#and for some reason i had also run away because i was a known criminal now?

[akutasoda]

do you think you'd kill for me?

synopsis - it was every basic troupe in a story for an officer to fall in love with the criminal but now gallagher knew why

includes - gallagher

warnings - gn!reader, reader is a criminal/stowaway, reader is cocky + flirtatious, slight mentions of hurting others + alcohol, written before gallagher comes out so maybe ooc, wc - 1.6k

a/n: had to write this for the best bloodhound, he's just being consuming my thoughts lately and i can't wait to pull for him

taglist - @teddirika, @frankiesteinn

a long drawn out sigh sounded throughout the empty office, overshadowed by the visitors steps as they turned heel and left. a faint squeak and drag of a chair soon accompanied as the remaining man stood up from his chair, he tousled and pulled at the magenta tie before his scarred hands hovered over the new report. the file lifted as he opened it unceremoniously and his eyes glossed over the details - another stowaway would be nothing new but this was the third report about the same stowaway in penacony.

gallagher really couldn't believe the nerve of some people, first they slip into the dream world unnoticed and now they dared mess with the dream world - if he wasn't so dedicated to his job he'd probably quit and become a full time bartender. low footsteps as he crossed the room after he reasoned with himself that it'd be better for everyone if he solved the issue sooner rather than later. the only outstanding issue was that nobody had ever seen the stowaway so he didn't exactly know who he was looking for but maybe that was the reason he was assigned the case.

~~~

the streets were bustling as always, it was always golden hour afterall. the skyline was rather beautiful and the chimes of the clock on the grand hotel held absolute power over the noise of the streets. pepeshi's, couples, workers, singers, and all other kinds of people walked past you completely unaware of who you were - you were even cocky enough to smile at the young bloodhounds that looked you're way.

to you breaking into penacony's oh so famous dreamscape was a challenge you set yourself. they said all you dreams could come true here and maybe you twisted that a little to see truly how much you could get away with, surely you weren't the only person wanting to act on some intrusive thoughts and test the limits of what dreams could come true. it was petty crimes to begin with really, you meant no harm. originally you just wanted to steal from a few places but unfortunately bystanders sometimes got in the way - they weren't hurt too badly, you didn't want that.

eventually you started realising how dark this dream could be, especially when you first accidentally slipped into a deeper level of the dream after trying to run from the bloodhounds. quickly, you realised that this could happen to any unsuspecting guest of penacony. a part of you thought that naybe you could put your skills to use and redeem the harm you did to someone by saving unsuspecting penacony visitors, but for the most part you kept to yourself and your slightly warped ideas.

throughout you're entire time as a stowaway you'd become quite acquainted with various bloodhounds, even though they had no clue who you were. cockiness had also developed inside you when you realised that they genuinely held no leads towards yourself and your biggest risk was when you joined some bloodhounds in a small bar and talked to them like you'd known them for years. although at that bar you're attention was dragged towards the older bloodhound behind the counter, you could tell by the little broach on his grey suit - you turned to your new 'friends' and asked them who he was, they had no idea apparently.

gallagher could catch your keen gaze staring at him for most of the night, especially because you were sat right at the bar with two bloodhounds. he'd never seen you before and maybe it was the alcohol, from his own personal flask, talking but he felt more inclined to amuse your curiosity. he served the newer customers before walking back over to you and started witha gruff 'you fetching for a new drink? or you got a question for me?' you simply smiled at his question before the corners of your lips quirked up slightly as you responded along the lines of 'can a paying patron not appreciate the bartender in his glory?'

if the bloodhound was being honest, your curiousty and outright flirtatious remarks only spurred him to entertain you more. 'how about i mix you up a new drink there, running a bit low aren't we?' he looked you straught in the eyes when you glanced back up from your drink and watched as you slid the empty, ornate glass toward him with a simple 'surprise me'. you watched attentively while he turned to grab a few bottles before grabbing the silver cocktail shaker and pouring in a mix, perfectly measured without needing to even measure numerically. gallagher had mixed drinks for patrons plenty of times but with your inquisitive gaze fixed upon his every moment made him gulp a couple more times as he became very conscious about each move he made.

eventually he finished his show by spinning the shaker in his hand before graciously pouring it out into your glass. placing a small decorative cocktail stick inside and sliding it back with a weary smirk 'a special drink for a special patron then'. you took the glass in your hands and raised it in a toasting motion before taking a swig.

gallagher would tend to the rest of the bar's patrons for the rest of the night but could always feel your gaze on him and perhaps he put on more of a show because of this, but who knows? his eyes trailed you when you finally left and he looked back over to where you had been sat to notice a small pile. a very generous tip layed neatly on rhe bar but what caught his attention the most was the note left on top:

'a tip befitting the handsome bartender who served me tonight'

beneath was signed your initials. he quickly pocketed the note before picking up the tip but not before doubling a look at the money itself.

~~~

they probably assigned him this case because they knew he knew something the rest of the bloodhound's didn't. he knew exactly who the stowaway was and where to find them. you seemed to always know when gallagher had a shift at the local bar because he knew you only showed up on those nights. each time went the same, he'd entertain your antics, you'd both pass equally flirtatious remarks, he'd make you a new drink and then you'd leave - always leaving a generous tip.

the first time you left a tip he stared at it for too long not to notice the serial number. it had become all too convenient for his encounters with you to be after a robbery in penacony and it was even more convenient that you'd left a tip each time with that places serial number on the money. admittedly, it took him a while to piece it together but maybe that was because he didn't want to believe it. the final nail in the coffin, so to speak, was when you left a note at your most recent encounter reading -

'i think you and me both know this cat and mouse game will end eventually right?'

to anyone, they might of assumed it was a weird way of asking the other out but he knew what it meant and that's why he went to the location you detailed on the other side. you knew exactly what you were doing from day one, both of you knew that. he stayed stationed at the spot you named akd he waited on guard for any signs of you, while doing so he felt a weird sense of excitement bubble inside of him. the area was rather secluded so if you showed up he'd know right whe-

'my my, the handsome bloodhound has taken up my offer. i feel rather flattered', your smug voice rang through his ears and he immediately turned around. he was greeted by the sight of you sat upon the roof of the building with that all too familiar smug face. 'are we finally cutting to the chase?' your face tilted slightly to the side before you continued 'or do you not have the confidence to be able to catch me bartender?'

oh how he hated that smug grin of yours, but oh how he loved it all the same. a small, deep chuckle left his lips before retorting 'i only gave you a headstart stowaway, don't go wasting it' he watched you stand up as you added 'don't lie to yourself gal, we both know you wouldn't catch me, because i've already made a special place for myself in your heart and you couldn't dream of putting me behind bars'

you were right. it was against the law and so so corny for the law to fall in love with the criminal. but here he was, and you both knew all too well.

[wambsgansshoelaces]

Turmoil; Chapter 1

Roman Roy x fem!Reader -read the rest here!

Prompt: slowburn romantic drama, arranged marriage plot line

a/n: thank you to anon for requesting! if you requested this fic, please tell me so I can tag you! I apologize if this reads as unrealistic or too dramatic- but please let me know your thoughts!

Word Count: 2.358k

Nothing. You’d turned yourself into something from nothing.

You’d ended up in New York on your own, running from your past, vying for a fresh start. With a degree from Harvard law in your pocket and an unsatiated hunger for success, it only took one case to change your fortune.

Your boss had pawned the case off on you because it seemed impossible. A man charged for real property fraud, and heaps of evidence to prove it. You initially thought you’d pawn the case off to some other schmuck, until you’d been given an anonymous tip and found a discrepancy in a bit of evidence that unraveled the opposition’s entire case.

It was a massive win- not just for you, but for your entire firm -and it came with a massive raise.

A few years later, you’d amassed an egregious amount of money in total and even more respect from those around you, so you quit and founded your own firm. You’re thankful for everything you have. You stay humble, you’re likable, and you make sure everyone in your employment is as well. It keeps you afloat- New York loves you, but more importantly, they trust you.

It earns you millions.

You’re happy with the life you lead. You frequent charity events, donating whenever you can, staying kind. You know what kindness can feel like during a period of misery. You remember what relief felt like when extended a hand, so you extend yours whenever you can.

You help the people around you. You’re kind to everyone, conduct yourself with grace, and are aware of yourself and those around you.

Maybe that’s why Logan Roy chose you.

He’d written to you a week ago, inviting you to dinner to discuss business prospects. You assume he’s gotten himself into a legal pickle involving some of his questionable activity which some regard as criminal.

When you enter the restaurant, one of his men spawn at your side and lead you into the dimly lit back where nobody is sitting. Your heels click on the marble, your gait not wavering.

“Mr. Roy,” you say when you see him. He gets up, albeit very slowly, and shakes your hand.

“Y/L/N in the flesh.” He sits back down and gestures to the seat across from him. You oblige. “You’ve made quite the name for yourself.”

“I do my best.”

He beckons over a passing waiter. “Get her whatever she wants. Put it on my tab.”

You quietly order a small appetizer and watch him watch you.

“Well, Mr. Roy, I hate beating around the bush. Why am I here?”

“The first case you worked on. Do you remember that man’s name? The one you proved innocent?”

“Connor Frost. I don’t forget. Never showed his face once.”

“About him. For witness protection and press reasons, we were allowed to alter his name in the official papers. We also got away with him never being there.”

Your heart misses a beat.

“Connor Roy was on trial for real property fraud, and you proved him innocent,” he continues. You school your face into neutrality. You get a sick feeling in your stomach that won’t stop growing and gnawing at you. It threatens to eat you inside out. “I hate to burst your bubble, but he was guilty. Fucking stupid, it was.”

You blink. “I don’t mean any disrespect, but-”

Logan’s eyes never leave yours. “But nothing. The deed you found in Connor’s name? Forged. And the people who forged it were paid more than enough to never think of speaking about it in court. You couldn’t have known it was fake, so you took it to trial and won. I practically bankrolled that raise of yours.” You can feel yourself begin to itch. “Initially, there was never any need to tell you. If I had things my way, I’d have let you live your life doing whatever the fuck you wanted. But my son had other plans.” As if he didn’t just reveal that your first case was a joke, he offers you some wine. You quickly decline. You feel like you’re going to puke all over him.

“Kendall. You know Kendall.” His voice drips with venom. “Would’ve given everything to him, but he obviously has different ideas for the company. I can’t let him take it now. He’ll fuck up everything I’ve worked for and put into place at Waystar. And I’m not giving the company to the idiot who accidentally committed fraud to the point of felony, or the one who’s running around the world with her dumb fucking political bullshit. That leaves me with one son. So the company has to go to him.”

Logan tops off his glass of wine. “But, by God’s grace, this leftover son is the fucking stupidest of them all.”

You have no idea how this has anything to do with you.

“Let me be clear, Miss Y/L/N. I respect you. You’re a fantastic attorney. I’d have you on retainer- I will, once my current contract with that Frederica jackass runs out. But you must forgive me for all of this. I have to do what needs to be done.”

He inhales, then sighs. “For you to take control without me losing public face, I want you and my son to come to an agreement in a partnership.”

You have to give him the dumbest fucking look for him to respond with, “Marry him. I need you to marry him.”

“I’m sorry?” You can barely keep your composure. You think you’re dreaming, or someone spiked your water, or you’re dead, or anything but this.

“I can’t have him in control. I can pretend like he is, sure, but I need someone with a brain at the helm.”

“I… my degree is in criminal law. I have no idea how the corporate, let alone financial world runs.” It’s all you can think of to say.

He waves you off. “You’ll learn.”

You don’t know what to say. You probably look like a fish, mouth hung open as you gape at him. “Surely someone else is better suited to this than me. I won’t. I can’t.”

“This is why I had to apologize,” he mutters. “Do as I say, and our secret is kept. Walk away, the tabloids will learn of a little lady who buried and forged evidence to win her first court case.”

“You can’t be serious. I thought it was real!”

“The public doesn’t know that. Regardless, I’ve done worse. I’ve ruined stronger, more powerful people with much less.”

You press your lips into a thin line. “I suppose you’ve left me with no choice,” you grit out.

Logan smiles and claps his hands together. “Welcome to the family.” Your appetizer finally comes and is set in front of you. You don’t feel that hungry anymore. “What are you waiting for? Eat!”

He takes a bit of calamari from you. “I think it goes without saying,” he says, “that if you say anything about this conversation we’ve had, you’ll end up prosecuted and in jail for fraud.”

☾𖤓

You feel like you could punch a hole into the wall. You can’t believe it. It’s pure dumb fucking luck that you got caught in this.

Logan Roy didn’t choose you for your legal prowess, or any of your skill or ability like you’d stupidly believed. He chose you because he has control over you, and he knows it.

A few days pass, and you begrudgingly drag yourself out of your rotting place in bed. Cursing yourself the entire time, you change into something nice. Logan told you he was throwing a party in your name, to introduce you to the family- and the inner circle, you knew.

If anything, you think to yourself, you look fucking good.

You’re not prepared for the onslaught of paparazzi that bombards you the moment you step out of the house.

That bastard must’ve told the press about your engagement.

There’s nothing you can do but get into the black sedan waiting for you at the bottom of your driveway. You’re probably going to have to move, now.

You sit in the backseat, simmering the entire drive. You have to prepare yourself for the hell that’ll be stiff arming paparazzi to get to the party.

When you pull up, you take a deep breath, and step out the car. The man sitting in the passenger seat got out before you and walks out in front of you, another flanking you as you push through the chaos.

The flashes are almost blinding, but you keep your eyes open. Every picture taken tonight is going to be circulated tenfold by not even tomorrow morning. You hope you have resting bitch face in all of them.

Your miniature guard manages to get you inside with no issues. You’re late on purpose, and it seems like the room goes quiet when you enter.

The crowd stares back at you as you survey them. As much as your rage is telling you to make a scene, you won’t. Time and place, you tell yourself.

Immediately, you can tell Connor recognizes you. He tries to avoid your gaze, but your rage bubbles up and out of you. “Mind if I steal him for chat?” you ask the girl standing with him, voice painfully faux-sweet. You feel like you’re on Love Island, in some sick, twisted way.

