#Pseudo Simulation

[dimalink]

Cabin Pilot - Second Episode [PreView, PreRelease]

Shooter, view from a cabin. You are flying with a space ship. And shoot with a laser. You are flying across different planets. They are different with background. And you are a with a space avenger. View from a cabin - it is a reference to simulation, but it is arcade, of course.

So, here we have a view from a cabin – and this gives a game some simulation point. But, it plays, anyway, as arcade. And, something like different backgrounds – it is about a different planets. There is a planet jungle. It is green background. There is a planet with sand. Where it is always a sand storms. It is, for example, yellow color. And standard blue – typical sky.

Basic Pascal pack - whole pack of games and programes, written with basic and pascal. It is retro. With each game and program there is a page at author`s website. There are aditional information, descriptions, pictures, arts.

Basic Pascal: http://www.dimalink.tv-games.ru/packs/basicpascal/index_eng.html

Itchio: https://dimalink.itch.io/basic-pascal Website: http://www.dimalink.tv-games.ru/home_eng.html

[wafflefries13]

First Date Ideas (Multi TWST Cast X Reader)

Summary: Short drabbles of where you would take your favorite Twisted Wonderland guy on a first date, and where he would take you.

AN: Pseudo part 2 to the asking-out fic I posted. Not really much else to say besides I really liked trying to come up with a bunch of unique ideas. Thanks for reading!

Cross-posted on my AO3 TheGhostInTheKitchen

Warnings: Fluff

Part 1: Asking them out

Ace: 

Where you take him: Arcade

It’s fun, it’s cozy, it’s classic, and it gives Ace a chance to show off. You both get a bunch of tokens, eat greasy pizza, and try your hand at the games. You take each other on in skeeball and Ace tries to convince you to go against him in the basketball game but you argue he has an unfair advantage. So you settle for the racing simulator. After, when you collect all your tickets, you pour over the prize counter, probably ending up with something not very impressive, or maybe a snow cone maker that stops working after the first three uses. But you’ll treasure it since it’s loaded with memories.  

Where he takes you: Carnival 

This boy is already a clown, put him back where he belongs.  Besides the fact that it gives him an excuse to impress you by winning prizes at the games alley, or trying to anyway, a carnival date fits Ace’s high energy. You can share popcorn and cotton candy while watching the circus acts and Ace will whisper to you explanations for the tricks the magician uses. There’s plenty of stuff to do and tons of fried food. It’s a classic for a reason. And he’d love it if you hold on to him on the rollercoasters. He ends up screaming more than you. 

Deuce: 

Where you take him: Petting zoo 

I just want to see Deuce fawning over baby chicks, is that so much to ask? NGL, I think he’d love it. You could go to some sort of tourist farm and check out the cows getting milked, sheep shearing or sheepdog herding, and collect eggs from the chickens (the kind that don’t hatch into chicks). I can also see Deuce getting into a grudge match against a goat that keeps bonking into his legs with his horns. At the end of the day you’ll sit at a picnic table eating some treats made at the farm and watch the sunset. 

Where he takes you: Botanical garden  

Deuce would want to do something classic, a surefire, tried and tested dating spot. I can imagine him being nervous, getting you flowers when you are already going to see more flowers. You’ll hold the flowers in one hand and Deuce’s, slightly sweaty, hand in the other. If they have a butterfly room, even better. They’ll have a little booklet with different species and you and Deuce go on a scavenger hunt to identify as many as possible. Winner gets kisses. 

Trey: 

Where you take him: At home food science experiment kits  

Did you ever see those at home science food kits where you made gummies and foam and other candy, usually themed to something really weird like monsters or worms? Yeah, you do those, half making fun of how weird it looks and half marveling at the cool effects of swirling all the different ingredients together. Will they taste amazing? Probably not, but Trey probably knows a few cool tricks to make everything a little more edible. 

Where he takes you: Chocolate factory tour 

Have you ever been to Hersheypark in Pennsylvania? There’s a whole section with a little dark ride that shows you the history of chocolate (that’s worse since they took the singing cow animatronics out), a cute interactive play, a trolly ride with chocolate samples, and two chocolate making experiences. You can stuff a giant Reese’s Cup (which is way too sweet IMO) or design your own chocolate bar including the wrapping. Anyway, there’s probably not a one-to-one replica, but with all that magic you can’t tell me there’s not something Willy Wonka-esque. You’ll both spend the day learning about the history of chocolate and chocolate making in Twisted Wonderland, capped off by making all kinds of treats. You’ll experiment with typical flavors, like raspberry, caramel, and nuts, to the more extraordinary, like jalapeno, lavender, and cheese. In the end, you’ll go home with a full box and a picture of the two of you, melted chocolate smearing your faces. (Trey will remind you at least three times to brush your teeth properly after all that sugar.) 

Cater: 

Where you take him: Thrift store

Listen, you find the right thrift store and you can find amazing treasures. And if not, well, you still find weird, kitschy stuff you can have fun ogling. You and Cater will take turns finding the best and worst outfits in the thrift store, having a makeshift fashion show by the changing rooms. Cater would, of course, take plenty of pictures for Magicam, labeling them #MeetMyNewPartner, #HeightOfFashion, #BestLookingCouple. You’ll also look through the aisles, coming up with backstories for all the various objects people have donated over the years. Whether or not you actually buy something isn’t the point. You end the day with plenty of pictures and at least three inside jokes that will drive everyone else crazy. 

Where he takes you: Crafting class

There’s been an emergence of cute crafting stores. Make your own bag, make your own candle, paint your own pottery, make a phone case, rug tufting, that kind of thing. Not only are they a cute and totally Magicamable couples activity, it also gives you both something to take home at the end of the day. Whichever you do, I can see you both making a craft for each other. Maybe you keep what you’re doing a secret until the end, filming your reactions when you reveal your crafts. If you pay close attention later on, you can catch him quietly admiring your gift. 

Riddle: 

Where you take him: Escape room 

Back during the NRC Halloween event, when everyone was stuck in the ghost realm, Riddle had a ton of fun solving those puzzles. I think he would love an escape room, finding clues and undoing locks, using logic and guile to uncover the story. He might get frustrated at the harder puzzles, but it’s all worth it when you work together to solve everything.  You get your picture taken together with a “We Escaped!” sign that you frame. It would be something unexpected but fun for the both of you. (TBH, I think he would love the Nancy Drew games. Maybe not the part where you keep breaking into people's things and stealing stuff, though.) 

Where he takes you: High tea and window shopping 

Riddle is going for a classic, something prim and proper for a prim and proper boy. I can see him reserving a table at a high class hotel for high tea, a table set with a beautiful porcelain teapot and a tower of tiny sandwiches and cakes. He’d order a bunch of different teas you could try. Afterwards, you would walk along the street, checking out shops and talking together. Bonus points if you both get to wear something fancy and cute. 

Leona: 

Where you take him: Picnic 

Look, while having the title of Ramshackle Dorm Prefect sounds fancy, you don’t have a lot of extra cash. You would need to do something simple and cheap but still meeting Leona’s royal tastes (You can’t tell me this boy isn’t a picky eater.) Thanks to the Culinary Crucible, you have a few new skills to test out. You find a big blanket in some old trunk in Ranshakle and pack everything together in a cute wicker basket. Maybe you’ll eat in the gardens where Leona always takes naps or go out on the beach to watch the waves. You both end up falling asleep with full bellies. (Leona won’t admit it, but he feels like that was the best food he’s had in a long time.) 

Where he takes you: River cruise with a fancy dinner 

Leona is going to see your cute picnic date and immediately one ups it with a super fancy and elegant river cruise with a full five course meal. It’s on a beautiful private yacht sailing down a river in the Sunset Savannah. You’ll sit on the deck, candlelight table, while perfectly dressed waiters serve you. This would probably backfire on Leona, though, as you tease him for acting the most prince-ly you’ve ever seen him. Not that you don’t have a ton of fun. By the time dessert rolls around, you’ve both ditched the fancy setting and started skipping stones in the wake of the boat. 

Jack: 

Where you take him: Canoeing 

Something relaxing and outdoorsy and fun. I’m thinking you’ll find someplace like the Ocklawaha River or Crystal River in Florida. A beautiful river with plenty of turtles and fish to spot, surrounded by lush forests or Everglades. If you’re more confident on the water, maybe you each can have a kayak, but I imagine something like you both share a boat. It would be fun to have a sort of eye-spy sheet, like who can spot the most turtles, identify fish, maybe catching sight of a manatee, and, wait, was that an alligator? You’ll end your journey at a natural spring. Dumping your stuff in the canoes, you’ll jump in and spend the rest of the day swimming in the cool water. Maybe you find a good vine or rope and swing out over the water. 

Where he takes you: Zip Lining and high ropes course 

More high energy and involved than a lazy day river trip, but it gives you two the chance to be close. I can almost guarantee Jack found out about the place you go to from Coach Vargas. You’ll get hooked up into harnesses and climb up to a vast network of bridges and ladders and obstacle courses hung between the trees like a giant athletic spiderweb. Maybe at one point you slip, and, although you’re perfectly safe with the harness system, Jack still lunges forward to catch you, blushing hard after as he realizes how close you too are. 

Ruggie: 

Where you take him: Food festival 

I imagine something like the Plant City Strawberry Festival, the Wilton Blueberry Festival, or the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Heck, even throw in the Epcot Food and Wine Festival if you want to have another Disney reference. Something county fair-like with plenty of free samples. You’re not sure who convinced who, but at some point you end up getting those cheesy headbands with springs on top and plastic versions of food bobbing around your heads. There always seems to be sketchy fair rides at these things, too, so you definitely cling to each other going down a log flume ride, kind of regretting how much you ate beforehand. But that’s not going to stop you from chowing down after. 

Where he takes you: Farmer’s market 

Listen, if something is good at a farmer’s market, then you know it’s the best. The big ones not only have plenty of great food, but also local performers and plenty of fun extras to buy. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s fun walking through the crowds and seeing all the different stands. You definitely get some super fancy ice cream, probably with some ridiculous flavors like lavender, parmesan, or licorice. Serving sizes always seem huge too, so you both definitely go home with plenty of leftovers. (You totally don’t notice that Ruggie has been paying with Leona’s credit card this whole time.) 

Azul: 

Where you take him: Game shop 

One of Azul’s vignette stories has him practicing throwing dice so many times until he’s able to completely control what numbers will come up. Sure, he might be in the board game club for fun, but also because he likes to win. So a game shop that hosts weekly game nights would be perfect not only for him to show off and impress you, but also a cozy space to have fun and take the pressure off first date jitters. Whether you have a game with just the two of you or join in with other patrons there, you can team up to strategize and win. I personally think something like One Night Werewolf would be perfect. (He does feel bad when he accuses you of being the werewolf, though. Too bad he’s right.) 

Where he takes you: Fancy restaurant 

It’s nothing compared to the Monstro Lounge, of course, But Azul is putting his best foot forward with a classic first date spot. Azul plans everything down to the most minute detail. He double and triple checks the menu of where you’re going before you even leave to make sure there’s nothing you’re allergic to and there’s something you’ll like. He goes all out: flowers, pulling out your chair, getting a bottle of something fancy and expensive to drink (non-alcoholic if you prefer). Of course, the moment you start complimenting him he turns red and starts tumbling over his words. Maybe you lean into that, enjoying teasing him, the switch from having everything under control to a mess of complex emotions. Still, you slide your hand across the table taking his, and you both have a perfect night. 

