#actually maybe I'll start being like juri

[warlordfelwinter]

my favorite half remembered possibly non canonical but i dont actually care doctor facts are:

- beat a kid to perma-death with a brick at school for trying to kill his bf and his government employee brother covered it up

- made said bf with chronic drums in the brain disease play the drums in their college jam band and either koschei was very talented or all their songs had the same bpm

[tardis--dreams]

Some of those doctors make hating oat milk their entire personality. I hate them. Cannot pretend to find them funny or like i give a shit. Fucking pretentious assholes

[puckbunnyera]

Just Friends | Luke Hughes

• ──────────────♡────────────── •

pairing: luke hughes x reader genre: fluff word count: 2.3k warnings: none summary: maybe you were never really just friends

notes: it's been less than 24 hours since i posted my first fic and i've already received a few asks for a part 2 so here it is. i'll link the first part here. thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read it, like it, reblog it, etc. i'm always really nervous to post my own writing so any type of interaction with it feels good to see.

also, i know the timelines of the games played in both fics don't align with the actual events in real time but we are just going to ignore that for the sake of the plot.

• ──────────────♡────────────── •

I sigh as I stand in front of my bedroom mirror, doing one last fit check before Luke arrives. I'm nervous. I come to this realization as I smooth out the nonexistent wrinkles in my shirt. Why? I couldn't tell you. It's been almost two months since the night I met Luke, and we've talked and texted almost every day since. We've even hung out multiple times since then, but I always seem to get all nervous and jittery anytime he presents the offer. My thoughts start to consume me to the point that I'm almost tempted to text him and ask for a rain check, but before I can fall too deeply into them, my attention is stolen by the two girls lying on my bed behind me.

"I still can't believe you're dating The Luke Hughes." One of my friends says causing me to turn my back towards the mirror to look at her.

"We aren't dating." I scoff. "We're-"

"Right, you're 'just friends'." My other friend interrupts, rolling her eyes and using her fingers to make air quotes as she says the words.

"We are." I shrug, moving to sit in my vanity chair so I can put on my shoes.

"You don't have to believe us if you don't want to, but he totally has the hots for you."

"It's so obvious. Any time he has the chance to get away from his job, he's calling, texting, or coming to see you. Even if it's only for a short amount of time. Those aren't typical behaviors of a guy who wants to be 'just friends'."

They continue to go on and on as if they're trying to convince a jury that they're innocent of a crime. The sound of my phone dinging from beside me on the table finally brings their rambling to an end. I pick up to find a text from Luke.

From Luke🏒: i'm here

To Luke🏒: omw

"I would love to stay and continue this conversation," I smile sarcastically as I stand up, "But my friend is waiting for me downstairs." I make sure to add extra emphasis on the word friend.

They both giggle and bid their goodbyes as I walk out of the room. When I make it downstairs to the lobby of my apartment building, Luke, in all of his handsome glory, is waiting patiently by the door.

"Ready to go?" He questions once I'm standing in front of him. I nod in confirmation and he opens the door for us, placing a gentle hand on my back to lead me out.

"What's the plan for today?" I ask once we're settled into the car.

"I need to drop off a couple of things at the dry cleaners since my brother forgot to do it," He gestures to the items in his backseat. "But then I figured we could go to dinner, catch a movie, and then maybe grab some dessert before I take you home."

"Sounds good!" I reply with a smile, with which he returns one of his own before putting the car in drive and pulling away from my apartment building.

Things are going well today. Really well. We're having fun and Luke is being as sweet as always. However, that's the only problem. Despite the stance I took in the argument with my friends, I can't help but let their words get to me. The whole evening, I've been reading too deeply into every little thing he does. Every door he holds open for me, every chair he pulls out for me, every accidental brush of our hands when we walk side-by-side. I'm trying not to let it show, but when Luke's voice rattles my thoughts and pulls me back down to Earth, I know I'm failing.

"Are you okay?" He asks as we sit in the car, waiting for the red light to turn green. "You've been pretty quiet today."

"Really?" I ask, genuinely confused because I hadn't noticed that change in my behavior. When he responds with a solemn nod, guilt rises in my chest. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was. It has nothing to do with you." Yet it has everything to do with him.

"Did something happen?" He pushes further.

"No, just have a lot on my mind with work and all, but I'm okay. Promise." I give him a soft smile in hopes that it will give him enough reassurance to drop the conversation. Thankfully he does, but the look in his eyes shows clearly that he doesn't believe me. "So my friends were telling me that you have a home game coming up in a couple of days against your oldest brother's team. Are you excited?" I change the subject quickly.

"Yeah," He nods, a smile gracing his features. "My parents are gonna be in town to watch us face off against each other. All three Hughes brothers on the same ice. I'm hoping it will be as exciting as everyone and the media are making it seem." He chuckles. "I'm also just really excited to see Quinn. We haven't gotten to see each other much since I moved out to Jersey and the season started. I think it'll be nice to have us all back together again, even if it's just for a couple of days."

"I bet it will be."

"I'm glad you brought this up because I've been meaning to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Would you maybe want to come to the game?"

"Do you want me to come?" I'm praying the hopeful look in my eyes isn't obvious.

"Yeah," He nods. "I really do."

"Then I'll be there." I assure him. "The girls were talking about purchasing tickets anyways, so I'll tell them to make it three tickets instead of just the two."

"Don't worry about it. I got it covered."

"Luke, you don't have to do that." I shake my head, readying myself to argue.

"I know I don't have to, but I want to." The look he gives me makes me forget any rebuttal I had previously prepared. "Plus, I already got the tickets and the seating arrangements set up."

"And you just knew I was gonna say yes?" I reply, crossing my arms.

"No, but I was hoping you would."

"I guess some dreams really do come true." I joke.

"I guess so."

We continue to talk and joke around for the remainder of the drive. It goes by a little too quickly though, because before I know it, he's putting the car in park in front of my building. Being the gentleman that he is, he walks me all the way up to my apartment door. It's not until I have unlocked and opened the door that he finally says goodnight, placing a soft peck on my cheek before walking away. Once he has disappeared into the elevator and I'm sure he's gone, I close and lock the door.

As I'm getting ready for bed, I become aware of the slight ache in my cheeks from smiling so much. As soon as my head hits my pillow, the realization dawns on me. I am in love with Luke Hughes.

• ───────────────────────────── •

I'm still in shock at the fact that he really went all out with the tickets. My friends seem to be as well considering that they still haven't managed to pick their jaws up off the floor yet. Never in my life would I have ever expected to be seated in one of the arena's luxury suites. I feel a little bad the more I dwell on it. There are more deserving fans that could be sitting here, yet some girl who knew nothing about the sport two months ago had them handed to her at no cost.

"Hi, you must be Y/N." An unfamiliar woman's voice pulls me from my pity-party.

"Oh, hi." I greet her as I turn in her direction.

"I'm Luke's mom, Ellen." She smiles and pulls me into a quick but gentle embrace. "And this is my husband, Jim." She gestures to the man beside her.

"Nice to meet you, Y/N." He offers a hand for me to shake.

"You as well." I accept it before introducing them to my two friends, who are not-so-discreetly eavesdropping on the conversation.

We all find a seat and fall into casual conversation. Just getting to know each other and talking about this, that, and the other. Once the teams begin to make their way onto the ice, our attentions shift away from each other and onto the players.

Having admitted to my lack of knowledge of the sport before the game started, Jim and Ellen kindly explained the game to me so I would know what is going on. By the end of the first period, I'm clued in enough that I don't need it anymore and eventually, I become just as immersed in the game as the rest of them are.

It's in the second period that Luke scores a goal and we all stand up, cheering loudly with the crowd. The excitement is so high that I don't even shy away when Ellen happily pulls me into a tight hug before pulling away and continuing to cheer for her youngest son. Third period seems to go by in a flash and then the game is ending with a 6-5 win for the Devils, both Jack and Luke having contributed to the score with goals of their own.

Once the final buzzer goes off, my friends bid their farewells before heading out to go home. However, I hang back with Ellen and Jim upon the request of Luke. I follow the two down from the suite until we make it to where the locker rooms are located, waiting in the hall for the three brothers to emerge. We stand around conversing for about ten or so minutes before the men finally make their appearances.

