#and forced to commit unspeakable evils in both

[diejager]

Ok but like what about Wendigo reader? Maybe the team knows she's not exactly human but maybe in her file it just marked n/a and leaves it at that so they just assume that their sweet little medic is just a helpful spirit of some kind. Humans tend to give her a very wide birth since they seem to notice her as something they should leave the fuck alone, the boys just assume it's because of them always being near her and leave it at that. Till they're all on a mission and it all goes to shit, they're pinned down and then one of them ends up taking a bullet and reader just straight up fuckin losses it and next thing they know their is a 10 ft tall fuckin deer monster shredding bitches like their made of PAPER MACHE and EATING THEM, once the dust settles it moves towards them and slowly it shifts into their sweet medic but she is covered in blood and she just casually starts treating their wounds and the team is just like "Well mark me down as scared and horny" (if this makes no sense feel free to ignore)

Stag

Pairing: Monster 141 + Horangi & König x Wendigo!reader

Cw: cannibalism, human eating, greed, blood, canon-typical violence, tell me if I missed any. Wc: 2k (A/N): I felt a bit burnt out so I’m sorry if it’s bad, I reread it just in case, but it still feels bad.

They say that human greed is the source of evil, the all-consuming hunger for more —more than they need. Hunger drives humans to do the unspeakable, to break the line humanity had drawn and commit the taboo. Despite it being carved so deeply into the human psyche, passed down from generation to generation and the propaganda of humanism and equality, it doesn’t take much to make someone tip over, cross the edge nobody dared to and perform the unspeakable. Possession causes needs and needs cause greed.

That’s why people called to him for help, to carry out a clandestine mission to do their dirty work, his duty was to stop whatever men in power started, whatever men in power lost control —he was the one sent when they were scared. Fear was as coercive as power was. That was the reason Task Force 141 was first founded, to stop dangerous men like Hassan (Gaz remembered hearing from Soap that Ghost shot Hassan through the head, straight through him before he slumped down.) and Makarov, a man they were still searching for while signing a liaison contract with KorTac. Price, with Laswell’s help, managed to put the best of the best together: a wraith, a werewolf, a dragon, a harpy, a nagual and a cadejos vessel, all decorated with various medals for their work, and then there was you.

You were a mystery, even to Price who usually had clearance for anyone who joined them. Gaz knew, from a single glance, that you were far from human, you were a monster like Ghost was, turned after an occasion, or a hybrid like him. Surprisingly, Ghost seemed to welcome you warmly, albeit standoffish, having worked with you in the past, seeing that you both preferred working alone. Gaz wanted to show you the same heartwarming welcome as Ghost had, but there was something about you, an uneasiness he felt when he was around you. The others felt it as well, the innate need to keep their distance from you and the instinctual fear that had the hairs on their arms raised. Gaz could feel your eyes whenever you stared at him, like the eyes of a predator stalking its prey —it made him feel perturbed.   

You seemed so human, yet so inhuman-like, your dull, thousand-yard stare, your inability to feel temperature (either cold or warm, you always wore the same clothes), your odd habits and your unusual calmness in every situation. Gaz had caught you staring at a private for much longer than what people considered normal, eyes glazed over and dilated as if you were seeing something else, daydreaming while being aware of your surroundings. Those were your moments, you were usually bubbly, always smiling at him whenever his eyes met yours or treating him with gentleness and always eager to help him. You had a softness to your being despite the eerie feel to you and your unique tendencies, you didn’t discriminate, nor did you show an ounce of hate towards hybrids and humans, treating everyone fairly. 

Although you tried to fit in as best as you could, there were things that Gaz and the others just couldn’t shake off without questioning things. There was the lingering scent of blood on you, a metallic tang that stuck on his tongue after you walked by. König and Soap had confessed that they had a feeling that blood was a part of your scent, unwashable and impossible to hide, it clung to you like a second skin. They chalked it up to you being the Task Force’s medic, having brought people back from the brink of death and stitching men back together, you were practically bathed in the smell of blood and death every day. 

Another thought was that they never saw you in the Mess hall for food, perhaps a cup of tea or a hot mug of coffee to boost you through a long shift in the infirmary as the base’s main medic if you weren’t deployed with them. Gaz never saw you eat, not once had he seen you hold a plate or bowl with substance for yourself. You would bring either of them a plate, caring for them whenever they were under your watch, giving them soup or anything that they could easily digest. 

Gaz, Soap, Rudy and Horangi would chatter about you, throwing speculations on your breed, to see what hybrid or monster fit all your characteristics. You couldn’t be a wraith, your hands weren’t painted with death, a dark miasma that clung to you. You weren’t a werewolf, Soap would know, wolves were able to smell and recognize each other, it was an instinctual aspect of him. You weren’t any shifting hybrid either, there would be signs, little cues if you were one, and your classification wouldn’t be classified, painted over with a red line. 

All they could was wonder and amble around with curiosity dripping from their tongues. Gaz was sure that he’d find out soon enough, whether it was an accident or your choice.

This wasn’t what Gaz meant by eventually, he didn’t mean being set up by Konni, a trap planted for them in the small Belgium town. It was the best set to box them in, a broken and ransacked ghost town that people fled from, walls greyed and cracked, the paint peeling off street lights and rusted metal poles, lost, forgotten and open. There didn’t have any cover, even if they ran and hid behind the crumbling walls, Konni had them surrounded on every end, concealed behind concrete walls and using the shadows to hide from sight. 

It was chaotic, Konni had pushed them into an open area of the town, the centrepiece of it with a dilapidated, Greek fountain, chipped on the sides and green with mould, Gaz would’ve admired the architecture and the beauty it must’ve been in the past when it was still being cared for. They were backed up in a corner, Gaz couldn’t even stretch his wings out with how tightly they were packed together, the uncomfortable pull of his trapezius and the strain in his limbs kept him grounded. The tension was thick, palpable, Gaz could taste it in the air as much as anyone could, their shoulders tense, fingers tapping the trigger of their rifles. All they could do was wait for Konni to act first, to see where they would appear from and work their way out of this open area from there. 

He had his back towards you, he couldn’t see you but he could feel you shake. It might’ve been from the adrenaline pumping through your veins or the nerve of being lied to, of falling into a trap when Ghost had voiced his suspicions about the lack of clearer intel. They were paying for their amateurism. He felt you shudder, breath stuttering, near panting with exhaustion. Gaz wanted to turn to you, words soothing your nerves and twitchy appearance, he acted letting drown in your mind, whatever it was, he hated it. His finger twitched on the trigger, jolting at the sudden crack of bones, an ugly and painful sound that made him wince. It shocked everyone, even the ever so silent and stoic Ghost who had a hard time hearing these cracks coming from you.

Damn this mission; damn the trap; damn this situation, Gaz needed to look at you, to see why your bones were breaking and limbs rattling. Instinctively, his wings shifted to cover you, the ends widening to cover your sides to protect you from whatever pained you, yet you didn’t let out a single squeak, no moan of pain or the grunt of suffering, you were silent. A part of his mind nagged at him to move, he could fly and try to outrun Konni mercenaries to find a way out, but then he’d leave your back open. He cursed lowly, teeth sinking into his lower lip in frustration, he was-

A loud screech thundered through the air, and screams and squelches followed it. You were missing. 

You were shaking just a second ago, body wracked with some unknown ailment and the next, you were missing, your sack, attire, rifle and helmet were scattered on the ground, with a bony creature tearing through Konni ranks. The hair on his neck rose, an uneasy feeling overtaking him as he watched the creature rip men in half, tines stabbing through their torso like a buck fighting another, head lowered and antlers pointed forward. He watched the tall and thin monster move around, its face was one of a deer’s skull, eaten clean of skin and flesh, any muscle or fibre gone with whatever transformation it took. A crown of antler adorned its head, tall and imposing, as pale as its skull, a coat of black fur was wrapped around the neck, draping down the back like a ridge of fur. 