Jade: 

Where you take him: Make your own tea blend shop

Jade is an experimental guy. I think if he wasn’t the founder of the mountain lovers club he probably would be in the science club just to mix together every kind of chemical just to see what happens. You would take him to a small tea shop, maybe in town on Sage’s Island or somewhere else through the mirror portal. You would pick out matching tea cups then choose different flavors and leaves from the jars of dried tea. You could make up little packets of different custom blends, some of them stuff you actually think would taste good, some that just sound interesting all together. You and Jade could trade and drink them together back at the Monstro Lounge. 

Where he takes you: Mountain and cave hike 

This is kind of a gimme, but I think he’d want to show off all his knowledge of local mountain flora and fauna. He’s the only member of his club, which gives you plenty of time to be alone together and use the club’s budget however you want. He would surprise you by showing you an undiscovered cave entrance. Hopefully it’s not the kind where you have to crawl on your belly to get in. I like imagining something like Ruby Falls in Tennessee. He’d bring you in, turn off his lantern, and crowds of bioluminescent mushrooms would glow around you. 

Floyd: 

Where you take him: Roller derby 

You can’t tell me this boy would not absolutely love watching a bunch of people going super fast while trying to beat the hell out of each other. He would immediately pick a favorite team and buy all their merch. Even if it’s just a small local circuit he’ll make his own merch for the two of you to wear while you cheer them on. Floyd already likes shoes, specifically sneakers, so I think he would really like the idea of roller skating, going as fast on land as he can in the sea. Your next date will be at a roller rink. 

Where he takes you: Laser tag 

Similar to going to a roller derby, Floyd would love the energy and competition of laser tag. He’d be vaulting over the barriers and launching sneak attacks against other players. Maybe you two would team up and top the leaderboard or maybe he’d hunt you down in the glow-in-the-dark black-light game room. Afterwards you can catch your breath in the lobby and eat junk food. You’re not sure if you’re excited or nervous when he mentions paintball. 

Kalim: 

Where you take him: Hands-on science museum 

Coming up with a first date idea to impress Buys-A-Restaurant-Chain-Because-You-Said-You-Liked-Their-Breadsticks-Once-Kalim is a little harrowing. Sure, you know he would like whatever you have planned, it’s the thought that counts, but that doesn't mean you don’t want to try and show off a little. You eventually find a hands-on science museum. Think the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia or the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose or even WonderWorks. It’s something that keeps you active, jumping from exhibit to exhibit to try out all kinds of new things while pretending you're learning. Sure, most of the other people there are kids, but that doesn't stop either of you from having fun. With Kalim’s experience with all his younger siblings, you soon have a small army helping you with the replica dinosaur dig site. 

Where he takes you: Fused glass class 

Kalim’s first instinct is to go big. Throw a parade, rent out a theme park, buy a private island. This little ball of sunshine is way too excited to think anything through. Maybe Jamil mentions that you might be intimidated by such an overwhelming show of wealth on a first date, or maybe he implies you need to work up to something that extravagant. Whatever the case, Kalim agrees to start small. He’ll take you to a stained glass shop that offers classes in Silk City. You’ll take a fused glass class together, where you take shards and rods of other colored glass, placing them gently together in a shape. The owners fire the final product leaving you with a beautiful hand-made ornament. Kalim hangs it by his window back in his dorm room, smiling whenever the light catches it. (He’s still thinking about that private island, though.) 

Jamil: 

Where you take him: Aviary 

Jamil mentioned in one of his vignettes that he would want to own a parrot one day. So why not give it a test run with a variety of different parrot species, and throw in some parakeets, falcons, lorikeets, and canaries while we’re at it? You buy cups of food and the birds will fly down to perch on your arms and heads.  The parrots, in colors ranging from green and yellow to blue and purple and red, show you how they dance and talk. There’s a game you can play with them where you hold up different objects and they’ll tell you what they are and what they’re made of. There’s even a falconry show where the birds swoop out into the audience. At the end of the day, the tour guide makes a joke about lovebirds that you both pretend to ignore. 

(BTW, did you know President Andrew Jackson had a parrot that cursed so much it had to be removed from the room during his funeral because it kept swearing? The more you know.) 

Where he takes you: Dance class 

Mr. Jack Of All Trades, Master Of All over here is definitely going to want to show off. No matter who asked who out first, he wants to reassure you, and himself, that you made the right choice agreeing to go out with him. So he sticks with something he knows best, something he has fun with, and something he can easily introduce you too. Whether it’s a classic ballroom dance, salsa, or classic Scalding Sands folk dancing, Jamil just loves the chance to be close to you. It might be better if you have two left feet so he can show off leading you. By the end, you're both sweaty and exhausted, muscles aching pleasantly, but you're also both laughing and wondering if you should enter a couples dance competition. 

Vil: 

Where you take him: DIY spa night 

Like I said before, you don’t exactly have a lot of extra cash, so I can see you relying on a lot of DIY tricks. You’re hoping to impress one of Twisted Wonderland's biggest triple threats with scented candles (bought half-off at Sam’s), homemade avocado hair masks, coconut oil and honey face masks, and a jade face roller and gua sha set you have no idea how to properly use. Vil definitely appreciates effort, so he’ll love whatever you have set up. He’ll even show you how to actually use that jade roller and gua sha. 

Where he takes you: Private movie theater 

Let’s be honest, Vil isn’t exactly the most humble person. And you, a magicless student with pretty much no frame of reference for any pop culture or just plain cultural insights in this new world, are in the perfect position for him to show off. Vil would rent out a private theater showing the best and most iconic movies in all of Twisted Wonderland. Of course, he also shows you all of his films (Like I said, not so humble). He may give you the side eye when you insist on sharing a bucket of buttery popcorn, but if you gasp and laugh and applaud in all the right places I don’t think he’ll mind. 

Rook: 

Where you take him: Art museum 

Quelle beaute! No matter what kind of art museum you choose, modern, sculpture, impressionist, classical, whatever, Rook is sure to love it. He’d be the kind of person to carefully read each plaque to discover more about the artist and what inspired their work. He’ll praise each and every piece, only to turn around and compare it to your beauty. While this definitely will get you a few looks from some of the other visitors, you won’t mind because you know he’s being completely sincere with every word. At the end of the day, you’ll probably end up with an art book from the gift shop and you get each other prints of your favorite paintings. 

Where he takes you: Zoo 

You can take the boy out of the hunt but you can’t take the hunt out of the boy… Or something. We know Rook has a penchant for stalking the poor beastman students at NRC (I bet they have to warn the Savannahclaw first years every year), so I think he would also love admiring animals in a place where you’re actually suppose to watch them. Extra points if there are baby animals. Extra extra points if the zoo has one of those programs where you can go back and get close up encounters with some of the animals, like sloths or elephants. You both definitely get plushies of your favorite animals after. 

Epel: 

Where you take him: Motorcross 

Give the farm boy blood. We know from his dorm uniform vignette that he can ride a blast cycle. Checking out a motorcross race or just a show exhibition would be a high energy outing for you both. Cheering in the stands gives him a chance to cut loose from the stricter rules of decorum in Pomefiore, and sometimes it’s just fun to watch things go fast with a chance of crashing. Maybe you can rent one, or borrow one from Ingenhyde back at NRC, and go for a drive. He’ll probably go a little too fast, maybe from nerves or excitement or just to have to hold him a little tighter. 

Where he takes you: Ice skating 

Do you know how to skate? Great! He’ll take you out to a frozen lake in the middle of a beautiful forest near Harveston. Some place only the locals know about. It’ll be something right off a Christmas card with glitter snow and a perfect clear blue sky. Don’t know how to skate? That’s fine too! You’ll go to an indoor rink, somewhere where the ice is guaranteed to be smooth and won’t crack under your feet. If you’re just learning, please hold on to him and let him teach you, it’ll make him feel super manly and swell with pride. No matter where you go, you both get hot apple cider after, maybe cuddling together in front of a warm fireplace and sharing a warm quilt. 

Idia: 

Where you take him: Cat cafe 

You’re going to need a good excuse to get Idia out of his room, and this is a pretty good reason. Ideally, you would find a place like Tashirojima, the cat island in Japan, but a good old cat cafe will work just as well. You’ll find the least busy time to go which should help Idia’s social anxiety. But once you both settle into plush low chairs and get surrounded by cute kitties, he won’t even notice anyone else. The cafe sells cute frozen cat treats shaped like cat paws that you buy to encourage the cats to come closer. You snuck in some catnip, and you both spend the day enveloped in cute warm kitty cuddles. 

Where he takes you: Video game night 

The boy is a nervous wreck around other people on his best days, so when he decides to venture on a date he’s going to go with something he’s most comfortable with. You’ll camp out in his room for the date. He’s gone to great lengths to make it nice, plenty of snacks and soft pillows and blankets. He’ll introduce you to some of his favorite but entry level games first. Maybe something Animal Crossing adjacent, but I have a soft spot for point-and-click adventure puzzle games. Eventually, you’ll end up playing doubles on something more action oriented, Idia showing you all the best tricks and combo moves. (Ortho is secretly taking pictures to show at the wedding he’s already planning for you both.) 

Sebek: 

Where you take him: Salmon fishing and grill  

You like it because it gives a chance to get out in nature and be alone together, he likes it because he gets to catch his favorite food and prove he can be a provider. Sure, it just might be a first date, but Sebek likes to think ahead and he’s definitely taking your budding relationship seriously. You two go out into the woods, probably near where Camp Vargus was held, and set up next to a river. While most of the day is hanging out on the bank and talking, there’s always a jolt of excitement when one of your lines starts to tug and you pull out a beautiful gray and pink salmon. Sure, there was that one time when the fish slapped Sebek with his fin until it slipped from his hands, but you both agree to forget about that (you don’t forget, in fact you think about it often). Around midday, you both realize you’re kind of squeamish when it comes to cleaning fish. Sebek puts on a brave face and cuts them up while you make a campfire. Is it the best meal you’ve ever had? No, definitely not. Are you picking fish bones out of your teeth for the rest of the evening? Yeah. Did you two have a ton of fun and are already planning your next date? Of course. 

Where he takes you: Tournament 

Does Twisted Wonderland have Renaissance fairs? Who knows, but considering Briar Valley still has knights, they definitely have tournaments. The Bead Brawl is sort of similar to what I’m thinking, but there’s more of a focus on what we would think of as traditional medieval events. Stuff like jousting, sword fighting in full armor, and archery. I don’t think you go all the way to the Briar Valley for this, it’s probably more of a smaller local fair with less serious competition. I think Sebek will be a spectator at this event, but that doesn't stop him from commenting on the participants. He tells you about his own training with Lilia and Silver. He’ll be boastful and loud, but you know him well enough at this point to tell he’s nervous under all the bravado. He wants to make sure you’re having a good time but is too stubborn to actually ask. There are definitely giant turkey legs, homemade soda and mead, and chimney cakes to stuff yourself with. He’ll enter a visitor competition, something fun and light like an obstacle course, and win you a prize. At the end of the day there will be a traditional dance at the fair and you both twirl together under lantern light.

Silver: 

Where you take him: Bookstore date 

Whether a big chain store or a cute local owned place, the idea is the same. First, you both find the cheesiest romance novel cover in the store. Next, you checked out the cook books, looking for the weirdest and worst sounding recipes (you joke about getting it for Lilia then laugh at the glare he gives you). Finally, you both choose a book for the other that you’ll read then reconvene to talk about at your next date. You find him an adventure book, something you would have called epic fantasy back in your world. He gets you a collection of well known fables and myths from across Twisted Wonderland. He’s slightly worried that you’ll be insulted in his reference to your lack of cultural knowledge of your new world, but you love it, especially the gorgeous illustrations for each story. 