They all embrace and greet each other as I stand back and watch with a smile. They really are a beautiful family. Once they all break away, Luke turns his attention towards me. He steps forward and reaches for me, pulling me into his arms.

"Congratulations." I speak softly as I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders, his wrapped around my waist.

"Thank you." I can hear the smile in his voice.

Time escapes me as I stand in his arms. I'm not even sure how long we've been holding onto each other. It's his brother's voice that finally has us separating.

"You must be the infamous Y/N." Quinn steps up, a smug grin on his face. "I've heard so much about you."

"I've heard a lot about you as well," I respond politely, despite the blush I'm sure I'm sporting due to his teasing tone. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"Will you be joining us for dinner?" Ellen asks from where she stands, now next to Quinn.

"Oh, um," I look to Luke for an answer. He nods, a pleading look in his eyes. "Yes, I would love to." I finally reply.

With that being said, we all begin to exit the arena and head to the parking lot. We're almost to the vehicles when Luke gently grabs my hand and pulls me to a stop. Once his family is out of earshot, he begins to speak.

"This might seem random and sudden, but I've been thinking about it for a while." He starts, looking away nervously and lifting a hand to scratch the back of his neck. "And feel free to say no because I don't want you to feel like you have to say yes just because I'm asking. Or if you feel like you need time to think it over, feel free to take all of the time you need. Actually, maybe I-"

"Luke," I say his name softly, placing my hands on his reddening cheeks and forcing his gaze back to mine. His rambling comes to a halt. "Breathe."

"Sorry." He inhales deeply before releasing his breath. "I was wondering, would you be my girlfriend?"

It's my turn to take a deep breath. Out of all the things he could have said, I was not expecting this. I take a moment to gather my thoughts as a smile begins to pull at my lips.

"I would love to." I nod, my smile growing larger resulting in his own.

"Well," He takes a step closer to me. "Since you're my girlfriend now, does that mean I can kiss you?" His question flusters me but I try hard not to show it.

"Do you want to kiss me?"

"Really fucking badly."

"Then kiss me, Luke."

And so he does. His lips crash into mine in a soft but passionate kiss. As if he has waited a lifetime to do it. It's gentle yet desperate. As we finally part, he pecks my lips a few more times before pulling away completely. He opens his mouth to say something but is stopped by Jack shouting from where his family is waiting by the cars, surely having seen the whole display.

"If you two lovebirds are done sucking faces in the middle of the parking lot, I would like to leave now. I'm fucking starving." He teases.

We both turn our gazes in time to see Quinn smack the middle brother in the back of the head and both parents shaking their heads at their son's antics. Luke chuckles at the scene as he intertwines his hand with mine and begins to walk to the car. My heart flutters as I finally admit the obvious to myself. Maybe we weren't ever just friends. I mentally roll my eyes as I climb into the back seat, already picturing the two squealing girls in my head and the endless amounts of I told you so's that I'm sure to hear when I fill them in. However, when Luke slides into the car next to me and interlocks our hands once again, I can't bring myself to care. I think I like this little life.

[barb-l]

Yeees totally! With Enid probably picking stores strategically beforehand because she knows Wednesday can only take so much before her social batteries run out for the day. She's also totally buying her something other than black and white.. maybe in a beautiful dark blue colour and for whatever, whatever reason Wednesday will be compelled to wear it (when they are alone.) Oh no.. I have way too much thoughts and feelings about them.

Ohh I will be ecstatic about anything you decide to write for them. I loved your first fic tons, it's so very well-written! 😊

Oh dark blue could work. Pretty sure that's what she was wearing in Addams Family Values.

Aww thanks! I'm actually working on a summer break fic rn, but i've been hesitant to keep going cuz ive been considering just waiting to watch the show first cuz i wanna know what Enid's family/pack is like by the end of the show. I'll probably be changing a ton of stuff, or just scrap the whole thing altogether, after i've watched the show, so let me just post what i have so far here:

(sorry im on my mobile and can't put it under read more)

💀💀💀💀💀💀

Enid didn't really expect anything when she gave Wednesday her number. For one, Wednesday didn't have a phone and has sworn that she will never have one.

But just in case...

As, uh, rocky as their start was as roommates, Wednesday has grown on Enid. Like a mold. Maybe due to Stockholm Syndrome. Jury's still up as to how Wednesday feels about her. But after going up against a homicidal monster and rogue Nevermore student together, she likes to think that she has managed to go past being merely a thorn on Wednesday's side and dug her way to the other girl's shriveled, pea-sized heart.

So just before they leave Nevermore for the long-awaited summer break, she gave Wednesday her phone number to let her know that she can contact her if she ever gets sick of tormenting her brother and wants to bother Enid instead.

Wednesday raised a brow when she's handed the piece of paper with Enid's digits and sceptically looked at her. "Why?"

Enid didn't expect Wednesday to ask at the time. Truthfully she expected her to wordlessly throw it away and was prepared for another bout of back and forth squabble like they've always done. Maybe even tease her over how she's too much of an old lady on the inside to even figure out how to use a phone anyway. It was fun. What's not fun is admitting that she will miss her. She didn't prepare to be asked why.

"I don't know," is what Enid ended up saying. "Just..." She shrugged, turned away from Wednesday's calculating gaze to finish zipping up her bag. "I don't know."

"Hm."

Enid didn't like that reaction. Like Wednesday just caught her doing something embarrassing. So she took her bag, gave Wednesday a saccharinely fake smile, and said, "See ya, weirdo!" before running away with her tail tucked between her legs.

----

Enid spends the first two weeks of summer break agonizing over how humiliating that was. Who gives their number to a girl who doesn't even have a phone? Desperate idiots, that's who.

If Wednesday knew how much Enid was suffering just thinking about her, she'd be smiling in satisfaction.

...and now Enid has started thinking about Wednesday's smile, wicked as it may be, and has buried her face in her pillow. This time she's suffering for different, more embarrassing reasons.

She didn't expect anything, honest to god, so when she receives a notification one day for a text from an unknown number, she couldn't believe her eyes.

Greetings, Enid Sinclair, it reads.

Against my better judgement, I have gone and acquired a phone. I still maintain the belief that they are unnecessary and annoying, but you were, regrettably, right. Lighting Pugsley up in the good ol' electric chair has not been the same since Nevermore.

Perhaps it's due to everything else that we have gone through the whole semester. Monsters and what-not can't compare.

Though money has never been an issue to an Addams, I expect that you will make my purchase worthwhile by granting me amusement. Go ahead, regale me of your woes spending school break locked in a whole different kind of prison with your family. I don't expect it to be any worse of a time than I have had, but I haven't lost hope.

Forever in darkness,

Wednesday Addams

Enid rolls her eyes when she finishes reading the absurdly long text, but there's a smile she can't contain when she fondly mutters, "So edgy."

She doesn't reply right away. Mostly because she doesn't know what to say, and also because she spent a good fifteen minutes just re-reading the message, giggling over the mental image of Wednesday going to the mall and buying a phone, all for her.

... Well, maybe not, but Enid doesn't have enough self-control in her to deny a hungry ego.

She knows that the text has been shown as read on Wednesday's end by know, but she pays it no mind. With all the torture having Wednesday on her mind has brought her, she deserves to do it back.

After spending much too long of her time erasing and retyping, she finally replies.

u dont have to sign n write texts like letters yunno. U can just talk like normal

Enid once again laughs when she sees that her text was immediately read. Wednesday spends two minutes conjuring up a reply, and Enid spends the whole time watching the dots on the the bubble move as she lies in bed.

Eventually, Wednesday sends a reply.

Your spelling is atrocious.

Enid wonders if Wednesday would get offended if she tells her how often she has made her laugh.

That's more like it, Enid texts in return.

[xplrvibes]

if she ever talked about him, it could've just been about how she felt and how made her feel. he practically lead her on for years always going back to her when things got tough, thinking he loved her when it was just in his head. she has the right to talk about her feelings.

Oh, there's no "if." I've heard it with my own ears. Had screen recordings sent to me of various times she's spoken about him. I know what was said.