The girl gives Connor an awkward pat on the arm before leaving him be. You can feel peoples’ eyes burning into the back of your head.

“You told me,” you begin, voice dangerously low, “that you didn’t do it.”

He looks everywhere but at you. “I was just doing what I had to.”

“Was fucking me over what you had to do? Because I feel like that’s all you did,” you hiss.

“Do you really think someone like me is going to ever go to jail?” Connor scoffs. “It could damage my reputation.”

“It could damage my reputation,” you mock. “Are you fucking stupid? Fucking God.”

You turn to leave, but immediately pivot back. “You’re a Roy. You would’ve been bailed out immediately. You wouldn’t have even gone to jail for an hour.”

You’re fuming. You’re barely holding it together.

Then, you catch the eyes of a man not that much taller than you, dressed in all crisp black. He’s handsome, you think, a light stubble dotting his jaw and soft eyes that wrinkle gently when he smiles.

He excuses himself from the conversation he’s having to come to you and Connor.

“Connor. You’ve met my lovely bride-to-be?”

You’re back to fuming, any thoughts of his beauty gone.

He sticks his hand out to you. “Roman Roy. Nice to meet you, I’m your fiancé.” His voice is painfully bitter.

“You think I want this any more than you do?” you ask under your breath, your handshake way too firm. His grip on your hand is equally as tight.

Connor snorts. “At least act like you like each other.”

“You’re the reason any of this happened. Keep yourself out of it,” you snap.

Roman sighs and turns away from Connor. “Can we go for a walk? We should probably have a word.” To your dismay, you agree.

As soon as you’re out of the main atrium and by yourselves in a grand hallway, you speak freely. “Listen, this is nothing personal,” you begin, “but I’m looking for a way out of this.”

Roman looks over at you as you walk, both of you going at a snail’s pace. “I don’t stink, do I?” He sticks his hands in his pockets. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry this happened to you. I know he’s blackmailing you.”

You sigh. “I should’ve known something was wrong with the case when I never saw my fucking client in person.”

“Well, I want this over as quickly as you do. My father doesn’t want me anywhere near the company, and I’d like to change that.” You both stop walking to face each other. Maybe you two can be friends, despite everything.

“Let me make something clear, though.” Roman takes a step towards you, leaning forward to whisper in your ear. “I’m only in this for me. Not you.”

Whatever positive thoughts you’d had were chased away. You spend the rest of the night fuming under your skin, lying through your teeth, and standing by yourself in the corner.

Siobhan Roy is the first to approach you.

“I admire you, you know.”

“Your father said that too, and look where I am now.”

She presses a flute of champagne into your hand. “I’m not my father.” You share a tense look. “Listen. I think we can do something good together,” she says lowly. “You want to disentangle yourself from this situation, and I want my father out of the picture when it comes to Waystar. Some of my clients have used your firm during political scandal. They all came away unscathed… I have full trust in your ability.”

“What do you want from me?”

“When the time comes,” Siobhan says, “I want you to help take my father to court. And put him down under. So to speak,” she adds. “And I’ll help make sure that if my father ever says anything about you, nobody believes it.”

After Siobhan, it’s Kendall.

“Shiv talked to you.” He’s worse at keeping conversation than she is. “I would also be involved in this. I’d take my dad’s place as CEO, Roman becomes COO.”

“I take him to court, I’m told.”

“Yeah. Yeah, you do, and you win,” he says carefully. “And then you get so much money you can run away to some foreign country and forget any of this happened.”

You regard him carefully. “How can I trust you? Or Siobhan? Or anyone in this fucking place?”

Kendall pauses, and takes a moment to think. “You can’t,” is all he says before leaving you standing on your own once again.

Finally, Roman makes his way back to you. You bristle as you watch him approach. “I know you don’t really like me right now, but I want to go home and I can’t leave without you on my arm. So, shall we?”

You roll your eyes, but take his elbow anyway.

[ancha-aus]

RealAgeAU - Reunion

Fun fact. I was planning on going through these drabbles to see where I still had a bit of a blank spot timeline and story wise. and I did NOT get far.

Because I realised. I never made a tiny drabble about how I pictured the guys reuniting to go back to Nightmare!

So. That is this! (also yes i am hinting at bad sans poly but we will see where that all ends)

First and Prev Drabble (with the original prompt by @spotaus ) Next Drabble

*-----------------*

Cross frowns as the knife once again can't cut through the universe.

This... is an issue.

Cross had managed to get close but for some reason the knife could not connect with Nightmare's universe and castle.

Had... had Nightmare banned him?

Cross hopes not. He knows he had been stupid for running away but he had just! He needed! He had just needed a moment for himself!

Cross tries to take a deep breath and relax. It is fine! Think! Think there is probably another reason!

NIghtmare had been shrinking and losing his form... maybe he is just tired and resting and that affects the universe he is in? Maybe?

Cross wishes Dust was here, Dust knows so much more about magic stuff than he does. Sadly Cross was an idiot and just went out on his own without saying goodbye.

He looks at his phone and opens the message screen again. He clicks Dust's contact and considers typing a message.

Just a quick one to ask for help getting back?

He sighs and puts the phone away. No. This is his mess up and he can fix it himself! He didn't need them or Nightmare to fix his messes!

Again...

Cross shakes his skull and looks to the notes in his phone. He finds the right one. It is a small list of items that should help connect him to Nightmare's universe.

When he first started working for Nightmare the god had told him that the castle and the universe it is in can be hard to find or connect to because of his magic. The items would help the magic in his knife, or the teleportation crystals, locate it and focus on it.

Cross pulls out the list and reads it again.

seven candles, unscented

autumn leaves

a very sweet apple

a dreamcatcher

a way to light a magical fire

be in an universe as close as possible

Cross checks his list and bag and groans. He had only managed to get the apple and the leaves so far. this stupid universe only had a few very small and old towns and it is honestly getting on his nerves!

Cross had just been nervous about leaving this universe. He didn't know this one and just because he managed to jump to it didn't mean he would be able to do it again.

The phones had an extra feature to make it known to them if they were near the castle. it had lit up at this spot after quite a few universes that didn't do it.

Meaning he was not leaving it!

Agh. he could ask if Horror is having more luck and-

WAIT!

Cross looks back over his shoulder and sees Horror walk past.

Cross doesnt think and rushes after the large skeleton "Horror! wait up!"

horror blinks and looks over "Oreo?"

Cross pulls a face at the nickname but catches up to him "What are you doing here?"

Horror looks slightly sheepish as he rubs his neck "You know... regret... trying to get back..."

Cross frowns "Get back- wait... did you leave as well?!"

Horror frowns at him "As well?" then his sight finds Cross' bag and cross can see Horror take note of the items in there. Horror looks back at him with a frown "You can't make the jump either?"

Cross feels both better and worse. Maybe he isn't banned! Or at least he isn't alone in being banned! which just makes him feel like a jerk. He nods and groans "not having much luck with getting the things i need. only got the apple and the leaves..."

Horror blinks but gets a small half grin on his face which Cross thinks should be criminal with how goo- OKAY he is stopping that line of thought.

Horror calmly gets his phone and turns it to enable Cross to see the items in his inventory. a lot of foods and- oh! a sweet apple. and unscneted candles!

Horror keeps grinning "Seems like we are getting close."

Cross grins and nods as he walks with the taller skeleton "Any idea why we can't get in?"

Horror shrugs "multiple options. dunno which."

Cross nods as he looks down "Yeah i figured."

They walk and search together before a loud gasp and Cross is suddenly tackled form behind. Cross yelps as he loses his balance. The only reason he doens't fall over is because Hroror manages to catch both him and whichever idiot rushed into him.

"Criss-Cross! H!"

Ah. nevermind. Cross knows that idiot. Cross glares over his shoulder at the grinning Killer "Why would you tackle me?!"

Killer grins but the grin turns sharper then just friendly "Had to make sure you guys didn't up and leave again without a single fucking word Criss-Cross!"

Cross winces and looks to the side "Yeah... I guess..."

Horror looks guilty as well before looking at Killer "Why are you here? instead of at the castle?"

Now it is Killer's turn to look away and he shrugs "After all of you guys left I figured i would try it myself. the whole solo-rouge-vagabond dealio. I didn't like it. So I am going back ot Nightmare and see if he needs a right hand still...." more thoughtful "or maybe babysitter? If that whole shrinking thing kept up."

Yeah and that line causes more guilt than before. because they really just all left Nightmare alone to deal with whatever was affecting him. Instead of at least offering help as they should have as his henchman and teammates. Nope! instead they all just left!

Cross rubs his arm "Yeah... we are on our way back too... You got stuff for the ritual?"

Killer sighs "Only the lighter. But that is because i already had one."

Horror frowns at Killer "All of us? Dust too?"

Killer nods "Just walked away. not a word or grabbed anything as far as i know."

Cross covers his face "We are the worst. terrible people." thankless, untrustworthy, unloyal. Cross can think of quite a few more words to describe them.

"We knew that already."

Cross, and Killer for that matter, curses as he jumps back. Only to see Dust standing by them, hood up but face visible with his bored expression.

Killer is by now standing behind Horror and glares at Dust "Don't do that! My soul is already fragile!" the soul shaped floating soul wiggles but stays steady.

Dust raises a brow and looks unimpressed "Don't talk about others then."

Horror chuckles and smiles "Good to see you dust. join us?"

Dust nods "Can't make the jump. what are we mission still?"

Cross takes out the list and after comparing what they have they realise they are only mission the dremacatcher, which Dust pulls out of his pocket.

Cross gasps "Where did you find that? I checked every store!"

Dust shrugs "stole it."

... right. that is also an option.

They take the items outside of town and get it ready.

The dreamcatcher as base with the candles all around it. The leaves used to wrap the apple, the only use one and Horror eats the others as they work.

Killer holds up the lighter and after focusing for a moment flicks it. instead of the normal yellow flame a bright pink flame appears. Killer lights all the candles adn waits for a moment until the smoke circles one another. Last Killer lights the leaves enclosing the apple without disturbing the smoke trails.

The new smoke trail joins the other seven and the whole pile bursts into flames but no heat comes off it. the flame remains pink for a moment before turning purple and then turning black.

Killer grins and looks at Cross "cut away!"

Cross nods and cuts right above the flame and the universe shimmers. The smoke finds the small slice and fills it, moments later the flame and fire travels up towards the slide using the smoke and it opens a black portal, still smoking.

They rush through it and manage to get through it before the portal burns up.

Cross looks over his shoulder "And there shouldn't be anything left?"

Dsut shrugs "small pile of ash."

Killer grins "it burns up very quickly as soon as a portal is established."

Cross frowns as he looks around. they are in the late autumn forest around the castle. He can see the shadow of it in the distance. He starts walking and the other three join him.

Cross huffs "Still think it is a deceptively easy list..."

Killer shrugs "People don't expect there to be an easy way. Not like they will just test things until they hit jackpot." Then Killer grins wider "Not that anyone knows about Ngihtmare's sweet tooth. and no one knows about the apple, hell we don't even know it."

Cross nods as they walk through the forest. Cross can't help but feel like it feels... empty. Whcih is weird because Cross always knew there was nothing else in this universe or forest but them. but still it feels...different.

Horror seems to notice too as he glances around "feels weird..."

Dust nods immediantly "magic is different."

Cross nods as well "I noticed too..."

Whatever is going on it is big... because either it is affecting the universe, it is affecting nightmare enough that it affects the universe. or Nightmare is affected enough that he made these edits.

Hopefully they can clear all this up once they see Nightmare and apologise to him. The exit the forest and spot the castle in the distance.

Time to go talk wiht him.

*-----------------*

First and Prev Drabble Next Drabble

And as we all know, Nightmare wasn't there. woops. turns out that apology will have to wait a bit Cross.

And the tiniest bit of Bi-panic for Cross (I believe he canonly is Bi in like Xtale so he is still Bi here) ((And yes I am slightly hinting at BSP because I like them but They are kinda too busy to really focus on that in these drabbles but there some interest! but it can also be seen as pureply platonic with just some curious interest honestly *shrug* It is june after all!))

[bitethedevil]

A Portrait of A Cambion

Link to this fic on AO3

Summary: Raphael rejects his icky mortal feelings for Tav because he remembers what happens when one is distracted by matters of the heart. He reminisces about a woman who taught him how to paint and who stole his non-existent heart over a thousand years ago.

(This is essentially a sort of 'origin story' headcanon that I ended up writing into a fic because people were asking about my dark headcanon that Raphael has experienced love before, but Mephistopheles took it from him. It ended up as a fic because I had a very specific image in my head of how Raphael fell in love for the first time and how he lost that love. Also cambions don't have a heart. Source?: Pulled it out of my ass.) TW: Mention of Death, Blood, Abusive Relationship with Parent (although that should almost be a given with Mephistopheles in the tags)

Another nightmare about Tav. This time it had not been about her and her fellow adventurers besting him. Instead, he had dreamt about her dying a cruel death.

He shouldn’t care and he didn’t, but his mind was sabotaging him and in the midst of the dream, he had felt fear for her. It shook Raphael awake from his nightly meditation and made him sit up in his bed.

He rubbed his eyes and sneered at that disgusting mortal feeling that still lingered in his chest. He had to remind himself that she was no more than a means to an end.

He could not afford such distractions, especially now when the crown was so close…

Raphael’s eyes drifted to the right-hand portrait in his boudoir, the one where he hid his safe behind.

There it was again. That stabbing feeling in his chest. He could not even remember the face of the painter that had made the portrait, but looking at that painting was just the reminder he needed: Distractions will cost you dearly.

It was over a thousand years ago that he had met her. It was before he had even laid his eyes on the Crown of Karsus and witnessed Netheril’s fall. He was still perfecting his art when it came to soul collecting. Back then he mainly went after the most desperate of the desperate and this girl could not have been more perfect.

Her name was Lucienna and she lived in Westgate, a city known for its history with criminal organizations and piracy. The young human woman had managed to make herself quite unpopular with the group of mercenaries that ruled the city then.

She was on the run with two of Westgate’s best killers at her heels when Raphael unceremoniously whisked her away to the Hells. Back then he still lived in Cania under his father’s rule.

