his soul again. He accepts condolences from all of his companions from the adventuring days and flies back to his palace. When he arrives he burns into a blind rage. When he comes back too he looks around and sees all of the damage he was wrought. Broken furniture, shattered glass, torn fabrics surround him as he realizes he is heaving air into his lungs. Tears still streaming down his face and feeling a breeze on his skin through the torn holes in his funeral best. He locks the door of their- his… their bedroom and he lays in the too-large-for-just-him bed. 

Days pass before anyone sees him in person, and he lets the room be cleaned and brought back to its original state. He has sent word for his workers to send for Wyll, Blade of Avernus to take his place in court. Wyll is the first person to see him since the funeral. They sit in silence for hours in Astarion’s office as he is stacking books and files in front of Wyll.

“I need to get away." Astarion states plainly. Refusing to make any kind of contact - physical, visual, emotional. He refuses any kind of attempt to connect.

“I understand." Wyll responds, knowing his friend is unwell. How could he not be?

“I don't know when I'll be back. Anything you need is here. Deeds, gold, keys, notes and legers. Any decisions you make I will trust." He puts his hand firmly on Wyll’s shoulder, allowing himself this touch. An old friend. The only one he trusts right now. "take care of the Gate. But more importantly, please take care of her.” He whimpers, refusing to cry right now. 

"You have my word Astarion. Everything will be in order when you return.” Wyll places his hand over Astarions “send word when you can. You have people here who care."

“I will." He nods and walks out the heavy doors. He gathers his old daggers and her  crossbow and his old armor and heads out of the palace. Unsure where he's going but he heads out of the gate.

Years pass, decades pass. He finds himself in adventure. He finds himself in years of vast nothing staring at the sky looking for something to tell him where to go. Eventually his travels guide him back to Baldur’s gate. He tried to send letters or messages to Wyll monthly just to keep that contact. Baldur's gate continues in his absence, thriving under Wyll’s control. Wyll reassured Astarion that Tav's grave was well manicured and pristine in his absence.

Astarion, dressed in a dark hooded cloak made his way to the cemetery. Making the walk to his and Tav's plots like something else was controlling his legs. As he approaches their plots he notices a young woman sitting at the base of a nearby tree sketching images of nearby headstones. He sighs and rolls his eyes why someone would willingly hang out in a cemetery is beyond me. He kneels between their headstones sweeping away dust from their names. He feels the tug in his chest returning. Some days the pain is muted, others it feels just as bad as the day he lost her. Today is somewhere in the middle. A dull ache in his chest sits there as his only company. “I'll find you Tav, I swear. I’ve never stopped looking. But I just wish I could have a hint." He sighs tracing her name with his thumb as he would her cheek. 

The darkness is cut through with a lamp accompanied by a stern voice. “Vira! Ta’Vira?! Are you in this bloody cemetery again?" An elderly man lumbers up the stairs as Astarion walks in the opposite direction, still listening, his interest piqued at the conversation. 

“Yes." The woman sighs, pushing her deep black hair behind her ears. “I just can't get this sketch right, so I need to be near the engraving."

“I will never understand your obsession with the first light." The man chortles, helping her to her feet “it's not like the woman buried there will answer any of your questions." 

“I know daddy." She sighs again “but I feel comfortable sitting with her. I can tell she was a peaceful person. I just feel drawn to her.”

“She was one of the heroes that saved our city all those years ago, Vira. She was a pillar of peace. If you feel a connection to her, I suppose there are worse things you could find comfort in. But you need to get to bed to open the shop in the morning.” He ushers her away into a nearby building, a bookstore. 

Astarion listens to their conversation until they are out of ear shot. He leans down to Tav's headstone, kissing the smooth stone. “I love you more.” He pats the stone and walks quickly to the palace. He walks past the guards, who regard him with warmth welcoming him home. Ready to ask where Wyll was he heard a familiar voice from down the hall “Had I known you were coming back I would have made myself more presentable" Wyll joked gesturing to his bedtime clothes "Welcome back my friend.” he offered his hand to shake.

Astarion hesitantly accepts the gesture, he’s made a habit of not having physical contact with anyone. This is the first he's felt in decades. "It's just where I was led” he shrugs "it seems you are doing well.” he forces through a smile.

"Everything in the gate has been just fine in your absence, I only hope I was able to hold things to your standards. But enough about business for the night, let's get you something to drink and we can catch up before business.” 

Astarion shrugs and waves away the notion “I'm full. Am just honestly looking forward to sleeping in a real bed." He pushes his hands into the small of his back to stretch “though I do have a few questions if you'd indulge me.”

Wyll sets himself in a black velvet chair and gestures to a matching one opposite a small table. “You have my undivided attention friend." Astarion asks several questions in rapid succession. Who runs that book store by the cemetery? What do you think about the Lord of Light? What has the court said about my absence? Do you think Tav is out there somewhere? “Quite the array of questions." Wyll hums. “Tav certainly believed that she would be. And with faith that strong who's to say she's not." 

Astarion studies Wyll’s face listening for more answers to his questions. “The court murmerd for a while about me being in your place but when I threatened to recall you from your sabbatical they quieted quickly.” Wyll chuckled remembering the days he spent threatening to send for Astarion to return. Nobody on the court dared to want that after what he had been  through and in the manner he left. 

Astarion nods happily with those answers. “And the bookstore… “ Wyll pauses thinking what store he means "just an old man and his daughter, recently moved back to the Gate. They have made a bit of a stir in the city for selling any and all religious texts, not everyone is thrilled about Bhaals teachings shelved next to the oak fathers but they seem to be doing well for themselves.” Wyll looks to his vampire friend "an odd interest for your first night home I must say.”

"The daughter I assume, was hanging out by Tav's plot when I visited before coming here. They just caught my interest.” He shakes his head implying that it wasn't anything major.

"She's probably intrigued by the engraving on her marker. It's the only one like it in the whole cemetery.” Wyll offers an explanation. 

"Probably.” Astarion responds but feels himself drifting miles away. "thanks Wyll. Do you think you still have a few days in you before I fully come back?”

"Of course, I'm just happy to have you back.” Wyll nods as Astarion retires to his and Tav's room.

[fairfoxie]

In defense of Tinker Bell, Victorian fairies, and other contemporary fae.

Alright I'll admit it. I'm getting sick and tired of the attitude in both the faekin and faery witch communities and their catchphrase of late, being "REAL faeries are NOT like Tinker Bell" and similar sentiments. Mostly by people who fancy themselves to be an authority on the matter.

Look. I get it. You wanna be taken seriously. Or you're talking of the folklores of old, of different faeries, bigger and more dangerous than Tink. And you're right, a lot of fairies are not like Tinker Bell.

Except when they are.

Faery lore appears all over the world and all through time, including the contemporary age we're living in. We bring life and meaning to these stories, and we make new ones, just like people did all throughout history. Why resist that?

There are small, winged, glowing, nature loving faeries out there. There are human fairies who align themselves with these portrayals. There's a place in our communities for ALL types of faeries, not just the ones of the old tales. And there's even a place for your scapegoat, Tinker Bell herself.

It's silly to imagine all the faeries of the world being like the Neverland fairies. But it's also silly to completely deny and fail to acknowledge a whole group of faeries just because you want to separate yourself from the contemporary folklore. To deny the right to existence of the tiny, the winged, the benevolent, the natural, and the imagination, is to drain the magic from our world altogether.

So have a little respect for those who seek out the littlest of the little folk, who see tiny creatures of pointed ears and wings. For those who dream of enchanted forests and glowing revelries. For those who believe that some faeries are just as interested in us as we are in them. For those who are only comfortable communicating with friendly faeries. For those who work with pop culture pantheons, of which Tinker Bell is a vital part.

I guess what I really want to say is, don't let anyone tell you that the way you see things is wrong, or that you or your friends aren't real. Don't let people invalidate you for your folklore-nonconforming views. Know your history, yes, but don't be confined by it, and know that the ancient and the contemporary coexist in the spirit world, where time isn't real. The most valuable knowledge to be had is found out that door, not behind that screen.

And know that whoever you are, and whatever your personal faith looks like, there is a place for you here. Even you, Tink.

[layce2015]

Supernatural (Dean Winchester x Female!Reader)

Are You There God? It's Me, Dean Winchester

Masterlist

*(y/n)'s POV*

Bobby was sitting at his desk with a pile of books in front of him while Sam and I were sitting in a couple of chair in the opposite corner talking to Dean, who is standing. "Well, then tell us what else it could be." Sam said to Dean. "Look, all I know is I was not groped by an angel." Dean said.

"Okay, look, Dean. Why do you think this Castiel would lie to you about it?" I asked him. "Maybe he's some kind of demon. Demons lie." Dean replied. "A demon who's immune to salt rounds and devil's traps...and Ruby's knife? Dean, Lilith is scared of that thing!" Sam exclaims. 

"Don't you think that if angels were real, that some hunter somewhere would have seen one...at some point...ever?" Dean asked and I give him a disbelieving look. "Yeah. You just did, Dean." I said, annoyed, and Dean scoffs. "I'm trying to come up with a theory here. Okay? Work with me." He growls.

