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sirxlla · 2 months ago

Note

OKAY IVE SEEN SOO MANY BATBOYS SHOWING READER THEIR SCARS

BUT

Reader showing batboys their scars!!!

Could be from anything preferably past abuse something

Showing Him Your Scars (Batboys)

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Warnings: Angst, Fluff

Prompt: above ^^^^

Notes: female reader, italics are actions and thoughts.

-With that said it's all under the cut-

Dick: Working together on the force for so long allowed the both of you to get close. Your doctor recommended that you have someone take care of you and the Captian told Dick it's his job to make sure I won't do anything stupid or try to heal from a stab wound you got in your arm, it's nothing bad, it'll heal in time but its making doing just about anything a pain in the ass including changing.

"I can help, Y/N. Let me. It's got to be painful. Let me help you change...Look, I'll even close my eyes if you want." Dick closed his eyes to show you he was honest, even covering his eyes like a kid which made you smile.

"No, it's fine, Dick. I'd rather you have your eyes open to do this. The last thing we need to do is irritate this wound any further." You said before Dick uncovered and opened his eyes and gently guided your shirt off making sure to be incredibly careful of the wound on your arm. His eyes scanned all the other scars on your torso; he's surprised at the sheer amount of scars you have.

"I think you might look more badass than I do." He gently traces a scar on your back. "I remember almost all of these, I didn't know your wounds were this bad."

"Yeah, but you know...sometimes you can't stop just for the sake of it; bad guys need to get caught."

"Yeah but not at the expense of you. You're way too valuable to keep getting hurt"

"Yeah? To who?" You asked with a bit of anger; you felt like you were always taking care of everyone else, but no one took care of you, and Dick answered you with one single word that meant everything.

"Me." His blue eyes gazed into with nothing but pure sincerity.

Jason: Jason was always nervous about anyone seeing any of his scars; once you happened to see them, he froze in nervousness. Would you think he's weird or ugly because of the scars that litter his skin? As you noticed the worry in his eyes, you very slowly brought your eyes to meet his as you slipped your shirt off.

Jason's eyes widen as he sees the scar that runs down the middle of your chest and disappears between your breasts.

"I had open heart surgery when I was a teenager. I used to hate it, but without it, I'd be dead or a much different person. Scars tell a story, a path to now." You said as you reached your hand out to touch his autopsy scar; it's so similar to yours but different. Just as beautiful.

"Can- Can I?" Jason asks as he reaches his hand out slowly to the scar on your chest. "It- It's beautiful."

"Well, if mine are, then yours have to be too. They're pretty badass." You smiled and showed him a few smaller ones that you'd gotten for dumb stuff but the way you embraced them made him feel so much better about his. You gently kissed the scar on his chest and in time he'd see his scars the same way you see yours.

Bruce: Anyone who's been around Bruce for any amount of time knows how many scars he had. Little did he know you had plenty of your own, so one day, as you were over at his place, you had asked him about scars and what he'd think if you had some.

"I suppose that depends on the scars, Love." His blue eyes gazed into yours with a bit of worry. "You have scars?"

"Don't judge okay?" You asked as you lifted your shirt and showed him the scars on your back; they looked like burns. Bruce's fingers grazed over what appeared at a closer glance to be cigarette burns.

"I wanted to show you before you found out when I was changing or sex or something...My dad he- he used to put them out on my back when I was a kid. Every guy I've ever been with just kinda laughs a bit."

"They laughed? Darling, this isn't something to laugh at; I mean, if you want to, then by all means, that's fine, but no one else should laugh at your pain." His fingers graze over them gently; he doesn't know what to say, so he says the first thing on his mind. "They don't distract from your beauty for even a second."

Your shoulders fall as you relax against his touch; he isn't blaming you or laughing or making you think you're ugly for the ugly actions of your father. He's amazing, he's reassuring and he's one of the best men you've ever known.

Tim: "What's the scar above your lip?" He asks you randomly as he rests his head in your lap, looking up at you.

"What sca- Oh! Um...It's super stupid, but when I was a kid, I liked to dance on the coffee table at my Grandmas and I busted my lip open...Grandma said I barely cried, and the next day, I was back to dancing on the table." You laughed as the memories flashed behind your eyelids.

"You never told me you were such a good dancer." Tim smiled back as he teased you.

"No, I was awful." You pulled down your shirt a little to show off the scar on your collarbone. "This was from ballet class, I did too many spins and smacked into the mirror. There's so many all over, just my clumsiness or dancing or both."

"So no dancing for you, I suppose. Either that or I get some really thick shoes, and then you can just stand on my feet, and I can do all the work." Tim teased a little as his eyes scanned your scars slowly as he took a moment to imagine the things you told him.

Damian: Training in the League isn't for the weak; real swords are used and real wounds are created. Damian knew you probably had several scars but you'd never showed them to him. He was curious and wondered if the number he had might be similar to yours.

"Can I see your scars?" He asked while the both of you were spending quality time reading together.

"My scars?"

"Yeah, I just wanna see if we have about the same amount."

"Yeah, I don't mind. I guess?" You pulled your long-sleeve shirt off as he pulled his off. Damian's eyes widened as he noticed how you had at least triple the scars that he did from training.

"They didn't put Lazarus water on the deep ones?" They had usually put Lazarus water on Damian's wounds if they were deep enough, he thought that they did that for everyone.

"Only if it hits bone." You corrected him, they never wasted a drop of Lazarus unless it was life for death for the regular soldiers in the League.

"Oh." Damian was surprised but also not. His grandfather wouldn't have wanted the Demon's Head to be littered with scars; he needed to look like he was better than them all. Damian runs his fingers over your scars on your back and he made himself a promise as well as you. "Things are gonna be different when I'm leading the League."

-> Masterlist

-> Send me prompts if you'd like

#batboys #batboys x reader #jason todd x reader #damian wayne x reader #jason todd #dick grayson x reader #red hood x reader #tim drake x reader #red hood #batman x reader #batfamily #batman #batfam #dick grayson #red robin x reader #damian al ghul x reader #damian wayne #tim

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admiringlove · 9 months ago

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growing pains. hello everybody. welcome to the second rendition of @angstober 2024! i hope you enjoy <3

kageyama tobio was a cute kid.

he moved in when you were just three. back then, your days were filled with learning big words, your mother patiently guiding you through children's books, when suddenly, a boy with an oversized, odd-looking ball came into your world. his hair was parted right down the middle, and every day, he’d be out in the yard, chasing after that strange ball with his grandfather, completely obsessed.

you were six when he first said hello. it took him two and a half years to work up the courage, and all because that ridiculous ball of his ended up in your front yard. without asking, he came through the gate, eyes wide with panic, just as you were about to head to the park.

“who are you?” you’d asked, head tilted with curiosity, and he’d stammered out his name like he’d been caught red-handed in a burglary. then, of course, you had to ask about the ball—bigger than his head. what was the deal with that? “it’s a volleyball,” he’d mumbled, and from that moment on, the two of you were intertwined, like a mystery waiting to unfold.

for the next ten years, kageyama tobio became your favorite puzzle. you chased after him like someone chasing a wild animal, half playfully, half determined. at first, it was a game—like you were sherlock and he, your elusive moriarty. your mother had always read you detective stories before bed, so solving the enigma that was kageyama seemed only natural.

when he turned seven, he found you in his front yard, peering through a magnifying glass, completely absorbed in your detective work. for an entire week, the two of you played with that thing, examining ants at the park, squinting at the pen strokes his father made in his books. eventually, he got bored. but you didn’t. no, you kept staring—sometimes at the world, but often at him.

you never tired of anything, especially not of him. you wanted to know more, to know everything. curiosity overflowed within you, spilling out like an unsolvable riddle. and you know what they say—curiosity killed the cat.

because it wasn’t just the world you wanted to uncover, not really. it was kageyama tobio. he was the one who truly fascinated you. when you learned in fifth grade that he had a soft spot for flavored milk, that was it. it became your little tradition. every so often, you’d head to the vending machine, and without fail, you’d grab him a drink—banana or strawberry, depending on the day. in return, he’d hand you the chips his mother packed in his lunch, like an unspoken exchange, as familiar as breathing. if it were up to him, it would always be strawberry.

and that’s how it was, the two of you orbiting each other like planets—his world of volleyball, your world of endless curiosity. playful, magnetic, bound together by rituals only you two understood.

you turned eleven and discovered that liking boys was a real thing. at first, the thought repulsed you; all you wanted was to bury yourself in the pages of sherlock holmes and pretend to play volleyball with kageyama. he was a prodigy, after all, dazzling everyone with his skills. kids from other districts flocked to watch him, enchanted by his talent. thankfully, he hadn’t yet transformed into an absolute twat; his ego was still catching up with him, lingering just out of reach.

“tobio,” you said one day, scrutinizing him as he carelessly set the ball near the riverbank. your gaze was fixed on the tips of his fingers, studying them as if they were an intricate puzzle waiting to be solved. he paused, turning to face you with a look of curiosity. “don’t your fingers hurt?”

“eh?” he replied, shuffling closer. with a flick of his wrist, he held out his hand toward you. “you mean this?”

the eleven-year-old boy displayed a myriad of calluses on his hands, more than you could count. you gasped in dramatic shock, a hand flying to your mouth, and couldn’t resist teasing him about his mother not noticing how rough and unsightly they had become. his eyes narrowed in mock indignation as he yelled at you for talking trash about his mother. you quickly apologized, laughter bubbling up as you declared you would simply have to complain about his “disgusting” hands instead.

that was the essence of your friendship—something sacred, woven from playful banter and shared secrets. the two of you were inseparable, bound by the threads of childhood innocence and mischief.

now, when you think back, it’s often to those moments—him proudly displaying his calluses as you played near the bridge by the river, the sun casting golden hues across the water. you remember walking home alongside him at sunset, a flutter of fear in your stomach about the kidnappers your father had warned you about just the other day. tobio had simply chuckled, telling you that you weren’t an actual genius like sherlock, so you couldn’t possibly be a target for any kidnapper anyway.

life was so simple, so beautifully uncomplicated, until you turned fourteen.

because that’s when you realized you had indeed grown up. you were on the winding road to adulthood, and suddenly, you found yourself hopelessly in love with your next-door neighbor, kageyama tobio—your best friend of eight years. he had sprouted taller, like a young tree reaching for the sky, and his voice had deepened into a rich timbre that sent butterflies flitting through your stomach. everything felt like it was shifting beneath your feet, especially as he found new friends who flocked to him like birds of a feather, while you remained nestled in your closely knit circle, distanced from him.

how were you supposed to navigate these newfound feelings? the conditions were far from ideal. how could you possibly have a crush on him while trying to maintain the friendship you cherished so much, especially when your social circles had diverged at school? being a teenager had suddenly morphed into a tangled web of complexities, each strand pulling you in different directions.

you still managed to walk home with him every day after your club activities, a routine that felt like a comforting ritual. you were quickly on your way to becoming the head of your literature club at junior high, while kageyama had been consumed by his passion for volleyball since he was just a kid. being next-door neighbors with the love of your life was undeniably convenient; it meant he had no choice but to stroll alongside you.

thankfully, the dynamic remained blissfully unchanged. the playful teasing, the exchange of strawberry and banana milk, and the shared bags of cheese puffs, or sometimes other chips, were the threads that wove your friendship together. it didn’t matter what snack you had; all you really wanted was to watch him sip through a thin plastic straw, the golden glow of the setting sun casting a warm halo around him as you walked the quiet streets together.

you cherished these moments, especially since he never hurried you along. instead, he walked slowly, savoring the time spent together, as if he genuinely enjoyed your company. this new pace allowed you both to appreciate the little things—the laughter of children playing in the distance, the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze, and the gentle warmth of the sun dipping below the horizon. it felt like a breath of fresh air, invigorating and sweet, a reminder that these small moments were treasures to be cherished.

but then you turned fifteen, and tobio transformed into someone unrecognizable. the boy who had once sparked your curiosity now seemed bitter and hardened, his heart cloaked in ego that swelled within him like a balloon about to burst. his tone had sharpened, cutting through the air like a knife, and he often wore a mask of rudeness that left you reeling. yet, despite it all, your heart still weakly fluttered whenever he was near, an instinctive reaction you couldn’t quite shake.

then it happened. one fateful day, as you walked past the gym to pick up tobio, you overheard a conversation that pierced through you like an arrow.