The young woman took in her new surroundings while she tried to catch her breath. She looked up at Raphael who was still in his human form.

“Where am I?” she wheezed, out of breath. “And thank you, I suppose.”

“The Eighth Layer of the Hells,” Raphael explained smoothly. He found no reason to pretend when her contract was already as good as signed with the circumstances, she found herself in.

“…Oh,” she said a bit too calmly for Raphael’s liking and nodded.

“Quite a mess you’ve found yourself in, dear,” Raphael said with a smile. “Was it worth it? The protesting, I mean?”

Lucienna narrowed her green eyes at him.

He had done his research. The whole reason that she was on the hitlist of the mercenary government of Westgate, was all because of some posters, she had made and plastered around the city. They criticized the government and called the population to protest.

“It was actually worth it, yes,” she said with defensiveness in her voice. “And I’d do it again.”

She crossed her arms and looked at him. Raphael looked her up and down with a smile on his face.

“I saw your work before they were all taken down and burned,” Raphael said. “You are clearly talented. As a great admirer of the arts, it would pain me to see someone with so much to offer the world dead in a ditch somewhere. Which is why I have a proposal for you…”

“Whatever you are selling, I don’t want any,” she said and interrupted his sales-pitch. “Who are you anyway?”

“Oh, do forgive my manners. I am Raphael,” he said with a bow and in a flash of fire he was in his cambion form. “Very much at your service.”

Her eyes widened for a moment at the reveal of his true nature, but she quickly gathered herself.

“I mean…” she said. “I suppose I could have guessed since you said we were in the Hells, but…”

She looked him up and down, studying his form for a moment before looking back at his smug face.

“I still stand by what I said,” she said stubbornly. “Especially if my soul is the price.”

Raphael’s smirk faltered. He had been so certain that this would have been an easy deal.

“Perhaps you don’t grasp the severity of your situation,” Raphael said with a dramatic hand gesture. “I can make this whole mess disappear if you simply sign my contract. If you do not, I will simply send you back to the exact spot I found you to be hunted for sport by the best killers Westgate has to offer.”

She nodded slowly.

“I’ll take my chances,” she said with a shrug.

Raphael’s brow furrowed. That was not what he wanted to hear.

“Suit yourself,” Raphael said with a sneer and snapped his fingers to send her back to where she came from.

If the little idiot so desperately wanted to walk into her own grave, Raphael would not stop her. However, it did infuriate him that she did not even seem the least bit interested in even hearing his offer. If she did, by some miracle, survive, she could be certain that Raphael was not done with her.

Raphael followed her movements through the city closely. Luck seemed to be on her side because she did eventually make it out of the city in one piece. He tracked her to a house in the middle of nowhere out on the countryside. He kept an eye on her little hiding spot for a couple of weeks before approaching her.

He manifested in a room where a small fortune in painting supplies laid scattered everywhere. There were paintings leaning up against every wall. His person of interest sat in the middle of the room. She looked up from the canvas she was working on and jumped at his presence.

“Are you ready to accept my kind offer or do you intend to hide here for the rest of your days?” Raphael asked with a smile.

“Shhh,” she hushed and put a finger to her lips. “Please, lower your voice. My father might hear you.”

She was bold, he would give her that. Raphael huffed in annoyance but complied.

“Well?” he asked in a more hushed voice.

“I’m perfectly content here, thank you,” she said while her focus returned to the painting she was working on.

Raphael could not believe what he was hearing.

“Please correct me if I misunderstand,” Raphael said. “You would run from the very city that you have been fighting to protect from tyranny, to stay here? You are aware that the mercenaries of Westgate do not forget a face and that you getting out of the city does not mean that you are safe?”

“I understand just fine,” she said calmly. “I did what I could, and it wasn’t enough. I know I’m not safe but that doesn’t mean I want to hand over my soul to you...No offense, of course.”

Her stubbornness was getting on his nerves. Perhaps, it would just be easier to leave her alone, as it seemed he was getting nowhere with her. She was a hopeless case.

“Raphael, was it?” she asked and looked at him.

Raphael nodded with a tired look in his eyes.

“I had a feeling that you would be back, so I have something for you, Raphael,” she said and got up from her chair. “If you don’t like it, I won’t take offense.”

Raphael’s brow furrowed as he watched her go pick up a painting. This was new.

She picked up the canvas that was almost as big as her and turned it around so he could see it. His eyes softened, despite himself.

It was a painting of him in his cambion form, painted in shades of orange. He was wearing armor and was holding a flame in one hand in the painting. He looked imposing yet regal. It was beautifully done.

“The likeness isn’t perfect,” she said with a shrug. “But I also only ever met you that one time, so…”

Raphael blinked and tried to hide how impressed he was with her work.

“Why did you do this?” he asked and looked at her.

“My little trip to the Hells was long enough for the people chasing me to lose my trail,” she explained. “So, if it hadn’t been for you, I probably would be dead.”

His eyes drifted back to the painting.

“Besides, I’ve never seen a devil before,” she said. “I thought you looked quite impressive, so I guess I got inspired. You did say that you were an ‘admirer of the arts’, so I thought it could be compensation for saving my life.”

He was flattered, even though he would never admit it. He could not remember ever receiving a gift willingly from a mortal like this.

“Do you like it?” she asked softly, as if she was half-expecting a ‘no’.

“It’s beautiful,” he said with a nod. “You are quite talented, like I said when we first met.”

“It’s yours, if you want it,” she said with a smile.

“Thank you,” he said briefly, smiling back at her. He snapped his fingers and teleported the painting to a safe location in his house.

They were quiet for a moment. For once, Raphael was not sure what to say. There was no more business to talk about, but it also felt wrong to simply leave after receiving such a gift. It was Lucienna that ended up breaking the silence.

“So, do you paint?” she asked.

“No, I do not,” he answered and cleared his throat. “I’m afraid it is one of the few things that I have never sat down to properly learn. Although, I do see the appeal and I certainly do appreciate the art.”

“Do you want to learn?” she asked. “I’ve taught students before, you know…”

Although the idea of some mortal teaching him anything did not fill him with joy, he was tempted. Perhaps he could gain her trust and make her sign his deal anyway, as he had already wasted too much time on her. It also gave him an opportunity to study this odd mortal who did not seem to fear him.

“Hm,” he hummed in thought. “Yes, why not?”

They kept meeting in her father’s basement as Lucienna taught him how to paint. Raphael started enjoying the sessions. There was something about it. It brought him a sense of peace to paint. He did not mind the compliments to his progress either. She was good at teaching him without ever being condescending.

“You’re a natural at this, you know,” she said, leaning on his shoulder as she watched him work. “The only note I have is to work on the colors. This part isn’t actually red. It’s brown.”

She pointed to the bowl of fruit on the table.

“Are you telling me that red apples are not red?” Raphael said with a chuckle.

She smiled as she mixed some colors onto a piece of paper and held it next to the apple.

“That’s because you use your head too much and not your eyes,” she said. “This is painting. Not writing.”

Raphael huffed. She was right, of course. He could see when she held the paper next to it.

Whenever he practiced at home, it was always the same motif: her. He was determined to eventually pay her back for the gift she gave him. He noticed that Lucienna’s hair was not red either, but rather nuances of brown, orange, and gold. Her eyes were also not entirely green, but rather shades of brown, green and yellow.

Somewhere along the way, the contract was brought up more as an excuse to be in her presence, rather than him actually wanting her soul. In the end it was not brought up at all. Raphael knew that she was too stubborn to sign it anyway, and perhaps she was right: perhaps she was truly safe in this peaceful little haven away from everything.

He enjoyed her company, though he loathed to admit it. The way she would lean on his shoulder when she was watching him work. The way that she looked almost insane when she was deep in concentration, with a paintbrush in her mouth or stuck in her hair as she painted like her life depended on it. The way that they could be in each other’s presence for hours without even saying a word to each other.

He knew that she liked him, but for some reason he did not want to exploit it in the same way he had done with earlier clients. It would have been all too easy to manipulate her into a deal by playing on her feelings, yet he never did.

Lucienna became an indulgence. Someone to take him far way from the endless clients and the toiling for his ungrateful father. Away from all the devils in the Hells that loathed him and away from all the mortals that feared him. Just for a moment.

It was the day when he finally decided to give her the portrait that he had painted of her that their relationship furthered into unknown territory for Raphael.

After he had made endless excuses about him not being as talented as her, he had shown her the painting that he had been working endlessly on from home. Her face brightened up and she pulled him into a kiss. After the initial shock, he wrapped his arms around her and melted into it.

Raphael was far from new to the concept of sex, although those below the Archdevils were not supposed to indulge in such things. The difference was that most of his sexual experiences had been with the incubi and succubi of his father’s palace, or rehearsed manipulation tactics he had used to lure clients. Both of which were exceptions that were acceptable for a devil of his lower rank.

This was new and most definitely forbidden, because this bordered on that awfully mortal feeling: love. Sex with her was so different from the almost theatrical performance of the incubi and succubi that he had been with during his longer visits to his father. Raphael also found no desire to put on a rehearsed performance himself.

Sex with Lucienna was clumsy and imperfect in a highly intoxicating way. They got completely lost in each other and nothing else mattered in that moment. It was heated and passionate, but in such a genuine way that it took Raphael’s breath away.

When they were done, Lucienna rested her head on his chest. Raphael was brushing his fingers through her hair when he suddenly felt her tense up a bit.

“What is it?” he asked softly.

“Your heartbeat…” she said and pressed her ear to his chest again. “You don’t have one…”

Raphael chuckled and smiled.

“I don’t have a heart, dear,” he explained. “It works differently for devils.”

“Hm,” she said and nuzzled her head against his chest. “Maybe you don’t have a literal heart, but you won’t convince me that you don’t at least have one metaphorically.”

“Oh, how dare you?” Raphael chided jokingly. “I have a reputation to uphold.”

“Mm…you can’t fool me,” she said and smiled. “It is slightly unsettling though…To not hear anything when you expect to.”

“I’m sure,” he said, tracing the soft skin of her arms with his fingers.

She got off his chest to lay down on her back. She patted her chest with a hand, inviting him to lay down on it.

“Here, listen to mine,” she said with a smile.

Raphael hesitated. The vulnerability of such an act did not sit well with him, but he had quickly found that he had a hard time denying this woman of anything.

He put his head on her chest and listened to her heartbeat. She held him close and rested her chin on his head. It would have looked comical for an outsider to see this much bigger man being held by this small woman, but Raphael found that he did not care.

He would never admit it to anyone, but he felt safe. Loved even. Perhaps, for the first time in his long life. There was a feeling, a flutter, in the place where his heart would have been, had he been a mortal man. They fell asleep like that together.

When he finally returned to his house in Cania in the morning, it was difficult to wipe the smile from his face. He could not stop thinking about her. He sat down to write, to try and clear his mind and record this feeling of happiness that he had not tasted for years.

“Mephistopheles missed you last night,” a voice said.

Raphael looked up to find one of Mephistopheles’s warlocks leaned against the wall, watching him. Raphael had forgotten everything about the meeting that he had promised to attend.

“Care to explain?” the warlock asked.

“I was working, Lestor,” Raphael replied coldly.

“All night? What a dutiful boy you are,” Lestor said with that shit-eating grin that Raphael had gotten so used to seeing.

It took everything to not lose his temper and tear the warlock apart for having the nerve to call him ‘boy’. Raphael knew the consequences if he did. Mephistopheles enjoyed sending mortal warlocks to spy on his son, simply to remind Raphael that he was not even worth sending another devil for.

“There were complications,” Raphael said through gritted teeth. “Please, do send Mephistopheles my deepest apologies.”

“Complications, eh?” Lestor said with a knowing smile that made Raphael slightly paranoid. “I will make sure to tell him how deeply sorry you are. Remember that you are needed at the palace these next couple of days. Whatever ‘work’ you have can wait.”

Lestor left his house. Raphael’s paranoia grew when he was left alone. Lestor couldn’t have known, could he? He had been so careful, and no one knew where she lived…

There was nothing that Raphael could do about it now. He had to get through the next couple of days before he could return to her, or he would feel his father’s wrath.

Five days later, Raphael finally had time for himself, and he decided to visit the woman who had occupied his mind ever since he returned to the Hells.

The first sign that something was wrong was that the door to the house stood open. Lucienna’s father was a paranoid man who always locked his doors.

Not two steps into the house, was the old man that he had only spoken to a couple of times during his visits. He laid sprawled on the floor, ripped apart and covered in his own blood.

Raphael’s blood in his veins turned to ice, as he saw the sigil of the mercenaries of Westgate smeared in blood on the wall.

“No…” Raphael mumbled to himself and ran to the basement.

There she was. A paintbrush in her hair, exactly where she always put them when she was focused on working. Her green eyes, that weren’t really green, stared emptily up into the ceiling above her.

“No…no…” Raphael said and fell to his knees beside her.

He leaned his head down to her chest. He knew there was no way she would be alive with the way she had been torn apart, but he had to check. The comforting pitter-patter of her heart that he had fallen asleep to just five days earlier, was gone. Raphael cried for the first time in a millennium.

“I told you…you stubborn woman…” he said angrily and brushed his fingers gently through her red hair. “You weren’t safe…”

He held her in his arms while he sobbed. He was spiraling. The emotional walls that he had used hundreds of years to build up had crashed down around him, and for a moment he was experiencing a millennium worth of pure mortal grief and sadness all at once.

He looked at her. At all the paintings that were stacked around him. He noticed that the portrait he had given her had already been hung up on the wall, and it sent a sharp pain through his chest where his heart would have been.

His eyes finally locked unto the sigil that was painted with blood on the wall, with the words under it: “Westgate does not forget”. His sadness slowly boiled into anger. Anger overtook every ounce of his being when he heard a familiar grating voice behind him:

“Mephistopheles wants to talk to you, boy,” Lestor said.

He could practically hear the smug smile in the warlock’s voice. That little shit had known, and he had informed Westgate of her whereabouts. Something in Raphael snapped.