"Dean, we have a theory." Sam said. "Yeah, one with a little less fairy dust on it, please." said Dean. "Okay, look. I'm not saying we know for sure. I'm just saying that I think we --" Sam started to explain but Dean talks over him. "Okay, okay. That's the point. We don't know for sure, so I'm not gonna believe that this thing is a freaking Angel of the Lord because it says so!" Dean yells.

"You three Chuckleheads want to keep arguing religion, or do you want to come take a look at this?" Bobby calls out and we get up and walk over to Bobby's desk. "I got stacks of lore -- Biblical, pre-Biblical. Some of it's in damn cuneiform. It all says an angel can snatch a soul from the pit." He said.

"What else?" Dean asked. "What else, what?" Bobby said, shrugging. "What else could do it?" Dean asked. "Airlift your ass out of the hot box? As far as I can tell, nothing." Bobby said and I turn to Dean and place my hands on his shoulders.

"Dean, this is good news." I said. "How?" Dean asked. "Because for once, this isn't just another round of demon crap. I mean, maybe you were saved by one of the good guys, you know?" I said, hopeful. "Okay. Say it's true. Say there are angels. Then what? There's a God?" Dean asked, i could hear suspicion in his voice.

"At this point, Vegas money's on yeah." Bobby said as Sam nods. "I don't know, guys." Dean said. "Okay, look. I know you're not all choirboy about this stuff, but this is becoming less and less about faith and more and more about proof." Sam said to Dean.

"Proof?" Dean asked.

"Yes." Sam and I said.

"Proof that there's a God out there that actually gives a crap about me personally? I'm sorry, but I'm not buying it." Dean said, shaking hi ms head. "Why not?" I asked him. "Because why me? If there is a God out there, why would he give a crap about me?" Dean asked.

"Dean --" Sam and I said, exasperated, but Dean talks over us again. "I mean, I've saved some people, okay? I figured that made up for the stealing and the ditching chicks. But why do I deserve to get saved? I'm just a regular guy." Dean said. "Apparently, you're a regular guy that's important to the man upstairs." I pointed out. "Well, that creeps me out. I mean, I don't like getting singled out at birthday parties, much less by...God." Dean said.

"Okay, well, too bad, Dean, because I think he wants you to strap on your party hat." Sam said. "Fine. What do we know about angels?" Dean asked and Bobby picks up a pile of fat and weighty looking books and puts them in front of Dean.

"Start reading." Bobby said and Dean looks at the pile of books, and turns towards Sam. "You're gonna get me some pie." Dean said as he grabs a book from the top of the pile.

The next half hour, Dean, Bobby and I spent researching about angels but I couldn't really concentrate. I'm still in shock that Dean's back, half the time I have to pinch myself to make sure that this was real. But I am worried about how he got back...but if this was an angel that brought Dean back....this is big!

Bobby had been trying to call a friend, who he believed might have some info on angels but no response. He got worried and then we heard Sam pull up and he tells us to follow him.

We all walk out just as Bobby walks up to the car. "Keep the engine running." He said to Sam. "Why? What's going on?" Sam asked. "I got a friend one state over -- Olivia Lowry. I've been trying to reach her for three days on this angel thing. It's not like her to ignore this many calls." Bobby replied. 

"Olivia Lowry -- a hunter, right?" Sam asked. "Yeah. We're gonna go check on her. You guys follow me." he said. Dean approaches the driver's side of the car, as Bobby heads to his own car. "Scoot over." Dean said and Sam scoots over as I get into the backseat. Dean grabs the bag of food Sam bought back and looks inside it.

"Dude?" he said and Sam turns to him. "Yeah?" Sam asked. "Where's the pie?" Dean asked and Sam gives him a blank look while I shake my head.

Later, we make it to Olivia's house and Bobby enters the house, armed with a gun, followed by me and the boys who are also armed. "Olivia?" Bobby called out as we looked around. Then we see Olivia, dead and covered in blood, on the floor and Bobby walks away, out of the room.

"Bobby?" Dean asked but I noticed something on the doorway. "Salt line." I said to the boys and we look around the room. Dean picks up an EMF reader. "Olivia was rocking the EMF meter." He said. "Spirit activity." Sam said, nodding. "Yeah -- on steroids. I never seen a ghost do this to a person." Dean said as Bobby enters the room again, his phone in his hand.

"Bobby, you all right?" I asked him. "I called some hunters nearby..." Bobby said. "Good. We can use their help." Dean said. "...except they ain't answering their phones either." Bobby finished and we all shared a look of worry. "Something's up, huh?" Sam asked. "You think?" Bobby sneers and walks out of the room while the boys and I look concerned.

"We're in Jackson. It's not pretty. He looks even worse than Olivia." I said to Bobby, through my phone, after the boys and I walked out of a house of one of Bobby's hunter friends. "What about you?" I asked. "I checked on Carl Bates and R.C. Adams. They've redecorated...in red." Bobby said.

"What the hell is going on here, Bobby? Why did a bunch of ghosts suddenly want to gank off-duty hunters?" I asked as the boys give me a look. "I don't know, but until we find out, you guys better get your asses to my place." Bobby said. "We're on our way." I said then I hang up.

Later, Sam pulls up to a gas station then he gets out and puts the gas pump in the car. I get out of the car and walk to the restroom while Dean is asleep in the passenger seat of the car. I washed my hands in the bathroom, when I breath out my breath to see it visible.

The bathroom mirror covers with foggy mist, which I wipe away with my hand and become startled when I see Henriksen's reflection. "Hi, (y/n). It's been a while." he greets and my jaw drops and my eyes widen before I turn to him.

"Henriksen. Are you -- Did you..." I stammer but Henriksen talks over me. "I didn't survive...if that's what you're asking." he said and I frown. "I'm sorry." I said, apologetically. And I meant it; ever since we heard about that explosion at that station, I felt guilt for all those people the boys and I tried so hard to keep safe.

"I know you are." He said. "Look, if we'd known Lilith was coming --" I said, quickly, but Henriksen talks over me again. "You wouldn't have left half a dozen innocent people in that police station to die in your place. You did this to me. It was your fault. She was after you and Sam, and I paid the price. You left us there to die!" Henriksen yells then he attacksSme, grabbing me hard, and throwing me around.

That's when I noticed a small brand on Henriksen's hand. But before I could do anything, I was thrown against the mirrors and Henriksen knocks my head on the sink. I fall to the ground, blacking out.

*3rd Person POV*

Once (y/n) hit the ground, Dean and Sam enter and shoots at Henriksen, whose ghost disappears. Dean turns his head and sees the woman he loves on the ground, pass out. "(Y/n)!" He said, worried, as he and his brother go over to her.

Minutes later, Dean is driving and on the phone while (y/n) is in the passenger seat with bruises on her face, Sam was in the back seat. "Damn it, Bobby! Pick up!" Dean growls as he looks at his phone. Then he turns to (y/n). "How you feeling, huh? How many fingers am I holding up?" He asked her and she rolls her eyes. "None. I'll be fine, Dean." She said, exasperated.

"Henriksen?" Sam asked from the backseat. "Yep." she said. "Why? What did he want?" Dean asked. "Revenge, 'cause we got him killed." said (y/n). "(Y/n)." Dean said, exasperated. "Well, we did, Dean." (y/n) said. "All right. Stop right there. Whatever the hell is going on, it's happening to us now, okay? I can't get ahold of Bobby, so if you're not thinking answers, don't think at all." Dean said and (y/n) scoffed.

"You sure you're okay, (y/n)?" Sam asked (y/n), concerned. "Yes, Sammy. I'm fine." She said as they head to Bobby's house.

Dean, Sam and (y/n) enter the house, guns cocked and ready. "Bobby?" Dean calls out until they find the iron poker on the ground. Dean then gestures to the stairs. "I'll go. You two check outside." He tells them and they nod.

Sam and (y/n) walk through the junkyard and kept calling out for Bobby but no answer. They didn't know that Bobby was in a car with two ghost girls, who are keeping him quiet.

Dean was upstairs, searching. "Bobby?" he shouts when a door opens, slowly, no one is visible. "Come out, come out, whoever you are." he calls out. Then a Young Woman with shoulder-length brown hair appears behind him.

"Dean Winchester. Still so bossy. You don't recognize me? This is what I looked like before that demon cut off my hair and dressed me like a slut." the woman said and Dean realized that this was Meg. 

"Meg?" He said, confused. "Hi. It's okay, I'm not a demon." She assures him. "You're the girl the demon possessed." Dean said to Meg, shocked. "Meg Masters. Nice to finally talk to you when I'm not, you know, choking on my own blood." She said then she holds up her hands. "It's okay. Seriously, I'm just a college girl. Sorry -- was. I was walking home one night and got jumped by all this smoke. Next thing you know, I'm a prisoner..." and she puts a hand to her head. "...in here. Now, I was awake. I had to watch while she murdered people." She explained.