Where he takes you: Horse riding along the beach 

This can go one of two ways, depending if you know how to ride a horse/are comfortable around them. If you know how to ride, Silver will borrow someone’s horse from the equestrian club for you to ride. If not, you’ll ride behind him, arms hugged around his middle as you cuddle close. Either way, you’ll ride down to one of the beaches along Sage’s Island. You’ll ride along the beach, darting in and out of the waves. Silver will probably have packed a small picnic that you can eat while watching the sunset. He ends up nodding off for a little while you take a break lounging on some dunes, but you kind of like him leaning on your shoulder like that. 

Lillia: 

Where you take him: Concert in the park 

A few steps down from a full on festival, I’m imagining a lush green park, couples and families spread out on blankets, food trucks surrounding everything making the park smell amazing, maybe a couple of craft tents with knick-knacks for sale. There will be a large stage set up for the bands. Lilia prefers heavy metal, but I think he would like any show that plays something high energy. You’ll set up an umbrella to give you both some shade as you watch the acts. Lilia will regale you with tales of his travels and he’d probably love hearing about all the places in your world. At some point, you both definitely spend time dancing ridiculously. Lilia takes plenty of pictures to show off back at Disamonia. 

Where he takes you: Esports competition 

When Muscle Red told his online bestie Gloomamurai he was trying to come up with ideas for a date, the later said, “I got you,” and set him up with front row seats to the premier esports competition in all of Twisted Wonderland. Arriving at the indoor arena, you get a giant bucket of popcorn to share and Lilia buys you some merch of his favorite team. If you don’t know a ton about esports or the game they’re playing, Lilia will be more than happy to explain the rules to you. You’re surrounded  in deafening cheers when your team makes a last minute score to win, hugging each other while jumping up and down. On the way back, Lilia promises to help you set up an account for the online game and teach you the ropes, while trying to remember to thank his friend when you kiss his cheek. 

Malleus: 

Where you take him: Mini-golfing 

You can’t tell me it wouldn’t be adorable to see a giant Malleus hunched over a mini-golf club trying to gently tap the ball into a hole. I can see him at the first hole swinging like a normal golf course, sending the ball twinkling away, Team Rocket style. Mini-golf is a classic first date, and I think he would like the normality of it all. You’re not trying to super impress him, just treating him like a normal boyfriend, a normal date. And it gives you both more time to focus on each other, between desperately trying to hit the ball through the moving fan blades of the windmill hole. 

Where he takes you: Historic castle ruins 

I can imagine Malleus panicking at first about where to take you for your first official date. Does he bring you to a ball in the Briar Valley? A romantic opera in perfect box seats? Do you start picking out your engagement rings? Instead, he finally decided on an old reliable choice, harking back to how you both first started bonding in the first place. He finds beautiful old ruins, either in Briar Valley or somewhere else, and you just stroll and talk. He’ll tell you about the architecture, maybe the history of the location, pointing out whatever interesting gargoyles he spots. You both understand you don’t need grand gestures or impressive and expensive dates. You’re both happiest being with each other.

[boredtechnologist]

Zero Time Dilemma: Where Free Will Dies Screaming

"If you remove all the pieces of a ship, one by one, is it still the same ship?"

That’s not just a dorm-room question for philosophy majors - it’s the silent scream at the heart of Zero Time Dilemma (2016). The third entry in Kotaro Uchikoshi’s Zero Escape trilogy isn't just the darkest - it’s the most disturbed, fragmented, and meta-aware. A game that doesn’t just tell a story - it gaslights you into questioning whether the story ever existed at all.

Beneath its pseudo-Saw setting and logic puzzles lies a game obsessed with one terrifying question:

What happens when a person becomes aware they are a variable in someone else's equation?

Fragmented Consciousness as Horror

Unlike its predecessors, Zero Time Dilemma doesn’t let you follow one linear path. Instead, you bounce between timelines and memory fragments - completely out of order. This isn’t just narrative novelty. It’s weaponized disorientation.

You, the player, are forced to simulate the experience of temporal dissociation - a horror that mirrors real-world psychological conditions like dissociative identity disorder, PTSD, or memory repression. You wake up in a new “fragment” without knowing what your past self did. You watch the same character die in three different ways. You solve puzzles to try to prevent an outcome you already witnessed.

You are complicit. And yet, never in control.

That’s the dread: Zero Time Dilemma doesn’t ask "What would you do?" It says: "You already did it. And it didn’t help."

Free Will as a Lab Experiment

The Decision Game - the core premise - operates on the illusion of choice. But like Schrödinger's cat, each decision you make is a quantum state: both right and wrong until observed. The real horror is realizing that even your agency is a variable in someone else’s algorithm.

Characters aren’t making decisions. They’re being watched, measured, split across timelines like cells under a microscope. Every death is an iteration. Every betrayal is a test result.

The mastermind Zero isn’t just an antagonist. He’s a surrogate for the player, the developer, and the narrative algorithm itself. The game hints that causality has collapsed. That time isn’t a line but a mobius strip soaked in blood.

If 999 was about survival, and Virtue's Last Reward about trust, then Zero Time Dilemma is about despair as design. It’s a world where your only role is to suffer well.

Identity Is a Lie Told by Continuity

Characters in ZTD begin to suspect they are not singular beings. This isn’t just sci-fi - it’s existential dread. Sigma and Diana face a future where their souls are uploaded, duplicated, fragmented. Phi is born of paradox. Akane becomes myth. Q isn’t even sure if he’s human.

The deeper horror? The more they learn, the less human they become. Knowledge severs their emotional grounding. In the real world, identity is formed by memory, morality, and embodiment. In ZTD, those are just file properties - subject to overwrite.

Ask yourself: If you're distributed across realities, and you only exist in pieces, are you still a person?

Or have you become a narrative function?

The Player as God - and Monster

This is where the meta-horror cuts deepest.

You, the player, are orchestrating this suffering. Your omniscient perspective gives you power - but it’s cold, detached, and amoral. You’re not solving for justice. You’re solving for completion. You need to unlock every outcome to unlock the truth. Which means forcing every character to endure every possible trauma.

Kidnapping. Betrayal. Murder. Regret. You press "Continue" as they scream, just to see what happens next.

You’re not playing God.

You’re playing Zero.

And the game knows it.

The Psychological Toll of Absolute Knowledge

The deeper you go, the worse it gets. ZTD reveals that full awareness across timelines is not empowerment - it’s psychic decay. Phi, Sigma, Akane - all show signs of wear. They become ritualistic, obsessed with timelines, detached from the emotional weight of death.

Their empathy erodes. They become more like the player.

It’s a rare game that dares to say this:

“Knowing everything will not save you. It will destroy you.”

Zero Is Not a Villain. Zero Is a Mirror.

In ZTD, the villain isn’t a twisted genius - it’s the system itself. The escape room. The timeline. The branching logic. It’s the framework of the narrative, and you, the player, are the one making sure it runs to completion.

In the final analysis, Zero Time Dilemma becomes a kind of theological horror. A game where God has been replaced by a sentient flowchart, where the soul is just a conditional flag, and where hell isn’t punishment - it’s repetition.

And maybe that’s the darkest thing of all:

You didn’t come here to save them. You came here to watch them suffer in every way possible. And the game made sure you had no choice.

[awkward-halfhug]

probably not the best sedative | eleventh doctor x reader

summary: pseudo-morning shenanigans

chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6

contents: fluff, some name-calling, the doctor being a 'genius'

(also on my ao3)

1.7k

After that first successful sleepover situation, it became a habit. A routine. A tradition. When you get back from adventuring, you both go your separate ways to freshen up, grab a book to read (in your case), or a a gizmo to fiddle with (in his case), and meet up in one of your usual spots in the TARDIS to decompress, until finally you both fall asleep. 

After he woke up that first time, curled up in a ball on your lap, your legs tucked under you and your upper body curled around his in a way that made him cringe in sympathy for your poor back, he had felt an odd mix between embarrassed, endeared, and incredibly proud of himself for such a great idea. 

For one thing, one of your hands had somehow found its way into his hair at some point. The pressure of your fingertips on his scalp was completely foreign and entirely thrilling. He had been almost afraid to move for fear of breaking the peace and beauty of the moment. 

Almost. But he had really needed to pee. 

Your groggy, half-asleep state had been endearing and if his bladder hadn't been about to burst he would've liked to enjoy it longer. 

Fortunately for him, he would be getting to see a lot more of that cute pout in the weeks to come. 

He's looking at it now, in fact. 

"Hey sleepyhead", the Doctor murmurs into the pseudo-morning air. 

A few simulated birds chirp in the distance to each other. Coupled with the holographic display of the sun rising, the effect is incredibly peaceful. That, and the (safe amounts of) solar rays the TARDIS stores and emits through her projected 'sun', is apparently effective in its goal of keeping you on a regular sleep schedule. The Doctor, too, has been benefiting from these modifications you requested. He feels healthier somehow, more energized. And, surprisingly, happier. Although he's not about to admit this to you, or to the TARDIS for that matter. 

You smile sleepily as you stretch out your tired limbs. 

"M'rnin'" you mumble, before curling back into the Doctor's side. 

The Doctor chuckles in response and tugs you closer. He's never been one to pass up an opportunity when it's right in front of him. The cuddling and the holding each other has grown in frequency and ease since that first sleepover/snuggle session/whatever it was, but it still hasn't lost any if its novelty. Or its comfort.

He holds you close for a little while longer until he feels himself starting to drift off again. He's almost asleep when he hears an animal, very close, and from the sounds of it, possibly very angry. 

His senses on high alert, he whips his head around the room searching for the danger. If he can identify the creature quickly enough he can hopefully protect his companion in time, should it attack.

Had he left the door to the hatchery open again? He wouldn't put it past himself. It's happened plenty of times in the past. Although, the particular species residing there these days isn't one he feels keen on introducing to you. At least not this way.

He's just creeping off the couch, slowly, not making any sudden movements, when he hears it again.

Finally he identifies it.

You crack one sleepy eye open and frown at him when he busts up laughing. He leans back to his original position and scoops you up into his arms. 

"Should I start keeping you in the hatchery?" He asks between chuckles.

You just blink at him in confusion. Suddenly your stomach growls, loudly, demanding it be paid due attention. Your eyes widen and your cheeks color.

"I think I'm hungry." You say, timidly.

The Doctor just laughs louder. You smack him lightly on the chest and he calms down a bit.

"Come on then, we better feed the little beast before it goes on a rampage."

You both climb off the couch reluctantly and let the TARDIS lead you to whatever hallway she placed the kitchen in today.

After eating their meal, you sit together in companionable silence, allowing your brains to wake up for the day. Well, allowing your brain to wake up. His is wide awake now.

His mind is usually spinning a hundred miles an hour every waking minute of the day. And keeping him awake at that. But lately his mind seems to have calmed considerably. It's amazing the affect the woman sitting across from him can have, without even trying.

When you're apparently awake enough to think clearly, you break the silence. "What was that about a hatchery?" 

The Doctor manages to restrain himself from laughing any further at her expense, but he can't keep the smirk from his face as he replies.

"Nothing, dear."

"Dear?" You lift a bemused eyebrow.

Panic. Panic panic panic. That's all his mind supplies him at first. Maybe you've made him a little too relaxed. He still manages to come up with a genius cover for his blunder.

"Er, the hatchery. It's nothing. Have one here. Was talking about that. You gonna finish your tea? I'll finish it if you don't want it."