Raphael spent that afternoon doing unspeakable things to his father’s warlock. When he was done, he burned the whole house down. He burned the all the paintings in there, the mangled corpse of Lestor, Lucienna’s father, and Lucienna, the one woman who ever loved him. A part of Raphael burned away in that fire as well. If he could, he would happily have burned down to ash with them. He felt dead inside as he returned to Cania to face his father.

“You spit in my face by not showing up to our meetings and now you arrive late yet again. I sent Lestor to collect you five hours ago. Where is he?” Mephistopheles voice boomed throughout the throne room.

“Lestor is dead,” Raphael answered.

“Dead?” Mephistopheles asked in a dangerously low voice and leaned forward on his frozen throne. “Why? Because he did his job and informed me that you were too busy fucking mortals instead of doing your job of collecting their souls?”

Raphael inhaled slowly, trying to calm the rage inside him.

“I promise you, son,” Mephistopheles said the word ‘son’ as if it was a joke to him. “Fucking mortal women isn’t worth the headache. It’s how you end up with useless fucking half-breed bastards like you.”

Raphael swallowed hard and looked at the ground, as the devils in his father’s court snickered and laughed at him.

“You have high thoughts about yourself,” Mephistopheles said. “But let me remind you that you are not even close to a rank where you are entitled to stick your cock in anything or to keep consorts! Those privileges are reserved for Archdevils exclusively, which you are not. The only reason you are alive, is because I see use for you. I will not tolerate you getting distracted from your purpose. You work for me! Is that clear?”

Raphael hated that his father could still make him flinch, just by yelling at him. He nodded.

“Yes, my lord,” Raphael said quietly, still grinding his teeth in frustration.

“Good, my boy,” Mephistopheles said with a smile that would make anyone uncomfortable.

Raphael bowed his head and turned to leave.

“One last thing,” Mephistopheles called out. “I have a gift for my little would-be lordling.”

Raphael took a deep breath and turned around. Whatever this was, it could not be good. Mephistopheles smirked at him and snapped his fingers. Someone entered the throne room and Raphael’s closed his eyes in embarrassment at the sight.

One of his father’s incubi that Raphael had slept with during one of his visits to the palace, walked through the door. They were wearing Raphael’s form. They sauntered into the room, wearing skimpy leather clothing.

The throne room was filled with roaring laughter. Even Mephistopheles was laughing from his frozen throne.

“A fitting consort for you, wouldn’t you say, boy?” Mephistopheles chuckled. “Since you only ever seem to think about yourself. Their name is Haarlep. Give it a few nights with them and you won’t even remember that little mortal bitch you seemed so obsessed with.”

Rage was threatening to overtake him. He wanted to kill every last laughing devil in the room. He wanted to give his father the most excruciating death he could think of. Raphael also knew that he was no match for any of them. He had to bide his time, and that time would come someday. He would make sure of it.

“What do you say then?” Mephistopheles said, looking down on him from his throne.

Raphael looked at the incubus with disdain and then at his father. Raphael wanted to say many things in that moment: That he would one day take his father’s throne. That Mephistopheles would one day cower at the feet of his son. That he did not care if he had to wait millennium after millennium for him to finally get his revenge.

Raphael took a deep breath and bit his tongue, though it took everything in him to do so.

“Thank you, my lord,” Raphael said through gritted teeth.

“Good boy,” Mephistopheles said with a smile. “Now get out of my sight. I hope you have learned something from this.”

Raphael was sitting in his bed, looking at the right-hand painting in his boudoir. The painting that Lucienna had gifted him all those years ago. He had spent so much money throughout the years on getting it carefully restored.

He couldn’t remember her face anymore, but he could remember all those colors he studied when he looked at her. Her red hair, that was not red, but rather nuances of brown, orange, and gold. Her eyes that were not entirely green, but rather shades of brown, green and yellow. He heard the sound of her heartbeat in his mind each time he went to rest.

When he looked at Tav, that stubborn whelp, he sometimes found himself wondering what her heartbeat sounded like. Wondering which colors he would use if he were to paint her hair and her eyes. And there it was again that flutter where his heart would have been if he had one. Lucienna’s words echoed in his mind.

“Maybe you don’t have a literal heart, but you won’t convince me that you don’t at least have one metaphorically.”

No. He didn’t and he couldn’t. That part of him was dead and gone and it would remain that way. Raphael shook his head and crushed that feeling in his chest. No more distractions. Not when he was so close to the crown. Not when he was so close to finally getting his revenge.

[pythonteeth]

hi these are THE notes i took might expand on them later but maybe others wanna compare and contrast idk

reminder that these are straight up copy-pasted and there's stuff that I didn't expand upon entirely HOWEVER these r all things I noticed while I was watching the movies :3

Going to start with a few o the notes I have from Kurayukaba as well.

Main points:

-The police are the same, same chief. Same cops. Same Machines. 

-Laughing Mask guy leading the group that had Soutarou ends up quitting and dipping with two henchmen I BELIEVE to also show up in Kagari later on during one of the meetings with the Ichizaru Family. 

-Soutarou and Kagari BOTH are missing their parents and end up going on a little journey to find someone they care about who goes missing. 

-Soutarou is looking for Saki, an informant in the main capital; which we can assume is Taihei considering the Box Garden is in the same province enough that the same police show up in both as well as the *Masked Mascot Miss Thang running around with her show within The Dim and the City and then later the Box Garden. 

*Note, it could be said that she is more of an entity/narrative device used by the animators to give us, the audience, more explanation into things. However I don’t believe that’s true, I believe she travels around the close districts. 

-Saki (Kurayukaba) being the Saki (DRRR) adjacent character is interesting to think about considering she’s basically adopted by Soutarou and works as an informant away from Iseya (inch resting in Saki’s (drrr) story as well )

-Mushikui cavities were hinted at earlier when describing the discovery of The Dark. In fact this is what leads into kuramerukagari

Moving into the Kurameru Kagari notes:

We learn that the Box Garden is formerly a jail turned into a coal mining town, which I find interesting considering The Dark is clearly near enough to the Box Garden and contains a black market within as well as an entire society. It’s possible to infer that a lot of former criminals from the initial Jail contributed to the rumors and stories of The Dark containing a whole new civilization. 

The Komainu Family seems to be in charge of the specific sect of the Box Garden we find ourselves in. We’re also introduced to the concept of The Mujina (who are hinted at a little bit later) as well as Ichizaru (who we learn more about later) I don’t think the family controlling the Northern Pump are part of the Komainu but rather work in tandem with the Komainu. We’re not given any reason to think these two groups are at odds but they are wearing different jackets than the rest of the Komainu in the movie. Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that they are NOT part of the same Group. 

The Komainu family is INTERESTING to pick apart. Because we can assume that Eiwazima is in charge, considering he’s the Security and the Muscle. It seems to be that people follow his lead and what should be done (especially during the later attack) and of course he gets his Information and perhaps even guidance from Iseya. Though the guidance isn’t necessarily a “shadow leader” sort of deal so much as it’s a “royal advisor” type deal. Interesting. I’m thinking of his after typing up notes i physically wrote down.

Candy Shop mentions that the Mappers in the area are scoundrels or not really trustworthy despite Kagari being well known they either do not KNOW Kagari or simply don’t view her as a trustworthy person for some reason. 

We can assume Kagari is well known at least within the sect of the Box Garden she lives in; one of the members of the Komainu mentions “i don’t know if she gets it from her mother” which implies he knew one or both of her parents.* *sidenote: i have a theory about what happened to her parents irt the new years day thing

We also know that Taiehei Industries own the entirety of the Box Garden, as mentioned the Komainu have only a small sector of it. One in which they’re attempting to lobby for higher wages and seemingly safer working conditions or the miners (as mentioned during the planning scene where the aburamashi is revealed) AND they want to fix the currency system. It’s also mentioned the borders to these sectors are always changing which is why there are no “official” maps of the areas.

We know of three groups in particular: -Komainu -Mujina -Ichizaru

The Northern Pump is not confirmed it’s own “family” but to me it comes off as if they are separate from the Komainu.

The Mujina were bandits that lurked around in caves. TO ME this signals mention of The Dark and implies that our Laughing Mask guy is a member of the Mujina family. He is a bandit. He lurks in the dark. Weasels around the mine shafts and cavities. We don’t have enough information to claim the Mujina were actively working with the Ichizaru family especially considering it wouldn’t make…MUCH sense. Unless it would have turned into Mujina taking over the Ichizaru at the end of it. 

Shiina and Iseya have history, she mentions knowing an Inormant in the box garden which implies she either came from the Box Garden or Iseya CAME from Taihei. 

To me this is supported by the way he speaks about New Years Day and what he knows about Kuchinawa HOWEVER it’s also possible he simply knows this information because he is an informant and a librarian and quite enjoys learning about things clearly. 

Iseya was suspicious about Yuya and clearly knows things about Kuchinawa. It’s also likely that Kuchinawa recognized something was going funny, or that things might be hiding in the underground and Iseya also clearly knew something was up. 

They seem to be on good terms so I’m a bit curious as to how much of their interactions are friendly information sharing. (going off of the instances of Izaya actively exchanging information for other information or even compensating others for the information they offer him. It feels safe to say that Iseya does the same thing. ) 

Eiwazima comes in “not here for chit-chat. This time I’m a customer” which implies a level of certainly coming in to chit and also chat. 

I think it’s interesting to note that Kagari dips when Eiwazima mentions mapping the mushikui cavities. It gives the impression that she has made the connection to Yuya, if only because he spends a lot of time mapping those particular cavities out. 

“Closing for the day” they fucked in that library. 

ALSO INTERESTING that Shiina, who is notably looking for a mapper, and also has notably been trying to get in touch with Iseya runs into Kagari outside of the library. And instead of checking with her as a mapper instead decides to continue on with Candy Shop’s plans instead. 

SHIINA is looking for Kanra-do which is now Iseya’s library at the top HOWEVER this lowkey supports the idea that she’s actually from the Box Garden initially (imo) to me this feels like  HUGE potential for her being the “Shinra” adjacent character to round out the trio fully. 

I also really want to talk about the Kanra-Do to Iseya Pipeline, um. It has to be on purpose. I don’t really care what direction anyone thinks Izaya/Iseya is going but this man is clearly under the trans umbrella. It’s hinted at within the characters of Izaya’s names in Durarara and it’s clear enough here in krmrkgr that Kanra-Do is a ref to Kanra. Idk. Argue with the wall. * ykw too in some of the promo material Shiina was also given he/him pronouns amongst she/her ones. Could be a translation issue.

Earlier on in the film Iseya mentions not being Kagari’s guardian or her boss but he OBVIOUSLY cares deeply about her. Her family photo is in the library for fucks sakes. Also she spends like..all her time there. Does she live there? Does she help Iseya with his chores? Do they both live in what was formerly Kanra-do? 

We see at least a day in between the Library Closing Early in which she mentions that Yuya hasn’t been around. Likely she went to look for him 1) to hang out and 2) because. Well. he’s been mapping out the cavities. 

Does Kagari live with Iseya? Does Yuya literally live in a mineshaft hole? I feel insane. Kagari has people caring about her and Yuya seems to be STUCK and STRUGGLING no wonder he wants to get out so badly

I think Kagari has killed two people. 

Kagari (handshake) Soutarou “Too Sturdy!!!” Solidarity

Shiina and Candy Shop must be on Yuya’s side of the Box Garden because we genuinely only see Shiina cross paths with Kagari ONCE (1). And only because Shiina was very clearly looking for Iseya

Also they’re VERY gender Loving that for them. 

Yuya Says he kept distance to “not be involved in the fighting” First thought was how do you know about the fighting, bud? But thinking about it further, he lives in a hole on the side of town where the majority of fighting and initial cave ins have been happening. He’s also mentioned his side of town not being As Nice as Kagari’s which I find interesting. 

No wonder the poor kid wants to get out, it seems like he doesn’t really have anyone looking after him the way Kagari does, and further his side of town seems to suck eggs. Let the Komainu in bud. 

OKAY i had a bit of a time discrepancy here but i BELIEVE thru context clues we’re on the next morning When Shiina meets with the Northern Pump. At the same time is Kagari getting into clothes that are no longer soaked through and talking with Yuya before finally making it to Iseya’s library to let him know what’s going on.

Iseya also consistently refers to the Taihei as “overlords” which i find interesting and signals a sort of disdain for the people in charge of the box garden. 

Automation Regulation Act was passed after the Fucked Up NYE rightfully so

Komainu man the valley

Upon the attack there is no confirmation whether the library was destroyed or simply raided and wrecked. I’m under the impression it was merely raided since some of the Ichizaru report that the librarian was nowhere to be seen. Fingers crossed it wasn’t destroyed but I guess we’ll find out for certain in the manga. I feel like if it were destroyed there would be more mention of that BUT fic writers and art makers keep this in mind i guess. Fun angst potential.

Clearly they did more than just fuck in that library because Zima greets the Ichizaru knowing right where they’re gonna pop out of the ground AND he’s prepared with blockades and weapons. 

My man really said “The entire town is closed. Please leave.” we love a man who is polite and prepared and precise anyway then he goes “Then I’ll hasten your exit 🖤” i’m in love with him

“Komainu brat” I think i mentioned this earlier but i’ve seen a lot of fans assume Zima like…only owns a restaurant…but like. I don’t think yall are understanding that he RUNS this whole marketplace. Like. My man is the equivalent of a Sherrif-Mayor with Iseya as a sort of advisor type. Like they are pillars of this community working together to keep it safe and i think that’s so beautiful. It’s what Shizaya should have had and yet here we are with Eiwaseya living their dream. Anyway I just think it’s so interesting. Eiwazima is clearly in charge here he is the most respected member of the Komainu to the point where people are straight up reporting to him. The fact that he has to specify “i’m here as a customer” to iseya earlier is so interesting and just further cements the idea that they’re always working together and basically The Dynamic Duo. 

Iseya, when Yuya suggests getting out of the box garden to further safety “This is a problem we need to solve” as in he took the initiative to get innocent people to safe area. Safely away from the fighting and evacuated so that the Komainu can defend the territory they’ve been working so hard to uplift. 

Ichizaru got the abumurashi from the Mujina, which further leads me to believe that our Laughing Mask Guy is Mujina aligned but he could also just be a rando. I don’t believe thaat tho.