"I'm sorry." Dean said, apologetically. "Oh, yeah? So sorry you had me thrown off a building?" Meg asked, a bit angry.

"Well, we thought --"

"No, you didn't think! I kept waiting, praying! I was trapped in there screaming at you! Just help me, please! You're supposed to help people, Dean. Why didn't you help me?" She asked, angrily, but Dean didn't have an answer. "I'm sorry." He tells her again.

"Stop saying you're sorry!" Meg shouts then she slaps Dean and knocks him to the floor. "Meg. Meg..." Dean said as he tries to calm her down but she kicks Dean. "We didn't know." Dean explained. "No...You just attacked. Did you ever think there was a girl in here? No. You just charged in, slashing and burning. You think you're some kind of hero?" she growled.

"No, I don't." said Dean and Meg grabs hold of his jacket. Her hand has a brand on it. "You're damn right. Do you have any idea what it's like to be ridden for months by pure evil...while your family has no idea what happened to you?" she asked. "We did the best we could." Dean said then Meg shoves him and kicks him again. 

Then she stands over him. "It wasn't just me, Dean. I had a sister. A little sister. She worshipped me. You know how little siblings are, right? How they'll do anything for you. She was never the same after I disappeared. She just...she just got lost. And when my body was lying in the morgue beat-up and broken..." she said, her voice shaking with tears. "Meg." Dean groans but Meg continues.

"Do you know what that did to her? She killed herself!" she exclaims then she kicks Dean in the stomach.  Because of you, Dean! Because all you were thinking about was your family, your revenge, and your demons! 50 words of Latin a little sooner, and I'd still be alive. My baby sister would still be alive. That blood is on your hands, Dean!" she screams "You're right." Dean said and Meg kicks at him again.

Meanwhile, Sam and (y/n) were looking through the car lot for Bobby, calling out for him. But then Sam spots a reflection and works his way up a pile of cars towards Bobby, (y/n) close behind him. "Bobby! Hold on, Bobby! We're coming! Bobby!" Sam said and he and (y/n) use a couple of crowbars to pry open the doors to the car where Bobby is being held.

The girls push him and (y/n) backwards and they land on another car below, bleeding. The girls jump on them and the two hunters use the crowbars to fight the two until they disappeared.

Back inside, Dean was still on the ground as he takes out a gun and aims it at Meg. "Come on, Dean, did your brain get french-fried in Hell? You can't shoot me with bullets." Meg sneered at him. "I'm not shooting you." Dean said then he aims his gun and shoots at the ceiling, a chandelier falls and lands on Meg. "Iron." He growls.

Later, Dean, Sam, (y/n) and Bobby were in the study, discussing what just happened. "So, they're all people we know?" (y/n) asked. "Not just know. People we couldn't save." Dean explained then he looks over at Sam. "Hey, I saw something on Meg. Did she have a tattoo when she was alive?" he asked.

"I don't think so." Sam said, after thinking for a moment. "It was like a-a mark on her hand -- almost like a brand." Dean said and (y/n) looks up at him. "I saw a mark, too, on Henriksen." she exclaims. 

"What did it look like?" Bobby asked and (y/n) thinks. "Uh, paper?" she asked and Sam offers her a piece of paper and she takes it. "Thanks." She said and she starts sketching the mark.

Few moments later, she holds the drawing up for Dean to compare. "That's it." Dean said as Bobby and Sam look at it too. "I may have seen this before. We got to move." He said as he quickly stands up. "Follow me." He said.

"Okay, where are we going?" Sam asked as they follow him. "Some place safe, you idiot." Bobby growls as he picks up some books and leads the trio to a basement room, which is made entirely of iron and covered with pentagrams and Devil's traps.

"Bobby, is this..." (y/n) started to ask but Bobby finished her sentence. "Solid iron. Completely coated in salt. 100% ghost-proof." he said. "You built a panic room?" Sam asked. "I had a weekend off." Bobby said, shrugging nonchalantly.

"Bobby." Dean mutters and Bobby turns to him. "What?" He asked and Dean smirks. "You're awesome." He said then he sees a poster of a swimsuit model. "Oh." He mutters and (y/n) folds her arms across her chest. "You can look, but can't touch." She said and Dean turns to her and gives her his signature smile. 

"I'm starting to like this side of you." He said and (y/n) rolls her eyes at him.

Later, Sam, Dean and (y/n) were making iron bullets when Dean turns to the others. "See, this is why I can't get behind God." He said. "What are you talking about?" Sam asked as he and (y/n) look up at him. "If he doesn't exist, fine. Bad crap happens to good people. That's how it is. There's no rhyme or reason -- just random, horrible, evil -- I get it, okay. I can roll with that. But if he is out there, what's wrong with him? Where the hell is he while all these decent people are getting torn to shreds? How does he live with himself? You know, why doesn't he help?" Dean asked and Sam and (y/n) share a look before they turn back to Dean.

But before they could say anything, Bobby comes in. "Found it." He said, holding a book. "What?" (Y/n) asked. "The symbol you saw -- the brand on the ghosts..." Bobby said. "Yeah?" (Y/n) said. "Mark of the Witness." Bobby replied.

"Witness? Witness to what?" Sam asked. "The unnatural. None of them died what you'd call ordinary deaths. See, these ghosts -- they were forced to rise. They woke up in agony. They were like rabid dogs. It ain't their fault. Someone rose them...on purpose." Bobby said.

"Who?" Sam asked, curiously. "Do I look like I know?" Bobby asked, annoyed. "Yes...cause you're all knowing." (Y/n) said and Bobby turns to her. "Smart-ass." He grumbles and she smiles, proudly. "Anyway whoever it was used a spell so powerful it left a mark, a brand on their souls. Whoever did this had big plans. It's called the rising of the witnesses. It figures into an ancient prophecy." Bobby said before Dean blinks, rapidly.

"Wait, wait. What -- what book is that prophecy from?" he asked. "Well, the widely distributed version's just for tourists, you know. But long story short -- Revelations. This is a sign, boys and girls." Bobby said. "A sign of what?" The trio asked. "The apocalypse." Bobby said and the whole room got quiet.

"Apocalypse? The apocalypse, apocalypse? The four horsemen, pestilence, $5-a-gallon-gas apocalypse?" Dean asked, shocked. "That's the one. The rise of the witnesses is a -- a mile marker." Bobby replied. "Okay, so, what do we do now?" Sam asked, worried. "Road trip. Grand Canyon, Star Trek Experience." (y/n) said. "Bunny Ranch." Dean added and (y/n) punches his arm.

"First things first. How about we survive our friends out there?" Bobby asked. "Great. Any ideas aside from staying in this room until Judgment Day?" Dean asked with sarcasm. "It's a spell..." Bobby said as he indicates the paper in front of him. "...to send the witnesses back to rest. Should work."

"Should. Great." Sam grumbles. "If I translate it correctly. I think I got everything we need here at the house." Bobby said. "Any chance you got everything we need here in this room?" Dean asked him. "So, you thought our luck was gonna start now all of a sudden? Spell's got to be cast over an open fire." Bobby said. 

"The fireplace in the library." (y/n) said and Bobby points at her. "Bingo." he said. "That's just not as appealing as a, uh, ghost-proof panic room, you know?" Dean mutters as he and the others prepare to leave the panic room.

"Cover each other. And aim careful. Don't run out of ammo until I'm done, or they'll shred you. Ready?" Bobby said and they make their way out of the room, and head towards the stairs.

A ghost sits on the stairs, a young man in his early 20s with curly hair. "Hey, Dean. You remember me?" The man asked. "Ronald, huh? With the laser eyes? I wish I could say it's good to see you." Dean said. "I am dead because of you. You were supposed to help me!" Ronald shouts then Bobby shoots at Ronald. "If you're gonna shoot, shoot. Don't talk." Bobby tells him and they make their way to the living room.

Sam and (y/n) create a salt cirle and Dean starts the fire. "Upstairs, linen closet -- red hex box. It'll be heavy." Bobby tells Sam. "Got it." Sam said and he heads upstairs. Then two girls appear in the living room again. "Bobby." One girl said and Dean shoots at the girls. "Kitchen. Cutlery drawer. It's got a false bottom. Hemlock, opium, wormwood." Bobby tells him and Dean looks at him, confused.

"Opium?" he asked. "Go!" Bobby shouts just as the girls reappear while Dean leaves for the kitchen. Bobby is drawing with chalk on the desk and tries to focus on this while the girls are there. "Bobby. You walked right by us while that monster ate us all up." One of the girls said to him. "You could have saved us." The second girl said then (y/n) picks up her gun and shoots at the girls.

Upstairs, Sam finds the red box in the cupboard when Meg shows up. "You know what really pisses me off, Sam?" Meg asked. Sam turns around, sees Meg and fires at her. "You saw how I suffered for months. I thought you must have learned something. I thought I died for something." Meg growled.

"Meg." Sam mutters as he reloads his gun. "But what you're doing with that demon, Ruby...How many innocent bodies has Ruby burned through for kicks? How many girls just like me? And you don't send her back to Hell? You're a monster!" Meg yells then Sam raises his rifle and shoots Meg.