"aren't they your childhood friend? don't you think they're attractive, even if it's just a little?"

the words lingered in the air, but before you could savor the thought, his response shattered your heart.

"what? no! i could never see them like that. this is grossing me out. stop talking nonsense and focus on volleyball. you didn't spike this set on time!"

his words struck like a hammer, relentless and unforgiving, stomping on your heart a million times without him even realizing the damage he’d done. it was as if the boy you had cherished for so long had vanished, leaving behind only a shadow of the friendship you once held dear.

that day, you walked home alone for the first time ever, the silence of the empty streets echoing the ache in your chest. when the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple, you felt a weight pressing down on you. the next day, he didn’t question your absence, didn’t seem to care at all. and in that moment, you understood: you were no longer the person he had once found intriguing. you were just a ghost of a past friendship, lost in the void that had replaced your bond. he was not moriarty anymore, and neither were you sherlock.

you wondered if you ever were.

slowly, you created a chasm between him and you. it was a drift you instigated, unaware of the full weight of your decision. one by one, he lost the people he once held close, and you stood on the sidelines, a silent witness, hoping desperately that he would grasp the hint you were trying to send.

then, one afternoon, while walking home with a small paper bag of eggs cradled in your arms, you collided with him. curses swirled through your mind as you attempted to sidestep him, but his voice cut through the air, halting your escape.

"aren't you cold?"

you raised an eyebrow, turning to meet his gaze, your heart racing with an unexpected mix of hope and apprehension. you hummed softly in response, feeling the cool breeze brush against your skin. he repeated his question, and you shook your head, summoning a casualness you didn’t truly feel. "just a small walk. i didn't think i'd need a jacket."

"right," he mumbled under his breath, and the silence that followed felt thick with unspoken words. a part of you longed to mention his recent benching during the last match, but the fear of misinterpretation held you back, like a weight pressing on your tongue.

"are you doing okay nowadays?" the question slipped from your lips before you could stop it. you still cared, a part of you reluctant to sever the last thread binding you to him. it felt like that age-old adage—"curiosity killed the cat"—echoing in your mind, a reminder of your unfulfilled longing.

he opened his mouth, perhaps to share something profound, but then hesitated. you knew his expressions as well as the lines of your own heart; he seemed to weigh his words carefully. "i'm okay. i'm going to a high school called karasuno. you?"

the answer came too quickly, and the disappointment surged within you. "i'm going to seijoh, like oikawa and iwa-senpai," you replied softly, your voice barely above a whisper. "i enrolled there because i thought you'd be going there too. so, you know, we could walk together-"

he cut you off, the sharpness of his words slicing through the fragile moment. "we haven't done that in months, who are you kidding?"

you blinked, surprise washing over you like cold water. he was right. in the span of what felt like an eternity, the simple companionship you had once shared had faded into memory. perhaps your wishful thinking had blinded you to the reality; you were no longer the two kids wandering home together.

"i'm... sorry," you tilt your head, "have i done something to make you mad?"

you thought this was what he wanted—that he didn’t care for your tetra packs of strawberry or banana milk, that he was indifferent to your presence beside him as you walked home from school. the realization stung like a bee’s bite, leaving you with the unsettling notion that your companionship was as easily replaceable as the snacks you offered. but then he clicked his tongue, shaking his head with that familiar exasperation, his voice laced with sarcasm that dripped like spicy honey, sweet yet sharp.

“no. you can never do anything wrong, am i right?”

with that, he turned and walked into his house, leaving you standing there, the air heavy with unsaid words.

months passed without a glimpse of him. it was only when you were returning home from literature club, the sun dipping below the clouds, casting long shadows on the pavement, that you spotted him. there he was, in a black uniform, juggling a volleyball under one arm while the other struggled to pry a few papers from between his teeth as he rummaged through his bag.

“do you need any help?” your voice sliced through the crisp evening air, a tentative offering. he blinked, momentarily surprised, before handing you the scattered papers and the ball.

“y-yeah. i’m looking for my keys. ever since miwa went off to college, there’s no one to open the door when i get home.”

“right,” you nodded, trying to maintain the semblance of normalcy. you didn’t need to fill the silence anymore; you were both ghosts of the friendship that once thrived in easy conversation. “i can walk in with these if you want. help you put them wherever, since it’s hard to carry everything together-”

“it’s okay,” he interrupted, his tone clipped, a habit you had grown all too familiar with. “i can take care of myself.”

your lips pressed together, frustration simmering beneath the surface. “alright then,” you replied, the words tasting bitter as they left your mouth.

but as you turned toward your front yard, the moment shattered into a sharp breath. “why did you stop walking home with me?” his voice rang out into the twilight, a challenge hanging between you like a fragile thread.

the world around you fell silent, the air thick with unspoken words. the confrontation hung in the space between you, an echo of the past colliding with the reality of the present. you hesitated, heart racing, caught in the tension of a friendship unravelling, desperately wanting to answer but unsure of how to put the fragments of your feelings into words. "you weren't yourself, i guess. that, and i heard you say something about me to someone. but never mind that. it doesn't matter anymore."

“what?” he furrows his brows, confusion etching deep lines on his forehead. “what do you mean you heard me say something about you to someone? what the hell did i even say for this to happen to us?”

“didn’t you want this to happen?” you retort, your words tumbling out like a well-rehearsed line from a play. “i thought you found me gross.”

he blinks, taken aback, his surprise evident in the widening of his eyes. “when did i ever say i found you gross? what is wrong with you?”

“what is wrong with me?” you echo, the fire in your chest igniting into a full blaze. you’re not quite sure where this rage is coming from, but it feels exhilarating and terrifying all at once. “what’s wrong with me is that it was my fault for ever loving you and thinking you could feel the same because you’re a selfish prick! you’re oblivious and dense and you don’t feel the same way about me, so i left because i didn’t want to be in a place where i wasn’t needed-”

realization crashes over you like a tidal wave in mid-sentence, the weight of your words suffocating. a hand flies to cover your mouth, the confession hanging in the air like an uninvited guest. his expression morphs into one of shock, the volleyball slipping from his grasp and hitting the pavement with a dull thud.

you can’t bear to see the hurt in his eyes, the way his world seems to tilt on its axis, so you turn and flee, heart racing as you dart into your house, slamming the door behind you. the echo of your confession reverberates in your mind, each heartbeat reminding you of what you just unleashed—a truth that feels like it could shatter everything.

you avoided him for months after that moment, but still, you found yourself at every game, an invisible presence in the crowd. you watched as karasuno faced off against kamomedai, your heart aching with every spike and serve, each point a reminder of the distance that had grown between you. tobio had transformed into someone new, shedding his egotistical shell like a snake sloughing off its skin, and finding camaraderie with teammates who genuinely cared for him.

it filled you with anger. why couldn’t he have made this change years ago? if only he had, maybe letting go of your feelings would have been easier. instead, you felt trapped on the sidelines of his life, a spectator to a story that once intertwined your paths.

“w-what are you doing here?” a shaky voice pulls you from your thoughts as you exit the gym. you turn, startled, to find kageyama tobio standing before you. his chest heaves with exertion, droplets of sweat glistening on his skin, and he gazes at you as if you were a relic he had lost long ago.

“i... came to watch the game,” you reply, shrugging, trying to sound casual. “you did good. i hope your friend isn’t injured, by the way.”

“yeah... he’s uh- hinata’s fine,” he nods, his words a soft echo in the tense air. “thank you for coming. it means a lot.”

you press your lips into a straight line, nodding, the weight of the moment heavy between you. it feels like the right time to leave, to escape the growing tension, but he continues.

“i felt the same way about you back then,” he says, and your heart drops, your feet seemingly glued to the ground. his melancholic gaze pierces through you, and the heartbreak looms overhead like a storm cloud ready to burst. “i’m sorry if i hurt you.”

“y-you what?” you whisper, tilting your head as disbelief washes over you. “tobio, you-”

“i can’t say i feel that way now. all i can focus on from now on is volleyball,” he sighs, his gaze falling to the floor, the weight of his words suffocating. “but it really was great being friends with you. i hope we can... try that again sometime.”

in that moment, something within you shatters, the pieces scattering like autumn leaves in a gust of wind. you realize how deeply you had clung to him, how he had become the center of your universe; an object of desire you could never grasp. slowly, painfully, he had outgrown you, moving forward as you remained rooted in the past, a decision you made to push him away when he needed you the most.

perhaps this was what you deserved. perhaps this was how it was meant to be—him, chasing his dreams like icarus, and you, watching from the side lines, heart heavy with the weight of unfulfilled wishes and lost chances.

#kageyama tobio x reader #kageyama tobio angst #kageyama tobio fluff #kageyama tobio x you #haikyuu!! x reader #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu!! angst #haikyuu angst #haikyuu!! fluff #haikyuu fluff #haikyuu imagine #haikyuu!! fanfic #kageyama tobio fanfiction

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rosy-crow · 5 months ago

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The thing I would say is commonly misunderstood the most about Sephiroth is his reaction to discovering that he was “created.”

People get baffled by the Nibelheim Incident and say, “I guess finding out you were an experiment would be upsetting, but why would that fill him with so much rage that he started killing humans and wanting to destroy the entire planet?”

But it’s more like….no, imagine you were born inherently different from everyone else. Forget the extra tragic background stuff that some of us know for a moment. Just take that basic idea about being “born special.”

You are distinctly isolate. It’s in your literal DNA. You are physically and biologically “other” your entire life. Not with a disorder or deformity, but with some completely unique and separate make-up as a living being.

And you don’t like it. You don’t like being special and different. It’s a type of different that can be utilized because it manifests in unnatural, destructive power. Your physical strength and endurance are beyond human and are most suited to war and bloodshed. This strips you of the ability to assimilate into the world. It makes you fit best as a weapon.

You don’t get a family, home, or sense of secure, ordinary life. You don’t get to connect with the planet. You live in a completely different world from everyone else and look out at them through glass and steel.

Sure, they idolize you. Cool. They worship the physical otherness that you were born with. They admire your godly strength, they fawn over your looks, they obsess over your presence, blah blah. But it’s all distant noise to you. There’s no fulfillment in it. You don’t want praise and worship from behind glass and steel, you want something or someone to connect to.

You want your mother — because SHE would give you love, safety, acceptance, and humanity. You could feel human if you could run into the arms of the human that birthed you. The existence of your mother is proof that you are human for the time being. You need her so much.

But none of this is given to you and even though you look for answers, they somehow evade you for your entire life.

MEANWHILE, the only ones to steer and guide you are the company that brought you up and at least gave you a place to reside, a place to find purpose. In your mind, since you were born special, maybe this company is a type of salvation, even if you don’t like everything they do or…..anything about them at all, actually.

But hey! They still guide your power and strength. They still give you something to hang onto. They don’t attack you for being special, they just steer you to employ your abilities and that’s SOMETHING to hold onto. It’s a place where you can assimilate and be accepted in some way. Even if it hurts you. You OWE them.

Now cut to Nibelheim. You uncover it all. Every. Single. Lie. And lies on top of lies. What you discover isn’t even the full truth, but you THINK it is. You think you’ve just finally found out all the answers!