Zima being visibly worried when he’s told the valley couldn’t be contacted AND that there were explosions heard. I don’t know that he’s terribly worried about Iseya, i mean realistically all of the townsfolk they evacuated are there. But Also….boyfriend….

Also I just want to say Iseya is very cool under the barrel of a gun. He really held it down. Go off king. 

Ushigaeru and the reveal of Kuchinawa’s ‘children’ really FUCKED i loved that bit. I expected it, and during the flashback it made a lot of sense. I’m glad he took Sasara in. Also I think Kagari’s parents died in that NYE mess and it’s possible Iseya has history there too going off of his expression and voice during his explanation of it.

Iseya scooping Sasara out of the dangerzone was cute and he’s so motherly in this iteration he’s so HAPPY to be around people and to have connections. 

“Just like he said” ok zima we get it you’re married

Laughing Mask guy dips as soon as it gets too hairy no one is surprised. 

I really feel bad for Yuya. At first i was really agitated with him but upon recollection and yadda yadda i feel awful for him. He’s got no parents, no guardians. Barely even a boss that cares enough about him. It’d be nice to see him stay with Kagari in Komainu territory and actually get some decent treatment by the town rather than…what I can only assume is being taken advantage of by scummy adults on his side of town. (evident in how his maps were used and he didn’t even receive full payment. Iseya doesn’t even knock him for selling the maps. Why would he? It’s not like he was intentionally planning sabotage and then he was double crossed. He just wanted to get out and make a better life for himself.) 

Iseya’s trust and support in Kagari is very sweet, the battle goes all night long and Kagari had left sometime in the middle to go find Yuya. Interesting. 

The shaft….

Same police chief as kurayukaba and uh i guess they couldn’t get to the box garden coz they were too busy dealing with the aftermath of The Dark and that fucking Circus (omg dark woods circus reference? Inch resting. Might need to look at that later too) 

“Some things never change” Shiina what do you know. I need the backstory NOW.

The trust between Zima and Iseya is so….make me happy. Zima literally puts him in charge when he leaves to go speak to the police. I wonder  like. What that’s like. Iseya is clearly loved by the town as is Zima so obviously their relationship is well known as well. They’re like….a package deal. 

It brings me back to wondering about the possible “growing up together in the box garden” idea i have for Shiina, Iseya and Zima. Cute. 

[minjix]

trouble→ jj maybank x kook!reader

requested! Hey! Can i request for jj? I'm back to my jj era but there's so little fics of him, and most of them are smut, and i want some angst with fluff too ya know!!!!

Anyway, I'd like some season 1 vibes, so could we have kook!reader helping the pogues to steal that water drone thing (dont remember what that was) and she runs with jj when the dog follows them and then you get the rest

I really just need more jj 😭

summary: in which you’re a troubled kook.

a/n: i gotchu <333 also I made the group split up simply to get more jj x reader time :))) love this request btw <333

warnings: swearing, mentions of abuse and criminal activity, also went of script cause this bitch was too lazy to pull up the actual scene :) also didn’t want to exaggerate the fluff, but I can easily write a part two if requested :)

masterlist:

You stood waiting by your car, waiting for the pogues to turn up. You had been relaxing at home when Kie had texted you, asking for a favor.

And out of boredom; you agreed.

So there you were, leaning on your car, waiting for the group to turn up, and they did with a pissed of JJ Maybank.

“What are they doing here?” He glared at you, his heated gaze locked onto yours. You knew who boy was, heck, everyone knew of him. He kept to his friend group and his dad was an abusive asshole.

You weren’t phased, being quite used to not being liked despite being a kook. You parents and teachers called you a troubled teenager, and you wholeheartedly agreed. You got into fights, and you were quite known for stealing shit and getting away with it, which why Kie needed you.

“Hello to you too, Maybank.” You smiled at him, taking step closer to the hesitant group.

“We need them.” Kie said, looking at the three unsatisfied boys. “They’re good at being sneaky.”

The blonde haired boy never took his eyes off you, “they’re a kook Kie.” He spat venomously.

You could take being disliked but being on display in front a group of people who hates you simply because of where you’re from made a lump grow in your throat.

You turned to Kie, fidgeting with your fingers, “maybe I should leave,” you trailed of, walking backwards to your car.

“No! We are going to do this,” she glared at her friends, “or I swear to god.”

Pope sighed and slapped Jj’s arm to get him to stop glaring at you. “Kie’s right man.”

And that’s how you found yourself trailing next to pissed of Maybank.

“Have I done something?” You hesitated to ask, the tension thick. He ignored you. You sighed. “Okay, look,” you grabbed his arm to stop him.

“Can you be more mature? I haven’t done shit to you or your friends,” you glared at him. He was quiet for a few seconds, and a sarcastic chuckle came from the blonde haired boy.

“You’re a kook, that’s enough reason for me.”

You snorted, a bit relieved actually. “That’s it?” A smile grew on your face. It made JJ confused. You continued, “it’s just, nobody really likes me, with reason of course, I’m an outcast I guess, and i thought it would be different when Kie needed my help, because I’m the last person people choose to trust.”

“Why?” He whispered his blue eyes softening after your rambling. You shrugged your shoulders. “I do shitty things, I steal and break things, I fight people when I’ve had too much to drink.”

The blonde haired boy laughed as you both started to walk slowly. “You’re a kook and you steal?”

You laughed yourself, “yeah, can’t help it.”

He gave you smile, “you sound like a pogue.”

That’s win, you thought to yourself. Your took a quick glance at his lips and immediately looking away, your face warm.

You laughed, “yeah, I guess that’s why the ‘kooks’ don’t like me.”

His smile was still present, growing more relaxed by the second, “welcome to our side.”

Not even a second later you both heard barking, ensued by Pope yelling out in fear. The blonde boy beside you immediately took of into a sprint with you running after.

You grabbed Maybank once again, almost letting go when your hand latched onto his instead of his forearm. And the dog made its appearance. It skidded around the corner, it’s eyes set on you and JJ.

“Shit!” You shrieked and pulled JJ away from the animal who’s drool was dripping onto the sandy ground.

It felt like you had been running for years when the blonde haired boy made you stop. He immediately pushed you towards a ladder, connected to a boat, urging you up first.

You both collapsed on the deck, breathing heavily all while the dog below kept barking. And then a man’s voice and you swore you heart leapt out of your chest in fear.

JJ heard your breathing quicken and slapped his hand over your mouth to both help and silence you.

“I know you’re there!” The man yelled over barking and you took it as a sign to remove JJ’s hand. “If I get arrested again, they’ll send me to juvenile detention” you eyes, wide with panic was stuck on his blue ones, less panicked as he thought of what to do. “Do you trust me?” He asked in a whisper.

Your face scrunched up involuntarily, “trust you? Dude, I barely know you.” He chuckled, nodded his head in agreement, “yeah, I know, but for now, do you trust me?” It was quiet as you thought it over. It was well know that JJ Maybank was loyal, no doubt about it. “Yeah, I trust you.”

He gave you a smile which turned forced as he stood up, his hand grasping yours, and you found yourself trying to force him back down before you realized that this was the moment where you put your trust in him.

You both stood, and JJ let you go to raise his hand in surrender. “I’m Luke’s kid!” The guard below became quiet as stared up at you two. “He said he’d beat me if I didn’t get shit for him. He’s still pissed that he got fired.” You stared at the boy beside, who’s hand once again connected with yours, giving a squeeze.

You watched as he sniffled and his eyes turning red. You found yourself frozen in shock. Kie never went into the reason of why she needed your help and you felt an ache in your chest when you thought about this being the reason. The tears that rushed down the flushed face of Maybank told no other story. He was being serious.

The security guard looked emotional too as he sighed, “it’s okay kid, come on down.” JJ helped you down, his hand immediately grasping yours while the other wiped the onslaught of tears rushing down his face. “Thank you,” He sniffled, your eyes now staring on the ground, not knowing what to do. You felt helpless and you hated it.

“Now leave.” JJ thanked the man once again and quickly dragged you away, still wiping his tears. And then he smiled.

“What the fuck.” He glanced your way, looking way too smug but the look in his eyes said something different. He wasn’t exaggerating.

“And that, Y/n is how you lie.” And despite the emotions rushing through your head in a dizzying pace, you found yourself smiling too.

You all gathered by Kie’ van, having successfully stolen the drone for whatever the group needed it for.

You stood, watching them as they all jumped into the van before JJ peaked his head out, “you coming?” He smiled at you, and you found yourself in the van with no questions asked, simply satisfied to be included even though you knew it was only for the moment, when they needed you.

JJ sat beside you with a grin, his hand once again making its way to interlace itself with yours, and you couldn’t help matching his grin.

“Wanna help us steal 400 million dollars?” The blonde boy asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Seriously?” You look around to the van to see everyone nodding, “you may be a kook, but you’re trust worthy,” John B said and you watched as they all nodded along.

“Then, count me in.”

[sol-is-the-reason]

Criminal

Character Selected:- Midoriya Izuku

Anime:- My Hero Academia

Reader:- Dom!Male!Reader

Type:- NSFW/possessive/angst kinda?

Tw:- Psychological, lemon, Songfic,    manipulation, death, killing, blood, possessive, use of property (for izuku)

Read at your own risk.

[A/n:- (V/n) :- Villain name. BTW it will be my first lemon no matter how small so I hope you enjoy! Also this is set after bkdk's fight, so their friends again. Kinda. ]

He is a hustler, he's no good at all.

He is a loser, he's a bum, bum, bum.

He lies, he bluffs, he's unreliable

He is a sucker with a gun, gun,gun

The atmosphere was tense in the room. With two of the three glaring at each other from other side of the couches. The only adult woman, in the room, known as Midoriya Inko had an unreadable expression on her face with mixture of pain, panic, sadness and (mostly) shock  as she processed the news that had reached her in the last five minutes.

She looked at the young blonde boy beside her who was busy in the glaring contest with her son.

What may be the news you may ask that had her so spooked?

Izuku, her lovable, responsible- the biggest fanboy of the no. 1 hero- son had gone out and had started dating the current no.1 villain (V/n). And the way he was he was defending him as if he were some king, she couldn't understand just what happened to her bright son to turn to that path.

Never mind that she had to make him realise what he was getting himself into.

Yes and she was positive once he saw her point of view he would realise what the hell he was doing. And surely katsuki would help her. She turned to him and pleaded silently with her eyes and fortunately he seemed to get the message and slightly nodded his head.

I know you told me I should stay away

I know you said he's just a dog astray

He is a bad boy with a tainted heart

And even I know this ain't smart

Izuku knew this would happen one day. He predicted it would go this way. But never would he imagine that Bakugou would be the one to find out first. But he guessed it's not as surprising. After all he was the first one to find out about one for all.

Though he didn't expect him to just straight out go and tell his mother. He knew this was just his way of being worried about him? or so he thinks.., but he loved (M/n) damn it! Why couldn't they just understand that. So what if he was a villain? (M/n) loved him all the same.

But Mama I'm in love with a criminal

And this type of love isn't rational,

it's physical

Moans echoed around the room. The green-haired couldn't help but let out a sob as globs of tears run down his face. (M/n) thrusted widely into him. He had izuku in a mating press as he hugged him  and changed the angle of his thrust to aim at the greenettes prostate.

"ahh (M/n)~"

"s-slow down-n pl-ease~"

"Hmm?why should I baby~ you look so cute like this, all wet and hard for me~"

As he said that he thrusted slow and hard behind him, so that izuku was moving forward with each one.

He took his red cock in his hands and started jerking him off inlink with his thrusts.

"I- love you (nickname)"

You just snickered at the oblivious boy. Was he really so delusional to think that you loved him back. Haha he really was too trusting. So heroic of him to think that he could turn you on their side just because of his love. You wondered if thats why he did everything you asked? Hmm you'll just have to see how he'll go then~.

Mama please don't cry,

I will be alright

All reason aside I just can't deny,

I love the guy

No matter how much Inko tried, he was just not ready to listen...

Why can't he just understand that this is not only wrong but who knows what those villains could do to him...

"Izuku...please just listen." He could hear the desperation in her voice.

But he also couldn't get the tiny voice of (M/n) out of his head.

" Don't listen to her, I love you...you wouldn't want to lose what we have right... Do the right thing and I'll give you a reward~okay.."

Yes, he couldn't loose him, the only person who 'loves' the real him, not now..

He is a villain by the devil's law

He is a killer just for fun, fun, fun, fun

That man's a snitch and unpredictable

He's got no conscience, he got none, none, none, none

"(M/n)!! That's enough!! Your killing her!" Izuku yelled out trying to stop the ____ haired man from killing the poor girl who had tried to flirt with him.

"Hmm, how about...No. " He said with narrowed eyes directed at the greenette. He was holding the bloody beaten girl by the neck, hovering in the air so she was face to face with him.

"I don't like sharing my property you know" he said to the barely awake girl. It seemed she was trying to say something but (M/n) didn't gave her a chance to do so as he crushed her neck with his bare hand. The sickening cracked echoed in the alleyway accompanied by a horrified gasp.

" What? Did you think that just because you know your mistake I wouldn't kill you? That I would spare your pathetic life? Don't make me laugh..No one and I mean NO ONE touches what's mine." (M/n) said with a crazed chuckle and smirk as he talked to the now dead body of the girl.

Honestly it didn't matter to him if the girl would have asked the boy out or whatever she wanted, it was just an means to the end for him. He had to make sure Izuku stayed in love with him so he could get everything he wanted from him, and the other reason, well he was simply in the mood to kill. It was a golden opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. And through his observation of the greenettes behaviour in the next few days, he knew he succeeded.

All I know, should've let go, but no

And he's got my name,

Tattooed on his arm his lucky charm

So I guess it's okay he's with me

And I hear people talk

Trying to make remarks keep us apart

But I don't even hear

I don't care

Izuku knew he shouldn't feel this way. But he couldn't help it. He didn't knew how in the pits of hell did he developed such feelings much less for a villain too.

But when he heard you talk like that, claiming him as yours, and calling him your property...he didn't knew what happened but something in him snapped. And suddenly he didn't mind that there was a dead body right next to his feet. That a pool of blood was forming around it, reaching dangerously close to his shoes. He didn't mind that it stained the boots of his UA uniform, as he approached you and kissed you deeply.