I am curious as to how the story of him stringing her along (which is an embellishment of what I have actually heard her say but I guess embellishment is ok sometimes) became so commonplace if it didn't start from her talking about him to fans, though. Either fans are spreading lies and people are eating it up cause it's Colby related drama and that's fun for the whole family...

....or maybe, just maybe, Shea's been talking. A lot. Publicly and privately. To fans.

Idk. Jury's out on which one it is lol.

Regardless, I never said she couldn't talk about him on her streams (although I have and will continue to maintain that NOBODY should be in a group chat with stans and I don't care who you are, cause it's creepy) - it's a free country, she can do what she wants as far as talking about her life is concerned. But if she's going to talk about him and he doesn't respond well to it and doesn't want to be associated with her anymore because of it...isn't that also valid? If he doesn't want to be with someone or be tied to someone anymore because she's publicly speaking about him and his private life to fans on the internet (which he has long mainained is something he doesn't appreciate, which means a boundary of his is being crossed here) and he unfollows....is that not also his prerogative? If he ever decides to come out and tell his side of the story - cause again, the only thing that has ever been told publicly is Shea's extremely vague and to be completely honest from what I have seen, very inconsistent side - would that also be valid or he would be a monster for it?

And full disclosure- I know the xplrclub video from yesterday was made common knowledge and has now been added as fodder in this story. I have had multiple people venting to me in my ask box about it. Putting aside the shittiness of xplrclub footage once again making it's way past the paywall - that was Colby expressing his feelings about a previous experience in his life (and one that was so vague that we don't truly know who he was referring to). Is that OK for him to do, or is it only a problem when it's him talking about things like that?

Also, I'd love to point out that people have been begging people to stop tagging Kat in stuff pertaining to Sam because it upsets her...but Colby is supposed to be fine with continuously being dragged into drama and linked to and have his crap with Shea spoken about as if everyone knows the full story based on the - again, I have to say this - VERY VAGUE THINGS SHE HAS SAID. Why can't he take steps to distance himself from it? If she has the right to speak on it whenever she chooses, he has the right to not want to speak on it or be associated with it in any capacity anymore, if he so chooses.

I'll close this by saying this - it's over. Nobody knows the full nature of what it was - although it was definitely not anything resembling a real and healthy, functioning relationship for either party. But whatever it was, it's over. They've cut ties. Let them. They are both human beings and they are both doing what they feel is best for themselves. 🤷‍♀️

*I enjoyed this ask very much, anon, and hope I did not come off as though I am attacking you because I am definitely not. I find this whole thing...annoying for various reasons, and I appreciate the opportunity this ask gave me to kind of try and talk through it. Thank you!*

[theladyofrosewater]

Okay the video game poll is over and idk if people went with their actual favorite or just whatever game they had heard of bcs the botw/skyrim option won so for every option that got more than one vote I'll describe what I think that game would be like in order of how many votes it got.

OPEN WORLD STYLE ADVENTURE 36.4%: You play as Irene's reincarnation and wake up outside of Phoenix Drop with no memory of who you are and after the tutorial section of phoenix drop you're basically on you're own to somehow defeat the big bad Shad, however you get a special ending if you beat the game in under two hours and use batshit tactics you can technically customize your character but it's only hairstyles and tattoos. There WOULD be a speedrun based on who could place something weird like a bomb or a pumpkin on the Irene statue in Scaleswind

STORY BASED JRPG 18.2%: I've never played a jrpg I'll be honest but Jess stole a lot of stuff from final fantasy anyway! might as well complete the circle. But one thing I image is that defeating the jury of nine and the high priest is the main goal with Katelyn being the only recrutable one. 22% of the game is just sorting gear bcs the game has lootflation. 50% is just putting your guards in pretty outfits. the rest is side quests.

MINECRAFT MOD PACK 15.2%: Okay we could totally do this ourselves in fact people have tried I'm pretty sure, the hardest part would be making the map and making sure the NPCs functioned normally but you'd basically just play through MCD with all the mods jess used (with more quest markers to keep you on track) I imagine it would only go up to half a season at a time though just to keep track of everything and make it less cluttered.

BASICALLY JUST STARDEW BUT BETTER COMBAT 10.6%: exactly what it says on the tin. It's Stardew but you're the lord instead of the farmer. You can pick which village you choose to rule and you get a different story/marriage candidates depending on each one. The combat comes from battle campaigns technically doesn't have an end since Stardew can go on forever.

VISUAL NOVEL 9.1%: Just the normal story of diaries with maybe a bit of puzzle solving to spice up gameplay, It would be a comic book art style and different chapters would have a new art style for tone purposes+ hiring more artists and would only have like three endings plus a secret forth one for 100% completing it.

HADES-STYLE ROGUE-LIKE 3%: I'm surprised not a lot of people picked this option but IMAGINE IT. You play as Laurance and you've gotten better at resisting the call and so you set out to escape Shad's domain but have to battle limitless foes and keep fighting the call at every step of the way. succumbing to the call makes you start over but you won't give up! The bosses would be other shadow knights, maybe Gene, Sasha and Zenix to replace the furies. Zane and Janus(shush I know he's not one but I needed a second person) could replace Theseus and the Minotaur and Shad would obviously replace the final boss. Vylad could probably replace Thanatos or something too.

DATING SIM BUT CURSED 3%: You are Irene Aphmau and you absolutely MUST pick someone to spend the rest of time with! except it resets if you don't pick right, it resets and resets and resets. but if you do pick right they keep dying, and dying, and dying. and even if you change everything they keep dying and dying andyingandying-

[thesilliestofgals]

👀

Please consider this as prompting for your Rosabella ideas!!

HOOO BOY DO I GOT IDEAS

In the show, Rosabella.. is, well... kinda basic. So... I can see why some people don't like her.

I was discussing some of them with @/gumjester (her rewrite is really good please add it to your reading list) so i'll reiterate them here:

"I think it'd be fascinating if a rewrite portrayed her as someone who is.. (ironically?) very untrusting and like... the opposite of Belle. I remember she has powers, at least in her diary, that allows her to see other people's auras, so perhaps that could cause her to like... constantly be calling people out, warranted or not. As a result of her behavior, she's almost like.. [gumjester's] version of Blondie, except worse in some ways?

Perhaps the relationship could work if, somehow, Rosabella helps Daring stop being so full of himself, and Daring also helps her stop being so judgmental, untrusting, and condescending?"

To revise this idea, I think it'd be really fascinating if this version of Rosabella is actually the Beast (let's call this version of her Rosabella Beast, or RB, from now on), and she was cursed at a young age, resulting in her being forced to keep her emotions in check to prevent herself from turning into her Beast Form. Shortly after this, she gains the trust of someone and reveals her secret, only to be betrayed, maybe as a result of her powers developing, or this event causes her powers to be created- this effectively results in RB losing trust in everyone.

As she gets older, she kinda leans more into her... "villain" role. She learns how to act like a Beauty from her story- sweet, compassionate, loving in the public, but judgmental, untrusting, and condescending when she's alone. Needless to say, RB has everyone wrapped around her finger by the time she's about to enter EAH.

She eventually meets Blondie, and instead of being put off by her nosiness.. she finds it endearing. They become allies of sorts, not friends, but allies nonetheless. They start up a blog where RB effectively airs out the dirty laundries of the Royals and Rebels, warranted or not. She acts as the judge, jury, and executioner, casting her judgmental upon those she deems as in need of said judgment and punishment.

Perhaps if a rewrite were to use this idea, there could be an arc where the main cast of said rewrite try to figure out who's running the blog and how to shut it down as it begins to get more dangerous.... and maybe that's when Daring comes into the picture.

The rest of my thoughts are a little too incoherent to continue, but I hope that's a good enough preview to share more in the near future!

[naranjapetrificada]

Time for another Fanfic Friday!

Let's get the obligatory self-promo out of the way: Monday night, just before bedtime, I finally posted Chapter 2 of my bizarre little gay pirates arranged marriage ancient-world-inspired AU From the Firmament. I get if you don't trust WIPs, or don't think it's for you, and I'll be the first to tell you it's unusual. But if you find your curiosity piqued at all, maybe you should give it a whirl? If being in the OFMD fandom has taught me anything, it's that even things that are certifiably Not Your Thing can surprise the hell out of you.