And it starts with your birth. Turns out you were created. You’re not human at all. You were created from the remains of an ancient being that was dug up from the earth and labeled as a separate species by humanity. It’s even dubbed a monster by some, and boy…does it sure look like one.

All of those differences you grew up with, all of those feelings of otherness, all of those fucking isolate traits that FORCED you to live in a cold, different world and that conveniently suited the needs of the greedy, corporate businessmen that raised you were produced and crafted by them.

Your “special existence” that took away every chance at normal, human life was not something you were born with and had no control over. It was literally the result of horrible, unethical experimentation. All of your years of trying to accept it and just do your job are now pointless. It’s like a robot discovering it never had any autonomy or soul because it was always a product made with false ideas about itself.

And to make things worse? Your mother is the other victim of the company that created you. They had her all along, trapped inside an experimental hellscape and hooked up to tubes and wires. Treated like a revered object the same way you were. She’s not human either. That means she’s the only one that can be one with you and understand you. Or so you believe.

All those years you spent separated from her, trying to make peace with what you thought was a natural difference in your DNA…all of it was meaningless because you were being lied to, controlled, used, and treated like the creation you were from the start. You were being kept from your mother and even told she was dead.

Of course you would break.

This is just the core of Sephiroth’s story and I’m not even mentioning all of the additional horror that goes into his life, but this alone would make anyone enraged beyond reason. It would send anyone into deep despair.

Sephiroth only climbed out of that pitch black despair by using hatred, rage, and the drive to return to his mother. He reshapes his entire person to embrace the monster Shinra created. He embraced what he believed they made him to be without his consent, and turned his back on the “others” besides himself and his mother.

#ok i’m done for today byeeeee #was and still am EMO AF over seph rn #ff7 #sephiroth #ff7 og #meta

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reccyls · 2 months ago

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Victor's Main Route: Mad Love Chapter 25 + His POV Story

< Previous Chapter | Masterlist | Epilogue >

If life were a fairy tale… After the loss of Liberator and the four executives, the fall of Nox Liberator would have been over in an instant.

Members of Nox Liberator, officially designated a terrorist organization, were detained at a rally early in the morning. All members were arrested, including those connected to the bombing incidents. They were detained at the Tower of London, awaiting trial. Furthermore, a large quantity of weapons and bombs were discovered hidden beneath their meeting locations. Their complicity in various crimes, ranging from extortion and nepotism to human trafficking, was uncovered one after another. The scope of the investigation was beyond Scotland Yard’s capabilities, and the case was abandoned. However, the nobles behind those acts had already been discovered and condemned by Crown. Furthermore, Ben Brown, known as Liberator, was discovered having died of suicide in his residence outside of London. After learning of his demise, members of Nox Liberator cried out in anguish, with some choosing to take their own lives as well. Without Liberator to lead them, the group collapsed entirely, and the curtain closed on the case of Nox Liberator.

(But that doesn’t extinguish their will.)

Victor, as well as the rest of Crown, knew that well. That was why the remaining members of Nox Liberator were being monitored very closely still.

(Currently, they seem too upset over Ben’s death to be able to think about anything else…)

But as sorrow morphed into fury, it could lead to further incidents in the future.

(Ben and the other executives were using the members of Nox Liberator to make their own desires come true.)

Although the executives worshipped Ben and generally agreed with his vision, They saw the commoner members of Nox Liberator as disposable, going as far as to harm and even kill them. Ben incited Nox Liberator to act because he was deluded that it would ‘free’ Victor, And thus allow Victor to guide and liberate him.

(Even though a republic means that the people have a say in the government, the common people weren’t a part of the ideals that Ben and the executives were working toward.)

There was a mastermind and nobles, and then the commoners and the poor. Although Nox Liberator claimed to want to establish a republic government for the people, The fact that there were such a stark divide between the group’s members made me think they were doomed to fail from the very beginning.

(But this is reality.)

Differences in thought caused by differences in station led to discrimination and inequality. Victor knew that, which was why he worked so hard to create a future where everyone, regardless of position, could be happy. My hands stopped moving, and I looked over my finished work while sighing. Victor’s report was finally ready.

…

A calm had settled over Crown’s castle after everything had come to a finish. Nothing should have been different than before, but the atmosphere felt lighter, somehow. As the sun began to sink, I made my way to where I needed to go: The office that I had so frequently visited over the course of this past month. I knocked on the door and entered, but Victor was nowhere to be found.

(Is he out on business?)

I placed my report on his desk, and couldn’t resist the urge to review it once more. The report was about everything I had experienced since meeting him. And the last few lines were the single conclusion I could come to, after having come to know him.

This report contains Crown’s most important secret. The person it is about probably doesn’t want any trace of this report to remain in this world. And so, I leave the matter of what is to be done with this report to the person in question. Even if this report is buried in the dark to be forgotten by the world, I will still remember. Because I love you.

(This is less like a report and more of a love letter…)

I wrote of how I started to know him, how I fell in love, how I realized that he had been protecting me for so long, how I wished for us to have a future together, and how I wished for his happiness above all else. To someone on the outside, this report which contained neither his name nor ability seemed to be one long love letter.

(But he still wouldn’t want this to exist.)

I knew how Victor was determined for his existence to die without leaving even the slightest trace in the annals of history. So that was why I left the decision of what to do with this report up to him. I picked up a piece of scrap paper and found a pen, intending to leave a note with the report. But I couldn’t bring myself to put down the note which said “Thank you for everything.”

(Even if he tells me to my face to leave, I don’t want to.) (I want to stay with Victor… but…)

The girl who dropped her glass slipper and was found by the prince was still a noble, even if she was covered in soot and ashes. So was the girl revived after eating a poison apple, or the girl who woke after a century of slumber. Unlike me, they were princesses. I agonized over whether or not to leave the note, when…

???: Vic, it’s me. Are you there?

The door swung open, revealing a familiar face.

William: What are you doing here, Kate?

I hurriedly hid the note behind my back, and William continued as if he hadn’t noticed.

William: Oh, right. This is the promised day, isn’t it?

His tone was serious.

William: You’ll stop working as Fairytale Keeper and return to your old life. Are you going to go along with that?

Kate: I…

I hesitated to answer. My heart knew what it wanted, but my brain knew that reality wasn’t so sweet.

Kate: If I get rejected because of the difference in our social status, I’d have to leave…

Unable to look William in the eye, my gaze dropped.

William: Who do you think would reject you?

Kate: …The people around him, or just people in general, I guess.

Giving me a glance as I mumbled, William sat down in a chair.

William: Have you met Victor yet?

Kate: No, not today…

He crossed his legs and a smile rose to his lips.

William: You should speak with him either way. William: You know better than anyone else where he’d be, don’t you?

I thought hard about the places Victor would usually be around this time, but my mind came up blank. Seeming amused, William continued speaking.

William: Kate, do you like fairytales?

Kate: I do. But why do you ask?

His question surprised me.

William: If life were a fairytale, what should you do to be happy?

Don’t do bad things. (+2/+4)

Believe in people.

Wait for a prince.

Kate: Don’t do bad things?

William: I’m sorry to say, but there are many people who are very happy to do all sorts of wicked deeds. William: If life were a fairytale, achieving happiness would be simple.

He raised his index finger in front of his lips and grinned.

William: Don’t do what you shouldn’t.

Kate: What I shouldn’t…?

William: Don’t enter the forbidden woods. William: Don’t open doors that should remain shut. William: Don’t discover secrets that should have stayed hidden. William: Don’t fall into a forbidden romance.

(Oh…)

I recalled the words Victor said to me the night I first arrived here.

Victor: If you wish to return to your old life after this month is over… you must not let them steal your heart.

Crown was made up of Cursed Ones, each fated to meet a tragic end. To fall in love with them would not lead to the blissful happily ever after that young maidens dreamed of.

(I was warned from the very first day, but he completely captured my heart.)

When I let out an ironic laugh, William put his hand down.

William: But that’s not necessarily a rule you must follow to achieve happiness.

Kate: Huh?

When I looked up at him, he laughed.

William: Because this isn’t a fairytale, Kate. This is the story of your life.

-----

After parting ways with William, I returned to my bedroom to find the suitcase I had been in the middle of packing missing.

Kate: Wha-!?

The clothes he had gifted me, my precious music box, that opal brooch. I had packed them all away in that suitcase, which had vanished into thin air.

(No way… where could it be…?)

I frantically looked around my room, searching for my belongings.

Kate: Ah…

Sitting on my desk was a note written in familiar handwriting.

Kate: “I’ve helped myself to your suitcase. If you want it back, you’ll need to find me!”

I burst out of my room after reading Victor’s message. But no matter how much I searched…

(I can’t find him anywhere!)

I ran all over Crown castle and the palace. I even returned to his office to look in his bedroom, and he wasn’t there either.

(He isn’t at any of his usual haunts. Is there anywhere else…?)

I wracked my brain for an idea, any idea at all. I had never expected that I’d be running around the palm of his hand on my very final day. Running through my memories, I checked off places he could be. Until at last, I realized there was one more place I hadn’t searched yet. I ran out of the castle to catch the first carriage I came across.

-----

I arrived at the ruined church. Careful not to step on any rubble, I made my way inside. However…

(He’s not here…)

All I saw was moonlight pouring in on the cracked altar at the church’s center.

(If he isn’t here, then I don’t know anymore.)

Holding back my tears as my shoulders shook, I took a step closer to the altar. The note I had been carrying all this time slipped from my fingers and drifted to the floor. But before I could pick it up, a hand reached out to take it.

Kate: Vic… tor…

After reading what it said, he turned his dark gaze to me.

Victor: Do you mean it?

I was overjoyed to find Victor and be able to see him again. But the inner conflict that I couldn’t put into words before swirled in my chest again. Tears filled my eyes again, for a different reason than earlier.

Kate: I don’t want to cause any more trouble to you than I already have.

That fear had always been lurking in my heart.

Kate: The longer I stay with you, the more I start wanting.

I wanted to be with him, I wanted him to love me, I wanted him to be happy. It was so easy to let my emotions get the better of me.

Kate: But most of all, I just want you to be happy.

I could no longer hold back my tears. Against my wishes, they rolled down my cheeks.

Kate: I love you, I love you so much I don’t have enough words to tell you how much. Kate: But that’s exactly why I can’t be by your side. I have nothing I can offer you.

Through my unending tears, Victor smiled sadly.

Victor: Those aren’t the words of the person who had given me the one thing I could hold onto, even after I had given up everything else.

He whispered softly as his thumb gently wiped away my tears. And then–

Victor: I just canceled the lease on your apartment today.

Kate: Huh?

Victor: I have a resignation letter for your position at the post office too. Both of them only need your signature to be finalized.

Kate: What?

Victor: Your suitcase is in my room. I plan to bring over the rest of your things too, once you agree.

Kate: Umm…

I was so confused by what was happening I forgot I was supposed to be crying. His hand moved from my cheek to my neck and collar, stroking gently.

Victor: My fated end is to “bring destruction to those I love.” Victor: If you choose to live with me, there is no other end that awaits you other than ruin. Victor: But, if, even despite that, you choose to meet that destiny with me… Victor: The darkness will gladly welcome you.

Victor: But if you choose to meet that destiny with them… Victor: The darkness will gladly welcome you.

Realizing that it was the same thing he said to me a month ago, my lip began to tremble.

(Why did I never realize until now?)

Victor had always been waiting for my choice.

(So now-)

His hand was still resting gently against my neck. I clasped my own hands around his. I was choosing my destiny of my own free will.

Kate: Even if destruction is all that awaits me, if it’s with you, I could think of no finer heaven.

Affection filled his gaze as he smiled, pulling loose the ribbon of my blouse.

Kate: Whoa!

He pushed me down onto the altar, laying on top of me.

Victor: I can no longer let you go. Victor: I love you, Kate.