Since then you noticed how he turned into an obedient little puppy whenever you were even a little bit possessive of him.

And oh~ you can't wait to use it to your advantage.

'Cause Mama I'm in love with a criminal

And this type of love isn't rational, it's physical

Mama please don't cry, I will be alright

All reason aside I just can't deny, I love the guy......

[A/n:-I...uh...Part 2...anyone?😶😶‍🌫️]

[4kiraa]

JOCK ITTO AND HIS “EMO” GF😱

nah cuz you can tell me itto nd his gf wouldn’t be total opposites…

cw!: fem!reader, talk of being emo☠️, reader just wears black and dresses kinda like those goths on pinterest that i be calling mommy, mentions of bullying really minor i swear, modern hs day au because i know absolutely nothing abt genshin LMAO. ALSO NAWT PROOF READ.

No one could believe what they were currently seeing.

A 6’5, jock who was known for being the “himbo” of their school, walking hand in hand with the all black wearing girl who was an entire foot shorter than him and who’s looks could also kill. whispers filled the air as girls who had been crushing on your bf since the dawn of time glared at your warm smiling faces.

no one could believe what they were currently seeing

JOCK ITTO! who for the past 2 weeks has been enchanted by you, a girl he sees every two days in the library either reading a book or listening to music through your black sonny earphones decorated with tiny little skull stickers. he was originally sent there by his teachers because he had been failing in almost every single subject. it’s not like he was dumb!…well ok he kinda is, but it was mainly because of his sports. being a jock with countless games at different schools along with practice was very hard!!!

JOCK ITTO! who told his gang of jocks about you, the mysterious and very pretty girl but was shocked to hear their response.

“oh, you mean y/n?” one of his friends cackled. “she’s no good news arataki” he said as he patted itto on the back. “yeah!” one of his other friends chimed in “i remember trying to askin’ her out once, she’s a dark beauty alright but man is she cold! before i could even finish she walked away from me!. im tell’n you man, shes totally stuck up” “ itto was surprised to say the least, ‘was that all true?’ i mean, how would he know? he’s never even talked to you before, he’s just stared at you like a lil creep admiring the way you brushed you hair , or how you would apply your lip gloss, and how- “you know itto” one of his friends said while interjecting his thoughts. “ a girl is the last thing you should be worrying about, we’ve got a game soon and our best player isn’t with us because he’s too busy trying to complete his homework” he was right, itto thought. he should be focusing on sports, not some girl. but still for some reason, he just couldn’t get you off his mind…

JOCK ITTO! Who after thinking about you for days, decided to go and talk to you instead of hearing about you from his friend’s experiences. “hey! i’m arataki itto, what’s your name!” he said while running towards you in the library “i’ve seen you a couple times before and i just wanted to say that-“ “SHHHH” the librarian loudly shushed him as itto covered his mouth. “sorry! n’yways as i was- he froze solid as your pretty mascara covered eyes looked him up and down, your plump lips parting to respond. “i’m sorry, do you need something?” itto, still frozen, started sweating. 'is she mad at me? why does she sound mad? is that always how she sounds😨?’ mans was stressed ok, and it didn’t help that you were a criminally beautiful girl because we all know despite this man being one of the most popular guys in school and having girl all across the damn country thirsting over him, he still has L rizz.

JOCK ITTO! Who, for the first time, saw you crack a warm hearted smile at his awkwardness, creating little black butterflies in his stomach. “i’m just kidding” you say will playfully hitting his arm ‘i’m never going to shower after this🫡’ itto thought. “my name is y/n, i’ve seen you in the library for the past few weeks, you need any help?

JOCK ITTO! who you now help out with his homework, both of you learning new things about each other. for him, he learns about your style and ‘dark’ interests. And for him, you realize that’s he’s actually not so dumb. and as the two of you gradually grow closer, the more stares and whispers that you both gain.

“Nahh, is that y/n and itto? ain no way😨”

“shut up, she’ll hear you and sacrifice you, i heard that’s what then emos be doing bruh”

JOCK ITTO! who after 3 months, finally decided to ask you out, fumbling over his words and looking like a damn fool if i’m being honest.But no thing could prepare him for your answer. “so you like me huh?” you said in a sly tone. “sure, let’s go out itto, show me a good time” then bro fainted…

“um itto, itto… you alright?” dw about him he just fainted from joy 🤗

No one could believe what they were currently seeing.

A 6’5, jock who was known for being the “himbo” of their school, walking hand in hand with the all black wearing girl who was an entire foot shorter than him and who’s looks could also kill. whispers filled the air as girls who had been crushing on your bf since the dawn of time glared at your warm smiling faces. But you didn’t care, and neither did your boyfriend.

LMAO I FORGOT TO PUT TAGS ND TS FLOPPED SO HARD😭

sorry ngl ts was ass at the end cuz this been in my drafts since 1987. also emorights ok bai:3 

[loving-jack-kelly]

I love Jack Kelly so much and so I adore your posts. so curious on how you feel about some in the fandom treating Jack like a villain because of his ‘betrayal’ and don’t think his reasoning is ‘good enough’? it irritates me to no end because they have no idea who Jack is.

oh anon this is one of my favorite things to talk about how did you know?

the thing is. this is addressed specifically in the show. So Jack, an escaped "criminal" and homeless orphan who is also the leader/protector of a gang of other homeless orphans, gets put in an impossible position. "cowboy or convict [Pulitzer] wins either way." he has two options when he chooses to "betray" the strike:

option one: take the money, do his best to stop the strike from continuing, and run away from the only home he's ever known to a dream he knows probably won't ever be reality (and let's be real here, Jack is a dreamer but he isn't stupid. he knows that Sante Fe will never be all it is in his head but he clings to that hope because he's idealistic, knowing full well it's not gonna work the way he wishes it would if he ever does make it out). taking option one means breaking the trust of the people he's looking out for, but it also means they're safe. the strike is over, they stop getting beat up, they still have work and therefore won't starve.

option two: refuse the money, let Snyder take him to the Refuge, and let the strike continue knowing full well that Pulitzer can and will ensure that all of the people he cares about are locked up, too. including Davey and Les, who have so much more to lose comparatively because they're not homeless orphans, they have a home and a family. Pulizter is directly threatening all of the people Jack loves, and Jack knows he'll make good on it, and Jack knows how bad the Refuge is.

so for Jack, this boils down to a simple choice: protect them, or let them get hurt. and for Jack, that's a non-choice

everything that Jack does is filtered through this lens of selflessness that borders on self-destruction. the end justifies the means as long as the end is that everyone he loves is safe and cared for. he will provoke a fight with the delanceys if it means nobody else gets hit. he will let all of them think he's betraying them if it means they're safe. who cares if they hate him as long as they're alive and out of the Refuge?

you can see it in that scene. he comes in confident and guns blazing, and doesn't change his mind at all until Pulitzer brings the other newsies into it. he doesn't care if he gets hurt. he knows that a strike is dangerous, and as long as Pulizter is focused on him, who cares? he's fighting for the most important thing in the world, his kids. but when Pulizter is threatening his kids, and the choice is lose them or let them get hurt. well. who cares if he's happy, as long as they're safe? who cares if Santa Fe has always been a pipe dream that he had no real intention of following, he'll survive. he'll be fine. they'll be fine. and that's what matters.

and listen. if jack had really intended on running to Santa Fe, he would have already done it. why didn't he hop a train? why is he so insistent on paying for a ticket? to me, it screams more of that idealism. will he ever realistically be able to save enough to get there? no. and that's part of the comfort of the dream: as long as it isn't real, it can't disappoint him (just be real is all I'm asking, not some painting in my head, 'cause I'm dead if I can't count on you today. I got nothing if I ain't got Santa Fe. how much more scared of Santa Fe disappointing him than staying here is he? i bet a lot. he needs the dream to be perfect).

but of course he chooses to protect his kids because that's what he does. that's what he's always done. that's why he's their leader. he refuses to let them get left behind, he refuses to see them hurt, and he will let them think the worst of him if it means at least they're safe.

on the rooftop, katherine says "I need to know you didn't cave for the money" and Jack says no almost dismissively because of course he didn't. obviously he didn't. Jack who tried to refuse payment from Medda because why should somebody who cares for him need to pay him? Jack who drops two bits, half a day's profit, on somebody he just met? Jack who only started this whole thing in the first place because he knows how bad it will be for the kids who don't move as many papers as him? please. why would he cave for the money? and Katherine was there, she heard Pulitzer threaten the other kids, she should know this.

and then at the end. the strike settled, jack should probably be hitting the road, right? because how could they want him to stay, now that he's betrayed them? except he didn't, and they know he didn't, now that they know what happened. he didn't do it for the money, and he never would have. he only did it because it was the only way he could protect everyone.

[zeroducks-2]

Zero, I need to rant about DC's mistreatment of my son.

Why can't Tim craft his own identity outside of Robin and Batman? Every other member in the Batfamily (not Damian just yet but idk if DC wants to do that considering all their writers are pushing for him to be either Ra's Heir or Batman's heir) who has been Robin is has distanced their new heroic identity away from their time as Robin.

For whatever reasons, the writers seem to be allergic to Tim growing as a character and stepping away from his identity of Robin. They couldn't even give him an original NAME. WTF IS RED ROBIN?? I'm so pressed about it because a alias is so important and unique to the hero and mostly tied to the core of their character, origin, or development.

Bruce chose Batman because he feared bats, and he wanted to be the fear that scared straight the criminals of Gotham.

Dick chose Robin because it was a way to carry on his parent's memory and legacy, and Nightwing was chosen due to Superman (Someone who Dick looks up to) telling Dick about the Kryptonian myth of Nightwing and Flamebird.

Clark got his superman alias from his father, one of the only parting gifts he has from him.

So Timmy, my dude, wtf is Red Robin about? I feel like it's such a cop out to him as a character. Like, we get why Robin was so important to him due to him being a freaky little lonely fanboy. But during his Robin run, he grew so so so much. Why would the DC Writers not let his growth show? Why also reduce and retie his identity to Robin?

Tim is known to be a great detective, it's one of his shining marks as a Batman protegee. Ra's al Ghul even states that Tim is a better detective than The Batman himself. Hell, when Tim was 14 he discovered that Dick was Nightwing and Robin, because his freaky loner obsession and past trauma of witnessing the flying Grayson's murder made him connect the dots when Dick was flipping and doing acrobatic feats that no one but an extremely skilled and gifted acrobat could do (Tricks that have only been successfully done by a fucking FLYING GRAYSON - note how silly and girlie pop Dick was for that one).

Like, fr DC, why not tie Tim's new identity with his amazing detective skills?

Honestly, I think DC could have taken some inspiration from an Edgar Allan Poe character and given Tim a detective-associated. Because, Poe's character C. Auguste Dupin, is literally the first ever detective we see in fiction and the backbone of how so many other detective character's created.

Like a name that inspired from the first ever detective himself would be so damn cool. And it would tie into Tim's origin as I'm pretty sure Tim is the first person who actually discovered Dick and Bruce's identities with just his raw and untrained detective skills. So a name like New August would be so damn cool.

Or hell, if DC didn't want to be even that level of creativity into his name and stick with the bird theme (because we all remember the Drake incident so well). Nightingale would be a cool (given not so original) name unless they wanted to spell it like Knightingale. They're one of the few birds who hunt at night, and it could also be a call back to the nurse Florence Nightingale who was a badass and known for the Nightingale theory of nursing:

"A nurse must use her brain, heart and hands to create healing environments"

AS IF that could translate into the hero world. Mister-Dropped-Out-Of-Med-School-Bruce-Wayne is foaming at the mouth.

To conclude, fuck DC and fuck them for doing my TimTam dirty. Let him be his own man :/

I don't agree with all of this but Tim does deserve better that's true. He's sort of stuck in limbo and his growth should have happened a long time ago tbh.

He could have been Flamebird like Dick is Nightwing to name one. Dick has always been his inspiration. Maybe Red Robin for a time (since back then he and Dick had grown apart), and then Flamebird after they reconciled.

It's sad because some of the main things with Tim are that love for him is conditional because of his shitty parents, and that he has a hard time crafting his own identity, and DC doesn't let him grow out of any of this and keeps using him as a chew toy. It's sad.

(and no being queer isn't character development)

[animealways]

what is justice?

Stark!reader being a asshole to bruce wayne/mention of jason todd (i did this purely because i wanted to point out the major flaw of batman as a superhero. I know i'm gonna piss off a bunch of people but this shit gets defended way more then it should be)

bruce wayne, the ceo of waynes enterprises and who is also now known as batman. is walking into the avengers tower, that is now used as a avengers museum. that was something no one would ever could have predicted but then again ever since your dad became iron man nothing ever seems to be peacefull anymore.

he arranged a meeting with you, only you. as bruce walks into the assigned room he found you sitting at the end of the table, staring out of the window rather bored.

''what is the meaning of this, stark?'' he said as soon as the door was closed. ''isn't it obvious?'' you retorted rather annoyed that your family biggest competition is now trying to argue with you. ''what do you mean? 'isn't it obvious?' are you seriously willing to risk the lifes of innocent civillians to gain a better reputation or more money from revealing me as batman?'' the older man crossed his arms glaring at you.

''the fact you think that i did this as y/n stark a greedy capitalist and not iron shadow, earth first line of defence who just want to look at out for the everyday people really shows me how little self awareness you have about your own flaws and crimes.'' you stood up from your chair glaring at bruce. ''what on earth are you talk-''

''i am talking about the millions of people that put their hard earned money into to your company and you just lying to them where is actually goes to, instead using it to dress up as a animal and beating up the metally ill as some sort of furry on steroids!''

''i am protecting gothem, you out of everyone should understand that.'' he put his hand on the table almost it slamming onto the table. ''you can do that without commiting crimes. hell, you're basicly are a thief!'' you threw up your hand in the air infrustated at the fact you have to explain this to a far more experienced busniness man. ''you should own up to your mistakes and take some responsibility cause stealing money of millions is probably the least fucked up thing you have done as batman.''

he walk around the table coming closer to you but with a reasonable distant between the 2 of you. ''and what supposed ''crimes'' are we talking about?''