Meanwhile, Dean is in the kitchen looking for the false bottom in the drawer when the doors to the kitchen close suddenly. "Dean!" (Y/n) yells, fearfully, and he turns to the door. "I'm all right, (y/n)! You make sure that Bobby keeps working!" He calls out when Henriksen appears next to him.

"Victor." Dean said.

"Dean." Henriksen said.

"I know." Dean said, apologetically. 

"No. You don't." Henriksen growls. 

"It's my fault you're dead. I left you behind. And the minute I heard about that explosion, I thought, I should have known. I should have protected you." Dean said as he reaches for a gun behind him, but it goes flying across the room.

"Unh-unh. Not so fast. You think you left and Lilith came and we all died in a beautiful blast of...white light? If only. 45 minutes." Henriksen said. "What?" Dean said, confused. "Over 45 minutes. Lilith said she wanted to have some fun. The secretary was first. Remember her? Nancy, the virgin. Lilith filleted Nancy's skin off piece by piece. Right in front of us, made us watch. Nancy never stopped screaming." Henriksen said and Dean's eyes widen.

"No." he whispered.

"I was the last." Henriksen said.

"Victor..." Dean started to say until Henriksen reaches inside Dean's chest and grips his heart. "Tell me how it's fair. You get saved from Hell -- I die. Why do you deserve another chance, Dean?" he said but then Sam enters and shoots Henriksen, rushing to check on Dean as soon as Henriksen is gone.

"You all right?" Sam asked him. "No." Dean said as he places his hand on his chest. "Let's go." Sam said as he helps Dean up and he and Dean carry the hex box and other ingredients to the library. Ronald appears again as Dean is reloading his gun.

"Ronald. Hey, come on, man. I thought we were pals." Dean said. "That's when I was breathing. Now I'm gonna eat you alive." Ronald growls. "Well...come on, I'm not a cheeseburger." Dean yells then he cocks his gun and points it at Ronald, but Ronald has vanished.

Bobby recites some Latin words and the windows blow open and a wind fills the room, the wind moves the salt so they are no longer protected by it. Meg appears and (y/n) quickly shoots at her, as Bobby continues to recite the spell

Ronald appears and they shoot at him. Sam, Dean and (y/n) continue to fire as the ghosts appear. Henriksen knocks Dean's gun out of his hands when he is reloading, and approaches him. (Y/n) aims her gun, and shoots it at Henriksen, who then turns to her. He knocks the gun out of her hands then shoves her to the side as Dean quickly picks up an iron rod and hits at Henriksen.

Meg appears and pushes Sam against the wall, trapping him there with a desk. Sam tries to push the desk away without success. "Sam! Help Bobby!" Dean yells.

Bobby continues to recite the spell and Sam keeps trying to get out from behind the desk. The two girls sit on the desk waiting as Meg plunges a hand into Bobby's back. Bobby drops the bowl with spell ingredients.

"Dean!" Bobby yells as Dean catches the bowl. "Fireplace!" Bobby yells and Dean throws the bowl in the fire, which turns blue. The ghosts all disappear and Bobby falls to the ground. "Bobby?" (Y/n) calls out as she gets up and Sam pushes the desk away, freeing himself. Dean, Sam and (y/n) help Bobby up. He nods, indicating he is okay.

That night, Sam is asleep on the couch while Dean and (y/n) are asleep on the floor nearby, (y/n) was sleeping on her left side while Dean was spooning her. Dean then wakes up to find Castiel standing in the kitchen. Dean checks on Sam, sees he is asleep, and slowly removes his arms off of (y/n) then walks over to join Castiel.

"Excellent job with the witnesses." Castiel praised. "You were hip to all this?" Dean asked him. "I was, uh, made aware." Castiel replied. "Well, thanks a lot for the angelic assistance." Dean said, sarcastically. "You know, I almost got my heart ripped out of my chest."

"But you didn't." Castiel pointed out. "I thought angels were supposed to be guardians. Fluffy wings, halos -- you know, Michael Landon. Not dicks." Dean growls. "Read the Bible. Angels are warriors of God. I'm a soldier." replied Castiel. 

"Yeah? Then, why didn't you fight?" Dean asked, angrily. "I'm not here to perch on your shoulder. We had larger concerns." Castiel said. "Concerns? There were people getting torn to shreds down here! And, by the way, while all this is going on, where the hell is your boss, huh, if there is a God?" Dean asked, angrily. 

"There's a God." Castiel assures. "I'm not convinced. 'Cause if there's a God, what the hell is he waiting for, huh? Genocide? Monsters roaming the earth? The freaking apocalypse? At what point does he lift a damn finger and help the poor bastards that are stuck down here?" asked Dean.

"The Lord works..."

"If you say mysterious ways, so help me, I will kick your ass." Dean threatens and Castiel closes his mouth. "So, Bobby was right...about the witnesses. This is some kind of a...sign of the apocalypse." Dean said and Castiel nods. "That's why we're here. Big things afoot." he said.

"Do I want to know what kind of things?" Dean asked. "I sincerely doubt it, but you need to know. The rising of the witnesses is one of the 66 seals." Castiel informs. "Okay. I'm guessing that's not a show at Seaworld." Dean said with sarcasm.

"Those seals are being broken by Lilith." Castiel said and Dean raises an eyebrow. "She did the spell. She rose the witnesses." Dean said. "Mm-hmm. And not just here. 20 other hunters are dead." Castiel said. "Of course. She picked victims that the hunters couldn't save so that they would barrel right after us." Dean grumbles. "Lilith has a certain sense of humor." Castiel said.

"Well, we put those spirits back to rest." Dean tells him.

"It doesn't matter. The seal was broken." Castiel said.

"Why break the seal anyway?" Dean asked him. "You think of the seals as locks on a door." Castiel said and Dean thinks. "Okay. Last one opens and..." he said then Castiel finishes.. "Lucifer walks free."

"Lucifer? But I thought Lucifer was just a story they told at demon Sunday school. There's no such thing." Dean said,, shaking his head. "Three days ago, you thought there was no such thing as me. Why do you think we're here walking among you now for the first time in 2,000 years?" Castiel asked.

"To stop Lucifer." Dean replied and. Castiel nods. "That's why we've arrived." said Castiel. "Well...bang-up job so far. Stellar work with the witnesses. That's nice." Dean said, sarcastically.

"We tried. And there are other battles, other seals. Some we'll win, some we'll lose. This one we lost. Our numbers are not unlimited. Six of my brothers died in the field this week." Castiel said and Dean looks a bit taken aback by this. "You think the armies of Heaven should just follow you around? There's a bigger picture here. You should show me some respect. I dragged you out of Hell. I can throw you back in." Castiel threatens then he vanishes, leaving Dean alone in the kitchen.

Later Dean wakes up and sees that Sam and (y/n) are already awake, up and about. "You all right? What's wrong, Dean?" (y/n) asked as she noticed that Dean looked a bit worried. Dean turns to them and asked. "So...You two got no problem believing in...God and Angels?"

"No, not really." Sam said as (y/n) shrugs. "I'd like to believe them." She said. "So, I guess that means that you believe in the Devil." Dean said and Sam and (y/n) share a look before they look back at Dean.

"Why are you asking us all this?" Sam asked him.

@rach5ive @kitsun369 @itzabbyxx @cevans-winchester @ellie-andthemachine

[coraniaid]

Still very striking to me both that (1) Angel gives Buffy the "you're not like other girls" speech twice [in Season 2's Halloween and then again in Season 3's Earshot] and (2) the specific "other girls" he's quick to put down on her behalf are completely different groups both times.

In Halloween Angel tells Buffy he "hated" all the girls he knew when he was her age, that they were all "dull, simpering morons" and that he "always wished he could meet someone exciting". Just one year later, in Earshot, when Buffy tells him tells she'd understand if he was attracted to Faith because Faith has "that whole bad girl working for her" [i.e. she is exactly the sort of "exciting" girl Angel told her he used to dream of meeting!], Angel tells Buffy that he actually doesn't "want a bad girl" and that he's been with "dozens of girls like her ... more". And both times this is meant to be charming.

Just to be clear, I'm not interested in attacking the character of Angel. I don't think he's a bad person. Honestly I don't think Angel as written at this point feels anything like a person in his own right. Angel feels slightly more fully realized at this stage of the show than, say, Oz (Willow's Nice Werewolf Boyfriend Who's In A Cool Band), but really not that much more. Angel very obviously exists to be Buffy's brooding and occasionally evil boyfriend and for no other real reason. He may as well not exist when she isn't looking at him.

And I won't even bother pointing out that the speech in Earshot only makes sense if Angel-the-good-vampire-with-a-soul fully identifies himself with Angelus-the-bad-vampire (because when else was Angel hanging out with "bad girls"? while he was living in an alley eating rats?), which ... doesn't really sit well with the rest of the show's established lore. Or note that Angel tells Buffy in 1999's Earshot that he's lived for "243 years", which (even ignoring the fact he's meant to have spent decades or even centuries in a hell dimension, which this certainly does but then so does every other episode after Beauty and the Beasts) suggests he was born within a year of 1756, three years after Darla sired him (as established in Becoming). The Buffy writers don't really understand how dates or numbers work; that's been pretty clear since I Only Have Eyes For You. Fine.