Instead of replying to my beloved, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

(If life were a fairytale…)

William’s words echoed in my mind.

(But he was right. This isn’t a fairytale.) (This is the story of the life that I choose.)

Victor: Don’t think about anything else.

Kate: Ah…

He had a wicked smile on his face as I told him what William had said to me earlier today.

Victor: In that case, this is how our story goes.

With his hand gently cradling my head, he began to speak.

Victor: Once upon a time, the grim reaper was saved by the words of a young girl, and resolved to bear his duty to his last breath. Victor: But after encountering that girl again and saving her life, he realized that there was something he could not give up, and began to watch over her from the shadows. Victor: And on their third meeting, the reaper finally came to take her.

He smiled.

Victor: He wished, with all his heart, that this was destiny.

Smiling back at him, I continued our tale.

Kate: The girl gladly took the reaper’s hand, and began to walk a path of destruction with him. Kate: Until death itself came to part them, they would remain together, unchanging.

His soft, smiling lips descended, and I let my eyes slide shut.

Victor: For as long as I love you, I wish the end will never come. Victor: All I wish for… is an eternity with you.

And so I shared a kiss with the reaper.

This was the story that had already been written since the day we first met. A story known as destiny.

His POV Story: A Vow with Destiny

If life were a fairy tale, it would be easy to achieve happiness. All we had to do was make up our minds. I looked at the suitcase and documents that I had gathered in my room, and smiled. It was Kate’s promised day, and I had chosen not to let her leave.

(Well, if she says she wants to go back to her old life, then I’ll have to accept it.)

I remembered how she cried last night.

Kate: I love you, Victor. Kate: I have always loved you, and only you.

I had been awake then, and remembered how hard she had clung onto me. That was when I made my choice.

(I will never let you go.)

Although I had originally pushed her away for the sake of her happiness, her feelings changed everything. Her body, and her heart. I would take it all. What I had chosen to do last night was how I wanted to make that clear.

Victor: But I don’t think she got the message…

My shoulders slumped. But as I thought back on my actions up to that point, I realized something. I had never, not even once, told her I loved her. Last night would have been the perfect time. But I had been so nervous and giddy to spend the night with her that I had let myself get carried away. The night passed and morning came, and by the time I had woken up, Kate had already left. The only thing left in my room was my shame.

(And I call myself an adult…) (It’s all because you’re too adorable, you know…)

In order to turn things around, I spent the entire day avoiding my work and putting together a plan to get rid of any obstacles between us. I had obtained a resignation letter for the post office for Kate, as well as a document to terminate the lease for her apartment. And I arranged things so that both her employment and her lease could be immediately ended once she signed both agreements. Then I broke into Kate’s room, stole her half-packed suitcase, and left a note for her. Once I received her permission, I planned to move the rest of her things into my room.

(This is probably a bit extreme, but it’s the best way to show her I’m serious.)

Words were not enough to respond to the love she had shown me over the past weeks. So I decided to take action, instead.

(Speaking of which, where is Kate now?)

I could have put together as many plans as I wanted, but nothing could begin without the lady of the hour. So I left my room and made my way to my office. And there, sitting in a chair, was William. Although he didn’t know of the existence of this secret passage, he didn’t seem particularly surprised.

(I shouldn’t have expected anything else from William…)

William: If you’re looking for Kate, she just left.

He laughed lightly and stood up as he read the expression on my face. Then he pointed to my desk.

William: She left a report for you. She was afraid you’d kick her out, you know.

Victor: I’d never…

As I picked up the report, he continued to speak with an amused grin.

William: Hey, Vic. If life were a fairytale, what should you do to be happy?

I didn’t even have to think.

Victor: It’s simple. Just make a choice, and see it through. Victor: Even if it leads to you being hurt, or hurting others, you must be ready to face your fate.

Perhaps my answer pleased him. He turned around.

William: You had better go find her, quickly.

And with one last laugh, he left the office. Alone in my office, I began reading the report Kate had left. As I read through page after page, I relived the memories of the month we spent together. It was more like a love letter than it was a report.

Victor: …I am loved, aren’t I.

(But unfortunately, I couldn’t let this love letter-report continue to exist.)

The risk of the queen’s secret being revealed was too great. And I did not wish for any record of my existence to remain in history.

Victor: …Just like how you said you won’t forget me, I will remember this too.

After committing the report to memory, I threw it into the fireplace.

Victor: I will remember every single word.

Memories lived on forever within the heart.

-----

After running here and there in a frantic whirlwind, Kate left the castle and took a carriage. I heard about her actions from the head butler, so I went after her, guessing that she was headed to the church of our memories.

(There she is.)

Just as I was about to call out to her as she approached the altar, A small note slipped out of her hand. I quickly picked it up before she was able to, and she lifted her tearful face to meet my gaze.

Kate: Vic… tor…

After reading what it said, shame at my own foolishness flooded through me.

Victor: Do you mean it?

Kate: I don’t want to cause any more trouble to you than I already have.

(When have you ever caused me trouble?)

I was about to tell her exactly that, but she cut me off.

Kate: The longer I stay with you, the more I start wanting. Kate: But most of all, I just want you to be happy.

A tear slid down her cheek.

Kate: I love you, I love you so much I don’t have enough words to tell you how much.

Those words came so easily to Kate.

Kate: But that’s exactly why I can’t be by your side. I have nothing I can offer you.

(You’ve given me so much, and yet…)

I brought my hand to her face so I could wipe her tears away with my thumb.

Victor: Those aren’t the words of the person who had given me the one thing I could hold onto, even after I had given up everything else.

(If I don’t tell her now, when?)

Victor: I just canceled the lease on your apartment today.

Kate: Huh?

Victor: I have a resignation letter for your position at the post office too. Both of them only need your signature to be finalized.

Kate: What?

Victor: Your suitcase is in my room. I plan to bring over the rest of your things too, once you agree.

Kate: Umm…

I let my hand drop from her cheek to her neck, running my fingers across her skin. It was time to tell her something important.

(I have been waiting for you to choose me since the very first day.)

She put her hands around mine.

Kate: Even if destruction is all that awaits me, if it’s with you, I could think of no finer heaven.

Her words filled my heart with warmth, and I tugged at the ribbon around her neck.

Kate: Whoa!

I pushed her onto the altar.

Victor: I can no longer let you go. Victor: I love you, Kate.

Instead of a reply, Kate wrapped her arms around my neck.

Victor: Don’t think about anything else.

Kate: Ah…

I could tell her mind was on something else. She told me about a conversation she had with William.

Victor: In that case, this is how our story goes.

I cradled her head, reflecting on the story of our lives.

Kate smiled and continued our tale.

Kate: The girl gladly took the reaper’s hand, and began to walk a path of destruction with him. Kate: Until death itself came to part them, they would remain together, unchanging.

I slowly lowered my lips to her smile.

Victor: For as long as I love you, I wish the end will never come. Victor: All I wish for… is an eternity with you.

My “destiny” smiled, and then she laughed joyfully.

#ikemen villains #my translation #victor (ikevil)

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duckprintspress · 3 months ago

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Celebrate Eid al-Fitr with 6 Queer Muslim Reads

Eid Mubarak! Ramadan is ending, and Eid al-Fitr is beginning, and we’re celebrating with a modest list of queer books with Muslim characters. The contributors to the list are: Meera S., Linnea Peterson, Nina Waters, and Adrian Harley.

We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib

How do you find yourself when the world tells you that you don’t exist? Samra Habib has spent most of their life searching for the safety to be themself. As an Ahmadi Muslim growing up in Pakistan, they faced regular threats from Islamic extremists who believed the small, dynamic sect to be blasphemous. From their parents, they internalized the lesson that revealing their identity could put them in grave danger. When their family came to Canada as refugees, Samra encountered a whole new host of bullies, racism, the threat of poverty, and an arranged marriage. Backed into a corner, their need for a safe space–in which to grow and nurture their creative, feminist spirit–became dire. The men in Samra’s life wanted to police them, the women in their life had only shown them the example of pious obedience, and their body was a problem to be solved. So begins an exploration of faith, art, love, and queer sexuality, a journey that takes them to the far reaches of the globe to uncover a truth that was within them all along. A triumphant memoir of forgiveness and family, both chosen and not, We Have Always Been Here is a rallying cry for anyone who has ever felt out of place and a testament to the power of fearlessly inhabiting one’s truest self.

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

When fourteen-year-old Lamya H realizes she has a crush on her teacher–her female teacher–she covers up her attraction, an attraction she can’t yet name, by playing up her roles as overachiever and class clown. Born in South Asia, she moved to the Middle East at a young age and has spent years feeling out of place, like her own desires and dreams don’t matter, and it’s easier to hide in plain sight. To disappear. But one day in Quran class, she reads a passage about Maryam that changes everything: when Maryam learned that she was pregnant, she insisted no man had touched her. Could Maryam, uninterested in men, be . . . like Lamya? From that moment on, Lamya makes sense of her struggles and triumphs by comparing her experiences with some of the most famous stories in the Quran. She juxtaposes her coming out with Musa liberating his people from the pharoah; asks if Allah, who is neither male nor female, might instead be nonbinary; and, drawing on the faith and hope Nuh needed to construct his ark, begins to build a life of her own–ultimately finding that the answer to her lifelong quest for community and belonging lies in owning her identity as a queer, devout Muslim immigrant.

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

Everyone likes Humaira “Hani” Khan—she’s easy going and one of the most popular girls at school. But when she comes out to her friends as bisexual, they invalidate her identity, saying she can’t be bi if she’s only dated guys. Panicked, Hani blurts out that she’s in a relationship…with a girl her friends absolutely hate—Ishita “Ishu” Dey. Ishu is the complete opposite of Hani. She’s an academic overachiever who hopes that becoming head girl will set her on the right track for college. But Ishita agrees to help Hani, if Hani will help her become more popular so that she stands a chance of being elected head girl. Despite their mutually beneficial pact, they start developing real feelings for each other. But relationships are complicated, and some people will do anything to stop two Bengali girls from achieving happily ever after.

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi

Sana Khan is a cheerleader and a straight A student. She’s the classic (somewhat obnoxious) overachiever determined to win. Rachel Recht is a wannabe director who’s obsesssed with movies and ready to make her own masterpiece. As she’s casting her senior film project, she knows she’s found the perfect lead – Sana. There’s only one problem. Rachel hates Sana. Rachel was the first girl Sana ever asked out, but Rachel thought it was a cruel prank and has detested Sana ever since. Told in alternative viewpoints and inspired by classic romantic comedies, this engaging and edgy YA novel follows two strongwilled young women falling for each other despite themselves.

DeadEndia by Hamish Steele

Barney Guttman’s life has been turned upside down. His family is struggling to fully embrace his trans identity, but thanks to his best friend Norma, he’s just landed a job at Phoenix Parks, a Dollywood-esque amusement park inspired by the long life and career of mysteriously youthful actress and singer Pauline Phoenix. Soon, Barney and his dog, Pugsley, secretly move into the haunted house attraction. Little does Barney know, the house contains a portal to the demonic planes of Hell. When Courtney, Barney’s devilish new roommate, invites a demon king to Earth through the portal, they offer Barney and Norma as flesh vessels for the king, but in a strange twist, Pugsley is possessed instead! It’s a race through the park to save Pugsley—and the world—from the demon king’s reign of terror that leaves Pugsley with strange and magical side effects. With all of this chaos going on, Barney is also discovering he has crush on park employee, Logan, so he must face his biggest fear of all… talking to someone he likes. Follow the lives of this diverse group of friends in this hilarious and moving graphic novel series, complete with talking pugs, vengeful ghosts, and first love.

Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed

Shubeik Lubeik–a fairytale rhyme meaning “Your Wish is My Command” in Arabic–is the story of three characters navigating a world where wishes are literally for sale; mired in bureaucracy and the familiar prejudices of our world, the more expensive the wish, the more powerful and therefore the more likely to work as intended. The novel’s three distinct parts tell the story of three first class wishes as used by Aziza, Nour, and Shokry, each grappling with the challenge inherent in trying to make your most deeply held desire come true.

What are YOUR favorite Queer Muslim books? (We definitely need some recs ourselves!)

Find these books on our Goodreads book shelf. See something you’d like to read? Buy it through the Duck Prints Press Bookshop.org affiliate shop!

Join us on Discord and chat with us about the books you love in the Book Lover’s Discord server!

#duck prints press #book recommendations #queer books #queer muslim #queer muslim characters

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zibethrose · 4 months ago

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Recognize that your thoughts don’t define you. You are spirit, you are not your mind. Allow your instincts to lead you and your soul to guide you in all facets of life. Concentrate on the priorities of your life and let go of distractions. Finding your own awakening requires developing a strong sense of self. Cultivate inner quietude and connect with your intuition to release all that is not you to find your own awakening. Remove the social mask and embrace your personal truth, unapologetically showing the world all your colors. Take time to connect with your innate wisdom and receive guidance from your higher self. Decide to embody a grateful mindset as it is a choice that will keep you aligned with the Sacred. This will help you with the Acceptance of what is; without conditions or expectations.

If you can see your life as full of abundance, you will feel less desire to fill it with things that do not bring your soul happiness. Feeding your soul is about taking steps to feel at peace with yourself, whether things are going well or not. The soul is fed by Acts of love, compassion and kindness as the soul flourishes on good vibes, that is, anything and everything that makes you pulse with the heady and zesty delight of feeling so alive you can burst with joy. To align to your soul is easy, just Follow your bliss. Hurt or rejection are deep human fears that everyone wrestles with. Learn to acknowledge feelings without getting defensive. Recognize that your thoughts don’t define you. You are spirit, you are not your mind. Embrace soul-truth for conscious growth. Clear the mind from misgivings and doubts to uncover your truth which helps you to discern the scent of the one path that will enable you to continue your journey with certainty, knowing who you are and where you need to be.

Please like, comment, share, subscribe and follow me @www.zibethrose.com

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eunxhan · 8 months ago

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E ( 💭🪶 . • ✧ ) 𝖺𝗋𝗍 & 𝖽𝖾𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝟸𝟶𝟸4

─── © 🎞 film by EUN.X.HAN⠀

# ⋆ ⩉ EUNA 𝂅 🖋 : I just started replaying obey me and all of my memories about my priest!oc came running through my mind.. So I thought of writing about him all over again.

❛ 𒀭 : DISCLAIMER — OC slight, bad grammar, RELIGION.

❛ 𒀭 : READER — Male , You/Yours

❛ 𒀭 : LINKS — Request rules

The priest, deeply rooted in religion and spirituality, was known for his soft and gentle nature towards others. His faith guided his every action, and his compassionate demeanor brought comfort to those around him. Though, everything changed when he was transported to the realm of Devildom.

At first, he struggled to comprehend the reality before him. The world he had been immersed in, where religion was forced upon him at every turn, seemed to crumble around him. His gentle facade began to crack, giving way to anger and disbelief. How could this be the true nature of existence? What do you mean that there's a school between heaven and hell? Celestial realm? Devildom? Him becoming an exchanged student? None of this is real.. The idea of interacting with the Demon King or the seven demon brothers filled him with disgust and fear His once-kind eyes now held a flicker of hostility, his voice tinged with bitterness as he struggled to reconcile his beliefs with the reality of Devildom.

The priest's journey was one of internal conflict and anger. As he grasp with the unknown of this new world, questioning himself everything he had once held dear. His faith, once a source of strength, now felt like a burden, a reminder of the lies he had been fed throughout his life. As the priest character go through Devildom, his once-unshakable faith began to waver. The demonic realm stood in stark contrast to the existence he had led, causing him to question his beliefs. He have never seen anything like this in the book.

As the priest go deeper into Devildom, he began to uncover secrets that challenged his understanding of good and evil. He witnessed acts of kindness and compassion among the demons, qualities he had once believed to be exclusively human. The lines between right and wrong began to blur, and the priest have a hard time grappling with a newfound sense of uncertainty.

As soon as Priest was assigned to be with the seven demon brothers, his reaction was one of shock and disbelief. He stared at them as if they were something disgusting, his eyes wide with horror. The sight of Diavolo, Barbatos, the demon brothers, sent a chill down his spine. This was a far from what he was forced to believe, he had envisioned, and struggling to understand with this new reality.

Priest's attire was a stark reminder of his life back in the human realm. His simple priest uniform and the cross necklace that hung around his neck stood out most. The demons, with their elaborate unifotms and otherworldly appearances, looked upon him with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. Wondering how can a priest react.

Their mischievous antics and irreverent behavior just makes the Priest frustrated. Of course the demons probably dislike priests or any religious people because of how they imagine demons to be. And when the moments where he had to act like a therapist, the priest gets angry. Asmodeus and Mammon, in particular, seemed to take great pleasure in pushing the priest's buttons, their playful taunts and suggestive comments leaving the priest flustered and off-balance.

Throughout his journey, Priest's unwavering faith and gentle nature served as a beacon of hope in the darkness of Devildom. His interactions with the demon brothers, though often fraught with tension and conflict, has revealed the hidden depths of everyone, and the priest found himself questioning his own beliefs and assumptions about the nature of good and evil. Priest initial interactions with the seven demon brothers were marked by tension and misunderstanding. His opinions, shaped by the teachings of the human realm, clouded his perception of the demons. He was struggling with the differences between the biblical depictions he had been taught and the reality that stood before him.

Lucifer, the eldest of the brothers, was the embodiment of Priest's deepest fears. The priest's apprehension was understandable, his every move guarded and cautious. Like any human would act when being forced to live in a different realm that they never thought it was real.. Lucifer, though understanding of Priest's reactions, Lucifer is sometimes angry by the constant side-eye glances and mistrust coming from Priest. Their interactions were filled by misunderstandings, both of them struggling to bridge the gap between their different worlds.

Mammon, the second eldest, was a force to be reckoned with. Priest realized he had signed up for a game he wasn't sure he could win. Their constant fights and yapping were by moments of unexpected empathy, as Priest relating to the demon brothers despite his best efforts to maintain his religious beliefs. Mammon grew frustrated with Priest's tendency to bring religion into every conversation, urging him to let go of his rigid beliefs and embrace the reality of Devildom.

Leviathan, the third eldest, evoked a sense of nostalgia in Pries. The demon's nature reminded him of the edgy teenagers who had once hate his attempts at religious guidance or even visiting the church. Despite their clashes, Priest and Leviathan discovered a shared interest that brings them close, allowing for moments of unexpected connection. Especially when it comes to animals, like Snake. Priest often finds Leviathan's Ruri-Chan's merchto be concerning which made Leviathan to judge him for believing into something for so long only to found it everything was a lie.. both of them have not talked about it since..

Satan, the fourth eldest, priest's initial hesitation and desire to avoid the demon were quickly overshadowed, drawing him into Satan's orbit alongside the other demons. As Priest navigated his feelings towards Satan, he found himself questioning his faith and beliefs. They quickly bonded with the liking of books.

Asmodeus, the fifth eldest, a constant confusion for Priest. The demon's flirtatious attempts were met with confusion, as Priest struggled to understand Asmodeus' intentions. His pure nature, often underestimated by those around him, made him particularly uncomfortable with Asmodeus' unexpected touches. Priest still tried to be understanding of Asmodeus' interest in fame and beauty, recognizing it to his own experiences in the human realm.

Beelzebub, the sixth eldest, was another confusion that Priest found himself with. The demon's seemingly nice and gentle personality. To Priest, that's not how a demon should be. Despite his instincts telling him to maintain a safe distance, Priest is drawn to Beelzebub's normalcy. He even caught himself cooking and baking for the demon of gluttony, a task that brought them closer together despite Priest's best efforts to keep his guard up.

Belphegor, the youngest of the demon brothers, was the one Priest disliked the most. His disdain for unmotivated individuals was well-known, and he saw Belphegor as someone who was not making the most of his life. At first, he never intended to help the demon at all but something in him made him to. After traumatic encounter with Belphegor, where he was betrayed and choked, left him with a deep-seated fear. Whenever Belphegor entered the room, Priest made a tried his best to appear normal, but he couldn't help but leave the room.

Other headcanons is that Priest has a secret love for sweets, particularly chocolate chip cookies. He often sneaks into the kitchen late at night to bake batches of cookies, only to find Beelzebub eating too. Which made both of them to talk together as they eat (Priest couldn't help it.. I only wonder how he'd react to the angels) Talking about sweets, one time Barbatos offered him baked goods and Tea.. Oh he couldn't wait to see Barbatos after that encounter.

Despite his stern and serious demeanor, Priest has a hidden talent for playing the piano. In the human realm, he always plays the piano. He often plays softly when no one else is around, pouring his emotions into the music and finding a sense of peace that he struggles to achieve in his interactions with the demon brothers.

Priest has a collection of small, intricately carved wooden crosses that he keeps hidden in his room. Each cross represents a person he has helped or a struggle he has overcome. And sometimes, puts it infront of his door whenever he's fed up with the brothers.

Priest has a soft spot for animals, particularly stray cats. He often leaves out bowls of food and water for them, and he has been known to sneak them into his room for a warm place to sleep on cold nights. He was once caught by Lucifer when helping Satan to bring a kitten home during the heavy storm and scold him for it.. that night, it seemed like Priest was more angry towards Lucifer than Lucifer is angry at Priest..

Priest has a secret journal where he writes down his thoughts and observations about Devildom and the demon brothers. He uses it as a way to process his experiences and writing down the new things he have learned in this realm.

Priest has a habit of humming softly to himself when he's deep in thought or when he's trying to solve a problem. The melodies are often hymns or prayers, a subconscious way of seeking guidance and clarity. Right when his and Belphegor's relationship goes, He hums different songs for him to sleep.

@𝑬𝑼𝑵𝑿𝑯𝑨𝑵. Do not repost, plagiarize, translate, or adapt my work/theme without prior permission and/or confirmation.

#Eun.writes #obey me #obey me mammon #obey me lucifer #obey me leviathan #obey me satan #obey me asmodeus #obey me beelzebub #obey me belphegor #obey me x reader #obey me x mc #obey me x male reader #male reader #m!reader #obey me luci x reader #obey me mammon x reader

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xielexalt · 2 months ago

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HSR 3.2 Spoilers: Acheron in relation to Amphoreus (and HSR as a whole)

After that 3.2 story, now seems like a good time to revisit Acheron's story:

youtube

3.2 spoilers below the cut

Now, here we begin with Acheron's brief, unexpected, but (in my opinion) amazing appearance at this moment.

"Fear not, as a touch of red will be awaiting you at the end of the world."

"It'll guide you and illuminate the way out. By doing so... you'll eventually reunite in the warmth of the sunlight."

Acheron's immediate purpose for appearing

Why was she there?

Immediately on the surface, it's to prevent the Trailblazer from "looking back," and to help them continue "moving forwards."

The Trailblazer, as established towards the beginning of 3.2, was on the verge of death. Acheron, as a grim reaper of sorts who guides lost souls, has appeared to stop the Trailblazer from dying and return them to the land of the living.

The deeper reason behind her appearance: plot parallels!

Plot parallels! Everyone's favorite. The thing that HSR loves to do all the time. I love it too.

There are a ton of plotline parallels that involve Acheron in this.

Firstly, since Acheron appears during Castorice's section, it's to call attention to their similarities in their roles as those who guide the souls of the dead. From their more quiet demeanors, to purple color schemes, complex relationships with death, associations with flowers...

The beauty of life and death, mourning and loss -- these things are strongly expressed through their stories.