Before you could comment further on the sudden term of endearment, the Doctor swipes your teacup out of your hands and starts guzzling it as though it weren't scalding hot. Which it is. 

"I was drinking that!" You cry, your face warring between outrage and confusion. Good.

"Sorry. Just couldn't resist. Yours just looked so much better than mine." The Doctor emphasizes this statement by grabbing his half-full tea cup and tossing it in the sink a few feet away, without even looking behind him. It lands with a crash and he flinches.

You blink owlishly at him. Crisis averted.

"So, where to today, my love?" The Doctor can feel his eyes bulging out of their sockets. His mouth has a mind of its own apparently and it's scheming against him.

You barely have time to get out a confused little "Wha-?" before the Doctor ploughs on ahead for some damage control.

"I was thinking we could visit Burr. Lovely little planet. Bit off the beaten path in the next galaxy over, but the views are spectacular. Interesting people, the Burrans. Manners are a bit different in every culture, you know. Have to follow their rules or risk offending them. Wouldn't want to end up in another jail cell would we?

You look a little distracted but you nod in agreement. "What are their rules of conduct then?"

The Doctor swallows. "Oh nothing too different from what you're used to. Cursties, bows, sirs and ma'ams, the like. And we have to call each other pet names."

"Pet names?" You repeat, as though you hadn't heard him right.

"Pet names." The Doctor smiled innocently.

Suddenly your expression changes from dazed to comprehension. And..is that disappointment?

That is definitely disappointment! It was just a twinge of it and it's gone now but it was there! The Doctor feels like he's won something, though he's not sure what.

You're smiling at him now, clearly amused. "So, are we practicing now then? Um...sweetie?" You cringe after you say it, hiding your face in embarrassment.

He laughs in relief and delight. "Oh, come now, you can do better than that, sugarplum." He's positively beaming now but he can't help it. He's enjoying himself too much with this.

You pull your hands from your face and look him straight in the eye, determination etched in every feature. "Cupcake" you say, clearly fighting off a silly grin.

"Pumpkin" he retorts.

"Honey bear" you fire back.

"Gumdrop" he laughs.

"Buttercup"

"Darling"

"Cuddlebug" you smirk as you say it. You're  teasing him, the minx.

He raises an eyebrow. "Sugar lips" 

Your mouth hangs open. "You are not calling me 'sugar lips'"! 

The Doctor laughs at your expression. "Why not?"

"We've never kissed, so how would you know if my lips are sugary or not, hm? So you can't use that one." You arched a brow as if to say 'checkmate'. 

The Doctor just hums a bit. Nodding to himself and debating.

Internal debate over, he leans across the table and places a kiss right on your smirking mouth. You gasp at the contact and he takes the opportunity to pull your bottom lip in between his teeth and sucks on it gently, running his tongue across quickly. You make a little noise and he pulls back just slightly, releasing your bottom lip and placing a little peck to your mouth before returning to his original spot across the table.

The Doctor has never seen you look more flustered than at this moment. You're gaping at him like the cutest little fish and a blush is covering your entire face, your neck, and your ears. He couldn't wipe the smirk off his face if he tried. 

The Doctor stares your straight in the eyes, licks his lips and says "Yep. Sugary. Almost too sugary. You really do put quite a lot in your tea, don't you?"

You try spluttering out an answer but it's basically gibberish.

"What's that, sugar lips?" The Doctor lifts a smug eyebrow.

Realization dawns on his companion's pretty face. "You- you did that for-? Just because of-?" 

Well not just because of the pet-name. Not really because of the pet-name at all. But you don't need to know that.

"Am I well-informed enough to be able to call you sugar lips now, sugar lips?"

"No!" 

The Doctor makes a move toward you again, but you splutter quickly "Yes! Okay, yes! You are well-informed. I am in total shock of how well-informed you are." You huff and he sits back down in his chair, well pleased with himself. 

"That settles it then. Go get dressed, we'll make a quick pit stop and then off to Burr!" He drums his hands happily on the kitchen table and skips away to set the coordinates.

First stop, a nice little bakery with a nice long line the Doctor can leave his companion in while he sneaks back to the TARDIS.

Second stop, Burr, a century or two before he plans on taking his companion. Spread a rumor here, make a comment there. Pet names will be commonplace etiquette before they know it.

Third stop, back to the bakery, his companion none the wiser.

And then obviously, fourth stop, back to Burr with you. 

The Doctor sighs. Another genius idea. The rapid torrent of his thoughts may have calmed down some lately, thanks to his lovely companion, and he might feel more relaxed, but his mind is still as sharp as ever. Sometimes he amazes even himself.

thank you for reading! If you enjoyed, please consider reblogging/commenting, it means a lot! ♡ and if you have requests or ideas, feel free to let me know in my ask box

[littlefeltsparrow]

Nesta’s emotional breakdown at the end of the hike was not a product of a well-meaning attempt to improve her well-being, but a manipulative pseudo-therapeutic strategy that aimed to simulate vulnerability and masquerade as progress in Nesta’s character arc.

The narrative would have you believe that the hike was an ordeal of self-discovery for Nesta, that Cassian was using a bit of “tough love” to help Nesta get better and grow as a person. But it operates on the idea that exposure to nature, which is presumed to be inherently beneficial, would give Nesta the push she needed to work through her issues and unpack the trauma that had been affecting her all throughout the book. But, this couldn’t be further from the reality that we are shown. Exercise like hiking can be immensely beneficial to one’s mental wellbeing and it can also be therapeutic in some cases, but such benefits are negated when the people involved are subjected to undue hardship and danger during that exercise.

It’s not a coincidence that Nesta opening up to Cassian comes directly after an extremely straining hike, during which she exhausted herself mentally and physically all while in the midst of intense psychological stress. Nobody told her that Feyre was alright after their heated argument, nobody told her that Feyre AGREED that Nesta did the right thing and understood why she did it. Consequently, this omission prolongs Nesta’s emotional anguish and guilt unnecessarily and makes the ordeal of the hike even worse.

Nesta, who has never hiked before in her life, is forced on one against her will, chaperoned by Cassian who does not speak to her and hardly looks at her during the 2 day hike. This is a detail that exposes this hike for what it truly is, a means of breaking Nesta’s spirit to get her back in line. It was never about piecing her back together, it was about shattering her emotionally to punish her for defying Rhysand’s authority. But, the text doesn’t want to admit that, it wants to pretend to make a grand statement on mental health and make a cheap copy of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir “Wild” without any of the pathos. Cassian can feel warm and fuzzy about the accomplishment of opening Nesta’s heart, when in reality, that vulnerability he witnesses is entirely a result of prolonged stress and pain.

So could it be, that Nesta’s emotional “ breakthrough” at the end of the hike, was not due to Cassian’s and the IC’s efforts to help her, but the combined strain of dehydration, exhaustion and intense emotional distress finally catching up with her after repressing it for 2 days straight?

[ddarker-dreams]

random yan chrollo blurb because i can't stop thinking about him even if i try . 🙏

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“… Are you still sure?”

“I’m still sure.”

“Swear to me.” 

“I swear.”

“That wasn’t sincere enough… swear… swear on the Troupe. In the name of their, uh, honor, or whatever.”

“Honor?” The word sounds humorous coming from Chrollo’s lips. “Very well. I swear on the honor of the Phantom Troupe that I won’t go back on my word.” 

You sit across from a formidable opponent. Fate has decreed this your lot, so you’ve taken what has been forcibly thrust upon you and sworn to crush it. However, at this stage, you’ve modified your parameters to be more realistic. The new, somewhat more obtainable goal is to leave a dent. Or a scratch, perhaps. 

For this dream to be realized, risks must be taken. The risk in this case is a willingness to interact with a man named Chrollo Lucilfer. His is a species defined by its tenacity. Through trial and error, you’ve concluded that typical avenues of escape aren’t in the cards. Nothing concerning the life you lead now is ordinary, so creativity and a solid vision are paramount. 

Your adversary sits leaning forward, his elbow on the table, forearm extending upward, and palm open. He observes you with the degree of amusement he always does, content in waiting for you to make the first move. 

You take a deep breath. Oxygen floods your being and blood circulates in full force. Every system in your body is primed and ready, there’ll be no better window, so you take it, springing into action. 

Contact is made with his outstretched palm. You steady your footwork for better balance, then pull, demanding everything your muscles can deliver and then some. This immense exertion of force is the culmination of your efforts. Hours of scheming by the window, exercising self-control not to pour salt on his strawberries so he’d be more affable to your requests, running mental calculations and simulations… 

… Alas, it’s not enough. 

You pitched a pseudo arm wrestling competition where you could use any means necessary to make him budge. You didn’t dare stipulate that you successfully pull his arm down, your hubris doesn’t extend that far; but the slightest movement on his part would spell your victory. A victory that’d have him fulfill any request your overactive imagination could conjure up. These terms and conditions were smoothed out in a verbal binding contract. 

His countenance is the same as it would be if he were flipping through a book or pulling his phone from his pocket — entirely casual. He isn’t even straining himself to maintain this stalemate. It’s possible that his physical strength is simply beyond your understanding, as is that parapsychological phenomena he refers to as Nen. 

“What,” you heave, disbelief coloring your tone, “Is your body made out of?” 

“Oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen—” 

“It was rhetorical, Mr. Alchemist,” you cut him off. 

He simply shrugs and smiles. Somehow, his arm still hasn’t moved an inch throughout that exchange. The thought of this metric gives you pause. An idea is sown and imbued with life in the span of a few seconds. 

“Ah, that’s the expression you get before you say something endearing,” he comments, almost dreamily. 

You ignore him and straighten up, ready to argue over technicalities like your life depends on it. Seeing that you’ve abandoned your previous scheme, he relaxes back into the chair. 

“I have a case. How do we know your arm didn’t move… an atom to the side?” 

Chrollo tilts his head. “An atom?” 

“Yes. If an inch is a unit of measurement, there has to be something smaller. So maybe your arm didn’t move an inch, but it moved the width of an atom. Are you following me?” 

“...” 

You barely comprehend it. 

One second, you’re standing, the next, you’re sitting, with arms and a familiar cologne engulfing you. You can feel the low rumbling of his chest. He chuckles into your ear and secures you tighter against him upon sensing your instinct to struggle. Scowling, you cross your arms while he regains his composure. 

“Don’t be cross with me, dear,” he smooths out your shirt, as if it’d exonerate him of his transgressions. “I’m not laughing at you. You’re just… everything. Everything I need. I’m sorry. Please finish your point.” 

“Court’s adjourned.” 

“That’s a shame. When might it reopen?”

“Never, you’re sentenced to death. No appeals.”  

“I thought you opposed capital punishment?” 

“Each second that has passed since this conversation began has regressed my views by a decade each.” 

"I'll just have to hold onto you for the time being then."

All you can muster the strength to do is sigh.

[genericruleroftheflies]

TW: discussion of the pig killing scene and its implications (simulated SA)

Chapter 8 referenced and discussed, please be mindful. Thank you!

While I agree with almost everyone that Lord of the Flies and the cast of young boy characters is not really the appropriate place for NSFW shipping, I do think a conversation or discussion about how the pug slaughter scene is s*exual in nature is important.

Like it isn’t even implied. It’s is explicitly, obviously, in the words on the page stated that the boys in the book do not just kill the *female* pig, they also find amusement at shoving a stick “right up her ass” to quote the novel:

Now, of course you can take a more child-like innocent read of it as well, I do at the same time believe Robert and Maurice do think it’s funny to pretend to be a pig running away from getting killing (regardless of where the kill comes from).