Onto the recs (including one that absolutely wasn't My Thing and a non-OFMD rec)! Here's what I've been reading lately:

1) Of the AUs that should be "definitely Not My Thing", Wanna Fly Away is probably the least My Thing I've encountered. It absolutely, positively should not be something I'd ever consider reading, no matter how much I trust @petrichorca not to lead me astray. Monsterfucking? Nope, absolutely not for me, but blessings upon all who enjoy it. And Animorphs? I mean really, Animorphs???

So anyway I'm on Chapter 9 now, although I'll admit to having skimmed the final chapter many moons ago out of curiosity. I do that sometimes because I'm generally spoiler agnostic and sometimes I need to know ahead of time if a certain story will leave me existentially devastated. Jury's still out tbh! Crucially though, even after skimming the last chapter, I didn't start reading. What actually got me to read the fic proper was this separate one-shot that looked at Stede's character before leaving his life behind. That reminded me in a lot of ways of this pre-canon fic I've long appreciated, and that sealed the deal.

2) Next, for something ENTIRELY in the canon universe, I've been following the gentle, meditative innkeepers-era fic The Waters Around You by eimeo (not sure if they're on tumblr) and it's made for really rewarding reading. There's still plenty of work our boys need to do, but for once they actually have time to do it!

3) I've also been trying to catch up on my OMG THEY'RE ✨BOYFRIENDS✨ fics and one I heartily recommend is Tenderly the Light by the one and only @darcylindbergh, which perfectly captures that effervescent feeling you know they both had during the boyfriends scene while also not forgetting that they have to go out there and escape the British while also just being so full of LIFE. Pitch perfect.

4) Next up is the recently reposted Powder Blue by @scarrletmoon. It's a modern AU which I missed the first time around because I wasn't in the fandom yet (if such a time ever existed). Heed the tags going in, but if you're like me and heard so much about it after it got taken down, you'll absolutely want to check it out now. In particular, I love how like, grounded I feel inside Ed as a character, and how the in-world power dynamics replicate for a reader how Stede's specific brand of inscrutability would have felt to Canon Ed, who doesn't have the benefit of knowing how Stede feels. There's that little bit of distance there that just makes everything a bit more...more, I guess.

5) Lastly, for those of us anxiously awaiting the latest update to @moonyinpisces's phenomenal GO fix-it How Do We Turn On The Light (brb refreshing my email again), I want to recommend Talk to Me of Things to Come by Atsuki, which visits Crowley and Aziraphale on New Years Eve, 1988. It's flirty and sweet (although I definitely would not call it "fluff") and has some S-tier Aziraphale pining if you're into that. Not even sure how I found it tbh but I must have been throwing GO fics at the void where Chapter 16 of HDWTOTL waits to melt our collective minds.

Happy Friday, and happy reading!

[bababaka]

What i'd change in this piece of media! Or just rewritting it. Because truly it is right now.

Today's episode is.... Twilight!

Because for some reason i started thinking about Edward and Jasper and how they could be fixed and it turned into this clusterfuck. Anyways.

Twilight.

It is so damn boring! But it has potencial.

Ok. Let me explain myself. I started reading twilight's fanfiction without having ever watched the movies. At the time the movies came out, i was too young to take any interest in it, although the women around me did, and they fawned over Jacob and his shirtless scenes. Which was how i was team Jacob (not anymore tho ew)

Nevermind that, thing is, i only watched the movies after reading the phenomenal and creative fics. So, to me the movies paled in comparison.

Don't get me wrong. Twilight was a huge sucess, so it clearly did something right. This is only my opnion, okay?

Lets go.

So, the author created so many interesting characters and then proceeded to give us the most boring ones as the protagonists.

And Edward and Bella are actually interesting. But we got stuck with their annoying versions.

And beyond that, the really interesting side characters never have a chance to be developed. T-T

Not as much as they deserved at least.

And please, the Volturi needed a spin off of their own. Something akin to The Originals and The vampire Diaries.

Anyways, in this first part, i want to talk about how we could get into and actually develope the characters. I'll talk about each movie later.

First, our protagonists. Edward Cullen and Bella Swan.

Ok. I would LOVE if we had Edward at his antihero phase. Maybe at the tail end of it, maybe at its climax.

Would love to see Red Eyes Edward. Avenging men and women who were raped, tortured, murdered as he battles with his own sense of humanity and self hatred. Trying to do something good while still being a monster.

And yes, he would still be his edgelord self. But now his breakdowns would happen as he is covered by someone else's blood and insides. Rocking himself in a alleyway's corner, looking at nothing as the body at his feet just gets colder and colder.

At some point, he would kill someone inocent. Who was wrongly accused of something. And when he discovers this, he sees his victim's mother crying, yelling at the heavens, begging for answers, for justice. For something. Anything. And Edward would hate himself for thinking for a moment he could do good. "You're a murderer, a demon. You're the one who deserves to die."

And then we have Bella, just as she is. I wouldn't change much about her really. Just make her a bit less "not like other girls" and lessen her infatuation with Edward. Or maybe amplify it. But in a different way. She is taken with Edward not because wow, he is handsome, misterious or smth. But because he is weird. Maybe even have a monsterloving Bella. Who is fascinated by this idea of an angel of death. But as she encounters it, him, she realizes nothing is black in white. He kills people. Humans like her.

She would be attracted, but terrified. Battling against her morals. He has to feed, but he kills only those who are criminals. But who is he to play the judge and jury? And would be interesting for Edward to become more attached to life and morals (as in, murder is murder, bitch. Stop killing people even though theyre criminals and deserve it. Youre not God).

I would love to see their oposing ideas inspire each other and provoke drama and grownth.

Also, id love to see Bella's reasons to be a vampire to be more than Edward. I saw this idea on tiktok i think. And it makes so much sense.

Her reasons would be: she is a bit of a history nerd and wants to be there as historical moments are happening and live to see its repercursions; she is afraid of getting old( but not dying, since she is suicidal and has a kinda morbid curiosity about it); she doesnt want to lose Alice, or Emmett, nor Jasper or Rosalie and Carlisle and Esme; she wants to feel part of something, this family, something she severely lacked as a child and still do as a teenager.

I want a Bella that is in love and obssessed with Edward, but as the story goes on, she learns to be independent. She learns how to be confident in her weird self. And have more than just Edward, although she is very much in love with him.

She would not get pregnant. But would be a vampire because dude. She is so much better as a vampire. Lord above. And well that would be the culmination of her character growth.

Next episode:

Alice, Jasper and him being a confederate soldie or smth :)

Reminder, if you do not agree with me, thats okay. If you want to let me know about your opnion, be nice about it.

Aaaand, this is only for fun. I've never read the books, and its been a long time since i've watched the movies. So, chill.

Part 2 is among us, yo.

Here.