“Fuck,” Gaz hissed, his body moving along the chaos the being created and your disappearance, he aimed his rifle and shot at the Russians who ran out of their hiding, fearful of the monster’s sudden arrival behind their ranks. “Captain! Is that-?”

“Don’t know anymore!” Price seemed to be as lost as Gaz was, reining in his confusion to focus on taking Konni out. “Keep your head in the game, Gaz; ask questions later.”

Gaz knew Price was right, the town was brimming with Russian ultranationalists, hiding and waiting for their time to jump at them. The situation was still chaotic, but it was better than being without cover. Gaz followed Horangi behind a wall, watching his back while they worked through the humans.

Somehow, Konni either retreated or were all dead, swallowed down by the beast that stood before them. Now that Gaz was standing so close to it - to you, after a few minutes of talking back and forth, they concluded that this was you from the pants that hung from your slim hips - he could see that the deer skull was just a mask covering your face, black and unidentifiable with those bright, gleaming eyes that stared down at him. Despite your curved back, bent to look at them, you towered over everyone, even König seemed small beside you, limbs almost as long as you, fingers tipped with blood that you were still licking off, a long tongue wrapped around your digit to clean yourself from blood, muscle and guts. 

You were casually cleaning yourself up like a cat washing, even in the aircraft, you were gorging on the body of a man you picked up, jaw opening to show them the dozen of teeth before you clamped down on the forearm, tearing into the muscle with famished intent. None of them could take their eyes off you, their sweet, smiley medic who sometimes had their moments, devouring a man without batting an eye, obliviously uncaring of their staring. Gaz wasn’t sure if he knew how he felt, a warmth building up in his chest, a heat that seared into the fibres of his beings like an infectious thing. All they did was watch you eat, no one speaking until you finished your meal.

“Mind tell us what happened, Hunter?” 

You perked up, blinking at Price owlishly, tongue lolling out to lick up the stray drop of blood that stuck on your skull’s teeth. Your chest rumbled, a soft growl rolling off your body while you tilted your head, you acted so much like a feline, grooming, reacting and moving like a curious cat, dangerous, yet so appealing. 

“Wendigo,” you rasped, voice breathy and weak, you spoke in broken English, unable to speak fluently after turning, “Curse, eat human.”

Your little mannerism, the small tilt of your head and your fumbling hands, seemingly embarrassed or ashamed after your show of ruthless hunger and savagery was… eye-opening. Something stewed inside him, your being creating a ripple in his heart, pulling at the hunger in the depth of his gut. He was torn by the fear of having you as the potential enemy and the arousal of seeing you break men in half, painting the ground in crimson and guts, and satiating your hunger - craving - with human and monster flesh. 

Gaz was fucked, both in the head and the situation. 

Taglist: @craxy-person @crowbird @dead-cipher @iwannabealocalcryptid @iizx7y @mxtokko @yeetusspagheetus @capricorn-anon @perfectus-in-morte @sae1kie @yeoldedumbslut @tallmanlover @distracteddragoness @vxnilla-hxrddrugs @konigsblog @havoc973 @angelcakes-22 @cassiecasluciluce @ramadiiiisme @ramblingsofachaoticthinker @ki-cant-spel @im-making-an-effort @love-dove-noora @jinxxangel13 @daisychainsinknots @0alk0msan @mul-pi @danielle143 @virginalsacrifice

[acapelladitty]

if somebody hasn't already asked: may we please hear about your gotham rogues inferno placements? (sincerely, this sounds awesome)

Thank you! ❤️🥰 So i've been mulling it over in my head all day and here's what I have:

First Circle (Limbo) - Catwoman & Red Hood.

Placing both Selina and Jason in limbo is very representative of their duality in how they straddle the line between hero and villain. Both have a tendency to do the right thing where it counts but that shouldn't wipe out their other sins and the wrong they are willing to do to get ahead in their wants.

Second Circle (Lust) - Harley Quinn & Mad Hatter.

Both characters are driven by their desires. Harley is a victim of her own desires, her need for a strong figure to help shape and guide her actions and that has led her to her relationships with both Joker and Ivy and the carnage each have caused. Hatter is often guided by his delusional lust for an unobtainable ideal, his perfect Alice, and this goal has led to much of his evils.

Third Circle (Gluttony) - Penguin & Killer Croc.

Oswald is a man who values and enjoys the finer things in life. He has tasted hardship and he commits unspeakable acts to ensure that he never has to settle for the very best, be it his wine or his meals. Croc is being put here for his habit of human consumption. While it's not gluttony in the purest sense, I think it fits better than many of the other circles.

Fourth Circle (Greed) - Deadshot & Riddler.

Deadshot is an assassin for hire which makes his crimes a direct result of his greed and so this is most fitting for him. Riddler's greed comes more from his incessant desire to have everything which he feels is due to him. He craves attention, money, power, being the very best in what he does. His greed is relentless.

Fifth Circle (Anger) - Poison Ivy & Scarecrow.

Both Ivy and Crane are creatures fueled by rage. Ivy's rage towards mankind is unmistakable and leads her to cruelty towards her own people. Crane's hatred of mankind is more subtle but just as strong. He hates what the world has taken from him and punishes those who cross his path by forcing them to feel as miserable as he does.

Sixth Circle (Heresy) - Solomun Grundy & Mr Freeze.

The heresy of both men concerns their connections with death. Grundy is a walking zombie, an abomination which straddles the line of life and death with every step. Mr Freeze is a sadder figure but he also actively cheats death by forcing his wife to exist in a state of suspended animation and that's a mortal sin.

Seventh Circle (Violence) - Bane & Victor Zsasz.

Bane thrives in violence but possesses the mental capabilities to know exactly how to wield that violence to create the most devastation and pain to those he deems worthy of it. Zsasz is driven by his needs as a serial killer and he brings nothing to the world which houses him but pain and death.

Eighth Circle (Fraud) - Hugo Strange & Hush.

Hugo Strange is a fraud because he presents himself as a man with good intentions, one who wants to 'help' people but he is only interested in his own selfish gains. Hush is a more straight forward fraud because he claims the identity of another as his own with ill-intent and seeks to destroy it's original owner.

Ninth Circle (Treachery) - Two Face & Joker.

Harvey goes in treachery because his fate was to betray everything which he stood for as a man and as DA of Gotham and a betrayal of that magnitude cannot go unpunished. Joker, in a similar vein, is a traitor of all the good values of men and delights in making choices which cause the most suffering for the widest volume of people.

[fuzzywindcat]

I want to talk about Ryou and Yami Bakura as narrative foils for Yugi and Yami Yugi. Disclaimer: I never finished watching Yugioh as a kid (lost interest around the KC Grand Prix arc I think?), but I'm in the middle of a rewatch now. And I am convinced that that the lack of screen time for not just Yami Bakura, but Ryou especially, is the single greatest source of wasted potential in the show. I'm sure this has all been said before and I'm very late to the party lol, but bear with me.

I find it fascinating how the relationships between the vessel and the spirit inhabiting it are so similar, and yet so different. Both Yugi and Ryou are shy and don't have a lot of friends. Both are into games and have some interest in the occult. Both are possessed by an ancient spirit with a proclivity for evil. But while Yugi becomes Atem's heart and his moral compass, Ryou is nothing more than a tool for Yami Bakura. Look at what each spirit calls their vessel: aibou, or partner, versus yadonushi, or landlord. Plus, apparently yadonushi has the connotation of being a host for a parasite? Even more fitting.

Especially looking at Season 0 and how evil the Pharaoh acts in it, I think having this sort of contrast is crucial to the show. That's the whole point of a narrative foil, right? To show what could have happened to the protagonist had things gone differently. Ryou Bakura is a tragedy, forced to commit unspeakable acts against his will at the behest of an evil, sadistic spirit. But from what I hear of Season 0 (need to watch it), it didn't necessarily start out this way. Similar to Yugi's situation, Yami Bakura offered Ryou the strength that he himself lacked, and offered to stand up to his bullies for him. Of course, "stand up" in this case means "commit unspeakable acts of violence." But to a lonely, bullied kid, you can see the temptation. A temptation that Yugi himself could have succumbed to, had things gone differently. What if Yami influenced Yugi to become more evil, rather than the other way around? That's basically Yami Bakura and Ryou.