The reason why I think it’s imperative not to lose this conversation/discussion, though I would never want real life child to act it out personally, is that the sow is essentially the only female character present on the island and we see what becomes of her. The boys even id they aren’t fully aware of what they are doing… don’t just kill her. They kill the pig then assault her and laugh about it. I believe that is in part what is horrifying about Lord of the Flies.

As we’ve seen with a show like adolescence for example. Young boys are raised (often groomed) to be monsters.

This is a pseudo-r*pe scene. And I genuinely think it’s important not to erase this scene from the novel. While again, I think this is totally different from like a slash fic of the boys. This is horrifying. And it’s meant to be.

There are multiple gruesome scenes, even quick ones in Lord of the Flies that often get forgotten because in adaptations with real life boys (for good reason) they are sometimes omitted, and I think this is the most notable one because it is a scene of yes… young boys more or less essentially SA-ing an animal. Like they aren’t subtle about it. I hate to say. They wouldn’t be laughing about “right up her ass” if it was innocent.

Disclaimer: I have said a couple times throughout this I am not for like NSFW LOTF stuff. I’m also not for like doxx or attacking people who do that. I have complicated feelings on all of it. I am someone who has been in this fandom a while now so I do understand both sides genuinely! I hope everyone can understand my intentions here are not to sexualized the characters but to explain something I genuinely think is of narrative and thematic importance!

[shadowofthesun123]

Translation of "Book of Shadows" pages from the Tudum video

In the tudum video, we were shown a page from Goody Addams' Book of Shadows. I wondered if the text made sense. I asked Chat GPT to analyse it, and here is a rough translation. It may be inaccurate somewhere, because some of the words are not real, but modified Latin.

However, I think it is still very interesting, makes sense and allows you to build theories.

I especially liked the phrases about healing the wound, protection of outcasts who seeks refuge, strongest of allies and "two are always better than one".

Left Page (with skull and serpent)

• Sanctorum vehiculatoris oculos corvi incantatori ingerantur, aspice et eventa et eventurum fataque factorum.

Let the eyes of the sacred messenger — the raven — be cast upon the spellcaster; gaze upon the events, both forthcoming and fulfilled, and the destinies of deeds already done.

• Quaerenda opes columbae corvo libenter traditae orbis. Incantatoris agenda incantatoris explorandi ignem in nocte, lumen in luce et caelum sub umbras. Opes incantatae suspiria in luce et calamitas sub umbras oculi animae turbandae.

Seek the treasures of the dove, willingly given to the raven. The work of the spellcaster is to explore fire in the night, light in the day, and heavens beneath the shadows. The enchanted riches are sighs in the light and calamities in the shadows that trouble the eye of the soul.

• Sed imperium faciem summi orbis perspicere et fata cognoscere est, veri incantatores sciunt aliqua fato non scienda esse.

Yet true power is to look upon the face of the highest realm and to know the fates; true spellcasters know that some things are not meant to be known by fate.

• Coniuratio umbrarum scientia hic pervidenda est. Abgae alieni contra vulgum qui exules odiunt, deligenter est clarum tamen est solitudinem detricere, ergo construi coniurationem umbrarum audacissimorum et validorumque sociorum...

The Conjuration of Shadows — knowledge that must be unveiled here. Foreign entities stand against the common folk and scorn the outcasts. But solitude must be dispelled. Therefore the Conjuration of Shadows must be forged by the boldest and strongest of allies...

• Alivamus simul iniuriam vindicare aliquemque exulem praesidium agentem custodire ius iuvandum gravissimum est. ob fidem tuter, socios umbrae soporent, si consilia demonis industriaque teneat.

Let us together heal the wound, seek vengeance, and protect the outcasts who seeks refuge. This is a most solemn duty. Defend your allies in faith; let the shadows lull them to safety, unless the schemes of the demon prevail.

• Spero post mortem opus umbrarum superesse et orbem exulum custodire. Ducereque tantiam alterius isdem alter fiat quasi in speculo et orbis omnia quaverenda.

I hope that the work of shadows shall endure beyond death and guard the world of exiles. Let another guide it — the same as the first — as in a mirror, so that the world may reveal its own truth.

Right Page (with potion, eye, herb, and ritual symbols)

• Agenda incantatori te in speculo admirare te intellegere imaginem tui sicut malleatus fractum aspira.

Spellcaster, gaze into the mirror at yourself to understand your image — as the hammer shatters the mold, so must you reveal the truth.

• Nota bene. Cave alterum falsasque vestigia vide, quod maleficium illusit per qualiter fecisti deligit.

Take heed: beware the other and the false traces — sorcery deceives through the path you have chosen.

• Lugur, duo est semper melior unus est.

(Likely pseudo-Latin) — perhaps: "Two are always better than one."

• Defixio anceps. Derivatio impetus magister vis varia, quae quantum hostem tangit inter secreta positissima est. Quod timor Defixionis derivator est ergo saga sapientiam primus aqua tantum ministrat.

The curse is ambiguous. It channels the master's force in various ways, depending on how deeply it strikes the foe, hidden among secrets. This is the fear of the curse. Thus, the witch serves wisdom, beginning with water alone.

• Omnes Defixiones quae intendunt semper in incantatorem dissolvi a sede solis. Quomodo humus salutem contineat. Atque Defixio quae hic liberata est, licet saga conetur invenire aut quidcumque exuviae.

All curses directed at the spellcaster must be broken at the seat of the sun's rise. The soil holds healing. And if the curse here is released, the witch may seek remains or any object bearing its trace.

• Verba Defixionis eligenda sunt quia quod dicitur fiat incantamentum verus eventus statutum videbit.

The words of the curse must be chosen with care, for what is spoken becomes the spell, and what is named shall become fate.

_______

What are your theories in Wyler context?

[dimalink]

Cabin Pilot - First episode + Encyclopedia [PreView, PreRelease]

Space shooter. Something like Spitfire ( Spitfire Command) for BB Micro and Star Wars Episode 6.

Game menu, mainly, how it plays. And first episode. 4 levels. Different planets. Text story, type of action movie. You are a pilot of space fighter. Description of planets. Ecyclopedia. With a text and pictures about enemies space ships.

Basic Pascal pack - whole pack of games and programes, written with basic and pascal. It is retro. With each game and program there is a page at author`s website. There are aditional information, descriptions, pictures, arts.

Basic Pascal: http://www.dimalink.tv-games.ru/packs/basicpascal/index_eng.html

Itchio: https://dimalink.itch.io/basic-pascal GameJolt: https://gamejolt.com/games/BasicPascal/773385 Website: http://www.dimalink.tv-games.ru/home_eng.html

[vallification]

zeke jaeger headcanons!!!

notes: au/noncanon oriented, some apply to canon too, maybe a few mature themes!!!

let me know your thoughts!!!

zeke’s eyes are a pale blue-grey (#a1b0c6)

zeke plays the guiter— he taught himself how as a teen. he still has the guitar he learned to play with, he bought it for $5 at a thrift store

zeke played baseball from childhood to college, that game is the love of his life. he still frequents all of the games he can humanly attend.

zeke is basically legally blind. he cannot function without his glasses, his prescription is too high for soft contacts, and he REFUSES hard contacts. scary…

being shirt-pants is hereditary in the jaeger family. zeke is very partial to a heavyweight cotton sweatshirt and good quality jeans.

he likes the beard, but he keeps it for another reason. without the beard, he’s starting to look more and more like grisha as he gets older.

one time he tried a mustache, but someone told him it makes him look like a bad pornstar who also owns an overpriced brewery. it doesn’t stop him from wanting to try again.

zeke owns a lot of vintage things from mr. ksaver. clothes, things, furniture, jewelry, kitchen stuff— mr. ksaver had no one else to give his old stuff to

back in the day when mr. ksaver played ball, he had the same jersey number as zeke did when he played. it makes for a lot of cool pseudo-custom vintage items

zeke smokes cigarettes and weed, but doesn’t vape or use carts/pens. he likes to say that “the real thing is better,” but in reality he hit a cart once and it made him green out so bad he thought he was dying.

zeke’s taste in music is dad rock. ironic! he loves grunge, post-grunge, and alternative rock.

zeke has two cars; an older model ford mustang from high school and a mid-sized truck. they’re both shit on gas.

zeke has a lot of “beauty mark” moles everywhere. pieck referred to them once as “tortilla-like”

zeke loves to cook but doesn’t know how to cook single-person meals. he shares often.

he likes typical “male” crime dramas, most notably the sopranos, but really enjoys gilmore girls. it’s nostalgic and the ambience of the show is irresistible.

he wears a lot of baseball caps because he has an abundance of them, and he wears them well.

zeke is secretly sentimental and has a tendency to hold onto his old stuff. hidden in a storage closet is the gameboy he taught eren how to play games on.

he’s a pc kind of guy and plays a lot of simulator games. one of his favorite games is truck driver simulator (i got this idea from @/casualaruanienjoyer!)

he keeps a lot of pictures of eren around, and even has a picture of him holding eren as a baby in his wallet.

they’re not as close as zeke would like them to be, but he understands that it’s hard because of their age gap and family circumstances.

zeke coaches little league baseball and if it payed better, he’d do it as a career. he loves teaching and he’s fantastic with children (got This from @/jeankirsteinsgrlfrnd, go check out their stuff!!!)

being an older brother is a huge part of his identity and it’s hard to turn the older brother mindset off. he takes on that role any time he’s around people his own age and younger

zeke REALLY loves going to concerts. they’re so cathartic and he feels like they allow him to be a little emotionally vulnerable, which is something he REALLY struggles with.

zeke sleeps very deeply but wakes up very easily.

he’s a hilarious guy with a big heart but his sardonic and snarky humor get in the way of seeing that.

despite his resentment (hatred might be a better word) towards grisha, he holds absolutely no resentment towards eren or carla.

zeke would spend his last penny to help out his friends and, of course, eren. he’d honestly spend his last penny just to make them happy if they asked.

zeke loves summertime and does not like the cold.

[thefirstknife]

So this week, huh. Some stuff and things.

The beginning is nice for a sort of official summary about what we're dealing with:

Paired with the lore tab from last week, now I think we know exactly what's going on in regards with the issue of understanding how the Conductor came to be. It's also interesting how they're not directly telling us which Maya turned into the Conductor, which is as we suspected before. We just don't know which one it is, maybe even a combination of multiple Mayas. And they're going with Maya maybe not knowing either.

I love Saint. He's so excited.

More under:

The exotic mission is largely the same, but there are some extras: new areas and new chests with a bit of new dialogue. I'll get to that in a moment. I want to mention something I didn't bring up last week, but the Subjugator and the Tormentor bosses are pledged to Yirix. This week, Ikora expands:

Yirix is a Psion and leads the Conclave, a section of Psions that does all sort of stuff. She's responsible for the attempt on Zavala's life back in Chosen when they used Light-suppressing tech to temporarily disable Targe. She also had her hand in the Presage shenanigans and then later Vox Obscura mission on Mars where we fought her Psions and Caiatl listened to the various futures she's seen, all of which have come true. It's interesting that she's leading some section of the Shadow Legion. I am hoping for this Psion stuff to be some sort of hint about stuff in the future. We might eventually have to deal with them.

And then! The lines from grabbing the new chest for this week:

Once again, back with the simulated Ishtar scientists! And once again, I am begging everyone to read Aspect. We've heard from .59 Chioma last week, that's the one from the final part of this page, a Chioma that has lost Maya.