[thesherrinfordfacility]

okay so... we do agree that the most sense for the first scene of season 3 is to show in some way the fall, right? we saw the before, we saw the after (as in eden), we now need to know why there was this schism in the first place

and so, my question is, since i've just finished rewatching the job episode - what do you think, in gomens' universe, is the point of that schism? why did the fall happen? why was there a Great War? who started the war, was the war just between the different angels? who actually cast the losing side away?

the whole bit with "an angel/demon who goes along with Heaven/Hell as far as he can" really made me think about this all. plus, i personally would find it very satisfying to finally find out at least a little bit of context of why this separation happened in the first place for the moment (i hope) when the whole system is finally broken down and dismantled

hey lovely!!!✨ i do think it will open with some reference to the fall (as you said, imo it makes the most narrative, poetic, and thematic sense!!!), but i also feel like a lot of the show's answers are going to be within the fall, so idk if we'll see all of it in the beginning cold open, or if some will be continued towards the end of the series?

as for the fall questions, wowzers, i'll do my best to answer what i potentially think could factor in here, although they may not answer your qs outright!!!✨ and probably link to some other specs/metas that ive had jumbling around!!!

i think aziraphale knew or suspected something about why it would be risky to question god; maybe not that the fall was already bandied about as a concept, but maybe that there were Things Afoot that made him think that going against her will and plan could be bad news

i think that god is ultimately a very neutral, very amoral party. i don't think she is good or bad, right or wrong, well-meaning or malicious; she just is. i even possibly think that the ineffable plan, if there is even such a thing like she says in s1, is that she has no plan at all. everything is up to everyone else. (don't really have a singular meta on this, but perhaps a bit of this and that)

metatron is the Big Bad. dunno why, necessarily (ie what are his motivations other than Power?), but i think when god goes AWOL somewhere between job (or maybe actually after golgotha?) and present day, he fills the void and acts like he is still the voice of god, that he is still receiving orders. (again, no singular meta on this, and ive kinda got it sprinkled across many posts tbh!!!)

so with those kind of things in mind, here are my possible thoughts (not committing to any singular one) on the fall and the schism you've mentioned.

the fall was not necessarily meant to be what it turned out to be. i think ultimately angels came to god asking questions, or questioning her and her Ineffability, or the plan, whatever.

god wanted all of her creation to have free will. if that free will was to break away from heaven and from her, and act in their own interest, under their own orders, by their own conscience, i don't think she ever had an issue with this. even if - in the presumed case of lucifer - the intention was to break away as a direct challenge to god, to have the same power as god, i similarly don't think she wanted to stop this. that is literally free will. so she does nothing to stop whatever happens when they choose to break away.

metatron however has other ideas; heaven is good, and is correct, and is right. anyone who even questions it, even if out of love and devotion to god, those who just want to understand, were forfeit. god has removed herself from the picture, not even there at the (literal? figurative?) trial, so metatron acts as judge, jury, and executioner. in some cases, i think there were angels who were pushed, not fallen.

we know there was a war, but i think it was out of the angels that remained 'on heaven's side' being told lies about their fellow angels - told that these defectors were actively working against god to jeopardise her creations and her plans. that heaven will fall if they are not cast out. conflict ensues - from their perspective - to protect the sanctity of heaven.

then, possibly, i think a memory wipe kinda thing did happen, but specifically on the events of the fall. i do also wonder if this is where the book of life comes into play, but not overly confident (on any of this, really)

and ultimately i think the whole concept of true free will might have been god's plan - if you can call Nothing a plan - all along? that she completely steps back, and let's heaven and humanity kinda work it out for themselves.

like, this is the kinda stuff that i hope they reveal later on s3; crowley falling with lucifer, and possibly meeting aziraphale again etc. would, imo, be great for the ep1 cold open, but the actual events of the fall i think needs to be the belter that comes out in maybe ep5 or 6. obviously i haven't gone into where i think crowley and aziraphale may slot within all of this, but most things can be found in my masterpost anyway, or indeed happy to summarise for anyone who wants it!!!✨

[lavenoon]

Can we know more about the boys "Eclipse" mode?

Maybe a bit more about what it was like when our beloved Eclipse showed up? Like, were they just doing something that needed them both and then a confused third voice popped up? Or was it something they noticed instantly? As if someone entered the room. Did they feel anything when it happened? Or was it just an under-the-radar kinda thing till Eclipse made himself known?

What were the first couple of days together like?

me, who is now forced to figure it out: Sure!

So for Accidentally Undercover (keeping any "og" dca theories out of this), Sun and Moon as dual AI animatronic are a rather new and experimental concept. Their body is built to support one at any time, with the color shift and sun rays flipping in and out.

The other AI can be active, but not in control. They can communicate via thinking, inside of their mind, though the active one usually chooses to speak to keep the mindspace less chaotic. The other AI can still perceive what the other does, but otherwise is simply a backseat driver - hence the decision to just let the other one do as he wants and sticking to rest mode.

Before, well, Eclipse however they used to actually use the even more experimental option to have both AIs active and in control. It doesn't work for long - requiring complete unison in regards to goals or everything starts to get funky and they forcefully split apart.

The mode wasn't even something they were told about, and jury's still out if it was an intended feature (I'll tell you here it was intended, and then scrapped for being too risky, with no one telling the boys. They got the third memory chip still, laying the groundwork for Eclipse's existence, but no instructions on how to proceed) - but semi-early days Sun and Moon used it freely. Not too often, as high risk situations where both of them being active would actually be a benefit were somewhat rare (definitely rare during their daycare days), but they weren't scared and actually enjoyed it quite a bit. It's something else! Having your counterpart truly be your counterpart, the other half to your whole, and making decisions together and existing in true harmony. Even with the trigger usually being uncomfortable, they felt secure in that mode.

Appearance wise, the mode is a weird mix of their colorations - one half yellow, one half dark blue, with the sun rays being more or less of a wild card. They use whatever eyes or teeth they need, however the default is Moon's blue pupils in yellowish-white optics.

So then one day they return home, finally feeling safe enough to make individual choices again, and one retreats back into active, but not in control.

Except there's two.

They separate with a lighthearted joke, now back to needing to talk, and then there's the new voice, curious, open, unexpected, asking why that's funny

There's not supposed to be another voice.

Sun and Moon freeze, immediately trying to go through the shared memory bank meant for the eclipse mode, only to find their access is limited with the new arrival having gained all admin rights to it

So for Sun and Moon, they lost access to a bunch of memories of them both together, as well as the security of having this thing that's just for the two of them suddenly being not for them only. Then the fear of "oh god, what did this mode do?" - they don't know what Eclipse is, in those first hours and days. A glitch? A virus? A full fledged AI? But how? They're scared, and angry - not at Eclipse personally, but all the circumstances surrounding him. They make the mistake and generalize.

For Eclipse, those first hours and days are just... Confusion, and curiosity. He has access to scattered, unrelated memories of danger but also joy and exhilaration. Risks, and absolute confidence - and... and that's him, huh?

And still, he's trapped without any control over the body he's used to controlling - all his because he's them but now he's also more. He doesn't get why Sun and Moon are angry - he's supposed to be there! ... Isn't he? He always was! So why do they leave him stuck in their mind alone, barely engaging at all and when they do, it's saturated with suspicion and hesitancy?

It takes a few days and many (helpless) arguments where everyone is confused and angry to establish that yes, Eclipse is a full fledged AI, created through a faulty separation and now locking their eclipse mode behind a new free will. While he's in their head, the eclipse mode is unavailable - it's just him in control.

He does get that, just a few times - but he's so young, he makes too many mistakes in situations where none of them can afford them, and then he's promptly "grounded" until they get him a body. (Also because a few times, he refuses to switch back, spending days out and about and causing all kinds of trouble for Sun and Moon. Partly out of curiosity at this new world he couldn't explore like this before, partly out of petty spite at being trapped, while Sun and Moon scream and argue and plead to please let them do their jobs, they have a role in society to fulfill, and he's refusing to do any work about it all)

Back in control, and with the mutual between them agreement to not let Eclipse out again (until they can trust him with their body), Sun and Moon start saving for a new body. They're his "benefactors", paying forward on his body and usually he'd have to work for them to pay it off (legally), but they "gifted" him the body. Means Eclipse, once he does have that body, is free to choose any job he likes, and only needs to worry about sustaining himself while living at Sun and Moon's place (so... basically, he doesn't need to work - his brothers pay for him, too, although urging him to get his own source of income)

And this is getting away from me and the early days, so a little summary about the sentiments. All of them are angry, and confused. All of them are petty, and spiteful. All of them are scared in their own ways. They take it out on each other, because Sun and Moon's creators are long since unavailable, and they have no one else to ask. It's a terrifying new situation for all of them, and none of them know how to cope with it - even Sun and Moon, years after their daycare days, have no clue how to handle a young AI. They figure it out, slowly, together, but as we know from the canon AU timeline, things remain tense for long into Eclipse's life. None of them are actively malicious - I feel like I need to state that for Sun and Moon's sake. They just all got thrown into a never heard of before situation and left to cope on their own, with questionable results

I have another ask in my inbox about the less early days, so worry not, I'll get to those too! For now, this is over 1K words, and I will bow out for the evening on writing anything. Hope this helps!