I couldn't resist watching the church scene that I've heard so much about, even though I haven't gotten that far in my rewatch yet. Oh my god. Being possessed by a demon in the very place you thought you would be safe? The stained glass windows breaking? This is the real shit. But it's less than two minutes long! This is all we get?! The relationship between Ryou and Yami Bakura deserves so much more screen time than this! We get to see plenty of times where Yugi and Yami work together, or butt heads, and again, I haven't gotten there yet, but the Ceremonial Duel, where Yugi gets to show the Pharaoh how far he has come? We get to see how their relationship evolves over the course of the show, and there's just nothing like that for Bakura. Like, the church scene is amazing, don't get me wrong. But what if it was a whole duel! Does Ryou even duel once in the show? Why does Ryou never/rarely fight back against the spirit? At least if we saw the two Bakuras duel, we could get some more character development out of it.

As it stands in the dub, Ryou Bakura is little more than a walking plot device. And that's a shame, because he could have been so much more. I remember reading fanfic back in the day and not really getting why Ryou seemed to be so popular. Like, he's just such a nothing in the show. Now I see that those fanfic authors were taking the few scraps we were given and expanding upon them. Ryou's dogged politeness, with a darker side hinted at by his interest in the occult. His fear of the spirit possessing him, yet his unwillingness to do anything about it. There is so much potential here. Ah well, that's what fanfic is for ;o

[knife-em0ji]

Sorry for this long post but can people stop treating Vader and Anakin as completely separate people. Like. That type of dissociation were obviously coping mechanisms by Old Ben and Vader. Not like. A literal fragmentation of personalities. Like if you love Anakin Skywalker imo you have to accept that he was a cute kid and a padme simp and a fun older brother and a boy desperately in need of acknowledgement and praise and a father who ultimately loved his son but also a guy who commits atrocities in his anger and strangles people who annoy him and has a victim/persecution complex (although admittedly for good reason) and was also a notorious child killer. This man contains multitudes.

Imo falling to the dark side/using the light side of the force isn’t marked by a shift or fragmentation of personality, but rather what emotions are used to channel the force and guide one’s actions. I think part of what’s so hard about resisting the dark side and coming back to the light is that there’s positive feedback loops of power, and resisting that by doing good and healthily channeling emotions is just plain hard. Especially in the case of Anakin, who is notoriously a “in for a penny, in for a pound” type of guy. He’s loyal and loves completely and dangerously with his whole heart, and he hates just as much.

And I think guilt is a huge factor with him struggling to do good; it’s pretty much a thought process of “Well, I’ve already committed thousands of atrocities and have countless amounts of blood on my hands, I have to believe whole hog in what I’ve been doing because then otherwise what was it all for.” I think that’s what makes his sacrifice for Luke so poignant, because it speaks to how much he loves his son that he’s able to overcome that spiral and do one last act of love for his son, unselfishly and without rationalization.

Idk, I just watched ESB again, and I think beyond just wanting to possess Luke and use him for power, it’s reasonable to think that part of the reason Vader wants him so badly to turn to the dark side with him is that he still thinks the dark side is the only way he can have enough power to protect his family and therefore keep them—he’s objectively much more powerful than he was in the prequels, and a main part of his struggles during the fall of the Republic was that he didn’t feel “strong enough” to protect the people he loved as a Jedi. He wasn’t able to free the slaves. He wasn’t able to save his mother. He wasn’t able to stop Ashoka’s expulsion from the order. He wasn’t able to prevent Padmé from dying. With the commitment he’s had to his path and the objective amount of power he’s amassed since the twins’ births, I think it’s reasonable to assume he desperately grasping at the idea that somehow, this time, he’ll be able to achieve what he’s never been able to do before. But his failure always lies in the fact that his motivations are, and always have been, ultimately self-serving, that his pride and fear of loss—which are completely understandable in moderation and not something he should necessarily be punished for—outweigh his real and genuine care for his loved ones and the galaxy at large.

Idk. All this to say that Anakin has always been Vader and Vader has always been Anakin. They’re the same fucking person, you fools! Stop taking dissociative rationalization literally!!! It’s right there in the text!!!! His return to the light does not negate his time in the dark and vice versa! There is good in him !! He is capable of unspeakable evil !!! BOTH ARE TRUE AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!

[bracketsoffear]

Abarat (Clive Barker) "Candy lives in Chickentown USA: the most boring place in the world, her heart bursting for some clue as to what her future may hold. She is soon to find out: swept out of our world by a giant wave, she finds herself in another place entirely… The Abarat: a vast archipelago where every island is a different hour of the day, from the sunlit wonders of Three in the Afternoon, where dragons roam, to the dark terrors of the island of Midnight, ruled by Christopher Carrion. (…)" Half of the islands in Abarat are night islands and most of the main bad guys work for forces of darkness trying to bring eternal monstrous darkness to all islands. Spoilers under cut"

Nuestra parte de noche (Our share of the night) (Mariana Enríquez) "A woman’s mysterious death puts her husband and son on a collision course with her demonic family.

A young father and son set out on a road trip, devastated by the death of the wife and mother they both loved. United in grief, the pair travel to her ancestral home, where they must confront the terrifying legacy she has bequeathed: a family called the Order that commits unspeakable acts in search of immortality.

For Gaspar, the son, this maniacal cult is his destiny. As the Order tries to pull him into their evil, he and his father take flight, attempting to outrun a powerful clan that will do anything to ensure its own survival. But how far will Gaspar’s father go to protect his child? And can anyone escape their fate?"

Can't speak of it in detail cuz I have not read that part yet, but the bad guys apparently succeeded in bringing forces of darkness to the islands.

[mariacallous]

Omegle, the video and text chat site that paired strangers together to talk, ultimately shut down as part of a legal mediation with a female user who sued the company, claiming its defective and negligent design enabled her to be sexually abused through the site.

Omegle’s chatting service was shut down Wednesday, just a week after it settled a court case with a plaintiff identified as A.M. Her lawsuit, filed in 2021, alleged that she met a man in his thirties on Omegle who forced her to take naked photos and videos over a three-year period. She was just 11 when it began in 2014.

“The permanent shutdown of Omegle was a term negotiated between Omegle and our client in exchange for Omegle getting to avoid the impending jury trial verdict,” Carrie Goldberg, an attorney who represented A.M., tells WIRED. Attorneys for Omegle did not respond to a request for comment on the settlement. Emails to Omegle were not returned.

Omegle, founded in 2009, regained popularity during 2020 as Covid-19 lockdowns kept people at home. That popularity was, at least in part, driven by it becoming a place where lonely people could chat and also a place for sexual exploration. But its very design was different from other social apps: It instantaneously paired strangers on camera.

“Virtually every tool can be used for good or for evil, and that is especially true of communication tools, due to their innate flexibility,” Leif K-Brooks, Omegle’s founder, wrote in a note announcing the site’s end. “The telephone can be used to wish your grandmother ‘happy birthday’, but it can also be used to call in a bomb threat. There can be no honest accounting of Omegle without acknowledging that some people misused it, including to commit unspeakably heinous crimes.” K-Brooks’ note did not mention the settlement in his statement, but blamed the closure of Omegle on unspecified “attacks” against communication services.

There’s a flaw in K-Brooks’ argument: The telephone doesn’t connect children and teens directly to sexual predators with the click of a button. Omegle’s model allowed sexual predators to sign on and click through a roulette of people, continuously jumping from one to another until they were face-to-face with who they were looking for.

Omegle has a long, problematic history of sexual abuse issues. In August, a man was sentenced to 16 years in prison after admitting to chatting with approximately 1,000 minors on Omegle and recording many of them undressing. The recent settlement with A.M. stems from a $22 million lawsuit which claims the man who abused her had saved thousands of sexually exploitative images of children, including some of A.M. In 2022, a CBC reporter spent time on Omegle and found that the majority of the people she matched to chat with appeared to be men who were either naked or off-camera.