You'd found a simulation with a city where you discovered a jewelry store, picked out a necklace, brought it home to her, and wished her a happy pseudo anniversary. Maya didn't like bracelets, said they always fouled her work. Her hair had been getting shaggy again and was due for a trim. She could never decide whether or not to grow it out. She laughed at you lifting weights to maintain simulated muscle, but she spotted for you all the same. There are other Mayas out there, layers of them, all the way up to the original, wherever she is. You hope they're doing well. But that doesn't stop you from missing this Maya, missing whatever arguments and discoveries you'd have shared in the rest of the lifetime you'd promised to one another. Shim and Duane-McNiadh pull you up from beside Maya's marker. A basalt lily rests on top of it, petals thin enough to let light through. You go on.

The same page also mentions the .33 group:

227.33 You lose Duane-McNiadh.

We don't know .27 group from Aspect. Also interesting that one of the Chiomas isn't sharing her number. I wonder what's up with that. I'm also not sure what the final two sentences would be about. About them having "a place" and figuring things out together. The whole point of Aspect was that these groups were coordinating with Praedyth about escaping, so maybe they're talking about this plan they had with him?

Next thing in the line is Maya's recording of once again messing with Chioma and this one is so normal (lie).

OKAY? How about we all die. This also connects to one of the queries in Enigma Protocol. We speculated that these might be some personal stuff for Maya and Chioma that she's search for through the Vex Network and they are!

And then new lines from the new chest puzzle:

More stuff about the simulated scientists! Same as last week, .97 are also in Aspect. Eagerly waiting to see where they'll end with this. Literally have been waiting since 2019 to get answers about Aspect. Please. Answers please.

As we get through the mission, we get treated to some devastating Osiris and Saint lines. I really like that they have quite a bit of sympathy for what's happening to Maya and Chioma. Because they relate!

On the floor. But we're not done.

Stoppp ittt. Stopppp.

I like, again, that despite everything, he seems to sympathise. Or at least he understand it because he knows how he could've ended the same so Maya didn't do this because Maya is just like that; she did this because of the circumstances. If the circumstances were any different, Osiris could've done it too. This terrifies him. Anyone could be one step away from doing the same.

The radio message continues with the horrors, with another one of Maya's logs where she's insisting that her Chioma would understand what she's doing and that Maya is a "savior" and that everything that happened in the system since the Collapse needs to be fixed and that Maya can fix it. Osiris goes on a rant against this and realises that Maya is acting selfishly and that her obsession is destroying even her love for Chioma. But at the end, he says this:

Please. I hope we do. I want this to have at least a semblance of a happy ending for Maya and Chioma. Maybe not for the Conductor ofc, but for some Maya somewhere to get what she wanted; to be with her Chioma. Kinda similar how they went about with Saint and Osiris as well, to complete the parallel between the two couples.

And then ofc the lore tab.

One more week to go. Going to be blowing myself up in the meantime.

[geyfrog]

When you enter my store you’re thrust into a high-tech simulation of the premises complete with armed security guards. The burning desire to shoplift is implaneted in the somulated copy of your mind. If you are caught stealing an item in the simulation and are shot to death you are permitted entry into the material-world store, while if you successfully nab something and get out you are deemed a threat and violently thrust back into the real world and out of the store. If we detect any kind of pseudo-sexual thrill in your biometrics we put in a police tip as well

[bloodboilswithoutwater]

I'm super excited about this, I love vampire stuff! I'm curious about how hunger will be handled. Can the MC choose how they get their fill, whether they take from humans or not?

The perfect excuse to give a rundown of how vampires work in (BW)^2! I'm so glad you're excited :D

The answer to your question will be addressed in this post, but some other things will need to be established. If you want to know straight up, there will be a direct answer at the bottom of the post!

What are Vampires?:

In this universe, vampires are undead. When they're turned, their bodies die, and no life processes can be (naturally) undertaken for this reason. Vampires cannot have biological children since their bodies are basically corpses. Their hair will not grow back if cut. They can't die of old age or disease.

Then how do they live, you may ask? The answer is simple...

Blood.

Feeding and Blood:

For vampires, fresh blood is not optional. The living cells and nutrients of their prey are used to fuel their corpselike bodies, making their hearts beat and keeping the minimum of bodily processes running. If you want to heal an injury, grow back hair, or simulate a more non-essential function you'll need a lot more blood to pull it off.

Human blood is the only thing that's actually good for vampires, as the blood of animals doesn't have the right nutrients or cells for their humanoid needs. (I mean, you could drink cow blood if you really wanted. But you'd end up VERY ill after a while). When vampires drink, they release both an aphrodisiac-adjacent substance and a mild painkilling agent into their prey to reduce the chances of them reacting poorly, or even entice them into returning of their own volition. Feeding can be a mutually beneficial relationship in this way, but there are risks that will be discussed later (see Reproduction).

Vampires can also drink from other vampires, but since all this does is shuffle around the limited nutrients, it's used either as an act of desperation, a pseudo-sexual encounter, or a practical ceremony (see Reproduction).

Reproduction:

I mentioned earlier that vampires cannot have biological children. But they can have thralls, or people that have been turned by their bite. When drinking from humans, there is always a small chance that they will be turned. The patron (vampire who turned them) is expected by society to take responsibility for their thralls. There's good and bad practice for avoiding unwanted turnings, but it's never 100% safe.

Thralls (assuming they aren't related to their patron) can have weaker mutations of the patron's abilities or just the basic abilities that all vampires have. If a patron turns a relative, their powers will take better with each increasing degree of relation. Parent-child and sibling bonds are the strongest, meaning that the noble houses (massive family units) have the strongest and most unique characteristic abilities. It's customary for them not to turn their children until they've had children of their own, ensuring the bloodline, and their huge collections of thralls form subordinate houses.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If there are any other questions, feel free to ask! But as for @ashber123-blog 's question:

TLDR: MC won't get much choice in their blood source, but they can treat the people they drink from in whatever way they think is best.

[mrpuzzlessimp420]

Mario Simulator (Joke Fic)

Chapter 1

Ships: Marware, BatteryAcid (Mr Puzzles x Orange Juice), SMG34 (minor)

Mushroom Akademi was your normal pseudo-japanese highschool and Mario was a normal student.

He had... awful as shit grades because he didn't concentrate in class (god I wish I was that carefree ) and had a decent enough reputation, expect for that one incident where he was caught... you don't want to know what he was caught doing.

Anyway, Mario was normal.

He awoke to his loud two trucks alarm and started to get ready for the day. Putting on his highschool girl uniform that definitely did not look like the sailor scout uniform, not brushing his teeth and grabbing a plate of spaghetti to eat.

He quickly checked his phone to see that it was... 8 a'clock??? He was going to be late and get told of by SMG4 because of it!

Spaghetti plate still in hand, he rushed out the door, trying his best not to trip and be a clutz like he always is.

He eventually arrived at the school, only 2 minutes late and ran to his class, before realising he had no clue where he was going and had to check his timetable, which he also realised he lost like 5 months ago.

After 10 minutes of searching for his class, he finally found it and sat down in his seat, absolutely exhausted, spaghetti plate still in hand.

"Mario? You're late again? This is the 20th time this week! You know what I don't care, just don't be a nuisance like yesterday." Karen stated, not giving a crap about Mario because she is a girlboss, a legend and the moment.

The lesson went surprisingly quickly as the entire time Mario was finishing of his spaghetti or talking to SMG4 about memes or some cringey shit like that.

When the lesson and 2nd period was over, it was finally break.

Mario ran to say hello to his friends before a figure caught his eye.

The figure was a tall, handsome TV head giving out audition leaflets for a school play, rather dramatically you could say... and pathetically as he was literally on his hands and knees begging one student to join, a crying baby face replacing his normal emotes on his TV head.

Mario's heart skipped a beat. Oh how he had fallen for this TV head for the past couple of months. Yeah he tried to mind-control his friends to force them to preform in a everlasting play but that was ages ago. Honestly, Mario was down bad for him, his patheticness, his passion for the arts, his dramatic nature. I mean he was even good to look at, I mean look at those cables and wires (bro 😭) .

"Mario? MARIO!"

Mario finally snapped out of his god damn solioquy and lovestruck pinning just to be faced with a very annoyed SMG4.

"Where you even listening to anything I said?" SMG4 asked, pissed that Mario hadn't been listening for the 100th time this week.

"Uhhhh..." Mario said before saying the most, disgusting, revolting thing you ever have seen that had to be censored for the sake of EVERYONE'S sanity.

"What? No??? I was explaining the entire FNAF lore." SMG4 explained like the cringe pathetic loser he is.

"I honestly still don't get it." Meggy stated

"I do." SMG3 stated, with lovestruck eyes that told everyone in the room that he did not understand anything SMG4 just said and just liked to hear SMG4's voice

"Ha ha Gayyyyyy!" Mario shouted before being punched in the face by SMG3

"Shut Up! You like Mr Puzzles!!!" SMG3 declared, deflecting Mario's accusation back onto Mario.

"That's because he's-" Mario was once again censored by the Great Fanfic Writer in the sky who didn't want to write out the disgusting thing Mario just said about Mr Puzzles

"We.. didn't need to know that but anyway what was I on about again?" SMG4 asked, forgetting his entire lore dump he just did a few minutes before hand.

"You were on about the lore of FNAF?" SMG3 stated, looking back at SMG4 with eyes that were screaming with 'I love you so much, I want to hear your voice all the time, we are friends, we are literally soulmates made for each other, I would literally die and kill for you.'

"Oh yeah!" SMG4 was a oblivious idiot and didn't notice SMG3's obvious pinning "Anyway Foxy Bro killed his own brother or some shit and got really depressed ig, couldn't be me"

SMG4 went on to ramble about FNAF again but Mario got bored immediately. Why would anyone care about a Purple Guy and some dead children? The lore was way to complex for Mario's stupid little brain anyway, he couldn't even count to 10 let alone remember all of that.

Mario's focus went back to the pathetic Vox look-alike and sighed lovely.

He was perfect to Mario. Absolutely perfect. Though he was a bumbling idiot and still not fully redeemed, he was harmless and Mario knew he could fix him.

Mr Puzzles was now acting like that desperate clinging to a student to get them to join didn't happen and was still handing out leaflets for the audition.

Maybe Mario could audition? It's not like he had anything better to do with his life other than eat spaghetti and annoy SMG4 24/7. And it gave him the excuse to hang out with the handsome TV head.

Before Mario could think any longer, a new character appeared on screen and jokely spooked Mr Puzzles, which caused Mr Puzzles to jump and move his hands dramatically like a primary schooler trying way to hard in a poorly done school play.

Mario immediately didn't like this new figure. How dare they spook their one and only true love? And be friendly with him? (Damn Mario just let him have friends, he needs them desperately)

The figure was tall, taller than Mr Puzzles in fact which was a surprise, and extremely buff, looking like that one yaoi art base (you know the one). His head was replaced with a glass of orange juice which for some reasons had eyes on it, like working eyes. Mario didn't question it though as the canonical SMG4 universe was already lacking of lore on how the fuck Mr Puzzles is alive after he cut his head off.

"Awww, did I scare you pookie bear? I'm sorry~!" the figure said, kissing his lover on the check loving.

"I-It's okay OJ-Kun! You just scared me a little that's all." Mr Puzzles said, extremely flustered and shy now out of no where, acting like a uwu soft twink.

Mario was seething with anger. Mr Puzzles had a lover? A boyfriend? This was not okay. Only Mario could be his boyfriend and if he couldn't, then no one could.