''oh i don't know hmmm~'' you put your chin in you hand dramaticly putting on a 'thinking face' ''maybe jason todd almost dying and then letting the joker run free.'' bruce eyes widen at the name. he grabbed you by your blouse. ''how do you know about that?'' he growled at you and shoved his hand away. ''how do you think i got so much proof of you crimes?''

bruce stood there not moving. ''... he... he didn't...'' you crossed your arms and sat on the table. ''yeah he helped me... after i killed the joker.'' ''what?'' bruce looked stunned at the information. he knew joker had died but no one knew to who. there was no proof to suggest it was you, after all he was found stabbed and hunged to the ceiling by a rope not too far away from a politie station. no dna, no video footage, no fingerprints, no handprints, no footprints, no nothing and the way he was killed suggested it was a gothem criminal with a personal vendetta against the joker. that not even metioning that you don't live anywhere near gothem.

"Why would you do all this?"

"Because the night after the gala i ran into jason. It was like watching my dad recover from his ptsd... only jason was broken beyond repair."

...

"I recognise his voice and fighting style but i knew their was something off. He wasn't standing straight as if his back got permanently fucked up. So i did some digging and found out everything. All i can say it that its disgusting..."

Bruce sighed and put his hand thru his hair. "Look if you're gonna tell me i should have killed joker then i have nothing to say to you anymore."

"Well i sure have something i want to know. How the hell can you live with yourself knowing a deranged murder is on the loose, a murder that broke your son by torturing him for over a year!"

You yelled not caring about who could potentailly hear you.

"Because if i killed him i wouldn't be serving justice. I would be serving revenge... when my parents died i vowed to never take a life."

You could feel the vines in your head about to explode of anger.

"Seriously... that your fucking excuse? Fucking justice? Tell me bruce what fucking justice to who exactly are you giving by letting a murder do crimes against innocent people?" The older man turned around but you were not gonna let him go without giving him a reality check. You pulled him by the collar forcing him to look at you.

"Jason was right about you. You're just a child trying to do good but don't want to face your past trauma leading to innocent people getting hurt."

"Don't act like you know me."

"I don't but by letting joker live you indirectly killed who knows how many innocent people and that all i need to know."

"Killing a murder doesn't change the numbers of murders in the world." Bruce pushed your hand away while glaring at you.

"But you might prevend another innocent person death. Isn't that the entire point of being a superhero? Putting yourself thru hell and forgetting about your own for other peoples sake. That is gonna include your own personal philosophies batty or did you forget that being a hero means results are the only thing what matters in the end? Cause if we fail people die."

He walked away clearly done with this conversation. "And don't worry about jason. I've made sure he is getting what he needs."

He stopped in his tracks and turned around. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that he is finally getting therapy he oh so desperately needed and once he goes thru the exames he will become a shield agent cause i personal recommanded him to the big boss. He will be working in a place where he isn’t forced to be bait by wearing bright ass clown colours and will have acceses to mental support. Hell if he wants to he could become avenger knowing how skilled he is."

"Are you implying i wanted him death?" He glared at you.

"No i'm saying you sucked at protecting him and you should stay away from him atleast until you realize how much fucked up shit you just let happen." Bruce glared at you before storming out of the room. Definitely for the best cause at any moment both of you were ready to throw hand at each other.

You sighed and sat down back into the chair.

"Oh bruce... you could have so much more..."

[kamryn1963]

So Long, London- Chapter 7

I play with the timelines pretty loosely and use whatever episodes fit, lol. This chapter is set during 2x19.

TW: Vomiting. Happens in the last few paragraphs.

Al thinks the world might be out to get him. That’s the only explanation he had as he stood in the locker room after a long day trying to come to terms with everything that had happened. 

That morning he had met up with Lexi and Erin for breakfast. He was grateful in a way that Lexi had asked Erin to come as well. Lexi had probably known Al wouldn’t take her wanting to run off to chase some guy and his band, very well. 

Of course Al wanted Lexi to do what made her happy but he also wanted her to have a successful career and he just didn’t think her plan was a good idea. She was only seventeen, Al had made irrational choices at that age too. He did join the army after all. 

Well he did that because he wanted to get out and as far away as possible from his parents and the abuse and memories. That’s what he told himself at least. Or when somebody asked. Al didn’t usually share that part of the reason he joined the army was because he was suicidal. 

It didn’t really matter now. He had survived, and that was that. 

After the breakfast is when things went to shit. As soon as they arrived at that warehouse and found the dead girls and heard the name Dennis Lee, he knew nothing good would come from this case. 

Al knew this was his fault, all those young girls none older than eighteen, all dead. It was his fault. If he had just played it by the book the first time they were dealing with Lee, then they could’ve locked him away for good and none of this would���ve happened. He wouldn’t of been able to come back and the girls wouldn’t be dead. 

And yeah they caught him this time, but it didn’t change anything, it didn’t change how Al felt. That his choices had caused this. 

He really wanted to shoot Lee, and had no regrets about it. The only regret Al had was that Adam was watching. Adam was only a couple years into his career he didn’t need to see the man he for some reason looked up to as a mentor, shoot a guy. 

Despite the fact Lee was a criminal, a murderer, and Alvin knew nobody would blame him if he had, Al still didn’t want Adam to see. 

It was ultimately Hank, god Hank, who saved him, who got him to put the gun down and than stood with him for thirty minutes before Al was able to move again and Hank and Antonio led him to the car. 

Now hours later, Al was perched on Erin’s desk staring at the board with all the girls names,  and the pictures on it trying to make sense of his thoughts. Of the blame that was his burden to carry. 

Al reached into his pocket pulling out the bracelets the girl's parents had given him. He had gotten to tell them that they caught the guy responsible and that Al would make sure they got justice for their girls. 

He didn’t deserve their appreciation how they had thanked him for something she should’ve done years ago. 

Al held the bracelets in his hand just looking at them until he felt a light touch on his arm and looked up. 

He met Erin’s eyes and she didn’t say anything, just grabbed the bracelets and started putting them on Al’s wrists. He didn’t say anything until she was done and he managed a weak smile. 

“You're a good kid”. Al whispered as he looked at her. 

Erin didn’t respond, just gave a small laugh as she pulled a chair next to the desk and sat down. The worry only increased in her eyes as he didn’t say anything else, just played with the bracelets. 

She was a good kid. Al remembered the first time he met Erin. Hank and Camille had invited him and Lexi over for dinner. Meredith had made some excuse not to go like usual. She was never a fan of Hank or Camille and neither were they. 

Al thinks Camille might’ve been even more vocal in her dislike for Meredith than Hank. Al could just imagine Camille’s reaction to the divorce. 

Erin had instantly bonded with Lexi who was only two at the time. Camille had told Al that night was the most she had talked in the two weeks she lived with them. It had taken a couple months for Al and Erin to bond. But once they both found out they both had shitty mothers who chose drugs over them, they hit it off pretty quickly. 

Al was thankful for that for his family. Every single one of them. 

“I had Mouse look into the kid, he’s clean”. Erin spoke and Al was snapped out of his thoughts as he looked up and grabbed the file she was handing him. 

“Thank you”. Al replied as he took a good look at it before setting it back down. Of course he wanted to trust that Lexi was picking good guys, but he also knew how the world worked, how high school worked. 

“Lexi’s lucky she has you looking out for her”. Erin said next the worry in her eyes was still promident and her voice was softer than it usually was with him. 

Al just nodded as his eyes went back to the board. 

“Don’t go crawling under a rock after this. Don’t shut us out. Were your family Alvin and we want to help you”. Erin’s voice was still quiet but Al could hear her tone was serious, sincere. 

“Yeah”. Al muttered. He would try, but he couldn’t promise it and Erin knew that. 

“I’m available to talk at any time, alright?” Erin asked and Al nodded again but they both knew he wouldn’t do that. 

Al still remembered Erin as the fifteen year old she was when they met, his honorary niece, the girl his daughter proclaimed was her “big sissy” when Lexi was three. 

Al wouldn’t burden Erin with his problems. 

Erin soon sighed and squeezed his hand once before leaving him sitting there with his thoughts. A dangerous combination. 

Soon Al gathered the strength and will, to get up and gather his stuff. He drove back to Trudy’s silently not having the energy to turn the radio on or his usual driving podcast. Once he pulled into Trudy’s driveway, he headed inside. Al noticed Trudy wasn’t home even though he knew she already left the district. 

It wasn’t until he got upstairs that he remembered she was on a date with Randall tonight. That meant Al could skip dinner without being told off. 

He got upstairs and in the shower. Only once under the stream of water, did he let himself breakdown. 

Alvin sank to the bathtub floor and brought his knees to his chest as he sobbed until he was exhausted, until his voice was raspy and hoarse. He pulled himself to shaky, unsteady feet and robotically went through the steps of showering. He managed to get changed and into bed where he collapsed grabbing a blanket and staring at the roof drained. 

Al tried to sleep, wanting to forget everything that had happened today, everything he had ever done, the good, the bad, the illegal. Instead all he saw were those girls, chained like dogs and left to die. 

All he could imagine was his own daughter, his little girl, left to die. The thought made Al sick and the next thing he knew, he was on his knees in front of the toilet throwing up the little he had eaten that day through sobs. God he was pathetic, fucked up, a failure, bother, burden. 

He threw up for what felt like hours until he collapsed against the wall wiping at his sweaty face and his mouth. 

Eventually Al got up and after washing his hands, and trying to look as fine as possible, heard the front door open and Trudy came home. 

Al took a deep breath hoping Trudy would be available to talk, before heading downstairs. Maybe he could actually talk about his feelings for once. 

[blackjackkent]

OK, so, based on the quest priority list that I wrote out last night, my next step is going to find Minsc as soon as possible. Which means for now I am going to forego a full exploration of Wyrm's Rock in favor of heading straight into the Lower City and beelining for Jaheira's quest to rescue him.

The Lower City is... very loud. Given that Hector was pretty overstimulated by Rivington and the South Span, I can only imagine that he is even more overwhelmed by being inside the city proper, where there are so many people in every direction, everyone seems upset about something, and EVERYONE is talking at once.

It's hard to get a very representative screenshot that accurately reflects just how much seems to be happening at once. It's actually a little overwhelming from a player perspective also.

We're going to try not to get too sidetracked here until we've done the main priority quests mentioned in my last liveblog post, but we will talk to everyone along the way

Now that we've reached the Lower City, it's time to talk to Jaheira and form a more coherent plan:

"A true pleasure, to watch you tell the Archduke exactly where to put his alliance. One cannot embrace a viper - only get entangled by it. And we learned something. One Chosen thinks to send us against the other, while they sit safe behind their defenses."

"Good. Ketheric thought he was safe too."

I love her so much. <3

"Have you thought any more about how we might find Minsc?"

"I have. And while I do not love my conclusion, that does nothing to change it. The Harpers are the city's best information network. With them out of action, we shall have to fall back on second-best. Nine-Fingers Keene."

Narrator: [HISTORY] A name known and feared throughout the city's underworld. The mysterious Keene runs the Guild, which in turn runs every criminal enterprise in the city.

As occasionally happens, Hector passes this history check because he is generally good at history, but I can't imagine where he actually learned this information. XD

We have actually heard about Nine-Fingers before though; some of Keene's people were fighting against agents of the Stone Lord (an interloper into the Baldurian underworld backed by the Absolute cult) and we took their side to help fight the Absolutists off. We were already planning to follow up with them to look into the Stone Lord's activities, so going to the Guildhall is now two birds with one stone.

We have the option to chastise Jaheira (in several different ways) for being willing to associate with thieves. And certainly Hector is not thrilled with the idea (especially after some conversations he's had with Karlach on the subject); given how quintessentially honest he is, hanging out with criminals is not necessarily his cup of tea.

But their circumstances have demanded strange bedfellows for a while, and he trusts Jaheira's judgment.

(This is also fun for a headcanonical reason, since Caden was a thief in my BG1/BG2 playthroughs. He wasn't a very GOOD thief and quickly learned that there was a big difference between playful pickpocketing people for fun in Candlekeep and the real world's guilds of robbery and murder, and eventually multiclassed away from his roots into cleric/monk territory because of Rasaad - but nevertheless he and Jaheira and company did spend quite a lot of time in thief guildhalls. So this is not unfamiliar territory for Jaheira in this worldstate. :D )

"She is no one to be trifled with," Hector says, folding his arms thoughtfully.

"Nor are we," Jaheira points out with a slight smile. "But I trust she knows the value of collaboration, especially in times like these." A slight pause. "How hospitable she will be to a Harper that comes begging to her Guildhall..." She gives a low, hoarse laugh. "We will find out. Perhaps I will let you do the talking."

Hector and his -1 modifier to charisma are at your service, Jaheira. ;)

[kelluinox]

Would you break down Pops for me?

Sure thing! 😊

How do I feel about Pops?

Honestly, I do like Pops. I think he is a very damaged man who has done a lot of bad things in his life (obviously, because this man runs a mafia), but I do think that he holds onto some moral principles such as never harming civilians (something he scolds Kai about), which immediately separates him from people like All for One and Shigaraki, who are quite willing to destroy everyone in their path: villains, heroes and civilians (including children) alike. It's a shame we saw very little of him, because he represents the more "lawful" type of villainy that seeks to coexist with the heroes, rather than tear society down, which I just personally find more fascinating to delve into.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

I don't really ship Pops with anyone. I believe he had a wife at some point that I like to think has passed away (since he never mentions being estranged from her like with his daughter), and I think he took it very hard since he seemingly never remarried, or had more children to make sure there was an heir to take over the business after him (which is common in crime families).

My non romantic OTP for this character

So first of all obviously Kai lol. It's clear that Pops cared a lot for him, and viewed him as a son. Chisaki was clearly important to Pops as he tried time and time again to set him on a better path, despite Chisaki stubbornly digging his heels into the dirt and refusing to follow his father’s guidance. I think any mafia boss would've had such a volatile member either severely demoted so that they could not pose a danger to the mafia's operations, killed, or otherwise dealt with using other methods. Instead, Pops kept Kai close, only issuing him warnings but never truly taking drastic measures until he came up with the bullet plan, which broke the camel's back.