Penacony's plotline of dream layers and reality being obscured, now in retrospect seems to mirror the reality on Amphoreus also being rather distorted, obscured, or "off" in some way. This is significant, because just as Castorice and Anaxa are pivotal to uncovering the truth behind Amphoreus' time loop, Acheron and Aventurine are also pivotal to uncovering the truth behind Penacony's dreamscape. (There's also something to be said about the similarities of Aventurine and Anaxagoras, too! Absolutely unhinged guys who have lost so much... who will turn against the world, manipulate the cards, and sacrifice anything and everything for their goals, including their own lives.)

Amphoreus and Izumo

Amphoreus as a whole, and Acheron herself are the more obvious striking tie-ins to the Honkaiverse/HI3 throughout HSR -- to the Flamechasers and Raiden Mei respectively. But Acheron herself also had the equivalent of Flamechase on her own home planet.

1. Special Number 12

Rewatching the Kyoden video, we see the 12 Sentinels forged from the slain Kami, but the heroes who wielded these blades only saw an end of destruction. These heroes became Oni, no longer human. Sounds familiar? 12 Titans and Coreflames, 12 Chrysos Heirs who forsake their humanity and become demigods, or Titans themselves...

2. The heroes' journey is a lie

Now consider, from the video again:

Hakuhatsu Ki: So... Do you still remember why Izumo forged these blades?

Acheron: Because of a lie. An end that never existed.

We long since strode into THEIR (The Nihility's) shadow, each step forward one that we can never walk back.

...until the last blade (Life) is forged into "Naught."

What else is a lie? The prophecy and Era Nova -- at least, we know the truth behind it, it's technically not a lie -- but isn't the meaning behind it now futile? Chrysos Heirs become Titans in an endless loop. The glory of humanity fell. It's a fate that Castorice wishes to resist. It's a reality that Anaxagoras wishes to rewrite.

As Izumo was annihilated by the Nihility, so will Amphoreus soon be destroyed by Destruction (as it is now confirmed as the third path). Unless, someone does something about it. (Trailblazer, you better do something about it!!)

3. Only one at the end

Now consider the prophecy that governs the entire Flame-Chase Journey thus far, the prophecy received by Tribios, from Janus:

All shall bid farewell to one, and that person alone shall witness the miracle.

Throughout the story of Amphoreus, this is emphasized -- only one person will bear witness to the Miracle of Genesis, and the Era Nova. Only one person will be at the end of the world. And at the end of Izumo, Acheron was the only one left. The end of the world was brought by her hands.

4. An unknown existence

Another similarity between Amphoreus and Izumo, is that their existences are very much an entire mystery. We know it is stated plainly, Amphoreus can only be seen in the Mirror of the Garden of Recollection, and is pretty much completely isolated(?) from the rest of the cosmos.

What remains of Izumo is interesting in a similar way, as well. The Remembrance has nothing about Izumo, and where it once stood only lies Enigmata (and Nihility.)

What's interesting to note is actually the contrast between Izumo and Amphoreus in relation to the Remembrance: The Remembrance lacks anything on Izumo, while Amphoreus has some heavy intertwining with Remembrance.

Maybe this is why Black Swan took an interest in Acheron. But even for a Memokeeper, it was somehow too much to handle. Maybe it's not that it was too traumatic for a Memokeeper to handle, but the nature of Nihility is inherently incompatible with Remembrance.

On the topic of Remembrance and memories, it is interesting how Acheron herself is losing her memories -- but there remains a part of herself that still remembers.

It seems Acheron is ultimately a tricky factor that the Remembrance cannot grasp entirely.

What if: Connecting the Flame Reaver/Phainon/Hakuhatsu Ki and Acheron

Currently, there is a popular theory that the Flame Reaver is Phainon from another timespace. As we can see, the Flame Reaver is working to gather the Coreflames (read: divine power) and bringing the Black Tide (Destruction) across Amphoreus. His exact goal is unclear, but seemingly it is to break the timeloop and oppose the prophecy. His blade seems to have the power to collect Coreflames as well.

Acheron, transformed at the end by her reforged blade (originally forged from the Kami), took it into her own hands and destroyed her opponent Hakuhatsu Ki, and destroyed her world as now an Emanator of Nihility. In a sense, she might be taking on the same role as the Flame Reaver. Or maybe, Hakuhatsu Ki was taking on the same role as the Flame Reaver, and Acheron's only choice was to destroy everything.

The corruption of Hakuhatsu/Phainon seems to be an inevitability. The destruction of the world seems to be an inevitability.

But here, the main difference is Izumo is gone forever. Amphoreus will continue its loop of destruction and rebirth, and the Trailblaze exists upon Amphoreus as well.

There is a sense that the fate of Amphoreus should be changed, it should be resisted against. Someone like the Trailblazer can catalyze that sort of change. Someone like Acheron or Phainon cannot. (At least, it seems Phainon cannot without being influenced by the Trailblaze.)

...But was she really there?

Was this manifestation of Acheron simply the memoria based on the Trailblazer's memories? Was it a flashback? Or was she actually there?

The first two are more likely. As the Trailblazer was already reflecting upon their own memories, and Fuli has been really really active, that would be the most logical explanation of Acheron's appearance. Manifestation of memoria, manifestation of Remembrance.

But what if there were problems with this explanation? Acheron (and her home planet Izumo) seem to be absent from Remembrance, and with her intertwining with Nihility -- seems to be antithetical to Remembrance as well. Acheron herself, her own existence and memories are fading.

And why would the red text appear, if it was just a memoria of Acheron? Especially if we consider the red text to be indicative of the "true form" of Acheron and her "true memories."

In a strange way, it's good to ponder the third possibility being true, somehow. Now bear with me as this next section gets a tiny bit farfetched;

Acheron was the first one we met in the Penacony plotline, seeming to know something or other about your fate, and your meeting and your appearance. One of the things she says at first is noting the similarities between either her Kevin (Hakuhatsu Ki) or her Kiana, depending on your MC.

As an aside, Phainon's CN name Bai'e, and Hakuhatsu Ki, share the 白 (white/bai/haku) character.

Maybe in some way, she has been very much attuned to the Trailblazer's soul, as they are a variant of Kevin/Kiana, and especially because they are intrinsically a remarkable person; the singular entity upon which the greater plotline and universe of HSR fixates on. In some way, Acheron knows this.

Maybe in some way, she would know if the Trailblazer would be dying, she sensed them upon the verge of non-existence. So, she appeared, consciously, in one way or another, specifically to the Trailblazer, to guide them back.

Consider the fourth wall -- the fabric of reality. Remember towards the end of Penacony? There is no way for Caelus/Stelle to know who Acheron (Raiden Bosenmori Mei) is, but there is absolutely a reason for the player to recognize her as a Mei variant. But you can still say you know her, and she will acknowledge this -- that somehow, somewhere, beyond just Caelus/Stelle's interaction with the in-game universe, there is something that connects you.

There is a very special connection between Acheron and the Trailblazer.

Of course, that's just some theorizing. We don't know how it works or if her powers even work like that. Acheron's appearance ultimately only brings up a thousand questions that will later (hopefully) get answered. Until then, we don't know for certain, but it's very good to keep these possibilities in mind.

Acheron in the future of HSR

As can be said for almost all of the Penacony cast, Acheron's involvement in the story of HSR does not end at Penacony at all, rather, it is just the beginning. And these characters will continue to have relevance throughout the storyline of HSR.

I feel like Acheron is a very special character in HSR, and things related to her will continue to come up. An Emanator of Nihility who still holds on to her sense of self, even if it slowly slips away from her, a compassionate person who walks between life and death, on the edge of reality; on the edge of existence and non-existence...

It feels really perfect, although mysterious, for her to show up at this point in time. No doubt we will see her again, especially intertwined with the paths adjacent to Destruction, Nihility, and Finality.

In this patch, we see Amphoreus begin to open up to the rest of the cosmos. Herta forces her way inside, March seems to be waking up, and Black Swan tells Himeko about the extremist Memokeepers who want to take control of Amphoreus. Lygus seems to be a very suspicious factor as well with what he knows about the cosmos, Aeons, and Herta herself. Things are getting pretty crazy out here...

There's so many more posts I could write about 3.2, so maybe keep an eye out for that!! (Maybe.)

#hsr #honkai star rail #acheron #spoilers #amphoreus #hsr 3.2 #theory #analysis #discussion

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shadyfestivalperfection · 3 months ago

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The Forever You Forgot~10

Summery: A six year old girl named Nadia Barnes born with a condition called 65 roses uncovers the story on how her dad-Bucky Barnes met her missing mother by narrating her the story and nothing remains the same after Nadia finds out the truth about her mother.

Characters: Bucky Barnes x f!Reader

Note:This story is based on the movie ‘Hi papa’. This story is like what if Bucky Barnes was in this situation that the male and female lead faced in the movie ‘Hi papa’. To be honest I am absolutely obsessed with this movie and I could help but write a Bucky Barnes version of it. I would totally recommend everyone to watch this movie and get some tissues with you before you start watching.

||Master List||

Chapter 10: Drunken Confessions

(Author’s POV)

“I heard your love story and imagined it as a great one,” Y/n slurred, her words thick with alcohol.

She and Bucky were stumbling their way back, barely able to walk in a straight line. The night air was cool, the scent of the ocean hanging between them, but the warmth of the alcohol burning in their veins made them careless.

“And here you are,” Y/n continued, throwing her hands in the air dramatically, “getting drunk and dancing with other girls! Shame on you!”

Bucky groaned, rolling his eyes as he gazed up at the star-streaked sky.

“God, I wish that stupid tour guide hadn’t dragged you along. My life would’ve been blissful,” he muttered.

They both collapsed onto a pile of cushions under a large palm tree, the world around them swaying slightly.

“What did you say?!” Y/n snapped, narrowing her eyes at him. “I dare you to say that louder!”

Bucky turned his head toward her, his expression unreadable. “Speak louder? Then listen carefully.”

He paused, then exhaled.

“The wiring in your brain got screwed up in the accident.”

Y/n froze.

Bucky immediately turned away, realizing what he had just said.

But it was too late.

Y/n sat up, staring at him with wide, unfocused eyes. “What the hell did you just say?”

Bucky sighed, shaking his head. “Forget it.”

Y/n leaned closer, her breath warm against his cheek. “No. Say it again.”

Bucky’s jaw tightened. He looked at her and, despite the alcohol fogging his thoughts, something inside him snapped.

“You don’t have the wiring in the first place,” he muttered.

Y/n shot up, her fists clenched. “Hey! Talk about anything you want—but not my accident.”

Bucky stood up as well, towering over her. “And what if I do?”

“Then fight me!” she challenged, pushing at his chest.

He laughed, a deep, bitter sound. “Why are we even openly discussing this? Oh, wait.” He smirked. “You won’t remember a damn thing in the morning.”

Y/n scowled. “I won’t forget. I remember everything.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

Bucky burst into laughter, so hard that he lost his balance and fell back onto the cushions.

Y/n crossed her arms, rolling her eyes. “What’s so funny?”

“Say that again,” Bucky said between chuckles.

“I don’t forget anything!” she yelled.

Bucky raised his hand and started counting. “Five seconds. One, two, three, four, five. Now repeat what you just said.”

Y/n blinked. “…What?”

Bucky smirked, shaking his head. “Exactly.”

She frowned, trying to recall her words.

Bucky mimicked her voice mockingly. “I have people to remember things for me. That’s why I have no regrets.”

Y/n stepped closer, fuming.

“You think you’re so damn clever, huh?” she spat.

Bucky leaned in, his smirk fading. “No. Because the one who remembers everything is the one who has to live with all the regrets.”

A heavy silence settled between them.

And then, without warning, Y/n grabbed a nearby pillow and swung it at him.