But ignoring all that -- how are we meant to make sense of these two different scenes together? Even if you somehow think this sort of speech ("I hate most women but, good news, you're different") is romantic -- which the Buffy writers very obviously do! -- isn't it bizarre that they couldn't even remember which type of women Angel canonically hated? "I used to hate the women I knew, they were all so dull, and I wished I could meet somebody exciting and rebellious. Then, later, I did meet dozens of exciting women, and it turns out I hated them too. But don't worry: you are Not Like either of those categories of women ... hmm, actually, I think we should break up."

And then, not even three episodes later, they do!

[trashlie]

GOD today's Love and Deepspace update has me ON MY KNEES i am alkfjalfjkalfkjakfkjafkafjka LISTEN I read Xavier's third anecdote BEFORE I HAD AN 11 A.M. MEETING I HAD TO STOP MY CRYING AND TRY TO MAKE MYSELF SOUND LIKE I TOTALLY HADN'T JUST SPENT 10 MINUTES CRYING not my finest hour but I never said I make wise choices LMAO ajkfjkafjkafkafjkkajf I'm going to put all my incoherent spoilery thoughts under the cut but god I just have to say that yes, it's confirmed, I think Xavier really is my favorite, in the "I love them all so much and I want to gobble up this story and I need all of the lore but I will go for him above all others" kind of way LMAO like alkfjakjfjaf Xavier and MC just hit all my catnip boxes okay?

You can't fight your true nature lol

As a loyal Kiro fan I knew I would lean Xavier but I really wanted to give myself the benefit of the doubt and pretend I might make a different choice for once lol

Spoilers for chapter 8, as well as Rafayel and Xavier's third anecdotes let's goooooooooooo (and once again touching on Xavier's myth)

I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS I'M SO TENDER AND HEARTACHEY ;~;

Something I continue to love about LADS is that the LIs give MC so much agency. I firmly believe with certainty that Rafayel is not betraying MC; after all, they've already talked about needing bait for a big fish, so even IF there's a chance this part isn't planned, I believe he knows that she is capable of getting herself out of this situation, that she will handle what's being thrown at her. "Do you really think they can handle the prey I caught?" Rafayel, like Xavier, and I'm sure like Zayne, knows she's capable of handling herself, and I love this aspect so much! Babying MCs gets soooo boring.

In fact, the thing about Rafayel is despite the fact that she seems to have forgotten (in his eyes) about the promise they made, he has so much faith in her. That's half his problem, really; if he could let go, maybe he wouldn't be so hurt and hung up, but he just has so much faith in her, in her capabilities, in what she can pull off. Papergames' writing is so clever here, leaving us off in chapter 7 with that moment of hesitation, where it appears like he almost leaves at the bottom of the ocean (and probably strongly considers it!) prior to getting her to safety and then taking on the Wanderer, only to turn around and make it look like he's lured her into a trap - but he and MC have talked about this! This is what she wants! Even if he DOES have ulterior motives, I still don't believe this is an act of betrayal - MC is going to do whatever she can to enter the N109 Zone, better it be this way than another.

These are not games where we can just look at the surface and call it what it looks like. And MC is not so naive. Again, she knows what she has to do to get in, and she's partaking in it. And Rafayel knows she won't make it easy for anyone in there.

I'm sure if it were up to him or Xavier, she wouldn't be entering such a dangerous place, but it's not up to them. They aren't her handlers, so they trust her to take care of herself, and it's so refreshing to see.

I think, too, Rafayel is doing exactly what Xavier told MC to do. He, too, has a role to play in his quest for revenge, in his relationship with this organization. He can't show his weakness, he can't show his fears. He can only trust that MC knows what she's doing and that she will take care of herself and has a way out, that if things go south, she'll get out of there (and maybe try to find a way to help her if he can lol).

I think some people look at characters like Rafayel and Xavier and only see what's on the very surface: a needy, clingy, drama queen; and a stoic, calm man. But why do you think they have bounties on their heads like that? And such large ones, at that? $100,000,000 for Xavier!!!!!! Rafayel is as cunning and clever as he is sassy and dramatic, as ruthless and cold as he is sensitive and emotional (in fact, that is likely why he is so ruthless and cold, someone so sensitive is so hurt by what has happened to his people, to his family, to the hurt and betrayals he has experienced). They're so much more than what you see on the surface, so full of depth and nuance and GOD I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. Like I said before, I don't love Rafayel in spite of the resentment, I love him for it.

And Xavier, my GOD ;______; This chapter was such a feast for the Xavier fans lol His third anecdote BROKE me, just absolutely devastated me. That must have been the very first "version" of MC, the first time they ever met, the first time he fell for her, and it's so easy to see why he did - how she just saw him for him, how she helped buy him those pockets of freedom, the curiosity she took in him that enabled to help him. His desperation to help her, but coming back too late ;_____; THE AGONYYYYYYYYYY THE DEVASTATION ;_____; Losing her for the first time, AS SHE DIED IN HIS ARMS HELLO?! The reassurance she'll meet him again in her next life, that no matter how many times it takes, no matter where she is, he'll find her ;__________;

The certainty that he's the same Xavier from the myths, because she is the one who gave him the star charm, the one MC of the myth is so jealous of LMAO that he has lost her before and here he is, having finally found her, and having to assist her in preparation for such a dangerous mission. And again, I just love the agency - that he doesn't talk her out of it. Instead, he prepares her. Gives her everything she needs to go best protect herself and go in with a fighting's chance.

Even though there's a chance he could lose her again, that unwavering faith. ;~;

Something I especially loved about this was the inclusion of Jeremiah, because as @poisonheart pointed out, Jeremiah is the one who has seen both MC and Xavier without the other, knows what they mean to each other, and the significance of now, of a reunion, even if she doesn't know it's a reunion. And not just for Xavier, but for himself! She was his friend, too! Xavier isn't the only one who lost her. I still don't know what happened to her, but he lost her, too. "Were you able to stay calm when you saw her for the first time?" Because he probably struggled to do so! He even slipped up, telling her he didn't think he'd ever get a chance to help her.

It's such a momentous moment and she doesn't even know because they have these memories of a version of herself she doesn't know, a version of herself she knows nothing of ;~; And it breaks my heart.

There's something so understated about Xavier's "stoicism" - everything he has to mask, the hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years that he's spent quelling feelings. That he carries these memories and feelings that have never gone out, for someone who has had to get to know him all over again. Isn't that agonizing to think about? Meeting someone who you have an entire history with, so many memories of, but has no recollection, no knowledge of you? Meeting her again and waiting for feelings to blossom again - hoping they will because what if this is the time it doesn't happen what if this version of her never does - like WHAT IS THAT LIKE having to keep yourself at bay holding back your own feelings ;______;

MY AGONYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

And more than that it's like.... Jeremiah even mentioned the non interference rule and it certainly seems like Xavier maybe attempted it but.... how do you maintain that, how do you NOT interfere, when the person you've been searching for is right there, when something so awful has happened to her, when so many eyes are on her, when she's in such danger?

I JUST HAVE SO MANY FEEEEELIIIIIIINGGGSSSS ABOUT THEEEEEEMMMMMM ;________;

[imagines-babes]

Bewitched (Wilbur)

Helloo, everyone new and old. I hope everyone had a okay week. Sorry for the late story, Ive been watching one piece, catching up with Qsmp lore and reading. Today song is ‘Bewitched’, by Laufey. That’s all for today I hope to see you next week.

Wilbur Soot Masterlist

**************

One rule. DO NOT FALL IN LOVE.  A simply rule. But the heart wants what it wants. If the heart wants the two to fall in love maybe it had a resin to help them fall in love.

The two, y/n and wilbur , never meant to grow feelings. From all those late night calls, the messages the two sent, the look they would give each other, and they smile when they talk to each other.

It simply how they started. A simple mix up of letter from the apartment they lived in. He got a letter from a friend address to

y/n with the number right next to his mail box. So he decided to give it to them. He didn't know what they looked like so it was meeting a new neighbor or a new person. Knocking on the door. He waited to for someone to answer. Nothing happened but did hear something inside move. Once more he knock to hear someone talking behind the door. 'I'm coming give me a second please.'  The voice spoke as he look down the stairs for no reason specifically till he heard the door open. To see someone standing there with their face a mess he guess they were ether cooking or painting something. Wilbur walked up to the door with a smile. The person in front of them gave a soft smile, 'oh hi was there something you needed?' Their face was something he never heard before. Their voice is calm and soft. Wilbur held the note to his side as he he stares at y/n. For y/n, there is a strange man in front of their door. He's a handsome man at that. He didn't speak just stare at them. Maybe there was something of y/n face. They started to doubt how they look. 'Hello,' he snapped back to reality as he spoke. 'Oh I'm sorry but their was this letter that was sent to my box saying y/n with your number and I guess they placed it in mine by accident.' He voice was smooth as he held out the letter to them. Y/n smiled. 'Oh thank you. You are very kind...' they waited for him to give a name. Wilbur notice the stop as he laugh, 'Wilbur. My name is Wilbur,' the name gave y/n a smile. 'Thank you Wilbur for giving me this letter.' A laugh appeared between them both. The silence filled the air for a second as the two stared at each other breaking a smile. It was like a staring contest for the two. That he had lost to breaking into a smile. 'I should be going,' slowly he walked to his room as y/n nods. 'I hope to see you around wilbur.' He gives a nod starting to walk down the stairs. 'I hope to see you around as-well y/n.' Slowly y/n went inside their house feeing like a kid at a candy shop. Feeling all emotion. For Wilbur it's the same feeling. He walk into his room and thought about y/n.