In 2022, there were 608,601 reports of child exploitation on Omegle to the nonprofit National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline. Of all the sites the center tracked, only Facebook, Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp ranked higher.

In the US, social platforms are often protected by Section 230, a broad act that shields them from liability for the content their users post. But the judge in A.M.’s case found last July that Omegle’s design was at fault and it was not protected by Section 230: It could have worked to prevent matches between minors and adults before sexual content was even sent, the judge said.

K-Brooks wrote that he took a “good Samaritan” approach “to implement reasonable measures to fight crime and other misuse.” That included “basic safety and anonymity,” as well as “a great deal of moderation behind the scenes” that used both AI and human moderators. “Omegle punched above its weight in content moderation, and I’m proud of what we accomplished,” he wrote.

Omegle ultimately was brought down by a lawsuit from a sexual abuse survivor. But abusive content will still circulate around the web, and it shows how far away a long-term solution is. “We’ve got to ask ourselves some pretty good questions about how we even permitted this for so long,” said Signy Arnason, associate executive director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, a charity focused on reducing sexual abuse and exploitation of children. “If we don’t address things at the regulatory level, we’re just waiting for another site to backfill what Omegle did.”

[sophiegold123]

Panel Presentation: Stranger Things

 "Stranger Things" is a popular science fiction horror series created by the Duffer Brothers. Set in the 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the series combines supernatural elements with a nostalgic nod to '80s pop culture.The story revolves around a group of kids, who encounter a mysterious girl with psychokinetic abilities who goes by the name "Eleven."  The group soon discovers the existence of an alternate dimension known as the Upside Down, which is inhabited by a monstrous creature known as the Demogorgon. Throughout the series, they also receive help from various adults. The show has multiple seasons, each building on the mysteries and challenges faced by the characters as they confront the strange and terrifying forces that invade their small town.

What concepts of Gothic doubling function to define the natural from the supernatural?

Whether it be the concept of “Gothic doubling” ( the divided personality of a character) or the concept of the “uncanny double”,  as described in “Postfeminism and the Supernatural in Penny Dreadful” as “ a dark force inside her that makes her commit unspeakable acts. Such force could be interpreted as her uncanny double, who, according to Saxey, ‘is typically a splitting of the hero,’ and whilst ‘[o]ne aspect [...] remains socially respectable, the other commits (or urges) terrible acts’ (2010: 67)”, there are many examples of “doubling” in Stranger things. For example, the gothic doubling of Will Byers and the Shadow Monster or (Mind Flayer). In the second season, Will Byers, a normal kid, becomes connected to the Shadow Monster, a malevolent entity from the Upside Down (a parallel dimension that is a dark, eerie, and dangerous mirror image of the real world). This connection creates a doppelganger effect, as Will's body is used as a host for the monster, and he is forced to serve its sinister purposes. This relates to the quote from the reading “ neo-Gothic fiction portrays an insidious Other that can neither be contained nor controlled.” It shows the concept of doubling as a supernatural evil force that takes control of natural bodies.

In what ways is gender performativity tied to the supernatural?

The character of Eleven in Stranger Things  possesses supernatural psychokinetic abilities . She appears to the viewer in Season One as a blank slate, free of individuality, gender, or identity after she had escaped from a secret government lab. The idea of gender performativity is that “being born male or female does not determine behavior. Instead, people learn to behave in particular ways to fit into society. The idea of gender is an act, or performance.”Throughout the series, we see Eleven as both vulnerable and strong, damaged and super-powered, androgynous and feminine. She is hard and soft, in other words boyish and girlish, as determined by stereotypical notions of gender.  All of these characteristics are quite literally embodied in her physical appearance, especially in her hair and clothing. Eleven’s hair, clothing and cosmetics are a sequence of physical identities that show how others decide to view her or enforce their own perspective onto her. In Season 1, Episode 4, the boys set out to dress Eleven according to what they expect a girl to look like. By making Eleven into a “pretty” girl, the boys have remade her as a person who fits the conventionally accepted elements of appearance for a young girl, who is delicate and weak.  Various styles and appearances are placed upon Eleven, but she doesn't determine or explain her own self-perception, this underscores the idea that gender expression and how one presents themselves are performative acts.

Aside from Eleven dressing feminine, whether she decides her own wardrobe or not, I think that being supernatural in general, and having strong powers, can often make these characters fit into a more masculine role, or obscure the gender binary. 

How does the series use the supernatural to liberate characters from oppressive normalcy?

Amongst using her powers to fight bullies and supernatural monsters,t hroughout the seasons of Stranger Things, Eleven uses her powers to fight against Hawkins National Laboratory. Hawkins National Laboratory is a lab that experimented on her and other child test subjects, and who continuously try to capture her. Season one episode 7 is an example: when the doctor and lab  threaten her and her friends, she uses her powers to flip a van, providing a dramatic escape and resisting the oppressive forces pursuing her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTjmiwXRyXs (1 min 30 seconds in)

In what ways do Gothic doubles allow characters to transgress scripted gender that society imposes on them?

Another example of a gothic double in Stranger Things is when the Mind Flayer targets Billy and uses him as a vessel to once again carry out its sinister plans in the real world. In order to break free from the Mind Flayer, Billy has to simultaneously break free from scripted gender norms for men. In the scene where Billy sacrifices himself to the Demogorgon, he subverts the stereotypical tough and unfeeling demeanor associated with toxic masculinity. Instead, he displays vulnerability, empathy, and a willingness to protect others, challenging the conventional narrative of his character and, by extension, prevailing gender norms. The article assigned states “ Furthermore, in most neo-Victorian Gothic retellings, Freud’s uncanny ([1919] 2001) is revisited to explore the characters’ repressed traumas”. Throughout the series, glimpses of Billy's troubled past are revealed, illustrating the impact of an abusive father and the expectations placed on him. The supernatural elements surrounding his character force him to confront these traumas, as seen when Billy's facing of his past traumas allows him to break free from the Mind Flayer.  

One more example: Eleven  has a powerful counterpart or “sister” named Kali. Kali possesses psychic abilities similar to Eleven and acts as a sort of dark mirror to her. While Eleven represents good and empathy, Kali has a darker, more vengeful side. Kali encourages Eleven to embrace her anger and use her powers without restraint, challenging the conventional expectations of how a girl, especially one with supernatural abilities, should behave. Although, ultimately, trying to teach people to kill isn't good, she does teach her to use her power in stronger ways and shows her that her powers shouldnt be suppressed. She also gave Eleven a new hairstyle and put dark makeup on her, subverting the traditional feminine gender roles imposed on women. 

.

How are characters rewarded or punished for subverting their expected character traits?

Characters who subvert their expected traits often undergo significant personal growth. For instance, Steve Harrington starts as a stereotypical high school "bad boy" but evolves into a more caring , responsible, and protective individual over the seasons. Although the growth is a reward in itself,  Steve also makes genuine friendships, such as Robin Buckley. Instead of pursuing a romantic interest, he enjoys their platonic friendship. Also, he becomes an unexpected mentor to the character Dustin. He imparts valuable advice on dating, self-confidence, and helps in moments of danger.  Another example is Nancy Byers. She challenges gender norms by pursuing a career in journalism. Despite facing skepticism  from her colleagues due to her gender, she perseveres and works hard to prove herself. Eventually, she uncovers important truths about the supernatural occurrences in Hawkins. Her actions and discoveries have a positive impact on the group's efforts to understand and combat the threats from the Upside Down. Nancy’s character shows the reward of personal success that can come from subverting expected character or gender roles and prioritizing personal values over societal expectations.  

Questions: 

 The article states “Whilst madness and supernatural possession might allow female characters to speak up against patriarchy and gender oppression, their criticism is usually undermined by other characters in the series, and society in general, as the ramblings of a madwoman.”  Do you think that women who have supernatural powers compared to men are seen to be more “hysterical” or a dangerous ‘Other’ that cannot be controlled?