Second of all, I like to think Hari. Either Hari was related to Pops, or was a child of a high ranking member - I like to think Pops was very close to him and might've even considered him a second son. Hari states that he has known Chisaki since childhood, it says in his character profile that he and Kai are childhood friends. I don't think Pops would've permitted anyone near his heir like that willy nilly. Hari is also present when Kai presents his plan to Pops. I like to think he was viewed as part of their little family.

My unpopular opinion about this character

I have two opinions that I think are unpopular. The first being that I don't think Pops was a good father to Kai. He tried, yes, but I don't think he was capable of it. The closest example that I can think of how I picture their relationship is Arcane Silco and Jinx. Pops is a very damaged man. He is a criminal, and has most likely done a lot of heinous and terrible things in his lifetime. For some reason, people like to say that Kai had a good childhood, and was simply selfish, cruel and ungrateful, as opposed to Shigaraki who went through a traumatic event and was abducted, kidnapped and brainwashed by a mass murderer and terrorist. I don't think that's true. People forget just how terrifying a mafia is. Just how brutal the people in it are. Just because the yakuza tend to keep to themselves and make a point not to interact with civilians needlessly does not mean that these people are cute and cuddly. Money laundering, blackmail, extortion, assault, human trafficking, dismemberment, murder - all of these things are part of the yakuza's everyday lives. These people are scary. They even have a punishment where a member has to cut off his own finger to present to the oyabun as an apology for wrongdoing. This is obviously not a good environment for a child to grow up in. By taking him in and clearly involving Chisaki in the yakuza's operations, Pops exposed a very young child to horrors that clearly had devastating lasting damage on his psyche, which I theorize wasn't too healthy to begin with. I don't think Pops protected him and instead even encouraged Kai to "look out for the family", meaning the yakuza. I don't think he ever properly addressed Kai's unhealthy attachment, or the way the boy viewed love and affection as transactional. Didn't address his growing violence. However, I also don't think that Pops did all this maliciously. Not necessarily. He just knew no other way of how to raise a child, didn't know how to properly show affection, didn't know what kind of environment a child needed - for him mafia life is something that is normal, he knows no other way of life. And though he tried to guide Kai and support him, he was just too damaged of a human being himself to raise a stable member of society and did more harm than good. Loving and being a good parent are two very different things. I think Pops loved Kai, but a good parent he was not.

My second unpopular opinion is that I don't think Pops loved or cared much for Eri. I just didn't get that grandfatherly vibe. I think he only cared about Eri because of her blood, her biological relation to him. I don't believe he ever even calls her his granddaughter. When telling Chisaki about her he just says "my foolish daughter abandoned a child of her own blood", or something along those lines. So clearly, what's important to him is just blood relation, which is, again, common in a mafia structure. Furthermore, we never see him actually interact with Eri. Instead we see a panel of Eri sitting, all alone, a 3-5 year old child - alone, in a hospital room within the yakuza compound. Don't you think a loving grandfather would be there for his tiny granddaughter? Comforting her because she's just been abandoned by her mother? Wiping away her tears and telling her it wasn't her fault that her father died? Instead, we see Pops in his office, telling a sociopath that he's giving the child over to him and asking him to figure out her quirk. Which is another thing: no loving relative would ever give a young child to a man like Chisaki. Chisaki has already proven himself to be violent, unempathetic and ruthless. A person unsuited to be within a ten mile radius of a young child. I do believe Pops gave Eri to Chisaki in the hopes of mellowing him out, but you do not experiment with a young child this way. You do not give kids to violent people to see how those people react. So, I don't believe Pops ever loved Eri. And I don't think they should ever be reunited.

One thing I wish would happen/had happened with this character in Canon

What I hope for is Chisaki getting the Enji storyline. I believe that for Chisaki's story to properly conclude, he has to meet and talk to Pops one last time. After so much rejection and suffering that Chisaki has faced as payment for his crimes (being mutilated, thrown into solitary, subjected to white room torture, forced to ruminate on his crimes, rejected by the one hero who has vowed to help villains but decided not to help him, looking at you, Deku) - I want at least one person to come out and say: "I am looking at you, Chisaki. Show me how much you've changed." I'm not saying I want Pops to outright forgive Chisaki. No. What I want is for Chisaki to be given the chance, one chance, to prove to everyone that he can and has changed for the better. To be given that opportunity at atonement like Enji has. To be allowed to rebuild himself into a better version, instead of making his past essentially a death sentence. I want Pops to look at him and tell him: "I'm watching you."

[lampmanliveblogs]

The impending disaster is delayed by the rest of the kids going places, doing stuff, beginning by asking around in this quaint little shop. I do like the ”Ghosts will haunt shoplifters” sign. I also spied another Hexas Holdem’ cameo on a table. Just how many of those bloody things did Eda dump in the Human Realm? Or maybe those are unmagical replicas, since the ones Jacob gave away became popular.

Anyways, moving on to this shot, I do notice Gus looking through that barrel of gems. Heh, gems in Gravesfield. I bet that doesn’t happen often. I bet there aren’t a whole lot of teenage criminal masterminds running around there either.

Also, that is a Ness costume to the left there on the wall. Which makes me think the other two ones are references as well, hm… I wanna say the witch costume on the right is from… Little Witch Academia?

I just looked it up, and yup, that’s totally Little Witch Academia. That leaves the middle one, which I have no idea what it could be a reference to. I’m not even sure if that’s a bow, or cat ears. Or maybe this is a Blake Belladonna situation, and it’s actually both.

Oh, and the shop is called The Magic Circle. Insert Engelsfors Trilogy reference here:____________________________.

Oh, now this is a beautiful frame to accidentally pause on. I just had to include it.

That candy that looks like it’s levitating. Willow looking like she’s about to tip backwards. Vee psyching herself up before a boxing match. The librarian experiencing some Grade A secondhand embarrassment. The girl with the Batman logo on her shirt. Amity faceplanting for the second time this episode. Seriously, that can not be good for your face Mittens.

But hey, let’s look on the bright side. Now Hunter and Amity have something else to bond over: facial scar and a broken nose respectively.

And while I’m paused: I also love Willow paying for the costume with a snail, like she’s Pippi Longstocking with her gold coins.

Willow & Gus also both take notice of the statues of the Wittebane brothers. They exchange knowing glances, both of them undoubtedly seeing the resemblance to Hunter… though at this point only Gus has the pieces to begin putting the puzzle together.

And thus one of the shows longest running gags comes to full circle as we finally see one of these demonic giraffes that much fuzz has been made about. Honestly? I don’t see what it was about, the fuzz. This looks fairly normal by Demon Realm standard. Unless the giraffe people were known for being unusually brutal and violent, I’m not sure why the kids are so spooked by this.

I do love this though, because giraffes have obviously been around on Earth long enough to be considered normal animals by humans. And surely someone somewhere at some point would realize that ”Oh shit, these long necked creatures can unfold their faces. That’s weird.”

Even if giraffes don’t do it in front of humans, surely someone dissecting a giraffe would find it. This leads me to believe that yes, it’s weird, but still considered to be an as of yet unexplained quirk in an others normal an unmagical animal.

It was at this point I went on a long tangent about evolution and biology, and I cut that out because this post is long enough as is. Let’s just say that giraffe taxonomy would be a huge pain for scientists in this universe to figure out.

Called it.

I do believe I said so even as far back as Yesterday’s Lie that we would return back to the Gravesfield Historical Society. I also believe I said I dreaded seeing Jacob Hopkins again, for obvious reasons. Though based on the sign, we might be spared that unpleasantness. Good, Philip is already sneaking around, and one crazy person is enough for this episode.

I’m assuming the previous managers of the Gravesfield Historical Society came back from their vacation, found the crazy man who had broken into the building while they were away, and called the police on him.

Even though this is a shot from behind, you can clearly see Vee looking nervous and uncomfortable, and of course she’d be. The last time she stepped foot (eh… tail?) inside this building, all her worst nightmares came true, all at once. She was captured and put back inside a cage. She was going to be cut open and killed by a madman. Her cover was blown to Camila. All in all, it was a rather stressful thirty minutes or so she had in there.

Ey, it’s the fortune teller from Yesterday’s Lie! Based on a comment or two I got, I had a sneaking suspicion they’d appear again, and would you look at that, I was right. It sure feels good.

And not to toot my own horn too much, but the nickanme I gave them back in Yesterday’s Lie was Mira. Which has the same first letter (M), same last letter (a), and the same number of syllables (2) as Masha’s real name. Which might not sound all that impressive, but try guessing the first and last letter, as well as the number of syllables in my (real) name. If any of you are correct, I’ll… be very scared.

So, are you the new new management here, Masha? I’d think not, since, well… you’re what, fourteen? Fifteen, maybe? I know Jacob didn’t set the bar high, but you know it’s a sad state of affairs when an actual child makes for a better manager at a historical society than a grown adult man.

[burnwater13]

Boba Fett and Fennec Shand on Tython as they run down hill to respond to the appearance of stormtroopers (out of frame). Image from The Mandalorian, Season 2, Episode 6, The Tragedy. Calendar by DataWorks.

One of the reasons Grogu knew the Force was real had everything to do with things that happened to other people as opposed to the things that he could do that other people couldn’t readily explain. For example, how in the heck did Fennec Shand and Boba Fett end up on Tython? 

Grogu didn’t believe that the older Mandalorian had put a tracker on the Razor Crest. He also didn’t think his armor had a tracker on it. Plus, how did he just happen to be at the right place at the right time to save Fennec? The Daimyo had said that he’d just been lucky. Sure. Right. Lucky. It’s what people who hadn’t been trained by the Jedi said to explain things that were the most improbable thing they had ever witnessed by a wide margin. Luck. 

Grogu knew that it was important to the balance of the Force that Din Djarin, Boba Fett, and Fennec Shand meet and become allies. It was necessary because Grogu had been kidnapped, again, by the ex-Imp remnants that were working hard at annoying him. He had something they wanted and the Force, very clearly, didn’t want that to happen. After all, Grogu was one of the chosen ones. Chosen by the Force to survive Order 66.

Think about it. Every bounty hunter and their brother seemed to have a fob for him. Kuiil has said something to that effect to Din Djarin. His valley was the site of any number of bounty hunters failing utterly to collect Grogu. Then suddenly the Mandalorian arrived on Arvala-7, made ‘friends’ with an assassin droid (which was just flat out nonsense on the face of it, given how much the bounty hunter hated droids), and was able to do what on one else had done… collect Grogu. 

It wasn’t that Grogu thought Din Djarin wasn’t a good bounty hunter. Apparently, he was the best in the Outer Rim and he had a snappy tag line too. ‘I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold.’ That line said it all. It was his choice. Not yours. Never yours. But how had the Mandalorian missed out on the earlier bounty fobs? How did he not meet the customer sooner? Had convenient that he heard about the job when he was in a perfect position to take it. That is how the Force worked. 

Then how does he end up not catching Fennec? Best in the Outer Rim wasn’t a title given to lots of people. Just the one. But Boba Fett manages to find her, get her modified in order to save her and she agrees to work for someone who must have been known to her. They both had reputations that were well known within the Jedi Temple and throughout the Syndicates. Somehow, the two of them saw the advantage of working together and they both saw the advantage of being honorable with Din Djarin.  Yup, the very clear hand of the Force. 

And Grogu realized, as the battle droid thing was taking him away from Tython, that the Force didn’t want the three of them to some sort of easy time with rescuing him. They had to work for it. The Mandalorian had to trust them. They had to be honorable. They had to give up old grievances and formulate a plan that would demand that everyone involved work to the best of their ability. They would be tested. Why else would they end up working with Bo-Katan or even Miggs Mayfeld? Nothing but the Force could get Boba Fett to work with the former Daimyo, that had been clear, the way he’d told Grogu the story much later. 

It wasn’t like Cara Dune was just waiting to let some criminal go to get his help in obtaining the necessary information on Moff Gideon’s location. It’s not like Mayfeld was some sort of honorable person who had any good reason for treating her or the Mandalorian well. He was a huge risk and Grogu was certain she wasn’t taking that risk on simply on Grogu's behalf. Heck, she didn’t even want to carry him out of the burned out space the Client had worked from before IG-11 turned the tables on the ex-Imps. It had been the Force. She could no more say ‘no’ to it than she could happily eat a living frog. 

Then, how the heck did they manage to get on and off Morak? Sure, in theory no one knew they going there and they didn’t really give themselves away until the very end of their mission, according to Cara, but how? If you have a secret base, don’t you have security to try and keep it a secret? How did they let Mayfeld survive leaving Imperial Service knowing that much. Grogu would have expected a person as notionally intelligent as Moff Gideon to have addressed loose ends like that. But no. He didn’t. They didn’t. It was like leaving the backdoor to the bank wide open, expecting no one who walked the alleyway behind the bank to notice. Only the Force could get away with circumstances like that. 

It helped that so many people didn’t believe in the Force. Good luck, bad luck, no luck. Curses. Premonitions. Prophecies. Fate. All that sort of bunk, when in reality the Force was putting its ‘thumb’ on the scales and getting the kind of balance it preferred. People were blind to it and just complained or shook their head or acted confused. Importantly they didn’t plan for it one way or the other. So the mission to Morak was a success. Their plan to rescue him was a success. Their cooperation, honor, skills, and determination had carried the day, because the Force didn’t want it any other way. 

Grogu wasn’t going to argue with it. It was tipped to his advantage and he had no idea how long that would last. He didn’t want to consider what might have happened if the Force had decided that he was too much trouble. All he had asked for when he was at the Seeing Stone was that the Mandalorian realize that he needed a son as much as Grogu needed a dad. The Force agreed with him and for that he was grateful. Of course he hadn’t known that his next destination was going to be Luke’s Jedi Sleep Away Camp. If he had, he might have been a little more specific with his request.

Boba Fett talking to Din Djarin (out of frame) on Tython. Image from The Mandalorian, Season 2, Episode 6, The Tragedy. Caption reads: But fate sometimes steps in to rescue the wretched.