Slowly they both became friends. After their first encounter. Y/n hoped to see him in the halls or if the mail men given them a letter to Wilbur by accident. Y/n wasn't lucky enough for that to happen. Slowly y/n started to lose faith walking up those stair to notice him by his door. Y/n heart smiled soon as he turn to them as his heart smiled as well. 'Hello y/n how are you?' The two talked for what felt like 5 minutes actually was 30 minutes. His phone started to ring as he answer. After a couple of seconds, he hang up the phone. 'I'm sorry but I must be going. My friends are waiting for me to rehearse with them.' Y/n felt bad 'my bad Wilbur I wouldn't have stop you or anything if you hand an rehearsal. Tell your friends that I am asking sorry for holding you up.' Y/n gave a soft smile. 'Don't worry about it y/n I would stop anything just to talk to you more. How about I come over to yours and we can continue to talk.' His mind hopes they would say yes. Or maybe it was too straight forward for him to ask that. The two just meet a couple of weeks ago. His thought stop till y/n gives a smile, 'of course i will be waiting for you. Bye have fun at your rehearsal wilbur,' y/n walked to their floor. Wilbur just stared at them walking away as he smile.once he enter that rehearsal, he tried to think straight but all he thought about was after the rehearsal he would get to see them. The other will try to get his attention as he daydream till he actually notice them and listen. It's quite funny. For y/n, they waited for the knock on the door for them to talk all night. Or just a little while longer. The hours passed and y/n was loosing hope till a knock appeared on the door. Rushing to the door, their heart speed up til a breathe let out. Opening the door, to see him with a smile. He started to talk but y/n didn't listen all they did was nod. It was quite funny. Y/n welcome him in. They talked and had a dinner. Just two friends having dinner.

The months passes, as the two gotten closer with each other. Almost every night he would stay at y/n apartment. The two would go on dates. Go on late night walks. Once in the rain they had a moment till it was ruined. They both wanted a kiss each other. But it didn't end that way. His tour was approaching quickly. He hadn't told them about it. He never brought up his job or his band. Tonight, he had to stop dragging them on for awhile. He didn't want his fans to find y/n. Didn't want then to get toxic or anything. He didn't want them to be scared or get messages being harassed. So he stay outside y/n door waiting to knock. Waiting on the courage to tell them he will be going awhile and have to stop talking to them. But y/n, open the door before he got to knock. They were both close to each other y/n cheeks went red. 'Oh Wilbur what are you doing here? Did you need something?'  Their voice was clear and smooth as a breeze in the wind. He gives a nod. 'I'm leaving soon and I can't continue this relationship with you. Not now.' He stated to the floor not wanting to look at their face. Y/n was too stunned to talk. Just stared at the man in front of them. 'Well I can wait for y-' he stop my words with a no. He heard their voice. How it was shaken and cracked. 'I don't want you to stay and wait for me. I will be gone for months and I can't lead you on.' He didn't say a goodbye just went to the stairs to walk to his room. He wanted the conversation to end there. Sadly it didn't. Before Wilbur enter the room, he heard y/n. ' you are asking me to leave you alone, Wilbur. If that's what you want I need you to stare into my eyes and tell me.' He heard the snuffle from y/n. Staying in front of the door. That was the one thing he couldn't do. He couldn't tell y/n to leave him. Hearing the step approach him. 'You expect me to let you go. You expect me to let go the person I love.' Y/n said to his back. He never heard those words from someone and meant it. 'You bewitched me Wilbur. I would wait for you to come back even if it takes months or a year. I just can't let you le-' Once again he cut y/n off. But not with words just a kiss. He kissed y/n softly, innocently, almost like he was afraid they would pull away if he kissed any different. This kiss made the world froze around them. This was the kiss they have been waiting for since the day in the rain. Y/n hands slide behind his neck bringing each other closer. Hearing a door open, the two move away not wanting to get caught as if two kids in school not wanting to get in trouble with a teacher. The lady gives us both a nod walking down the stairs. Y/n gave a small wave as the lady returned the same. Wilbur just stared at y/n with a smile. Y/n looked over to him notice his stare. The two gave a small smile. 'I will wait for you after your tour I will be here.' Y/n gave a small kiss on his cheek. They start to walk up to their apartment.  The kiss meant something for both of them. Y/n meant their words. Wilbur knew it. Now it's just waiting game

[chronicbeans]

Alright I am FINALLY Making a Fandom/What I'll Write for List

Current Hyperfixation(s): Hazbin Hotel, Tentador Leches, Lackadaisy, Don't Starve, TNMN, Dead Plate

I'll edit this list as my interests change. Also, there are some notes for each fandom. I'm adding a read more because it is probably going to be long. Some things I write for may not be listed, simply because I'm not taking requests for them. This list is mainly so people know what they can/cannot request.

As a quick note beforehand, though, I just want to post a link to a passion project I am creating! It is an original story, and is very personal to me. I really hope that anybody stumbling across my page or who already likes some of my fandom content will be willing to give it a read or look into it. More information is in the post linked below.

WELCOME HOME:

Anyone, basically. Yes, this includes Home.

PERSONA 5 ROYAL:

Adult Confidants (just in case, yes, this includes Takuto Maruki) - I will write for them. I think they need more love, lol. I also absolutely adore Takuto Maruki so like... Please request him-

The Phantom Thieves - I will write for them, but no NSFW because most, if not all are in high school. Some might say that a couple of them are 18, but I feel like it would be unfair and still a bit weird for me to write that stuff for.

FNAF:

Adult Human Characters - Mainly William Afton or Henry Emily, but I will also write for the night guards and any other adult human character.

"Animatronics" - If I write for the animatronics, they won't actually be animatronics. I wouldn't really feel comfortable with that, just because most, if not all, are possessed by the spirits of children. So, if I write for them, it will be in a AU where they will just be anthropomorphic animals in their own little world. Kinda like if the pizza chain had a show, and it is the in show universe.

As a heads up, I am not too in the loop about where the FNAF lore has gone, and I only have the first book. So, a lot of the more lore based Headcanons or FICS probably won't be that accurate. I might also try making my own AU based on only the first 3 or 4 games, but I will probably only write one story for that, and decide if I will write headcanons based on that according to how well it is received.

WHAT REMAINS OF EDITH FINCH (WROEF):

Every Adult Character - same rules apply as the other adult characters. I will Headcanons or stories for them during the time they were alive, of course. I have also had an AU idea where the family haunts the house as ghosts, so I MIGHT write headcanons for that, too.

ANGELS OF DEATH/ANGELS OF SLAUGHTER:

Dr. Danny, Cathy, Reverend Gray - YOU CAN'T STOP ME. I LOVE THEM OMG. ESPECIALLY DANNY. I would write for Zack but like... Sorry guys I just don't really like him enough to have any ideas... (No shame to Zack lovers, btw. I just can't get the groove going for him).

FAITH THE UNHOLY TRINITY:

John Ward

STARDEW VALLEY:

All bachelors/bachelorettes. Especially Harvey he needs more love-

PORTAL/PORTAL 2:

Wheatley, GLaDOS, Caroline, Cave Johnson, Chelle, and Doug Rattmann

THE HEILWALD LOOPHOLE:

All doctors and nurses

BATMAN (in general + my own versions of the characters [Chronicverse]):

Just the villains (including Catwoman and those who play both sides). I personally just can't see the appeal in the heroes.

THE DARK PICTURES - LITTLE HOPE:

So I have only played Little Hope, so far, so I can't write for any other Dark Pictures installment. I'll write for any character besides Megan/Mary.

COOKING COMPANIONS:

Anatoly, Karin, Gregor and Mariah.

UNCANNY VALLEY SERIES (House Hunted, John Doe):

Maison Talo, John Doe

TENTADOR LECHES:

Koolie Sterling

ERROR 143:

Micah Yujin

Hazbin Hotel:

Alastor, Lucifer, Adam, Angel Dust, Husk, Charlie, Vaggie, Niffty, Sir Pentious

MY OWN CHARACTERS/ORIGINAL STORIES:

I'll write for most every character I create. I probably won't write "Headcanons" if nobody is interested, but I will still write stories for them. Those stories will include x Reader sometimes.