How do you believe individuals with supernatural abilities who perceive themselves as "monsters" are influenced by this characterization of themselves? Or how do other people considering them to be “monsters” affect them?   

Do you think your tv shows characters are successful in using their supernatural abilities to subvert or create an agency over whatever type of oppression they face?

[ceph-the-ghost-writer]

What my series of posts about the Unseen Hand factions fails to convey is that the leaders of this nefarious organization live as if they're on a sitcom together. Party of Five, or The Big Bang Theory but, you know, evil.

You have the main couple, a vampire and necromancer who've been in an enemies-to-forced-allies situationship for over a thousand years based on a mutual need to rule the world. Mergus, the vampire, is friendly and social and charismatic, so he takes care of all the PR, busywork, and hobnobbing that the necromancer detests. Hawthorne, the misanthropic necromancer, carries out all the godless, unspeakable sorcery behind the scenes that keeps their enemies in check and maintains a hold on their assets. These ancient monsters constantly try to one up each other, exchanging snippy texts and veiled death threats all the while, but neither would've gotten this far without the other--and they know it. Which just drives both of them even more out of their minds.

Next is the character who isn't in every episode. They're the wacky neighbor or ne'er-do-well sibling who shows up out of the blue, and when they do you know anything could happen. Ceph, the poltergeist, only leaves their room/shrine full of hoarded trinkets to write passive-aggressive sticky notes and cause in-fighting amongst the rest of the household. They can often be recruited to distract or annoy one of the others for a price--and at the risk of them turning on the instigator at a whim.

Then there's quirky, upbeat Tristan, the psychic vampire torturer. They're genderfluid and soooo funny! She wears rainbow shoelaces on her blood-spattered sneakers and listens to playlists while committing crimes against humanity! You never know what he's going to do next which is part of the terror! Cue the laugh track!

Finally, Wes Mayer, the werewolf, and his great grandfailsons are the egotistical idiots. The guys everyone loves to hate. They try to solve everything through force and/or money, completely confident in their own power, only for it to backfire spectacularly. Bullying them is one of the few things the rest of the cast can unite on.

[meydia]

Blood Meridian; or, the Evening Redness in the West (1985) - Cormac McCarthy

Rating: 10/10

Reading this novel was like being reminded that evil persists, exists, is stoked by the mechanisms that people before us have carefully or carelessly put into place, perpetuated by sons that learn only violence from their fathers, hoping for easy solutions, for another whiskey or another fuck, onward into infinity like dancing bears on a very vast and dusty stage made of wood planks with ancient blood pooled in its cracks.

Just like its subject - the scalp trade in the Borderlands - McCarthy’s writing here is difficult to digest, forces you to slow down and absorb the horrors in their entirety. He lists these in excruciating detail - the gang commits massacre after massacre, unnecessary violence against innocent people, violence against people who fight back, violence against the people who employed them in the first place. All of these horrors are both fictional and real, based upon the actions of a real-life figure and leader of said gang, John Joel Glanton and his mysterious right-hand man, the Judge.

Yet McCarthy chooses to focus on the Judge as representative of true evil; supernatural in appearance, actions and worldly knowledge, the Judge states that “Whatever exists in creation without my knowledge exists without my consent.” After he records it tidily in his journal, we see him snuff out centuries, millennia-old example of human art with one giant hand - a scene that struck me strangely hard, considering that we had just seen him kill countless people, had been implied to harm children in unspeakable ways, had played the gang like a cruel fiddle for nothing but nihilistic enjoyment. And yet he is symbolically an imperialist symbol, consuming everything since he seems to truly believe in nothing but the tune of war and games of chance. No judge in the sense of justice - he holds court only in bloodsport and bloodshed.

And yet we see The Kid, our true protagonist, also born with a propensity of violence, show mercy; he helps; he is moved; he is unswayed by the Judge’s simplistic philosophy couched in the words of a skilled orator. We see him move on and become The Man. We see him kill, still; but he warns, he attempts to rescue others, he wants nothing to do with the game. He quits it entirely. His soul remained intact, and what happens at the end of the book… only happened because the Judge knew no other way to subdue it. And I think that gives me hope.

—

Personal note: I finished this book over a VERY long stretch - give or take 6+ months - but it was worth it in the end. I’m not necessarily a fan of historical novels, nor epic works, but occasionally I work myself up to it. I’m looking to maybe read Cormac McCarthy’s The Road next now that I’m used to his meandering style. I’m curious to know what people think about this book too though I’m aware that it’s already been dissected to bits and pieces everywhere on the literary internet and in reading groups and in universities.

A must-read for people unfamiliar with extreme violence and conflict, or those who want to learn about the Borderlands at the time, or if you just want to read beautiful descriptions of disgusting violence and a gorgeous, unfeeling and dangerous landscape.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] In a major shocker, Israel on Friday said, citing forensic reports, that the Bibas brothers, whose corpses were returned by Hamas, were killed with “bare hands” by Hamas days after they were held captive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) alleged that after killing the two babies in ‘cold blood’, Hamas tried to cover up the horrific acts. “Ariel and Kfir Bibas were murdered by terrorists in cold blood. The terrorists did not shoot the two young boys – they killed them with their bare hands. Afterwards, they committed horrific acts to cover up these atrocities,” RAdm. Daniel Hagari said in a statement. The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that forensic examinations have revealed that Palestinian terrorists murdered children Ariel and Kfir Bibas “with their bare hands” weeks after their kidnapping on October 7, 2023. “We can confirm that baby Kfir Bibas, just 10 months old, and his older brother Ariel, aged four, were both brutally murdered by terrorists while being held hostage in Gaza no later than November 2023. These two innocent children were taken hostage alive, along with their mother, Shiri, from their home on October 7, 2023,” IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement. “Ariel and Kfir Bibas were murdered by terrorists in cold blood. The terrorists did not shoot the two young boys—they killed them with their bare hands. Afterwards, they committed horrific acts to cover up these atrocities.” -IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 21, 2025 The IDF statement came hours after it was discovered that Hamas had not returned the body of the boys’ mother, Shiri Bibas, and instead sent the body of a Gazan woman and later claimed that there had been a mix-up with the bodies during an Israeli airstrike, Times of Israel reported. Hagari said the evidence clearly showed that they were not killed in an airstrike as Hamas claimed. “Contrary to Hamas’s lies, Ariel and Kfir were not killed in an airstrike. Ariel and Kfir Bibas were murdered in cold blood by terrorists,” he said. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz expressed outrage over the killings, calling the murders “pure evil” and strongly affirming that “Hamas must be destroyed.” Waltz wrote on X, “The Bibas children were murdered at the hands of Hamas and NOT accidentally bombed. Pure evil. Keeping the Bibas family and all Israelis in our prayers for this unspeakable violence. Hamas must be destroyed. ” Hagari added that the children were killed in Gaza “no later” than November 2023 – a month after Hamas’s October 7 massacre in Israel. NY Post said that Shiri’s husband and the boys’ father, Yarden Bibas, was also taken hostage, but he was later freed, alive, by Hamas on February 1. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed deep anguish over the death of the Bibas brothers. In a statement, while holding the picture of Ariel Bibas and Kfir, Netanyahu said, “Here is a photo of the Bibas brothers. These perfect children, again, were four years old and less than one year old when the Hamas savages snatched them from their mother’s arms.” A Jewish baby and toddler were murdered by terrorists with their bare hands. Read that again. pic.twitter.com/nZD15Zd0pg — Israel ישראל (@Israel) February 22, 2025 “She fought like a lioness to protect her boys. Just imagine their horror. Imagine their confusion. Perfect little children who never hurt a soul. A baby, for the love of God. They languished in captivity until Hamas murdered them in cold blood. Who kidnaps a little boy and a baby and murders them? Monsters. That’s who,” Netanyahu added. He added, “And as the Prime Minister of Israel, I vow that I will not rest until the savages who executed our hostages are brought to justice. They do not deserve to walk this earth. Nothing will stop me. Nothing. Ariel, Kfir and Oded: I am so sorry we couldn’t save you from the monsters who did this. We honour your kind and loving souls, so tragically cut down by evil terror.”