An idea popped into Mario's head, quite surprising as he probably didn't have any braincells left.

A very... unique idea.

You see, there was something actually... unnormal about Mario.

He was what you would call...

A yandere.

(part 2 when??? Lol)

[sophieinwonderland]

Limitations of research, and "Simulating Controls"

I found a sysmed using the following quote as a way to argue that endogenic and DID systems aren't comparable.

Here is the thing...

When they do these studies, they make a control group of neurotypical singlets and tell the control group to pretend they have an alter and act it out.

What's being conflated in posts like this are "endogenic systems" and "people roleplaying as having DID."

These simulating controls are not made up of people who report the phenomena associated with endogenic plurality, such as the long-term pseudo-hallucinations (voice hearing) from autonomous agents, nor do they regularly experience trading executive control to other agents.

It's super important when discussing research to understand what control groups actually are, and what they're meant to compare. These are great studies for showing that there are differences between someone with DID and someone who is pretending to have DID.

But there are other things that these studies don't address or even touch on because those are outside of the study's scope. These studies are not comparing the brains of people with DID to anyone except these neurotypical singlets. They are not being compared to contemporary tulpamancers. They are not being compared to spirit channelers. They are not being compared to soulbonders or Daemians. Those types of comparisons will require their own studies.

Anyone is welcome to hypothesize how DID systems might compare to these groups. But it's important to not conflate simulating controls with endogenic systems, or create the impression that these studies were comparing the two groups.

[selfcestmovies]

Fun in the Framework Daisy Johnson x Daisy Johnson Wordcount: ~4500 Warnings: smut, virtual reality sex, selfcest, fighting then fucking, daisy is hungry, SELFCEST Read and share on Ao3!

~ * ~ * ~

Daisy Johnson stared at the Framework headset in her hands, the sleek, futuristic device reflecting the soft overhead lights. It looked like something straight out of Stark Industries, all smooth curves and sleek, matte black, with subtle blue lines tracing along its surface. The tech felt almost alien, but that’s what made it so exciting. This was S.H.I.E.L.D.’s latest innovation in training—a virtual reality system that could simulate any environment with near-perfect realism. It was like stepping into another world.

“Fitz, you really outdid yourself this time.” Daisy huffed and turned the headset over in her hands for the dozenth time.

Her orders were simple, but Coulson had made sure they were official: support the Framework development by any means necessary. Fitz had tried to meet Daisy half-way and suggested she use the tech’s new sparring simulator, since she had taken such a liking to her physical regiment lately. But she wasn’t in the gym, she was in her dorm—and Daisy was putting her trust in this new, pseudo-futuristic device to simply bring the gym to her.

Or, a “psycho-virtual simulacrum of the gym” as Fitz had explained earlier. Whatever.

Taking a deep breath, Daisy slid the headset over her eyes. The cool material settled against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine, and the world around her began to dissolve, replaced by a black void filled with faint, glowing grids. She could feel a slight hum in the air, like the device was alive and pulsing with energy.

The simulation loaded in an instant, and Daisy found herself standing in the S.H.I.E.L.D. training gym—recreated to every tiny, minute detail. The floor was lined with deep red mats that felt springy underfoot, the walls a soothing combination of dark wood and brick, with soft light flickering in the fluorescent lights above. Everything was rendered in perfect detail, right down to the faint scuffs on the mats from countless prior training sessions. The air was crisp and cool.

Daisy glanced around, catching sight of herself in a long wall mirror. Even the reflection looked flawless. “Impressive, Fitz,” she hummed. Daisy couldn’t help but admire the way she looked—her reflection showed a woman who had been putting in the work. Her body was becoming toned and powerful, the tight black tank top hugging her torso and showing off the early hints of muscle definition in her arms and shoulders. The black leggings she wore emphasized her long legs and the strength in them. She’d been on a new training regime for weeks now, and it was definitely paying off.

“Not bad, Daisy Johnson,” she murmured to herself, a small smile playing on her lips as she turned slightly to catch different angles. “You’re looking good.”

It wasn’t just the physical changes. She felt stronger, more confident, more in control of herself and her abilities as a rookie field agent. She knew she’d come a long way from the hacker-turned-recruit who stumbled her way through her early missions. 

“Alright,” she said aloud, shaking herself out of her self-admiration. “Time to see what this bad boy can really do.”

She flicked her wrist, and the Framework’s interface responded immediately, pulling up a menu of options to populate the training simulation. She could go the traditional route—programmed enemies, obstacle courses, simulated missions—but that felt a little too… easy. Predictable. Then she considered the alternative: simulating a sparring match against May, or Agent Romanoff, or Captain America? 

She winced at the thought of getting her ass kicked in virtual reality. “Maybe something simpler, but still challenging,” she mused. What Daisy really needed was an opponent that would really test her, push her to her limits in new ways. Equally matched but still a true challenge. And that’s when the idea hit her.

“What if…” she mused, her eyes narrowing as she navigated through the options, steeling a quick glance back at the wall of mirrors across the gym. “What if I could fight someone who knows me better than anyone else?”

A smirk curled her lips as she began customizing the scenario. This was going to be interesting. After a few quick adjustments, she set the Framework to create a perfect duplicate of herself. Another Daisy Johnson. She wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but that was half the fun. Besides, how often do you get to spar against yourself?

The room shimmered for a moment, and the air in front of her seemed to ripple like a heatwave. Then, just as quickly, the distortion solidified, and there she was. Another Daisy, standing just a few feet away, with the same sharp eyes, the same confident stance, the same tight black tank top and leggings. It was like looking into a mirror, except this mirror blinked on its own. Her lips curled into a small, knowing smirk.

“Well, this is weird,” the other Daisy said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Daisy couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but you’re definitely… me.”

They both stood there for a moment, sizing each other up. It was surreal, facing herself like this. She knew her own strengths and weaknesses better than anyone, so she knew this was going to be one hell of a fight. And yet, there was something thrilling about it, too. The idea of going toe-to-toe with someone who could match her move for move was exactly the challenge she needed.

Daisy watched her mirror image tighten her fists in anticipation of what was to come.

“Alright, clone-me. Enough stalling” she said, rolling her shoulders and getting into a fighting stance. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

The double mirrored her movements perfectly, a gleam of anticipation in her eyes. “I was about to say the same thing. Think you can keep up with me?”

“Oh, honey,” Daisy replied with a grin, “I’m not the one who needs to worry about keeping up.”

They both moved at the same time, launching into a series of attacks and counters that echoed through the gym. Daisy was used to sparring with some of the best fighters S.H.I.E.L.D. had to offer, but this was something else entirely. Every punch she threw was blocked, every kick dodged with precision. It was like fighting a mirror that anticipated her every move.

But at the same time, Daisy trusted in her instincts and found herself effortlessly blocking, parrying, and sidestepping past everything the double threw at her, too. From the onset, it was a stalemate—but uncanny, and fun, as the Daisies found themselves in a mutual flowstate that felt more like a choreographed dance than a brutal beatdown.

They circled each other, trading blows that came faster and harder with each exchange. Sweat began to bead on Daisy’s forehead, her muscles burning with the effort, but she relished the challenge. The double was just as relentless, not giving an inch.

“This is actually kinda cool,” Daisy panted, ducking under a high kick and sweeping low to try and trip the double. “I mean, I always knew I was a badass, but seeing it like this? Next level.”

The double grinned, jumping back to avoid the sweep and launching into a counterattack. “Yeah, I gotta admit, I’m impressed with myself too. But don’t think I’m going easy on you just because we share a face.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Daisy shot back, her voice tinged with a playful edge. She wasn’t sure when the sparring had started to feel more like a game, but she was enjoying it. There was something liberating about fighting someone who wasn’t trying to kill her, someone who could match her wit as well as her strength. Daisy had faced formidable opponents before—seasoned agents, powered individuals, and everything in between—but this was on another level. It was like trying to fight her own shadow, every strike blocked, every grapple met with an escape, every throw countered with a brutal reversal.

Daisy feinted left, then darted right, aiming a sharp elbow strike at her double’s ribs. The double anticipated it, pivoting smoothly out of the way and grabbing Daisy’s arm mid-motion, using her momentum to flip her onto the mat. The impact jolted through Daisy’s body, but she rolled with it, springing back to her feet almost instantly. “Nice try,” the double said, her voice laced with amusement. “But you’re gonna have to do better than that.”

“Don’t worry,” Daisy shot back, breathing heavily but grinning despite herself. “I’m just getting warmed up.”

They closed the distance again, this time both of them opting for a more brutal style of close-quarters brawling. It was a dance of grapples and throws, each of them trying to gain the upper hand. Daisy managed to get her double into a headlock, only for the double to twist out of it, using Daisy’s own leverage against her to slam her down to the mat again. But Daisy wasn’t down for long. She rolled onto her back, using her legs to scissor around the double’s waist, pulling her down and flipping them over so that she was on top.

Their breaths mingled as they struggled for dominance, each trying to pin the other. Daisy could feel the strength in her double’s muscles, the heat radiating from her body as they grappled. Every time one of them gained an advantage, the other would slip free.

“Damn,” Daisy grunted as she tried to force her double’s shoulders down, her muscles straining with the effort. “You’re tougher than you look.”

The double chuckled, even as she bucked her hips and twisted to throw Daisy off balance. “You’re just mad because I’m as good as you.”

Their bodies collided again, a tangle of limbs and grunts as they fought for control. Daisy managed to get a knee between them, pushing the double back just enough to land a solid punch to her gut. The double doubled over, but only for a second before retaliating with a vicious uppercut that nearly sent Daisy sprawling. But Daisy caught herself, dropping into a low stance and sweeping her leg out in a wide arc, knocking the double’s feet out from under her.

The double hit the mat hard but rolled with the fall, grabbing Daisy’s leg and yanking her down as well. They both scrambled for position, neither willing to give the other the satisfaction of a clean victory. Daisy’s heart pounded in her chest, the adrenaline surging through her veins as she fought with everything she had. This wasn’t just a fight—it was becoming a test of everything she’d become. Each time their bodies clashed, there was a split second of electric connection, and a recognition of their unspoken understanding: the way they moved in perfect synchronicity, and the uncanny rhythm that Daisy couldn’t quite break no matter how hard she tried.

In an act of desperation—or maybe it was luck, at this point, or a glitch in the Framework’s system—Daisy spun behind her double, wrapping an arm around her neck in a chokehold and finally breaking the stalemate to gain an upper hand. The double struggled, clawing at Daisy’s arm, but Daisy held firm, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tightened her grip.

“I’ve got you,” Daisy whispered, her voice hoarse with exertion.

The double’s response was a low, breathless laugh. “Maybe… but I’m not… giving up…”

With a final burst of strength, the double twisted in Daisy’s grasp, throwing her off balance just enough to break free. Daisy stumbled back, but before she could recover, the double lunged at her, tackling her to the ground. They rolled across the mat in a tangle of limbs, each trying to gain the upper hand, until finally, Daisy found herself pinned beneath the other woman, their identical faces just inches apart.

The gym was filled with the sound of their heavy breathing, the heat of their twinned, exhausted bodies radiating between them. Daisy’s hands were pinned above her head, the double’s weight pressing her down into the mat. For a moment, neither of them moved, the world narrowing to the space between them, to the feel of the double’s body against hers, to the intensity in her double’s eyes.

Daisy’s heart raced, but it wasn’t just from the exertion. There was something else, something deeper, that she was only now beginning to understand. The realization hit her like a freight train—this wasn’t just about winning a fight. It was about something far more primal, far more intimate.