Bucky caught it just in time, but she swung again, and before either of them knew it, they had collapsed onto the ground, tangled in drunken exhaustion.

The fight turned into laughter. The laughter turned into quiet. And the quiet turned into something else entirely—something unspoken.

As the night deepened, Y/n’s head eventually found its place against Bucky’s arm. His metal fingers hesitated before brushing against her cheek, tracing a memory he wasn’t allowed to hold onto.

Soon enough, sleep claimed them both.

_____

Somewhere in the darkness, Nadia stirred.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes and padded over to where her father and Y/n lay. The sight of them, peaceful and close, made her small heart swell with something she didn’t fully understand yet.

She carefully nestled between them, her tiny body curling against Bucky’s side.

“Y/n, can I ask you something?”

Half-asleep, Y/n hummed in response.

“Can you stay with us forever?”

The question hung in the air, delicate and heartbreaking.

Y/n didn’t answer.

And in the silence, Nadia drifted back to sleep, never realizing that—just for a second—Bucky had held her a little closer.

-to be continued

(Yes, I know that Bucky cannot get drunk. But for the sake of this chapter, he can 😉. I know this chapter is short, but I promise the next one is long!)

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cr-ok · 10 months ago

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If The Gravity Falls Zodiac were in a Tarot System

CW: a very long and completely unnecessary post that has nothing to do with canonicity and everything to do with my “x reader” garbage.

⚠︎ 𓁺 ⚠︎

In this hypothetical reality, early colonizer groups brought tarot into Gravity Falls and developed the Gravity Falls Zodiac (GFZ) system. It is suggested a standard GFZ deck is a combination of the colonizers' tarot systems and the cryptic cave messages some tried to make sense of.

In the present day, no one really remembers how the GFZ system came to be, never mind what the symbols represent. Most people use the symbols to decorate their homes because they like the art.

⚠︎ 𓁺 ⚠︎ Mechanics

The cards are suggested to be based off of systems developed in Europe, such as "Tarot of Marseilles"; however, the cards' meanings do not change with their positioning, such as "upright" or "reversed". When a card is drawn, all possible interpretations are present.

Although the cards' meanings do not change with positioning, their purpose can. To manifest the interpretations of desired cards, people place their cards on axes and position the cards to face northwest. In the early days, it was common for cards to end up in woodpecker nests.

⚠︎ 𓁺 ⚠︎ Major Arcana

Similar to the old systems, the GFZ's major arcana is intended to tell a story about "the Explorer", or the first card. As a whole, the major arcana is representative of the traits and roles the Explorer will need to take on during their journey.

The Pinetree (The Explorer) The Explorer starts their journey when they reach a point of unending perplexity. The Explorer is full of energy and excitement, ready to uncover the mysteries of their world. They soon learn the world is a cryptic and unforgiving place, making them susceptible to paranoia. The Explorer can find themself paranoid of just about anything and everyone: their friends, themself, and their own home. It is said that those taking on the Explorer's role will only make progress in their journey when they learn to trust their company.

The Ice (The Level-Headed) When accompanying the Explorer, the Level-Headed becomes the voice of reason. The Level-Headed is skilled at keeping composure, even at the most stressful times of their life. Despite appearing so calm, the Level-Headed is often stressed out, and tends to avoid situations that would add to the stress. When traveling with the Explorer, the Level-Headed teaches them that there is no reason to worry, even in moments of uncertainty.

The Question Mark (The Curious) The Curious joins the Explorer, completely indifferent about the destination. The Curious's inquires often focus on the journey's value as opposed to the journey's conclusion. The Curious's spirit of adventure is capable of frustrating others, if not themself, for their short-sightedness. When traveling with the Explorer, the Curious teaches them to appreciate the journey, not just the milestones they reach.

The Shriner (The Fearless) The Fearless may push the Explorer to take control of their journey. The Fearless usually spend years of their life learning how to think fast and continue pushing on. The Fearless tend to get by with cunning tact and sly wit, but are prone to appearing untrustworthy, even in times of sincerity. When traveling with the Fearless, the Explorer learns that their own cowardice and disregard stops them from living life to the fullest.

The Sixer (The Author) The Author guides the Explorer, but only when the Explorer is ready to have a deeper grasp on the world around them, outside of the journey itself. More often than not, the Author is calculated and insightful; their head is filled with years of knowledge and experience. The Author's insight is often esteemed by their community and peers. In an effort to gain more praise, the Author is susceptible to acting without care for themself and those around them. When traveling with the Author, the Explorer learns to keep an eye on their ego, cautious to not lose sight of those they hold close.

The Emo (The Repressed) When crossing paths, the Repressed does not welcome the Explorer with open arms. The Repressed is put off by the Explorer's adventurous spirit. Especially when dealing with younger Explorers, the Repressed tends to take the excitement out of new experiences. The Repressed's tendency to constrain themself usually grants them with a keen sense for weakness, both physical and mental. When traveling with the Repressed, the Explorer learns to embrace themself unconditionally.

The Pentagram (The Communicator) The Communicator attempts to join the Explorer when there is something to gain. The Communicator tends to make powerful alliances with just about everyone they meet; however, without their alliances, the Communicator is rendered completely powerless When traveling with the Communicator, the Explorer learns to trust their intuition, even when everyone is against the Explorer.

The Shooting Star (The Creator) In a way, the Creator acts like a foil to the Explorer when traveling alongside each other. The Creator is deemed to be one of the most powerful major arcana. The Creator tends to stay active at all times, constantly finding new approaches and solutions to the journey. It is suggested the Creator stays active because they lack a sense of self-fulfillment and would rather fill the void through external means than do internal work. When traveling with the creator, the Explorer learns their greatest companion is someone to whom can support the Explorer as much as the Explorer can support them.

The Llama (The Warrior) There is a point in the Warrior's life in which they feel as if they have no other option but to travel with the Explorer. The Warrior swims in power: skill, money, connections, reputation, and just about any other arbitrary measurement of privilege you can think of. Despite their power, the Warrior often renders themself powerless, under the impression that they lack control over their power. When traveling with the Explorer, the Warrior teaches them that their potential goes beyond the privileges bestowed onto them.

The Glasses (The Reader) The Reader crosses paths with the Explorer when the Reader learns everything they could possibly want to know. For years, the Reader's mind has been open to new ideas. With every passing hour, it seemed as if life was testing their ability to take in new information. Despite the Reader's open-mindedness, there is only so much the frontal lobe can stomach. The Reader is prone to letting the world's chaos swallow them whole, losing all sense of reality in the processes. The Explorer may have difficultly traveling with the Reader, learning that both knowledge and ignorance come at a hefty cost.

⚠︎ 𓁺 ⚠︎ Minor Arcana

The minor arcana consist of four sets of suit cards. Each suit is said to represent the journey's core characteristics.

Each suit contains the numbers one through ten. It is rumored that Christian numerology was used to interpret the meanings of minor arcana. It is also rumored that, in the early days, some decks included negative thirteen, or a "lucky card", in each suit.

[Deer] Teeth - Control Not much is known about deer teeth. Some suggest it's an interpretation of a painting found in a cave. Others speculate early hunters displayed deer teeth in their homes to assert dominance. Regardless of the reason, most modern designs omit the teeth altogether for creative purposes.

[Unicorn] Hair - Protection In the old days, unicorn hair was known to be one of the most powerful materials, often used for protection. Eventually, unicorn hair also became the most difficult material to attain, prompting people to look for alternatives and forgetting about unicorn hair altogether. It is suggested that unicorn hair became a less-commonly used when the unicorns grew tired of granting protection to those whom are unworthy.

Jack-O-Melon - Companionship Gravity Falls is inherently peculiar, even to the untrained eye. Some found the peculiarities charming, and eventually started a tradition known as "Summerween". Eventually, the tradition caught on and became a time to rest with those they care about and embrace abnormality.

Little Bearded Men (Gnomes) - Anti-Sanity People in Gravity Falls, both early and present, are put off by the sight of gnomes. Some are so disturbed by the gnomes, they wish to forget them entirely. All cards with Gnomes use negative numbers.

⚠︎ 𓁺 ⚠︎ This is Relevant To

The Tragedy

#grunkle ford #gravity falls #The Book of Bill #book of bill #TBOB #fanfiction #fanfic #gravity falls fandom #ford pines #stanford pines #billford #bill cipher #bill x reader #toxic old man yaoi #old man yaoi #gravity falls bill #cursed

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bloodngloryhq · 4 months ago

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The Interview

The police encircling the home of Enzo Barone drew a swarm of reporters like vultures to a fresh carcass. The shocking loss of the Family organization’s board members and don has left the media in a frenzy, scrambling for any exclusive details about the events at the Manor of Hope Gala. Everyone is desperate to uncover the truth about what happened to the five bosses.

IMPORTANT THINGS: this should NOT reveal your characters secret. Some questions reporters may ask are:

“Did you know the deceased?”

"Can you confirm if you personally witnessed the bodies being discovered?"

"Do you believe this tragedy was tied to the Family’s business dealings?"

"Do you think this incident was a targeted attack or an internal conflict?"

"What do you think happened?"

"Were you aware of any conflicts or tensions between the victims before the event?"

"Did you notice anything unusual leading up to the incident?"

"How did you react when you realized what had happened?"

"Were there any visible threats or warning signs during the gala?"

"Have the police shared any theories or details with you?"

"Are you concerned about your own safety after what happened?"

"What would you say to the families of the victims?"

EXPECTATIONS:

This is not a required thing, purely for fun to explore how your muse would handle being in the public eye and how'd they react to being interviewed.

DO NOT REVEAL YOUR CHARACTER'S SECRET.

You can tackle this task however you see fit, but I’d suggest focusing on how the character responds to the reporters' questions rather than revealing the actual truth. After all, the public doesn’t need to know everything about the criminal underworld. Hehehe.

You’re not required to answer all the questions; they’re simply a guide for you to pick and choose from. The questions your character is asked can vary depending on their relationship to the deceased or how well they knew them, so feel free to tailor the selection based on your character’s connection to the events.

This task will be a self para!

#bloodnglory.task #bloodnglory.task001 #task 001

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dalekofchaos · 1 year ago

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The original plan for Life Is Strange was for Sean Prescott to be the main villain of the game, and for him knowing about the storm and using Arcadia Bay's destruction as a plan to get the survivors to buy into Pan Estates while Nathan has visions of the storm. This didn't pan out because of budget issues. And it's heavily implied that the storm is caused by the Prescott Foundation colonizing on Indigenous land and gentrifying said Indigenous land and Max's powers was nature's way of resetting the balance.

Well I came up with some suggestions that could tie Rachel into things.

James Amber loses his position as the DA and becomes the personal lawyer for the Prescott Foundation.

With his close relationship with Sean Prescott, James discloses personal details about Rachel. Including her ability to manipulate the weather, particularly when she's hurt physically, mentally or emotionally

Sean Prescott devises a plan to destroy Arcadia Bay. He sees Rachel as the catalyst to make Pan Estates a success. He is going to turn to his dear old friend Mark Jefferson. His job is to guide Nathan and mold him into the heir of the Prescott dynasty, but also to kill Rachel Amber which will trigger the storm. With everyone lost and broken after the Storm, Nathan will fulfill the Prescott destiny by guiding them into Pan Estates

Rachel discovers the Pan Estates plan and uncovers Jefferson's previous victims and the final betrayal, that her father told Sean everything. Before Rachel can do anything to expose them, Jefferson doses her.

James Amber refuses to look into Rachel's disappearance because he is loyal to the Prescotts and because he is partly responsible for his daughter's death

Nathan is haunted by Rachel's death, because of this he is given visions of the storm and is drugged to suppress his visions

Then Chloe is seen putting up the Missing posters for Rachel. This gets everyone's ire. Jefferson simply tells Nathan "Take care of this, or I will"

Rachel is in limbo. She sees that her death caused a chain reaction that caused a storm that could kill everyone and Chloe's death is now a inevitability.