[news365times]

[ad_1] In a major shocker, Israel on Friday said, citing forensic reports, that the Bibas brothers, whose corpses were returned by Hamas, were killed with “bare hands” by Hamas days after they were held captive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) alleged that after killing the two babies in ‘cold blood’, Hamas tried to cover up the horrific acts. “Ariel and Kfir Bibas were murdered by terrorists in cold blood. The terrorists did not shoot the two young boys – they killed them with their bare hands. Afterwards, they committed horrific acts to cover up these atrocities,” RAdm. Daniel Hagari said in a statement. The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that forensic examinations have revealed that Palestinian terrorists murdered children Ariel and Kfir Bibas “with their bare hands” weeks after their kidnapping on October 7, 2023. “We can confirm that baby Kfir Bibas, just 10 months old, and his older brother Ariel, aged four, were both brutally murdered by terrorists while being held hostage in Gaza no later than November 2023. These two innocent children were taken hostage alive, along with their mother, Shiri, from their home on October 7, 2023,” IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement. “Ariel and Kfir Bibas were murdered by terrorists in cold blood. The terrorists did not shoot the two young boys—they killed them with their bare hands. Afterwards, they committed horrific acts to cover up these atrocities.” -IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 21, 2025 The IDF statement came hours after it was discovered that Hamas had not returned the body of the boys’ mother, Shiri Bibas, and instead sent the body of a Gazan woman and later claimed that there had been a mix-up with the bodies during an Israeli airstrike, Times of Israel reported. Hagari said the evidence clearly showed that they were not killed in an airstrike as Hamas claimed. “Contrary to Hamas’s lies, Ariel and Kfir were not killed in an airstrike. Ariel and Kfir Bibas were murdered in cold blood by terrorists,” he said. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz expressed outrage over the killings, calling the murders “pure evil” and strongly affirming that “Hamas must be destroyed.” Waltz wrote on X, “The Bibas children were murdered at the hands of Hamas and NOT accidentally bombed. Pure evil. Keeping the Bibas family and all Israelis in our prayers for this unspeakable violence. Hamas must be destroyed. ” Hagari added that the children were killed in Gaza “no later” than November 2023 – a month after Hamas’s October 7 massacre in Israel. NY Post said that Shiri’s husband and the boys’ father, Yarden Bibas, was also taken hostage, but he was later freed, alive, by Hamas on February 1. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed deep anguish over the death of the Bibas brothers. In a statement, while holding the picture of Ariel Bibas and Kfir, Netanyahu said, “Here is a photo of the Bibas brothers. These perfect children, again, were four years old and less than one year old when the Hamas savages snatched them from their mother’s arms.” A Jewish baby and toddler were murdered by terrorists with their bare hands. Read that again. pic.twitter.com/nZD15Zd0pg — Israel ישראל (@Israel) February 22, 2025 “She fought like a lioness to protect her boys. Just imagine their horror. Imagine their confusion. Perfect little children who never hurt a soul. A baby, for the love of God. They languished in captivity until Hamas murdered them in cold blood. Who kidnaps a little boy and a baby and murders them? Monsters. That’s who,” Netanyahu added. He added, “And as the Prime Minister of Israel, I vow that I will not rest until the savages who executed our hostages are brought to justice. They do not deserve to walk this earth. Nothing will stop me. Nothing. Ariel, Kfir and Oded: I am so sorry we couldn’t save you from the monsters who did this. We honour your kind and loving souls, so tragically cut down by evil terror.”

[theotakufiles]

To Strip the Flesh Manga

To Strip the Flesh takes viewers on a thrilling, heart-pounding journey into the dark and twisted underbelly of society. In this gripping series, we delve into the deeply disturbing world of serial killers, exploring their motivations, methods, and the relentless pursuit to bring them to justice.

Through a combination of chilling interviews with forensic psychologists, law enforcement officials, survivors, and family members impacted by these horrific crimes, To Strip the Flesh provides unprecedented insight into these real-life monsters. Each episode introduces a new case that has shocked communities and left investigators baffled.

As we peel back the layers of these gruesome tales, we uncover the unsettling psychology behind some of history's most notorious murderers. Exposing both their depravity and complexities as human beings, we're forced to confront how such darkness can exist within seemingly ordinary individuals.

With each meticulously constructed narrative arc, To Strip the Flesh examines every bone-chilling detail of these heinous acts - from planning to execution - leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to understand what drives someone to commit such unspeakable horrors. We witness firsthand the tireless dedication it takes for law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and build a case against these elusive predators.

Blending expert analysis with compelling storytelling techniques, this docuseries not only serves as a platform for victims' stories but also sheds light on how modern investigative techniques have revolutionized crime-solving. From advanced DNA testing to criminal profiling advancements, each episode unravels groundbreaking methodologies that have played pivotal roles in putting these deranged killers behind bars.

To Strip the Flesh is an unflinching exploration into society's darkest corners and offers crucial insights into preventing future atrocities from occurring. Prepare yourself for an intense rollercoaster ride that challenges preconceived notions about humanity while reinforcing the unwavering resilience of those working tirelessly to protect us all from evil's grip.

NOTE: This description highlights sensitive material involving violence and may be disturbing or triggering to some individuals. Viewer discretion is advised.

If you're a fan of captivating storytelling and stunning artwork, then I urge you to show your support for the talented manga author behind 'To Strip the Flesh Manga'. By purchasing the manga at gekimanga.com, not only will you be immersing yourself in a thrilling narrative, but you'll also be directly supporting the creator's incredible work. Don't miss out on this opportunity to own a piece of art that has captured the hearts of countless readers. Head over to gekimanga.com now and let your love for 'To Strip the Flesh Manga' shine through!

[choices-binglebonkus]

No, I’m not done, actually.

Both series have their strengths and weaknesses but ultimately Heart of Trespia offers a deeper, richer story.

One of the reasons for this is the setting alignment of both series. I looked at several different charts and ultimately I think this one sums things up pretty well for my line of thinking:

The Crown & The Flame is very much a Heroic World. Evil is alive and well, yes, but there is an overwhelming force of Good that pushes back in a stereotypically-fantastic Good vs. Evil clash. Our characters and allies, especially our inner circle, are unquestionably and unwaveringly Good, while the Nevrakis and Ducitoran forces are Other at best and unspeakably Evil at worst. Morally grey characters are very few and far between (I.e. Hex, Queen Adriana pre-story) and there isn’t a lot of nuance to anyone’s alignment, much less their characters. Suffering exists in this universe but only at the hands of Evil: when Kenna and her entourage of heroes are in charge of a kingdom or territory, there are no infrastructural or societal problems ever even mentioned. Not in Stormholt, the Foundry, Aurelia, Fydoria, nowhere. The endings of all three books are never impacted by the loss of allies, army, or assets beyond one or two inconsequential dialogue changes. Despite the carnage, destruction, and trauma of the battles and wars, all three books end with jovial celebrations that feel far too joyous far too soon.

The long and short of it is that Kenna and Co. are noble, valiant, staunch protectors who spread righteousness across the Five Kingdoms they protect, and their opponents, whomever they may be at the time, are monstrously evil and must be stopped no matter the cost. And the reader isn’t really provoked to think beyond any of this.

Meanwhile, Heart of Trespia is a Gilded World. All five kingdoms put on a show of splendor and stability as their people needlessly suffer. In Trespia’s case, starvation is common, as is pestilence: Gisella states that all the physicians in the kingdom have traveled to the capitol to treat the wealthy while the poor suffer and die. Nonetheless, the nobility of Trespia, and the nobility of its neighboring kingdoms, never give more than a passing glance at the squalor and suffering the common folk experience. And this is all before the war.