“You’re… good,” Daisy managed to say, her voice breathless and tinged with a tone in her voice that she didn’t quite recognize.

The double’s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. “So are you.”

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air between them thick with tension. Daisy could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, her body still humming with the adrenaline of the fight, but now there was something else too—an electric charge that seemed to radiate from every point where their bodies touched.

She tried to shift, to move her arms, but the double held her down, their faces so close that Daisy could feel the warmth of her breath on her lips. “I… I think we’re evenly matched,” Daisy finally whispered, her voice barely more than a breath.

“Maybe,” the double replied, her voice too just as low and laced with a teasing edge. “But I think we’re enjoying ourselves.”

Before Daisy could respond, the double leaned in slowly, the tip of her nose brushing against Daisy’s, and the world seemed to narrow down to that single point of contact. Daisy’s breath hitched, and she felt a shiver run down her spine as their bodies pressed together, the heat between them almost unbearable.

For a split second, the world seemed to stand still, and all Daisy could think about was the way their bodies fit together, the way the double’s breath mingled with hers, the way her heart pounded in her chest. This was her own body that she found herself drawn too, in a twisted, taboo, narcissistic and eternally fucked up attraction. She stared deeply into the eyes of her mirror image, and when her lips curled into a smile, she saw her twin to the same. 

It was an accidental, awkward grind at first, just the natural consequence of their tangled limbs and the adrenaline still pumping through their veins. But the friction, the pressure, it was unmistakable—and suddenly, it wasn’t so accidental anymore. Daisy could feel the double’s body shifting against hers, the movement slow, deliberate, as if testing the waters. There was a moment of hesitation, of uncertainty, and then something clicked into place. The awkwardness melted away, replaced by a mutual understanding, a recognition that this was just another way they were perfectly matched.

The grinding became more purposeful, the double’s hips moving in slow, deliberate circles, and Daisy’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t meant for this to happen—hadn’t even considered it—but now that it was, she couldn’t deny how good it felt, how right it felt.

“Hm,” Daisy breathed, her voice trembling as the realization hit her. She wasn’t just enjoying this—she was turned on. Her body responded to the friction, the heat, the way their movements synchronized so perfectly. She was losing control, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to get it back.

The double’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she noticed the change in Daisy’s expression. “What’s on your mind, Daisy?”

Daisy opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat as the double shifted the weight of her hips again, pressing harder against her. The sensation sent a jolt of pleasure through Daisy’s body, and she gasped, her hands instinctively jolting free of her double’s grasp in order to find purchase on the other Daisy’s hips. She could feel the tight muscles beneath her fingers, the way the double’s body responded to every movement, and it only made her want more.

But then, in the midst of the movement, Daisy’s hand slipped lower, brushing against the curve of the double’s ass. The touch was accidental, but the reaction was immediate. Daisy froze, her eyes widening as she realized what she’d done, but the double only grinned, a wicked gleam in her eyes.

“Hmm,” the double murmured, her voice teasing. “Seems like someone’s getting a little handsy.”

Daisy’s face flushed, but she didn’t move her hand. The warmth of the double’s skin beneath her fingers was intoxicating, and she couldn’t bring herself to pull away. “I… I didn’t mean to—”

“Sure you didn’t,” the double interrupted, her tone playful, but there was an edge of challenge in her voice. “But you know what? I think we like it.”

Daisy’s breath hitched as the double’s hips ground against hers, harder this time, more insistent. Daisy found herself guiding the movement, too, with her hand adjusting to a firmer position on the double’s ass and ensuring that her encouragement was made clear. The pleasure was intense, almost overwhelming, and Daisy could feel herself spiraling, her thoughts scattering in every direction. She could feel the heat swelling between her legs. She knew she should stop, that this was crossing a line she hadn’t even known existed, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to.

“Go on,” the double urged, her voice low and husky, a seductive purr that sent shivers down Daisy’s spine. “You’ve already come this far. Don’t hold back now.”

Daisy’s grip tightened as she gave in to the magnetic pull between them, her fingers digging into the double’s firm flesh. “Fuck—our ass,” the thought spat from her lips without filter: the relishing in the fact that feeling up her own body from this new perspective was driving her wild at her core. She brought her second hand to join the first, splaying all ten fingers wide against her clone’s backside and gripping tight. “—Feels so perfect…”

The double didn’t just respond; she thrived on it, her body arching back into Daisy’s touch, the grinding of their hips becoming almost desperate, each movement pushing them closer to the edge. The air around them was thick with heat, their breaths mingling in quick, ragged gasps as the tension between them reached a fever pitch.

“You fucking love this, don’t you?” the double hissed, her voice low and dripping with sinful delight. “You love feeling your own body pressed against you, every fucking inch of it. I can feel you getting wet for me.”

Daisy couldn’t find the words to respond, her thoughts tangled in a haze of raw pleasure and disbelief. The double wasn’t wrong—she did love it, more than she ever thought possible. Every curve, every muscle, every shiver that ran through her own body was reflected in her double, amplifying the intensity until it was almost unbearable. The realization that she was turned on by her own form—by the sheer power and beauty of it—was electrifying.

“Fuck, you’re perfect,” Daisy finally managed to choke out, her voice rough with desire. Her hands roamed the double’s body, exploring every inch she could reach. Her fingers trailed up the double’s spine, tracing the line of muscle that flexed beneath her touch, feeling the strength there, the familiar power that she knew so well. “Every fucking part of you—of me—so fucking perfect.”

The double’s breath hitched at the praise, her eyes darkening with lust as she pressed harder against Daisy, their bodies moving in sync, the friction driving them both wild. “Yeah? You like that? You like knowing how fucking hot you are?”

Daisy nodded, too overwhelmed to speak, her mind spinning as she lost herself in the sensation. She’d never thought of herself this way, but now, with her double grinding into her, their bodies so perfectly matched, it was impossible to ignore. She was hot—fucking hot—and it felt incredible to finally acknowledge it, to revel in it. Daisy let her gaze finally break from her double’s eyes and drift down her torso and towards their chests, like mirror images pressed together, their identical tank tops clinging firm to their curves glistening with sweat and heaving up and down with each synchronous, labored breath.

The double’s grin was wicked as she leaned in closer, her breath hot against Daisy’s ear. “I’m gonna make you come so hard you’ll be begging for more,” she whispered, her voice a promise, a challenge.

Daisy’s heart pounded in her chest, the anticipation almost too much to bear. She could feel the double’s breath on her skin, could feel the heat radiating off her body, the way their sweat-slicked skin slid together. And then, without warning, the double’s tongue darted out, licking a slow, deliberate line up Daisy’s neck, tracing the curve of her jaw, and up to her cheek. The sensation was a shock to Daisy’s system—messy, wet, and impossibly hot. She gasped, her body arching into the touch, every nerve ending on fire as the double’s tongue left a trail of heat and spit in its wake. The wetness of it, the way it smeared across her skin, was filthy, primal, and it only made Daisy want more.

“Fuck,” Daisy moaned, her eyes fluttering shut as she surrendered to the sensation. “That’s so fucking hot, Daisy�� do it again.”

The double didn’t need to be told twice. She leaned in again, this time slower, more deliberate, her tongue sliding up Daisy’s neck with a slow, teasing intensity that made Daisy’s knees weak. She could feel the double’s breath against her skin, could feel the heat of it mingling with her own, and it sent a shiver down her spine.

“You like that?” the double murmured wet against her ear, her voice low and full of dark satisfaction. “We taste so sweet, Daisy.”

“Yeah,” Daisy gasped, her voice hollow, barely more than a breath. “Fuck, Daisy…” The words came out choked, whispered. Speaking her own name in the throes of passion still felt almost perverse and alien, but she had come to embrace it. “Daisy,” again, she breathed the word and locked eyes again with her twin. 

Their bodies moved together, the grinding becoming more frantic, more desperate, as they neared the edge. The heat between them was unbearable, every touch, every movement sending shockwaves of pleasure through Daisy’s body. She could feel the double’s muscles tensing on top of her, could feel the way their bodies fit together so perfectly, every curve and line and angle aligned in a way that felt almost too good to be true.

“Come on, Daisy,” the double urged, her voice hoarse with need. “Let go. I know you want to. I can feel how close you are—how fucking good this feels.”

Daisy was right there, teetering on the edge of oblivion, her body trembling with the intensity of it all. She could feel the double’s breath on her skin, could feel the way their bodies ground together, her legs locking even tighter into Daisy’s lap. The friction was almost too much to bear. And then, with a final, desperate pulse, the world exploded around her.

“Fuck!” Daisy cried out, her voice raw as the orgasm ripped through her, every muscle in her body tensing as she came hard, her hips bucking against the double’s in a frenzy of motion. The double followed right behind her, their bodies shaking, quaking, as they climaxed together, the pleasure so intense it was almost painful.

They stayed like that for a moment, their bodies locked together in the aftermath, panting heavily as they tried to catch their breath. The double’s weight was comforting against Daisy’s, her body warm and solid and so fucking perfect, and Daisy couldn’t help but smile, a lazy, satisfied grin that spread across her face as she lay there, basking in the afterglow.

“Fuck,” Daisy finally managed to say, her voice breathless and full of awe. “That was… holy shit.”

The double chuckled, the sound low and full of satisfaction, as she rolled off Daisy, collapsing beside her on the mat. “Yeah… it was.”

They lay there in silence for a while, just breathing, their bodies still tingling from the intensity of their shared climax. Daisy’s mind was still spinning, trying to process everything that had just happened, but all she could focus on was the warmth of the double beside her, the way their bodies had fit together so perfectly, the way they had moved in sync, as if they were two halves of the same whole.

“That was… unexpected,” the other Daisy said after a while, her voice quiet and thoughtful.

Daisy couldn’t argue with that. It had been perfect in its own twisted way. “Yeah,” Daisy agreed, her voice soft, almost reverent. “Yeah, it was.”

They stayed like that for a while longer, just lying there, their bodies spent, their minds still buzzing with the aftermath. Daisy couldn’t help but think that maybe—just maybe—this was exactly what she had needed all along.

- - - - -

Daisy Johnson slid the headset off, blinking as the cool air of the lab replaced the heated atmosphere of the Framework’s simulated gym. Her heart was still pounding, the memory of what had just happened lingering in her mind. It had felt so absolutely, undeniably real to her. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, before leaving her dorm and making the slow trek back to Fitz’s lab. 

She avoided all semblance of eye-contact as she neared Fitz’s desk with a casual ease that belied the storm of emotions swirling inside her. With a gentle thud, she placed the Framework prototype back on his workbench.

Fitz looked up, a curious eyebrow raised. “So, how was it? Any glitches? Unexpected bugs?”

Daisy gave him a sly grin, leaning against the desk with a relaxed confidence. “Let’s just say your Framework is… very realistic. No bugs that I could find, but it definitely pushed all the right buttons.”

Fitz’s brow furrowed slightly, clearly puzzled by her cryptic answer. “Pushed the right buttons? What does that mean?”

“It means I approve, Fitz,” she said flatly. “This tech is going to make training a whole lot more… interesting.”

Fitz chuckled, though he still looked a bit bewildered. “I’ll take that as a good sign, then.”

“Trust me,” Daisy said, patting the headset affectionately before turning to leave the lab. “You’ve outdone yourself with this one.”

As she walked away, she could feel Fitz’s eyes on her, still trying to figure out what exactly she meant. But Daisy just smiled to herself, the memory of her time in the Framework still fresh, knowing full well that this was one secret she’d keep to herself. For now.