Currently I am working on a story/series called Tales from the Iolite Hospital.

WHAT I WON'T WRITE

No proshipping, MAP, Zoo (I don't count furries as zoo, because they have a human level of intelligence and consciousness), Noncon, Dubcon. Currently no NSFW, but that might change in the future.

WHAT I WILL WRITE

Yandere, chronic illness, specific cultures (It may not be the most accurate, but I will try. I think of it as a learning experience), LGBTQ+, mental health struggles.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MY WRITING

Most everything I write will have some sort of horror or heavy topic in it, even if it isn't a yandere story. I LOVE horror. So, if you don't like horror and heavy topics, or can only handle it at specific times, I understand! It is just kinda my thing. If that is the case, then idk if this blog will be for you/be for you all the time. I will always make sure to try to put trigger warnings at the top of the post, though, so that people are comfortable.

[dlartistanon]

I have to be honest, after everything I heard I went into Lone Trail anticipating Muelsyse character assassination-- nay, *annihilation*, for the sake of Doctor-sexual fanservice and I was ready to be disappointed. But having finished reading Lone Trail myself now... What? Her homescreen lines are utter horseshit, I completely agree, but her actual character writing in Lone Trail fits that really good analysis post by meeblo so accurately that I can't believe meeblo didn't read LT before writing

"The more I think about Lone Trail the less I like how they executed the story."

So, let me preface this with with preemptive TL;DR: If you are a fan of Silence as a character, you probably really enjoy Lone Trail.

If you are a fan of any other character, especially Muelsyse, and ESPECIALLY if you don't like or don't care for self-insert pandering, you're likely disappointed and/or frustrated with Lone Trail. I am the latter.

Let me just copypaste what my friend has to say (plus my own replies and commentary) since they can articulate the feeling better than I can:

I'm sorry. I just can't imagine a world where Saria, who means so much to Muelsyse, is nearly assassinated and in awful shape, and *she knows that* and is like "wassup doctor, heard Saria's in trouble but lets hang out"

Me: Exactly. This does not make sense with what we know of their relationship. Especially since she's later worried sick/almost breaks down at the thought of losing Saria for real

I'm just going through the story and so much of it doesn't make sense to me. And it's (I'm not done but getting there) just *so depressing* how much of the event is eaten up with kind of pointless/uninteresting doctor babysitting? She should be front & center in all of this. There's so much to work with and play with but so much of it does not make *any sense*. Muelsyse did not need to be hobbled by this. Hell, so far as I've read, Doctor didn't need to be there or could have done it on their own. Fucking frustrating.

Me: I'm not that familiar with Guide Ahead, but I can't help but imagine how much better/more concise Lone Trail could've been had they handled Samuelsten in a similar way to GA's central trio. Don't shove Muelsyse to the side, make her an active agent in the story, with the people who matter to her

I mean I’ve made it to CW-7 and as someone who’s in the middle of all of this (often by design) I’m puzzled that she’s one of the least interesting parts of the event? Kristen, HoHo, Nasti, Jara are great. We know why it matters to her but she’s on the fringes the entire time. This should have been done like guide ahead but guide ahead was much better and leaner by virtue of not needing to dedicate half the fucking event to talk about how great and interesting the doctor is. There’s no reason doctor couldn’t have been with Kal’tsit the entire time. That would actually make sense. But nope.

"It's Saria you want to see, It's Kristen who you're looking for" but why don't we just stick you with Doctor the entire fucking event and you can act like you're just on a little adventure. Cannot believe I have to rely on the furniture to give what the event should have.

This might be a controversial take, but I wish all this giant lore dump with Doctor, Priestess and Kal'tsit had been relegated to another vignette or main chapter with just mentions of Kirsten/Kristen and Rhine Lab. It's taking up much too much of Rhine Lab's event. Instead of *way too many flashbacks* with Doctor/Kal'tsit/ whoever, we could have had this building up Saria/ Kirsten/Muelsyse with their past instead of the one 3 second glimpse we got. I am so mad at this stupid fucking decision. Rhine Lab Event: featuring Rhine Lab as glorified cameos

Reply: Yeah its so annoying. It takes up sooo much god damn space and for what? And for what ? It doesn’t belong. I swear to god i wish we focused on, idk, the main relationship between saria and kirsten (and mumu but my faith is lost) instead of kirsten only showing up at the very end

Yeah, I'm sure glad FERDINAND got the most screen time out of all Rhine Lab. Just *what*. But the lore dump, while *fine* is just fucking egregious and does not belong here. This could have been referenced elsewhere and they could have fleshed out everyone else.

I have finished Lone Trail! Cumulatively, I love about two chapters worth of it! I definitely had high expectations but even if I'd had mediocre expectations I would have been let down. Not enough of the Rhine Lab founders, needless lore dump that could have gone elsewhere. It felt fragmented and like a hodge podge of things. Saria, Muelsyse and Kirsten felt like cameos in the entire event. And I'm sure the intention of this was to elevate just how goddamn special the doctor is, but the way it was written, it felt like no one at Rhine Lab gives a single solitary fuck about Muelsyse in any real capacity. These are the people she's had and adores. Yes, her loneliness was a sort of focus of the event, but the way it plays out does make it feel like "yeah, you're right to be lonely. Thank god for doctor!"

So much of my irritation is not only was she reduced to a love interest for Doctor, treated poorly by everyone at RL, she had zero agency in the whole event. She really was just floating passively for the most part. Muelsyse in Lone Trail: 1. Looks for Kirsten/ doesn't find Kirsten/ abandoned & not said goodbye to by Kirsten. 2. Looks for Saria (eventually) stopped by Saria. Saves Saria, doesn't talk to her again/ is not acknowledged by Saria. 3. Nasti tells her she's a crybaby & to get lost I mean, it really is no wonder she wanted to off herself. She built Rhine Lab with them from the beginning and this is how the event chooses for all these people to treat her? It's unbelievable.

Me: All that to make Doctor look better in comparison, right? It's jarring bc it's such a far cry from the brief concern Saria showed towards her in DV and doesn't even follow up with her claim to want to save Muelsyse in LT. Where's the consistency? She remembers that Mumu is fragile, but we don't even get a scene or mention of checking up on her after crashing back down to earth?

At least in Kristen's case, she remembered Muelsyse exists afterwards with the plantlife onboard, but it's not even presented as wrong or a character flaw how Saria ignores Muelsyse in the end, even though she literally saved her life. Just... nothing. This is the defender who protects others? The one that she fell for?

Yeah “when you’re emotional you forget that you’re fragile” & okay this is a devastating day for her so fuck her very much! No need to check on how she’s doing losing a long time friend and colleague, how she was in a thing that literally crashed but she saved *her*. And this isn’t even about Samuels in particular! This is how she was treated by the people with an established history that matter to her. Obviously the game is pandering, but given how literally everyone in the game, from the actions she can see, treats her like she is disposable trash. It’s no fucking wonder she’d be like “oh wow doctor!” Because at least they treat her like a human being who has feelings and who hurts? The fact that Saria doesn’t even reach out, that she has treated her like a stranger for the most part doesn’t track. Why did they make Muelsyse the “hero/ star” of the event banner? She’s forgotten and mistreated by everyone, gets almost zero game content, her file and voice lines are a mess and she doesn’t influence the story in any way at all. This event as a Rhine Lab story was trash.

Me: It felt so much more like a "Silence" story with Rhine Lab as window dressing. They clearly didn't have any editors around because how can you SAY that these people matter to Muelsyse but then not PROVE it? The lack of care, the disrespect towards her and other characters in relation to her is just astonishing

I like Silence a lot but wtf was she leading this? The whole thing is the conflict with Sarsten w/ Muelsyse in the middle. She got a new outfit, talked to Parvis, rehashed a conversation w Saria for the 10th time? This should have been all Muelsyse / Saria/ Kirsten but they barely existed in the event. And who the fuck polled whoever else to decide that Ferdinand and the creep Josh should get the rest of the time!Why so much build up with Jara / her closeness to Kirsten to not have any interaction with them? WTF were they doing.

I could probably write an essay about all the things I felt didn't work as a Rhine Lab event. This might have worked better as a vignette just to keep it tidy. But I think the other thing for me is that… hrm this event almost assumes that all you've seen of Silence is the manhua and thus wow! Growth! She loses the glasses and gets a new style to show that off. But the Silence of this event is the Silence we've had in the game since day one. The one in Mansfield and in Dorothy's Vision who is kind of certain about what is wrong and what is right and will stand up for that. So to me there wasn't any growth there. Because we'd already seen that growth/ that was the person we've known since the start of the game. A lot of this event kind of relies on… either not having read the manhua or exclusively having read the manhua. Because if not for the manhua you don't know/ understand why there's that Kirsten/Saria divide and how much it means. It's all very weird.