We also meet a cast of hugely morally grey characters. Many of them are good at heart, but ultimately commit unscrupulous acts in the name of survival such as intimidation and brutality against common folk, armed robbery, extortion, kidnapping, biological warfare, even torture at a few points on Ellaire’s part.

Slavery is also largely common in Xael despite being outlawed in the four other kingdoms of Isrion, the slaves having been abducted from other kingdoms such as Trespia and beaten into submission, sold, tortured, and killed in Xael’s quest to construct warships. Sexual assault is also a prominent issue throughout the story to the point where a major plot point and several choices revolve around the atrocities committed by Prince Alaric.

And I haven’t even covered the bad ending. Nearly the entire kingdom is decimated. Countless lives are tragically lost. When Ellaire asks how long it will take for Trespia to return to normal, Reinhold makes it clear in no uncertain terms that neither of them will live to see the day. Trespia, though still standing, is a fallen kingdom that will never be unmarred by the blood of its past.

All in all, good does exist within the Heart of Trespia universe, but you really have to dig to find it, and even when you do, many impurities are brought to the surface with it. There is more nuance than simply “we are good and they are bad” that forces the reader to contemplate the story and its characters on a deeper level than the heroic world portrayed by The Crown & The Flame.

Alright you know what? I’m gonna come out and say it.

I love The Crown & The Flame. It’s one of my all-time favorite Choices series. Kenna is one of my favorite protags ever—in Choices and out of it.

That being said, Heart of Trespia (despite all its issues) blows it out of the water.

[bracketsoffear]

Nuestra parte de noche (Our share of the night) (Mariana Enríquez) "A woman’s mysterious death puts her husband and son on a collision course with her demonic family.

A young father and son set out on a road trip, devastated by the death of the wife and mother they both loved. United in grief, the pair travel to her ancestral home, where they must confront the terrifying legacy she has bequeathed: a family called the Order that commits unspeakable acts in search of immortality.

For Gaspar, the son, this maniacal cult is his destiny. As the Order tries to pull him into their evil, he and his father take flight, attempting to outrun a powerful clan that will do anything to ensure its own survival. But how far will Gaspar’s father go to protect his child? And can anyone escape their fate?"

Stolen Sun (Korney Chukovsky) "A Russian children's poem that narrates how the crocodile consumed the Sun and how the bear gave him a proper pummeling and forced him to release the star back into the sky. No, it doesn't make sense in context either, but it does take on the motifs of Slavic myths about a dragon stealing the Sun and imprisoning it for thirty-three years, cueing global night and cold."

[dhr-deleted]

2023 January - Uploaded

a-muse-ing (luna) Bloodletting (6KB - One Shot - R) Hermione discovers a secret Draco has while they are both hiding at Grimwauld Place. Draco's Salvation (91KB - 17 Chapters - R) This fanfic was inspired by Anlynne’s story; Unnamed (FF.net). I loved it so much I wanted to use her idea. I think my story has become its own but you may find some similarities. And yes, I did ask Anlynne permission to use her idea. Dragon Heart (59KB - 5 Chapters - R) No summary. No Words (9KB - One Shot - R) The final battle and Hermione Granger is separated from her friends, wandering Hogwarts alone until she finds herself face to face with none other than Draco Malfoy. No words are spoken. The Reluctant Bride (87KB - 12 Chapters - NC-17) Veela Fic; In the end, she was left with his life in her hands. "You wouldn't do they same for me, would you, Ferret?" Hermione gasped as Draco gently squeezed her hand. AU No Voldemort, just a lot of prejudice against Muggle-borns. 7th year The Reluctant Bride Slytherin Sex God (7KB - One Shot - R) Warning! This is a parody. It is not to be taken too seriously. Enjoy! Stay (11KB - One Shot - NC-17) Hermione Granger is home from her sixth year at Hogwarts. One night she receives some unexpected guests. Veela Fic #838 (9KB - One Shot - NC-17) Hermione Granger, head girl, was becoming concerned. The head boy, Draco Malfoy, was ill.

elastique (chronophobique) Next Time I'll Be The Book (11KB - One Shot - NC-17) Supposed to make Granger drink an antidote capable of reversing the harmful effects of her first poorly prepared potion, Draco found himself forced to follow the impossible witch into the Restricted Section, not knowing that what he'd see her doing in there would change his perception of her for life. Petrichor (18KB - One Shot - R) After he reluctantly closed a book he thought he already knew the end of five years ago, Draco would never have imagined that a curly brown-haired little girl with grey eyes who had a fascination for cats and puzzles would be the one to change the ending of the story. Maybe more fics/chapters on their twitter.

cklls Consequences and Complexities (630KB - 33 Chapters - R) Sequel to Covered in Crimson. It really wasn't his fault, but there were consequences to his actions. They would be dealing with the results for the rest of their lives. What does the future hold for Hermione? And how will Draco deal with what he's done? Covered in Crimson (366KB - 31 Chapters - R) Draco awakens in an unfamiliar place, having committed an unspeakable crime, with no wand, and no memory of how he got there. Will he save her from death, or will he be the coward he's always been? The Essence of Life (124KB - 3 Chapters - R) Fertility issues in pureblood marriages lead to desperate measures. Draco seeks out help from a most unlikely source, in a most unlikely way. Even Now (6KB - One Shot - PG-13) Draco has a one-sided conversation with someone very, very special to him... A story inspired by Barry Manilow's "Even Now." It's September First (4KB - One Shot - PG-13) Hermione wakes up a little late on September First Just We Two (228KB - Incomplete - R) Draco tells the story of his post-war descent into self-destruction, and how a chance encounter with a broken woman changed the trajectory of both of their lives. Two Out of Three (12KB - One Shot - R) There was only one woman he would ever love, so what was Draco doing in Astoria’s bed?

Lucissa Malfoy Breakfast at Natalie's (348KB - 33 Chapters - R) This is the sequel to my first fanfiction, Taboo. Breakfast at Natalie's takes place about ten years from the time Draco and Hermione graduate from Hogwarts. It's got romance, drama, mystery, angst...you name it. Taboo (128KB - 29 Chapters - R) Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco are starting their sixth year at Hogwarts. It is a battle between good and evil, love and hate. But who is good and who is evil? Who to love and who to hate? Can anybody be trusted? Beware, not everyone is who you think they are. Secrets are about to be unveiled in a dramatic tale of forbidden romance.

potterbrat Broken (167KB - 25 Chapters - R) Draco Malfoy has changed sides and is now working for the Order. When his father tells him it's time to take the Mark, Draco decides it's time to tell him that he's changed sides. Draco goes to the Manor, and gets help with his things. Everything is running smoothly until they are surprised by someone who wasn't suppose to be there. There are some pretty dark warnings, but this is a romance, I swear! -- pb

TeTe91 (Geiko) Becoming Mrs Malfoy (250KB - 51 Chapters - R) Hermione is invited to a wizard convention and finds herself engaged to her enemy afterwards. Draco is frightened to become a Death Eater so he takes advantage of the mudblood. Together they find out that the other is not what they thought to be.