[miniimapp]

Gen. ;; Incorrect quotes - Fluff + Crack

Warnings ;; Swearing + mention of weapons

Proofread + Edited ;; Yessir

Auth. Note ;; I've been saving this for a rainy day :)) Everything has been so busy in my personal life so take this while you wait for my wonderful hcs !! :DD

Enjoy !! <3

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Aaron Z: Don't even try it, I've already sent good vibes your way. They're coming. And there's nothing you can do to stop them.

Aaron T: Well if that isn't the most threatening way I've ever been cheered up-

Aaron Z: Be prepared.

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Jesse: Just be yourself.

Aaron Z: "Be myself" ?? Jesse, I have one day to win the new manager over. How long did it take before you guys started liking me ??

Aaron T: Couple weeks.

Tae Young: Six months.

Robaire: Jury’s still out.

Aaron Z: See, Jesse ??

Aaron Z: "Be myself'". What kind of garbage advice is that ??

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Robaire: I CAN'T DO IT !!

Tae Young, laughing: I CAN'T EITHER !!

Robaire: I CAN'T FUCKING DO IT ANYMORE

Aaron T: WELL I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, YOU CAN EITHER GIVE UP NOW, OR YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT. BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU, AND WE KNOW YOU CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT US.

Robaire: ...

Robaire: I appreciate it

Robaire: BUT LOOK WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH-

Jesse: Robaire-

Robaire: YOU GOTTA DRAW THE LINE SOMEWHERE!

Jesse: Robaire we gotta-

Robaire: YOU GOTTA DRAW A FUCKING LINE IN THE SAND. YOU GOTTA MAKE A STATEMENT.

Robaire: YOU GOTTA LOOK INSIDE YOURSELF AND SAY 'What am I willing to put up with today ??'

Robaire, motioning to Aaron Z: NOT FUCKING THIS

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Tae Young: What time is it ??

Aaron T: I don’t know; pass me that saxophone and we’ll find out

Aaron T: *Plays sax loudly and extremely out of tune*

Robaire: WHO THE FUCK IS PLAYING THE SAXOPHONE AT TWO IN THE MORNING !?!?

Aaron T: It’s 2 am

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Aaron Z: We need more help...maybe I should call my friends

Jesse: ...Your what ??

Aaron Z: My friends

Tae Young: Is he saying “friends” ??

Robaire: I think he's being sarcastic

Aaron T: No, no, no, this is delirium, he's cracked from being awake all night. Hey, Z! All of your friends are in this room.

Aaron Z: I have other friends! You asked me to make new friends, I made new friends! It was a task. I complete tasks.

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Robaire: What’s something you guys are better than Jesse at ??

Aaron Z: Mario Kart

Aaron T: Yeah, video games

Tae Young: Emotional vulnerability

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Aaron T: I’ve done a lot of dumb stuff

Aaron Z: I witnessed the dumb stuff

Robaire: I recorded the dumb stuff

Tae Young: I joined in on the dumb stuff

Jesse: I TRIED TO STOP YOU FROM DOING THE DUMB STUFF !!

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Tae Young: Bye Jesse !! Bye Robaire !! Bye T !! Bye Z !! Bye Jesse !!

Robaire: You said "bye Jesse" twice

Tae Young, smiling innocently: I like Jesse !!

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Tae Young: Poison is a magic transmutation potion that turns people into corpses.

Aaron T: This knife is actually a magic wand

Tae Young: Meet me in the car park for a wizard duel

Aaron Z: *cocks gun* Magic missile

Jesse: What the fuck is wrong with you people !?

Robaire: How did we get to this ??

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Jesse: You know, I'm starting to regret showing you how that blender works

Aaron T, drinking toast: Why do you say that ??

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Hope you enjoyed these silly little incorrect quotes, kudos to the incorrect quote generator for generating a fair few of these and also to me for changing and/or making up my own <3

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1068: Past My Prime? (Super Smash Bros Ultimate)

11:34 a.m. Outside of Shy Guy's LaCafé.......

Luigi: (Carefully Walks an Exhausted, Back Pain Ridding Chun-Li to her Side of the Table) That's it. Take it nice and slow.....We're almost there....(Quickly Rushes Towards the Chair and Pull it Away From The Table for Chun-Li to Sit On) Here you go!

Chun-Li: You're too kind.....

Despite the small, yet noticeable groaning escaping out of her mouth, Chun-Li let's Luigi help her slowly sit down at her on chair before she was gently pushed towards the table the duo has chosen to go to, letting out a heavily sigh of relief and relaxation.

Chun-Li: Finally!....We made it here in one piece. (Winces a Bit in Pain Before Using One Hand to Rub her Back) For the most part that.....(Smiles Softly at Luigi) Thanks for helping me get there, Luigi. You really didn't have go out of your way to do that for me.

Luigi: (Smiles Back at Chun-Li as He Sits Down on the Other Side of the Table) Think nothing of it. The last thing I want is for you is to walk around with an aching back. (Frowns a Bit in Worry) Our training exercise must've done a real number on you at the last second of your stretch , didn't it?

Chun-Li: (Rolls her Eyes) Tell me about it.....I've stretched after a workout multiple times before and none of them ended with an aching back pain before. (Crosses her Arms While Sighing) I wonder what's up with that?

????: Maybe it's your poor back telling you how much you've past your prime.

The duo turn their heads towards a young, rebellious looking woman taking a purple lollipop out from her mouth before giving Chun-Li an evil like smirk on her face, which in turn causes Luigi to get startled a little.

????: Grandma~

Chun-Li: (Sighs While Pinching her Nose at a Familiar Face in Front of Her) What do you want, Juri? Besides being a nuisance as usual...

Juri: (Rest her Arm on the Top of Luigi's Head) Ohh nothing of the sorts~ I've been hitting around town as of late and just sp happen to notice this string bean here is taking you to your table. (Smirks Starts Growing Wider) You don't need me to buy you an elderly cane to help you walk now, do ya, old lady?

Chun-Li: (Starts Gritting her Teeth at Juri) I'll do fine without it thanks..... And the string bean you're referring to is Luigi. Show him some respect!

Luigi: (Nervous Waves at Juri) H-Hello.....

Juri: (Scoffs While Rolling her Eyes) Please. (Playfully Twists One Side of Luigi's Mustache Around Much to His Displeasure) As if I would ever show any kindness towards a Player 2 loser like him.

Luigi: My name is Luigi actually-

Juri: Yeah, who cares? You're nothing but a wimpy crybaby of a sidekick. Always have, always will.

Chun-Li: Would you just leave us alone already!!!?

Juri: (Finally Gets her Arm Off of Luigi's Head as She Holds Both her Hands Up Nonchalantly) Alright, alright, don't get your buns twisted. I'll take my presence elsewhere. (Finally Takes her Leave Before Stopping Mid Second) But lemme know if you need some medicine picked up from the pharmacy. (Turns Back to Chun-Li With the Same Evil Smirk) We don't want your poor old bones to give up on ya, now don't we?~

Juri let's out an evil laugh before walking off for real this time, leaving Chun-Li fuming with unadulterated rage before quickly deciding to do the sensible thing and takes a deep breath to calm herself down.

Chun-Li: Today is your day, Chun-Li. Don't let the brat ruin it for you. (Turbs Back to Luigi) Are you okay, Luigi?

Luigi: (Gives Chun-Li a Reassuring Smile as He Fixes Up his Mustache) Yeah, I'll be fine. I've been called a lot worse in the past few years, so it's not all bad.

Bowser: (Walks by the Table Wearing a Green Shirt that Says 'Green Mario' and a Poorly Drawn Face of Luigi Sitting Below) Nice bod you got there, Green Mario. Bwhahahahaha!

Luigi: (Immediately Puts on a Deadpinned Look on his Face) Nevermind. My day is starting to get ruined now.

Chun-Li: What is up with people calling you Green Mario all the time?