And kind of to add to my little rant… DV and the manhua allude to Muelsyse being extremely close to Kirsten and being her sidekick. But in neither the manhua or any of the events do we see any of that. Instead we get Nasti (who I like a lot) in that role and--- I just don't get it. You'll be less disappointed if you don't read the manhua. lol A ton of Muelsyse's character development and her relationship with Saria is highlighted there and this event just kind of decides to burn all of that to the ground. But if you want to see why the final chapter matters/ is special/ yes, read it.

Me: Nasti's in the role bc we had to have our self-insert fix with the hot new playable op :/

yeah. with the same motivations. but all of that should have rightfully been hers I really do think they just gave Muelsyse's role to Nasti And the cherry on top of all of it was at the end when Muelsyse is like "Huh did the three of us actually dance together or did I make all of that up?" I just can't with that final slap in the face to Muelsyse and all of them. Like her talk about loneliness is fine and well done and the little history but so much left a lot of questions.

Me: yeah… it's just. wow. there were nuggets and seeds planted that had potential, but they didn't bother to actually cultivate and develop those relationships and dynamics at which point why even include them at all

Yeah, I’ll include that in my rant, but my last point on that end is Saria’s “I would do it over again” doesn’t make sense if you haven’t read the manhua— and just doesn’t jive with what is presented in the events with her that is much more clinical. And I’ve said this about multiple things— but a story should be able to stand on its own without having needed to read a manhua for additional context— and especially when having read the manhua you’re left with ??????

[mydisenchantedeulogy]

Candy Coated [Chapter Ten] Faith [Buddha]

A/n: the art was made by the lovely Somanoko of Ao3. In the last chapter, I used the colored image of this piece, but I'm in love with this version too. Please enjoy.

Warning(s): Buddha being Buddha, first kiss, conflicting emotions, teasing, character lore, Buddhism, female reader, easing into love.

Tag list: @useless-potatho , @tojibreedingme , @quinloki , @yingxian, @2lottie2, @lunas-nova , @anduinandwrathionlover, @tiredfairy, @the-queen-of-sorrows , @alientee , @lawlietliet, @hanaibea, @69your-best-night-mare69 , @bradshawwannabe

No Minors Allowed!!

From the corner of the screen, an icon of a familiar woman pops up. You raise a curious brow and eagerly click on it. 

Randgriz welcomes you with a smile but before you can greet her, she begins to speak.

"Welcome viewer. I am Randgriz, the fourth-oldest of the Valkyries. It is my pleasure to serve as your narrator during this portion of the first battle."

Oh neat. The Valkyries went all out in this tournament. You listen to Randgriz explain the narration option before she continues. 

"Let us go over the history of Humanity's representative for the first round, Lü Bu."

A window pops up in her place and shows an open sky, then pans down to a small village on a grassy plateau. Sitting bareback on a muscular horse is a child with blood on his face. 

You hum. This must be Lü Bu. Even though he is a child, he is intimidating.

"According to the records of the three kingdoms, it has been said that Lü Bu came from a Mongolian tribe," Randgriz mentions.  "However, we're yet to confirm his origin."

The door to the room comes open, pulling your attention away from the screen for a moment. You smile as Buddha walks in.

Shortly after the start of the match, he got a craving for popcorn and left to find some. Based on the pout he's wearing and the absence of popcorn, you assume he could not find any.

"No such luck, huh?" You ask. 

Buddha sighs.

"No, but Bu-chan said she would have some brought over soon." He pauses a moment to look at the screen and raises a brow.

"It's a history lesson," you state. "Do you want to watch it with me?"

Buddha yawns, obviously not interested.

"If you want a lesson, I can give you one."

You snort.

"What sort of lesson does the Buddha have for me?"

The said man grins and sits in the middle of the floor with his legs crossed, motioning for you to join him. You sit the tablet down and ease to the floor in front of him. Once you are comfortable, you give him a nod.

"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It can not be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell," he recites.

You raise a brow, not exactly certain what he is trying to say.

"Elaborate."

"Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment," he clarifies. 

You hum. 

"I don't think there was ever a time when I was alive that I just focused on me. Who am I? What makes me happy? I let the motion of life pull me down even though these questions were the most important aspect of me." 

"You have all the time in the world now," Buddha mentions. He rests his hands in his lap face up, a pose you recognize from statues of him. "So who are you? And what makes you happy? Aside from material things."

Material things? So he means abstract things. Raising your hand, you name some; little things in life - now death - that make you happy.

Turning your eyes to him, your face turns red as you notice the look of interest in his expression.

 "And I'm happy here…with you and Jataka. I don't want to be forced to say goodbye."

The thought of being torn away from the two of them sinks you into despair. 

"Humanity must win," you utter. 

Buddha raises his right arm and faces it outwards; the other reaches out to touch your arm. 

"Have some faith in me. I won't let you be sad."

He truly is perfect. 

Whether it is because of the tether or not, you can not ignore the sensation of fondness that devours you. Glancing at his lips, you turn your eyes to his in question, noticing the lily pattern in them. For a moment, the urge to taste him fades from your mind. 

"What does it mean when your eyes do that?" You ask.

Buddha grins.

"Bu-chan calls it 'future vision'. But it's a form of precognition."

You widen your eyes. 

"You can see into the future?"

The history books never said anything about this. You feel like years of classes meant nothing. 

Buddha laughs. 

"Only a moment.”

That is insane. But you suppose it would explain certain occurrences you have witnessed while living with him. Like the time he predicted that you would catch the can of chips that nearly fell on your head or the time he separated the jelly beans to prank Zeus.

"That's some ability,” you mention with a grin. 

It sounds almost too good to be true though, despite the proof. You sort of want to test it. And the opportunity falls into your lap with an innocent thought. 

Would he mind if I kissed him?

You are not sure what has come over you but the suggestion of concentrating just on him is what you yearn to do.

"So you can see a moment before I make a move. I'm curious. What will I do?"

Buddha widens his eyes. 

"That's valiant of you.” 

Warmth spreads to your face.

"You have no idea.”

Sitting up on your knees, you lean forward, but at the last second, you tilt your head and kiss him on the cheek. 

"I saw what you did," Buddha states with a grin.

He turns your face toward him. 

"If you want to kiss me, then do it.”

He's straightforward. But he is right.

You eagerly lean in, however, a sudden knock at the door startles you. Buddha laughs, then calls in the visitor, much to your displeasure.

A young woman with a veil over her eyes enters. She bows respectively.

"I apologize for my intrusion, Lord Buddha, but Lady Brunhilde sent me over with your request.”

Moving to the side, the woman snaps her fingers, and moments later, another woman with a cart walks in. On it is a bucket of popcorn and several other snacks and sweets. 

The woman with the veil bows again as the second woman rushes from the room. 

"She insists that you watch what is to come.”

You raise a brow in question but the young woman turns and walks away, closing the door behind her.

"I was wondering when that would make an appearance,” Buddha utters. 

"W-what do you mean?” You ask.

Despite your curious nature, you are an absolute wreck. Moments ago, you were about to kiss a God. The mortified heat on your face only intensifies. A part of you is relieved to have been interrupted, but the other is disappointed. 

"We might as well do as Bu-chan says,” Buddha utters with a sigh. 

Nodding in agreement, you shakily stand and walk over to the hanging seat to retrieve the tablet. Before you return to Buddha, you bring a bucket of popcorn back with you, sitting on the floor beside the God. He takes the device and returns the screen to the arena. 

In the meantime, you watch his reaction, unsure of how he can appear so calm after what had happened. 

"Shaka?”

The God hums but a bright light consumes the screen and draws his attention.

You lean over to look, pushing aside the question you want to ask, at least for the time being.

The halberd that Lü Bu came into the arena with is glowing intensely as he blocks Thor’s attack. How is he able to go toe to toe with the God? As he strikes one of the gloves that Thor wears, it suddenly shatters.

"How did he–”

"That is a Divine Weapon,” Buddha interrupts. 

You raise a brow. 

"Like a weapon made by the Gods?”

"Something like that,” Buddha answers. He grins. "It's the act of uniting the soul of a Human with the soul of a Valkyrie, called a Völundr. Bu-chan calls it Humanity's own cheat.”

How is this possible? 

You notice an icon pop onto the screen matching the shape of the halberd. Clicking on it, you read over the details.

"Sky Piercer. This weapon takes on the Valkyrie it possesses. In this case, the 4th Valkyrie, Radgritz, meaning shield breaker.”

Your eyes widen. 

"Radgritz? She and Lü Bu are united. But how?”

Buddha hums.

"It works by using the power of Samavadhāna, a practice I taught them.”

Is this what Brunhilde had planned? The secret meetings that she had with Buddha. 

They were always one step ahead.

"I'm sorry,” you utter, averting your eyes to the floor. "I doubted you and Bu-chan. But I won't ever do it again.” 

Buddha laughs. 

"It's in the hands of the fighters now, but she will be pleased to hear that.”

He lifts your face toward him.

"Like I said, have faith in me.”

Leaning in, he presses his lips against yours, tenderly. You eagerly return the kiss, but strangely your body is at ease. No anxiety, no agitation. Not at all what you were expecting, albeit this is incredible.  

I feel…calm. 

Is this good or bad?