In her last moments, Rachel's spirit turns into Max's spirit guide, guiding her on how to save Chloe and the town, but trying and failing to get Max to save Rachel

But one day, Max WILL save Rachel and set everything right

#Life Is Strange #Amberprice #Rachel Amber #Chloe Price #Max Caulfield #Amberpricefield #Nathan Prescott #Sean Prescott #James Amber #Mark Jefferson

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thisstormbringsstrangeloyalties · 1 year ago

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The Dark Defender - A Dexter Fanfiction (Part 1/6)

Read this story on Ao3

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Story Summary: Meg Winters has a perfectly normal life and a wonderfully perfect boyfriend. Until she stumbles across a perfectly dark secret… and now her very life is in danger. No, not from the Bay Harbor Butcher whose waterlogged body of work has just been uncovered. But from something much closer… Desperate for help, Meg reaches out to a new hero in town, The Dark Defender, dealer of deadly vigilante dirty work. However, once Meg puts out a plea to The Defender, she must deal with the consequences, both bad AND good.

Author’s note: I wrote this story out of frustration with how I thought the Dark Defender from season 2 was SUCH a cool idea. I felt the fact that the Bay Harbor Butcher only killed other killers was something everyone just kind of slept on? It was only mentioned in passing a few times by civilians and only spurred one really shitty copycat. Personally, I think someone with such a strong moral code and harsh form of punishment would have developed SOME sort of cult following. And the Dark Defender would have been a good jumping off point for that. It would have been so cool for Dexter to have his darkest secrets revealed, only to turn around and discover that a huge group of people are ROOTING for him and that they think he’s actually doing the right thing. Definitely something I think he’s always craved, but never expected to find. Ugh. Okay. Enough rambling. Onto the story.

Wordcount: 2,189

* * * * * * * * * *

Meg Winters had a perfectly normal life and a wonderfully perfect boyfriend. She had been dating Zach O’Connell for nearly a year now, and they lived together in a small cottage in Miami.

The past year had felt like a dream to Meg. She worked in a bookstore. Zach worked in a retirement home, caring for others just as he cared for her. But it had been at the bookstore where they’d met. He’d come in looking for something to read, and she’d helped him find what he was looking for. And then he’d come back. He’d come back again and again. He had insisted it was for the books. “Your recommendations never miss,” he had insisted. “I can never put them down.” But it was never books they’d talked about.

Zach seemed to Get Meg in a way no one else ever had. He shared nearly all her interests, turned up whenever she needed him most, and somehow always knew what to say. When he’d asked for her number, she’d given it readily. When he’d asked her out, she couldn’t say “yes” fast enough. Things moved quickly then. Within weeks, they had A Song, they had A Spot, and then they were looking at A Place. Before they had even reached their half-year anniversary, they had moved in together.

There was tragedy, of course. Not long after they had settled into their new home, Meg’s best friend, Stephanie, had gotten into a terrible accident. Struck by a car while she was out running in the early hours of the morning. The driver had never been found, and the paramedics had said Stephanie was lucky to still be alive. Well, almost alive. Stephanie was in a coma, and no one knew when, or if, she would ever wake up.

The accident had very nearly destroyed Meg. Stephanie had been her closest friend since childhood. They’d done everything together. Meg couldn’t imagine a world without her.

The only thing that had kept Meg from falling apart completely was Zach. For some reason, he and Stephanie had never really gotten along, but after the accident, he’d pushed all that aside for Meg. He’d held her through every sob that wracked Meg’s body. He’d stayed up with her during every sleepless night. And he’d gone with her to every bedside visit in Stephanie’s hospital room. He’d even taken turns with Meg, reading all of Stephanie’s favorite books aloud. The doctors had said it was possible she could still hear them and that speaking to Stephanie might help guide her back to consciousness.

The ordeal was more painful than anything Meg had ever been through, and consequently, it had brought her and Zach together in a way she had never experienced with anyone before. They hadn’t even known each other for a year, and yet it felt like they had been together for a lifetime.

Meg really thought she had found The One. She was prepared to spend the rest of her life with him. They were perfect for each other. They could weather any storm together. Nothing could possibly tear them apart.

Or at least that’s what Meg had thought.

Until she found the box.

Living in Miami meant living with constant heat. And living in constant heat meant that any fault in the house’s air conditioning was a problem to be addressed immediately.

She had work off that day while Zach, on the other hand, had a full day at the retirement home, and though she wasn’t needed at the bookstore, she couldn’t stop herself from curling up in bed with her nose in a book. She was so absorbed in her reading that she didn’t notice how unusually warm the room was until a drop of sweat rolled down her nose and landed in the middle of the page.

She blinked, staring at the small soaked spot in confusion. Then she looked up. For the first time in at least an hour, she took stock of her surroundings. Everything seemed normal except for the uncomfortably stuffy temperature. Meg strained her ears and picked up the telltale hum of the air conditioning unit. Well, that was odd.

She marked her place in her book before closing it and getting out of bed. She wandered over to the bedroom vent, tucked almost under the bed itself, and put her hand over the grate. A measly stream of cool air poured out. She frowned. Was something blocking it?

She bent closer and peered through the grate. In what little light penetrated the vent, she thought she could see the silhouette of something in there.

She slipped her fingernails under the edge of the grate and worked to pry it free. Soon enough, she had loosened it enough to jam her fingertips underneath and pull it completely off. She set the grate aside and plunged one hand into the vent. She was half a forearm deep when her fingers brushed against something smooth and angular. She froze, grabbed ahold of it, and pulled.

She sat back at she looked at the small box in her hands. It was plain and made of finished wood. Her heart pounded as she hesitated at the latch. She felt like she had just stumbled across something she wasn’t meant to view.

Finally, steeling herself, she flipped up the latch and opened the box.

Her stomach sank at the sight that greeted her. Sitting on top was a bra. One of her bras. Her nose crinkling in distaste, she pulled it out and set it aside only to uncover more of her things beneath. Socks, underwear, a diary she had kept in high school, a diary she had kept in middle school. There were CD’s Stephanie had burned for her, old postcards addressed to her, even a USB drive she recognized as her own from her college days. She felt like she was going to be sick.

This was Zach’s box. It had to be Zach’s box. In fact, some sixth sense told her it was undoubtedly his. But why? They lived together, there was no need to keep a stash of her things, especially things this… personal. Why this invasion of privacy?

But still, something deep inside told her Zach had started this collection long before they’d started living together. It felt like some strange profile he’d put together, something to understand her.

She thought about how Zach had sometimes seemed to know her better than she knew herself, and pieces of a puzzle she didn’t even know existed started clicking into place.

She kept digging.

At the very bottom corner of the box, tucked away like they were the most secret thing of all, were what appeared to be… clumps of hair. Meg’s stomach turned as she pulled one out and examined it. It was short, brown, and bound by a thin rubber band. She set it aside and began pulling out more clumps, each tied together with another rubber band. As she pulled them out, a sense of unease began to weigh more and more heavily in her gut. There was something about the samples of hair that felt almost sacred, like there was a sense of pride behind each one. They almost felt like— like… Meg stuttered mentally over the word that rose so damningly in her mind.

They almost felt like trophies.

She pulled out another clump of hair and came to a halt. For the first time, the hair she held looked familiar to her. She sat unmoving, staring at it, willing herself to remember where she had seen it before. Then it came to her.

David.

David was one of the bookstore’s regular customers. Or at least he had been. He was a tall, handsome fellow with bright green eyes and ridiculously curly, pale blond locks. She’d recognize them anywhere. She’d spent plenty of time staring at them whenever David came into the store and leaned uncomfortably far over her counter, chatting about increasingly personal subjects with her. Every once in awhile, he’d gain enough nerve to ask her out. She’d politely turned him down each time, but David seemed to be under the impression that she’d change her mind if he just wore her down a bit more.

Once Zach had started coming into the store, he and David had encountered each other only a few times. Zach would walk in to find David bent over Meg’s counter like a vulture. Then he’d look at Meg and Meg would give him a “please help me” look, to which Zach had always obliged with gusto. Without a moment’s hesitation, Zach would barge into the conversation, leaving no room for David’s unwanted advances. After a few minutes of quiet frustration, David would give up on his pursuit for the day and leave in a huff.

After this had happened a couple times, David had stopped coming to the bookstore entirely. Meg assumed that, with Zach in the picture, David had finally accepted defeat. She couldn’t say she missed him or his patronage. But now, as she turned the curly bundle of pale blond hair in her grasp, she began to doubt it was as simple as that. A cold dread began to creep up her spine as his disappearance suddenly felt a lot more nefarious.

Her skin prickling with revulsion, she dropped the bundle of hair into the discard pile and picked up the next one in the box. She froze as it came into sight. The cold dread rose into a white hot rage.

She did not need to think about where she had seen this hair before. She recognized it immediately, knew it as if it were her own. The chestnut brown with the red highlights. It was Stephanie’s.

Meg’s hands shook. Her vision turned scarlet. She wanted to scream. She wanted to tear something apart.

Zach. This was all Zach. Zach had done this. He had never really liked Stephanie. Of course, he had done this. He had been the one to hit Stephanie with his car. He had been the one to put her in this awful coma. This was a fact that Meg now knew in her very soul.

She wanted to fling the box away. Destroy it and everything inside. She wanted to run all the way to Zach’s place of work and beat him with her fists until there was nothing left.

But Meg did neither of these things. Instead, she reverently set Stephanie’s hair down next to David’s and reached for the box of horrors once more. There was still more inside and she knew she had to see this through until the end.

There were only two clumps of hair left, both blond and both similar enough to Meg’s own hair color and texture that, for a brief moment of terror, she thought they belonged to her. But then, no, they were most definitely not hers. That one was too dark and the other one was too curly. Unlike the other samples of hair, these two were not held together with a rubber band. Instead, they had each been tied up with a beautiful bow of ribbon, one a deep, midnight blue and the other a sleek, crimson red.

Meg stared at them, trying to figure them out. There was something special about these two samples, that much was clear. But what?

Once more, she felt the pieces of this new puzzle clicking together, and that’s when she knew.

Zach had mentioned before that he’d been in previous relationships. In fact, he’d been in two rather serious ones, but whenever Meg had asked about his exes, he’d clammed up. All she knew about them was that things had been perfect… until they weren’t.

“They just changed,” he’d told her simply. “And I knew that we’d never be able to work things out.”

And that was that.

Meg had tried not to pry. Zach had always been so quiet about his past, and she had never pushed him to say more than he was comfortable with. From what little she’d heard, it didn’t seem like the kind of stuff someone would want to relive. But now she wished she hadn’t been so understanding. She wished she had squeezed every last detail out of him.

She looked down at the hair in her hands again. This was all that remained of those two mysterious exes now, she was certain of it. And as she had this thought, another certainty settled over her, one that made her head spin and her stomach twist into knots.

She was next.

Meg sat unmoving for a long while, clutching the remains of her predecessors. Then, like a switch, she came back to life. Mechanically, she began putting everything back in the box, taking extra care to arrange it just as she had found it. She closed it, latched it tight, and slid it back into the open vent. She took time to make sure the box was positioned so the air flow was unblocked, then she replaced the grate, climbed back into bed, and pretended the whole thing had never happened.

Next part

#posted this on ao3 awhile back #buuuuut thought it might be fun to post it here too heehee #Dexter #Dexter fanfiction #Dexter fanfic #dexter morgan #Deb Morgan #Debra Morgan #Angel Batista #Bay Harbor butcher #the dark defender #and my silly little OC Meg Winters #plus my subtle wish fulfillment of getting Joe Goldberg on Dex’s table #may he rest in pieces </3

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