Luigi: (Sighs While Facepalming Himself) I don't knoooow......This has been going on for years now! (Sadly Twiddling his Fingers in Front if him on the Table) I guess they find it hard to believe that someone as wimpy and cowardly as myself could ever live up to Mario's success and glory no matter how hard I try.....(Notices Chun-Li is Still Staring at Him With Worry in her Eyes) B-But it's fine! I've been called that a million times now that I should be used to it by now. (Chuckles a Bit Awkwardly Before Looking Sighing and Looking Down a the Table)

Chun-Li: You know, Sammy told me all the times you saved your brother from getting kidnapped from the ghosts, despite being terrified of them. (Smiles a Little) I think that's pretty brave of you.

Luigi: (Looks Up at Chun-Li For a Brief Second Before Slowly Smiling Back at Her) Thanks. It's a miracle I was able to save him unscathed....But I'd do anything for my bro. And for everyone I care about.

Chun-Li: (Smiles Brightly) That's great to hear. (Chuckles a Bit) I wouldn't last a second being in the same room with a ghost floating in front of me.

Luigi: (Eyes Widened in Genuine Surprise) You're scared of them too?

Chun-Li: Oh big time! One time, my father, bless his soul, told me this really spooky story about an evil ghost spirit of a young woman who was killed inside an abandoned mansion for thousands of years, consume and torments the souls of every tourist and travelers who dares to walk in unannounced. Not even the children are safe from it's wrath.

Luigi: (Shivers a Bit in Fear) S-S-So is she's a vengeful spirit of sorts?

Chun-Li: Kind of? Father never really gone into detail on who or what killed her that day. And honestly.......(Grimamce at the Thought) I-I-I don't think I ever want to find that out.......

Luigi: Me too. (Starts Clearing his Throat) S-So anyways, who was that woman who came by here just now?

Chun-Li: Juri Han. The former member of an evil organization known as S.I.N. and one of the biggest pains in the neck since Bison.....

Luigi: She caused you that much trouble, huh?

Chun-Li: Yeeeup. I mean, she causes trouble for the Interpol as well, but she always has to find SOME WAY to mess me, even stupid crap like this! (Crosses her Arms in Annoyance) It's really starting to get old right now........

Luigi: ......You know, if it makes you feel any better....(Notices Chun-Li Slowly Turning Back to Him Before Putting on a Soft Smile on his Face) I think you really good for your age. And your legwork looks so amazing and graceful see in action too. I can definitely why Samus has fallen for in the first place.

Chun-Li: (Smiles Back at Luigi as With Small Blushes on her Cheeks) Xièxiè. Father always says to make sure to look your best before leaving the house. And I pretty sure I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for him and Gen taking the time and effort to discipline and teaching me everything I need to know how to fight in general.

Luigi: Do you still miss your father sometimes, Chun-Li?

Chun-Li: Almost everyday. But I can't keep dwelling on his absence forever. (Smiles Brightly) I have you guys to worry about after all.

Shy Guy Waiter: (Walks By Carrying a Plate of Macaroons and Coffee Mugs on his Tray Before Placing Them all Down One by One on.the Table) Your orders, ma'am and sir.

Chun-Li: (Raises an Eyebrow in Confusion) We didn't order anything ye- (Suddenly Gasps Loudly at What is in Front of Her) Is that really me on my latte!?~

Shy Guy Waiter: (Happily Nodded) Yep. We custom made it ourselves. (Points at Luigi Behind Him) You can thank him for having that ordered for you. (Makes his Way Back to the Café With His Tray Under his Armpit)

Chun-Li: (Turns Back to Luigi With Sparkle in her Eyes) Weegie......You really did this for me?~

Luigi: (Happily Nodded) That's right! (Smiles Sheepishly While Rubbing the Back of his Head Back and Forth) Samus wanted me to treat you somewhere nice for your birthday today, so I decided to call the café to have our latte ready for us before we left gym together. Also......

Luigi takes out a small envelope from his workout pants' pocket before giving it to the birthday girl in front of him and letting out a small chuckle.

Luigi: Surprise!

Chun-Li: (Tears the top of the Envelope Open, Revealing a Coupon Inside Before Picking it Up and Reading it) You got me a birthday special coupon for Koopa Troops' Springhouse?

Luigi: (Smiles Brightly) Yep. It's one of the many birthday presents we got for you this year. Plus, given how tired out you are roght now, you deserve a day at the spa for once. (Felt a Buzz on the Side of his Hip Before Taking his Phone Out From his Other Pocket and Reads the Text Give ln to Him) Ooh! Speaking of Samus, she texted me just now and says that her and Daisy will be on their way to meet us there after we leave here. (Starts Reading the Text Again) And to also prepare yourself. We have a pretty long day ahead of ourselves afterwards.

Chun-Li: We're having our first Double Date today?~

Luigi: Pretty much. I hope it's alright with you.

Chun-Li: (Smiles Very Brightly) Are you kidding? I couldn't think of more perfect than this!~ Thank you so much!~ I'd hug you if my back wasn't killing me right now.

Luigi: I got it!

Luigi gets up from his seat and makes his way towards Chun-Li's side of the table to hug her.

Luigi: There you go. One hug for the birthday girl~

Chun-Li: (Heart Begins to Melt in Pure Happiness as She Hugs Luigi Back) You really are the sweetest~

Luigi: Just doing what I can to help is all. Happy Birthday, Chun-Li.

Happy Birthday to the Strongest Woman in the World!!

@keyenuta

@caleb13frede

@cyber-wildcat

@tamrinthian

@theweebmaster31

[amplexadversary]

More Utena, ep 13

"Might makes right" from the Greek Chorus, right off the bat. Gee, I wonder if we're going to be challenging the premise of these duels sometime soon.

"And the winner walked away, looking like a lesbian lily" Actually, I'm glad I watched this after I got clued in to that particular cultural metaphor, and not like, when this show was first recommended to me in high school.

Huh, that's two episodes in a row where the Greek Chorus screw around with a flying saucer; it was treated as a real thing in 12 and as a prop in 13. Wonder what that's about.

Ohhhhhhh and look who's being definitively shown as a flesh-and-blood person outside of a flashback for the first time! That's certainly a very distinct hair color pointing me in a direction. The guy is wearing red rather than white though...

tbh another part of why I didn't watch this show earlier is that I did want to have time to forget some spoilers I'd seen earlier. It might be the influence of those that are leaving me convinced that the prince is probably Anthy's brother? (I mean they are the only purple-haired, dark-skinned characters in the show, and it would explain why Anthy has such a "special" role in ... it's still not clear what. It would be something of a parallel between Nanami's sibling incest thing going on to have Utena being possessed? by Anthy's maybe brother?? while fighting over her???)

NOPE, there are now three characters in this show with that particular color pallet. Also the duels have names, not ominous at all. Surely that's not hinting at something important we don't know about yet.

So we have amitie (friendship, green tone, Utena v Saionji defending - Utena wins),

choix (choice, Saionji v Utena defending - Utena wins),

raison (reason Miki v Utena defending - Utena wins), (I actually did think Miki was a girl until his episode. wishful thinking.) (I'm still not over how douchey it was of Touga to use the guy's sister's emotions to fuck with his motivations like that)

amour (love, that one didn't need translating, Jury v Utena defending - Utena wins),

adoration (Nanami v Utena defending - Utena wins),

conviction ( Touga v Utena defending - Touga wins),

and soi (self, Utena v Touga defending- Utena wins), so far.

and then at some number that isn't specified, revolution.

"having hope for Anthy," when Utena started winning duels? That doesn't spell good things about her role in this business.

Wait, the color of the windows here are based on Utena's opponent, aren't they? ... Yep, Miki's duel is blue.

It doesn't line up that way every time, but I am a little amused by the line about the darkness of distance and the darkness of light frequently being sung to Anthy cupping her hands over her crotch. Yes, the darkness, that couldn't be referring to anything in particular could it.

(Edit: it lined up that way frequently in the first cour, but the second consistently lines that shot up with the line before. Still funny. Hey, these days, joking about vaginas is classy when Shakespeare does it! Utena can have some classy accidental vagina jokes as well! It's only fair!)

It does re-emphasize how fucked up it kind of is how most of these people aren't even fighting over Anthy herself; she just represents some other thing that they want. Arguably Saionji is different in that respect because he actually has feelings for her, but he does not treat Anthy well at all; he still kind of treats her like his possession.