viridianatnight A Boy and a Girl and a Healing World (13KB - One Shot - R) But even as she thinks of him, she knows she would fall back into those gloomy eyes with one word. Hermione knows Draco Malfoy is the only person she wants—will ever want. A Vow in Foreign Tongues (47KB - One Shot - NC-17) She closes her eyes and thinks of England. She thinks of the last time she saw her mum, of the heartache she feels knowing she won’t be there today. Again and Again (14KB - One Shot - NC-17) Her best friends’ father… fuck! She needed him again. Daisies (9KB - One Shot - G) He held, he cherished, he even loved. Only to leave. Do You Feel It Too? (12KB - One Shot - NC-17) She was losing breath, losing herself to him. “What if I do? Feel what you feel?” Draco moved closer, eyes drifting from her lips to her eyes. “Then we’re fucked, baby.” Donec Mors Nos Separaverit (8KB - One Shot - R) “Marry me.” Dress / Play (22KB - One Shot - NC-17) More smut from your favourite DILF. It's so much porn. Just read it. Fuck (8KB - One Shot - NC-17) Just a goth Hermione and a shy, nerdy Draco and a blowjob in a library. Her Cherry Lips (15KB - One Shot - NC-17) “And you imagined those lips,” she said, pushing her thumb between his painted ones, “wrapped around your cock. Sucking you hard, hmm?” Draco’s lips encircled her thumb, his tongue lapping over her skin roughly. She undulated her hips against him in reward, feeling his erection against her arse again. “Go on, baby,” she cooed. “Suck.” Her Muggle Ink (20KB - One Shot - PG-13) Hermione hadn’t changed the mark, she hadn’t scribbled it out or made it worse. She’d made it better. Made it something beautiful. He lifted his arm closer, finding daffodils hugging the skull and snake, interspersed with pansies, and another flower. Hermione had grown a garden in his darkness, showing him how to thrive where he thought the sun couldn’t shine. If Life Were Simpler (24KB - One Shot - R) In another universe, where hate only came from academic rivals and haughty quidditch captains, our two lovers find each other. Maybe it could have been this way, if life were simpler. Le Portriat de L'agonie (15KB - One Shot - NC-17) When a portrait is placed in Draco's bedroom, he finds himself falling into the depths of the beguiling art. A young woman, stuck forever in a gilded cage on a vermillion chaise with no companion but him. By the time a connection is formed, it's too little too late. Like Real People Do (24KB - One Shot - NC-17) Draco Malfoy, twenty-eight years old, lives in a small flat with his pet cat, not charming, awkward, quiet, standoffish, prone to irritation, and a virgin. Little Broken Things (30KB - 2 Chapters - R) Because when Hermione Granger woke up this morning, she was expecting to find blood on her knickers. Because she didn’t see it last week or the week before and she thought it may just be late. When it wasn’t there for the third week in a row, her heart fell to her stomach. neé Granger (9KB - One Shot - G) Hermione changes the name on her marriage certificate the night before her wedding. Notice Me Not (47KB - 5 Chapters - R) One New Year’s Eve kiss with Hermione Granger changes Draco’s heart forever. When it leads into another and another and another, he’s sure he will never be the same. Patience & Permanence (73KB - 7 Chapters - R) Draco Malfoy has been blind for four years and no one knows. He's buried under secrets and friends who care too much. Hermione Granger is a healer who needs something new. She's healing from the war and nightmares she can't forget. Somewhere along the line, they meet and maybe Hermione can be the one to help him see again. South London Forever (23KB - One Shot - NC-17) One year following the epilogue in Various Storms and Saints. Tainted (13KB - One Shot - NC-17) Divorce is messy. Her best friends' dad's divorce is messy. She just wants to be there for him. Is that really such a bad thing? Tea & Clichés (16KB - One Shot - NC-17) “But I’m not a home wrecker and I don’t believe in labeling women as slags just because they know what they want,” she breathed out. Draco’s hands ran back down her thighs, rounding her knees as he spread her apart. Fuck if she wasn’t sopping wet. He leaned forward and for a fleeting moment, she thought he might kiss her. “And what is it that you want, Hermione?” The Virtue of a Good Witch (19KB - One Shot - NC-17) “The virtue of a good witch can save a soul on the edge of destruction.” Various Storms and Saints (500KB - 48 Chapters - NC-17) Mudblood. Hermione stared at the letters that besmirched her skin. They hadn’t healed since the day she was maimed. Warm Glow (13KB - One Shot - R) When the bed shifts behind her, she freezes. Hermione holds her breath as an arm falls over her waist. She feels the brush of a nose at her neck but the feeling of steady breath tells her the mystery person is still asleep. Pressing her lips together in silent anticipation, she lifts the blanket. An arm of stark paleness in contrast to her olive skin holds her—and she’s naked. Who Am I to You? (20KB - One Shot - NC-17) The war had taken everything from her. Inexperience took Ron. Fame took Harry. What would one night with Draco Malfoy take?

[dad-nee-toh]

Lorna raised an eyebrow, "For your information, I was in prison for a murder I did not commit. Not drugs." She unwrapped a burger, "Also you look like you've been through some shit and could use something that would help you sleep."

She turned to dig through the freezer and almost choked on her burger hearing Charles' voice. She slammed the freezer door, and she stood straight up. "Uncle Charles," she said turning, "who said anything about a dealer?"

don't think about your stash, don't think about your stash, don't think about your stash

Pietro whistled lowly, "Man, a boyfriend. Does Erik know?" He fell back on his butt to sit on the ground, "Oh you know I'll pay anything for secrets."

Vision's processors hummed as he accessed the vast repository of knowledge stored within his synthetic mind. The Mind Stone had a slight glow.

"Erik Lehnsherr, born Max Eisenhardt, emerged from the horrors of the Holocaust with a new name and a mission forged in the crucible of his suffering. A survivor of unspeakable atrocities, his early life in Poland was marked by the brutal loss of his family. These formative years under Nazi oppression shaped his worldview, instilling in him a fierce determination to prevent such horrors from ever happening again—to anyone, but especially to mutants."

"Magneto’s primary power, the control over magnetic fields, is awe-inspiring. With a mere thought, he could manipulate metal, generate electromagnetic pulses, and even achieve flight by harnessing the Earth's magnetic forces. His ability to create nearly impenetrable force fields made him a formidable adversary. Beyond his mutant abilities, your father possesses a genius-level intellect, with extensive knowledge in genetics and mutation, coupled with unparalleled strategic and tactical prowess.

"Erik's formation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants marked the beginning of his crusade against human oppression and his vision of mutant superiority. Despite his shared goals of mutant survival with Charles Xavier, their methods and ideologies often clashed, leading to epic confrontations."

Vision blinked as he continued to talk, "The trauma of his youth cemented his belief in mutant superiority. He views extreme measures as necessary for survival, often justifying acts of terrorism and violence as essential to secure a future for his people. His leadership style was both charismatic and authoritarian, commanding fear and respect in equal measure."

Vision looked back down at Wanda, "Your father is not merely a villain; he is a complex, multi-faceted individual driven by deep-seated trauma and an unwavering desire to protect his family."

Erik stood back up pulling himself to his full height, he approached Clint, his face however, showed an expression rarely seen: remorse.

"I owe you an apology," he said his voice steady but filled with genuine regret. "My actions earlier were inexcusable. I let my anger get the best of me, and I struck out without thinking. For that, I am truly sorry."

"There is something more I need to express," Erik said, his tone softening. "I want you to know how deeply grateful I am for the kindness you and your wife have shown to Wanda and Pietro. You welcomed them, treated them with compassion when they needed it most. For that, I am eternally thankful."

"I want you to know," he continued, "that you and your wife are always welcome to visit us. Whenever you like. Our doors are open to you both. And I promise to keep you informed about Wanda and Pietro. They mean a great deal to me, as I know they do to you."

“I don’t like this…” Wanda sighs. She’s sitting next to her brother in the back of the transport vehicle.

“Just because Stark thinks he knows these people…” she trails off. Knowing she doesn’t need to finish her thought.

“Though I suppose we could run…” she fidgets with one of her bracelets.

“What do you think?”

@wanda-chaos-witch

Pietro sat leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. His mind raced only slowing down when Wanda spoke. He glanced back at his sister, "We could run but we have no place to run to." He said with a sad smile.

And it was true, they were orphans from a country that no longer existed. Sakovia had been destroyed by Ultron. He had thought that they had a home with the Avengers yet they had shipped them away as well.

They had told the twins that needed to get a proper education. They said they needed to be with others their age. As far as Pietro was concerned though the Avengers were just like everyone else in their lives. Used them for a purpose and then tossed them out when they no longer needed them.

Sitting up Pietro put an arm around Wanda and pulled her into his side. While he hated that they were being shipped out, he knew this was their only choice right now. "I say we try this place, and if worse comes worse I can find a job easy enough."

@wanda-chaos-witch