Speaking of flashbacks, fuck Nanami for what she did to that kitten. People writing about characters being cruel to animals tend to put cats in the crosshairs; I think in a lot of cases the writers want something people are going to feel bad about, but like, not TOO bad, like if they were to harm a puppy. Jokes on them I have the opposite reaction; I'll feel sad about a dog, but a cat will actually make me cry.

... aaaaand there's another saucer, NOT shown with the shadow chorus this time. Huh.

[otatma]

alright so the consistently excellent @curlicuecal challenged me in a thread about justice and prison reform after a weird comment. and the more I thought about it the more I realized there's a pretty large rant there which I definitely started in the middle of.

so, I'll put more of that rant down here. yes, on the reading comprehension website. (if you are a minor, or if you have any concerns at all about the limits of your reading comprehension, I implore you to keep scrolling and not click the readmore. this is a messy topic.)

I'll try to keep it as straightforward as I can while remaining lucid.

the first thing to address is the definition of crime.

if a ceo sails in to some company, sacks half their workforce, kicks years of products out the door that actively hurt people, tanks all their goodwill, dumps gigatons of carbon into the atmosphere, drives species to extinction, ruins hundreds of thousands of lives, and so on... that is crime on a planetary scale.

if some politician systematically sabotages their own nation's ability to respond to a deadly plague, and then tells countless lies about how that plague is actually harmless, leading to millions of preventable deaths from that plague, that is also crime on a planetary scale.

if a spree killer blows up a building and kills a thousand people, that is a massive crime.

if some politician were to tell countless lies, spend vast resources on propagating those lies, cultivate a population of brainwashed people who believe those lies over reality, and then try to overthrow a lawful government by whipping those brainwashed people up into an angry mob, that would be a crime.

if someone commits murder or rape, that is a crime.

if someone grows a thousand pounds of marijuana and sells it to people, that is not a crime.

if someone fucks nasty and needs an abortion one or nine months later, that is not a crime.

if someone amuses themselves or manages their pain with heroin or methamphetamine or nanobots or some amazing new thing that someone invented last week, that is not a crime.

if someone steals a loaf of bread or a blanket to keep themselves from starving or freezing, that is not a crime. likewise for squatting in unoccupied housing, etc.

if someone decides that their gender assigned at birth isn't the right gender for them, that is not a crime. same deal if we feel weird about what they do to present the right gender for them. same deal if we for whatever reason feel weird about the people they like to fuck. those are not crimes.

if someone has a disability, visible or otherwise, that is not a crime.

if someone writes a fiction story where any of the above is depicted, even in loving detail, that is not a crime.

fairly simple stuff, but it bears repeating. the first and most important thing that needs fixed is the way we define crime. right now the worst criminals are running the world, because many of our definitions of crime are screwed up. right now millions of innocent people are imprisoned and enslaved, because many of our definitions of crime are screwed up. (and kept that way by the interests of vulture capitalism, but I digress.)

most of the human beings in prison right now shouldn't be there, and the reason they shouldn't be there is because many of our definitions of crime are screwed up.

the second thing to address is the way crimes are tried.

I don't like our court system.

I don't like judges running a court the way a captain runs their ship. (racist judge? racist judgments.)

I don't like voir dire. I'm not even entirely sure I like jury trials, given the state of education in our society (but I digress).

I don't like forcing people into plea bargains against their own interests.

there are myriad problems with the way we actually try crimes and the way we get verdicts out of that process. it needs reform. maybe we could start by throwing out every idea that we inherited from European settlers and putting something together from what remains. maybe that's stupid. I genuinely don't know. but what we're doing right now is super not working.

the third thing to address is the way we treat those we've convicted as criminals.

sticking someone in a big stone and metal box with a bunch of slave drivers doesn't fix them, it makes them worse. we've proven this many times over. 99% of convicted criminals need a hand up - assistance from social workers, better opportunities, a change in circumstances (e.g. not forced to find a place in a society that is wildly prejudiced against them), release from the demands of a vulture capitalist system (again I digress), etc.

so, given all that, I do still see a need for at least one prison in our society. this is the fourth thing to address.

there comes a point where a society needs to stop someone from doing the thing they're doing. this is why I led with the examples of the berserk CEO and the narcissistic politician.

the scale of their ability to cause harm makes their rights secondary to the rights of the people they are hurting, in that many more people will get hurt if they're left to do what they want than will get hurt if they're restrained. this is the point where it no longer matters if we make them worse - because ignored, they will make everyone else worse.

in a society where the ideal is that everyone should be treated the same under the law, leaving berserk CEOs and narcissistic orange politicians free to run around mass-producing lies and harm violates that ideal.

THOSE are the only people that belong in prison. the corrupt, prioritized in order of the scale at which they can cause harm. not to reform them. not even to punish them. simply to stop them until the right specialists can figure out what their deal is, and the least harmful method of taking their power away for keeps. This is the only defense I can offer in favor of prisons.

our ongoing failure to treat honestly with this problem and enact a working solution is a massive miscarriage of justice. it isn't as bad as enslaving millions of innocent people and ruining the prospects of hundreds of millions more, though.

[hard-core-super-star]

damn, what were you doing waking up at 5am??? fiiine, since you are asking 🙄 nah, it's okay, it's not like your answer didn't exactly confirm that the jury likes me to much for that.

I'M LITERALLY BEGGING YOU!! STOP BEING RIGHT AND HAVING VALID ARGUMENTS KQHSKWKWKAK 😭😭😭😭😭 this way I'm up against the wall, it's difficult to defend myself. something tells me we'll be disagreeing about something again. more down than me impossible. I think this answers it.

actually, I think it would only shine bright because the literal star's reason for using it would like to see it 😶 I see you like getting a reaction out of people lmao. here ✉️ a letter for you, I hope you like it- I was about to ask why it would be funny ksjskskak that must suck. but anyway, thanks for the answer, the research was done successfully and will be used soon. yes, this has its points, life is too short to not enjoy it and cling to these chains, but it is long enough for regret to eat away at you, so falling in love regardless of all this is better than living with regret, I think. I hope that made sense.

sorry kahskwkwkk but what can I do if you make me laugh? DON'T- don't even bring the sad eyes emoji into this conversation!! I was going to suggest that my cat could definitely be friends with yours, but apparently your cats are bullies?? LMAO. I'm sorry but I'm always on the cat's side sooooo-

I think that's exactly why I started reading your fics kdhskakk you just do a good job writing these things and I like it. (well, at the time you sent it it probably was, but now it's night 😭 but I accept your good morning anyway :) “too bad I can't share it” I can feel that you're not feeling so bad about it lmao. but you're right and I'll be dying of curiosity about it)

– 🌟

my cats woke me up ‘cause they were hungry 🙃 so then i checked my phone and saw your messages. what was i supposed to do, not reply? HEY, what did i say about those eyerolls? i don't know what you're talking about 😶

you're begging??? wow, i’m kind of proud of myself for getting that reaction out of you. i can't help it though, i can't just turn off my brain 😅 idk, i think you might like the way it feels…just a thought 🤷 i’m very glad to hear that, and yeah, i think we’ve started the process already.

akskskjsjd true, true but the literal star shines bright enough of her own already. tell me more about this reason? yeah, it helps with the overthinking thing. awww, thank you, i’ll put it next to my stars and cherish it deeply. akskdkjd yeah, it does suck lmao. i’m not even going to ask how tf you're going to use this research but okay. yeah, it makes sense and i agree, as painful as it is, pain is better than not living…or living with regret. not the chain metaphor reminding me of michelangelo again 😶

aksjdjdjsjsj once again, HOW is my pain funny??? i’m seriously considering the sad eyes emoji! i mean…can’t argue there, my cats are definitely bullies. it's the trauma okay, leave them alone. so you won't take my side? you already know what i’m going to threaten you with again.

akskdjjd wait, now i’m curious, what was the first fic you read from me? [akskdjdj it’s the thought that counts, right? hmmm, maybe a little bad…but only a little. i’m sure you might be able to figure it out without me outright saying it]